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

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

DANIELLE

“ W hat the...” My voice trailed off as the front door of Willowberry Plantation creaked open. I looked at the long shadows stretching across the entryway. We all turned, our conversations dying mid-sentence as the powerful presence of Marie Leveau filled the doorway.

“I didn’t know whether to knock or not. This is a business, yes?” Marie, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, asked. Her aura demanded attention. She’d been our enemy from the day Phoebe awakened our dormant magical DNA. We didn’t agree with her plans to steal a body for her purposes, nor with the way she ruled New Orleans with an iron fist. Only after we’d sent her evil loa, Baron Samedi, back to his realm had she changed her malicious tune.

“Marie,” I replied tersely. “What brings you here in person? ”

Dre crossed her arms, skepticism etched on her face. “Yeah, what do you want now? We are in the planning phases of your reunion and don’t have choices for you yet.”

Marie stepped further into the house and hovered outside the ladies’ parlor where we blocked the entrance. We stepped back and allowed her to join us. “I've been contemplating the legacy of the Leveau line and feel it is time to address some unresolved issues from our past. It will help the reunion be successful. My ancestors will not come if they sense the animosity between us.”

Dea's brow furrowed with concern. “Unresolved issues? What do you mean? If you think we will suddenly trust you, you’re crazy.”

Marie sighed deeply, her voice filled with regret and determination. “The wrongs I’ve perpetrated have weakened my family's spiritual ties. It is a weight I can no longer bear alone. To rectify this, I must prove that things have changed. I cannot do that unless you all believe that I am no longer the same woman.”

Phi glanced at me, curiosity and skepticism in her eyes. “You're asking for a lot. How can we be sure you're sincere?” she asked.

Marie’s voice softened, filled with regret. “I know my words might ring hollow given our history. But I am sincere. My family's spiritual strength has waned because of my actions. It is why I summoned Samedi to begin with. I cannot be the Voodoo Queen without the full power of my ancestors behind me.”

Kota took a seat and tapped her fingers on the arm of the couch. “And how exactly do you propose we do that?”

Marie perched on the edge of a chair. “When you host my family reunion, I need Dea to summon the spirits of my ancestors. They can see the change in me and my relationship with your family.” That was why she was asking us to do her reunion. She needed someone with true connections to both the living and the dead. Dea was the only one that had that power.

Dre's skepticism deepened. “And why should we trust you? What's to say you won’t turn on us the second you have more power?”

There was a moment of silence before Marie replied. “This isn't about personal gain. It's about righting the wrongs of the past and restoring our family's honor and spiritual strength. If I don't do this, my line will continue to suffer.”

I exchanged a look with my sisters, feeling the weight of the decision before us. “This sounds like a monumental task, Marie. I can’t guarantee anything.”

Adèle joined us. “ Be careful, but I think she is being sincere. She couldn’t be here if she was using the reunion as a ruse. ”

Marie’s eyes narrowed on our familiar and I worried she could sense what Adèle was. I sighed in relief when the Voodoo Queen lifted her scowl to me. “This requires your trust and your commitment. And Dea’s ability to call my ancestors.”

I took a deep breath and looked over at Dea. She seemed to have a brief conversation with Adèle, who was winding her body around her legs. Finally, my sister inclined her head and faced the voodoo queen. “Alright," she said. “We'll help. But know that we are watching you closely. Any sign of deceit, and we won't hesitate to stop.”

Marie lifted her chin and sniffed. “That's all I can ask.”

Dea clasped her hands together. “We'll need to prepare carefully for this. The spirits will not be easy to convince.”

Marie looked at Dea with an inscrutable expression. “Because you agree, I can share this with you." She reached into her bag and pulled out a weathered, ancient scroll. “This is the ritual to summon my ancestors. It has been passed down through the generations of the Leveau line. It's rarely used because of its complexity and the power that is required to perform it.”

Dea's eyes widened as she took the scroll, her fingers tracing the intricate designs and symbols on the aged parchment. “What does it entail exactly? Animal sacrifices?” she asked. Her curiosity and trepidation were evident.

Marie pointed to the lines of text written in an archaic script. “The ritual requires a consecrated space. Symbols of protection must be drawn in salt and ash. And you will need specific offerings to honor each ancestor. You must call upon them by name, using their personal sigils. Those are inscribed here.” She tapped the bottom of the scroll. It must be done under the light of a full moon when the veil between worlds is thinnest.”

Dea studied the scroll intently. “These incantations are incredibly powerful,” she murmured. “All I can promise is that I will do my best.”

Marie nodded. “I understand your concerns, Dea. That's why I'm entrusting this to you. I believe you have the strength and wisdom to perform this ritual safely. Giving you this is the first step in me proving my sincerity.”

Dea took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “We will prepare diligently. And I will practice so I get it right when the time comes.”

Marie smiled and I was surprised to see there was a hint of relief in her eyes. “Thank you, Dea. I know this isn't easy. My family will be indebted to you all."

Dea inclined her head and continued to study the scroll. Dre and I looked over her shoulder to check out the scroll. There was a translation written to the side of the original spell so we could read it. There weren’t as many names as I had imagined. I bet there were less than fifty .

Kota crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “What kind of risks will Dea be facing? We will not allow her to do this unless we understand.”

Marie met Kota's gaze. “These rituals draw on spiritual energy. If anything goes wrong, she could face serious repercussions from those around her. The individuals we're summoning hold centuries of knowledge and power."

Dre's skepticism was palpable. “And what if the spirits aren't cooperative? What if they feel like lashing out at her for daring to call them?”

Marie folded her hands in her lap as annoyance flashed across her face. “That's a possibility. If she shows sincerity in her intentions, she can earn their trust and cooperation.”

I placed a reassuring hand on Dea's shoulder. “We'll be with you every step of the way. We can support you with our magic and ensure the ceremony goes smoothly.”

With that Marie took her leave, and we proceeded to discuss the issue more frankly. Lia and Dre had gone to the kitchen and come back with snacks and drinks. We gathered in the ladies’ parlor of Willowberry, our usual spot for hanging out when we weren’t outside.

I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees. “We need to talk about this ritual. There are a lot of risks involved, and we need to consider them all carefully.”

Lia nodded gravely. “Absolutely. We're talking about summoning powerful spirits into the living realm. Not only could they lash out at Dea. They could also break free of her control and create chaos in our city. Who’s to say Marie isn’t using this as a way to get back her position of power?”

Dea looked contemplative as she sat across from me. “I know the risks. I also understand the significance of what Marie is asking.”

“ I believed her when she told you about her true purpose. And let’s face it, healing her family's legacy could have profound positive effects on the entire city ,” Adèle said. “ Possibly even the entire magical world. ”

“But what about the potential that they are malevolent spirits wanting to take over?” Phi interjected. “We don't know anything about what they are actually like.”

Kota added, “And then there's the strain it will place on you, Dea. This kind of summoning takes an immense amount of energy and focus. We don't want you to be drained or hurt.”

I glanced at Dea. Despite the concerns raised, I saw the determination in her eyes and changed tactics. “Dea, are you sure you're up for this? We need to be honest about what it will take.”

Dea nodded slowly. “I am. But I won't lie. I’m scared.”

“ It's going to be incredibly challenging, but Dea can do it ,” Adèle told us. “ You need to be prepared for anything. ”

Dre, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “Let's not forget our current commitments and investigations. We're already stretched thin with the selkie shifter case. Can we really afford to take this on right now?”

Lia sighed and rubbed her temples. “That's a good point. We need to prioritize our tasks. We can't drop everything for this ceremony, but we also can't ignore it. We’re going to need to divide and conquer here.”

Kota nodded in agreement. “We need to know the tasks before we think about splitting up. We’re stronger together. We can always call the kids to help handle parts of the reunion.”

Phi raised her hand. “First, we need a secure location where we can control the environment for the summoning,” She ticked off points on her fingers. “Second, we need protective wards to keep out any unwanted spirits. Third, we need to ensure we have enough magical energy to support Dea without draining her completely. That’s just for calling the ancestors.”

Kota nodded in agreement. “We need backup plans in case things go south. We need to be ready for any outcome."

Everyone was ready to tackle these situations. Facing challenges head-on together was one thing we did best. It also set us apart from most people. “Okay,” I said. “Let's make a list of everything we need for the reunion and the case.”

The room seemed to hum with a renewed sense of purpose as we started making lists. It was a daunting task, but we were the Twisted Sisters. If anyone could pull off a ritual of this magnitude while juggling a murder case, it was us.

“Lia,” I said, turning to my sister, who was our go-to for making custom shit, “start coordinating the resources we need. Phi, work on the protective wards. Dre and Kota, identify locations for the gator shifter investigation. We can head to the swamp next. Dea and I will focus on preparing the ritual itself.”

With a unified nod, we dispersed, each of us with a clear task ahead. Dea and I decided to hold the ritual in the gazebo. It was still outdoors but provided a shelter we could ward. It was the easiest way to keep unwanted spirits out of the plantation. The six of us regrouped an hour later and piled into Lia’s vehicle.

Leaving Willowberry Plantation to look for clues about who might be getting money from Bouvier, the gravity of our mission hung over us like the thick Southern heat. We needed to get to the bottom of the gator shifter threat. That meant diving deep into local folklore and gathering every scrap of intel we could find. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover,” Kota said when we climbed out of Lia’s car.

I nodded and adjusted the strap of my bag across my chest. It was filled with potions and my daggers. Phi’s held notebooks and enchanted tools. “We should start by trying to find Voss. Bouvier said he’s been around these parts forever. And he knows about the shifters.”

“I was going to suggest the same thing,” Dre replied and pointed to a spot on the map where we thought Voss might live. Ashton had hacked into Bouvier’s cell phone and identified the spot as a place he’d visited several times.

Navigating our way to Voss’s shack wasn’t easy. The terrain of the swamp was hellish in the heat of the day. We had to go over twisted roots that seemed to reach out to trip us. We made our way through dense thickets of thorny underbrush that snagged our clothes and scratched our skin. We also walked across patches of treacherous, ankle-deep mud that threatened to suck our boots right off. The oppressive humidity made every step feel like a marathon. It didn’t help that the constant buzz of insects was a persistent, grating background noise.

We were filthy and drenched in sweat when we came across a rickety old place nestled between ancient cypress trees draped with Spanish moss. The air smelled of damp earth and the faint, lingering scent of gumbo. A man stood from the rocking chair on the porch. He greeted us with a toothless smile and a raspy chuckle.

“Well, if it isn’t the Twisted Sisters’. What brings y’all to my neck of the woods?” he asked in a voice that was all gravel.

“How do you know who we are?” Dre demanded.

“Your reputation proceeds you. Plus, I heard y’all talkin’ out here yesterday and asked around ‘bout who you were.” This guy might look like he lives in the boondocks but he was better connected than I was.

“Are you Arlen Voss?” Phi asked, changing the subject.

The man tipped an imaginary hat. “The one and only.”

“So, you’re the one working with Bouvier,” I observed .

To my surprise, he laughed at that. “You mean I’m bleedin’ the bastard. That jackass don’t know up from down. He’s the reason we’re gonna be able to buy this here land.”

“Are you working with the gator shifters?” Kota asked, getting straight to the point. “We need to find out more about them. Anything you can tell us about their habits, habitats, and motivations could be crucial.”

Voss’s eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and caution. “Gator shifters, eh? Reckon you’re dealin’ with a serious problem. Them shifters are reclusive and territorial. They don’t take kindly to trespassers but they’re good allies in a fight like the one I’m facin’ for the land. You might as well come in out of the heat. This is gonna take a minute.”

He held the door open and gestured us into his home. Dre scrambled up the stairs first. The interior was what I expected based on the weathered outside. The place was cluttered with talismans and jars of mysterious ingredients. He stirred a pot of simmering stew and shared tales of the shifters. He talked about how they lived deep in the bayou and fiercely guarded their territory. He told us how they maintained a delicate balance with the natural world.

“They’ve been more active lately,” Voss said, stirring the pot thoughtfully. “These businesses disturbed their balance. Could be why they’re lashin’ out.”

“Did they kill the selkie on the east side?” Dre asked.

Voss shook his head and put his spoon on a dirty counter. “Nah. They wouldn’t do that. Sad what happened to her.”

“Did you see who did it?” I blurted.

Voss shuddered and crossed himself. “I came across her after she was dead. Somethin’ magic lingered in the area. It felt wrong. It didn’t belong here.”

Lia waved a hand in an arc and asked, “Did you see anyone in the area at all?”

Voss shook his head again. After gathering every bit of information Voss could offer, we thanked him and made our way out. We navigated through the thick underbrush and murky waters. The bayou was alive with the sounds of croaking frogs and the distant rustle of unseen creatures.

“We should hide ourselves while we look around. We don’t want to tip off the killer if they are still around or upset the shifters,” Dre pointed out.

Using our combined magic, we cloaked ourselves in a veil of invisibility and silence. That allowed us to move quietly through the swamp. Every so often, we stopped to listen, our senses heightened to catch any sign of the shifters.

“There,” Kota whispered, pointing to a disturbance in the water ahead. “Tracks.”

We moved closer and found large reptilian footprints leading away from the water’s edge. The tracks were fresh. And they shimmered with a faint magical residue. My heart hammered in my chest as we followed them deeper into the bayou.

“I’m not sure if I want to find the gators or not,” I admitted, as we reached a secluded grove. The energy there was palpable. There was natural magic along with something darker.

“Same. We need to be careful,” Kota warned. “If this is their sacred ground, we’re not just trespassers. We’re invaders.”

We observed the area, noting the layout and any potential weak points. The shifters were elusive. I could sense their presence. It felt like they were watching us from the shadows but that was impossible because we were invisible.

When the sun started to set, I turned back the way we’d come. “We should head back before it gets too dark,” I said.

The others didn’t need to be told twice. It felt like we were watched all the way back through the swamp. The eyes didn’t feel friendly, either. Instinct told me it was the shifters who could have been watching with their noses. Why be mad at us? We were trying to help. I reminded myself that someone had killed Melanie and made it look like the gators. Hopefully, we could learn more from the symbols on that altar and other relics before we ventured back out there. Anything that could give us equal footing when we approached the territorial beasts.