Garden of Dreams and Desires

by Kristen Painter

  Zara’s eyes widened slightly. Her smile was genuine this time. “He’d like that, wouldn’t he?” She snorted softly. “I don’t know why I doubted you. You have my full cooperation.”

  Augustine sat across from Grantham as the detective gave him the details of the missing persons situation, including files on the five tourists and Robbie Pellimento, although there didn’t seem to be any one factor tying them together. The detective shook his head. “The mayor is leaning on the NOPD hard to get this resolved, supposedly because he doesn’t want the tourism industry to suffer. Personally, I think it has more to do with Pellimento’s impending visit.”

  “I’m sure that’s a factor.”

  “It is.” Grantham lowered his voice slightly. “And that’s where the real suffering will come from. But I’m sure you know that already since you’re going to feel her wrath more than I am.”

  “So I’ve been told,” Augustine said. “Fenton filled me in on her. I promise you have my help.” But other than making his lieutenants aware of what was happening, human matters still weren’t his main focus. He held the files up. “These copies are for me?”

  “All yours. I hope they give you some ideas because we don’t have much to go on right now.”

  “I’ll do what I can.” Augustine stood. “I’ll be in touch.” He made his way to the Thrun. As soon as he slipped into the driver’s seat, his LMD chimed in his head. “Answer.”

  “Boss, it’s Cy. You’re never going to believe this. I followed Harlow like you said and someone else was already following her. Guess who?”

  “Maybe you could just tell me.” After his discussion with Queen Jewelia, he had too many other thoughts on his mind to play games.

  “Father Ogun.”

  Telling Harlow exactly how he felt wasn’t going to be easy but—“What did you say?”

  “Father Ogun. The voodoo doctor.”

  “I know who he is. What the hell has he got to do with any of this? What happened exactly?”

  Cy continued. “I located her on Chartres, but he was already trailing her. Not sure for how long but if I had to guess, I’d say he was waiting near the house.”

  “Has he been camped out for the last three days waiting?” Or maybe he’d done some voodoo thing. “He had no way of knowing when she’d leave. I didn’t know he even knew who Harlow was—because that’s who he’s got to think she is.”

  “Nothing stays secret in this town for long. Besides, the obit mentioned Olivia’s daughter.”

  “True.” And Harlow had advertised her Web design business in the Picayune.

  “Do you want me to confront him? I could go to his house, maybe rough him up a little, tell him to stay away—”

  “No. If anyone does that, it’s going to be me. Do you have any idea what he wanted with her?”

  “She stopped shopping to get some beignets and that’s when he made his move. Sat right next to her. Started talking about clothes and shopping and stuff like that. Then he told her he’d known her mother and that he and Olivia were friends.”

  “All lies. I would have known about that.”

  “He also told her not to say anything to you or Lally about meeting him, because you two had never liked him and wouldn’t approve.”

  “He’s got that right.”

  “They talked a little more and she asked him what sorts of things he could do. He said he didn’t like to talk about such things openly and they made plans to meet for lunch tomorrow.”

  “Is that so?” Augustine had a pretty good idea about the kind of thing Ava Mae would want Ogun for. No doubt some sort of ritual to bind her spirit to Harlow’s body for good.

  There was no way in hell he would let that happen.

  Even if he had to kill Ogun to prevent it.

  Chapter Four

  Giselle and Ian arrived at Ogun’s to find him not at home. They drove around the block a few times. Giselle used the time to fill Ian in on her plans to make Ogun the sixth soul. Finally, on the third trip past, his car was pulling into his drive. They made one more circuit before parking outside his yellow two-story and climbing the porch steps.

  She let Ian knock. Ogun was quick to answer, his expression immediately angry until his gaze shifted to Ian, but the wizard’s presence only took the slightest edge off it. “What do you want?”

  “Hello, Ogun.” Giselle gave him a moment to process the fact that she was still alive. “Now that you’ve seen with your own eyes that your attempt on my life has failed, I believe you owe me a conversation.” Judging by his velvet suit and the rest of his gaudy outfit, he’d been somewhere more than just the corner market.

  His gaze stayed on Ian. “What’s he here for?”

  “Protection. You can’t begrudge me that.” But let him try and she would send a shock wave of magic through him that would knock him to the ground.

  “Fine.” He held the door open wider. “Come in.”

  She entered, Ian following after her. The ever-present stench of incense assaulted her senses. She wrinkled her nose and waved her hand in front of her face. “I don’t know how you can stand the stink of all that.”

  Ogun closed the door and ignored her comment. “Sit or don’t. I don’t care.” He lit a cigarillo and took a few puffs, unbuttoning his jacket. Maybe that was his answer to her jab about the incense. He sat in the large, kente cloth–covered chair in the center of the crowded living room.

  Ian poked at a strand of tiny bones dangling from a lamp, making them jangle. “Quite a collection you’ve got here.”

  Ogun pointed the cigarillo at him. “Don’t touch those. Or anything.”

  Ian’s fingers lingered on the bones. “Are you threatening me?”

  “I’m telling you to respect my things. If you don’t, you have only yourself to blame for the consequences.”

  Ian shot him a dark look. “Now that was definitely a threat—”

  “Ian.” Giselle wasn’t here to play referee. Ian made a face, but kept his hands to himself. She settled in the seat closest to Ogun, the smoke of his cigarillo turning her stomach and making her wish for an extinguishing spell that would go unnoticed. Sadly, there wasn’t anything she could do but let the damn thing burn. It was slightly less irritating than the incense. “Ogun, I know you cast the choking spell on me. And I know it was because you were angry over recent events. I’m here, not as the new high priestess of the New Orleans Coven but just as myself, Giselle Vincent, to call a truce between us.”

  His brows lifted. “Is that so? And just like that I’m supposed to believe you’re not here to retaliate?” He laughed. “You just made your new position clear. It seems to me a truce is the last thing on your mind.”

  She nodded. “It would have been in the past, but things have changed. I have changed.”

  A look of skepticism crinkled the skin around his eyes. “And I should believe that why? Tell me, Giselle Vincent, how have you changed?”

  “As I just mentioned, I’m the high priestess of the coven now. I have greater responsibilities. My father’s legacy to uphold. The coven’s welfare to think of. And as always, the weight of the fae oppression on my shoulders. A weight I imagine your people will soon feel.”

  That got his attention. “What have you heard?”

  “What have you heard? Because as I understand it, Augustine has taken to the role of Guardian with alarming stringency. He’s pushing for more regulations on the witches and due to certain involvements, wants to bring all of your practitioners under the same guidelines.”

  “What does that mean, certain involvements? Are you sure? He threatened, but I had no idea he was going forward with this.” Ogun stood, his hands clenching and unclenching. “He has no right. None.”

  Giselle held back a smile. She’d been bluffing to get Ogun to help her. That Augustine had actually threatened such action was a bonus. “I agree. Which is why I’m here. The time has come for us to work together toward a common goal.”

  Ogun stared at her. “What goa
l?”

  “I can’t—and won’t—reveal details, but I am working on something that would level the playing field. The fae have had the upper hand too long.”

  He sat slowly. “The only reason for you to tell me about this is you must need something from me. That hasn’t worked out very well for me in the past.” He glanced at Ian. “I don’t want to discuss all this in front of your muscle.”

  “And I have no reason to trust you alone.”

  “If we’re going to work together, we have to start somewhere.”

  She glanced at Ian. Ogun didn’t know she’d gotten stronger since the last time they’d had an encounter and she needed the voodoo doctor on her side. At least until she could get rid of him. “Could you give us a few minutes alone?”

  Ian frowned. “Only if he swears to do you no harm.”

  Ogun waved him off. “I swear it.”

  Ian looked at her for approval. She nodded. His frown turned to a hard glare but he left.

  She returned her attention to Ogun. “I apologize for what happened in the past. I wasn’t as careful as I should have been with the bokura, especially with you being so generous to offer it to me in the first place.” The words tasted so bitter she could barely form them.

  He grunted like it was the least he could have done.

  She held back a snort. “I would remind you that I owe you a flesh debt.” Something he probably needed no reminding of. “I am trying to repay that now by bringing you into this plan. If you help me, I won’t forget it when the witches take their rightful place as the ruling body of this city once again.”

  His brow furrowed and he shook his head. “You just said you were working on something that would level the playing field. Not raise the witches to power. How does that help my people?”

  Damn it, she’d overshared. She scoffed like it was nothing. “We’re the same, you and I. Children of the earth. Guardians of the natural magic. When the witches return to power—their rightful place, I might add—your people will never have to worry about the kinds of rules that mine struggle with now. We’ll sign a treaty to that effect, guaranteeing your freedom for the life of the city. Those who practice voodoo will never have to feel the kind of oppression my people have. That is my word as high priestess. And that is what we will put in writing.”

  “A treaty.” He snorted. “You think your word in writing means anything more to me?” Laughing, he shook his head. “I don’t think so. I need more than that.”

  “I’m willing to offer you something greater then.” She sighed as if she was resigned to the sacrifice she was about to make. “If it would satisfy your desires, I will grant you an honorary place at all coven meetings.”

  His mouth came open slightly in surprise. He quickly closed it and sat back. She could see the wheels turning in his head by the look on his face. He was considering it. Hard. He ground the cigarillo out. “That’s quite an offer.”

  “It is. But I’m high priestess now and free to make whatever changes I deem necessary. I’ve learned the hard way you’re a better ally than adversary.” The dusty lies clogged her throat. “It’s time our people worked together, don’t you think?”

  His eyes narrowed in satisfaction. Smug bastard. He shrugged like he had nothing better to do. “What do you need from me?”

  “Almost nothing. A few volunteers that no one will miss.”

  He nodded arrogantly as if he’d sussed out her entire plan from that one detail. “You need lives.”

  “I need people who won’t be missed.” She wasn’t willing to say more than that. He didn’t need specifics. Just to do what she wanted.

  He steepled his fingers, a move that reminded her of her late father. He tapped the tips of his fingers against his chin. “I would imagine you also want to remove Augustine’s scrutiny.”

  “I would not be opposed to that, no.”

  “I’d like him out of my hair as well.” For a few moments, he sat without saying anything. At last, he spoke, his eyes narrowing. “How many lives do you need?”

  “A handful. Five.”

  “Five is not a small number.”

  She shrugged and moved as if to leave. “If it’s beyond your abilities…”

  “Sit.” A hint of anger played in his eyes. “I will help you with one caveat.”

  She settled into her seat. “And that is?” Of course he had conditions. No one did anything in this town without getting a piece of the action for themselves.

  “You will not argue over who I bring you.”

  What was going on in that mind of his? “I can’t blindly agree to that. You could bring me one of my own coven members.” Although there were a few she wouldn’t balk at adding to the well of souls. “Or one of my clients.” She shook her head. “No, I can’t give you this.”

  “The one I have in mind is not a witch, nor one of your coven members.” He sat forward, smiling like he was about to give her a gift. “If you…” He swirled his hand through the air. “Remove her from this world you could very well set in motion the thing you wish to accomplish without any further work.”

  She squinted at him. “Speak plainly.”

  He sighed and rolled his eyes. “I am offering you one of Augustine’s inner circle. One who, based on my supernatural perceptions, could count as two lives.”

  A niggle of suspicion zipped through Giselle’s brain. “Who?”

  “The woman he shares the house with. Harlow.”

  Her surprise lasted the briefest of moments, but she knew Ogun had seen her react. How did he know Harlow had another soul within her? Had he been watching that night at the warehouse, too? How did he even know about Harlow at all? “What are you saying? What makes you think she would count as two? And how could you even begin to think you could bring her to me?”

  He laughed and pulled a business card from inside his jacket pocket. He held it up between two fingers. “Augustine dropped this a while back on one of his many visits. It seems the late Olivia Goodwin’s daughter has not only moved to town but has started a business. I’ve already met her and am meeting with her again. I will have her under my sway very soon.”

  “That answers nothing about the two lives.”

  He pursed his mouth for a moment, thoughts flickering behind his dark gaze. “There is an aura about her.” He waved one hand. “A darkness. She is troubled, but not in the way of the grieving. It’s as if… she possesses the spirit of another. I expect my next meeting with her will confirm my suspicions. If so, she’s worth two souls.”

  This time, Giselle kept her expression blank, but inside she was reeling over the fact that Ogun had uncovered the same thing she had. Of course, Ogun didn’t know that other spirit was Harlow’s dead twin, Ava Mae. But then he hadn’t been privy to the scene Giselle had witnessed between the girl and her now-deceased father, Joseph Branzino. Ava Mae had laid bare her past in the minutes before she’d slit the man’s throat.

  Ogun tilted his head. “What say you? Do we have a deal? I deliver the girl and three others, provided she holds two souls, and then we are at peace. Allied, even.”

  There was no reason not to believe Harlow would count as two. With three more, plus Ogun as the last, they’d have their twelve souls and the ruina vox could be cast. Turning Augustine’s attention to the missing Harlow would just make their work that much easier. Her plan had become so much more than she’d hoped. “We have a deal. But now I have a condition.”

  He lifted his head slightly. “What?”

  “Bring me Harlow first.”

  With Lally and her lemon bars in tow, Augustine hoisted a small bag over his shoulder and took them through the mirror and onto the fae plane. The gloomy gray land was ever the same. Windy, dismal, bleak. No place for the shining source of life that Olivia Goodwin had been. “Livie,” he shouted into the wind. “You there?”

  “Augie? I’m over here, cher.”

  He and Lally turned toward the voice. Olivia was camped out on a large flat boulder surrounded by severa
l tall shards of rock that formed a natural partial wall. She waved them toward her. “C’mon, it’s quieter here. Out of the wind.”

  Augustine jumped up first so he could give Lally a hand. She settled in beside Olivia and the two hugged each other.

  “I’ve missed you both so much,” Olivia said.

  “Us, too.” Lally handed Olivia the covered plate. “Here you go. I made these special for you because I know you like them.”

  Livie pulled back the foil. “Lemon bars? These might actually make me forget about being dead.”

  He reached into the bag and pulled out the bottle of bourbon he’d stashed. “If they don’t, this should.”

  Livie took the bottle, laughing even as tears sparkled in her eyes. “You know, I don’t need to sleep or eat or drink anymore, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t missed certain things. And I’m pretty sure just because I don’t need to do something, that doesn’t mean I can’t.” She uncapped the bourbon and took a pull off the bottle, smacking her lips and moaning in pleasure. “Oh, that’s the stuff. That might actually bring me back to life.”

  She and Lally laughed. Augustine shook his head. “I’m surprised to see you up here. It’s more of a climb than I thought you could make.”

  The tears were gone, but the sparkle remained. “I was about to give you grief for not visiting in so long—and I still might—but these treats have me in a good mood, so I’ll just give you the update.” She leaned in like she was about to tell them a secret. “I’m getting stronger. Not just in whatever form this is, but in other ways, too. Look.”

  She put the plate and bottle down to pick up the carved wood-framed mirror Lally had given her after she’d first passed over. She held the mirror up and slipped her hand through all the way to her shoulder, then pulled it out. “That’s as far as I can get but it’s something, don’t you think?”

  “It’s great, Livie. Definitely something.” He wasn’t sure what it meant that she could only go partway, but it was still progress. Considering that the alternative was her growing weaker and disappearing on this plane, he’d take it. Especially if it kept her focused on something besides being alone out here.