Wicked Love - Michelle Dare Page 0,102

for being a voodoo priestess. Her name is surrounded by both legend and lore. She died in the eighteenth century, but in New Orleans, death is just another portal. We’re all, in a sense, dead here. Marie Laveau’s presence is all over this town. Some claim they still see her spirit, that she still instills fear into her enemies and their bloodlines. She may have left this earth, but her magic is very much alive. Some say she cursed half the town and has an army of dead walking the French Quarter waiting to haunt the wicked and seduce the innocent.”

Trudy’s eyes shine with skepticism, her lips curling into her famous “yeah right” smirk. “So, you’re saying while we’re here, ghosts will be trying to suck out our souls and flirt with us?” She laughs out loud, then pulls out her glittery red lip gloss and starts to apply it.

“You are in New Orleans, child. Anything is possible.” He doesn’t say another word as we hit our destination. Jackson Square is where he suggested we start. It’s alive with tourists and party goers, some dressed in their normal attire, and some in extravagant Halloween costumes. I almost get whisked in the face by a large feather whip as I climb out of the cab. A magnificent old cathedral stands with such ancient beauty, and I lift my chin up to take in the entire building.

“Wow, it’s beautiful.” I twist in circles as I take in all the statues. Local artists clutter the sidewalk, and a unique piece of art grabs my attention. The intricate artwork gravitates me toward it when Trudy grabs my hand, pulling me in the opposite direction.

“We didn’t come here to dilly dally. First, beignets. We have to get a solid base. , Then we drink.”

She pulls me across the street to a French market stand. “What is this place?”

“Café Du mode—only one of the most popular places in New Orleans. Or so I read in the magazine on the plane. They sell these powdered donuts or something. Apparently, they are to die for,” she says, poking fun at the cab driver’s enthusiasm.

After standing in line for an hour, we’re seated, a pile of French-style doughnuts covered in a mountain of powdered sugar in front of us. The first bite is heaven. The warm golden-brown delight melts in my mouth, covering my lips in white. The taste is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, a mix between a pastry and a donut. “Jesus, this is delicious,” I moan, powdered sugar falling all over my lap.

“Like orgasmic good,” Trudy adds, inhaling another large bite. “What a strange driver. All that voodoo stuff. You weren’t falling for any of that, were you?” she asks, taking another bite.

I shrug, indulging in my own doughnut, while his and the airline agent’s words echo inside my head.

Haunt the wicked and seduce the innocent.

Embrace the journey ahead.

There’s this growing temptation in the shadows of my mind. I ignore any insecurities that try to surface. I’m here to set demons free—rid my heart of the damage James inflicted on my soul. And god knows, there’s a lot of wreckage to clean up. Will some silly voodoo heal me? Probably not, but what do I have to lose?

“Uh oh, that look tells me you are believing in it.”

My shoulders lift in a passive shrug. “I mean, why not? We’re in the land of the unknown, right? Maybe the voodoo queen will pick me and make all my wishes come true.” I wiggle my brows.

Mischief swims in Trudy’s heavy-set brown eyes. Her lips break out into a grin. “Okay, I like where you’re going with this. I’ll bite. Let’s go get you some black magic and rid you of that ex of yours. But first, those gigantic daiquiris.”

5

I wake with a jolt. My head pops up from the table, and I’m dizzy with confusion. How did my head get on the… I only blinked… How could I have fallen asleep? I seek out the tarot reader across the table and realize she’s no longer there. I twist in my chair, scanning the room. Where the hell did she go? She was just in front of me! “Hello? Ma’am?” What the hell? I stand up and notice the candles are burnt down to the wick. Did she drug me? The goblet. I quickly reach into my back pocket where my money and ID are, afraid I’ve been robbed, but both are accounted for.

Feeling disoriented, I push out my