Chapter Seven

On the trip out to Michael’s family estate, Lisette grilled Marisa, who remained unyielding through to the barrage of questions.

Beneath the waxing full moon, the estate looked especially beautiful. Tiny lights like lightning bugs twinkled in the trees, and old fashioned lampposts lining the drive, lit their way. Lisette wasn’t sure what she’d expected. A broken-down ramshackle, haunted house? A gothic fortress?

The intricate fountain in the circular driveway, surrounded with bushes and autumn flowering plants, would enhance the gardenlike atmosphere in the daylight.

She stifled a yawn, and Michael chuckled. “Long day?”

“Long year. I’m keyed up and feeling the burn out of school, I guess.”

“And…you and me and…” She touched his arm and clutched her pendant.

“I know, cher.” He nodded and squeezed her hand. “We’re here now, so you can relax.”

“Easy for you to say.” She gave her friend a dirty look. “I also just found out my best friend is keeping secrets from me.”

Marisa maintained her Mona Lisa smile as Lisette ranted.

“Well there’s a fortress of protective wards surrounding the area,” he whispered. “Let me help you ladies with your luggage.”

He escorted Marisa and Lisette to the front entry, and while they looked around, he went back to the car and brought the luggage from the trunk.

“Your home is…lovely.” Lisette yawned again.

Michael took her arm. “Don’t fade on me. We have more to do tonight to prepare for tomorrow, cher.”

She shook her head. “I’m okay.”

He leaned closer. “Can you handle a little ceremony tonight if it means your safety?”

“I guess,” she responded in the same whispered pitch. The furrow in her forehead deepened. “Now you have me intrigued.” She narrowed her eyes and glowered. “Spill it.”

“Not yet. I have a few special guests joining us in a little while. Then you’ll understand.”

He redirected his attention to Marisa. “Your rooms are just down this hall.” He pointed out the adjoining guest rooms and bath. “I’m over there—” he pointed to a door across from Lisette’s “—if you need anything.”

“Right.” Marisa giggled. “How convenient—” The sound of the doorbell interrupted the conversation making Lisette jump. Michael took her hand and wound their fingers together.

“Marisa, why don’t you get settled? Before we go to bed, Lizette needs to meet a few people who can help me ensure her safety. This shouldn’t take long.”

“I’m going to sleep. Let Desmond know where I am if he asks.” Marisa checked to see if her friend was all right with the plan, and smiled when Lisette waved her on.

“Remember, you have some splaining to do.”

****

Michael opened the front door to a woman Lisette remembered from her trip to coven headquarters. The expression in the gypsy beauty’s eyes appeared friendlier now than it had then.

“Giselle, thank you for coming on such short notice. Marie should be along—” Before Michael closed the door another woman, perhaps in her mid-forties, arrived with, of all people, Desmond and another man. “Ah, here she is now.”

To Lisette’s surprise, this woman smiled. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing Isaiah, my grandson.”

She didn’t look old enough to have a grandson Isaiah’s age, but the woman’s friendly greeting, and Desmond’s presence, did a lot to relax Lisette. She wondered what purpose these specific people would play tonight.

Michael held out his hand to Isaiah, but the man merely handed him the bag he’d been carrying. For a second, Michael paused, his brow pinched into a suspicious scowl. Apparently he was disconcerted with Isaiah’s action, Lisette didn’t blame him.

Desmond closed the door behind them and Michael said, “Thanks for covering our backs earlier.”

“No problem, mon ami.”

Since this whole fiasco began she’d been a target, and now Desmond hadn’t even winked at her. What was up with that? But she’d been right about the man and his voodoo eyes.

Isaiah cut her off her thoughts. “Marie Laveaux is the immortal voodoo queen. I am her descendant.” The man had an odd distant look in his eyes, but the woman dipped her chin as if accepting the extraordinary praise, so Lisette replied, “It’s a pleasure.”

“…and Giselle is queen of the gypsies in our parish.”

Queen of the gypsies? No wonder she’d been so annoyed.

“Oh, I-I’m honored.” Lisette may have been a little arrogant when she demanded to see the person in charge. “Sorry we got off on the wrong—”

The woman raised a hand. “No need to explain. I saw your future in the cards after you left. It’s why I’m here. To help you—to help us all.”

Suddenly, the gypsy with the attitude adjustment seemed quite taken with her. Giselle went directly to the couch patting the seat beside her. “Come. We’ll sit and I’ll read the cards while Marie empties her bag of tricks.”

Lisette took a seat and asked quietly, “What’s in Marie’s bag?”

“Who knows?” Giselle shrugged and waved off the question. “Everything from chicken feet to love potions I suspect. She never goes anywhere without it.”

Desmond continued to ignore Lisette but asked Michael where Isaiah and Marie should set up. She figured the man’s distant attitude stemmed from respect for the newly formed connection between her and Michael, so she brushed off her initial concern.

Michael turned to the gypsy. “Do you need anything Giselle?”

“A bit of ambiance wouldn’t hurt.” The wry grin made the witchy gypsy seem less intimidating.

Desmond said, “I’ll keep watch out here.” The big man by the foyer nodded and folded his arms across his chest.

Michael led Isaiah and Marie down the hall. On the way out, he snapped his fingers and the lights dimmed, the candles surrounding the room, sprang to light, and then a strange fragrant scent filled the air. Immediately, the effect relaxed Lisette as if she’d just polished off a big glass of wine.

Giselle whipped out the Tarot cards, colorfully illustrated with Celtic symbols and designs, and different from any Lisette had ever seen. The gypsy told her to pick a card from the ones she had fanned out on the table.

“Good choice. This is the symbol you’ll have tattooed over your witch’s mark.” She put the card aside.

“How do you…?” When Giselle raised her eyebrows, Lisette didn’t bother to finish her question. Of course, they all knew. It was why they’d been brought here.

Lisette glanced at Desmond who continued to ignore the women, his mind elsewhere.

Giselle began flipping cards, pointed to them and said, “Pick one.”

She followed the woman’s instructions. The scent in the room grew more pleasant by the minute.

“Your heritage destines you to Michael, even though a dark magic would prevent it.”

“I don’t want him destined to me. I want him to want me for me.” Lisette lowered her voice. She didn’t want Desmond to hear how insecure she sounded.

“Ah, I understand, cher. Don’t you feel it? His love and devotion have been for you all along.”

“Yeah, well, no. Michael managed to hide those alleged feelings.”

“Tsk, tsk.” Giselle flipped another card. “Nevertheless, you must accept him. Tonight. You cannot wait until the ceremony tomorrow. Your lives are in danger. Here. Now.” She tapped a card with her long fingernail.

Lisette glanced around, her pulse pounding in her ears. “Who?”

“I don’t know.” The gypsy frowned and turned another card. “A false face beneath a mask.” Giselle closed her eyes, shaking her head. “You must complete the bond as soon as possible.”

“How?”

“Once the protective tattoo is completed, you must…you know…complete the bond between you.”

“You mean…have sex with Michael?” Heat flooded her face. “He’s refused me before.” Humiliated by her confession, she couldn’t meet Giselle’s eyes, especially when the woman said nothing. “Fine. What makes you think I can seduce him, now?”

“He refused because he is an honorable man.” The beautiful gypsy took Lisette’s hand. “He refused me because we are friends, but he refused you because he cares for you.”

“He refused you?” The snort was impossible to contain.

Giselle smiled a small sad smile. “I’d hoped…” She sighed.

“It’s impossible to believe any man could refuse you.”

“Thank you. You’re kind to say so. But the heart knows what the heart wants.” And then she laughed.

The gypsy’s allure was obvious, but the concept boosted Lisette’s self-esteem. “Maybe Michael was being truthful when he claimed he was just being chivalrous.”

“I think so. The cards don’t lie, and neither will his heart. Trust yours.” She pushed the first card at Lisette. “Here, take the card.”

The tall gypsy queen stood and handed her the Tarot card. “Go, give this to Marie. She will create the witch’s tattoo specifically for you.”