Sweaty Nights & Gator Bites (Twisted Sisters Midlife Maelstrom #12)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

DEANDRA

W e were running around trying to solve a murder while Noah and Lucas took the body to the paranormal police office. Terrance had a bare bones staff there. Maybe this would be the push he needed to hire a medical examiner like Phi had told Terrance and the council. We needed to find a supernatural coroner who could investigate murders like this. Our life was truly surreal. Beads of sweat poured down my face bringing me back to our mission.

The sweltering humidity wrapped around me like a wet blanket as we trudged deeper into the murky depths of the swamp. “We’d better get this investigation done before I melt,” I blurted and then glared at Kota. She was taking her sweet time to investigate every leaf on the bushes we passed. As if they held the answers we were looking for. I had to swallow my irritation before I snapped at one of my sisters.

Every step squelched underfoot. The mud clung to our boots with stubborn persistence. The heavy air was filled with the chorus of distant croaks and the occasional splash of unseen creatures darting into the shelter of the dark waters.

Dani led the way, using a simple illumination spell to cut through the creeping fog that hovered just above the water's surface. “We aren't going to melt. Just keep your eyes peeled and your senses sharp,” she replied, her tone steady despite the oppressive atmosphere.

Lia nodded in agreement. “We're not just looking for physical traces. We should tune into the swamp's energy.”

I adjusted the strap of the crossbody bag slung over my shoulder. I wished for a moment that it was some kind of spectral analyzer with a screen that would flicker with erratic spikes as we neared our target. The ability to see ghosts had always been with me, but there were times I hated having that responsibility. “This place feels alive,” I commented as my spiritual powers kicked in. My voice was low and almost swallowed by the swamp's ambient noises. “It's like walking through a living dream, or maybe a nightmare.”

Lia pointed towards a particularly dense thicket. “Something’s over there. Something is definitely off."

Kota’s expression morphed to her RBF as she scanned the tree line. She had some of the best resting bitch face of anyone alive. It would put anyone in line. Her hand never strayed far from the hilt of the machete she’d conjured. “This isn't just any swamp. It’s a breeding ground for dark magic and even darker creatures," she remarked. Her gaze never wavered from the dense underbrush.

The air suddenly grew thicker, and a surge of supernatural energy followed. I halted, signaling the others to gather around. I opened my senses more trying to figure out what I was feeling. “I think we're right on top of a major energy node. It’s hard to tell for sure.”

Lia cocked her head to the side. “I think you’re right. And I bet the gator shifters use this spot frequently. That could be how the victim was targeted.”

Phi pulled out a set of enchanted crystals from her bag and started to place them in a circle around the node. “These will help us trace the flow of energy. Maybe we can map their movement patterns,” she suggested. As a scientist, she researched different things all the time. And that had led her to buying different things to try. She’d just begun experimenting and we’d learned a lot so far.

Lia bent to help, placing the crystals as Phi directed. My blood ran cold when the earlier sounds of wildlife abruptly ceased, leaving a suffocating silence in their wake. Dre, who had been quietly observing the perimeter turned to face us. “We're not alone. I can feel eyes on us, watching from the shadows.”

I followed her gaze, peering into the tangled vines and twisted trees. For a moment, the shadows appeared to shift. They coalesced into darker, more sinister forms. Dani threw her hands out and shouted an illumination spell. Whatever creatures were stalking us, instantly shrank back.

“We need to find that trail quickly," Dani barked at Phi and Lia. “Dre, keep track of our exit route. Kota, stay on guard. You two get back to work while Dea and I gather samples. We might not get another chance if they decide we're intruders.”

Dani and I hurriedly collected soil samples and water from the nearby stagnant pool while Phi and Lia continued their thing. Each sample vial I sealed seemed to pulse with the swamp's latent energy. I’d known there were powerful forces out here, but they were even more than I thought.

Kota suddenly stiffened and her pale pink witch fire flared to life. “Something’s coming,” she warned in a voice barely above a whisper.

Without needing further prompting, we quickly gathered our equipment. By the time I stood, the others were ready for whatever the swamp decided to throw our way. The brief calm was shattered as the rustling of the underbrush heralded the approach of something large. It wasn’t something natural, either.

Dre stepped forward and conjured her witch fire. She threw some flames at the advancing noise making sure it didn’t burn the plants. “Whatever you are, show yourself. We're not here to invade. We're here to understand what happened,” she called into the darkness.

The shadows at the edge of our light trembled, and for a moment, it seemed as if the swamp itself was considering her offer. The tension was a tangible thing that wrapped around us. It was as thick and suffocating as the fog that started to blanket the ground.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, its light filtered through the dense canopy. It cast unique shadows that danced on the murky waters below. It was one thing I loved about the swamp. Looking at the designs on the water’s surface was like cloud gazing.

Kota shrugged her shoulders and waved her machete to the line of pale green moving away from the crystals. “Whoever is out there isn’t saying anything. We need to move on.”

Everyone was wary as we started following the trail. We walked for about ten minutes before our little group approached a cluster of weathered shacks hidden among the gnarled trees of the swamp. It smelled like damp earth and wild vegetation. Normally, that reminded me of the untamed wilderness that surrounded us but now I wondered if it was something more.

The trail died out in the middle of the small community. Our goal had been to track the elusive gator shifters. Instead, we found human faces peering cautiously from behind curtained windows. The swamp dwellers here were as much a part of this environment as the cypress and Spanish moss.

Lia was the social worker of our group and was the first to bridge gaps. She called out in a friendly tone, "Hello there! We're not here to cause trouble. We're looking for some information and thought maybe you could help us.”

A grizzled old man stepped forward warily sizing us up. His face was as weathered as the bark of the trees surrounding his home. He lived close to nature and its whims. “What do you want with us?” he asked. Even his voice was as rough as the trees.

Lia stepped forward and her diplomatic skills came to the fore. “We've noticed some disturbances in the swamp. Things that might concern you as well. We think it might be related to the gator shifters,” she explained in a respectful and genuine tone. I wanted to slap my hand over her mouth. Why in the hell had she just said that? We weren’t supposed to talk about the magical world with mundies!

The man's eyes narrowed, but before he could reply, a younger woman emerged from one of the shacks. She looked harried. Her eyes were filled with a mix of suspicion and desperation. “If you know something about those creatures, you should tell us. Our crops have been failing, and we’ve seen things at night...”

Dre stepped next to Lia and responded. “We might be able to help with your crops. We have some knowledge of magical remedies that could help them recover. In exchange, could you share what you've seen?” I was late to the game. It became clear these weren’t normal people. Now that I tuned my magical senses, I picked up on their magical side. I couldn’t tell anything else about them though.

The offer seemed to soften those watching us. After a brief exchange of looks among themselves, the young woman nodded. “We will share what we’ve seen. But first, you have to see this.”

We walked to the other side of their homes. The sight was horrific. It looked like a dead patch of land. Dani and I walked with the young woman to examine the blighted plants closer while Lia and Phi prepared a concoction from the supplies in our packs. Dre and Kota stood sentry in the event these people turned on us. They’d get six pissed off dragons if they did that.

As I touched the withered leaves, I felt the residual magic. It was a dark, corrupting force that seemed out of place in the natural decay of the swamp. “This blight isn’t natural,” I murmured, focusing my energy to diagnose the depth of the corruption.

Kota and Dre started engaging the locals and gathering their stories while I tried to figure things out. It was incredibly distracting and I found myself listening to the information rather than the plants. “The shifters have been more aggressive lately," one old woman shared in a trembling voice. “They've been coming closer to our homes. Strange marks have been left on the trees. We think they’re marking their territory and trying to push us out.”

Lia and Phi joined Dani and I. Phi gave me a vial of something and said, “Apply two drops to the base of each plant”

Nodding, I did as she instructed and noted that the swamp dwellers were watching. Their skepticism slowly gave way to curiosity as the magic took hold. The darkness was pushed down and away from the root systems. Green vitality slowly seeped back into the stems and leaves. “Give it some time,” I reassured them. “This is going to help.”

Gratitude warmed their faces, and their tales flowed more freely. They spoke of the shifters with a mixture of fear and respect. They described how the balance had shifted. That change had disrupted an ancient pact they had with the swamp.

“The youngest ones are restless. They’re crossing boundaries that were respected for generations,” the old man explained. I could hear the worry in his voice. “Something’s stirring them up. It’s something new.”

Phi scribbled notes furiously as they spoke, the pieces of our puzzle slowly forming a partial picture. The shifters' behavior was a symptom of a larger disruption in the swamp's magical ecosystem. The problem was we didn’t have enough to make a determination about who killed the selkie or how to fix things for the creatures living there.

The sun set, casting the swamp into twilight as we thanked the community for their hospitality and insights. Their stories had not only deepened our understanding but also painted a different picture of the gator shifters. They were creatures caught in the throes of change.

We left the swamp dwellers with promises to return if we found a solution to the broader problem disturbing the peace of the swamp. “I tried to pin the location so we can come back if we need to,” Dre said as we made our way back through the thickening darkness.

“That was smart thinking,” I replied as I tried to lighten my footsteps. This trip had taught me the swamp was a living entity with a unique heartbeat that reverberated through the dense, muggy air.

"The energy here is suffocating," Dani muttered. “Or maybe it’s just the heat and humidity.”

Phi was scanning the shadowy underbrush when she shorted. “It’s both. The combination is uncomfortable.” She turned her attention to me. “Dea, do you sense any spirits out here? It reminds me of the times we’ve encountered powerful ghosts. We can't afford to be caught off guard.”

The ground became spongier under our boots. Each of our steps left deep impressions in the mud. The usual chorus of wildlife was muted as if the animals were wary of the discord permeating their habitat. “There aren’t any close to us. I bet this power is keeping them away too,” I replied as I flicked the mud from my boot.

Kota gripped the handle of her blade and chuckled softly. Her voice carried a touch of her usual humor despite the grim setting. “At least the spirits aren’t talking. It’s the mouthy ones we've got to worry about.”

Dre grabbed her phone and opened the camera app. She started capturing images of our surroundings. “These photos might help us later, to see if there's anything we missed with the naked eye. I just wish it could record magical anomalies. Then we would know precisely where the problems were centered.”

I nodded, appreciating her foresight. “Good idea, Dre. You might even be able to get images of some spirits before they fully manifest. I can’t shake the feeling something is blocking them.”

As we reached a particularly dense part of the swamp, the atmosphere became charged with an electric tension I usually associated with ghosts. I stopped, closing my eyes to better sense the spiritual currents. When I felt a presence beside me, I opened my eyes to see my sister, Lia.

Lia was in a defensive position while watching our surroundings. “What do you feel, Dea? Is this the center of the disturbance? If so, we should look around for the source of it. There has to be something causing all of this.”

I pointed towards a grove of gnarled trees. Their branches were twisted grotesquely as if in pain. “Over there. The spirits are most turbulent around that area. It feels like a wound on the land that is festering and unhealed.”

We approached the grove cautiously. The ground here was littered with fragments of what looked like ceremonial pottery and torn fabric. The first thought that popped into my head was that they were the remnants of rituals or offerings that had been desecrated.

“This is a sacred site,” I observed in a whisper. “Or it was. The spirits are clamoring from the violations committed here. We need to cleanse this spot. But first, we should find a way to understand the extent of the corruption to know how deep and far our efforts need to go.”

Dre knelt, sifting through the debris. “Look at this,” she said, holding up a piece of rock with symbols that seemed to shimmer momentarily under her touch. “This isn’t just physical desecration. These were protective wards that have been destroyed.”

Kota frowned. “Whoever did this, knew exactly what they were doing. This isn't random. This area was targeted. We’re dealing with someone who understands the spiritual significance of the swamp. Who they are or what they want is still a mystery, though.”

I gathered logs and branches, arranging them in a makeshift altar. “Help me set up for a ritual. I need to ask the spirits for what they’ve seen. They’re blocked and likely scared, but they might be able to tell me something that will help.”

Phi and Lia had a makeshift table set up for me in seconds flat. I wasted no time and began. The fragments left behind began to glow faintly in response to the power I directed toward them. For a few seconds that was all that happened.

When I was about to give up, the air grew cooler. I breathed a bit easier when some of the oppressive weight lifted. And the spirits felt closer to me. Soft murmurs filed my ears next. They were trying to communicate. Their messages were fragmented. I had to shut everything else out and concentrate. My mind then filled with images of shadows and the glint of metal. They were giving me hints of their tormentors.

“Once she’s done here, we track these bastards down," Dani growled. “No one gets to stir up this kind of trouble in our backyard.”

I shook my head to clear it and Dre pounced on me asking, “Did they tell you anything? Who is behind this?”

Needing to move, I grabbed a few of the rocks and shoved them in my bag to look at later and resumed walking. “I got tidbits of information. It was all jumbled. I’m going to need time to sort through it and see if there’s anything cohesive.”

The swamp was unnervingly quiet as they followed me. Aside from the grumblings of six middle-aged women. The heat and humidity were messing with our ability to think straight. Kota and Phi moved ahead of us. Their keen senses led the way as we navigated through the dense foliage and murky waters.

Kota suddenly stopped, holding up a hand to signal us. “Guys, over here. Look at this,” she whisper-yelled.

We gathered around her and peered at the ground where a series of large, reptilian tracks were imprinted in the soft mud. The tracks were enormous. Clearly too large for any ordinary alligator. And they seemed to shimmer with a magical residue.

"These are fresh," Kota observed, crouching down to get a closer look. "And look at this residue. It's almost like that glowing algae.”

Phi shook her head. “You mean like bioluminescent plants. In nature, there are no true ones like that. However, scientists have found a way to artificially create them by genetically combining them with bioluminescent bacteria. There are also plant-like protists called dinoflagellates that are capable of bioluminescence. ”

Lia snorted and held up a hand. “You’re saying this is a magical signature. We should grab some so we can track it. It might be helpful.”

“Sorry. I went into professor mode there for a second,” Phi said as she knelt beside Kota. Her fingers traced the edge of the tracks. “These tracks belong to a shifter in mid-transformation,” she murmured. “I think the residue indicates a blend of human and reptilian forms. Maybe this creature was caught mid-transition."

Lia glanced at me, her expression both intrigued and concerned. "If these tracks are fresh, then the shifter can't be far. And if they’re stuck, they might need help.”

I made a face. “That means we have to follow the tracks.”

Dre clapped my shoulder and nodded. It wasn’t worth arguing over. This was our life now. We couldn’t run away. We were led deeper into the heart of the swamp. The faint tang of something unnatural joined the swamp’s typical smells. The tracks became more erratic, zigzagging through the underbrush and over fallen logs.

Dani kept her voice low, barely above a whisper. “This could be a path to their lair or some kind of gathering place. Look at all the tracks.”

“Just pick a path and follow it,” Kota grumbled. “This place isn’t going to tell us anything and I’m getting hangry. We aren't skipping dinner again. My health can’t take that shit all the time.”

“Mine either,” Dre sighed and jerked her chin ahead of us. “Might as well keep on in the direction we were heading.”

After what felt like an eternity, the tracks led us to a secluded grove. The trees there were older. Their gnarled branches formed a natural canopy that blocked out most of the sky overhead. In the center of the grove was a clearing, the ground littered with remnants of rituals. The earth was scorched. There were also broken bones and strange symbols carved into the trees.

“This is,” Phi began, “a place of power for them. Maybe where they gather and perform their rituals.”

Kota scanned the area with sharp eyes. “We need to be careful. If this is their meeting spot, it means they could return at any moment.”

The atmosphere in the grove was heavy with the weight of ancient magic. I could feel the lingering energies. They were a chaotic blend of power that hinted at the shifters’ attempts to harness and manipulate their environment. But none of it was the same evil I’d felt permeating the swamp.

Dre pointed to a cluster of stones arranged in a rough circle. “This looks like some kind of altar. What do you think they use it for?”

I lifted a shoulder and stepped closer. The air around it was charged. The hum of energy resonated with the glowing plants we had seen earlier. “This place holds a lot of their secrets. If we can decipher their rituals, we might understand their motives better and if they would kill a selkie.”

“We also need to know if they’ve tainted the swamp.” Dani gestured around us with a sweep of her arm. “We need to document everything and gather as much evidence as possible. This could be the breakthrough we need to understand the shifters' activities and their connection to the recent disturbances.”

As we worked, the stillness of the grove pressed in on us. It heightened my senses and made every rustle of leaves sound like an approaching threat. It felt like we were being watched. My gut told me the invisible eyes of the swamp's spirits were observing our every move.

“This place is a goldmine of information,” Phi said, carefully collecting samples of the magical residue. “If we can analyze these, we might be able to pinpoint the shifters' next move.”

Lia nodded as her gaze swept over the grove. “This discovery puts us one step closer to understanding them. But it also puts us at greater risk.”

We finished our investigation as quickly and thoroughly as possible, knowing that every second spent in the grove increased the danger of being discovered. With our evidence gathered, we retraced our steps. “We need to get back and analyze this data,” Dani said, her voice steady. “And we need to plan our next move carefully. The shifters are more organized than we thought. We can't afford to accuse them unless we are absolutely certain.”

“Dani, are you sure we can handle a reunion for Marie Leveau? I mean she tried to kill us not that long ago.” I pointed out as we trudged through the dense underbrush. The swamp was oppressive and the humid air clung to our skin like a second layer.

Dani glanced at me with a confident smile on her face. “No problem. I've got ideas already percolating.” Of course, she did. Planning the perfect event was one of Dani’s superpowers. “Just because we're up to our necks in gator shifters doesn't mean the reunion gets a pass. Multitasking is our forte.” She wasn’t kidding about that. I was still amazed that we were able to keep our business running while also handling all the supernatural chaos in New Orleans. Most wouldn’t have been able to plan a party, let alone decorate and host one when stopping a dead witch’s curse from destroying lives or sending an evil loa back where he belongs.

Phi nodded. “Besides, with the kids taking a bigger role in the business, we have more time and breathing room. I can’t function without my sleep like I used to when I was in my twenties. ”

“You and me both,” Lia agreed.

I watched as Dani pulled out her phone and began taking notes about her ideas. She sent Lia’s daughter a message about some designs to start working on. “Who do you think we should use for food?”

Phi brushed some Spanish moss away from her face using air. “I've been thinking about that. What about getting in touch with Chef René? His catering is legendary, and he understands the local cuisine.”

Dre nodded in agreement. "René would be great, but we might need more options in case he's already booked."

“How about that new food truck collective downtown?” Kota suggested “They have a variety of options, and they might be able to handle the size of our gathering.”

“We could also reach out to Aunt Eliza,” I added “She's been hosting big family events since mom passed away. She also has connections with some excellent cooks.”

“Whatever we do, don’t forget the gumbo,” Kota added. “It's not a proper New Orleans gathering without gumbo.”

“True,” Dre agreed. “We need someone who can make it just right. Maybe Mrs. Broussard? Her gumbo is to die for.” We continued throwing around ideas while we headed back to Lia’s car.

Phi changed the subject by asking, “What about desserts? We can't forget the sweets. We can have Tegan make them. She’s a good baker. Or we can find someone.” Lia’s daughter Tegan made extra money by doing desserts. As a college student, she needed all the money she could earn. And we used her whenever she had time.

Lia grinned. “I’ll ask Tegan if she has time. It’s close to the end of the semester, so she might be slammed with finals. If she can’t do it, there's that bakery on Chartres Street, the one with the enchanted beignets. They'd be a hit.”

Dani waved her cell phone at Phi. “I’ve started a list that I’ll send to you so we can expand on it later. For now, let's stay focused here."

The magical energies became more volatile as we put more space between us and the shifter clearing. The spirits of the swamp were also restless and agitated. “These spirits are in turmoil,” I said, feeling the waves of distress and anger emanating from the spiritual plane. “We need to do something before it gets worse.”

This was not how I saw our day going. We had a couple of smaller events to plan and were knee-deep in that before getting the call. Thankfully, we’d nearly finished detailing what we needed for those. The kids could handle most of them while we focused on unraveling the mysteries of the swamp and in bringing Marie Leveau's family together for a reunion they would never forget.