The stalker

"Just buy the iPhone." Marcel said, frustration clear in his voice.

"Relax, will you. I don't need the generalized tech. I need the specific ones." I said picking up the Samsung. "I'll take this." I handed the phone to the salesman who started to pack it.

"So, why do you need three phones?" Hope asked me. She had threatened Marcel and forced herself onto this shopping trip.

"You'll see." I said as I gave my card to the cashier.

As we headed out, I again felt as though someone was watching me. I stopped and started looking around as subtly as I could. I turned around to see a lady dressed in a coat, which was weird because it was hot in New Orleans. I started heading towards Marcel's car. Marcel was looking at me confused.

"Mere peeche coat mein ek aurat hein, mera kal see peecha kar rahi hai. Lagti firangi hai," I said in Hindi, something I had taught Marcel over the years, as I handed him the bags, "Mein uska peecha karne ja raha hoon. Gaadi lekar aa jana." Translation, there is a lady in a coat behind me who looks caucasian, I am going to follow her, get the car around.

"Thike. Sambhal kar." He said in a broken accent, Alright. Be careful. Wasting no time, I vamped around and headed towards the lady. She vamped into an alley. I followed her and realised that we were headed towards a dead end.

"Well, looks like you are trapped." I said as we came to a stop. Immediately, six people appeared around me. Cloaking spells, I thought as I looked around at my assailants going through my options.

"It's no use," The lady said, turning around. She was a redhead, short but beautiful woman. I could recognise that face anywhere.

"Aurora de Martel," I said, "To what do I owe this pleasure? I hope you know that all these people are hardly required. You could have just asked me if I was free for dinner if you were that interested."

"How sweet of you, Ahi. I do not wish to use force either, however, these circumstances need such actions." She said.

"Whatever do you mean sweetheart, if you want to see me naked all you need to do is ask." I don't know why I said it but I was trying to figure out a way out, don't blame me.

But, the line did the trick, Aurora turned red and her helpers suddenly looked unsure of what to do.

"I didn't……it's not…." She fumbled.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, sweetie. Afterall, it's nothing we haven't……"

"Finish that statement and I will order my men to kill you."

"Oh come on, you can't possibly think this is a fair fight. Get a couple dozen more then you might have a chance."

"Just the same as ever. Arrogant, thinks he is the smartest person in the room, cocky."

"When did you watch Suits?"

"What is Suits?"

"Nevermind, you were saying?"

"As I was saying," Aurora said, regaining her royal composure, "All I want is that you stay away from the gods. I have use for them."

"And I should listen to you because…….?"

"Because if you don't, I'll kill Dawar."

My breath caught. I forced myself to breathe again and I sounded like Vader. "You are bluffing." I said, determined that it couldn't be true.

"You know as well as I that I am not. If you remain unconvinced, call me bluff. Let us see who's right." Aurora said, challenging me.

"I'll ask you once, hand over Dawar to me, unharmed. Failure to do so will result in your death."

"You see Ahi, you haven't changed. Issuing threats even when you have nothing. I won't hurt Dawar. However, I will be keeping an eye on you and if you continue to plot against the gods I will hurt him."

I clenched my fists, I couldn't fight her here. She walked past me and disappeared into the market.