Page 41 of Undo Me

He moved to her side, and Bethany noticed the way his hand subtly caressed her stomach. “Just make sure my apple doesn’t have any of that punch.”

She knew by the way BD stiffened beside her that he’d caught that, but he didn’t say a word. She wondered if he felt the same way she did when she looked at the two couples. Both were starting new lives together. Lives filled with so much time. So many days.

It was hard not to envy them their futures or want the same thing with him. It was insane, wasn’t it? How had she gotten so attached to this man so quickly? Why did being with him feel so right? So familiar?

An answer to that question was there in the back of her mind, she knew it. But it was frustratingly out of reach. Like an almost-remembered dream. Or a memory long forgotten.

It felt important.

The sound of drums had them all turning toward the gazebo. The beat was hypnotic. One drum joined another and another, each beating like a heartbeat. One heartbeat. Thousands. Hers.

They were shoved closer as a circle developed around the drummers, people swaying and rocking together. Some on the edge of the circle were dancing. Bethany wanted to join them. Her mother used to dance.

She swayed to the rhythm, watching as Mambo Toussaint stepped into the center of the circle and called on Papa Legba, invoking his name for permission to begin. She said he opened and closed the doorway between worlds, and watched over the crossroads. A messenger, Bethany remembered reading somewhere, like Mercury. Or Peter, the keeper of the keys.

The drums were making it hard for her to think, to concentrate on Mambo Toussaint’s words.

Bending over, the priestess sprinkled cornmeal into a design on the grass. Bethany felt the strongest yank yet on her braid, but, knowing it was only Emmanuel, she shrugged it off and moved closer, wanting to see.

The drums were pounding faster now, making her feel oddly breathless. Floaty.

Where were the others? BD? It didn’t matter, because she was here. Dancing to the drums as the mambo honored life and God. The Marassa twins and Papa Ghede.

Ghede was the protector of children who died before their time. Had he protected Manuel? Was that what the ghost was trying to tell her?

She felt a cold hand on her arm and a harsh voice in her ear. “You’re a paler version than the one I remember. Older too. But you can’t fool me. I would know those blue eyes anywhere, Isabel.”

She turned and the world spun crazily around her. She shook her head, trying to focus. It was the bearded man who’d smiled at her. The one BD had glared at as he’d come down the aisle.

“What did you call me?”

“I should call you a whore for chasing after trash when you could have been a queen. My queen.” He came closer and repulsion filled her along with vague memories of cruelty. Words that horrified her. Dark magic. But that didn’t make any sense. She didn’t know him.

He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, his grip so painful she cried out in surprise.

“Let me go, asshole. You’ve got me confused with someone else.”

Silver glinted on the edge of her vision and she gasped, seeing the knife. “I’ll have you confused with a corpse if you don’t do as I say. And I’ll take a stab at the pretty, powerless bride as well, since I’ve got nothing left to lose.”

“No.” Why couldn’t she move? Why wasn’t she punching this idiot’s face in and calling for help. She wasn’t Isabel. She wasn’t helpless. “Leave her alone.”

“Then come with me. You and I have some unfinished business. Let’s see if Marcel cares enough to notice you’re gone.”

BD watched the revelers with a distracted smile, Elise on his arm near the center of the circle. She patted his sleeve. “I know you’re impatient to get back to her, but thank you for taking a moment to talk. And for being here. I know Allegra was overjoyed when you agreed to walk her down the aisle.”

“I have enjoyed my time with your family more than I can say.”

“You don’t want to leave.” She wasn’t asking.

“No.” Now more than ever, he’d give anything to stay. Even if Bethany couldn’t see him, he would be happy to stay by her side. She liked it here. Maybe Michelle would convince her to stay in New Orleans, so he could speak to her now and then. If not, he would try to follow her to New York.

“If we ask for that boon for you, perhaps Papa Ghede will hear our plea.”

She didn’t sound too hopeful, and neither was he. After his protocol breach with Rousseau and his refusal to return as required, he knew he wasn’t all that popular with the other Loa. Although he had given them the soul of the djab.

And they gave you this day. Asking for more would be foolhardy.

“Asking doesn’t hurt anyone. You should know better than anyone that love is a powerful force. It can make miracles happen, maybe even allow you to stay here on our side, if that’s what will make you happy. You aren’t like the others. It’s possible—” Her hand jerked and then tightened on his arm. “It is possible to save a soul near death in time for a second chance.”

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