Mireille nodded at Rick as the two boats passed each other. Rick’s engine was loud as he disappeared around the bend in no time. Mireille pulled up at the dock and hopped out of her boat. “Cross,” she said as she straightened from tying the craft to a new-looking cleat. “You have a whole mess of trouble coming your way.”
She came to the top of the stairs and looked Drew up and down, almost as if she was some science experiment that needed observing. Drew shivered slightly, which she was sure Mireille noticed because the corners of her mouth turned slightly upward.
“You,” she said, pointing at Drew. “You brought the trouble.”
“Uh…no,” Drew argued, “I merely told Cross that trouble was coming. It would’ve found him if I was here or not.”
Mireille tilted her head, and the smile was back. “Maybe so. Or at least partly so.” She turned and gave Cross her full attention. Her smile got wider and her eyes lit up. “Cross, come make me tea and let’s chat.” She held out a small tin.
“Of course,” Cross said as he brushed by Drew and offered an arm to Mireille, taking the tea tin with his other hand.
The woman was probably in her sixties, but there was no way she needed Cross’s arm to help her walk. She was strong as an ox by the look of things. Drew kept that thought to herself as she followed behind them. She tried to keep her face neutral. The last thing she wanted was to upset a voodoo priestess or whatever Mireille was. Drew had enough bad luck already… No need to add to it.
Mireille and Drew sat at the small table while Cross busied himself with the tea.
“So,” Mireille said, her eyes twinkling, “how are you enjoying your time with us?”
Drew arched a brow and gave a slow blink. “Oh, it’s been a dream. You know—if your dream involves a thousand mosquitoes, a gator side-eyeing you like lunch, and humidity thick enough to chew.”
Mireille threw her head back and laughed, the sound rich and delighted. “Ah! I like you already.”
Drew smirked. “Figures. This place seems to reward insanity.”
“Not insanity,chère. Just a strong spirit… and maybe a little madness for spice.” Mireille’s sly grin faded, but her eyes continued to sparkle even as her laughter faded. “Strong spirit, sharp tongue. I do enjoy a woman who bites back.”
Drew chuckled. “Well, I don’t exactly blend in at garden parties, so I guess this works.”
Mireille gave a slow, approving nod, her bracelets jingling as she pulled out a small carved wooden box from her voluminous skirt. “You’ve got more than sharp edges,chère. You’ve got steel in your bones. But even steel can break when bent too far,non?”
Drew tilted her head. “That supposed to be comforting?”
“It’s a warning,” Mireille said simply, then gestured to the steaming mugs Cross had placed before them. “Drink. The leaves will tell me what they see.”
Drew glanced down at the stiff brew. The smell of it was not inviting, and the memory of Cross saying something about eye of newt came back to her. Lovely. Just what she wanted to do. Drink tea with a voodoo priestess, but it wasn’t as if she had a choice. No need to piss off someone who could possibly be connected to some kind ofwoo-woopower. Drew didn’t need any more bad juju in her life.
She lifted the mug, took a slow sip, and then passed it to Mireille. “Well, hopefully they see me out of this swamp and into a hot shower sometime soon.”
Mireille swirled the contents of the mug, her gaze sharpening. “Mm. Fire in your past… blood in your wake. Danger follows you like a shadow that breathes.”
Drew’s smile faded.
Cross, standing off to the side, straightened slightly.
“He doesn’t hunt you yet,” Mireille continued, still peering into the cup. “But he will. Quick as a snap of the jaws. Thin. Slippery. Cold as a grave.”
Drew’s stomach flipped. “Weasel,” she muttered.
Mireille’s gaze flicked to her, unreadable.
Cross’s jaw clenched. “You’re sure?”
“I didn’t name names,” Mireille said. “But yes, I’m sure.”
“Great,” Drew said, voice dry. “Just what I needed. A swamp, a death warrant, and now a metaphysical hit list.”
Mireille smiled faintly and pushed the cup aside. “Give me your hand.”
Drew hesitated for a second, then extended her arm.
