Page 56 of Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites

Marie led the way through the tunnels and into the large tent. Her family and the spirits followed suit. My sisters and I stood back and watched as the Leveau family reunion commenced. Lanterns hung from the trees, their soft glowcreating an inviting atmosphere. The air was filled with the sound of laughter, music, and the gentle hum of conversation. It was a picture-perfect scene. The six of us remained vigilant. We had to be on high alert for any signs of trouble. The families could attack at any moment.

I moved through the crowd, greeting relatives and making sure everything was running smoothly. The aroma of the food under the big tent was mouth-watering, a testament to the witches’ hard work. Everyone seemed happy. The adults talked to the spirits while the children ran around, playing games near the gazebo. The joy of the event was infectious.

“Everything okay here?” I asked Lia, who was fixing one of the decorations.

She nodded with a satisfied smile on her face. “Yeah. Nothing major.” She turned her gaze to the gathering. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”

“I’m just glad the balloons are staying up, and no one is attacking,” I chuckled. I spotted an elderly aunt talking animatedly with one of the spirits. You would never know that was a conversation between the living and the dead. It was a beautiful sight.

I took a moment to breathe, allowing myself to soak in the atmosphere. It was heartwarming to see this family come together and celebrate their heritage. The reunion continued without a hitch, giving me a piece of mind that made my vigilance wane a bit. The music grew louder, and more people joined in the dancing. Even Lia and Dre were laughing with a couple of women.

“There’s a slight disturbance near the western edge. Check it out,” Adèle’s voice broke my thoughts, this time with a hint of urgency.

Kota and Dre exchanged a quick glance before moving towards the area Adèle had indicated. I followed along withDea, Phi, and Lia. Their anxiety made mine worsen. This was it. When we approached, I saw the source of the disturbance. There was a faint shimmer in the air, and a ripple moved over the fabric of our wards.

“It’s minor,” Kota reported in a calm voice. “But it could be a test.”

Dre nodded in agreement. “Do you see whoever is testing things?”

Everyone’s head went on a swivel. “I don’t see anything,” I replied.

“They’re going to try and get the ancestors,” Dea said.

Lia grabbed her hand and said, “Let’s make sure the barrier around them is intact. It keeps them in and will protect them from attack, as well.” The pair turned their focus and checked the protective barrier around the gathered family members.

The rest of us kept our eyes sharp for any sign of the intruders. Phi stood by my side. Her energy was humming with readiness and prompted me to do the same. The first sign of the families’ attack came in the form of a dark, swirling mist that began to encroach upon the edges of our property. It was laced with malevolent energy, seeking to disrupt the harmony we had worked so hard to maintain.

“They’re trying to siphon the spirits’ power,” Dea said, her voice tight with concentration as she kept her focus on the barriers.

“They won’t get it. You worry about the wards around them and we will handle the rest out there,” Dre told her.

As the mist thickened, figures began to emerge. They had to be members of the three families. I recognized some from social media posts we’d looked over. Their faces were twisted with determination and greed. And they moved with purpose, aiming directly for the heart of our gathering.

“Not today,” I muttered, summoning a wave of fire todrive them back. The flames roared and moved through our protections to form a barrier of heat and light that forced the intruders to reconsider their approach.

Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. I squinted and saw the wolves. It was Lucas and Noah racing along the edge of our land. They were snarling and snapping at people trying to cross down there. They would tear them apart if they managed to get through.

A surge of water next to me made me gasp. When I looked over, I noticed Lia creating a barrier that merged with my flames. Steam hissed as the two elements combined to form a formidable defense. The others used earth magic to make the ground tremble and break beneath the feet of our attackers. Vines shot up and wrapped around ankles next.

“Xinar and Terrence are coming to coral these assholes,” Adèle informed us. She was in front of us prowling closer to the wards.

I spotted the head of the Montclair family. His hands were raised as he chanted a spell. With a determined shout, I sent a concentrated burst of energy his way, disrupting his incantation and causing him to stagger.

“Keep going!” I urged my sisters. We just needed to keep them distracted so Terrence could arrest them.

Dea’s spirit magic flared brightly before she threw a spell at those closest to her. We got in sync and began working in tandem. Their magic was a seamless blend of strength and precision. The mist began to dissipate. The families’ resolve was weakening under our relentless assault. I saw fear flicker in their eyes as they realized they were losing. Terence arrived them and threw chains at the individuals. They wrapped around their torsos, stopping their magic.

Shouts echoed, and people tried to run. Xinar, Lucas, Noah, Cyran, and Talindra moved to stop them along with their people. Terence laughed as he disabled the rest of them. “I like working with you guys. My stats have never been better,” he said.

Shaking my head, I let go of the tension riddling my body. The families weren’t going to be successful. The air cleared, and the oppressive energy lifted. Marie and her ancestors continued enjoying each other’s company without any awareness of what had happened.

“I can’t believe we averted that disaster,” I mumbled as we headed back toward the house and the party.

Lia chuckled and wrapped an arm around my back. “You have to start believing in us, sestra. You should know by now that together there isn’t anything we can’t do.”

“Someday I will,” I assured her. When we got close it became obvious that there was a sense of renewed hope and unity among the Leveau family. The night ended on a hopeful note, the legacy of the Leveau family was honored and preserved.

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