Page 31 of Mardi Gras Murders & Midnight Masquerades
Jeff accepted the hot tea Phi offered while Kota explained. "Not who. What. They wore Society masks, but they weren't members. They weren't even human."
“I think I sensed these entities earlier when I was searching for the Society,”Adèle's mental voice was thoughtful. “Or rather, I picked up empty shells animated by something that dwells between realms. Kota was wise to flee rather than engage. We need to understand what is going on better.”
Jeff nodded in agreement. "That’s an apt description. They were puppets with empty eye sockets and controlled by something else."
"Oh, we also ran into Kassandra," Kota added. "She warned us about something ancient beneath the city that's been manipulating the Society since its inception. She confirmed the Society is not behind the murders. They're being used just like we thought."
Silence fell as we processed this. It confirmed what we had suspected and what Dani had discovered at the gallery. Society members were oblivious to the true purpose of their collection.
"We found a central control mechanism disguised as a parade float," Jeff explained. "It was a carousel with masks on the people."
"It was also covered in sigils. And I bet they were siphoning power from the Society's own collection system," Kota added with a wave of her hand.
"The murderer is piggybacking on the Society's magical network," Dre mused. Her telekinesis unconsciously started moving papers. "Whoever is doing this is using them as a power source without their knowledge. Do you think we can turn them against this prick?"
“I highly doubt it. In a group like the Society, the members tend to be brainwashed. Or, at the very least, firm believers in their cause. It would take a lot to change their opinions.I’m not sure your efforts would be worth it,”Adèle replied. “Your efforts would go to better use trying to understand what is going on.”
Nodding in agreement, I spread the damp maps across the table. The red markings Jeff had added showed a geometric pattern centered on Jackson Square, with five anomalous points that didn't fit the main design. "Five points," Dani murmured. "We have five victims so far."
"Six," I corrected grimly. "Don’t forget the woman on the cathedral steps."
"Actually," Phi interjected, "the sixth victim was different. The marks weren't channeling sigils like the others. They were containment runes."
"She was a failed vessel," I realized. "He killed her as a test. He is looking for potential hosts."
Dre studied the map with growing concern. "These five points don't form a pentagram like we thought. They form a star with uneven points. It makes no sense."
"Like this?" Phi turned her tablet to show us a constellation chart.
"What is it?" I asked.
"It’s an Algol," Adèle said grimly. "The Demon Star. In ancient beliefs, it represented Medusa's eye. It is associated with death, violence, and demonic possession."
"We need to check the underground network connecting these murder sites," Dre decided. "If they're creating a star pattern based on Algol, there could be magical channels beneath the city linking these points."
"We're not all going," I said firmly, glancing at Kota's exhausted form. "You need to recover."
"Like hell I'm staying behind," Kota protested, attempting to stand before swaying dangerously.
"I need you and Phi to analyze those maps further," Dre countered diplomatically. "If those puppet things come here,we need someone with experience at home." Kota knew she was too magically depleted to be effective. She sank back, reluctantly nodding.
"Dani, Dea, Lia, you're with me," Dre announced. "Lucas, can you get Noah and meet us at Jackson Square?"
We gathered our supplies quickly. We each had on our protective amulets. We each grabbed the Fae daggers Fiona’s mate had created for us. We also grabbed various potions and magical supplies before heading out.
I slid behind the wheel of my SUV. My hands were steady despite the tension crackling between us. I've always prided myself on staying composed in a crisis and channeling my energy into focus rather than fear. It was difficult this time, given the murders we hadn’t been able to stop.
The engine roared to life and my headlights cut through the lingering mist as we pulled away from the plantation. No one spoke as I drove. The windshield wipers kept time like a metronome. They were the only sound besides the occasional rumble of distant thunder. Each of my sisters was lost in her own thoughts, preparing in her own way for what lay ahead. I kept my eyes fixed on the rain-slicked road, grateful for the moment of quiet contemplation.
Lightning still flickered in the distance. The worst of the storm had passed, leaving behind a world washed clean and eerily still.“The energy shifts as you get closer to the city,”Adèle said into our minds. She was back at the plantation but still clearly checking for energy signatures. “Be careful. I’m not sure whatever lurks beneath is still down there.”
“We always are,”Dre reassured her.
The rain had subsided to a steady drizzle by the time we reached the French Quarter. The streets were eerily empty. It was as if the city sensed the danger lurking beneathits surface.
We parked my SUV a block from Jackson Square to approach on foot. I said a silent prayer there wasn’t another victim. The last thing we needed was for Detective Payne to catch us at another crime scene.
Lucas and Noah joined us, moving silently despite the slick cobblestones. "The pack is on alert," Lucas murmured, his warm hand finding mine. "If those puppet things show up again, we'll know."
