Chapter 3 Sebastian #2
And that was probably a kind way of putting it.
Francois was actually as mad as a box of frogs.
Completely crazy, although he’d probably started his recovery from the dead man’s blood he was addicted to by now.
Nic had that side of things under control, hopefully.
I didn’t want to waste my time thinking about Francois — I had enough to contend with, looking at the messes he’d left in New Orleans and the way the supernatural community behaved here.
I flipped the file open again. “Maybe it says in here somewhere.” I tried not to linger over a picture of Kayla someone had helpfully paperclipped to the front of the papers.
Kyle glanced over my shoulder and ran his finger down the blank space at the side of the text. “Well, it says very plainly here that this woman…” He paused.
“Kayla,” I supplied quickly.
Maybe too quickly because he gave me a considering look. “Witch,” he said, his voice firm. “Is in service to the king of New Orleans.”
I flipped the page. “So, if it doesn’t name émile or Francois directly, the contract could be interpreted as being in service to Nic…” I lowered my voice. “Or indeed his regent.”
“Indeed,” Kyle agreed, his tone dry.
I scanned the rest of the information. “It doesn’t say anywhere that her contract becomes null and void if there’s a change in the reigning king.”
“Then her contract is still in force.” Kyle lifted the lid to set back on the box and reached to take the file from me.
I moved it out of his way. “I’ll keep this for a little while longer so I can report to Nic.
” I glanced down at it like I needed to verify something, but really, I’d committed nearly every word to memory already.
“Neither does it say her contract is still in force under a successor, so I should read it carefully to be sure we can interpret it the way we need to. It needs to be cast iron and enforceable.”
Kyle shrugged, clearly already bored with this conversation.
“I think we can safely assume it is. We can run it past Nic’s lawyers, but I think they’ll say the same.
Contract law is very specific and this contract…
” He looked at the file briefly. “Is not specific at all. Looks like Francois did us a service and his employees a disservice.” He shrugged again. “Nic might be in luck here.”
I straightened from the desk. “I’ll go look over this properly then give Nic a call and update him. He’s specifically been looking for a witch.”
Kyle nodded as he carried the box back to the pile. “We might find a few more by the time we’ve sorted everything out and categorized all of the employees, too.”
His words weren’t an invitation to stay and do any work, though. He didn’t even speak to me over his shoulder, so I forewent any pleasantries and slipped from the room, taking several quick strides back to my own office.
Once I stepped inside the door, I relaxed.
The dark colors, tasteful lighting, and expensive finishes spoke to the vainest parts of me.
They spoke of my time with the Dupont family and my royal heritage.
There was luxury and decadence here that served to remind me who I was and that I intended to stay.
I sank into my leather chair, feeling the welcome of the soft material, and opened Kayla’s file flat in front of me. I just wanted to check the details one last time before I called Nic and told him anything. I needed to verify the things I was about to say were correct.
But at least things made a little more sense now about my unusual instant connection to the woman. The supernatural side to her obviously called to my vampire nature — even though the Dupont family history with witches wasn’t a particularly good one. They were simply a necessary evil to Nic.
And Kayla… Well, maybe she wasn’t evil at all. I’d enjoy finding out, anyway.
If I could gain her trust, get her on my side, I’d have an advantage against any supernatural already in New Orleans or who’d come here particularly to test the new reigning power.
I grabbed my cell and dialed Nic.
He answered straight away. “Sebastian.” Just my name. Nothing further.
“Nic, just a quick update. I thought you’d like to know right away that I might have found you a witch — and she seems to still be under contract, despite the change in leadership.”
My brother was quiet for a moment, his soft breathing the only indication our call was still connected.
“I think you need to stay vigilant, Seb. Our experience with witches in Baton Rouge hasn’t always been good…
Their loyalty is fickle. And we know nothing about the political structure of witches in New Orleans or how they behave.
I think we need to remember the fate of Lettie, too.
The others might be starting to discover what happened with her and harbor some resentment toward us because of it. ”
“That wasn’t our fault. She knew the risks of acting against Francois,” I protested, even though I shared his reservations.
Nic sighed. “Yes, I think she probably did. But it won’t make her death any easier for her friends to accept. Now, it’s good that we might have a witch, but tread carefully with this. I don’t know enough about my new territory yet to be able to advise you further.”
“I won’t go charging in—I’ll be cautious, but I really think this could be a good thing. Kayla could be an asset. A witch in our pocket will be an advantage in establishing your power.”
Nic sighed again. “Just be careful.”
His tone made me feel just like all the years he’d simply tolerated me as a younger brother. Those times were always present in our conversations. And I didn’t believe I’d ever shake my position as merely being tolerated in the family.
“I’ll do everything I can to keep the peace here,” I assured him.
I intended to do a good job, to spend my time in New Orleans making Nic proud and regaining my status in the family. I wanted to be welcome in Baton Rouge again—sometime this century, hopefully.
“I’ll watch out for anything magical and try not to upset any political situations.”
Nic chuckled again, this time dryly. “I’m sure your presence there has been enough to upset plenty. You’re a Dupont and I’m the new king. Many won’t want us anywhere near their city.”
“I think you’re right about that. I already have to get the witch back on our side—she was one of Francois’s singers in The Neutral Zone, and I wasn’t sure we needed a singer going forward.” I traced my finger around her face in her photograph as I spoke.
“Well, if you want my opinion, I think we’re definitely in need of a singer,” Nic said. “This particular singer.”
“I agree.” I finished my call with him with a couple of small updates on the refurb then hung up.
I promised Nic I’d tread carefully with Kayla, and I intended to keep my promise, but it wouldn’t be easy. I wanted to see Kayla again, and now I just needed a good excuse. She was supposed to call in three weeks about work, but somehow, I wasn’t expecting to hear from her.
I’d need to contact her.
Which worked out well for me, because I couldn’t seem to get her out of my head.