Bayou Shadow Hunter. Debbie Herbert

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      â€œBeyond this field is a dirt road that leads to County Road 143. Know where you are now?”

      She laughed, giddy with relief, and pointed to the cottage. “Of course. That’s my grandma’s house. Her name’s Tia Henrietta. Maybe you’ve met her before?”

      â€œThe witch in the woods?” Surprise flickered in his eyes. “I should have guessed. Are you one, as well?”

      She tugged her hand away from his. “No more than you.”

      His hand reached out and stroked the red flannel mojo pouch belted at her waist. “What magic is this?”

      â€œGris-gris bags. My grandma makes them. For protection.”

      â€œDidn’t work, huh?”

      â€œSure it did. It brought you to me, and then you brought me home.”

      His lips curled. “I don’t know what kind of magic your grandmother claims to have, but that pouch didn’t help you when the will-o’-the-wisp conjured you into the woods.”

      â€œWhat do you know of them?” she asked, burning with curiosity now the danger had passed.

      He ignored her question. “So you followed this light. What happened next?”

      She bit her lip. “Looks like I’m the one doing all the talking. How about I tell you one thing, then you tell me one thing?”

      He nodded. “Deal.”

      â€œOkay, then. The light disappeared a few minutes. When it came back, something inside it spoke.” Annie took a deep breath. This wasn’t easy to talk about. This was partly what alienated her from everyone. The crazy sticker on her forehead.

      But the man didn’t flinch. “What did it say?”

      Annie hedged. Once again, she was doing most of the talking. “Tell me your name.”

      â€œTombi. Tombi Silver.”

      She inhaled sharply, and his eyes narrowed.

      â€œWhat is it?” he demanded.

      â€œThe voice. It mentioned you by name.”

      He leaned in and grabbed her arms, not bruising-hard, but enough so that she couldn’t run away. “What. Did. It. Say?”

      What the hell. This wouldn’t be the first time she’d been used as a conduit for messages. Best to relay it and get on with her life. Otherwise, the wisp or spirit, or whatever that thing was, would keep appearing in some form or another until it had its way.

      â€œIt said you were in great danger and to trust no one, not even in your inner circle. That there’s a betrayer in your ranks, and if you were ever his true friend you need to find the betrayer, so he can be released.”

      She didn’t think it possible the man—Tombi—could look fiercer, but he did. He let go of her and shook his head.

      â€œNo. I don’t believe you.”

      Annie hitched her shoulders and raised her palms. “Fine. But that’s what the thing told me.”

      â€œDid it have a name?”

      â€œBo.”

      * * *

      Ringing flooded Tombi’s ears. There’s worse things than witches. Much worse.

      â€œWhat did Bo say?”

      Annie recoiled, and he realized he was shouting. With great effort, he lowered his voice. “Tell me what he said.”

      â€œHe’s trapped inside a wisp and wants you to free him.”

      Guilt and anger heaved in his stomach. “I’ve been trying to find him for weeks. Why didn’t he come to me? I was his best friend.”

      Bo. His blood brother and childhood comrade. Always reliable. Always quick with the jokes and the laughter. And the only man who could make Tallulah laugh. His sister hadn’t smiled in months. Not since Bo died. Sometimes he wondered if she ever would again.

      â€œWas your best friend?” Annie’s eyes rounded. “What happened to him?”

      Tombi gritted his teeth. Oh, she looked innocent enough. Standing there in her flower-print T-shirt and drawstring pajama shorts. Brown hair tumbling in waves down to her hips. At first glance, she’d appeared a mere slip of a girl—skinny and all legs.

      His eyes shifted to the fullness of her breasts and slight swelling of her hips. Definitely a woman. A very sexy woman. Not that it mattered. Evil spirits roamed in many guises.

      â€œHe died. Snakebite.” He watched her closely, checking for signs of guilt or glee.

      She shuddered. “That’s horrible.”

      â€œDied right where I found you tonight.”

      Annie crossed her arms and looked downward apprehensively. “I hate snakes. Was it a rattler or a water moccasin?”

      â€œRattler. He died alone out there in the woods.” How many times had he imagined Bo’s horrible death? Imagined him feeling the rapid, burning spread of venom in his veins, knowing he was doomed.

      Tombi drew a rasping breath. “He shouldn’t have had to die alone.”

      â€œNobody should,” she agreed. “How—how did he get trapped in a wisp?”

      â€œYou really don’t know?” he asked sharply.

      â€œNo.” She squared her shoulders. “I’ve only been out here a few weeks visiting my grandma. Lots of weirdness down here, even more than usual this summer. Stuff I’ve never seen before. Or heard.”

      â€œAbout what you heard...what did Bo say exactly?”

      â€œI told you. There’s a betrayer in your ranks. He wanted me to warn you of danger.”

      A likely story. Wasn’t that the way evil sank its fangs into people? It insinuated and manipulated fear and mistrust where none existed. Until you became paranoid and relied only on your own wits for survival. He’d seen it so many times over the past few years.

      â€œI don’t believe you.”

      She shrugged. “Suit yourself. Don’t shoot me, I’m just the messenger.”

      â€œYou always go around hearing voices?” he sneered.

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