Chapter Ten

Natalie had traveled to a lot of places over the years but New Orleans wasnt one of them. She mainly stuck to the neighboring states of New jersey but she had heard all of the stories about New Orleans, ones that seemed completely made up and others that sent a chill down her spine. The next few hours were mostly in silence expect for the radio that played old rock songs that she let drown out her thoughts as she stared out the window.

The sign that welcomed them to Louisiana made her stomach tighten, this was it. They were finally close..

"we will get a room right outside of New Orleans that way we can scope the place out a bit" John said finally as she looked at him..

"i still don't understand why a normal man would have something to do with the missing" Natalie added..

"Ive seen stranger things" John said honestly..."sometimes the most dangerous people are just regular men" he looked back at the road..

"and yet here we are" she said as he glanced at her..

"like I said I have seen stranger things" he said and she was almost sure she saw a hint of a smile but it quickly faded.

John hated to admit it to himself but he actually enjoyed her company. It had been a long time since he had had a woman around him that affected him so much but he also wasnt stupid. They were very different, in every way shape and form. It had been easy for him to find women to distract himself with and he had had his fair share, including Vange but Natalie was so different then anyone he had ever met and that was saying something especially since he had been around for two hundred years.

"Now like I said before, if I say we leave then we leave, no questions asked" he finally said seriously as he looked at her..

"Trust me im not going to fly off the handle and especially not with being surrounded by supernaturals" she said quickly..

"good, as long as were on the same page" he nodded his head and kept driving..

The sound of his cell phone ringing broke the silence as he quickly put it to his ear as Natalie watched.."Bo whats going on" he said quickly and then Natalie could hear yelling on the other end.."Listen before you get all crazy, I got this ok..Bo... just let me" he kept trying to cut off the yelling but to no avail.."listen... you don't understand, Bo.."

Natalie watched as Bo could be heard yelling but she couldn't make out what he was saying but it was obvious he was pissed..Natalie wondered why.

"Bo I know what im doing ok, I do.." John began to say through gritted teeth and then he let out a low growl and shoved the phone at Natalie.."Here" he added as Natalie cautiously took the phone from him..

As soon as she took the phone she heard Bo.."Natalie...Natalie are you alright" Bo said with worry in his voice and it was a bit confusing to her especially since she had been under the impression that he was still mad at her..

"I'm ok" she finally said as Bo let out a sigh of relief..

"Listen im sending someone to get you ok" Bo began as her eyes got wide..

"what? Why? I said I was ok" she said in shock..

"Natalie you weren't suppose to be a part of this, John should of never took you along" Bo said angrily..She was a bit surprised to hear his words. Had John took her without Bo knowing, she had thought that this is what Bo wanted.."John will pull off at a safe location and" Bo began..

"wait...no.. im fine" Natalie blurted out as John looked at her..

"No your not, your were supposed to go on a small hunt but this...no...i wont have it" Bo said sternly..

"Listen Bo im fine ok" she began but he cut her off..

"I'm not asking, im telling you" Bo barked at her..

"But" Natalie began but the line went dead as she looked at the phone..

"He hung up?" John said as more of a statement then anything else..

"he is pissed" Natalie said with shock in her voice still.."did you take me along without him knowing" she asked as she looked at him and he grabbed the phone from her and huffed..

"theres a time window ok, Bo doesn't get that" he huffed angrily.."he's sending Steele to get you"

"yeah well too bad for him that im staying" she began as he looked at her now..

"listen this is for the best ok, its dangerous" John began..

"what? So now your just sending me back?" she raised her voice with shock.."I'm not going back, we got this far"

"yeah and Bo is right, I should of never brought you" John said quickly..

"No, thats not fair.. you cant do this!" she yelled now as he shook his head.."I'm not going back, not yet"

"well you really don't have a choice ok, Steele is already on his way and with his speed he will be here within hours" John said with annoyance..

"so thats it, you take me on this freaking joy ride and now its over" she said sarcastically...

"you don't get it do you Natalie, Bo makes the rules here ok" John snapped..

"you didn't seem to care about his rules when you took me along" she snapped back at him.."I'm going to New Orleans like it or not"

John couldn't help but let out a small sarcastic laugh.."no your not" he finished as he pulled into a parking lot of a gas station..

"you know I may not be like you but im not weak" she said angrily as John shook his head..

"Your going back, end of story" John said as he quickly got out of the truck and slammed the door shut as he headed inside the gas station as Natalie sat there in shock..

John got inside the gas station store and he had to calm himself. He knew Bo was right and granted he hadn't been thinking when he dragged Natalie along but he really hated being yelled at, by anyone but especially by Bo.. He grabbed a soda and a bag of chips for Natalie and then proceeded to the register to pay for gas..

Another call came through on his phone as he huffed and quickly answered.."what!" he said with annoyance..

"Really? Is that anyway to greet me when you have me looking for all sorts of information for you John" Edwin said with a laugh..

"its been a long day, any info?" John sighed heavily as he pulled out a credit card and handed it to the cashier..

"tell me about it, I was expecting to just hang low for a while but now you have me stirring up all kinds of shit" Edwin huffed.."But yes I got something but your not gonna like it"

Natalie was pissed as she sat in the truck. She couldn't believe he was sending her back to the compound. She had wanted to be there when he got to New Orleans, she wanted to make some kind of difference in this world and now as it would seem she was deemed too weak for anything. She glanced at the steering wheel and then the dangling keys as the wheels in her head began to spin. She quickly looked at the store where John could be seen at the register and then she did something unexpected, something that even surprised her. She jumped to the drivers seat in a flash and put the truck in drive and before she knew it, she was heading out of the small gas station and going down the road as her heart raced..

John could barely let the words register as Edwin spoke but then something caught his eye as he watched the SUV take off down the road.."Son of a bitch!" he yelled, making the clerk jump some at his tone.."I gotta call you back" John said as he hung up the phone..

"was that your truck?" the clerk said in shock as John just shook his head.. He couldn't believe she just took off.."I can call the cops" the young guy continued..

"don't, I got this" John huffed angrily as he left everything on the counter and stormed out of the store and looked down the street where she had taken off..

Natalie sped down the road as her heart raced. She had just stolen his truck but she didn't care. She wasnt leaving Louisiana not until they got to New Orleans. Immediately she began to think of who she was messing with. John wasn't just an ordinary man, no he was much much more. She wondered if he could track her and she huffed. Of course he could. She would have to come up with another plan and very quick.

John stepped out onto the road and it took everything in him not to go absolutely berserk. She had taken off and he knew exactly where she was heading to. The heavy traffic around him made it impossible for him to move at the speed he wanted to. Its not everyday that humans saw a man running at lightening speed. He glanced at the woods on the far side of the road, at least if he got out of sight he could make a run for it. Her scent was still strong but fading quickly, so without another thought he got across the road and into the woods. As soon as he knew he was out of sight he took off. At this speed he would be up to her within minutes..

Natalie weaved in and out of traffic. She couldn't believe how congested it was on this road and then she saw the exit for New Orleans and she sped towards it. She wondered how far she would get before he got to her and then she had an idea, one that would assure that she made it into the city and with that she quickly pulled over to the side of the road..

John whipped through the woods, following her scent as he stayed close by the road but far enough so that prying eyes couldn't see. Up ahead he saw his truck on the side of the road and he slowed his running to a slow jog as he made his way over to it. The hood was open and her scent was as strong as ever. He quickly walked over to the passenger side door, expecting to see her sitting there but when it opened he saw nothing but her t-shirt. Anger rose up in him as he stood there and slammed the truck door so hard that it actually dented the metal.."Damn it!' he yelled out as he looked around at the passing cars, she was no where in sight and her scent was long gone now.

Natalie sat in the back of the large VW van that had a huge peace sign on the side of it. The smell of marijuana all around her..

"You sure you don't want any?" a long haired hippie looking guy said to her as he held out the joint to her but she shook her head no as he passed it over to yet another hippie looking girl..

She had pretended that her truck had broke down and thats when she ran across the hippie van, it was perfect. She had even took off her t-shirt and left herself in a tank top. She knew John would eventually catch up with her but not before she got to New Orleans..

"so is this your first time to Mardi Gras?" a girl with dread locks said with a smile..

"Yep, any advice for a first timer" Natalie made conversation. They were all harmless to say the least.

"Just go with the flow if you know what I mean" one of the hippie guys winked at her and she fought the urge to roll her eyes..

"Oh check this out, you should definitely go" the hippie girl said as she handed Natalie a flier that had a rave party on the front of it.."I go every year, its like totally wicked" she grinned...

"I might check it out" Natalie said as she held onto the paper...

"so your friend is meeting you there?" one of the guys grinned at her..

"yep, I hope I wont be late with all of this traffic" she said quickly..

"Nah were almost there" he grinned at her..

John was beyond pissed as he drove in the heavily congested traffic heading into New Orleans. There were so many scents around him now that he worried if he would even be able to sense hers, but he knew once he did he was gonna make sure she got the hell out of there especially after pulling this stunt!

Natalie thanked the hippies in the van as she got out and looked at the crowded streets all around her. She was in New Orleans and it was a sight like none other. It literally looked like a party in the road. People were drinking and partying as she walked past them and glanced at the old buildings that surrounded the streets. This was one of the old past times that young adults her age would find themselves doing and yet she had missed this aspect of life. Part of her longed for that moment to be carefree and normal but that wouldn't happen, not ever.

She glanced at all the numerous bars and clubs on this road and she quickly headed towards one. She had no money in her pocket but that never stopped her before, if anything she knew how to get free drinks. She quickly pulled her hair into a pony tail and then fixed her shirt so that her tank top was hanging dangerously low.

The bar was packed as she walked in, literally standing room only as she pushed her way past people and headed towards the bar.. Music played so loud that she could barely hear herself think. She got to the counter and leaned against it, literally pushed between two people as she waited for the bartender who looked completely overwhelmed with orders..

She glanced at the couple sitting next to her as they kissed heavily and she eyed their fresh drinks that were just brought over. She quickly grabbed one and moved away from the bar as she downed it and shivered as the alcohol burned her throat. She looked around the bar for some poor sap to swindle and across the club she saw a guy leaning against the wall. She fixed her shirt some more and began to make her way over to him..

She grabbed another drink from a table quickly and drank it back before anyone noticed. The guy leaning against the wall looked heavy in thought as she came over towards him and he glanced at her as she flashed him a seductive smile and he returned one back to her..

"Hey" she said with a smile as she walked up to him..

"Hey yourself beautiful" he smirked at her.."Having fun?"

"sort of, what about you" she smiled at him..

"I am now" he grinned and she did too.."let me get you a drink"

"sure" she smiled as she bat her lashes and he waved one of the many waiters over towards him and he came immediately. It was weird especially with the place being so packed..

"A bottle of the best wine and not the house stuff" he said to the waiter who shook his head quickly..

"Yes Sir" the young guy said and then quickly walked away..

"Impressive" Natalie said honestly as the guy smiled and looked at her..

"what can I say I have a way with words, lets find a seat" he smiled and then took her by the hand and began to lead her towards some stairs that had a sign that read VIP..

"Oh I don't think were gonna be able to" Natalie began as they neared a bouncer standing by a red rope that blocked the stairs but the large man just opened the gate and they began walking up as Natalie blinked in shock.."now how did you do that" she said in shock..

The short haired man looked at her and grinned.."charm I guess" he grinned as he lead them to a secluded table..

"expensive wine, VIP?" she said with a raised eyebrow..

"your hard to please" he smiled some.." I'm Markus and you are?" he finished as she took a seat and he moved across from her..

Natalie had to think quick and the first name that came to her head was a nick name that Rex use to call her .."Red, nice to meet you Markus"

"Red, hmmmm?" he raised an eyebrow as the same waiter came rushing over with an expensive bottle of wine and two glasses..

Natalie used the opportunity to take her glass after it was poured and sipped it slowly as she looked at Markus.. There was definitely something about this guy, she just couldn't pin point it. He was a handsome guy with short blonde hair, deep green eyes and a strong build. She began to think of the rumors she had heard about New Orleans and she wondered if they were true and if Markus was something more than just a man..

"so do you come here every year?" she asked him with a smile..

He sipped his wine as he looked at her and then he spoke."you could say so, I live here"

"Oh" she said somewhat in shock as her heart began to race..Rumor had it that supernaturals ran this town and she couldn't help but wonder what he was..

"and you?" he raised an eyebrow..

"Oh yeah, every year, cant get enough of it" she lied as she sipped her wine..

"Really? So whats your best place to visit?" he asked suspiciously and she swallowed hard..

"Oh you know I like it all, I don't like to pick just one place" she began as she sipped more of her drink.."and you whats your favorite place"

"it would be The Marlin, great food" he said quickly..

"Oh yeah that place is great" she agreed as she downed her wine..

"More?" he grinned as he poured her some..."so where did you say your from again?"

"I didn't" she sipped her drink.."New York" she lied quickly.."so are you going to tell me about this" she glanced at the wine and then around the large area.."I doubt its all charm" she added with a smile..

"so maybe I have a few connections in this city, cant help it when your born and raised here" he sipped his wine as he smiled..

Natalie began to wonder if maybe just maybe she could get a bit of information out of him, considering he was a local and all. She pushed back the strange feeling she had of him and spoke.."so it doesn't bother you about all the rumors of this place"

"rumors? As in?" he raised an eyebrow..

"You know all the folk lure about witches and what not" she said nonchalantly..

"Oh that rumor" he laughed a little.."maybe its true, maybe its not" he winked at her and she swallowed hard...

"oh come on give me a little something" she grinned at him..

"OK only for a price" he smiled as he stood and she quickly downed her drink.."one dance" he held his hand out to her and she threw caution to the wind. One dance wasnt gonna kill her plus she may just get some valuable information out of him.."deal?" he waited for her answer..

"sure" she said as she stood now and took his hand and he pulled her close right then and there as she gasped some. He was strong, like really strong.."I'm not a really good dancer" she added as she looked up at him..

"thats ok, all you have to do is follow my lead Natalie" he smiled as he spun them around the small space. It took her a second to realize that he had called her by her name, she hadn't given him her name and before she could say anything he was dipping her backwards..His face moved towards hers and she immediately panicked..

"stop" she pushed back on his chest as he pulled her up and she backed up from him.."i should go, thanks for the drink" she said as she spun from him but he was right in front of her as she gasped and backed up.."Listen I don't want any trouble"

"whats wrong Natalie, you look flushed" he smiled and this time she saw fangs and she swallowed hard..

Natalie stumbled back to the table and quickly grabbed the knife off of it as he rolled his eyes.."just stay back" she said as she looked around for someone to help her but by now everyone had left the VIP area. She contemplated screaming but it would be futile, the music was so loud that no one would hear her..

"you know its rude to walk into someones establishment, steal drinks and then lie to someones face" he said as he walked slowly towards her.."don't act so shocked to see what I am, your thoughts scream loud enough for me to hear, your a hunter"

Natalie continued to back up as she looked around.."ok you got me, im a hunter"

"apparently not a good one if your coming to New Orleans alone, or are you?" he raised an eyebrow and before she could answer, he was right in front of her as her back hit the railing that looked down to the floor below them. She quickly looked over it and gasped. That would be one hell of a fall.."now, why don't you try again and explain what your doing in my club" he said with a deadly serious tone..

"your club, of course" she said with a shake of her head..He didn't look amused as she swallowed hard.."like I said im not looking for trouble, im just"

"Your just what? Hmmm?" he pushed himself into her as her breath quickened.."i don't like liars and I don't like hunters" he flashed his fangs again at her as her eyes grew wide..

"thats enough Markus" John said from behind them as Natalie gasped and Markus spun around..

"John, long time no see, I was just having some fun" Markus grinned wide..

John looked past him and at Natalie who was standing with wide eyes as she looked at him.. He had found her and at the nick of time..He looked pissed..

"My apologies to the little lady, how about a drink?" Markus grinned as he walked back over to the table and Natalie stood there for a moment and then John was coming over to her..

"Listen before you say anything" Natalie began..

"Are you out of your god damn mind" John raised his voice...Natalie was at a loss for words as she stood there, swallowing hard..."I'll take that drink now" John spun from her and walked over to the table as she stood there completely in shock..