Page 27 of Hextreme Measures

“Yes, that’s how you got on my radar. I was hunting a banshee about seven years ago. You were young, in your early 20s, and you took out the creature before I could.”

Ofelia remembered the incident well. “I had no idea you were watching me.”

“That was by design. I didn’t know who you were. After, I made a point of learning about you. It was around that time that I realized Pascal knew you. He explained who you were and that you were on the right side of things.”

“He’s one of my favorite people in the world,” Ofelia said.

“He’s a good ally to have. Keep him close now.”

“We believe the banshees have been sticking close to Louis Armstrong Park. Any idea why that might be?”

“No.” Ellen looked solemn as she shook her head. “No idea at all. I’ve never known banshees to stay in one area like that either.”

“Any thoughts on how I can track them down?”

“Follow the grief.”

“Grief? Not rage?”

“No. It’s grief that makes for the strongest banshees. The rage is just part of the grief.”

“Angelique has nothing to grieve,” Ofelia argued.

“Not that you know of. Perhaps you don’t know your friend as well as you think. Everybody always has something to grieve.”

Because that rang true to Ofelia, she nodded and stood. “Thank you for your time.”

“Give me your phone number,” Ellen prodded. “If I hear anything or sense anything, I’ll give you a call.”

“Sure.” Ofelia took the woman’s phone to program her number in.

“Call me if you have any questions,” Ellen added. “I’ll do what I can to help. Since I can’t sense these banshees — and that’s troubling to me for reasons you likely can’t understand — I don’t know what help I could offer. I will do anything I can, though.”

Ofelia nodded as she tested her number on the phone. Satisfied, she handed it back. “Thank you.”

“Your friend might not turn. Not everybody does.”

“I know, but I’m afraid. That means I’m going to do whatever it takes to save her.”

“If anybody can, it’s you.”

“I certainly hope so.”

7

SEVEN

Ellen had given Ofelia a lot to think about. She just didn’t know what to do with the information. A witch had come out of nowhere to help her, even though she didn’t know the woman. That meant that the witch had been watching the situation and somehow knew that she could help. Who could that possibly be?

Ofelia considered and then immediately discarded the idea that it was Dora. The Frenchman Street witch was powerful, but she wasn’t known for being helpful. Ofelia knew she would have to visit Dora — and sooner rather than later — for help with a potion for Angelique. She very much doubted that Dora was the helpful stranger, however.

She was still thinking about her next move — in Ellen’s driveway no less — when she got a text from Sully to meet for lunch. Even though she wasn’t hungry — her nerves were making sure of that — she was eager to hear what he’d found out.

Sully picked Brennan’s because it was one of Ofelia’s favorites. He was already seated when she made her way in and focused on his phone. A wave of love blew through her when she saw him. He would be her husband in a few days. Well, as long as they could save Angelique. She couldn’t imagine loving anybody more.

As if he sensed her approaching, he looked up, a smile already on his face. “Hey.” He stood when she got to him and cupped her chin before kissing her. “I missed you today.”

“Me, too.” Ofelia wrapped her arms around him for a hug. “I missed you so much.”