Shadowed Beginning: Daughters of the Vieux Carré Prequel

by Rhys Rowlyn

  I nod and command the man to relax and tilt his head. I move behind him, sniffing his neck. I can smell the blood right below the surface. I pierce his skin with my fangs, and blood rushes into my system. I continue to command the man to relax as I take his blood.

  “Giselle, stop. Giselle, stop now.” Phillipe pulls me away from the man, and Gabriel grabs him as he falls limply into Gabriel’s arms.

  I turn wide-eyed to Phillipe. “Did I kill him?” I’m devastated at the thought.

  “No, he’s fine, only a little weak,” Phillipe says, reassuring me.

  I cover my face with my hands, devastated I lost control the way I did. None of the others are monsters. Am I destined to be one? “I hurt him. How could I?”

  “Mon chérie, it’s normal. We should have stopped you sooner.” Phillipe pats his chest and motions toward Gabriel with his hand. “You are new; we’re going to have to watch you closer. Are you still hungry?”

  “Oui, but now I’m scared.” I know this is part of what I have to do to survive. Taking a deep breath, I offer Phillipe a wobbly smile.

  “I know you are, but you must feed. Just be careful. I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Phillipe motions to Nathanael, and he walks over to a young man. “Now push your thought to him.”

  Concentrating on the man, I command him to come to me and to relax. I then have him tilt his head, much the same as the other one. The smell of his blood is intoxicating, but I know I must stay in control. My fangs pierce his skin, and I project pleasure to the man, who groans. Blood floods my system, and I know this man is very healthy. His blood seems richer than the other.

  “Good girl, now only take a bit more and release him,” Phillipe instructs.

  I pull free from the man’s neck and swipe my tongue over the puncture wounds, healing them. I command the man to leave and find food but to forget us. He walks out of the warehouse without looking back.

  “I’ll keep an eye on him.” Cullen quickly follows after the man.

  “Giselle, are you still hungry?” Gabriel cocks a brow and motions to two others, but my hunger is satisfied for the moment, so I shake my head.

  “Ma chérie, you will most likely have to eat every day for several months or a year, but eventually, it will become less and less and then your feeding will spread out. Just don’t allow yourself to starve because it’s harder to get the hunger under control, and you can hurt someone.” Phillipe pulls me into his arms, kissing my forehead. “I am so happy you are changed. Now we will be together forever.

  “I am going to go feed from one of the men you did not need. I have been awake while you were changing and haven’t fed in a while. Are you fine here?” Phillipe leans away from me, raising his brows.

  “Of course she will be fine. Go take care of your needs.” Gabriel waves Phillipe off and, once we are alone, turns his attention to me. “Giselle, I need you to do something for me. I have this letter, and I need you to keep it unopened. If something happens and we are in danger, you are to open it then, but I need you to promise to keep it until that happens. Can I trust you?”

  “Oui, always, but what are we in danger from?”

  “I don’t know that we are; this is only your insurance if something happens. I want to make sure you are safe and protected. I also need you to promise never to leave us.” Gabriel presses a sealed white letter in my hand and nods for me to put it away.

  I leave him and find the trunk where my things are. I dig around until I find a reticule and put the letter in there. I want to look and see what it contains, but I promised, and I always keep a promise. I can’t imagine what Gabriel thinks may happen or why I would ever willingly leave Phillipe or the famille.

  Phillipe returns to my side, and his skin is tanner. I didn’t realize he was pale until now. Looking up at him, I feel strange, twitchy.

  Phillipe grins at me. “The sun will soon rise. Our bodies warn of this so we can take cover. We don’t go up in flames, but the sun burns our skin, and we must have more blood to heal. It’s best to avoid if at all possible.”

  I wrap my arms around Phillipe’s waist, resting my head on his chest. “I know I just woke up, but I’m feeling sleepy again.”

  “It’s the sunlight. I would love to take you somewhere and make love to you, but we have nowhere private. Tomorrow night, we are celebrating your change privately and in a bed.” Phillipe nuzzles my neck, sucking my earlobe into his mouth.

  Desire flows through me, but I know we can’t take a chance against the sun. He leads me to a crate and climbs in, then holds out a hand to help me follow him. I settle onto his chest as he puts a lid in place and darkness surrounds us.

  “Tomorrow night we will explore the town and find out what it’s like to make love as vampires. I believe Gabriel has had a house built, but we will venture off alone.” He hugs me to his side.

  I tilt my head back and kiss his jaw. “I can hardly wait. I love you, Phillipe.”

  “I love you too, ma chérie.”

  Giselle

  My eyes shoot open, and I find myself in a crate next to Phillipe, who is asleep. I wonder what time it is. Is it sunset yet? It feels as though the sun is still in the sky. This is one of the things Phillipe told me I intuitively know as a vampire. Hunger gnaws at me and I know I need to feed again. Should I get up and dress so I am ready when Phillipe awakens? Phillipe informed me I will need blood more often than the others because the younger the vampire the more blood they need. Gabriel and Bram can go weeks without, but the others need to feed at least once a week. I’ll be glad when I can hold off that long.

  I hear a noise and rise, leaving Phillipe’s side to investigate. As soon as I step out of the crate, a strange woman says strange words I don’t understand and blows dust in my face. I try to wave it away but can’t move my hands. What is happening? I open my mouth to yell for help, but no sound comes out. Panic rises in me, but there is nothing I can do to save myself or my mate.

  Phillipe! I scream in my mind, but he stays asleep, unaware of the danger we are in.

  The woman pats my cheek. I want to move away from her but am unable to. “Calm down, sweet. What I do tonight may seem harsh, but it is what must happen.” Smiling, she turns away from me. “Ladies, you may come in. It is time to get started.”

  My gaze darts to the door, and the women we traveled with come into the warehouse, led by Simone. I narrow my eyes and glare. What has that bitch done?

  Simone struts my way and walks around me, looking me up and down. She pokes my shoulder. “Not so tough now without your protectors.”

  “Over here, or this will not happen, and I’ll keep your gold. You are not to touch her.” The strange woman motions to Amy and Helene. “You two, help me bring Giselle to the circle.”

  How does she know my name? Who is this woman?

  Amy and Helene each grab an arm, and I growl, trying to jerk away from them, but no sound comes out.

  “I’m so sorry, Giselle, but we have to get away. Please forgive us,” Amy whispers in my ear.

  Forgive them? Highly unlikely. I don’t know what they are about, but I know it can’t be good. I only wish I could figure out how the woman is involved.

  “I am sorry, Giselle. I am Sabine. The women hired me to make the men unable to reach them for their lifetimes.” She frowns at the women, sadly shaking her head. “Yes, unfortunately they have betrayed you, but it is in their nature to do so.”

  I glare at the women as they form a circle. Some look away, but others meet my heated gaze directly with a glare of their own. Simone is smiling slyly, and I know she’s the one who convinced the others to do this. One day, she will pay.

  “Ladies, I must have blood from all of you and a vow that one of your descendants will pay the debt owed to enact the curse. All magic has a price, and one of your blood is the price.”

  All the women hold out their arms. Amy hesitates, but one look from Simone has her holding her arm out. Sabine takes out a knife with strange symbols carved into
its ivory handle. She cuts each of the women’s palms and motions for them to move in closer. I then see a circle drawn on the floor with what looks like old runes I once saw in a book I wasn’t supposed to be looking at about witchcraft. Sabine gets each of the women to drip blood into the center and then comes to me. She cuts my palm and collects some blood. She pours it into the center of the circle with the others’. It sizzles as it mixes together. My eyes widen at the sight.

  Sabine walks around the circle and glances my way suspiciously, but she begins chanting in a language I don’t recognize. The more she chants, the emptier I feel. I gasp when I realize I’ve lost all sense of Phillipe. What has she done? Where is he? Has she killed him? My sense of loss is so acute, if I could move, I would double over with pain. Tears silently fall down my cheeks.

  Sabine stands and faces the women. “It is done. You don’t know what you have done, but there is no going back now. Remember the warning I gave you. If you try to harm them while they are asleep or try to get out of your payment, the magic will turn on you. This is powerful magic. The best thing to do is go on with your lives and forget you knew anyone in this room. Now leave.”

  The women silently exit the warehouse. Once they are gone, Sabine turns to me. “The spell will wear off shortly, but I’ll be gone. I did not kill him, only made him sleep. He feels no pain, and when he awakens, he will think he just went to sleep. I am truly sorry.” She gathers the things from the circle, and with one last glance, she leaves.

  A sob escapes me, and sound actually comes out. The spell must be wearing off. I try to lift my arm, and it’s as if it’s being held down by a heavy weight, but it moves. Slowly my body comes back under my control, and I collapse onto the floor, hugging my waist.

  “Phillipe!” I jump up and run over to our crate and find him lying there sleeping. I touch his face, but he doesn’t respond. He’s gone. It’s as if his soul has left his body. “Oh, my love, I will find this woman, and I will find a way to bring you back.”

  I place the cover over him and race to the door. Looking both ways, I sniff the air but don’t find any trace of her scent. Where could she have gone? La Nouvelle-Orléans isn’t very large. I will find her.

  A strange man approaches me, and I see the evil glint in his eye. “Well hello, lovely.” He makes a move to grab me, but I avoid his touch.

  Hunger burns in my gut. Trapping his gaze with mine, I gain control of his mind quickly. “Stand still and tilt your head.” I move behind him and press my fangs to his neck. I shiver at his stench but am too hungry to move away. I take what I need and swipe the bite mark with my tongue, sealing it. “Forget me and leave this place.”

  The man stumbles away, and I melt into the shadows. I need to figure out how to secure the warehouse and keep the men safe. I need to get my reticule and lock the warehouse before I try to find the witch.

  Phillipe and I stored our belongings at the foot of our crate, and I grab clothing to change into. I’m still in my night clothes. I’d be silly to go out onto the street dressed as I am. As I’m digging through my things, I find the letter Gabriel gave me last night.

  He had made me promise to open it if anything happened to put us in danger and he was unable to protect me. Promise me you will only open this if we are in danger.

  I had nodded, placing my hand over my heart. I swear, Gabriel, you can trust me.

  He had kissed my forehead and handed me the letter. I know, love. I know.

  We are definitely in danger. I rip open the seal and take out the letter, not knowing what I will find.

  * * *

  Giselle,

  If you are reading this, then the foreseen danger has occurred. I don’t know what is to befall myself and my brothers, but I know we will be unavailable to keep you safe and will need you to keep us from harm. My, how the mighty have fallen. I have enclosed letters that you are in control of all our properties and possessions. I only ask you use them as you need to and all your needs be met. I had a house built on the outskirts of town. I have instructed my man of business to see you take possession of it. I have hidden gold in my crate, as have the others. Please take this and use it as needed. May you be safe, and I look forward to seeing you again. If things become too difficult and you are unable to handle things, contact Alastair. I’m sure my father will come to you.

  * * *

  Until we meet again,

  Gabriel

  * * *

  Tears stream down my cheeks and then anger fills me. He knew we were in danger but allowed it to happen. I want to beat him, but instead I hug my knees to my chest and cry. After several minutes, I calm down. Pitying myself isn’t going to help anyone. I will find the witch, and I will get answers. But first I must find the house Gabriel mentioned and his man of business. I have much I must do.

  Giselle

  It has been a week since we were cursed by the witch. My famille and I have done everything in my power to keep the men safe. I arranged to meet with Gabriel’s man of business and found the house he had built. I then had the men moved to the house, along with all our belongings. They are all unaware of anything. The hardest part of all this is the fact I can’t feel my mate. It’s as if a hole is in my heart. In the months we spent traveling to the New World, Phillipe has become my world. He is kind and treats me as if I were the most precious thing in his life. I love him more than I can say.

  Along with everything I have done to ensure our safety and where we are to live, I have also been inquiring about the witch. I discovered where Sabine lived and attempted several times to enter her house with the intent of doing whatever was necessary to release Phillipe and his brothers from the curse. Every time, I was repelled from the house and thrown into the street. The last time, Sabine came to the door and told me as long as I wished to cause her harm, her house wouldn’t allow me to enter. She offered to talk with me, but I would have to remain calm.

  Tonight I have gotten my anger under control and plan to approach her. I need to know all I can about this curse, and she is the only one who can answer my questions. I approach her house with caution, not wanting to be hurled into the street again. I pass through the doorway without difficulty.

  “I see you have gotten your emotions under control.” She is sitting at a table, cutting herbs, and is speaking to me without looking over her shoulder. “Come and sit.” Sabine motions for me to take the vacant chair across from her.

  The astringent scent of the herbs burns my nose, and I cover it with a handkerchief. I’ve found my sense of smell has greatly increased since I have become a vampire, and the Port of La Nouvelle-Orléans isn’t the cleanest of towns. I now keep a fresh-smelling handkerchief on hand.

  “I apologize for the smell, but I need to cut these before they go bad.” She covers the herbs with a cloth. Crossing her hands in front of her on the table, she meets my gaze. “Now what do you want to know?”

  “Why? Simply why did you do this? We never caused you harm; we did not even know you.” I sniff as tears come to my eyes.

  Sabine pats my hand, smiling sadly. “I was approached by the women with gold to betray their protectors. I tried to dissuade them, but they were determined. So I cast the bones, and it was the right path to take.”

  “What do you mean, you cast the bones?” I’m new to all things supernatural. The nuns taught us all things of this nature were of the devil.

  “They are bones blessed by the goddess to help guide my path. They will help me know if I’m doing the right thing or not. After the women left, I visited my mother. She’s a seer, and she reaffirmed what the bones had already said.” Sabine steeples her fingers in front of her face. “I did not want to cast this curse, and I know I will have a price to pay also, but fate has demanded this is the path we must tread.”

  Dabbing my eyes with my handkerchief, I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “I’m so lonely. I don’t know if I’ll survive without my mate.”

  “Giselle, you are stronger than you know. You have to
survive.” Sabine stares into my eyes, giving my hand a squeeze. “If you fall, then the men will perish.”

  “How long will I have to wait until they are back with me?” Being alone is the worst thing about all of this. If only I had Phillipe with me. But I’m a girl alone with no knowledge of the world. Gabriel made things easier with his letters, but the burden of taking care of properties and money is a great one. I can’t let my famille down.

  Sabine’s cheeks turn pink, and she dips her chin but continues to meet my stare. “I don’t know, but it will not be a short time. They will awaken, and you will have the life you dream of. I am truly sorry for the pain this is causing you. I will tell you this, something happened when I used your blood. I did not share this with the women, but the magic has taken a turn. The descendants of these women will be bonded to each of these men in a most unexpected manner.”

  “What do you mean? I know they are the price for the curse, but I don’t know that we want to be bonded in any way to these women or their families.” I furrow my brow, confused by her words.

  “The descendants won’t be as their ancestors, and the men will awaken to find they have mates.” Sabine shrugs her shoulders, smiling serenely.

  Sitting back, my mouth drops open in shock. From what Alastair told us, he hasn’t seen a mate bond in a very long time. “What? But the mate bond is so rare, how can this be?”

  “It is the way fate has decreed it.” Sabine stands and leaves the room. She returns with something in her hand. “Now I am going to give you something, and I need you to follow my instructions exactly. It is for the protection of you and the ones you love.

  “The women are going to try to harm the men. They believe them to be at the warehouse, and even though I have told them there will be ramifications to their actions, they are still going to try. They will pay. Fate will see to it they do not come away without answering for their choice.” She hands me a small vial.