Chapter 10
JOSIE
“Yo, Josie!” Rune hollers, coming up the creaking stairs of Adelaide’s magic shop, hauling a heavy desk over his head. “Where do you want this, babe?” Rune maneuvers the chunky wooden desk around like it’s a foam prop and not a three-hundred-pound antique.
I should probably stop thinking of it as Adelaide’s place. It’s been more than a week since her death, and Elara has more or less taken over the role of shopkeeper despite her reluctance to take over the apothecary officially.
She’s done an amazing job considering how abruptly the position was thrust at her. And with a bit of help from yours truly, we’ve managed to keep things running smoothly—for the most part.
There have been one or two oopsies, but nothing unfixable.
I’ve been more than happy to help—anything to get beyond the walls of Hotel Elysian—even if I’m accompanied by a vampire bodyguard.
“By the window would be perfect.” I point Rune in the right direction. “If I have to be stuck in here doing paperwork, I want to at least be able to see the street and people watch.”
And how glorious is that?
For such an enormous building, the Elysian Hotel is suffocating. It must be living in such close proximity to over two hundred vampires that makes it feel so claustrophobic.
Anywhere is better than there.
And if I must be protected, at least my bodyguards are easy on the eyes.
As if to prove my point, Rune bends to set the desk down in its new home. From my position by the door, I get a full view of his muscled ass.
“I don’t understand why you care to make this place your responsibility. The bitch had your parents murdered. I say let the place rot.”
“It’s not that black and white.”
With Adelaide dead, someone must look after the shop and Elara didn’t want to be that someone.
Not alone, anyway.
No matter how much of a double-crossing bitch Adelaide turned out to be, the hole she left in the witch community is a huge one to fill.
Adelaide’s Herbs and Gift Shoppe has been an anchor for Tremé’s magical population forever. It’s a destination for all covens throughout the city—Sun or Moon—and the source for any and all things a witch could want. Herbs and flowers, crystals and cauldrons, candles and oils, and the odd talisman. It’s all found within these walls.
“Like it was meant to be there,” Elara says, coming out of the back room and flopping down on the chaise lounge I had Rune bring up earlier.
Tavor, her ferret familiar, scurries after her and curls up by the crook of her elbow with a series of squeaks.
“You should totally take over the store for good with me, Josie. You know what you’re doing.”
“I definitely don’t,” I protest.
Sure, I’ve picked up a few things about running a business by helping Grand-Mère over the years, but running a funeral home and running an apothecary are two completely different things. For starters, the latter sounds infinitely more fun.
“We could be business partners,” Elara squeals, working herself up. “Come on. We both know you want to.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Rune says from the top of the stairs, hauling in the leather chair that goes with the desk.
“Yes, it is.” I shoot him a look that he misses, turning his back to me to set the chair in its place. I’m still new to the whole unity mates thing, but I’m pretty sure us being connected means he’s supposed to be on my side.
“Sorry,” I apologize quickly to Elara, praying to I haven’t just hurt our friendship. “It’s just that I’m not sure what my plans are. I was only coming to America for a long weekend and still have commitments and a business and staff back home.”
“But you want to, right?” she presses.
I can’t help but laugh. “If I were to stay in New Orleans, I would one hundred percent be renaming this place Elara and Josie’s Herb and Gift Shoppe.”
Rune gives me a look. “What makes you think Finn and I will let you leave us?”
I roll my eyes. “I may have extended my trip when I agreed to help the Moon Witches, but I can’t stay indefinitely. Sooner or later, my duties here will be complete and I’ll have to go back to England, where I belong.”
“You belong here,” Rune says.
“At least you could,” Elara adds, teaming up with him. “I’ll even let your name go first. Josie and Elara’s Apothecary.” She spreads her hands out as she announces the name, and it’s so cute I have to fight not to take her up on the offer.
I don’t want to shoot her down, but I don’t want to get her hopes up either. “I can’t take anything more on right now. I’m sorry.”
Elara’s expression falls.
No, don’t get sucked in by those puppy dog eyes. I’ve got too much on my plate as it is.
Rune tugs me close, wrapping a possessive arm around my middle. It shouldn’t make me as warm and tingly as it does. “We just found you, drengr. We won’t let you get away that easily. I may have to tie you to my bed and hand feed you all your favorite foods to keep you from leaving.”
He’s joking—at least I think he is.
It’s not like my mind hasn’t already gone there. I’ve wondered if Fintan, Rune, and Sebastian will let me leave. I don’t think they would lock me back up in the dungeon if I tried. I also don’t think they’d hold me prisoner just so they could drink from me to boost their own power.
When I push against Rune’s hold, he only resists for a moment—just long enough for me to feel the flex of his muscles before letting me go.
The strength of this man does something carnal to me. I desperately want to explore that and so much more in the days and weeks to come.
He must smell my arousal because he pegs me with a sultry smile and arches a brow. “All right there, mate?”
Good Gaia, what is this unity bond doing to my libido? Maybe I’ve gained succubus powers since bonding with Rune.
Is that a thing?
I take in my Viking partner in all his glory and draw a steadying breath. Other than him wearing his blond hair loose from its braids today, he looks the same. Our evening on the club couch and him giving me a mind-blowing orgasm while he fed from me hasn’t changed anything.
Has it?
Yes, our bond is thrumming between the three of us now, but did drinking my blood give him any supernatural ability? Do they really need me here?
“All I’m saying is to really consider it,” Elara says to me. “Please. It would be so great.”
It would. “I’ll think about it, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Too late.”
I sigh. “Yeah, I figured.”
She shrugs, sending me a sheepish smile. “If I’m being honest, I already kind of looked into it. Warlock Crane said?—”
I cut Elara off at the mention of my warlock lawyer. “You talked to Callius about this before you asked me?”
“Sure. We go to him about all kinds of things. After all, he’s Callius Crane: warlock of the ten parishes.” The way she says that makes me wonder what I’m missing.
Rune snorts. “Worst commercials ever.”
“I think they’re catchy.” Elara laughs, raising her hands in a dramatic, theatrical sweep as she speaks. “For the creatures of shadow, and those who roam the night, one warlock will stand as your solicitor. Callius Crane: warlock of the ten parishes.”
When she finishes, Rune and I both stare blankly at her.
“No? You seriously don’t love them?”
I can’t imagine. “Callius has a commercial? How does that not break the veil of secrecy?”
If there was a list of things not to do as a warlock—or any other supernatural creature—broadcasting our existence city-wide to humans through their TVs would be somewhere in the top five big no-nos.
Rune waves away my concern. “The whole thing is spelled so only supernaturals see the real video—humans see a regular old paralegal ad. Both are cheesy as hell.”
Elara giggles. “Anyway, the point is, he’s agreed to handle the legal side of things. All you have to do is give the go ahead and we’re set.”
“Really?”
Could it be that simple?
No. I stop that line of thinking immediately. It’s not that I don’t love the idea of staying in New Orleans—being in the land of my ancestry brings me a sense of rightness I’ve never experienced before—but it isn’t an option.
Grand-Mère and I had a life together. We have a business to run. And how could I ever give up my beautiful cottage home in Leeds to live surrounded by the death and violence of vampires and wolves?
No. I can’t imagine a life here, despite the lure of the incredible connection with Mother Gaia. “I’ll help until things are sorted here, but Adelaide’s shop is all yours, Elara.”
Tavor squeaks when she bolts upright in her chair. “There’s no way I can manage on my own. I’m still a novice.”
I get the feeling there’s nothing I can say that will end this conversation other than agreeing, which I can’t do. “Is there anything else you want me to do before Rune and I head out?”
Elara deflates. “Nope. You two are good to go. I have one more order to finish packing, then Tavor and I are outta here, too.”
Perfect. Maybe Rune will finally have time to start my training sessions. Over the past week, he’s been so busy with Sebastian, I’ve barely seen him.
With any luck, we can explore fighting techniques with a hands-on approach.
The way my mind takes off with that idea—it’s a different wrestling match I’m envisioning with the Viking—a pants-off kind of match.
I’m still picturing Rune naked when I return to the storefront downstairs. There’s a woman standing at the counter, and I flush as if she can see the naughty images flashing behind my eyes.
She’s a dark-skinned Cajun witch with an intimidating severity about her.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was here.”
“Oh riiight.” Rune snaps his fingers as he follows behind me, trying and failing to look innocent. “I was supposed to tell you a customer came in and is waiting for you. My bad.”
I pat him on the arm and frown. “Poor old man. That’s what happens when your brain is hundreds of years old—you start forgetting things.”
Rune scoffs, feigning insult. “That’s just rude.”
The woman pegs me with a scowl and stiffens. “What’s rude is leaving a paying customer unattended for ages while you cavort upstairs with a vampire brute.”
Woah.Who swapped her morning coffee for the Folgers Instant Bitch blend?
“That’s my fault.” Elara descends the stairs and swoops in to save the day with her cheery, sing-song voice and contagious smile. “What can I get you today, Francine?”
Elara’s arrival does nothing to temper Francine’s foul mood. The scowl on her face remains plastered in place. “I came for the order I made last week,” she says, her voice just as unpleasant as her demeanor. “You said you would have it ready at four o’clock today. That was over thirty minutes ago.”
“Right, of course. It’s all packed and ready to go. Let me get it for you.” Elara disappears into the back room, leaving the three of us staring at each other in an awkward stretch of silence.
Francine’s stare bores a hole in the center of my forehead, but I keep my gaze focused on the door leading to the back room, waiting for Elara to return and save me.
I prefer the behind-the-scenes side of things. Grand-Mère handled the clients at the funeral home. She was better at the people side of things.
Computers, and finances, and bookkeeping—not so much. That’s where I came in.
That’s all I’m comfortable doing here.
“Sooo…” As Rune stretches the single syllable, I just know the next words out of his mouth will cause me some kind of headache.
“I’ve got it right here.” Elara grunts as she heaves forward a trolley stacked with boxes through the door, Tavor riding on the top looking proud of himself.
Thank Gaia for perfect timing.
“That’s a huge order,” I comment, thankful for something to bridge the gap. “Are you doing a yearly restock?”
Francine’s cold demeanor doesn’t budge. I’m starting to think this is her usual mood. “It’s for the masquerade ball.”
“It was a challenge to get this many flowers blooming on such short notice, but Tavor and I got the job done. And with time to spare, right bud?”
The ferret squeaks, jumping from the top box onto Elara’s shoulders, then her head while she punches the order into the register.
Francine pops the top box open and lifts out a single delicate flower. Her mood lifts as she admires the blooms. “Beautiful as always, Elara. These will be stunning in the ballroom.”
I sigh. “Grand-Mère used to tell me stories of the grand parties held here. As a kid, I dreamed of going to a New Orleans Masquerade.”
“They are legendary,” Elara says.
“For my eleventh birthday, Grand-Mère surprised me with a frilly pink and blue gown she made herself. It was the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. Then we made masks that sparkled like the stars and danced the night away.”
My voice catches, and I pause to push back the bittersweet tears that threaten to choke my words. “I felt like a princess in that dress. I didn’t want to take it off, but Grand-Mère made me after the fourth day.”
“I bet you’re excited about tonight then,” Francine says, and I struggle to remember what we were talking about.
“Tonight? Getting my butt whooped by Rune?”
Elara and Francine look at me with the same bewildered expression.
“He’s teaching me how to fight,” I clarify, flushing from root to tip when I realize how that must have sounded.
They’re still giving me that same look.
“Why are you staring at me like I just suggested we go skinny dipping with the penguins in the Arctic Ocean?”
“Actually, penguins don’t live in the Arctic.” Rune shrugs at the way the three of us turn to stare at him. “Life with Fintan has taught me a lot.”
“Swimming with the sea lions then,” I amend. “That works. Right?”
“Don’t ask me. I only know about the penguins.”
“They do this a lot,” Elara whispers to Francine.
The other witch studies me and then busies herself by digging around in her purse. “I assumed you knew, but considering the circumstances…Ah, here.”
She pulls out a simple square of cardstock and hands it to me over the counter. “We’re putting on a grand event to celebrate Adelaide’s life and her dedication to the coven.”
I blink at the invitation. “Why would we do that?”
“Why wouldn’t we?”
“Because she hired Egan to end the Dumont bloodline to take control of the coven. Because she’s responsible for the slaughter of my parents. Because she betrayed everything we stand for and was working with the wolves up to the night of her death. Do you really believe a grand celebration is something she deserves?”
Francine studies me for a long moment and then replaces the flower into the box. “It’s unfortunate that Adelaide let herself be corrupted, but she still deserves the funeral rites of a Tremé witch.”
Unfortunate?That’s not the word I would use to describe someone who orchestrated the deaths of multiple innocent people.
“The ball isn’t only about Adelaide,” Francine continues. “Tonight will also begin the process of choosing a new high priestess.”
The anger that swells inside me is incredible. “And hopefully, the next one won’t sacrifice her sisters to further her greedy plans for power and political standing. What are the screening requirements, anyway?”
Elara takes the ferret off her head and sets him on the counter. “Technically, the High Priestess is the most powerful witch in the coven.”
“So, all a witch has to do is kill the ones stronger than her and she’s a lock,” Rune says.
“That is a very oversimplified view,” Francine pegs Rune with an unimpressed gaze. “But not entirely incorrect.”
“Shouldn’t someone’s moral strength be taken into account in equal measure?” I ask.
“And how do we determine that?” Francine asks. “This is how it’s been done for generations, and before now, there’s never been such a problem.”
“But now that you see the flaw in your selection process, make adjustments.”
Francine shrugs. “That’s not up to me. If you’re so invested in the process, you’re welcome to join us tonight.”
“Good times.” Rune bows with a goofy grin. “I would be happy to accompany you, Miss Dumont.”
Francine’s mouth tightens into a pursed line. “It’s a witches only event.”
“Don’t I get a plus one?” I ask.
“You would if you had been invited.”
I point to the invitation in my hand. “I just was. And it says, ‘all witches of New Orleans’. That’s me. It also says I get a plus one.”
“That’s me,” Rune chimes in.
“Not if that plus one is a member of the fanged undead.”
“There is nothing barring a witch’s date from being a vampire,” Elara interjects, that sweet customer-service smile of hers still in place. “Unless I’m mistaken?”
I grin at her tactic.
Elara is being nothing but pleasant while still essentially telling Francine to fuck off.
“Great.” Rune’s smile matches mine. “I’ll text Bas and Finn and let them know our plans have changed for the night.”
Our unhappy customer purses her lips, but after a moment, grabs at the large drawstring bag hanging from her arm and pulls out her wallet to pay for the order. “There may not be anything official barring vampires from coming, but it is simply not done. Consider that if you’re hoping to earn a spot in our coven, Josephine.”
Elara accepts a small stack of bills, and turns toward the register.
Francine stretches her bag open with one hand, the other swirling a finger in the air towards her mountainous order. The heavy boxes of flowers tremble, and then shoot into the waiting purse.
Leaning over the counter, I watch as each cardboard box sinks inside the small bag that shouldn’t be big enough to hold even one of those boxes. The fabric doesn’t even bulge.
So cool. I’ve never seen a bag of holding in person before.
When the entire order is stuffed inside, Francine yanks the drawstrings tight and ties it shut. I wonder what kinds of things would come tumbling out if she accidentally dropped it. “Thank you again for the amazing flowers, Elara. I can’t wait for you to see them tonight.”
Elara shakes her head. “I won’t be at the ball.”
“Why not?” I ask.
Francine looks like she wants to hear the answer, but with a glance at the shiny gold watch on her wrist, decides against it. “Well, have a good evening then, Elara. And Josephine, I’ll see you—hopefully without your vampire entourage.”
She casts a disapproving glance at Rune before strolling out of the shop and off to decorate for the witches’ masquerade ball.
“She seems nice,” Rune says when the door swings shut.
Elara shrugs, unfazed, still her usual cheery self. “She has her days.”
I wonder if there’s anything that could actually get under her skin. I doubt it.
“You really aren’t going tonight?” I ask her.
“No. I’m not even technically part of the coven. My family has no ties to New Orleans. I moved here from Wyoming three years ago to become Adelaide’s apprentice.”
“Three years and they haven’t made you part of the coven yet? What’re they waiting for?”
She shrugs, but it’s clear there’s some hurt there. “I always planned on moving back home when my apprenticeship was over.”
“And now?”
“No way. It’s going to be way too much fun running this place with you.”
I still don’t want to crush Elara’s heart, so I switch topics instead. “How about you be my plus one tonight instead? We’ll leave the boys at home.”
“Hey!” Rune cries, looking thoroughly rejected. “I wanna go to the ball, too.”
“No, no,” Elara declines quickly. “I did get an invitation. I just don’t know if I can handle being there. Adelaide was a great mentor and pretty much my only friend while I’ve been here, and now…” she trails off, blinking rapidly to keep the tears from falling.
Merde.How could I have been so dense the past week? I’m a horrible friend. A horrible, terrible, no-good friend. “I’m so sorry, Elara. I didn’t even—it must be hard. I could stay home tonight. We could have a girl’s night; wine, cheesy rom-coms, and whatever junk food you want—we’ll go all-out slumber party.”
She waves off my suggestions. “No. You and your boys have fun. Besides, I’m more of a raunchy comedy movie kind of gal.”
Huh. I wouldn’t have expected that.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come tonight? I could lend you Sebastian.”
Elara raises a blond brow at me. “Who’s doing the favor for who there?”
“We could whip up a potion that steals his voice. At least then you wouldn’t have to listen to him snark all night.”
“Oooh, how very Ursula in The Little Mermaid of you. I like it.”
“Trust me, everyone would be better off if the royal pain lost his ability to speak.”
“Who needs a voice when you’re that nice to look at?” Elara chuckles, managing to find the good even in someone like Sebastian.
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” I warn. “He already thinks the sun shines out of that tightly puckered arse of his.”
Rune snorts. “As someone who has seen that tightly puckered ass more times than I can count, I can confirm that it does not.”
“Spend a lot of time with Sebastian naked, do you?” As soon as the question leaves my mouth, I realize how stupid it sounds.
Sebastian is Rune’s sire. Finn and Rune have tried explaining the sire-bond relationship to me before, but I didn’t realize how deep it went.
They run a supernatural sex club, for Gaia’s sake. Of course, they’ve seen each other naked.
The real question is: is that as far as things have gotten between them? Have Rune and his sire explored other aspects of their relationship? Has Finn ever joined the fun?
Have they fucked and shared the same girl? Have they explored the physical aspect of their relationship on their own?
No. I doubt it.
If they had, this whole four-way unity bond would be going a lot smoother.
“Have a good time tonight, you two.” Elara says before Rune answers. She waves goodbye and disappears behind the curtain that hides the staircase, heading back upstairs to finish redecorating.
A gust of warm wind blows past Rune as he opens the front door with a soft jingle. While he holds it for me, I duck under his arm and step out into the fading sunlight.
Spreading my arms to soak in the last of the warm rays, I realize I’ve been cooped up inside too much lately.
“What were you thinkin’ about back there?” Rune asks, stepping out onto the front step with me, crowding into my space like he isn’t aware of how big he is—like a Great Dane who thinks he’s a lap dog.
“I’m the newest member of this bond, but I’d swear you were having a steamy little daydream fantasy.” Rune reaches back to close the door behind us.
A sudden gust of wind blows through my hair and at the same time the smell of sulfur makes my nose scrunch.
I lift my gaze to see a black blur descending above me as sharp, curling talons fill my vision.