Maddie snorted. “Get in line.”
Lyra’s lips twitched. Settling on the settee across from them, she said gently, “I understand your frustration, believe me. When Taras first claimed me, he wanted me wrapped in lamb’s wool at all times.” Her regal expression turned wry. “We had some colorful arguments, to put it politely.”
Lola perked up at this show of solidarity from the Prima. “What did you do to make him lay off the overprotective crap?”
“Oh, many devious things.” Lyra laughed lightly at the memory. “But what finally got through to him was realizing that his fear of losing me made him hold too tightly. Love gives wings. It does not cage.”
She smiled reassuringly at Lola. “Callon loves you, but he is still learning how. Be patient with your mate. Guide him, but also trust in the bond between you.”
Lola worried her bottom lip. As usual, Lyra’s insight and empathy made Lola feel understood. Maybe she was being too hard on Callon. Fear was a powerful force, even in supernatural lions.
Maddie spoke up tentatively. “If you don’t mind me asking… How did you handle feeling powerless when someone you love is in danger?” Her face clouded, no doubt thinking of Katy.
Lyra considered her words. “It’s difficult, I know. But choosing faith over fear makes all the difference. Despite how dire things seem, have hope.” She leaned forward, taking Maddie’s hand in a gentle grip. “You and Katy have a bond to weather any storm. Trust in that, and in her strength.”
Maddie’s eyes glistened, but she nodded, squeezing Lyra’s hand in return. Lola blinked back her own tears, moved by the Prima’s compassion.
She took a bracing breath. “I just hate this waiting game, not knowing what’s happening.” She frowned, thinking of Katy tied to those innocent captives. Lyra and Maddie grew somber. Link’s news of the attack on Azure’s prisoners had given them the knowledge that there were possibly still two women alive. Still tied to Katy’s life force.
“Link seemed certain some survived.” Maddie’s voice was devoid of hope. If those girls died, Katy would live. The thought made Lola equal parts desperate and guilty.
Lyra’s frown turned thoughtful. “If any do still cling to life, perhaps the witch who cast the spell could be persuaded to break it.”
Lola’s head jerked up. “Can her magic be forced?”
“Most magic requires consent,” Lyra said. “But if she could be compelled or tricked…”
Maddie nodded eagerly. “So we just need to get our hands on this voodoo lady, make her undo the curse saving Katy, and, boom, problem solved.”
Lola started pacing again, but this time with excited purpose. “I don’t think any situation is ever fixed with ‘boom, problem solved.’ But”—she held up a finger to keep her friend from interrupting—“if we find the witch, and convince her to break the spell, then the guys just have to hunt down Azure. Teamwork makes the dream work.”
“That still feels pretty much like ‘boom, problem solved,’” Maddie pointed out.
Lola shrugged. “I’m trying to be the voice of reason in my head but still have some hope. It’s a precarious balance.”
Lyra cleared her throat as she clasped her hands in her lap. “I know you want to help, but we must be cautious in seeking out such darkness.”
“With respect, Prima”—Lola grinned—“we’re from New York. It’ll be just like taking the subway at 3 a.m. We’ve totally got this.”
Maddie laughed. “She’s not wrong. We can handle ourselves against a voodoo witch.”
Lyra still looked hesitant, so Lola pressed on. “At least let us start researching. Knowledge is power, or so the saying goes. I’ve yet to have any knowledge that didn’t make me feel powerful.”
When Lyra slowly inclined her head, Lola and Maddie exchanged fierce looks. Finally, they could be useful instead of just worrying.
Link had given them a few clues to track this mysterious voodoo witch. She lived in the bayou and had a shop in the old downtown of New Orleans. That at least gave them a place to start. Lola rubbed her hands together as they headed for the mansion’s extensive library.
“I’ll scour the web for creepy, witchy stuff. You dig into the books for New Orleans lore,” she told Maddie. “We’re gonna find this lady and make her undo whatever she did to Katy, even if I have to go all New York on her magical ass.”
Several hours later, Lola shoved back from the ornate desk with a growl. Her eyes stung from staring at the computer screen, but she was no closer to uncovering anything useful about Azure’s pet witch.
Maddie glanced up from her pile of dusty tomes across the table. “No luck?”
Lola scrubbed both hands down her face. “I’ve looked at so much freaky, supernatural crap, I’m gonna have nightmares. But nada on Mistress Voodoo.”
“Same here.” Maddie sighed, snapping the large book shut. She grimaced and coughed at the cloud of dust that poofed up. “Everything I’ve found on voodoo is vague history or spooky legends. Nothing concrete linking any witch to Azure, or a witch to the Damarian people at all.”
Lola’s shoulders slumped. “There’s got to be some clue about this magic woman. She owns her own store. We should at least be able to find a name on the internet from a simple search ofwitch shops in New Orleans. But none of the sites I’ve come across mention the owners by name.” She tapped her chin. “So maybe wegoto New Orleans and see if we can spy on her. She’s gotta, like, buy groceries and clothes, right?” At Maddie’s pointed look, Lola amended, “Okay, granted, she probably conjures her own food or whatever. But surely she leaves her creepy little shop at some point.”
