Page 57 of Mardi Gras Murders & Midnight Masquerades
"You’re forgetting the blood from each ofus,” Dani added. “It must be freely given while reciting a binding spell in perfect synchronization.”
“The willing sacrifice is what binds the spell,”Adèle explained.
Dre nodded in agreement. “That’s the easy part. We need to collect everything under tonight's waning moon. And it has to be mixed in a vessel made before Delacroix's time."
“We’ve got that covered,” Cami assured us. “Thank the gods no one touched my mother’s stuff in the attic over the centuries.”
“The moon reaches position at 11:42 exactly,”Adèle informed us. “You have to be ready by then.”
Dre was already pulling maps of the French Quarter from drawers. "We need to divide and conquer, but stay connected."
“Lucas and I will get the grave dirt and black iris from the cemetery,” I volunteered.
"Noah and I can handle the cathedral," Dani said. "My psychometry might help locate the exact font Eleanor meant."
"Phi and I will get the river water," Dre interjected.
“Be wary of the water spirits,”Adèle cautioned. “They've grown restless since the magical hurricane disturbed their ancient pact. Bring an offering of silver to appease them.”
"That leaves me to get the dirt from Marie, I guess," Dea said with a grimace.
"You can ask her to bring it here," Phi suggested.
Dea nodded. "I will. That way, I can start the potion."
"Stay alert," Dre warned as we headed out. "Delacroix has eyes all over the city."
We scattered from the library like seeds on the wind. Each group slipped away into the shadows of New Orleans' night. Dre and Phi headed toward the river while Noah and Dani's silhouettes disappeared in the direction of the cathedral.Dea remained behind, already preparing for Marie. She had the hardest job.
Lucas was parked at the cemetery less than ten minutes later. The night air hung heavy with humidity as the Alpha and I made our way through Metairie Cemetery. The iron gates had long been locked to keep tourists out after dark. Locks weren’t much of an obstacle when you had magic.
"Stay close," Lucas murmured. His wolf senses were on high alert as we navigated the elaborate pathways between ornate mausoleums and stone angels. "There's something off about the energy here tonight."
He was right. The cemetery felt alive in a way that had nothing to do with Dea's ability to communicate with the dead. Shadows moved with purpose among the ornate mausoleums and stone angels of Metairie Cemetery.
We approached the Army of Tennessee monument, its grand stone structure looming in the darkness. "There," I pointed to a cluster of black iris growing improbably from the stone base of the monument." Adèle was right. I never would have guessed absorbing decades of military protection spells would allow them to grow like this." I knelt to harvest three of the dark blooms, their petals nearly iridescent in the moonlight.
Lucas tensed beside me. "We're not alone."
I froze halfway through collecting the flowers. "What is it?"
"Shadow hounds," he growled. His eyes flashed amber. "At least four of them, trying to surround us."
I slipped the flowers into my bag and stood slowly. "How far away are they?"
"Fifty yards and closing," Lucas replied as he positioned himself in front of me.
I pulled out my phone and quickly texted ourgroup chat. "Heads up, everyone. We've got shadow hounds at Metairie."
Dani’s reply was terse. "Same at the cathedral. They're patrolling in pairs."
"River's clear for now," Dre reported. "But we're moving fast."
Kota’s message came last. "We're heading home now."
My stomach clenched as I watched the dark hounds emerge from behind the tombs. Their red eyes gleamed as they watched us. The shadow hounds were Delacroix's supernatural sentinels.
I drew a containment sigil in the air with my witch fire. It left glowing amber trails that solidified into a barrier. "That should slow them down, but we need to move."
