Page 12 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

“I don’t think we should continue here tonight. I’ve got a bad feeling. We need to get some rest and come back tomorrow,” Lia interjected as she rubbed her arms. “We can wake the gators tomorrow if we need to.”

“I agree. That took a lot out of Dea and we need her at her best to deal with the spirits. They might be the only way we find the shifters in question,” Kota added.

Phi smiled and wrapped an arm around Dea’s shoulders. “We can map out the desecrated sites, figure out how to cleanse them, and identify each spot we want to check when we get home. That way we will have a plan for tomorrow.”

CHAPTER 4

DANIELLE

“What the...” My voice trailed off as the front door of Willowberry Plantation creaked open. I looked at the long shadows stretching across the entryway. We all turned, our conversations dying mid-sentence as the powerful presence of Marie Leveau filled the doorway.

“I didn’t know whether to knock or not. This is a business, yes?” Marie, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, asked. Her aura demanded attention. She’d been our enemy from the day Phoebe awakened our dormant magical DNA. We didn’t agree with her plans to steal a body for her purposes, nor with the way she ruled New Orleans with an iron fist. Only after we’d sent her evil loa, Baron Samedi, back to his realm had she changed her malicious tune.

“Marie,” I replied tersely. “What brings you here in person?”

Dre crossed her arms, skepticism etched on her face. “Yeah, what do you want now? We are in the planning phases of your reunion and don’t have choices for you yet.”

Marie stepped further into the house and hovered outside the ladies’ parlor where we blocked the entrance. We stepped back and allowed her to join us. “I've been contemplating the legacy of the Leveau line and feel it is time to address some unresolved issues from our past. It will help the reunion be successful. My ancestors will not come if they sense the animosity between us.”

Dea's brow furrowed with concern. “Unresolved issues? What do you mean? If you think we will suddenly trust you, you’re crazy.”

Marie sighed deeply, her voice filled with regret and determination. “The wrongs I’ve perpetrated have weakened my family's spiritual ties. It is a weight I can no longer bear alone. To rectify this, I must prove that things have changed. I cannot do that unless you all believe that I am no longer the same woman.”

Phi glanced at me, curiosity and skepticism in her eyes. “You're asking for a lot. How can we be sure you're sincere?” she asked.

Marie’s voice softened, filled with regret. “I know my words might ring hollow given our history. But I am sincere. My family's spiritual strength has waned because of my actions. It is why I summoned Samedi to begin with. I cannot be the Voodoo Queen without the full power of my ancestors behind me.”

Kota took a seat and tapped her fingers on the arm of the couch. “And how exactly do you propose we do that?”

Marie perched on the edge of a chair. “When you host my family reunion, I need Dea to summon the spirits of my ancestors. They can see the change in me and my relationshipwith your family.” That was why she was asking us to do her reunion. She needed someone with true connections to both the living and the dead. Dea was the only one that had that power.

Dre's skepticism deepened. “And why should we trust you? What's to say you won’t turn on us the second you have more power?”

There was a moment of silence before Marie replied. “This isn't about personal gain. It's about righting the wrongs of the past and restoring our family's honor and spiritual strength. If I don't do this, my line will continue to suffer.”

I exchanged a look with my sisters, feeling the weight of the decision before us. “This sounds like a monumental task, Marie. I can’t guarantee anything.”

Adèle joined us. “Be careful, but I think she is being sincere. She couldn’t be here if she was using the reunion as a ruse.”

Marie’s eyes narrowed on our familiar and I worried she could sense what Adèle was. I sighed in relief when the Voodoo Queen lifted her scowl to me. “This requires your trust and your commitment. And Dea’s ability to call my ancestors.”

I took a deep breath and looked over at Dea. She seemed to have a brief conversation with Adèle, who was winding her body around her legs. Finally, my sister inclined her head and faced the voodoo queen. “Alright," she said. “We'll help. But know that we are watching you closely. Any sign of deceit, and we won't hesitate to stop.”

Marie lifted her chin and sniffed. “That's all I can ask.”

Dea clasped her hands together. “We'll need to prepare carefully for this. The spirits will not be easy to convince.”

Marie looked at Dea with an inscrutable expression. “Because you agree, I can share this with you." She reached into her bag and pulled out a weathered, ancient scroll. “Thisis the ritual to summon my ancestors. It has been passed down through the generations of the Leveau line. It's rarely used because of its complexity and the power that is required to perform it.”

Dea's eyes widened as she took the scroll, her fingers tracing the intricate designs and symbols on the aged parchment. “What does it entail exactly? Animal sacrifices?” she asked. Her curiosity and trepidation were evident.

Marie pointed to the lines of text written in an archaic script. “The ritual requires a consecrated space. Symbols of protection must be drawn in salt and ash. And you will need specific offerings to honor each ancestor. You must call upon them by name, using their personal sigils. Those are inscribed here.” She tapped the bottom of the scroll. It must be done under the light of a full moon when the veil between worlds is thinnest.”

Dea studied the scroll intently. “These incantations are incredibly powerful,” she murmured. “All I can promise is that I will do my best.”

Marie nodded. “I understand your concerns, Dea. That's why I'm entrusting this to you. I believe you have the strength and wisdom to perform this ritual safely. Giving you this is the first step in me proving my sincerity.”

Dea took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “We will prepare diligently. And I will practice so I get it right when the time comes.”

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