Page 41 of Mardi Gras Murders & Midnight Masquerades
Adèle leaped into a nearby tree. "They’re shadow hounds," she hissed. "Guardian constructs from the old world. They're hunters and protecters."
"Guardians of what?" Lia demanded. Her powercrackled around her fingertips as we waited to see what they would do.
"They're programmed to protect specific locations or people," Adèle explained.
"And we just triggered this magical alarm system," I concluded grimly.
"These guardians were created through blood sacrifice,” Adèle replied, “bound to serve for eternity. They can't be destroyed. Only redirected or temporarily dispelled."
The shadow hounds circled us with unnaturally fluid movements. They weren’t friendly. "Don't move," I warned. "If they're guardians, they might leave us alone if we don't appear threatening."
"Too late for that," Dani murmured as one hound lowered its head and it’s hackles rose.
"They won't attack yet," Adèle projected. "First, they'll return to their master to report. We can follow them back to their source."
"Then we follow them," I decided. "Right back to the mage."
One hound suddenly lifted its head as if hearing a silent command. All four turned as one and began loping toward the edge of the property. "I really hate running," I said as I began following. "You need to meet us wherever these things lead, Dre. And be ready to heal my sore muscles." Her chuckle echoed through the phone I was still holding.
I missed her response as we pursued the hounds across the plantation. I began to worry when we entered the woods across the way. I was struggling to match their preternatural speed. Lucas and Noah were right on their heels, so hopefully, we wouldn’t lose them.
"They're following a specific magical current," Adèle said into our minds as she raced beside us. "I think there is an old ley line that's been redirected."
Lia kept Dre and the others apprised as we ran. I wassucking too much wind to talk. It was getting harder to keep up as the terrain changed. The hounds led us deep into the bayou where ancient cypresses filtered the mid-morning sunlight. After nearly an hour, they slowed near an abandoned shack that had been half-reclaimed by swamp. The shadow hounds dissolved into mist before the doorway.
"This place is ancient," Adèle projected as we stood staring at the house. "From what I can tell from this distance, the wards are centuries old but regularly renewed. What’s really odd is that they recognize your magical signatures, as if they were programmed to admit witches with your particular energy patterns."
Lia looked at Dani, and me, and asked, "Dre and the others are on their way. Should we wait?"
"These wards don't see us as threats," Dani said as her hand hovered near the door.
Energy tingled against my fingertips as I tested the wards. When they parted like curtains drawn for expected guests, I knew Adèle had been right.
"That's... disturbing," Lia murmured.
"Maybe we're expected," Dani suggested warily.
Lucas and Noah went through the door, leaving us to debate going in. "It’s all clear. You're not going to believe what's in here."
The four of us raced inside the shack. It was nothing like its exterior suggested. Instead of a cramped, decaying space, we entered a vast workshop in what seemed to be a pocket dimension. Workbenches lined with tools and magical materials flanked the walls. Shelving units reached toward a shadowy ceiling. Each was filled with masks in various stages of completion.
"This is it," Dani breathed. "This is where he creates them."
I approached a central table displaying dozens of masks. There were some that had been carvedfrom wood and had basic sigils. They evolved into sophisticated creations incorporating metals, gems, and complex magical matrices.
"He's been refining his technique," I observed. "Learning what works best for energy collection and soul transfer."
"These are more than mere masks," Adèle projected from the table. "They're anchors for specific energies. Some collect, others store, and a few transfer consciousness."
"Look at these dates," Lia pointed to labels beneath each mask. "They span centuries. The oldest is from 1723."
"The year New Orleans became Louisiana's capital," a melodic voice said from the shadows.
We turned to see a tall, willowy figure with iridescent skin emerge from a hidden doorway. She was clearly a Fae. And if I wasn’t mistaken, an Elder. Lucas confirmed that when he greeted her and called her Elder Eliara.
Adèle dipped her head. "It has been many cycles since a familiar greeted you, Elder."
"Little guardian," the Fae acknowledged. "The line of familiars endures. This pleases me." That was not information we were supposed to let out yet. It would paint a target on their backs.
