One Immortal - Tia Louise Page 0,40

be ready when he makes his move.”

“We’re only just getting started,” he says. “You’re well-known in the underground. Word gets out you helped a hybrid escape its master, they’ll put a mark on you. We’ll be watching your back for a long time.”

“Can’t be helped.” My determination is stronger than ever. “I will free her.”

He nods gravely. “I’ll touch base with the New Orleans underground. It’s possible they’ve picked up on his arrival. The old ones can cloak their movements, but they might have something.”

“Thanks,” I say, grasping his forearm. “I’d better wake Patrick.”

10

Options

Melissa

The crowd is thin when we cross the street to Mr. B’s for an early lunch. Elaine hands me my rescued clutch, and I notice she’s wearing the same yellow dress from last night. I’d changed at the hotel, although I was tempted to stay in Derek’s shirt.

Memories of last night buzz under my skin, and I want to have him around me as well as inside me. I’m sure he’s behind this change in me, if I could only figure out how.

The hostess leads us to a large, circular booth in a dim-lit back corner. It’s perfect for our meeting here today. Mariska hasn’t arrived, so Elaine and I order a bottle of Pinot gris to sip while we catch up.

“You didn’t spend the night with him?” She looks disappointed. “After the way he ran after you in the rain? It was so romantic.”

“Actually,” I can’t stop a smile. “I did spend the night with him—and I slept all night!”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “All night?”

“Well, half of the night. After we… you know.”

“But how is that possible? What happened?”

“I don’t know! It’s like someone hit the reset button, and I’m back at the beginning.” Motioning her forward, I lower my voice. “Even better, I can’t hear him anymore.”

She jumps back. “Hear him? You mean—”

“Stop!” Lunging forward, my fingers hover over her lips. With a vague sense of panic, I glance over my shoulder. “Don’t say his name. I’ve been trying not to even think it.”

She glances around as well, scooting closer to me as if for protection. “W-why?”

“I don’t know.” We’re whispering now. “It seems to help him find me.”

“Oh my god,” she shudders. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

My lip catches in my teeth, and my chin drops. “I was afraid of what you might think. He would speak in my mind, tell me to do things.”

Elaine’s fingers tense on my arm.

“I didn’t do them!” I add hastily. “I fought him, blocked him out the way you do with other peoples’ thoughts.”

“Melissa, that’s horrifying!”

“It was horrifying. Now it’s stopped.”

Mariska swirls in wearing a strappy handkerchief-patterned sundress. Her light-brown hair is pulled into a low side-ponytail, and she has a ring on every finger. “Sorry I’m late! Damn ferry.”

We scoot around the green leather bench to let her sit. Her slim brows knit at our worried expressions. “What did I miss?”

Leaning forward, I tell her my news. Her golden eyes blink wider. “This is very significant. You’ve weakened his power. Tell me every thing you did since yesterday.”

“I can’t possibly remember everything.” I can’t tell them about biting Derek.

“Try, Mel,” Elaine urges. “It’s vital to your cure.”

A waiter appears to take Mariska’s drink order. She requests sweet tea, and we all order food—more barbecue shrimp for me (because I love it, and I’m actually hungry for once), Italian sandwich for Elaine, and a bowl of gumbo for our guest.

The server leaves, and her golden eyes latch onto mine. The way she’s looking at me makes my insides squirm.

“You did something. I can sense it.” She reaches out and touches my hand. “Your scent has changed.”

Elaine’s brows pull together, then she leans into me and inhales deeply. “Mmm,” she exhales. “Just smells like Derek to me. She did sleep with him.”

“Seriously?” I whisper-hiss. “No more privacy for me?”

“You had sex…” Mariska says the words slowly, assessing me, and I know she’s figuring it out. Even Elaine knew what might happen when my orgasm peaked. She looks back and forth at us.

“What?” Elaine says. “Someone tell me what’s going on. I can’t hear her anymore.”

“Keep an open mind,” I say.

“I knew it.” Mariska leans back in her seat. “Your skin is flushed and glowing.”

“He asked me to do it.” My gaze lowers to the table, but I can feel the judgment rolling off her.

“Do what?” Elaine grabs my arm.

I only blink up at her, and she instantly drops it and scoots toward Mariska. “You bit him?” she