Shadows (Bayou Magic 1)

“Good.”

“I’m drawn to you in ways I can’t explain. Like I said before, it’s a…recognition. Like, I was looking for you and didn’t even know it.”

“Same,” I whisper.

“I’ve never believed in soul mates or that sort of thing,” he says. “And I’m not sure I do now. But there’s something here, and I’m going to stay for as long as you’ll let me.”

I smile just as a knock comes from the front door.

“Are you expecting someone?” Cash asks.

“It’s probably Millie.” I walk to the entry and look out the peephole, then open the door and smile at my sister. “I thought you’d be working this morning.”

“I have employees for a reason,” she says as she walks into the room carrying three coffees. “I brought goodies.”

“Bless you,” I mutter, reaching for the paper bag she’s carrying. “Fresh croissants make everything better.”

“For you,” she says to Cash, passing him a coffee. “There’s a protection spell in there.”

“Does it have eye of newt?” he asks, flashing a smile.

“Not this time,” Millie replies with a wink, making Cash’s smile slide from his face. “And I might have put a little spell on the pastries, as well. We can’t be too careful. We don’t know what we’re dealing with here.”

I’m already sitting on the couch, my legs crossed under me, happily eating my way through the bag’s contents.

“I’m so damn hungry,” I say with my mouth full.

“Probably all that walking you’re doing in your sleep,” Cash says calmly.

“What?” Millie’s eyes fly to mine. “Where did you go?”

“I didn’t physically go anywhere. I wasn’t sleepwalking, I was dream-walking.”

“Oh, I’ve always wanted to do that,” Millie says with excitement. “I didn’t know you could.”

“I didn’t either. And, trust me, it wasn’t nearly as fun as it sounds.”

“I’m going to let you two talk while I go get my things from Andy’s house.”

I frown up at him. “You’re moving in?”

“I told you, I’m here for as long as you’ll allow it. I can’t protect you from my brother’s home.” He leans in and kisses my head. He hasn’t kissed me on the lips yet, and it’s killing me. “Since you have Millie with you, I’ll run over there now. I’ll be back shortly.”

“I don’t need to be babysat, you know.”

“There’s strength in numbers,” he says, his handsome face completely sober. “And until all of this is resolved, I’d rather you weren’t alone.”

He hurries out of the apartment, and Millie watches him walk down the street through the window.

“He’s hot.”

“I know,” I say and reach for another croissant. “I should probably have some protein with this.”

“That one has turkey and cheese in it,” she says, watching me carefully. “Where did you go in your dream, Bri?”

“I was walking in the Quarter.” I take a deep breath. “Toward work. Everything was normal until it went dark. Suddenly, the two women were standing before me.”

“The sun went down?”

I frown, thinking about it. “No. More like something covered the sun.”

Millie leans forward. “A cloud?”

“A shadow.” I blink rapidly. “A shadow covered the sun.”

“Okay, keep going.”

“I could hear the girls. They kept saying that I needed to find them. Help them. But when I tried to ask questions, no sound came out of my mouth.”

“Fascinating,” Millie says. “Did they say where they are?”

“No. They didn’t give me any other information. It’s so damn frustrating.”

“I wonder what happened to them?” Millie asks.

“They were tortured.”

It’s her turn to blink rapidly in surprise. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I could see it.” I swallow hard and tell her what I saw. “It was awful. I wish they were still just shadows.”

“I’m so sorry you had to see that,” Millie says softly.

My phone rings. “Holy shit.”

“Who is it?”

“Daphne.” I hold Millie’s gaze as I answer the phone. “Hello?”

“Hi.” My sister’s voice is quiet. I’ve missed it so much. I feel tears spring to my eyes. “I know we have our issues right now, but I’ve been dreaming, Bri. I feel like you need me.”

“I do.” And not just for this. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, but those girls aren’t.”

“You’ve seen the girls?”

“And you,” she confirms. “Last night, I saw you talking to them in my dream.”

“I didn’t see you.”

“I kept trying to get your attention, but it was no use. It was damn frustrating.”

“Come over. Millie’s here, and we can talk about it all.”

“I’m working today,” Daphne says with a sigh. “But let’s go out for dinner. We can talk then.”

I agree, and we end the call.

“It’s not just you,” Millie says.

“No, she says she had the same experience I did last night.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“That means I’m next.” Her smile brightens. “And I’ll be ready.”“She’ll be here,” Millie assures me. We’re at our favorite restaurant in the Quarter, Café Amelie.

“She’s ten minutes late. Daphne is never late.”

“She’ll be here,” she says again as she reads the menu.