Free A Late Summer Bloom by Cherrie Mack Page B

newborn baby, she was different. A little off, as they say. She never
revealed the identity of Giselle’s father, leaving the coven to wonder about her
aura and allegiance.”
    Julien drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “So, Giselle thinks she carries
a curse? Did her mother tell her she was cursed?”
    Desiree lowered her eyes as the sadness of Giselle’s secrets tumbled
out. “Yes. When Giselle was ten, her mother told her she had the blood of Natas running through her veins.”
    Simon sighed. “Nice thing to tell an innocent.” He shook his head.
    Julien realized in that moment how wrong he’d been. “So, it’s not her
fault. She’s not purposely avoiding her calling, she’s afraid of it because she
believes it is dangerous to the people she loves. Right?”
    Desiree nodded in agreement. “Yes. I learned a lot when Giselle came to
stay with me in the quarter. I don’t think I saw her smile but once on the
first day she arrived, and the smile wasn’t for me, but for a little runt of a dog.”
    Julien shifted in his chair, knowing all too well that dog was him.
    “However, she does smile around you, Julien. A lot.”
    Desiree took another sip of water. “Anyway, she told me of her life with
Angelique, an old family friend. She was home-schooled, isolated. No one taught
her magic for fear she would hone her power to destroy mankind. No one knew
what to do with her since she discovered her true calling, which she does
indeed believe is a curse.”
    She held up her hands in a stop motion. “I will not tell you what her true
calling is, Julien. I will not betray her by telling something I’ve held in
confidence since I was ten years old. Let her tell you. Give her a little more
time. And now ,   I heard that crazy bitch, Cecily, is back?”
    Julien raised his brow. “Her mother? Back? From where?”
    Desiree leaned over the table. “Nine years ago, Cecily Jareau took her daughter from the only life she knew and
dragged her to the bayou, where she promptly dumped her off. No one has seen or
heard from her since. Now, she’s back and wants a reunion ?”
    Julien stood up and paced the length of the table. “There is no curse,
is there, Desiree?”
    “I just think she’s so scared by her true calling, she’s afraid to use
all her gifts, so she repels them.”
    Julien stopped pacing. “Unless of course, she’s not
thinking about it. She’s done a lot around here, subconsciously. Today,
when her anger flared? Did you see how the elements reacted? I could feel the
energy sizzle in the air. So I guess I have to piss her off to get her cooperation. Although that hasn’t worked to well either. No wonder
she doesn’t answer back when I’m acting like an asshole.” Because she doesn’t want to hurt me .
    “Hmm. You are lucky Miss Desiree isn’t the tenth power.” Simon chuckled.
    “Shut up Simon.”
    “See what I mean?”
    Julien shook his head at them. “How can I earn her trust after the way
I’ve been acting? I need to get a rise outta her to ignite her power.”
    “Or,” Desiree fell back into her chair. “You can give her something she
wants.”
    Julien lifted one eyebrow. “Tell me, woman. Don’t leave me hanging. How
can I get her to trust me?”
    “It will be a great test of your strength, Julien. Are you up for the
challenge?”
    “I was born for a challenge. Tell me.”
    She crossed her arms over her breasts. “Seduce her. Sex is the one
experience she wants to have before she meets her fate. And you, Julien, happen
to be in the right place at the right time.”
    Unnerved, his eyes widened. “I can’t do that. It’s not fair to Giselle.
She needs someone to love her. I’m not capable—of love.”
    “Oh, you men are all the same. It’s not marriage, it’s sex. Giselle can have her pick of any man. If she lives. That’s where you come in.”
    Julien wasn’t sure why Desiree’s statement angered him. Was he jealous?
Did he care for Giselle? That feeling was so foreign to