Consuela entered In 2 Deep and walked to the bar, scanning the room. A variety of Others. More so than in New Orleans. She’d heard the rumors, but never believed there were places more accepting of Others than the city she called home.
Everyone in Edenton seemed to stick together. No one would offer even a hint of where Erik may have gone. The ghosts stayed away.
Later, after she went back to the B&B, she’d summon whoever she could and see if she couldn’t force some answers out of the dead. They were less likely to resist.
The bartender’s eyes narrowed as she walked her way. She flipped her pale blond hair over her shoulder and offered a tight smile. “Can I help you?”
“Can you make a Berry Deadly?”
Nodding, she laughed. “Interesting choice.”
Consuela took a seat at the bar and leaned forward. “Know anything about where Erik Mortale is hiding out?”
She snorted. “Other than he’s with Monique, no. Can’t say I’m surprised. It was only a matter of time.” She tapped her head. “I’ve seen them together since the moment I met Monique. Honestly, I figured it would happen sooner.”
Intrigued, Consuela asked, “What are you?”
“Clairvoyant. Werewolf. The name’s Jess.” She slid the drink across the bar and brushed her fingers.
She took her hand back and fell still.
“Dare I ask what you see?”
Jess sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “How do you know I saw anything?”
Consuela snorted. “Your kind always do. Always interesting to see how I’m judged by whatever snippet you catch.”
She shook her head. “Not judging someone I don’t understand.”
“Now that is interesting. I haven’t met a clairvoyant who didn’t.”
Jess shrugged. “In a town like this, you can’t judge until you have more details. Seems you mean well, but your choices…I don’t understand.”
Consuela sat back and sipped her drink. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“And, I’m Consuela.” She didn’t offer her hand. Most clairvoyants who saw through touch didn’t like touching strangers.
“Can I ask what your interest in Erik is?”
“You could say professional. We share similar talents, and I’m always curious how other Deathcallers work their magic. There aren’t many documents left detailing what we can do or how. We were hunted for far too long.”
“People tend to fear what they don’t understand,” Jess answered.
“True enough. I’d rather seek understanding.”
* * * *
Robert sat between Tremaine and Liz. Tremaine pulled him back against his chest. He turned, putting his feet next to Liz.
Smiling, she set her book aside and pulled one leg, then the other into her lap. He flexed his toes, caressing her small baby bump as she began to massage his insteps.
“Don’t need to do that,” Robert murmured.
Tremaine huffed, his hands going to Robert’s shoulders to ease the tension. “What’s bothering you? It’s clear you’re stressed.”
“Ever hear of Consuela Bordeaux?”
“I’ve met her. Interesting woman. Last I knew, she was teetering on the edge of disaster.”
“Why is that?”
“Too powerful and not enough sense. She’s holding onto revenge that should have ended ages ago.”
Robert sighed, glancing back to meet Tremaine’s gaze. “She’s a Crimson Witch. We watched her absorb blood right into her skin.”
“That doesn’t make her evil,” Tremaine pointed out. “Though beings more deadly than ghosts follow her around. That’s where the issue lies.”
Robert sighed. “We don’t suspect her of committing any crime. But if what you say is true, and something darker than a spirit worms it’s way in while she’s in the Silver Council we may have a real problem on our hands.”
“Hopefully Erik can help her.”
“Maybe. I have another possible problem.”
“What’s that?” Liz asked.
“Erik put in for a transfer. He finally got tired of waiting for Monique to give him another chance. Only, she’s fighting for him.”
Liz grinned. “About damned time.”
“I don’t know. Erik doesn’t seem to buy Monique’s change of heart.”
“He will,” Liz murmured.
“You don’t think it’s too late?”
Light danced through her hazel eyes. “No. We managed to pull through.”
“Forty-two years, that’s a long time,” Robert answered.
“You managed twenty-one,” Liz fired back, then shrugged. “Besides, Erik had been fighting for her a long time. He didn’t start questioning if he was wasting his time until recently. She can still convince him she needs him.”
“Hope so. Seems stupid to let his profession keep them apart.”
Liz leaned back. “Yeah, I suppose.”
Robert huffed. “Don’t tell me that was the only thing keeping you from finding me.”
“No. But it was part of it.” She shrugged. “Now about Consuela. Should we be worried?”
Tremaine sighed. “Probably not. Let’s hope someone can get through to her before she gets out of control.”