Tempt Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

well as my mama-in-law knows about voodoo. She may be listening.”
    BD chuckled. “Wouldn’t put it past her, or your mama, Adair. Those two are dangerous.” He winked at Angelique. “I should say those three now. The Mamas have officially added another member to their elite club, haven’t they? By all accounts your mother is more than holding her own.”
    Grinning, Angelique popped a barbecued shrimp between her lips. Her mother, Theresa, had always shied away from her husband’s voodoo religion as well as her own family’s history with Santeria. She’d never spoken of it, had simply gone to church each week, volunteered, and made sure to have her babies crosses blessed by at least one Catholic priest. It had been her way to protect her children from their father’s darker practices. That was why Angelique and her siblings were so surprised and, yes, relieved that she was getting along with the empath Elise Adair and the voodoo priestess Mambo Toussaint. In fact, she’d been spending so much time with them that Celestin had wondered aloud the other day if the Mamas were up to no good.
    She swallowed. “My mistake, Ben. But my professor, while nowhere near as knowledgeable as Michelle’s mama, was a font of information on the subject of werewolves.”
    Celestin looked down at his sister, grimacing. “Werewolves, huh? I never understood that particular story. I always had a hard time believing there were Loup Garou mushing around in the bayou. A killer gator, maybe, but a dog-boy?” He shook his head.
    Gabriel’s scratchy voice had a condescending tone. “I think we have enough to believe in as it is in this group without adding fairy tales about wolf-men to the list. What are they teaching kids in school these days? Next you’ll be telling me there are vampires and unicorns.”
    Angelique lifted her chin at his obvious dismissal. Kids, huh? She had a sudden, mad desire to fling one of the plantains on her plate at his forehead. But as satisfying as that would be, it would serve only to prove him right. The jerk. “I’m sure education has changed dramatically in the last few decades, since you... matriculated ? Is that the word they used back then? And you’re probably right. Just because a sexy professor spun stories about werewolves, Loa, and spirit possessions doesn’t mean any of that is true, right? I mean, everyone here knows none of that exists.”
    Gabriel stared at her in stony silence, then scraped back his chair. “Excuse me. I need some air.”
    He strode away from the table like the devil was on his heels. Maybe she was a masochist, after all, because all she wanted to do was follow him.
    She bit her lip when she saw Ben and Michelle share a speaking look. “Was it something I said?”
    “It’s okay, little one. No one told you.” Celestin spoke in a low voice beside her. “Michelle’s brother is... Well, he’s been through a lot.”
    A frustrated Michelle slapped the table with the palm of her hand. “I don’t care what he’s been through. He’s being an ass, and I think I should go talk to him.” Her brows drew together in obvious concern. “Maybe he’ll tell me what’s wrong this time.”
    Ben covered her hand with his own. “Mimi, you know what’s wrong. After what happened last year... that he came home to face it at all, to face you, shows he’s trying.”
    “What happened last year?”
    Every gaze turned to Angelique at her question. They all wore the same hesitant expressions. Secretive.
    What on earth had Gabriel done to have everyone speaking in riddles and whispers?
    Whatever had happened, it must have been important. She wondered if it had anything to do with Michelle’s and Ben’s abilities.
    Since she’d been home, Angelique had spent a lot of time with Allegra and Michelle, and along with feeling an instant camaraderie with the sassy Toussaint, she’d learned about Michelle’s ability to see ghosts.
    She’d already known Ben’s talent. That he could