Punished Arelia LaRue Book #2

by Kira Saito

  PUNISHED AN ARELIA LARUE NOVEL #2

  Copyright Kira Saito 2012

  Victors never make the same mistake twice.

  That is why the Warrior only risks his heart for something worthwhile.

  -Paulo Coelho

  Chapter 1

  Major Trust Issues

  “But, I thought-” Lucus was frozen as he stared at me. Uncertainty softened his strong features, as he brushed aside the lock of dark hair that had fallen over his right eye. Why didn’t he just get a haircut? “I assumed you were leaving.”

  “I can leave if you want me to.” I gave him a small smile, as I took a step back and wrapped the black and red silk kimono around me even tighter. I didn’t want to let on that I was nervous or anything. I wanted answers. And maybe some fried Oreos.

  “No, please come in,” he said, as he swiftly moved aside making space for me to enter the room. “I’m going to do as you requested and put on a shirt.”

  “Thanks.” I attempted to gracefully stride into the spacious room and poured myself some overpriced cognac. A warm breeze wafted through the balcony window. The scent of fragrant jasmine filled my nostrils.

  “I’m so proud of you,” whispered Erzulie, as she hovered outside the balcony. Apparently, in the span of twenty minutes, she had already changed her outfit and was now dressed in a flowing, red dress and matching headscarf. Strands of thick gold necklaces hung from her neck, and her arms were adorned with delicate, wooden bracelets.

  “Not now, Erzulie.” I was mortified that she chose to make another grand entrance at exactly this moment. The moment I was pretending to be totally calm and in control rather than a raving mud-flinging lunatic that spoke to voodoo spirits.

  Of course, she ignored me and continued. “Jasmine is the flower of love, you know.”

  “Thanks for the random info,” I hissed, as I prayed that Lucus wouldn’t hear. I wasn’t entirely ready to let him listen in on my conversations with the spirits just yet. Even though, he wasn’t exactly normal, I wasn’t prepared to expose all of my own craziness to him. Lucky for me, he was too busy hunting for a t-shirt within the massive antique closet that sat at the other end of the room.

  “You should always give love a chance my dear, even if it comes in unexpected forms.” She gave me one of her annoying motherly speeches again.

  “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to make of that ominous advice, Erzulie,” I whispered, as I inched towards the balcony and unsuccessfully tried to shut the heavy, lace curtains on her. “Oh yeah before I forget, Brise thinks you’re beautiful so maybe you could give him a kiss or something?”

  She laughed delicately before continuing. “He’s such a lovely spirit. And you do know what I mean, my child.”

  “No, I don’t. I don’t exactly see any epic romance developing here. I’m just sticking around because you asked me to.”

  “Sure you are.” Her hazel eyes shone brightly, as she gave me a small wink and disappeared.

  “I thought you despised that,” Lucus said, as he put on a blue t-shirt and walked towards me. So, he didn’t own only white t-shirts.

  “I do,” I replied. I didn’t want to tell him that I needed something to calm down my nerves. I couldn’t get his speech out of my head. How was I supposed to act around him now?

  Lucus placed his smooth hand over mine. He took the crystal glass out of my hand. He raised his other hand up to my cheek and grazed it softly with his fingertips. His touch sent consuming chills through my body, all the way from my split-ends to my non-pedicured toenails. His scent mixed with the aroma of sweet jasmine and cognac was undeniably intoxicating.

  “There’s no reason to be anxious. I’m perfectly harmless,” he said softly. “The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable or hurt you in any way.”

  “Sure.” I grabbed the glass back from him, moved my cheek away from his hand and tossed back the cognac. “Gross! How can you actually enjoy drinking this stuff?”

  A hint of a smile crossed his full lips. “You get used to a lot of things if you’re around long enough.”

  “Well, I don’t think I’m going to get used to the fact that you’re basically a very old man.”

  “Is that how you see me, as a very old man?” Lucus causally asked, as he walked over to the heavy wooden table and poured himself a drink. He studied me carefully, as he waited for me to answer.

  “I mean, you don’t look like Mr. Dumpty or anything, but you’re just wearing a disguise to cover up who you truly are.” I reasoned as I clutched the crystal glass just a bit too tightly while I tugged on my hair.

  He let out a dry laugh and took a sip of his drink. “Aren’t we all?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I raised an eyebrow.

  He shook his head and took a step closer. His sharp gaze saw right through me. “If you see me as a terribly old man, why didn’t you leave? What reason do you have to be here wasting your time?”

  He was right. If I did see him as just a creepy old man, I probably wouldn’t have stayed. I silently prayed that he wouldn’t come closer. I had a strategy, and it was to play it cool. I didn’t want to repeat last summer’s mistake. I couldn’t allow that to happen again.

  “I don’t run away from a challenge. Your dramatic little speech in the garden worked. I guess.”

  I shrugged playing off the importance of what he had said to me. “Besides, you’re the one that wanted me to stay, remember? Although I have no idea why, you don’t know anything about me except that you know I can help you. You’re just being nice to me, so I can get you out of here.”

  Lucus let out a low sigh. “That’s not why I asked you to stay.”

  “Sorry, but I don’t exactly have any reason to trust you.” I sank into an oversized leather chair that sat next to a large bookcase.

  “I know more about you than you assume,” said Lucus rather cryptically, as he took another sip of cognac.

  “Like what?” I was a little curious.

  “Your favorite color is black. You have an unhealthy obsession with chocolate, and you are extremely rude when you’re uncomfortable, a rather endearing quality. Your life hasn’t been easy especially over the past year. You lost your grand-pere last summer, and your grand-mere had a heart attack a few months ago. You carry the burden of providing for you and your grand-mere since she can no longer work. You’re too proud to accept financial help from Sabrina because you think it makes you appear weak.”

  I felt a massive lump forming in my throat. Hot tears threatened to slide out from the corner of my eyes. “How do you know all of this?” I demanded. Had Sabrina told him? Is that what they did when they were alone, talk about how much of a mess my life was?

  Lucus came closer until he stood in front of the leather chair. He ignored my question and continued. “Underneath your seemingly strong exterior, you have a kind and loving heart. You defend those you love viciously despite the mistakes they make. You are quick to forgive but cannot bring yourself to trust so easily, which is understandable, considering the absence of your parents.”

  I shot up. “I don’t know what kind of sick game you’re playing! Get the hell out of my way.” I pushed Lucus with all my strength. Sadly, it was a pathetic effort because he didn’t budge an inch.

  He quickly placed the glass on top of the book case. He was close enough so that I could smell the alcohol on his breath. “I’m not playing any games,” he said calmly.

  “Then how the hell do you know all of this? I knew it. You are a stalker! Or did Sabrina tell you?” I tried to think of all the possible ways he could have found out.

  “No, I’m not a lurker, and I don’t discuss you with Sabrina. Your Aunt Mae talks, I simply listen
and observe.”

  “Observe what?” I asked confused.

  “You,” he replied, as he gave me a wide smile. Damn him for being so effortlessly smooth and self-assured.

  “Why?”

  “I find you interesting, is that so hard to believe?” he asked easily. “You challenge me. You’re not afraid to speak your mind.”

  “I don’t believe you. Get out of my way.” I tried to shove him again, but it was useless considering he was twice my size. He was clearly lying. He was only pretending to like me because I was the only one who could help him. “Arelia, not everyone is an enemy and not everything has to be a battle,” he said softly, but with passion and conviction. “Is it so hard to believe that I care for you?”

  “Since you know so much about me, you can clearly see that life is a battle!” I cried bitterly.

  “No, it’s not,” Lucus said gently. “It doesn’t have to be.”

  “Maybe not in your perfect little world,” I spat back. “I’m sorry if I can’t understand why being trapped in a huge house with loads of money is so awful.”

  “My world isn’t perfect.” For a minute, Lucus sounded hopelessly defeated.

  “Isn’t perfect? Just look around you!” I walked up to the table where rows of expensive spirits rested and picked up a bottle studded with diamonds. “Do you realize how many shifts at Lola’s I would need to work to dream of buying something like this? Like a billion.”

  I picked up another bottle covered with rubies and held it in the air. “Can you comprehend how many month’s rent this bottle is worth? For crying out loud, you have candlesticks in this room worth more than everything I own! So excuse me for being more than a little suspicious that someone like you would ever be interested in someone like me.”

  There I said it, the ugly truth that I had been denying for a year. What happened last summer had been a traumatizing experience.

  Lucus swiftly grabbed the bottle from my hand and placed it back on the table. Unexpectedly, he placed his left arm around me and pulled me close to his chest. His eyes radiated with a magnificent intensity that made me weak. “What’s wrong with someone like you?”

  I didn’t answer. I wanted to shake myself free from him but deep within, a secret part of me wanted that moment to last forever. Being next to him was sweet torture. His lips brushed against my ear sending dizzying shocks through my body. “What’s wrong with someone like you?” he whispered again.

  “Poor,” I said finally. “I’m poor.” The words lingered in the air like an awful smell.

  “What’s so poor about you?” he asked. His lips grazed my cheek making my knees weak.

  “My bank account,” I said quietly.

  Lucus laughed deeply and wound a lock of my dark hair around his finger. “You can’t see all that you have, can you?”

  “You can’t see all that you have,” I fired back. “You can’t say that you know me when you don’t. I know almost nothing about you.”

  “What happened to make you so untrusting?” he asked. His face was rigid.

  My eyes were aloof as I thought about what had happened. “I can’t tell you.”

  “Why not?”

  I shook my head. “Well, since you seem to know me so well, you should know,” I snapped. A small part of me wanted to tell him, but I was too embarrassed. I hadn’t told anyone, not even Sabrina. It was my little secret. Besides, Lucus was a billion years old; he probably wasn’t interested in relationship drama.

  “Maybe in time?” he asked hopefully. “I have plenty of time and—”

  “Shh,” I hushed him by pressing my index finger against his lips.

  “What—”

  “Shh,” I said again, as I concentrated on the soft but distinct ruffling noise that was coming from the hallway. I could sense someone standing right outside the door. I felt their presence. “Do you hear that?”

  He shook his head. “A spirit?”

  “No. Not a spirit. Maybe a guest.” I quietly pleaded that Sabrina hadn’t woken up and had decided to eavesdrop again.

  I followed Lucus, as he walked over to the door and flung it open. We stepped out into the long, dark hall. “There’s no one here,” Lucus advised.

  “There was,” I said firmly. “Someone was listening to us.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yeah. Apparently, someone has nothing better to do than listen to us argue.”

  “Then we can’t possibly stay here, can we? How about a walk outside? I’ll answer any questions that you may have.” He held out his arm, inviting me to take it.

  “I don’t know. It’s pretty late.” I wrapped my arms around me protectively and stared at my bare feet. I noticed that I needed to clip my toenails.

  “It’s just an innocent walk, please,” he begged.

  I was hesitant. “I don’t know…”

  He walked over to me and cupped my cheeks between his hands. “You’re free to leave at any time.”

  “Fine, just a quick walk.” I reluctantly followed him out the door. I told myself that there was no point in staying, but deep inside, I knew I was clearly in denial.

  Chapter 2

  Bade’s Warning

  Outside, the night air greeted us with a warm and sticky hug. The regal oaks danced in the moonlight making them appear alive and observant. The marble floor felt cool and inviting against my bare feet. Even from the front porch, I could hear the exotic animals of Darkwood’s swamp happily singing a soothing night song. They hummed in a secret language that no human could ever hope to decipher.

  The irresistible smell of Cuban roses, jasmine and honeysuckle from a nearby garden mingled together to form a unique and alluring scent. It was a smell that Sabrina would probably pay thousands of dollars for if it came in a fancy bottle. I lifted my heavy hair off my neck. A soft night breeze whisked away the beads of sweat.

  “Nights at Darkwood never cease to amaze me, even after all these years,” said Lucus, as he closed his eyes and inhaled the evening air. His dark eyelashes casted long shadows on his smooth tanned skin and highlighted the sharp angles of his cheekbones. Moonlight bounced off his glossy hair making it appear even shinier than it was. It was hard to believe that he was over a hundred years old. How could someone that old look so… I caught myself staring at him like Mr. Dumpty leered at gumbo.

  “It is beautiful,” I agreed, as I looked up at the canopy of twinkling stars to distract myself.

  “Enchanting, isn’t it?” whispered a familiar voice. It was Bade. I could feel him as another breeze blew through my silk kimono and filled me with ominous chills. I deliberately ignored him and hoped that he would get a clue. Although Bade was pretty much harmless, I found him annoying. He never took human form, or any shape for that matter. He showed up whenever he liked and also spoke in coded messages. On top of all of that, his voice had a peculiar hiss to it, like a snake. I willed him to go away. Of course, he didn’t. It wasn’t like I could control him or anything.

  “Arelia, you’re ignoring me again. Why? Have I done something to upset you?”

  From the corner of my eye, I could see Lucus carefully observing me. I walked over to the other end of the porch and turned my back on him. I hated when people stared at me. It made me nervous and uncomfortable. I always assumed they were picking up on all my flaws.

  Unlike Sabrina, I wasn’t the type to take a billion pictures of myself and post them on Facebook or Twitter. I was way too paranoid for that. I couldn’t help but wonder what Lucus saw when he looked at me. Did he see a short girl with hair that was too long and unruly? Did he see an indecisive psychopath that rambled to invisible spirits? The fact that I was spending so much time thinking about what Lucus was thinking alarmed me. The last time I worried this much about what a guy thought was the previous summer. A summer I’d been trying hard to totally erase. Obviously, that plan wasn’t working out so great.

  “Arelia? Arelia? I’m talking, you know.” Bade wasn’t going to give up.

  �
��What do you want Bade?” I muttered.

  “Ah, so you’re speaking to me again.” His creepy voice sang.

  “What is it?” I whispered.

  “Tonight’s not a good night for a walk,” he advised.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “He’s terribly thirsty tonight. When he’s thirsty, it takes a lot to satisfy him. It takes a lot to appease him. You know the spirits must be appeased. They must be satisfied.”

  “What are you talking about? Appease who?”

  “Him,” he responded simply.

  “Why can’t you just tell me his name?”

  “I can’t do that, silly Arelia.” Bade was clearly relishing his little game. “Spirits can’t always talk about other spirits. We can’t go around telling you humans what we are up to. It’s not natural.”

  I was beginning to realize that Bade was a spirit that loved to gossip. “Then why are you telling me this random piece of info if you’re not supposed to be?”

  “I thought you’d like to know, giving you a little warning. He is hideously ugly. I think so anways. If I took human form, I know I would be so much better looking than him. He’s so greedy too. I don’t ask for nearly as much as he does. I can’t tell you his name though. I won’t tell you his name.”

  “Bade, my patience is wearing thin right about now!” I threw my hands up in the air thoroughly exasperated by his little puzzle. “Just tell me what you’re talking about or go away.”

  “You don’t have to be so rude Arelia. I’ll leave whenever I want.”

  I tried to reason with him. “I’m sorry Bade, is there something you want? Is there something I can offer you in exchange for the name of whoever you’re talking about?”

  “No,” he responded.

  “Then why are you here?”

  “There isn’t much for me to do tonight. No one has called upon me. I thought I’d pay you a little visit. Even spirits get lonely sometimes you know. You humans only call on us when you need something. You’re all so needy. You never call upon us just to talk. We like to talk, too.”