Vagabond

Hide and Seek

"Where are you?"

"New Orleans. Been here for two days, we were just getting ready to leave tonight."

"No. Wait for us there. See you soon my darling."

Elsie hung up before she could hear Ishani's questioning, "Us?"

~~~~~~~~

Canada was quiet in the early morning. Riley and I were sat outside a small cafe, pretending to sip on coffees while we waited for Bree to finish her conversation with a tall blonde vampire in the park across the street. It was the one thing I allowed for her to do before we left the country. I can't deny I did have some selfish reasons for this pit stop as well.

When Bree had told me her story and mentioned her late mate Diego and her friend/protector Fred who was waiting for her in Canada. I was curious. More than that, I was interested in Fred's ability to repel those around him. His powers coupled with Luka's cloaking ability? The game of hide and seek I had been playing for decades would be over forever.

"Elsie, I am starving. When is she going to be done?"

Riley was getting restless across from me. A frown fell on my face at the embracing pair across the street. "Don't worry. Our time here is finished."

I rose from my seat, Riley following closely, and began to head in the direction where Bree stood alone. Fred had taken off in a blur. Apparently my offer was not enough for the recluse to accept. Bree was looking at me nervously as we approached.

"I'm sorry Elsie, I tried to convince him to join us but he just wouldn't listen!"

"Shhh, don't worry about it Bree. If I really wanted him I could have just told him to come with us." I joked, "Come now, let's find a quick snack and be on our way."

The three of us made our way quickly to New Orleans, making it there just before dark. Bree was looking around in awe at the nightlife around them.

"I've seen more in the last two days than I have my whole life." She said.

Riley, who had turned to pluck something from a little old woman sitting on the side of the street turned back to Bree. He looped a couple strands of multi-colored beads over her head with a smile. Feeling someone's eyes on me, I turned to see a dark skinned woman with a head full of tight curls staring me down.

I calmly grabbed onto the excited new vampires next to me and pulled them away from the main streets and city lights, "We need to keep moving. New Orleans has deep magic in its roots and a superstitious people - we have to be careful here."

Navigating quickly I found the address Ishani had texted me. Once we arrived to the hotel it was easy to find the room number she had also attached. Before I could knock, the door was being flung open and I was faced with the blood red eyes of Luka who was bouncing on his toes.

"Mamushka!" His face split into a grin and my own smile stretched at the sight of him.

"Let them in Luka!" Ishani's voice came from inside the room.

Luka stepped back and myself, Bree, and Riley entered the hotel room. My two newest foundlings stood by the door while my first children stood across the room by the bathroom, the four of them staring each other down in curiosity.

"Riley, Bree - meet Ishani and Luka. Ishani, Luka - this is Bree and Riley, they are going to be joining our coven."

Luka smiled, lifting his hand to wave at the newcomers. Bree timidly waved back but Riley just stood there staring. Ishani was glaring, untrusting of any strangers and I knew that it would take a while for her to warm up to them.