He might have nodded his head. I can’t be sure. My hair whipped across my face, and he was gone. I scanned the area around me and cocked my ears. Humans lived not far away, but none stirred at this hour. Stooped, I touched fingers to the dirt and whispered to my friend.
“Georgia, I’ll be back tomorrow night. Try your hardest to get up, okay? I promise. I will come.”
* * * *
When I woke the next night, I stopped long enough to feed. No more skipping meals for a while. Before I set on the road, I considered calling Violet but chickened out and decided to wait a couple more days to let her anger die down. If I had any luck—and Nathan liked to claim I had none—she wouldn’t have figured out that I almost killed her boyfriend. I decided not to bank on it though.
The plot where I left Georgia lay smooth as Francis and I had left it. That meant Georgia hadn’t risen yet. I bent down and listened hard, but there were no movements. Should I dig her out to see for myself or wait for her to break the surface on her own? Francis had said twenty-four hours, and I was early. Better to wait a little longer.
I paced the small plot of land, hands tucked behind my back. A dark window caught my eye, and that led me to taking in the entire house. In desperate need of repair, it nevertheless gave me a sense of nostalgia. I recalled the days when I had nothing more to worry about than if Jake wore clean underwear to school or if I had enough money in the bank to call a plumber for a leak. Oh wait, I still had money issues. Some things never change.
I longed for that old, simple life. Even thoughts of Sylvia Campbell trying to convince me that her pie was as good as my mama used to make wouldn’t be so bad right now. Hah! As if.
Movement behind me dragged my thoughts from the past, and I turned slowly. I admit I was nervous about what I would find. Would Georgia be some crazed lunatic with nothing on her mind other than to eat humans? Once again my own selfishness came through clear to me, but it was too late to turn back.
“My hair,” Georgia screeched.
I spun around to take in the sight and stood at a loss for words.
“It all fell out,” she whined, holding the evidence in clumps in her hands. Georgia was right. Every strand had fallen out, and the poor thing had a misshapen skull that wasn’t quite round.
“So soon?” I whispered, not knowing what else to say. Then I shook myself. Georgia looked up at me pouting but in her right mind. I rushed to her and helped her to her feet. Brushing dirt from her clothing and skin, I examined her and sniffed. She did smell a bit like the earth, but she’d been napping in it for a day. A good shower would fix things and a change of clothing. My spirits rose. “You’re okay, honey? Nothing hurts?”
I touched her forehead. No fever but not warm. She wasn’t as cold as a vampire before he or she fed but not even close to ninety-eight point six degrees. Ah well. One couldn’t have everything.
Georgia seemed to take inventory of herself and the ground at her feet. I waited for her to ask what in the world she was doing there, but she scratched her arm and gazed up and down the alley. “Something smells really good, Rue.”
“Um, we cooked those yummy dishes just before you passed. There’s bound to be a residue scent clinging to you.”
While I gave this explanation, I didn’t believe it. Mind you, I wanted to believe the reason I gave was a valid one, but when Georgia totted over to the fence and leaned against it as if she strained toward the scent she picked up, I knew it wasn’t true.
“I’m hungry,” she announced.
“Okay, dear, come back over here a moment. Let’s—”
Humans. Of all times, two seemed to have arrived home late. Their movements enticed Georgia, and she was over the fence and running along the alley before I processed the fact that ghouls were born with certain abilities from hour one.
I caught her just feet from the spot where the two humans were hanging out on the porch. Georgia squealed in protest, and one of the men turned. I got her hidden in the shadows on the opposite side of the alley. All the way, she fought me, and it took my considerable strength to keep her silent.
“Hold on just a minute, Georgia,” I whispered in her ear. “I’ll help you to feel better. I have something for you.”
She stilled. The men disappeared into the house, and I released Georgia. She started for the back door, but I darted forward to put a barrier between her and the house. The cup I took from my pocket was small, but I hoped it would be enough. I made short work of syphoning off some of my blood and put as much as I dared into the cup. All New Orleans needed was a starving vampire and ghoul going on a binge at the same time. Someone had to maintain control, and it needed to be me.
“See, Georgia, a drink. You must be thirsty.”
I knew no one but a vampire would find the drink appealing, but I hoped she would just assume it was wine and down it before she knew the truth. No such luck. Georgia knocked my hand away with such force, the cup went flying, and I spun around. Before you assume this ghoul was stronger than me, I must inform you the dirt was loose, and I couldn’t get good footing.
Nevertheless, she made me feel silly out there, and I admit I grew angry. I leaped onto her, but Georgia was no pushover. We tumbled back and forth over the ground. She yelped so loud, just as Georgia would. The entire neighborhood must be awakening. I had no choice but to wrap my arms and legs around her middle from behind and jam my hand over her mouth to quiet her down. Georgia, determined to get free, chomped down. This time I had to clench my teeth to keep from crying out.
The pain was unbelievable, just like the time the ghoul in the theatre bit me. Ghoul infection in my system was some of the worst pain. I struggled for my voice and lost all strength. “G-Georgia, l-let go.”
I had hardly spoken the words before her teeth unlocked from my hand, and she lay as if she were dead on top of me. What just happened? Then I realized. Georgia must have swallowed a few drops of my blood. Drops, not a full glass. My ignorance appalled me.
I managed to get out from under her and knelt at her side. “Georgia?”
She blinked at me and smiled. “I’m hungry.”
This time I was ready when she came at me. A hand splayed in the middle of her chest, I dug my feet into the soil. All the same, my muscles strained. I had a flashback to my time as a schoolteacher, shaping young minds. Often little ones screamed and cried for what they wanted. So many days, I spoke calmly in response—don’t you know I wanted to cry, too, on many occasions. I recalled with some amusement what I never failed to say. “Use your words.”
So, Rue, use your words.
“Georgia, from now on you must never eat living humans.” I gagged. “Dead ones only, and you must not let the living ones know or see you. Do you understand?”
I waited, hoping against hope Francis was right. My arms ached, so I amended my order.
“Also, quit pushing. It’s rude, and it hurts.”
She stopped cold, and I thudded nose first against her. This was not my most graceful night. I stood straight and watched her with caution. She still looked agitated, and I realized it was because she couldn’t think clearly. Starvation will do that to a person. How long would my drops of blood last? Eternity? A month? A day? I needed to ask Francis more about it. First things first though.
“Georgia, do you understand?”
“Yes, Rue. You’re so picky.”
I squinted at her. Did she lose her conscience, or was it confusion? I supposed we would learn as we went along. After brushing dirt from my hands and clothes, I turned toward the alley. “Okay, sweetheart. First, we get you something to eat. Then we go get you some hair.”
Chapter Sixteen
I hesitated outside Nathan’s door. The repairs hadn’t been done yet, but Zander knew a guy who knew a guy. The landlord did not need to be informed. Since most of the residents of the building were sympathizers or nonhumans, no one would tattle. Thank goodness. I had of course told Nathan about the mishap but downplayed my loss of control. After all, how
could I lecture him about keeping his cool if he could use this incident to combat my argument? Then again, my attacking Cam did reinforce the need for keeping our heads.
At this moment, the damage to the front and bedroom doors wasn’t what made me ease into the apartment as silently as I could. What did was the werewolf on the other side. When I entered the building, I heard Nathan’s slower heartbeat, equivalent to the way it pumped when he slept. I had hoped to slip in, shower, change, and then talk to him later.
Nathan waited for me fully alert. He wore boxers and nothing else, and normally that would have been nice. Except his eyes were those of the wolf, and his teeth were bared. The canines were sharp, and a low constant rumble emitted from his throat.
“Nathan, honey?” I called out. “It’s me.”
He sniffed. Nathan already knew it was me. I crept closer.
“Are you in there, big boy?”
For a moment, I thought he was sleepwalking, but he had never done it before. He sniffed several more times, and I sensed his anger rising. Mentally, I went through the calendar. Crap on a cracker, the full moon was two days away. Worse, I entered his den smelling like a ghoul while he had been sleeping. I hadn’t told Nathan about Georgia because I wanted to discuss it face-to-face.
“About this scent…”
How could I tell him now when he looked like he wanted to take a bite out of me? I’d had enough creatures chewing me lately, thank you very much. My thoughts returned to when I first came back from the past, having changed the present. This was different, right? I mean, I didn’t disappear on Nathan and leave him worried. My intentions were to tell him everything. A little voice in my head said, “yeah, after the fact as usual.” Well, at least I’m consistent.
My boyfriend’s tolerance reached a breaking point. He lunged at me. I leaped to the side and cracked his nose while shouting, “Down, boy!” The ploy had worked before, but this time no dice. Nathan swept me off my feet and hauled me to the bedroom. He still hadn’t spoken more than a growl. Once we were there, he threw me across the room to land on the bed. I sprung up right away and spun to face him on all fours. The werewolf wasn’t backing down.
“I thought you were fresh back from training. You broke into New Orleans to protect me, didn’t you?”
No response.
I gazed down at my soiled clothing and recalled all the rolling about Georgia and I had done trying to get her to see reason. Her scent must have covered me from head to foot. My last option was to strip, and I did so, leaving my undies and bra in place. That calmed the beast a little. Or rather interested him in a different way, but the yellow eyes worried me.
This battle would come down to who was faster, and you already know the answer to that one. However, I had multiple steps to make before Nathan destroyed more of his apartment. He was going to make up for this for weeks, if I had anything to say about it.
I rotated my shoulders and rolled my head on my neck. The bones cracked and popped. While I didn’t keep my gaze on his, I remained aware of his intentions and whether he was ready to attack again. He had revved down quite a bit.
Okay, bathroom, leave door open so he doesn’t rip it apart, and shower. Fast as you can. You can do this, Rue.
I moved. So did he. The explosion had to have been heard all over the building. That and the wolf’s howl.
* * * *
“You did what?” Nathan snapped.
I folded my arms over my chest, crossed my legs, and swung a foot back and forth with negligence. “You’re judging me after what you did?”
His cheeks pinked to my satisfaction. “I didn’t hurt you.”
“Only because I’m not a delicate flower.”
“Rue, you know that’s not true. I never attacked you.”
“No,” I admitted. “You attacked the wall. That hole is going to cost us.”
“It’s not the first time.”
“I thought it would be the last time after your trip.”
He harrumphed, and I felt sorry for him. Not sorry enough to quit using his loss of control to make him accept my letting Georgia live. A ghoul was dangerous. I knew that, especially with the problem of them overrunning New Orleans still going on.
“I wasn’t out of control,” Nathan insisted. “I turned too fast and smashed into the wall. Then you…”
“I know.” Holding up a hand, I stopped him right there. Nathan’s howl had come when I stripped in the shower. Crazy animal close to the full moon was all the explanation anyone needed. Our argument, if you can call it that, had ended then, and Nathan and I made up in the best way a couple could. The kind that lasts hours. You get the picture.
“My issues have nothing to do with your bad decision, Rue.”
“It was not a bad decision.”
“I nearly killed you because of her scent!”
“I thought you never intended to hurt me.”
He blew out an impatient breath. “Either way, she can’t live.”
“I’m not killing her.”
“Then I will.”
“I’ll stop you.”
He glared at me, and I moved to sit on his lap and wrap my arms around him. We were in his dining room, a few steps away from the front door and all its damage. Nathan simmered with anger, but he held me close.
“Just meet her, Nathan. I know you’ll like Georgia.”
“I’ve met her countless times.”
“As a ghoul, I mean.”
“Mindless? Hungry?”
“You’re being unreasonable.”
“I’m being rational, and you’re not. A ghoul is dangerous.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“Will you be serious for once?”
I kissed him. “Come on, big guy. You know I can handle anything, and I can keep Georgia in line. She’s my vassal now. She can’t disobey me.”
“You say that as if it’s not a big deal to order another person around and have them unable to go against your word. It’s a big deal.”
“I’m making light of it because it’s serious, a coping mechanism if anything. Nathan, I won’t say it was an easy decision. It wasn’t, but I’m determined to make it work. Georgia and I even went shopping for hair.”
He gave me a look of confusion. I decided not to explain.
“All right. Fine. Have it your way, but Rue, if she gets out of line—”
“I know, I know.”
“I have to think about my pack.”
I gaped. “You have a pack?”
His eyes glittered in his excitement. “Yes, three people who also went to the conference looking for an alpha in this area. They’re not officially under me yet, but they will be. Plus there’s you and Violet.”
“Have you spoken with her?”
“I will now that I’m back.”
“Give her a bit of time, okay?”
He frowned. “Why?”
Her secret wasn’t mine to share. Come to think of it, if Violet joined Nathan’s pack, he would have an instant additional member in her baby. He’d be thrilled. Well, that is, if he didn’t mind a half human one. I doubted he would since he didn’t mind a vampire.
I hopped up from his lap. “So, what are we doing tonight? Hunting together?”
He seemed excited by the prospect, too excited, but he shook his head. “No. Too close to the full moon. If I shift… How about bowling?”
“Bowling? I thought we would use your nose to run the ghouls to ground. Didn’t you say you would settle this whole thing in a matter of minutes when you returned?”
“I don’t remember being that big-headed.”
I smirked and shrugged. After I teased him some more, we headed out. In truth, I was glad Nathan had put off looking for the ghouls. Georgia’s death and turning had hit me hard, and having him back in New Orleans meant more than I had initially thought. I wanted to concentrate on our relationship and push the negative experiences to the back of my mind. Call it irresponsible or immature. A woman was still a woman
even undead. She needed downtime and love.
At the bowling alley, Nathan and I rented shoes. As we approached our reserved lane, I thought about how much we would both need to curb ourselves so we didn’t smash a ball through the back wall. The other patrons were mostly human, but I scented a couple fae at the other end of the row of lanes.
“I’ll grab some pizza and a drink,” Nathan said and disappeared. I admired the fact that he was doing better in temperament this month than last, the previous incident notwithstanding.
“Oh, bowling! I love to bowl.”
I turned at Georgia’s voice. “Georgia, what are you doing here?”
“Just tracked you down, Rue. This nose is amazing.”
She smiled and sat down near me. I scooted over on the bench to get more room as I tied my shoes. From the corner of my eyes, I noted the way she twisted her hands together. I sat up and studied her face.
“Georgia, did you eat?”
“Yes, of course.”
“What did you eat?” I didn’t want to know.
She widened her eyes and gazed around as if she expected someone might overhear. “I went to the hospital.”
“The morgue?” I cringed. “Oh, Georgia.”
“No one saw me, Rue. Just like you said.”
“Yes, but they tag those people and keep track of them.” I wasn’t having this conversation. “Why didn’t you go to the cemetery or something?”
She hesitated. More finger twisting. The poor thing was agitated, and I needed to dig it out of her. The thing was Nathan returned with an entire pizza and two large colas. I wasn’t surprised. He spotted Georgia and did a double take. I kicked him. He raised his eyebrows, but I pointed him to a table. When he turned his back to set his food down, I reached out and straightened Georgia’s wig.
“Thanks, Rue. I just hate it that these wigs aren’t brighter, but the styles are wonderful. Aren’t they?”
Night Fever (A Rue Darrow Novel Book 3) Page 12