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

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

DAHLIA

T he morning sun filtered through the ancient oaks surrounding Willowberry. It was one of the things I loved about the property. I watched the stream through the canopies while my sisters and I sat around one of the wooden tables on the back patio. It was a peaceful site and made me want to curl up with a good book. ‘ You have never laid around reading. You have always been busy doing something’.

“The witches want to back out,” Dani snarled to her phone. She tossed the device onto the table. “They’re saying we will be facing 'unforeseen supernatural disturbances’.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "This is getting ridiculous. The rumors are worse than when we were in high school and Aubrey told everyone that Rachel got around.”

Kota leaned back in her chair, staring up at the canopy of trees. “It seems ridiculous, but their fears are valid. There is a chance for an attack. ”

Dre nodded thoughtfully. “We all know this is about more than a jealous rant.”

“This is all true,” I agreed, standing up. “Which is why we should go talk to them. We can't let this reunion fall apart because of last-minute jitters.”

Dre tossed me my small crossbody bag from the table next to her. “We really need to convince Adele to help us learn how to teleport. It’d save so much time.”

I laughed as we climbed into my car. “Eh, I’m pushing Tegan or Mack to mate with a djinn. They’d have to cater to their mother-in-law if they want to get on my good side.”

Dani grinned at me from the backseat. “I like the way you think.”

We drove through the narrow, winding streets of the French Quarter. The air was heavy with the unique combination only found in New Orleans. It was the smell of Cajun food, alcohol, body odor, and urine. The sounds of jazz drifting from open windows softened the sharp scents. The vibrant colors of the historic buildings blurred together as we made our way to the small catering business run by the witches.

We got lucky and found a spot along the curb. We got out and looked up at the window that was hand painted. NOLA Creole Catering was done in purple with gold fleur de lis on either side. Spices and freshly baked bread replaced the astringent smells outside.

The witches greeted us with wary eyes. A slender woman in her late sixties with smooth, olive-toned skin and sharp, emerald-green eyes greeted us. Her hair had once been a rich ebony but had since turned a soft silver. “We should have known you would come down. We haven’t met yet. I’m Mabel, and that is Elise and Harriet.” I swear Elise’s eyes looked through to my soul.

Dani stepped forward with a soft smile. “We’re here to appeal to your sense of community. We need your help. It's too late to get anyone else to cater the Leveau reunion.”

Elise crossed her arms, a skeptical look on her face. “Why should we help Marie Leveau? She’s done nothing but cause trouble for us and now we get word a big attack is being planned for the event.”

Mabel nodded her head, making one of her braids fall loose from her updo. Her striking hazel eyes narrowed on us. “You six are talented, but you’re still new to magic. We can’t afford to get tangled up in something that could destroy this business. We’ve worked hard to get here.”

Kota leaned forward and matched her glare. "We understand your reservations, but this reunion is about more than just Marie. It’s about healing old wounds and bringing people together. I won’t stand here and recount how we managed to thwart a Skinwalker from killing recklessly in our city. Or how we stopped a magical hurricane and sent an evil loa back to his plane. According to rumor you’re the best caterers in town now and we believe you can help make this event a success.”

I lifted a finger and added, “Not to mention we have been working with our familiar to create protective measures that have never been possible before.” Dropping the familiar part was a risk because witches were trying to keep their return on the downlow. I knew it would impress these women. They weren’t as likely as a young witch to become tempted by a familiar’s power enough to steal it and become Tainted. I did feel bad about not telling them those measures had yet to be tested and made a mental note to test the new wards.

Elise glanced at her partners. Mabel’s deep mahogany skin wrinkled as she frowned. Harriet’s curly salt and pepper hair bounced lightly as she nodded. “We could use the business,” Elise finally reluctantly admitted.

Dre gave them an understanding smile. “Look, we know Marie has a complicated history. Hell, we have worked hard to overthrow her reign. But she’s trying to make amends and we need to give her enough leash to hang herself or succeed. We aren’t blindly doing this. Lia is right. We have made numerous changes and will be talking about more security for the actual event.”

Elise sighed, and her shoulders relaxed. “Alright, we’ll do it. But we expect to be paid well. And we’re not tolerating any nonsense from Marie.”

I took a deep breath and stepped forward. “We understand how you feel. We told her the same thing about us hosting the event at the plantation. She had to agree to more conditions than there are stars in the sky. You’ll get far more business for doing this because you three are setting aside your feelings and being the bigger women. It proves that you're professionals who can rise above past conflicts for the sake of the community. That kind of reputation will earn you more business in the long run."

Elise's eyes softened as she considered my words. “You really think so?”

Dani chuckled and put a hand on Elsie’s shoulder. “How do you think we’ve grown so fast? People respect strength and integrity. And by doing this, you're showing that you have both.”

Mabel looked at Elise, then back at us. “If there is anything we can do to help with security, please let us know.”

“Deal," Dani agreed. “Now, what have you decided on for the menu? Phi can send that over to Marie for final approval when you have it.”

Elise, with her short-cropped silver hair and sharp green eyes, glanced at her two partners before responding. “Well, we were thinking of starting with some classic appetizers. Shrimp remoulade, mini muffulettas, and gator bites with a spicy dipping sauce. ”

Harriet's warm chocolate brown eyes glowed as she added, “And for the main course, we want to keep it traditional but elevated. Crawfish étouffée, jambalaya with andouille sausage, and a slow-cooked gumbo with a mix of chicken, sausage, and seafood.”

Mabel's head of braids bounced as she agreed. “We were also thinking of including a carving station with roast beef and ham. Served with freshly baked rolls and all the fixings, of course. There will also be a vegetarian option. I was thinking of a hearty vegetable and red bean stew.”

I nodded, taking notes as they spoke. “That sounds fantastic. What about sides and desserts?”

Elise’s eyes sparkled making it clear why they started this business. They loved food and were obvious kitchen witches. “For sides, we’ll have garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and a seasonal salad with a light vinaigrette. As for desserts, we’re planning on offering bread pudding with whiskey sauce, pecan pie, and a selection of beignets and pralines.”

Harriet smiled. “We want the food to reflect the rich culinary heritage of New Orleans, while also being something special for the reunion.”

“That’s a solid lineup,” Dre said, nodding in approval.

Phi looked up from her notes. “I’ll get this list over to her right away. I’m sure she’ll have some feedback, but it sounds like you’ve covered all the bases.”

Mabel inclined her head. “We hope so. We want this event to be memorable for all the right reasons.”

I glanced at Dani, who gave me a reassuring smile. “This is coming together nicely. Thank you, ladies, for your hard work.”

“We’re just glad we could come to an agreement,” Elise replied.

As we wrapped up the meeting, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Despite the challenges ahead, it felt good to have something concrete moving forward. The reunion was shaping up to be an event worthy of the Leveau family’s legacy.

The drive back to Willowberry was quiet and fast. We were heading to the kitchen for lunch when Dea spoke up and said, “We need to understand these families if we’re going to figure out their current motives. Let’s start with the Montclairs.”

“Give me a sec,” I said and ran down to the ladies’ parlor and grabbed the books from Marie. Back in the kitchen, I flipped open a leather-bound volume with cracked pages. “I was looking through this last night and saw this passage about them. According to Marie’s ancestors, the Montclairs have always been power-hungry. That’s why they began working with the Leveau family. That relationship dates back to the early 1800s. This is the interesting part. Way back then, the two families vied for control over the same spiritual territories here. The Leveaus obviously came out on top.”

Kota poured some pineapple mango tea into her tumbler and made a clucking noise. “Marie’s family has been trying to take over for a long damn time.”

Dea nodded, and grabbed sandwich fixings from the fridge and set them on the counter away from the books. “But they didn’t get everything. Apparently, the Montclair estate borders some of the most potent spiritual sites. They’ve probably been trying to absorb that power for generations.”

“It says here that during the Civil War, the Montclairs struck a deal with the Dubois family to undermine the Leveaus," Dre interjected as she read through a book. “They were desperate to break the Leveaus’ hold on the local magic. I wonder if that was the first time they worked together. ”

“ Many have tried to thwart the power the Leveaus had over this city for many centuries. You are the first that have been able to do anything which is why your reputation exploded. The book with the worn navy cover has the details you need about their initial alliance ," Adèle said into our minds. “ The language is ancient, so pay close attention to the nuances. "

“I never thought about others trying to oust them from power. I guess it just seemed like no one tried because the paranormals here had given up on it,” I replied, carefully opening the fragile tome. “Let’s see what this says. The Montclairs and Dubois pledged to share any captured magical power. They believed that by combining their forces, they could surpass the Leveaus.”

Dea leaned in with a furrowed brow. “But what about the Rousseaus? They don’t seem to fit into this picture of immediate rivalry.”

Phi grabbed a slim volume with a crest embossed on the cover. “The Rousseaus were guardians. They were tasked with protecting sacred sites. They formed an alliance with the early Voodoo queens, including the Leveaus, to maintain the balance of power.”

“So why would they turn against Marie now?” Dre asked clearly skeptical. “It doesn’t make sense for them to suddenly become antagonistic.”

Kota tapped the table thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s not so sudden. There might have been a shift in their leadership or a change in their goals. We need to find out what triggered their involvement.”

“ Look in the green book ," Adèle advised. “ It contains correspondences between the Leveaus and Rousseaus.”

I gaped at the cat when she stretched out in the stream of sun coming in the window. “How do you know what each of these books say? ”

If a cat could roll its eyes, Adèle would have. “ I have some magic. While I can’t do much on my own, I can turn pages.”

“Huh. You learn something new every day,” I said as I opened the book. Its pages were yellowed with age. “Here’s something. A letter from an early Leveau to a Rousseau ancestor. It thanks them for their protection during a particularly tumultuous period. But later entries show tension. They accused each other of violating sacred sites.”

Dani took a bite of the sandwich she’d made and chewed. “So, the Rousseaus’ role changed from guardians to competitors. This historical context is crucial as that message said. It shows us that these conflicts aren’t new. They’re the continuation of old grievances.”

“That helps. But we need to understand their current leaders,” Dea interjected around a mouthful. “If we can find out who’s pulling the strings now, we might get a better sense of their motives. And if we’re lucky, what they have planned.”

I got up and made a sandwich and we ate while we continued to sift through the records. The motivations of the Montclairs, Dubois, and Rousseaus were deeply rooted in a complex web of alliances, betrayals, and shifting power dynamics. The challenge now was to use this knowledge to anticipate their next moves so we could protect the reunion from becoming another battleground in their ancient war.

“We've learned a lot about the families and their history, but we need to translate that knowledge into actionable steps,” Dre pointed out as we were cleaning up.

I poked my head out of the pantry where I was putting away food and said, “Exactly. We can't just collect information. We have to use it strategically. And we can’t forget about the evil in the bayou. I still wonder if it’s related to this mess.”

Dea leaned forward. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. We know the symbols we've found suggest a deep-rooted connection to old magic. That could be these families. Or it could be someone else entirely.”

Dre crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “But why now? What triggered all of this?”

“We have identified some key locations. Do we know if these families have historically exerted power in any of those locations? That could tell us if they’re connected,” Dani pointed out.

Phi traced a finger over the map where I’d marked encounters with dots. “These are our hotspots and places where there were attacks. We need to look through the books with this in mind and I will start a graph as we go.”

Dre stood and pointed to me. “Lia and I will go into the attic. I want to check Mary Alice’s family journals to see if there was anything in them.” We had books from those that came before her and the ones that followed.

“They’ve been in the area for a long time,” Phi acknowledged. It’s worth a shot. I wish Cami were here so we could ask her.”

I waved it off. “We are not calling her for this. This is the first time Cami is out without us. I want her and Xinar to have a good time.”

“They make a cute couple,” Dea gushed. As an empath, she was probably picking up how each of us thought the same thing. “She can help when she gets back.”

The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the main plantation house as Dre and I climbed to the attic. Thanks to the new air conditioning unit Lucas installed, it was no longer a sweltering hot box up there. We waded through the sea of old family antiques and moved to the chest containing the personal journals

“Let’s start with that box over there?” I suggested, gesturing to a dusty wooden crate in the corner .

Dre nodded, wiping her hands on her jeans before hefting the box onto an old end table. “Let’s see what secrets this one holds.”

As we pried open the crate, a cloud of dust rose into the air, making us both cough. Inside, nestled among layers of old newspapers and yellowed cloth, was a stack of leather-bound journals. The covers were cracked with age and the pages were brittle and faded.

“Wow,” Dre breathed, carefully lifting one of the journals. “These are really old. Look at the craftsmanship on the bindings.”

I nodded, feeling a thrill of anticipation. “There might be some valuable information in here.”

We began to sift through the journals, each entry revealing snippets of the past. Mary Alice’s family’s daily life, spells, and rituals were all meticulously recorded. As we reached the bottom of the crate, Dre pulled out a particularly thick journal. The cover was embossed with intricate symbols.

“This one looks different,” she said, her brow furrowing as she studied the cover. “It feels like it’s been enchanted.”

My heart skipped a beat as I took the journal from her, the weight of it solid and reassuring in my hands. The magic was a buzz against my fingertips. “Let's open it.”

We settled on the floor, the journal between us. Adèle prowled inside and sat on her haunches. Her eyes glowed in the dim light, and her presence filled my mind with a steady, calming influence.

“ Be cautious ,” Adèle advised, her telepathic voice a soothing whisper in our minds. “ There is indeed a protective spell on the journal. You’ll need to bypass it carefully to avoid damaging the contents. ”

I nodded, feeling the magic pulse under my fingers. “How do we do that? ”

“ Start by tracing the cover’s symbols with your finger, slowly and deliberately. Focus on channeling your energy into the lines, ” Adèle instructed.

We did as she said, feeling the intricate carvings warm under our touch. The symbols began to glow faintly, responding to our magic. “I feel it reacting,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.

“ Good. Now, gently push your magic into the book’s binding. Imagine it as a key unlocking the enchantment, ” Adèle continued.

We closed our eyes, concentrating on the flow of our magic. It took a moment, but I felt the protective spell give way, unraveling like a knot being loosened. The journal’s cover clicked softly and there was a rustle of pages.

“Wow,” Dre breathed, leaning in closer. “I can’t believe that worked so smoothly.”

I smiled, opening the journal to the first page. The parchment was old, but the writing was clear and strong, shimmering slightly with residual magic. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured, running my fingers over the elegant script.

“Lia, look at this,” Dre said, pointing to a passage. “It mentions a powerful entity named Garrick.”

I leaned closer and read the entry. “This journal might hold the key to understanding what he is doing. Although, I’m a lot more afraid thinking he’s been alive for so long. That shouldn’t be possible.”

“It’s not a pleasant thought,” Dre agreed. “Let’s see what it says. It talks about an alliance formed between the Leveau family and other powerful families, including Garrick. It seems like they were trying to harness his power for protection, but something went wrong. There are mentions of betrayal and dark magic.”

I frowned as my mind raced. “Garrick might be seeking revenge for that betrayal. That could explain his recent actions.”

Dre shook her head. “That doesn’t feel right. Not after Marie lost her foothold in the city. Maybe she kept Garrick down until now. There’s nothing here to say one way or another. We will show this to the sisters and ask Mary Alice questions when Dea can find her.”

The sun began its descent as we made our way back downstairs. The others were standing in the entryway. “What’s up?” Dre asked curiously.

“We wanted to check the regular wards,” Kota replied.

Dani nodded in agreement. “We promised Mabel, Harriet, and Elsie we would have additional security. Phi suggested we reinforce and check all of our regular wards. We haven’t done that for months, so there could be holes.”

Dea stood next to her, her hands glowing softly with energy. “We just need to ensure there are no gaps in our defenses.”

Dani headed to the door and threw it open. “We should start at the southwest corner and work our way around. That way, we can be sure we’ve covered everything.”

Kota, her eyes scanning the tree line, added, “Adèle can you scout the perimeter and let us know of any vulnerabilities?”

“ I was planning on it. I will let you know what I find ,” she replied before she took off.

When we moved together to begin the task, I was overwhelmed with a sense of unity. We were all in this together, each bringing our unique strengths to the table. I knelt by the roots of the closest oak tree and brushed my fingers against the cool earth. "Let’s begin."

All of us channeled our magic into the ground. A soft hum filled the air, growing louder as the spell took shape. I felt the energy pulse through me. It was a steady rhythm that matched my heartbeat as it sought out the wards protecting our land.

"We’re almost there," Dea murmured, her voice a calming presence amidst the growing power.

Adèle’s telepathic voice echoed in our minds. " There’s a weak spot near the eastern fence. Make sure to reinforce it. "

Dre tilted her head in that direction. “I’ve got it. Funnel power to me,” she told us as she went to work. We sent a portion of our power to her while keeping focused on the scan. I could feel the spell’s reach, extending to every corner of our property. It was ready to alert us to any disturbance.

“ We’re all set on the north side ,” Adèle informed us. She moved on to the western edge and let us know it was good. She covered the last side and confirmed what our scan revealed. “ Everything’s secure.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I snarked, knowing better than to let my guard down or get too comfortable. Shit usually hit the fan when I did that.