“I agree. Kip, I think this will be a great cut for you. No hair products needed. And if it gets a little long, it will hold the style. Who in your family has this great hair? You’d think by looking, your hair would be a bit wiry, but instead it’s soft as silk.” She covered his shoulders with a cape and spun him in the chair to face a mirror. “Channy was right. You are surrounded by a force of spirits.”
Harper opened and closed her fists, squelching the desire to run her fingers through his hair. Kip covered his face with his hand. In the area not concealed, Harper could see a bit of a blush. Raven sprayed his hair with water, and in fifteen minutes, his hair was perfect.
“Harper, before you leave, come in the back with me. You can bring Kip and his sexy bodyguard.” Raven scanned Josh. “Owen, Barry, we’ll be right back.”
Harper moved to stand next to Kip before he got out of the chair and whispered, “Raven is a high priestess. She won’t hurt you. Channy visits her all the time.”
Raven led Harper, Kip and Josh to her back room. It was a small botanica with shelves filled with herbs, stones, candles, incense, sculptures, and books. Another wall was filled with a dresser composed of small drawers. Unlike the perfume of the tailor, the scent inside the room was warm and inviting, like the girls’ cottage.
First, she opened one of the drawers and withdrew a nine-inch-long bundle of twigs. “Harper, for Channy when it’s her time. White sage will purify her hospital room.”
Raven whirred around and pinned Josh with a stare. “What’s your name?”
“Josh Stone, ma’am.” Harper saw his knees lock.
“Hmm, the spirits love you, Josh Stone. You will have to visit me when you have time. You are surrounded by your ancestors. Seafarers. Maine?Enchanté, Monsieur Stone.” Raven opened another drawer and took out a bar of soap. “This is called open road soap. It will clear your system so you may take advantage of new opportunities and enjoy new adventures.”
“Channy says Raven is the real deal. You won’t find a true priestess hanging out on Bourbon Street,” Harper whispered into Kip’s ear.
Kip watched Raven carefully. Harper wondered if Maine was a guess and gave Josh something for a new opportunity? Owen must have told her they were new in town. While Chantal was a believer, Harper remained skeptical.
Warmth suddenly surrounded her as Raven approached. Harper looked up to see if she was below a vent. “Oh, sweet girl. Chantal’s work is paying off. You’re opening yourself to new ideas. You must continue to deny the evil. None of it belongs to you. Embrace a chance for a new beginning.” Raven poured herbs onto a square piece of red cloth and took Harper’s free hand. “This is for what your heart wants.”
Raven closed her eyes and prayed in French Creole. Harper noticed Josh paying intense attention to Raven’s words and wondered if he could translate what she said. Harper was fluent in French, but for some reason Raven’s words did not compute.
Next, Raven rested Harper’s hand on the table where the square covered in herbs sat. Raven created a pouch from the fabric tied with matching red string. Harper never saw Raven drop a pinch of cuttings from Kip’s hair inside. “Keep this in your left pocket. A love-drawing Gris-gris.” She kissed Harper on each cheek.
Raven’s eyes swirled as she focused on Kip. Harper saw a mixture of curiosity and doubt in his eyes. Raven took his right hand in hers. “Hmm,” she said. “Come sit.” She patted a chair topped with a velvet cushion.
When Kip shrugged and sat at the small table across from Raven, Josh took a protective step closer to him. “Monsieur Stone, you felt a spirit flee,n’est-ce pas? Your boss’s shields are high.”
Raven’s nail dragged over his palm. “You are a complex man, Monsieur Kip. Your ring finger is long. It is no mystery you are athletic, handsome, but with that ring finger, you likely have a long penis. Many children are in your future. Your index finger is a touch longer than your ring finger, which means you can also delay gratification.”
Kip’s cheeks flushed red. Harper wondered if Raven’s description was true.
“Your hand is square with few lines. An earth hand. Practical, you like to work, and you willingly bear the weight of the world on your shoulders.” She ran her finger along a line on his palm. “Hmm, the heart line—giving, caring, empathetic.” She moved to another line. “Your headline shows you are a clear thinker. You plan and execute. And your lifeline shows your deep connection to loved ones, friends, and family.
“Monsieur Kip, this is for you. A bar of uncrossing soap to remove negativity from the stress in your life. And a bundle of peppermint for tea. It will soothe your belly, help with your tension headaches and improve your concentration.” Raven closed her hands over his and said a prayer for his protection. “Monsieur Josh, you take care of him. And Monsieur Kip, watch over Harper. She’ll need you more than you know in the future.”
It appeared Kip wanted to ask questions, but his phone rang again. “Brennan.” His brows crunched. “Titan, what’s up?”
“Three? That’s good. Get that thumb drive to Rich immediately. Debrief them. I want a report by 1700 hrs.” He frowned. “I’ll feel better when Emma and Kodi are out. I’m off to see my home. I’m still on schedule for noon.”
Harper cocked her head. “Kip, is everything alright?”
“Just work. No worries.” He kissed her on her forehead. “Raven, thank you for everything.”
Raven pulled him into a hug and whispered, “Kip, fate makes choices—not you.” She slipped a crystal of black obsidian in his pocket.
Chapter 6
In the daylight, the mammoth size of his home became clear. Kip’s pulse bounded. “Um, wow,” he eked out.
“Do not let the size scare you. You’ve earned this,” Barry admonished.
“Guys, let me take a breath. I’m not used to this kind of luxury.” Kip thought about growing up in New Jersey.
Josh helped Harper step onto the driveway circle. Kip joined her, looking up at the balcony that circled the second floor of the Queen Anne home with its white rockers and small tables. They took the wide stairs to the front porch, which was edged in gingerbread detailing.
