Inevitable: Shifters Forever Worlds (Only After Dark Book 5) Read Free Page A

Mémé at the café at dusk.
    Tante Lucia had sat in one corner of the room, studying Rochelle with a gaze that sparked with ill-concealed anger.
    With a final jerk on the brush, Leandra picked up Mémé’s shoes that she’d have to borrow as well. She’d walk barefoot until she arrived at the cemetery so as not to ruin Mémé’s shoes in the swamp.
    Might as well get to the funeral.

    * * *
    M émé was being buried in the cemetery outside the Black Glade community hall, and that was just around the bend of the path following the bayou. Leandra paused to put on Mémé’s shoes.
    She’d definitely need to steel herself in preparation for the witches that would be at Mémé’s funeral. Leandra was sure some of them wouldn’t be sad.
    Who would? She wanted to tick the names off in her mind, but all she could concentrate on was the pinching of her shoes.
    “Well if it isn’t Leandra Mathieu, joining us at her grandmother’s funeral. I’m surprised you could leave your frogs and other swamp creatures long enough to honor your grandmother.” The voice was snide and cold, both at the same time.
    “Adelise.” Leandra turned, though she didn’t need to. She knew that voice. It had followed her whenever she was in the vicinity of the Black Glade coven.
    It hadn’t always been this way between Leandra and Adelise. Once, long ago, Leandra had thought of her as a friend, until Adelise’s mother convinced Adelise that the two best friends were in competition for the coveted coven leadership,
    Little did they know, Leandra had no interest in heading up the coven.
    Sure, leading the coven had fallen under the purview of the Mathieu family, but that changed after Mémé had disqualified herself years ago. Circumstances kept the leadership from Lucia, and as for Rochelle, she wanted nothing to do with witches, that was no secret.
    And now there was Leandra.
    And I don’t give a shit about the hierarchy of the coven and who leads them.
    Leandra put on a sticky sweet smile. “Adelise, would you like to be one of my swamp frogs?” She cocked her head, studying Adelise’s fearful expression. “No, I think you’d be better off as a swamp rat. “Scurry away little rat.” Leandra raised her hands, flicked her fingers as if readying to cast a spell.
    “You wouldn’t dare. The coven… my mother… the …” She sputtered, out of words.
    “You know better.”
    You bet your ass Leandra would put a spell on another witch. In a heartbeat. Except there was still a memory, of Adelise, of being close friends. That loyalty kept Leandra’s ire at bay.
    “Leandra, I’m glad you could make it.” Michelina scrutinized Leandra.
    Why wouldn’t I be here? Leandra bit her tongue.
    “We’re going to be calling a meeting sometime soon. Decisions have to be made.”
    Not by me.
    “No problem.”
    As if she’d bother showing up. There was no good reason to be in attendance, was there?
    A throat clearing behind her made Leandra turn slowly. Now who would she have to deal with?
    “You shouldn’t be here, Lucia.” Michelina stated.
    “I shouldn’t be at my own mother’s funeral?” Lucia, not looking a day older than the first and last time Leandra saw her.
    “Tante Lucia.” She studied the dark haired, light eyed woman. A golden flicker in the depth of her eyes showed Leandra her shifter animal. A white tiger shifter, that much Leandra did know.
    “Leandra.” Lucia put her fingertips on Leandra’s shoulders.
    A current ran from those fingers throughout Leandra’s body. Was that the effect of her shifter animal, or was it because of the witch’s blood that coursed through Lucia?
    “How are you doing, little one?” Concern settled on Lucia’s face, her gaze unwavering.
    Lucia’s kindness made tears flood Leandra’s eyes. “I miss her.”
    “I know you do. I do too. Let’s get through this, then go somewhere. Lunch, maybe.” She looked around. “Rochelle is not here?”
    Leandra shook her head. That wasn’t