Chapter 12 #4
Skylar laughed but remained captivated by the entire atmosphere of the property.
The pale-yellow home blended into the lush greenery.
The cottage style mansion appeared unassuming at first glance, yet the sprawling luxury home extended far beyond her sight.
A detached five car garage revealed a white Rolls Royce Phantom.
“Nice car,” Skylar commented.
“Ilsbeth only rides in style.” Rafe reached for her hand.
Greyson stepped toward the path leading to her home. “Stay on your game, people. She’s not to be messed with. If she starts asking you to go to Hell or some bullshit, we’re outta here.”
“You need to chill, big guy.” Rafe patted his shoulder and smiled. “I keep tellin’ ya. She’s not going to hurt me.”
Skylar noted their friendly banter despite their differences. The ancient debonair vampire wore a dark grey linen suit with a cream knit shirt. In contrast, the rugged handsome wolf wore jeans and a black t-shirt that hugged every inch of his bulging pecs.
A cool breeze rushed over her shoulders, her skin breaking in gooseflesh. Like an ethereal being, Ilsbeth appeared, dressed in a translucent floor length robe, the silhouette of her one-piece bathing suit peeking through the fabric as she sashayed toward them.
“What in the Great Gatsby is going on here?” Rafe asked.
“Darling. That was the 20s,” She waved to them from the veranda. “Come, have a drink on the back patio. The weather’s divine.”
“She’s lost her mind. I’m convinced of it.” Greyson shook his head and headed toward the witch.
“She’s eccentric,” Skylar countered.
“I can’t argue with that,” Rafe said.
“Never forget who she is. She was the High Priestess of New Orleans, Samantha or no Samantha,” Greyson grumbled.
“I hear you.” Ilsbeth released an exasperated breath.
“Ilsbeth,” Greyson called to her. He looked back to Skylar and winked. “For an old lady her hearing seems pretty good.”
“I’ll cut your tongue out and feed it to the gators, vampire.” Ilsbeth turned on her heels and headed through a pathway of purple wisteria creeping over a white wooden structure. “I want to see the human. She has good taste.”
Skylar raised her eyebrows at Rafe and Greyson, a smile on her face. The big bad witch liked her. She’d class it as a win.
“I love your home,” Skylar told her, inwardly reminding herself of the repeated warnings she’d been given. She’d been told Ilsbeth nearly killed another wolf, she was capable of summoning demons. Yet her welcoming warm southern hospitality admittedly had conjured feelings of home.
“Why thank you. These men,” she scoffed. “They don’t appreciate my attention to detail. Look at them.”
Skylar glanced to Rafe who waved from the grass.
“Bocci ball. Greyson is like a boy. I knew he couldn’t resist.” Ilsbeth waved to a butler dressed head to toe in a lavender uniform.
“How long have you known Greyson?” Skylar asked
“Too long. Sometimes a good time. Mostly not. But today, I needed time.”
“Time for what?”
“Time for you, of course.” Ilsbeth set down her iced tea and adjusted her sunglasses.
“High Priestess. May I freshen your drink?” The butler spoke with a French accent.
“Thank you, Henri. Skylar, would you like some more tea? A mineral water?”
“Water would be great.”
“Perrier? Plain or lime.”
“Lime would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“Are you hot? I’m afraid a Louisiana summer is a steam bath. But good for the skin as long as you stay out of the scorching sun.”
“It’s not too bad,” she began to lie but changed her mind. “Well, it’s definitely New Orleans. I try to get to Washington this time of year.”
“Your parents are lovely indeed.” Ilsbeth paused as Henri set the green bottle and a tall glass of ice in front of Skylar.
“Thank you.”
“Will you be needing anything else?”
“No.”
“I’ll see to dinner.”
“Please make up the east wing for my son and his guest.”
“And the others? I believe the guest cottage is in order.”
“Thank you. I’ll let you know later.” Ilsbeth turned to Skylar. “Greyson is an old frenemy who is addicted to the sport. He owes me a rematch, but I thought it time he taught Rafe something other than how to control his bloodlust.”
Skylar paused as she raised her glass to her lips. Though terrified of vampires, she’d allowed him to bite her, submitted to the delicious sting of his fangs.
“The vampires do have a much harder time than us witches.”
“But I thought Rafe said, well, I thought you had to leave New Orleans.”
“Leave?” Ilsbeth rolled her eyes. “Darling. I’ve been running this town for over four hundred years.
Samantha is talented but they all know I’m more powerful.
It’s exactly why they need to gather a coven around her.
I taught her nearly everything she’s learned.
” She blew out a breath. “It’s of no consequence.
They can’t get rid of me. New Orleans is my city. No matter what they think.”
“Well your home here is lovely. As I’m sure it is in the city.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to have someone appreciate my affinity for the finer things. Such as my son.”
“If you don’t mind me asking. Rafe said that you aren’t his birth mother. That you saved him.”
“While it’s true I have birthed no children from my loins that I wish to discuss, Rafe is my creation.
He’s of my blood now. So therefore he’s my responsibility.
The vampires. The wolves. They see him for his strength.
I, however, see him for his prophecy. I see him for the greatness he can become. ”
“He’s already great,” Skylar countered.