Page 3 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

Lucas laid a tarp down next to the body. “No. They tendto stick to coastal areas. These injuries look like marks from a gator. Are you sure something nefarious is involved?”

I lifted a shoulder. “Fairly certain. We need to investigate this more.”

“Okay, let’s load up and get out of here,” he replied.

We put everything in the duffel while he and Noah wrapped the body and carried it to their truck. With a sense of purpose driving us forward, we retreated from the harrowing scene. The weight of unanswered questions hung over us like a heavy fog. Whatever malevolent force lurked within these murky depths needed to be unveiled. My nerves were strung taught. A thought passed through my mind as I headed home. We needed to unearth the truth before more lives were claimed by the darkness that haunted those ancient waters.

The oppressive Louisiana heat bore down upon us as we regrouped at Willowberry. The air was thick with the scent of magnolia blossoms and the distant murmur of tourists taking Cami’s tour. Lucas and Noah drove right to the back portion of the plantation where mundies never went. They put the body in one of the old buildings and we cast a spell creating a barrier no one could get through.

Sweat glistened on our brows as we gathered around our familiar table. I ran a hand over the surface that had been worn smooth by years of shared meals. Dani cradled her tallboy as her eyes remained fixed on the notes spread out before her like a map of the unknown. Her expression was grave, the usual spark of mischief replaced by a solemn determination that mirrored the weight of our discovery in the swamps.

“I can’t get past the victim's injuries,” Dani finally spoke. Her voice carried the soft lilt of the bayou, each word was measured and deliberate. “The pattern of the teeth marks... they're too large and jagged to be from a normal alligator.”

The implication hung heavy in the humid air. To us, gator shifters were more beings of myth and legend, said to haunt the remote reaches of the bayou. We’d never met one, and yet they were a haunting possibility in this case. I looked at Lucas and asked, “Could it be gator shifters? I don’t know much about them. All I’ve heard are the stories that say they're protectors of the bayou and guardians of their domain.”

“They’re willing to defend their space with deadly force,” Adele added.

Dre's brow furrowed in thought, her fingers absently moving around the rim of her mug. “If gator shifters are responsible for these deaths, we'll need to approach this with caution. They're unlike anything we've encountered before.”

Kota nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on the horizon beyond the windows, where the sun shone through the moss-draped canopy. “We should delve deeper into the local lore. Consult our contacts and uncover any hidden knowledge that might shed light on this mystery.”

Lucas sighed and put a hand on the back of my chair. “Gator shifters are reclusive. They rarely interact with others. If they did this, the selkie had to have done something significant.”

Dani nodded in acknowledgment. “We can examine the evidence to see what it can tell us, but first we should reach out to the other council members and see what else we can learn about gator shifters.”

“Adele,” I began, addressing our familiar, “what's your take on this? Could gator shifters really be behind the death of the selkie in the swamp?”

Adele jumped onto a chair next to Dre. “It's within the realm of possibility,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of caution. “Gator shifters are known to roam these waters, and like I said, they can be quite protective of their territory. Although, I can’tsee a selkie doing something to cause them to kill him. Selkies are passive and peaceful creatures.”

Lucas ran his fingers over my shoulder. “Gator shifters don't take kindly to intruders, especially near their nesting grounds. The selkie might have run across a pregnant gator.”

Noah nodded in agreement. “That would be seen as a threat to their unborn and when provoked, they are as dangerous as the creatures they resemble.”

Before we could delve further into the details of gator shifter behavior, Dani's phone buzzed, filling the room. My stomach twisted further when Dani’s eyes widened. She answered and put it on speakerphone. “Marie,” Dani greeted cautiously, “what brings this unexpected call?”

Marie's voice, smooth and authoritative, resonated through the room. “I need your assistance in planning and hosting the Leveau family reunion,” she declared.

Silence fell over us as we processed her request. Planning an event of this magnitude for Marie Leveau's descendants was no small feat. Especially given the family's complex history and the intricate dynamics among its members. Not to mention that she’d tried to kill us more times than I could count. It was only recently that she seemed to stop.

“We appreciate the request, Marie,” I replied diplomatically, “but could you provide more details about your vision for this reunion?”

Marie's tone remained confident. “I want a grand gathering,” she explained, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “A celebration of our shared heritage and a time for family to come together. The males of our line are largely forgotten, and I want to change that. It will be easier to envelop them into the fold if I begin with a celebration of our bond as a family. I want this to be an annual thing.”

Dre raised an eyebrow, her skepticism palpable. “What prompted this reunion?" she inquired.

Marie's response was cryptic. “Let's just say it's long overdue, my dear sisters.” Her voice carried a hint of mystery.

Kota leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “And the venue?" she probed, her gaze fixed on Dani's phone. “You want us to host it here, at Willowberry?”

Marie's answer was decisive. “Of course. The power in your lands will add to the grandeur of the event.”

The weight of Marie's request settled upon us, mingling with the new mystery of the selkie's death. Planning a family reunion for the descendants of Marie Leveau would undoubtedly test our abilities to navigate supernatural intrigues, intricate family ties, and possible betrayal. I still didn’t trust her.

My sisters and I shared a look, and I shrugged. I had no idea if we should do this or not. On one hand, doing it would prove we didn’t hold grudges and gave people second chances. On the other, it could bite us in the ass.

Dre inclined her head to Dani who said, “When would you like to have this? If we are available, we would be happy to do it for you.”

I held my breath as Kota pulled up the calendar on the tablet that was connected to Phi’s. My heart twisted in my chest when we had an opening the day she wanted. After putting her in, we set up a time later to discuss ideas for the event.

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