by D C Young
The drive was about fifty minutes long and as they passed through the transport district of the Savannah port which ran through the cities of Port Wentworth and Garden city, Dani didn’t fail to point out important sites and explain a little about how things worked in the greater Savannah area.
“So, here’s our exit folks. We’ll be going through a very industrial part of downtown and then we’ll be crossing over the Savannah River and going on to the famous Bay Street. Bay Street runs parallel to historic River Street, which I hope you’ve made arrangements to go see. There’s a lot to see and experience on River Street and the best way to do it is just to walk from one end to the next making sure to stop for a bite to eat, something to drink, a little dessert and lots of pictures.”
The ride from downtown to Tybee was uneventful. Dani pointed out the road which led down to Old Fort Jackson and reminded the group that if they planned to visit the fort, the sooner they did the better; the daily cannon firing program would be closing in the next week or so for the winter.
It was all wetlands and grassy marshes from there on until they got to the island and soon enough they pulled into the driveway of the beach house. The excitement started to mount again among the group. The place was gorgeous and private, with a lawn that seemed to run right down to the sea. They couldn’t have asked for anything better than that.
“Oh, em, gee! Aunty Lou, you totally scored on this place,” Anthony said, as he stepped down from the SUV.
Tammy was close behind him and after taking a look around she said, “Oh, yeah! You totally nailed it. This is going to be the best vacation ever… like, EVER!”
“Better than Disneyland?” Rick asked feeling a little hurt.
“Don’t feel bad, Uncle Rick,” Tammy recovered quickly. “Disneyland was epic on a different level. You don’t compare other vacations to Disneyland; it’s in a class of its own. But as far as any other vacation spots might go, this place is completely on fleek!”
Mary Lou and Rick looked at Sam confused. “On what?” Rick asked.
‘Don’t worry about it,” Sam replied. “Apparently that means it’s awesome.”
“Hey, I’ll take it!” Mary Lou announced.
Tammy handed Sam her phone so she could put in her authorization code for the credit card charge and swiftly paid Dani for the ride. Tammy was allowed to use Sam’s Uber account but as a precaution only Sam could confirm a payment, which meant whenever Tammy took an Uber, Sam was at the destination to receive her.
Sam waved as the black escalade crunched the gravel on its way back down the beach house driveway, then turned around to take another look at the place. It was gorgeous. White woodwork and blue painted walls made her feel like she was on the Amalfi coast. Mandeville vines in all colors gracefully climbed latticework rails against the side of the house and displayed their beautiful, fragrant flowers with pride. The ground floor boasted a deep patio which ran the entire sea facing side of the building and above it, providing all the spectacular shade was a balcony of equal size.
There were 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms upstairs; every room, its own suite. The two which shared the balcony were slightly bigger and designed to be matching master suites as far as Sam could tell. She took one and Mary Lou and Rick took the other. Tammy had her own room while Anthony shared with one of his cousins and the other two shared the last room.
Downstairs, they had the use of a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living and dining areas, a powder room and a modern entertainment room with a 60” high definition TV. BluRay discs lined one of the den walls in addition to On Demand broadcasting from the best provider and high speed WiFi internet access throughout the house. The attached garage held a large washer and dryer and two Ford Escapes, the keys to which hung in the kitchen.
They really couldn’t ask for more.
An hour after they’d arrived, Sam was changed and ready for some relaxation. Determined to get the ball rolling, she stood at the bottom of the stairs and gladly yelled, “Alright, everybody. Who’s heading down to the beach?”
The loud roar of a unanimous ‘yes’ resounded through the house followed by a torrent of footsteps. As she followed behind the five children heading down to the seaside patiently herded by Mary Lou and Rick, Samantha took her phone out of her bag, searched for the number she needed and pressed ‘send’. After a few rings, Rennie Telfair answered the phone.
“Samantha, how lovely to hear from you. How was your flight?”
“It was uneventful but the city and Tybee Island… Oh my, how beautiful is this place?”
“Yes, Savannah does have her charms among a myriad of other things.”
“I was just calling to confirm our visit. We’ll be heading over to the island on Friday evening if that’s alright with you. I’m quite anxious to hear what you have to say.”
“Yes, indeed. That works wonderfully, we’ll be ready for your arrival. Should we say about 4pm?”
Sam chuckled. “Yes, Rennie. Just in time for afternoon tea.”
“Good. See you then, Samantha.”
Chapter Seven
Meanwhile, in the Big Easy…
New Orleans, Louisiana.
“This is very serious shit, Bridget,” Erika said calmly into the phone. She was in the back of the Mercedes with Jade on the way to Destrehan in Saint Charles parish. The opulent Ormond Plantation house was always the venue for the Guardian’s annual All Saints Day banquet.
“Are you telling me or asking me, Erika? Of course, it’s serious shit. This could mean the total destruction of New Orleans or at the very least the complete eradication of the supernatural community there,” Bridget replied. “The New Orleans community is the stronghold of all our kinds in the Western Hemisphere; if the city was lost, all but a hand full of vampires, witches and werewolves would be killed.”
There were a few moments of silence over the line before Erika replied. “I’m on the way to the banquet now, Bridget. I’ll be bringing this to all the faction before dinner. I’m sure we’ll have an idea of what to do after that.”
“I can be there before dinner starts if you’d like.”
“That might be quite helpful and you are welcome in our midst.”
“Good. I’ll see you in a couple of hours then.”
“Okay, then. See you soon.”
As soon as Bridget put the phone back in its cradle, she quickly got dressed and went downstairs to find Julia. The only person she could think of who would be able to conceive the impending danger on New Orleans was the Greek. Also, if she was going to fly the two thousand miles to Louisiana, she would need to drink her fill of hemoglobin to get her strength up.
She found Julia in the library, sipping from the wrist of a strong looking young man. There were two others just like him standing around waiting to make their donations should she require them to. Bridget took one of them by the hand and led him to the couch. She sat down beside Julia and bit into the man’s wrist.
After a few moments she was satisfied and with a few drops of blood from the tip of her tongue, she closed his wounds and thanked him before dismissing all three from the room.
“I need to talk to you,” Bridget said to Julia. “I’ve had a vision of Yemaya. She’s raising attack against the factions of New Orleans. I’m not sure when she will strike but it will be soon and it will be deadly.”
“Now that’s a huge piece of very bad news,” Julia said, sitting up alert in her seat. “What do you plan to do? Have you spoken to the Guardian yet?”
“She was the first person I called as soon as I woke up from the trance.” Bridget stood up and began pacing the room. “She suggests I should get to New Orleans as soon as I can. The factions are at their quarterly meeting tonight for the Feast of All Saints.”
“Yes, a perfect time to sit down and discuss the matter with all the relevant leaders,” Julia agreed.
“Would you like to come with me?”
“If it would give you comfort…”
“It wo
uld.”
“Then I’d be glad to, little one. Give me ten minutes to change into something a bit less formal.”
By a few minutes to nine, Bridget and Julia were on their way to New Orleans. With the speeds they were capable of reaching it would take them about an hour to get to the Ormond plantation; plenty of time to make the faction meeting followed by dinner at midnight.
When they arrived it was around ten and Erika Benoir was already seated in front of the other faction leaders going through the usual agenda. She had briefed them on the new development and advised the group that they would be joined by Bridget Bishop and Julia Agrippina to discuss the matter further. Julia and Bridget waited outside the meeting room watching the flurry of caterers and other people move swiftly in and out of the dining hall where the banquet was being prepared.
Centerpieces were being brought in and put in their places while footmen in Ormond Plantation livery were fussing over the place settings on the table. The bustle in the kitchens could be heard whenever someone stepped through the double swinging doors which led that way.
“Oh, I do love a well thrown party,” Julia said, “Don’t you?”
Bridget cast a slightly surprised look her way, then replied, “I certainly do but definitely under less stressful situations than the one we’re presently in.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
Just then, Jade Benoir came out of the small meeting room and showed the two Watchers in.
“Erika is ready for you now,” she said to Bridget. Then she turned to Julia and gave her a small curtsey. “Welcome, Eldest Watcher.”
“Thank you, Jade,” Julia replied and followed Bridget into the room.
Chapter Eight
Seagull Point
Tybee Island, Savannah, Georgia.
It had been a wonderful week so far in Savannah for Sam and her family. The weather had been the expected mix of bright, warm sunshine with cool, constant breezes which bordered close to downright chilly at times.
They had been to Old Fort Jackson and watched the firing of the cannon over the Savannah River as an old-timey riverboat went by the fort. A whole day was spent downtown taking a historic trolley tour and then walking River Street from one end to the other with the Vaughan sisters. Rick took Savannah’s open container law to heart and was hardly seen without a plastic beverage cup in his hand. Mary Lou kept a watchful eye on him the whole time and was proud he didn’t over do it like a college spring breaker.
They started at the west end with refreshing drinks for all at Saddle bags, then strolled along the river taking pictures of the Talmadge Bridge, the South Carolina shore and the view east along the street. The cobblestone road with its trolley tracks running down the center were something neither Samantha’s and Mary Lou’s children had ever seen before. They’d seen tracks and cable cars in San Francisco but never anything like River Street.
Even more fascinating was the half way point along River Street which is unofficially marked by the Hyatt hotel. A floor of the hotel sits on River Street with the road actually running through a sort of porte-cochere. On the other side, there was an old-timey river boat docked up under a sign that read Savannah Belles Ferry. They headed for the sign; that was where they were supposed to meet the Vaughan sisters who would be hosting them for the rest of the walk.
The three women were a melting pot of every personality you would expect to meet in the South. Ricki, the eldest was as charming as a southern belle was expected to be. She wore a sensible white, v-necked blouse with a full, flowy black and white polka dot skirt. Red kitten heels and a red bandana around her curly up do completed what Sam thought was a very rockabilly look.
Roberta, on the other hand, had a different brand of femininity about her style. Tammy seemed intrigued by her accent and clothing. It was plain to see she was a real country girl and proud of it. Roberta seemed genuinely excited to be on River Street that afternoon; dressed to relax and enjoy the break in jeans and a white tank top, her cowboy hat and boots.
Riley was the youngest and quietest. She looked a little put out to be out and about doing the tourist thing. As it turned out, she had a Victory Octane being delivered to their shop, R3 that day and was anxious about the arrival of her new motorcycle. She’d never owned something she didn’t have to turn her own wrenches on before.
“So, how are y’all doing so far?” Roberta asked the group. “Savannah treating you well?”
“It’s been amazing,” Mary Lou piped up. Every one nodded their heads in agreement.
“That’s just peachy. Well, I’m not here to conduct a tour, heavens no. I have three little things planned and I’m just going to lay it out so everyone can take it easy and go at the pace that feels right. I’m not herding anyone up and down River Street.” She took a breath and then continued. “We’ve got lunch arranged for us all at Olympia Café across the street right there. Then my suggestion is y’all take a walk through the River Street Sweets store. There’s a gentleman there that makes the pralines while you watch and he’ll even give you a sample to taste. Let me tell you, they are divine! Then after that, a stroll to the east end and a little shopping. How does that sound?”
“Amazing, Roberta,” Sam said, giving the pretty woman a little hug. “Thank you for all your help and making this so special for us.”
“It’s our pleasure. Veronica’s a really dear friend of ours.”
Sam nodded her understanding.
***
A few days later, all eight were piled into the two Ford Escapes, with weekend bags packed and the GPS set for Rennie Telfair’s residence on Hilton Head Island. There had been promises of water sports and horseback riding so all five children were more than content to trade their cozy seaside villa for the short relocation to South Carolina; it was just for the weekend after all.
From the marshes surrounding US 80, they took Bay Street then the Talmadge Bridge which landed them immediately into South Carolina but left them navigation a few small back roads on the way to Highway 278. The drive through Bluffton was a breeze and soon there were signs for Hilton Head Island in front of them. A series of bridges ended at a toll station where a dollar and fifty cents bought them admission to Hilton Head.
The scenery was immediately changed from the marshy waterfront they’d seen around the bridges to a lush green surrounding. It was obvious that the properties and communities that had suddenly sprung up to their right were sitting strategically between the road and the gorgeous coastline. Another ten minutes and both SUVs were pulling up in front of a two-story, Georgian style house that under any other circumstances should have been called a mansion. Rennie was standing on the front porch waving at them as they drove up.
“So happy to see you Samantha,” he called from top step. Sam waved her response and returned her attention to helping Mary Lou get the kids out of the cars along with all their personal belongings. When their bags had been removed from the trunk, the little band of holiday-ers walked up the six steps to join their host.
“Welcome to Seagull Point,” he announced cheerfully. “Come in and make yourselves at home.”
Chapter Nine
Bridget and Jade
St. Charles parish, Louisiana.
After dinner, the Benoirs, Bridget and Julia returned to Benoir House and settled into the sitting room to unwind. It had been a long and stressful night, though as successful as any of them could have expected.
Enzo, the werewolf pack leader, had suggested they enlist the help of Cajun priestesses who stayed to themselves out on the bayous around Pecan Island. It was certain they would have additional information about the entity they would be encountering.
Gerard Laurent, of the Vieux Carré vampires added that perhaps the Houma shamans might have something to add to the mix. Their knowledge of ancestral customs was known to have some of the deepest roots in the area.
Vivianne Laveau, the Tremé witch, agreed with both Enzo and Gerard. Yemaya was a being that dated back to before the da
ys of slavery; a Yoruba orisha, who was powerful, creative and vengeful. The characteristics of both creation and destruction were closely tied to the deity just as they were to so many other mother type god across the various world cultures. She could create and uplift with one hand and destroy and humiliate with the other.
It was certain that the sometimes self-serving and petty use of modern magic had infuriated the Mother of Orishas and she was hell bent that New Orleans should pay for it, be laid waste and humbled; so that the rest of the supernatural world could see what happens when a balance is not maintained. It was agreed that they would reconvene in a week at Benoir House to discuss their findings.
When the meeting was adjourned, everyone went in for dinner, but the mood for celebrating was somewhat diminished. Within a couple of hours, Erika and Jade stood on the front steps of the plantation house, with Bridget and Julia behind them, as they bid their colleagues goodbye.
***
By the time they’d arrived back in New Orleans, a silent agreement had been made between Julia and Bridget to stay in town until the factions had set a course of action. Bridget had been the bearer of bad news but Julia had just felt it would be in bad form for the Eldest Watcher to abandon a Guardian in her time of greatest need.
Having anticipated that would be the case, Erika had made up the guests rooms in advance.
“I’m so sorry that we seem to only find ourselves in each other’s company when things have been turned on their ears,” Julia said to Erika as they walked towards the guest room.
“It does seem to be the best way to get everyone cooperating though,” Erika said smiling. “There’s nothing quite like the threat of complete annihilation to bring people together.”