There’s nothing I hate more than the stories where men are off playing hero, while the women stay home to knit, or whatever the fuck, like we’re fragile creatures in need of constant saving.

Yet here I am, doing exactly that.

Two minutes after the guys have gone, Reina heads for the front door, grabbing her jacket without stopping. “Well don’t just stand there, let’s go.” She tosses the comment over her shoulder with a smile that can only be described as devilish.

“What are you in the mood for?” I ask as I trail her out the door.

“I’m thinking something spicy and savory followed by some beignets in the quarter.”

I groan as my stomach rumbles. “God that sounds heavenly.”

Reina stops in the middle of the road, her hand stopping me from progressing. “Wait, can you even eat real food?” Her mouth hangs open in horror, and I snort.

“Yeah, I can eat real food. I just have to remember to top off with some blood at the end of the night. Balance is key I guess.”

“Thank Jesus. Could you imagine having to pass Cafe du Monde for the rest of your very long life and not being able to eat that sugary confection? I’d toss myself into the ocean.”

“Thanks for the support.” I hit her arm with the back of my hand and skip a few steps to keep up with her fast clip. How she walks so fast in those killer boots of hers, I’ve got no idea. “Oy, slow down, woman. We in a rush or something?”

“I’m hungry. This is serious business. You know what I’m like when I’m hungry.”

“Yeah I do. It’s like a snickers commercial on crack.” Fucking terrifying basically. We walk past a little hole in the wall and the scents of peppers, tomatoes, sausage, and a variety of spices assault my senses. “Reina, let’s eat here. The gumbo smells so good tonight.”

“I can’t smell anything.” Reina frowns.

I smile. “Trust me. It’s extra good tonight. I can tell.” I tap the side of my nose.

“Dude, you’re like a supernatural food finding guru or some shit.” She shoves me towards the door of the restaurant, excited about the prospect of food. We’d never had gumbo until we’d moved here. Now we’re fanatics.

We wait to be seated outside in a little garden terrace they have. It’s decorated with twinkling fairy lights and is basically a super romantic place in general.

“Would you ladies like anything to drink?”

Reina raises an eyebrow, and I smirk.

“Yes, please. We’ll take a bottle of red wine and a glass of water each.”

“Right away, ma’am.” The waiter hustles away stopping at various tables on his way to fill our order.

“A bottle, eh? Feeling either celebratory, or like you need to get trashed and dish all your feelings. Which is it?”

“A little of both, I think. I’m not sure what the hell is going on. So much has changed in such a small amount of time.” I sigh.

“Okay so let's start with this Dria business.” Reina grabs a breadstick and shoves it in her mouth, waving her hand at me to speak.

“What do you remember from this morning?”

“Not a whole lot, after you guys left Row took up most of the space in my brain. Just start from the beginning again.”

“So, there are three queens or Drias as you heard before, and I’m one of them.”

She nods.

“The first one, and apparently they all have their own group of consorts from what I understand.”

“Oooh, look at you all royal and shit. Will they fan you with giant leaves and feed you grapes?” Reina looks off into space with a dreamy look on her face. “God, I hope so. You lucky bitch.”

I laugh. “Be careful what you wish for. I’m struggling with managing my feelings for just Carver. Add in Lucian and supposedly another guy? Can you imagine the testosterone levels in that situation?”

“Yes, yes I can. It sounds delicious.” Reina winks at me.

“You’re incorrigible.” I shake my head. “I’ve got no idea what I’m doing Reina.”

“That’s okay. I’m here to listen to all the delicious details and offer advice. So, this Dria thing. How do you find the other two? Do you guys hold hands and suddenly the world is alright again?”

I take a bite of my own breadstick and try not to choke as I laugh at her comment. “Not as far as I’m aware. We aren’t power rangers. And we’ve got to try to hook up with some powerful dead vamp’s followers.”

“I’m intrigued. Tell me more.” Reina leans her elbows on the table, her attention fully on me, her food forgotten.

“His name is Abhartach. And he was the original King of the Kresova. Until Queen Morana survived the change, and I guess she was a favorite of his. Until she overthrew him and killed him or just like put him to sleep for a long time. I’m not sure about the details.”

“Well that’s intense.” Reina grimaces.

“No shit. And his followers have been trying to bring him back for a while, and they’re at war with Morana. They’re called Dakvahar or Daks according to Harlow.”

Reina holds up a hand. “Wait. Who’s Harlow again?”

“She’s the alpha of the pack we went to visit. She also has her own group of men surrounding her.”

“I’m sensing a pattern here.” Reina hums. “Everyone’s got three men around them. Quick, bite me so I can join in the fun.” She thrusts her wrist at me and throws her head back laughing.

Sorrow washes over me. I could bite her, but what if she didn’t survive? I’d be lost without Reina’s quick wit and friendship. “If I knew you’d survive, I’d have snacked on you already.” I frown. “I’m sorry, Reina. It’s selfish, but I can’t risk losing you.”

Reina smiles softly. “I know, Aura. It’s okay. Just make sure you get me all the yarn I want when I’m wrinkly okay?”

“Deal. Now let's eat before the gumbo gets cold. We’ve got other stops to make!”

“Yes! Oh my god, this smells divine! Good call.” Reina slurps up her first bite and groans. “It’s like heaven in my mouth.”

I nod my agreement, too busy enjoying the different flavors delighting my taste buds. We eat in silence, our hums of enjoyment the only sound coming from our table. We finish our bowls and both lean back, sipping on our wine.

“That hit the spot.”

“I know. So, freaking good.”

“So, what are you going to do about your feelings for Lucian?” Reina asks.

“I have no idea. One minute, he seems like he's interested, and then he seems to catch himself and pulls back.”

“Well that’s not annoying or anything.”

“And I don’t want to force him, or have him feel forced, not like I was. But the draw is there. This whole thing is fucking nuts.”

“I don’t think he’s feeling forced. I’d say conflicted. Think about how long it took you to process everything.”

“Who can blame him though? Clearly I’m with Carver or Carver is with me or whatever.”

“Yeah he is.” Reina wiggles her eyebrows, and I toss a crouton at her.

“Behave. How would you feel if the guy you liked was all about some other girl?”

“It wouldn’t happen.” Reina nods matter of factly. “I’m not one to play second fiddle.”

“Exactly. I can’t imagine how that would feel. Like, I know how I feel about both of them. Carver and I are close. Like I can feel him in a room when we’re together. I know where he is. And Lucian.” I sigh. “I’ve felt a pull towards him since I first saw him. It’s like we’re two magnets, and it’s only a matter of time before we’re pulled together.” I pour more wine into my glass and take a sip.

“Maybe you should just talk to him?” Reina shrugs a shoulder.

“When? Between finding out I’m one of the Dria, taking road trips to talk to pack alphas, trying to stay out of Morana’s way, and now a search for Abhartach’s followers so we can see what they know, there’s never a moment where I can just pull him aside and be like, ‘Hey, I know we’re in some sort of prophecy, but I like you, and I hope you like me and don’t mind the fact that I’ve got feelings for another guy. A guy who happens to be your enemy.’”

“Ugh. That is a lot. Did you ever find out what exactly the beef between them is?”

“No.” I cup my chin in my palm. “Of course not. That would require them to open up and talk to me. Which is clearly something that men of all species hate.”

“Feelings are hard.” Reina chuckles.

“Feelings suck. They’re so confusing. And everything is in overdrive with all my new senses. I can feel their energy around me. It’s intoxicating.” Intoxicating is the only word I can think of for the pull I feel towards both men. It’s both maddening and exhilarating.

“I’d say just follow your instincts, Aura. That’s all you can do. I don’t think any of you expected this. And you’re going to have to work it out. Whether or not they want to deal with each other, it kind of sounds like you’re all stuck.”

“How romantic,” I reply drolly.

“Hey, I never said it was perfect. Just that it is what it is. And if it’s meant to be, it will work itself out. Just have patience.”

“I suck at patience,” I grumble.

Reina pushes back in her chair, dropping her napkin on the table. “I know you do. Now if you’ll excuse me, since I’ve played Dr. Phil for tonight, I’ve got to visit the ladies room. Be right back.”

I nod, and keep sipping my wine. I listen to the other guests at the restaurant, laughing, chatting, and enjoying their meals. The sounds of New Orleans mix in, providing a background noise of cars passing by, jazz music, and general revelry. I close my eyes in contentment, enjoying the moment.

A shout rings out behind me, and I sit up straight in my chair. I know that voice. Reina. She’s in trouble.

“Aura!” Reina’s voice is like a bullet to my chest. Without thought, I jump up from my seat and dash through the restaurant to the bathrooms. I push the door open, the wood slamming against the tile wall. She’s not in there. Panic numbs my limbs, and I search frantically for her in the dining room of the restaurant. Nothing. An exit only door is to my right. I shove it open, ignoring the scream of the alarm.

“Reina!” I shout her name, searching in every direction. A scuffle sounds to my left, and I turn towards the sound. There’s a small parking lot behind the restaurant.

“Aura!” Reina’s panic filled voice hits me, and I take off running. “Get your hands off of me, asshole!” Her anger is clear, and she’s fighting. Good. Give me a few seconds Reina. Just a little longer.

I round the corner and see two men toss Reina into the back of a black van. Arms pumping, adrenalin sharpening my senses, I take off like a bat out of hell. There’s no way I’m going to let them have her.

“Hey! Let her go!” I zip towards them, my fangs fully out, growling in anger. How dare they try to take my friend.

Both men ignore me, jumping into the van and cranking the engine. Their eyes flash silver, and I growl again. Vampires. I’m only feet away, and one of them steps on the gas. I stop myself just in the nick of time before they hit me with the van. My mind blanks, and I freeze, watching as the van’s brake lights shimmer as they turn the corner.

I turn, and without thinking, smash the window of the car closest to me. Glass flies, and the alarm sounds, but I ignore it. I jump in, pulling at the dash and the wires under it. Thank god, I’d dated a mechanic in college. I press the wires together, and they spark.

Once.

Twice.

Vroom. The car starts, and I step on the gas. The car fishtails, but I yank it into control, flying through the parking lot and turning the corner. I see the van ahead of me at a stop light. Four cars separate us.

Anger. Desperation. Fear. Each emotion flows through me, and I hit the steering wheel, beeping at the people in front of me. “Move you idiots!”

I have no idea who has Reina, but they’re going to pay for taking her. It’s got to be a follower of Morana’s or something. If they harm one hair on her head, I’m going to lose my shit. I glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror. My fangs are out, and my eyes are liquid silver.

The light turns green, and I maneuver the stolen car around three of the cars keeping me from Reina. The fourth one slows down, and the driver flips me the bird out the window. I shriek in frustration.

“Move it, your asshole!” I look into the other lane and see no oncoming traffic. I pull around the SUV blocking me and press the gas pedal into the floor, ignoring the shouts from the other driver and focusing on the road in front of me.

I swerve in and out of traffic, chasing after the van. They’ve gotten on the highway heading south which means only one thing. They’re headed for the bayou. That's a dangerous place to get lost in if you don’t know where you’re going. I’ve heard the rumors about people never found again after they venture in there. I need backup.

I’ve got to let Carver and Lucian know. I look to the seat next to me and realize I’d left my purse at the restaurant. Fuck. I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves.

“Hold on, Reina. I’m coming for you.”