Page 39 of Whispers in the Quarter

She moves through my evidence wall like a ghost, trailing fingers along the red strings. “You’re so close to understanding. To becoming what you were always meant to be.”

“And what’s that?” I manage, sliding further down the wall as reality fractures around me.

“A wolf instead of a sheep dog,” she whispers, her form shimmering like heat waves. “A monster who hunts other monsters. Just like I was becoming before...”

“Before what?” But she’s fading, or I am. The shadows crawl across my vision like living things.

“Sleep, my Saint,” Lucas’s voice mingles with Lauren’s ghost. “When you wake up, you’ll be ready to fall properly.”

“We’ll all catch you,” Lauren promises, her smile the last thing I see before consciousness slips away. “The shadows are waiting...”

I surrender to the darkness, Lauren’s secrets and Lucas’s chaos dancing behind my eyes. In my dreams, I run with the monsters instead of hunting them.

Some angels don’t just fall from grace.

They dive.

14

EVANGELINE

INTERNAL ORGANIZATION MEMO PRIORITY LEVEL: HIGHEST RE: Security Breach

Multiple assets compromised. Suspect coordinated effort between:

Former operative A. Cross’s “project”

FBI Agent E. Blake

ME L. Gautier

Local asset J. Reynaud

Note from Councilman Davis: Handle the situation. Personally. [Bloodstain visible on corner]

Dawn creeps through my windows,painting the evidence of my double life in shades of gold. Lucas’s lab reports spread across my kitchen table, their clinical language detailing deaths I’ve orchestrated. My poisons, his cover-ups—we’re quite the team now. The thought should disturb me more than it does.

My phone buzzes with Jazz’s unique ringtone. “Melody, we got trouble. Quarter’s crawling with plainclothes cops. Something’s got them stirred up.”

My stomach tightens. “Where exactly?”

“Concentrated around Madame Laveau’s. They’re showing photos, asking questions.” Jazz’s voice drops lower. “Photos of you, sugar. Different hair, different name, but definitely you. Thing is... Ethan isn’t with them, which ain’t like him at all.”

I move to my window, scanning the bayou. The calm waters betray nothing, but my mind races. Ethan’s absence is a red flag. Has he figured out my connection to the deaths, or is he protecting me? Either way, the noose is tightening.

“Thanks for the warning.” I keep my voice light, though unease prickles along my spine. Where is Ethan? He never sends agents without personally supervising. “Stay clear of it, okay?”

“Like hell.” Jazz’s protective anger warms something in my chest. “I ain’t leaving you to handle this alone. Especially with things feeling sideways.”

“Jazz—”

“Don’tJazzme. I know that tone—you’re planning something reckless.” He sighs. “At least let me help. My club’s neutral ground, away from prying eyes.”

Before I can respond, my burner phone chimes.

Lucas: Chimera, we have a problem. E knows something’s wrong with Perkins’ autopsy. He’s not letting this go.

“I have to call you back,” I tell Jazz, my mind already racing through contingencies.

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