Luc took advantage of the pre-dawn breeze. “I wouldn’t go in, if I were you,” he whispered.
Nasal turned on Raspy. “What do you mean, you wouldn’t go in? You want to get paid, doncha?”
“I didn’t say anythin’. Now, you’re hearin’ things.”
“I. Don’t. Think. So.” Nasal’s voice was slow and harsh, punctuating each word. “Prove to me you ain’t scared. You go first.”
Branches scraped a harsh echo to the wind.
“If that’ll make you happy. Sure.” Raspy moved past his fellow raider.
Single file, they crossed the lawn before the house. Luc followed until they covered about half the distance. Then he stepped closer to the two men. He used one arm to push Raspy forward. With the other arm, he grabbed Nasal and swung him into Raspy’s back. While both men struggled to stand, Luc took Nasal’s pig-sticker. He nicked Raspy’s left arm then dropped the blade at Nasal’s feet before rushing to shelter behind a nearby tree.
Raspy stood and roared, drawing his own weapon. “You tryin’ to kill me?”
The other man cowered backward. “No, no. You tripped over something then I tripped over you,” he yelled.
Raspy scooped up the fallen blade. “I don’t believe you. You ain’t a clumsy person, and if you weren’t trying to kill me. Why’d you draw your knife?”
“I…I…I didn’t. It must have fallen from my belt.”
“You had that holder made special for this knife.” Raspy stepped forward and jabbed at Nasal.
“You’re lyin’! You want all the reward for yourself.” He attacked his cohort.
Nasal dodged. Canine howls filled the air just before a rifle blasted.
“Them dogs is loose,” yelled Raspy. “Run!”
“Who goes there?” Grace’s voice rang out.
The men scrambled down the lane, racing ahead of the dogs and leaving their lanterns behind.
Mars and Mercury would keep after them, so Luc headed for Grace, just to be certain she was safe.
Grace stood on the kitchen stoop, rifle aimed down the drive.
Luc watched her slip the rifle strap over her shoulder, take both lanterns and search the ground in their dim light. “So much for Luc coming when I call,” she muttered.
As he left, she set off toward the house. Grace had a point, but he couldn’t stop to talk with her now. Luc heaved a sigh of relief that she wasn’t too shaken up by the night’s events, then he flew after the escaping intruders.
He raced down the lane toward the gates. He’d have to move fast, if he wanted to catch up with the two raiders. Of course, the dogs might have caught them.
Fast as he was, he was not fast enough. He came up on the dogs nosing along the road in front of a shallow stream. The men vanished, probably using the stream to erase their scent. He used every spectral sense, but could find no trace of them. Were they frightened enough to prevent their return?
That would be good. Better, would be to learn more about where they’d come from, and discover for certain the identity of their boss. Guidry was most likely, but Luc wanted to eliminate any doubt. Without knowing where to look, he could learn nothing. Meanwhile, he’d have to guard Grace more carefully. She would call again; he was certain of it.
Chapter Eighteen
March 17, 1912 Waning Crescent
Sweet Dreams Plantation House
Several nights later, alone in bed, Grace thought about Luc and her dreams. He hadn’t come when she’d said his name, but he invaded her dreams. She dreamt that she herself was the woman, Grainne. The woman Lucien Flynn said he loved. Grace closed her eyes, to better picture what had been in the dream. She recalled the sighs the pleasure, the urgent desire. She recalled every touch, every scent, every sound, including the rattle of the alcove curtains, and the scream.
Grainne had told Luc to go to the woman in red. The woman who’d put voice to the rage and pain Grainne herself had felt years ago, when she’d told Luc she could not marry him.
She’d watched in horror as the woman had stabbed herself. Beyond that, the memory of the dream became muddy, confusing. The confusion cleared. The picture came into focus, as if it were all happening again, now.
