“Yes.” Brielle’s eyes meet mine. “But something is different now. There’s something new.”
“What? What’s different?” Daphne demands.
“He carved Bad Girl into their flesh. He’s punishing us.”
“Hell.” Millie sits and scrubs her hands over her face. “He took three days off to shift gears. To somehow kill these girls.”
“Wait,” Daphne says with her hand up. “I didn’t receive a photo of these kills. I received Polaroids for all the others—well, besides the poor man on my doorstep. Cash, did you ever find out who he is?”
“Yeah.” The other man sighs and pulls his hand down his face. “His name is Matthew Guthrie. Was. He lived in the bayou. Recluse, loner. In his sixties.”
“He used to be a part of the dark coven,” Lucien says quietly. “I never met him. Only heard the name. He left the coven years ago from what I heard.”
“How are we supposed to catch him when he’s so all over the place?” Daphne asks.
“We’re not supposed to catch him,” I remind her. “We’re going to defeat him. On the night of the eclipse.”
“He’s right,” Lucien agrees. “We can’t catch him. But we can end him. I have a few things left to delve into, but I think I’m close to figuring this out.”
“Why so much research?” I ask.
“Because we’ve never gotten this far before,” he replies. “We’ve never been this close to defeating him. Which could also explain his erratic behavior. He doesn’t know how to handle it either.”
“Wait.” Daphne holds up a hand and shakes her head. “Does Horace know that we’ve done this throughout many lifetimes?”
Lucien frowns, but before he can speak, she continues.
“I know that he tried to hurt us in ways that we’ve all overcome before, but I’m not convinced that he’s aware this has been going on for as long as it has. Maybe he’s just reborn every time, full of so much evil and hate, and it’s a constant loop.”
“Either way, it’s fucked-up,” Cash points out, and I can’t help but smile.
“Oh, I’m not suggesting that anyone feel sorry for him,” Daphne agrees. “I just don’t know if he realizes the significance of it all. Is he that smart?”
“Since we don’t know, can’t know what he understands,” Millie says slowly, thinking it over, “we’ll proceed as if he does know. Because at the end of the day, whether or not he knows changes nothing.”
“You’re right,” Daphne says, her shoulders slumping. “You’re totally right.”
* * *
“Tonight is about us,” I announce the following day as we lock up the shop for the evening.
Daphne turns to me in surprise.
“How are we going to manage that? We’re currently living in a house full of people.”
I take her hand and link our fingers, kissing her knuckles.
“We’re not headed that way for a while yet,” I inform her. “We’re going out for dinner and then for a walk in Audubon Park. I want to be with you, just you, for a little while. I don’t mind staying with the others. I know it’s important, and I like them. But I just got you back in my life, and I want some time with you. What do you say?”
She grins, her eyes filling with excitement.
“I say let’s do it. Where are we going for dinner?”
Rather than getting in my car, I walk her down the street to a little restaurant nestled back in a courtyard with old cobblestones for a floor, exposed brick walls, and some of the best jambalaya I’ve ever had in my life.
When we’re shown to our table, Daphne smiles and glances around, then turns to me and sips her water.
“What is it?”
She raises a brow.
“What do you see? I can always tell when you see something you enjoy. You get that sweet smile on your face.”
“This used to be a hospital,” she says. “And, normally, that wouldn’t be a fun thing to see, but so many babies were born here. There was a lot of joy. A few sad moments, of course, but lots of love.”
The waitress comes to take our order, and then I lean in and take Daph’s hand. It’s nice to be away from the others and have a meal as if we’re a normal couple out on a date.
But the edges of my vision start to gray. I swear under my breath, but I can’t stop the premonition from coming.
“Why are you doing this?”
I’m in a room with the women from Cash’s computer. Well, three of them. Another is gone.
“Because, Daphne, you’ve been a bad girl, and I have to punish you and your sisters.” His voice is perfectly calm. Pleasant, even. “I know you don’t mean to be bad. I know that you’re nothing but a woman, and it’s clear to me that those men you’ve chosen to lie with haven’t done a good job of reminding you that men are the bosses. You’re supposed to do what we say, Daphne. You’re supposed to bend to our will.”
“I’ll do whatever you say,” the woman says, her voice tinged with fear and desperation. “I’ll do everything you say. I have no problem with that.”
“You’re lying.” He turns to her and smiles. “I know you’re lying. You’re just saying what I want to hear—though I appreciate you trying to be flexible.”
He walks to her and slaps her across the face.
“But you’re a filthy liar, and that’s just one more thing to punish you for. Maybe before I take your eyes, I’ll take that pretty little tongue.”
“Jack?”
I shake my head and look into Daphne’s worried eyes.
“What was it?”
The waitress saves me by delivering our meals. After seeing what I just did, I’m not super hungry, but I also don’t want to ruin our evening.
When our plates sit before us, I force a smile at Daphne. “This looks good.”
“You’re evading.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take a bite of my food and then gesture to hers with my fork. “Better dig in, or I’ll steal it.”
She smirks but eats her meal, and the conversation shifts to movies we’ve seen lately and what shows we like to stream.
“I love the show Lucifer,” she says with a grin. “The guy who plays the devil is one hot man.”
I stop chewing and frown at her. “Hey.”
“What?”
“I’m sitting right here.”
“So?”
“So why are you talking about hot men?”
She laughs and sips her water. “Please. It’s not like you don’t find female celebrities attractive.”
“I’m not talking about them with you,” I point out. “Out of courtesy.”
“Do you think you’ll eventually have a hot-and-heavy affair with Sandra Bullock?”
I mean, I probably wouldn’t if she offered.
Probably.
She sits back, finished with her meal, and grins at me. “You’re fun. You know that?”
“Hell, yes, I’m a good time.” I chuckle and pay the waitress. “Are you ready for more fun?”
“Absolutely. I need to walk off this food.”
I take her hand as we leave the restaurant and walk down to my car. The drive to Audubon Park takes a little while, thanks to traffic, but we don’t care.
We’re just enjoying our quiet time together.
After I find a place to park, Daphne and I set off on a walk through the ancient oak trees, their limbs so big and heavy they rest on the ground. Other people mill about, running and riding bikes, having picnics, tossing balls.
It’s a busy place, but I like it.
“Dinner was good,” Daph says and swings our hands back and forth as we walk along the paved path. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So, are you going to tell me what you saw?”
I sigh and glance her way. She watches me with patient eyes.
“I’m getting really sick and tired of this asshole ruining my time with you.”
She just waits. Finally, I guide her
to a bench and we take a seat.
“I was with him. Wherever he is. And I saw the girls.”
Daphne’s eyes round, and she holds my hand tightly.
“I’m sorry, Jack.”
“The frustrating part is, I don’t know that I can pin down where I was. It’s just a room. No windows. I couldn’t see outside. I have no idea where he’s holding them in the city. If he’s even in the city.”
“Cash might be able to ask the right questions to get more information,” she suggests. She fidgets in her seat and then stands. “Let’s keep walking.”
“What’s wrong with the bench?”
“Someone slept on it last night who was thinking about throwing himself into the Mississippi River. It’s not a happy place to sit.”
We’re quiet for a long moment, just breathing in the fresh air around us. It’s still winter, so it’s not too hot yet.
The night is a breezy eighty degrees.
“Do you still like to run?” she asks out of the blue. “For exercise?”
“Not really. I ran too much in the Army. Took the fun out of it for me. Why, do you run?”
“Only if something’s chasing me.”
I pull her closer, wrap my arm around her, and kiss her temple. “You make me laugh.”
After an hour of walking around, we make our way back to my car and then toward Millie and Lucien’s place.
“It was nice to steal this time away,” she says and reaches over to rest her hand on my thigh. “Thanks for it.”
“Anytime.”
We walk up to the front porch, and Daphne pauses, holding onto her stomach.
“What’s wrong?”
“I wonder if I ate something bad.” She scowls, and then her eyes clear. “No. Oh, shit.”
She hurries around me, and I follow after her.
Sitting on the doormat is an envelope.
We both sigh in frustration.
“What’s that holding it down?”
“A bloodstone.”
Chapter Nineteen
Daphne
Of course, this would happen now after a fun evening with Jack. I can’t seem to catch a break lately.
I walk around the envelope on the doorstep, open the front door, and call out for my sisters.
“Guys? Brielle? Millie?”
“We’re in the library,” Millie calls back.
“I need you out here.” Jack’s still on the porch, his hands on his hips, and his face set in grim lines. I want to run into his arms. I want to pull him away and go anywhere but here. Somewhere it’s only the two of us and we don’t have to deal with all of this mess. But I can’t.
“Is Cash here?”
“I’m here,” Cash says as all four hurry from the library. He sighs when he sees where I’m pointing. “Did you touch it?”
“No, we haven’t touched anything.”
“There’s a bloodstone,” Millie says and reaches for Lucien.
“He’s back to taunting all of us,” Brielle says, her eyes trained on the sidewalk. “I see a third girl.”
“It’s creepy, and a blessing that the girls can’t come inside,” Millie says.
Cash passes out gloves to all of us.
“Do you just carry dozens of these around in your pocket?” I ask as I slide my hand inside.
“These days, I do. I know there won’t be any prints, but I’m a cop. We do this by the book.”
I kind of love that he’s so strict.
Once his gloves are on, Cash retrieves the stone and the envelope, and we all file back into the library.
Millie moves to close the blinds on the windows. “I don’t want those girls looking in here. And I don’t want Brielle to have to see them, either.”
Cash sets the bloodstone and envelope on the table before us, and we’re all quiet as we look at them, each lost in our own thoughts—and so damn angry that this is happening.
“I guess we have to get this over with.” I pick up the envelope and frown. “I don’t feel a heartbeat on this one. Or any heat.”
I look up at Jackson, whose eyes have narrowed.
I glance at Cash.
“I have to take off the gloves. Sorry, Cash.”
I pull them off, toss them aside, and pick up the envelope once more.
Suddenly, not only can I feel the heartbeat and the heat, but I can also see.
Everything.
“Oh, Goddess.”
“What?” Lucien sits forward. “What is it?”
“I’m not blocked anymore.” I swallow hard and feel so many emotions swamping me that it brings tears to my eyes. “Oh, shit. Shit, shit, shit.”
“Okay, set it down.” Miss Sophia, who’s just come into the room, moves quickly to me, taking my hand. “Set that down and focus, Daphne. I want you to breathe.”
Mama comes in as well and sits between Millie and Brielle. Her eyes are full of concern and worry. She fiddles with the mother of pearl pendant that hangs from her neck.
And that reminds me to touch mine. My rose quartz is smooth, cool to the touch, and bolsters my confidence. I take a long, deep breath. My spirit calms just a bit.
“I wasn’t ready for that,” I admit. “Why isn’t he still blocking me?”
“Because he knows this is almost over,” Miss Sophia says calmly. “And he wants to gloat.”
I clear my throat, take one more breath, and then pick up the envelope.
“What do you see, Daphne?” Miss Sophia’s voice is as calm as a lake in the early morning. “I want you to tell us what you see. Set yourself apart from it. It’s not personal.”
“Yeah, right.” I clear my throat and lick my lips. “Okay, I’m in a house. Someone’s home, anyway. It’s kind of dirty. And it’s like I’m looking through his eyes.”
I hear the tremor in my voice and straighten my spine.
“Is that normal for you?” Lucien asks. “To see things through someone’s eyes?”
“Sometimes. Usually, I just feel the emotions and catch snippets of things that have happened.”
“Keep going,” Miss Sophia urges. “What’s happening in the house?”
I want to whimper from the intense hate and pure evil that permeates the dwelling. I lift my shields even more so I don’t absorb the emotions.
“He’s having fun. He likes the punishments, and he’s excited that he gets to do it with his own hands again, rather than making them do it to themselves. It’s not as satisfying to him if he’s not the one doing it. Physically.”
I swallow and let more sensations come to me.
“He loves us.” My eyes snap open, and I feel the need to throw up, so I rush down the hall to a bathroom and barely make it to the toilet. Someone holds my hair back and coos at me, but all I hear is the rushing in my ears. All I feel is the need to get everything I just saw and felt out of me.
“It’s okay,” Jackson croons as he rubs a circle over my back. “I’m here, sweets. I’m right here.”
I lean my head on my arm and try to catch my breath, then sit back on my haunches and accept the wet rag from Jack, wiping my face.
“I’m okay,” I say at last. “It just slammed into me. And it’s slimy.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself.” He helps me to my feet and pulls me in for a hug. “I love you, Daphne. It’s going to be okay.”
I let myself cling to him for just a minute, soaking up his strength. For the first time in a long while, I can read him the way I used to be able to.
Love.
Concern.
Anger—but not at me.
“I love you, too. Thanks. Let me just rinse my mouth, and then I think we can go back in.”
He never lets go of my hand as we walk back to the library. Everyone is sitting, just as they were before, but I can read the worry on their faces.
“I’m okay.” I accept the water Millie offers and take a long drink, then sit back in my seat beside Miss Sophia.
And reach for the envelope.
“
He loves us,” I say again and wrinkle my nose in disgust. “He believes he does, anyway. He’s teaching us lessons, punishing us. He’s angry but also resigned. Like he knows that women just misbehave this way and need his punishments.”
“Where is he?” Cash asks. “Where is he keeping the girls?”
“I don’t know.” And that has me feeling the sickest of all. “I can’t see much. I can’t see how he gets to wherever he is. He’s moving through the house. I don’t see any of the girls. He’s cleaning because he’s disgusted by how dirty the place is.
“He’s walking down the hall into a bathroom, and—” I frown in confusion. “He’s looking at himself in the mirror. Oh, shit. For fuck’s sake.” I open my eyes and stand, shaking my head. “No. He’s dead. I know he’s dead.”
“What?” Brielle takes my hands in hers and makes me look into her eyes. “What is it? What do you see, Daph?”
“He has Daddy’s face.” I shake my head again in denial. “It’s impossible. Is he just messing with me again? He has to be. He can’t be using our father to kill these girls.”
I turn to Mama, desperate for answers.
“He’s dead.” I hear the plea in my voice. “You killed him. I know you did.”
“I didn’t,” she says, shaking her head. “But the thing that inhabited me did, yes. And then he proceeded to torment you girls, and me, for the better part of twenty years.”
“Then how?”
“I’m not finished,” Mama says, her voice stern. “Your father had a brother. Andy.”
“How did we not know that?” Brielle asks the room at large.
“Your father told me, back when Brielle was just a baby, that he killed Andy. Because Andy said something, in passing, about me being pretty.”
“Temper much?” Cash asks.
“I’ve never seen a man more filled with rage,” Mama says with a sigh. “When we met, he was not like that. He was quick to smile, always made me laugh, and was kind. He didn’t love that I was part of the coven. But I wasn’t willing to give that up, and he said he could live with it. But right after Brielle was born, things started to change. He was just angry all the time. Horrible. He would say the meanest things.”
“You’re remembering more,” I say, shocked at how much she knows. I know she’s been doing so much better, but there are moments I’m surprised by the difference in her.
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