Page 43 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

My eyes snapped open and I noticed my sisters were gathered around me. Their faces were etched with worry and curiosity. The whispers of the spirits and the echoes of their fear were burned into my mind. “The victims’ spirits are disoriented and terrified. There is one theme I keep getting repeatedly. Nearly all of them mention a shadowy figure and an overwhelming power that felt like it was everywhere. Many of them feel as if it is suffocating them.”

Phi clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. “That matches what we’ve seen from Garrick. Freaking asshole.”

Kota's expression was grim. “We need to expedite our investigation. The longer we wait, the more danger everyone’s in.”

Lia clenched her hands into fists at her sides. “We should strengthen the wards in the key locations in the bayou before we head back to Willowberry. We need to make sure Garrick can’t get close to anyone else.”

“Let's start with the gator shifters,” I suggested. “We need to make sure they're safe before we move on to the other paranormals.”

My sisters gathered around me and we formed a circle. I hoped we were close to the heart of the swamp. None of us wanted to go anywhere but home. Which is what the latest victim likely thought. I glanced over and noted how the thick canopy of cypress trees cast a shadow over her.

I inhaled and shoved those thoughts aside. We needed to offer our friends what protection we could. The murky water and tangled undergrowth felt like a living entity, watching us as we prepared to work our magic.

“Let's connect with the bayou,” Dani added as she looked around.

“I was going to suggest that,” Adèle murmured in our heads. “Feel its energy, let it twine with yours.”

The familiar hum of magic from the spirits was there. Setting that aside, I searched for the other power there. I identified the wild and ancient energy. The powerful force flowed through the land. My sisters did the same. Their faces were serene as they connected with the magic around us.

“Now, focus on the gator shifters. They will feel similar to the swamp.” Adèle’s voice echoed in our minds.

We channeled our magic, directing it towards the gator shifters' territory. It was easy to find them. It was like Adèle said it would be. The energy flowed from us like a river. It wove through the trees and water, seeking out the hidden pockets where the shifters lived. Their presence felt like a pulsing warmth amidst the cold darkness of the swamp.

“Protect them,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Keep them safe from harm.”

The magic responded, forming a protective barrier around the gator shifters. The wards took shape quickly. Wepoured energy into them so they were strong and unyielding and infused with the ancient power of the bayou.

“We’ve got them,” Lia said with a smile. “Let's find others. I know there are pixies here.”

We moved on. Our connection to the bayou guided us to other pockets of paranormal activity. Each time we found one, we channeled our magic into that area. We quickly created protective barriers to keep them safe. The energy flowed through us in a steady rhythm that connected us to the land and its inhabitants.

As we worked, the wards around the old Voodoo temple stood out to me. They were still strong and in place. Thank the gods that was still working. With each new ward we created, the sense of urgency grew stronger. We knew Garrick was out there, watching and waiting for his next move. With each new layer of protection, we were one step closer to stopping him.

Finally, our work was done. The bayou was a web of protective magic, each ward a beacon of safety in the darkness. We gathered our things and prepared to head back to Willowberry with heavy hearts. A woman had lost her life and we hadn’t stopped it.

“We’ve done all we can for now. Let’s head back and plan our next move,” Dre suggested.

We silently followed her out of the swamp, leaving the woman for Terrence to recover. Cami was in the ladies’ lounge with Xinar, Lucas, and Noah when we returned to Willowberry. We briefly told them what we had found. Xinar had his head down with his elbows on his knees as he listened. When we stopped talking, he looked up at us. “You should start with the magical residue. It could help you understand the connection between Garrick and the victim.”

Phi paused as she carefully placed the samples we'd collected from the bayou on the coffee table. Theyshimmered faintly, and the dark magic they contained pulsed with malevolent energy. “That is precisely what you guys were thinking. Look for anything that stands out,” Adèle's voice echoed in our minds.

Phi smiled at our familiar. “You took the words out of my mouth.”

Without thinking, I reached out with my magic. The residue responded to my touch. The vile energy made my stomach turn. Kota gave me a sympathetic look. “It makes me want to puke,” she observed. “But there is a pattern here."

Dre extended her hand over the objects. “The magic is evolving. It's stronger and more refined. But I don’t think it’s from him consuming more of the bayou.”

Lucas leaned in and narrowed his eyes as he studied the residue. “Can you pinpoint the type of dark magic it is? Maybe you can trace it back to its source.”

We looked at one another, and then all of us lifted one shoulder. “Focus on the subtle differences in the energy signatures,” Adèle advised.

“It's a form of blood magic,” I said. “But it's mixed with something else. Something older, more primal.”

“That’s not surprising given the murders we've encountered and the symbols and markings,” Lia pointed out. “What does it tell us?”

Dre picked up a plastic bag with a few leaves in it. “The symbols at the scene were more intricate and more powerful this time. It’s obvious whoever is behind this is getting better at harnessing the dark magic. I still think it’s related to those families after Marie’s ancestors.”

Phi reached for one of the books on a side table. She flipped through the pages with practiced ease. “What if we focus on figuring out what they're trying to achieve with this magic? That could help us stop them before they strike again.”

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