Raging Inferno (Delphine Rising Book 1), page 4
“What do they want at this hour, Liz? Can’t it wait until tomorrow, until we’ve had some sleep?”
Yes, I’m whining, but come on… I’m flippin’ exhausted. No need to go over what I went through. Again. It just is, but seriously. Can’t a girl get some sleep? Apparently not.
“No, it can’t wait,” Liz said, more desperately now. “As you know, only the hybrids can walk by day. There’s two rogue vampires who attacked a couple of teenagers on their way home just after dusk. The hybrids did what they could to calm the situation, but these vamps need to be dispatched and only my sword can send their souls up in hopes of saving what humanity they might have left.”
“Well, no time like the present, I guess. We were gonna have to call on them tomorrow about this talisman crap anyway. Give me five minutes, and if you love me, make me a cup of coffee to go, would ya? Pretty please?” I smiled a toothy grin, swatting her out of my room.
“All right, all right. Hurry up, though,” she said, rushing me. I hated being rushed.
Crap balls on a stick. I had to have black circles under my eyes and I was afraid to look in the mirror. I untangled myself from my earth brown sheets and teal down comforter with matching brown trim. Once my bare feet touched the hardwood floor, I almost jumped out of my skin. Why I didn’t put socks on was beyond me. The dang floors were always cold. I should put down a rug or invest in a pair of fuzzy slippers.
I crept to my en suite bathroom to wash my face, something I was too tired to do when I crashed however long ago it was. The reflection in the mirror would’ve scared a ghost back into its grave. Holy hell!
Mascara was down to my cheekbones and reddish brown lipstick was smeared up to my nose. I won’t even go into the sight of my straight, black hair —light sockets, anyone?
After removing my clown face and brushing my teeth, I put my long, black hair in a high ponytail, threw on a long-sleeved, V-cut, dark green T-shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans with my black leather ankle boots. I made my way downstairs to find Liz waiting for me at the bottom landing, arms folded. “It took you eleven minutes. You said five and your coffee’s cold,” she whisper-yelled at me.
“Um, did you see my face and the state of my hair? I had to wash my face and tame the mess on my head. Good grief. I’m here and it’ll take thirty seconds to heat up my coffee. Be right back.” I walked right past her and snatched my to-go coffee mug on the way, while she tried to give me her best “tough girl” look.
Two minutes later, we were in the ’stang about to pull out of the driveway. “So, what’s the deal with the vamps? Where are they? Do we know or are we meeting with the Hybrid Coven first?” I asked.
“We’re meeting them in the old underground tunnels near Dauphine Street,” she replied and pulled out of the driveway.
“Great. Near the haunted hotel, I suppose.”
“Yep. That’s the one,” she said laughing.
“Why do we always have to meet where lost spirits reside? It gives me the creeps. Never mind. Most of New Orleans is haunted. I didn’t bring enough coffee for this crap,” I said, looking out the window.
“Oh, stop your whining,” Liz said, obviously annoyed I wasn’t up for the trip. “It shouldn’t take long once we find out where the rogues are. Then we can dispatch them and be on our way back home in no time.”
It wasn’t lost on me the hotel in question, The Dauphine Orleans Hotel, was owned by Marie Delphine LaLaurie’s uncle, Augustin Macarty, in the early 1800s. In the 1780s it was commissioned as a charity hospital by Don Almonester. It had changed hands several times over before becoming what it was today. I thought to tell Liz as much, but decided against it. She couldn’t see unsettled spirits, unlike myself, so there was no point. We could talk about the irony of it all later.
We arrived just beyond the tunnel entrance within the heart of the French Quarter just after two a.m. We were meeting with Genevieve, the Hybrid Coven leader, along the eastern alcove entrance deep in the dark, underground tunnel.
As we began our descent, nickel light sconces lit up the chamber-like walls. The walls were tiled concrete instead of dirt, as I would’ve imagined. I suppose this was one of the many residences the coven had acquired over the years. When we arrived at the end of the tunnel, heavy wooden doors greeted us. Liz knocked three times as I waited patiently, taking in the scene around me.
Genevieve quickly answered the door. “Come in, girls. Thanks so much for meeting with me on such short notice. Time is of the essence as these rogues are out of control. We can’t afford to have them kill again,” she said, welcoming us into a sitting room that looked like it was cut out of a chateau in Europe.
I was amazed at what they could do with these tunnels… Unbelievable, but we were there for a purpose. No need in ogling over her decorating skills.
Good Grief. I have serious focus issues.
The Hybrid Coven was created about one hundred fifty years ago when a horde of vampires attempted to take over the city of New Orleans. The hybrids were once witches, and vampires sought to use them as weapons against the human population in order to gain more footing outside of the city.
In the beginning, the vampires attempted to use mind control in order to gain access to the witches’ powers, but they were unsuccessful and many lost their undead lives. In a last-ditch effort to take over the coven, the power-hungry vamps decided to turn them in hopes of bringing the witches to their side once their humanity was no longer an issue. However, their plan backfired. The ancestors allowed the turned witches to not only maintain their powers, but gave them the ability to walk by day and take over as leaders of the vampires.
It took several years, but the Hybrid Coven rid New Orleans of vampires seeking to destroy the city and they became the law, maintaining balance between good and evil, leaving their humanity intact when they were turned.
Liz got right to the point. “Okay, so we’re talking about two recently made vampires, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct. They’re completely out of control and none of the older vampires could help them control their insatiable bloodlust. You’re their only hope at redemption, Elizabeth. Your sword will send their souls to their rightful place to be judged,” Genevieve stated desperately, wringing her petite, pale hands, iridescent blue eyes sparkling, complimenting her dark brown waves. She was a beautiful woman; however, you could see the worry lines stretched across her youthful face.
Liz had dreamt about the sword we now refer to as The Sword of Light about two-years ago. Its jewel-encrusted hilt and gleaming, steel blade came to her when she needed it most during a dream fight. When she woke the next morning, the exact sword was leaning against her bedside table. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. When she reached over to grasp the sword, a white, blinding light shone down from Heaven above, blessing the sword with a gift from God. Not too long after, she was contacted by the Hybrid Coven to help contain the balance between good and evil by dispatching rogue vampire souls to God for judgment, one final attempt at redemption for the lost.
Not only was Elizabeth gifted with the power of the ancestors, but she was blessed with the power of God’s light as well. I usually went along to aid her as she said a small prayer over the ashes of the vampires she removed from this world and watched in amazement as the ashes flowed into a bright light leading to God almighty—an amazing sight to behold.
“Where were they last seen?” Liz asked.
“Between May Baily’s Place and the Dauphine Orleans Hotel. One child was found in the courtyard of the hotel. We were quick to handle the situation and notify the proper authorities, keeping a low profile, but I’m afraid the damage done to his body looks far beyond that of a wild animal. His head was nearly ripped from his shoulders,” she said, choking up talking about the teenage boy.
“The other boy was found outside May Bailey’s in quite the same condition as the other. It looks like Jack the Ripper has come to the City of New Orleans. Now you understand the urgency of my call.”
Liz and I both shuddered at the thought of the boys, especially over their poor parents. “We’ll leave right away and get them off the streets before they can kill or harm another soul,” I said fervently.
“I thank both of you for attending to this matter. I don’t understand how it could have come to something like this. I feel a new evil awakening within the city, but I can’t be sure what it is exactly. The two could be related,” Genevieve concluded, and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
Dammit. Could the talisman’s magic reach outside of our shop and affect the people of New Orleans or those who had evil tendencies? If so, we were in for a world of trouble. How the hell could this happen and who freakin’ messed with the stupid thing?
“Genevieve, while we’re here, we have a request of our own,” I said emphatically. “We need you to meet us at our home at seven a.m. to discuss a delicate matter, but secrecy is of the utmost importance. It may have something to do with the great evil you feel awakening.”
“Yes. Of course. I’ll see you then,” she agreed, while blessing us before our challenge ahead. “Again, I can’t thank you enough for all that you do for our community. May the ancestors continue to guide and bless the two of you in all of your endeavors. Please be safe as you embark on this arduous task.”
Liz and I raced through the tunnel and across the street to the Dauphine Orleans Hotel courtyard. There were several places to hide amongst the shadows and shrubbery; no doubt, they were lurking nearby waiting for unsuspecting humans. We just had to lure them out—they became our prey. Liz and I split up; I took one side of the street, while she took the other.
As soon as I moved beyond the lights in the middle of the outdoor courtyard, I felt a tingling sensation run down my spine—a lost soul or souls.
Awesome. As if ruthless vamps weren’t enough, now I have souls of the lost following, watching me and looking at me as if I can help them. I’m no necromancer. I still have no idea why I’m able to see them, but two ethereal male figures keep hovering closer and closer. Nope, not creepy at all.
“Dude, back off. I can’t help you. I’m sorry. Maybe I can find someone who can, okay? Now, shoo,” I said to ghost man number one who kept inching closer.
He looked at me, turned his head to the side as if he understood what I said, nodded and disappeared within the shadows once more, followed by his friend.
“Thank the ancestors. That was easy enough, a little too easy, but whatever. Back to the vamps,” I whispered to myself.
I heard a crash across the street and took off sprinting toward the commotion. I knew Liz had found one of the elusive vamps we were looking for. Hopefully, they were together and we could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
I arrived just in time to witness a tall, lanky vampire, looking no more than twenty years old, with slicked back auburn hair and black eyes trying his damnedest to make a meal out of my sister.
“I don’t think so, asshole!” I yelled as I thundered across the cobblestone courtyard, palms raised. I immobilized him and tossed his blood-sucking ass to the ground, holding him down with my magic.
“All right, Sis. Do your thing before I kill this bastard for trying to make you his dinner. I’m not sure he has any humanity left to be saved,” I seethed, breathing way too hard. I felt so out of shape. Normally, I could run without breaking a sweat. Maybe it was the lack of sleep catching up with me. Either way, that vamp had just pissed in my Cheerios.
Liz swiftly unsheathed her sword and beheaded him, returning his body to ashes. She then recited her ritual prayer, sword raised high:
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
All that is not of God must die
All that is crushed will be restored
All that is lost will be made new
God, may we repent of ways that do not serve you
And admit to the tensions that tell us where we need to change
Christ is coming walking towards the cross
God, may we see him clearly
Pouring out love
Pouring out mercy
Pouring out peace
May we kneel before him in humble adoration
May we take up our cross and follow
And walk with Christ into the ways of life everlasting.
Once the prayer was complete, the Sword of Light glowed brightly and the vampire’s ashes dissipated into a heavenly light, disappearing from sight. Her duty was done, well, for that one, anyway. Definitely a beautiful sight to behold. I might be snarky and sarcastic, but seeing Liz in her element, with the light of God surrounding her was breathtaking and made me want to stop cussing so much.
Next one up…
All of a sudden, we heard a wailing, keening sort of noise coming from the corner of May Baily’s Place. Liz and I looked at one another and knew it must be the other rogue. Somehow, the two vamps were connected through what could only be dark magic. They had to be in order to inflict the damage they did to those two young boys. Not to mention, the dark aura surrounding the vampire we’d just killed. It was pretty much a given. It also explained Genevieve’s feelings of a darkness awakening. Was Marie Delphine’s magic on the loose in New Orleans? But how? Too many things weren’t adding up, yet I felt in my gut there had to be a connection.
We ran toward May Bailey’s and found the vampire holding on to a small-framed, blonde woman dressed for a night on the town. She had obviously stepped outside for a smoke. The look on her face was nothing short of terrified. The vampire was somewhere around six foot three, well built with ash blonde hair and midnight blue eyes. However, his face was covered in blood, his clothes marred in the blood of his previous victim.
Just as he exposed his fangs to the young woman, his eyes turned an inky black. Using my magic, I hurled him against the nearest dumpster, at the same time, Liz grabbed the young woman and ushered her back inside the bar to safety.
The vampire hissed and made strange gurgling noises, but never spoke. I found it strange, as if he wasn’t capable of speech, only murder and destruction. When Liz returned, I lowered the blonde vampire to the ground and onto his knees. Liz decapitated him as she did his counterpart and repeated the same ritual and prayer, dispatching his soul to God for redemption.
“Well, that was eventful to say the least. Can we go home and get a few hours’ sleep now?” I asked, smiling, happy she was okay and unharmed.
“Yes, smart ass, we can,” Liz said, shaking her head and laughing. “It wasn’t that bad. It’s barely three a.m. You’ll be fine.”
“Whatever. I’m tired and my bed’s calling to me. No more middle of the night calls. I’m done for the night, okay? Unless the house is on fire or someone’s dying, don’t bother me.”
“Yes, your highness,” Liz said, bowing before me as she reached for the door handle to the Mustang.
Goofball.
I slept the entire way home. I was truly exhausted from the crap day I’d had, then chasing vamps? D.O.N.E. I practically slept-ran up the stairs to my room and flopped on the bed. I managed to kick off my boots and that was about it before I fell into a deep slumber.
Chapter 6
Six a.m. rolled around far too quickly for my taste, and just as I’d expected, Danny DuPont showed up thirty minutes early. Thankfully, Mom made him wait in the parlor. I was dragging my tired behind around slow as a sloth. I needed coffee in a bad way, but shower first. How the heck Liz was already up, showered, dressed and ready to go was beyond me. Her bouncy personality was gonna grate on me today, especially if she tried her matchmaking crap. I’d cast a spell on her hair. I swear it!
Obviously, I’m not a morning person…
I finally made my way down the stairs just before seven when the doorbell rang. I answered the door and welcomed Genevieve into our home with a tired smile. She also looked refreshed and ready to go, dressed in a red, scooped-neck silk shirt, black dress slacks and red peep toe pumps finishing off her ensemble. I seated her in the parlor next to Danny, who kept watching my every move. Who cared if he looked good? I proceeded to ignore him while Liz snickered behind her hand. I rolled my eyes and meandered toward the kitchen.
Mom was in the kitchen finishing the baguettes. I poured myself a cup of delicious caffeinated goodness and sighed, “Morning, Mom. Hope you slept well.”
“I slept like a baby,” she replied, smiling as she placed the last of the baguettes on a silver serving tray.
“Are you going to contact anyone from the coven today or see what we come up with here?” I asked, ignoring her smirk, bombarding her with questions. “I understand if you’re leery of trusting anyone at this point. Many of them were around when Daddy was alive. Have you thought about reaching out to Francesca?”
“I have, but not today. Francesca is another matter altogether. I have to deal with her delicately. I don’t want her knowing anything about what’s happened or suspecting the talisman’s been activated. I don’t trust her. I never truly did in the first place; shifty, that one,” Mom said, looking off as if in thought.
“Come now. We don’t want to keep our guests waiting, Abby. Carry the tea tray, please, and place it on the hutch. Thank you, dear.” She kissed me on the cheek.
We arrived in the parlor to Danny, Elizabeth and Genevieve chatting away. Well, mostly Danny and Liz. Apparently, they started the party without us. Danny was going on about his visions, while Liz was trying to catch Genevieve up on what may or may not have happened with Daddy. It was absolute chaos and just rude. Genevieve kept looking back and forth between the two of them, attempting to catch snippets of each story, but by the expression on her face she was lost and confused. Liz sounded like a rat on speed and Danny, well…he was just being Danny.
Thankfully, before I had a chance to scold them for acting like complete morons, Mom stepped in.
“Elizabeth. Danny. Have you no manners? Must you talk over one another? This isn’t a contest. You do realize Genevieve is a guest in my home and the two of you should be ashamed of yourselves for such behavior. Sit back, take a breath and for God’s sake, shut up.”
