Page 15 of Voodoo Doll
Luna.?
“Bash?” she called. My soul and the ancestors sang in harmony at the sound of her voice calling my name with a hint of adoration.?
“Luna! How lovely to see you!” I called to her, stepping out from the inadvertent hiding place where I was stocking shelves. One look at her distraught appearance had my entire demeanor changing, however. “My dear, whatever is the matter?”?
Had someone hurt her? I swore to all theLoathat they would not see the setting sun if that were the case. I would rip them apart, piece by piece. Setting the vials and potions aside, I quickly made my way to her.?
“You would not believe what happened!” she all but gasped out, her eyes darting around frantically for a moment before their dark depths settled on mine.?
“Come, come! Let me make you some tea, and we shall talk.” I guided her to the back as I had before, secretly plotting the death of whoever had wronged her. Part of me hoped she had finally uncovered the truth about her incredibly disloyal boyfriend. The truth was so very blatant, it didn’t take a psychic to see he had been unfaithful. Even though Iwas,in fact, gifted with the sight.?
Moments later, with mugs of tea in hand, we settled in next to each other.?
“Last night, you would not believe what happened!” she began again.
“Tell me everything,ma chère,” I urged, taking a slow sip of my tea.?
“There was an intruder.”?
I nearly spat out the tea. That was the last thing I had expected her to say.?
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” I asked lamely, barely covering my consternation at having been caught. How much had she seen? I schooled my face to remain calm, reasoning thatif she had realized it was me, she certainly wouldn’t have come here to tell me about it.?
Moreover, the fact that she had come tometo confide in, rather than the police, meant that my careful machinations were working. She was beginning to see me as a place of safety, exactly as I intended. Now to play the part of comforter and protector, to solidify those feelings.
“You heard right. An intruder. In my home.” Her voice caught on the faintest whisper of a sob. I could almost hear her heart thundering rapidly from here.?
Toulouse, the damned interloper, was bobbing and weaving back and forth between my ankles. I gave him a swift kick, to which he hissed and bit my ankle. The little devil. I shook off my thoughts of pursuing taxidermy long enough to refocus my attention on Luna.?
“An intruder? Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” I asked, adopting a look of concern laced with reassurance.?
“Yes, I was asleep, having the strangest dream—”
“You don’t say?” It was everything I could do not to smirk, but I maintained the role of supportive protector.
“Yeah. Anyway, I was fast asleep, and then I woke up because I—” she cut off abruptly, her pale skin turning a brilliant rosy shade as she blushed. “Anyway, I could hear footsteps, and then the sound came from outside the house, like someone running. I got up to see what was the matter, and sure enough, I found the window in my bedroom was unlocked. Bash… Ineverleave windows or doors unlocked. I’m a woman who lives alone in New Orleans. Someone broke into my house. And they were in my bedroom! They probably saw me—” She cut off again, blushing even brighter.Saw you moaning and writhing with pleasure, my puppet? Yes, I certainly did.?
Damn. Apparently, I had been unsuccessful in my attempt to relock her window. At least she had not seen me, thank the ancestors.
“Take a deep breath, Luna. Nice and slow.” I guided her carefully through a few breathing exercises. Her eyes locked on mine, but my gaze continued to lower to the way her full breasts heaved, much as they had the night before as I touched and teased her.
Suddenly, she reached her hand out, grasping mine in a gesture I had not thought she would make, not yet.?
“Bash, I need your help.”
My hand covered hers as I spoke, and I rejoiced at how desperate she was for my help. I kept my tone gentle and protective. “Anything,ma chère. If it is within my power, I will help you. And there is much that is within my power.”?
“I need something to keep me safe. Anything. Surely you have something,” she pled with me. Her eyes were locked on mine, seeking understanding and protection. The ancestors exulted. Just a bit more, and I would have her. She was so close to being under my control, I could nearly taste it.?
I wanted to tasteher.?
“Not to worry. I have just the thing.” I led her to a table along the back wall, grabbing this vial and that before turning back to her. Table salt, powdered oregano, and mica powder were mixed together into a sparkly, impressive looking vial of junk. “This is for protecting your home. Sprinkle a thin line of this along the doorways and windows. Any entrance point.”
“Will it really work?” she asked, stepping closer to me as she took the vial from my hand, holding it up to the light to see the shimmering powder inside.?
“Doyouthink it will work?” I shot back, curious about what she would say. Did she trust me yet? Had I done enough to earn her confidence to this degree?
With a sigh, she gave me a smile. The first genuine smile she’d ever given me.?
