He was aa vampire! she said. She blinked in disbelief at her own words.
Yes.
You killed him! she gasped. Buthe was real. She shook her head. Thatsimpossible.
Im afraid not.
She swayed, still reeling, shaking as if she were suffering from a severe chill.
Hehe really was a vampire?
Mark could hear sirens approaching. Someone must have heard her scream. Yes, he was. But not the one I was looking for, he added silently.
I dontI cantbelieve this, she said.
We need to get out of here. The police are coming.
Shouldnt we stay and reportumthis?
He arched a brow at her. Youre going to report what happened here? he asked.
She stared at him, still shaking. Yes, butno, it isnt real, cant be real, but
It is real. He was trying very hard to be patient, but time was running out. He sighed. They wont believe you, though. We have to get out of here.
Her jaw worked hard as she tried to form words. At last, still shivering, she said, Get me over the wall, please?
Of course. Head that way.
He could move like the wind himselfcollege footballbut she was still so stunned that he felt as if he was dragging dead weight. He had to urge her to help herself as he pushed her up the wall, then jumped to safety behind her and brought her back down on the sidewalk.
Back on solid pavement, she stared at him, shaking her head. He was really a vampire?
Yes.
No, she argued, then, Yes, she said.
She was going to need some major therapy, he thought.
Youyou saved my life. IIoh, God, I owe youyou
You and I both have to get out of here. Theyll think were junkies or thieves or something, he said flatly.
Yes, butI need toto thank you somehow. Her eyes were wide, frightened; she wasnt being sexual, just grateful and unsure what to do about it.
She straightened her spine, still unable to believe what had happened, but trying for proper dignity.
My life. You saved my life. I owe you something.
The patrol cars were nearly at the gates.
You want to do something for me? he demanded Be careful. Dont go off into cemeteries with assholes you meet in a bar, okay? He grabbed her hand. Lets go.
He ran, pulling her along after him, and stayed with her down Canal Street and all the way to Harrahs.
I dont even know your name, she told him.
And you shouldnt, he said gently. Go in there. Call a friend. Go home.
He turned and left her, suddenly exhausted, and more disappointed than he cared to admit.
Hed thought hed been chasingsomeone. But he hadnt been. It was that simple.
He swore softly.
Damn, but there were a hell of a lot of foul beasts preying upon the world.
It occurred to him as he walked wearily back to his hotel that man himself could be considered one of themeven before the taint of pure evil touched upon him.
He stopped and looked at the roiling sky. Hed killed a murdering bloodsucker tonight. And it was all just beginning.
Im coming to get you. Youre going to be mine, in a world of blood and death and darkness, Deanna Marin whispered darkly.
Oh, for the love of God, cut it out, Lauren Crow pleaded.
Seriously. Perhaps well open a door to another world, and demons will spring out and bring darkness and evil into this world, Heidi Weiss said, laughing, unable to maintain a low, threatening tone with the same success Deanna had managed.
Both Deanna and Heidi were staring across the outdoor table at Lauren with ridiculous grins on their faces. Of course, they were both holding drinks obtained from one of the bars here in Jackson Square, though she couldnt remember which one. Deannas glass was in the shape of some kind of nuclear material container and Heidis looked like a naked man, buns, pecs and all. Perhaps due to a combination of alcohol and the atmosphere of New Orleans itself, they were suddenly eager to visit one of the numerous fortune-tellers who worked the area around Jackson Square with their tarot cards and crystal balls at the ready.
Lauren was delighted to be thereNew Orleans was one of her favorite places in the world. Few locations offered such an artistic setting, with not just the visual stimuli but the with the history of the area and liveliness of people filling the very air as New Orleans did.
Tonight, however
Maybe it was due to the one Cosmo shed imbibed, but instead of feeling light and giddy, she felt as if a strange sense of dread and darkness had settled over her.
Lauren, what on earth is the matter with you? Heidi demanded. Its just for fun.
Lauren just didnt like the idea. She didnt know whyshe wasnt particularly superstitiousbut she had never wanted to have her cards read, let someone see her future in her palm, or receive any other kind of astral or otherworldly advice. Time, in her opinion, brought enough hardship without having to worry ahead of time about the bad things that could happen.
But she hated to be a wet blanket when they were here in New Orleans for a much anticipated pre-bridal shower for Heidi. Since they worked together at the artistic concepts company they had created after college, it had taken a lot of planning to get all their projects completed so they were free to take off together.
It was Heidis party, and Lauren had promised herself that she was going to make sure everything went exactly the way Heidi wanted it to. But this desire to play with the occult was somerthing new, and it was making her very uncomfortable.
You said you would do anything at all this weekend to make me happy. Remember, youre my bridesmaid, so youre supposed to be my slave, Heidi teased.
Why are you so bugged about it? Deanna asked.
Lauren didnt know why, and she knew it was silly, but she really didnt want to look into the future.
You can pick whoever we go to. Hows that? Heidi asked.
Guys, I just think
You need to do this just so you wont be frightened of a few dramatic effects and some spooky patter, Deanna said.
Im not afraid, Lauren protested quickly, but even as she spoke, she realized that in fact that was exactly it. She was afraid.
Really, think about it, Deanna said, Most of the psychics here are just college kids, trying to make a few bucks. Think of all the times we came here to draw, and how badly we needed the money people paid us for our sketches.
I think youre forgetting the important point here. I told you. Youre supposed to be my slave, remember? Heidi said.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Lauren muttered. All right. In that case, I think we should see some kind of voodoo queen. This is New Orleans, after all.
And do you know an authentic voodoo queen? Heidi asked, grinning.
Lauren had to smile; she couldnt help finding a certain amusement in the question. Heidi Weiss had powder blue eyes, platinum hair and a smile a mile wild, the kind that coerced you into a good humor whether you wanted to feel cheerful or not. That grin was a little lopsided now, but just a little. They hadnt been drinking to the point of saturation, only enough not to feel any pain.
We can walk around, look them all over, she suggested.
Lookswise, Deanna was the opposite of Heidi, with almond dark eyes, sleek, almost blue-black hair, and now she decided to take charge. Ive got it. Well walk around the entire Square to start. And then, if we dont see someone Lauren likes, well walk the entire French Quarter.
Lauren wondered if Deanna really had that much energy, or if she thought Lauren would decide more quickly if the alternative involved endless walking, since she was alreadyand obviouslyexhausted They had arrived that morning on the red-eye from Los Angeles, and they hadnt stopped since. Lauren always felt very much at home in New Orleans, since she came from Baton Rouge, but Deanna had grown up in NewYork, and Heidi was from Boston. They had come often after becoming friends in college, but neither Heidi nor Deanna knew the little quirks and twists and turns of the place the way she did. Theyd hit the casino early; then shed been assigned to lead them to every little shop in the French Quarter, every place that wasnt part of a chain. Now she was tired and just wanted to get this over with.
There, she said, pointing completely at random.
The woman she had chosen was sitting at a small portable table, facing the Cathedral. She appeared to be older than they were, but beyond that, her age was indeterminate. Her hair was tied back with a scarf, and she wore a white peasant shirt and skirt. Her face was stunning, with strong features and skin a beautiful shade of gold that spoke of a multi-ethnic heritage. She was speaking earnestly to a man in the chair across from her, pointing to the tarot cards she was laying out before her as she spoke. She might have been at a Renaissance fair, rather than the French Quarter of New Orleans. Behind her was a small red tent that would have looked at home on a medieval battlefield. There was a table just inside it, covered with a cloth that depicted the moon and the stars. On the table was a crystal ball.
She already has a customer, Deanna noted.
Im sure he wont take that long, Lauren said with a shrug. She wasnt sure why she had pointed to the woman, but now that she had, she was suddenly determined. Suddenly she realized that she did know whyshe would have liked to draw the woman. Her face was so arresting.
We could go to Madame Zorba right there, Heidi teased, inclining her head toward a younger woman just a few feet away.
Lauren grinned. Madame Zorba was definitely a college student. I like the woman over there, Lauren insisted.
Theres a good-looking gypsy guy up the street, Heidi said.
Youre engaged, Deanna teased her.
Yeah, but you and Lauren could use a guy, Heidi said.
Wow. Thanks, Deanna said.
Just what I need, a gypsy, Lauren said. She didnt let her smile falter. Heidi, damn it, you know Im not looking to meet a guy.
You dont have to fall in love, pack him up and take him home with you, Heidi told her. Then she added softly, But you could date. Were talking well over a year here.
Thanks for the advice, Mom, Lauren murmured. She paused, shivering suddenly, looking up. The night sky seemed to have clouded over; it had suddenly become cooler. There was a moon trying to come out, she thought, but it was shadowed by the clouds. She frowned. It was strange. There was a red glow where the moon should have been. We may get rain tomorrow, she said.
Its supposed to be clear all weekend, Deanna said.
Lauren shrugged. Look at the sky.
Um, wellcould be smog, Deanna said.
Hey, were not in L.A., Heidi said with a laugh.
Whatis it just called pollution when youre not in L.A.? Deanna asked.
Its just an angry red sky, Lauren murmured.
Heidi groaned. Oh, Lord, we havent even gotten to the fortune teller yet, and shes talking about poetic doom.
Its just strange, Lauren said.
Is there anything weird in the wind? Heidi teased.
As a matter of fact, its gotten a bit cooler, Lauren said.
Thank God, Deanna breathed.
You know, we could just go have another drink, Lauren suggested.
Heidi giggled. The guy is gone. Lets go.
Lauren let out a sigh of impatience. Just remember, you two wanted to do this. Ill do whatever you want, but I want it on record that Im against such silliness.
This trip is all about silliness, Heidi reminded her. Im going to get married. No more wild weekendss with the girls. No more adventurous vacations. I mean, Barry is great, and hed never care if I wanted a few days away with you guys, butwell, you know. And I guarantee you hes going to have one of those wild bachelor parties with strippers, and his idiot brother is going to make sure he has a lap dance
Ill be happy to get you a lap dance, Lauren said.
Heidi laughled. I dont want a lap dance. Now humor me, slave, she told Lauren.
Im all humor, Lauren muttered. Lets go.
As they approached the woman, Lauren decided that she must look as on edge as she felt. Either that or she had talked herself into some kind of ridiculous paranoia, because it seemed as if the woman frowned when she saw them, as if she looked worried. Still, Lauren couldnt help noticing the strength of her features, and she wondered if she dared ask to do a sketch of her at some point.
There was no nameplate, nothing like Madame X or Madame Zenia or any other cliché, on her table. She rose, stretching out an elegant arm and offering a slender hand with elegantly polished nails. Hello, she said simply.
Hi, Heidi said cheerfully.
The woman stared at Heidi gravely. You seek the future?
Absolutely, Heidi said, introducing herself. Im Heidi Weiss, and Im about to be married. Id love some advice.
The woman nodded, but her expression said that she read in Heidis polite words the simple fact that she didnt really believe in what she was doing. It was all for fun.
Im Deanna Marin, Deanna said, stepping forward. And this is Lauren Crow.
The woman arched a brow slightly, studying Lauren. Crow?
Ive been told that my great-grandfather was Cherokee, Lauren said, taking the womans hand. There was strength in her grip. It offered a strange assurance.
I, too, have Cherokee blood. We have the same green eyes.
So we do, Lauren agreed, though she wasnt sure green eyes came from the Cherokee part of her background.
Youre tallfive-ten?
Around there. Another grandfather was from the Orkney Islands. A big tall guy, so I was told. Some Norse, some Scots.
Ah, and thus you are redheaded.
I like to think auburn.
The woman smiled. Lauren had to admit, she liked her, but more than ever, she didnt want a reading, didnt want to know what the future supposedly held. She wanted to ask the woman to have a drink with them, instead.
I like to think I am not turning gray. Im Susan, the woman said.
Heidi started to giggle. Im so sorry, she apologized quickly. Its just sonormal.
Susan offered a slight smile in return. Life is normal, the cycle of life is normal, the air we breathe is normal. So many things are normal, including much that we dont understand yet.