Page 22 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

“Thank the gods.” Dea took a deep breath. “Before we get to the shifters, we need to plan our approach. We can't just barge in and expect them to trust us. You heard Adèle.”

Dre nodded in agreement. “We should start by gathering more intel. If we can show them that we understand the complexity of their situation, they might be more willing to talk.”

“Good idea," Dani said. “We have to make them see that working together is the best option. If this entity is powerful enough to take out a selkie and threaten their territory, it’s a danger to all of us.”

Just then, a rustle in the trees caught our attention. We turned to see a group of gator shifters emerging from theshadows. Among them were Boudreaux, Adelaide, and Etienne. Their expressions were amused and concerned. An older man, his face lined with age and wisdom, stepped forward. Boudreaux nodded towards him. "This is Remy, one of our elders. These are the infamous Twisted Sisters."

Remy fixed us with a steady gaze. "We know how dangerous that magical entity is. Your fight with it drew us from our homes.”

Dre inclined her head to the elder. “That dark magical entity is calling himself Garrick and he’s out to claim this entire area. We need your help to stop him."

Remy’s eyes narrowed. His skepticism was evident. "Why should I trust you? We've been fighting to protect our territory for generations."

Dre's posture relaxed but her gaze was intense. "Because we have a common enemy. This entity is not just a threat to the entire bayou but the entire area.”

Remy’s shoulders slumped slightly, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. "I've sensed something... off lately. More than the usual territorial disputes. We need to find this Garrick?"

I took a deep breath, stepping up beside Dre. "We’ve also discovered that there are pieces of an artifact he broke and has spread throughout the bayou. It once belonged to your kind and was used in rituals. Garrick has used it to get his foothold here. We need to find them and put it back together. Then we can use it to protect your congregation.”

Remy’s eyes widened, the shock and recognition clear. "This explains the disturbances we've been experiencing. It's more than just the usual supernatural activities."

Kota nodded and held out her hands. "We propose an alliance. You provide us with intelligence about your community, Garrick’s movement, and the possible locationsof the artifact pieces. In return, we offer protection against this entity and promise to help restore balance."

Remy hesitated and glanced at his fellow shifters. They nodded in silent agreement. "Alright, but we need assurances,” Remy said. “This entity is powerful, and I can't risk my people's lives without some guarantee."

Dea stepped forward. "We can bind our agreement with a pact spell. It will ensure mutual aid and confidentiality. We protect you, and you help us. Would you agree to that?"

Remy nodded slowly, his eyes meeting each of ours in turn. "I agree. Let's do this."

My heart started racing as I shot Dea a panicked look. I had no idea what she was talking about. Adèle's voice filled our minds, quelling my mini-melt down. “I will guide you through this. Repeat after me,” she instructed. Her voice was a comforting presence.

We repeated what she told us as she was speaking. "By the spirits of the bayou, we pledge our cooperation.”

“By the spirits of the bayou, we pledge our cooperation," we replied.

Adèle continued, "For protection and unity, we bind ourselves together. For protection and unity, we bind ourselves together." We echoed that as well and felt the words take hold. The air around us crackled with power as the pact spell took shape. It was a tangible force binding us to our promise.

Adèle's final instructions resonated in our minds. "May this pact be strong and unbreakable, for the safety of all." We finished in unison, sealing the spell.

The energy around us pulsed, confirming the bond we had just forged with the gator shifters. We stood in silence for a moment, absorbing the significance of our new alliance. A warm, protective aura enveloped us, symbolizing our newly forged pact. Remy looked relieved but still wary. "We’ll share everything we know," he said, his voice steady. "But thisentity is unlike anything we've faced before. We are unprepared to deal with it."

"Don’t confront Garrick. You don’t have the magic needed to fight him,” I told him. “Have your people move hidden and only gather information. We will handle Garrick.”

Remy agreed and we made plans to meet up the next day. It was getting late and we all needed to rest after that fight with Garrick. The drive back to Willowberry Plantation was filled with silence. The encounter with Garrick had rattled us. Everyone in the car jumped in their seats when Dea’s phone rang. She answered it quickly. “Hello?”

“Dea, it’s Marie Leveau,” came the familiar voice. “I need you to stop by my house. It’s important. I’ll send you the address.”

Dea shot me a confused look in the rearview mirror. Dre nodded her head and Dea said, “Alright, Marie. We’ll be there soon.”

“Wonderful,” Marie said and hung up.

Dea laughed and stared at her cell. “That was odd. What do you think she wants?”

Kota lifted a shoulder. “No idea, but we are going in with protection bubbles in place.” I cast an individual barrier spell and heard my sisters doing the same. Now I just needed directions.

I didn’t have to wait long for directions after that. Dea's phone pinged and she put the address into the map app on her phone and looked at us. “Here we go. It’s not far.”

I adjusted our route and noted the anticipation grew as we drove. Marie’s address led us to a stately old house, its exterior showing signs of age but still exuding an aura of mystique and power. She opened the door as we exited the vehicle.

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