Under the Blood Moon

by Tracie Provost

  “Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this to me.”

  Sophie said, “I hate to leave you, but I should really check with Marc and see if anything more has been learned about the fire.” With that, she left me with my thoughts.

  THREE NIGHTS LATER, Sophie accompanied me back to my cottage.

  “You don’t need to leave yet; it has only been a few days,” she said.

  I smiled and led her into the foyer. “We both know hiding at Gautier House makes me look weak.”

  “We could put out that you need to tend to Chris,” she suggested.

  “You cannot do that. It must be known that Chris is healthy and not a werewolf to safeguard his position as heir. Besides, he has been out and looks disgustingly healthy,” I reminded her.

  “At least let me arrange a bodyguard for you.”

  “There are no other Aether in the city.” I knew from extensive talks with the Grandmaster that it was customary for bodyguards to come from one’s own coven.

  “I’ll get someone from another coven. Mike can do it. You trust him don’t you?” Sophie cajoled.

  “Yes, I trust Detective Angelletti but he is busy investigating these werewolf attacks and keeping the humans from finding out about the supernatural. He hardly has time to mind me,” I said.

  Sophie pursed her lips and tapped her foot. “There must be someone else. Let me think a moment. Maybe Garret Mahoney. I don’t think he is busy right now.”

  “Would you trust this man with your life? With the Grandmaster’s?” I asked.

  Sophie chewed her lip for a minute. “No, I don’t think I would. Sorry, bad idea.”

  “I will be fine. Do not worry so much,” I said. The fact was, I was terrified and worried, but I did not want Sophie to know. I needed to show confidence and strength if I was to become coven leader. If I did not, I would have every power-hungry Aether east of the Mississippi challenging me. I would have more than my fair share of challengers as it was. And in the vampire world, power struggles generally ended with one of the contenders dead.

  “We worry about you. I worry about you,” Sophie said.

  “And I thank you for it. Right now, no one has a reason to come after me. I have not formally declared leadership nor do I have the Master’s signet ring.” The leader of each coven in a city wore a ring as an outward sign of their position and power. The Aether ring had disappeared with Frederique the night of the full moon. It had not been found in the burned-out debris of her house. Without it, my or anyone else’s claim of leadership was weak. I had spoken at length to the Grandmaster about the problem and had been told this was not the first time something such as this had happened. He would contact the Aether Motherhouse in London and explain the situation. They would send a representative with a replacement ring to invest the new leader. In fact, London had already been apprised of the situation. In theory, each Coven Master or Mistress was sovereign in their own city, but there was overall governance of each coven, the Head of the Order. Vampire social and political structure was strikingly similar to human feudal society and the coven structure similar to that of the monastic order of the Church.

  “The lack of a ring is a mere technicality and you know it,” Sophie said.

  “Actually, Monsieur Marc and I may have found a solution. I can declare myself Regent of the Aether coven. This gives the coven leadership but also allows me to relinquish leadership peacefully if a better claimant appears.”

  Sophie paused and thought about that for a moment. “You know, that might just work. Did you know you have cherubs on your ceiling?” Sophie said, abruptly changing the subject.

  “Ugh. Yes, and that is not even the worst of it. When I get a chance, the entire house needs to be redecorated, except perhaps the kitchen.” With everything else that had happened, this house and its garish décor had disappeared from my mind. For the past two nights, I had been closeted with lawyers, bankers, financial managers, and the Grandmaster. Andre had kept our accounts separate during my long absence. No one knew why I had not been declared dead and the provisions of my will not settled. The only other female in the group, an ice-blond lawyer named Vanessa de Clerc, suggested that Andre had assumed since he had only been staked, not killed, that that had been my fate as well. That was as good an answer as any, I supposed. The Grandmaster and I did not hold out much hope for Andre this time. Still, we decided to hold off on formally declaring him dead. I had asked Gabe to make a thorough search of each of Andre’s properties in hopes he had gone to ground in one of them. He returned with detailed descriptions of each place but had not found my sire.

  “I can give you the names of several excellent and discreet interior designers,” Sophie offered. Discreet was the code word for someone who was a vampire’s human retainer. The financial manager and banker I had met with were both ‘discreet.’ Vanessa de Clerc was a young vampire.

  “Thank you. I am going to need them, I am afraid. Come, I’ll show you the rest of house,” I said.

  I gave Sophie a quick tour of the house and explained that my first concern for the house was new furniture. “The décor is horrible but I can live with it for now. With everything else going on, ugly murals are the least of my worries, but I need places to sit where I am not constantly squirming in the hopes of getting comfortable.”

  I led her out to the loggia, explaining that the chairs out here were better than anything inside. As we sat, Sophie suddenly asked, “What about Josh?”

  Confused, I asked, “Josh?”

  “For your bodyguard,” Sophie clarified.

  “Bouchard?” My confusion increased. The only Josh I knew was the Sylph lieutenant.

  Sophie nodded enthusiastically. “He’d be perfect and he likes you.”

  “But he is a musician,” I protested. “How could he possibly protect me?”

  “He was a Texas Ranger before he was turned,” Sophie said.

  I did not understand the cultural reference. “What is a Texas Ranger?” Clearly there was something about Texas Rangers that Sophie considered magical.

  “Rangers were lawmen in Texas. Actually, I guess they still are, but when Josh was a Ranger, Texas had just become a state and it was pretty wild and dangerous. I remember his sister, Emma, telling me he was well respected for his tracking and shooting abilities.”

  Now I understood but saw a problem. “Isn’t he the Sylph lieutenant?”

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  “How can he be the Sylph lieutenant and carry out those duties if I hire him as my bodyguard? Plus, doesn’t he run that bar?”

  Sophie sighed. “Damn. You are right. That won’t work either.”

  “I really do not think there is a danger,” I said. I really hope there is not a danger.

  “If you are sure . . .,” Sophie said.

  “I am,” I said with far more conviction than I felt.

  “Alright, consider the subject dropped. I hate to bring this up with everything else you are dealing with, but the Museum Gala is in two weeks.”

  “Monsieur Marc said something to me about that a few days ago, but I must admit all I heard was ‘confirm as Coven Mistress at the Gala.’ If he gave me any details, they flew out of my mind,” I explained.

  Sophie laughed softly. “I expect you’d had quite a shock at that stage.”

  I nodded and she continued, “Every year the New Orleans Museum of Art holds a Gala fundraiser. Marc and Tousaint are on the museum board, as was Frederique. Her seat is open. I can arrange for you to take it, if you would like.”

  I considered the proposition for a moment. A little philanthropy could not hurt, and I did like art. “I think that would be a very good idea for me, thank you. I am a bit surprised that Frederique sat on the board. I do not remember her having more than a passing interest in art,” I said.

  “
Frederique sat on the board so she could keep an eye out for magical items. A number of years ago, before she took the position, the museum obtained a sculpture that had been enchanted. As you might expect, it caused a great deal of trouble in a city teaming with as much magic as New Orleans has.”

  “What happened to it?” I asked.

  “The museum sold the piece to the High in Atlanta. No pesky magic there. I think Frederique might have also put some dampening wards on it before it left.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “Do you have an interest in art? I noticed you admiring a number of the paintings at Gautier House.”

  “Actually, I do. While not a great artist, I can sketch passably well. It is a necessity for producing accurate occult symbols, but beyond that, I believe that beautiful things nourish the soul and art is beautiful.”

  “Splendid. I don’t suppose you would be willing to step into Frederique’s place on the Gala planning committee as well? Most of the work has already been done but Frederique was in charge of the guest list and RSVPs, so we have the proper amount of refreshments.”

  “Yes, I will be happy to take over.” It was not as if I had not planned and hosted a number of large parties before. I would need to consult with Sophie on if certain points of etiquette had changed, but I thought I was finally in my element here. Plus, the busier I was, the less likely I was to dwell on my loss.

  “Thank you! I thought I was going to be stuck doing everything myself.”

  “Are you on the board?” I asked. I did not remember her mentioning that.

  “Not technically. I often attend meetings in Marc’s place. As his personal assistant, it is assumed I carry out many of his functions.”

  I nodded. Changing the subject slightly, I gestured to the statuary dotting my back courtyard. “Do you think the museum would like these as a donation?”

  Sophie’s eyes widened. “You wish to give them away?”

  “They are very beautiful, but they do not belong in my back courtyard. They are not to my taste, and I think they should find a new home.”

  “I am sure the museum would be delighted with such a donation. Bring it up at the next board meeting.”

  “When is that?”

  “Next Monday night. I can give you all the details later, but for now, I really must be getting back. Are you sure you are going to be alright here alone?” Sophie said, standing.

  As touched as I was by her concern, it was starting to weigh on me. “I will be fine.”

  “Do you have everything you need?”

  “I believe so. If I find anything, I promise I will call,” I said, showing her to the front door.

  Kissing both my cheeks, she bade me goodbye. As I closed the door behind her, I whispered a prayer that I was doing the right thing.

  I SIGHED DEEPLY and closed the book. I had been staring at the same page for ten minutes and had no idea what it said. It was not as if the subject matter was dry. Quite the contrary; the changes in New Orleans since 1800 fascinated me, but I could not concentrate. My mind kept wandering to the events of the past week; the fire at Frederique’s home and the seeming demise of my entire coven within the city, as well as my ascension to Aether Regent. My thoughts kept straying to Andre and how much he had changed. The man I had known had metamorphosed into someone completely different, and much to my shame, I was relieved he was gone.

  The phone that Sophie had given me jolted me out of my musings with a loud ring. Picking it up off the coffee table, I answered it as she had shown me.

  “Madame Grammont?” the voice asked.

  “Oui.”

  “This is Mike Angelletti.”

  “Ah, detective. It is nice to hear from you. What may I do for you this evening?”

  “You probably won’t think it is nice once you’ve heard what I have to say.” He sounded discouraged.

  “Is it about Andre? The other Aether?” I asked.

  “No, Ma’am. There is nothing new to report there, I am sorry to say,” Mike apologized. “There has been another werewolf attack. Two victims this time. Can you come?”

  “Of course. Where are you?”

  “Louis Armstrong Park, near the old Congo Square site,” Mike said.

  “I know exactly where it is.” I had presided over numerous voodoo rituals there in the old days.

  “I hate to ask, but can you get here on your own? I’m already on site and don’t dare leave. This hasn’t been called in to the station yet, and I’d like to keep it that way. An Undine found the bodies and called me. If we can, I’d like to clean this up without getting the humans involved,” he explained.

  “I can be there in ten minutes,” I said.

  “Thank you.” The relief was evident in his voice before the line went dead.

  I slid on the strappy, high-heeled sandals next to my chair. I briefly considered more practical footwear but did not want to waste the time. I grabbed my purse off the hall table on my way out the front door.

  It was only a few blocks to the old central city park and it took me a matter of minutes to reach it. The park was fenced but it was not too difficult to gain access; although, by the time I had hoisted myself over the high fence, I was regretting my choice not to change into more suitable clothes. A long-skirted sundress and heels were not practical for tramping to a New Orleans crime scene.

  It was easy for me to find the scene despite the physical differences wrought by two centuries. The magic of Congo Square, where slaves, free blacks, and mulattos alike had practiced voodoo, drew me. The area was now a nicely bricked glen, sheltered by trees. Mike stood away from the bodies, talking to another man.

  “Thanks for coming so quickly,” Mike said. “The park closes at sunset and the fence keeps most people out, but junkies and homeless seem undeterred, like these two.”

  “It is no problem,” I said.

  “Mrs. Grammont, this is Vinny Carlucci,” Mike said, introducing me to his companion. Even with my enhanced eyesight, it was difficult for me to discern what the other man looked like. Shrouded in shadows as he was, I could only get a vague outline. He was a few inches taller than I was and stoutly built. The hand he held out to me was beefy.

  I took the outstretched hand and shook it, as was American custom. “Monsieur Carlucci, it is a pleasure to meet you. You are the Salamand lieutenant, are you not?” I distinctly remember Sophie saying that I should avoid this man if possible. So much for that advice.

  “And you are the Aether Regent,” he noted.

  I nodded. “I did not realize that was common knowledge yet.”

  “I believe word has only been sent to coven leadership. Where is your bodyguard?” he asked as he scanned the tree line for another vampire.

  “I do not have one,” I said.

  Vinny grunted, satisfied he had not missed anyone approaching. “You need to get one. You shouldn’t be out alone. If I’d known you was comin’, I’da picked ya up on my way over.”

  “Thank you but that is unnecessary.”

  “Forgive me for disagreeing with you, but as coven leader, even temporarily, you need protection. Somebody just wiped out your entire coven. Ya ain’t safe. I’m gonna walk the perimeter and make sure we don’t have any uninvited guests while you do your thing.”

  “He’s right you know,” Mike said as the other vampire walked away.

  I grimaced, knowing he was right. “If there was someone whom I trusted that was available, I would hire him. Unfortunately, there are very few I know well enough to put my faith in.”

  “What about me?” he asked, a hurt tone to his voice.

  “Of course I trust you, but you have this,” I said indicating the crime scene. “The work you do for the Grandmaster, keeping the werewolf attacks from public knowledge, is far more important.”

&nbs
p; Mike looked mollified by my explanation. “I suppose you are right.”

  “You know I am. Now you did not call me down here to discuss my security arrangements. What is it you want done to the bodies? Do you need them altered again?” I asked.

  “Not this time. All I need you to do is scent the bodies and see if we are dealing with the same werewolves as the previous attacks. Nobody has touched them so you should be able to get a clean reading. Vinny is here to take care of the bodies and clean up.”

  I nodded. The body disposal would be the easiest part of his tasks tonight. That was just a matter of taking the corpses out to the swamp. The alligators would do the rest. Cleaning the scene would be far more difficult. There were blood and body parts strewn over the bricks in a twenty-foot square. At first glance it was difficult to tell that there were only two bodies, such was the carnage. This attack was far more savage than the previous two. I knelt next to the torso of one victim, clearly a man with a mauled face and missing his right arm, careful to stay out of the pooled blood. Inhaling deeply, I began the delicate process of filtering out unneeded scents until I had found the one I was looking for. When I found it, I frowned. Not a pack werewolf but not one of the Strays who had perpetrated the earlier attacks either. I took a second deep breath just to make sure. Moving to the other torso, a woman who had been gutted like a deer, I repeated the process. I was even more disturbed by these findings. Not one werewolf scent, but two, and these were different from those on the other body here or the two previous bodies. Five stray werewolves in the city?

  Crouching next to the bodies, I sensed Mike approach. I looked up and asked, “Do you want me to check for identification?”

  “I can have Vinny do it if you don’t want to,” he said.

  “I am not squeamish. I would make a rather bad vampire if I were.”

  Mike chuckled. “That isn’t exactly why I asked. You’re dressed nice and I wouldn’t want you to get blood all over your clothes.”

  “I am not exactly in proper attire to be up to my elbows in blood, this is true,” I said as I carefully extracted a wallet from what had once been the back pocket of a pair of jeans and handed it to Mike. The other victim was clearly female, so I scanned the area for a purse. I found it by the tree line along with one of her hands.