Shadowed Beginning: Daughters of the Vieux Carré Prequel
Page 6
“What do I need to do?” Holding it up to the light, I examine the vial. It appears to have some sort of powder in it.
“They shall be at the warehouse in an hour, attempting to burn it down. Don’t be alarmed. You will stop them. I need you to blow this in their face and say, ‘Forget.’ Step in the middle of them and compel them to look at you, then blow it into all their faces with the command.” She grips my shoulders, looking directly into my eyes. “Do you understand what must be done? It is vital to your survival.”
I nod. “That is all?”
“Yes. I will cast the spell on the powder before you leave, and you must go straight to the warehouse and do as I say. It will cause them to forget you and the famille’s existence. Even if you pass them on the street, they will not know who you are. It is the least I can do.” She takes the vial back and, closing her eyes, chants in a language I don’t recognize. The hairs on my arms stand on end as I feel the magic swirl into the room.
After she completes the spell, Sabine opens her eyes and hands the vial back to me. “Now go and be safe. One day, we will meet again.”
I take the powder and leave without looking back. I’m unsure what Sabine means. We live in the same village, and it’s unlikely we wouldn’t meet again. She almost sounded sad, and I wonder what else she knows. I think about turning back to ask, but I know I must get to the warehouse if I’m to confront the women.
I come upon the docks and hide behind some barrels stacked near the warehouse we were at when we first arrived. Sabine wasn’t lying about the women’s intent. They had a small stack of dried wood against the wall of the building, and one of them was kneeling beside it, attempting to start a fire with flint.
I approach them, not knowing if I will be able to compel them all. Sabine seemed confident I could, and I wonder if she hasn’t boosted my ability some. All the women are present except Rosaline and Helene, but I will simply have to work with what I have.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Giselle, the vampire’s little princess.” Simone steps in front of Francine, who stops trying to light the wood to watch me.
Instead of falling into her trap and exchanging words with the vile woman, I summon all the power I can and voice my command. “Surround me now. All of your eyes on me.”
The women form a circle around me. I uncork the vial and pour the powder onto my hand. “Breathe.” I blow the powder around the circle, into each of the women’s faces, and they inhale deeply. Now for the important part. “Forget.”
I drop the vial back into my reticule and step away from the women. They all look around confused, as if they don’t know where they are and all start talking at once, not knowing each other. They look at the warehouse and then their surroundings. With gasps, they hurry away.
Once they are gone, I take the wood away from the warehouse and pick up the discarded flint. I don’t know what the women will remember but don’t really care, as long as they leave me and mine alone. I know eventually fate will see that we will renew our connections, but for now, I am glad to be rid of them.
Slowly I make my way back to the house we are residing in. Sabine was right. I must be strong, and I will persevere. I am determined to reunite with my mate one day and see to the prosperity of our family. I will not allow these women to win.
With new determination, I walk along the streets of my new home in this settlement of La Nouvelle-Orléans, ready for whatever the future may hold.
Also by Rhys Rowlyn
Daughters of the Vieux Carré
Shadowed Awakening
Shadowed Allure
Shadowed Valor
Shadowed Secret
Shadowed Desire
Shadowed Pain
Shadowed Craving
The Forgotten Ones Saga
The Forgotten Curse
About the Author
Rhys Rowlyn is an emerging author of young adult fantasy. This is Rhys’s third book.