by G A Chase
Ahead lay the land of the dead—the deep waters he knew so well. The peace and sense of all-human oneness beckoned as it always had, but giving in to the temptation would only hurt Kendell. Her love had found a way to hold him to life.
That left the land of Guinee and the one who called himself Baron Malveaux. He had to be hiding somewhere in that office with the women’s souls he held captive. Though time had little meaning in this purgatory, back on Kendell’s balcony, Myles’s body would be experiencing the chills of night and the aches and pains of inactivity. He couldn’t let her wake up to find him unresponsive. Best get on with it.
As he stared down the long road, the skyline of New Orleans came into focus, but it wasn’t the city of modern-day high-rise buildings and congested freeways he remembered. Before him stretched the gloriously adorned mansions and gleaming marble businesses of a time before war had forever changed the South.
The floating tour of the old city ended and deposited him in the same office he’d visited earlier. The ghostly women were missing, but he could still sense their presence. Sitting at the large oak desk was the man Myles had spent so much time studying. “We meet at last,” the man said.
As Myles sat in front of the man who had so much power in both life and death, he realized he had little to bargain with and even less to use as a threat. “You’re behind it all: the Laroque family’s lust for power, the curse used against your heirs, and even Madam de Galpion’s attempt to help Kendell right the wrongs of her ancestors—including you. All I want to know is your endgame.”
“You presume to sit in judgment of me? Only an officiant would request a combatant to divulge his plan.”
He had a point. Myles could hardly expect him to give away the strongest element of his attack—that of surprise. But his response did confirm that all other people were simply game pieces on the board. “I’ll stand against you, and I have allies. Together, we will stop whatever evil you have in mind.”
His laugh hardened Myles’s resolve. “Loas of the dead aren’t born every day. Didn’t you wonder why Papa Ghede talked with you like an equal? You’ve been to the deep waters. You traverse them as easily as I used to cross the French Quarter from the bank to my pied-à-terre. Even the descendants of Marie Laveau haven’t been where you’ve been. The fact is you’re sitting here, not just some disembodied spirit, but you, Myles Garrison. Stand against me? You’re everything I hope to become. Together, we will do great things.”
Myles woke to find he was covered in a cold sweat. The first rays of dawn lit up the spires of Saint Louis Cathedral. His body hurt from being in the same position all night. Leaving the subconscious realm could at times be like waking up from a dream—the details weren’t always as sharp as he’d have liked. This time, however, he remembered every word.
Cheesecake stared at him from the open window as if asking what he intended to do.
“One problem at a time, girl. There’s enough going on in this life without trying to tackle the world of the dead too. For now, it might be better if we just tell Kendell I fell asleep out here.”
As if satisfied with his response, she sneezed and returned to the apartment.
34
Still half-asleep, Kendell reached for the other side of the bed. Waking up next to Myles was her favorite part of the newly romantic relationship. To her disappointment, he wasn’t there. From the smoothness of the sheets, he didn’t appear to have been in the bed for some time. Memories of taking the spiritual journey that Madam de Galpion had manipulated came flooding back like a nightmare she was waking into rather than out of. Self-condemnation began raising its ugly head, but before she got too panicky, she smelled the inviting scent of strong coffee. She rolled over to see Myles bringing in a tray, Cheesecake prancing along next to him. “There you two are. I’m not used to waking up all alone.”
Cheesecake took a running leap and barely cleared the mattress. It wasn’t a maneuver she did in front of strangers as more often than not she ended up humiliated on the floor. Myles was becoming a part of the family.
“I wasn’t able to sleep. I didn’t want to wake you with my tossing and turning, so I sat out on the balcony, listening to the night music. Guess I fell asleep out there.”
She took a sip of the hot coffee. “When I first moved here, I spent many nights in that chaise lounge chair. Since Cheesecake’s abduction, I’m afraid I don’t get out there at night like I used to.”
He sat next to her on the bed. “I had a chance to think over our investigations. I think we should stick to one major adversary at a time. The Laroque family has made it clear what they want, and you’ve already modified most of the objects. It seems to me we’re making progress even if we don’t know where we’re going.”
She could see his point. Finding another cause to pursue did seem like abandoning a fight because they didn’t have a good solution. “I’m not sure how Madam de Galpion will take the news that we don’t want to return to that netherworld.”
“That’s the next thing. What I do is very personal. I’m happy to take you along because of our connection, but I’m not some two-bit tour guide.” The venom in his voice wasn’t unexpected.
“It was wrong of me not to warn you. Even though it was your idea to include her, I knew she’d be trying to use the trip for her own education. I’ll never be able to apologize enough, just as I’ll never fully be able to thank you for helping me save Cheesecake.”
“Keeping you two safe is kind of a full-time occupation. Have you had any thoughts about the Laroque issue?”
She knew they didn’t have many advantages against the powerful family. “I feel like we’re trying to stab a ghost with a knife. None of it makes any sense. As cursed items, the baron’s things are as dangerous to the people asking for them as any rival member of the family. And with what Lance told you about the ambitious faction of the family already having secured its position, why would they want to further threaten any defeated opposition?”
“But if they don’t want the objects so they can use the curse, what do they want?”
She’d been so busy countering the Laroques’ moves that she hadn’t spent enough time considering the bigger picture. “These things are pieces to a puzzle—that much feels certain—but I have no idea as to the finished picture. Maybe they think they can modify the curse like we’re doing. Clearly, we don’t fully grasp all the family’s dynamics. There may be details we don’t understand, like where the money’s coming from. Without having an inkling of what they’re up to, it’s hard to know what I should be doing.”
Myles pulled the shoe box of items from his backpack and started inspecting each one as if there were some clue they’d missed. “At least if you have the curse modified, they can’t use these things on you and you have a built-in weapon against them. But I’m still worried we’re somehow playing right into their hands. Unfortunately, I don’t see an option.”
“You know, they may not be as evil as we thought. They are politicians.” She wasn’t yet ready to tell him about the offer from Lincoln Laroque about her musical future. Though it was probably a bribe, the temptation played around in her imagination like a winning lottery ticket that she kept in her pocket, not yet ready to confirm the numbers.
“They kidnapped Cheesecake in order to steal the pipe tool. Then they used it to kill their cousin Marilyn Fontenot because she’d figured out the family power play that’s been going on for generations. We just rescued your friends from their clutches. And we’re only on the periphery of their activities. Lord knows what they have in mind.”
She hated admitting he was right. “I guess their actions haven’t been the most honorable. So I finish my work with Madam de Galpion then turn over the items to the family. I guess then it’ll be their move.”
* * *
She expected to walk into the normal working routine at the café. Instead, when Kendell entered the homey establishment, Polly nearly knocked her off her feet with her exuberant bear hug. “We got
a huge gig. We’re playing Jazz Fest! I still can’t believe it. They had a last-minute cancellation. We’re in!”
The bandleader’s enthusiasm was infectious. “Good lord. We’ve never played a venue that large. I didn’t even know you’d applied.”
“I filled out the paperwork on a whim. I never thought we’d be chosen. I wanted to tell you first. You’re our hard-driving force. We can’t do it without you.”
A fear began forming in the back of Kendell’s mind that the invitation to play might not be entirely due to the band’s skills, but there was no way she could let the girls down. Sneaky. “Of course I’m in.”
Polly squeezed Kendell even harder before finally letting go. “I’ve gotta find the rest of the girls. This isn’t the kind of news to be sent in an email. We need to start rehearsing this afternoon. Jazz Fest is only a week away, and we’re playing the first day.”
It wasn’t like they’d be up against one of the big names. The first Thursday of a festival was normally low-key and attended largely by locals. But playing that day was a major foot in the door to bigger gigs.
“See you at Minerva’s garage after work.”
For the rest of the day, Kendell fantasized about being on an outdoor stage, playing for people as far as she could see. Famous musicians from all over the country headlined the two-weekend, twelve-stage affair. She might bump into some artist she’d listened to all her life. The excitement was getting the better of her imagination. She couldn’t help smiling.
The distraction made her forget her habitual end-of-the-shift customer. “You look happy.”
She didn’t want to know, but the question wouldn’t go away. “Did you do this? Are you responsible for us getting the Jazz Fest gig?”
“Don’t get riled up. Your band earned the spot, though I might have helped move the application to the top of the pile. I just wanted you to see that there are advantages to having me as a friend.” He had a Southern genteel manner that must have worked wonders at sweeping women off their feet.
She remembered Myles’s list of grievances. Even if Lincoln Laroque wasn’t the enemy, he wasn’t to be trusted. “First you tried to steal an object and ended up taking my dog. Then you kidnapped my friends to force me to help you. And now that threats haven’t worked, you’re resorting to bribery?”
“This isn’t a bribe. Think of it more as an advance on what I’ll owe you for the baron’s possessions. Having me in your debt isn’t a bad thing.”
With him offering her whole band a path to fame, she thought a little gratitude might be in order. “You can be quite charming when you’re being manipulative. On behalf of my band, I thank you for your help. We won’t let you down.”
“I’ve heard you play. I’m not concerned, but bring your A game. There will be a lot of people in the audience who could do a lot of good for all of you. I can make the introductions, but in the end, you have to earn your place in this world.”
* * *
Between hearing Polly’s news, dealing with Lincoln Laroque as the hidden reason for their sudden success, and practicing until her fingers hurt, it had already been a long day, but Kendell couldn’t put off telling Myles about the Jazz Fest gig a moment longer.
The bar was hopping, as it always was on a Friday night. She sat at the end on a bar stool that rested on three out of the four feet. Any drunk using the chair would surely end up falling out the door, into the rush of people on Bourbon Street. Myles was in his element—flirting with women, mixing drinks without bothering to measure the liquids, and tossing bottles back and forth with his fellow bartenders. She loved watching him work, even if the job wasn’t the most prestigious or important. Working at the café gave her the same feeling of belonging that she saw in Myles’s smile.
As the band on stage struck up “Middle of the Road,” he took his break so they could talk outside in the relative quiet. To her relief, he heard her out.
“I know Lincoln is behind it, but I owe it to the girls. Jazz Fest is a big deal.”
“I know it is. You can’t let an opportunity like that slip by, even if it does come from the hand of the devil.”
He would never accept Lincoln as anything other than a member of the hated Laroque family. Myles’s concern helped ground her and keep her from being carried away by the offer of fame and fortune. Though she’d never given much thought to the enchantments of money and power—and how a man of breeding could use them to his benefit—Lincoln Laroque had a seductive way of making his arguments. It would be oh so easy to get swept away by his charm. Good thing I’m not attracted to such attributes.
“It’s just a morning gig—hardly primetime. But you’d think Polly had just gotten us a recording contract.”
“What about the curse?” His question shook her. She wasn’t trying to keep anything from him, but she’d been careful about explaining her recent on-stage energy surge.
“Polly wants every free minute for band practice, but lining up all our schedules means I’ve still got some available time. I want to finish my sessions with Madam de Galpion as soon as possible. I can’t tell you I won’t use that power on stage. We’re going to need every advantage we can get.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the historic brick wall. “I can’t say I blame you, but I’ll be glad when you’re rid of those things. Don’t make them a crutch. You play beautifully without the added amplification the curse provides. I’d rather people heard the real you.”
She suppressed the urge to give an overly defensive response. “It is me, just with more adrenaline. I’m not going to say it isn’t fun having that boost, but it’s not an addiction. Just as soon as I’ve got all seven items modified and the concert is over, I’ll arrange to hand them off to Lincoln.”
He unfolded his arms and pulled her to him. “I’m not judging. I’m just looking out for you. Put everything you’ve got into that performance. He can’t give you anything you didn’t earn. Real success isn’t a gift. It’s an accomplishment.”
35
Kendell had spent so much time in the back room of Delphine’s perfumery it began to feel like a second apartment, though half the time she was either convulsing or struggling through another dimension, so it wasn’t a place she’d miss. The journals that filled the wall-sized bookcases still beckoned with their unread histories. She’d needed the voodoo priestess’s help, but as this was their last session, she decided to throw caution to the wind. She still had too many questions. “I keep coming back to why do they want these stupid things?”
“I’m not a mind reader.”
She’d had enough of Delphine’s evasiveness. “Maybe not, but you have a unique perspective on the curse and the Laroque family. You could hazard a guess.”
“Keeping people’s secrets is one of the ways I stay in business—and stay safe. If I started spouting off about who was after whom, or what Marie had written about regarding her patrons, or even who paid for my special services, I’d be run out of town.”
Kendell suspected that was why there weren’t many honest voodoo shops left. “This is different. I’m not trying to hurt anyone—just the opposite. I’m not asking out of curiosity. The more I know, the better I can keep this curse from doing real harm. There are family obligations I carry from both the Malveaux and Broussard sides.”
Delphine lit the familiar incense of absinthe and sandalwood. “Nothing ends with one person. The strife extends across many families. By identifying an opponent’s weapons and securing them before that adversary has a chance to use them, the Laroques hope to remain safe.”
The answer only further annoyed Kendell. It was the same old excuse, which no longer held up in view of what the family had put her through—unless they thought of her as the enemy. “I’m just a guitarist in a local band. How do I get them off my back?”
“Give them what they want. Based on all the spell diaries in this room, that’s been my family’s answer.”
Either the dark woman didn’t know or didn’t want
to know. She had powers but no answers. For a moment, Kendell thought Delphine was just as much a pawn in this game as she and Myles. “Tell me the truth. Once I’m done with these objects, will they leave us alone?”
“Will you leave them alone? You could have just handed over these things weeks ago.”
The circular argument of who started it and who would finish it made Kendell dizzy. “I guess, like them, I’m just looking for a little safety from a potential enemy. If you won’t tell me about them, what about you? Did you get what you wanted from Myles?”
“The trip to Guinee was very informative. I was able to fill in many of the blanks left from my ancestor. We each play our part. Without someone to archive these journals and answer the long-simmering questions, voodoo will forever be misunderstood. Mr. Garrison has some unique abilities. They are skills best kept secret.”
Kendell settled back in the chair to let the smells that filled the room begin their magical transformation of her and the watch fob. The sooner this is over, the better. Then Myles and I will be free to love each other without this damn interference.
* * *
Jazz Fest arrived in the blink of an eye. The New Orleans fairgrounds smelled of horses, wet hay, and freshly mown grass. The morning sun lit up the few remaining clouds from the night’s rainstorm. With the workers scrambling to get everything in order, artisans making the finishing touches to their booths, and bands like Polly Urethane and the Strippers nervously setting up their equipment, excitement filled the air like the ever-present aroma of deep-fried beignets from the booth next to the stage.
Kendell tried to savor the moment, but her bandmates were far too excited to notice much beyond their upcoming Jazz Fest debut. Ever the worrier, Polly sprang down from the stage to walk the cordoned-off VIP area. “The ground’s spongy. I guess it’s good we’re playing early. By tonight, this is going to be a mosh pit.”