Any characters you recognize are the property of Sherrilyn Kenyon. She retains all rights to the characters and does not authorize this work. This is solely for mine and hopefully my friends’ amusement. No money is being made off of this story. This is rated PG for now….that may change.
This hasn’t been beta’d so keep that in mind…. Oh and I should mention that this story contains some spoilers through Seize the Night.
Hugs,
Maggie
A ray of sunlight streaming in between the curtains fell on Jennifer’s face, awaking her the next morning. She stretched as she rose and padded over to the window of her hotel room. The day looked bright and new outside. A few couples could be seen walking down the street hand in hand. A family exited the hotel from a door several floors below Jenny’s room. A little girl smiled in her father’s arms, pointing at something out of reach. Her parents smiled indulgently at her, apparently trying to figure out what the little tyke had spied. It was hard to believe this was the same town where Jenny had almost lost her life just a few hours before. The whole night before seemed like some surreal dream when reviewed in the light of day.
Shaking her head at the futility of such thoughts, she went over to phone and called for room service. She pulled out her portfolio of contacts while she waited. She did have business to take care for the museum after all. Viewing her list, she noticed the first contact was the Curator of the Tulane Museum of Natural History. Looking from the address to her map, she was grateful she had the use of a car. The museum wasn’t even technically in New Orleans. It was southeast of the city, down river, in an area known as Belle Chase. It didn’t look too difficult to find though and if it was, she had wanted an adventure.
Her mind flashed on the daimons coming after her last night as a small voice in the back of her head reminded her to be careful what she wished for. A knock at the door just then made her jump. She giggled and looked at herself in the dresser mirror as she headed for the door. She stopped to tell herself, “You made it out alive so what’s the big deal.” She pulled on her robe before opening the door to the bellhop. He looked around behind her for someone else in the room as she signed for her order. She wondered if he had heard her talking to herself while he was waiting. Smiling she added a generous tip and gave him the receipt. He smiled back as she pulled the food inside and closed the door behind her confident all he would remember was the tip.
Setting her breakfast out on the table near the window, she sprinkled some cocoa mix into a cup before adding the hot coffee. It wasn’t as good as a Mocha from Starbucks but at least it should wake her up. After putting some butter and strawberry jam on a warm croissant she grabbed a legal pad and her pen. She nibbled on the bread as she started to make a list of what she needed to get done. Scooting her portfolio closer to see on the table, she made a list of the curators she needed to get in touch with along with their phone numbers and addresses. A short while and two cups of cocoa coffee later, she placed the breakfast dishes back on the cart and rolled it out the door for room service to pick up.
Jenny took a quick shower and got dressed. She pulled her blonde hair back into a French twist, dabbed on a bit of make up and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a short sleeve button down turquoise blouse with simple black slacks. It wasn’t a suit but it was definitely a more professional look than her traveling clothes had been. She pulled on some ankle high black leather boots and headed over to the table where her paperwork was still laid out.
Pulling out her map next to her list of contacts, she divided them up by geographical area. She would try to set up appointments with the ones that were in the same part of the city on the same days to save herself as much travel time as possible. As she searched the map for each museum address her eyes kept wandering to back to the French quarter. There had to be a clue somewhere that would help her locate Nick. He couldn’t have just have vanished into thin air. Sighing, she reminded herself that she had promised Jean Luc to stay out of trouble until he could check things out for her. She put the map away and looked at her list. All the contacts except the one at Tulane fell into nice little groups.
She picked up the phone and began calling to make appointments to meet her contacts. A short time later, she had a schedule set that would allow her to take care of the museum’s business over the next several days but still leave her enough time for sight seeing or whatever else might come up. Checking the clock, she saw she had about an hour to get out to the Tulane Museum. She threw her portfolio into her backpack then called downstairs to have the valet bring her car around to the front entrance. Hanging up the phone she grabbed her room key, the backpack and a blazer in case she needed it later. She headed downstairs.
The doorman greeted Jenny as she approached front lobby.
“Good Morning Ms. Hearson. Matt went to get your car. He should be back in a
minute. Are you enjoying the city?”
The young woman smiled and nodded. “Yes, it has certainly proven to be
interesting so far.”
The older man turned to stop her from heading out the door, a knowing a twinkle in his eyes. “Now that sounds like the kind of hedgy answer one of my granddaughters would give me. You already find your way into trouble your first night in town, Miss?”
The blonde looked from the nametag up to the kind if a bit nosey older man. “Jack, you obviously see a lot around here. I might bend your ear for some advice later.” Looking out the door she saw her car was waiting outside. “However, I have a business appointment I have to keep now. Thanks for keeping me company while I waited for my car.” Giving the man a tip, she headed out the door to the waiting valet before he could reply.
Trading the valet a tip for her car keys, she threw her stuff into the passenger seat and slid behind the wheel. Twenty minutes later she was at the edge of the city proper and heading down river to Belle Chase. She reached into her bag and pulled out the first CD she found. Throwing it into the CD player on the car console, the young archaeologist hoped it was a music CD and not data. A few seconds later she was greeted by the baritone voice of Big Kenny over the stereo speakers saying, “Brothers and Sisters. We are here for one reason and one reason alone, to share our love of music-ka. I present to you, Country Music without prejudice.”… The opening strains of “Rollin” could be heard followed by Big Kenny and John Rich singing, “Country Boys don’t rock and roll, the record man told us so, you’ll never get it on the radio…”
Jenny smiled as her favorite country duo’s harmonies filled the car. Singing along with their eclectic mix of music, she watched for the Tulane exit. She had made it through most of the CD before she saw her off ramp to Tulane University and the Museum. She rolled down her window at the stoplight, earning a few curious stares as she sang along with the last chorus of “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy.” She giggled as the random shuffle switched the song to “Love Train.” She pulled into the intersection, leaving her audience behind.
She turned the music down as she entered the narrower streets of the campus and made her way to the Museum. Parking on the street out front, she grabbed her things and headed up the stairs to the museum door. Pulling the door handle she realized it was locked. Looking down at her watch she realized she was ten minutes early. She must have been going a bit faster than planned on the highway. That tended to happen when she got lost in music. Shaking her head that she was lucky she hadn’t gotten a ticket, she sat down on the stairs to kill some time. The museum wasn’t open to the public any longer so she had to wait for her contact to meet her.
As she sat there, she watched a group of teenage students wandering across the grass toward a lecture hall, book bags in hand. One of the girls pushed another back into the group then went running toward the entrance of the hall. The others laughed and chased after her. Jenny shook her head at their antics. It wasn’t so long ago she had been a college student herself, excited by quest of knowledge and eager to take on the world. Yes she still felt the joy of discovery at dig sites she excavated, but it paled compared to the thrill of embarking on the truly unknown.
“They get younger every year, don’t they?” A slightly accented voice sighed beside her. Jenny turned to see a distinguished looking older man with gray hair, wire rimmed spectacles and a black ivory walking stick smiling down at her.
She stood, brushing off her pants, and smiled back. “Yes, time flies. I don’t envy their age though, just their naivety. They stand at the brink of an endless world of possibilities and don’t even realize the treasure they hold in their hands.”
He nodded. “True, still there is something to be said for the treasure of knowledge hard won as well. But you are far too young for this conversation. You obviously just need to find a new adventure, something to renew your enchantment with the unknown perhaps?”
Jenny held out her hand. “Perhaps. Don’t tell my brothers I said that though or they’ll find some safe deserted island to bundle me off to.” She winked as he laughed. They shook hands. “I’m Jennifer Hearson. You aren’t by any chance Mr. O’Donnell are you?” At his nod, she grinned. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He tilted his head. “Likewise Ms Hearson.”
”Call me Jenny. As you pointed out, I’m too young to be Ms Hearson.”
He chuckled, “Then you must call me Sean.” He winked then whispered
conspiratorially, “I don’t look anything like my age, or so my young friend
Talon tells me.”
She smiled at the man as they headed up the steps. “Your
friend sounds quite wise.”
He chuckled as he unlocked the door and ushered her in. “He likes to think he
is.”
He shut the door and locked it behind them as Jenny wandered into the main entry. Sean motioned her to follow him down the hallway and upstairs to a huge holding room. There were rows upon rows of shelves, cabinets and cases holding all manner of artifacts. A good historical archaeologist or anthropologist for that matter could get lost in there for days.
She turned to see the older man had leaned his cane against
the wall near the door and was walking around the room, moving things to clear
off a worktable with ease. At her upraised eyebrow he smiled apologetically.
“It does come in handy. Young people seem to have more respect for an elderly
gentleman with a fine walking stick.”
She nodded as she walked over and lifted the cane up, judging the weight and
balance of the piece. “Failing that, I’m betting it makes a good weapon too if
needed.”
He laughed, “More than you know. You’ll do all right young lady.” He shook his head, seemingly debating something in his head before he sighed. He turned back to the table. “Now shall we go over the pieces I’m loaning to your museum.”
She nodded and moved over to the table. “Is there anything I
can help you get?”
He motioned her to a stool. “No, but thank you. It will be quicker for me to
get the pieces than to explain where they are. I’ll bring the pieces out and
you can catalogue them as we go.” She nodded as she pulled a notepad and pen
out of her bag and got comfortable.
He began moving carefully labeled pieces to the table. There were taxidermy specimens of some smaller species of long extinct indigenous birds as well as few larger pieces. He also had a few pieces of earthenware and tools that belonged to some of the first human inhabitants of the bayou he was sending along. Jenny carefully copied down the labels as well as writing a physical description of the pieces for her own records. After cataloging them, the pair carefully wrapped the pieces and placed them in crates for shipping. They worked easily together, joking about what the original owners would think of them putting their kitchen cupboard as it were on display.
They copied her inventory lists, placing one copy in each crate with the listed artifacts, as well as keeping a copy for Jenny’s records and one for Sean’s. After making sure the crates were well padded and secure, the pair double-checked the labels on the crate and Jenny verified the shipping address for the Curator. All that was left to do was call the shipping company to send it to Denver. Jenny was rather sorry to see this part of her assignment end. She had really enjoyed the day of work with her new friend.
He looked from the paperwork to Jenny as he escorted her to the front door. “It looks like it’s all in order here. Tell Mike he can borrow my artifacts any time he wants as long as he sends such a lovely assistant to help with the transaction.”
He winked at her as he unlocked and opened the door. She smiled and started to head out the door. “Thanks Sean. It has been a pleasure.”
He stopped her before she left. “Jennifer, can you be reached here.” He pointed at the number next to her name on the invoice.
She nodded. “Yes, it’s my cell phone and I have it with me.
You could also try the Pontchartrain Hotel. I should be there through the end
of the week at least if there’s any problems.”
He smiled enigmatically, “I don’t anticipate any trouble with the shipment. I
might have something else for you before you go though. We shall see.”
Unsure what he meant she smiled back and told him she’d look forward to hearing from him. She headed down the stairs to her car, not realizing that the man was still studying her as she went. “Yes you will be hearing from me again dear. I just hope you’re ready for it when the call comes.”
Back in the Matrix, Jenny had popped Nickelback’s Long Road CD into the stereo as she navigated the roads back to the highway headed into the city. A grumble from her stomach reminded her that she and Sean hadn’t thought to stop for lunch while they were working. She reached over and pulled a granola bar out of her bag. Munching on it, she reflected that her first assignment had gone very well. If the rest of her contacts were as pleasant to work with, she was really going to be sorry to finish this assignment. She wondered what else Sean might have for her. Surely he and Mike had carefully decided what pieces were going to Denver before her visit.
A blaring horn brought her out of her musings in time to jerk the wheel, returning the car to the lane she was supposed to be in. The young archaeologist was entering the outskirts of the main city. Traffic was a bit too busy here for her to be a distracted tourist. She knew better than to zone out in a strange town. Shaking her head, maybe her blood sugar was just low from the skipped lunch. She debated grabbing another granola bar when she saw the turn off for the French Quarter. She had said she’d stay out of trouble for the next few days though as she started to pass it by.
She pulled the wheel hard, earning a few more horn blares as she managed to make the turn at the last minute. It was still light out and she did want to have at least a light snack to tide her over until dinner. She had her car this time after all. She promised herself not to pick up any daimon hitchhikers if she was there after dark. She considered making a return visit to Sanctuary but the streets were crowded and she was still a bit spooked from last night. So she headed over to grab some beignets and coffee at Café Du Monde. She enjoyed her mid-afternoon snack as she went over her notes from the day. Mike would certainly be pleased with the shipment. At this rate, they would need to devote a whole wing of Museum to their temporary New Orleans collection.
Her stomach appeased, she threw her paperwork in the car. It was too early to go sit back in the hotel so decided to take another walk around Jackson Square. She did move the car closer to the Square first though. She had no intention of getting lost here a second night in a row, especially with the local wildlife wandering around.
Grabbing her backpack, she headed out on foot. There were more tourists taking the usual family shots. She did wander up to the Cathedral this time to check it out. It was no wonder there were so many tourists swarming the place. It was beautiful. It didn’t have quite the same feel as the ancient cathedrals of old Europe but she could definitely see how they had influenced the architect. She found her camera in her pack and took some pictures of her own. So what if she looked like a gawking tourist. For the moment, that’s what she was.
She strolled through the square, stopping occasionally to take group pictures for families she passed by. She looked in the windows of the shops. She was curious but nothing caught her eye. That was until she arrived back at “Madame Selene’s Tarot Reading and Mystical Boutique.” She had meant to come back here yesterday then forgot about after her run in with the undead. Now here she was again. Never one to place much faith in pure chance she shrugged. ‘Okay I can take a hint.’ She told no one in particular as she headed in the door of the shop.
A bell chimed as she crossed the threshold, no doubt warning the owner that there was company. She began wandering around the front of the shop. There was the usual assortment of goods one would find in this sort of shop. There were tarot decks of many varieties and price ranges on sale, along with incense, spices, and even a few glass globes nestled in silk scarf covered bases. She supposed from the reverent way they were displayed, they were supposed to be mystical fortune telling balls.
There were a few unexpected finds as well. The young woman was headed toward a bookshelf that had an entire row of books on the Ancient Greek Pantheon when her host arrived. An older woman in a tan peasant blouse with a flowing green broomstick skirt greeted her. “I am Madame Selene. Do you come seeking your future or keys to your past?”
The younger woman giggled. “I’m Jenny and shouldn’t you already know that?” She blushed when she realized she was mocking what this woman might consider a divine talent. “Just kidding. Smart-Aleck remarks are an occupation hazard when you have a lot of siblings. I was drawn to your shop my past two visits to the square so I thought I should just go with the flow and come in.”
The seer laughed. “I come from a large family myself so I understand. I’m glad you decided to drop in regardless.” She held out a hand. “You can call me Selene. Most tourists expect a show so I try to oblige.”
Taking her hand, Jenny nodded. “Yeah, some people do get funny ideas in their head. You have a really nice collection of merchandise from what I’ve seen so far. I’m not very talented, psychically speaking but even I can tell this feels like a good shop.”
She nodded knowingly. “Thank you. Were you looking for
anything in particular?”
The young woman shook her head. “No, just felt the need to come in. I don’t
know, maybe I wanted to get my cards read. I admit I did find myself rather
drawn to your book collection over here. Not many seers are interested in the
ancient Greek Gods. Most seem more in tune with the Druids or the Far Eastern
sects of mysticism one. It sets you apart.” She smiled.
Selene gave her an odd look before smiling. “Perhaps you are more sensitive than you realize. How about that reading?”
Jenny shrugged. “Why not. How much do you charge?”
Selene shook her head. “No I think this is a special reading. I’ll do it first then you can decide what my revelations are worth.” She reached out to grab the young woman’s hand and lead her down the hallway through a velvet curtain to a back room.
The seer motioned for the girl to sit across from her and took out a well-worn deck of tarot cards. “This is one of my favorite decks; it also happens to be a Greek one. Since you mentioned an affinity for the Greeks, perhaps it will speak best to us.”
Jenny watched as the woman carefully shuffled the deck and asked her to cut it. Then she began placing the cards in familiar pattern of cross and road.
The older woman smiled as she looked at the first card. “Ah yes, you do come from a large loving family. I can see they are a great source of strength, giving you the courage to soar even as they try to keep you grounded. Brothers eh?”
The archaeologist nodded in agreement but said little more. She knew if the seer was true, she would not want her vision clouded by too much extraneous information. The older woman continued reading the cards. Jenny was amazed at how much she knew about her past.
The older woman sighed. “Ah, you come here on business but you have a hidden agenda as well.”
Just then a beautiful young girl came strolling through the curtains like she owned the place. Ignoring Jenny, she walked straight over to the owner. “Selene where are all the sparklies? You said you’d get new sparklies and I can’t find them.”
The woman smiled indulgently at the newcomer. “Hi Simi. Yes
I did say I’d get you new sparklies but I have another customer right now. Can
you go look around the shop until we’re finished?”
The young girl pouted. “I want Sparklies. I could barbeque her then you be done
and The Simi get sparklies?”
The seer squeaked. “No. Now is not a good time for barbeque. Please Simi, I promise I won’t be long.”
The young girl actually stuck her tongue out at the shop owner then blew her a raspberry. “Selene you as bad as Akri. Wait your Turn Simi. No Barbequing mortals Simi. Don’t wear your hornays in public Simi. Don’t change the baby into a d…”
“Simi!” Selene quickly interrupted her then gave an apologetic look to Jenny, hoping the visitor hadn’t caught on. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Your new sparklies are in that box right there.” She pointed at a large cardboard shipping box in the corner. “I just haven’t had time to put them out on display yet.”
The strange young girl ran over the box, ripped it open and began unwrapping an assortment of jewelry. “This stuff is better than QVC!” She ran over to hug the owner. “I always said you was quality peoples Selene. You can go back to your little talk now.” She nodded at the pair and went back to searching the box.
The seer turned back to table. “I’m terribly sorry for the interruption. Perhaps this wasn’t a good read.”
Jenny hadn’t been able to follow all of what the odd girl
had said but she did know that this woman seemed to know about her search.
Maybe she could help point her in the right direction. “No, it’s quite alright.
I don’t mind. You were on to something. My other agenda.”
The older woman looked from Simi to the archaeologist. “I’m not sure this is
good...”
”Please. I’m searching for my friend Nick Gautier. Can you see anything about
how or where I might find him?” The young woman begged.
The older woman looked surprised at question. She quickly
picked up the cards. “The energy is off now. I’m sorry. I really forgot I had a
previous appointment and need to shut the shop up anyway. Perhaps you can come
back another day. There’s no charge since we didn’t finish the reading.” She
motioned the archaeologist up and quickly steered her toward the door. She
grabbed a packet of incense along the way and put it in Jenny’s hands. “Take
this as an apology for the interrupted reading dear. It’s lavender, a soothing
scent. Perhaps it will soothe your wandering spirit.”
The young woman barely had time to tell the seer thank you much less ask when
to come back before she was outside, with the door locked behind her. Shaking
her head, she noticed it was getting dark and headed back toward her car and
the hotel. This town just kept getting stranger and stranger.
The seer turned to see Simi had come into the front room. “I found the sparklies I want Selene.” She noticed the woman’s nervous expression. “What makes Selene’s heart sad?”
The woman turned to smile at her friend. “I’m glad you found what you want Simi. I’m just a bit worried about what my other customer is going to think of her visit.”
The young demon looked out the door at the retreating figure of the woman. “Pah. Don’t worry. Simi could still barbeque her.” She appeared lost in thought for a moment. “She was pretty but she’d be prettier if I gave her some nice blue hornays to match her shirt.”
Selene smiled. “I think that might make Acheron angry if you did it Simi.”
“Not as angry as Akri will be when The Simi tells him strange lady was asking about Nicky.” With a mischievous grin, the demon was gone.