by Jane West
“No, I refuse to help you there! Stevie, you are treading on very deadly ground.” Dom spoke in a stern tone. It had taken me back. “You must leave him alone!” Deep-seeded lines etched across Dom’s forehead. “Do you understand me?”
“I need to know his name! He might have my child.” Tears welled up.
Then Dom gathered himself from the table, and before he retreated upstairs, he turned to me and announced, “If you insist Mustafa.”
Trouble Knocks
After the past few weeks, I’d grown tired lying in bed, feeling sorry for myself. Sooner or later I had to leave the sanctuary of my bedroom and face the world.
I’d decided to take Jeffery’s advice and join him on a night of painting the town red. Nothing better than a little music and a whole lotta liquor to lift the spirits. I didn’t make a habit of drinking. Sara, my mother, had problems with the stuff. I refused to follow in her footsteps.
That being said, sometimes it didn’t hurt to let loose. As it stands, my mind needed a break. The constant worry that I might have a child wandering God-knows-where was worse than me cutting out my own bleeding heart. A break was in order.
After a long bath, I threw on an oversized towel and went to my own personal department store called, the Closet. I had no idea what to pick out—too many choices. I looked through garment after designer garment until I came to one outfit. I held the dress up, examining its threads. “Hmm.” Jeffery might actually be a fashionista after all. The mini dress shimmered in black sequins, cut to hug my hips. The front dipped down revealing far more than I liked. It was the little black dress that could, and, of course, hooker heels—black pumps lined in gold spikes. “Crap!” I held up the shoes. “I hope I didn’t break my neck in these puppies!”
I made my way to the cosmetics area and seated myself in front of the lit mirror. I glared at my unruly hair. As I held the brush in my hand, staring at the young girl before me a stranger at best. The gentleness in her eyes had vanished, but something else took its place—grit, perhaps. Who was this girl, a shadow of the person she once was? The sparkle in her green-eyes had returned, but behind that shine laid a deep-rooted sadness. I wondered if she would ever find happiness?
Focusing on the present, I gaped at my hair with a snit. At least that part of me hadn’t changed. The mess on top of my head was still unruly and defiant. I decided to make the best of it. I took the blow-dryer and ran it through my hair every which way. Messy was what I wanted, and messy was what I got. I did some teasing to give more fullness and height. Bed-head hair seemed to fit my outfit perfectly. Wild woman on the prowl. Quite appropriate, I thought.
I blinked, empty, examining the final results. She looked nothing like me. No amount of makeup, hairdo, and name-brand clothing could hide my despair. So much had happened in the last three years to fill a century.
I might have a child out there. I didn’t know why, but I sensed a girl, no more than a toddler. I wondered who she favored more Aidan’s blue eyes and black curls, or my freckles? Tears began to build and I pushed back the lump that lodged in my throat. One thing I knew—I couldn’t sit on my thumbs any longer. I had to find her.
I remembered that morning at Aidan’s cottage like it was yesterday. Sally’s intrusive knock at the door, listening to her cruel accusations of crimes I didn’t commit. If I’d known what I knew now, perhaps I could’ve stopped her madness. Though, I was out numbered. Sally didn’t execute my capture alone. Apparently, Aidan had assisted her. No way Sally could’ve pulled it off on her own.
Even still, knowing Aidan and his bag of tricks, such as the angel dust or his Druid magick, I couldn’t make sense why he consorted to something as human as using a needle to drug me? It seemed out of his character
Then again, he was part of the scheme with his family, most likely his uncle, to trick me into giving up my powers.
A frosty shudder shot through me like a heavy blizzard. I rubbed my arms, trying to knock the chill off. During my lovely stay at Haven Hospital, I dreamed of Aidan’s beautiful face whispering sweet nothings into my ear. I could taste his salty kisses on my dry lips, but it was only a dream. A dream that only fools dreamt.
Despite everything, my heart still ached for him. I’d turned into a sniffling fool. How could I love a man who’s heart was black? I wiped a fallen tear.
There were far more important things to worry over than the loss of a Janus-faced man. My voice of reasoning drew me back to reasoning. I planned to start snooping around. If I have a child, I’d find her. The best place to start would be Haven.
***
Jeffery met me downstairs. He knew some of the hottest bars on Bourbon street. After all, he’d lived here in New Orleans most of his life.
After arguing over what use of transportation, Jeffery and I both agreed driving would be a buzz-kill. Neither one of us wanted to be the designated driver. We’d planned on doing some heavy drinking. We considered taking the streetcar, but the ride would’ve taken too long. So we chose to take a cab.
Soon the two of us in our wild attire and sparkling ensemble made our way to the infamous Bourbon Street.
The late-spring evening was as sultry as a midsummer night, and it didn’t take long for my clothes to start sticking to me. The worse part, Jeffery didn’t know the streets as well as he’d bragged about. Go figure!
“Jeffery,” I huffed from walking. “I’m not taking another step. I have permanent blisters after tonight.”
“Come on, my favorite bar is down one more block.” He tugged on my arm.
I jerked back. “That’s what you’ve been saying for the last five blocks! Pounding the pavement isn’t my idea of a good time in this sweltering heat.”
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Ms. Swingin’ Dixie.” Jeffery swatted at me.
“Hey,” I jabbed myself, “I’m not the one with a Dixie.”
“Oh, you think your cute don’t you? That’s just tacky.” Jeffery pursed his lips.
“I tell you what, let’s trade shoes. My heels for your flats.” I arched a brow, challenging him.
“You is cray-cray? I ain’t wearin’ them suicide heels.”
I gaped. “You insisted I wear these pumps!”
“Yes, I did cuz I wasn’t gonna wear ‘em on my fabulous feet. Them thangs will give me bunions.”
It took everything I had not to smack him upside the head with one of my bunion-making-heels. Instead, I glared at him with my arms folded.
“Look, com’on. There’s a bar across the street. See the neon sign?” Jeffery pointed. “We goin’ there!” He pulled on my sleeve.
“If you chicken out, I’m hailing a cab and calling it a night.”
“Shut your mouth! You said pick one. Did I not do that?”
I just rolled my eyes. What was the point in arguing?
There we were standing directly under the bold neon sign that read, Mephistz. I flashed a sidelong glance at Jeffery and asked, “You come here to a biker’s bar?”
Jeffery scoffed. “I come here all the time. Now quit your bitchin’. We found a bar.” He gave me a little shove through the entrance door.
Once inside, a rush of smoke and careless chatter bathed my senses. The lighting was dearth, only the soft glow of candles dotted the darkness. It was nothing special. Although, the joint held a good-size crowd.
Jeffery and I made our way to the bar. I reckoned that was where we’d start. I didn’t see any empty tables. No sweat, I’d rather sit at the bar anyway. We sat at an angle for a better view of the crowd.
Jeffery leaned over into my ear and shouted over the prattle. “Whatcha gonna drink? I’m not sure I wanna drink anything. Boo, I refuse to drink from a spotty glass?” Jeffery’s lips twisted into a sour lemon.
I laughed leaning back in his ear. “You’ve been hanging out too long with those old biddies playing pea knuckle.”
Jeffery barked back. “Gurrrlfriend, at least they wash their chubby old hands. I doubt the wait staff her’ bothers to ba
the.” Jeffery eyed a young man carrying a tray of drinks as he passed by us.
I started to jab Jeffery in the ribs but froze.
As if all else had ceased, a strange vibration flickered through me. A swirl of tunes that I could not identify. Yet, it was like catnip to a cat, I had to investigate it. “Order me a drink!” I tossed over my shoulder to Jeffery as I slid off the stool.
Before he’d uttered a word of protest, I’d been swallowed up into the smoky crowd.
Possessed, I obeyed, following the music’s trail as if I’d been enchanted by the pied piper, himself. I was powerless to resist.
My eyes gravitated to the center of the room where couples were dancing. Seductively their bodies moved in rhythm with each other as though they were making love.
Suddenly a delightful shiver ran through me. I knew I had to join them.
When I stepped onto the floor, I paused closing my eyes, letting the melody weave its magick into pores of my heated skin like a cold piece of ice grazing my hot skin on a sultry night. I tossed my hair back, surrendering myself to its seduction.
My hips began to sway back and forth as though I was enticing a long lost lover. The spellbound music carried me to a place far away, and I surrendered as it ravished every inch of my body.
Without warning the music stopped and the enchantment had vanished. My eyes popped opened, and there standing before me was the most intense gold eyes I’d ever seen. A man, tall, rawboned, beardless, with an ingenuously appealing face. Long, velvety blonde hair to his shoulders, reminded me of a wheat field.
He wore a T-shirt, white, showing off his bronze tan, and a pair of faded jeans on the tattered side. Gorgeous didn’t seem to justify his beauty. However, his glare told another story. He seemed angry with me for some odd reason.
With my brain still hazy, I didn’t hear Jeffery walk up behind me. I only realized it when he snatched my arm and whispered in my ear. “Boo, let’s get the hell outta her’. Now!” He tugged a little too hard.
“Why do we need to go? I like it here.” I held my glare equably at the stranger.
“Hell to the NO! Does not your white lily ass not see we ain’t welcomed here’? Jeffery’s voice was becoming excitable.
“I think your friend is a wise man.” The stranger butted in. “He’s right. Your kind doesn’t belong in here.”
All of a sudden, I felt like a spectacle every eye in the joint targeted my back. My cheeks flushed, and at that moment I wanted to be invisible. I knew I could do either one of two things, A: duck my tail and run, or B: stand my ground and go out with a blaze of glory. I chose B. “Last time I checked, this bar is open to the public.” I straightened my shoulders back and tilted my nose.
The stranger’s eyebrow perked. “I see.” A slight smiled tugged at the corner of his lip. “You’re a brave girl or just stupid.” He mocked.
Laughter drifted in the air.
“What is your problem?” I narrowed my eyes, my hands flew to my hips. This dude needed to go back to the bar and take up where he left off playing with himself.
The irate stranger took a step closer, our noses nearly touching. His warm breath played upon my cheeks. “Little angel!” He hissed. “Leave while you still can.” The glint in his eyes appeared predatory. And Jeffery and I were invading his turf.
Suddenly the atmosphere was stifling, and I couldn’t breathe. I latched hold of Jeffery, “Let’s go.” I scoffed at the stranger with a scornful retort. “Sorry for trespassing, your hind-ass.” Amusement danced in his eyes, yet, he remained silent and hostile.
***
Several blocks later and added blisters to my feet that Jeffery and I found a resting spot where we felt safe enough to stop. We spotted a bench and flopped down taking a load off, heaving for air.
Sweat pouring down my face and aching feet, I refused to take another step. I snatched the heels off and began rubbing my feet, wincing over the pain. At that point, I swore off heels. Barefoot was the new trend for me. I’d take my chances stepping on glass any day of the week opposed to wearing torturous heels ever again.
“Gurrrl!” Jeffery jarred me from my moment of self pity. “What just happened back there?” Jeffery’s breath came in short puffs.
“I have no idea. I don’t know what came over me. The music had some sort of hold on me.” I shook my head in confusion.
“Music? I didn’t hear any music.” Jeff gawked in disbelief.
“You didn’t hear the strange tunes?” I stared at Jeff.
“Nope. It really looked funny too! All those strange people dancing to air. I started to wonder if I’d gone deaf, but I could hear the chatter.”
“Holy crap! For real?” Shock veiled my face.
“For real! Jeffery mirrored my bewilderment.
“That’s really weird.”
“Gurrrl, I didn’t have to hear it anyway. You were a seductress, front and center stage. You sure as hell surprised me. I didn’t know you had those kinda moves. I thought for a minute you were gonna bring down the house.”
“Jeff, hush! I was just dancing.” I tried to brush my humiliation under the proverbial rug.
“Don’t be embarrassed. All that yummy testosterone in that bar was makein’ me woozy too!” Jeffery started fanning himself. “They all had their eyes on you, gurrrlfriend! Including that angry-hot-as-hell-hunk of man.”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t notice. I was too busy staring down the grudge of dancing. Did you see his angry eyes?”
“Um-hmm! I sure did, and some other parts too!” Jeffery crossed his legs, swinging his foot and pursing his lips.
“Jeffery, have you ever heard the phrase too much information?”
“Maybe! But that don’t mean I’m gonna stop sayin’ what I’m thinkin’.”
“Give it a rest. This night has been bad enough.” I couldn’t help but feel a little rattled, and that music seemed to have drained my energy.
“Not all was lost tonight. Something good came out of this excursion. Well, two things actually.” Jeffery corrected himself.
“And what could that be?” I held my breath. With Jeffery, it was like Cracker Jack’s. You never knew what you were getting.
“Okay, Miss Smarty-panties. First, we got out alive, and secondly, that guy is h-o-t. Delicious with a hot-fudge sundae and a huge, juicy cherry on top of a mountain of ”
“I get it! I get it! He’s fine.” I covered my ears. “I learned a long time ago looks aren’t everything. You didn’t see his snappy eyes? He acted like a real asshole.”
“Well, if I recall correctly, Miss High and Almighty, you were a bit snippy yourself.”
“ME!” I couldn’t see how this was my fault. “He was rude, first.” I shrieked. “All up in my grill, trying to intimidate me. I should’ve coldcocked him.”
“Maybe that’s true, but he saved our lives. Did you not see the dark stares we were getting?”
I nearly bit my tongue over the irony. “He threatened us!”
“Well, now that you put it like that, you do have a point. But that mofo was fine!”
“Then, Jeff, you date him. I’ll go back and get his number for you.” I started to push off the bench, but abruptly, Jeffery grasped my arm.
“No, no! That’s fine.” He threw his hands up in protest. “I can admire that lovely man from a distance, a very far distance.” Jeffery confirmed with a pout following. I stifled a laugh.
“Come on!” I nodded toward a different direction. “Let’s not make this night a total bust. I don’t know about you, but I could eat a beignet right now.”
“Girlfriend, you read my mind. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt you to put on a little weight. As for me, I’m black and fabulous. I can eat anything I want and never gain a pound.”
I rolled my eyes as I started my way down the sidewalk to Café Du Monde. They made the best beignets in New Orleans.
Strange and Eerie
It was 4 a.m. I had awaken with a start. A tree limb kept scratching at the window
pane, making me jumpy. Even Snowball, appeared edgy. I finally gave up on sleep and went down to the kitchen to fix a cup of hot cocoa. Maybe it’d take the jitters away, and I could finally get some shut-eye.
Moments later with my piping-hot cocoa in my favorite heart mug, I went outside to the back garden. A light breeze blew against my face, tossing my hair. The air smelled of crepe myrtle as I drew in a deep breath. I loved this garden. It gave me a sense of serenity and peace. I’d never get enough of this luscious patch if I lived to be a hundred.
I sat at the small table and sipped on my cocoa. My eyes washed over my mug. When I was a young child, my dad bought a mug much like this one for me. It meant more than a simple mug. It was a little part of him, a memory I cherished.
My mother, on the eve of her death, out of jealously, shattered the original mug into pieces. It was the only thing I had left of Dad’s. Mom wanted to punish me. She was so angry at me that night. When I looked into her eyes, I saw nothing but disdain.
Sara’s cruel words continued to haunt me. She hated me as much as she hated Dad. Sadly, those were the last words she’d spoken to me before her demise. She blamed me for all her woes. A part of me agreed. Her human body wasn’t equipped to carry an alien fetus. Hence, it damaged her mind.
Enough of the past—too much pain. I exhaled. I finished my last drop of cocoa, then I thought about the swing.
A little fear hit me, yet I dug my heels into the soil and made my way to my favorite spot. Screw Helen and that vile Family! If they really wanted me, they’d find me, regardless. No point in letting them stop me from enjoying the comforts of my home. I jumped into the swing like I had so many times as a young girl and pushed off, letting the cool wind caress my face. I closed my eyes, gliding to and fro. The crickets were singing and the tall oaks rustled through the gentle breeze. I heard a mockingbird chirping in the distance.
A smile crept across my face. I could spend the rest of my life right here in this spot, content. A long sigh followed. It was only wishful thinking; too many dragons to slay and not enough time in the day to slay them all.