Riverboat series, part 5

André sat next to me at the bar, pretending to sip from his cognac as I played with a glass of bourbon, slowly swirling it around.  We both watched the impromptu poker game that had started in the middle of the room with feigned interest.  André leaned back, propping his elbows on the bar

They make it too easy, mon ami.  The only one at that table without an obvious tell is the one on the far side in the cream coat.  He spun in his seat to face the bar.  With the competition starting tomorrow, I'm surprised they're willing to play.

I watched the gentleman in the cream coat for a time, he had true talent for the game which seemed a rarity in this day and age.  He looked up at me from his cards and motioned to the empty chair at the table.  With my hand, I offered a polite decline of the offer.  When the hand finished, he stood and walked over, stopping on the other side of me.

You're the current champion, aren't you?

Oui, but does that matter?

It does to me.  Plan to lose your title this year.

Offering him a smile, I bowed my head.  If you are as good as you imply, then perhaps I shall have to worry about my title after all. I heard a small squeak come from André and I knew he was trying to hold in his laughter even though I could not see his face.

Modesty becomes no gambler.  I can see it in your eyes you think I'm beneath you.  André went into a slight coughing fit.

I find that sometimes the lack of words is more ominous than stating the obvious.

I could see him physically bristle for a moment, then he relaxed and offered his hand.  The name's James.  I've won every tournament around these parts, figured it was time to take on the real challenge.

I shook his hand and smiled.  Antoine.  And this charming fellow on the other side of me, who seems unable to hold his liquor tonight, is André.  The runner up last year.

André smacked me hard on the back, making it look like a friendly gesture between friends, I knew otherwise.  He held a Cheshire cat smile upon his lips and shook James' hand.  I let him win.  It's nice to meet you James.

Our new friend headed right into what seemed like a never ending monologue about the various poker tournaments he'd won and how insipid all of his competitors had been.  Just then Celine and Agata walked in and I excused myself, André quickly following suit.  Approaching Celine, she looked up and smiled at me, but her eyes quickly went to André.  So he'd won her over after all.  He offered his arm and she took it without hesitation then both of them headed back outside.  

Agata crossed her arms and clicked her tongue.  Dat woman can ne'er make up her mind.

I offered Agata my arm.  No sense that we should be left here alone, come walk with me Agata.

She glared suspiciously at my proffered arm. Ya not going to pin me down in a chair and threaten me again ta get yer answers?

I leaned down and whispered in her ear.  Your loa commands you.

She glared at me again.  Yer gettin' too used to usin' that answer against me.  With a deep sigh, she took my arm.  If yer serious about gettin' answers, we shouldn't talk about them in the open.

Come, I know of a place we can be alone.  I saw the momentary look of panic that crossed her face, but she held her pride and nodded once.  Fret not chere, I will bring no harm to you.

I led her back to my room and locked the door behind us.  Agata stood there playing with a notepad that lay on the small, private table in the room.

I've not been entirely honest.  I be knowin' what ya are.  I was there the night ya met the Voudon.

I thought back to the group of people who had been seated around the fire, and I caught the flash of her face on the other side of the bonfire.  With that memory, the chanting of the Voudon began once again in my head.

She be my grandmaman an I be learning the ways of a Voodoo priestess.  She quickly looked at me.  Please tell none, even Miss Celine.  

I was slightly surprised.  She'd managed to keep that secret buried within her thoughts so I couldn't pick up on it.  She might be well along the path of becoming a Priestess, though it now explained why I could hear the chanting when I was around her.  I shook my head, letting her know I wouldn't tell.

When ya disappeared into the darkness that night, grandmaman tasked me with findin' ya.  I despised ya and didn't want to, but she made me promise.  She said ya been cursed and didn't know who ya were anymore, buried deep within the skin of a monster.  

A monster, hmm?  I laughed softly.  Chere, just because religion has deemed me evil and vile, doesn't mean that's all I am.  No matter how much I enjoy what it is I am, that doesn't make me a mindless killer.

She nodded. Bein' a Priestess and followin' our beliefs means protectin' the loa just as they protect us and grant us their favor.

I need no protection from a mortal, Priestess or not.

She sighed deeply.  Protection be comin' in many forms, not just the physical.  Quit thinkin' so literally.  If ya want yer answers, you're goin' to have ta accept some things outside the realm of logic.

And why are you telling me all of this chere?  I've done nothing to warrant your trust and given your apparent belief in my nature as a trickster, why trust my word?  After all, I did attack your grandmother.

True, but what I tell you be not done out of trust but love for grandmaman.  Besides, ya left her alive and twice now ya've given me a promise ya haven't broken.  One for Miss Celine an one for me.  'Course ya can't live up to da second one, but I already be knowin' that.

Are you saying that you believe I have so little control that I will harm you?

Agata shook her head.  No, I be sayin' that if ya want yer answers, ya have to harm me.

She walked over and stood before me, her eyes locked on mine.  Ya want your answers Malice, ya must take 'em.

As if something compelled me forward, without hesitation and in the span of a heartbeat, I spun her so that she faced away from me and pulled her tightly back against me.  I heard her gasp as my fangs penetrated the tender flesh of her neck. The chanting of the old Voudon roared to life in my mind as the powerful blood of a Priestess once again filled my mouth.