Under the Blood Moon

by Tracie Provost

  “Not until eleven p.m. It is just nine now, so you have plenty of time.”

  “But I have nothing suitable to wear.”

  “Luckily, Sophie anticipated this problem and sent over a box from a local boutique. It is on the kitchen counter. I’m sure you will find everything you need for tonight in there. She is very thorough.”

  “She is very kind,” I said as I rose, anxious to see what had been sent.

  “After your meeting with the Grandmaster, I will take you to some stores and you can choose a new wardrobe.”

  “Won’t you be terribly bored?” I asked remembering how Andre had hated accompanying me to the dressmakers before.

  He shrugged. “You need new clothes and someone to guide you in modern fashion. I really have no choice.” This had all the makings of a disastrous evening, but I held my tongue.

  SOPHIE GREETED ME warmly when Andre and I were admitted into the foyer of Gautier House. “I am afraid that the Grandmaster is running a little late this evening,” she said as she kissed both my cheeks.

  “I am a bit early for my audience. I wanted to check on Monsieur Gautier’s nephew, if possible,” I said.

  “Of course! Chris is upstairs. I know he wishes to thank you, and I believe he has some questions about the proposed ritual.”

  “I will be happy to answer them.”

  “Wonderful. On a completely different topic, I have arranged to go shopping later tonight. I wondered if you would care to join me?” Sophie asked.

  “I believe—,” I started, but was interrupted by Andre.

  “You should go with Sophie, if you would like. I know I said that I would take you shopping, but you will probably fare better and have more fun going with her. She can direct you on current fashion much better than I can.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked. Secretly, I was relieved. I had toyed with the idea of throwing myself on Sophie’s mercy when Andre had proposed taking me shopping earlier.

  Andre nodded and pulled out a small card. Handing it to me, he said, “Charge whatever you want or need. This card represents a line of credit. Just present it to the merchant and sign whatever slip she gives you. I will call the company and let them know you are authorized to use the card.”

  I nodded and placed the card into the small reticule that Sophie had included in the earlier package.

  “I can guide her through the use of credit cards if she runs into any problems,” Sophie promised. “I will bring her back to your home when we are finished.”

  “I will leave you to it then. Juliette, you have the key and code if I am not there when you return.” He brushed his lips across my forehead and left. I stared after him for a moment, bewildered at his abrupt departure.

  To hide my embarrassment, I pasted a smile on my face. “You said the Grandmaster’s nephew was upstairs?”

  “Yes, let me show you the way.” Sophie tactfully let Andre’s actions pass without comment. Taking two steps, she abruptly stopped. “Have you fed yet this evening?”

  “I am not a danger to the boy,” I said.

  “That was not what I meant.” Giving me a knowing look and a sad smile, Sophie touched my arm lightly.

  Unable to meet her gaze, I said, “No, I have not fed yet tonight.” I had asked Andre to take me out so that I could hunt. I still had not recovered from my long torpor, and my magical expenditure the previous night had further drained me. He said that he would take me later and acted as if I should not be hungry at all. I was beginning to wonder if my long torpor had left me abnormally in need of blood.

  “Do not be shy about asking for blood. Not in this house. Not after last night. We will take care of you, no matter what.” Sophie walked to the sideboard and opened a lower cupboard. Drawing out a bottle, she poured its contents into a tall glass. Handing it to me, Sophie said, “If you ever would like to talk, I will listen. And whatever you say will remain between us. I will not report it to Marc unless you tell me to. I will also understand if you choose to keep your own council. You don’t know me well. Hopefully, in time, that will change. For now, know that if you need me, I am here for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do not allow him to keep you in a weakened state. Supplement your feedings here as much as you need.”

  “I would not wish to drain your supplies.”

  Sophie smiled. “Even if you did, it would be a small price to pay. The family owes you a great debt.”

  “I did not do it so that I would be owed,” I said.

  “I know. Let me refill your glass and I’ll show you upstairs.”

  “How much does Chris know?” I asked as she poured more vitae into my glass.

  “About vampires? Everything or almost everything. Chris is Marc’s heir and he knows that one day he will be embraced. Marc has been trying to teach him politics, but I don’t think Chris is paying as much attention as he should. I’m not sure how much he knows about werewolves, though. Certainly he knows that they exist and how lycanthropy is spread.”

  “What about magic?” I asked, taking another sip of blood.

  Sophie shrugged. “He grew up in New Orleans. He knows that there are a lot of charlatans, but after last night, he knows that real magic does exist, if he’d ever questioned it. I doubt he knows much about the mechanics. Most of us don’t.”

  “Is there anything I cannot or should not tell him?”

  “No. Be honest with him, and don’t coddle him.” I nodded and followed Sophie upstairs. She led me back to the family’s quarters. Stopping before a set of double doors, Sophie knocked briskly before ushering me inside. Chris Gautier was reclined on a comfortable-looking couch, reading a thick novel. He stood as we entered, wincing as he straightened.

  “Chris, this is Madame Grammont. She healed you last night. I will leave you two for a few minutes,” Sophie said and left.

  “Ma’am,” he said, extending his hand. I shook it as I had seen Sophie do with Andre the previous night.

  “How much pain are you in?” I asked.

  “It only twinges when I move wrong.”

  “May I see the wound that is left? I am sorry that I was unable to fully heal you last night.”

  Chris pulled up his yellow cotton shirt to reveal a fresh bandage on his right side. “Aunt Sophie changed the dressing earlier. From what Josh said, I wouldn’t even be alive now if you hadn’t intervened.”

  Placing my glass on a nearby coffee table, I knelt to get a better look at the injury site. I carefully peeled back the bandage, exposing the four-inch gash in his side. It was shallow now, but still ugly. “I am not sure you should thank me. You are now infected with lycanthropy. Without intervention you will transform into a werewolf at the next full moon.”

  “Is that gonna leave a cool scar?” he asked, indicating his side.

  Putting my fingertips just over the wound, I pushed a small amount of healing power into it and watched with satisfaction as the flesh closed. “Sorry, no scar. No more pain either, though.”

  “Shit, that’s cool. Uncle Marc and Josh said you had a ritual that would take care of the werewolf thing.”

  “I do. Sophie said that you had questions about it?”

  Just then, Sophie reentered the room. “The Grandmaster is ready for you. Chris, your uncle asked that you join them. Madame Grammont can finish answering your questions then.”

  Chris nodded enthusiastically. “Look, Aunt Sophie! Mrs. Grammont healed me. There isn’t even a scar.”

  Sophie smiled indulgently and came closer to look. “I’m sure you are disappointed about the lack of a scar,” she teased. Looking at me, she said, “You have an amazing ability.”

  Standing, I said, “I am blessed.”

  “I think it is we who are blessed,” Sophie said as she led us downstairs to the Grandmaster’s offi
ce.

  Marc Gautier stood as we entered the room and gestured to the seating group across the office. “Let’s be comfortable.”

  As I sat in the same chair I had the previous night, I noticed that the blood-stained sofa had been replaced. Chris sat on the new sofa, and the Grandmaster took what seemed to be his customary seat. Sophie handed me a fresh glass of vitae and quietly left the room, pulling the doors shut behind her.

  “Thank you for coming at my summons, Madame Grammont,” Monsieur Gautier said formally.

  “I am at your service, Monsieur,” I said and took a sip of my drink.

  He nodded. “You have had a chance to examine my nephew?”

  “Yes. I healed his side, and he should experience no more pain.”

  “Ah, that was the surge of power I felt earlier,” the Grandmaster mused. I was startled. I had not thought I had sent much power into the wound. Certainly not enough to be felt all the way down here. “Could you explain what is involved with the ritual that has been proposed?” he continued.

  “I will begin by casting a protection circle around Monsieur Chris and myself. This will need to be done before his change starts. I will need to look at an almanac to see exactly what time the full moon will occur. That is when his change will commence. When the transformation begins, I will pull the wolf spirit from him and banish it. I will then inscribe a glyph onto Monsieur Chris’s body to prevent the wolf from returning.”

  “What happens if the ritual doesn’t work?” Chris asked.

  “I am afraid that you will be a werewolf, and I will be dead,” I answered truthfully.

  The Grandmaster interrupted, “You do me a grave disservice by assuming I would have you killed for failure.”

  I smiled sadly. “No, Monsieur, you misunderstand me. You will not have the opportunity to kill me. If I fail, the wolf will tear me to pieces in the circle.”

  “So this ritual is dangerous for you, as well as for Chris.”

  I shrugged. “Only if I fail.”

  “Can you do it? Can you defeat the werewolf?” Chris asked anxiously.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am.” I tried not to let my pride be hurt at his questioning. After all, if I failed, it would mean death for him. I continued to drink my blood. He still looked unconvinced. Trying to put him at ease, I said, “I know this will sound very boastful, but I healed you last night having been out of torpor for less than three hours and still very hungry. If I can bring you back from the brink of death at half strength, think of what I can do fully fed and rested.”

  He chewed on this revelation for a moment and then said, “I think I am in good hands. Thank you for being willing to do this.”

  I smiled at him. “I am glad to help.”

  “Do you have any more questions for Madame Grammont?” the Grandmaster asked.

  Chris took this as a dismissal. Shaking his head, he stood to leave. “You’ll let me know if there is anything specific I need to do to get ready for the ritual?”

  “Of course.” I accepted his outstretched hand to shake. Nodding to both his uncle and me, Chris left the room.

  As the door closed, the Grandmaster stood and walked to the bar. “Would you care for a refill or perhaps something else? I have a nice Argentine Merlot I was thinking of opening.”

  “That would be lovely. Thank you.” I hesitated and then decided to speak my mind. “If you or your nephew has doubts about my ability to successfully complete the ritual, you could make him a vampire now, before the full moon.”

  Marc Gautier handed me a goblet of dark-red wine and retook his seat. “I am afraid that is no longer an option.”

  I frowned. “I do not understand.”

  “Too many already know of the attack. Even before you left last evening, Sophie had taken half a dozen calls regarding Chris’s fate. To turn him now would confirm he’d been bitten and carries the taint. Even if he survived being made a vampire, others would kill or ostracize him for the wolf’s blood he carries.”

  “But if I successfully do the ritual, he can be seen out at the next full moon as human and everyone will assume it was only a vicious claw attack, or considering that he is fully healed, no attack at all.”

  Marc nodded. “You are very astute. We cannot deny the attack altogether, but we can downplay it.”

  “What about word of the ritual?”

  “Even if the story gets out that a ritual was performed, what will matter is that Chris no longer carries the taint. Is there anything I can do to help your ritual preparation?”

  “Actually, if you can find and kill the werewolf that infected your nephew, it would be very helpful.”

  “Any chance that will erase the lycanthropy?” Marc sat forward on his seat.

  I shook my head. “No more than killing Andre would return me to human. What it will do is make my spirit battle easier. If the werewolf that attacked is dead, he cannot assist the spirit in transforming Chris. Also, if you can find out if the attacker is a pack member or pack leader, that would be useful knowledge.”

  “That is actually why I asked you here tonight. Josh Bouchard, whom you met last night, is arranging a meeting with the Alpha of the New Orleans pack. I would like you to be there.”

  “I will be happy to accompany you, but I do not know how I can be of assistance.”

  “You did get a good scent of the werewolf that attacked Chris, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, but so did Monsieur Bouchard. Certainly he can tell you if the scent is the same or similar.”

  “I would rather not ask him. He is a good friend of the New Orleans werewolf pack, and I do not wish to divide his loyalties in that manner.”

  “What will happen if I determine a pack member was responsible?”

  “If a pack member was acting on his own and the leader will give us justice, it will end there. If not, or if the whole pack was involved, then the fragile truce we have enjoyed for these past twelve years will dissolve into war.”

  No pressure on me.

  Obviously sensing my discomfort, he said, “I expect the truth whatever the case. If the pack had a part in this, I need to know now, not after more members of my or someone else’s family are attacked. If this is an isolated incident, then it can be dealt with as such. If not, then every vampire in New Orleans needs to be aware so they can protect their human families and retainers.”

  “I understand.” I found myself praying that it was a lone wolf attack. The last thing I needed was a vampire vs. werewolf war. Learning all I had missed would be difficult enough without the added conflict.

  There was a quiet knock at the door and Sophie poked her head inside. “Josh is here if you are ready for him.”

  “Please, send him in.”

  The blond man from the previous evening strolled into the room. I stood, as did, much to my surprise, the Grandmaster. The two men enthusiastically shook hands.

  “I don’t believe you two were formally introduced last night. Madame Grammont, may I present Josh Bouchard? Josh, this is Juliette de Grammont.”

  I offered my hand, but instead of shaking it, he bowed gallantly over it. I automatically curtsied. He was either older than I initially thought or, in deference to me, did not shake my hand.

  “Ma’am, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  “Likewise, Monsieur.”

  “Would you like a glass of Merlot or a beer, Josh? Maybe something stronger?” Marc asked.

  “Y’all are having wine, so I think I’ll join you,” Josh said, nodding to our glasses. “Y’all need a refill?” Without waiting for our answers, he walked to the bar and returned with a goblet and the wine bottle. The Grandmaster indicated that I should sit, so I did. Josh filled up his own glass and topped ours off.

  “Well,
I got ahold of Beau. He ain’t happy one of the wolves broke the peace and wants to get to the bottom of this pronto. Beau does not want another vampire/were war,” Josh said as he sat.

  “So he is willing to meet with us?” Marc asked.

  “Yep. I set the meeting for tomorrow at one a.m. Sophie said you were free then.”

  “She’d know better than I,” Marc said wryly. “Madame, will you be able to join us?”

  “I will tell Andre that I have a meeting,” I answered.

  “Roulet agreed to my terms?” the Grandmaster asked.

  “Yeah. Three reps for each side, no weapons,” Josh replied.

  “And you are willing to act as my lieutenant for the meeting?”

  “Be my pleasure, Marc.”

  “Aren’t we at a disadvantage with no weapons?” I asked.

  “Only slightly. They have claws and fangs, we have magic and fangs. We actually have an advantage because they don’t know about your powers.”

  “I should warn you that most of my magic is defensive. I do not know how much help I will be if it comes to a fight,” I said.

  “If you can take care of yourself, that’s enough,” Marc said.

  I nodded.

  “I really don’t think there will be any trouble, Ma’am. Beau seemed mighty upset that a wolf had attacked anyone, let alone a member of the Grandmaster’s family. He could be lying, and I coulda misread him, but I think his outrage and distress were genuine,” Josh said.

  “We will meet here at 12:15 tomorrow and drive to the warehouse together. Thank you both for your assistance in this matter.” Marc stood, as did Josh and I. “Madame Grammont, I believe you have a shopping date with Sophie, so I shall not keep you any longer. Josh, thank you for taking care of this for me. I know you have a club to run and I have imposed enough on your time already.”

  Chapter 5

  OUR SHOPPING TRIP was not quite what I had been expecting. I had never bought “off the rack” before, so trying on premade clothes was different than what I was used to. Always before, I had visited a modiste who had taken my measurements, showed me some sketches or perhaps dress samples, discussed with me fabric and color, and taken a custom order. In some ways I liked off the rack better, but I found that not everything fit properly. Some stores were happy to do alterations but others seemed to think me mad.