Read Online Nancy K. Duplechain - Dark Trilogy 03 - Dark Legacy by Nancy K. Duplechain - Free Book Online Page A

beautiful.”
    “Nadia, nothing about being like
them is beautiful.”
    “Don’t you want to keep them this
time?”
    “No.”
    “Well, don’t do anything foolish
like you did the last time.”
    “How am I supposed to get rid of
them?”
    “Keep them for a while. Maybe
you’ll need them.”
    He looked at her and knew she was
referring to the Nephilim who invaded Miles’ house. “They’ll be back, you know.
Miles says they’re recruiting. One of them found me last night.”
    Nadia looked alarmed. “And you’re
alive?”
    “She didn’t want to hurt me. She
wanted me to join them. Apparently my dad is in town.” He sat on his
bed. “And if I find him anywhere near my mom, I’m going to kill him.”
     
    ***
     
    Nadia stayed for dinner that evening.
Noah had pulled his mother aside to tell her not to ask about Nadia’s family
and then he told her what happened to them. Selena made light dinner
conversation, but her heart was broken for the girl. After they ate, Noah
offered to drive Nadia back to the convent.
    “Feel like taking a little detour?” said
Noah. The convent was across from City Park. He was driving on Claiborne Avenue,
about to get on Highway 90 to switch to I-10. The Superdome was in view.
    “Where to?” said Nadia.
    “The Quarter.”

10
Family Reunion
     
    Cee Cee opened
the door and greeted him warmly. “Oh, come in my baby! I wasn’t expecting you.
How you been? Any pain left over from … well, you know.” She whispered that
last part.
    “No, ma’am. I’m
sorry that we just showed up. If it’s a bad time—”
    “Not at all! I
love comp’ny. And you must be Nadia.” She took Nadia’s hands in hers. “Miles
told me about you. I’m so sorry about your parents, my baby.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Oh, I love that
accent! It’s just darlin’! Y’all come right in and have a seat.” As she headed
for the kitchen she called over her shoulder, “Would you care for some cake?
It’s a rum cake! I made it myself this mornin’.”
    “Oh, no thanks,”
said Noah, following her.
    “No, thank you,”
said Nadia.
    She opened the
fridge and pulled out half a rum cake and plopped it down on the table. “Sit,
sit,” she said.
    Noah and Nadia
sat as Cee Cee pulled some forks and dishes out and put them on the table near
the cake. She cut three pieces and put them in front of Noah and Nadia with
forks in the plates, ready to go. She started digging into her piece.
    “The reason I
came here, ma’am, is—” started Noah.
    “’Ma’am!’ I love
it! You so polite! I know your mama raised you good,” she said with a mouthful
of cake.
    “Uh, thanks. I
know you do, um, Voodoo stuff.”
    Cee Cee laughed.
“Lil’ boy, I am a Voodoo priestess. I practice Voodoo.”
    “Sorry. Miles
said that you’re a paladin?”
    She licked her
fork and nodded solemnly. “Indeed I am.”
    “Well, I was
wondering if you had a spell or something that could … that could keep my, um,
wings from growing back?”
    Her eyes widened.
“They growing back?”
    He nodded.
    “Well, my baby,
maybe you shouldn’t mess with ‘em.”
    “I really don’t
want them. I don’t want anything to do with those things, those angels.”
    Cee Cee patted
his hand sympathetically. “I understand, my love. I think I can help you. You
sure you don’t want some cake, though?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    “Nadia?”
    She politely
shook her head.
    “All right then.
Just go sit over there at that table in the living room.” She quickly finished
her piece, put the rest of the cake back in the fridge, and placed her dishes
in the sink. She sat in the chair next to his, at her altar, and said, “Now
turn around and take off your shirt.”
    He did as
instructed. “This isn’t going to hurt, is it?”
    “No, angel.”
    He glared at her
over his shoulder.
    She quickly
added, “The good angel, that is. Not the … well, the bad … just turn back
around, you.”
    Nadia stifled a
giggle.
    Cee Cee silently
marveled at the