Enola’s eyes narrowed. “So, what you’re saying is…you danced naked to support yourself? I ain’t buying it.”
“You’re right. I was bored. It was something to do.”
Enola’s sipped her wine and giggled at his silliness. Her attention was diverted from Gideon when a large Gideon lookalike stood behind him. Enola sat up straight and stared unabashedly. Gideon followed her line of sight and turned around.
“Ah, hello little brother. Join us.”
Enola stared in awe as he took the seat next to Gideon. She had seen twins before, but Gideon and his brother’s resemblance was uncanny. They had the same haircut, the same five o’clock shadow, and the same brooding good looks. Hell, with them both wearing dark suits, they were even dressed alike. That had to be intentional.
“Nola, darlin, this is my baby brother, Gabriel,” Gideon introduced.
Enola chuckled, tickled every time Gideon said, “Nola, darlin’.”
Gabriel grinned at Enola.
“Nola Darling? Okay, Spike Lee” he snickered.
“Right!” Enola blurted, holding her hands up.
“Maybe ‘she’s gotta have it,’” Gideon muttered.
“Maybe,” Enola flirted.
“Okayyyy…well, it’s nice to meet you, Miss Enola.”
“Nice to meet you, Gabriel. So, I have a question.”
Gabriel smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Shoot.”
“Aren’t you guys a little old to be playing the twin switch?”
Gideon and Gabriel shared a brief look. Enola wondered if they had the ability to communicate with each other without speaking. Before she first arrived in New Orleans, such a thought would have never crossed her mind. But now, Enola’s life had a completely different reality.
“We do this to ensure Gideon’s safety,” Gabriel informed.
Enola’s brow wrinkled as she processed what Gabriel was saying. “Why is Gideon’s safety more important than yours?”
“Because he is the Alpha of our pack, Nola Darling.”
She ignored his cheeky response. “The Alpha?”
“Yes. He’s, basically, our leader.”
Enola looked across the table at Gideon. He was expressionless. She found herself wondering how he really felt about being the leader of his pack. If she had to guess by his demeanor, she would guess that he wasn’t all that enthusiastic.
“Now, I have a question, Mademoiselle Roux.”
“Shoot,” Enola replied, happy to change the subject.
“How was your training?”
Gideon must have told his twin about the rigorous and intense crash course in Voodoo she’d had with Ruby earlier in the day. She had learned that plants weren’t just plants, and herbs were for more than seasoning. Ruby had also taught her what she said were the most vital spells: love, money, and battle. She even took Enola to a safe bunker, just under her grandmother’s estate, and allowed her to practice her physical power. Ruby’s ultimate goal was to teach Enola how to control the fire.
Enola looked over at Gideon. He must have discussed her abilities and training with his brother. He shrugged, as if to say, “He’s my brother.”
“The training was rough. There is so much that I don’t know about what’s, apparently, my religion, and even more that I don’t know about magical abilities.”
“No worries, darlin’,” Gideon interjected. “Most of it will come to you naturally.”
