A Late Summer Bloom Read Online Free PDF

hushed.
    Angelique knew she wanted something. “Tell me. What is it that you
want?”
    “I’d like to visit Desiree Mercier.”
    Angelique rolled her eyes. “Ugh. That coven is way too modern for my
taste. And the French Quarter? It’s so dangerous.”
    “Okay.” She said sheepishly, turning around to walk up the stairs.
    Angelique wanted desperately to make her happy. “Wait. I hope I’m not
sorry about this but—go.”
    Mid way up the stairs Giselle stopped, turned around and smiled at her.
“Thank you Aunt Angelique. You won’t regret this.”
    “I already do, dear.”

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Jacques LaFeoure paced near the edge of a waterfall,
worry creasing his brow. The sound of water gushing into the river below was
loud, but serene. The time had come for Julien to return to the earthly realm. But,
it wasn’t his safety that had Jacques concerned. Julien sailed through his final
challenge, leaving Jacques to think him one of the best warriors he’d seen this
century. What troubled him was his daughter, Giselle’s, sudden trip to New
Orleans. And, since he also had the gift of the veil, it surprised him. How did I not see that coming?
    As a pristine Umbrella Cockatoo flew overhead, squawking in his
direction, Jacques chuckled. The bird gave an elaborate acrobatic display as it
circled him, landing squarely on his shoulder. “Ah, Simon. You always come when I call.” The bird bobbed its head up and down.
    “I won’t keep you. I know how much you love to fly, and here in this
realm, there is never a time limit.”
    The bird lifted its foot to its beak, biting at its claw.
    “I need you in New Orleans.”
    Stopping immediately, the bird lifted it head and squawked loudly.
    “Yes—I know how you feel. We all have our history. You must find a
witch named Desiree Mercier. She will try to interfere with the tenth power.
You must stop her. Keep in mind, her intention is out of love. That is all.”
    The cockatoo flapped its wings before taking flight.
    Jacques stood tall, mesmerized by the bird’s exit as it flew high above
the falls, then dropped, driving its body faster and faster toward the bottom
of the waterfall. “Show off.” He muttered.
    “Who’s a show off?” Julien stood looking around, clearly confused.
    “Hello, Julien. I informed the master of your success. It is time to
transition.”
    Julien straightened his spine and smiled wide. He not only looked like
a warrior, he looked anxious to get started. He bowed his head in a display of
respect. “And my assignment?”
    Jacques bowed his head in mutual respect. “I have trained you well and
had the pleasure to watch you morph into a worthy opponent for the warlocks.
Remember, if you are physically hurt you must seek out sanctuary in one of our
many caverns. Did you memorize the incantation on how to unbind the caves?”
    Julien nodded. “Yes, I have. I learned the routes of all the cloisters
within the south eastern borders. I know the feeding habits of the warlock. I
know where and how they like to hunt. There is no assignment you can give me
that will have me spooked. I am prepared.”
    Jacques studied him. “Hmm—very well. Your
assignment is to escort Giselle Jareau , the tenth power,
to Cottonwood Landing. But first you must unlock her powers and teach her as I
taught you. You see Julien, Giselle does not know the proper way to use her
powers. You must step in and guide her. Do you think you can handle such a task?”
    Julien clenched his fists. “This is what I trained day in and day out
for? To be a glorified babysitter to some undeserving tenth
power? I signed up to kill warlocks, not babysit some sorry little girl
who can’t wield magic or throw a punch.”
    “Are you refusing your assignment?”
    Sighing loudly, Julien scratched his head. “Can you, at least, give me
a different one?”
    “Giselle is important to the destruction of Natas ’
army. She doesn’t believe in herself. She lacks the know-how and passion