Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

her offsprings ’ superior attributes. How could they be anything less than perfect, considering their parents?
    F or fear of being discovered , “Selene’s children” were prohibited from going to Middlebridge College. Maia never understood why they were kept secret , but since Brigid and Nona slipped back and forth between New Orleans and the compound, she figured they enlist ed new devotees without connecting the Crane and Compton families . She and Dione saw them when they gave birth, but it was far from a family reunion.
    The thought brought Seth to mind. From the beginning, h e was like a magnet, drawing her into him with his words and touch … un til they took the second child, Iris, from her arms so she could return to the real world. Though she never lost her desire for Seth, she wouldn’t allow an other baby to be plucked from her breast and nurtured by strangers . In spite of her vow, it happened one more time ― without her consent.
    She checked herself in the mirror, dabbed on his favorite perfume. Where was he? He should have come by now. P lease don’t let me lose my nerve ― fall helplessly into his charms ― and forget my mission. I must do this.
    A first -class chef was on call 24/7, and the food was outstanding. Meals were served in her suite . There was a mini-fridge for drinks, imported coffee beans, and tea, a long with a few snacks. She made a pot of coffee, and t he rich aroma filled the room. The jolt of caffeine would boost her ener gy level. It’d be a long night.
    The coffeepot stopped gurgling. She poured a cup and waited, hoping her shaking hands wouldn’t give her away ― h oping she could entice Seth into a cup of coffee before they made love.
    T he key turn ed in the door and Seth slipped into her room. Her heart rate skyrocketed , not only because of what she intended to do, but because it was Seth . H e was as predictable as the earth’s rotation when it came to his nightly dose of sex. As always, he shut off the camera with a wink to the lens. Maia insisted on privacy from the start . She would not allow prying eyes to watch while they made love. Seth’s acquiesc ence to her wishes made Anat’s plan feasible.
    Maia’s heart fluttered at the sight of him. His roguish smile and flashing black eyes broadcast his desires, and she forced herself to concentrate on the task at hand. He kissed her neck, and she felt weak.
    “You smell of coffee and cream and sugar,” he said. “Good enough to drink.”
    “I wanted to be alert to enjoy you. I needed the stimulant. Have a cup while it’s fresh . ” She poured the brew into a giant mug. “Then you can lap up every drop of me until the wee hours of the morning.”
    “Exactly what I had in mind,” Seth said.

Chapter Forty - Three
    W ho’s the Boss ?

    B eecher and Cash pulled into the circular drive of Martin Easley’s renovated Greek Revival , in the heart of the French Quarter. Beecher eased out of the air-conditioned car into the oppressive summer heat. Within seconds, his shirt stuck to his back and perspiration beaded his forehead. He mopped his brow and tiptoed on the chevron-patterned brick walkway , puddled from the automatic sprinkler system . The spray drenched the flowering shrubs around the house, releasing a mixture of perfumed scents. Beecher muffled a sneeze. Freaking allergies .
    “This place must be worth a couple mil , even in this economy , ” Beecher said.
    Cash scanned the area. “You ever been in a house like this before?”
    “Yeah, a domestic violence call a couple years back . ” Beecher pulled his collar away from his neck. Damn crime to have to wear a tie in this heat. “Not anything I usually respond to, but I was nearby. A neighbor called it in. Husband was a mean drunk. Beat the crap out of her. Wife wouldn’t press charges. They rarely do, especially if they’d lose their cushy lifestyle. I’ve seen her in the society pages a time or two, without the black eye.”
    “No shit.” Cash craned his neck to peek in the window. “This is my first.”
    “This is n’t a social call, Cash. Don’t forget , t his guy’s a Satan worshipper.”
    “Man, I don’t understand tha ― ”
    T he door opened and a regal-looking black woman stood before them.
    “May I help you?” she said.
    Beecher crammed his handkerchief in his pocket. “I’m Detective Beecher , NOPD. This is Detective Cash. We have an appointment with Mr. Easley.”
    She moved back so they could enter, direct ing