Cael missed it, being able to create wind, to have air-generated telekinesis. He used to be able to throw cars when he wanted to. Air could form the strongest hands there were, hands that could support entire buildings or complete the most delicate of tasks. He couldn’t move through air particles, but he’d never minded. Those weres usually were markedly sloppier in their telekinesis, a skill he found to be much more valuable.
“What do I do?” he murmured to himself right as Vale arrived.
“You have one of their approval,” the other were said. He walked into the kitchen, pulled out two Cael’s Pale Ales and threw one to him with a small smile. “That’s a hell of a lot better than both brothers hating you.” With that, he disappeared along with his beer.
Vale was right. It didn’t take away his guilt, but it certainly lightened it to know Sean forgave him. He viewed Ava’s death as an accident…because it was. An inexcusable accident, but one nevertheless.
If Cael had known what would have happened to her, if he’d known his air abilities would suffocate her, he would’ve never slept with her. It wasn’t cold-blooded murder, as Hugh thought.
Maybe the truth was somewhere between the two brothers’ viewpoints. He wasn’t sure he deserved Sean’s kindness, but Hugh’s opinion wasn’t accurate, either.
He’d slept with women before, and his air abilities had wreaked no havoc upon them. Those women left his bed with no bruises except for darkened lips, and not a single complaint. What he couldn’t understand was what went wrong with Ava. Why had his abilities overtaken her that night, with him unable to control the air?
It had to have been him. It was an air accident, and he’d been the only other being in the house at the time. They would have heard anyone else. Somehow, the air had escaped his control and suffocated a beautiful woman still in her post-coital glow.
When he saw that light dim and disappear from her, Cael had thought his heart crumbled and left with it. After meeting Aiyanna, he knew better. What he felt for Ava was nothing compared to his feelings for Aiyanna. She made him whole simply by standing in the same room as him.
Seeing her every day was worth the cold showers. Her bright, wide smile hitting him straight in the heart justified the times he’d forced himself to bite down on his tongue, or else he would have told her how beautiful she was. Or worse, he could have swept that rebellious group of muscles into her perfectly-shaped mouth.
He wanted to, every time he saw her.
The question was, would he be able to give her the news she wanted to hear this afternoon? Both brothers hadn’t been accepting of the Elders’ decision, and Cael saw both of their perspectives. Instead of their “visit” giving him clarity, it only left him feeling slightly guilty over causing turmoil between brothers. It also gained him no ground in deciding what to do about his freedom.
For the second time in forty-eight hours, his future was back in his hands, rather than the clutches of others. It shamed him, but he didn’t like having to make this choice. He had no right…did he?
“Gris-Gris!” he shouted, knowing the conduit would hear him. The strange cat had cleaned up his messes in the hallway outside of his room, and in the adjacent storage closet. It hadn’t, however, touched his space.
The conduit sauntered into the living room and landed lightly on the sofa, where it stretched out its gray paws.
“Will you set my room back the way it was?” he asked sheepishly, his embarrassment over the destruction he’d caused rising again.
Its green eyes glowing, the cat slowly shook his head. According to Sebastian and Briony, it could speak directly into their minds, but the conduit did no such thing with any other members of the pack.
Not that Cael needed a translation for the cat’s current message. It wouldn’t help him, and it didn’t need a reason—Gris-Gris owed him nothing. It served as Briony’s familiar, likely the reason it kept up the rest of the firehouse. Cael’s bedroom was obviously not its concern.
A knock sounded at the front door. Troubled, warring thoughts filling his head, Cael ambled to the door, the cat following him curiously. A human dropped off a few large cardboard boxes, which Cael signed for.
His first name was on the front of each box, along with the middle and last names: Needs Help. A laugh escaped him, despite himself. He lifted the boxes into his arms—definitely too heavy a load for a human, but only slightly heavy for a weightlifting werewolf—and started for the stairs when they disappeared.
The stupid cat’s eyes twinkled.
Cursing, Cael promised to skin it alive, no matter what it could do to him in retaliation, if his new bed hadn’t been sent to his bedroom.
It had—and it was assembled. Only it was attached to his ceiling, defying every law of physics he knew.
While he started at the spectacle, unsure of what to do, a mattress and sheets appeared, completing his utterly unhelpful sleeping arrangements. If he had his air abilities, he could have taken the bed down and landed it on the damn cat, who had followed him to his room.
“Put it where it belongs,” he commanded Gris-Gris, gesturing toward his floor, which was still covered in debris from earlier.
The cat merely shook its head again, sitting and watching Cael until, with a curse, he brought in a few garbage bags to collect everything he’d broken. He spent the next few hours cleaning up, yelling at the cat, and fixing holes in his walls. Every now and again he’d look up to find more furniture sitting comfortably on his ceiling, like a new chest of drawers or a comfortable-looking armchair.
Soon it was almost time to leave, and his bedroom was clean and empty—save for the furnishings hanging from his ceiling. He took the stairs to the first floor, having simply thrown the trash down the hole around the fireman’s pole at the end of the wall. There, he took the bags of bent metal and splintered wood and brought them to the dumpster not far from the firehouse.
Raphael stepped up, meeting him on the sidewalk while eyes watched them. They caused the hairs on the back of his neck to rise.
The conduit. Turning, he realized it was observing him from the newly expanded window to Briony and Sebastian’s room. He flipped it off.
Beside him, Raphael shot him a strange look. “What did the cat do to you?”
Cael didn’t answer. His mind was already off of the conduit.
He was trying to figure out what to say to Aiyanna when he saw her. I can’t lose her.
Chapter 5
EMMANUEL drove Aiyanna to the vampires’ choice location: Fat City. Metairie, also known as Fat City, was an area right out of New Orleans. She wasn’t surprised they’d chosen to settle here—it was cheaper than living in the better areas of New Orleans, and provided enough space between them and the more powerful creatures residing in the heart of the city.
Not to mention the Acme Oyster House here had way shorter lines without the hassle of dealing with the Quarter. She recognized the perks.
“It should be this house here.” Once they were in Metairie, Aiyanna had begun directing Emmanuel on how to get to their house using the address Raphael texted her.
They were in her car. How Emmanuel convinced her to let him drive her car, she still couldn’t comprehend. But now she was more shocked about the house before them.
She knew she was gaping when Emmanuel turned her car off and said, “It doesn’t look like the type place vampires would choose, does it?”
“No.”
It was the most typical suburban home she’d ever seen, if a little large. There was more space—in the house and in their yard—than she would’ve found in most places in the city, and every inch of it was either painted or trimmed. The Range Rover and BMW SUV parked in the driveway were shiny and undamaged, a tell-tale sign the vampires hadn’t been living in the city long.
The roads had always been bad, but after Katrina they’d hit an all-time low. One day, Aiyanna drove past a massive pothole so large a lawn chair and blowup mermaid fit down inside it.
She’d laughed so hard at bizarre sight she’d almost run off the road.
None of the cars outside the home were ones she recognized. She’d expected to see Raphael’s beater 4Runner or Heath’s Ducati, but right now it was only her, Emmanuel and five vampires. We’re completely outnumbered. No big deal.
Squaring her shoulders, she smiled when Emmanuel opened her door for her. She stepped out, in the opposite direction from where she really wanted to go. Which was anywhere that didn’t include vampires, really. Agreeing to this deal was a mistake, not that she would admit it to anyone.
On the surface, she’d appear to be utterly unruffled by a mass of creatures with fangs intended for blood sucking. Satisfied she held in her cringe when Emmanuel shot her a concerned glance, they walked together to the front door. Of course, the other creatures couldn’t hurt them out here.
Vampires burned in the sun, like in the movies. Then again, humans got lore right more often than not. Even the woman who wrote those books with glittering vampires had to have known how utterly ridiculous and unfounded her idea was.
Before they could knock, a blonde, smiling twenty-something human woman opened the door. Now Aiyanna and Emmanuel did exchange a look. The moment they crossed the threshold they would be in danger.
Except the woman appeared utterly unharmed. Her smile wasn’t vacant but genuine, even grateful. A glance at her tanned arm revealed scars from a few bite marks, but there were no signs of abuse or consistent feeding. Her short, shiny curls bounced as she walked across a two-story foyer, her low heels clunking against the tile floors.
It was no surprise that the inside of the home was as perfect as the outside. It wasn’t remotely lived-in, and obviously newly cleaned and decorated. When they passed a formal dining room, Aiyanna could smell the newness of the gold and beige furniture. It had been unpacked and left alone.
What did vampires need a formal dining room for, anyway?
“They’re waiting for you in the TV room,” she said conversationally. Stopping, she laughed to herself quietly. “I’m Jen, by the way.”
Aiyanna and Emmanuel shook her hand and introduced themselves. No red flags presented themselves, causing Aiyanna to relax slightly. She supposed she feared this group because she was utterly unfamiliar to their kind—maybe she had nothing to be afraid of after all.
“So, Jen,” Emmanuel started. “What brought these guys to New Orleans? Other than Mardi Gras, of course.”
Jen flashed him another cheerful smile, although some tension had crept in this time, dulling her eyes. “Christian thought they needed a change of scenery.” She shrugged. “They lived in Denver long enough, and it was time. And they aren’t only guys.”
It was ridiculous, but Aiyanna was glad there was at least one female vampire in the mix. As the werewolf pack displayed many times before Raphael found Mary, too much testosterone could be a real hindrance.
The TV room was in the back of the house, where there were less windows, all covered by metal most likely timed to raise once the sun was down. They couldn’t do this to the front of the house, or else neighbors would raise eyebrows. Then again, they could’ve bought a home in the French Quarter, where no windows whatsoever was common practice to prevent burglaries.
As Jen said, “Here we are,” someone knocked at the front door. It was a faint sound, but the human heard. She frowned apologetically. “They’ll be inside waiting for you.”
The human turned and went back from whence they came, leaving them to face the vampires alone.
Before Emmanuel could, Aiyanna pushed open the wooden double doors leading into the room.
It, too,…normal. As did the five people lazing on white sectional couch that looked invitingly like a cloud. At once, all of them shifted to scrutinize their guests. Behind them, a movie Aiyanna didn’t recognize played. Before they could mute it, a blond male on the large, wall-mounted television declared, “Harry Potter can kiss my ass.”
The woman and two men laughed, while the man who stood to greet them cringed, as if embarrassed.
“I’m Christian,” he said, eating up the space between them in what seemed like a single stride. He was tall and thinly muscled, with nut-brown hair that fell a few inches below his shoulders. He wore a Foals T-shirt and jeans, making Aiyanna wonder if there was such a thing as a hipster vampire.
“You must be Aiyanna and…” He trailed off, frowning at Emmanuel questioningly.
Emmanuel only shrugged. Kelpies could be weird about revealing their names. Aiyanna could hardly blame him.
“I’m here to make sure you don’t take advantage of the only healer New Orleans has,” he finally answered in a cool voice. “She’s under my protection.”
“And ours as well.” That deep, annoyed voice could only belong to one person, and it was the man who made Aiyanna feel safest and yet the most vulnerable all at the same time. Damn it.
What in the hell was Cael doing here?
Jen had brought him and Raphael back, and both men looked formidable, Cael especially so. His bright blue eyes narrowed on the vampires, and his muscles bulged as he crossed his arms. Raphael appeared much more relaxed. He even nodded to Christian in greeting, his stance downright friendly.
Which was rare for the other werewolf. Outside the pack, Raphael was not one of the friendlier men of the group. He must like Christian, making Aiyanna become even less afraid for her life. If Raphael thought the vampires were okay, then they were.
Christian and Cael shook hands. Aiyanna turned away.
Refusing to look at Cael, she swept her gaze over the vampires. Excepting Christian, they seemed content to stay where they were. Stealing another look at that couch, she couldn’t blame them.
“Shall we start?” she asked. “I was promised oysters when we leave here, and I’m starting to get peckish.”
It wasn’t a lie. She’d practically drooled when they passed Acme, and Emmanuel offered to take her as soon as they were free. He didn’t seem interested in her in a romantic way, and he was more than kind to her—they were becoming fast friends. Not to mention she was really looking forward to the food. By the time they were finished here, it would be time for supper.
“Can I come? I’ve never had an oyster before.” The female vampire perked up, her grin revealing her fangs.
So they do eat normal food too.
“I offered you Rocky Mountain oysters before,” one of the males said. “You turned it down.”
Christian shot them both a silencing look before Aiyanna could respond. “That was Charlie and Ira.” He gestured to the female, then the male. “And the last two are Porter and Oren.” The last men nodded when their names were called. All four seemed as distrusting as Cael; although, they hid it better. It was why they stayed on the couch, Aiyanna realized.
They wanted a barrier between them and her group. Considering Cael seemed one wrong move away from using his claws on them, she couldn’t fault them for their wariness. Still, his protectiveness warmed a part of her she wished she could permanently silence.
“Charlie, you’re up first. Jen, could you tell Lena and Bradley we’re ready for them?” He lowered his voice, mistakenly thinking he wouldn’t be overheard. “Did you all drink those shakes we made you? It’ll help you keep your feet before Aiyanna can heal you.”
He seemed concerned for the humans he fed from, sealing Aiyanna’s opinion on Christian. Anyone who tried their best not to do harm to humans was fine by her.
Jen nodded, her fingers moving quickly to send off a couple of texts.
“I thought you were going to feed from one person,” Aiyanna said, confused. Three people meant three times the healing. She could do it, but it would take a lot out of her. Had she known, she would have had a protein shake before coming here. Or she could’ve visited Sebastian, who could maximize her healing powers. She still didn’t know how he did it, but his ability was extremely convenient in a pinch.
The vampires’ leader seeme
d apologetic, but he didn’t back down. “We’ve all drunk from one human before, but it almost killed her. It’s safer this way, to take from a few people rather than from only one.”
How could she argue with that?
She followed Jen to where she sat on one end of the couch. The human held out her bare arm, and Charlie crouched down next to her, putting Jen’s wrist to her lips, her almost black hair partially concealing them.
Standing next to the two, Aiyanna refused to let herself look away when Charlie sank her elongated fangs into Jen’s skin. There was nothing sexy about it. Jen winced at first, but relaxed once Charlie began to take long pulls. She was becoming visibly paler, but kept her posture until Charlie finally lifted her head. The vampire didn’t spill a drop of the blood, licking her lips and smiling gratefully at Jen before resuming her space beside Ira, who stood as soon as she sat.
He took over, bending his dark head over Jen’s still-outstretched wrist. He was messier, letting blood drip onto the pristine white couch and run down his face when he backed away from the human, appearing visibly brighter. He didn’t smile, but Aiyanna could see a level of relief in his expression.
His feeding had the opposite effect on Jen. She’d lost weight in those few moments, and her skin was so pale, she appeared deathly sick. Christian had been right—they couldn’t all feed from one person. To her, two vampires feeding from one human was too much.
How had they done this before without a healer?
That question haunting her, she took the seat next to Jen, noting the couch felt every bit as comfortable as it looked. Without preamble, she put her hands over the woman’s bloodied wrist and let her body do exactly what it wanted to do.
Healing energy, warm and benevolent, poured from her and into Jen, making the human’s eyes go wide in surprise. Whatever she’d been expecting, it wasn’t this. Aiyanna had to smother a chuckle. Healing was pretty cool.
It took about ten minutes for Aiyanna to get Jen where she needed to be. The human wasn’t completely healed, but after a hearty dinner and a good night’s sleep, she’d feel as good as new in the morning. She told her so, but stopped the human before she stood.
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