Shadows (Bayou Magic 1)

“Brielle.” A redhead smiles and hurries over to hug Brielle. “It’s so good to see you.” I assume this is Mallory, and her face changes when she touches Brielle. Tightens. “Oh, friend.”

“I’m okay,” Brielle assures her. “I want to introduce you to Cash.”

“Hi, I’m Mallory Boudreaux,” the woman says, shaking my hand. Her eyes narrow on mine, and just like when I first met Millie, I assume I’m being scrutinized in ways I can’t begin to understand.

“Do you need more frankincense?” Mallory asks Brielle.

“Yes, actually. And we came for another reason, as well.”

“I know,” Mallory says with a small, sad smile. She turns to me. “I’m psychic.”

“It seems everyone I meet lately is.”

“Fascinating,” Mallory says. “And probably disconcerting.”

“Very.”

Mallory reaches for a bottle and sets it on the counter. “You need Miss Sophia.”

“Well, I was hoping you would know who your grandmother used to work with at the police department.”

“I was too young and way too angry,” Mallory says. “I hated that she worked with them. So, I don’t have any names for you, but Miss Sophia might. She’s here.”

“Here-here?” Brielle asks in surprise.

“She brought me some tea this morning. I thought it was a casual visit, but I suspect she knew you’d be in today.” Mal winks and disappears into a room marked Employees Only, then returns with an older woman. The woman is small, but her face is free of wrinkles. She has shiny, blond hair, and when she sees Brielle, her eyes fill with tears.

“Oh, my sweet girl.”

“I’m okay,” Brielle insists as she’s pulled in for a firm hug. “A little unsettled, but I’m fine.”

Sophia cups Brielle’s face in her hands and stares into her eyes, keeping perfectly silent for a long moment.

“There,” Sophia says, “that should help for a while.”

“Thank you. Miss Sophia, I’d like to introduce you to—”

“Cassien Winslow,” the older woman says and crosses to me, her shrewd, blue eyes fixed on mine. “We’ve been waiting for you, haven’t we?”

“You have?”

She steps closer. “You don’t know?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She takes my hand and closes her eyes. Suddenly, electricity shoots through my arm and down my spine. A quick movie of still images flashes through my mind. Brielle and I together, naked. Tears. Fear. Fire. Joy.

Holy shit.

“What was that?” I ask.

“A taste of what’s to come,” she says and leans in close to whisper words meant for only my ears. “You need to be clear of mind and strong of will for what’s coming for you, Cassien Winslow.”

“What’s coming?”

“I can’t tell you that. I know you’re confused, but you were made for this. Literally. You’re one of the six.”

I frown, but she doesn’t continue. She turns to Brielle. “What were your questions, dear?”

“We need to go to the police,” Brielle says. “Cash is with the FBI, but we need local law enforcement, and I don’t know who to go see that might actually believe what I have to say and not just blow me off as a loon.”

“The police that worked with Mal’s grandmother are all retired,” Sophia says.

“Oh, that’s too bad,” Brielle replies.

“I’m sure we can ask to speak with whoever is in charge of missing persons and go from there,” I suggest, then find all three pairs of eyes on me. “What? We have information about missing women. That’s how it works.”

“Not for us,” Sophia shoots back. “Not everyone trusts the words of a witch, Mr. Winslow.”

“Is that what you are, Miss Sophia?”

She flicks one finger, and suddenly, I’m in the center of a strong wind, swirling around me. Just me. I go from hot to cold and back again until she flicks that finger once more and everything calms.

“Point taken.” I smile at the older woman. “I meant no offense.”

“Oh, none taken, dear. That was just a friendly demonstration.”

Mal and Brielle laugh.

“I suggest you talk to a man named Asher,” Sophia says.

“Have you worked with him before?” I ask.

“No, I’ve never met him.” Sophia’s calm eyes meet mine. “I know things. Asher will help you. And, Cassien, you need to call your mother.”

My eyes widen. “What do you know of my mother?”

“Just call her,” Sophia says, then she turns to Brielle and kisses her cheek. “They’ll keep talking. Listen carefully.”

“Yes, ma’am.”“She didn’t answer?” Brielle asks when I shove my cell into my pocket and hold the door of the NOPD headquarters open for her.

“No. I’ll try again when we’re finished here.”

Now I’m worried. My mom has battled health issues for the last several years. I text Andy and ask him if he’s heard from her today. Hopefully, he has.

“How can I help you?” a uniformed woman asks from behind bulletproof plexiglass. Her name tag reads Lewis.

“Is there an Asher that works here?” Brielle asks. “I’m sorry, I don’t know his last name.”

“Lieutenant Smith,” Lewis says and nods. “I’ll call back and see if he’s in his office.”