Page 15 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

I slowed and inhaled the decaying vegetation, hoping to catch the scent of whoever was out there. There was nothing. And I couldn’t hear their footsteps. The hum of insects filled the night. The murky waters reflected the last rays of the setting sun. The shadows created shapes that danced on the surface.

“I swear someone’s out there,” I muttered, my voice barely audible over the cacophony of the swamp.

Dea paused, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the dense foliage around us. “You’re right. We’re not alone,” she whispered in a voice tinged with a hint of warning.

I wasn’t going to ignore this and run. We might learn something. “Show yourself!” I called out. My voice was steady despite the tension that gripped me. My sisters followed my lead and readied our magic. Power thrummed at my fingertips.

The underbrush rustled, and several figures emerged from the shadows, their arms shifting between human and reptilian. They had to be gator shifters. When I looked up from their scaly flesh, I recoiled. Their eyes glinted with a predatory gleam and the air crackled with their menacing presence.

“Stay sharp,” Dre urged.

As if her warning sparked the shifters, they sprang at us. Dre and Kota moved with practiced precision. Their spells lit up the darkening swamp. Dre conjured barriers of shimmering energy to deflect the shifters’ attacks while Kota’s flames roared to life. They glowed light pink and sent shadows skittering.

One of the shifters lunged at me. His claws slashed through the air. I ducked and retaliated with a blast of magical energy. It sent the guy sprawling into the muck. Dani and Phi fought side by side. Their combined powers created a whirlwind of force that knocked the shifters off balance. Unfortunately, they recovered quickly and dodged our next spell.

Dea called upon the spirits of the swamp. Her incantations wove through the air, binding the shifters in place with ghostly chains. “We need to end this quickly,” she shouted.

One of the shifters held up a clawed hand, signaling for a ceasefire. “Enough,” he growled, his voice rough and filled with weariness. “We have no desire for further bloodshed. We are merely protecting our land.”

We stood our ground, wary but willing to listen. “Why are you attacking us? We’re here to find out what happened toMelanie. We want to catch her killer,” I demanded. My eyes never left the guy that spoke.

The guy sighed, and his shoulders slumped. “We thought you were responsible.”

We all shook our heads as Kota said, “No, we’re investigating it. Do you know what happened to her?”

“We don’t know who killed Melanie for sure,” he admitted. “We’re under a lot of pressure from these companies trying to destroy the swamp. Voss is working with us to buy the land. But recently, something supernatural happened. Our elders can’t determine what it was. We suspected it might have been you, which is why we followed you.”

Dani stepped forward. “So, you’re saying Melanie’s death isn’t directly linked to your conflict with the companies?”

“As far as we can tell it had nothing to do with the companies. Our elders determined that for sure,” he replied. “I’m Boudreaux, by the way. And that is Adelaide and Etienne.” He gestured to the man and woman with him.

Dea introduced us and asked, “What about the ritual spot we found? It felt off. Does that have something to do with the supernatural disturbance?”

Phi lifted her finger. “And can you tell us about the symbols carved into the trees and rocks?”

Boudreaux hesitated before answering. “Those are protective spells, meant to strengthen our defenses and keep intruders out. We’re not trying to harm anyone who doesn’t pose a threat. We added those when Melanie was killed because the creepy feeling came from whatever supernatural power is haunting our swamp.”

Dre raised an eyebrow. “Have you encountered the energy before? Maybe when you were in town? Do you even interact with the locals?”

The shifter leader glanced at his companions before responding. “We do have some interactions with locals. It’smostly trade. We share information and buy supplies. And sometimes, we provide protection. This isn’t anything anyone in our congregation has ever encountered.”

“Did you have any enemies?” I asked. “Perhaps Melanie was mistaken for a member of your congregation?”

Boudreaux sighed and shook his head. “We make deals to survive. Some of the humans know about us and are willing to help in exchange for protection or other favors. Otherwise, we keep to ourselves.”

Adelaide lifted her hands. “We don’t go looking for trouble, no matter what anyone tells you. We’re protective of our young, but so are most. That doesn’t result in enemies. This is about something else.”

I exchanged a look with my sisters as I processed the information. “This changes things,” I said quietly. “We’re dealing with a complex situation, not just a group of mindless attackers.” The gator shifters nodded in agreement.

Kota added, “There are two issues as I see it. The companies trying to destroy their homes. We need to help them procure the land. And we need to find whatever supernatural entity is hunting here. I have a feeling this isn’t the end of it.”

Boudreaux sucked in a sharp breath. “I've been telling the leaders Melanie was just the beginning. They don’t believe me.”

Dre smiled at him. “Well, we believe you. And we are going to figure this out.”

“We need to gather all the information we have and start organizing search parties. We need to find any concrete evidence of this supernatural entity. We can’t find answers otherwise,” I said, suddenly feeling very tired.

Dani clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re right, sestra. This is about more than just stopping the attacks. It’s about ensuring peace in the bayou.”

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