She didn’t bother to look up as he made his way over to the chair opposite her.
“I need to know where she is, Sol. You’re my last chance.”
“Why don’t you let Jade show you?” Solaris lowered her lids and bore into Bo’s soul with her gaze.
“I don’t trust her,” he stated.
She canted her head. “After all she’s done, you still don’t trust her?”
Bo stood and paced, not knowing what to do with all the angry energy tearing apart his insides.
“What has she done? Almost gotten me killed? Lied?”
Solaris reached for her cup of tea. “I know you want to blame someone for everything that’s happened, and someone is responsible, but it’s not her. You can trust her.”
“Tell me where Raven is…please,” he begged.
Sorrow filled her eyes. “I don’t know. Don’t you think if I had this information I would tell you?”
Bo heard the sound of a door creak behind him. He turned.
“Oh, it’s you,” he spat with disdain.
Jade stood in the threshold between Solaris’s office and the hall leading to the basement.
“Yeah, it’s me. I figured since you don’t want to hear where your lady love is, I thought I’d share the information with…”
She was about to say with someone who cares. Bo could hear it in her voice as clearly as if she’d spoken the words aloud.
But she knew better, he thought.
Of course he cared, but he was hurting too much. And he was a cop, which at times sucked for him. Cops don’t trust anyone and sometimes he missed that ability to simply trust.
“His name is Henri Rioux, and he lives at 19 Avery Drive, in Bayport.”
“Does Tobias know?” Solaris asked as Bo ran out of her office.
“Of course I told him,” Jade said.
Solaris rose from her seat. “Bo—wait!”
Jade tried to shimmer into Bo’s car, but only made it across the room. “It works so much better when Tobias is around,” she whined.
“Come on. I’ll drive,” Solaris offered.
“He’ll be back shortly. She’s not there,” Tobias said as he walked into Solaris’s office. “I caught him as he was getting into his car and told him. I’m worried about him. He’s falling apart. He’s just sitting in his car, staring into space.”
“He hasn’t eaten or slept since we were in the Keys,” Jade added.
“I’ll go talk to him, maybe get him to eat something,” Sol said, grabbing a small leather pouch.
Solaris walked out into the afternoon sun. It would be glorious weather for the celebration that night. Except for their current predicament, she would be ecstatic.
Knocking on the glass window with one hand, she reached for the handle on the passenger side of Bo’s Mustang with the other. It wasn’t locked. She slid in silently.
They both sat there watching the workers from the town put up barricades for the final parade. Shopkeepers set up tables outside to sell their wares in preparation for the big night.
“She found her once. She can find her again,” Solaris said, breaking the silence.
“I know.”
“So what’s the problem?”
He turned to her, his eyes red from the tears he’d shed. “I should be able to find her. We had that connection once. Maybe she doesn’t love me anymore. Maybe she regrets the price she had to pay for saving me. And if she doesn’t now, she will in the future.”
“Bo, she’s not Lamai, she’s human. That’s why you don’t have the same connection—not because her feelings for you have changed. I may not know where she is, but I do know she still loves you.”
Bo rubbed at his face with callused hands.
“I want you to come inside and let me make you a bowl of soup. You need to eat or you’ll be no good to Raven when we get her home,” she said with a smile.
Jade stood by the entrance of Blood Pool and watched as Solaris walked in with Bo at her side. She saw the tiny leather pouch hanging around the older woman’s neck and wondered what was inside. Solaris would never tell, but whatever was in there must have helped get Bo to eat a bowl of stew and get an hour of sleep.
Chapter Twenty-five
Up until this point, Raven had some semblance of trust that Laroque would not poison her, but that had drastically changed. She was bone-tired and weak from not having eaten since they left the house in Key West.
Her muscles ached from the rough travel and bad weather. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed next to Bo and drift off to sleep in his arms. She thought back to the last time they were together at home.
It was a bittersweet memory.
When Mick arrived in her room with a bowl of soup, she was leery about accepting it. From behind his back he revealed a bag from a local hamburger joint.
“It’s a double cheeseburger. You have to eat, and I don’t blame you for not wanting anything prepared in this house,” Mick said.
“My last meal—from the king of burgers,” she said with a smirk.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that.” He lowered his voice. “Laroque is keeping everything very hush-hush. I haven’t seen him since he returned with Henri. He’s up to something. I just don’t know what.”
“You can’t read him?” she asked, taking the bag.
“I’m sure by now you’ve figured out he’s a powerful bokur. He can create any illusion he wishes. So, to answer your question, no, I can’t read him.”
Raven took the sandwich and nibbled at it. Her gaze lingered in the corner, staring at a coat rack. On it was a velvet gown in a forest green color. It was cut low both in the front and back. A jewelry box sat on a dressing table alongside it. She reached for it and took a closer look.
It contained a magnificent diamond and ruby necklace.
Graduated, pear-shaped, alternating stones made up the antique jewelry. There were earrings to match. Raven hesitantly touched the box.
The word mother came to her then cancer. A glimmer of understanding penetrated Raven’s psyche. Laroque’s mother must have had the disease. Perhaps this was Laroque’s reason for wanting to work on a cure for cancer.
“You need to dress in that outfit after you’re done eating.” Mick pointed to a doorway at the other end of the room. “You can shower in there. I left you soap and shampoo. There are plenty of towels.”
“What’s going on, Mick?”
As he turned to leave, he looked into her blue-green eyes. “We’re going to the ritual soon. It’s almost dark.”
“I’m running out of time,” she said.
Mick just looked at her with a sad smile and left.
Raven swallowed the last bite of her sandwich then took a hot shower.
The dress fit perfectly, and for a moment, Raven was lost in her reflection in the mirror. The gown hugged her curves of as if someone had painted it onto her. The back was seductively plunging, reaching all the way down to her waistline.
Laroque entered the room with a cup of tea.
She removed the necklace nestled in the jewelry box and put it on.
“Here, it’s cold out. Have some peppermint tea.”
“Oh, shit,” she mumbled. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
Philippe Laroque stood before her in a black designer suit—Versace, Raven guessed. He looked her over and signaled with his hand for her to turn. Reluctantly, she spun around.
He handed her the teacup. “Drink it.”
She put it down.
“Really, Raven,” he said in an exasperated tone. He lifted the cup and took a sip. “Now drink some.”
She took the tea and drank a bit. It tasted delicious.
“There are shoes in that box by the bed. Put them on,” Laroque ordered.
Raven sat and took out the velvet pumps, which were the same shade of green as her gown. Suddenly, she felt woozy and held onto the edge of the bed.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
Raven remaine
d silent. She finished her tea.
“What are you going to do to me? Hang me by my neck or burn me at the stake?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. That kind of treatment is inhumane.”
She stood to look at her reflection in the mirror. Her head felt as if it were spinning, and she was dizzy again.
On wobbly legs, she staggered to the window that overlooked the ocean. Night fell quickly, revealing a smattering of stars and the luminescent full moon just rising in the east. Raven felt as if she’d had too much wine at a dinner party, only there was no wine—and definitely no party.
His good nature evaporated with the light of dusk. He held out his hand to her. “Let’s go.”
She moved to him, still feeling groggy, her legs felt like they had lead weights attached. “Did you put anything in my tea?” she asked.
“Just a little something I prepared to calm you. An old recipe, tried and true.”
They made their way down the stairs. She held on to his arm. “Terrific and how thoughtful,” she retorted.
“Thank you. I agree,” he said, guiding her through the patio doors and outside to the driveway. Mick followed, ready to get into the driver’s seat of the Mercedes.
“Henri is driving tonight. You stay here,” Laroque commanded.
Raven caught a glimpse of the expression on Mick’s face, but the sedative made her too sleepy to fully appreciate the terror that flashed there for a moment.
He obviously knew enough not to argue with Laroque. He simply nodded and stood simmering in silence until the three drove off to Town Hall for the opening ritual.
Once they were out of sight, Mick shimmered into the ethers.
“She’s traveling, getting closer,” Jade said from a corner booth at The Bed and Brew. The restaurant filled quickly with people ready to party until the light of dawn.
That night would be the opening ritual at Town Hall, followed by a procession to the cemetery on the west end of the island. Townspeople would leave behind food and wine for their loved ones who had shed their physical bodies. There would also be another small ritual at the graveyard in honor of the dead.
Jade, Bo and Tobias were about to get up and head to Town Hall when a roadblock appeared in the shape of Mick Harris. Jade ran into his arms.
“I missed you!” they professed simultaneously. Tenderly, they kissed.
Tobias and Bo walked around them, trying to get to the front door.
Mick pulled away from Jade. “Wait!” he called to them, trying to get their attention. “Something’s going on, and I’m sorry to say Laroque has cut me out of the loop. I think he sensed I’ve come to like and respect Raven, and he doesn’t trust me anymore.”
Bo stood and turned, his face as hard as stone as he looked at the Lamai eye-to-eye. “Why should I believe you? You could have come and helped us anytime, but you didn’t.”
Mick straightened his shoulders. “You’re right. But I’ve found my love and I didn’t want to jeopardize what I have with her.” He gazed lovingly at Jade. “Besides, once we left the Keys I wasn’t informed as to his plans. Believe me or don’t. It’s your choice.”
Bo spoke between clenched teeth. “Go on.”
“He’s with his longtime friend Henri Rioux, and they took Raven a few moments ago—I’m guessing to the opening ceremonies.”
Tobias stepped forward. “Why can’t we locate him? What type of magick is he using?”
“He hasn’t confided in me since we were in the Keys. He was getting sick and persuaded Raven to help create a vaccine. It seems Frank infected him. I think she only helped him because of you.” He motioned to Jade. “He’ll be after the mayor next.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Jade said.
Bo was anxious. “I’m heading to the hall,” he announced, and quickly left the three behind at the restaurant.
“How is Raven?” Tobias asked, his face flushed with anguish.
“Pretty good. She’s a strong woman. I got her something to eat today, but when I went to join Laroque and Raven to drive them, as I normally do, Laroque told me to stay behind at the house. He’s obviously planning something and is keeping it to himself. As far as his magick goes, I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. He performs his rituals alone. Jade, would you happen to know what he’s been practicing lately?” Mick asked.
“He’s always adding and changing his style, making it unique. I know he’s studied ceremonial, and lately he’s talked about his version of chaos magick.” Jade paused. “How will we know where he’s going to bring her?”
Mick put his arm around her. “I have an idea…”
Chapter Twenty-six
Dusk had descended on Mirabelle in violent colors of ochre, red and bright oranges. The parade began on time. Solaris stoically performed the opening ritual. Looking radiant, she wore her traditional white sari with woolen leggings and satin gloves for warmth. Once the ceremony was over, she placed her woolen cloak over her head. She kept searching for a trace of her friend—a sight or sound, a feeling. She felt familiar eyes settle upon her, but who they belonged to she wasn’t certain. She only knew the energy was male.
Tobias waited at Nigella’s farm, Bo was at Town Hall, and Jade hid in the cemetery with Mick. Jade had a peculiar feeling that her father would choose to perform whatever deed he had in mind at her mother’s grave.
Jade wore all black, from suede boots to leather jacket. As she waited in the shadows, the ghosts that inhabited the land whispered to her. Thanks to her father’s instructions, she hadn’t lost the ability to speak with the spirits.
But, ironically, the one voice she needed to hear was the one that kept silent. Her mother. She probed with her mind to try to coax Nicolette to talk to her.
All she heard were echoes of other people’s pasts.
Even in the dark and from a distance, she could see the lanterns as the procession headed closer. From the southern entrance of the cemetery, Mick noticed headlights approaching.
“Jade, we need to shimmer—don’t go anywhere until I’m certain it’s your father. Then go get Tobias and Bo.”
“Bo should be here any minute. He was coming here to meet us after the opening ceremony,” Jade said as her energy vibrated faster and faster, becoming a blur.
Soon they were like the fog that rolled in off the water, hovering for a moment.
Car doors slammed shut—one, two, three of them—and Jade sensed her father and sister’s energies. In an instant, she was gone and materialized next to Tobias.
“They’re at the cemetery—Henri, my father and Raven,” Jade reported, and soon the two traveled the blackened mists back to where Mick was secreted.
As they reappeared, the first gilded carriage arrived at the gates of Mirabelle Cemetery. The caretaker opened them up to let the rest of the followers in. The carriages circled around to the row of mausoleums that housed the first inhabitants of Mirabelle Island.
Nicolette’s five-foot grave marker stood ten feet from there. It was an exact replica of Nicolette.
“It’s incredible. The likeness,” Jade said to Tobias, admiring the statue of her mother.
“I couldn’t leave Nicolette’s body in Louisiana and, after Hurricane Katrina, I’m glad I brought her body to Mirabelle years earlier.”
Solaris exited the carriage along with the few Empusas who stayed for the rituals. Bo was next to hop off the carriage. He noticed Tobias and hurried toward him.
That was when Jade spotted a man of medium build escorting Raven to their mother’s grave. She’d been waiting for this moment for what seemed like forever. She caught sight of Bo and froze for a split second. He looked ready to pounce on the man with Raven.
She grabbed Bo by the shoulder. “Don’t do anything, Bo. That man’s a Lamai. I recognize him as a friend of my father’s. He’ll attack Raven before you even get off the ground.”
“Take it easy, Bo,” Tobias whispered.
It took every ounce of willpower Bo could muster to obey the elder La
mai.
“What do we do, then?”
Tobias patted Bo’s back. “We don’t do anything. You stay put.”
As Solaris prepared to make her speech, the caretakers started the bonfire, while the celebrants brought flowers, candles and their trays of food for the ancestors. Torches blazed at the four directions surrounding the fire.
Bo circled the other way to approach Raven from behind. As he did, he glimmered and became his wolf counterpart. Silently he padded across leaves colored in a variety of jewel tones, amber, citrine and garnet. This was Raven’s favorite time of year. He couldn’t lose her now that he was so close to her. Neither could he stand idly by and do nothing. He owed Raven the very same sacrifice she’d made for him. The love they shared would endure the changes life inevitably would throw at them. Existence without her was unthinkable. She was his life.
Bo eyed Jade as she stood beside Mick, both still shimmering to keep their whereabouts hidden from Laroque. Tobias lingered somewhere in the mists.
Solaris made her way to the mausoleum marked with the names Jeremiah and Rachel Starr. Julianna, along with Bridget, knelt in front of the tomb, leaving a bottle of absinthe and a tray of fresh meats and vegetables.
As the new mayor opened her mouth to begin her speech, chaos erupted.
Philippe Laroque appeared from the murky fog, standing on the other side of Raven and Henri.
The flames in the fire pit loomed over six feet high, lighting up the area, along with the full moon that washed everything with a silvery glow. Everyone fell silent for a brief instant.
A moan echoed from the crashing waves that surrounded the island, heralding The Night of the Dead.
The winds picked up in intensity.
It seemed as if the winds were crying, that Nicolette was crying.
Raven watched a scene she’d witnessed too many times to count. The flames seemed to leap higher and higher. She thought her totem animal flew overhead to sit in a tree branch above her.
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