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Chapter 9

When Tyson arrived at the house an hour and a half later he was reassured to find Savannah relaxed and happy as she spent time with Beth and Rayna. His plans for the night were to deliver Savannah to police headquarters and then become her shadow for whenever she set foot outside the building. He was fairly sure that Cassandra would never attempt to harm Savannah inside the building and felt he did not be in the building while she was there. It did come as a surprise that Savannah raised no protest to his plans and only warned him that he had better not let any of her colleagues, especially Chaz find out that he was following her around. As they started out of the house, Rayna promised to let him know when Josef and Mick arrived in the Big Easy.

*O*O*

Across town, a few hours later, Granny stood in the shadows backstage at Jazzy Blues and watched Cassandra sing on stage. She was sure that with the smoke and other smells in the place that she could keep Cass from scenting her right away. As she observed, she couldn't help noticing that the woman did have a lovely voice and the mostly male crowd was hanging on her every note. Moriah could see how much control and power exuded from the woman as she worked the crowd and knew she was faced with a potent adversary.

When the set ended, Cassandra swept off stage and hurried directly to her dressing room on the opposite side of the stage from Granny's vantage point. Moriah gave her several minutes to settle in before she followed. Without knocking or pausing to give Cass time to scent her she entered the lushly decorated dressing room and caught Cassandra's startled gaze in the makeup mirror. Shutting the door firmly behind her, Moriah stepped further into the room, finding it difficult to control the anger that the woman seated at the vanity evoked in her.

"Cassandra, I do not like this game you are playing," she announced in a voice laced with dislike. "Why don't you save us all a great deal of aggravation and leave town now?"

Cassandra gathered her composure and smiled coldly as she swiveled around to face Moriah. She rose slowly to her feet, adjusting her elegant, deep purple dressing gown as she met Granny's gaze defiantly. The two women were almost the same height and dark brown eyes bore into the smug violet ones as they faced off.

"Hello Moriah, you seem to have lost some of those gracious manners that you greeted me with the last time I was in town. It is good to see you looking so well and so stylish as well," she replied sweetly, taking in the expensive cut of Granny's black slacks and tunic, covered by a lightweight charcoal grey coat that hung to her knees. "It is so good to see you've shed those voodoo trappings of the 50s."

Granny let out a disgusted snort.

"I have no patience with false manners when dealing with the likes of you. We are both too old to play foolish games," she answered coldly. "If you are here to hurt either Tyson or Savannah, be aware that I will not permit it."

Cassandra laughed lightly and licked her lips. She glanced back at her mirror and stroked her hair smoothly in place, then turned back to the black woman in front of her.

"I'm not sure I like the age reference Moriah, I really don't think I look a day over two hundred. And I am not playing games. Do you mean to say your precious cards have not told you my plans? Please note that while I do not forgive your "boy" for killing my fledgling, I have made no threats," Cassandra pointed out shrewdly.

Moriah clenched her hands into fists and then willed herself to relax. She shook her head.

"Listen to yourself Cassandra; you cannot even say either of their names. Marco meant nothing to you and Tyson was just an amusement. It is not even revenge that has brought you back here, it is just pure spite that motivates you," she scolded.

Now Cassandra's eyes blazed with anger. They flashed silver as she hissed at Granny.

"Do not attempt to tell me what motivates me," she snarled. "Marco was mine. And I will never forget what Giles took from me." She got control of her temper and a wicked gleam shone in her now violet eyes. "But I have not threatened him or his little human."

"Then you should be able to stay away from them. If anything happens to either of them, I promise that you will be missing that lovely head of yours," Moriah warned as she took another step closer to her opponent.

"Now who is making threats? You do not frighten me old woman. I am more than a match for you," Cassandra taunted. "Be very careful what you say, it could backfire on you. " She smiled maliciously and sidled closer to Moriah. "Just how long do you think Giles can stand patiently by waiting for me to do something? I rather enjoy watching him worry," she whispered slyly.

Without warning; Moriah vamped and in one fluid movement she back-handed Cassandra, sending her crashing into her makeup table. The blonde's impact shattered the mirror and scattered bottles, releasing the heady scent of Cass' favorite perfume. With one hand pressed to her cheek, Cassandra bounded to her feet, eyes silvered and fangs exposed.

"You dare to touch me?" she spat out. "Do you think you can intimidate me?"

"Temper, temper Cassandra," Moriah chided, stepping away and feeling more in control. There had been great satisfaction in striking the woman. "We must not let the humans see you vamped, it would be so difficult to explain. You needed a reminder of who holds the power here. Heed my warning and get out of town, you are not welcome," she finished and turned her back on the woman.

For one brief moment Cassandra considered attacking but restrained herself. She was aware that the humans backstage in the club may have heard the crash of the mirror and she did not want them discovering her secret. This position in the spotlight that this job provided suited her plans and she did not want to abandon it. It would not be difficult to create a suitable story to cover the damages and the foolish humans who ran this club would not be any wiser. But that did not blunt the angry frustration that washed over her as she watched Moriah walk out of the room without a backward glance.

"You think you have won this round Moriah? You will pay for your highhanded behavior, I promise you," she swore under her breath. There was no way on earth that she would let this action go unpunished. Before her plan was complete, Cassandra had every intention of settling accounts with Moriah Fortuna.

*O*O*

It was not long after midnight when Beth and Rayna were waiting at the same arrival area where Tyson had met them a few nights before. Beth was fairly humming with excitement as she watched the jet taxi up to the gate. Rayna observed her with amusement as her friend paced in front of the large windows. She felt as excited as Beth but could not help enjoying her best friend's outward display.

"Beth, you are acting like you haven't seen Mick in years," Rayna teased.

"I can't help it, I've missed him. I'm not sure I can be all grown up and calm like you," Beth grinned.

"Oh it takes decades of practice," Rayna answered as both women laughed. Their laughter was cut short as they caught the scent of their men approaching. The moment that Mick and Josef appeared in the room, even Rayna abandoned her aloof façade and they flew into the guy's arms, smothering them in kisses.

"I missed you so much," Beth murmured against Mick's lips. She pressed tighter to him, loving the fact that she was in his arms again.

"Same here baby," he answered before kissing her again.

"It's about time you finished that damn deal," Rayna growled as she nipped at Josef's lower lip.

He held her in an iron grip and covered her mouth with his in hunger.

"I hurried just for you," he growled deeply.

"Perfect," Rayna sighed. She looked deeply into his eyes as she held his face in her hands. Her life felt in balance again as she was with him, in his embrace. With a happy rumble she leaned in and proceeded to kiss him senseless.

"Damn woman, I'm going to send you out of town more often," Josef groaned when their lips parted. "This is my kind of welcome."

"Who would have guessed I would be this needy?" she grinned at him.

"Don't ever change."

"Not that I couldn't enjoy just standing here holding you but we should get out of here," Mick said resting his cheek against Beth's hair as he held her. "I would really like to get you somewhere more private," he whispered even softer in her ear. Beth's grin widened even more at that. "Hey Josef, let's get to the house where we can be more comfortable," Mick called out to the other couple.

"Sounds like a plan but I'm fairly sure that Moriah won't let us get to any fun right away. I am positive she is waiting impatiently for us," Josef replied as he reluctantly released Rayna. "Let's get the luggage and the ladies can bring us up to speed."

"Okay," Mick agreed and took Beth's hand as he headed for where the luggage had been unloaded.

They collected their bags and headed out to the SUV waiting in the parking lot. While they loaded the luggage into the vehicle, Rayna called Tyson to see how things were going.

"Well it is all quiet on the Savannah front," she reported after speaking with Tyson. "So far he has managed to keep her partner from noticing he is shadowing them." With a grin she got behind the wheel before Josef could, batting her eyes at him. With a laugh of surrender, he climbed in the passenger side as Mick and Beth got in back. Her phone rang as she was guiding the SUV into the traffic leaving the airport. Josef answered it for her.

"Moriah, how good to hear your voice. Why am I not surprised that you would be calling? Yes, we are heading there now. We will see you shortly then my dear," he responded and hung up. He chuckled softly. "Well well, it seems Moriah has had a busy evening," he said to the others. "She has been busy stirring the pot. I'm not sure that Tyson will like what she was up to."

End chapter.

So, Granny decided to take things in her own hands. And I got the guys to New Orleans so now things can start to happen. Thanks for reading, remember to share your thoughts.