Shadows (Bayou Magic 1)

“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.