Page 16 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

The shifters thanked us and we promised to return thenext day ready to divide the search area. We left the dense underbrush and croak of frogs behind. The sky was darkening and the first stars began to twinkle above as we reached the clearing where we had parked our car.

I slid into the driver's seat, grateful to be off my feet. “Everyone buckle up. Let's get back to Willowberry and regroup,” I said, starting the engine.

Kota settled into the passenger seat and kept her gaze on the horizon as if she expected the gator shifters to reappear at any moment. “We need to make sense of everything we’ve found. There's a lot at stake here.”

Dea, Dre, Phi, and Dani piled into the back, their expressions mirrored mine. The car felt almost too small to contain the tension and the swirl of thoughts we were all experiencing. We were silent for a bit as I navigated the winding roads back to the Willowberry Plantation. The familiar landmarks of home began to bring a sense of calm and focus.

“I can't stop thinking about what we learned from the shifters,” Dre murmured, breaking the silence. “Their fear and desperation make it clear there's more at play here.”

Dani leaned forward, resting her chin on the back of my seat. “We have to figure out how this all connects. The companies, the foreign magic, and how Melanie fits into all of this. Right now, it’s a tangled mess.”

“Agreed,” Kota said. “But we can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. If we can broker a peace, it could stabilize the entire region.”

“First things first,” Dani said, glancing at me. “We need to lay everything out when we get back. We need a plan that ties our findings together and guides our next steps.”

I nodded, focusing on the road. “We'll spread everything out on the big table. Maps, notes, everything. We have to see the full picture.”

The drive passed in thoughtful silence. Each of us waslost in our own thoughts until the familiar sight of Willowberry Plantation emerged from the darkness. The grand, welcoming façade stood as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. I pulled the car to a stop in the parking lot and we climbed out. I stretched my stiff limbs and headed inside.

“Before we get into that stuff, I’ve been thinking about Marie’s request that we summon her ancestors,” Dea said as we entered the back door of Willowberry.

Dre’s forehead furrowed. “Why do I get the feeling we aren’t going to like what you’ve been thinking?”

Dea rolled her eyes and shook her head. “It’s nothing bad. I’ve been thinking about the safety precautions. We selected the gazebo because we can contain everything better. I want to clarify a few things with her.”

“I don’t know what made you want to do this, but it can’t hurt,” I agreed and pulled out my phone. I opened the phone app and put the call on speaker saying, “Might as well get it over with so we can discuss the case in the swamp. Melanie deserves justice.”

Dea sat at the head of the table in the kitchen looking resolute but wary. She jumped in her seat when Marie’s voice filled the room. “Hello, Lia. The Twisted Sisters really do work fast if you’ve got suggestions for me already.”

Dani chuckled and leaned closer to the phone. “We will have something soon. Designs are being worked on as we speak.”

“I had some things I wanted to discuss,” Dea interjected. “I want to make sure you understand how things will work with the summoning. I don’t want there to be any surprises when the time comes.”

Marie made a noise and asked, “What are your conditions?”

Dea took a deep breath before outlining her demands. "First, the reunion must be held in the consecrated space.The spirits will not be free to roam outside of those confines. We will be taking our own protective measures to contain any unexpected spiritual phenomena. I won’t risk the city’s safety. Second, if you or any of your guests try to perform any rituals, I will send your ancestors back to the other side of the veil. This is not going to be a way for you to reincarnate your great grandmother.”

Marie grumbled under her breath, and her sigh crackled through the speaker. “Agreed. Continue.”

“We need a comprehensive ritual of consent," Dea continued. “Each spirit must explicitly agree to participate as well as the rules of conduct. This will be facilitated through a series of smaller séances leading up to the main event.”

Marie made a noise on the other end before saying, “That is wise. What else?”

“Elder witches and spiritual guides from various traditions must be present to oversee the summoning. This will ensure a balance of power and prevent your ancestors from causing any problems.”

“Understood,” Marie said stiffly. “I don't like the extra measures but I can’t very well prove I have changed unless you feel comfortable.”

Dea inclined her head and kept her focus on the phone. “I also reserve the right to veto any aspects of the reunion that may cause undue stress or harm to the spirits. This includes excessive demands from living family members or the inappropriate use of the spirits' presence for personal gain.” I wouldn’t have considered that angle. Dea had clearly given this a lot of thought.

“The six of you have my word that the reunion will be conducted with the utmost respect,” Marie promised.

“And lastly,” Dea said in a firm tone, “the reunion must include a closing ceremony that respectfully dismisses the spirits, allowing them to return to their rest without leavingany residual energy that could be used by or disrupt the living.”

“You have thought this through carefully,” Marie noted. “I should have known you would be thorough. You didn’t change the face of magic in New Orleans by being idiots. I accept your conditions. This reunion is as much about healing the past as it is about guiding the future. I recognize that my daughter and hers cannot proceed as we have been. We need a new path forward. I refuse to be pushed out of my home or city. My family has been here centuries.”

Dre smiled at Dea and said, “That compliment belongs to our mama. She raised us to be strong, capable women who can do whatever they set their minds to. We will be in touch when we have ideas to present.”

Marie’s voice echoed through the tiny speaker. “Thank you, sisters. Your efforts will not go unrecognized. Together, we can mend the rifts and build a stronger future.”

---