Lucien swirls his finger in the air, and all of the candles light, casting the room in shadows.
“So cool,” Daphne says with a grin. Lucien winks at her.
“I could learn to do that.” I narrow my eyes at Lucien. “You have your own girl.”
“That I do,” he says with a laugh and kisses Millie’s cheek.
Miss Sophia and Ruth flank Miss Annabelle, who lifts the dagger and begins to chant.
“North and south; east to west, blood to blood at my behest. Show the way, flying free, location found, so mote it be.”
Miss Annabelle holds up her hand and slices her palm, letting the blood fall on the map.
“Illuminate what we want to see. Lead us to those we must set free.”
The blood swirls around the map and separates into droplets, scattering over the page. I look up at Lucien, whose face is creased in confusion.
Finally, Miss Annabelle wiggles her fingers and whispers something in Latin. The blood lifts into the air and then settles into a small vial that she seals and sets aside.
Oliver takes her hand in his, closes his eyes, and the wound heals.
“It didn’t work,” Daphne says and looks at Miss Annabelle with grief. “Why didn’t it work?”
“Because this isn’t my quest,” Miss Annabelle replies. “My blood can’t unlock what we need to see.”
Immediately, Daphne thrusts her hand toward the other woman. “Take mine then. This is my quest.”
I want to step in and say no. The thought of anyone deliberately cutting Daphne makes me crazy and stokes my need to defend her.
But I stay quiet.
Miss Annabelle begins the spell again, cuts Daphne’s hand this time, and the blood drops onto the map. As Daphne pulls her hand away, Oliver takes it and, with a whisper, heals the wound.
“Illuminate what we want to see. Lead us to those we must set free,” Miss Annabelle says again, and the blood begins to glow and move, this time in one circuit around the large map on the table.
When it settles onto one spot, everyone looks up at me.
“I knew it.”
“There was nothing in that house,” Cash says, shaking his head. “It’s empty. Been abandoned for years.”
“It’s a spell,” Lucien says. “He blinded us to what’s really going on in there.”
“We were there,” Daphne whispers. “Oh, my goddess, we were there. The girls. We have to go back. How do we break the spell?”
“We have to hurry,” Cash says. “And I’m calling Asher. He’ll believe me. Hell, he was part of this before.”
He leaves the room to make the call, and Miss Sophia and Miss Annabelle discuss different spells that might break the one Horace placed on my childhood home.
“Did he buy it?” I wonder aloud, catching Lucien’s attention. “Did Horace buy the house all those years ago in preparation for this?”
“I doubt it.” Lucien shakes his head. “He couldn’t have known that things would end up like this. But it worked out well for him that no one has been in that house in a long time. I bet he got his rocks off when he discovered it.”
“Let’s move,” Cash says as he returns to the room. “Asher’s meeting us.”
* * *
I pull into the driveway, again ahead of Cash. I already see the difference.
“It doesn’t look the same at all,” Millie says in surprise. “There’s a car in the driveway, and you can tell that someone’s been in and out.”
“The spell is already broken,” Lucien says as we hurry to the front door. “And I’d wager that he’s gone.”
Cash turns to us and brushes his hand over his mouth. “I told Asher I’d wait, but damn it, those girls could be in there.”
“Oh, they’re in there,” Brielle says. “And they’re also standing behind me. But one is weird.”
“How so?”
“She keeps coming and going. Flashing in and out. I don’t know how else to describe it.”
After just one more moment of hesitation, Cash looks us all dead in the eye.
“Don’t touch anything. Nothing.”
He opens the door, and we all file in behind him, frantically searching the space.
It’s a fucking mess.
“The smell,” Daphne says, covering her nose with her hand. “Oh, hell.”
“That’s a lot of death,” I agree. We scout out the first floor and then make our way upstairs where Cash stands in a wide, double doorway. Both doors are open, and the scene beyond looks like something out of a horror movie.
“Don’t go in,” he says quietly. “We’re too late.”
I look over his shoulder and curse ripely.
“Jesus fucking Christ.” I push my hands through my hair in agitation. “They’re still bleeding, Cash.”
“I see.”
“We could have saved them. My God, we could have fucking saved them.”
“No.” Millie puts her hand on my shoulder gently. “He made sure that we couldn’t.”
“We have to be sure,” Brielle says to Cash. “We have to check them. What if someone isn’t dead?”
With a grim face, Cash nods, and we carefully make our way around the room. It’s difficult to avoid stepping in blood, but Cash reminds us all again not to contaminate the scene.
My stomach jolts as I cross to a woman with red hair. She looks so similar to Daphne, it makes me nauseous.
When I reach down to touch her neck, just past the gash over it, she suddenly opens her eyes and gasps for breath, sitting up to my absolute shock and horror.
“Fucking hell,” I exclaim and jump back right into a puddle of blood.
“Holy shit,” Cash cries out as all three girls gasp. Lucien’s eyes narrow.
The woman’s blue eyes bulge. Her fiery red hair is full of blood, and she’s coughing, clutching her chest as she gasps for breath.
“This is insane,” Daphne whispers and reaches for my hand.
When the woman stands, as naked as the day she was born, she narrows those eyes and walks through the bodies lying around her, toward us.
And that wound on her neck is closing. Healing as if it was never there.
“Who are you?” Brielle asks, stepping forward.
“Lucinda,” the woman replies. “Lucy.”
She pushes her hand into her hair, still looking around at the mess around her.
“I knew I recognized you,” Millie says. “From the missing persons poster. You’re Lucy Finch. From Salem.”
“I am,” Lucy says. “And I’m naked.”
“And surprisingly calm,” Daphne points out.
We hear footsteps below, and Cash turns to us.
“The cavalry is here. I’m going to be here for a while. Lucy, I need you to stay so I can ask some questions.”
“I know,” she says. “Can I cover up?”
“I have a blanket in the car,” I offer and run down past the cops to my vehicle, retrieving the throw and hurrying back up with it.
Then the five of us are ushered out while the police take over.
“At least Cash is in there,” Millie says. “So we know what’s happening.”
“Who is Lucy Finch?” Daphne asks her sister. “And why did she miraculously come back from the dead, scaring the shit out of us before our very eyes?”
“She’s a witch—a powerful one from what I’ve heard. I’ve never met her. She’s related to some of the witches in Baton Rouge. They must have invited her to come join us for the eclipse. I have no idea why she’s here-here, or how she didn’t die.”
“Maybe she did somehow die and then came back to life,” Brielle adds. “Because she’s the one who was blinking in and out.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of it,” Lucien says. “Also, I found Andy.”
“Where?” I demand as I turn to him.
“He’s in the bathroom upstairs. Dead. Missing his eyes. I told Cash on our way out.”
“Why didn’t you say something before?” Brielle demands.
“Because you three don’t need to see that,” Lucien says softly. “There’s no need. You already have enough terror in your minds.”
“He’s right,” Millie says. “I don’t want to see it.”
“Me, either.”
Cash comes outside, escorting Lucy, who’s wrapped in the blanket. She doesn’t look freaked out. She looks…pissed.
“I don’t need a hospital,” she insists.
“Your throat was slashed,” Cash says.
“It’s not now. Look.” She points to her neck. “Not even a scar. I want to talk to you all. I can help you.”
“You need a shower,” Millie says. “And some fresh clothes.”
“Damn right, I do,” Lucy agrees.
Cash doesn’t look convinced.
“I promise you. I don’t need a hospital. I also promise that I have no intention of hurting any of you. I came here to help. I wanted a fun trip to New Orleans and to help you all at the same time. We can see how that worked out for me.”
“Did he know?” I demand. “Did he know what you are?”
“No. I never let on. I promise I can tell you everything. But I’m sure you can understand why I’m anxious to get the hell out of here.”
“Let’s take her back,” Millie says. “Get her cleaned up—physically and spiritually.”
“If you’re fucking with them,” Cash says quietly, “this will end very badly for you.”
Lucy’s face softens. “You love them. Of course, you do. You’re the six. I wish you no harm.”
Cash takes a deep breath and then nods. “Okay. I have to stay here for a bit longer, but I’ll meet you at the house. I’ll catch a ride with one of the guys.”
Lucy rides with Daphne and me. She’s quiet, curled up in the back seat the whole way.
When we pull up to Millie’s house, she smiles.
“How lovely.”
Before we leave the car, Daphne turns to Lucy.
“How do I know that you’re not him? That you’re not Horace, worming his way into this house to hurt us?”
“Horace can’t get inside of that house,” Lucy says calmly. “I understand your concern. I’d be wary, as well. When you found me, I was pretty much dead.”
“Are you immortal?” I ask her.
“No.” She smiles again. “I’m just a woman with magic. I promise you, I’m not your enemy. I will not hurt you.”
I look at Daphne, and she nods. We escort Lucy into the house where Miss Sophia, Ruth, Oliver, and Miss Annabelle are all waiting.
When they see Lucy, there’s a frenzy.
“Oh, you poor child,” Ruth says as she reaches for Lucy. When she touches Lucy’s shoulder, Lucy jerks.
“What is it?” Millie asks her.
“Oh, ma’am,” Lucy says as tears fill her eyes. “I’m so sorry for what was done to you. I’m so, so sorry.”
“This is Lucy Finch,” Lucien explains. “She was being held by Horace. Managed to live through it and came all the way from Salem to help us.”
“Well, you come on in,” Miss Annabelle says. “We’ll get you cleaned up and comfortable before anyone starts asking questions.”
“I’ll fix some soup,” Millie announces and heads for the kitchen.
“I have some clothes that should fit you,” Daphne says, eyeing the other woman. “He took you because you look like me.”
Lucy nods. “I know.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Lucy assures Daphne. “It’s not your fault at all. I could use that shower.”
“I’ll take you up,” Daphne says and takes Lucy’s hand before stopping cold, her wide eyes meeting Lucy’s. “Oh, Lucy.”
“Let’s go up,” Lucy suggests. “And then we’ll talk about it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Daphne
I can hear her in the shower. She’s been in there for more than thirty minutes. Frankly, I don’t blame her.
She may scrub off the blood, but she’ll never forget what it felt like on her skin.
I’d want to wash until I was raw.
I’ve never been so scared as I was when Lucy’s eyes opened, and she sat up. What kind of crazy zombie movie am I living in anyway?
The water shuts off, and another fifteen minutes tick by before Lucy pokes her head out of the steamy bathroom.
She’s dressed in a pair of my leggings and a T-shirt. Her clean hair is wet and twisted up and out of her face.
“You look like a college co-ed,” I say with a smile. “And you’d never know a serial killer spirit held you captive for a couple of days.”
Her smile is thin and she looks exhausted. “I know he did. It all started to catch up to me in the shower, and I had a good crying jag.”
“Honey, you can cry all you want,” I inform her. “Cry it all out.”
“It won’t help anything.” She shrugs. “Thanks for loaning me the clothes.”
“It’s honestly the very least I can do. I have so many questions, Lucy.” I want to reach out and hug her. The touch a little while ago had shown me so much—more than I usually see when I touch people.
Again, it’s not people who tell me stories. It’s things.
“I know you do,” she says. “Everyone does. Let’s go downstairs, and I’ll answer all of the questions.”
“I’m pretty sure Millie probably made you all kinds of soup and tea with special cleansing and protection spells in them.”
“That will be lovely.” We set out down the hall to the stairs. “You’re a powerful sensitive, Daphne. Psychometric?”
I raise a brow. “Yes. But lately, I’ve been picking up on people’s emotions, as well. Seeing more. It’s unusual for me.”
“I suspect it’s because so much is happening right now and it’s igniting your gifts. Amplifying them. You may have always been a little psychic in that way and didn’t really notice until now.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
We get to the bottom of the steps, and I hear everyone in the library.
“We’ve been gathering in here for meetings,” I tell Lucy as I lead her to the others. “It’s my favorite room in the house.”
She smiles when we reach the threshold. “What’s not to love about a room so full of books? Is Millie Belle from Beauty and the Beast?”
“You’re my kind of people,” Millie says with a wink. “And, yes, I often go on rides on the sliding ladder. Come on in. I have hot soup and tea for you. And anything else you might need.”
“A cozy spot to sit would be blissful,” Lucy says and sighs in relief when she plops down in a plush chair and then pulls a throw blanket over her lap.
Sanguine jumps into Lucy’s lap, turns three circles, and curls up to sleep.
“Wow,” Millie says in surprise. “Sanguine is my familiar and doesn’t usually take to strangers so quickly.”
“What a beautiful name for such a pretty girl,” Lucy coos and scratches the cat’s ears. “She knows that I miss my familiar back home. Nera got me through the last few days without losing my mind.”
“Your familiar was with you?” I ask.
“Oh, yes. Spiritually, anyway. He’s been sick with worry, but he’s calm now. He’s an Irish Wolfhound. My big, gentle giant. And a fierce knight, just like his namesake.”
Lucy smiles at Millie, who sets a tray of soup and tea before her.
“All of this has protection and cleansing potions added. It shouldn’t make it taste bad. I think you need it.”
“I do. Thank you.”
Lucy reaches for the tea, sits back, and meets Miss Sophia’s gaze.
The library is dark, with candles lit around the spacious room. Everyone is here, including Lucien’s parents and Cash, who must have arrived while I was upstairs with Lucy.
It’s a packed house.
And we’re all trying to give Lucy space to settle in before we pounce on her and pepper her with questions.
“You and I have met before,” Lucy says to Miss Sophia.
“I was a young girl, and you and your sister came to Boston to help with a missing persons case. You came to Salem for a day.”
“Yes, I remember,” Miss Sophia replies. “I told your mother when I saw you that you were an old soul. That you see and know more than anyone realizes.”
“I’d say that’s still true,” Lucy says. “We lost Mama last year. But she always had kind things to say about you. Now, I’m sure you all have questions, and there are some things that I have to tell you.”
“Not too much,” Miss Sophia advises, and we all frown at her. “Some of it they have to figure out for themselves.”
“I know,” Lucy says with a nod. “But there’s much that I can say, and knowledge is power. I’ll just start at the beginning, if that’s okay. Otherwise, I’ll get all turned around. My mind is clearing, but it’s still kind of jumbled, too.”
“Just take your time,” Mama says kindly. “You drink that tea and take your time.”
Lucy nods and sips her tea.
“I arrived in New Orleans a day earlier than when we were supposed to meet to go over the plan with you all. I wanted to soak in the city a bit before the eclipse. I’ve been here several times, and it’s one of my favorite places. Anyway, I went out for dinner the night I arrived.”
“Alone?” Cash asks.
“Yes. I don’t mind being by myself. Especially in this city. I had a delicious meal and a couple of glasses of wine. I wasn’t drunk. I left the restaurant and strolled down the street, peeking into gallery windows and being lazy about walking back to my hotel. I wasn’t in a rush. Then, suddenly, a man brushed past me and stuck me with a syringe. Drugged me.”
She sips her tea again.
“He pulled me into a waiting car. I noticed he was alone, but then I passed out. And let me just say, I’m still confused because I have some powerful spells for protection, yet he was able to take me.”
“He’s a powerful witch in his own right,” Millie says.
“Yes. He is.” Lucy clears her throat. “When I woke up, I was in that house. With the other girls. One was dead when I woke. I tried so hard to cast some spells to protect the others, but it didn’t work. It was like something blocked my magic in there.”
“It very well could have been,” Miss Annabelle adds. “I know you don’t know any of us, and we’ll introduce ourselves later, just know that all of us are part of the coven, and you’re safe here. I only wanted to add that he likely did cast a spell on that house to ward off any kind of witch.”
Serendipity: A Bayou Magic Novel Page 17