Chapter Five

 

 

Willa squeezed her eyes closed tightly against the bright morning sun streaming into her bedroom. Dang it. She forgot to close the curtains last night, and now she was paying for it. Unable to return to the scrumptious dream she’d been enjoying, she stretched and felt for the soft, warm body of the only faithful man she’d allowed into her bed in a very long time.

Locating the silky furball, she scratched behind his ear. “I met someone last night.”

Shadow snored.

“You may lose your half of the bed soon.”

He snored again, clearly on the verge of caring.

Willa refused to let his lack of enthusiasm ruin her good mood. “Hold that thought while I shower.”

She was pouring her first cup of coffee when her phone rang. It was Karen. More than likely she was checking up on her after last night. “Good morning, sunshine.”

“Someone is in a chipper mood. Who are you and what have you done with Billie?”

“It’s Willa now, remember? And you’re not as funny as you think you are.”

“Sure I am.”

“Whatever.” She took a sip and then asked, “What’s up?”

“I’m waiting for you to blow out my eardrum with a rant fest about how all men are evil. So spill while I’m in the mood to take it.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

There was a long pause. “This must be bad. Really bad. I’ll call the crew and be over with wine and donuts in ten minutes.”

“Calm down. There’s nothing bad about it. Etie was a perfect gentleman. And I’m seeing him again later today.”

“You’re scaring me. Do you need medical intervention?”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Are you telling me, you like him? He likes you?”

“Duh. Why wouldn’t I? Why wouldn’t he? Whatever. You’re just trying to confuse me now.”

“Huh. That was unexpected. If you still like him after today, we should talk.”

“About?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just let me know how it goes, okay?”

“Yeah, okay. Oh, I meant to ask you about something. It’s going to sound crazy, but whenever I touch Etie’s skin I get a little shock. Can you ask the witches what that might be?”

Karen swore under her breath. “I’ll explain it to you when you call me with a report after your second date.”

Willa frowned at her phone. “Fine.”

M… e… o… w!

“Crap. I have to go.”

“Under the couch again?”

“Bingo. Sometimes he can’t manage to get himself back out. I really need to put him on a diet.”

Shadow chose that moment to yowl like he was dying.

“Shut it, furball, or I’ll dump you in that alley where I found you,” Willa grunted out as she tugged on the couch while trying to hold the phone.

“I better let you go so you can use both hands.”

Karen was suppressing a laugh. Willa heard it in her voice. “Laugh it up, chica. I’ll talk to you later.”

Willa heard her friend laughing and calling to her new roommates as she ended the call. With a heave and another loud grunt, she pulled the couch away from the wall far enough for Shadow to escape. Panting, she dropped onto the now crooked couch. “When are you going to learn?”

Shadow twitched his tail. Meow.

“Don’t sass me, Mr. Sassy Pants.”

He hopped up next to her and butted her arm with his head. Meow, meow.

Willa scratched his chin. “Apology accepted.”

Her phone rang a second time. “Hello?”

“Good morning, Willa,” Etie’s sexy voice purred in her ear.

“Hey there. Good morning yourself.”

“Are we still on for tonight? I would like to take you out for a nice dinner.”

“Absolutely. By the way, you have an advantage over me. You know where I live, but I don’t know where you do.”

“I have several properties, but my main home is a plantation house about fifteen miles from the French Quarter. Do you know Bayou Segnette State Park?”

“Sure, it’s across the river just past Westwego.”

“Exactly. My home is rather isolated, but these are the directions...”

Willa grabbed a notebook from the coffee table and scribbled his instructions on a blank page.

“Now that you know where I live, are we even?”

She could hear the amusement in his voice. “Yes. But how did you get permission to build a house in a state park?”

“I owned the land long before it became a state park, but that is another story. Does dinner at seven work for you?”

He must mean his family owned the land because that park was established a long time ago. “That would be perfect. So are you picking me up at seven or are we eating at seven?”

“I will pick you up at seven. Wear something comfortable. I want to take you someplace where we can talk.”

“All right. I’ll see you then.”

“Have a great day, Willa. I will see you this evening.”

She ended the call and pulled Shadow in for a hug. That was when she remembered she still had Etie’s glasses in her purse. Would he need them today? She could deliver them to his house, and if she did, she would have an excuse to see where he lived and a little extra time with him. Yes, she nodded to herself. That sounded like an excellent idea.

“Do you think you can stay out of trouble long enough for me to make up my face?”

Meow.

“You had better not be lying to me, because I forgot to give Etie his sunglasses. Now that I know where he lives, I can take them to him when I run to the store for more cat food.”

Purrrrrr.

“Yeah. I thought you would like that idea.”

Twenty minutes later, she was dressed, and her makeup was applied. She was searching for her keys when Shadow hissed at something outside her patio door.

“Jesus, cat, you scared me half to death. Cut that out.”

He ignored her and raised his hackles as he growled at whatever was beyond the glass.

Having located her keys, she joined Shadow at the door to see what the heck had his panties in a bunch. That was when she saw a man lurking behind a tree. Between the distance and shadows, she couldn’t make out his face.

With her heart pounding, she checked the lock on the door and then every window of her apartment. All were locked tight. For good measure, she pulled the shades and closed the curtains. Then she grabbed her phone and speed-dialed Karen.

“Hey, Willa, what’s up?”

“There’s a man skulking around outside my place. He’s freaking me out.”

“Hold on, let me check with Carolyn. If you’re in danger, she’ll know.”

Carolyn Drummond was one of Karen’s witch friends who recently met her husband, Darius, in Savannah. She had an incredible for reading peoples futures.

Willa pulled her curtains back far enough to keep an eye on the creep.

Where’d he go?

She chewed her nails and searched the yard while she waited.

Shit! There he was, and he was closer than before.

She rechecked the lock on the door and backed away, catching the edge of the couch with her heel. She tumbled to the floor, half on the couch and half off. The phone and keys flew out of her hands, hitting the floor with a crash. Scrambling on hands and knees, she snatched them up and checked her phone for damage.

“Willa? Willa!”

“I’m here. I tripped and dropped the phone. That guy is working his way closer to my door. What do I do?”

“Get out of there. Now!”

“Roger that.” She grabbed her purse and ran for the door.

As luck would have it, her apartment door automatically locked when it closed. She was thankful for that feature because there was no way she was stopping. Her little Chevy Spark was parked right in front of the grand old house that had been converted into several apartments. The one nearest the front door, being hers.

As she leapt from the porch, she unlocked the car with the key fob. Ten strides and she slid into the driver’s seat. In a heartbeat, she hit the power locks and ignition. The scream of her tires brought neighbors to their windows and doors as she raced away down the street.

She had driven several miles before she was calm enough to call Karen back.

“Willa? Tell me you got out.”

“I did. I’m headed out of town for a few hours. Hopefully, he’ll be gone when I go home.”

“Thank God. Carolyn said you were in deadly peril. Did you piss off a serial killer or something?”

“Ha ha. Very funny. No, I didn’t piss off anyone that I know of.”

“Well, watch your back and keep your pepper spray in your hand when you go out. This guy isn’t done.”

“Great. Just great. How am I supposed to sleep at night after hearing that?”

“Maybe you should stay with me for a while.”

“And what would I do with Shadow? You know he freaks out every time I move. He’s just gotten used to the new place.”

“At least think about it. If you change your mind, let me know.”

“I will. And thanks for the offer. I better go. Traffic is getting heavy.”

“All right. Stay safe and call me when you go home or I’ll worry.”

“Will do, and thanks again. Bye.”

“Bye.”

It took a couple of tries, but she finally found Etie’s bayou house. He wasn’t kidding. The house was well hidden off of an unmarked road. She drove a quarter mile before the house came into view. No, this definitely classified as an estate. It was too immense and grand to be considered a house.

Everything about the impressive antebellum mansion, from the two-and-a-half glorious stories of southern historic structure, to the enormous columns that held up a hipped roof that created the wraparound covered porch around the entire first and second levels, was sheer perfection.

“Wow. Just wow,” she breathed out.

She parked out front in the circular driveway, then flipped open the mirror on the visor and took a look. “Yikes. That mad dash from the house did a number on my hair.”

She finger-combed the mess into submission as best she could. Heaving a sigh, she made her way to the front door. Feeling a bit intimidated by the opulence of Etie’s home, she hesitated to knock. Before she could chicken out, the door swung wide.

“Good day, miss. Are you lost?”

Willa jumped at the unexpected encounter. “Hello. Um, no. I’m not lost. I’m Willa, a friend of Etienne’s.”

“Oh my, this is an unexpected pleasure. Master Delacour has spoken highly of you. I’m Baptiste LeBlanc. I manage the household for Master Delacour.” He held out his hand. “But please, call me Baptiste.”

“Nice to meet you.” She shook his hand, a mixture of relief and anticipation of seeing Etie and his home coursing through her. For a woman who lived for historic architecture, this was an epic opportunity. “Is Etie here?”

Baptiste’s brows shot up, and he coughed to clear his throat. He stepped to the side and swept his arm out to indicate she proceed him. “Yes. He is in the library.”

Entering the front door, she was transported back in time. Etie had maintained the mansion just as it had been when it was built. There were artistic embellishments that up until now, she’d only seen in textbooks. And the furnishings were mostly period, too. She was itching to tour every room.

“Incredible. Isn’t it?”

“It’s fantastic. I could spend days studying everything down to the tiniest detail.”

“Master Delacour is fastidious about preserving the integrity of the property. Feel free to make yourself at home. The library is the second door on the left.”

She stopped in the doorway unsure if she should enter. Besides Etie, there were several other men. They seemed to be deep in conversation.

A handsome man dragged his hand through his hair obviously upset. “Jacqueline told me that she’s been voted in as the head of the coven. Will that put an even bigger target on her back?”

“I don’t think it will be a problem,” Etie soothed. “The guild will not know that information.”

The guild? What the heck was that? And were they talking about Karen’s new friend from Savannah? Karen told her about a bunch of witches that came back with her, but she never mentioned a coven.

“Don’t worry about it, bro. We’ll help protect her,” a second man who looked a lot like the worried one said.

“She is my muierimei. I can’t help but worry about her safety.”

“I feel you, Nick. I’m losing my mind over Janet.”

“Every vampire feels that way about their mate. Rest assured, I have men scouring the city twenty-four hours a day. If and when the guild arrives, we’ll know it. All right. Let’s move onto the next item of business,” the dark-haired man standing next to Etie said.

Willa stiffened. Every hair on her body stood on end. Vampire? Did he just say vampire? And were those fangs she saw in the man’s mouth? She was about to get the heck out of there when Etie spotted her and held her fast with his gaze.

“Enough,” Etienne commanded.

Every pair of eyes turned and stared. At her. Whispering filled the silence like the hiss of an angry snake. She was about to die. She was sure of it.

Confusion and fear clouded her mind. Vampire… mate… muierimei? She needed more information if she was going to survive the next few minutes. Etienne approached her slowly, but she held up a hand and halted his progress. Then she turned to the one who had spoken last. “Repeat what you just said.”

The man glanced from her to Etienne and back again. “Which part?”

Willa’s heart pounded wildly in her chest. “The part about vampires and mates. I wouldn’t mind knowing what a mure ee may is either. And if you plan to kill me, I would appreciate a five-minute head start.”

“Willa, I think we should talk about this in private,” Etienne said, his voice pitched low and beguiling. His eyes were filled with apprehension and fear.

“Don’t,” she snapped. “Your voice doesn’t work on me, so just stop it.”

With her declaration, each man inhaled a sharp breath.

“My apologies. I only meant to calm you. Please, shadíma, allow me to explain this in private.” He took the last few steps forward and held out his hand.

She eyed his proffered palm. “Do you give me your word that I will be safe?”

He placed one hand over his heart and gave her a little bow. “On my honor. No harm will come to you.”

The plaintive note in his voice convinced her more than anything and kept her from bolting. “All right.” She placed her hand in his.

Before he could lead her to another room, the dark-haired man spoke up. “Etienne, we will vacate. The two of you should use this room. Outside of your bedroom, it’s the most private.”

“Thank you, Darius.” Etienne pulled her into the room and led her to a large leather couch.

Darius headed for the door. “Come on, guys, I’m hungry. We can finish up in the kitchen.”

They sat silently together until the snick of the door was heard. She suddenly felt very vulnerable alone with Etie.

Willa pulled her hand from his and balled it in her lap. “You have a lot of explaining to do.”

“Yes. I do. I had planned on telling you tonight. That is why I wanted to take you to a place where we could talk. Do you remember last night when I told you I was a vampire and you didn’t believe me? I believe your exact words were, let’s just say I have a very healthy degree of doubt.”

She glanced at him, and then quickly away as heat rushed to her cheeks. “Maybe.”

“I told you, and I quote, I shall endeavor to make a believer out of you. You must see that I never intended to deceive you. I have tried from the very first to be honest with you.”

“I guess so.”

He brushed a hand down her hair. “You do not sound convinced. That is to be expected. Before I begin, let me ask you a question. Do you know that you are a witch?”

Willa looked up and this time held his gaze. “Yes. But I don’t do anything witchy. I mean, I use my empathy and lie detecting abilities to read people, but that’s about it.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. Then I do not have to explain that to you. Although, you must realize that you are a very powerful witch. You have a volcano of untapped power lying dormant in you. I can feel it.”

Her eyes widened. “I do?”

Etienne chuckled softly. “Oh, yes. If you ever wish to explore that, I know Karen and her friends would be more than happy to work with you. Now, you asked about mates and muierimeis. I shall start with that. Every vampire has a soulmate somewhere in the world.” He reached out and stroked a finger across the back of her hand. Little erotic sparks of energy tingled in the wake of his touch. “What you are feeling is a small part of the soulmate experience.”

“What are you saying?” she asked in a small voice.

“You are my soulmate, Willa. My muierimei.”

“There’s that word again. What does that mean?”

“Muierimei is a vampire term for a woman who is the other half of a vampire pairing. It has several meanings, such as wife, spouse, my heart, my life, and my soul. That is what a soulmate is to a vampire. There is also a term for the man. Férjé. It means the same things. Husband, spouse, heart, life, and soul. If you accept me as yours, I will be your férjé.”

“Fair jay,” she said as she tried out the word. “Is a vampire always paired with a witch?”

“Not always. Sometimes the woman or man is a human, shifter, or other paranormal.”

This time her eyes bulged. “Other paranormal?”

“Yes, sweetheart. There are many others. Perhaps we can save that conversation for another time.”

She nodded. “I agree. My head is already spinning with the whole vampire thing.”

Etienne searched her face for acceptance. She still didn’t believe he was a vampire. He sensed she was playing along with him. He released a weary breath. “I suppose you require proof. Perhaps if I show you my fangs you will believe me. Do you want me to do that?”

Willa’s shoulders slumped. She pulled her hand away from his and hugged her arms around her middle. “Etie,” she said as if pacifying him. “I think you need help with this vampire thing. You’re not a creature of the night. When I came into your office, you were standing in a ray of sunshine. Vampire lore seriously frowns on that.”

“You are correct. The sun burns a vampire, but I have magic that allows me to walk in daylight. The question still stands, would you like to see my fangs?”

“Be my guest. But when fangs don’t appear you have to agree to get help. I like you a lot, Etie, and want you to be well.”

Etie gave her a smile though his heart ached. “Help is not required. Please take my hand again. I am sure this will frighten you.”

She placed one hand in his.

He closed his eyes and prayed this went well. His fangs eased through his gums, and he parted his lips. When he opened his mouth, she pulled at the hand he held tightly and shrank back in horror.

The world tilted, and her ears rang with a buzzing sound. Using all her strength, she yanked her hand from his and shoved him away.

She mumbled to herself, and then bolted up and rushed from the room, her heart beating triple time. As she burst out the front door and leapt down the stairs, she squinted against the harsh sunshine of midday. Her eyes adjusted, and she saw him. Etienne was there, leaning against the driver’s door of her tiny car.

Willa skidded to a halt.

He pushed away from the car and took a step toward her. “Willa, please—”

She held up her hands and backed away. “Stay where you are.”

He opened his mouth as if to speak again but her phone rang, and she snatched it from her purse.

“Willa? Honey, are you okay?” Karen asked frantically through the phone.

“No. I’m with a crazy man with fangs. FANGS. Call the police.”

“Are you with Etienne?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“Willa… he isn’t a crazy person. He’s a vampire. A real vampire. But, honey, he won’t hurt you. Etienne would never hurt a woman.”

“Wait. What? You knew he was a vampire? Why didn’t you warn me?”

“He asked me not to. He wanted to tell you himself. Willa, take a breath. I’m sure you’re freaked out right now. I know I was the first time I met them in Savannah.”

Willa took a few deep breaths as she kept an eye on Etienne. “Are you sure he won’t bite me or do anything vampy?”

“A vampire would never bite the woman he was interested in unless she gave him permission. It’s a matter of honor for them.” There was a pause. “Willa?”

“Yeah?”

“Give him the chance to explain things. If he is what I think he is, you’re his soulmate.”

“He mentioned something about that.”

“Then give him a chance. My friend Carolyn accepted her vampire and has never been happier. Believe it or not, Etienne is the man… err vampire of your dreams.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sweetie, I am. Now go on. Get off the phone and talk to the man.”

“All right. But if I don’t call you back in the next thirty minutes call out the National Guard and rescue me.”

Karen busted out laughing. “The National Guard? Really?”

“Of course. He’s a really big vampire. I’m sure it would take more than a couple of cops. Anyway, I guess I better go and get this over with. But don’t forget, thirty minutes and not a second longer.”

“Got it. Bye, Willa.”

Willa tucked the phone away and took a breath.

“Willa?” Etienne asked cautiously.

“All right. Let’s talk.”

“I think it would be better to give you a little time to digest what you have learned. Let’s go back to my original dinner plan. I will explain more then.”

Willa stayed put and chewed her lip.

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m just not anxious to go home.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

She lowered her gaze and toed at a small rock. “A man was skulking around my apartment. He scared me so much, I ran from my place and came over here.”

An angry growl jerked her head up.

“I am following you home. When we get there, you will stay in your car until I check both inside and out.”

“Um. Okay.” She walked to her car and waited for Etienne to move aside. Instead of giving way, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her senseless.

“The thought of you in danger scares me to death, kisba,” he growled, his lips brushing hers with each syllable. After a long minute, he loosened his hold and opened her car door. “I will be right behind you. Don’t forget, stay in your car.”

“Got it. Stay in the car,” she said still shaky from his kiss. “And don’t begin to think I missed the fact that you called me another strange name. It had better be complimentary.”

“It absolutely was. Kisba is a less formal endearment like babe or baby.”

“Kish ba,” she sounded out the word. “It’s kind of pretty.”

The drive home was a mere fifteen miles, yet it took almost a half hour with traffic. She parked behind Etienne’s classic Chevy and waited as he instructed. He moved quickly to her driver’s side door and waited for her to lower the window.

“I will be back in a minute or two. If you see anything suspicious or I do not return in three minutes, leave. Go back to my house and tell the men what has happened.”

“You’re scaring me. If you think it’s that dangerous, you should call your men before you check it out.”

“Few things in this world can harm me, cher. My instructions are merely a precaution. Do not worry. I will return.”

Shaken by his words, she watched as he disappeared around the side of her building.

Etienne paused just past the corner of the house. He stretched out his senses and felt for residual energy. There it was, in the shadows of the edge of the yard. He hissed a challenge at the man who was no longer there. From that location, the intruder had a clear visual of Willa’s windows and patio door.

He inspected the base of the tree and found flattened grass where the bastard had lingered for a time. From where he stood, he looked at his muierimei’s apartment. Anger exploded in his mind and soul.

Her door was ajar. He rushed to her patio and silently slipped inside. A scent hung faintly in the air. He inhaled it deeply into his lungs and studied it. He didn’t recognize it, but he would know it if he came upon it again.

Systematically, he searched each room. The intruder was gone, but a sinister gift had been left behind. Etienne sniffed the item and examined the fading energy of the man who had handled it. Something about the energy nagged at the back of his mind. But like a wisp of smoke that swirled away when a hand passed through it, he couldn’t grasp the memory.

He left the item undisturbed and resumed his inspection of the outside of her building. He didn’t expect to find the man hidden on the opposite side of the house, but he had to be thorough.

Willa entered all but the last digit for the phone number of Etie’s house and stared at her front door with her thumb hovering over the final digit. She was about to lower her thumb and scream for help when he reappeared around the opposite side. She huffed out the breath she’d been holding and canceled the call.

As soon as he stopped beside her door, she lowered the window again.

“The man is no longer here. But I found footprints that led to each of your windows, and your patio door was ajar. I entered your apartment and searched it for intruders. He was already gone.”

Relieved beyond measure, she unlocked her car door and leapt into Etie’s arms.