Voodoo Priest (Blaire Thorne Book 2)

by N Gray

  “You can see my aura?”

  He nodded. “Yes, Blaire, I can. And before you ask, I am that powerful.”

  I closed my mouth.

  “Have the nightmares stopped?”

  The frown on my face must have shown my confusion. “How did you know I was having nightmares?” I asked. It was a peculiar question, especially since he and I didn’t converse, and I hadn’t mentioned to Sebastian that I kept having them.

  “You are metaphysically tied to my son, Blaire. I needed to know if you were all right. If anything happened to you, it could affect Sebastian.”

  The tension in my back and shoulders eased a little, and I tried to relax without dropping my shields. “I’m fine,” I said, hugging my body.

  “Good. Has he been treating you well?”

  I opened my mouth and closed it again. My frown was back.

  He laughed. It was deep and throaty. “You don’t trust easily, do you?”

  “No, I don’t. Sorry, it’s just I don’t know you. You might be Sebastian’s father, but I still don’t understand why you’re here talking with me.”

  The bedroom door opened, and Sebastian came through. “Father, what are you doing here?”

  “Having a little chat with Blaire.” He winked at me.

  “And what was the topic of your little chat?” Sebastian drew closer to me.

  “So suspicious, Sebastian.”

  “When it comes to you, Father, always.”

  The same deep, throaty laugh echoed off the walls. Salvador bowed. “Her light brought me here, son. Like an insect to a candle.”

  “You must forgive him, Blaire. My father has always been this way.”

  Salvador placed a hand on each of our shoulders and squeezed. “I only wanted the chance to hear how she was doing.”

  “As you can see, she’s fine.”

  “Indeed.” He squeezed my shoulder again. “Right, I’ll leave you to it.” Salvador turned and exited.

  “Are you okay? Did he do anything to you?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “He was just asking questions.”

  He pulled me into the circle of his arms, and I held him tightly around his waist, my face against his chest.

  “I need to leave again. Léon has asked that I return, but I shouldn’t be too long. Why don’t you sleep, and I’ll see you a little later?”

  “Okay.” I stared up at him and gave him a sleepy smile. “When you hold me like that, you make me so tired,” I said, yawning.

  He kissed the top of my head, cupped my face, and kissed me chastely. “I’ll be back soon.”

  He let go of me, and as I walked to the bed, he smacked my ass lightly. I gave a playful yelping sound and climbed onto the bed. When I set my head on the pillow, I fell asleep immediately.

  Chapter 16

  SEBASTIAN DROVE WHILE I RODE SHOTGUN, with Sawyer and Rory in the back. Despite Sebastian being a were-leopard, the Wolf King, Shawn, had agreed for him to join us for our little meet-and-greet.

  As he drove, Sebastian informed me that Miles, one of the were-wolves who had attacked me, would be there, too. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. I hadn’t seen Miles since Roland’s capture, where it had been revealed that Miles had been in league with the rogue vampire. He had hired me to take out the Master Vampire, but at the pivotal moment, as I had been preparing to assassinate Léon, Miles had realized that Léon was the lesser of the two evils and that Roland would never accept him as his second-in-command. He had attacked me in order to stop me from fulfilling the contract.

  He had been punished for his role in my assault—for what Roland had asked him to do—but as a result of his actions, I had been left close to death and infected with three strains of lycanthropy.

  Did I want to be any of them?

  Nope.

  We arrived at the Wolf Pack and found a parking spot not too far away from the building. A throng of people flowed in that direction, like a dark wave reaching shore. We joined the wave and headed toward the entrance. The Wolf Pack congregated near to the forest, just like the other were-animal groups. This was done on purpose; each were-animal group had easy access to the forest so that they could hunt during the full moon. By being part of the Were-Animal Alliance, each animal group agreed to hunt in certain areas, and not hunt in each other’s territories. It was a gentleman’s agreement that everyone adhered to.

  “Is it always so packed?” I asked no one in particular.

  “Always,” Sawyer replied. “Plus, everyone wants to meet you.”

  I glanced at Sawyer with raised eyebrows. “Why?”

  “Well”—he shrugged—“we lashed Miles in front of the whole pack for what he did to you, so everyone knows who you are. You’re something of a myth at the moment—the human who hasn’t shifted. So, naturally, they want to meet you.”

  A knot formed in the pit of my stomach, and I flinched as someone touched my back; it was Mel, the resident doctor and were-wolf. She had an uncanny ability to calm me down, much like Sebastian.

  I’d been avoiding her the last two months, much like I had done with Sebastian—much like I had done with everything else that had happened to me. I had been afraid that if I saw her, she might tell Sebastian how I was really doing. I’d also avoided her when she had helped the leopards a few days ago.

  Mel had chocolate brown eyes and a beautiful smile. She was in her mid-forties but didn’t look it: apart from her platinum bob hair, everything else about her seemed younger. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and gave me a sideways hug.

  “I’ve missed you, Blaire. Every time we made plans, you canceled on me. And I really needed to speak to you about your blood, but I understand Sebastian has informed you already.”

  A sigh escaped my lips. “I’m sorry I kept canceling. And yeah, I know about my blood.” I didn’t know what else to say without sounding lame or lying, and I couldn’t lie; were-animals could smell a lie much like vampires could.

  “It’s okay.” She squeezed my shoulder and whispered, “If you’d kept the appointments, I wouldn’t have said anything to anybody. I’m here to help you, to try to answer any questions you may have about your situation. Just remember that.”

  “Thanks, Mel.” I hugged her back. When I looked ahead, the three men were already at the entrance to the building.

  “We still need to talk about them.” She lifted her chin up in their direction. She meant Sebastian and Léon.

  “We will.” I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I wasn’t sure how that conversation would go, but I would listen to her.

  We followed the men through the hallway of the clubhouse until we were outside again. There was a man sitting in a chair on top of a large step, which had to be Shawn, the Wolf King. There were at least a hundred were-wolves sitting or standing before him. The talking died down as we started walking through the crowd. My hands started sweating and my clothing clung to my body, even though it was cool outside.

  Shawn rose from his chair and held his hand out. From where I stood, Shawn seemed tall, but he was only around six foot. It was his build that made him seem larger, though; it was pure muscle. His dark hair shone black in the sunlight and framed his blue eyes and round jaw. Few people had pure black hair—it was usually dyed—but Shawn’s hair was naturally black. It was cut short but still outlined his face, somehow making his sky-blue eyes seem brighter.

  “Blaire. Welcome!”

  Sawyer and Rory stopped by the step and stood to the side to allow me through, like a gauntlet. Mel squeezed my elbow, let go, and stood next to Rory. Sebastian went up the stairs and shook the man’s hand.

  “Blaire, this is Shawn, the Wolf King.”

  My hand reached his, and the moment I felt his skin, a jolt of power shot through my hand. I would have collapsed if Shawn hadn’t reached for my elbow and Sebastian hadn’t grabbed my other hand. For a moment, I was held up by them.

  “I’m sorry,” Shawn said.

  When I was standing on my own, both m
en let go of my arms.

  “I’m sorry, I usually shield better than this. Plus, I’m used to humans not being able to feel it at all.”

  “It’s all right,” I said, rubbing my palms on my jeans. The power he had pushed into me was still lingering, and I shuddered as it dripped slowly down my spine like an ice cube.

  The sun was instantly gone. When I looked up, there was a large, dark man hovering over me. “Are you all right?” he asked. He was holding a chair in one hand.

  “Yeah, I’m good.”

  “Thanks, Djimon,” Shawn said, then sat down.

  Djimon was big and wide, not fat but strong—he was all dark muscle on that large frame. He had a tattoo on the right side of his face, but you could hardly see it against his dark skin. He set a chair down beside Shawn’s throne and stood behind his king.

  “I’m here if you need me,” Sebastian said, and he stepped down onto the grass.

  I looked from Sebastian to Shawn. “You want me to sit next to you?”

  “Yes.” Shawn tapped the arm of the chair beside him. “I want to introduce you to everyone.”

  I realized I was holding my breath and exhaled slowly. I climbed up the step and sat down next to the Wolf King. All eyes were on him and I.

  “Welcome, everyone. I’m glad to see so many of you could make it at such short notice. As everyone is well aware, this is Blaire, the woman Miles attacked two months ago.” As Shawn said Miles’s name, I saw him standing to one side of the crowd. He was pale for a were-wolf and thinner than the last time I’d seen him. Had his punishment been that bad? “Because she holds our lycanthrope strain and could turn at the next full moon in two days’ time, she is here to meet us, to see what we do and how we do it. Please make her feel welcome—and no attacking.” Only a few snickered at the joke.

  The rest of the introduction was pleasant and cordial. There were a few questions from the others about whether I would join their pack even though I hadn’t changed yet. I didn’t know and left it at that. I answered the questions I could, even though I didn’t fully know the answers.

  Someone asked why Sebastian was there. He was a were-leopard at a were-wolf meeting. Shawn answered that they were friends and that they both belonged to the Were-Animal Alliance, which was one way they shared information. It was a good way to keep out those who wanted to infiltrate one of the were-animal groups and for everyone to keep Sterling Meadow safe.

  There was a woman near the front who was scowling at me. She had hate written all over her face. She leered at me when she asked Shawn, “Is she trying out to be your mate?”

  My mouth gaped open. The look of shock on my face must have been enough because her face softened, and her cheeks glowed; she wouldn’t meet Shawn’s eyes.

  He threw his head back and laughed. “No, Michelle,” he said. “She is only a guest for today.”

  “What did she mean by that?” I said under my breath. I could feel my frown lines deepen when I glanced at Shawn.

  “I’ve been their Wolf King for over two years, and it’s time that I settle down and have a family of my own. So, at the moment, I’m looking for a mate.”

  “Do women have to try out? What exactly are you making them do?”

  Shawn laughed again; it was deep and throaty, with an edge of a growl to it. “Humans call it dating, Blaire. And I don’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to do. It’s dating—only quicker. Speed dating, if you like.”

  “How many speed dates have you been on?”

  “I only started this week, so two or three per night.”

  “Are you only looking for were-wolves?”

  “Yes, only were-wolves. Why, are you looking to try out?” he teased.

  Heat crept up my neck, and I fought not to touch my cheeks. “No, I don’t think I qualify. Plus, I’m already taken.” My eyes flicked in Sebastian’s direction.

  “I heard. You can’t go wrong with him. He’s a good guy.” He grinned at me.

  Shawn continued with pack business for another hour before everybody started to leave. They would reconvene in a couple of days to hunt during the full moon.

  I’d learned that Shawn had fought the previous king two years ago and won. As with most wolf packs, to fight for this title was to fight to the death. Nobody had challenged Shawn in the two years since he had become king, not out of fear but because he was a good king. I could tell by the way in which he interacted with the pack. He answered their questions like he had all the time in the day for them. Putting people at ease came second nature to him.

  When it was just our little group left by the steps, Shawn rose and went down to Sebastian, grabbing him by the shoulder in that sideways hug that men do, and they walked a distance away from us. I stood near Sawyer and Rory while Djimon remained like a tall, dark building behind us, his eyes scanning the trees behind us as he watched over his king.

  Sebastian and Shawn walked back in our direction, their private conversation over, and the three of us walked to meet them.

  “Do you want to take a walk through the forest?” Sebastian asked, pointing to the trees behind him. “Shawn was telling me he thinks there might be real leopards on this side of the forest, and I’d like to check them out.”

  I glanced at the two guards, then at Shawn. “Sure. If we’re allowed?”

  “Absolutely, we’ll be coming with you.” Shawn motioned for Djimon to follow.

  We all headed for the path that started at the edge of the forest. At first, the path was neat, then it branched off in different directions. We followed Shawn, with Djimon bringing up the rear.

  The further we went into the forest, the more shadows played along the trees and ground. With the icy air of the night surrounding us, there was a smell of wet sand, leaves, and shrubs everywhere, and it reminded me of something.

  A tightness formed in my gut.

  We walked deeper into the darkness, the sounds of broken branches creaking underfoot, our feet shuffling through leaves on the uneven ground. As I pushed a hanging moss out of the way, a spider’s web came back on my hand and I had to shake it off and wipe it down on the rough bark of a tree. Luckily, there was no spider.

  A light fog started moving in through the trees and headed toward us. It reminded me of all those horror movies I’d seen, but I was grateful knowing that the werewolves in this area were the good guys.

  There were hooting sounds coming in on my right. Wings flapped to my left, as something large flew over us.

  My chest started to tighten as I felt a gaze so heavy that I feared I would sink into the soft, wet earth below me.

  When I turned around, Djimon didn’t look away. He kept the full weight of his stare on me. Rory and Sawyer turned around to look at the man.

  “Djimon, what’s up, dude?” Sawyer said lightheartedly.

  Djimon ignored Sawyer, even when he slowed down to walk alongside him. Djimon kept his eyes locked on me. It wasn’t until that second that I began to feel unsafe. There goes the thought of the werewolves being the good guys.

  I touched Sebastian’s back. He turned around to look at me, and he followed my gaze to focus on Djimon.

  “Shawn?” Sebastian tapped Shawn’s shoulder.

  “Yeah?” Shawn turned to look at us. Sebastian lifted his chin toward Djimon, and Shawn’s eyes settled on his sentry.

  “Djimon?” Shawn asked. “Why are you looking at Blaire like that, big fella?”

  Shawn walked past Sebastian and I and stood in front of Djimon.

  The dark shadows played over Djimon’s face, and his threatening eyes stared past Shawn at me. Shawn touched the big man’s arm.

  “She’s white,” Djimon finally said, lowering his eyes. “She white witch.”

  Sebastian took my hand in his, a warm contrast to my freezing fingers. I let go of his hand to stand closer to him, my back against his chest.

  “No, Djimon, she isn’t a witch.”

  “White witch, Shawn. Look her.” He pointed at me with both hands as he outl
ined my body from head to toe.

  Shit. I thought of a metal wall and shielded as best as I could.

  Shawn turned to look at me and shrugged. “What do you mean, Djimon?”

  “White gone,” Djimon said.

  How could he see my aura? He was a shapeshifter. I thought only witches, voodoo priests, clairvoyants, warlocks, and Salvador could see it.

  “Djimon, lift your hands,” I said, walking toward the big man.

  “No, Blaire,” Sebastian said, and he tried to hold me back.

  “It’s all right, Sebastian.” I gave him one of my most reassuring smiles.

  Djimon lifted his arms and pulled up his sleeves.

  “Shit.” I whispered under my breath. “Can I take this off?” I asked.

  He nodded. I hesitated at first, then, with my index fingers and thumbs, I reached for the armband.

  When I touched the armband, Djimon jumped high in the air. In those few seconds, time stood still. Sebastian pushed me out of the way as Djimon came crashing down. He would have landed on top of Sebastian and Shawn if they were human, but they weren’t, and they were quick enough to see what he was doing and get out of the way. When Sebastian pushed me, it was so hard that I flew into a nearby tree, the trunk connecting with my right shoulder.

  I struggled to my feet. When I looked up, Djimon was getting closer. Sebastian crashed into him with the entire weight of his body behind his shoulder, but it was too late: Djimon was too close to me. They both collided with me, and I slammed into the tree once again.

  Darkness surrounded me.

  When I came to, I couldn’t hear the shouting, but I saw their mouths move. Rory and Sawyer were yelling. Shawn was trying to grab Djimon, to pull him off and away, but the big man was tough. Djimon was fighting Sebastian and pushing Shawn away at the same time. I understood why he was Shawn’s bodyguard; he was a tough fucker. Something trickled down my head and neck. I felt what it was. I put my hand on the wound and found that it was the size of a large coin. Shit. Every time I tried to sit up, I fell over, and then I realized my right arm wasn’t functioning properly after I had hit my shoulder on the tree.

  Sebastian got Djimon off my legs, and they fought a few steps away from me. Rory and Sawyer were beside me, talking to me, but I couldn’t hear them. I shook my head and pointed to my ear with my left hand. They both nodded, spoke to each other, and nodded again. Sawyer bent down and scooped me in his arms. The moment my shoulder touched his chest, I cried out in pain.