Bayou Summons Read online

  “Oh, I was just wondering what it was.”

  “It traps evil spirits and spells.” She looked at Summer with one eye half closed, scanning her from head to foot, “it’s a good thing to have one of these, especially in your circumstance.”

  “Oh,” Summer mumbled.

  “Being new here, you’ll want some extra protection, Cherie.”

  A little freaked out by the woman, she turned to look at the talisman again. “I’ll take it.”

  “Good choice, Cherie.” The woman shuffled to the counter and rang her up.

  By the time Summer left the little shop, she had spent over a hundred dollars. She didn’t care, though. Not only were the items for her personal benefit, they would also benefit her research.

  Calling it a day, she headed back to the inn. Looking ahead, she could see Cayden sitting in his bench in exactly the same position she had seen him settle into earlier. For a second, she contemplated jumping over the short wrought iron fence and walking across the lawn to the inn, but she figured that would be cowardly. Lifting her chin, she was just about to pass him when she heard him clear his throat.

  “Did you do some shopping?” he asked casually.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “What did you get?”

  Amazed at his audacity, she replied. “Are you always this nosy? And do you have a thing for this bench or what?”

  Laughing a deep melody, he stood up, bringing his tall frame within inches of her slight one. “As a matter of fact, I’m very nosy when it comes to visitors. And, yes, I love this bench, it’s my favorite.” He smiled wide, showing perfect white teeth.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a bit of an ass, Mr. Beauvais?”

  Stifling a chuckle, he answered, “It’s Cayden, remember?” Sighing, he continued. “I have been called an ass a time or two.”

  “Well, this makes it three.” Holding her head up high, she scoffed. “Good day to you, Mr. Beauvais.”

  He stood staring at her backside, swaying in the denim. He really hoped she was going to stay for a while. The plans he had in mind for her were going to take a long time. Licking his lips, he headed for home.

  Chapter 4

  The woman sat in the void, illuminated by a glow from overhead. In this world, Summer couldn’t be sure exactly what was giving the light. Brown hair fell over shoulders that shook with every new sob, the woman had pulled herself together, huddling, an attempt to get herself away from the black that was slowly folding itself around her.

  Summer walked forward, sat by her.

  “I never thought he’d do this. He said he loved me.” The woman heaved and coughed as she let out another mournful wail. Feeling Summer’s hand on her shoulder, she slowly lifted her head, giving Summer a clear view of pale skin, sunken eyes and an open, bleeding wound that sprang from ear to ear. Pushing down the urge to vomit, Summer closed her eyes and concentrated.

  Opening them, she began to speak. “Goodness, what has he done to you?”

  “It started out with little things, pushing, shoving.” As the woman shrugged, blood oozed a little further from the gash. “I should have listened to everyone. I should’ve left him.” She began to weep again, closing herself off even more, her skinny arms pinning her knees to her small chest.

  “You couldn’t have known. When you love someone, you often go blind, especially a person like you. Loving, caring and thoughtful, you only wanted to be there for him.” Summer watched as the woman’s eyes suddenly went frantic.

  “Who are you? Where am I?” Pupils dilated, they darted around in the onyx surrounding, probing for some sign as to her whereabouts.

  “Calm down, Chloe. I’m here to help you. It’s time to go home. There are people waiting for you. People that have been waiting since you were born.” Using the back of her hand, she gently stroked Chloe’s forehead, humming the words to “Dream a Little Dream” as she watched her visibly relax. The corners of Chloe’s mouth began to twitch and slowly transformed into a smile.

  “I feel so warm. I’ve never felt so good in my life.” Opening her eyes, she looked at Summer. No longer sunken, her eyes shone with all the beauty that must have been present when she was alive. “Thank you.” Placing her hand in Summer’s, she tipped her head back.

  The onyx crept in, sealing Chloe in like the contents of an envelope, creeping over her body leaving just her face visible and then nothing at all. Summer was left alone, staring into the dark where Chloe had been, alone yet again, but feeling peace wash over her as Chloe ascended to where nobody could ever harm her again.

  Waking with a start, Summer kicked the blankets that had wrapped themselves around her like a cocoon. Sweating, she lay there, cramping the pillow behind her head in an effort to capture at least some rest. When she had these dreams, these visions, it felt like she hadn’t slept at all, in fact, the next morning usually promised a migraine and a queasy stomach.

  It was no use; sleep would be elusive for the time being. Realizing she had yet to witness the bayou at night, she scooted out of bed, wanting to get some air. Pulling on her trusty sweatpants, she debated on whether or not to put a bra on underneath the light blue tank top she usually slept in. Glancing at the clock, Summer saw that it was 1:00 am. She decided there was no reason for the contraption nobody would be out and about at this hour. She slipped from her room, her bare feet softly slapping against the wood floor.

  She crept as quietly as she could down the stairs and breathed in a sigh of relief when she finally reached the door. Outside, fog had wound itself around the great oaks that littered the lawn of the inn, obscuring the view of the ground from the porch. The humid steam that caked the air floated in from the swamp. Hearing sounds, she walked to the side of the inn. She leaned into the wind, her ears straining to catch the sounds she heard. A party, at least, that was what it sounded like. Faint music wafted in, blues that made you want to sway along. Voices mingled in with the tune, cheery and lively. She was wrong when she thought the town would be sleeping. Apparently celebrating never stopped here.

  “At this late hour, you should be sleeping.”

  The beautiful accent gave her a start as she jolted, banging her hip against the porch railing as she twisted to see who was there. Of course, it was him. The annoyingly, tantalizing Cayden. She had only known him for a few hours, how could she feel such a loathing and yet at the same time, such a pull to him? Chalking her dizziness at the sight of him up to lack of sleep and her vision, she stared at him.

  “I could say the same about you. Don’t you have any manners at all?” Summer asked, impatiently crossing her arms over her chest, causing her breasts to swell slightly out of the top of her skimpy tank. His eyes flashed and for a moment she was caught wondering what was wrong with him. Then she realized she had skipped the bra. Oops.

  “Yes, I do. May I ask what you are doing out here, barely dressed?” To emphasize his question, he scanned her body, from her forehead to her toes, setting nerves she hadn’t realized she had, on fire.

  “I didn’t think anyone would be up.” She shrugged, again making her breasts jiggle with the movement, “I couldn’t sleep.”

  Cayden let out an audible groan and looked the other way. “I couldn’t sleep either. Fancy meeting you here,” He turned back towards her and gave her a one-sided smirk.

  Not being able to help herself, she giggled, leaning back against the rails as she did. “Well, since we’re here, you could tell me a little bit about your town.”

  Striding towards her, he stopped to her right, leaning his hip into the rails, and using his elbow to support his upper body. “You mean that you want to know about the witchcraft, the voodoo.”

  Surprised at his insight, she agreed. “Yes, actually, that’s why I’m here.”

  “I’ll tell you what. Take me up to your room, give me a drink, then maybe I’ll tell you some of what I know.” He bobbed his head in the direction of the inn.

  “Yeah right, I’m not inviting you into my room. D
o you think I’m insane?” She scoffed at his suggestion.

  “No, I don’t. But that’s the problem. I have a feeling that loosening up a little won’t hurt you. Maybe you need to take some chances, some risks.”

  If he only knew what she saw almost nightly in her head, he would understand the irony of his statement. Rolling it around in her mind, she thought about the circumstances. It wasn’t like she couldn’t scream for help. Knowing that it was against her better judgment, she announced, “Okay, but you have to stay within three feet of me. Understood?”

  The muscles in his chest strained against the fabric of his shirt as he gave out a thick chuckle. He held up his hands, mimicking a stick-up as he said, “I solemnly swear.” Putting his hands down, he stepped closer, leaving only inches between her lips and his.

  “On a condition of my own,” Cayden whispered seductively.

  His breath tickled her cheek as she went still, feeling her lips beg for just a touch. Fighting for air, she asked, “Okay, what’s the condition?”

  “If you ask me to get close, then I’m allowed.” He studied her face, looking serious in his request.

  Summer snorted. “Sure, as if that will happen.” Struggling to turn away, she finally found the strength and broke the spell.

  With him in tow, she showed the way back to her room.

  Chapter 5

  In the comfort of the room, she handed him the soda she had snatched from the kitchen. He sat in the chair by the window, cast in the shadows of branches from the tree that stood outside.

  “Sorry I couldn’t get you anything stronger. I was afraid Lurleene would kick me in my ass if I had a go at her liquor.” Sitting on the floor across from him, Summer reached up on the table, pulled down a tape recorder and notebook. She splayed them out in front of her, in ritualistic habit.

  “It looks as if you were serious about that interview.”

  Not looking up, she replied. “Of course I was.”

  “I have to be honest; I had other things in mind.” He said it lazily, letting the words roll out in attempted seduction.

  Summer looked up slowly, realizing that she had wanted this to happen; admitting to herself that she had known the interview was just a guise to get him in private. She was astounded at herself. She had never been like that. Never had she wanted a man so badly that her subconscious just took over, creating scenarios in which she might get what her body secretly pined for.

  “I guess I did too. But, I can’t. I don’t need any complications or distractions right now. My life won’t allow it.”

  “There are things about me that are kept private and I’ve found that it’s best to just not get involved in any way.” She sighed, feeling defeated and unsatisfied.

  He hadn’t wanted to do it, but she was giving him no choice. He wanted her with a fierceness he had never known before. From the moment he had seen her hopping around, something inside him had shifted towards her. Cayden stared into her eyes, chanting softly, using his powers to probe her mind. He needed to know if she felt the same way. Did she feel this inexplicable rush at the thought of him filling her?

  What he found startled him. Amidst secrets and fears, she bubbled with pent up emotions. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  “Summer, do you want me?” Putting his elbows on his knees, he leaned in so that he could hear her whisper.

  “Yes.”

  “Will you allow me to do something if I can do it from three feet away?” he asked.

  Slightly snapping out of the trance, she responded, “What do you mean?”

  “I can show you how much I want you from where I sit. But, I need your permission first. I won’t do it unless you agree.” With an intense pressure building in his groin, he continued. “If you tell me no, I’ll let go of the hold I have on you and I won’t do it again.”

  From her dream-like state, she heard his words and knew that whatever answer she gave would be the truth. Right now, she couldn’t lie to him. “Show me.”

  With a low moan, he sat back and moved his hands in the air. With the invisible connection, he touched her face, cradling it as his hands moved down to her throat, pausing to draw circles on her collarbone. Summer shifted from where she sat Indian style. Bringing her legs out in front of her, she pushed into his unseen hands. Purring as she moaned, “Oh…”

  Continuing his quest, he moved lower to cup her breasts in his hands. The softness made him lose control for a moment as he growled and pinching her nipples, wanting to hear her cry his name. She tossed her head back, bowing in an attempt to feel more of his touch. Then she spoke his name. “Cayden…” She panted softly.

  Watching those luscious lips curve into his name with such ease was like a fantasy in itself. He was coming undone. Hearing her say his name in passion was too much for him. He had to entomb himself in her before he completely lost it. It was all he could do to hold back and not take her there, while she was under his spell.

  He answered softly, still circling her nipples with the pads of his thumbs. “Yes, my love.”

  “Please,” she said breathlessly.

  “I have to hear you say the words, Summer.” Praying she would ask him to do what he had been longing to do, he stayed steady in his magical foreplay.

  “Take me.” She heaved and drew in a ragged breath. “I need you inside me now. I can’t handle it, it’s….” Her words trailed off as her breath hitched again, “…painful.”

  With a hoarse cry of triumph Cayden closed his eyes, putting one final twist on the spell before he broke it. Summer opened her eyes. How had she gotten on the bed? She had been on the floor. She had wanted him to take her there, with the hard wood digging into her back. Now, she lay on the soft sheets, looking up at him. His shirt was gone and the sight made her groan again for wanting to touch the hair that spread lightly over his chest.

  Feeling her frustration, he bent over, using one hand to steady himself and the other to bring her hand to his stomach. She gasped at the feel of his skin. It was electrifying, sending sparks coursing through her as she looked into his eyes.

  “I’ve wanted to pound myself into you since the moment I saw you.” He bent lower, whispering in her ear. “Please tell me you want me just as much.”

  “I want you more,” Summer brought her other hand to his face and guided his lips towards hers. He brushed his lips over her swollen ones, tantalizing and teasing until finally claiming her mouth like he desperately needed to claim her body.

  She slid her hand down lower, skimming over his abs, realizing he no longer had pants on. When did he get undressed? Not caring, she splayed her fingers over the mass of curls that signified she was about to reach her destination. Lingering, she tickled and stroked. He broke their kiss to lean his forehead on hers as his hips worked in a motion that beseeched touch.

  Obliging his body’s response, she wrapped her hand around his strong, stony length. He cried out, breathing heavily as he continued to move his hips to the rhythm of her rubbing.

  “God, that feels so good.” He said with bated breath, his exhale sending shivers up her spine.

  Inflamed and burning with an excruciating fire, she jerked her hand away to pull down her sweatpants. He had to get inside her now! She would die if he didn’t. With shock, she grabbed for nothing, felt only the smooth skin of her hips as she searched for the waistband of the pants she could have sworn she had had on not moments before.

  Feeling no alarm at the circumstance, she pulled on his hips, guiding his penis to her entrance. He stopped, letting his silky tip knead and probe her sensitive lips. Squealing at the sensation, she bucked, wanting to find more pressure from the silk over steel head.

  Cayden couldn’t take it anymore. Abandoning all reason, he slipped inside her with a brutish howl. Crashing together, they held hands, absorbing the impact that their joined bodies were creating. Cascading into a powerful tempo, she matched his every drive into her with a thrust of her own. Bringing himself onto his elbows, he held her face
in her hands and gazed into her eyes as he pumped faster and harder. Exploding into a million fragments, he exploded releasing his seed into her as she cried out his name, giving way to her own crowning point.

  Racked with pleasure, their bodies jerked and twitched, catching up with their paramount orgasms. Sated and slipping fast, Cayden buried his face in her shoulder and before he fell asleep.

  Chapter 6

  The stone floor was worn by his incessant pacing. Alsandair had felt her at night, felt her power stirring in his dreams. He had to find and control this woman who had his power. His penis distended just thinking of the power a female necromancer would bring him. He would train her, feeding off her energy to take over the underworld, one lost soul at a time. When he was finished with that, he would take her whenever and however he wanted.

  He wondered what she looked like as he imagined slamming into her from behind. His belly ached with the thought. He hoped she was exotic. He had always had a thing for raven haired women. Alsandair liked to tangle it in his fists and pull as he watched their eyes go wide with shock when he entered their sweetness. Savoring the thought, he sat down and masturbated until his arms grew sore and tired. He was finally going to have a sweet piece of ass that could actually be of use to him.

  Needing to feel her presence again, he shut his eyes, called forth one of the spirits he kept bound to him. In a place of his choosing in the underworld, a castle fit for a king, the spirit walked slowly to his side. She was young, with a book-worm appearance and mousy brown hair. Her head hung low as she awaited his instructions.

  Alsandair’s white hair gleamed in the moonlight that poured in from the high windows, giving the impression of a crown. Soon, he would wear a crown, the crown of the underworld.