“Be careful.” He pulled me close. “I mean it. Watch your back since I won’t be there to do it.”

“Thanks, Rafe. I will.” I gave him a brief hug then pushed him away gently. “Now run along. Get shopping.” I headed into the bathroom, refusing to listen to Sienna’s questions or Rafe’s answers about our relationship. I tried to tune into Mel’s message. Yeah, I wanted to own the world and I was starting tonight. Taking charge of my universe and the people who were important to me. Too bad for Mel if she got in my way.

My phone rang as I was about to leave the blessedly empty apartment. Flo, coming through for me.

“Amica, I’m worried. Are you sure you want to deal with a sacerdotessa vudù?” Flo always lapsed into Italian when she was nervous. “Those people scare me.”

“Relax, Flo. The last time we used your contact’s help, it worked. Remember when we got that demon out of me? We used love. It was great. Not scary at all.” I smiled at the memory. “Or at least not as scary as that demon was.”

“You’re right about that. Okay, I give. But be careful, my friend. This stuff is nothing to play with.”

“I know. Mel means business. You won’t believe what she did to Jerry just last night.” I told her, sinking down on the couch as I did. I hoped he was there when I got to his place. I wanted to hold him, comfort him. If Bart found a drug in his blood, surely that would make Jerry feel better about his memory loss. At least convince him that his amnesia wasn’t returning.

“This is terribile! That strega cattiva! Call the woman in New Orleans. I hope she can help you get rid of this creature permanently.”

“Thanks, pal.” I glanced down at the paper where I’d written the number. “I’ll let you know what happens.” I hung up then dialed. The woman who answered the phone had a soft Creole accent that convinced me I had the right number.

“Is this Madame—”

“Do not say my name. Who told you to call me, chère?”

Hmm. Paranoid much? “Florence da Vinci. She used you a few months ago. For a sensitive problem with one of her friends. I’m that friend.”

“Yes, I remember. I assume you have another problem, chère. Tell me.”

“Well, um, there’s a woman, a practitioner of voodoo, who is determined to trap a man and keep him. He’s told her he wants to be with another woman, but she won’t let him go. Now she’s doing all kinds of things, including drugging him, I think, to make him stay with her. I’m his girlfriend and she’s threatened me. Wants me to give him up. What—”

“Where is this woman from?”

“Miami.”

“Her name?”

Uh-oh. That question made me think there might be a history here. “Melisandra Du Monde. Have you heard of her? Can you help me?”

“Child, you are in trouble. Yes, you are. This is one powerful sorcière. She uses Haitian magic. And she’s dealing with the dark arts. I work with the light. The dark can bring much bad luck to the one who deals with it. A malheur, curse, on one of them . . . Well, I hope that is not what you have come to me for.” She muttered something, an incantation, a prayer?

“She’s evil, Madame. I can smell it on her. I am way too familiar with the stench. I was possessed by a demon, have had dealings with Lucifer himself.” I heard her exclaim. “But I triumphed over him. I’m a good person. I swear it. Worthy of your help. And I’ll pay. I have a credit card ready right here, if you have something to offer me, something that will help break her hold on my man.”

“That will be very difficult, child. She is strong. And to face a powerful sorcière . . . Are you sure you want to risk it? Is this man of yours really worth it?”

“Yes! He’s the love of my life. You have no idea what we’ve been through. I have to do this. Whatever it takes.”

“Then I will send you a book. It will have a recipe for a special potion. Follow it exactly with every ingredient as listed, no substitutions. It will be powerful, strong. You can use it to poison this woman’s mind. It will taint her thoughts and send her screaming into the night, away from your man and your place. Does this sound like something you want?”

“Yes.” It actually sounded perfect. “But I’ve tried to reach her, Madame. I am . . .” I hesitated. Okay, go for broke. “I’m vampire. I thought if I could just jump her, tear out her throat, I could end this. But I can’t get near her. She’s shielded somehow.”

I heard her muttering prayers this time, a Hail Mary? Not sure. Anyway there was a long silence. Finally she came back on the line, her voice hard but determined.

“Vampire. Of course. I should have guessed. Your friend was one also. There are so many of you. I try not to think about it. You will remember that I helped you. In case I need a favor? In the future?”

“Yes, sure. But what about this potion?” I was getting desperate. If this woman didn’t want to help a vampire, I was wasting my time.

“You must somehow lull her into trusting you. Better yet, get the man to do this. My potion will kill her love for him and make her go away.”

“Do you throw it on her or does she have to drink it?” I had visions of Mel dissolving like the Wicked Witch in Oz, only her expensive high heels left afterward. I’d sell those in the shop of course. If I was going to own a chain of Vintage Vamp’s shops someday, I couldn’t miss a trick.

“Instructions are in the book. As long as I know we are committed to helping each other . . .” She paused.

“Yes, yes. I promise. A favor in the future. You have my word.” Easy to promise when I doubted I’d ever cross paths with a voodoo woman from New Orleans again.

“Fine. It’s a deal. I’ll even give you a discount.” She quoted a price that still put a good dent in my credit limit. I read her my card number and expiration date then gave her my shipping information. She promised to overnight the package.

“Let me know how this goes, chère. I’ve heard of some of Du Monde’s tricks. She gives all of us a bad name. It would not break my heart to hear that she has lost something this time.”

I smiled. Good to know. “Certainly, Madame. And thank you. I’m sure you will mark the right page? This whole thing is new to me, I wouldn’t want to screw it up.”

“Of course. Just don’t try anything else in the book. In the wrong hands some of the other potions can be dangerous.”

“No worries, Madame. This is a one-shot deal. I’ll be very careful. Thanks again.” We ended the call.

“You’re into voodoo now?” Aggie smiled at me from the doorway. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard her come in.

“No, not really. I’m just desperate enough to try anything. With Jerry being hassled by a voodoo priestess, I figured why not use the same weapons.” I stuck my phone in my bra since I was going to shift to Jerry’s.

“I get it. Good move. Where’s Sienna? Surely you didn’t let her go out on her own.” Aggie dug into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.

“She’s downstairs shopping. Rafe’s keeping an eye on her. Why? It’s too soon for her to drink from you again if that’s what you’re thinking. And what’s with the ice cream? I thought you were dieting.” I walked to the door.

“Flo’s coming over. She’s decided to be my trainer. I have been dieting but I’m not losing. That diet book I got from your shop sucks. I think it’s out of date.”

“Of course it is. I sell vintage books, Aggie.” I was in a hurry to leave and check on Jerry. “Why is Flo helping you?”

“She feels sorry for me.” Aggie looked me over. “Nice outfit. Going all black is slimming. Not that I can afford leather anything. Ian only lets me keep a few bucks a week for myself, the rest goes toward what I owe him. That pittance barely covers food and hair spray.”

“Well, you could buy the store brands instead of—” I opened the door.

“Blasphemy!” Aggie waved her spoon. “You can’t taste this, but there’s no comparison. Store brands don’t have half the nuts, the cherries, the everything!”

“Pah! Look at you, stuffing your face with calories.” Flo practically flew into the room and snatched the carton out of Aggie’s hands and dumped it into the kitchen garbage can.

“No!” Aggie actually tried to dig it out. “Damn it, who put coffee grounds in here?”

“Rafe. Flo, thanks for the phone number. Madame in New Orleans is coming through for me.”

“Good, but be careful. This is creepy stuff, no?” She stalked over to where Aggie was leaning over the trash can and swatted her on the butt. “Go! Put on workout clothes. You’re running tonight. I have it all planned.”

“Yes, creepy.” I stepped out of Aggie’s way when she flung coffee grounds at both of us. Her language would do a rock star proud. No, I think even Ray might blush at one combo.

“My tennis shoes are from Goodwill. I doubt they can take much running. You know I’m not good on dry land.” Aggie glared at Flo.

“You’re not a Siren now. You’ll run or I drag you.” Flo herself looked cute in a designer jogging suit and matching Nikes that had to be fresh out of a box.

“Are you actually running too?” I smiled at the idea.

“Me? You must be kidding. No, I drive, Aggie runs alongside. I have the top down on the convertible. I’ll shout words of encouragement like ‘Move your lazy ass.’” Flo grinned. “You know how we hate that bitch.”

I laughed and hugged Flo. “Got to go. Have fun.”

“Where are you headed?” Flo got serious. “Be careful. You said that woman is after you. She hasn’t given up, has she?”

“I’m shifting to Jerry’s. I don’t think Mel can fly. If she can, I’ll take her down. Surely a vampire can take a voodoo woman in a fight.”