Microsoft Word - TheStormyLoveLifeofLauraCordelaisSusanCfinal

by Tonya Nagle

  Han and Estella Rousseau came to help."

  "We saw the advertisement in the Boise Times," said Han, "and decided it was time to come home." He eagerly accepted another helping.

  Laura chuckled. "How exactly does one advertise for a Telkhine in the newspaper?"

  "You buy a group of classified ads in newspapers across the country. I simply said, 'Telkhine Job in New Orleans. Inquire Box 54.' The box is actually with the newspapers, and the respondents are sent to my email. I got 14 inquires. Mostly, the curious. But then five Telkhines did request more information, and we were lucky to get Han and Estella to agree to move here."

  "I don't understand. Why don't Telkhines just volunteer as a community service?"

  "In the olden times, you would be given a gift by the local nobleman every time you performed your ritual to ward off a storm. Of course, it was never enough to live on and a Telkhine could only hope to come into the permanent employ of a noble or marry well. When the Inquisition arrived, Telkhines went underground," said Han.

  "Nowadays, you need to earn a living for your family."

  "We want to have children." Estella smiled.

  291

  "People don't believe anymore, and storms don't always brew during off work hours. Asking for time off becomes more difficult, and Telkhines had to choose between caring for families or volunteering and being poor."

  Mama Joe passed around a bread basket. "Child, we lost all our Telkhines to death and better jobs in other places."

  Laura sat open-mouthed. "Do you mind my asking how much the job pays?"

  Han and Estella looked at Mama Joe.

  "Société de Nouvelle-Orléans de Magie employs each Telkhine at $30,000 a year with all medical paid, a two week paid vacation outside of storm season, and a 401K

  retirement plan. During the off-storm season, they’ll work as librarians in our archives.

  Why? Are you interested? I'm sure I could convince them to hire you as well."

  Laura smiled and shook her head. "It's a lovely offer, but I really want to head home to New York with David once this is over." Then she paused. Something dawned on her in that moment. "Mama Joe, what is this society?"

  The mambo put down her fork and laughed. "I knew you would ask one day. It is your heritage, Child. When the city was first built, among the settlers were people of magic. The Telkhines and the vampires were here, but they naturally kept their distance from each other."

  "Why?"

  "The Telkhines believed that vampires would only bring them harm, and the vampires hadn't proved otherwise, so they were not invited into the society. There were others with powers, but the Telkhines ruled and among them the Cordelais were revered as the most ancient of their race as direct descendents of Dexithea, the bolt thrower.

  292

  Then when voodoo came into the city, in an attempt to maintain order, we were invited into the society as well."

  "That's why Brilla and my mother were friends."

  Mama Joe nodded.

  "I remember Mama working in the city library."

  The mambo explained, "Most Telkhines had other professions and were only paid by the society when the city was at risk. Over the years, many drifted away to pursue other careers. That's how Han's and Estella's families moved away. When Juliette returned, she was the only one and the society paid her a salary to remain. With her death, then the devastation of the hurricane, we needed a Telkhine again."

  "I'm surprised you have the money."

  Mama Joe sighed. "Oh, we've made some clever investments. You see, since the beginning it has been the purpose of the Société de Nouvelle-Orléans de Magie to protect the city. Unfortunately, we have failed."

  "Don't worry, Mama Joe, we are here now," Han assured her.

  Estella asked, "Are you Juliette Cordelais's daughter?"

  "Yes, I am."

  "You look a great deal like her." She smiled. "I knew your mother in high school.

  Even then she was very talented."

  "Can you do lightning like your mother?" Han asked. "You know it's a rare thing even for a Telkhine to be embraced by the strike and not be harmed. Are you wearing your mother's robe?"

  "Yes." Laura put her fork down and began snapping her fingers. Suddenly there was a spark. A glow surrounded her hands. "I'm learning to control it better."

  293

  The two Telkhines nodded approvingly. "Yes, just like your mother."

  Eunice put another helping on Han's plate.

  "Eat up," said Mama Joe.

  Bernice wound up the emergency radio, and they heard the latest newscast of the city's peril, as they ate. Mama Joe poured more wine.

  Laura put her hand over the glass and shook her head no. She took a few bites of the jambalaya and ran into the bathroom. It had tasted so good. So why was she sick with her head hanging over the toilet, when her body ached with hunger? With that and mourning David, she was a complete mess. Mama Joe came in and closed the door.

  When Laura finished puking her guts out, the mambo wiped her face with a wet cloth.

  "It's a good thing I storm-proofed my house years ago. So far my reserve tank of water keeps everything flushing."

  Laura lay shivering on the floor blinking back tears. "Your jambalaya is to die for." She half-smiled.

  "It's good that you have a sense of humor." The mambo covered her with a large towel.

  "What's happening to me?"

  "A part of you must still be vampire."

  Someone knocked on the door. Mama Joe opened it a little and took a cup from Denise. Then she closed it again.

  "This is for you." She handed the cup to Laura.

  "What is it?"

  "Cow's blood. Sip it."

  294

  Laura put the cup to her mouth and tasted it. Oh, how familiar and friendly it felt on her tongue. Even one sip was so restoring. She sat against the wall drinking it down.

  "I don't understand. If I'm human, why is part of me vampire? The unicorn's horn was supposed to transform me completely to a new life."

  "It does, when the gift is accepted willingly. Yours was not. You did not choose to be human, and this is the result."

  "I don't have fangs. Sunlight is harmless. Do you mean I've lost all my powers but the hunger remains?" Laura sighed. Then took another sip. The blood warmed her, tasting so like sweet nectar. She drained the cup and handed it back to Mama Joe.

  Getting up, she straightened her gown and robe. "Okay, let's do this."

  Laura was anxious to do the unwinding, but the other Telkhines still feasted, so she walked out alone into the daylight of Daulphine Street. Wearing the heavy black coat had become a habit, though she really didn't need it. Out of curiosity, she leapt into the air to see if she could fly. When she landed hard on her feet, Laura was disappointed. Then again even the ancient vampires lost their powers during the day, as they walked among the human race.

  Her eye caught a shadow move. A figure in a black coat like hers. Her heart jumped. Laura hurried after it, as it retreated into the darkness of an alley. At first, she hoped it was David, having escaped his prison. But the person proved too tall as she got closer.

  "Please, who are you?"

  Safely in the shadows, the figure lowered his hood.

  "Marchon?"

  "Yes,

  cher."

  295

  "Why are you out in the daylight watching me?"

  "Others told me that you had come back, but I had to see the traitor for myself,"

  he growled.

  "What are you talking about? I'm not a traitor." She stepped closer to him.

  "Don't come too close. It is only out of my respect for David, that I do not tear you apart. How could you leave him there?" His features took on a monstrous look, and Laura backed up into the sunlight.

  Tears fell down her cheeks. "I didn't. He stabbed me in the heart with the unicorn's horn. He killed me, and I woke up mortal. Do you really think I would leave him? I'd do anything to ge
t him back."

  "Do you mean that?" His question was more of a threat.

  "Yes. Yes, I mean it." Her words were broken by sobs.

  "Can't you hear him?" he shouted, pulling at his hair in frustration.

  Laura fell to her knees in despair. "No, I can't. What do you hear?"

  "Every vampire in N'Orleans has heard him screaming. We've all been dreaming of the tormented David Hilliard, trapped in the underworld of the Keres. In his agony, he cries out for you."

  Laura trembled. Her voice cracked. "I didn't know, Marchon. I can't hear or see him. But I am going back for him."

  "And how are you going to do that, cher?" he mocked her.

  "I don't know."

  "All the vampires would rip you apart for leaving him. All except my Catalina.

  She is the only one that believes in you." He glared at her. "She said that because you gave up the mortal life to be with David, that you couldn't betray him. She said I should 296

  give you a chance to prove it, and I care what my love says." His face and manner softened when speaking of Catalina, his features returning to normal. "So here it is."

  Marchon reached into his coat's interior pocket and pulled out a scroll, which he tossed on the ground. It rolled into the light, and Laura picked it up.

  "It is a ritual for opening the door into the world of the Keres," he said. "I translated it from its original French."

  "Marchon, this is wonderful! Thank you. But how did you get it?"

  "My family was one of the oldest families in France. They came to N'Orleans for political reasons. They were a drain on the nobility." He laughed heartily throwing back his head. Laura smiled. "A few of my ancestors were burned at the stake for heresy against the church. They kept their secrets well. When we dreamed of David, Catalina urged me to search through my family vault to see if there was anything in their ancient magic that could free him."

  Laura rushed into the dark and hugged Marchon, kissing him on both cheeks.

  "Merci, mon ami."

  He pushed her away, wobbling a little.

  "What's

  wrong,

  Marchon?"

  "Your humanity is too delicious, cher." He turned away. Marchon headed up the alley. Then he stopped. "One more thing, Laura. If you fail to get David, leave N'Orleans right away. You will be a sought after prize, and I will not be able to protect you."

  Marchon disappeared into the gloom of the alleyway. Laura realizing she was alone and vulnerable hurried into the brightness of the open street.

  The Telkhines were ready. Han and Estella, wearing their purple robes, stood in 297

  front of Mama Joe's house. Laura put the scroll of paper in her coat pocket. Then she took off the black coat and gave it to her father to hold. When Laura joined the other Telkhines, they turned as if one force to face the gulf.

  Han began, "We call to the heart of the storm to unwind. Return to the..."

  "Sea of your birth," continued Estella.

  Now all three chanted. "We call to the heart of the storm to unwind. Return to the sea of your birth." The chant was repeated over and over. Their robes flapped against them in the rising wind. Groups of survivors stood in the street to watch.

  The chant increased intensity, and rain slapped them in the face. People ran for cover. Still the Telkhines continued their chant. "We call to the heart of the storm to unwind. Return to the sea of your birth."

  The wind roared, screaming in their ears. Laura's fingers untied the knots in her hair as she chanted. When the last one was untied, the rain drenched them. Laura felt a fist in her chest. Instinctively, she rubbed her fingers together and sparks flew. She raised her hands, fingers spread apart. Lightning struck her and danced like a halo around her.

  Han and Estella kept chanting, but by the looks on their faces she knew they were afraid. The wind roared drowning out their chant. The lightning sparkled around her.

  Lines of light stretched out from each finger and toe, until she was the center of a gigantic sunburst.

  Han started again. "We call to the..."

  The wind whispered in Laura's ear. Her mind slowed. Her heart slowed. From her mouth, one bright pure tone rang out, "Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu." It grew from within her and came out with her breath. She felt the storm in her very being. Laura 298

  asked nothing from it, no mercy for the city's people, and no reprieve from destruction.

  She just repeated the single tone song, expending her air to its fullest. The storm danced inside her and reached out through her. The song burst out again.

  "Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu." Laura sang to the hurricane, and it sang back. The other two Telkhines joined her in the song, and it filled them. Their world twirled a whirlwind around them. Time stopped.

  When Laura and the others stopped singing to the storm, hours had passed.

  Daylight was fading, the wind died, and the rain remained only a mist.

  Denise ran out of Mama Joe's house holding the emergency radio and dancing.

  "It's going west to Texas." The few people on the street cheered. Han, Estella, and Laura embraced.

  "We've never sung to a storm before," said Han.

  "It was just wonderful," enthused Estella.

  Laura walked toward Donovan. He had been among the few who had braved the storm to watch them the entire time. She stretched her arms toward her father, then whoosh. She was sky bound.

  A huge gray-white bat snarled at her. Tightening his grip around her chest, it soared through the clouds. Laura struggled, but it held fast. As it flew south toward the gulf, she heard a familiar voice in her head.

  Soon, darling, you will be like me, and we can be together.

  Adam, let me go.

  I'll never let you go. We were meant to be together.

  In your world? She hoped he might tell her how to return.

  Why should I return to that world, when I can be the king of this one?

  299

  "Please, let me go. I don't love you. Doesn't that matter?" she screamed, desperately writhing and punching against the strength of his hold.

  Not a bit. You will love me after a time. He was emotionally dead. Pleading wouldn't move him, and Laura knew this. The only way left was to fight.

  "No, I won't. I won't ever love you," Laura growled, clawing at him. She crunched down on his talons with her frail human teeth without effect. The gulf's dark waters churned beneath them.

  Adam brought her closer to his distorted Kere face.

  She punched him. She jerked her body to kick him.

  He laughed.

  "If you bite me, I'll turn to ashes."

  You expect me to believe you. He snorted.

  Laura fought frantically to free herself. Anger, despair ripped through her, but she had to keep them in check in order to survive. Her heart held onto the belief that she would see David again. She had to believe that. She had to win. Growling, she bit a talon. He didn't even flinch.

  Adam's wings flapped wildly, as he tried to bring her even closer to his face and keep his balance. She punched his talons that held her tightly around the breasts, but she had no way of getting to the sheathed unicorn horn still tied securely around her neck.

  I was changed by a unicorn's horn. It's the price I pay if I am bitten again.

  I am willing to take any chance. You are mine now. His fangs came closer to her neck.

  300

  She squirmed more and threw herself back and forth. For an instant, his grip slipped. She fell.

  But he caught her, a talon slicing her arm.

  "Aaaaeeee," she bellowed in pain, blood dripping down into the tormented waters below. Laura twisted, punched, and kicked at him to no avail, for he was always inches away from her fury. All this anger welled within her, and she had nothing but her human strength to defend her.

  Then sparks flew from her fingertips. His grasp squeezed her so tightly; she faded in and out of consciousness. As his mouth closed on her neck, lightning danced through her finger
s and exploded into his face.

  Adam screamed. In that instant, they slammed into the water. The salt currents ate him like acid. His horrifying shrieks shuddered through Laura, as she freed herself from his dissolving talons, breaking apart like twigs. She dog-paddled trying to keep afloat in the storm swept currents. Laura turned in every direction. Where was the shore? The heavily clouded sky gave no clue.

  Her wet clothes were thin but cumbersome. She'd already lost her shoes. Laura considered stripping but decided that it wouldn't make much difference to her survival.

  Finally, she chose a direction to swim. Her arms grew so tired they ached. Still she was no closer to land.

  Laura slipped beneath the waves. In desperation, she clawed at the water until her head broke the surface. Big gulps of air hurt her lungs. Then she sank. Sky and water blurred in her vision. Laura felt strange and buoyant. A part of her welcomed this new feeling as a relief from pain. David shimmered in her mind's eye, as her body sank, and she cried out for help. Water rushed into her mouth.

  301

  Something brushed up against her. Then it bumped her. Seconds later it happened again. Laura was annoyed. She couldn't even drown in peace. Her blurry eyes saw it—blood in the water. It was hers! Rows of teeth rushed at her. Panic raced through her wildly beating heart, as she pulled at the water with frantically clawing hands. Drowning was one thing. But damn it, she didn't want to be eaten by a shark. If only she could see David once more.