An odd mix of excitement and dread bubbled in Odette’s stomach, fizzing up to her chest where it expanded into an anxious sensation that made her want to crawl back into bed and hide under the covers.
She’d steeled herself to pull James aside as soon as he arrived that morning, tell him about the curse and their impending deaths to get it over with, but he’d come in with the rest of the crew, forgoing his usual early arrival.
When she’d asked why he was late, he’d mumbled something about being on the phone with the warehouse, given her an inquisitive look, as if he were about to ask a question, and then his team stomped in with their arms full of cabinet doors, and she hadn’t spoken to him since.
She drummed her nails on the folding table she’d set up in the altar room and stared at her watch, counting the seconds until the crew would leave and she could get James alone. She had so much to tell him, but she had no clue where to begin. How could she tell him that because she was falling for him, they’d both be dead within a few weeks? Or days?
“Kitchen cabinets are done if you want to come have a look.” James stood in the doorway wiping his hands on a rag. He half-smiled, but it didn’t ease the tightness in his jaw. Whatever his problem was, he needed to get over it. They didn’t have time for bruised egos.
He stuffed the rag into his pocket. “They’re beautiful.”
She rose from her seat and strutted toward him, allowing her power to pool in her core. As her aura tingled with energy, Nicolas, attracted to the magic, appeared behind James, growing more solid as he fed off the energy from the spirit realm passing through Odette. She reined it in, keeping the magic to herself, and lightly touched James’s shoulder as she passed. “They better be. That’s what I’m paying you for.”
He should have felt the void of death as she touched him. The cold emptiness should have made him shiver. That little trick was normally enough to make any grown man cower, and it was the most she ever did with the power the Baron had erroneously gifted her—a tiny boost to remind people she wasn’t one to mess with.
But James simply chuckled, catching her hand before she could walk away. “I’m not afraid of you, so if you’re trying to get rid of me after last night…”
She squeezed his hand before pulling from his grasp. “I’m not trying to get rid of you. Just having a little fun.”
“Is that what you call it?” He closed the distance between them, and taking her hand again, he held it between both of his. “We need to talk.”
His magic buzzed on her skin, shimmying up her arm and sparking in her heart. She swallowed the thickness from her throat and gazed into his deep, blue eyes. “I know.” He had no idea. “After the crew leaves, okay?”
“Yeah.”
He led her into the kitchen, and her breath caught when she saw the transformation. Dark mahogany with elegant scrollwork etched into the trim, the new cabinets deepened the room, giving it an antique yet stylish ambiance. She brought her fingers to her lips as she admired the woodwork.
“Told you they’re beautiful.” James stood so close his breath tickled her ear. “Classic.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “They’re as close to the original cabinetry that we could find. Well, original to the first kitchen that was actually inside the house.”
“They’re perfect. Thank you.” She leaned into him, the warmth of his firm chest against her back making her wish the crew was already gone.
The clank of tools sounded from the foyer, and Noah cleared his throat as he sauntered into the kitchen. James stepped back, taking his warmth with him, and Odette wrapped her arms around herself to rub at the goose bumps on her arms.
“Crew’s heading out. You sticking around?” Noah’s gazed flicked between James and Odette.
James nodded. “I need to get a few signatures on the paperwork. I’ll meet up with you later.”
Noah fought a smile and dipped his head at Odette. “Have a good evening, ma’am.”
The moment the door clicked shut, James turned to her. “What did you find out at the ceremony?”
“Oh, um…not much, really. I was hoping Baron Samedi would show up, but it seems he’s still mad at me.” She backed against the counter, gripping the edge. She should say it. Tell him he’s her soulmate and they’re both going to die because of it. He could handle the truth, couldn’t he?
He narrowed his eyes. “Nothing about the imps? You said your loa might be able to tell you where they came from.”
Pressing her lips into a hard line, she gripped the counter tighter. If she told him now, he might turn tail and run. That wouldn’t help anyone. Death would find him anyway, right after it claimed her.
He stepped toward her and rested his hand on the counter behind her. “Who are you protecting?”
Both of us. “No one. I…” She exhaled a sharp breath. “There are some things you need to know, but it’s complicated.” Gazing into his eyes, it took every ounce of her willpower not to lean in and kiss him. If he didn’t realize they were soulmates yet, he might not believe her. Erzulie Freda said they had to work together if she wanted a chance to break the cycle. She couldn’t risk scaring him off. “The loa that spoke to me said there’s a puzzle that needs to be solved and you have to help me solve it.”
He frowned. “A puzzle?”
“Yes, but she didn’t say what, and it’s hard to explain.” Releasing her grip on the counter, she straightened and brushed a hand down his arm. “I’m free tonight, if you’re still interested in having dinner with me. It’s going to take a while to explain it all.”
He glanced at her fingers where they rested against his and took a deep breath, his gaze roaming from her eyes to her lips and back again. “Now you’re asking me out?”
It was either that or push him to the floor and climb on top of him. A date seemed like the more sensible option…for now. “I like you, James. I’d like to get to know you better. Let you get to know me.”
Holding her gaze, he purposely hesitated in his reply, drawing it out, trying to get the upper hand. That wouldn’t do.
She cocked an eyebrow and slid away from him. “But if your ego is still bruised, then never mind.” Pulling her phone from her pocket, she tapped the screen. “I’ll have my dinner delivered. Please lock up on your way out.”
He yanked the phone from her hand. “Ordering dinner from Instagram? I didn’t realize they offered that feature.”
Damn it, she should have clicked the Uber Eats app. “I was checking my notifications first.”
Stepping toward her, he cupped her cheek in his hand, angling her face toward his. He drifted closer, his nose brushing hers, the warmth of his breath caressing her lips. “I’m going to run home and shower. I’ll be back to pick you up in thirty minutes.” He paused, his lips an inch from hers, his grin crinkling the corners of his eyes.
Sweet Spirits, if he didn’t kiss her, she was going to explode.
His thumb grazed her cheek as he stepped back and dropped his hand. “Stay inside until I get here.” With a wink, he turned and strode from the room.
She didn’t remember to breathe until the sound of the lock on the front door pulled her from her trance. That man didn’t just make her body burn; he lit her soul on fire.
James watched Odette from the corner of his eye as he pretended to be absorbed in the music. A five-piece band sat on a small raised platform in the corner of The Apothecary, a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike to hear live music with a flair only found in New Orleans. Tonight, the music ranged from big band to jazz to the musician’s original tunes, and Odette’s elusive smile had almost become a permanent fixture throughout the evening.
They’d started with dinner at Chez Jacques. The Tour of New Orleans had included jambalaya, shrimp creole, and a hearty serving of seafood gumbo, and he’d savored every bite of it. Odette’s shrimp and grits had smelled divine, and she’d polished off the entire bowl, plus half the loaf of French bread. He admired a woman who wasn’t afraid to eat. The more tim
e he spent with her, the more comfortable she became, and the fact he’d helped to put the smile that most people rarely witnessed on her lips made his pulse pound a little harder.
Sitting in this old pharmacy-turned-bar, with the jazz music playing and the rum flowing, was the perfect ending to their first date. Well, with any luck the date wouldn’t end until tomorrow morning, but he was still working on that.
He slid his arm across the back of her seat, letting his hand rest on her shoulder. She glanced at him, biting her lower lip and leaning into his side. Damn, this felt right. The evening. The company. The restlessness that had been stirring in his soul had settled, contentment expanding in its place. He kissed the top of her head, and she let out a quiet sigh.
Mine.
The idea shook him to his very core. He could actually spend forever with this woman. He hadn’t known her long, but he felt it in his bones. In his soul. Closing his eyes for a long blink, he sat with it, letting it resonate, waiting for his wolf to tell him otherwise. His beast didn’t argue.
He couldn’t fight his smile. It had finally happened. He’d found his fate-bound.
No sooner had the thought entered his mind when an image of the dream woman flashed behind his eyes.
Also mine.
He held in a groan. Damn his wolf. The man had made up his mind. He wanted Odette, but he sure as hell wouldn’t take her as his mate unless his wolf was one hundred percent in agreement that she was the only one for him.
It would take some convincing, but he was up for the challenge. Hell, he planned on enjoying every minute of it.
The band played a slow, sultry tune, and several couples took to the small dance floor to sway to the rhythm. He grasped Odette’s hand and rose to his feet. “Let’s dance.”
“Oh.” Her eyes tightened, and she didn’t move from her seat. “I don’t dance.” Tugging from his grasp, she clutched her hands on the table.
He sank into his chair and covered her hands with his. “What do you mean you don’t dance? We live in the Big Easy. The birthplace of Jazz. Everyone dances here.”
“I don’t.” She looked into his eyes, challenging him to argue.
He pried her hands apart and took one in each of his, lowering them to his lap as he scooted closer. “Can I ask why not?”
“Dancing, and music in general, have a hypnotic effect on people. When you surrender to the music…to the rhythm…you are, in a sense, relinquishing control. It takes you to another place.”
Which was one of the things he loved about music. A simple tune could transport a person back in time, into a memory he hadn’t thought about in ages. “What’s wrong with that?”
She squared her shoulders. “I prefer to stay in control of myself. I don’t want to relinquish power to anyone or anything. It’s safer that way.”
He furrowed his brow. “Safer? Did something happen?”
Her eyes widened. “No, I…”
“Prefer to keep your wits about you?” He grinned, trying to lighten the mood. Whatever the reason for her need to be in constant control, she’d share it with him when she was ready. They had all the time in the world to get to know each other.
Her posture relaxed. “Exactly.”
“Do you want to get out of here? Go for a walk or something?”
“I don’t think it’s safe wandering the streets at night with a bunch of imps on the loose, do you? No one has been injured yet, but I’d rather not be the first.”
“Good point.”
“We could go to my place.” She squeezed his hands. “I’d like to talk to you some more.” The sly curve of her lips and the way she trailed her fingers along his thighs as she released his hands said she wanted to do more than talk.
“I like the way you think.”
The moment she closed the front door, James swept Odette into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. They did need to talk, like she’d said. He should press her for more information about the imps; he had no doubt she knew more than she let on. At that moment, though, all he could think about was how perfectly she fit into his arms and how soft her skin felt beneath his fingers.
She snaked her hands behind his neck, leaning into him, parting her lips and slipping out her tongue to tangle with his. A growl rumbled from his chest, and he fought the overwhelming urge to lift her from the ground and carry her to the bedroom. No wonder his friends who’d found their fate-bounds were so happy. If their relationship kept going at this pace, his wolf would have to put all four legs on the train and enjoy the ride.
As if on cue, an ache expanded in his chest. A longing for the woman he’d never met. Damn it, this had to stop.
Odette must have sensed the shift in his energy because she let out a soft sigh and pulled away. “We have an audience.” She nodded to her left.
James followed her gaze, but the house stood empty. “Nicolas?”
“Mm-hmm. Maybe we should get that talk out of the way.” She laced her fingers through his and led him down the hall.
They passed the empty living room, and he glanced through an open doorway at another room devoid of furniture. The one other space in the house that she’d furnished was her bedroom…
Holy hell. What kind of talking did she think was going to happen in there? He could barely keep his hands off her as it was.
“Don’t get any ideas.” She grinned. “I have a love seat in the bedroom. I thought we’d be more comfortable there than at the kitchen table.”
A small television sat on a dresser, and the pale-blue love seat faced it at an angle. A cream-colored duvet covered the bed, and the faint scent of lavender greeted him as he entered the room. She sat on the sofa, curling one leg beneath her, and patted the space next to her.
“I bet you can’t wait until the renovation is done. It’ll be nice to not be confined to two rooms.” He sank onto the cushion and turned to face her, his knee resting against hers.
She glanced at where their legs touched and placed an elbow on the back of the couch. “There’s no rush. I kinda like having you around.”
His stomach fluttered, a thousand butterflies taking flight and landing in his chest. “I like being around.”
She smiled. “There’s a reason for that.”
He leaned toward her. “I’m positive it’s you.”
Her lips parted as if she were going to speak, but instead, she narrowed her eyes and chewed her bottom lip. Lowering her gaze, she picked at a loose thread on the cushion.
“Hey.” He reached for her, trailing his fingers down her cheek before gently lifting her chin. “What’s wrong?”
“This is going to sound crazy. I’m not even sure where to begin.”
He dropped his hand to his lap and leaned against the back cushion. “Why don’t you start with the imps. You know where they came from, don’t you? Who summoned them?”
She sat up straighter and regarded him, studied him as if she were weighing her words. With a deep inhale, she relaxed her shoulders, a sad smile playing on her lips. “The demons are from my past, but I don’t know exactly who summoned them.”
“You don’t know exactly?” He relaxed his fist on the back of the couch and traced his finger across the fabric. “Whatever happened in your past, I don’t care. If you know where the demons are coming from, the werewolves can take out their boss and keep anyone from getting hurt. Just tell me.”
“They’re from your past too. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Her eyes tightened.
“I’ve never seen those things before.” He shook his head, her accusation taking him aback. How could she charge him, a werewolf, the natural-born enemy of demons, of summoning the imps? “I had nothing to do with them showing up.”
“I’m not accusing you. Hear me out, okay?” She sighed and took both his hands in hers. “Do you believe in reincarnation?”
He shrugged, her touch taking the edge off his nerves. “Sure. But demons can’t die, so they can’t be reincarnated, if that’s what you’re getting
at. When we vanquish them, they go back to their hellish dimension until someone summons them again.”
She shook her head. “Do you believe in soulmates? That two people can be meant for each other because their destinies are entwined? Because they’ve been together in every lifetime they’ve lived?”
His eyes widened, and he fought to keep his expression neutral. Did she feel the same connection he felt to her? Was that what she was getting at? “Werewolves use the term fate-bound.”
“Because fate binds your hearts. I like that.” She smiled and traced her thumbs across the backs of his hands. “This isn’t our first life together, James. We’re soulmates.” She tightened her grip on his hands as if she were afraid he’d run away.
But he wasn’t going anywhere. Hearing her confirm what he’d known—at least in the back of his mind—since he first knocked on her door sent electricity running up his spine. He squeezed her hands in return hoping to imply that at least the man in him agreed. Now to convince his wolf. “How do you know?”
“Would you believe me if I said I just do?”
“I’d like to, but I have a feeling there’s more to it than that.”
“I’ve done a few past-life regressions with Natasha, trying to…figure things out. When you came into my life, I had a feeling you were the man from my previous lives. The Mambo confirmed it with a reading, and then Erzulie Freda, the loa of love, spoke to me about you at the ceremony. You’re my soulmate.” She shrugged, not looking at all as happy as she should have.
The corners of her mouth twitched, and she swallowed hard, her gaze darting about, looking at anything but him.
“That’s good news, right?” He tried to catch her gaze, but she stared at their joined hands.
“Yes and no. I’m kinda glad to have found you.” She finally looked into his eyes. “My feelings for you grow stronger every day.”
“Kinda?” If they truly were soulmates, there would be no kinda about it. That type of connection was all or nothing. If she wasn’t fully on board, and his wolf wasn’t fully on board, maybe it was time he stepped off this train before it headed for certain disaster.
A Deal with Death Page 11
