Only By Moonlight

by Emery, Lynn

  LaShaun nodded absently as she continued putting the puzzle together. “Manny gets caught. But Orin Young has his own cult of young people following him. That was the first group lured in. Orin Young is killed and the rest captured, so that little nest is cleared out.”

  “Protect us, Holy Father,” Miss Rose murmured and made the sign of the cross. “Now these children found hanging in the woods…”

  “Imagine a group of angry, bored and rebellious kids hanging out, looking for direction. These adults show up more than willing to give it to them, even if that direction leads to a nightmare.” LaShaun tried to shut off the flashing images of underage drinking and sex.

  “Evil. Pure evil. Giving young folks liquor and drugs,” Miss Rose said with a scowl.

  “They’re smarter than that, Miss Rose. No, they gave the kids money. Montgomery or his pals don’t have to take the risks, which is fine with the kids. Taking chances is part of the rush,” LaShaun replied deep in thought.

  Seconds ticked by before Miss Rose broke the silence between them. “Pauline called. There is only one way to stop him. Kill the host. I’m sorry, but—”

  “I won’t accept that,” LaShaun shouted. She squeezed her eyes shut. “There’s another way. There has to be.”

  “The twins consulted more than one source. The texts are clear. You must put a sacred knife of silver through his heart.” Miss Rose sat very still. “Think, dear girl. Your Chase would not want his body to go on with a demonic spirit inside.”

  LaShaun trembled as waves of horror made her legs weak. She sank to her knees. “I can’t kill the only man I’ve ever loved.”

  Miss Rose no longer looked like the kindly retired school teacher. She wore a grim and determined expression. “Satan intends to spread his influence on this earth. Think of the wars, the insidious climate of hatred between different races, tribes, and ethnic groups around the world. I don’t usually talk about the end of days… LaShaun, deadly supernatural forces are at work. We of all people can’t stand by knowing the source and how to stop it, but do nothing. Let us handle it.”

  “You’ve done this kind of thing before,” LaShaun replied in a shocked whisper.

  “We have.”

  LaShaun felt as though all air had been sucked from her lungs. She fought to find her voice for several seconds. “Please don’t do anything. Let me try to find another way.”

  “Time is running out, cher. You must know this, eh?” Miss Rose sighed. She sat frowning for several minutes as LaShaun watched her anxiously. “Two more days. That’s all.”

  “Thank you, thank you,” LaShaun sprang forward to hug Miss Rose tightly.

  Miss Rose held LaShaun for a few moments, then she stood. “I’m going to fix up one of my guest bedrooms for you. I might even have a big t-shirt you can wear as a nightgown. I’ll wash your clothes so they’ll be fresh in the morning.”

  “I’m going to use your phone if it’s okay,” LaShaun called out.

  Miss Rose was already halfway down the hall. “Sure you can.”

  “Don’t go to a lot of trouble. I’ll help you in a minute.”

  LaShaun heard her protest as the older woman’s voice faded. Then she went to the kitchen to make a call. Miss Rose had given her an idea. Savannah answered on the fourth ring.

  “Girl, what the hell is going on? I’ve been calling you all night. Your cousin Azalei came by my office saying you’re missing and…”

  “Azalei? Why is she looking for me?” LaShaun frowned at the latest twist.

  “She wouldn’t tell me, but when she called over here looking for you, I got worried. Then I called the Sheriff’s station this morning. They say Chase hasn’t been in to work. M.J. is beside herself,” Savannah took a deep breath.

  “I’ll call M.J. in a minute,” LaShaun cut in before Savannah got going again. “I want you to hire a professional to do a discreet investigation. I don’t want anything bouncing back on you.”

  “Sounds like some serious crap is about to hit the fan,” Savannah said, her voice lower.

  “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  LaShaun withheld the seriously creepy facts. She asked Savannah to find out the how, when and where of Montgomery’s first meeting with Manny Young, aka The Blood River Ripper. Not that LaShaun needed confirmation. Her vision had shown her clearly that Manny had played a key part in drawing Montgomery and Juridicus to Beau Chene. Knowing more would help LaShaun prepare.

  Savannah finally hung up, but only after repeated reassurances that LaShaun was safe. LaShaun glanced at the digital clock on the kitchen counter. She and Chase had gone to the Sweet Olive Bed and Breakfast on Thursday evening. Now it was Friday night. LaShaun guessed M.J. might be on the verge of calling out a full-fledged search with a Louisiana State Police helicopter. She might even use the new air boat the Sheriff’s office just bought. That might cause Montgomery’s crew to do something desperate. Fighting the dread sitting in her stomach like a rock, LaShaun dialed M.J.’s direct office number. M.J. picked up on the second ring.

  “Hi M.J. It’s LaShaun. I just called to let you know I’m ok, but Chase has been a bit under the weather. He’s going to need an extra few days off,” LaShaun said. Then she held her breath for M.J.’s reaction.

  “Chase called to let me know he needed an extra day, but he’s on duty now. And he didn’t say anything about being sick.” M.J. went silent on the phone for a long time. “You wanna tell me the real story?”

  ***

  LaShaun had managed to put M.J. off with a hasty explanation. Chase had promised to take more time off, but apparently changed his mind without telling her. LaShaun had improvised M.J. sounded more than a little skeptical. Luckily another call came in and M.J. couldn’t press LaShaun on her story.

  Despite Miss Rose’s comfortable bed and motherly attention, LaShaun got no sleep that night. Aside from trying to figure out her next move, LaShaun was alert to any sound or movement. The night passed quietly. No human or spiritual attack had been directed at Miss Rose’s house. Through the heart. A sacred silver knife through the heart. Those words slammed around in LaShaun’s mind for hours until her head throbbed with pain.

  The next morning, LaShaun put fresh sheets on the bed and carried the used bedclothes to the laundry room. At six o’clock she cooked breakfast. Miss Rose and her husband woke to the smell of coffee, biscuits baking, and grilled Cajun sausage.

  “Good morning, LaShaun. My, oh my. Your new husband is one lucky man.” Mr. Pierre smiled as he poured himself a cup of Louisiana dark roast. He paused to take a whiff of the rich scent before sipping.

  “It’s the least I can do since y’all were kind enough to let me bust in here. I’m sorry for bringing my troubles to your doorstep.” LaShaun kept busy loading a serving platter with food. Then she got plates down.

  Miss Rose stood in the doorway with both hands on her hips. “Girl, what you think you’re doing up in here? You’re a guest.”

  “I’m repaying your hospitality. Now have a seat.” LaShaun got busy washing the pots and pans she’d used.

  “You sit down and eat, too. You’ve done enough,” Miss Rose said gently.

  “I’ve got to keep busy. Keeps me from screaming,” LaShaun said, trying to make a joke. She failed. Instead her voice shook, betraying how close she was to the edge.

  Miss Rose and Mr. Pierre looked at each other. They both sat down without another word. For thirty minutes they ate in silence. All the while they stole glances at LaShaun. At some signal, Mr. Pierre wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood.

  “I got to go check on those grandchildren. Promised I’d take them with me on errands today. Being it’s Saturday, we might go to the zoo. Then I’ll take them back home to their parents. Is that a plan, Rose?” Mr. Pierre looked at his wife.

  “Sounds good, honey. Call me later,” Miss Rose replied. She accepted his peck on her cheek.

  Mr. Pierre grabbed his jacket from a hook in the hallway and headed for the back door, his truck keys ji
ngling in one hand. “Thanks for that good food, LaShaun. I’ll see you later.”

  “You’re welcome, Mr. Pierre,” LaShaun called back, still moving as she wiped crumbs from the granite countertop.

  “LaShaun,” Miss Rose started, but stopped when LaShaun whisked the dirty breakfast dishes from the table.

  “I’ll load these in the dishwasher.”

  Miss Rose watched her a few minutes and then stood. “Stop now. In a minute you’ll be cleaning my entire house.”

  “If you need me to,” LaShaun wisecracked. “I’m so grateful that you took me in and…”

  “I know, baby. I know.” Miss Rose took the dish cloth out of LaShaun’s hands, put it down on the counter, and hugged her.

  “I don’t want to think, but I can’t stop…” LaShaun let a few tears flow. She leaned into the caring arms of Miss Rose, but only for a few seconds. Then she stood straight and wiped the tears away. They gazed at each other solemnly for a long moment.

  “The demon can only be banished with a strike to his heart. Spirits can’t be killed because they’re not alive in the first place. The sacred knife will dilute his strength enough to help us cast him out. Now the tricky part is finding a sacred knife made of silver.”

  “Miss Rose, I…”

  “No, baby. Stay here and let us take care of the beast,” Miss Rose said firmly.

  “Us?”

  She stood to her full five feet eight inches. Her dark brown face had a set expression of resolution. Gone was the worn down elderly woman. She now looked like a wise, formidable opponent. Though battle weary from years of struggling against evil, Miss Rose would take on this latest challenge. Age meant nothing. LaShaun felt her energy, her power and the force of her will. And LaShaun was afraid.

  “The twins and I will do what’s necessary,” Miss Rose said.

  “We agreed, two days,” LaShaun said. “I’m going home.”

  “But—”

  “Chase knows I’m here since I called M.J. Which means the demon knows. I can’t put you and your family in danger. Besides, the sacred silver knife we need is at my house.”

  “So you accept that there may be no other way,” Miss Rose replied softly.

  “He’s my responsibility,” LaShaun said with a tremble in her voice.

  Miss Rose nodded, but LaShaun sensed the older woman’s doubt that she could carry out the ultimate solution. Miss Rose insisted on packing up a generous plate of leftovers from breakfast. She fussed over LaShaun, wrapping her in a flannel lined denim jacket. She made sure LaShaun had on warm socks. Finally LaShaun stopped her grandmotherly attention.

  “I’m leaving now, Miss Rose. I need to start making preparations. Chase will get off work by six o’clock this evening,” LaShaun said more to herself than to inform Miss Rose. “I have hours to be ready.”

  “Tonight then.” Miss Rose nodded her understanding. She gave LaShaun one last tight hug before letting her go.

  ***

  Thirty minutes later, she arrived at her house. She wasn’t surprised to find her Honda CRV gone. No doubt Chase had driven it to work. An extra day off, arriving in her vehicle for work, and going about his normal tasks. None of it would have seemed unusual to M.J. or anyone who knew them. LaShaun entered through the kitchen door. She stood quietly for several minutes. Nothing came to her. She found it odd, but went through the entire house to check again. Then her heart skipped at a thought. She raced to the antique desk in what used to be called Monmon Odette’s “Ladies Parlor”. When she opened the ornately carved teakwood box LaShaun shuddered with relief. And dread. There it lay. The silver knife handed down from her ancestors. According to family legend, it had been used hundreds of years ago to defeat demonic forces. LaShaun lifted the knife from the blood red velvet lining that cradled it. The six inch silver blade felt warm to the touch. She put it back in the box and closed the lid.

  “There must be another way. Please help me,” she whispered.

  For hours LaShaun read page after page. Some of the books were so old that she stopped to put on cotton gloves before touching the delicate paper. She didn’t want the oils from her hands to damage them. By noon LaShaun’s tired eyes felt like someone had tossed sand in them. Standing to stretch, she decided a walk might do her some good. Just as she opened the back door, LaShaun gave a yelp.

  “Hey, we should have called, but frankly I didn’t want to hear any excuses. We’ve got just one little detail to wrap up and we’re done.” Chase’s sister Katie spoke rapid fire as she passed LaShaun on her way to the kitchen. “You’ll have the most elegant wedding this parish has seen since mine. And that’s saying something. You can thank us later.”

  “Hello, chica. Where’s your SUV?” Adrianna asked. Chase’s sister-in-law gave LaShaun a quick kiss on the cheek and followed Katie.

  “Chase took it to work and left me the truck. Um, in case I needed to haul something real big,” LaShaun said, easily slipping into the lie.

  “Like a coffin? You know folks already think you’re the voodoo queen,” Adrianna joked. “Seriously though, the polls are getting pretty close. We’re going to be biting our nails election night.”

  “None of that matters,” Katie announced. She put down her tote bag. “Chase and LaShaun will have a happy wedding no matter what happens with the election. Their life and future together will start off with joy.”

  “And nobody better get in the way,” Adrianna said with a grin.

  “Exactly,” Katie replied without smiling. “Now LaShaun, I pulled off the impossible. Lucky for you I have friends who are florists with connections. I managed to get red and lavender orchids at a great price. I just need your approval.”

  “I’m afraid to say no,” LaShaun murmured. Instead of being annoyed at the interruption, LaShaun actually welcomed it.

  Katie gave a short nod like an army officer pleased her orders would not be disputed. She scribbled notes. “Good.”

  “Lavender orchids are fabulous,” Adrianna said. “You have to go to the right source to get the best ones. Beautiful wild orchids grow in central and South America. Naturally I would know given my proud heritage. I have cousins in Peru who grow them for the American market.”

  “Yes, yes, Adrianna. It was your idea. Happy?” Katie retorted without looking up.

  LaShaun gasped and grabbed Adrianna by the shoulders. “Go to the source. What’s that old saying? Get to the heart of the matter. Yes! I need to get to the heart or the source.”

  “Are we talking about flowers?” Adrianna blinked rapidly. When LaShaun didn’t answer she glanced at Katie, who shrugged and kept making notes.

  “I’ve been too literal. I couldn’t see the forest for the trees….” LaShaun stared past her future sisters-in-law to the woods outside her window.

  “Absolutely,” Katie answered glancing up only for a few seconds. “Details matter, girl. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

  “I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing,” Adrianna mumbled. She tried to get Katie’s attention away from her notes but failed.

  “I do believe we’re finito, done. Every last flower petal, fabric swatch, and member of the wedding party is efficiently dealt with, ladies. High fives.” Katie tucked away her tablet computer and put on her big sunglasses. “Come on, Adrianna. Let’s rock and roll. Two weeks to blast off.”

  “LaShaun, is everything alright?” Adrianna put a hand on LaShaun’s shoulders. She jumped when LaShaun slapped her hands together. “My Lord, you scared the crap out of me.”

  “What? Oh, sorry. Listen, I’ve got work to do,” LaShaun started, but Katie broke in.

  “We do, too. My lectures paid off,” Katie smiled. “Even Chase seems to have straightened up. He was in a great mood when I saw him a couple of hours ago. He’s ready. Of course he might not win the election. It’s real close.”

  “Katie,” Adrianna blurted out and frowned.

  “Might as well face facts. Mama is way off base, because being with you has
really lightened him up. He was laughing and telling jokes,” Katie went on.

  LaShaun had no interest in the election. “You saw Chase? How did he seem to you?”

  “Like I said, he seems just fine. Talk has gotten around that maybe they need somebody older, and steadier as Sheriff. Sorry, LaShaun, but he has been kind of moody lately. Even for Chase I mean.”

  “I’m sure the voters will realize that a younger man with a modern approach to fighting crime makes more sense.” Adrianna nodded encouragingly at LaShaun.

  “Hmm.” LaShaun turned to Katie again. “Did he say anything about me or the wedding?”

  “Only that he’d see you tonight. We have to get moving. I’ve got a gazillion things to do. Call you later.” Katie jerked a thumb at the door as a signal that Adrianna should follow.

  Adrianna hung back a few moments. “LaShaun, I feel like something is bothering you. And all this strange behavior from Chase is…”

  “Adrianna, I really need to leave now,” Katie shouted. “We’ll have to hang out another day.” Seconds later the outer screened storm door show banged shut.

  “Don’t worry about me, Adrianna. Now go on so Katie won’t be late. I’ve got a ton of errands myself,” LaShaun said. She tugged her down the hallway toward the door.

  “We should have at least one rehearsal, don’t you think?” Adrianna tried to stop, but LaShaun kept them both moving forward.

  “The priest will stand there. We walk to him. We say the vows. What’s to rehearse? Thanks for everything y’all are doing. You don’t know how much I appreciate it,” LaShaun spoke rapidly. Seconds later they were on the back porch.

  “But Jessi is the flower girl and she…”

  “Just walks ahead of us carrying a basket of flowers. I know. It’s going to be wonderful. I’ll talk to you later.” LaShaun nudged Adrianna off until she went down the steps.

  “But…” Adrianna stopped when Katie tapped the horn of her SUV.

  “Bye.”

  LaShaun darted inside before Adrianna could try again. Then she retrieved the knife. Once again she admired the workmanship of it. Specially treated cloth lined the inside of the case to keep the silver from becoming tarnished. Yet this was not a decorative item to be displayed in a museum. She took out her grandmother’s shotgun, and made sure all of the windows were locked, and put the alarm on.