by Faith Gibson
“I would love one. Black, please.” John smiled and continued setting up his area.
Tessa walked down around the square until she came to a lesser known beignet stand. Café du Monde was still thriving after almost two hundred years. Several other shops used the same recipe and served the same coffee, they just didn’t have the historical name nailed to their door. By the time she had the coffees and returned, Lilly was setting up her artwork. She handed John his coffee, and as she did, he told her, “Listen to your heart. Your mind is reeling with doing the right thing, but always listen to your heart.”
Tessa should have been shocked, but she wasn’t. She just nodded and turned toward her cousin. “Lilly! I was afraid I had missed you. John said you have been sick. Are you all right now?”
Lilly’s wavy blonde hair was tied back away from her face. Her long flowing skirt was as colorful as the artwork she painted. “Tabitha! Oh, it’s so good to see you again.” She set down the painting she was affixing to the fence and pulled Tessa in for a hug. Her usually sunny smile was absent from her beautiful face. Tessa knew it was more than sickness.
“Please tell me, are you okay? You look… different.” Tessa stepped back but kept her free hand on Lilly’s arm. Her eyes were pleading with her cousin to confide in her. Lilly didn’t know they were related, she just thought of Tessa as a very good customer.
“I am still under the weather, that’s all.” Lilly was looking around as if she were searching for someone.
“What’s going on? You seem very distracted”
“I… Tabitha, I…” She grabbed the picture she had been hanging and strung it along the fence. Tessa offered her the next picture to hang next to it. All of a sudden, Lilly stiffened. She jerked her head around as if she were expecting a monster to be behind her.
“What is it? What has you so spooked?” Tessa didn’t know who or what to search for. The air held an unusual quality, now that she was concentrating. If she didn’t know better, she would swear Gregor was close by. Shit. Had he followed her? Of fucking course he had. Scanning the area was futile. Her mate wasn’t out in the open. “Is this about a man? Has someone hurt you?”
“No, it’s nothing like that, I’m just… honestly, I don’t know what I am. There are just some things that can’t be explained, and if I told you, I doubt you would believe me anyway.”
Holy shit, had Lilly transitioned? Was this why she was so freaked out? “I have a very open mind. As a matter of fact, I believe I know what has you so jittery. Something happened to you recently that you can’t explain and you don’t understand.” Tessa lowered her voice. “You weren’t sick, were you? You experienced something that you should have been prepared for. Dammit, I should have been here for you.”
Lilly’s brown eyes were wide now. She placed her hand over her mouth, and Tessa knew there were fangs behind her lips. “Lilly, I can explain everything. I should have told you a long time ago about what was going to happen, but the family thought it best to keep things quiet. I am so sorry you had to transition alone.”
Tears were slowly leaking from her cousin’s eyes. “So I’m not a freak?”
“No, gods, no. What you are is special. And my cousin. We have so much to talk about, but I don’t want to do it out here in the open.” Tessa wanted to tell Lilly all about the shifters, but she couldn’t do it where prying ears could possibly overhear something.
“I can get John to watch my stuff. I really need your assurance that I’m not crazy.” The tears had stopped, but wet eyes held a look of optimism.
“If there is somewhere private we can talk, it would be great.”
“Help me hang the rest of the pictures, then we can go to my studio. It’s not far from here.” Tessa helped Lilly, and before long, they were crossing the street and entering a small art gallery.
Gregor was glad to be out of that damn tree. He would do anything to watch over Tessa even if it meant spending all night awake, wedged between two branches. It might have been close to impossible to follow her to the square if she hadn’t told Gladys where she was going. With her taking the slow-ass trolley, he was able to get to his rental car and park in a paid lot before she arrived at her destination. He already had his coffee and was standing next to a column outside an old museum watching Tessa talk to a blonde. Dominic walked up behind him, “Which one of those two is causing your bad mood?”
Gregor took in the Louisiana Clan leader. There was only one way to describe Dominic Dubois: pirate. His long, black hair was tied at his nape with a leather thong. His white shirt with the thick, turned-up cuffs would have looked silly on a lesser man. His leather pants were tight, so tight Gregor wasn’t sure how his junk was still functional. The tall, leather boots were authentic. The only thing missing was an eye patch. He grinned at the man, and they shook hands. “The redhead. She’s my mate.”
Dominic finally smiled. “It’s a bloody good thing, because I plan to claim the blonde as my own.”
Gregor eyed the women and sipped his coffee. “About that, you might want to wait.”
“And why’s that?” Dominic stood next to Gregor as the women spoke softly to each other.
“Because the fates have decided we can mate with humans. If you claim this one and your mate happens along later, what will you do then? Break her heart?” Gregor inclined his head toward Lilly.
“Ah, that’s what I’ve been experiencing. I do not think I will have to break anyone’s heart, my brother. I do believe she is my intended.”
Gregor took his eyes off the women. “The blonde’s your mate?”
“Aye, I do believe she is. A long time ago, it was foretold to me by a gypsy that my mate would be a fair-haired witch. Now that you have told me we can mate with humans, I have faith Lilly is she. I have had stirrings for the lass. What about you? How do you know the redhead is your mate?” Dom took a drink of his own coffee.
“It’s a long story, but she admitted she is my mate. The short of it is, she is a half-blood; her father is a Gargoyle, and her mother is human. For some fucked up reason, she won’t have anything to do with me because I’m full-blooded. I am still trying to get to the bottom of that one. When we’re together, the mate bond makes things so fucking good, then she remembers who I am and kicks me to the godsdamn curb. It is getting annoying. A couple of nights ago she scared the shit out of me, and I phased with no choice. The beast took over, and there I was, wings and all.”
Dominic laughed. “Yes, I can imagine that happening with my Lillian. I would rather die than to see one strand of her fair hair harmed. Tell me, do you feel the need to constantly be around her? To touch her in some way?”
“It’s maddening, but yeah, I do.” Lilly jerked her head in their direction, and Tessa looked around as well. “I do believe they have caught our scent.” Gregor pointed his cup in the women’s direction. “I wonder what has Lillian so upset.”
“I do not know, but I intend to find out. She has not been at her spot by the fence in several days. I couldn’t just barge into her home and demand to take care of her, now could I?”
“You could, but you might’ve gotten a surprise, like a naked man in her bed.”
Dom growled at Gregor. “Whoa, man. I was just making a statement. Don’t go for the sword.”
“Why is it I have never heard of a half-blood or the fact Goyles are mating with humans?” Dominic crossed his arms over his chest.
“We just found out about it ourselves. A few weeks back, Rafael was being framed for a multiple homicide. The police chief, who was investigating the murders, happened to be his mate. He couldn’t believe it might be possible, so he had Nikolas search the archives. When he came up empty, Nik went to the public library. Long story short, he found a journal written by a Gargoyle who has been posing as human. It appeared to be a work of fiction until Nik actually read it. It was a diary detailing the Goyle’s mating with a human and being ostracized for it.
“We have since found the Gargoyle’s daughter. She is the
current physician at the prison and my mate’s cousin. She was at work when she began her transition. My mate is called a watcher. She helps the half-bloods go through their initial change. Dom, I think I know where Lillian was these past few days. I’m pretty sure being around you set off her transition.”
“Transition? What makes you think she’s a shifter?” Dominic asked skeptically.
“Because the change is triggered when the half-bloods meet their mate. At least that’s what I was told. I think my mate has been watching Lillian all this time, knowing she would eventually transition.”
“So you think Lillian is one of these half-bloods?”
“If my gut is right, yes, and those two are related,” Gregor indicated their women by inclining his head.
Dominic was silent. Gregor got it. The knowledge that mating was possible was a stab through the heart. If this Lillian happened to be a half-blood, that meant she was more than likely kin to Tessa. However, he didn’t have time to hold Dom’s hand while he digested the information. He needed to get down to business. “What do you know about Jacques Dupart?”
Dominic drank the last of his coffee, tossing the empty cup in a nearby trash receptacle. “He owns a bar on Ursulines that serves as a front for his little side business. And by little, I mean his drug slash arms empire.”
“Why has nothing been done to stop him?” Gregor wasn’t accusing Dom, not yet. Most of the Gargoyles kept out of human business unless it was absolutely necessary.
“You know the answer to that question, Brother. We do not step in unless we absolutely have to. What’s this about?” Dominic’s eyes were trained on Lillian who was now walking away from her art stand with Tessa in tow. Gregor didn’t answer the question until the women were out of sight.
“Somehow my mate got involved with him. She travels the world posing as an archaeologist while she is really keeping an eye on the half-bloods. He put her in his bed to get her married to his world. She broke things off, but it seems he is having a hard time with the word no.”
“And just what does that have to do with me? Like I said, you know we don’t get involved unless someone is in danger. Do you think he’s a threat to Tabitha?”
Gregor cocked an eyebrow. “How do you know her name?”
“I make it my business to know about anyone that comes into contact with Lillian on more than one occasion. Tabitha has purchased several paintings from her, but comes by often enough just to chat. Question, if she’s your mate, why is she in bed with another man?”
The dregs of coffee were no longer sitting well with Gregor. He tossed the cup into the garbage. “She wants nothing to do with me, so mated or not, she has been living her life without me in it. I intend to rectify that aspect of our relationship and soon. For now, all I can do is vow to keep her safe. I cannot do that here since I run the prison, so I am asking you to step in. Do what you can to get Dupart off the street.”
“The local police have been trying to pin him down for years. What makes you think I can do it when they can’t?”
“Because they don’t have Julian. I have already spoken to my cousin, and he is at your disposal. Any information you need, he can get it. Here’s his cell phone number.” Gregor handed Dom a business card. “I’m not asking as a service to the King, I’m asking as a favor for myself. I will owe you one. Hell, you get Dupart locked up, I’ll owe you however many you ask for.”
Dominic grinned, “You have a deal. The Unholy have been too quiet for too long. I would love to have something to fill my time other than stalking Lilly. Now that it’s probable she’s my mate, I don’t have to keep my distance, do I?” Dom had the same hopeful look in his eyes that Gregor knew all too well from looking in the mirror.
“No, you don’t,” Gregor said as the mate bond alerted them both to their women. Across the street, the door to the art gallery opened, and Tessa and Lilly exited the building together, arm in arm. “Now’s your chance.”
Twenty-Eight
Dante was examining the latest redhead victim when his cell phone rang. He pulled his latex gloves off and answered. “Yo.”
Deacon was on the other end. “Hey, Dante, we have an incident and since Dr. Sarantos is at home, Gregor told me to call you. One of the inmates had a seizure. We got him stabilized, but I thought you should know.”
“Do you know if he has a history of epilepsy?” Dante was washing his hands preparing to leave.
“No. I was going to look through the doc’s files, but her door is locked.”
“Okay, I will call her before heading that way. Just keep the patient calm, and strap him down if you have to.”
Dante hung up. When Gregor said he was going out of town, he had given Dante Isabelle’s number for emergencies such as this. He pulled up her phone number then hit send. “Hello?” He should have been expecting the gut check. Dante already suspected she was his mate. Now that her voice was flowing through the line, he was certain. “Hello? Who’s there?”
“Dr. Sarantos, I apologize for the delay. This is Dante Di Pietro, Gregor’s brother. He gave me your number in case there was an incident at the Pen. I am sorry to say there is, indeed, need of my assistance with an inmate. The reason I am calling is to find out if you have any anticonvulsants on hand in the clinic. One of the inmates has had a seizure.”
“Oh, do you need me to take care of it? I don’t mind driving out there if you’re busy.” Sunshine. Her voice felt like sunshine on a cold day washing over his body.
“No, that isn’t necessary. If you will confirm the availability of the drug, I will be on my way.”
“Yes, there were several different doses in the cabinet. I assume you have a key?” Sunshine was cooling off a bit.
“I do have a key. Under normal circumstances, I would not step in when you are perfectly capable of doing the job you were hired to do. However, when my brother tasks me with keeping you away from the Pen during his absence, I have no choice but to comply. Personally, I have to agree with him. Without him there to keep you safe, I prefer you stay where you are. Now, I am needed, so I will say thank you and goodbye.”
Dante hung up before she could impart any more discomfort to his slowly collapsing self-control. He gripped the bridge of his nose with a thumb and forefinger, willing himself to calm the fuck down. How in the gods’ names could a voice cause his libido to shift into high gear? Rafael hadn’t been lying.
He found Trevor and told him where he was going. The ride from the morgue didn’t take too long this early in the morning. He pulled up to the back door and headed directly to the clinic. Deacon met him and informed him there had been no further seizures. Dante nodded. What’s his name? I want to go through his medical file.” When Deacon gave him the inmate’s name, he said, “I’ll be right back.”
Dante pulled his keys out of his pants pocket and found the one that would unlock Isabelle’s office. As soon as Dante stepped through the door, he felt it. He was going to lose his breakfast. Instead of backing out of the room, he steeled himself. Breathing in deeply, he filled his lungs and sinuses with the glorious scent that was all Isabelle. He continued taking his mate’s essence into his body until he could withstand being in the room without passing out. He opened the file cabinet and quickly found the patient’s folder. He scanned Dr. Henshaw’s notes, noticing there were no previous illnesses. What he did find was that Henshaw had given the patient several injections of…holy fuck. Henshaw was dosing the inmate with Unholy blood. This wasn’t good. Wasn’t good at all. Shit, he needed to talk to Rafael. He returned to the clinic, unlocked the medicine cabinet and found the strongest dose of anticonvulsant he could find. After pumping a syringe-full into the patient, he observed the inmate for half an hour. Dante told Deacon, “Keep him strapped down for now.”
Dante went back to Isabelle’s office. Inmate files were stacked neatly on her desk. He sat down in her chair and opened the first one. He wasn’t shocked to find the same type of notes written in the chart. He laid it aside and ope
ned the next one. Every file Dante opened had the same alarming information. What had Henshaw been up to? Was he trying to create his own Unholy by injecting their blood into healthy patients? That must have been why he was in the Basement when he let the Unholy get loose a couple of weeks ago. If Isabelle had read through these files, she knew what the man had been about. Had she mentioned it to Gregor? Dante didn’t know who to talk to first, Isabelle or Rafael. Dammit.
He owed it to Rafael to inform him of what had been going on, but he owed it to his mate to find out her side of the story before he went to his brother. He once again called Isabelle.
“Dr. Di Pietro, is everything okay? Were you able to find the medications?” Isabelle calling him by his surname was somewhat disheartening. Did she not feel the connection? What if she felt it but didn’t want him for a mate? Tessa didn’t want anything to do with Gregor. Had she convinced Isabelle that all Gargoyles were bad?
“Yes, Isabelle. I found the medication, and he is resting now. That’s not why I’m calling. I would like to come see you and chat about some of the inmates, if you don’t mind.”
“Come see me?” His shifter hearing picked up her heartbeat. It was speeding, but not in the way it would if she were aroused. No, she was scared.
“I assure you, I mean you no harm, Isabelle. I also want to check on you. I know you recently transitioned, and since Tessa isn’t around, I thought…”
“Oh, well then, thank you. Yes, I would like the company. Where did you want to meet?”