Evee rolled her eyes, then looked down at the table.
Seemingly satisfied that he’d done his job appropriately, Hoot hopped across the table and jumped back on Evee’s shoulder. She shooed him off, and he landed on the floor beside the table, squawking.
Socrates attempted to settle back into Viv’s lap, and she swatted him off and onto the floor alongside Hoot.
Evee and Viv looked at each other simultaneously and nodded. Their familiars were supposed to protect them and be loyal. There obviously was a clause in the familiar journal, because Hoot and Socrates had just betrayed them.
Evee had never felt so lonely as she did in that moment. Except for her two sisters, she was utterly alone and lost. She didn’t know what to do next, which wasn’t like her. She had thought herself to be levelheaded, and been sure that she could always see the next step that needed to be taken. Now all that seemed visible to her was a vat of mud that gave no direction as to what they should do next.
Arabella looked around solemnly. “Now that everything’s out on the table, so to speak, we’re going to fix this. So much has gotten out of hand that I’m considering having one of the sorcerers help us.”
Evee felt her mouth drop open. “The sorcerers? Are you kidding?”
“You can’t!” Gilly said, alarm making her voice shrill. “Those men aren’t interested in anyone but themselves.”
“Gunner’s different,” Arabella said.
“That’s because he’s sweet on you,” Taka said.
Gilly’s head snapped to attention. “Is that why you want to bring that sorcerer into our circle? You hammer Viv and Evee about the Benders, yet you want to bring in a sorcerer who has the hots for you?”
“Watch your mouth, young lady,” Arabella warned. “Gunner is not like Trey or Shandor. They may be together often, but I think it’s simply because like hangs about like. Gunner was the one who warned me about the humans and the death of the Nosferatu. He told me on the QT, not when Trey and Shandor were around. He might be able to offer some form of advice, have some spell that isn’t used by the Circle of Sisters. His viewpoint will be once removed, clearer, which in and of itself may be of help.”
Evee lightly tapped a fist on the table. “I refuse to let the sorcerers get involved with my Originals. They’ll make it worse. I don’t trust any of them. I don’t know how you can even suggest it, Arabella. Ever since I can remember, you’ve drilled into us that we take care of our own problems.”
Arabella clicked her tongue against her palate and turned her head to one side.
“I think Arabella’s idea has some merit,” Taka said. “We’ve lost our footing, even if it’s because you two were doing the dirty with the Benders, and we have to find a way to stand up again.”
Evee sighed and looked at Vanessa. “And you? Do you feel the same way?”
“I’m on the fence about it.”
Evee looked at Arabella, who turned back to face her. “Look, we are the ones out there fighting these Cartesians with the Benders, despite any sexual events. They have saved many Originals since they’ve been here. We’re out there constantly, with little sleep, forgetting to eat, hunting for the missing Originals. Fighting to keep the other Originals safe. All I ask is that you don’t add to our chaos by bringing any sorcerers into our situation. We don’t need any more problems.”
Arabella studied Evee’s face, and from the look in Arabella’s eyes, Evee knew the Elder was considering all she’d just said.
“You know the rules in matters like this,” Arabella said. “Majority vote determines the decision. However, since you and Vivienne were intimate with your Benders, I’m releasing the majority vote. I’ll take full responsibility for what should be done.”
“Good thing because you already have my vote,” Gilly said, not breaking eye contact. “Hell no on the sorcerers.”
Arabella gave her an infinitesimal nod. “I will think on this. I know it’s getting close to feeding time, and that the three of you have to go.”
“Promise me,” Evee said. “Promise me you won’t bring a sorcerer into our circle.”
“All I can promise you, Evette, is that I will think on it and let you know my decision, which will be soon.”
“Why not now?” Gilly asked.
“Enough,” Arabella said. “I said I’d think on it, and I will. End of discussion.”
“What will you do if the police show up here again?” Viv asked, diverting everyone’s attention. “Keep hiding?”
“Of course not,” Arabella said. “We’re going to have to eventually face them.”
“Does facing them mean you tell them we’re witches?” Gilly asked. “That we’re responsible for the Originals that are running about the city?”
Evee squirmed in her seat, grateful she hadn’t told the Elders about the Cartesian that tried grabbing her by the river.
“No way would Arabella tell the police that,” Taka said. “All we have to tell them is that we’re three old ladies living here in the Garden District and have no idea about what they’re saying.”
“So you plan to bold-face lie to them,” Gilly said.
“Absolutely,” Taka said. “That way they’ll move on, look in a different direction.”
“I don’t understand what would cause the police to come here in the first place,” Viv said. “Do you think they suspect we’re witches?”
“No way, Jose,” Taka said. “We’ve kept that secret under wraps forever.”
“What if the sorcerers said something to them, directed them here?” Evee said. “Why else would they be way out here in the Garden District? It happened in the Quarter and Chalmette. Why aren’t they searching out there?”
“We can what-if until dawn,” Arabella said. “Don’t worry about the police. I’ll take care of that situation. Now go about your feeding.”
As Evee, Viv and Gilly left the Elders’ home, Evee couldn’t help wondering if they were the ones being fed—to the police, to the Cartesians, to annihilation.
Chapter 10
Lucien stood outside St. John’s Cathedral, pacing in front of the massive structure, waiting for Evee. Every time he spotted a person with bold black hair, he felt his heart stop and then kick-start again. He had to admit he was absolutely smitten by the woman, and he feared his feelings for her might cloud his judgment. He’d all but handed her over to Ronan, for heaven’s sake. What business did he have wishing, wanting anything regarding Evette François? Still, Lucien couldn’t help wondering what had happened between Ronan and Evette. What did he say? What did she say?
As if the cosmos had been listening and chose to answer, Lucien spotted Ronan a block away.
Lucien felt his jaw tighten reflexively.
“All clear?” Ronan asked when he reached Lucien on the steps of the cathedral.
“So far. Scabior dome is still holding up.”
Ronan checked his watch. “Evee’s running a little late,” he said more to himself than to Lucien.
“Mmm,” Lucien said, trying to sound offhand. “We’ve still got plenty of time.” What he really wanted to know was what had happened between Ronan and Evee once they’d been left alone. Knowing Ronan, however, that information would never pass his lips unless someone directly asked. So he did.
After checking both sides of the vast concrete walkway that fronted the cathedral, and still not spotting Evee, Lucien asked, “So, how’d it go?”
At first Ronan looked at him questioningly, as if he had no idea what his cousin meant. When realization dawned on him, a slow smile brightened his face. “You were right.”
“About?”
“You know, being more assertive. Telling Evee how I felt and sort of letting the chips fall where they may.”
Lucien felt nausea wash over him. “And where did they fall?
”
Ronan gave him a small shrug. “I didn’t bring up how I really felt about her. You know, it seemed too brash, too soon. Hell, I’ve barely spoken to Evee. But I did ask her to go on a dinner date once this was all done.”
Lucien watched him expectantly.
“She said, yes, cuz. She really did. Even gave me a small kiss on my cheek.” Ronan looked down at the ground and tapped the toe of his boot against one of the concrete steps of St. John’s.
Every bone in Lucien’s body felt like it went limp at one time. “Sh-she kissed you?”
“Yeah. Nothing big, you know. A kiss on the cheek isn’t like a whole French job, but it was sweet. Perfect, in fact. Thing is... I don’t know... I could be overthinking things, but she didn’t seem really thrilled about the prospect.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, it came across kind of...plastic. Almost like she was doing me a favor.”
“You are overthinking it. Evee’s not like that. If she said she’d have dinner with you, then you’ve got a dinner date.”
Forcing a smile, Lucien fist-bumped Ronan’s fist. “You go, big man.”
Something inside Lucien felt like it wanted to explode. He was anxious to see Evee again, especially after the last time they’d been together. There was no question as to what he felt for her, and it was more than sexual. All of who she was consumed him, body, mind and soul. All he could think about was her. And he had no idea when those feelings started or how they grew so intense so quickly.
Lucien paced nervously up and down the cathedral steps, needing to work off excess energy. He feared that the moment Evee appeared, he’d take her into his arms, as he thirsted so much for her full, luscious lips. He needed to kiss her, to feel her skin against his. He hated being away from her, even for a moment. And that frightened him. He had no business feeling this way. Now he had no choice but to wait until time passed and the dinner date between Ronan and Evee occurred. Only then would she be able to fairly compare.
Lucien chewed the inside of his right cheek. He’d never felt this way about any other woman before. The ones he’d had before Evee had been easy to let go. Too easy. Most of the time he’d found them too clingy, which made him all the more anxious to be on his way. Lucien didn’t consider himself a cad. He was a realist. Why lead a woman on, allowing her to believe there was more between them than what he felt? He couldn’t, wouldn’t toy with a woman that way.
With Evee, Lucien felt like he wore a new pair of shoes, ones that felt a little snug around the toes, but became more comfortable with each time he put them on.
“Where should I take her?” Ronan asked. “There’re so many great places to eat—”
“Three o’clock,” Lucien said suddenly, and motioned with his eyes for Ronan to look to his right.
Evee was on her way to them.
Ronan’s face broke out into a huge smile when he saw her. Lucien’s heart skipped two beats.
As usual, during feeding time, Evee was dressed in black jeans, a pullover T and sneakers, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
When she met Ronan and Lucien at the upper step of the cathedral, Lucien frowned. There was something in her eyes that bothered him. A hard, dismissive look.
She nodded at him, then at Ronan. The action couldn’t have been more aloof.
“What’s wrong?” Lucien asked.
“Nothing.” Evee’s voice had an angry snap to it. “Let’s get to work.”
Lucien took Evee’s arm, turned her toward him. She pulled away.
“What’s wrong with you?” Lucien asked. “Have I done something to upset you?”
Evee sighed, her eyes softening a little. “You haven’t done anything. I have.”
“What are you talking about?” Ronan asked.
She eyed Lucien, her expression serious. “All the chaos we’re going through—more Cartesians coming out of seemingly everywhere, human attacks, human witnesses, the deaths of some of the Originals, the missing of many more... The only thing we can figure out is that all of it has to do with our being...” She glanced at Ronan, then seemed to check herself. “With the two of you being human. It has to stop. We can’t handle everything that’s going on now. What the hell are we going to do as things get progressively worse?”
“I’m a bit confused,” Ronan said. “What has to stop? Our helping you?”
Evee threw a dismissive hand in the air as if to encompass the entire vocabulary of the English language. “Anything other than business,” she finally said. “Nothing intimate, like talks about dinner or dates. It’s business at hand or nothing. Everything else clouds our judgment.”
Lucien felt his heart thud painfully in his chest. He knew she’d meant to say that their being intimate in her home had caused most of this, and he knew in his heart of hearts that it couldn’t be further from the truth. He couldn’t lose this woman. But as soon as he had thought, he wanted to flog himself for even thinking it. Not only was Ronan looking forward to spending time with her, but Lucien had never “pined” for any woman. And especially not over some stupid curse, whether real or exaggerated. He needed Evee in his life. The admission of that, even in his own mind, caused his breathing to grow labored.
“You and your sisters met with the Elders, haven’t you?” Lucien said.
“Yes, but what does that matter?”
“Were the Elders the one who came to this conclusion? That you’re to stay away from us? I mean, in any capacity other than business? No small talk, nothing off topic?”
Evee turned and gave him a hard look. “Not in those exact words, but yes. They were adamant about focusing on one thing. The problems facing us now. They already knew about the human attack and death in the Quarter and the killing of the Nosferatu by its leader. The police even came to their house. Twice.”
Ronan’s head jerked up. “What did the Elders tell them?”
“Nothing,” Evee said. “They ignored them. Didn’t even answer the door.” She shook her head. “I just don’t get what the police were doing all the way out there. How they knew where the Elders lived.”
Setting the police issue on a back burner, Lucien took Evee’s arm again, and though she tried to pull away once more, her effort felt half-hearted. He pulled her closer to him, touched her chin with a finger and turned her head so she faced him. Peripherally he saw Ronan bristle.
“Evee, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Lucien assured her. “As I’ve known and you’ve reiterated, the curse of the Triad is that they were not to marry a human or live intimately with one. I haven’t done either with you, nor has Ronan.”
“Yeah, well, according to the Elders, there surely had to be a clarification error with the original Triad and first Elders. I spouted the curse as I’d been taught it, verbatim, to the Elders, but they’re convinced an error of omission occurred back then. They’re convinced that our—any intimacy, however small, creates more chaos, despite what the curse specifically states.”
Frustrated, Lucien looked from Evee to Ronan. “It’ll soon be time to leave for the feeding. Cuz, would you mind doing one final check in the catacombs?”
Ronan stared at him. It didn’t take much for Lucien to read the expression on his cousin’s face.
Dude, if I’m supposed to try and get closer to Evee why don’t you check the catacombs so I can be alone with her?
Ignoring the blatant glare, Lucien said, “We’ll head over to the docks. Make sure everything’s good to go. Once you check the catacombs, you can meet us there.”
With a scowl, Ronan turned on his heel and headed into the cathedral.
As soon as they were alone, Lucien asked Evee, “How did the Elders find out about you and me, anyway?”
“My familiar ratted me out. So did Viv’s.”
Lucien did a double take. “Viv’s b
een with... Nikoli?”
“Evidently, because Socrates, Viv’s familiar, sang like a canary, telling the Elders all he knew about the two of them. Same thing with Hoot regarding you and me. I swear I wanted to pluck that owl bald.”
“Evee, you have to hear me out here,” Lucien said. “I realize there’s a Triad curse, and that it’s real and significant. But I think something as serious as that curse set by the first Elders wouldn’t have been left to interpretation. It was stated in the way they meant for it to be understood. They wouldn’t have carelessly thrown out any curse that could be misread. It would have been direct. I honestly believe that our small sexual encounter doesn’t have a doggone thing to do with the turmoil that seems to be growing daily.”
“How can you know that for sure?”
“Because I know the Cartesians, and they’re the ones responsible for all this. Viv may have brought the Originals and the Triad to the Cartesians’ attention when she offhandedly and in anger said she’d quit caring for her Loups. But I know the rest of it, everything we’re experiencing now, has to do with the Cartesians. You have to remember that they have a leader, and that the leader has an agenda. It wants to be the sole power in the netherworld, then of the entire universe. It wants to control the stars, the weather, inhabit the earth and populate any other planet with Cartesians. In order to do that, it has to control and take all the Originals to absorb their power. It wants the Triad for the same reason. Then it’ll take possession of all the power of every creature in the netherworld, those that are the offspring of the Originals. And the way that leader plans on accomplishing this is to create chaos and turmoil. To confuse us and have us running in circles so it can accomplish that goal. Don’t you get it? This is much bigger than anything you or I could have created by what happened on the dryer.”
Evee stared at him, eyes wide, blinking back tears. “Who’s this leader? Why aren’t we looking for it? If we take the leader out, wouldn’t the rest of them scatter?”
The Witch's Thirst Page 11