B. Donna - Blood Pool

“You look beautiful,” he said.

Raven remained 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…”

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.