Page 7

After the debacle with Charles, I left the house again.

I wasn't about to sit around and pout over a penis problem.

I've found that when I'm looking for something, the easiest way to find it is to look for something else.

If I wanted a lover, I needed to look for something completely different. Plus, I needed a gun.

I googled where to purchase a handgun, discovered that you don't need a permit to buy or carry one in Louisiana, and drove down to the nearest shop that looked reputable.

I purchased a pretty silver revolver with a pearl handle, some ammunition, and a lovely case for the gun, all without the salesman ever lifting so much as a brow at me.

He did, however, inform me that despite Louisiana being a permitless concealed carry state—in other words, you can carry a handgun in your handbag—New Orleans does require a permit to carry a gun.

The city laws override the state laws. But I didn't care about all of that.

I mainly wanted it for the house anyway.

Besides, I wasn't worried about the local police searching my purse.

After stowing my new gun in the trunk of my car, I decided to do a bit more shopping.

Yes, more shopping. Lay off. You know you would too.

So, I drove down to Canal Place—a shopping mall.

It was busy. People didn't hurry much in New Orleans.

So there were few shoppers hurrying to make their purchases and leave.

The mall was for leisurely strolls, conversations with strangers, and maybe lunch with friends.

The scent of roasting nuts, perfume, and air conditioning wafted around me with the murmur of voices speaking in two languages and a combination of both.

It had been a long time since I'd spoken French and the French that people spoke in New Orleans was not the French I remembered. Not exactly. Still, hearing the familiar words sent chills down my spine. Kinda silly for a woman who had once been a ghost.

“What does an ex-ghost do in a city known for its ghosts?” I snickered to myself as I strolled past kiosks and shops.

I was young, rich, beautiful, and in possession of my own body.

I should have been thrilled. But the fun of shopping quickly faded.

I kept staring into the brightly lit windows, trying to get the thrill going, and seeing only stuff.

It was just stuff. I guess when your last home was made out of diamonds, it's hard to get excited over shiny things.

I sighed and smoothed my hands over my dress. “At least I can buy skin products. I need to keep this . . . oh, damn it! I don't have to do anything for this body.” Grimacing, I peered down the mall avenue at Saks. “Surely even an immortal needs moisturizer.”

With that thought lifting me, I headed into Saks, leaving Tiffany and Louis Vuitton in the dust. The very name turned me away from Louis Vuitton—enough with the fucking Louis!

—and I've never understood the appeal of Tiffany.

Sterling silver? Please. If I'm paying that much, I want gold.

But hey, at least they use precious metals.

And they do work with gold too. So, I could purchase gold versions of their popular items. Conversely, some of their elite competitors charge a crazy amount for base metal jewelry.

Yeah, I'm looking at you Chanel. I mean, really.

How dare you?! The stuff is called costume jewelry for a reason—it's only masquerading as something precious.

I gravitated toward La Mer. Couldn't be helped. Yeah, it was a scam too, but I was a sucker for their packaging. I loved seeing the heavy glass bottles on my counter. And they'd truly be mine this time, not borrowed through Wren.

“Wren.” I paused. “Why am I wasting time walking around Nola when I could be on a flight to Oregon?”

I abandoned Saks and the baffled La Mer lady, who had gotten a hopeful look on her face as I approached. Hurrying to an exit, a grin spread across my face. Just because Hades had plopped me down in Louisiana, it didn't mean I had to stay there.

“Oregon, here I come!” I practically ran to my car and jumped in the driver's seat.

Then I screamed.

Hades was seated in the passenger seat. In an Italian suit. The traitor.

“Going somewhere, Agnes?”

Hand to my non-existent pearls—note to self: buy pearls—I glared at Hades. “Why yes, I was. What's it to you?”

“You can't leave the state. In fact, you can't leave the city.”

“Oh, I beg to differ.” I turned on the engine. “Staying here was not part of our bargain, Lord Hades. In fact, I distinctly remember you using the possibility of me visiting Wren as a bargaining tool.”

The engine died.

Slamming the gear shaft into park, I turned to glare at him. “You don't get to add things to our agreement after the fact.”

“The agreement was that you mated a Cerberus team. A specific team!” He leaned in. “The New Orleans Cerberus. They are destined to mate you. That was our agreement, Agnes.”

“It's Salina now.” I pouted. “Again, I remind you—you told me I could see Wren.”

“You can see her. After you fulfill your end of our bargain.”

“I wanna see her now!” I whined.

“Fine.” He tapped my forehead.

I barely felt it, and yet his magic slammed through me. The touch of the Lord of the Dead. It sizzled and seethed. Erased. I swayed forward, and Hades steadied me.

“Are you all right?” Hades asked.

I scowled at him. “Why? What did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“Why are you here?”

He frowned. “Don't you remember? Are you sure you're all right?”

“I'm fine,” I muttered and stared at the keys dangling from the ignition. Hadn't I turned on the engine? Where was I going? Or had I just arrived?

“Where are you going now?” Hades asked.

I jerked to look at him. “Are you reading my mind?”

“I cannot do that.”

“Oh.”

“You look bewildered, Salina. Do you remember why you're on Earth?”

“To be with your boys.”

“Yes, but your main target is Silas. You must unmask Silas. When you do, summon me. Don't try to confront him alone.”

“How do I summon you?”

“I made you. I can hear your call. Just say my name with intention. It doesn't have to be loud. A whisper will do. I will feel the pull and no matter where you are, I will be able to follow our link to you.”

“Cool.” I nodded. “Cool. Cool.”

“Good.” He patted my shoulder. “ Now , do you remember where you were going?”

“Oh. Uh, I'm going shopping.” I pulled the keys out of the ignition. “I thought I already was, but . . .” I looked in the backseat. “I must not have gone in yet.”

“Ah. Well, have fun spending the money I gave you.”

I rolled my eyes. “As if money is anything more than energy to you.”

Hades disappeared as I spoke, so he didn't have a comeback for that. Which was probably for the best.

With him handled, I headed back into the mall.