Page 54 of Langiappe & Lost Legends

"Besides don't mess with the Twisted Sisters?" Dre asked dryly.

"Or maybe don't try to rewrite reality?" Dani added.

"Or corrupting ancient artifacts probably isn't the best career choice?" Kota suggested.

"Or top hats are never coming back in style?" Phi contributed.

I laughed, feeling the last of the tension drain away. "Fair points. Though I'm still concerned about that time loop in the garden."

Hannah smiled as the other guardian spirits gathered around us. "You've done well," she said. "The crystal is back where it belongs, and its power will be used as it was meant to be. For protection and understanding, not dominion. Keep it safe in the hidden room. It will keep it invisible as if it’s stored in a Keeper’s vault."

"About that," I said, eyeing the property damage around us. The yard would never be the same. And the side of the magical kitchen looked as if a bomb had hit it. "Any chance it can help fix all this? Because I'm pretty sure our insurance doesn't cover a magical reality war. Also, the roses really need to stop blooming in reverse."

"Actually," Phi interjected, "if we use the crystal's harmonics to stabilize the residual temporal energy, we might be able to reverse some of the damage. Though we should probably deal with that garden situation first. The roses are starting to draw the pixies’ attention. We don’t want them getting sucked up into any problems."

"After dinner," I declared firmly. "And possibly a nap. No, definitely a nap. Maybe several stacked on top of each other like a sleep parfait."

Dre chuckled and clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You mean let’s get a good night’s sleep?”

“Now you’ve cursed us. Some new crisis is going to interrupt what would have been wonderful rest,” I lamented as I looked around at my sisters.

CHAPTER 20

DANIELLE

"No, no, NO!" I called out as one of the floating lanterns started drifting sideways. It nearly collided with another that seemed determined to recreate interpretive dance. "They need to create a spiral pattern upward. Not play the world's most inane game of ping pong." I pinched the bridge of my nose as I fought back a headache. After saving reality, you'd think decorating for a party would be easier. I should have known better.

"Having fun?" Lia asked. True to her word, she didn’t have an energy drink in her hand. That was seriously impressive. Although, we should never have questioned her ability to cut back. She did whatever she put her mind to.

"Define fun," I muttered as I watched Noah snag one of the lanterns before it floated away. Phi adjusted her spell and the lanterns finally began moving in the correct formation. Their starlight-infused glow created patterns across the lawn. "Because I'm pretty sure this isn't it. And if that lantern starts doing the macarena again, I'm going to scream."

"That was kind of funny though," Kota called from where she was arranging flowers. "At least until it tried to teach the others."

We'd transformed Willowberry's grounds into something out of a fairy tale. Literally, since our clients were Light Fae. Moonflowers bloomed out of season. Their petals caught the ethereal light from enchanted crystals. The guardian circles' power had been temporarily masked by layers of decorative magic that made them look like elaborate garden designs instead of supernatural protection. That feature wouldn’t remain permanent. Between our mundie and supernatural visitors, we couldn’t afford to have attention on us.

"At least nothing's exploding," Dre offered helpfully as she finished arranging the custom glasses. "Yet. Though I'm a little concerned about those balloons. They seem to be fighting Dea."

"Don't jinx it," I warned, eyeing the arches warily. "We've still got three hours until the guests arrive. Those floating lanterns are one misaligned spell away from recreating the Great Fire of seventeen-eighty-eight."

My sisters continued their banter while I surveyed our work with a critical eye. The floating lanterns created a canopy of light above the dance area. Their glow shifted between silver and gold like captured starlight. Enchanted fountains sparkled with actual starlight thanks to a few handy spells Adele taught us.

"The Silvermists are here early," Noah reported when he returned from his security check. Based on his expression, he expected me to melt down because we weren’t done. "They're impressed with the security measures."

"They should be impressed with security," I replied. Kota was finishing her last flower arrangement, so we were done. "We've got enough protective magic layered into this place to stop an army." I went to greet Jasper and Peni and walk them through everything.

As twilight approached, the supernatural elite of New Orleans began arriving in waves of power and interesting fashion choices. Many of the Light Fae wore elaborate formalwear that probably cost more than our yearly budget. They also floated in like mystical fashion models. A few Dark Fae tried to look appropriately celebratory while maintaining their gothic aesthetic. It resulted in what looked like a Victorian funeral attending a beach party. Gargoyles, elves, and djinn showed up as well.

"Look at them all playing nice," Lia mused from our observation point near the house. "Do they know we just saved their realities?"

"Probably not," I replied, watching as Jasper and Penelope made their rounds. The happy couple practically glowed with Light Fae magic. "And let's keep it that way. I hate all the questions." Lia nodded in agreement and we headed over to get a drink from Brezok.

The celebration was in full swing, with Light and Dark Fae actually mingling without any magical incidents when Keryth approached our group. The elf leader moved with his usual grace. His perfectly tailored suit made everyone else look like they'd gotten dressed in the dark. His hazel eyes held that particular gleam that usually meant he was excited about something.

"Ladies," he greeted us smoothly. "Quite the impressive display. Especially, considering recent... events."

"No idea what you mean," Lia said innocently. There were too many ears around, and none of us felt like rehashing our adventure to stop the Lost Legends. "We've just been doing normal party planning things. You know, arranging flowers, setting up lights, preventing the complete collapse of all realities. The usual."

"Of course not," he smiled. The fellow council member was wise enough not to press the issue. "I have a proposition for you. How would you feel about hosting a Midnight Masquerade Ball during Mardi Gras?"

---