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“Do you have to worry about dissenters? Vampires who oppose your rule and might try to usurp the crown?”
“That’s not something I need to worry about. Trust me. And you’re my mate. Where you go, I go.”
“I don’t even know where to start,” I mumble, a little overwhelmed by his absolute dedication to me.
I should be used to it by now, but Jesse still manages to surprise me with the lengths he’ll go to support me. He’s absolutely and unequivocally devoted to me.
“I think you have some idea,” he says, staring into my eyes knowingly, and it hits me like he somehow planted the seed telepathically.
“Louisiana,” I breathe. “The Grundelier coven settled there after coming to America. Bernadette said their home was somewhere near New Orleans.”
“The beginning sounds like a good place to start,” he says with a smile. “When do you want to leave?”
4
WHERE I BELONG
I’m up early and eager to get started packing and planning for our trip. Jesse and I spent the rest of the day and all night in bed after making the decision yesterday, searching the internet for possible clues that would lead us to any New Orleans witches as well as exploring each other’s bodies for new ways to find pleasure. I tried multiple times to make him come on demand to determine if I actually inherited his ability, but it never worked, with Jesse just laughing and telling me I didn’t need any mental powers to bring him to ecstasy.
We leave our room around eight, and when we pass by Steph and Bernadette’s room, the door is open and no one is inside. Good. They’re up. I need to tell them about our plans. While I’m sure they’ll be safe here in the manor during our absence, I’m not so certain they’d want to stay if I’m not here.
Jesse and I find them in the kitchen eating some pastries and drinking coffee. Steph jumps up and rushes over to give me a hug the second we enter, and I return her embrace with a laugh.
“What was that for?” I ask once we step apart.
“I’m just so happy to be here with you. To know we’re both witches, and we kick ass. And now, you’re a vampire and kick even more ass.” She lifts her hands into the air. “My best friend is a vampire-witch hybrid mated to the vampire king and a descendant of the Grundelier coven. Gah. If I didn’t love you so much, I’d be insanely jealous.”
My mood sinks a bit with her first sentence, but I manage to maintain my smile. “You have nothing to be jealous about. You’re awesome even without your witch powers.”
“Wait,” she says, tilting her head to study me. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”
“Nothing.” At her skeptical look, I sigh. “Nothing is wrong, really. It’s just…Jesse and I are leaving for a while.”
“Leaving? Where are you going?”
Bernadette rises from her seat and joins our little circle. “You’re going to Louisiana.”
It’s not a question, but I nod in answer anyway. “We feel like it’s the best place to start searching for anyone who may know who my parents are. You said the Grundeliers settled near New Orleans when they came to America, right?”
As Bernadette nods and opens her mouth to speak, Steph cuts in. “Oh, we have to take a night to hit Bourbon Street. I’ve always wanted to party down there.”
Bernadette snaps her mouth shut and turns to Steph with wide eyes. My best friend is bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly, and her aunt grips her elbow to hold her still.
“You’re not going, Stephanie.”
“What do you mean? Of course, I’m going, Aunt Bernie. Eden is my best friend. I have to help her.”
Bernadette starts shaking her head before Steph even finishes. “It’s too dangerous. You’ve seen firsthand how some witches feel about vampires. If you show up in New Orleans with Jesse and Eden, they could take action against you for being what they consider a traitor.”
The spark of excitement I felt when Steph declared she’s coming with us fades at the warning. But the brunette seems undeterred by the doom and gloom Bernadette’s tossing out.
“I have my powers now, remember? I can protect myself. And even if I’m not as strong as some of the witches I might encounter, who better to protect me than the vampire king and the first-ever vampire-witch hybrid? Eden kicks ass. Nobody will be able to touch me.” She dips her head respectively, adding, “Besides, I’m an adult, and I can do whatever I want. I love you, Aunt Bernie, but I’m going.”
Bernadette looks to me to back her up, but I just shrug. “We could use the help. You, of course, are welcome to join us as well if it will make you feel better.”
Steph makes a quiet squealing noise, but Bernadette shakes her head. “I need to get back to Georgia. My coven members have promised to help me research any avenues I haven’t thought of to gain more information.”
“Thank you,” I say, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “I really appreciate all the help you’ve given us, and everything you continue to do.”
