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

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

DEANDRA

T he morning light filtered through the tall windows of Willowberry Plantation. It cast a warm glow over the spacious kitchen where we had gathered to plan the upcoming Leveau family reunion. I’d stayed over because my husband and sons were camping before Mateo left for the Navy and I didn’t want to be in my house alone. Not when there was shit to do with my sisters.

Dani had a notebook filled with scribbled notes and color-coded tabs open before her. Her expression was furrowed as she sipped her tall-boy. “The caterer we were hoping for just backed out,” she announced in a tight voice. “They had a health inspection issue.”

Kota straightened up from the counter and went to the coffee machine. “Dammit. That’s the second caterer this month. What are our other options?”

I could see the stress lines deepening on Dani’s forehead as she flipped through her contacts list. “I’m calling every caterer in the city, but they’re either booked or can’t handle an event this size on such short notice.”

Phi was always the calm in our storm. She looked up from her laptop and smiled at Dani. “There’s a small but excellent catering service run by a couple of retired witches. Kaitlyn told me about them. They might be able to whip something up if we can persuade them. They started their service because of Willowberry so normally I would say they’d be on board. However, they aren’t fans of Marie.”

“How did the rest of us not hear about this?” Dani narrowed her eyes. “This is something Kaitlyn should have told us all.

Phi held up her hands. “This is new. She sent me a text the other day asking whether we would use them. Their specialties are Cajun-centric and she worried that was too limited for us. And for the record, she said she was going to tell us more at the next council meeting. They aren’t even up and running yet.”

Dani sighed and nodded. “Well, in this instance that’s perfect. Can you reach out to them and see if they’re available?”

Phi nodded and started typing away. Meanwhile, Dre and Lia were huddled over the seating chart, trying to make sense of the map of the bayou.

“Every time I think we’ve got it sorted, another RSVP change comes in,” Kota muttered, erasing a name with more force than necessary. “The Leveau family’s dynamics are like trying to untangle a ball of enchanted yarn. I didn’t think her family was that big.”

Lia looked up from the map and started rubbing her temples. “Have we heard from the band? Do we need to find a new one?” We typically used DJs for our events. Few wanted people there singing while they were celebrating. But Marie was the furthest you could get from typical .

Kota pulled out her phone. “I know a jazz band that owes me a favor. I’ll give them a call and see if they’re free.”

As Kota made that call, I focused on the task at hand. “We also need to finalize the setup here. We know our theme is Cajun, but how are we decorating?”

Dani glanced at her checklist. “I was thinking of using antique pieces from the plantation’s collection. Only the ones that are in good condition and none that might be haunted. Otherwise, I’m not sure. We don’t want cheesy.”

Kota put her hand over the speaker of her phone and shot us a grim look. “Speaking of which, I swear one of the lamps in my room upstairs keeps moving around and knocking things over. Maybe we should have Dea make sure there’s not a mischievous spirit attached to it.” Like me, Kota had a house off the property, but we had rooms at the plantation where we stayed in when we slept over.

I sighed, knowing exactly what that meant. “Just what we need. I’ll take care of it. We can’t have a random spirit showing up to dance with the Leveau family during the reunion.”

Dani managed a small smile. “If any of us could help we would. Does anyone have any other ideas for decor? We need to have Lia design the wine glasses. I was thinking we either etch the Leveau family crest or a fleur de li on them.”

Leaving my sisters to brainstorm, I made my way upstairs where the antique in question was stored. The room was dimly lit because the heavy drapes were drawn to keep the morning sun from fading the delicate fabrics and wood. I hadn’t made it two steps before I could feel the spirit’s presence. It was a restless energy that crackled.

“Alright, little troublemaker,” I said softly as I scanned the room. “Let’s see what’s bothering you.”

As I approached the antique lamp, my attention was drawn to the beautifully carved mahogany chest it rested on. Whatever was going on was not coming from the lamp. It was clear why Kota would think that. The lid of the chest was vibrating slightly. It was as if something inside was trying to get out. Placing my hands on the wood, I closed my eyes and focused on calming the spirit.

“It’s okay,” I murmured, using my abilities to connect with the entity. “I’m here to help. What do you need?” Adèle joined me and watched as I worked. It was unnerving to have the small cat’s eyes on me.

The spirit’s energy was chaotic. There was a swirl of confusion and frustration. Through my connection, I saw glimpses of its past. This was a maid who had worked at Willowberry long ago. I wondered if she was there with Cami. This woman felt forgotten and overlooked. These emotions were new for the spirits I dealt with around the plantation. Ever since we took over and began rebuilding the various buildings on the property, I’d had to help countless find peace and move on. Our activities stirred up their resting places and agitated them.

I managed to soothe the spirit with gentle coaxing. I assured her that she was remembered and valued. As the energy settled, I whispered a simple spell to push her to cross over. I thought of it more as guiding the spirit to a place of peace. The chest stopped vibrating and the room felt noticeably lighter.

“ Good work, Dea. Your spiritual powers are developing faster than expected ,” Adèle admitted. “ That will come in handy in the situations you six will face .”

“I hope it will be more stuff like this,” I chuckled and gestured to the chest.

Adèle shook her head. “ I don’t foresee it being that easy. My gut tells me there will be more bodies in your future, however. ”

Returning to the kitchen, I found the others still deep in discussion. Kota had secured the jazz band, and Phi was finishing up her call with the new caterers. “How did it go?” Dani asked, looking up as I entered.

"The spirit crossed over," I replied. "It was a maid who used to work here. What did you decide for other decor?"

Dani sighed in relief. "Good. Aside from incorporating the antiques, we have decided to add several elements to really bring the theme to life. We'll have elegant wrought-iron candle holders with black and gold candles to give it that classic New Orleans feel. For the tables, we're using deep purple and emerald green linens with centerpieces of magnolias and Spanish moss. They will be accented with small voodoo dolls and gris-gris bags as nods to Marie's heritage.”

I nodded, imagining the ambiance. "Sounds perfect. What about where her family comes in? Are we going to try and spruce that up as you mentioned?” Guests to the events at Willowberry entered through the covered patio between the main house and the summer kitchen that was now the caterer’s kitchen. Dani had decided it was too plain and that we needed to do something grand for guests during events.

“Steve is cleaning up and repainting that elaborate archway we found in the back acreage. He’s going to cover it in ivy and twinkling fairy lights to welcome guests,” Dani explained. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she spoke. It was good to see her excited after spending too many years caring for premature babies in the NICU. “And we're planning to have live jazz music playing softly in the background, creating that unmistakable New Orleans vibe. We're also renting some ornate, vintage-style wrought iron furniture. We will create cozy lounge areas on the patio where people can sit and reminisce.”

“Nice touch,” I said, smiling at her attention to detail. That’s what set our events apart, the details we added went above and beyond. “Anything else? ”

"Yes," Dani said, her smile widening. "We'll have a section dedicated to Marie's family history, with old photographs and documents displayed on vintage easels. And for a bit of fun, we're setting up a beignet and praline station. That way guests can indulge in some traditional New Orleans treats.”

“I assume we will set the tables on the lawn where they won’t be far from the buffet,” I added, genuinely impressed. “Marie’s family is going to love it.”

“That’s what I was thinking. We can put up our wedding tent if that helps contain the spirits. Steve and the shifters can create a tunnel with them leading from the gazebo to the main tent.” Dani's expression softened with satisfaction.

“We should do that so the others don’t crowd the gazebo,” Kota said and then made a face. “We've put a lot of thought into every detail to make sure it honors Marie’s legacy while celebrating her family and she’s tried to kill us more times than I can count.”

Lia ran a hand across her chest and eyed Dani. No doubt she was remembering when the two of them had been kidnapped by Marie, and she stabbed her. “We have to be the bigger person and set our grievances aside. People are already starting to talk about how we are hosting the reunion. Our reputation is growing. This will bring more business our way.”

“It had better,” Dre muttered.

“So, what do you all think the family dynamics will be like?” Dani asked, breaking the silence.

Lia leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Marie’s family seems to have a complicated history. I imagine there will be a lot of old wounds and unresolved issues to address.”

Dre snorted, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I wonder if the spirits of the ancestors will have disagreements too. Like, Trina going after Uncle Bob because he didn’t pay back the hundred bucks he owed her. Can you imagine?”

We all chuckled at the thought, the tension in the room easing slightly. “It’s not far-fetched,” Phi added, smiling. “Family disputes don’t just disappear because someone’s dead.”

I shifted the conversation. “That’s one reason I need to do the pre-reunion séance. It’s important to gauge the spirits' willingness to participate. We need to know who’s open to reconciliation and who might still be holding onto grudges.”

Kota nodded in agreement. “It’s a good plan. But what if some spirits are outright hostile? We can’t risk them causing havoc during the reunion.”

I sighed from the weight of her responsibility on my shoulders. “That’s the tricky part. If I sense any hostility, I’ll have to decide whether it’s worth summoning that spirit. But I believe most of them will understand the importance of healing and moving forward.”

Lia looked at me, her eyes filled with empathy. “Do you want to do the pre-reunion meeting using a séance now?”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah. That would be a good idea. Where do we do this, though?”

“The ladies’ parlor is probably the best place,” Dre replied. We can ward the room and you won’t have to worry about any of them getting away.”

“Perfect. Grab the salt. We can get the wards cast.” I stood and headed down the hall. We gathered in the parlor for the séance. Phi and Lia handled the runes just inside the doorway and along the walls, connecting them with a thin line of salt to contain the ghosts. Dani and Kota lit candles and Dre moved the furniture out of the way. I set up a circle of protection with salt and herbs. The smell of sage and lavender filled my nose and soothed me. Kota placed the crystal ball they’d purchased for me on the coffee table .

“Everyone, join hands,” I instructed. I needed my sisters with me on this one. Adèle was also nearby to help me focus my energy. “Focus on the ancestors Marie listed for us. Invite them to join us. I will worry about respecting their wishes if they choose not to. All I need is your added magic and intent since this will be a large group.”

As we closed our eyes and concentrated, I began the summoning ritual. I chanted ancient incantations I'd learned since our magical DNA was awakened. “Marie Leveau, and those who came before,” I intoned. “I summon you to join us, to lend us your wisdom and guidance.” The air grew colder right away. A few seconds later, the familiar tingling sensation that signaled the presence of spirits crept up my arms.

Slowly, faint figures began to materialize around us. Their forms shimmered in the candlelight. I could see the curiosity and caution in their eyes as they took in their surroundings. Their confusion was evident.

“Welcome,” I said softly, addressing the spirits. “You have been called because one of your descendants wants to start a new tradition for your family to repair relationships. She is holding a reunion and wants you to be present. I need to know if you are willing to join her and your other family members.”

The spirits nodded, and one by one, they began to speak. Their voices were a blend of echoes and whispers. It was hard to make out what they were saying. I had to concentrate and ask them to speak one at a time. Adèle helped me direct in answering the spirits questions about Marie’s intention for this gathering. After that her dead ancestors shared their willingness to participate. Several even mentioned their hope for reconciliation. And others had some conditions for joining the reunion. None were outrageous, but they hinted at the grievances we were joking about a couple of hours ago.

Exhaustion hit me hard when I concluded the séance. It had taken a lot out of me. I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without my sisters’ support. Adèle brushed my leg and started purring. The vibrations sent little shocks of energy into me. It was the first time she’d done anything like that.

“Someone’s powers are growing,” I pointed out to our familiar.

Adèle looked up at me. “ I will never be able to heal like Dre, but I can give you each a boost when needed .”

Dani’s phone buzzed with an alert and interrupted the moment. Her eyes narrowed as she read the text. The usual confident demeanor that she was known for gave way to a more cautious expression.

“Dani, what is it?” I asked, sensing the shift in her energy.

“It's an anonymous message,” she replied, her voice tinged with concern. “It hints at a deeper conspiracy. It suggests that Melanie was a pawn in a larger game."

Dre glanced up from her notes. “Larger game? Like what?”

“ I sense power behind the message ,” Adèle said into our minds. “ There is definitely something more at play here .”

Dani shook her head. Her frustration was evident. “It doesn't say anything else. It mentions old enemies of the Leveau family. We know word has gotten out that we're hosting the family reunion and most of the supernaturals in New Orleans don't like Marie. Could Melanie’s murder be related to that?”

Adèle shook her head and pinned Dani with a look. “ Marie is not liked because of how she used to run the city. I can’t see why someone would kill an innocent selkie outside city limits to prove a point about Marie. ”

“That’s a good point.” Phi leaned forward, intrigued. "What exactly does the message say?"

Dani handed her phone to Phi, who read the message aloud. “'Beware the shadows of the past. The selkie was merely the surface. Look deeper, and you will find old grudges and historical land disputes fueling the violence. Trust no one'.”

A heavy silence settled over us as we absorbed the implications. “We need to re-evaluate everything we've gathered so far,” I said, breaking the silence. “If there's a larger conspiracy, we can't afford to miss any details.”

Kota nodded in agreement. “We should also increase our security measures when leaving the plantation, too. If someone powerful is watching us, we need to be careful.”

Dani cocked her head to the side. “We should also start conducting our research more discreetly. I'll reach out to some trusted informants to get more details about any disputes about the swamp.”

“Everly is willing to meet us in the French Quarter,” Dani said almost immediately. “On Royal away from prying eyes.”

“I hope she has something for us,” Dre said as we traipsed out to Lia’s car. Lia could drive to the Quarter in her sleep by this point. It didn’t take long before she was pulling into the lot and parking next to Ricky’s shack.

We were quiet as we made our way to Royal. Everly's face was hidden beneath a hood, but her eyes sparkled with intelligence. Dani smiled and lifted a hand. “It’s good to see you. Thanks for meeting us,” she smiled. “So, what couldn’t you tell me through text?”

“I've heard whispers," Everly began. “There's a group of old families, rivals of the Leveaus, who have been waiting for an opportunity to take out the ancestors. They see the family reunion as a chance to strike.”

My brow furrowed. “How will they get past Willowberry’s wards? They will block any attacks,” I pointed out.

Everly shook her head and lifted her hands. “Everyone knows if you beefed up the wards to include any attacks. However, since their targets aren’t alive, most think they can pull it off. Someone is even taking bets.”

Dani's jaw tightened. "Do you have names?"

Everly nodded. “The Montclairs, the Dubois, and the Rousseaus. They've been planning this for years. And I would be willing to bet they could be using the gator shifters to create chaos and split your attention.”

I felt a chill run down my spine. “They're orchestrating the attacks to destabilize us?”

"That’s the rumor," Everly confirmed. "They have resources and connections that go deep. Be careful. These families shouldn’t be underestimated." Everly was twitchy, and her gaze spun in a circle before she finally said she had no more information. She took off before she even finished talking. We didn’t even have a chance to thank her.

"This changes things," Lia said. "We need to approach the reunion with more cunning. We should ask Adèle for help changing the wards."

"We'll need to set traps of our own," Kota suggested. "Use their tactics against them."

Dani nodded. "Agreed. We need to play the long game. Gather more intel, set up surveillance, and prepare for a strategic strike."

“But we can’t assume they killed Melanie,” Dre pointed out. “We have to keep investigating. This entire story could be made up to make us stop looking into her death.”

“Let’s get back and see if we can learn anything about those symbols,” Phi interjected. “That might tell us if Dre is right.”

Lia drove us back and Adèle was waiting in the kitchen when we got there. Phi pulled up the images taken in the swamp and showed them to our familiar. "Do you know what any of these mean?” Phi asked Adèle.

Adèle examined the engraved patterns. “ This relic is part of a larger artifact. The other parts are scattered across different locations in the bayou. The symbols here ,” her paw touched a section of the image, “ form a puzzle. It's a key component of the magic infiltrating the bayou. This is not just about the reunion or Marie’s enemies. Something else wants the power in this land. "

Dani, always practical, crossed her arms. “How do you know that? This looks like it’s really old."

Adèle hopped onto the table and sat looking at us all. “ From what I can decipher, these inscriptions suggest that the relic is meant to harness the natural energies of the bayou. This is designed to create a barrier or a shield and by separating the pieces, they can access more of the power. "

Lia leaned in closer, her eyes narrowed in concentration. “Could the shifters reassemble this artifact and use it to protect their territory?”

Adèle nodded. “ I would say the chances are good they can use it to do that. ” She continued to study the relic, the lines on her face deepening with concentration. " These symbols here ," she pointed, " mention a ritual. It's ancient magic, meant to draw from the bayou itself. They can use this process to draw on the energy. It is unique and rich. It almost feels alive. You should try to tap into that to create a safe haven for the shifters ."

Dani nodded, her mind clearly racing with possibilities. "If we could find the rest of the pieces, maybe we could pull this off for them.”

"How many pieces are we talking about?" I asked, feeling the weight of our task.

Adèle started licking her haunches while she said, “ That is hard to say. The inscriptions here suggest at least four, but there could be more. "

Lia rubbed her hands together. “We need to go on a scavenger hunt in a swamp filled with hostile magic. Sounds like a great time.”

Kota grinned and nudged Lia. "Hey, look at it this way. If we can get to these pieces, we might have a bargaining chip. We can provide protection and take away victims from this magical entity.”

Phi nodded, her eyes returning to the relic. "It's worth a shot. But we'll need to be careful. The magic involved here is powerful and potentially volatile. One wrong move and we could set off a chain reaction."

I placed a hand on Phi’s shoulder. “That’s why we have you, Phi. We trust your expertise. Just guide us through this in the swamps.” The bayou held countless secrets, and this artifact was just one of them. The path ahead was fraught with danger that could come back to bite us in the ass, but that wouldn’t stop us.