by Nicole Renee
Do you know what all men have in common Winny? They can bleed. And very well, if the bullets are placed correctly.
“How can I help you gentlemen?” she asked, pulling out her hand from her back, making it look as if she were stretching. Winter could tell that they were surprised at the easy-going image she projected. The two looked between one another before the blonde-one spoke.
“Uh. Good evening ma’am. I’m sorry to have bothered you, but we’re looking for a young man. Black-American. He’s above-average height, lean. He was wearing a dark suit with an overcoat?”
Feigning innocence, Winny shook her head. “No. I haven’t seen anyone by that nature. A frequent customer just left my shop not too long ago since I just closed. I’ve been in the back taking inventory.” Winny could tell that they were trying to see if she was lying. But she knew her poker face gave nothing away. Seemingly satisfied with her answer, the two nodded.
The Spaniard pulled out a white card before holding it out. “My name is Juan. This is Asher. If you do see him, please call the number listed on the card,” he said offering a charming smile.
Winny smiled before taking it. “I most certainly will. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me. I’ve had a long day, and-”
“Oh! Of course. Good evening ma’am.”
Once the door shut and locked Winny sighed. Running back to where her new guest was, she was stunned to see him gone.
“What in the world was that?” Winny asked aloud to the room as she heard the police sirens in front of her door.
2
“What were you thinking? You could have been killed Akachi!” the young man in question winced at his older brother’s roaring.
Their kind didn’t typically raise their voices, but when they did, it awoke the beast.
“Why are you lecturing me? I know I wasn’t supposed to be out, alright? But I needed a break. I just wanted to have some fun Z.”
Running his hand over his face, the older man hissed letting his animal nature show. He tried to rein in his temper but it was difficult. Especially when new duals, or supernatural beings, were coming into his territory. It was hard, but Z pulled back his aggression.
“I’m sorry Akachi. We have new people coming into our-”
“Our territory. I know. But you’re in charge and you know what to do. Why are you so tense about it?”
Because something else is happening under my nose and it could possibly kill you or me, he thought in exhaustion. Instead of telling his brother the truth however, he shrugged.
“Just a build-up of stress. I have to host the Glacier family. They’ll be coming back to our side of the world.”
Akachi studied his brother. He knew he wasn’t being told the full truth. He would make it his mission to figure out what game his brother was playing at. Hissing in displeasure, Akachi stood from the chair he was previously slouched on.
“Why would you allow those demons back here?”
“There has been no war, A. The rules clearly state-”
“Who cares about the rules? You have full autonomy. No one can overrule you. Why are you always trying to bend to others?”
“I’m not always bending to the other species. I just think it’s important we show that we want peace little brother.” Snorting, the younger man rolled his vanta black eyes.
“Yeah well, if I were in charge-”
“We’d already be in a war, going into another one,” Zahir finished wryly. Ignoring his comment, Akachi strolled over to the large floor to ceiling windows located in his brother’s office.
“If you don’t need my advice, and you still choose to have that blood-sucking family in our area, why did you summon me here?”
Rolling his eyes, Zahir crossed his arms over his chest. “I want you to welcome the Glacier family. Make them comfortable, and that Daisy and Walker have has everything they need while under our roof-”
“Wait a second? You mean to tell me the leeches are staying in our home?” Akachi exclaimed.
Praying to The Great One for patience, Zahir spoke again slowly. “A, we only need two other families in agreement to keep the peace. We are the most powerful, yes, but the Glacier family is the only one close enough to overthrow us if they chose to do so. We had bad blood in the past yes, but-”
“Zahir. They tried to drain you dry when you refused to marry the man’s daughter.”
“I’ve moved past it, and you should do the same,” Zahir said firmly.
It was true. The Glacier coven was as ancient as their own. Many years ago, the Glacier patriarch and first nightwalker thought it would be a brilliant idea to marry the two families. He wanted Zahir, the oldest and most powerful of the serpent line to marry his oldest daughter, Lily. Since Zahir refused, seeing as how blood-drinkers and serpents didn’t exactly get along, the man became irate, and thus began the war between the two families.
That same year the maniacal man even tried to stage a kidnapping to force Zahir into accepting his daughter’s hand. The same daughter who was now happily married to a man of her own choosing. It also didn’t assuage Zahir nor Akachi when they found out viper blood worked as an aphrodisiac to night dwellers. Once Zahir was released, he made it clear: They were to never mate with one another. Exist? Yes. Anything else was a solid no. He was pulled from his thoughts by his brother’s shouts.
“Zahir? Do you hear me!”
“Yes, I can hear you, Akachi,” Zahir said exasperation in his tone. “I need you to listen to me. Nothing is going to happen. The Glacier family patriarch died, and with him, his archaic ways. Walker, his son has reached out to me wanting to bridge the gap between our two worlds. They also want to expand out of the arctic, since that is where they’ve lived for most of their existence.”
“And you brought that sob story? What if it’s all just a ploy to get you to bend to whatever they want?” Akachi questioned still on the fence about the family.
“They won’t,” Zahir said trying to sooth his brother.
“How can you be so sure?”
“I just am. That is why when they stay here, you will show his sister around. Be a good host, show her places in the city. She has never been to New Orleans before.”
Rolling his dark eyes he hissed. “Am I to be a babysitter now?”
At the end of his patience with his brother, Zahir sighed.
“For now. I also need the name of the woman who saved your life. You said she worked in a bookstore? There isn’t a bookstore in the French quarter. Not that I know of,” he said in slight confusion.
“Well, you’ve been wrong before, and yes there is a bookstore. She is the owner I believe.”
“Hm.” Zahir said as his brother continued speaking.
“I could hear her heart racing, so I knew she wasn’t used to seeing-”
“You let her see your dual?” Zahir asked alarm in his voice.
“You do know I was bleeding, right? I couldn’t exactly shift back into my human eyes. Anyway, she was very helpful. I left when she went to distract Hunter’s henchmen.”
Placing his hands on his narrow hips Zahir nodded. “I need the name of this place. I want to thank this woman properly for saving your life.”
“The name of the place is Bayou Books.”
“Thank you.” Running his hands over his sleek fade, Zahir’s eyes slowly shifted back from vanta black to their unusual shade of dark green.
Zahir groaned aloud when he felt Akachi trying to mentally prod him. “You haven’t been able to access my mind since I was nineteen, Akachi. It won’t mysteriously happen today.”
Swearing under his breath, Akachi pushed himself off the window.
“You know, one day you will treat me like the twelve-hundred-year-old man that I am.” Amused, Zahir walked over to his shelf, pulling out several books. “When you start acting like the age you are, maybe I will.” Before Akachi left his brother’s office he turned an assessing gaze on Zahir.
“Za. You have to tell me. What’s really goi
ng on?”
Eyes snapping to his brother, he spoke slowly. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
3
“What happened last night? Do you know Keisha? She said she was leaving the club over Bourbon Street and saw a swarm of cops around your store. Was there a break-in here?”
Sighing, Winter handed over the change to one of her customers before shaking her head.
“No break-in. But there was a man that came into my shop bleeding on my floor asking for help.” The cafe-au-lait complexion woman stared blankly at Winter before leaning against the counter.
“I’m going to need a bit more explanation, Winny,” she said drolly.
Pushing her thick hair back, the bookstore owner glanced around the shop before lowering her voice.
“I used to think you all were nuts down here. Going on about voodoo and the other side talking to the living down here. But I think last night I may have had my initiation into this crazy world, Amara.”
Snorting, the woman tossed her twists behind her shoulder. “It’s always been here, Winny. You’ve just been ignoring it.”
Looking into Amara’s eyes, Winter felt as if there was something more Amara wanted to say but was holding back. Come to think of it, Amara always looked as if there was more to everything.
When Winter first arrived in New Orleans two years ago with only the belongings in her suitcase and a wallet full of money, she had no idea where to begin. She knew she wanted to be in Louisiana, and that she wanted to open a bookstore, but she didn’t know where to start. It wasn’t until her second night eating at a hotel restaurant that she met the colorful woman.
She strode into the place wearing a tie-dyed skirt and sandals with a yellow halter top. The bright shade illuminated her sable colored skin, and the bangles on her feet and ankles made their own kind of music when she walked.
Winter remembered watching as the woman appeared to search for someone in the dining area. Unexpectedly, the woman’s eyes focused on her. Striding with a purpose, unaware of the appreciative glances sent her way, she plopped into the chair across from Winny and informed her that they would be great friends.
Turns out, the woman had been right.
From time to time, Amara would help Winter set up her shop and decorate. It was during these times that she would take the opportunity to bring up the things that went bump in the night in New Orleans.
Honestly, Winter believed it to be nothing more than local folklore. Tales spun to occupy people’s time and add intrigue to the already mysterious big easy. Now, however, she wasn’t so sure.
“Hello, you were talking about a man bleeding in your shop?”
Winter nodded her head. “Yeah. This guy came into my shop after my last customer. I didn’t-”
“Was he fine?”
Rolling her eyes, Winter clapped her hands in front of Amara’s face. “Focus please.”
Huffing, she pulled a stool up before sitting in front of the register. “I’m sorry. Please continue.”
“Thank you. Anyway, he was on the floor. I could see the blood seeping through his shirt. He didn’t want me calling the police…so I didn’t. I mean he didn’t seem like a bad guy. But his eyes...” Winter shook her head. “It was his eyes that scared me.”
“What was so unusual about his eyes?”
Staring off past Amara, Winter conjured the image of Akachi’s eyes. “They were entirely black.”
Amara sat up straight, her eyes wide, obviously alarmed. “Not just the pupils? It wasn’t a trick of the light?”
Her gaze landed on Amara skeptically. “Since when do you write off something supernatural? And no it wasn’t a trick of the light. His entire eye was completely black. And it looked as if he could see through me. It was unnerving.”
“I bet. So, you help stitch him back up, right?”
“Right. Then I finally got his name. It’s quite unique actually. I think it’s African. Akachi.”
If possible, Amara sat up even straighter before leaning over the counter. Immediately she grabbed Winter’s hand.
Frightened by the glazed look in Amara’s eyes, she spoke quickly. “Ama, what is it? What’s wrong? Do you know this person?”
It wasn’t until seconds later before she blinked and slowly removed her hand from Winter’s.
“Amara?” Winter repeated, hoping to snap her out of whatever haze she had fallen into. Standing, she offered a smile before grabbing her satchel on the floor. “Um Winny I have to go. I’ll be right back, but just be careful, alright?”
“Amara, wait!” Her call had apparently fallen on deaf ears because the flustered woman quickly turned and headed out the back exit.
“Why does everyone keep leaving like that?”
“You were right, Winny. The book was perfect for my sociology class.”
Winter smirked at the young college student. “I told you, Vinny, Zora Neale Hurston would be a good choice. She was a cultural anthropologist after all. It made her such a good writer. She could read people, emotions, and correctly place cultures.”
“Wouldn’t you say most authors are anthropologists?”
“Of course. Even bookstore owners,” she answered before winking at her customer. The blonde-haired man grinned.
“True. Plus, girls think it’s cool that I read Hurston. I seem sensitive, and deep,” he replied cheekily.
Rolling her eyes, she shoved the bag of books at him. “Hey, this is not an escort service. I’m only here to help you with literature. For your classes. So you can pass,” Winter enunciated.
He only shrugged before smirking. “I know. Thank you, Ms. Winter. See you later!”
Turning, he pushed open the door, leaving her alone in the store once again. Winter glanced at the time surprised at how late it had gotten.
Sighing, Winny was about to head to the back, to start her inventory check when the door swung open again. Not raising her head she spoke absently.
“Welcome to Bayou Books. Do you need help with anything?” she said affably.
“I do,” the deep voice said.
Placing her pen down, Winter glanced up with an easy smile, only to be stunned at the man in front of her.
“Hi,” she said breathlessly.
4
“Hi,” the man answered easily. His deep voice did nothing but send shivers down her spine. His gaze and voice were almost hypnotic.
Winter thought she saw a brief flickering of color in his eyes. Something she’d never seen before. It reminded her of Akachi from a couple of nights ago. But it was gone too fast for her to further question it. His eyes were a violet color. It was shocking against such ebony skin. His hair was close-cut, almost the same shade as his skin.
He was above average in height, and the form-fitting short sleeve white shirt only enhanced the rippling muscle coming from the man. Quiet yet deadly. She’d never known a man to embody those two words more than the person standing in front of her.
Sharp cheekbones, and nose, full lips which were currently tilted a bit at the corner, completed this handsome man. She had never seen him before, but Winter felt he was familiar.
Everything about the man in front of her was new yet familiar.
“You said this is Bayou books, right?” the slightly accented voice questioned her. She was embarrassed to hear the amusement in his voice.
Oh, God. “Yes! I’m so sorry. Such a scatter-brain. I am the owner.” She rounded the corner until she was standing in front of the man. Tilting her head back, she blushed when he raised his brow.
“My name is Winter. Winter Frame.” Holding out her hand she watched as he studied her before grabbing her hand and bringing it to his lips. Kissing it.
“Pleasure to officially meet you. I am Zahir Slade.” She felt herself warming under his intense gaze. The way his eyes roved over her in appreciation made her glad that she wore her more flattering black jeans. Granted, she wasn’t model thin, but she knew her figure terrible to look at.
When he dropped her
hand, Winter cleared her throat before taking a step back. “The pleasure is mine. Now, what can I help you with?” She asked.
Stepping closer he continued studying her as he spoke. “I’m actually here to thank you.”
“Thank me?” she questioned, a smile still resting on her lips.
“Yes. You saved my brother the other night. Akachi.”
Her eyes widened in understanding before rounding the corner.
“Yes. I was wondering where he disappeared to. Is he okay?”
“He’s better. Apparently there was some club altercation that got out of hand.”
“Well, it seemed serious judging by the two guys who came here looking for him.”
Winny watched as Zahir’s eyes seemed to harden before he glanced away. She wondered what that was about. Before she could question him about it, he spoke again.
“Nevertheless, we are in your debt. How much will it take to also buy your lack of memory?”
Frowning, Winter took a hesitant step back from her counter. “Excuse me?”
“How much?” he repeated, boredom in his voice. “I’m sorry, but kindness is never free. Well not for me, or my brother, anyway.” Smirking, Zahir took a step closer, leaning against the large divide before lowering his voice.
“Ms. Frame. Let’s cut to the chase. You saw something that wasn’t normal.” He paused for a second before continuing.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said firmly.
He ignored her as if she hadn’t spoken. “You saw something that wasn’t human. Everybody has a price for their acquiescence. Some ask for riches, others want clout. I could offer you one, or both. It’s your decision. The only thing I ask in return is your silence.”