Page 25 of Magic Pussy

"We can't do much against a sprit when its essence isn't even in this world. If we let it pass through to our world, we can kick its ass, and properly banish it from Nola."

That sounded all well and good. Only one problem. "That thing has managed to influence hundreds, if not thousands, of sups, Michelle. Not just witches, but vampires, too. It might be too strong once it's here."

"Not necessarily. Schuyler designed the spell in a specific way, so the dead don't come back to this world. The moment the sun comes up, the souls who've wandered the earth from the outerworld are sucked back where they came from."

Rain frowned. "I don't see how that spirit wanted to pass, then."

"Thanks to Sara. If the anchor stops anchoring the spell before the end of the ritual..."

"The spirits stay," Rain guessed.

They remained silent for a while.

"I won't lie. There's a very strong possibility that all of the possessed witches will try to kill you."

Michelle expected her to walk out, she could almost read her expression, a mixture of disappointment and resignation.

Rain nodded. "Right. What's the plan so they don't do that?"

Her sister lifted a brow. "Simple. During the cleansing, I intend to add a few drops of something quite special I've concocted to the eau de vie. They'll pass out as soon as I order them to. The problem, of course, is that they won't be able to hold the wards that keep the spirits in the cemetery. Honestly, I doubt they intend to, in any case. The shields outside of Nola should keep them stuck in the city, but the regulars and tourists will have a pretty freaky experience."

Rain just shrugged. "Another Thursday in Nola. I bet the tourism will bloom after that."

The ghost of a smile did cross Michelle's face. She grew serious. "You're up for it?"

"Are you up for fighting a crazy-strong, mysterious force with a thousand people under its thumb?"

Michelle mirrored her shrug. "Another Thursday in Nola."

There was so much left to say. Stuff such as "I'm sorry," and "I would have made a terrible head of the coven, while you're rocking it," plus "I was a shitty kid, but I'm nice now."

Instead, Rain remained awkwardly silent, until something essential crossed her mind.

"I need Luke there. As my bodyguard. If I'm going to do this while unconscious, anchoring a humongous spell, I need to know he's watching me. You'll be busy with the whole banishing and everything."

Her sister nodded. "Not a problem. We have plenty of shifter bodyguards for that type of event, to ensure no tourists wander in. No one will raise an eyebrow."

Good.

"Alright, then. I guess I'll see you at the clearing for the cleansing?"

"I guess so."

Michelle turned her back on her, returning to her gardening, and Rain left.

It was only when she'd made it a few blocks down the road and joined Luke that she turned back to the greenhouse, smiling.

"What?" Luke asked. "Did it go okay?"

It really had. "It just hit me. We didn't really insult each other. Not even once."

One evening

Having gotten her meeting with one of the sisters out of the way, Luke and Rain went home to Ma Curtis to get ready for dinner with the second one.

Rain was feeling rather positive. Until they got there.

Sara ate very properly, cutting each piece of her steak first and then slowly eating it, making sure to eat one vegetable in between each mouthful of meat.

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