Page 22 of Mardi Gras Murders & Midnight Masquerades
Anger surged through me, my witch fire crackling to life around my fingertips. I took a step forward, the temperature around me rising several degrees. "Cut the act," I snapped, power crackling visibly around me. "We know what you're doing with those rejected initiates. Using them to power your little société. Planning to drain the council members during the masquerade, aren't you?"
"Such accusations," she replied smoothly, her pendant pulsing darker as she circled the table toward us. "And without a shred of evidence. Not very becoming of the city's supposed protectors."
"That thing around your neck is all the evidence we need," Kota growled, wisps of steam curling fromher nostrils.
Alexis's hand went to her pendant, her expression hardening. "This is a family heirloom. Though I shouldn't be surprised you'd jump to wild conclusions based on your little... talent." Her gaze flicked dismissively to me. "Your visions aren't evidence, Lia. They're delusions."
"Those are souls trapped in that stone," I said, taking another step forward. "I can see them. Hear them screaming."
"And if they are?" Alexis challenged, her fangs extending slightly. "Energy must come from somewhere. The weak serve the strong. It's the natural order of things." Lucas moved protectively closer to me as Alexis's power filled the room, cold and ancient.
"You won't get away with this," Dre said, her voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air. "Whatever you're planning for the masquerade?—"
"Planning?" Alexis laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Dear girl, plans set in motion centuries ago are simply... coming to fruition. You've noticed only the surface ripples of what's to come."
"Then enlighten us," I challenged.
"I think not," she replied, her eyes glowing faintly red. "Though I admire your persistence, misguided as it is. You should focus on your own affairs. The Society has no quarrel with the Six... yet."
"It became our quarrel when you started killing innocent people," I shot back.
Dre caught my arm, her grip firm. "Lia, we're not going to resolve this here. We need more than suspicions."
Alexis's smile widened. "Listen to your sister, Lia. Evidence is everything. And right now, all you have are... feelings."
I wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug smile off her face, but Dre was right. Direct confrontation withoutproof would only put us at a disadvantage. "This isn't over," I promised, reluctantly stepping back.
"No," Alexis agreed, her pendant pulsing one final time. "It's only beginning."
As we left the council building, Dre kept her hand on my arm. "We need to warn the other supernaturals. If the Society is targeting potential initiates..."
"They won't believe us without proof," Kota countered.
"Then we get proof," I said firmly.
Looking back, I watched Alexis emerge. Her pendant caught the moonlight. For a moment, I swore I heard screams from its depths. As certain as I was about her charm, I also couldn't shake the feeling we were missing something crucial.
CHAPTER 8
Danielle
The Society's magic prickled across my skin as I stared at the box containing their mask. Kota had been the first to pick up the seepage of dark power even through Kaitlyn's reinforced protections. The null thingy she’d added was being eaten by their evil power. It made my stomach churn and my magic coil tight beneath my skin.
"The Society is clearly manipulating us," I said, breaking the tense silence. "If we keep reacting to their moves, we'll never get ahead of this."
Noah's warm hand settled on my shoulder. "We should change our approach."
"Their little tunnel adventure was a setup," Dre observed. "They wanted us to find that mask to obliterate our wards. We know they want to infiltrate Keryth’s masquerade. Where do we get ahead before the event? I don’t want to wait until that night to try and stop this. There will be too many here."
"Let’s not forget about the murder victims. We have a supernatural serial killer on the loose," I added. "We have to keep more innocents from dying."
"What are you suggesting?" Lia asked, her brow furrowing.
"I’m not entirely sure," I admitted. "We know we're only seeing the surface of a much deeper game and not much more."
“I don’t think there is one person responsible per se. I think the murders and the Society are connected,” Phi said as she looked up from her tablet. Her face was illuminated by its glow. "I've been cross-referencing timelines. There are discrepancies between the event we know key members of the Society attended and the murders, however both have layered power. The killer works with surgical precision, and the Society operates more ritualistically."
"That tells us very little," Kota said, cutting through the brewing argument. "Discussing who's responsible for what is going to keep us going in circles. Both are connected to the carnival season somehow."
