Page 29 of Curse in the Quarter
Valentin leaned forward with predatory interest. “What individuals produce this effect?”
“Charlotte’s bloodline descendants. Peoplecarrying her genetic and spiritual inheritance.” Bastien met pale eyes directly. “The same bloodline serving as ritual anchor for the expanding network.”
Understanding crashed across vampire features. “Someone in Charlotte’s family controls the manifestations. Their presence either accelerates contamination or provides relief, depending on conscious intention.”
“Which means victims aren’t just being conscripted—they’re being prepared to serve specific functions in relation to her modern incarnation.”
They returned to Camille’s isolation ward to find her conscious, speaking with Detective Novak in Charlotte’s voice about historical events no living person should remember. Valentin’s expression darkened at this blatant violation of supernatural secrecy.
“We need to continue this conversation elsewhere,” he said quietly to Bastien. “Away from mortal ears.”
But before they could withdraw, Camille’s attention fixed on Valentin with recognition spanning lifetimes.
“Monsieur Rousseau. You haven’t aged since we discussed consciousness preservation across temporal boundaries.”
The vampire went motionless, his nature recognizing violation of cosmic order. Detective Novak stared between them with growing alarm, while the attending physician backed toward the door with instincts screaming warnings about predators in human form.
“Troubling,” Valentin said quietly, his voice carrying compulsion that would cloud mortal memories of what they’d witnessed. “If these manifestations represent genuine historical consciousness rather than mystical contamination . . .”
“Then Charlotte’s soul-binding worked,” Bastienfinished. “Her essence survived death and has been waiting for proper conditions to resume experiments.”
“Using modern victims as vessels for ancient purposes. Creating networks of souls bound to serve agendas they never chose.” Valentin’s expression darkened. “This could destabilize every supernatural treaty in North America.”
Camille laughed with cruel amusement that wasn’t related to her original personality at all. “Such clever analysis. Yes, we serve purposes beyond our choosing. But you misunderstand what Charlotte began.”
She sat up despite restraints, moving with supernatural fluidity. Soul burn glyphs flared brighter, casting shadows at impossible angles.
“These markings don’t just preserve consciousness or transfer essence. They create permanent bonds between souls, connections transcending death and fundamental existence laws.” Her voice gained harmonics that made walls vibrate. “Every marked person becomes part of an eternal network, individual identity subsumed into collective purpose.”
“What purpose?” Bastien demanded.
“Evolution beyond mortal limitations. Transformation into entities existing independent of physical form, accumulating power across infinite lifetimes.” Silver light blazed in Camille’s eyes. “What your Charlotte sought to preserve through love, we achieve through systematic restructuring of human consciousness.”
The revelation struck like arctic water. This wasn’t about Charlotte’s preservation experiments or even corrupted soul-binding. Someone had transformed her work into blueprints for fundamental alteration of human nature.
“Who’s ‘we’?” Valentin asked, detecting threats beyond normal supernatural politics.
“Entities maintaining proper cosmic hierarchy order. Beings understanding that consciousness developing beyond designated parameters becomes dangerous to universal stability.” Camille’s smile revealed teeth filed to inhuman points. “Charlotte’s work represented chaos, uncontrolled evolution. We have corrected her methodology for appropriate purposes.”
“Collectors,” Bastien said.
“Among others. The universe contains many entities harvesting souls grown too powerful for designated cosmic positions. Very efficient work. Very thorough solutions.”
Valentin stepped back, ancient instincts recognizing authority operating beyond vampiric comprehension. “These entities are creating what, exactly?”
“A test case. Proof that human consciousness can be systematically harvested and redistributed according to cosmic design. If successful, methodology will be applied to larger populations.” Camille’s expression grew distant. “Starting with supernatural communities whose power already places them outside normal mortal limitations.”
Wholesale restructuring of consciousness itself. The marked souls weren’t serving Charlotte’s original purposes—they were components in cosmic weapons designed to eliminate supernatural communities entirely.
“How many victims before critical mass?” Bastien asked.
“That depends on Charlotte’s modern incarnation accepting her role. Her cooperation would accelerate timelines considerably.” Camille tilted her head with predatory curiosity. “She’s remarkable. Charlotte’s brilliance refined through multiple lifetimes. When she joins willingly, transformation will be spectacular.”
“If she refuses?”
“We proceed slowly, marking subjects until the network encompasses sufficient consciousness to complete work without direct participation.” The entity consulted knowledge beyond mortal understanding. “At present transmission rates, perhaps two weeks.”
Two weeks for cosmic forces to harvest human consciousness throughout New Orleans, beginning with supernatural communities whose power made them valuable and threatening.
