Bury Their Bones (Wicked Fortunes Book 2)

by AJ Merlin

  “Do you like it?” I asked, a bit uncertain.

  “I do,” the Loa said after a moment. “But it isn’t enough, I don’t think.”

  “Not enough?” I repeated, confused.

  The shop owner squinted, nodding. “Not without an enchantment, I agree. What were you thinking?”

  “Fire and an entrance,” Marinette mused. “Remember how we talked about you being invited, George? And how you worry people will know you don’t belong?”

  “…Yeah,” I said, not liking where she was going.

  “We’re going to make them think so too.”

  “Will other people be entering like that?” I asked suspiciously.

  “Everyone at the gala will be tryin to make the biggest entrance,” the shop owner said. “I promise you that.”

  “Then, what am I going to wear in?”

  The older woman left, then returned with a very plain black dress that fell in a straight line to the floor.

  When I put it on, I pressed my lips together. “I don’t like it,” I said.

  “You’re not supposed to like it,” the woman promised. “They won’t, either.”

  “I thought I was hunting for you-know-what tonight,” I reminded Marinette as I looked at the plain, silky dress.

  “We’re accomplishing a lot tonight,” she answered enigmatically. “If the council doesn’t take you seriously, then you’ll fade into obscurity before you’ve even come into your powers fully. Do you really want that?”

  “Why don’t I want that?” I asked, hands on my hips. “Aren’t the supernaturals in the history books mostly villains? Saving present, esteemed company of course.”

  “I mean like your friends. Your fox, for one. Do you know how many people know of him? Or your vampire?”

  I paused, glancing back at her. “Of course he’s famous. He’s the vampire king.”

  Her grin grew wider in amusement at my reply. “I meant before that. All of the creatures you smell like are very well known in most corners of the globe,” she promised. “It’s only you who remains unknown to all but a very few.”

  I glanced down to escape her piercing gaze. “I’m a lot different from all of them.”

  “Are you though? The only difference I see…” She reached out and tipped my chin upward. “Is that you seem content to let them overshadow you. Even being what you are.” She dropped my face after a moment and turned to the shop owner. “You can charge it to my tab. And I’ll take everything so I can enchant it.” The Loa walked away, the doorbell smacking the glass as she went to the sidewalk outside.

  “If I may offer a bit of advice?” The saleswoman asked, unzipping the plain black dress so that I could finish getting out of it on my own.

  “What?” I bundled my hair into my hand to make her job easier,.

  “Don’t let her rush you, or turn you into something you don’t want to be. If you accept her help blindly, I fear there may come a day that her help is not as innocent as it may seem.”

  I stepped off of the pedestal in front of the mirrors and paused, uneasy. “Does she help people often?” I asked, without looking at the woman.

  “No. None of them do. I’m not saying she means you any ill will, but sometimes their idea of helping isn’t what you would do.” She smiled suddenly, and rested a hand on my shoulder. “Oh, I do wish I would be there tonight, to see the looks on all their faces when you arrive.”

  Comforted by her change of tone, I smiled too. “I hope it goes the way she thinks it will.”

  Six hours and two minutes later, I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to go like I’d thought it would.

  I still sat in the back of the black town car that Marinette and Kriminel had pulled up in, and I still wore the very plain and boring black dress.

  “I feel sick,” I told them, my stomach turning. “I can’t get out wearing this.”

  Both Loa guarded the doors, not letting me out.

  Both of them also looked very happy at my struggle.

  “It’ll be fine. You will be fine,” Marinette said firmly.

  “She’s right,” Kriminel agreed, patting my shoulder.

  He’d still been with Aveline when Marinette and I had returned, and his female companion had all but been forced to drag him away from my cousin.

  “I don’t think she’s right.” I checked the mirror again, heart pounding when I saw my slightly clumsy eyeliner that was not of my freewill, and hair that had gone back to its blonde and faded out pink.

  I knew none of it was real, just a very convincing illusion that would quite literally burn away, but that didn’t make this any easier.

  “Have you looked at them?” I demanded, jabbing a finger towards a woman dressed in an armored dress that shimmered with magic. “They look amazing!”

  “And so will you. Remember that the flames won’t burn you. Do not flinch under any circumstances,” Marinette ordered. “Are they almost done?” She glanced at Kriminel.

  His eyes, ever ghostly, paled out even more. He looked around, searchingly, as if he saw more than the interior of this car.

  “Almost,” he said. “They just introduced her vampire.” Then the Loa blinked, and his eyes returned to normal.

  Did he mean Cian? I swallowed, wondering just what he said when he had been introduced to the council.

  What would he think-what would any of them think-when I showed up unexpectedly?

  “Why are your eyes blue?” I asked unthinkingly, my inner monologue becoming verbal. “All the others have red eyes. But you don’t.”

  “A very astute observation,” Baron Kriminel agreed. “Are you ready?”

  My heart tried to escape my chest. All thoughts of his eyes were forgotten. “No,” I said. “Uninvite me. One of you go.” I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t possibly embarrass myself like this, in front of all these people.

  “Remember what I said about fading into obscurity, George?” Marinette asked sweetly. I nodded fervently. “This is me, not letting you.” She grabbed my arm and levered me out of the car, into the empty parking lot.

  The two of them walked with me, looking like they were simply escorting me and not dragging me into the mansion. As soon as we were out of the car, they’d put on their public faces and no longer looked like the Loa they were.

  “Try to at least look confident,” Kriminel was saying, walking me past gardens and up to a well lit front porch. “We’ll trigger the enchantment ourselves, so don’t worry about that. They’ll love you.”

  “Or they’ll be impressed by you, at least,” Marinette agreed.

  We’d approached the large, double-doored entrance of the stone and marble estate. Did someone actually live here?

  The man and woman at the door looked me over, unimpressed.

  When I looked to Marinette for assistance, I found that both Loa had vanished. My stomach twisted in knots at the sudden feeling of being so alone.

  “Are you in the right place?” The woman ventured, very pointedly looking me over, from my badly-dyed hair to my plain dress.

  “I am,” I promised in a low voice, my heart thumping against my ribs. “I’m Georgette Levasseur.”

  Recognition dawned on the man’s face. “Marinette’s friend,” he commented quietly. “Go on in. Do you know what to do?”

  I shook my head from side to side.

  The woman sighed, the look on her face one of pity. “You should’ve found someone to help you with your outfit. I get that this is your first gala, but everyone in there is trying to make a point. You will, but not for a good reason.” She hesitated. “Are you sure you belong here?”

  “I got an invitation,” I said lightly.

  “Right.” The woman didn’t look convinced. “You’ll go in and walk up these stairs. Wait on the landing until the announcers tell you to go in. They’ll open the doors for you, and you’ll walk down the stairs, and give your name when asked.” She looked me over again. “Good luck.”

  I needed it.

  My hands w
ere clammy as I walked in and up the stairs, surprised to find a group of people on the carpeted landing.

  As soon as I hit the top step, the five of them or so were looking at me in derision.

  A girl around my age frowned, her eyes wide with pity.

  “I think you’re in the wrong place, darling,” a strikingly attractive man said with a chuckle. “Because this is not for you, dressed like that.”

  I frowned, but he was right. All five of them wore outfits that should’ve been impossible. One woman’s dress looked like it was made of living flowers, and as I watched they wilted and rebloomed. The others of the group didn’t look quite so impressive, but they all were dressed as if they’d walked out of some fairytale forest.

  Would Cian, Indra, and Akiva match? If so….what would they have chosen to wear?

  Another woman wore a dress that was cut very low, with bunches of living shadows draped about her like a cloak. She was accompanied by a man in a similar outfit, with a deep V showing off his tattooed and well-defined body.

  “All of us were young once, I believe,” A new voice drawled. “Or have you all lived so long that you’ve forgotten your first gala?”

  I looked around, blinking when I finally found the speaker.

  A handsome man smiled at me from a high-backed chair, and while his grin was easy, he looked like he belonged in the throne-like seat. An air of royalty hung about him, a sort of regality to his presence.

  And he reminded me inexplicably of Cian.

  They looked really nothing alike. This man had dark red eyes to Cian’s Scarlett, and chestnut brown hair. He was just as fair-skinned, I supposed, and of a similar build but that was all.

  Still…

  He looked resplendent in a suit with a trailing coat, with the sleeves rolled back to show forearms and the silver bracelets there. Red accents decorated the fabric of his coat, but when I looked closer, I realized something strange.

  It wasn’t fabric at all, but scales.

  “Dragon scales, love,” the man explained in a light, european accent as he rose to his feet. “My companions picked it out. They’re already inside.” He came towards me, crossing the luxurious but minimalistic landing and holding out a hand. “My name is Niall.”

  “I’m George,” I introduced, smiling in relief and shaking his hand. “And your outfit is amazing.”

  When I spoke, he stiffened slightly, his eyes going over me like he saw something more than what I wore.

  “That is a very complex and convincing enchantment,” he murmured, surprising me and shaking my hand lightly before letting go.

  “You can see it?” I asked warily, letting my hand fall.

  “Only a little.” He chuckled, glancing at the others who still glanced at me and whispered insults that I could absolutely hear. “You’re going to shock them out of their minds. Tell me, is the fire I can feel actually there?”

  “It is,” I confirmed.

  The announcer called two names, and part of the group of five left.

  I watched, letting a breath out from pursed lips.

  “You’re nervous,” Niall observed, shoving his hands in the pockets of his cloth pants. It seemed only the jacket itself was the almost metallic scale.

  “I am so nervous,” I agreed under my breath.

  “I was nervous the first time. Everyone here was, I promise. Next time you’ll be a pro.”

  “Next time?” I asked. “I’m not even through this time.”

  He laughed warmly. The other three were ushered through the small door. “Keep your chin up, George.” He winked when the usher gestured for him.

  Then it was just me.

  I wandered further onto the landing, looking at the marble statuettes and gilded furniture.

  However, I didn’t get much time to appreciate it.

  “Georgette Levasseur?” The man at the small white door called my name, looking at me appraisingly.

  I walked to him on stiff legs and nodded.

  “You’re going to walk through this door, then through the big doors,” he explained. “Walk down the stairs…normally this is where you would show off what you’re wearing, but…” he looked me over. “I guess it’s your first time.” He didn’t sound placating or condescending. He sounded sympathetic, and offered me a kind smile. I appreciated it.

  “Yeah. First time,” I agreed quietly, wanting to bounce like I was gearing up for a fight.

  Maybe I was.

  “The council will ask for your name. You’ll say it. Loudly, but don’t yell. You’ll greet them, they’ll greet you, and then you’ll mingle. Find someone to lean on, maybe? You look terrified.” His look was pitying, and it did nothing for my frazzled nerves.

  “Keep your head up. No matter what,” he said, ushering me through.

  That was easier said than done, I didn’t reply.

  The hallway on the other side of the door was short, and two doors at the end revealed a dazzlingly gold room that I couldn’t see much of.

  “Please don’t let me down,” I murmured, not sure if I was talking to myself or the Loa.

  The distance between me and ruin was closing quickly. Twenty feet. Then ten.

  Five.

  My steps slowed when I hit the two large white and gold doors that lay open in front of me.

  When I entered to stand at the top of the stairs, the talking died out, and all eyes turned up to look at me in my simple black dress.

  All of my friends were here somewhere. I had barely considered what they might think, and I had to fight not to run away screaming.

  It was hard to take in details of the large ballroom that sat at the bottom of the marble stairs–

  Oh Goddess, what if I tripped.

  I could not trip. If I did, I would clearly never be able to show my face anywhere. I’d have to change my name, and–

  And I was spacing out. I was wasting time.

  Three people stood at the foot of the stairs, a good ten feet back. I couldn’t focus on them right now, nor the opulence of the white and gold room, but I had to walk.

  None of the faces I saw looked particularly wowed or friendly and–

  And there was Merric. Looking at me in absolute confusion and slight disbelief. A frown tugged at his lips that I couldn’t read.

  At least there was one semi-friendly face here.

  It’s time to walk, George, I yelled at myself internally, making myself take the first step.

  My hands shook, but I forced myself not to clench them.

  Don’t look down. Don’t look down. I was so going to look down.

  Whispers met my ears, along with muffled giggles and snickering.

  “Who are you?” Called one of the women of the council, an amused edge to her voice. The three of them stood back from the foot of the stairs, in a cleared space of the ballroom.

  I lifted my chin, suddenly feeling the magic tingling over my skin.

  I could-would-do this.

  Don’t fade into obscurity, George.

  “My name is Georgette Levasseur,” I said, just as flames bloomed at my hands.

  The murmuring got louder and the warm flames ran up my arms.

  “Descendant of Delphine Levasseur.” My great-great-grandmother had been important, and Kriminel had told me it might be pertinent to mention her.

  The flames licked at my skin, curling the edges of plain dress before catching the fabric on fire that glowed blue-white. More flames climbed my throat, catching fire to my hair and turning it into a halo of flame.

  My hands no longer shook. The faces of those nearest me had fallen from amusement to amazement, and it gave me confidence to keep walking.

  My heels sent up sparks when I stepped to the floor, just as the flames burnt up and my dress became the lace brocade, high-low masterpiece that it truly was. My hair fell in waves around my shoulders, the silver of starlight. Flames pulsed over my dress once more, going down my arms and alighting at my fingertips before fizzling out.

  I stood in
front of the North American Council of the Supernatural, my head high and my gaze direct.

  “And I am the last of the Levasseaur summoners.”

  Chapter 15

  The woman who stood a bit forward of her companions watched me with a gaze I couldn’t read. I took that moment to study her, noting that her eyes seemed just as black as her hair. Her dress was a white gown that plunged in a daring V, then fell in waves to the floor. The gold accents shimmered, changing color as I watched, and the fabric too shifted its hue under my eyes.

  “I don’t believe we’ve had someone make such an entrance in a few years, have we?” The woman glanced between her companions, a woman with red hair and a thin face, and a man with eyes the color of dried blood and mouse brown hair.

  “Welcome, Georgette Levasseur.” She held a hand out to me, and I approached, my heart hammering in my chest. I inclined my head, holding my hand out and taking hers as I did.

  The Loa had gone over this until I had it drilled into my head. I couldn’t fuck it up. Well, being me I supposed there was a solid chance of doing just that. But I was going to try my damndest not to.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” I murmured. “I’m honored to be noticed by the council.”

  The black haired woman chuckled. “Don’t tease,” she replied, just as quietly. “When one has such claims to power as you, we were remiss in not sending you an invitation.”

  I straightened, dropping her hand as she went on. “Please enjoy yourself, Georgette. I hope you’ll have some time later for you and I to talk. Those of the summoning craft must stick together, don’t you agree?”

  A chill went down my spine. I’d gone from knowing absolutely zero summoners to suddenly knowing two. And both of them struck me as intimidating.

  “Of course,” I said, nodding again.

  Her smile was barely there. She clapped her hands together, and as if on cue, a lone violinist began to play, soon to be accompanied by the others in his quartet.

  Murmurs picked up in the hall, and as the council swept away from me, most of the attention from the crowd went with them.