Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Max whispered, “Be careful, Em.”
I swallowed. “I will.”
Chapter eight
The Garden of Good and Evil
Kazimir
Emily and I followed Delphine into the garden as Maxwell stayed behind, eyeing her suspiciously.
I agree with him. We must watch her.
The deeper we headed into the garden, the more elaborate the aroma of the blossoming flowers and plants became.
But I could enjoy none of the space.
I thought back to what transpired earlier when we arrived, and then I considered the conversation Delphine had with Maxwell.
Shit.
It seemed as if Delphine had—in some unfathomable way—really been infiltrating Paolo’s dreams.
The realization was paralyzing.
How is that. . .possible?
The fragility of our situation suddenly appeared far more tangible.
It was an unseen threat looming large over us.
Thankfully, Paolo appeared just fine. Upon seeing Delphine, his face lit up in childish delight. His reaction told me that she had not harmed him in the dreams or caused any nightmares.
Still. . .this is not good.
Because the revelation also sent a cold, uninvited shiver down my spine.
Additionally, a flurry of questions swarmed my mind.
What did this all mean?
Was it truly possible for her to enter Paolo’s dreams?
It was true that Pavel—though deceased—often frequented my dreams. But I had always attributed that to my subconscious conjuring images of him. Surely my mind was allowing a sweet self-deception to help me get over losing him.
But this is different.
If this woman—this Bayou Banshee—had truly invaded Paolo’s dream, then we had entered nightmarish and frightening territory. The sort that I had never ventured in before.
A cold knot of dread twisted in my stomach.
I contemplated the possibilities, the dire implications of such power.
If Delphine could manipulate someone’s dreams at her whim, then what else could she do?
Tightening my grip on Emily’s hand, I gazed at my mouse.
I need to get her out of here.
While concern etched the corners of Emily’s eyes, hope dominated her gaze too. My mouse wanted to be healed so badly that she would risk her safety to do it.
Meanwhile, I wasn’t that dedicated. I could not lose her, and I had already accepted Lunita, even with the rocky despicable things she had done. If leaving New Orleans today meant that Lunita would remain, I was fine with that.
I have to get my mouse out of here. There must be another way to heal her.
Suddenly, Delphine stopped, glanced over her shoulder, and gave me a sad smile.
Could she hear that? Or is my fear making me lose my mind?
Terror gripped my heart.
Then, she fully turned around and observed me.
Always smart, my mouse watched us, knowing something was happening.
How powerful are you, banshee?
I got closer to my mouse and took a step to position myself in front of her.
Delphine kept her view on me.
Do not underestimate me, banshee. I may not have magic, but I do have nukes.
A smirk spread across her face.
There’s power, and then there’s power. Could you survive a bomb if I dropped it on this property?
Delphine eyed me. “Hmmm.”
I couldn’t decipher what that meant. For all I knew, she couldn’t even hear my thoughts and I was just having a terrifying exchange with myself.
To my shock, Delphine pointed to our right. “This here is chamomile, good for calming the mind and body.”
Emily checked out the plant.
Frowning, I looked too. It was about knee-high, bearing dainty daisy-like flowers. I turned back to Delphine, not comfortable with her being out of my sight.
Delphine gave Emily a sweet smile. “I will make you some tea tonight.”
My mouse blinked. “Will I still be here this evening?”
Delphine bobbed her head. “We have a lot to do, Emily. No need to wait until tomorrow.”
Fear twisted in my core, gripping me in its icy grasp and squeezing tight.
I kept my gaze locked on her. “What will you be doing with Emily tonight?”
Delphine wagged her finger at me. “You have more things than that to worry about tonight.”
Emily quirked her brows. “What things?”
“And over there we have some thyme, which is great for seasoning dishes and also has antibacterial properties.” Delphine pointed in another direction. “But, it’s best for roasted bell peppers.”
I stepped forward and spoke through clenched teeth, “I do not give a damn about roasted peppers.”
Emily got to my side and whispered, “Kaz.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I couldn’t afford to lose my head, not when we were in the presence of a woman who could invade dreams.
Delphine’s smile grew wider, a look of satisfaction in her eyes. “You should really learn to relax more, Kazimir. Life is too short to be so tense all the time.”
I narrowed my gaze at her. “We did not fly from Moscow to New Orleans to look at plants.”
“You didn’t.” Delphine nodded. “You came to fix a curse that shattered your fiancé’s mind a long time ago.”
Emily trembled next to me. “A curse?”
“It’s all words, Emily. Mental illness, trauma, curse.” Delphine placed her cane in front of her and put both hands on the handle. “It doesn’t matter what you call it. In the end, it is all external malevolent forces, influencing or taking control of a person’s psyche and altering the person’s actions.”