"Cameron said he wanted to see everything I sell. If I have to drag it all out for him, I might as well sell it to other people too."
She showed him where to set it up.
Vane did, but he didn't look too pleased about it.
Selena did a double take as she caught sight of them. "Someone new, Sunny?"
"No, he's just a-"
"Guard dog," he said, extending his hand out to her. "You're Selena Laurens, right? Amanda's older sister?"
Selena nodded as she shook his hand. "You know Amanda?"
"I know Kyrian."
"Is it just me or does everyone know Kyrian?" Sunshine asked.
Selena laughed, then turned back to Vane who was opening up Sunshine's card table where she usually placed her cheaper pottery pieces. "It's daylight so I know you're not a DH. Are you a Squire?"
He stiffened. "Don't insult me. I fetch for no one."
"He's not real friendly," Sunshine explained as she set up her stand. "I think he has rabies or something."
Vane gave her a half amused, half perturbed smile. "You know, Sunshine, I like your spirit."
Sunshine started to respond, but she felt someone watching her.
Scared and anxious, she looked around the crowd until she saw a bright, smiling face that was as familiar to her as her own.
Sunshine beamed.
Even though she wasn't very tall, the elderly woman stood out in the crowd and it wasn't just the insanely bright red shirt she wore. The older woman had an essence and presence that was as powerful and strong as Talon's or Vane's.
Her steel-gray hair was worn up in braids that were wrapped around her head. Her face was lined by a lifetime of happiness and smiles, and her dark brown eyes were bright and kind. The kind of eyes that drew people to the extremely wise woman.
"Grammy!" Sunshine said, as the older woman drew near. "What are you doing here? I thought you swore to never step foot in New Orleans again during Mardi Gras."
Her grandmother squeezed her tight, then pulled back to look at her. It'd been almost a year since they had last seen each other.
Oh, it was great to see her grandmother again!
Her grandmother ran her hand up and down her arm as if reassuring herself that Sunshine was healthy. "Well, that was my intention, but your mother called and told me that you were having all kinds of questions about being a Celt. So I thought I'd just pop in and surprise you."
"You certainly did. But I'm glad you're here."
Her grandmother arched a censuring brow as she caught sight of Vane. "And you are?"
"Vane Kattalakis."
She looked back at Sunshine. "Where's this Talon your mother told me about?"
"He'll be here later, Grammy."
She nodded, then pulled a small medallion out from under her shirt and placed it around Sunshine's neck.
"What's this?"
Her grandmother adjusted it so that it would be obvious to anyone who glanced at her. "Keep that close to your heart, little one. If that man comes after you again, you let him know who protects you."
"What man?" she asked, hoping her grandmother didn't know about her kidnapping.
She did.
"I know what happened, Sunny. You know I do."
Drat. Her grandmother had some eerie psychic talents.
"I don't think your necklace will scare him, Grammy."
"You'd be surprised. And if it doesn't, then he deserves what he gets." Her grandmother patted her on the shoulder and turned to Selena. "Have you been practicing those exercises I showed you, Ms. Laurens?"
"Yes, ma'am. I can feel my powers growing every day."
"Good. Now I better get back to Starla's. If that rank bastard comes near my baby-"
"Grandma!" Sunshine gasped. She'd never in her life heard her grandmother use such a word.
"Well, he is. Messing with my granddaughter. I'll boil his warts in oil and feed his head to the wolves."
Vane choked on that one. "You know, wolves don't really like to eat heads. Meat, yes, but heads are really hard on the jaws. Not to mention, the cranium gets caught between your teeth."
Her grandmother gave him a withering stare. "Are you being smart with me, boy?"
"Yes."
"Young man," her grandmother said in a haughty tone, "didn't your mother teach you any manners?"
"My mother only taught me one thing and, I promise you, it wasn't manners."
Her grandmother nodded. "I can see that. But you still have a very important lesson to learn in life."
"And that is?"
"One day you're going to have to let someone other than your brother and sister get close to you."
His face turned to stone and the look in his eyes was feral and fierce. "What do you know about my siblings?"
"More than you would care for. You have a hard road ahead of you, Vane Kattalakis. I wish I could ease it for you, but it's yours alone to travel. Just remember, you're a lot stronger than you think you are."
"Believe me, lady, my strength is the one thing I never doubt."
Her grandmother smiled at that. "It's amazing the lies we tell other people, isn't it?"
Her grandmother turned her back on him. "Selena, Sunshine. You two take care. And Sunshine, when tonight comes, follow your heart. Do as it commands, and it won't fail you."
"Okay, Grandma, I will."
Her grandmother kissed her cheek, then headed off toward St. Anne.
After she was out of sight, Sunshine turned back to see Vane looking agitated. "I'm sorry. She does that a lot to people. She tends to just say whatever pops into her head."
Vane didn't speak. Instead, he folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the black iron fence that surrounded the square.
Sunshine finished setting up her stand, then checked her watch.
It was still a little while before Cameron was due, so she pulled out her sketchbook and started doodling.
Before she realized it, she'd drawn a picture of the man who had kidnapped her.
Vane looked at the sketch. "Damn good likeness."
Sunshine went cold. "You know this guy?"
"Well, yeah. Of course I do. So does Talon. Selena probably knows him too."
"Selena," Sunshine said, heading to her friend. "Do you know who this is?"
"Sure, it's Acheron."
"Who's Acheron?" she asked. Everyone kept mentioning his name around her, but she had no idea who or what he was.
"For lack of a better explanation," Vane said, "Talon's boss."
"Why would Talon's boss kidnap me? Do you think it's to keep me away from Talon?"
Vane laughed at that. "Not his style. If Ash wanted to keep you away from Talon, he'd just show up at your door and scare the crap out of you. Besides, he was the one leading the rescue party to you."
Well, that was nice to know.
But why did he look just like the guy who'd kidnapped her?