Dragging himself back to the present, Damian fisted his hands. Never again would he break the rules or abandon those under his protection. When he did, someone paid dearly.
The past was past. He had an adopted family now here in Louisiana, and back in New Mexico his own pack to rule. Soon, he would have his mate, as well. The cell went into his palm again. A loud buzz sounded. He pocketed the phone and headed downstairs, opening the grate that enabled a view of the street.
A petite, dark-skinned woman stood outside. Im Mama Renee, Jamies friend who runs the voodoo shop down the street, she said in a soft slur. Youre Damian.
Startled, he narrowed his eyes. Are you psychic?"
But of course. May I come in? I have something for Jamie.
The woman looked nonthreatening. Still remembering his encounter with the crayfish, he studied her calm features.
Blink, he ordered.
She did without question. Dark brown eyes, soft and compassionate.
You dont remember me, do you? But of course, you were only five or so. I remember you. Your father, Andre, he was so proud of you. He called you loup petit.
Shock reverberated through Damian. His nostrils flared as he inhaled the womans scent. Nothing but a faint fragrance of cologne or perfume.
My family didnt associate with many people. He stared at her.
They only trusted a few. Will you please let me in? I need to see Jamie.
Damian let her inside. Suspicion arose as he closed and locked the gate, then leaned against it. What do you want?"
I brought her something to make her feel better. The woman fished a small cloth bag from a pocket in her dress. Damian inhaled the scent of herbs and spices. A gris-gris.
Morphs detested the good luck talismans. Still
You see everyone as the enemy. What must I do to prove I am a friend? she asked softly.
Waving his hand, a dagger appeared in his palm. Renee did not look startled, only respectful.
Cut yourself. I want to see if you bleed red.
His voice was rough with hostility. The woman took the dagger, cut her hand and winced. She gave him back the blade.
A coppery scent of blood filled his nostrils. He jerked his head toward the stairs.
Follow me.
Senses on full alert, Damian took the stairs two at a time. He fetched a first-aid kit from the bathroom and returned. Renee put gauze over her wound.
You dont trust me, which is good. Youre very protective of her. She is in big trouble, mais oui? Renee said.
Damian said nothing. He withdrew to the kitchen, out of earshot. He dialed Raphaels number. His adopted brother answered on the first ring. Speaking rapidly in French, Damian told him what happened since his arrival.
Do you know a psychic named Mama Renee? he asked.
Runs a voodoo shop in town. Good people.
Why?
Shes here. I cant leave Jamie alone, but we need to talk. In private so she cant hear us, he said quietly. He wandered back into the living room, leaned against the wall.
If you need to leave, I will watch her for you, Renee offered.
With Renees apple-round cheeks, kind smile and ordinary flowered dress, she looked innocuous. Human, but still, humans were dangerous.
Want me to come over? Raphael asked.
Hold on a minute, Damian told him.
She held his gaze. I was there at your birth.
Tme dis pas, he said dryly, not believing a damn word.
I do say, she countered. Then she glanced around. Before his shocked eyes, she shifted into a wolf.
Mon Dieu, he muttered, watching her return to her human form. You are family, non?
There are more of us than you know, she said softly. Renees eyes grew sad. My husband and son they embraced the darkness. Your parents, they kept me safe. I am forever grateful and regret what happened to you as a bébé. Please, allow me to make amends now.
He listened intently as she explained, everything making sense now. Renee laid a hand on his arm. Its all right. Ill watch over her.
Damian turned to the phone. Ill meet you.
Where?
Raphael rattled off a place. Damian hung up, pocketed the cell.
He glanced at Renee. Dont let anyone in. When Jamie wakes up, dont let her leave the house.
Go meet with your friend. Be careful. Terrible darkness has taken over the city. The woman looked deeply troubled.
Though he trusted few outside his pack and his adopted family, and was frugal with his emotions, Damian hugged her. Renee looked startled, and then hugged him back. She patted his arm in a motherly gesture.
At the Chartes Street Café, his brother sat at a copper-topped table just inside the doorway. His gleaming Harley waited on the street, a shining chrome and metal horse.
Damian slid into the opposite seat.
Watch our backs, his brother cautioned, nodding toward the bustling street. He scrutinized Damians casual clothing. Damian, ça va? Almost didnt recognize you without your Versace socks, t frère.
The endearment of little brother made Damian smile. Im trying to blend in.
You blend in like the wolf blends in the henhouse.
Raphael signaled for a waitress and when she arrived, ordered seafood gumbo and water with lime.
Just water. Damian grimaced, thinking of the crayfish/Morph. He gave his brother a long, steady look. Raphael. He reached over and embraced his forearms.
The other Draicon squeezed back. His shoulder-length dark brown hair with its streak of pure white accompanied scuffed boots, faded jeans, black T-shirt and black leather jacket. A tiny gold sword earring hung from his left ear, and a days growth of dark beard shadowed his hard jaw. The ensemble contrasted with Raphaels classically handsome face. It gave him an intense look, as if an angel had stumbled out of a Bourbon sex shop.
Damian leaned forward, serious. How bad is it? How many?"
Bad. Morphs are everywhere. Hard to get a count. Maybe fifty, or hundreds.
Dit moula vérité! Are you serious? Damian sat back, stunned. Why are they here?"
We think its for the Book of Magick. Its been hidden for seventy years, hasnt it? If a spell isnt used in the next couple of weeks, all the spells will vanish. Including the ones for evil the Morphs want, to make them more powerful.
And the spell for curing Jamie would vanish, as well. Damian felt his insides clench at the thought. If they get the book first "
Theyll use the bad magick to kill all Draicon. Theyre killing machines now, here in town. And when they kill, the bodies they leave Theyre targeting the homeless. Ive taught my guys to sniff the blood, find and destroy the bodies before the police arrive. Weve gotten to most of them in time. We cant risk cops poking into our world, our war.
Damian felt his canines descend with the urge to hunt and destroy. A low growl rumbled from his chest. A passing waitress gave him a startled look. He offered a charming smile, which faded as she walked away.
Bastards, he muttered.
Dont fret, t frère. I took out a few. One dared to call me a dog. I showed him the unfriendly side of my blade before popping him. The charming smile Raphael offered didnt meet the hardness of his dark eyes.
Damian felt his canines descend with the urge to hunt and destroy. A low growl rumbled from his chest. A passing waitress gave him a startled look. He offered a charming smile, which faded as she walked away.
Bastards, he muttered.
Dont fret, t frère. I took out a few. One dared to call me a dog. I showed him the unfriendly side of my blade before popping him. The charming smile Raphael offered didnt meet the hardness of his dark eyes.
Raphael was the Kallan, the only Draicon permitted to terminate the life of another Draicon, even a relative, without consequence. He had died and gone to the Other Realm and received the gift of immortality. Little scared him. Morphs who messed with Raphael lost.
Raphaels gumbo arrived and he dug into it with zest. Damian sipped his water. My father didnt tell me where he hid it. Only said he entrusted a good friend with the secret until I was older. I wish our ancestors had never handed it down through my family, but its my responsibility.
What happened to your fathers friend?
Morphs killed Jordan when they killed all Fathers pack. He stared at a droplet of water sliding down his glass like a tear. The cure for Jamie is in the book.
So, tell me about your mate. We researched her. Her friends, her parents dying in that plane crash when she was five, the aunt and uncle who raised her. Hell, we even tracked down info about that bastard who imitated her brother. Whats she like? Raphael asked.
A killer.
Pretty?
She tried to kill me.
Raphael stared. Damian explained.
Silverware rattled as Raphael slapped a palm on the table. How the hell can you trust her? She deserves punishment. His hand went to the dagger always tucked into his belt. Remember our vow? Youre my blood brother.
And shes my mate, Damian said quietly.
Then, t frère, you have a big problem. If you dont bond with her, youll turn feral. But how can you mate with a human who wished you into a coffin?"
Damian leaned back, edgy and wanting. A males draicara pumped up all his testosterone, driving him to prove his strength and sexual prowess. In Alphas, the mating drive tripled, turning males wild and unpredictable. If he didnt mate, hed be dangerous even to his pack. Would they drive him away as his fathers people had?
He wanted only Jamie now, her scent, the taste of her skin, the feel of her soft, naked body beneath his. He couldnt shake off his lust.
Let it go, Rafe. I can handle her.
Then do it fast. Sounds like shes running out of time. Sex can slow the porphyry cunja. If you trust her not to slam a knife in your back while you mount her. Rafes jaw tightened.
Sex might be a solution. A Draicons cells, including blood and semen, contained magick. As a purebred Alpha, his magick was more powerful than other males'.
Could I cure Jamie by infusing her with my magick when we have sex?"
Rafe raised his gaze to his. Damian tensed against the haunting sorrow swimming there.
No. Your blood, or coming inside her, will only slow the spell. It cant stop it.
He stared at the big vein on Raphaels neck, throbbing with life. His immortal brother whose blood contained immense energy and power. Maybe "
Rafe tensed and looked away. It was forbidden for Rafe, and he knew the consequences would be drastic.
I have to find the book. Damian ran a hand over his face. But I cant leave her alone. Its too risky.
Then let me help. Ill send Adam and Ricky. Keep watch. Theyll do anything to keep her from leaving.
Dont you dare let another male near her. Damian growled, his fingers digging into his napkin. Instinct urged him to stake a claim. Rip apart any male who glanced her way.
Damian, easy, easy.
Shreds of linen napkin lay on the table. Willing himself to calm, he retracted his claws.
Raphaels wary look said it all. He dug into his gumbo, ate in silence. After a minute, Damian felt his control returning. His brother gave him a mild look.
So tell me. Is she really dying?
Raphael cursed in French after Damian told him. My guys are yours. Take Adam and Ricky. Best warriors, can kick Morph ass from here to Houma. Or any of my other males. Theres twenty now, all show promise of being good fighters. Anything to help, t frère.
Raphael had taken unmated male Draicon with no blood relations, taught them discipline and bonding and formed them into a pack to fight Morphs. Too many wild, frustrated males roved the streets. A grieving and angry Draicon without the close-knit society of a pack was dangerous.
Merci, he managed. But I cant risk a pack trailing me. Do your part. Find and kill Morphs, as many as you can.
Its war, his friend agreed.
Damian narrowed his gaze as his mouth flattened into a ruthless line. Laissez les bons temps rouler. Let the good times roll.
Damian? This Jamie. Shed better not try anything
on you again. Mate or not. Youre blood, t frère. Raphael removed a gold dagger from the sheath hanging on his jeans. Light played over the intricate runes carved into the sacred Scian. He flipped it into the air, catching it by the hilt. His eyes were stone-cold.
My business, Rafe. Leave it be. They locked stares, muscles quivering until Raphael sheathed the blade with a small nod.
What can I do, then? Rafe asked.
Be available. I may need help. And fetch my stuff from the hotel, bring it over when I call. A grim smile touched his mouth. Im moving in with her.
Later, then. The other Draicon clasped his arm.
Damian left, glanced around the busy sidewalk. His priorities were clear. Get Jamie to trust him and find the book. Hed go back to her, she was probably hungry
Fresh fruit. Natural fructose might help. He stopped at a small grocery store and purchased peaches.
He retuned to her house, headed upstairs with the bag. Jamie sat on the couch as she typed on a laptop. Damian nearly dropped the fruit. Elongated purple elfin ears stuck comically out of either side of her head.
She glanced up as he set the peaches down on the coffee table. A question in his eyes, Damian sat beside her and playfully tweaked an ear.
Im a warrior Night Elf, she said, yawning. Im too tired to wear the rest of the outfit. Cosplay makes me feel better. Its comforting.
I thought women liked dressing in old T-shirts and sweats to get comfortable.
Her mouth turned down. When I cosplay, I am Celyndra, my elf. Shes a tough fighter, courageous and doesnt fear much.
Ah, shes your alter ego, he said softly in understanding. A frown puckered his forehead. Such an imagination. Where did you get the idea?"
She grinned at his expression. Havent you ever heard of WoW?"
Wow?
World of Warcraft. My avatar is a female Night Elf warrior. Some who were in my alliance used to meet at the square Saturday nights to hang out and cosplay.
Jamies grin deepened. Dont tell me you never heard of cosplay, either. Everyone knows what it is. What are you, a hundred?"
Eighty, he muttered, feeling as old as an ancient mage. Merlin, maybe.