Fugue Macabre: Bone Dance

by C. J. Parker

  “Once again, I claim you as my mate. Do you deny me?” The world went silent as he waited for her reply, each second passing with annoying agony. Did she take pleasure in torturing him?

  She hit him in the center of his chest and frowned. “Who do you think you are, fly boy?”

  “Answer me, Robertina.” He gritted his teeth. “Do you deny me?”

  Kangee met her defiant stare, his heart beating like a thousand war drums. His chest tightened with pure torture as each second ticked by. “Say something, damn it!” Still she stood there staring at him as if he’d grown a horn in the middle of his forehead. Omeda was right. He was a fool.

  “I won’t deny you, Kangee, but…”

  Tabatha cleared her throat. “We’ll…um…stand guard. Out here.”

  Kangee’s head snapped around in time to catch Tabatha and Rhonda’s smiles before they pulled the door closed behind them. He rolled his eyes. “I forgot they were here.”

  “Forget again.” Bobbie leaned in closer.

  As her lips met his, the embers of desire that had been fanned to a warm glow at his first sight of her now burned white-hot. Flame-like heat licked at his groin and heated his blood to magma threatening to erupt in an explosion of passion. “Why did you leave me, Bobbie? Why didn’t you come back? Know what I remember most about you?” he whispered into her ear. “You never gave up. Is this another game you refuse to lose? Am I a prize you intend to claim, only to lose interest when the possession grows old?”

  He slid his arm under the bend of her knees and lifted her off her feet. Six long strides took them to the bed where he sat her on the edge of the bare mattress. He ran his callused fingertips under Bobbie’s T-shirt, caressed the velvet smooth skin of her stomach.

  “What do you want from me, Kangee? Cuda wants me dead. Aetheria wants me as Queen. I don’t think the Clan knows what the hell they want of me.”

  “I claim only your heart and your body. Your soul is your own, Robertina.” He brushed his lips over hers, softly in the beginning, then more demanding as he pushed her back upon the bed. “I’ve waited long enough. I will have you.”

  One, two, three times the unmistakable sound of a foot crashing against the door roared through the room. It came so unexpectedly that they both jumped to their feet. “Open the door, you low life slut. He’s mine. You can’t have him.”

  Kangee opened the door nearly ripping it from its hinges.

  Omeda cringed momentarily, and then straightened, her face a mask of determination.

  Tabatha leaned against the doorframe. “We tried to stop her. But she wouldn’t listen. Now, if you’ll excuse us.” She grabbed Rhonda by the forearm and pulled her away.

  Omeda poked a finger at Kangee’s chest before staring down at his erection. “I do not relinquish my right to you! Do you hear me?”

  “The whole damned village can hear you, woman.” Kangee grabbed her by the wrist and gently moved her away from him.

  Omeda shook her head. “You are a fool, Kangee.”

  Bobbie placed herself between Omeda and Kangee and led her toward the couch in the living room. “I’m sorry, Omeda. I had no idea how you felt about Kangee. But you have to understand—”

  Omeda pushed Bobbie toward the door as if to force her out of her own home. “Oh. I understand. You walk back in here and shake your ass at Kangee and he falls at your feet. I understand that you’ll leave him again, and I’ll be the one to dry his tears knowing I’ll always be his second choice.”

  Did Bobbie believe he could entertain the thought of a second choice, someone waiting in the wings in case Bobbie walked away again? He prayed she didn’t, but Omeda had done her best to plant the seed of doubt.

  Omeda swallowed, the sound loud in the now silent room. “You don’t love him. I do. You lust after the Karepey so much you even bring two of them into our midst.”

  “Hold your tongue, Omeda, before you go too far.” Kangee glared over Bobbie’s shoulder.

  Omeda spit on the floor at Bobbie’s feet. “She has disgraced her family name. She is no better than a French Quarter whore.”

  “Omeda.” Bobbie’s voice was a hush of sorrow. “You have called a Moran ‘whore’ and my mate a fool. That cannot be forgiven.”

  Kangee gripped Bobbie’s shoulders, drawing her into his arms. “Get out of here, Omeda. Go home. Now!”

  Omeda trooped toward the door, stopping short of leaving. “This isn’t over. I will not let you go, Kangee. She will not have you.” With a final growl, she stormed out of the house.

  “Don’t do anything you may regret later, Bobbie. She’s angry. After you’ve both calmed down, if you still feel the need, you can punish her.”

  Kangee hoped Omeda would be the one to think things out logically. She had always been a hot head.

  “Omeda was my friend once, maybe we can work this out. Maybe she needs time.” Bobbie walked into Kangee’s arms. “You’re right.”

  Chapter Three

  Dropping onto the top step of the deck, Bobbie rested her elbows on her knees, letting her hands dangle between her legs.

  Kangee sat beside her and placed an arm around her shoulders.

  She glanced over the village at a scattering of her people. The best she could figure there were a little over two hundred shifters left in the village. Pretending to go about their business, it was evident they were watching her with quick fugitive glances. She slammed the decking with her fist and released an angry hiss.

  “Don’t let them see you this way. I know all this with Omeda hurts, but they’ve been without a leader since Elsu left to find you two months ago. They’ve got it in their heads they don’t need anyone.” Kangee placed his finger under her chin forcing her to look at him. “You’re strong, and it is your rightful place.” He paused as if in deep thought. “Why did you bring Outsiders into the village, Bobbie? You had to know it would cause problems.”

  She inhaled in his aura, a mixture of cypress and pure male, then leaned back against his arm, savoring the warmth of his arms as they wrapped around her waist. “They are my friends, Kangee. They know about me but still they trust me. They’ve fought at my side. Tabatha risked her life to save me. They are like an extension of me. How can I cut off a part of me and still be strong?” She turned her head to look him in the eyes. “They aren’t Outsiders in the true sense. They are just as much magical creatures as we are and just as much outcasts.”

  “It will be hard to make the others understand this. I will accept them as your friends, for now, and protect them as best I can. But they will have to prove their loyalty.”

  Movement arrested her attention. The girl from the swamp this morning crossed the common ground.

  “Who is that?” She nodded toward the girl. “I saw her this morning at the water’s edge.”

  Kangee raised his head to look over the railing and smiled. “Her name is Lexie. She’s Julianne and Oriel’s daughter. A few years back, she was found sitting by her parents’ bodies. Everyone thinks she saw them murdered.”

  Thinking back, she did remember something about it, but it had to be ten years past. Their murders couldn’t have anything to do with the recent ones, could they? “They were the professors at LSU, right? I remember her. She was no more than six or seven when I left. Who’s she staying with? Who’s her family now? How old is she?”

  “She’ll soon be seventeen, and she doesn’t have a family.”

  Bobbie could tell by his tone, he was reluctant to answer.

  “The village got together and voted to make orphans wards of the whole village. They spend one week with each family and work for their upkeep. This is Agnes’ week.” He shook his head. “I don’t envy her.”

  Bobbie knew she couldn’t let this go on. “Lexie?”

  The girl stopped, lifted her eyes slowly to where they sat. “Yes?”

  “Would you come here? I want to talk to you.”

  Lexie’s shoulders slumped, and she shook her head in frustration as she crossed the co
mmon ground. All legs and fingers, she was much skinnier than she should be, yet the girl moved with the grace of a cat despite her obvious hesitancy.

  She nervously worked her way up the stairway. “Look, I didn’t know it was you in the swamps this morning. I was playing around. Meant no harm, jumping out of the weeds like that.” Her words tripped over themselves

  The child wore a threadbare and stained T-shirt over some sort of bathing suit bottom, the side ties hanging against her bronze thighs. Bobbie glanced around the compound. She remembered her first clothes-wearing stage. It was right around the time she first realized she had fallen in love with her best friend. Suddenly, clothing optional wasn’t so optional. Miss Lexie must have a boyfriend around here. “That wasn’t the smartest decision you’ve ever made, now was it?”

  “No, ma’am.” Lexie twisted her hands together until they were white from lack of blood flow.

  “Do you show yourself like that often in front of Outsiders?”

  “No, ma’am.” The girl raised her chin. Her irises were marbled with shades of jade and emerald—speckled with flecks of gold, but her pupils were elongated like those of a cat. Lexie stared back for only a second before looking away.

  “I need you to give me something besides ‘no ma’am,’ Lexie. Did you know there were non-shifters in that boat?”

  “I knew you were one of us. I didn’t know you were Queen Moran. I’m real sorry. I was having some fun. Guess I didn’t think.”

  “No, you didn’t. But it’s not me being Queen Moran you should be afraid of, and you of all people should know that.”

  The color drained from the girl’s face.

  “I’m not going to punish you, but don’t ever do that again. We have to be careful, Lexie.”

  “I’m not afraid.” She clenched teeth.

  “Then you’re stupid. The Outsiders aren’t ready for the realities of our world yet, and that’s the least of our problems. Someone is killing us. Doesn’t that frighten you?” Bobbie reached out her hand to the girl, but Lexie stepped away. Bobbie dropped her hand into her lap. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Lexie. You’re too important to this clan.”

  The girl scoffed. “I ain’t important to nobody.”

  “Everyone is important. Maybe, the day will come when we won’t have to hide anymore. But not now.” Bobbie released her exhaled slowly. “Until then, I want you to promise me you won’t pull any more stunts like that one this morning. I want you to promise me you’ll be careful and watchful.”

  Lexie’s brow furrowed as she eyed Bobbie with speculation. Finally, she nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Bobbie.”

  The girl nodded. “Yes, ma’am, Bobbie.”

  If her emaciated appearance and Bobbie’s own experiences were example of how the girl was being treated, Lexie had not had it easy since her parents’ deaths. “Come sit. I want to ask you some questions.”

  Lexie slowly climbed the steps as if to her execution, coming to a stop in front of Bobbie and Kangee, she sat at their feet.

  Bobbie shook her head. “You’ve been staying in your animal form a lot, haven’t you?”

  The child looked away. “What makes you think that?”

  “Your eyes have lost the ability to change back to human.”

  Lexie shrugged. “Sorry.”

  “You don’t have to apologize to me.” She took Lexie’s hand between her own. “I know what it’s like to want to hide. But we’ll talk about that later. Right now, I want you to get your things and come back here. You have a choice to make.” Bobbie didn’t think she could save every orphan, but, by God, she could save this one.

  Lexie sent her a narrow glance giving the impression of wariness. “What sort of choice?”

  Bobbie knew she was offering her heart to someone who might toss it right back at her. “Whom you want to live with.” Someone who will watch over you and keep you safe.

  Surprise forced the girl’s eyebrows upward, and she darted a look at Kangee. He smiled gently. “There are families in the village who’d love to have a daughter, Lexie.”

  “Or…” Bobbie cleared her throat, suddenly nervous. “You could live with me.”

  A happy glow spread over the girl’s delicate face before a war of emotions played across her features, and her gaze shot uncertainly across the common ground, then sidelong back at Bobbie. “You know about us orphans, right? Kangee told you about the vote and everything?”

  “Yes. I know.” Bobbie nodded, keeping her expression void of emotion. “I don’t care. I’m going to change all that, beginning with you.”

  Lexie locked her fingers together in a white-knuckled grip. “Agnes won’t accept that. She still has three days coming. She says she needs that time away from her kids. And then Miss Blythe will expect her time.”

  “Agnes shouldn’t have had kids if she didn’t want to be around them.” Kangee’s smile was saccharine sweet. “Miss Blythe is a kind soul, she won’t complain. So, to hell with what Agnes wants. What do you want?”

  The girl glanced at Kangee before answering in a quiet withdrawn voice. “I wanna live with Bobbie.”

  “Then go get your belongings.” Bobbie readied herself for the backlash. “If anyone gives you any grief, tell them to take it up with me.”

  With a nod and a girlish giggle, Lexie dashed down the stairs and across the village.

  Kangee gave Bobbie’s shoulder a squeeze before standing, leaning against the porch post and crossing his arms. “Change isn’t going to be easily accepted around here.”

  “It never is.” She stretched like a cat and purred with contentment. “I’m so up for a good fight.”

  Kangee’s laugh washed over her in warm rivulets. “Well, this should be a good one.”

  Moments later, the girl came across the common grounds with her meager belongings tossed over her shoulder, a well-worn T-shirt and a pair of jeans.

  Bobbie gazed up at him with what she knew had to be an incredulous look.

  Kangee shrugged, the movement a luxurious rolling of muscle and sinew. “A couple of months ago someone stole everything she owned. The rumor mill has it that girl with Cuda is the culprit, but to be honest, I don’t think so. I believe Omeda did it.”

  Lexie hurried up the stairs and past them, glancing over her shoulder and across the village. “She’s coming, and she’s pissed.”

  Bobbie didn’t look. “Go inside. The second door on the right is your room.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of Lexie’s mouth. “I get my own room?”

  Kangee nodded. “Get inside. This might get ugly.”

  “Get your scrawny butt back here, girl. You ain’t staying. You’re mine.” Lexie ran toward the door, but the command in Agnes’ words stopped her in mid-stride.

  Bobbie cringed at the sight of the old woman running across the courtyard, naked, over-abundant breasts bouncing and swinging freely, her private part hidden from view by the low hanging skin of her podgy stomach. Her face was creased with sheet marks, and she had a bad case of dun colored bed-head.

  “She’s not chattel, Agnes. She’s a child who needs a home.”

  “No!” Agnes turned and yelled into the courtyard. “This woman thinks she can barge in here and take over. We voted, so it’s the law. That girl is my servant for the rest of the week.”

  Bobbie waited as the villagers gathered around. The low rumble of their combined voices drifted up to greet her. “So. You voted to make the orphans slaves?” She scanned the crowd, finding the person she was looking for. “Did you vote for this, June? You, who were orphaned at the age of six and accepted as daughter into the Barnes family, voted for this law?”

  June shook her head vehemently. “No. It’s not right.”

  Bobbie stretched her hand out in front of her as if admiring her nails before her gaze slid to the next person. “What about you, Klasen?”

  The man in his thirties with long brown straggly hair looked away quickly. “It won’t do her any harm.
Can’t have them thinking the world makes it easy for a body to live.”

  “Too bad Mom and Dad didn’t think that way.” How many meals had she shared with the young orphaned Klasen? “By your way of thinking, if they hadn’t taken you in you’d be a better person. If I remember right, your parents were killed by Outsiders just like Lexie’s.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed.

  “Haven’t you noticed someone is killing our people? Do you want Lexie to be the next? She needs a family to watch out for her.” She turned to look at Lexie standing in the doorway. “Come here.”

  Lexie sat at Bobbie’s side, tears glistening in the girl’s eyes. “Yes, ma’am.” The young girl glanced out at the crowd and swallowed hard.

  Bobbie wiped Lexie’s cheek as a tear escaped the corner of the girl’s eye. “Are there any others like you? Orphans?”

  Lexie nodded and pointed out a boy not much older than herself with cotton-white hair. “His name’s Stephen, but we call him Snowman. His momma died when he was born, and his dad just disappeared.”

  “Stephen, come here, please.”

  His gaze landed on Lexie before he glanced Bobbie’s way. The boy ran up the stairs two at a time until he stood at Kangee’s side and raised worried eyes to his. “Is she mad?”

  Kangee placed his hand on Stephen’s shoulder. “No, son. She’s making things right.”

  “Miss Bobbie.” Donald, her childhood friend stepped forward. Dressed in cutoffs and a Black Sabbath T-shirt, he stood over six feet, slight of build but strongly muscled like the panther he was. His blue eyes shone with life and energy. “My wife, May and me, we can’t have children. We’d be pleased to take Stephen into our home. He’s a good boy.”

  “Hold on, now. I’m by myself. I could use a son. I’ll treat him right,” Nelson’s coal black eyes gazed at Bobbie intently as he stood at the back of the growing crowd. Her gut twisted, as she knew her father’s friend was the same age as her father would have been.