Chapter 27

When Kendra, Loren, and Deanne arrived at Baby Blues, they were greeted warmly by Deanne’s parents, Serene and Woodrow. Colorful congratulatory balloons, streamers, and banners filled the bar.

The three girls were dressed in identical calf-length skirts of forest green over knee high boots with two-inch heels. They wore matching green and white pin-striped tops with bell-shaped sleeves and a scooped neck encircled with rows of tiny glittering beads. Their long hair hung down their backs. Silver hoops adorned their ears, and sparkling bangles encircled their wrists.

Both excited and apprehensive over what the night might bring, Kendra followed Deanne and Loren to where Deanne’s parents waited.

“We’re so proud of you girls,” Serene said. The slightest aroma of jasmine filled the air as she hugged each in turn. Serene’s café au lait skin and almond-shaped eyes were so much like Deanne’s. But unlike her daughter, who wore colorful clothes, Serene chose long skirts and gauzy tops in earth tones.

Woodrow nodded. “I have to say, I had my doubts when you three told us you planned to open the store, but you’ve proven you know what you’re doing.”

“Thanks to Loren,” Deanne said. “She’s the brains behind our success.”

Loren blushed. “I just had the idea. It took all of us pulling together to make it work.”

“I wasn’t sure how many folks you were expecting, so we set aside an area for y’all in the back,” Serene said.

“Perfect, Mama. I have a feeling people will be popping in and out all night.”

“My mom promised to stop by between ghost tours,” Kendra said.

“My parents are also coming,” Loren added.

Serene nodded. “That’s fine. I got a big pot of red beans and rice, crawfish gumbo, and a pan of molasses cornbread ready. And bourbon bread pudding for dessert. You just sit yourselves down, and Woodrow will get y’all drinks.”

Deanne led the way to their tables. The band, Blues in the Night, consisted of two of Deanne’s brothers and three of their friends. They were just tuning up as the girls passed the stage.

“Hey, ladies, where y’at?” Deanne’s brother Tie asked.

“Fine, Tie. How ’bout you?” Kendra asked.

“Fine as frog hair,” he said with a smile. “If you have any requests, let me know. Tonight is all about y’all.”

“I’ve got one,” Deanne said. “How about some Tipitina?” She began to sing and do some quick steps.

Tie strummed an off-key chord. “It’s a good thing she doesn’t often sing with the band. She usually clears the bar with her screeching.”

Deanne snorted. “Yeah, well, it’s a wonder you don’t empty the place with that ugly face of yours.”

Kendra laughed. Deanne could sing as well as her brothers, and people filled the bar the nights she sang. “Come on you two, enough. We’ve all heard Deanne sing, and she’s great.” She turned to Tie. “How about ‘Still Got the Blues’?”

“Gary Moore. You got it.”

“Thanks.” When they arrived at the table, Kendra was surprised to see Derrick and Andre already seated. She glanced circumspectly toward Deanne to see her reaction to Andre’s presence. The tightness of Deanne’s lips showed her displeasure. Kendra inwardly sighed. For months, Andre had been trying to convince Deanne he still loved her, but Deanne, unable to get past the hurt, would hardly speak to him. Having thought Jared had deserted and betrayed her, Kendra had sympathy for her feelings. Kendra liked Andre and believed he cared for Deanne. She only wished Deanne would give Andre a chance to show her.

Kendra smiled and greeted both men. In their mid-twenties, Andre was of medium height with hair and eyes the color of dark chocolate. He spoke with a Cajun accent and had a smile that could melt your heart. Derrick on the other hand was tall and well-built with dark-blue eyes and sandy-blond hair. He had a tattoo of a dragon on his arm and rode a custom Harley. They were dressed in black T-shirts, black jeans, and low boots.

“It’s about time you girls got here,” Andre said. “We’ve started the party without you.”

Deanne glowered and took a seat next to Derrick, whose eyes were on Loren.

Andre smiled. “Ah, come on, cher, don’t sit next to him.” He patted an empty chair. “Come over here by me.”

Deanne narrowed her eyes. “Not on your life. I’d rather sit next to a skunk than you.” She scowled. “Where’s Tarese? Isn’t she with you tonight?”

Andre gave her a wounded look. “I told you there was never anything between me and Tarese. You know that.”

Deanne snorted. “Yeah, right.”

Before Andre could respond, Woodrow arrived with two bottles of champagne.

“These are on the house,” he said, popping the cork on one of the bottles.

Serene was right behind him and placed bowls of gumbo, red beans and rice, and hot cornbread in the middle of the table. “Now y’all eat; there’s plenty more.”

“It all smells incredible, and I’m starving,” Loren said.

“Me, too,” Kendra added.

“Hey, Thaddeus,” Deanne said.

Knowing who stood behind her, Kendra’s appetite instantly fled. She clasped her unicorn, took a deep breath, plastered what she hoped looked like a sincere smile on her face, and turned. “Hi, Thaddeus, you’re just in time to eat. Have a seat.” She hoped her voice sounded normal as she continued. “These are Deanne’s parents, Serene and Woodrow, and our friends, Derrick and Andre.”

Kendra watched Serene as she shook his hand. A flicker of unease seemed to cross her face before she welcomed him. There was definitely tension between Adam and Woodrow as the two men greeted each other.

“Well, you all enjoy your food,” Serene said. “I’ll keep an eye out for any more of your guests.”

Kendra glimpsed a sneer of distaste pass over Adam’s face just before he smiled and thanked Serene.

Bastard, she thought. He thinks he’s better than everyone here. How am I going to get through this night without giving away my contempt for him? She jumped as Loren, seated on her other side, kicked her beneath the table. Scowling, she turned, understanding Loren’s silent warning. Her face could be an open book. She needed to keep her emotions under control.

“Your parents have a nice place here,” Adam was saying to Deanne. “And the food smells terrific.”

“Thanks,” Deanne said. “The bar has been in my family for over a hundred years. My great grandfather was a jazz musician and used to play here. When the owners wanted to sell, he bought it.”

The walls were covered in cypress paneling and wide beams crossed the ceiling. Polished wood covered the floor and hanging brass lamps gave a warm glow.

Friends and family came and went. Both Serene and Woodrow made a point to be close by. They ate, drank, and laughed at Derrick’s jokes. Kendra tried to pretend she was enjoying herself, but anger boiled up inside her. This was supposed to be her, Deanne, and Loren’s night to celebrate their store opening, and instead they had to pretend to have fun while a killer sat at their table.

Kendra was relieved to see Adam engaged in conversation with Derrick and Andre, keeping her from having to speak with him. She was about to take a bite of bread pudding when Tie’s voice coming over the sound system stopped her fork halfway to her lips.

“Ladies and gentlemen. We’ve got a surprise tonight. There’s someone here who’s going to play a few numbers with us, and if you’ve never heard this boy make a guitar sing, you’re in for a special treat. So how about a big hand for Jared Dupre.”

Kendra slowly set her fork down on her plate and turned toward the stage where Jared was strapping on a guitar. It was about time he got here.

When Derrick and Andre whistled and clap for Jared, she narrowed her eyes. She would bet her best heels Jared had sent them to watch over her until he arrived. They were both big buddies of his and would do anything he asked. For the love of Odin, she was in a public place surrounded by friends. What could happen to her here? Kendra listened in horror to Jared as he said, “This is a tune called “Please Forgive Me.” I send it out to the woman I love.”

Beside her, Kendra sensed Adam’s hostile energy. Great, now what do I do? Before she could think of what to say, Adam excused himself and went to the Men’s room.

Deanne leaned across the table and whispered. “What’s Jared doing?”

“I don’t know,” Kendra whispered back. “He told me he was coming, but not that he was going to draw attention to himself like this. All he’s managing to do is piss Adam off.”

“But he does have a sexy voice,” Loren added.

Kendra and Deanne stared at Loren, who shrugged. “Well, he does. I wish I had a hunk like that singing to me.”

“Oh, for the sake of the Gods, Loren, did you forget what that singing hunk did to Kendra? Besides, he might make Adam mad enough that he starts a fight right here in the bar.”

Kendra shook her head. “He likes your parents too much. He’ll wait until he and Adam are outside.”

“We need to keep a close eye on the two of them,” Loren said. “And here comes Adam.”

Kendra was about to reply when Jared’s next words hit her like a fist.

“This next one also goes out to my girl.” When he started to sing a blues song about making love on a hot New Orleans night, Adam tapped her on the shoulder.

“Would you like to dance?”

Not knowing what else to do, Kendra nodded and allowed him to guide her onto the floor. She felt Jared’s eyes boring into her as Adam held her against him. Even though the feel of his arms made her skin crawl, she gritted her teeth and swayed to the music, praying for the song to end. Then to her utter shock, Jared, no longer playing his guitar, a cordless mike in his hand, unceremoniously took her from Adam’s arms. Holding her tight against him, they continued the dance while he sang the rest of the song.

The dance floor was packed. Kendra could do nothing but allow him to hold her close while memories of him singing the same song to her in his bed filled her mind. When he finished the song and handed the mike to Tie, Kendra hissed. “What are you doing? You’re just making matters worse.”

“The bastard had his hands on you. You were supposed to be nice, not hang all over him.”

Exasperated, she sighed. “Jared, I wasn’t hanging all over him. I’m trying to act as if nothing’s happened. I could hardly turn him down when he asked me to dance. Now, go sit at the bar and behave yourself. I’m going to the Ladies’.”

She’d barely cleared the restroom door when Deanne and Loren came in behind her.

“Adam is so mad, he looks like he could chew nails,” Deanne said.

Kendra threw up her hands in frustration. “What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t make a scene in the middle of the dance floor.”

“No, you couldn’t,” Loren said, “and Jared knows that. What I’d like to know is what he’s trying to prove by all this?”

Deanne snorted. “That’s easy. He’s proving that Kendra belongs to him and rubbing Adam’s nose in it.”

“You’ll have to get rid of one of them before this gets ugly,” Loren said.

“Yeah, well, which one do you think is going to back down and leave?” Kendra asked. “Besides, we’re supposed to be keeping an eye on the two of them.”

Wide-eyed the three of them stared at one another. “And we’re all in here,” Loren said.

“Shit,” Deanne exclaimed as they hurried for the door.

On their way back through the crowd they spotted Derrick and Andre. “What are you doing sitting here at the bar?” Deanne asked.

“Everyone left the tables and are scattered throughout the room,” Andre said. “So we decided to sit over here.”

Knowing Derrick and Andre knew Adam by the name Thaddeus, Kendra asked, “Where’s Thaddeus?”

Derrick glanced toward the door. “He said he’d see you later and left.”

A sinking feeling coiled in Kendra’s stomach. “And Jared?”

“He’s also gone, and he also said he’d see you later.”

“Damn him.” Angered at being out-maneuvered, Kendra turned to Deanne and Loren. “He was just waiting for his chance, and we handed it right to him.” She turned to Andre and Derrick. “Where did he go? And don’t tell me you don’t know.”

“Hey, cher, calm down. We don’t know anything,” Andre said.

Kendra glowered. “Jared told both of you to keep an eye on me until he got here, didn’t he? And I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t also tell you to keep us here until he gets back, right?”

Andre took a long sip of his Blackened Voodoo while Derrick lit a cigarette.

“If you don’t tell me where Jared has gone, we’re going to cause you real pain,” Kendra said as the three girls encircled the two men.

“And we’re not kidding,” Deanne said planting herself in front of Andre.

Loren folded her arms and stared at Derrick.

“Okay, we were just helping out a friend,” Derrick finally said. “But I swear on Thor’s hammer, we don’t know where Jared went.”

“Don’t worry, cher, he’ll be back.” Andre smiled at Deanne. “So in the meantime, how about a dance?”

“How about you go to the devil,” Deanne replied.

“Come on, cher, this is supposed to be a party. You three need to just relax, have a good time, and Jared will be back soon.”

“Who left first, Thaddeus or Jared?” Kendra asked.

Derrick frowned. “I think Jared did, but I have to tell you, there was some really negative energy coming from that Thaddeus guy.”

Kendra studied both men. How much had Woodrow and Jared told them? Did they already know about Adam? The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced Jared would have confided in them. “All right you two, the time for pretending is over,” Kendra said. “I’m sure Jared told you that Thaddeus is really Adam and that he’s a monster.”

“Yeah we know,” Derrick said. “But you shouldn’t worry. Jared can take care of himself.”

“That’s right. He’ll kick the bastard’s ass,” Andre added.

The band had taken a break, and Tie had just joined them. “Are y’all talking about Jared?”

Andre nodded.

Kendra wanted to scream. Didn’t they realize what danger Jared was in? She gritted her teeth in exasperation. Of course not. Jared would have made light of it. Telling them it was no big deal. Well, she’d tell them the truth. “Listen to me. Adam is a powerful demonic witch who almost killed Jared and Philippe and did kill Kathleen. If he’s not stopped, he will kill again. If you want to help Jared, then help me find out where he is.”

Andre and Derrick glanced at each other, then Andre spoke. “Jared didn’t tell us any of this.”

“If he had, we’d of gone with him,” Derrick added.

“What are we going to do?” Tie asked.

“Damn, I wish I had my crystal ball,” Kendra said with exasperation.

“Here comes mama, and she doesn’t look happy,” Deanne said.

“I could see all your auras turning red from across the room,” Serene said. “What’s going on?”

Deanne quickly filled her in.

“I knew as soon as I shook Adam’s hand he was full of dark magic,” Serene said.

“If we had a crystal ball perhaps Deanne, Loren and I could break through Jared’s privacy charm,” Kendra said.

Serene shook her head. “Not in here—there’s too much energy bouncing around. You’ll need someplace quiet.” She turned to Deanne. “Take the girls to the back office.” She squeezed Kendra’s hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll find him.”

Kendra kissed Serene’s cheek, told Derrick and Andre to keep an eye out for Jared, and headed for the office at the back of the bar.

When they entered the small room, Deanne waved her hand and candlelight flickered in the wall sconces.

Deanne went to where her mother’s crystal ball sat on a spindle-legged table. “Okay, let’s give it a try.”

“We’re going to have to concentrate as hard as we can,” Kendra said.

They each placed three fingers upon the ball and gathering their power said,

“Part the mist and let us see,

If he’s far or if he’s near,

Show us the picture bright and clear,

As we will, so mote it be.”

“Damn it, nothing,” Deanne said as the glass remained cloudy.

“Hit it harder,” Kendra demanded. Again, nothing happened.

Kendra’s hands balled into fists. “Damn him. He’s blocked himself to the point we’ll never get through.”

“Should I get Andre, Derrick and my parents?” Deanne asked. “Perhaps between all of us we can break through.”

Kendra let out a long breath. “I suppose it won’t hurt.”

“What about trying to see Adam in the crystal ball?” Loren suggested. “He may not think it’s important to block himself.”

“Great idea.” Kendra placed her fingers on the crystal ball. “Give it all you’ve got.”

“Wait a minute. There’s something,” Loren said.

“What is that?” Deanne asked.

“I’m not sure. It’s too fuzzy,” Loren replied.

Eyes blazing, determined not to lose Jared to Adam’s evil, Kendra poured all her power through her fingers into the ball. “Show us where Adam is.”

“Kendra, keep hitting it,” Deanne cried. “It’s getting clearer. It’s a cemetery.”

The mist in the ball shimmered and spun, then cleared.

“Which one?” Loren asked.

“St. Louis No. 1,” Deanne shouted. “We did it.”

“Damn it, it’s gone,” Kendra said. “I wanted to see Jared’s face.”

Exhausted from their exertions, the three girls fell into chairs.

“At least we know where to go,” Deanne said.

“Yeah, but we have to get out of here without anyone knowing,” Kendra said. “If we’re seen, you know as well as I do they’ll try and stop us.”

Deanne smiled and got to her feet. “No problem.” She went to a closed curtain and slid it open revealing French doors. “They lead to the courtyard, then into the alley.”

“Yes.” Kendra clapped her hands. “Let’s go.”

“Ah, I don’t think we want to go tramping through a cemetery wearing dresses and heels,” Loren said. “Perhaps we should change first.”

“Practical as always,” Deanne said. She waved her hand, and three sets of jeans, sweaters, and sneakers appeared.

They quietly made their way across the courtyard, through the gate to the alley, and out onto Basin Street.

“It’s really dark out here,” Loren said. “And everything is too still and quiet.”

“Tell me about it.” Deanne glanced over her shoulder. “Something’s giving me the creeps and it isn’t the ghosts.”

They worked their way along the outer wall of the cemetery. Kendra shivered. “I feel like we’re being watched. Perhaps we should put a protective shield around us.”

“Good idea.” Loren lifted her arms, but before she could speak, Kendra, who was ahead of her, suddenly cried out and stumbled back knocking into Deanne.

“Ouch,” Deanne said with a grunt.

“What’s going on?” Loren asked.

“There’s something in front of me,” Kendra said.

Loren peered into the darkness. “I don’t see anything.”

Tentatively Deanne put out her hand. “I can see through it, but it’s solid.”

“Jared,” Kendra said. “He put up barricades in case we followed.”

“Bullshit on that,” Deanne said. “Let’s blast through it.”

“The girls reared back and hurled balls of energy at the invisible wall. When nothing happened, Kendra cursed.

Deanne’s brows rose. “Impressive. I didn’t know you knew so many naughty words.”

Loren shook her head. “Now what do we do? We’d waste too much time going back for help.”

“I wish we could levitate ourselves over the wall,” Deanne said.

From inside the cemetery, bright flashes of light streaked across the night sky.

Panic threatened to overtake Kendra. “Something’s happening. We have to get to Jared.”

“What’s that?” Loren pointed.

Beyond the invisible shield, a shimmering shape formed.

“For the love of the Gods, it’s Kathleen,” Deanne whispered as Kathleen Le Blanc’s body took shape.

“Kathleen, can you help us?” Kendra called.

“I don’t know.” Her voice a hollow sound on the wind, her filmy form glowed and pulsating energy surrounded her. She held out her hands and the invisible wall disappeared.

“Kathleen, thank you,” Kendra said as the girls hurried toward the cemetery gates.

“Is it just me, or is the temperature dropping?” Loren asked.

“It’s always colder here,” Kendra said.

Deanne rubbed her arms. “Yeah, but this seems like a different kind of cold than you get from the dead.”

“I don’t like this,” Loren stated. “Something’s wrong.”

“Stop it,” Deanne said. “You’re freaking me out.” She glanced around. “What happened to Kathleen?”

“I don’t know, but hurry,” Kendra said. “Jared could already be hurt.”

“Let’s find Marie,” Deanne said. “We’ll be safe once we’re with her, and she might know something.”

“Wait a minute.” Loren flicked her wrist and a burning torch appeared. “Now we can at least see, but watch out for broken pavements.”

Their footfalls barely made a sound as they made their way along the rows of pale tombs. Granite angels with broken wings peered down upon them from crumbling crypts. Translucent images flickered outside the pool of torch light.

“There’s Marie’s tomb.” Deanne pointed. “And we’re in luck. She doesn’t have any other visitors.” As they approached, Marie appeared.

“What you girls doin’ here? Didn’t I warn you?” She narrowed her eyes. “There is bad trouble. You need to leave.”

“That’s why we’ve come, Marie,” Kendra said. “Jared needs us.”

She shook her head. “No, it too dangerous. Them boys already here, and they full of some mean juju.”

“Where are they?” Kendra asked.

“They in the back, but you girls not going there. I talked to Jared before the evil one got here. Jared told me what he needin’ to do. He asked me to watch out for you three and keep you away. And that’s what I’m goin’ to do.”

“Marie, Jared may not be able to fight Adam on his own. With the three of us helping, we’d have a better chance of destroying him,” Kendra said.

The ground shook and bolts of silver light crisscrossed in the night sky.

Kendra ran in the direction of the light closely followed by Deanne and Loren with a cursing Marie floating alongside. As they rounded a corner, Marie was able to get in front of Kendra and, with a force Kendra didn’t see coming, blocked their progress. The three girls stumbled back.

Marie glowered, her hands on her hips. “If you three are determined to get in the middle of this, you’re not goin’ rushin’ in like a bunch of stray hounds after a bone. Now quiet down and stay behind me. You do everything just as I say.”

Agitated ghosts swarmed around the girls as they huddled together following Marie deep into the cemetery.

“This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” Deanne whispered. “If we don’t come out of this alive, I’m going to haunt Jared Dupre forever.”

Loren shivered. “For once, Deanne, I’m in total agreement with you.”

“We’ll be okay,” Kendra whispered back. “Jared won’t let anything happen to us.”

“Hush.” Marie waved them to silence. “We’re getting closer.” A breeze kicked up, raising the dust of the tombs, and the temperature dropped even farther. She turned troubled eyes on them. “I can only hold the evil one away for a short time. You girls are no match for his dark power.”

Kendra clutched her gold unicorn and prayed to those who came before her to give her the strength to battle whatever lay ahead. The unicorn began to glow and she felt the strong energy. Love and power. Nothing would stop her now.

“It’s all in Jared’s hands,” Marie said. “You girls stay behind this tomb here. Do not come out for any reason. I’ll be in front.”

They eased their way around the side of the tomb. The wind howled and swirled. Darkness descended upon them.

A demented laugh filled the night. A light flashed and Kendra screamed.