Free Angels of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase Page A

saying another word, he left. The room gave a collective sigh of relief as soon as the door slammed shut.
    “Where’s Kat?” I asked Lailah this time.
    She glanced around. “She’s not here?”
    Dan got to his feet. “She said she’d be a few minutes behind us but”—he glanced at the wall clock—“that was an hour ago.”
    My heart pounded with fear. I grabbed my phone, but before I could hit Send, Dan was already speaking to her voicemail.
    “Damn,” he said, shoving his phone into his pocket. “No answer.”
    I jumped up and grabbed my purse. “Meri, let’s go.”
    She startled. “Where?”
    “We’re going to backtrack to the store, and if we don’t find her, we’ll head to her apartment. Something’s wrong. Nothing would keep Kat away on a night like this. Not even if I begged her.” I strode to the door and turned to give her an impatient glance when she didn’t move. “Well, hurry up.”
    Kane moved in front of me. “Maybe it’s better if Lailah and your mom go.”
    The magic in my chest tingled and electric sparks sprang to my fingertips. Shocked, I stared at the blue-tinged glow, overwhelmed with the desire to blast him out of my way.
    Holy crap, Jade. Get a grip.
    Horrified, I backed away from everyone. I’d almost zapped Kane.
    Mom’s hands covered mine. Her soothing earth magic stifled the electric desire. “You’re too weak after what happened, sweetie. It isn’t your fault. Magic can take on a life of its own when your body has been through so much.”
    Kane reached out a hand to guide me, but I jumped out of his grasp. I was too dangerous to be anywhere near him.
    “Jade?” he asked.
    “I’m sorry.” The words came out choked. “Go find Kat. I know something’s wrong. Please,” I begged him. “I’m going to go eat something, try to shake this off.”
    “Promise?” he asked, his concerned eyes boring into mine. “Dan’s going.” He waved at my ex already striding out the door. “So’s Lailah.”
    She hovered near us, car keys clutched in her hand.
    “Yes. Just go. The more the better. Meri and I will be fine here. Call as soon as you know anything.”
    Kane ran a light hand down my arm, and I struggled not to flinch, grateful when my magic didn’t electrify him. Then he followed Dan, Mom and Lailah out the door. That left me, Gwen, Meri, and Pyper, but Pyper was still hiding out in the kitchen. Gwen sat beside me and took my hand in hers.
    “Don’t worry,” she soothed. “I have a feeling she’s going to be fine.”
    “Going to be?” My voice rose with each word. Gwen was a psychic. She didn’t talk about her visions usually, but going to be fine was a far cry from actually being fine.
    Gwen ran a sun-weathered hand over mine. “The message is vague but strong. ‘Going to be’ is good enough for now.”
    I didn’t care for that answer at all, but what could I do? I grabbed my phone and called Kat again. Straight to voicemail. “Damn,” I said, echoing Dan’s sentiment.
    The three of us sat in silence, Meri curled up in an oversized chair, her eyes closed, and Gwen and I huddled together, waiting. I didn’t wait well.
    After five more attempts to reach Kat, I got to my feet. “I’m going to check on Pyper.”
    “That’s a good plan,” Gwen said. “I bet she could use someone to talk to right about now.”
    I nodded and retreated to the kitchen at the back of the house then paused in the doorway. Pyper stood at the sink, clad in yellow rubber gloves, scrubbing the dishes Kane must’ve left from breakfast.
    “Hey,” I said softly. “You okay?”
    She whirled around, a plate clutched in her hands. Her too-bright eyes found mine and then narrowed as her lips turned down into a deeper frown. Without warning, she threw the soap-filled sponge right at me. It landed smack dab in the middle of my face.
    I sputtered, spitting out dishwashing soap. “Pyper! What the hell?”
    Her mouth dropped open in a surprised O, and then she started to giggle,