Demons of Bourbon Street

by Deanna Chase

  Pulling my feet up under the blanket, I wrapped it around myself and then grabbed my phone once more. I tapped Kane’s name and typed, Meet me in my dreams.

  I didn’t wait for a response. He’d find me. He always did.

  The couch was surprisingly comfortable and, despite the stress of the day, or perhaps because of it, I instantly fell into a deep sleep.

  Sunflowers. Everywhere. The moonlight shone down on a cloudless night, highlighting the sleeping blooms. Movement rustled the stalks behind me. I spun and smiled when I spotted Dan, his eyes alight with mischief and lips turned up in a goofy smile.

  He held his hand out. I moved forward to take it. Just as our hands joined, he tugged me to him and locked his right leg behind mine, tumbling us both to the ground. We landed with him lying on top of me, his lips inches from mine.

  “Hello,” I said, breathless.

  His grin widened. “Sorry about that.”

  I laughed. “No, you aren’t.”

  His expression turned serious and the grin vanished as something primal stirred in his eyes. His voice came out deep and husky. “You’re right.”

  My eighteen-year-old heart sped up, thumping rapidly, and I stopped breathing. The sunflowers swayed back and forth in the light summer breeze, casting long shadows over us. Even if anyone came looking, they wouldn’t find us. Not at that hour.

  I stared at Dan’s lips and licked my own. “Dan?”

  “Yeah?” He shifted, easing his weight off me as he laid on his side, still staring down at me.

  “Kiss me.”

  He brought his hand up, softly caressing my cheek. I rested my hand over his and gazed up at him with lovesick adoration.

  His emotions mirrored the ones swelling through me and when he dipped his head, lips brushing mine, a tiny tear of happiness fell down my temple.

  Everything shifted and suddenly I was standing in front of Kane’s house, alone, staring at his front door. The same large moon hung in the sky, but I was no longer the young eighteen-year-old I’d been moments before. I waited a few beats for the lingering teenage emotions to fade away.

  Kane. The man I loved was inside. Loved. With all my heart. Dan was in the past and had been for some time.

  I took the steps and the door swung open to darkness. I poked my head in. “Kane?”

  He sat on his overstuffed coffee-colored loveseat, sipping from a mug. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  Ah, crap. I’d been dreaming of Dan. Again. But not just any dreams. This time they were memories. Right down to the last detail. But why? Was it because I was so focused on finding him? Maybe I was slipping into his dreams? No, that was impossible. Neither Dan nor I was a dreamwalker. That was Kane’s specialty. “Sorry. I don’t know why he keeps showing up in my subconscious.”

  He set the mug down. “The mind is a powerful thing.”

  “True enough.” I stepped into his house and shut the door behind me. I moved to take the seat beside him, but thought better of it and perched on the edge of his couch. “How’s your leg?”

  I eyed his thigh, but I couldn’t see anything through his dark denim jeans. It wouldn’t have mattered. This was a dreamwalk. Kane had the power to alter any damage and probably had.

  “I took a few painkillers. It didn’t help.” He glanced down and then met my eyes. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  Righteous indignation shot through me. “I told you it was just a dream. I can’t be expected to control those, can I? Dreamwalking is your thing, not mine.”

  “Jade,” he said with no small amount of impatience. “I meant about today. About why you took off without even talking to me? Or why you ended up almost caught in Goodwin’s media frenzy? And why you’re at Lailah’s house instead of your own…or mine?”

  I stared at my hands clutched in my lap. “I’m not sure being here with you in a dreamwalk is safe.”

  His tone softened. “Safe from who? You or Meri?”

  “Both,” I whispered and met his concerned gaze. “I’m the one she’s drawing power from. You’re the catalyst. Don’t you understand? The longer I stay away from you, the safer you’ll be.” Tears started to flow, unchecked down my face. “I’ve lost so many people in my life. I can’t stand to lose you.”

  Kane moved to my side and wrapped his arms around me. “Don’t think for one moment I’m going to let you fight this alone.”

  I choked back my tears and tried to pull away, but he only held on tighter. With my face buried in his shirt, I said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run like that. But Kane—” I tilted my head up, “—in order to destroy her, I have to go to Hell. You can’t follow me there. With her mark on your leg, it’s too dangerous.”

  “Fuck that.” He kissed me, lips urgent and demanding.

  My hands gripped his arms and I held on, desperate for this last moment together. It didn’t matter what I said. He’d find a way into Hell. He had all the connections I did, and worse, if he found a way to summon Meri, she’d take him. No, I’d have to go on my own. Soon.

  He broke the kiss. “Promise me we’ll work out a plan, together.”

  I bit my lip, not wanting to lie to him. But then I nodded anyway.

  “Good. Because I’m not losing you, either. Remember that.”

  Chapter 14

  “Hey, shortcake,” my mom’s voice filtered in through my sleep-filled haze.

  “Hmm,” I murmured, but didn’t move.

  A hand stroked my tangled mane. “Wake up, sweetheart.”

  I blinked, squinting in the morning light. More shocking pink and red tones startled me awake. I sat up in one quick motion. My walls weren’t red. Where the hell was I?

  Then I focused and my gaze landed on my mother, sitting on the brightly painted coffee table next to Lailah’s red couch. I threw my arms around her and hugged tight. “You’re here.”

  “Of course we are. You called. We came.”

  Over her shoulder, I spotted Gwen standing near Lailah’s front door. She gave me a smile and waved a hand, indicating we’d connect a little later. A twinge of guilt sliced my gut. Gwen had been my parental figure for the last twelve years. I pushed the feeling aside, enjoying the moment with my mother.

  Lailah appeared, holding a tray loaded with a carafe, bright pink coffee mugs, and something that looked suspiciously like beignets. “Good morning, Jade. Did you sleep all right?”

  Her smirk told me she knew damn well Kane had dreamwalked me. I pretended I didn’t notice. “Fine. Thank you.”

  “Philip’s in the shower. After he’s dressed, we can work on a plan of action.”

  I rubbed my eyes and stifled a yawn. “Okay.”

  She disappeared back through her bedroom door, closing it behind her. Just how close were those two angels? Obviously close enough to share a bed. I couldn’t help but wonder how Goodwin, her supposed mate, factored in.

  Gwen sat beside me and gave me a one-armed hug.

  Warmth filled my heart, and I smiled. “Did you two hijack a plane or something? How did you manage to get here so soon?”

  “Your mother worked a little magic.” Gwen grabbed one of the small plates with a beignet and nibbled on a corner of the powder-sugar covered donut.

  “As in, cast a spell?” I asked, impressed. “How does that work?”

  Mom shrugged. “I gave the airline a nudge to find us seats on the red eye. It was nothing.”

  “It wasn’t nothing,” Gwen said after she swallowed. “‘Impressive’ is the word I’d use.”

  Mom fidgeted and shifted uncomfortably. Her unease brushed my skin momentarily before she raised her emotional barriers.

  I couldn’t understand why the topic of her using a spell made her uncomfortable, but her reluctance was obvious. I let it go. They were here, and that’s all I wanted. I held one hand out to my mother and the other to Gwen, holding on tight to both of them. Mom shifted forward and sat on the couch next to me.

  “I need help,” I said.

  “Anything
. You know that.” Gwen patted the back of my hand.

  “With what, shortcake?” Mom hedged as if she knew what was coming.

  I took a deep breath, not sure I had the nerve to say the words. They stared at me, Mom’s jade green eyes troubled and Gwen’s hazel ones curious, but wary. The words flew from my mouth. “I need information on Hell. Specifically, the easiest way to get in.”

  “What?” Gwen cried. “No. No way. We’ll work a summoning spell to get Dan back.”

  Mom drew her hand back and regarded me with hooded eyes.

  “Can you help?” I asked her.

  “No.” Gwen jumped off the couch. “She can’t help. Even if she could, I forbid it.” She clenched her hands into tight fists at her sides. “You hear me, Jade? I forbid it.”

  I slumped back into the couch, not able to summon the energy to argue.

  “Gwen,” Mom said quietly. “Can you give us a minute?”

  My aunt turned to my mother, eyes wide and her mouth half-open. “You want me to leave?”

  My gaze traveled between the pair. Gwen, with her gray hair and shocked eyes, appeared very much the mother figure, whereas Mom didn’t look a day over thirty. Still, in that moment, she exuded authority.

  “Yes, I need a moment with Jade,” Mom said, her voice firm.

  Gwen struggled to keep her heartache hidden. She failed. We were too close for me to not notice. I wanted to hug her, tell her to stay, demand she be kept in the loop, but something about Mom’s steely demeanor silenced me.

  With a reluctant glance in my direction, Gwen stepped out the front door. I imagined her sitting on the turquoise swing, silently battling her frustration.

  Mom paced over the shag carpet as if collecting her thoughts. Then she stopped abruptly, her feet spread, hands on her hips. “Is he worth it?”

  “Excuse me?”

  She took a step closer and peered at me through hardened eyes. “Is he worth risking your life? Getting into Hell is easy. It’s the getting-out part that’s a problem. I’m asking if he’s worth losing everything. Think about what you’re giving up. Your aunt, your friends…and me.” She stepped back. Her features softened as she dropped her defenses, letting me experience the regret and longing swirling in her. “It’s been twelve years, Jade.”

  I stood, suddenly filled with anger. Who was she to ask me such a question? She’d performed blood magic for some stranger and ended up leaving me all alone when Meri had taken her to the Underworld. I’d been just a few weeks from turning fifteen years old and my life had changed forever. “Yes, he’s worth it. Both of them are.”

  “Both?”

  “You’re unbelievable.” God, she didn’t even know about Kane’s wound yet. Which meant she hadn’t been asking if I was willing to sacrifice myself for my boyfriend. She’d been asking about Dan, the person who’d traded his life for hers. I stalked to the front door and yanked it open. “Gwen, can you come back in? I think our mother-daughter talk is over.”

  “Of course.” She got up and tucked her arm through mine. As we moved back into the house, she whispered, “You all right?”

  I didn’t bother to keep my voice down. “No. Dan is in Hell. Kane has been marked by Meri, and she’s using him to siphon power from me. No one knows how long he can endure such an invasion. And Mom would like me to forget about everything so we can rebuild this family. What do you think?”

  “Jade.” Mom sighed. “That isn’t what I said.”

  “Sounded like it to me.” I flopped back down on the couch, arms folded, scowling.

  Gwen joined me. “I know this is hard. You’re strong. We’ll help you through it. No matter what. Right, Hope?”

  “I…” Mom backed up, her hand clutching her neck. “I don’t think I can. I’m sorry.” Regret and shame brushed me as she ran past us and out the door.

  Damn. That hadn’t gone at all the way I’d planned. How could I be so blind? Mom wasn’t strong enough after her own ordeal to help with this. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. “We should probably go after her.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Gwen soothed. “She’s not going anywhere.”

  “I guess I have some pent-up resentment.” I picked up one of the small plates, just to do something with my hands.

  “No kidding,” Lailah said, leaning on the door frame from her bedroom.

  I clutched the plate. How long had she been there?

  “A few minutes,” she said.

  “Damn it, stop doing that.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t have the experience with mental barriers you do.” She walked into the room, and Philip followed her.

  He extended his hand to Gwen. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Calhoun. Hope has told me a lot about you.”

  “Philip, I presume?” Gwen stood and shook his hand. “My sister’s been anxious to see you again.”

  A shadow fell across his face as he took a step back. “Yes, I imagine she has.”

  Lailah glanced back and forth between the pair of them, confusion streaming off her. “You know Jade’s mother?” she asked Philip.

  “We met a long time ago.”

  His obvious discomfort only made me more curious. But I had more pressing issues to deal with. “She’s outside. You can see her whenever you like.”

  “In a bit,” he said. “We have things to discuss first.”

  “Let’s go into the kitchen,” Lailah said, leading the way to the back of the house.

  I lingered, letting the three of them go before me, and then peeked out the front window. Mom sat motionless on the swing, her face void of emotion. Almost catatonic. I opened the door. “Mom?”

  A film seemed to disappear and her expression came alive again. “Hey, shortcake.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Fine. Just enjoying the fresh air.”

  Nothing about her tone or easy smile implied she even remembered the altercation we’d had a few minutes ago. “I’m sorry about what I said.”

  She pushed at the ground with her feet, giving the swing a slight nudge. “Mothers and daughters bicker sometimes. It’s normal and in the past. Everything’s fine.”

  Bickering? We’d had a disagreement about going into Hell. What was normal about that? “Not quite everything. We’re meeting with Philip and Lailah about what to do next. Do you want to join us?”

  The swing started to slow, and she gave the ground another push. “Not right now. I’ll be here if you need me.”

  “Uh, okay. If you change your mind…” The sudden switch in personality left me at a loss for words. One moment she was my kick-butt witchy mom. The next she was a space cadet don’t-have-a-thing-to-contribute mom. Gwen had warned me she’d have trouble adjusting. I sighed. “We’ll be in the kitchen.”

  She nodded and stared down the street.

  I retreated back into the house, worry tightening in my chest. We had to get her help. Soon.

  In the kitchen, Gwen motioned for me to take the seat next to her. I shook my head and stood, staring down at Lailah and Philip. “How are we going to do this?”

  “Do what?” Lailah asked.

  “Get into Hell.”

  Silence.

  Their eyes met and a silent communication passed between them.

  “You’re Dan’s father,” Lailah said to Philip. “Your connection should be enough to help you find him wherever he is.”

  He lifted his chin in acknowledgement. “But you’re his soul guardian. You’ve been bound magically. That’s a stronger tie. We might locate him easier if you cast the finding spell.”

  Lailah shook her head. “Doubtful. Nothing is stronger than a blood bond.”

  He narrowed his eyes. Reluctance seeped off him as he nodded slowly. “You’re right.”

  “We should get to work on a plan.” Lailah picked up her phone. “I’ll call Lucien—he can rally the coven. We’ll need backup to open the Hell gates.”

  “Wait,” he said. “My first priority is to Jade. I shouldn’t even consider letting her go, but
if I don’t, Meri will drain her.” He ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair. “I can’t lose one more soul to the darkness.” The words came out clipped and angry.

  Lailah sent him a sympathetic look.

  I stiffened. “Can’t lose another soul. How many have you lost?”

  He jerked. Anger and shame filled the room as he lifted his gaze to mine. “Three.”

  Crap on toast! He’d lost three people. One was too many. What did this mean for my chances?

  “You’re not being fair, Philip,” Lailah said. “Dan wasn’t yours. I lost him.”

  “Does it matter?” He got up and moved to the window over the kitchen sink. “I knew something was off, but I didn’t press the issue, figuring you were there to help. How could I have known Meri would get to you too? She’s my mate. If I’d saved her, none of this would have happened.” Grasping the basin, he closed his eyes and bowed his head.

  I gave him a moment to collect his thoughts and then asked the question I’d been holding back. “Why didn’t you?”

  He met my gaze with his hardened one. “I had a son to watch over.”

  My heart sped up. An agonizing respect for Philip’s devotion to his son made me regard him through new eyes. Philip had given up his true love for him. Did Dan have any clue his real dad cared that much? I hoped so.

  “Seems it was all for nothing,” Philip continued.

  “Not nothing,” Gwen said. “Dan risked his life for the woman he loves.”

  “Gwen.” I shook my head. Now wasn’t the time to bring any of that up.

  She waved her hand, dismissing my warning. “He’s a good man. With your help, Jade will find a way to bring him back.”

  I stared at her. She stared back. Something in her tone and the glint in her eye told me she knew more than she was saying. That she’d seen something. But I knew better than to ask. Psychics usually don’t share their visions. It’s too dangerous. Too easy to veer off-course and make a difficult situation worse.

  Her words put the fire back in my belly. I was ready to fight, and I needed all the information I could get. “Philip, who was the third person you lost to Hell?”

  Nobody said anything for a second. Gwen and Lailah shared a glance, and suddenly I understood. They both knew who he’d lost. That meant only one thing. “You were my mother’s soul guardian.”