Eliza Gayle Witch Bundle (paranormal romance), Eliza Gayle [books suggested by bill gates txt] 📗

to her. In exchange for the information she sought, she helped the woman out with a little extermination problem. It had been an uneasy alliance because Severina disapproved of her and her connection to Scott, but she was a woman of honor and her word was solid.

Now all she could do was seek her out again and see if they could once again do business. She didn’t have much to bargain with but she did have her magick, which in New Orleans used to be a highly valued commodity.

Turning down Benton Street, she thought about the house she’d just left behind. Or, more to the point, the men she’d run from. Before Denn had come into the office she had been rummaging through his desk looking for something, anything that would help free her.

As she methodically searched his desk, magick had crawled across her body. A different sensation filled the room than what had been there when she arrived. Something was happening. She’d shoved the contents she’d removed back in the drawer and headed for the door when Denn entered from the courtyard.

Now, as she moved farther and farther away from the safety of Denn and Jake she wondered what had happened back there. Denn had been genuinely shocked when her magick had returned. What did it matter? She was free. She was with the one person she knew she could trust no matter what happened. Herself.

Finally reaching Bourbon Street, she turned right and fell into the crowd, absorbing the familiar sights and sounds of the heart of the Quarter. It may have been a long time since she’d walked this path, but New Orleans was one of those cities you never forgot.

After about fifteen minutes of walking she found the alleyway she was looking for. There was litter and trash strewn across the entryway and as soon as she turned in, the odor of rotten filthy waste assailed her. Wrinkling her face and opening her mouth to breathe, she pushed on knowing this was her best shot at success.

Thirty yards later she found herself at a black metal door that merely said Severina across it. She didn’t need to advertise what she did. All the locals knew exactly who and what she was, and anyone not a local didn’t find Severina unless someone local referred them and gave them directions.

She twisted the knob and pushed open the heavy metal door. Once inside her eyes had to adjust to the dark interior after the bright sun outside. The first thing to strike her was the aroma of the store. There were rows and rows of candles and aromatic oils in a variety of ritual scents and colors. The racks in the middle of the floor were covered in a wide assortment of dolls in every variation of dress as well as baskets of gris-gris bags. Every available surface was covered with every item you could think of as necessary for a ritual. And Raven knew if she didn’t have it here in the store, Severina would have it in the back just waiting for a customer to ask for it.

“Who's there?” A strong female voice sounded from the backroom.

“Raven.” She hesitated. “Raven St. Claire.”

The sound of glass crashing onto the ground and splintering into tiny tinkling pieces came from behind the counter, along with a string of curse words in a thick Cajun accent. More rustling before the tall, dark-skinned woman finally stepped through the walkway and stopped at the counter in front of Raven. Dressed in worn jeans and a red t-shirt, with no make up and a scarf covering her head, she didn’t really seem what a tourist might have expected. But Raven was no tourist, and she already knew exactly what Severina was capable of.

“I thought we agreed our business was taken care of, witch.” The last word was emphasized with a distinct flavor of distaste. Raven knew this wouldn’t be easy.

“Yes, you were correct. Unfortunately I have found myself in a bind with nowhere to turn.”

“You reap what you sow. Even you should know this. I warned you, it was only a matter of time before it would catch you. I take it you didn’t listen.” Severina looked at her sharply.

“Yes, of course you were right. I see that now.” Raven had to tread carefully here or she would find herself thrown out in the alley, alone.

“I can’t help you.”

Raven reached out and touched the woman on the arm, prepared to plead. When her cold hands touched the other woman’s warm skin, Severina’s eyes opened wide in alarm. She grabbed Raven’s hand with her free hand and leaned forward.

“What have you done to him?”

“Who? What are you talking about?”

Severina sniffed at her, moving from left to right. “Dennison—no, Noah—It is difficult to tell their magick apart.”

“I don’t know Noah.”

“Ahh, Dennison then. I told him his grey was coming but I had no idea—”

“I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. Will you help me or not?”

“I will help Master Dennison. What do you need?”

Before Raven could respond a phone rang in the distance. The volume was loud and distracting. It rang several times yet Severina didn’t make a move to answer it. “Do you need to get that?” Raven asked.

“It’s not my phone that is ringing, Cherie, it’s yours.”

“Can’t be, I don’t have a phone.”

“Then why is your bag over there ringing?”

Raven swung her head to the duffel she’d left on the floor by the door and listened. The shrill sound did seem like it was coming from her bag. What the hell? She bolted toward it, grabbing it up and slamming the zipper down. Fumbling around inside, her hand wrapped around a small cell phone she’d never seen before. Flipping it open she lifted it to her ear. “Hello?”

“Raven my dear, it’s about time.” A cold chill snaked down her spine as she lowered her gaze from Severina.

“Scott?”

“I see you got your magick back. You can thank me in person shortly.”

“Thank you? You’re the one