Louisiana Moon

by Rhea, Lani

  Thore advanced on her. She backed out farther into the hall. “Please tell me you haven’t sided with his ways?”

  “Well, no. I’m totally against what he has done. But when you think about the Throne and me turning him down, what choice did he have?”

  “She is right, Thore.” The fae leader came up behind him.

  Thore stayed near Kris. His head turned showing his profile as he spoke to the fae. “But it never should have happened, Felix.”

  Felix and Thore could have been twins. Both were tall and lanky with thinning faces and the same dark eyes. Only their hair, one salt and one pepper, was different.

  Thore stepped closer to her. “How have you been faring since your parents’ deaths?”

  She swallowed. Why did he have to bring her parents up? Could they not rest in peace? “I’m alive and have been trying to stay out of Throne affairs. Looks like I haven’t succeeded.”

  Thore smiled. “Welcome back.”

  Welcome back to what? To hell? And who said she was back? She didn’t want to be here with them. The damn soul demons were the cause of this, and she wanted to be done with it. “I’m not back.”

  He raised a brow. “What has made you so cold toward your destiny?”

  What did make her cold? Because she’d believed for so many years that vampires killed her parents? When in fact hunters had? Because of the love she had for Ryant? She looked over at him. With a loving expression, he watched her.

  She tore her gaze away and focused on Thore. She might care for Ryant and want to be with him, but that didn’t mean she wanted to be a Throne leader. Despite the last few days, she loved her life as it was. “Because I’m not willing to give up my freedom. My choices.”

  One of the women with Thore and Felix handed Ryant a piece of paper. He read the note. His shoulders slumped as a huge breath escaped from his lungs.

  “You are not willing to have power and control?” This question came from Felix. He shifted to stand beside Thore. The fae leader’s shoulder length light hair swayed as they stood shoulder to shoulder, cornering her.

  The very reason stood before her. She didn’t want to be a bully like them. Straightening, she matched their stance. “No, I don’t want the power and control.”

  Thore jutted out his chin. “Well, that could be a problem.”

  26

  “What do you mean a problem? A problem with the Throne?” Kris looked at Ryant. He frowned and glanced away, a sure sign he was keeping something from her. “Ryant?”

  “My leaders, let me talk to her.” He stuffed the paper in his pocket as they nodded and moved away from her. As he took both of her hands into his, he smiled sweetly.

  Shit. “Ryant, what’s going on?”

  “We need to inform the Darkworld that we have found their lost princess.” He let one of her hands loose and smoothed back a strand of hair from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear then played with the end. He always seemed to do that when situations were tense. To calm his nerves? Or hers?

  “Lost princess? I don’t understand.” She shook her head.

  Beyond her and Ryant, the occupants of his office held their chins high with their hands clasped in front of their bodies. Determination filled every gaze.

  “Kris, my love, we must announce you’ve returned and will take the Throne position. This will provoke the demons and give us the upper hand to destroy them. To banish them back to their purgatory.”

  Betrayal. She snatched her hand away from Ryant’s, slapping his other away from her hair. “I don’t want the position.”

  “I understand, but we must do this.”

  She dropped her gaze to the floor then raised it to look at the leaders. “What are the consequences?”

  “I’m glad you asked.” Thore smiled, a true smile with no fangs.

  “I haven’t made a decision yet.” Why are they insisting?

  “Because it will save your life,” Ryant answered the question.

  Kris glanced at the ground and exhaled sharply. Stumbling over the ideas popping up inside her mind, she shook her head again. She didn’t want to die but she didn’t want to give up her freedom. To give up bounty hunting. She wanted to continue her way of helping others.

  “You can, once we destroy the demons.” He took her hand.

  “Stop answering my thoughts for me.” She glared at him. “What exactly do you want me to do?”

  She stared past Ryant at the leaders and gently disengaged her hand. Amusement glittered in Thore’s eyes as he approached. He touched her cheek. Her hands trembled when the ancient vampire smoothed his hand down her skin until he cupped her chin. With tenderness, he squeezed and turned her head to each side. “We need to prep you for a party, an event that will allow all our kind to attend. To see you. This will bait the demons.”

  “Ryant, what about the zeulanium?” Thore kept turning her head to each side and she wished he’d take his hand away.

  She heard movement and caught sight of Ryant moving to a filing cabinet against the wall. Opening a drawer, he removed something. “I’ve got it here.” He held up a scroll.

  Finally Thore released her. While he was looking at Ryant, she rubbed her chin. He hadn’t tried to hurt her but damn, his grip was strong.

  “We will send someone to collect the ingredients,” Felix assured Kris. He took the scroll from Ryant and unrolled it. “It says we need a fine mesh of diamond dust, titanium and lava rock. All ground to powder and smelted in sun fire to make zeulanium. This will bind the demons forever.”

  Thore clapped his hands together. “Then it’s settled. We’ll send you two.” He pointed at the woman who arrived with them. “To find the ingredients and make the rocks. We will prepare for the grand finale in the next week.”

  “Why are you making that woman serve you?” It pissed her off, how he made her jump to do his bidding.

  “Because when you are leader, you are given a forever mate. Your mate does as you bid.” He smiled then turned his attention on Darin.

  V stepped closer to him and tucked her arm through his in a move that clearly said Darin wouldn’t be Kris’s forever mate.

  Thore’s gaze settled on Ryant then came back to her. “As you will choose yours, if you pledge to the duty,” Thore said.

  Kris inhaled and gritted her teeth. She didn’t like the expression of obedience written in the woman’s face. She’d never take anyone on as a slave and lover the way they did. Hell, these men probably had several. Lifting her chin, she glared at Thore.

  “How can you stare at me and not be afraid?” He tilted his head then to Ryant said, “You’ve cast a mark?” The leader frowned. “Why have you done such a foolish thing? This should be added to your list of punishments.”

  Punishments? What did he have planned? Tension rose thick in the air like unbearable humidity, making it harder to breathe. A static charge came from Sparky. Zeke’s head trembled as his tattoos slowly rose to points. V pushed Darin behind her.

  “What will you do with him?” Not a damn thing if she had a say.

  “Begging for your lover’s life are you?” Thore snapped his fingers.

  Everyone in the office left except Thore, Felix, Ryant and Kris. Thore waited, his hands clasped together. Felix hovered in the background, his gaze shadowed. Ryant stilled until he seemed as if he’d become a statue.

  “I dole out punishment lightly compared to our queen,” Thore continued. “I could give him years of maddened thirst. Instead, a week’s worth of electrical shocks might work.”

  Ryant’s jaw clenched. She couldn’t bear for him to go through that for a whole week. “I have a deal,” she blurted out before she could stop herself.

  Thore raised a dark brow. “And?”

  “If I agree to be a Throne leader, will you release him?” The word Throne tasted bitter on her tongue. She couldn’t believe she’d just agreed to do the one thing she hated above all.

  Ryant’s shoulders slumped. She couldn’t have him locked away, not a
t a crucial time such as the upcoming week. Her throat tightened. She needed him at her side. And needed his support in case she let the others down.

  He shook his head. “Kris, you won’t.” Ryant crossed the room and held her in a tight embrace. “You won’t let anybody down. I promise. We will somehow fix this.”

  Kris stayed in his arms as her mind whirled. Had she made the right decision? Could she handle what would happen in the near future? She sighed, full of doubt. The urge to flee tugged at every molecule in her body. Instead, she looked up, into his eyes to see the love gleaming in the tawny depths.

  “I will leave you two alone.” Thore tipped an imaginary hat and strolled to the door with Felix in tow. “You’ve made a wise choice, Kristina. And Ryant, we need to get this club in tip top shape.” He smiled, and they walked out the door.

  After the leaders left, Ryant leaned down and took her lips, sweetly caressing them with his. When he pulled back, he said, “Let’s go talk to everyone. Tell them what is to take place.”

  “Okay. I want to tell Darin first.” She owed it to him; he’d become important to her. Not as a lover or more but as a friend.

  Ryant squeezed her arms tighter as he kissed the top of her head. He let Kris loose, but held her hand as they walked out of the door and down the hall. They stood at the door of the makeshift break room and watched the four playing cards. He cleared his throat to gather their attention. “We need to talk.”

  The group nodded.

  “Darin, may I have a word with you?” Kris asked.

  “Sure.” He smiled and worked his arm out of V’s.

  Kris stepped back into the hall as Ryant entered the room, shutting the door after Darin passed him.

  “What’s on your mind, Kris?”

  “Here’s the situation. I have a feeling you knew this was coming. I saved Ryant from punishment, and he is trying to save my life.”

  “He’s a lucky man. I never thought there was anything between us, Kris. We’re friends.” He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.

  That was it? What the hell did you think he’d do, Kris? Swoon over you? Duel with Ryant? She was glad she’d misread him. “You’re a good guy, Darin.”

  “I know.” A crooked grin twisted his lips. “We better get back inside. I have a feeling you’ve got more to tell.”

  Oh boy, did she ever. She sighed. “Yes. I do.” Damn it. She didn’t want to be a Throne. She agreed for Ryant, to keep him safe and she was happy about that but still…

  After explaining the new information to the group, V and Darin retreated to her chambers and Ryant and Kris went to his. On his bed, she lay on her side, curled next to him. Everything unexplainable ran through her mind. What if a demon did show up at the party? She wasn’t ready to deal with them. Kris wanted the Soulscapes to go back to hell and never return. And what about Rita? She had to save her. Ugh.

  Ryant held her firmly against his chest and stroked his fingertips up and down the length of her arm. “You shouldn’t be so worried. It will all work out.”

  She closed her eyes and took in another deep breath. His exotic scent filled her. For now, she’d be safe. Later, she would go for Rita. But what if? This question plagued her. She felt weightless, and sleep finally found her.

  Kris stood in her bedroom and knew what would be next. How close would the demon be this time? She opened the door to step into the living room. Her breath stilled in her chest like a lead ball. The hooded creature stood right in front of her.

  With her feet rooted to the floor, she couldn’t move, talk or think. Fog rose to its waist, covering its hands. Before she could react, the creature raised its arms and flipped back the hood.

  Her mother stared back at her. The same almond shaped blue eyes, long curly brown hair and tanned woman she had been when Kris was young.

  Tears stung her eyes. “Mom?” Kris stretched out a hand but otherwise didn’t move.

  Crinkles formed under her mother’s eyes as Jane smiled. Bright red lips lifted in both corners. Something told Kris to stay away from her mother. A few seconds later, she understood why.

  Her mother’s skin melted from her bones until only the skeletal figure of a Grim Reaper remained. Kris choked on her breath as her hands shook at her sides. She tried to step back, to find sanctuary in her bedroom. However, her feet were too heavy. The Reaper lifted its hand, stretching toward her. Whimpering, she struggled to free herself as death approached.

  From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimmer of distant light. As it grew, she found herself mesmerized until her lids slowly shut. Death’s hand wrapped around her throat and squeezed. She didn’t care. Bathed in the light’s warmth, she was at peace even as death started to take her.

  Suddenly, the hand around her throat released, knocking her in the chin and sending her flying backward to land on the cement floor. She opened her eyes, coughed and choked as she strained to see what took place.

  A silhouetted figure, screeching, attacked the Reaper. She wanted to scoot away and shut the door, but she was too weak. Instead, she watched with horror as, several times, the two figures threw each other back and forth across the room.

  Then… silence.

  Soft footsteps neared, echoing throughout the living room. Finding some strength, Kris managed to push back over the floor. A dark figure appeared, and with it, the fog vanished and she received her second shock.

  Her father stood before her smiling. “Hi, kiddo. How’s my Krissy doing?”

  The familiar blackest-of-night hair was messy. Blue eyes, much like her own, were soft and kind. She blinked. He’d called her Krissy. Only her father had done that. Hot tears stung her eyes, threatening to fall and she covered her mouth with her hand. How could it be her father at the door?

  He stepped forward and reached out a hand. She lifted hers, and he pulled her off the floor and into his embrace, hugging her tight. “I’m here for you, Krissy. Don’t ever forget that. I’m around all the time.”

  The tears trapped in her eyes slid down her cheeks as she crushed her arms around his waist. She didn’t want to let him go—he felt too real.

  “I wanted to visit you and tell you I’m here. I will always be here. But I have to go.” The last of his words whispered near her ear.

  No. He couldn’t just show up and vanish. “Dad, don’t go. I need you here with me.”

  “I know, Krissy. But I don’t belong in this world and only had enough time to be here now.” He held her out at arm’s length and smiled again. “I’ll tell your mom you said hello and that you miss and love her.”

  She couldn’t respond, only nodded, knowing he understood her all too well.

  Her dad drifted from her, into the light and disappeared. She wanted to yell for him to come back. More hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Wrapping her arms around her torso, she cried like the day she’d found her parents’ bodies. She closed her eyes and wished to be awake. Not to be alone. She needed Ryant.

  When she woke with Ryant was exactly where she was. He held her as she shuddered in his arms. She didn’t know how much more of the nightmares she could take.

  27

  For the gathering, the night Kris was to announce her acceptance of a Throne seat, Club Fifteen shut down. She stood in Ryant’s bedroom tilting her head to the side as she inspected the elaborate creamy chocolate gown with the tight-fitting bodice. Without the straps, she felt exposed. Beneath it, a strip of crimson sprinkled with diamonds encircled her chest. The bodice squeezed, just bearable enough to breathe.

  Her gaze lowered, following the flow of the material as it puddled on the floor, over the diamonds glistening like tears. Enough room lay beneath the skirt bell for her to run, fight, whatever to kick some demon ass.

  She had argued with Ryant over which pair of shoes to wear. No way would she wear heels, but he kept insisting so she would be taller. To get her way, she’d offered to wear tennis shoes under the gown, but promised to wear the heels later that night. He’d grinned wickedly at her
idea and agreed.

  The bedroom door opened.

  Speak of the devil himself. Ryant strolled in with a box in his hands and stopped before he smiled sweetly at her. As his eyes lingered too long over her breasts, she inspected his attire; he was striking in the elegant black three-piece tuxedo. A smile twitched at her lips at the sight of the dark hanky matching her gown tucked into his pocket. He shut the door and made his way to her.

  With shaking hands, she smoothed the dress over her stomach. Heat flushed her cheeks at his sweltering nearness. Coming up behind her, he placed a kiss on her bare shoulder, trailing up her neck to her cheek.

  “You look gorgeous.”

  “I resemble a Holiday Barbie.”

  “I’d buy and keep you.” He kissed her cheek again. “I’ve got something for you.” As he opened the box, her jaw dropped. A small ruby-studded crown gleamed under the glow of the candlelight.

  Too scared to touch it, she stared at the treasure.

  With careful fingers, he slipped the crown from the box and held the precious piece in his hand. “This belongs to you, to finish the whole look.”

  As she looked into the mirror, he centered the crown atop her head. He secured it with pins and pressed his lips to her shoulder one more time. “Perfect,” he purred against her ear lobe, sending goose flesh over her body.

  Unable to stop herself, she closed her eyes relishing in the thrill of his closeness.

  “What do you think?”

  She opened her eyes and twisted her head from side-to-side to get a better view. How her auburn hair was pinned up delicately in curls in the back was astonishing. She’d never been able to fix her hair in that style before. Hmm. She’d have to remember to thank V again. Sweeping aside the feathered bangs, she leaned in for a closer inspection. “I like it.”

  “I love it.” An arm snaked around her waist, hugging her firmly, crushing his chest to her back. “I’m really glad you’re with me. I’ve missed you.”