“I think y’all have been sabotaged. Bernadette said three men in masks came in last night and did all this.”
“Those assholes.” She turned the knob to lift the door and kicked the wood block out of the way before lowering it completely. “We’ve got a rival krewe that’s after our two o’clock parade slot. They’ve made some hollow threats, but this…” She flung her arms in the direction of the damaged floats. “If we don’t get this fixed, we won’t roll on time, and they’ll be able to take it from us.”
“I didn’t realize the rivalries were so vicious.”
“It’s just this one. They haven’t been around for long, and they won’t be much longer if this is how they’re going to play.” Her nails cut into her palms as she ground her teeth.
“Well, the good news is Bernadette has no ill feelings toward you, and I don’t think she’s capable of doing anything that could cause you to die…except scare you to death maybe.” He winked.
“Ha ha. Very funny.”
His face turned serious. “I really wish there was something I could do to help you.”
“Me too.” With Bernadette ruled out as the culprit, that only left 999 different ways both Sydney and Blake could kick the bucket. The ominous dread that had been weighing her down since the premonition began ignited into anger. Screw the universe and its sorry attempt to portend. She refused to live in fear.
She straightened her spine. “I…guess I know how Courtney felt. I can’t sit around waiting for it to happen.”
He smiled sadly. “Lives are meant to be lived, aren’t they?”
“You better get out of here. I’ve got to call the girls in to get this fixed. No way are we going to let another krewe take our slot.”
He laughed. “Go get ’em.”
After getting word to the krewe that they had work to do, she sent a text to Blake, letting him know she’d be indisposed for the rest of the day. Her phone rang a few seconds later.
“Is everything okay?” Blake’s voice held an edge of panic.
“It will be.” She told him about the saboteurs and that Sean still believed the ghost wasn’t their problem. “The good news is the parade can go forward, and we can take Bernadette along as planned.”
“But we still don’t have a clue why you keep seeing us dead.”
She sighed. “True.”
“Damn. I really thought it was the ghost. At least then we’d have known what we were up against.”
She chewed her bottom lip. “I know.”
“Oh my God.” Erin’s mouth dropped open as she strutted through the door. “I’m going to kill whoever did this. I talked to the police outside. The bastards took out the security camera two days ago.”
Sydney lowered her voice. “The krewe is here. I have to go.”
“Stay safe and call me if you need anything…or if…just call me.”
“I will.” Her heart warmed at the concern in his voice, and she had no doubt they would figure things out together. Right now, though, the first order of business was fixing these floats. They rolled in twenty-four hours.
Chapter Nineteen
Sydney adjusted the apron on her Alice costume, pulling her phone from the pocket to scan the massive QR code on the float one last time. The device beeped, and the digital prize wheel lit up her screen in live mode, ready to award prizes. A bit of the pressure in her chest released with her sigh, and she turned to the driver, giving him a thumbs up.
A chill shimmied up her spine, making her neck hairs stand on end, and she smiled. After more than fifty years, Bernadette was finally getting her chance to ride in a parade.
“Everything good to go?” Erin called up to Sydney from below. Her brow pinched, and her right eye twitched.
Sydney leaned over the railing. “We’re good. You okay?”
Erin’s nostrils flared as she rested a hand on the side of the float. “That asshole Damon came up to me and said, ‘Glad to see you could make it on time.’” She mocked him with a stupid-sounding voice. “I know they’re responsible, but we’ve got zero evidence and no witnesses. I hope they don’t try to screw with our ball too.”
There was one witness, but the testimony of a ghost wouldn’t stand up in court. “I doubt they will. They wanted our roll time. What would crashing our ball get them?”
“Jail time.” She crossed her arms.
“Exactly.” Sydney grabbed a set of beads from one of the many hooks positioned around the float and slipped them over her forearm. “Forget about that sorry excuse for a krewe. This is Horae’s time.”
“You’re right.” Erin nodded. “Let’s roll.”
Engines rumbled to life, and a high school marching band filed in front of Sydney’s float, dancing to the drum cadence as the parade rolled up St. Charles Avenue. Thousands upon thousands of revelers, both locals and tourists alike, lined the streets to watch the spectacle. Krewe members tossed colorful beads and doubloons to screaming, cheering spectators, and Sydney smiled as people whipped out their phones to scan her code and see the interactive display she created for them.
Seasoned veterans had positioned lawn chairs along the route, reserving the front row for themselves, while newbies gathered under awnings that blocked the throws from making it to the crowd. Crafty parents decorated ladders in shades of purple, green, and gold, and created seats at the top for their children to tower above the crowd, not only to see better, but to have the best position for catching the coveted throws.
The colorful, elaborate floats. The cheers from the crowd. The music. The reverie… It was enough to put even the most experienced partiers on sensory overload. Mardi Gras in New Orleans was a magical time of year, and Sydney felt almost drunk on the energy in the air.
As she tossed a handful of doubloons to the spectators, her own energy shifted, a familiar sinking sensation threatening to drag her under. Her peripheral sparkled in blue and gold mosaics briefly, and she swayed, clutching the railing. I can’t black out now. She fought it, and the vision that tried to whisk her away to Wonderland threw her back out as quickly as it had begun.
She blinked, shaking her head, then stumbled slightly, catching her apron pocket on a hook and tearing a hole in the fabric. Her keys and phone slipped out, clattering on the float platform, but she caught them before they could topple over the edge.
She secured them on a shelf and straightened, picking up another bunch of beads to toss to the crowd. Whatever the universe was trying to tell her, it could wait. She couldn’t handle another blackout. Not when she stood atop a moving vehicle with enough adrenaline running through her veins to keep her awake and alert for days.
Blake stood behind Claire, shielding her from the group of guys who’d been leering at her since the parade started. She wore a tiny tank top and leggings, but that didn’t give the perverts the right to ogle her like an expensive sports car.
She squealed and jumped, catching a strand of beads with her fingertips. Spinning around, she slipped them over his head. “These look like beer mugs. They suit you better than dicks.”
He chuckled. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Look! There’s Sydney.” She flung her arms into the air, waving like a maniac.
Blake scanned the QR code on the float, and his phone lit up with Sydney’s creation. He grinned and lifted his gaze as she tossed a stuffed bear to a little girl in the front row.
Her Alice costume suited her perfectly, and the beaming smile on her face sent a jolt of electricity straight through his heart. His nerves had been on edge all day, her vision about her funeral concerning him way more than his own impending death.
If he’d had his way, he’d have been up there on that float with her, protecting her from…whatever it was she needed protecting from. Looking out for Claire in this swarm of people had occupied his mind enough to keep him grounded, but seeing Sydney up there on the float, in her element, and hearing the oohs and ahhs of the spectators as they spun the wheel on their phones, filled him with so many em
otions, he felt like a train wreck waiting to happen.
He loved Sydney with every fiber of his being, and he wouldn’t rest until her premonitions subsided. They would change the future. They had no other choice.
He caught her gaze, and her smile widened. Holding up a finger, she ducked behind the railing and reappeared with a handful of beads. Pointing with her left hand, she reared back and hurled the necklace toward him.
He jumped to catch it, and the hard-ceramic pendant slapped into his palm, stinging his skin. He unwound the gold beads and found a white rabbit wearing a blue waistcoat and holding a pocket watch.
He slipped the necklace over his head and took off the beer mug beads, handing them to Claire. “Here. You can have this one back.” His lips tugged into a smile as he gazed at the rabbit.
The mass of beads Claire wore had grown so thick he couldn’t see her neck. She frowned. “You don’t want it?”
“Syd tossed me this one.” He held up the ceramic rabbit.
“Oh.” She shrugged one shoulder and whirled around, flipping her hair into his face.
Two more floats passed after Sydney’s, and it was time to relinquish their second-row spots on St. Charles Avenue and make their way over to Tchoupitoulas and Poydras where the parade ended.
“Time to go.” He grabbed Claire’s hand and guided her through the crowd. The guys from earlier whistled at her, and the short, stocky one grabbed her other hand as she passed.
“Hey, baby. You look good.”
Claire paused to giggle, while Blake stepped between them. “Hey, man. Lay off.”
“Whatever.” The short dude stumbled, and his friends caught him by the arms.
Blake dragged Claire away as she protested. “They were just saying ‘hi.’”
“You’re better than them. Don’t settle for anyone who’s going to treat you like a piece of property.”
“Why, Blake.” She pressed a hand to her chest and mimicked a Southern accent. “I didn’t know you cared.”
“Of course I care.” He tugged her up a side street toward the parade’s end. “You’re family.”
The corners of her mouth twitched.
They made it to Tchoupitoulas, and he zigzagged through the throng of people to the corner of Poydras, where the krewe disembarked from their floats. As Sydney’s approached the stop, he elbowed his way to the front and waved.
She smiled, ducking behind the railing again and appearing near the ladder, her hands full of personal belongings. “Can you hold this?” She offered him her keys, wallet, and phone.
“I’ll take them.” Claire scooped the items from Sydney’s hands, dropping them into her purse.
“Thanks.” Sydney climbed down the ladder and stepped into Blake’s arms. “I ripped the pocket on my apron. Caught it on a hook on the railing.”
“So, what happens next?” Claire asked as they followed the crowd toward Canal Street.
“The drivers will return the floats to the warehouse, and later next week, we’ll start disassembling them and getting them ready for next year.” Sydney leaned into his side, tightening her arm around his waist. “Did you scan the code?”
“You know it.” He kissed her cheek. “Your presentation was fantastic. Brilliant idea about including a coupon for the museum opening too.”
“Most of the tourists will be gone by then, but plenty of locals watch the parades too.”
“You’re amazing.”
She grinned. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “You’re both so sickly sweet, it’s disgusting. I have to pee.”
Sydney laughed. “I could use a trip to the little girls’ room too.”
“There’s some Porta Potties over there.” He pointed with his thumb.
“Perfect.” Claire dashed into one and locked the door.
“Is she okay?” Sydney rose onto her toes and planted a kiss on him before he could answer. Her lips were soft, and a faint hint of strawberry lip balm tickled his taste buds as he opened his mouth and drank her in.
She snaked her arms around his neck and pressed her body into his, her soft curves conforming to his frame like she was made for him. Fire ignited in his core, concentrated below his waist as he held her close, losing himself in the kiss.
When she finally came up for air, she laughed, pressing her hips harder into his. “I’m happy to see you too.”
“You have no idea.”
“How about I meet you at your apartment before the masquerade tonight, since you live closer to the ballroom? We can spend the night at your place after.” She traced a finger down his shirt, stopping at the waistband of his jeans.
“I like the way you think.” He was looking forward to finally going to this ball with her, seeing her all dressed up, but all he could think about now was how good her dress would look on his bedroom floor. He cleared his throat. “Any new visions?”
She shook her head. “I started to get one during the parade, but it didn’t pull me all the way under.”
His brow furrowed as he searched her eyes, asking his next question silently.
“Nothing else has changed.” She kissed his cheek. “Is Claire okay? She’s been in there for a while.”
“It’s her first Mardi Gras. I’m sure she’s overwhelmed. Go ahead and go. I’ll wait right here.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets as Sydney disappeared into a stall. A few minutes later, Claire appeared, clutching her purse, her gaze flitting about like a nervous bird searching for predators.
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah. Stomachache.” She adjusted her purse strap. “Where’s Sydney? I have her phone.”
“Here she is.” He gestured toward Sydney exiting the stall.
Sweat beaded on Claire’s forehead. “I thought you left without your stuff.”
Sydney cocked her head. “Blake’s taking me home.”
“Oh, right. I forgot. Duh.” She laughed and hit herself on the forehead.
They reached the parking lot and piled into Blake’s car. Sydney chatted about the parade on the short drive across the Mississippi to her house, and as he pulled into the driveway behind her car to drop her off, she leaned over and kissed him.
“I’ll be at your place at six-thirty.”
He glanced at the clock. “That doesn’t give you much time to get ready.”
“I’m low maintenance.” She kissed him again, her lips lingering near his, her breath warming his skin.
He brushed his nose to hers. “I love that about you.”
“Do you mind if I come in and use your restroom?” Claire opened the car door. “I’m feeling a little nauseated.”
“Sure. Are you getting sick?” Sydney glanced into the back seat.
“I don’t think so. I had a greasy lunch. I’m sure I’ll be fine before the ball.” She slid out and scurried to the front door.
Blake sighed. “I’m sorry about that.”
Sydney shrugged. “I thought she seemed off. You might as well come in too.”
He followed her to the house and waited in the living room as Claire dumped Sydney’s things on a table and followed her down the hall to the bathroom. A flat-screen TV sat atop an oak cabinet, and surround sound speakers hung in strategic locations around the perimeter. A separate audio system occupied the shelves below the TV, and a computer workstation with multiple monitors, a trackpad, mouse, and Wacom tablet sat in the corner of the room. A white candle in a glass jar, almost used up, sat in the middle of the coffee table, and Korean-style artwork featuring elegant birds and trees adorned her walls.
He sank onto the coffee-colored sofa and picked up the candle, lifting it to his nose. A dark, earthy aroma emanated from the wax, and tension he was holding in his shoulders eased. A faucet squeaked, and a humming sound reverberated from the hallway.
Sydney strode into the room and plopped down next to him, sinking into his side.
“Is she running the exhaust fan and the water?”
> She laughed. “I think she feels pretty bad. I hope she can make it tonight.”
He took another sniff of the relaxing candle before setting it on the table.
“I’ve burned that down to a nub trying to figure all this out.” Sydney dropped her head back on the couch. “But I don’t want to think about that now. Tonight is…” Laying her head on his shoulder, she angled her face toward him. “It means a lot for our relationship. I think it’s symbolic.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” It was symbolic, a sign that from this point on, they’d be moving with a forward momentum. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she rested her face against his pec.
They sat silently, the soft rise and fall of Sydney’s chest bringing him comfort, helping him relax even more. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, basking in the feel of the woman he loved wrapped in his arms.
After a while, she sucked in a sharp breath and lifted her head, glancing at the clock on the wall. “I should go check on her. She’s been in there fifteen minutes.”
He blinked the room into focus as Sydney rose and crossed into the hallway. He must have fallen asleep.
“Are you okay?” Sydney’s voice drifted in from the hall.
“Oh, yeah. All better.” Claire appeared in the entry and looked at him. “Can you take me to my dorm? I need to get ready for tonight.”
“Yeah. Are you sure you’re up for it?” He stood and adjusted his pants. He enjoyed cuddling with Sydney a little too much, apparently.
“No way am I missing a real Mardi Gras ball. Can I meet at your place at six-thirty, too? I’ll drive there. I just don’t want to show up alone.”
He looked at Sydney for confirmation, and she nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” He gave Syd a quick kiss on the lips. “I’ll see you soon.”
She smiled. “I’ll be there.”
Chapter Twenty
Blake adjusted his ascot in the bedroom mirror and tried to flatten his mouth into a neutral expression, but he couldn’t have wiped the goofy grin off his face if he wanted to. Tonight was going to be epic. A turning point in their relationship.
Love & Omens Page 20
