20. That Old Black Magic
That Old Black Magic
New Orleans. The city of dark magic.
I’ve always wanted to come here. The decadence, the sheer opulence, the danger that screams from every archway, every brick, every building facade. There’s so much history here that sinks into the soul, crying out to be heard, to be tasted and lived.
Micah told me Vampires once ruled this city, hundreds of years ago when it was part of the new colony.
They reveled in the freedom of it, hiding in plain sight, drinking their fill, and leaving bodies littered in their wake with no consequences.
There were books written about it; fact and fiction merged to become both legend and history intertwined.
But that was a long time ago, shrouded in mystery he’s never shared with me, and now the Witches rule it all.
Jake doesn’t know I’m here, or who I’m with.
I can’t deal with it right now. I need to exhale and focus.
There are murders to solve before another is committed by these monsters who roam the streets of my city freely, taking lives with disregard for anything except their thirst. I am homed in on one goal, relentless in my pursuit of it, with no time to waste on anything or anyone who gets in the way. Not even my own relationship.
I love Jake with my whole heart, and I’ve never doubted our relationship before last night.
Before the claws came out, and he marked me.
If not for Micah and Vamp blood, I would have a permanent scar to show for it.
I’m not sure what to make of the silence between us all day, and that he hasn’t tried to reach out.
So for now, I push it all to the side. Micah wants to be in and out of this city as fast as we can, and I wholeheartedly agree.
I haven’t had the chance to tell Ruby what Jake did to my face, about our argument, or drinking Micah’s blood.
She’s desperate to know, sending me flickers and shooting me looks.
But it’s a conversation I want to have in person, and not for a moment do I think the engines of Micah’s private hydro-jet will cover our conversation from his Vamp hearing.
I’ve been awake since four am, and it seems as if I haven’t slowed down since.
There was paperwork to do, research to look over, and I knew it would be a mistake to leave the city without permission in the middle of a murder investigation.
So I put in a formal request, and in his wisdom- knowing I would go anyway- Butch rolled his eyes at me and signed off on it.
Even though we won’t be here for long and are not requesting assistance from NOLA PD, it’s protocol to give them a heads-up.
I left that to the Captain to take care of.
Now we’re in the middle of the French Quarter, in what I’m sure is the fanciest hotel in the city. It’s authentic old, not fake old, with dark wood paneling, marble floors, a sweeping staircase, and glittering chandeliers across the vaulted ceiling. Thankfully, it also has elevators.
Ruby hasn’t had much more sleep than me, and I can see her flagging as we stand in the lobby.
Micah is talking with quiet authority to the manager, who looks as if he’s about to bow down before the powerful Vampire.
I suppress a smile that he doesn’t need to use Mesmerism to get exactly what he wants.
Micah turns toward us as the manager clicks his fingers at the concierge, who rushes over with a black plastic holo-card. We take the elevator swiftly up, coming to a stop at the penthouse. A flick of the card, the lock clicks, and the doors swing open.
The building may be old, but the interior blends the original antebellum beauty with modern comforts.
I’m too exhausted to give it more than a cursory glance as we take the few steps from the entry into the recessed living area.
I take in the floor-to-ceiling windows opposite, the glittering night sky strewn with jewels spread across an endless canvas.
‘It’s our best suite,’ the concierge tells us.
‘Two of the bedrooms are on that side,’ he sweeps his hand to the left, ‘and the third is on the other. Each complete with their own en suite and walk-in robe.’ He’s smoothly silent as he exits in his pristine black suit, our bags having appeared as if by Magic just inside the doorway.
Who knows in this city where Witches reign?
‘You need to sleep,’ Micah says, his eyes roaming over me, assessing every inch.
‘I thought…,’ I trail off, knowing he’s right. I won’t be much use dead on my feet.
I’m simultaneously exhausted and full of adrenaline with no outlet, as if I haven’t slept for days, and also had several shots of espresso in quick succession.
‘We’re not seeing my contact in the middle of the night, Evangeline,’ he cuts me off with a wry smile, and I’m jolted by how relaxed he seems.
Right. Of course not. Witches sleep at night because they’re human.
‘It’s only eleven,’ I say stubbornly.
‘Well, I’m tired,’ Ruby cuts in before an argument can brew between the hot as fuck ancient Vampire and me.
I’d almost forgotten she’s here, I’m so focused on him. It’s always been that way, and I hate that it’s still true.
Is it any wonder Jake felt threatened? I shut down the unwanted whisper of my own conscience. It still doesn’t excuse his loss of control last night.
‘We’ll take the adjacent rooms,’ Ruby shoots me a knowing look. I roll my eyes, and she smirks back at me.
‘I’ll see you both in the morning.’ Micah stands with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall that leads into the foyer.
‘And where will you be?’ I ask when he makes no move toward the bedroom on the opposite side of the suite from ours. He may know me, but I also know him. He’s changed far less than I have in our time apart.
Vampires don’t need sleep the same as humans do. But as with a lack of blood, too little can limit their power, draining them faster. Micah could probably go several days without either and still have more power flooding his veins than most Vamps, but even he has limits.
‘There are things that need to be done while I’m here,’ he says easily, his perfect face a carefully constructed blank canvas.
I can’t read anything from his expression or body language, but I can intuit that he means a visit to the local Vampire Coven.
There aren’t many who would choose to live in such close proximity to Witches, but New Orleans holds a certain appeal for many older Vamps who cling to the past. I’m guessing overtures are in order, the same as between police departments in different cities.
Ruby pulls me toward the short hallway off the living area before I can demand to go with him.
The sunlight streaming past the cracks in the curtains alerts me to the new day. I want to bury myself under the covers and pretend nothing exists.
Just when I thought I was off the hook, Ruby had marched into my room, thrown herself onto the bed beside me, and demanded to know what the hell was going on with Jake and Micah.
My best friend is not often surprised, but Micah sharing his blood with me had her mouth dropping open. She was furious with Jake, but she’s known him for almost as long as I have, and agreed these murders are making everyone act out of character.
Micah is nowhere to be seen as we eat the breakfast waiting for us after we both stumble from our bedrooms.
‘So, what do we do today?’ Ruby says wistfully, onto her second cup of coffee. Neither of us looks as if we got nearly enough sleep, but Ruby’s darker skin hides it far better than mine does.
‘We could disappear and play tourist,’ I suggest with a grin. ‘Do one of those famous walking tours. Visit a cemetery.’
I can’t tell what she’s thinking, but her coffee mug hits the table unsteadily as she shakes her head, the dark waves of her hair bouncing. ‘I’m sure Micah would be thrilled if we disappeared.’
‘Well, he’s not here.’ I’m feeling defiant, and I’m not sure why. It’s like I’m a teenager again where he’s concerned. Reckless and rebellious and invincible.
Ruby finishes her pancakes before answering. ‘What about a run?’
We both hate running, but she’s right. I need to stretch and blow off some steam, and it’s the perfect way to see some of this city before Micah gets back from wherever he’s disappeared off to. He can’t complain that we needed some exercise.
An hour later, we’re both dripping with sweat as we collapse onto the carpet in the middle of the suite.
‘I am so coming back here,’ I say, forcing myself into a stretch.
We shower, dress, and quickly slap on some make-up before I check in with Tim. By the time I swipe my feeds to the side, putting my notifications on silent, Micah is standing in front of me. Score one for Vamp speed and silence. I didn’t even hear the door to the suite open.
‘Right,’ Ruby says matter-of-factly. ‘I have an appointment with the ME.’ Snagging her bag, she breezes out the door with a last loaded look at me. It’s hard to tell if she wants me to behave myself, or the opposite.
Micah merely nods at her, his hands in his pockets as he leans against the kitchen counter.
Why am I not surprised he already knew her plans?
They must have discussed it. That explains why he wanted her with us; another set of eyes looking into the autopsies can’t hurt.
Maybe the New Orleans Medical Examiner will know what made the claw marks in our vics.
It is the city of dark magic, and a sense of foreboding is snaking its way through my blood that we’re about to uncover something sinister.
‘And what are we doing?’ Shaking it off, I fold my arms across my chest. It still feels slightly unnerving to be alone with him after all the time stretched silently between us. I swear I can feel the ghosts of our history hovering.
‘Now,’ he tells me with a smirk, his eyes lit with a rare teasing glint. ‘We visit a Witch.’