Page 19 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah. That would be a good idea. Where do we do this, though?”

“The ladies’ parlor is probably the best place,” Dre replied. We can ward the room and you won’t have to worry about any of them getting away.”

“Perfect. Grab the salt. We can get the wards cast.” I stood and headed down the hall. We gathered in the parlor for the séance. Phi and Lia handled the runes just inside the doorway and along the walls, connecting them with a thin line of salt to contain the ghosts. Dani and Kota lit candles and Dre moved the furniture out of the way. I set up a circle of protection with salt and herbs. The smell of sage and lavender filled my nose and soothed me. Kota placed the crystal ball they’d purchased for me on the coffee table.

“Everyone, join hands,” I instructed. I needed my sisters with me on this one. Adèle was also nearby to help me focus my energy. “Focus on the ancestors Marie listed for us. Invite them to join us. I will worry about respecting their wishes if they choose not to. All I need is your added magic and intent since this will be a large group.”

As we closed our eyes and concentrated, I began the summoning ritual. I chanted ancient incantations I'd learned since our magical DNA was awakened. “Marie Leveau, and those who came before,” I intoned. “I summon you to join us, to lend us your wisdom and guidance.” The air grew colder right away. A few seconds later, the familiar tingling sensation that signaled the presence of spirits crept up my arms.

Slowly, faint figures began to materialize around us. Their forms shimmered in the candlelight. I could see the curiosity and caution in their eyes as they took in their surroundings. Their confusion was evident.

“Welcome,” I said softly, addressing the spirits. “You have been called because one of your descendants wants to start a new tradition for your family to repair relationships. She is holding a reunion and wants you to be present. I need to know if you are willing to join her and your other family members.”

The spirits nodded, and one by one, they began to speak. Their voices were a blend of echoes and whispers. It was hard to make out what they were saying. I had to concentrate and ask them to speak one at a time. Adèle helped me direct in answering the spirits questions about Marie’s intention for this gathering. After that her dead ancestors shared their willingness to participate. Several even mentioned their hope for reconciliation. And others had some conditions for joining the reunion. None were outrageous, but they hinted at the grievances we were joking about a couple of hours ago.

Exhaustion hit me hard when I concluded the séance. Ithad taken a lot out of me. I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without my sisters’ support. Adèle brushed my leg and started purring. The vibrations sent little shocks of energy into me. It was the first time she’d done anything like that.

“Someone’s powers are growing,” I pointed out to our familiar.

Adèle looked up at me. “I will never be able to heal like Dre, but I can give you each a boost when needed.”

Dani’s phone buzzed with an alert and interrupted the moment. Her eyes narrowed as she read the text. The usual confident demeanor that she was known for gave way to a more cautious expression.

“Dani, what is it?” I asked, sensing the shift in her energy.

“It's an anonymous message,” she replied, her voice tinged with concern. “It hints at a deeper conspiracy. It suggests that Melanie was a pawn in a larger game."

Dre glanced up from her notes. “Larger game? Like what?”

“I sense power behind the message,” Adèle said into our minds. “There is definitely something more at play here.”

Dani shook her head. Her frustration was evident. “It doesn't say anything else. It mentions old enemies of the Leveau family. We know word has gotten out that we're hosting the family reunion and most of the supernaturals in New Orleans don't like Marie. Could Melanie’s murder be related to that?”

Adèle shook her head and pinned Dani with a look. “Marie is not liked because of how she used to run the city. I can’t see why someone would kill an innocent selkie outside city limits to prove a point about Marie.”

“That’s a good point.” Phi leaned forward, intrigued. "What exactly does the message say?"

Dani handed her phone to Phi, who read the messagealoud. “'Beware the shadows of the past. The selkie was merely the surface. Look deeper, and you will find old grudges and historical land disputes fueling the violence. Trust no one'.”

A heavy silence settled over us as we absorbed the implications. “We need to re-evaluate everything we've gathered so far,” I said, breaking the silence. “If there's a larger conspiracy, we can't afford to miss any details.”

Kota nodded in agreement. “We should also increase our security measures when leaving the plantation, too. If someone powerful is watching us, we need to be careful.”

Dani cocked her head to the side. “We should also start conducting our research more discreetly. I'll reach out to some trusted informants to get more details about any disputes about the swamp.”

“Everly is willing to meet us in the French Quarter,” Dani said almost immediately. “On Royal away from prying eyes.”

“I hope she has something for us,” Dre said as we traipsed out to Lia’s car. Lia could drive to the Quarter in her sleep by this point. It didn’t take long before she was pulling into the lot and parking next to Ricky’s shack.

We were quiet as we made our way to Royal. Everly's face was hidden beneath a hood, but her eyes sparkled with intelligence. Dani smiled and lifted a hand. “It’s good to see you. Thanks for meeting us,” she smiled. “So, what couldn’t you tell me through text?”

“I've heard whispers," Everly began. “There's a group of old families, rivals of the Leveaus, who have been waiting for an opportunity to take out the ancestors. They see the family reunion as a chance to strike.”

My brow furrowed. “How will they get past Willowberry’s wards? They will block any attacks,” I pointed out.

Everly shook her head and lifted her hands. “Everyone knows if you beefed up the wards to include any attacks.However, since their targets aren’t alive, most think they can pull it off. Someone is even taking bets.”

Dani's jaw tightened. "Do you have names?"

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