Their blood turned sluggish, their skin gray, their internal organs eventually to granite. It was an agonizing end.
Merde, he said softly.
Damian raced back to where hed bought the crayfish, searching for the vendor. The man had vanished. Hot anger spilled through him. Hed been tricked. The seller must have been a Morph.
Jamie dying. And Morphs openly roaming the city? What the hell was going on?
Were they everywhere, cloaked as humans? Bad news. Even his powerful Draicon senses couldnt detect them like that.
He lifted his nose and inhaled, trying to track the vendors scent, when a teasing smell drifted toward him, floating on the wind. Honeysuckle and warm female skin. Jamie.
Instinct kicked into high gear. He had to find her. In weeks, shed be dead. No, worse. Frozen into stone, a living hell.
Whirling, he dragged air into his lungs. Stronger now, there, coming from the south? He shouldered aside a tour group enjoying the banjo players music.
The lost Book of Magick had a cure. Containing white and dark magick, the ten-thousand-year-old text held ancient secrets. Damians father had hidden it from the Morphs. Every seventy years one spell must be used to keep the magick active.
If Damian didnt find the book in the next three weeks, the spells would vanish forever.
If he didnt find the book soon, Jamie would suffer an excruciating end.
I promise I will save you, my beloved draicara, even to my last dying breath.
Wolf senses on alert, he followed Jamies scent.
How much could someone lose? Jamie Walsh wondered. Plenty.
So many had died before. Her parents. Her brother. Now, her magick.
She felt numb. Dead inside. Gray, her flame extinguished. Her world. Gone.
Jamie leaned against a broken lamppost to catch her breath. A bone-numbing wind penetrated through her thin Textually Active T-shirt. The walk to the grocery store had never tired her. She set down the plastic bag, rubbed her hands against her faded jeans. Lead weights dragged at her feet. No one to lean on. No one to help. She was alone.
A knot squeezed her stomach. Alone was good. She could survive the odds better on her own. She didnt need anyone.
A familiar scent teased her senses. Fresh lake water and warm, sensual spices. The enemy. Damian.
Adrenaline pumped energy into her tired body. Jamies gaze whipped around. But only tourists wended their way down the street in the bright, sharp afternoon. Wary of exposure, she turned toward home.
Her brother Marks original French Quarter house near Jackson Square looked innocuous from the outside with its forest-green walls. Jamie unlocked the gate, slipped inside and bolted it. She hurried through the dark corridor, reaching the inner courtyard with a relieved sigh. Dumping the groceries on a wrought-iron table, she sank onto a chair.
Centuries-old walls surrounded her, a safe exposed-brick cocoon. Little could penetrate her refuge, except perhaps Damian. A cold chill snaked down her spine. Draicon were ruthless. What would Damian do if he caught her? Would he exact punishment?
You did try to kill him.
What did he want?
The answer came back in a rush of remembering. Sex. It came back to sex, and mating.
Arousal rasped against fear as she thought of Damian, his large body heavy with muscle. Hed taken her virginity, now he wanted her as his mate. He would hunt her down and never stop until he caught her. Brought her to his bed, pushed his hard, heavy body against her, nudged his hips between her bare thighs and claimed her once more in the most primitive way.
The space between her legs felt tender, wet and ready.
Her brain pushed aside desire and concentrated on self-preservation.
Right now she was a fortress with broken defenses, open to storming by Damian. Damian, who wanted her body, would claim her spirit, as well, drag her back to his dangerous pack of vicious werewolves as his mate. She had no weapon but her wits. A plastic sword against an invading army of sharp, lethal steel.
After trudging upstairs and putting away the groceries, she went to a battered desk cluttered with cables, software, parts and cell phones. Jamie retrieved a new laptop and an aircard and stuffed it into her backpack. She headed for the Petite Maison Voodoo Shop. Mama Renee knew about the secret underworld of magick beings like the Draicon, just like Mark had.
A small brass bell tinkled over the door as Jamie entered. An altar devoted to Marie Laveau sat off to the side, candles burning steadily to honor the long-dead voodoo priestess. Jamie advanced to the back and rapped on the closed door.
Mama Renee opened the door. Chère, she cried, throwing her arms about Jamie. Jamie hugged her back.
I brought you a gift. I bought a wireless PC card and put you on my cellular service so you can e-mail your granddaughter. Its time you joined the information age. Youre two decades behind.
The old joke brought a smile even as Renee shuddered at the laptop and the slim card Jamie thrust at her. The woman set them down as gingerly as handling a spider and ushered her into the kitchen where she plied Jamie with homemade herbal tea. A large black cat wound around her legs. Giving the silky fur a reassuring stroke, Jamie smiled as Archimedes purred.
Hes looking fat and healthy now, she observed, a little sad as she remembered how she and Mark had found him, skin and bones, living on the porch of a house wrecked by Hurricane Katrina.
The womans gaze sharpened. You and your brother worked hard to rescue stranded animals and find them good homes. If not for you, theyd have died. He was a remarkable person, loving and with a good heart, as you are. The world suffered a great loss when he died.
Desperate, aching loneliness filled her. Mark rescued her from a hellish childhood. He was all she had. And you killed him, Damian. You murdered my brother.
A lump clogged her throat. Her own heart wasnt good, but pitch-black. What kind of woman tried to kill her lover?
Renee searched her face. Somethings happened. I see the darkness in your beautiful eyes. But there is still light there, struggling to free itself.
Stricken, Jamie explained everything. She clutched Renees hand. Do you have anything, a potion, a gris-gris, that can remove Damians binding spell?"
Renee gently turned Jamies palm over and studied it. A frown dented her brow as her gaze widened. She shook her head. Honey, there is no magick to counteract it. You need the source. Its more powerful magick than I can summon.
I have to get my magick back. I must.
She didnt mean to sound hysterical. Jamie reached for the cracked sugar bowl. She dumped several teaspoons into the china cup and drank.
Jamie, how many times have I warned you to avoid magick? Its dangerous, and not for you, chère. Look at what dark magick did to you.
But it was the only magick I had. Now its gone. Jamie set down her cup, hugging herself. I feel so lost and alone. Like Ive been trying to find myself, and when I had that power, I finally felt comfortable in my own skin, even though I detested how Id gained it. Every time I felt guilty, Id use my powers and remind myself of the benefit. I didnt have to rely on anyone. I had magick.
Misery seeped through her. I dont know who I am anymore. I just want to find my way again. I dont fit in with anyone.
Misery seeped through her. I dont know who I am anymore. I just want to find my way again. I dont fit in with anyone.
And the Morphs made you feel like one of them, is that what you wanted?"
Jamie shuddered, remembering the stench of evil seeping into her spirit. I know they used me, and I hated what they were doing. But the power, oh, Renee, you have no idea! For the very first time, I felt normal. Even if revenge, and evil, was the only way. And now Im lost again.
The woman sighed. Revenge brings only darkness. Why would you want revenge on Damian? Why did you try to kill him?"
Jamie bit her lip. Mama Renee was the only woman shed ever trusted. Perhaps it was time to confide in someone.
I want you to swear on your life you will not repeat what I say. No one knows.
The older woman looked startled, but nodded.
I saw him kill my brother.
Shock widened Renees eyes. Non, chère, the papers said muggers attacked Mark. The police only identified him because "
They found his wallet nearby with his ID in it. His b-body was burned to ashes. Jamie dragged in a deep breath. Six months ago, I was in a bar on Bourbon waiting for Mark when I met Damian. He was compelling. It was odd, the chemistry. He told me he was a Draicon, a werewolf. Mark arrived. He got angry when he saw Damian. I could tell they didnt like each other. Mark told me to go home, but Damian had slipped a note into my purse with his room number.
A wry smile touched Renees mouth. Let me guess. Youre young, enthralled and you went to him.
Jamie nodded. A hot flush filled her face. Her first time, her shyness, his commanding sensuality. His powerful body mounting hers. The wild, uninhibited feeling their naked bodies straining against each other. The odd feeling that it had been more than sex.
Damian said hed teach me magick. I went to the hotel the next day to make him deliver on his promise, but hed checked out. I felt so used. I went home and Mark was furious. He guessed what happened and ordered me not to leave the house. Draicon were evil werewolves and he would make Damian pay.
Never had she seen her brother so angry, so concerned about her. For the first time he truly cared. And Damian killed him.
And how did Mark know about the Draicon? Renee asked.
Shrugging, Jamie stared at the shelves of herbs lining the wall. Mark knew secrets about the magick world. He was my only family and I trusted him.
That night, Mark needed help coaxing out a stray dog from this building hed just bought. Said he would meet me there. He told me to wear new clothing hed sprayed with this chemical compound to hide my scent so Damian couldnt find me. I was inside the building searching for the dog when I heard motorcycles in the alley. I peered outside and I saw I saw Mark. He was facing Damian and these five bikers, all tall and dressed in leather "
Emotion squeezed her throat. I heard Damian say, Thats him, Mark Walsh. Kill him. Th-the bikers undressed and turned into wolves. I saw Damian shape-shift into this huge wolf and Mark screamed Damian, he was he was She squeezed her eyes shut, remembering the snarls, muscled wolves, the awful sounds her brother made as he died.
I fainted. When I woke, I went into the alley. There was nothing but gray ash. Jamie gulped down a breath. I reported Mark missing and the police told me a witness saw Mark killed by muggers. Then I just ran, because I didnt know what else to do.
Oh, Jamie, the woman said softly. Opening her arms in invitation, she beckoned to her.
Oh, she wanted to! Wanted to let the older woman give her comfort shed needed since Marks death. But Jamie didnt dare remove the layer of steel shed erected to shelter her from the uncaring world.
She shook her head. I stayed in hotels, afraid to go home, afraid Damian would find me. A few days later, I met his friend. Nicolas was supposed to keep me safe until Damian arrived. I told Nicolas Id go with him if he taught me magick.
A grim smile replaced grief. He did. And I used it to find the Morphs, gain magick and try to kill Damian. They used my blood to make a lethal disease and I infected him with a kiss.
Anguish touched Renees expression. Youve suffered a horrible loss. But why would Damian order your brother killed? Perhaps you dont know the full story.
Jamie bristled. He probably knew Mark was going to go after him for seducing me. I saw my own brother ripped to pieces. Draicon are merciless killers.
The cries still echoed in her mind. The terrible screams of pain and tearing sounds
Renee gently reached for her palm. Jamie, youve had a rough life for one so young. Youre special, different and you suffered for it. Its time you let go, and learned not everyone is the enemy. Sometimes the ones you think you can trust least are the ones you should trust most. They are your real family.
Shifting in her chair, Jamie felt the rub of old scars against her lower back. Heard the mocking sneers from her cousins, felt the burning sting on her flesh
Shame flared inside her. Relatives were highly overrated. Youre more family than anyone else. All I have left. So theres nothing you have to give me a smidgen of my old powers back?"
Nothing. Wisdom shone in Renees dark gaze. What is holding you bound is ancient Draicon magick. If Damian did this, he did it to protect you.
I need an ancient Draicon spell to remove it. The Book of Magick.
Renee looked troubled. Such texts are meant to lie undisturbed, for they are too dangerous even in the hands of the wisest, most skilled sorceress.
She wasnt wise or skilled. But desperate.
Promise me if you find the book, you will turn it over to the Draicon, Renee begged. Youve already become a victim to terrible forces. The book could destroy you for good.
I wasnt a victim, but a willing participant.
The woman gently touched her wrist. A victim, honey. The Morphs knew you were vulnerable. No matter how you argue the point, they took advantage of your weakness.
Jamie bristled. Not weak. Never. Thanks, Mama Renee. I can manage on my own.
A cryptic expression touched the womans face. Jamie, remember. Even good can come of darkness. The Draicon leader seeks you, and his kind need your healing power.
The words made no sense. She didnt heal, but destroy. Nothing made sense anymore.
The woman offered a sad smile. And all Draicon are not evil.
Jamies chest felt tight with emotion as she went with Renee into the main storefront. The little brass bell tinkled merrily behind her as she left.
Feeling lost, she headed for the Pedestrian Mall. Just another average day in the Quarter
Jamie shrank back, her heart beating double time at the figure stalking toward her. Not Damian, the lean, chiseled face she remembered so well, but another, with cruel, twisted features, wispy hair and black, soulless eyes.
The Morph ambled along, its sallow, shrunken and hunched figure looking like a living nightmare. Couldnt anyone see it? Run, you fools!
Jamie blinked hard. Instead of a Morph, she saw a middle-aged man in khaki shorts, his slight paunch covered by a flowered shirt.
Im losing my damn mind.