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

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

DAHLIA

T he thick humidity of the swamp clung to us like a second skin. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the unsettling feeling of being watched grew stronger with each step. Ignoring it was becoming impossible. We wanted to get out of there, but what if it was the killer and we could wrap this up right now?

I slowed and inhaled the decaying vegetation, hoping to catch the scent of whoever was out there. There was nothing. And I couldn’t hear their footsteps. The hum of insects filled the night. The murky waters reflected the last rays of the setting sun. The shadows created shapes that danced on the surface.

“I swear someone’s out there,” I muttered, my voice barely audible over the cacophony of the swamp.

Dea paused, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the dense foliage around us. “You’re right. We’re not alone,” she whispered in a voice tinged with a hint of warning .

I wasn’t going to ignore this and run. We might learn something. “Show yourself!” I called out. My voice was steady despite the tension that gripped me. My sisters followed my lead and readied our magic. Power thrummed at my fingertips.

The underbrush rustled, and several figures emerged from the shadows, their arms shifting between human and reptilian. They had to be gator shifters. When I looked up from their scaly flesh, I recoiled. Their eyes glinted with a predatory gleam and the air crackled with their menacing presence.

“Stay sharp,” Dre urged.

As if her warning sparked the shifters, they sprang at us. Dre and Kota moved with practiced precision. Their spells lit up the darkening swamp. Dre conjured barriers of shimmering energy to deflect the shifters’ attacks while Kota’s flames roared to life. They glowed light pink and sent shadows skittering.

One of the shifters lunged at me. His claws slashed through the air. I ducked and retaliated with a blast of magical energy. It sent the guy sprawling into the muck. Dani and Phi fought side by side. Their combined powers created a whirlwind of force that knocked the shifters off balance. Unfortunately, they recovered quickly and dodged our next spell.

Dea called upon the spirits of the swamp. Her incantations wove through the air, binding the shifters in place with ghostly chains. “We need to end this quickly,” she shouted.

One of the shifters held up a clawed hand, signaling for a ceasefire. “Enough,” he growled, his voice rough and filled with weariness. “We have no desire for further bloodshed. We are merely protecting our land.”

We stood our ground, wary but willing to listen. “Why are you attacking us? We’re here to find out what happened to Melanie. We want to catch her killer,” I demanded. My eyes never left the guy that spoke.

The guy sighed, and his shoulders slumped. “We thought you were responsible.”

We all shook our heads as Kota said, “No, we’re investigating it. Do you know what happened to her?”

“We don’t know who killed Melanie for sure,” he admitted. “We’re under a lot of pressure from these companies trying to destroy the swamp. Voss is working with us to buy the land. But recently, something supernatural happened. Our elders can’t determine what it was. We suspected it might have been you, which is why we followed you.”

Dani stepped forward. “So, you’re saying Melanie’s death isn’t directly linked to your conflict with the companies?”

“As far as we can tell it had nothing to do with the companies. Our elders determined that for sure,” he replied. “I’m Boudreaux, by the way. And that is Adelaide and Etienne.” He gestured to the man and woman with him.

Dea introduced us and asked, “What about the ritual spot we found? It felt off. Does that have something to do with the supernatural disturbance?”

Phi lifted her finger. “And can you tell us about the symbols carved into the trees and rocks?”

Boudreaux hesitated before answering. “Those are protective spells, meant to strengthen our defenses and keep intruders out. We’re not trying to harm anyone who doesn’t pose a threat. We added those when Melanie was killed because the creepy feeling came from whatever supernatural power is haunting our swamp.”

Dre raised an eyebrow. “Have you encountered the energy before? Maybe when you were in town? Do you even interact with the locals?”

The shifter leader glanced at his companions before responding. “We do have some interactions with locals. It’s mostly trade. We share information and buy supplies. And sometimes, we provide protection. This isn’t anything anyone in our congregation has ever encountered.”

“Did you have any enemies?” I asked. “Perhaps Melanie was mistaken for a member of your congregation?”

Boudreaux sighed and shook his head. “We make deals to survive. Some of the humans know about us and are willing to help in exchange for protection or other favors. Otherwise, we keep to ourselves.”

Adelaide lifted her hands. “We don’t go looking for trouble, no matter what anyone tells you. We’re protective of our young, but so are most. That doesn’t result in enemies. This is about something else.”

I exchanged a look with my sisters as I processed the information. “This changes things,” I said quietly. “We’re dealing with a complex situation, not just a group of mindless attackers.” The gator shifters nodded in agreement.

Kota added, “There are two issues as I see it. The companies trying to destroy their homes. We need to help them procure the land. And we need to find whatever supernatural entity is hunting here. I have a feeling this isn’t the end of it.”

Boudreaux sucked in a sharp breath. “I've been telling the leaders Melanie was just the beginning. They don’t believe me.”

Dre smiled at him. “Well, we believe you. And we are going to figure this out.”

“We need to gather all the information we have and start organizing search parties. We need to find any concrete evidence of this supernatural entity. We can’t find answers otherwise,” I said, suddenly feeling very tired.

Dani clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re right, sestra. This is about more than just stopping the attacks. It’s about ensuring peace in the bayou.”

The shifters thanked us and we promised to return the next day ready to divide the search area. We left the dense underbrush and croak of frogs behind. The sky was darkening and the first stars began to twinkle above as we reached the clearing where we had parked our car.

I slid into the driver's seat, grateful to be off my feet. “Everyone buckle up. Let's get back to Willowberry and regroup,” I said, starting the engine.

Kota settled into the passenger seat and kept her gaze on the horizon as if she expected the gator shifters to reappear at any moment. “We need to make sense of everything we’ve found. There's a lot at stake here.”

Dea, Dre, Phi, and Dani piled into the back, their expressions mirrored mine. The car felt almost too small to contain the tension and the swirl of thoughts we were all experiencing. We were silent for a bit as I navigated the winding roads back to the Willowberry Plantation. The familiar landmarks of home began to bring a sense of calm and focus.

“I can't stop thinking about what we learned from the shifters,” Dre murmured, breaking the silence. “Their fear and desperation make it clear there's more at play here.”

Dani leaned forward, resting her chin on the back of my seat. “We have to figure out how this all connects. The companies, the foreign magic, and how Melanie fits into all of this. Right now, it’s a tangled mess.”

“Agreed,” Kota said. “But we can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. If we can broker a peace, it could stabilize the entire region.”

“First things first,” Dani said, glancing at me. “We need to lay everything out when we get back. We need a plan that ties our findings together and guides our next steps.”

I nodded, focusing on the road. “We'll spread everything out on the big table. Maps, notes, everything. We have to see the full picture.”

The drive passed in thoughtful silence. Each of us was lost in our own thoughts until the familiar sight of Willowberry Plantation emerged from the darkness. The grand, welcoming facade stood as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. I pulled the car to a stop in the parking lot and we climbed out. I stretched my stiff limbs and headed inside.

“Before we get into that stuff, I’ve been thinking about Marie’s request that we summon her ancestors,” Dea said as we entered the back door of Willowberry.

Dre’s forehead furrowed. “Why do I get the feeling we aren’t going to like what you’ve been thinking?”

Dea rolled her eyes and shook her head. “It’s nothing bad. I’ve been thinking about the safety precautions. We selected the gazebo because we can contain everything better. I want to clarify a few things with her.”

“I don’t know what made you want to do this, but it can’t hurt,” I agreed and pulled out my phone. I opened the phone app and put the call on speaker saying, “Might as well get it over with so we can discuss the case in the swamp. Melanie deserves justice.”

Dea sat at the head of the table in the kitchen looking resolute but wary. She jumped in her seat when Marie’s voice filled the room. “Hello, Lia. The Twisted Sisters really do work fast if you’ve got suggestions for me already.”

Dani chuckled and leaned closer to the phone. “We will have something soon. Designs are being worked on as we speak.”

“I had some things I wanted to discuss,” Dea interjected. “I want to make sure you understand how things will work with the summoning. I don’t want there to be any surprises when the time comes.”

Marie made a noise and asked, “What are your conditions?”

Dea took a deep breath before outlining her demands. "First, the reunion must be held in the consecrated space. The spirits will not be free to roam outside of those confines. We will be taking our own protective measures to contain any unexpected spiritual phenomena. I won’t risk the city’s safety. Second, if you or any of your guests try to perform any rituals, I will send your ancestors back to the other side of the veil. This is not going to be a way for you to reincarnate your great grandmother.”

Marie grumbled under her breath, and her sigh crackled through the speaker. “Agreed. Continue.”

“We need a comprehensive ritual of consent," Dea continued. “Each spirit must explicitly agree to participate as well as the rules of conduct. This will be facilitated through a series of smaller séances leading up to the main event.”

Marie made a noise on the other end before saying, “That is wise. What else?”

“Elder witches and spiritual guides from various traditions must be present to oversee the summoning. This will ensure a balance of power and prevent your ancestors from causing any problems.”

“Understood,” Marie said stiffly. “I don't like the extra measures but I can’t very well prove I have changed unless you feel comfortable.”

Dea inclined her head and kept her focus on the phone. “I also reserve the right to veto any aspects of the reunion that may cause undue stress or harm to the spirits. This includes excessive demands from living family members or the inappropriate use of the spirits' presence for personal gain.” I wouldn’t have considered that angle. Dea had clearly given this a lot of thought.

“The six of you have my word that the reunion will be conducted with the utmost respect,” Marie promised.

“And lastly,” Dea said in a firm tone, “the reunion must include a closing ceremony that respectfully dismisses the spirits, allowing them to return to their rest without leaving any residual energy that could be used by or disrupt the living.”

“You have thought this through carefully,” Marie noted. “I should have known you would be thorough. You didn’t change the face of magic in New Orleans by being idiots. I accept your conditions. This reunion is as much about healing the past as it is about guiding the future. I recognize that my daughter and hers cannot proceed as we have been. We need a new path forward. I refuse to be pushed out of my home or city. My family has been here centuries.”

Dre smiled at Dea and said, “That compliment belongs to our mama. She raised us to be strong, capable women who can do whatever they set their minds to. We will be in touch when we have ideas to present.”

Marie’s voice echoed through the tiny speaker. “Thank you, sisters. Your efforts will not go unrecognized. Together, we can mend the rifts and build a stronger future.”

I ended the call and the room fell silent. Dani and Kota exchanged a glance before Dani spoke up. "We’ve got our work cut out for us. I’m glad you clarified these issues. None of us want the plantation taken over by Marie’s dead family. For now, we need to determine whether or not the gator shifters are a threat.”

“Don’t shift gears just yet. I want to look into something. Hold on,” Phi excused herself briefly to retrieve something. She returned moments later, holding an old, weathered journal. “I found this while researching the historical context for the reunion,” she said, placing the journal on the table. “It’s written by a lesser-known Leveau ancestor who dabbled in magic.”

Curiosity piqued, I leaned in to get a better look. “What does it say?”

“The entries are cryptic,” Phi explained, flipping through the yellowed pages. “They talk about celestial alignments, spirit gateways, and other esoteric knowledge. I wasn’t sure if you could use anything in this for the protections, Dea.”

Dea peered over Phi’s shoulder. “Have you decrypted any of it?”

“Some,” Phi said, pointing to a section filled with arcane symbols. “There are hidden rituals and spells that might protect against threats. It also hints at a secret alliance between the Leveau family and other supernatural entities.”

Dani raised an eyebrow. “That could have major implications for the current family dynamics and power structures within the Voodoo community.”

“There’s more,” Phi continued, her voice tinged with excitement. “The journal mentions a lost artifact that could control or amplify spiritual energies. I think it could be a problem if it is used by one of the living ancestors.”

Kota crossed her arms, her gaze thoughtful. “Finding that artifact would help keep the reunion chaos-free.”

Determination settled over me like a cloak. “We have to prioritize this as well. We’ll locate the artifact and use the knowledge in that journal. I don't want anything surprising us.”

Dre sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “That will mean splitting up to handle Melanie’s death and the search for this relic. I don’t like that but I don’t see another way.”

As we continued to plan, the room buzzed with energy. Our dilemma was not ideal. We were a force to be reckoned with when together. I had to wonder if this journal found its way to Phi to split us up. I bet a million dollars that is precisely what happened.