Léopold's Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans) Read Online Free Page A

Léopold’s eyes darkened and his tone grew serious. “These few days have been quite the adventure, and I suspect there is more to come. I must ask, however, that you keep what you experienced tonight to yourself. Not the bite but the travel. Logan knows as I couldn’t hide it from him when I showed up in his house last night. But no one else. It’s a special ability…one I’d prefer others not know about. Understood?”
    “My lips are zipped.” Dimitri sensed sadness in Léopold. As wolf, with his pack, he was never truly alone. Perhaps he underestimated the loneliness that plagued the vampire.
    “Well, then…see you downstairs in a few. I’ve got someone I want you to meet,” Léopold commented as he left the room.
     

     
    Laryssa Theriot carefully controlled her heartbeat and breathing in an attempt to convey indifference. For the past week, she’d felt the energy. She couldn’t be sure but suspected a child of her lineage had been born. So rare, she’d never experienced the warmth, the calling of another whose power was so strong. Yet as soon as she’d indulged in her excitement, acknowledging the fact that someone else like her existed, a cold chill had rolled over her skin, emphasizing the reality of her situation.
    Sitting at the bar, she crossed her legs, the tight black leather pants caressing her thighs. There was no way she’d ever wear a skirt in this place. Like the humans, she’d be vulnerable to suggestion and the sexual excitement the vampires could induce with a mere look. She kept her eyes low, glancing around, taking in the auras of the supernaturals. If necessary, she’d invoke her powers to protect herself from danger. She’d gone to great lengths to hide herself, to blend into the magical background of the French Quarter. After nearly thirty lonely years, she’d grown weary of concealing her true nature. The cloak of evil that she’d recently felt brush across her face had reminded her she’d never be safe, freedom to be herself would remain elusive. It hadn’t been the first time she’d felt it nor would it be the last.
    Laryssa pushed down her sunglasses, shielding her emotions further from the prying eyes of vampires and humans alike. The bartender regarded her for a moment, noticing that her glass was still half full with wine. She’d needed the alcohol to take the edge off her nervousness. Show no fear. The supernaturals would detect the smallest infraction of a loss of control. Increased heartbeat. Sweat. Rapid breathing. So many years in hiding had taught her well to mask her abilities. Like an actor in the grand theater, she played her part, meticulously attending to every last detail of her role, a dominant biker chick, looking for nothing more than a drink. Tomorrow, she’d return to her unassuming job in the Quarter, selling antiques, coming and going as she pleased on assignment. But tonight, she looked as if she was the predator; cold, calculating and ready to catch her prey.
    She scanned the room, noting the usual spectrum of auras. Excitement. Hunger. Desire. Jealousy. She nervously tapped her fingernail against the glass, waiting for her friend, Avery, to arrive. Avery was the only soul in New Orleans who knew her secret. She’d been her savior, helping her to hide. After sensing the dark ones, she speculated she’d need a stronger witch to find a spell to ward off the evil. The mere fact she could sense it meant it knew she existed as well. She needed someone to better shield her powers, to keep her safe from the hell that sought her soul. Yet the thought of a new child weighed heavily on her shoulders. If what she suspected was true, she wasn’t the only one in danger.
    A shuffling of patrons alerted her to a new arrival. She turned to face the bar and glanced in the mirror to observe the commotion. Struggling to keep her composure, she lifted her eyes to the reflection. Both men and women appeared captivated by the dark haired, well-dressed man who’d