“Him? You have a dog in mind already?”
Her focus remained straight ahead, but I caught the widening of her eyes as though she hadn’t wanted me to pick up on that. This woman had no idea how hard I listened to her. How much I obsessed over every word that came out of her mouth. Over every lithe movement of her body, every soft expression, every blink of her haunting green eyes.
We were turning up her walk through the wrought iron gate. “You’re coming in?” she asked, surprised.
“It’s almost time for Violet’s reading.”
She squeezed her eyes shut with a little shake of her head as we stepped up to the porch. “Right, right.”
She was a little more scrambled than normal. I wasn’t sure if it was me interrupting her date. Or if it was just me. What I did know was that her pulse always picked up pace when I got close to her. And that was definitely a good sign.
I followed Isadora into the house and down the foyer to the living room.
“Hello? Anybody home?” she called out.
“In my study!” yelled Jules.
Rather than head into the living room, Isadora glanced over her shoulder and pointed down the longer hallway. “This way.”
I gave her a reassuring smile and followed, happy to sense her anger had subsided. When we arrived in what must be Jules’s library, Violet was already there, the wooden coffee table set up for the reading. White pillar candles sat staggered on the table, a smudge stick burning upright in a bowl of black sand. Incense filled the room with spice and sage.
Violet sat cross-legged on one end, shuffling her Tarot cards. They were all face-down on the table as she roamed her fingers over them, moving them under and over each other. Already I sensed a pulse of magic sizzling in the air.
Jules sat on the other side of the coffee table on the floor, her demeanor calm and watchful as always. “Isn’t Ruben with you?”
“We came separately.”
Isadora scoffed. Jules eyed her with a raised eyebrow, but Isadora just shook her head. She would most likely wait till we left before she spilled about my interference.
“How was your date?” asked Violet, grinning down at the cards as she scooped them up.
“We’ll talk later,” Isadora promised with a hint of warning.
Violet smirked then glanced at me and winked. Somehow I felt like Violet was on my side. She was now my favorite sister.
“Would you like a reading while we wait for Ruben?” she asked me.
My pulse tripped. I wasn’t sure why. Then I glanced at Isadora who took a seat in a chair behind them near the bookshelf. “Why not?”
I settled into a wingback chair on the opposite end of the coffee table, suddenly very nervous. “What do I do?”
Violet grinned, her cat-like eyes shining by the candlelight. “We’re doing three cards. One for personal. One for professional. One for your heart’s goal.”
“Heart’s goal?” I asked with skepticism. My gaze darted to Isadora again, the magnetic pull she had on me in a room so overpowering I could hardly focus on anything else.
“To catch the kidnapper, of course,” Violet answered, her gaze on the cards, her voice amused. “That would be the goal that weighs most heavily on you. Right?”
“Right. Of course.”
She bit her bottom lip, holding the cards in one hand. She tucked some of her blue hair behind her ear, revealing a row of piercings up the cartilage.
“Whoa. That’s new. When did you get that?” Isadora asked, leaning forward and pointing at Violet’s arm.
Violet stretched out her left inner forearm. I recognized the image because I’d just seen something similar on one of the Tarot cards.
“The High Priestess?” asked Jules, leaning forward and holding her wrist so she could inspect the ink.
The priestess wore a horned crown and held a crystal ball in one hand, her gown embedded with stars, a crescent moon over one shoulder.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” asked Violet with a huge smile.
“Who’s the High Priestess?” I had to ask.
Violet went back to flipping her cards from hand to hand. “She’s the queen of intuition, sacred knowledge, and the divine feminine. I need her on my side.”
“It’s beautiful work,” said Isadora. “Did you use your regular guy?”
“Nah. Someone new,” she said evasively.
As she shuffled, I noticed some Celtic runes inked on her index and middle fingers. Though I’d spent some time in Ireland, I didn’t know much about runes. But I did recognize the upward arrow for the spiritual warrior.
“Okay, Devraj. So first you’ll pull a card for your personal self.”
She fanned out the cards in front of her on the table, her silver nail polish sparkling. The charge of magic in the room amplified, pulling my own to the surface. Moving my hand on instinct, I tapped a card and slid it out from the deck. Violet flipped it over to reveal a man hanging from a gold cord by a tree. The card was upside down.
“The Hanged Man. But reversed.” She angled her head at me. “This means resistance and indecision. There’s something in your personal life that you’re stalling about. If you really want it, you’re going to need to get over that hump. Make the decision and go for it.”
I made no response. I was totally confused. The only personal thing in my life was my hunt of Isadora. And I wasn’t stalling about it. Was I?
“That’s kind of vague,” I said. “What if I have no idea what you’re talking about?”
She nodded her head definitively. “You will.” She pointed to the deck. “Now for your professional self.”
On a heavy sigh, I leaned forward, tapped the card my fingers were drawn to, then slid it forward. Violet flipped it.
“Ahh. I like this one. Strength. Not a great mystery in meaning. You have strength, courage, and compassion in your work.” Violet tapped her index finger on the card three times. “You have an enormous amount of influence, too.”
“On who?” I asked.
“On everyone,” she answered flippantly.
My gaze moved to Isadora who had her eyes on the deck, her expression calm. But the wringing of her hands in her lap told me another story.
“Last one, Stygorn,” said Violet. “This is for your heart’s goal. So hold it in your mind as you seek your card.”
I thought of Blake Bellingrath and of Darren Webber and our plan, which immediately led to the thought of Isadora acting as bait. Which then led to the anxiety I felt putting her life in danger. The fear, even, that I wouldn’t be able to get to her before something happened to her. Then my thoughts flickered to Isadora in my care, under my protection, in my home, in my bed. In my arms. In my heart. I reached over and tapped a card, pulling it forward out of the deck.
When Violet went to flip it over, it flew up into the air, spun, and slapped back down directly in front of me. There was a collective gasp among the women, but I just stared down at my fate.
“Wow,” said Violet. “That one had some emotional power behind it. The Chariot. That’s interesting. Control. Willpower. There will be success in your action.” She reached for the card, which slid away from me on its own until it stopped in front of her. Magic sparked the air with sizzling energy. She placed one finger on top of it and closed her eyes. “Yes. Definite success. But only if your determination and will matches genuine intentions. Otherwise, you’ll lose.” Her eyes sparked an electric green as she seemed to stare straight into my soul. “Hear me, Stygorn. You’ll lose.”
I swallowed hard, mouth gone bone-dry at the thought of losing Isadora. I was more than determined in keeping her safe, in making her mine. So what the hell did that mean?
“Well,” said Isadora, “we know he’s determined to catch this kidnapper, so that should be easy enough.”
“You’re right, sis,” Violet said evenly, ethereal gaze boring into mine, telling me she knew what goal I was after. “Should be easy enough for a Stygorn who knows what he could lose if he fails.
You best be all in, vampire.”
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering like mad. I’d thought of possessing Isadora’s body. I hadn’t thought of her owning me instead. But that’s what this felt like. Over three centuries, no one had entranced me like she did. And without even trying. Some part of her spoke to some part of me. And I hadn’t realized it until Violet asked me to think of my heart’s goal. Not on this level.
Fortunately, Ruben stepped in at that very moment, breaking the awkward moment between Violet and me. And Isadora, who had no idea what was really going on. The Seer witch knew, though. And she was warning me to be careful. To understand that I could fail if my intentions weren’t true. I wanted Isadora. There was no doubt. Was that not true enough? Not according to the blue-haired witch who still had her cat eyes fixed on me.
“Apparently, I missed something interesting,” said Ruben.
Isadora piped up. “According to Violet, Devraj’s goal to catch the kidnapper will be successful.”
Violet shuffled the cards and arched a brow at me.
“Is that so?” asked Ruben. “Then we don’t need my reading, do we?”
“Sit down, Ruben.” Violet fanned the cards in front of her.
I moved to lean against the bookcase next to Isadora, letting Ruben have my place. The candles flared when Ruben sat. Magic reacted strangely to the elements. Or maybe the elements reacted strangely to magic. A vampire’s was an aggressive, intrusive sort of magic, so it didn’t surprise me when the wind shifted angrily. Especially in the presence of three witches so attuned with the elements. There was a palpable undercurrent of energy humming in the room.
Violet flattened her palms on either side of the fanned deck and looked at Ruben. “As I told Devraj, you’ll pull three cards. One for personal self. One for professional. And one for your heart’s goal to catch the kidnapper.”
“Easy enough,” he rumbled pleasantly, pulling at the cuff of his starched shirt. He wore only a deep red vest, no jacket. His silver skull cufflinks winked by the candlelight.
“So you say,” mumbled Violet. “Pick a card.”
Ruben appeared poised and smooth as always, but the narrowing of his gaze on the cards like they might be the enemy revealed he wasn’t quite as calm as he appeared. He tapped a card with his index finger.
Violet flicked her hand, flipping it telekinetically.
“Oh, dear.” She bit back the smile overtaking her face. “The Emperor, reversed. That means domination, excessive control, inflexibility.”
Jules coughed, nearly blowing out one of the candles before righting herself with a serious smile on her face. Ruben’s gaze grew darker, his blue eyes more the color of midnight.
“That doesn’t bode well, now does it?” he commented easily, even as he clenched his jaw.
“Well, yes and no, actually,” said Violet, reaching out and flattening her palm over the card, fixing her attention on it, concentrating, listening to her magic. “It’s true, you can be inflexible. Domineering.” Her voice vibrated with a haunting sort of echo. “But it’s only because you are unfulfilled. Frustrated.” She removed her hand to her lap, her voice going back to normal. “Once you’re fulfilled, you’ll be balanced again. Though you’ll never lose the dominant factor.”
Ruben said nothing. Nor did he look at Jules when I knew he wanted to. He gestured toward the deck. “Shuffle.”
Violet grinned. “See? Domineering.”
Ruben blew out a heavy sigh. Violet and Isadora laughed. Jules didn’t.
When Violet stopped moving the cards in a circle on the table, he reached over and flipped over a card himself. Yes. Definitely domineering.
Then I couldn’t hold back a chuckle at the card.
“Emperor again,” said Violet. “This time upright. You’re quite the leader, Ruben. The Emperor is so dominant in your house. This shows you to be authoritative in your professional self. A sort of father figure to many. Role model and well-respected.”
He made no comment, but the aura of anger eased around him.
“That’s no surprise, though,” she murmured. “But now the last one. Your heart’s goal. To catch the kidnapper, mind you.”
Ruben’s gaze sharpened on her. “No need to remind me, darling.”
“Just checking.” She shuffled without touching the deck, spinning the cards on the flat surface with a swirl of her finger. When they settled flat, she gestured with a dip of her chin. “Pick one.”
He leaned forward and tapped one on the outer edge. She flipped it to reveal The Tower.
It was a tower on fire, flames pouring from the windows, lightning flashing in the sky, and a woman falling.
“This means there will be an upheaval and great chaos. But also, revelation and awakening.” She frowned before saying, “Yes, I believe you will get him.”
“We will get the evidence we need for a conviction? We’ll find the girls?” Ruben snapped.
“I’m sure.” She gestured down at the cards. “But it may not play out exactly how you plan.”
That had my gut tightening. I didn’t want any surprises, especially when Isadora was involved. I’d be more than diligent and prepared that night.
“Has he killed any of the women?” asked Ruben. “Can you at least tell me that?”
“I can ask,” she said, arching her brow as a warning of sorts. Ruben’s aggression was spilling into the room.
Violet closed her eyes and raised her palms facing out. The pull of magic sharpened, a firm pressure building in the room, pressing on my chest. She inhaled deeply. The candle flames all leaned toward her, as if the fire were drawn to her. She whispered in French, an old incantation, calling to the elemental spirits.
The tattoo of the High Priestess on her forearm shivered and rippled, looking as if it moved. Did the inked High Priestess blink her eyes? Isadora gasped, also staring at the strange phenomenon. Then Violet popped open her eyes, burning bright green, then set her hands in her lap. The candle flames righted themselves.
“No,” she said. “The girls are all alive.”
Ruben and I both exhaled with relief at the same time.
He gave me a nod and stood. “Thank you, Violet.” He tugged on the cuffs of his shirt. “That’s more than I could ask for.” He glanced down at Jules. “Does that meet your satisfaction?”
She held his gaze then nodded.
“Good evening then.”
Jules said nothing, having been extremely quiet this whole time.
“Devraj, if you’ll join me,” said Ruben as he walked out.
I stood and couldn’t help but brush a hand on Isadora’s shoulder as I passed. “Goodnight.”
She gave me a small smile, but that was it. I wondered if I’d made her seriously angry by interfering with her awful date. That’s what was spinning through my mind when Ruben and I made it outside and he stopped on the porch.
“I don’t like the card’s reading that there will be chaos. We’ll need to plan for every possibility.”
“Agreed. As long as I’m on the team following the trace when they take Isadora.”
“I understand,” he said, glancing back at the house.
“And have your men had any luck tracking him?”
“No. I knew that would come to nothing. I have two men watching the Bellingrath estate, but Blake seems very wary. We haven’t caught sight of him at all, going in or out.”
He glanced once more toward the house, unable to hide the intensity of his expression.
“Why don’t you just tell her?”
He huffed a sad laugh. “She knows.”
“Does she? I mean, truly?”
He locked on me for a second before heaving out a sigh. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Like hell, it doesn’t.”
“Goodnight, Dev.” Then he traced away, leaving me on the porch alone.
Ruben might be content to leave well enough alone, but I wasn’t. Especially after that peculiar reading from Violet, her words making me sicker
by the second as I walked to my home next door.
He knows what he could lose if he fails.
Pretty, lovely, wonderful Isadora.
“Then I won’t lose,” I vowed, more determined than ever.
Chapter 23
~ISADORA~
* * *
When I picked out my dress for date number two, I wondered if Devraj would’ve liked it. I wondered if he’d happen to be at the Cauldron tonight like last time. Then I had to admit to myself that I liked him watching out for me. Or maybe I just liked him watching me. And that was bad. Dangerous. I kept telling myself I couldn’t hook up with him again. He was too…too Devraj.
I stood at the end of the bar next to Charlie while JJ tended to customers. Meeting at the Cauldron gave me a sense of security that calmed my nerves.
“Okay, that’s him.” I bumped Charlie with my elbow. “Remember, the signal is, if I tap my fingers on my knee three times, you come save me with some family emergency.”
“Got it, Blondie. Don’t you worry.” He turned sideways on his stool. “Ooo. He’s a pretty one. Go get him.”
He patted me on the behind, a little encouragement. My date, Christopher, was searching the bar, but stopped when he saw me. Whoa. Now that was a beautiful smile.
“Christopher?” I asked, knowing it was him. He looked exactly like his profile.
“That’s me.” He smiled wider, his dimples popping. Mercy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Isadora.”
He held out his hand so I shook it. A good shake. Pleasantly firm grip.
“Um, I saved us a booth over here.” I gestured to the corner near the stage. Nico was set up but wasn’t playing just yet.
We settled in, and I felt surprisingly at ease. Strange that it should be with a vampire that I felt most comfortable.
“Nice place,” he said, looking around. “Never been here before.”
“It’s my family’s place,” I admitted, deciding to be more open and honest with this date.
His blue eyes widened. “Really? That’s so cool.”
“Yeah. Me and my sisters own it together. I do the bookkeeping for both the Cauldron and Mystic Maybelle’s next door.”
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