Page 31 of Hextreme Measures

“Oh.” Ofelia nodded. “They do, but it’s not just unfaithful men. Sometimes wives who have been left by husbands, even if there’s no infidelity involved, can change. Sometimes it’s sisters angry at brothers or daughters angry at fathers. Sometimes it’s just women angry at boyfriends.”

“I’m not sure I understand the rules,” Sully admitted. “I didn’t know that scratching someone could be a cause for an infection. I always assumed it was a case-by-case thing.”

“It can be, but the scratches are more effective. Let me see if I can explain.” Ofelia took another bite and a drink of her iced tea before continuing. “So, the legend of the first banshee is hundreds of years old. A woman was mourning her husband, was overcome by grief, and then she found out he was cheating on her. She couldn’t have kids, or something, but the other woman had his children, and she just lost it and turned into a banshee.”

It was a serious conversation, but Sully couldn’t stop himself from smiling. “You don’t believe that story. I can tell.”

“It’s a legend for a reason,” she replied. “I’m sure that happened to somebody at some time. There’s no way that was the story of the first banshee, though. I’m guessing the first banshee happened thousands of years ago, not hundreds.”

“Ah. That makes sense.”

“Anyway, I think the first banshees did spring from humans,” she continued. “Grief can be a powerful motivator. If you lose something that you love so much you don’t think you can live without it, that grief can destroy you.”

“Is that what you think is happening here? With banshees, I mean. Do you think the banshee is grief destroying them?”

“Yes. In a very basic manner anyway.”

“Okay, what about those who were scratched?”

“That’s different, and I’ve been trying to sort through my feelings on the subject. What Ellen told me about how the banshee tried to woo her got me thinking.”

“When aren’t you thinking? You’re the smartest person I know.”

“What is with you and the compliments today?” Ofelia complained. “They’re over the top.”

He laughed. “You’re going to be my wife in a few days. I can’t help it. I’m feeling schmaltzy.”

The earnestness with which he delivered the line had Ofelia going soft all over. “That’s sweet.”

“But you can’t focus on the wedding because of what’s going on with Angelique,” Sully guessed.

Ofelia didn’t want to admit that — it would hurt his feelings — but she couldn’t lie to him either. “I need to save Angelique. I can’t get married if she’s running around screaming her lungs out.”

Sully didn’t take the comment personally. “I get it. We have to save Angelique before the wedding. I don’t disagree.”

“We probably shouldn’t tell our mothers that’s a consideration.”

“Definitely not.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I have faith we’re going to fix this. You need to have the same faith.”

“I do.” Ofelia meant it. “I’m just … I don’t know where to look next.”

“Finish telling me about the banshees. Then I have an idea where you can point your attention.”

“There is no expert on banshees,” Ofelia explained. “I realized that when I was leaving Ellen’s house. Nobody has ever put together a Banshees for Dummies book or anything. That’s because there are no hard and fast rules.”

She took a deep breath before continuing. “The original banshees sprang up out of anger and grief. Later banshees were turned. Those who were in pain, those with magical backgrounds and a lot of grief, were targeted.”

“Do you have a theory as to why?”

“Strength would be my guess.”

“But Ellen got away, and she wasn’t paranormal, right?”

Ofelia pictured the house again. “I don’t think that’s necessarily true. She might not be a standard witch, but that house was bursting at the seams with hoodoo stuff. I think she’s at the very least a mambo. I didn’t ask, and now I’m kind of kicking myself. She said I could call if I have any questions, so I still might do that.”

“You’re uncomfortable asking her about her faith, though,” Sully surmised.

“Technically, it’s none of my business. It makes people uncomfortable when other people ask them about their faith, though. I would prefer waiting.”