Angels of Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun Series: Book 4)

by Deanna Chase

  “If she’d known, she could’ve started learning all the skills she needed to help with everything she’s facing now,” he shot back.

  He’d wanted to tell me about my powers? That was what they’d fought over? I glanced between them, angry at both of them now. Dad was right; Mom should’ve told me. But why did he leave me on my own? Who did that?

  “Oh,” Mom mocked, “and you’re just the person who would’ve taught her everything she needed to know? The one who worked overseas for years at a time? The one who was never there when we needed you? The one who left my baby in foster care after I was abducted to Hell?”

  “Yes, me!” He moved one foot in front of the other as if stalking toward her, but he stayed suspended in the middle of the circle. “If you hadn’t forced me to leave, I never would’ve disappeared from your lives. If you’d been honest from the start, none of this would’ve happened. And if you hadn’t called the damned council to get me out of Idaho, I sure as fuck wouldn’t have left Jade.”

  “What?” Mom and I said together.

  I jerked and turned to her, anger seizing me. She’d kept him from me? How could she? “You forced him to leave?”

  Kane and Meri stepped close, standing behind me as if to back me up if I needed them.

  Mom tore her gaze from Dad, and trembling, she met my hard stare. “I couldn’t do it, Jade. You weren’t ready. I knew you were powerful. You showed all the signs of a white witch. When you uttered my spells with me, they always worked ten times better than when I did them alone. You even worked some of them on your own a time or two. I was terrified that if I told you what you were, it would be too much for you to handle.”

  “You knew?” I gasped. “All those years, you knew I held this power, that darkness would follow me because of it?”

  She nodded, her expression devastated. “I was going to tell you after you turned sixteen.”

  “You should’ve told her when she was a kid!” Dad bellowed. “Look at what you let happen!”

  “And where were you? Off working undercover for the witches council? If you’d cared, you wouldn’t have left.”

  “You know you gave me no choice.” Dad clutched his fists at his sides as he shook in unbridled fury.

  “You had a choice, you bastard. You chose the council over us.”

  “No, Hope. You lied to me,” he said in a quiet, controlled voice. “Left me in the dark, made me believe she was mine. And when you didn’t agree with my parenting choices, you threatened to have me removed from her life. I love that girl. Do you have any idea what that did to me? What you did to me?”

  I froze. “What did you just say? Mom made you believe I was yours?” I turned pleading eyes on her. What was wrong with her? How could she treat the people she loved with so little respect? And she’d made me think everything was his fault. This wasn’t my mother. Not the one I thought I knew. Betrayal clutched at my heart and a pit formed in my stomach. “You lied to him, too?”

  Kane stepped up beside me and wrapped his large hand around mine, letting me know he was still there.

  Tears filled Mom’s eyes. She angrily brushed them away and glared at Dad. “What the hell is wrong with you, Marc?”

  He threw up his hands. “You can’t keep lying to your daughter.”

  I tore my gaze from Mom and turned to the man I’d loved and resented as my father all these years. “You’re not…I mean, you don’t think of me as your daughter?”

  He took two steps toward me and then scowled in frustration. Tears glistened in his eyes as he turned his attention to Mom. “Couldn’t you have called me? Jesus. I would’ve caught the next plane.”

  Mom shook her head and backed up, clutching her hands to her chest. “That wouldn’t help anything.”

  “It would’ve given me a chance to hold the little girl I helped raise for eight years before you ran me off.” He let out a grunt of frustration and faced me. “Jade, my darling, you will always be mine in every way that counts.” He touched his chest. “You live here with me every day.”

  I clutched Kane’s hand. “But you’re not my biological father.” It wasn’t a question. I already knew the answer.

  He shook his head. “God, how I wish I was.”

  Something sharp and painful tore through my chest. I ripped away from Kane’s hold and stalked forward. “Then why did you let her make you leave? We needed you! And when Mom left…” I paused to collect myself. “You have no idea what I went through. Even if you weren’t my father, you could’ve been my dad. But you weren’t. You let her send you away.” I spun and ran back to Kane’s side. “Let’s go.”

  “Jade,” Dad—no, Marc—called. “Please, give me a chance to explain.”

  I cast him a scathing glance over my shoulder. “You’ve had seventeen years to explain yourself.” I jerked my head in total frustration and faced him again. “I have a damn online store in my name. One Internet search and you would’ve found me.”

  Kane stood behind me with his hands on my shoulders, supporting me.

  “You’re right,” Marc conceded. “And I did look for you. I’ve known you’ve been living in New Orleans for the last several months. I knew your mom disappeared, but I didn’t find out until after you were living with your aunt.”

  “And?” Why? Why had he left me? Why hadn’t he gotten in touch? If Mom was the problem… None of this made sense.

  “I didn’t want to disrupt your life. By then, I hadn’t been a part of it for the better part of eight years. You had healing to do and, as I understood it, a deep-seated hatred for all things related to witchcraft. That’s what I am, sweetheart. My whole life is and was the council. I’d only have brought you pain.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, not willing to listen to his rationalization. “I waited for you,” I said so quietly I thought only Kane heard me.

  “Jade.” Marc’s voice cracked. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known, if I’d thought even for a moment my presence would help, I would’ve been by your side.”

  I pressed my lips together and shook my head, trying to stave off more tears. I’d had enough.

  “Who’s my real father?” My tone was low, demanding.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. She never would tell me.”

  Hatred formed a ball in the pit of my stomach for the woman I’d adored, grieved over for twelve years, and then risked my life to save from purgatory. The powerful emotions made me sick.

  I turned to her, my body trembling. “No more lies, Mother.”

  She stood frozen in the twilight, her mouth partially open. Slowly, she shook her head. “I’ve wanted to tell you.” Her voice dropped to barely a whisper. “It’s too dangerous. He’ll hurt you.”

  Ice formed a thin layer over my heart. “It’s too dangerous not to. Let’s go,” I said to Kane. “We’ll find out another way.”

  We took off without looking back. Thankfully, Meri followed without being asked. When we got to the trees, she said, “Jade?”

  I paused, staring at a water oak, concentrating on the pattern of its intricate bark. “What?”

  “What about Hope?”

  “What about her?”

  “Are you going to wait for her, or is she finding her own ride home?”

  I gritted my teeth. I didn’t want to be anywhere near her, but I couldn’t just leave her there. I didn’t even know if she had her wallet or cash for a cab. “Tell her to meet us at the car.”

  Kane and I waited at the edge of the trees while Meri returned to the circle. They exchanged a few words that had Mom shaking her head and frowning. She waved Meri away and turned back to Marc, obviously giving him a piece of her mind, judging by the angry expression on her face.

  Meri returned and shrugged. “She says she’ll meet you later.”

  An all-encompassing anger took over, and I had to suppress the scream clawing at the back of my throat. It came out in more of a strangled cry. “Goddammit.”

  I stalked off through the trees. Who did she think she w
as? Yeah, I was pissed at Dad—Marc—but she’d set the events in motion. She’d lied. She was hiding who my real father was from me and Marc. Gwen said she’d known for only a few days. I believed her. But had she known where Marc was all those years? A tiny seed of doubt planted itself in the middle of my chest. Marc said he knew where I was after I went to live with Gwen. Had she kept him informed?

  And with that one thought, my entire life became a lie. I couldn’t trust any of my parental figures.

  We came upon another water oak. One of its massive limbs was growing right into the ground. As I passed it, I struck out my leg, needing to kick something.

  Pain engulfed my foot, and I let out an agonizing cry. Half hopping, half limping, I clutched Kane’s arm as tears of pain stung my eyes. I blinked them back, determined to not let anyone see me cry. I was too pissed off. All I wanted to do was kick something else.

  I didn’t, though. My toes throbbed entirely too much. I dug around in my pocket and came up with one of Bea’s healing herbs.

  Kane gave me a small smile. “Not too long ago, if I’d tried to take one of those, you would’ve slapped it out of my hands.”

  “True,” I said. “I’ve evolved.”

  He shook his head, his eyes worried. “I can see that. You okay?”

  “No, but I will be as soon as we get to Bea’s.” And perform that finding spell.

  Chapter 22

  The car bounced over the rough road as we made our way to Bea’s house. The potholes in the streets were getting worse. Turning into her long driveway, I held my breath. I didn’t really want to see anyone except Bea, but all too often her small carriage home was the gathering place for all things paranormal. With her acting as the coven leader again, anyone could be there.

  I blew out a breath and shook my head. Who was I kidding? I didn’t care if any of the coven members were there. The only person I really didn’t want to see was her nephew, Ian. There was a good chance he’d come to Bea for healing herbs after Kane had broken his nose. Would he tell his aunt he’d almost had sex with me while I’d been possessed? A cold sweat coated my body, and I sucked in a deep breath. I could get through this. I had to. As long as I stayed in possession of my body, everything would be fine.

  Kane squeezed my hand. “Try not to worry so much. Everyone here loves you.”

  I gave him a small smile. Easier said than done.

  We rounded the bend in the driveway, and Bea’s bright yellow carriage house came into view. The tension eased out of my shoulders. Two cars sat in front: a Prius and a Bug. Bea’s and Pyper’s.

  We climbed out of Kane’s car, and a second later, Kat flew out of the door and ran straight for me. She caught me in a giant hug, nearly knocking me over. “Jade! Are you okay?”

  Tears sprang to my eyes. “Yeah,” I forced out on a sob.

  “Oh, no.” She pulled back, holding me at arm’s length. “You’re not.” She tugged on my hand. “Come inside so we can talk.”

  I shook my head, fear keeping me rooted to my spot. If I went inside, I’d have to see everyone. I longed to be cuddled up in Kat’s apartment, drinking hot chocolate and listing to eighties music while we ate Chinese food and talked about nothing and everything at the same time. When was the last time we’d done anything even remotely normal like that? Not since before I’d moved to New Orleans. “Can we stay out here? I’d rather sit on Bea’s back porch.”

  “Sure. I’ll just get Gwen and grab us something to drink. Meet you there in a few.” She turned to go, but I grabbed her arm.

  “No. Not Gwen. I’m not ready to talk to her yet.”

  Kat’s hazel eyes went wide with curiosity, then cloudy with worry. “Something else happened, didn’t it?”

  I gave her an incredulous look.

  “I mean after what happened…umm, since Gwen and Pyper came over an hour ago.”

  “You could say that.” I stepped away and glanced at Kane. “Can you fill Gwen and Bea in? I’m pretty sure Gwen knows about Marc, but I’m not ready to face Bea.”

  He nodded and swept me into a hug and whispered, “Anything, love.”

  I hugged him back, not wanting to leave the comfort of his embrace, but if we stood there any longer, I was sure the rest of the house would come to investigate.

  “Go on to the back,” Kane told Kat. “I’ll bring you three some dinner.”

  Meri, who’d been standing off to the side, said, “I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”

  Kat and I nodded, staring at each other. Her eyes gleamed and she raised one eyebrow, barely tilting her head in his direction. I knew she was thinking the same thing I was. Where did this man come from? Despite all the shit that kept going on around me, he was always there for me. It was almost scary. No one was that great.

  The three of us walked around the house and settled at the patio table. Bea’s screened-in porch overlooked her garden, and her freshly planted annuals. The bright pink flowers were a welcome reprieve in the shit storm my life had become.

  “Okay, spill it,” Kat said, cutting to the chase. “What did your mom say?”

  “Not much.” In the middle of the table sat an unlit candle, and just for something to do, I concentrated and muttered, “Flama.”

  The wick smoldered, then a flame rose tall and strong.

  Kat frowned. “Stop that.”

  “Why? No one said I couldn’t use my magic.”

  “Not that.” She waved at the candle. “Your avoidance. How can I help if you don’t tell me what’s going on?”

  Meri leaned in. “Actually, it’s probably better if you conserve your strength and not use magic right now.”

  I scowled but chose not to respond. I’d use magic if I damn well wanted to. It was just about the only thing left that I had any control over—sort of, as long as Camille wasn’t in my body.

  Not ready to talk about Marc, I asked Kat, “How are you?” I studied her bright eyes, rosy cheeks, and full red lips, all void of any traces of makeup. “You look fantastic.” Not even a hint of what she’d gone through the day before remained. “I take it you’re feeling better?”

  “As good as new. Bea plied me with her healer drugs, and today, I feel like I could almost fly. Those pills are amazing.”

  My lips twitched at the wonder in her eyes. “Totally addicting,” I agreed then sobered. “And Lucien? Any word on what’s going on with him?”

  Kat frowned. My heart weighed heavy in my chest. I should’ve called to check up on him. I’d been a complete bitch the last time we’d spoken. I knew he’d never do anything to intentionally hurt Kat or anyone else. If he’d thought for one moment a spell he cast would harm anyone in the slightest, he’d give up witchcraft altogether.

  “Yeah,” Kat said quietly. “He’s not handling this well.”

  Damn you, Jade. My behavior must’ve made him feel infinitely worse. “Did you find out anything else about his curse?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Well?”

  Grimacing, she sent me an apologetic look. “It’s not really for me to say. I’m sorry. But Bea knows, and she’s working on it.”

  A low, angry buzz started in my head. She couldn’t tell me? Bea knew? What the hell? Up until yesterday, I had been the coven leader. But I was stripped of my title due to no fault of my own. Kat was my best friend. She’d almost died, and now she wasn’t allowed to tell me why. “Does no one trust me around here?”

  She reached across the table to take my hand. “I’m sorry. You know I don’t like to keep things from you, especially these kinds of things, but it’s personal. It really should come from him.”

  I gently released my hand from hers and reluctantly nodded. It wasn’t like he could do any magic right now anyway. “Okay. Since that subject is off limits, did anyone tell you what happened to you? Why Lucien had to spell you in the first place?”

  “Yeah.” Kat glanced down at her hands.

  My heart just about broke in two. She’d been possessed because of years of being subjec
ted to my magic. And though I hadn’t known what I was doing at the time, it still didn’t mean I wasn’t ultimately responsible for the invasion and her near-death experience.

  “I’m so sorry,” we both said at the same time.

  “What? You have nothing to be sorry for,” I said.

  Meri quietly got up and moved to the other side of the porch, clearly picking up on the turmoil running between Kat and me. She curled up in another chair and rubbed her forehead, a sure sign of a headache. More guilt shot through me. It was the empath gift again. After living with it my whole life, even I would’ve had trouble after a day like today.

  “Stop feeling guilty,” Meri called. “It’s not your fault. I took your soul, remember? None of this is your fault.”

  “She’s right,” Kat said softly. “I said I’m sorry because I’d only been possessed for a short while. And Jade, it truly was horrible. I didn’t know what was going on at the time. I thought I was having some sort of stroke or schizophrenic episode or something. Then after what happened with Lucien, everything was so confused I didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t. The point is, you’ve been through so much, and yet you continue to worry about me and be here for me, even when your life is falling apart around you. After what happened today at the hotel…” She shuddered. “I don’t even know how you’re functioning.”

  I sat there, stunned by both of them. Neither blamed me? I was at the center of all of this.

  “We’re in this together.” Kat scooted closer and brushed her shoulder against mine.

  A weight lifted off my chest. There was still a lot wrong, but with my friends by my side, I could get through it. We just needed to find my father. Whoever he was.

  A shout came from inside the house, followed by shattering glass. I sprang to my feet, knocking over my chair.

  Kat jumped up and ran to the door, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh, no.”

  High-pitched screaming floated through the closed door, too muffled to make out the words.

  I took two steps to join Kat, but she whirled, blocking my view. “No. Do not go in there.”