Shadows: A Bayou Magic Novel

by Kristen Proby

  I couldn’t love her more.

  “Whatcha doin’?” she asks as we place the chairs on the little, round tables.

  “Just finished a tour. Figured I’d come in and see how business was today.”

  “Off the hook,” she says and wipes the sweat off her brow with a towel. “And we’re not even in the full swing of tourist season yet.”

  “Same.” I smile at her. We’re as different as can be. I’m dark-haired with blue eyes, and Millie is blond, tall, and has chocolate-brown eyes.

  She’s stunning.

  “How many men did you have to chase out of here today?”

  “Only one,” she says, grinning. “If they’d stop ordering the love potion, I wouldn’t have to chase them out at all.”

  “You know, you don’t have to actually give them the potion every time. They’d never know the difference.”

  “I charge an extra three dollars for that brew,” she says, raising her chin in the air. “And I would know the difference. I just need to remember to tell them not to drink it until they’re outside.”

  I laugh and walk behind the counter that’s lined with stools to help her fill the napkin dispensers.

  “Aren’t you exhausted?” Millie asks. “Why aren’t you headed home?”

  Because I saw a new shadow, and it freaked me out.

  “Because I wanted to see my little sister.”

  “Uh-huh.” She watches me closely. “I’m psychic, you know.”

  “You can’t read me.”

  It’s true. She can’t. I have my shields up, and I’m shut down so tightly, there’s no way she can read my mind. If I don’t guard myself, I get inundated with spirits. Once upon a time, I thought I could escape it by moving somewhere else.

  Two months in Colorado Springs proved that isn’t true.

  So, I came home and learned to build my walls and protect myself. Millie gave me the malachite.

  So far, it’s all working.

  But I still see them.

  “I met a guy tonight,” I say casually.

  “Spill it.”

  “His name is Cash.” I wrinkle my nose. “I mean, who names their kid Cash?”

  “Is he hot?”

  “Yeah. Tall, dark, and handsome, with green eyes.”

  “Nice. Did he ask for your number?”

  “No.”

  She sticks out her bottom lip in disappointment.

  “He might have, but I blew him off before he could.”

  “Wait.” She holds up a hand, her bracelets jangling. “Why would you do that?”

  I take a deep breath and round the counter so I can sit on a stool. “Because he noticed something.”

  She raises a brow.

  “I was finishing up at the Andrew Jackson Hotel.”

  She nods.

  “As I was about to walk down the street, I turned, and there was a shadow on the sidewalk. Just standing there. I’ve never seen her before.”

  “Her?”

  “Yeah, she was about my height. Very feminine.”

  “Did she say anything?”

  “Not that I heard. It just threw me because you know how careful I am about my route. I don’t like surprises, especially not like this. It’s creepy as hell. And, yes, I know I should be used to it by now, but—”

  “It’s creepy, like you said.” She leans on the counter and bites her lip, thinking. “It probably means that someone recently died there.”

  “I know that.”

  “And now it’s a new spirit on your tour. Too bad she didn’t say anything. If she did, you could add it to your show. Could be fun. ‘Lucy was killed in this building three days ago, and her spirit now wanders the sidewalk in front of her former home.’”

  “Talk about creepy.”

  I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “Did you sweep this area recently?”

  “Is the floor dirty?”

  I look at her as if she’s being obtuse on purpose. “You know what I mean.”

  “It’s been about a week.”

  “You need to do it again.”

  Millie frowns, looking around the space. Her shields are as strong as mine, maybe stronger because she doesn’t just see the dead, she feels them, and that’s much more dangerous.

  She fiddles with the amethyst around her neck.

  “What do you see?”

  I narrow my eyes. “I shouldn’t tell you.”

  “I don’t want to look, Bri. I dropped my guard for just a second earlier and was slammed with the pervy thoughts of a nineteen-year-old college kid who couldn’t take his eyes off my ass. So, just tell me. Is it the little girl again?”

  “Yeah. And she brought a friend.” I reach over to take my sister’s hand. “Don’t drop your shields anymore, Mill. Not for a minute. Ever. I know we live and work here in the Quarter because it’s where we make our living, but it could really hurt us.”

  “I know.”

  “I couldn’t bear it if I lost you, too.”

  She shakes her head. “You didn’t lose Daphne.”

  “She’s not speaking to me.”

  “Because you’re both stubborn as hell, and you need to get over it.”

  “You always were the peacekeeper.”

  “That’s what being the middle child does for you, it literally puts you in the middle. I love you both. Now, snap out of it and just call her.”

  “I will.”

  “Liar.”

  I laugh and then frown when a third shadow appears. It looks just like the one from the sidewalk.

  “What is it?”

  “You need to cleanse this place. I think all of the different auras coming in and out of here all day is leaving some residual energy behind.”

  “I’ll do it tonight before I leave. I’m also going to make you something special, so don’t move that butt from that seat.”

  “You’re bossy.”

  “And sassy.” She winks as she fills a stainless-steel shaker with all kinds of things that I don’t recognize.

  This is not my area of expertise.

  I can talk about the history of New Orleans all day.

  My sister, however, mixes potions and casts spells.

  She’s gifted. She learned with some of the most powerful witches in the world, right here in New Orleans.

  “How is Miss Sophia?” I ask, making Millie smile.

  “She’s amazing. She said to tell you hello. And to guard yourself.” Millie frowns. “I forgot to pass that along. But she also said that you need to be strong regarding what’s to come.”

  “What’s that mean? What’s coming?”

  “She didn’t say.”

  “She always leaves the most important parts out.”

  Millie pours the concoction into a glass and slides it over to me.

  “No love potion, right?”

  “No. It’s a shielding potion. For protection.”

  I sniff it. “Smells like strawberries.” I take a sip and smile in surprise. “Wow, it’s like a milkshake.”

  “Helps it go down easier,” she says with a wink. “Come back tomorrow, and I’ll make you another.”

  “I’ll gain ten pounds.” I take another sip. “But I don’t think I care. Wait, can you just do some kind of spell to take the calories out?”

  “Sorry.” She giggles and drinks the rest of the drink herself. “If I could do that, I’d be super-rich.”

  I finish my drink, and after I help Millie wash my glass and tidy up from the impromptu beverage, I wave goodbye to her.

  “Be careful,” she says before closing the door.

  I’m always careful.

  I take the same path from her place to mine, every single time. So far, I haven’t seen any shadows on this route, and that makes me happy. The bars and clubs are hopping, full of tourists drinking and dancing. The French Quarter hums with energy, no matter the time of day.

  I glance to my right just before I cross the street that leads several more blocks to where my apartment
is, and am surprised to see Cash standing on the sidewalk, leaning against a pole.

  “Are you following me?” I ask.

  “No, ma’am,” he says with an easy smile. “It seems I’m just destined to run into you. Can’t say that I mind.”

  I smile back at him, regretting the way I brushed him off earlier.

  “Well, then, perhaps I’ll run into you again.”

  “I do hope so.” He winks, and I hurry along to my apartment.

  I round the corner of my block and stop in my tracks.

  “Who are you?”

  There’s no answer, but I know it’s the same shadow from the sidewalk and from Millie’s café.

  No shadows have ever followed me before.

  Why now?

  Chapter Two

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  - Ted Bundy

  She’s perfect.

  He’s been looking for the right one. It’s been a few weeks since he last took someone, and he finally got rid of that toy this morning. Having just one subject at a time isn’t really his style.

  He likes having several girls in his lair at once. They talk to each other. They conspire. Hearing their chorus of pleas, their cries, gives him great joy. It arouses him far more than sex ever could. Women aren’t to be used as sexual partners.

  They’re his prey.

  They think they can escape him. Go back to their pathetic little lives.

  Why are women so fucking stupid? Don’t they know he has something far better waiting for them?

  He grins as he watches from his usual spot under the streetlight. His shoulder leans against the pole as he watches Brielle finish up her nightly tour.

  He comes every night.

  She’s never seen him.

  He’ll have to teach her to be more careful. More watchful. Bad things could happen to her, and he needs her whole, so she’s hale and hearty and ready for what he has planned for her.

  But that’s for later. Right now, he needs someone new. Someone fresh.

  And he’s looking right at her.

  “I’m Tammy. I just loved all of the stories. It’s so fascinating.”

  Well, hello, Tammy.

  She could be a mirror image of Brielle.

  And that just can’t be, can it?

  Brielle finishes talking with Tammy, then moves to take more questions. He approaches the young woman.

  “I just heard you ask about the LaLaurie mansion.”

  She turns to him with wide, blue eyes. Oh, yes, she’s perfect. Those eyes with the dark hair. She’s the right height, too.

  Tonight’s going to be fun.

  “Yes, do you know more?” she asks.

  “I know plenty, and I have a friend who can give us a private tour,” he replies kindly. “In fact, we can go back there now, if you like.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Tammy says, looking around. “I came with friends, and they’ll be pissed if I ditch them.”

  “You’ll be back here before you know it,” he lies easily. “Don’t you worry.”

  She bites her lip, considering her options, but curiosity gets the best of her, and she nods.

  “All right, then. But I have to hurry.”

  “No problem. Come with me.”

  He’s always calm, and this is no different. He guides her through the crowds of the French Quarter and down the street toward the house she’s so interested in.

  But instead of approaching the door to knock, he turns to his car.

  “Aren’t we going inside?”

  “I just have to call first since they’re not expecting me.”

  “Oh, right.” She offers him a tentative smile and nods. “That makes sense.”

  He can see the nerves starting to set in. She’s wondering if she made the right choice.

  Before she can flee, he reaches for the syringe he has ready, resting in the cupholder of the front seat. She doesn’t see it coming when he turns swiftly and jabs the needle into her arm. Within seconds, she’s drooping against him.

  “Too much to drink tonight, darlin’,” he says with a smile and guides her into the backseat. “Let’s go sober you up. You don’t want to miss the fun.”

  Chapter Three

  Cash

  “I’m going to gain about sixty pounds while I’m here.” I lean back in my chair and rub my flat stomach. “You keep bringing me to amazing restaurants.”

  “Would you rather we take you to crappy ones?” my brother, Andrew, asks with a grin.

  “Touché.” I take a sip of my water and blink rapidly when I see Brielle walk through the door.

  “What?” Andy’s wife, Felicia, says and turns to see what I’m looking at. “Do you know her?”

  “Sort of.”

  I grin when Brielle’s eyes scan the room and then catch mine. Recognition sparks, and then pleasure moves over her beautiful face.

  I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m relieved.

  If she’d been disgusted and turned to leave, my ego would have taken a hard hit.

  “Are you following me?” I ask her when she walks up to our table.

  “I could say the same thing for you, Mr. Stalker,” she says, grinning, and turns to my family. “Hi. I’m Brielle.”

  “This is my brother Andy, and his wife, Felicia.”

  “Pleasure,” Brielle says and nods. “I see you found my favorite restaurant in the Quarter.”

  “It’s ours, too,” Felicia says. “Would you like to join us?”

  “Join us,” I agree, gesturing to the chair next to me.

  “Oh, thanks for the invitation, but you’ve finished your meal, and I ordered mine to go.” She winks at me, and I feel it all the way to my gut. She pats my shoulder. “Y’all have a good day.”

  She walks away to collect her meal from the counter and then sashays out of the restaurant and down the street.

  “How do you know her?” Felicia asks. She leans in, avidly awaiting every detail.

  Felicia is a busy-body from way back.

  “I don’t know her well,” I reply. “She was the guide on the ghost tour I took the other night. You know, when you guys ditched me for date night, and I had to fend for myself?”

  “You went on a ghost tour?” Felicia’s eyes dance with excitement. “How was it?”

  “Interesting, actually.” I sip my water again. “She has a way with telling a story, that’s for sure.”

  “And, at the risk of getting slapped by my gorgeous wife, she’s not bad on the eyes,” Andy adds.

  “She’s beautiful,” Felicia agrees, nodding. “You should ask her out.”

  “She might not be single.”

  “No ring,” Felicia says immediately. “Trust me, girls look for that stuff.”

  “That doesn’t mean she’s not—”

  “He might never see her again,” Andy adds.

  “I want to go on a ghost tour,” Felicia announces. “I’ve always wanted to do it but never made the time. We’ve lived here for two whole years, babe. It’s time we go.”

  “It just so happens, I know a guide,” I say with a grin, the idea of seeing Brielle again sparking immediate joy.

  “That’s handy.”

  We both look at Andy, who just sighs. “Fine. I’m in. But I don’t believe in any of that haunting, ghostly, voodoo shit.”

  “So noted,” I reply.

  “And after the tour, Cash should ask Brielle on a date.”

  “Wait, what?”

  Felicia claps her hands. “It’s perfect. It can’t hurt to ask. If she’s taken, she’ll say so. No harm, no foul. But she was looking at you with interest, brother mine.”

  “She won’t stop nagging until you ask the hot girl out,” Andy says. “So, just save us both the headache.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Andy grins. “Let’s go ghost hunting.”

  “Thanks for coming on the tour with me this evening, everyone,” Brielle says, smiling at the group. It’s a larger one than the othe
r night. “I’ll hang around in case anyone has any questions. No pressure, though. Have a good night.”

  “Now,” Felicia says in a loud whisper. “Go ask her now.”

  “You’re pushy,” I say calmly and watch as several people huddle around the gorgeous brunette to ask their questions. “I’ll let the others talk with her first.”

  “Smart,” Andy says on a yawn. “But I’m not waiting around. Let’s go home, babe.”

  “I want to see Cash ask her out,” Felicia says, frowning. “This is the best part, and that’s saying a lot because that tour was awesome. I wonder if our house is haunted.”

  “Let’s go see,” Andy says with a wink. “Give the man some space. It’s creepy to hover when he’s about to make his move.”

  “Is it creepy?” she asks me.

  “No, I don’t think you’re creepy, but you guys go ahead. I don’t know how long she’ll be.”

  Felicia’s hopeful expression falls, but she nods. “Okay. But I want all of the details later.”

  “Of course, you do.” I laugh as I wave them off, then turn to listen as Brielle talks about other legends and ghosts in the French Quarter.

  “Thanks for your time,” an older blonde says with a smile before walking away and leaving Brielle alone.

  “So…I swear I’m not a stalker,” I say as I approach her. She turns and smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. The carefree woman from earlier is gone.

  Suddenly, I want to scoop her into my arms and protect her.

  And she hasn’t even said that anything is wrong.

  “I was surprised to see the three of you join the tour tonight,” she admits.

  “After you left the restaurant this afternoon, Felicia announced that she’d always wanted to go on a ghost tour. She talked us into coming.”

  “I hope she had a good time.”

  “She did.” I shift from foot to foot, suddenly nervous.

  And I’m never nervous.

  “I have a question.”

  “Sure.”

  “Are you involved with anyone? Husband? Boyfriend?”

  The smile reaches her eyes now. “No. I’m not involved with anyone.”

  “Well, that’s good, because I’d like to ask you out for some coffee.”

  “Right now?”

  I glance around and then turn back to her. “Sure. If you’re free.”