Shadowed Awakening (Daughters of the Vieux Carré Book 1) Read online

  If it were possible, my heart would be pounding. I don’t know how this happened, but I feel a sense of betrayal. Could my mate have been behind this awful deed?

  Watching her with a new wariness, I follow her back to the chairs. “How is this possible? And where are we? The smells and sounds are so strange.”

  “What is the last thing you remember?” Her eyes dart around the room, not meeting mine as she fidgets with the hem of her upper garment.

  “We had made it to the New World and had been unloaded from the ship to a warehouse by the port. It was a rough small town, dirty and uncivilized. I questioned Gabriel’s sanity for demanding we come.” I narrow my eyes, watching her closely. “You were there. Why are you asking me these things?” I run my hands through my hair and dust flies out, throwing me into a sneezing fit.

  “I need a starting point and want to know if you remember anything from the night of the spell.” She waves her hands, clearing the dust from the air.

  Now she has my attention. I sit up straight, meeting her gaze directly. “Spell? What are you talking about now?”

  “The other girls got together during the day and decided they didn’t want to be blood slaves any longer. Gabriel had given them gold to buy food and supplies, but they used it to pay a witch to cast a spell that would make the famille sleep for centuries.” She looks away, and I feel her discomfort along our bond. It’s as if she’s hiding something.

  “They betrayed their guardians?” Why would they do this? Once we take someone into our care, they never have to worry, and all that is required is a donation of blood.

  “They didn’t see you as guardians, but more as masters.” She raises her gaze to finally meet mine, narrowing her eyes and baring her teeth. “The women were selfish and cared for no one but themselves. The witch warned their descendants would pay the price and they dismissed her concerns, only caring about their freedom. Karma visited each one of them, and they all met awful ends, having horrific lives.”

  I sit back in the chair, taken aback by her anger and feeling confused by there being a witch in existence who could be powerful enough to curse twelve vampires. “What do you mean? How is this possible?”

  “Each girl served a vampire, thus forming a blood bond, and this allowed the spell to work. They sacrificed blood and promised a descendent of their blood to be given to the one they were cursing.” She sits back in her chair, slumping her shoulders, all signs of anger draining from her.

  “I never formed a bond with any of the girls, only you. How did I get cursed unless you gave blood?” And this is what has me feeling so out of sorts. The Giselle I know would never betray me, but this new version I’m unsure of.

  “Non, mon amour, I would never. She cast a binding spell on me, and I was unable to break free.” Her eyes widen, and she pales.

  “Non, Giselle, you betrayed me and the famille.” Standing, I turn my back toward her, the pain in my chest almost more than I can bear.

  I hear a loud crash as her chair falls back when she stands. “I would never, and I cannot believe you would say such a thing.”

  “Giselle, are you all right?” Cassandra calls from the stairwell.

  Giselle glances toward me as she opens the door, allowing the girl in. “Cassandra, come in.”

  “Is someone acting like an asshole?” Cassandra glances from me to Giselle, narrowing her eyes at me.

  “I do not know what an asshole is, but if it’s someone who has been betrayed by his mate, then I am.” I cock a brow at her, slapping my chest.

  She slams a bag made of strange material into my chest and nearly knocks me down as I stumble back a few steps. Both of these women are extremely strong, and angering them in my present state may not be the smartest idea.

  “Who is Cassandra to you?” I can smell Giselle’s scent on her but wait for her to confirm my suspicions.

  “She’s my protégé and part of the famille. She’s helped protect all of you all these years and has earned her place.” Giselle clenches her fists, straightening her spine as if daring me to contradict her.

  It is as I thought, and now I have more to think about. Why would Giselle create a protégé? What could have possibly motivated her to do such a thing? During our journey across the ocean, I taught my mate everything I could about life as a vampire. One important rule is to never create a protégé unless they are your mate, or the compulsion is irresistible. I wonder what made this girl so important Giselle was compelled to change her.

  Giselle is ignoring me and speaking as if I’m not in the room. “Cassie, can you stay with him? I need some air and think I will go to the club to check in.” She glances my way. “Are you safe to leave alone with her?”

  I nod and wonder why she would have any doubts.

  “Sure, I’ll call if we have any problems.” Cassandra rolls her eyes, and they are acting as if I’m a child in need of a nanny. This world may be strange, but I’m sure I can navigate it. Part of being immortal is learning to adapt to the changing times.

  Giselle gives me one last glance over her shoulder before leaving the room. The sadness I see in her eyes has me wanting to go after her, but Cassie steps in my way.

  “Oh no, let her go. I don’t know what you’ve done or why you think she’s betrayed you, but I guarantee you are wrong.” She shoves me back, pointing her finger in my chest.

  “I’ve been cursed for three hundred years, and so is my famille. She was not, and there is no way they could have cursed us without her blood. She’s a vampire. How did they get her blood unless she gave it to them?” Standing my ground, I refuse to back down. I may have woken in a different time, but I’m not stupid.

  “The witch bound her,” Cassandra says over her shoulder as she walks out of the room.

  I race to follow her, not knowing where we’re going. “I’ve never met a witch capable of doing that.”

  “I don’t know about all that, but what I do know is she’s protected your ass for a long time and has longed for you to wake up. So whatever you think she did in the past, she’s more than made up for it.” She descends the stairs but stops in front of a door on the next level.

  “How old are you?” With her strength, she has to be over a hundred years, but who knows what other things have changed.

  “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask a lady’s age?” She puts her hand on her hip, tilting her head at me.

  “Yes, but these are extenuating circumstances. I think I’m entitled to a bit of information.” I want to know how long Giselle was alone and why she created this girl.

  “I was born in 1862 on a plantation north of town, near the river. The Civil War broke out when I was a baby, and my family lost everything. My father was killed during the war, and my mother moved to town. Giselle hired her as a housekeeper and allowed us to live in her house. When I was sixteen, yellow fever spread through the city. My mother died first, and I was knocking on death’s door when Giselle changed me. She said she was compelled to do it and couldn’t allow me to die.” Cassandra shrugs her shoulders as if this isn’t a big thing. She must not understand how significant her creation is.

  “You do understand how strong the compulsion must have been. We only create children when we can’t resist it.” I grab her shoulders and shake her slightly, and she knocks my hands away.

  “I know, and owe everything to Giselle. She has explained what a big deal it is. She means the world to me, and I know you need to do whatever it takes to make this right. Whatever misconceptions you have going on are wrong. Now let’s get you cleaned up, and I’ll show you around the house.” Raising her brows, she glares at me until I nod.

  She leads me to a small room with marble floors and walls. “This is a bathroom; I believe you’re going to love modern plumbing.”

  My eyes widen as she turns a knob and water comes from a silver contraption in the wall. She hands me a bottle of thick liquid, a small piece of cloth, and a larger one.

  “That’s a shower. Soap and the smalle
r cloth is for washing, larger for drying. You turn this knob to the right to add more hot water and left for more cold. Turn the lever to the left to turn it off.” She points at an oddly shaped chair. “Not that you need it, but that’s the toilet. It’s for humans to defecate in.”

  I grimace, backing away from the odd contraption. “Disgusting. Why do we have this toilet in the house?”

  “We have human guests, and it would look strange not to. Just don’t mess with it. I’m going to go downstairs and clean the mess we made earlier. Get cleaned up and find me when you’re done.” She leaves the room, and I take the rags off, then throw them in a can in the room.

  I look down at my body. Nothing looks different. I’m as healthy as always. The blood gave me back my tan complexion and filled out my muscles. I no longer have a wasted, pale look about me. Now to get rid of the dirt.

  I step into the stream of hot water and marvel at how it is simply coming from the wall. Everything is so different. I don’t smell any animals, only a strange burning smell. And I can’t even begin to describe all the sounds.

  Leaning back, I wet my long black hair and bathe myself. The soap Cassie gave me smells woodsy and pleasant, not like the lye soap I’m used to or the strong parfum Paris was famous for.

  After I am rid of all the grime, I’m pleased to successfully stop the water from flowing. Cassandra was right. I do love modern plumbing. I always hated hauling water for baths.

  I dig around in the bag and find some odd things, and I have no idea what to do with them. I wrap the larger cloth around my waist and call for Cassandra.

  “Yeah, what’s up? Oh, my. Well damn, aren’t you something.” Her eyes widen, and she looks me up and down. I’m unsure, but I believe she may have paid me a compliment.

  “I don’t know what to do with the things you gave me.” I hold out the bag of garments.

  “Oh, sorry.” Holding up a pair of very short, thin breeches, she motions for me to take them. “Undergarments, these are called boxers. This is a shirt, and these are jeans. I’m sorry, I didn’t get you any shoes or socks. I’ll take care of that tomorrow. I don’t imagine you’ll be leaving the house tonight.”

  “Don’t I need a vest and jacket?” I stare at the garments she holds out, wondering what she wants me to do with them.

  “Things are extremely more casual now, and it’s summer, so no jacket.” Cassandra shakes the clothes at me, and I take them from her.

  “Why can’t I leave the house? Don’t I need to learn as much as possible about this new world?” I glance at her, but she’s looking at the ceiling. What is wrong with her?

  “I’ll set you up with a computer and television. I would imagine those will overwhelm you enough for one night. You can read and write?” Her gaze is darting around as she refuses to look at me. I look down and notice my towel has lowered to where I’m almost exposed. I cough and hitch it up further onto my hips.

  “Of course, I was a scholar in my day. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I pull my shoulders back, straightening to my full height. What must she think? I am well educated, and even though I came from humble beginnings, Gabriel saw to it the famille had the best education.

  “Don’t get your knickers twisted. I was only asking. Put the clothes on, and I’ll show you around.” She grabs the doorknob, and I barely hop out of the way before she slams the portal in my face.

  Talk about getting your knickers in a twist. I don’t believe mine are the ones we need to worry about.

  Giselle

  Screaming in the alley behind the club has me and Cassie racing outside, only to stop in our tracks and slink into the shadows. A crowd has formed around what looks like a body. I move closer through the crowd for a better view and see a pale victim lying on the ground, eyes open and staring, with their throat ripped open.

  Backing away, I slip back into the club, Cassie following, and we manage to make it inside without anyone seeing us.

  “Feral?” Raising her brows, Cassie scrubs her face with her hand.

  “Yes, and in our backyard.” I drop into the chair at my desk, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. Damn, this is all I need right now. It’s not enough I’m dealing with a mate who thinks I’ve somehow betrayed him. Now I have a crazy immortal to collar and hopefully stop before he kills again.

  Cassie is pacing in front of my desk, mumbling under her breath. “It’s as if he’s saying fuck you.”

  “He has to know we own the club. I don’t believe in coincidences, especially of this type.” The vampire either knows we’re the protectors of the city or he is rubbing our noses in the fact he’s here and we didn’t know it.

  Chi Chi bursts into the room, looking from Cassie to me. “What’s going on? I heard sirens and the police have converged in front of the club.”

  Before we have a chance to answer Chi Chi, Phillipe slips in through the back door. “What is wrong?”

  “Phillipe, what are you doing here?” I rub my temples, not wanting to deal with Chi Chi’s hysterics or Phillipe’s douchey attitude.

  “I sensed your distress and came immediately.” Looking down his nose at me, he crosses his arms over his chest, and I groan.

  I’m shocked he picked up on anything, much less found his way through the city to the club. The last few days, he’s been engrossed in learning everything he can by surfing the web and binge-watching documentaries on world events. I have barely been able to get him to feed, much less talk.

  “How did you find me?” There is no way he knows his way around the city.

  “Giselle, you know we can always find one another. We tested this on the ship. We also know when the other is upset.” He actually tsks at me, shaking his head. “What is that God-awful sound?” He rubs his temples, grimacing.

  Well damn, I’d forgot that little tidbit. With him being gone so long, I almost forgot what it’s like to sense your mate. He’s lucky I knew he was waking up. What we know about mates is limited at best as we were the first any of the vampires had seen.

  “It’s music from the club.” I’ve been exposed to the sounds for so long I tend to tune them out.

  His eyes widen, and he vigorously shakes his head. “No, that is in no way music. It sounds horrible or more like a tribal gathering.”

  Cassie punches him lightly in the shoulder. “Come on, old guy, get with the times. It’s what all the kids are listening to.”

  “Could we get back to the more important subject, the murder that happened within spitting distance of the club?” I need them to focus. We have a feral vampire on the loose, and we need to catch him before he kills again.

  “A murder?!” Chi Chi clasps his chest, his mouth open to form an O. “Oh great, first vampires and now murders. My peaceful little world is in total disarray.”

  “Yes, Chi Chi, a murder. I’m so sorry you’re inconvenienced by our existence and someone’s death.” Cassie rolls her eyes, sighing deeply. “You know the cops are going to want to question you, and we need to know too. Did you see anyone strange in here tonight?”

  He puts his hand on his hip and sticks his tongue out at her. “Oh hush, Cassie, if ever there was a time for me to be a drama queen, I think this qualifies. And there is always someone strange in here. We’ve been pretty busy tonight, so I didn’t pay attention to anyone.” Sometimes I feel like I’m running a daycare instead of a nightclub.

  “This someone is going to be extremely good looking, like Phillipe, and I would imagine he’ll stand out in a crowd.” Cassie waves her hand in Phillipe’s direction, who straightens to his full six feet four inches.

  Looking at my mate, I’m reminded of how his perfect, dark good looks enamored me the first time I saw him. He has long black hair and dark mysterious eyes over a straight nose. He had a mustache and trimmed beard, but now only has a sexy scruff. His body is lean and muscular, and I’m brought back to a time I’ve not thought of in quite a while.

  I volunteered to go to the New World in hopes of a new life. The n
uns at the French orphanage I grew up in painted a picture of marrying a rich man and living a blessed life. They exaggerated what life in New Orleans was like. Things were not as pleasant as advertised. Most of the girls traded one hell for another. Some were blessed with good men, but most of the men were rough and not good husband material.

  My thoughts were anything had to be better than what I was destined for in France. I would have been a servant of some sort, and my marriage prospects were limited at best.

  We were from different orphanages around Paris, but others were not of such innocent origins. I know a couple in our circle were prostitutes, and a few were from the prison. The famille found us the night before we were to board our ship, and they drafted us as their caretakers for the trip. Phillipe knew immediately I was his mate but waited until we landed to change me. He didn’t want me to struggle to find blood. The attraction has always been strong and we knew every secret space on that ship. We had a wonderful life planned, only to have it snatched away by eleven selfish women.

  I glance at Phillipe, wondering how we’re going to move past his doubts. He refuses to talk to me, and it’s killing my soul not to be close to him. I fell in love with him the moment I saw him, and nothing has changed. Through the years, I would open his crate and stare at him, but eventually I stopped. It was too painful to look at him and not have him with me.

  “Nope, definitely did not see anyone who measured up to Mr. Hotness over there. So you’re saying the murderer is a vamp? I thought y’all didn’t kill?” Chi Chi pales slightly, his gaze darting between Cassie, Phillipe, and myself.

  “We don’t unless we go bad. Once that happens, it’s up to the rest of us to take him down. We haven’t had a feral vampire in New Orleans in over fifty years.” Cassie plops into the chair across from me.

  It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. The vamp she’s talking about was a particularly nasty one and had been in numerous cities before reaching New Orleans. We had warning he was headed our way. An old acquaintance from New York was on his trail, and we worked with Giles to stop the feral before he was able to kill anyone in our city. I may need to touch base with Giles to see if he has any information that could be helpful. He usually keeps us updated. I’m wondering if this feral has only recently changed.