Chapter 12 Sam #2
He didn’t need me to spell it out for him. “You don’t need to worry about me.” He covered my tangled hands with one of his. “I’ve got this. I can take care of myself.” He chuckled, but it wasn’t entirely humor.
I didn’t doubt his survival skills, so I nodded. There were no words for me to say, and I closed my eyes as he pressed a soft kiss to my temple, like I was concentrating, trying to absorb as much of him as possible through my skin.
After Kyle left, the place was too quiet. I needed to get out of there, but where could I go? I only knew my home, and Esmé was there.
Except I didn’t only know my home now. I had somewhere I could go in the Quarter, even if I had to technically pay for the privilege of spending time there.
Naomi.
Getting back to the shop could be risky, but I’d had enough practice sneaking around and losing Brock’s goons. And after spending time with Kyle, I was kind of feeling up to a challenge.
I stuck to the shadows like a rat scurrying down a sewer pipe, but I reached Naomi’s little shop fairly quickly. Lettie’s. The name was worked in cursive script on the sign. The bell rang as I entered, and relief washed over me that I was somewhere safe.
I couldn’t explain it, but right here felt safe.
Naomi glanced up from where she was writing on a clipboard by the register, and a broad smile took control of her mouth.
“Hi, Sam. I’m glad you came back. Your ring is ready.” She walked to the door and flipped the sign like she had the first time I’d visited. Then she locked the shop and looked at me expectantly, her eyes bright and friendly. “Come in the back and we’ll finish that tea we didn’t get to.”
I wrinkled my nose and she laughed.
“I’ll make a fresh pot.” She pushed the curtain aside and gestured for me to follow her. The room back there smelled the exact same as it had the first time. Like magic and spells and potions and promise.
She waved toward the table, and I sat down, my gaze darting all over again, taking in the herbs, the books, and the black range, as I relaxed in the warmth of the space.
“You been doing okay?” She lifted the same pot as before onto the range then walked to a dresser of shelves and drawers before opening one of the smallest drawers at the top.
She pulled out a small paper bag and slid it across the worn surface of the table to me.
“This is your ring.” She cocked her head and looked at the small package, her eyes narrow, her tone thoughtful as she spoke again.
“It should help with your cravings.” Then she poured hot water from the boiling pot to steep the tea, and the fragrance of the leaves filled my nose.
I inhaled again, drawing the rich scent deep into my chest. I missed simple things like this, but maybe Naomi could give some of my old life back to me.
“I also added a protection spell.” She glanced over her shoulder at me. “Should help with any vamp that wants to put you under a compulsion.” Her smile was wry this time. “Figured you might need it with the type of company you’re forced to keep.”
I tried to smile at her, but my stomach dropped away. I didn’t have the money to pay for extra spells. “I don’t think I can accept —” I started. “I mean, that’s very kind but I can’t…”
“There’s no charge for the things I choose to do,” she said, her tone firm as she placed a mug of tea in front of me.
I wrapped my hands around the thick clay, warming them. “Thank you,” I whispered.
More acts of kindness from people I didn’t really know and who had no reason at all to be so good to me.
“Sam, you don’t deserve what’s happened to you. If I can help in any way, let me know. And if you see a way out, grab it and don’t let go.” Then she changed the subject. “Have you always lived in New Orleans?”
“My whole life,” I answered and smiled, although the movement of my mouth felt tight.
“Oh, yeah? I moved here when I made connections with the local witches.” Naomi nodded thoughtfully.
“The Midwest always seemed boring compared to tales of the shadows and roaming ghosts of NOLA.” She chuckled and the sound was full of memories.
“Man, from a small rural farm town to… To this. To magic.” She still sounded in awe.
“And did you know about the… other stuff?” I meant supernaturals, although I was pretty sure I didn’t have to say it.
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Nope. I might not have come if I had.” Then she shrugged. “But enough about them.”
I nodded. Somehow, we’d circled back around to vampires, shifters, and the whole dark underbelly of New Orleans as if that was the only thing that existed.
“You like much music?” Naomi tried a different tack.
I shrugged and my own chuckle was regretful. “I used to. Haven’t listened to much recently.”
Naomi patted my hand. “Well, maybe we can change that for you.” Her gaze softened.
“I hope we can. I’m going to see what I can do.
” She laughed, her tone changing. “And how about some clothes first? We might be about the same size?” Her nose wrinkled again, this time a tell that she was probably lying to be kind.
Everything I wore these days hung off me.
But a conversation about clothes was nice and it was normal, and I really needed normal when everything just seemed to have upended.
After I took the last mouthful of my tea, I reached into my purse and drew out some of the money I’d withdrawn from my bank account.
“I need to pay you for the ring.” I pushed the money across the table, my movements awkward. If Esmé found out what I was doing, my life would be hell, and surely, I couldn’t always rely on Kyle for rescue? I swallowed my anxiety with a convulsive bob of my throat.
“Try the fit.” She smiled at me and nodded toward my hands before she even so much as glanced at the bills.
My hands trembled as I slid the ring from the paper bag and slipped it onto my finger. Electricity shimmered through me, and a sense of calm followed the buzz. I breathed out a soft sigh.
“It works?” Naomi clapped her hands in sudden joy, then she chuckled. “I mean, of course it does, but I always worry right up until I know for sure.”
“Thank you so much.” I looked at the ring on my finger. She’d managed to make it unobtrusive but pretty too. I never wanted to take it off. I pulled her into a hug, surprising myself. I didn’t ever seek out the comfort of others. Kyle’s was the only recent touch I hadn’t hated.
“Thank you,” I said again.
“Any time,” she said as she met my eyes. “I mean it. You come back here any time at all.”
“Thank you.” I appeared to have run out of other words, but my repeated appreciation would have to do.
I stood from the table and Naomi grinned before she pushed the curtain aside and led the way across the small shop.
She held the door open, the little bell above ringing a melodious note, and I left quickly, wanting to be back at Kyle’s place when he returned home. I glanced at my new ring again, admiring the way it caught the sunlight.
Suddenly, there was a muffled scuffing noise behind me, and I half turned as someone threw a fist into my face.
Pain radiated across my cheek as I focused on the two guys, their big bodies penning me against the wall.
Brock and Esmé’s goons. I heaved in a breath, ready to scream, but one of the men clamped a meaty, smelly palm over my mouth.
“What’s this?” One of the guys grabbed my hand and splayed my fingers before one of them ripped my new ring from my finger.
It clinked as it hit the paved ground at my feet, and tears burned the backs of my eyes at its loss.
Then the men wrenched my arms behind my back, and I lost my footing as they dragged me toward an idling car.
I scraped my shoes against the ground, trying to find a foothold as my shoulders pulled and ached.
Then they shoved me into the backseat of the waiting car, and the second goon slid in after me, ramming my head against the opposite door and forcing me to bend the wrong way to accommodate him.
The car squealed as it pulled away, and my breaths came in rapid pants of fear.