Queen of the Dead (The Dead and Not So Dead Book 1) Read online

  “So he is back on Earth realm?” I asked.

  Zachariah brought over several cups of tea on a tray and sat down, slinging off his shirt and relaxing into the sofa. His muscles were distracting enough I had to look away. He spoke and refocused my attention. “I don’t feel him on earth realm, but if I had to assume, someone is here acting as his puppet. Either that or he has possessed someone. Did anyone see what happened?”

  Declan, looking somewhat serious, spoke. “Not a soul, which is impossible, of course, unless they did mass compulsion.”

  God. It was so weird hearing him with only a faint accent. No one seemed to question it. I supposed they either knew or…well, that was really the only possibility. My boys weren’t exactly the type to avoid blunt questions.

  “Which would only be possible if it was actually him instead of just one of his people,” I whispered. “My money’s on possession.”

  Zachariah nodded. “I suppose that’s possible. The kid must have gotten far stronger than last time we met.” I nearly chuckled at him calling the demonic prince a kid.

  “Well, he did die,” I offered.

  “Why did you kill him, again?” Dorian asked curiously tilting my head back as I thought back to the demonic prince’s annoying habits.

  I put up successive fingers and ticked off the reasons. “One, he was killing lots of people. Two, he was creepy obsessed with me. And three, he threatened to kill my family.”

  Alaric shook his head and looked out in the rain, his eyes frosty but holding some scalding white hot heat. Abel kissed my palm gently as Dorian began brushing out my hair. Where the hell had he gotten a hair brush?

  You know what. I didn’t even care. It’s cool. It feels good.

  Declan snapped in front of my face, startling me. Raphi growled at him and the bastard threw him a roguish grin. I sighed and spoke. “We need to call a meeting tonight for everyone and figure out my response to this.”

  It didn’t escape my notice that somehow the leprechaun and priest were part of our little conversation. Bastards had wiggled their way in and I wasn’t about to refuse the help of a demi-god or the only Voodoo priest alive.

  I was prideful, sure, but I wasn’t fucking stupid.

  “What is your response?” Alaric asked curiously.

  “We need to see if anyone has information and then we need patrols assigned for every day and night. I don’t particularly trust the hellhounds but an ally is an ally. Even a tenuous one. The vampires shouldn’t be an issue, nor should the wolves. Hopefully. We need to get the local witch coven on board which sucks because they are stuffy assholes. Am I missing anyone?”

  Dorian chuckled. “What about the local chaos?”

  I shot him a baleful glare. “What do you think are the chances of any demons wanting to help?”

  He shrugged. “Depends on the incentive.”

  I huffed and dropped my head. “Fine. Whatever. Invite them.”

  “I can go notify the witches,” Abel volunteered. I shot him a thankful smile.

  “I’ve got vampires,” Alaric stated coolly with unmasked ire at the concept of interacting with them.

  “You’re going to handle the chaos.” I narrowed my eyes at Dorian who smirked at my frustration.

  “I’ve got the wolves,” Declan grinned. “Those wee little buggers don’t scare me. Besides, they won’t let Raphi on their land.”

  Raphi’s chest rumbled but he stayed quiet. Zachariah spoke.

  “I’ll let Alpha Draco know so that the hellhounds are informed.”

  Was that his name? Fascinating.

  I started laughing. “Wow. Look at us. We are such a cute little team.”

  “And you’re just chock full of sarcasm today. Surprised you can even get anything informative out,” Dorian quipped looking for a fight. Raphi growled as I turned and narrowed my eyes at the demon. Dorian’s eyes flashed. I very much wished we had time for this right now. I loved our arguments.

  “You would know what that is like,” I shot back.

  I noticed the rain had let up. I yawned and stretched. “Whatever, thank you for your help. I will forever be in your debt…”

  “Maker!” I jumped. Declan was suddenly very much in my space. He offered me a wicked smile and stepped forward, forcing me to step back.

  “What in the heck are you doing?” I frowned as my back hit a table, causing Raphael to growl. I didn’t take my eyes off of Declan as he worried his lip ring. He placed his hands on either side of me, and studied me with an interested stare.

  “Declan?” I rose a brow and forced my power to not react.

  “Don’t ever say you are in someone’s debt,” he warned sotto voce. So softly that no one else could hear it. “You won’t always be in such friendly company and those words can be very binding, Lass.”

  Something sparked inside of me at this advice, I didn’t like being told what to say. I knew my power was always working to be more dominant than those around it. I licked my lips and spoke into his ear. “And what if I wanted to be in your debt Declan?”

  A small, barely-there shiver went across his skin as he swallowed hard. I pulled away from his ear and lifted a questioning brow. His eyes sparkled with something I didn’t understand before he finally stepped away and disengaged. It wasn’t that I wouldn’t heed his advice, I just didn’t like being told what to do. Luckily, it seemed besides Raphi the others hadn’t clued in to our odd little interaction. The wolf, however, wrapped me up in his arms and nuzzled me, a low rumbled purr sounding from his chest.

  Sometimes little things like that surprised me, but not as much anymore. Part of it was being around people like Zachariah and Declan who were so far removed from humans that surreal became the norm. Dorian and my twins were able to act human most of the time but Raphi didn’t even try now that we had graduated. My hands trailed over his gold scars lightly as he began to vibrate against my back. His lips rested against my neck. I had the odd urge to bare my neck to him but resisted because if I was going to be submitting, it would not be in a room full of people. I may have little dating experience but I know how that shit works and even I probably wouldn’t be able to stop his wolf. I felt my body shiver at that thought. Raphael’s hand tightened around me.

  Then again, I wouldn’t mind engaging in a few choice fantasies featuring several of my men… at the same time. I know. I know. How the fuck am I still a virgin?

  I turned into him and looked up as the other boys began talking, I heard them discussing the different issues that could arise with gathering all our monsters in the same area. I was glad to have them because I found myself very distracted suddenly. Raphael and I had always had a very physical relationship and in high school people just assumed we were always dating. We had never kissed but there had been a few moments where I thought just maybe…

  Then I just chalked it up to his wolf. It was the reason he kept me close and the reason for all the touching. It was also the reason that he was unapologetically hard right now with my body pressed against his and my head tilted up to look into his pretty green eyes. I felt oddly lost looking up into his eyes. Like I had no idea what I was doing and was in serious danger of tilting right over the edge.

  Into what, though, I had no flipping’ idea. I was sort of excited though.

  Raphi’s eyes darkened as he zeroed in on my lips. I licked them in nervous habit. His pupils seemed to expand as he gripped my hips just a tad harder. I felt his life force, a sugary taste, which exploded over my tongue and filled my body with warmth. I wanted him to kiss me so bad. Bad enough that I didn’t care the other guys were in the room.

  Fuck.

  Then my phone rang and my eyes closed as a frustrated sigh came from my lips. I lifted the phone from my pocket as the room went quiet. “Hello?”

  “Narcissa.” A cool calm voice spoke over the phone. “We have a problem.”

  “Mayor Lourn,” I sighed thinking briefly of his son Jonathan. “What seems to be the problem?”

  “The problem is that a human reporter, several in fact, are growing suspicious of the issue on Bourbon Street today. I need you to do whatever it is you do to make them forget,” he stated in a no-business tone.

  “What’s this reporter’s name?” I asked not liking his tone but also knowing he was never this bold in person, so it didn’t matter.

  “I have the list of them at my house,” He stated. “I didn’t want to print them in the office. Too many eyes. You are more than welcome to stop by. I have informed housekeeping and my son that you may stop by shortly.”

  Cue mental groan.

  “Alright,” I agreed. “Thank you for letting me know. However, Alex, I suggest to you the next time you talk to me, you monitor your tone. I will forgive you this transgression because you are so clearly concerned about the balance of our fine city, but only this once. Do we have an understanding?”

  His voice was raspy and strained.

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” I hung up.

  “Alright team,” I chuckled. “I have to go pick up documents from Mayor Lourn’s house.”

  “I’m coming,” Raphi stated and I smiled.

  No shit, dude. Not only does everyone else have a predetermined place to go but Raphi wouldn’t let me go within ten feet of the guy’s door without him while he was alive. While dead even, probably.

  “Let’s all meet back at my place before we go to the meeting tonight. Does that sound good? Let’s plan the meeting for midnight.”

  Abel immediately pulled me into a soft sweet hug. I smiled up at him. Alaric pressed from behind dropping a kiss to my cheek which was equivalent to declaring his undying love.

  As they walked off, Dorian stepped into my space tilting my chin up and whispered. “We need to talk later.”
r />   “As in all of us or…”

  He leveled a penetrating stare at me and smiled in an attempt to appear clueless. Then his soft lips pressed to my forehead and he was gone. I looked to the demi-god leprechaun and Voodoo priest who both were offering their own patent smirks.

  “What?” I snapped as my face turned red. I didn’t very often show affection around other people, drawing a hard line. But when my boys were around, the line blurred.

  “She’s so cute when she’s pissed,” Declan admitted and shook his head walking out. I growled which made Raphi chuckle softly.

  “Let me walk you both down,” Zachariah offered. I followed his lead and walked downstairs between the two massive men. Once my feet hit the bottom step, my waist was surrounded by warm hands as the Voodoo priest lifted me to eye level. That meant my feet dangled a good foot off the ground. Luckily, no one was in the shop because this wasn’t very badass. In fact, I should probably be kneeing him in the balls or something. Once again though, something about Zachariah made me enjoy being manhandled. It was some stupid shit, I know.

  “Be safe,” he instructed softly before kissing my lips in a faint yet searing brush. My feet hit the ground and he was gone, my lips heated and body riddled with pleasurable shivers. Raphi circled around and instead of looking pissed, he looked concerned.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  “Good, because I’m going to kick his ass later,” he mumbled. I grinned and accepted his hand as we strolled out the shop. I wasn’t at all eager to see Jonathan, but I did want to get out of these wet clothes. Raphi continued to smooth his large thumb over my hand as we turned corner after corner, the humidity growing as evening brought out the many night walkers. Not vampires, mid you. That’s just what I called the humans who only partied at night. It made them seem more special, didn’t it?

  I was always looking for new ways to entertain myself.

  “This is going to be a test of my patience,” Raphi sighed.

  “Shall we?” I mumbled. He nodded and strode up to the door. I looked back at my own house and saw my grandmother looking amused from her spot on the front porch. What a bitch. I stomped up the steps as the door opened.

  “What the fuck… hey, Narc!” Johnathan changed his tune as I peeked around Raphi. My aggressive wolf let out a rumble as I stepped around him and faced Jonathan.

  “Your father told me to pick up the papers he had faxed over,” I stated, crisply efficient and business-like. Jonathan opened his door wide. With frustration, I stepped into his home. Raphi wrapped a possessive arm around my waist. The human noticed it.

  “The office is the third door down the hall,” he instructed Raphi. “Narc, can I have a word?”

  Raphi tensed and I rubbed his forearm. “Just go grab and fax so we can be on our way.”

  He stared at me for another moment but then grunted and broke away. I turned back to face Jonathan and found his eyes darker than usual.

  “So, are you with him, now?” he sneered.

  My power bristled as I kept my face neutral. “I don’t see how that is your concern.”

  Jonathan’s jaw tightened. “What’s the difference between him and me? We both went to school with you and have known each other as long.”

  This was frustrating as fuck.

  “Johnnie,” I sighed. “I have a bit of a complicated life…”

  “Help me understand it!” He gripped my arm in a pleading gesture. My skin tingled in warning and I could feel movement in the layers of this house including its life force. Something was very off here. Before I could delve into it...

  “Get. Your. Hands. Off. Her.” Raphi’s low growl came out as Johnnie jumped. It was enough for the wolf to snatch me up from around the waist and level Jonathan with a glare.

  “Do not ever fucking touch her again,” Raphi spat.

  “What if she wants me to?” Jonathan demanded.

  Come on, Johnnie.

  Raphi chuckled low and deep, causing even my hair to set on edge and sending desire flooding my system. Goddamn it. This was an issue because I liked scary. I was like the Queen of Halloween up in here. Jonathan couldn’t hold a match to the raw power that Raphi was packing and my power wanted to rub against him like a kitten.

  But like a badass kitten. Maybe a jaguar kitten? You feel me on the cat analogy? Raphi’s wolf would just hate that, wouldn’t he? But then he would have no choice but to love it because it’s me and I’m fabulous.

  “I can promise you she doesn’t,” he murmured. “So, next time you think about touching her, I would consider how much you like those fingers because I’ll break each one before taking off the entire limb.”

  With that we were out the door. Raphi had the papers I needed folded in the band of his pants and under his shirt to protect against the weather. Smart man. The rain had started up again and we jogged quickly across the street, his energy burning next to me like a fucking beacon. We were halfway up the pavement, Grandma had left the door open for us, when Raphi tugged me back.

  “Raphi?” I started, but then it didn’t matter.

  I let out a soft sound as those sugary lips molded to mine. I felt my toes curl as I gripped his shirt, the deep content purr in his chest making me feel at home. Have you ever been with someone that feels like home? Where their very being makes you feel safe and protected? That was how it was with Raphi. The rain only enhanced the feeling of his hands on my skin as he pulled me flush against his very hard member. A kiss in the rain? How very Broadway.

  I couldn’t explain what it felt like to kiss the man I’d liked since I was shy of fifteen. It was like tasting sugar for the first time. It made me feel vibrant and alive, yet filled with a soft, gooey undertone. I wanted to taste him, lick him, and then have him do the same in return. I wanted to feel his teeth mark me as he pounded into me. I didn’t care we were in the rain. I didn’t care that my thoughts were on the sex express right now. I just wanted him.

  “Oh, shit!”

  My face went red as my golden eyes met Raphi’s green. I knew that voice. He knew that voice. We both turned to find all three of our immediate friends standing there.

  Fuck.

  Abel

  “Narc!” I felt my heart stop as she turned and ran up the house stairs, leaving all four of us in the cold rain. Fuck. I could still see the look of confusion and embarrassment on her face before completely blanked and bat a hasty retreat. I looked at the other three.

  “This conversation is happening now,” I commanded and walked into her house. I kicked off my shoes and walked past her grandmother. She offered each of us a towel. I’m positive she knew exactly what was happening.

  I had always found the dynamic between the two of them fascinating. They were so alike, less like grandmother and granddaughter, and more like friends. Both women were extremely intelligent but her grandmother had always been missing that innate sense of confidence you needed to be a leader. She also was missing the drive that Narc possessed to continue bearing the responsibility she did at such a young age.

  As I strolled upstairs, I could practically hear our girl thinking. The other boys behind me were silent and I knew that they were about as clueless as me on how to handle this. It was humorous because we had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Now that we had reached it, none of us knew what the fuck to say. I reached her bedroom door and stopped as pain lanced through my heart. Our girl never cried, which was a problem in its own right, but right now? This was very close to her version of crying. I’d only seen it once before. The day we met her.

  I sat in the general gathering of the supernatural committee. The new Queen had been announced tonight and fuck if she hadn’t just bulldozed the air from my center. I’d never been one for hierarchy but the young woman, barely seventeen, had stood before the gathering of the supernatural committee with a cocksure smile.

  There had been an ease and natural confidence to her words. She smelled of power. It rolled off her and affected all of us. My brother sat next to me with a confused expression. It had been some time since anyone, man or woman, had affected us in any notable way. In fact, one of the reasons we had returned to New Orleans was out of boredom. We had traveled the world and, with nothing else to do, we figured we would return to our American roots.