Timp found us out in the bogs. Took her some time, though. The current had carried us farther than I thought. A good thing, since I didn’t particularly feel like being out in the open when Rougarou’s goons found us. And no doubt they were searching.

Thanks to my trusty mare, we had the jump on them.

I pulled my sleeping mat out of Timp’s saddlebag. During my days traveling with the Scuttlers, we never knew where we’d wind up nodding off. True, I didn’t need it now and haven’t for a couple of decades, but old habits die hard. Besides, things like this can serve dual purposes.

Tourmaline glowered at me. Her arms and legs strained against the lasso, desperate to pull free. Her face was fairly healed already, and I couldn’t help that old sense of wonder at someone so beautiful. Too bad she was a rotten piece of shit.

I palmed her face lightly.

“Wouldn’t want to cause any more damage.”

She screamed something muffled, a wild look in her eyes. You know what? I was feeling generous. I pulled down the rope gagging her.

“You’re going to regret this,” she said.

“‘You’re going to regret this?’ Saints and Elders, I was hoping for something more original than that.”

“I have an offer,” she said.

“You also have an ass, and you can stick it up there unless you’ve somehow magically remembered where I can find your master.”

“Let me go, and I’ll make your wildest dreams come true.”

“Shit, lady. I haven’t had a dream since before Roo was born.”

“I have ways of making even one such as you feel pleasure unparalleled.”

“I got one thing that’ll bring me pleasure,” I said before yanking the gag back over her mouth and draping the mat like a blanket over her. I mussed it up a bit and tucked the sides, so it would appear to onlookers as nothing more than a travel bag of supplies. Just an old cowboy far from home. Nothing to see here.

She hooted and hollered like a banshee caught, but she’d wear herself out eventually.

I made sure none of her precious pearly skin was exposed. Tourmaline wouldn’t do me any good if the sun turned her into a soufflé, and by moving at daytime, I could ensure that—if she did somehow break free—the sun would keep her down.

With her strapped over Timp’s back, looking like a hidden bounty, we trotted back toward Crescent City. A bath would be nice. Fresh pair of clothes and boots. Maybe I couldn’t feel how uncomfortable I was, but I knew it in my head. That was just as bad.

A bridge into the city proper came into view. I thought about leaving Timp there and sneaking in, but that wasn’t the game I was playing. I wanted every seedy bastard and child spy in Crescent City to see me. Word would spread, and it might bring more foes to my doorstep, but I had a feeling it’d conjure up her maker too.

If the Devil’s in the details, I was looking to paint broad strokes.

On our right, the bay shone in the morning light, sparkling like diamonds. Salt-stained buildings rose on the other side of the cobbled street, each unique and reflecting the personalities of their owners. Things were bustling, people out in droves.

A tram chimed by. It was quite the mode of transportation. I figure there might come a day when every city in the world has something similar. A child hung off the side, staring at us. Another boy darted from behind a tree into an alley. It’s a city, and cities had children, but it still felt like everyone was eyeballing us.

We stopped at the corner of St. Anne’s. Across the street and a few doors down from Madame Laveau’s, a shack was empty, with the windows shuttered. It was odd, a patch of darkness amid such liveliness, but I was grateful for it.

Wasn’t exactly keen on being so close to where Rosa and the others were staying, but this was a strategic location. Backed up to other buildings so I couldn’t get snuck up on, busy enough even throughout the night that Roo couldn’t attack in full wolf force without being exposed. And lastly…

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Hey, you!” a familiar voice called. I kept Timp walking, not giving any heed. “Hey!”

The Yankee marshal from earlier took her reins, and she damn near chomped his hand off.

“Whoa now, girl! He’s with the good guys,” I said, though I put a little malice in those words.

Maybe a reminder to him or me.

“Were you born today?” I asked the marshal. “Can’t just bullrush a horse like that. Never know which ones bite.”

“Yeah, right.” He rubbed his gloved hand as if she’d wounded him. The big baby.

“Say, you ever find who killed that fella in the alley? Thought of it’s been eating away at me. Couldn’t sleep.”

“We’re still searching. You wouldn’t happen to know anything more now, would you?”

“I wish.”

A few seconds of awkward silence passed by before he cut to the chase.

“What were you doing in the Arlington House last night?” he asked bluntly.

“Just taking in the sights,” I said. “You know, a tourist in a big town.”

“Don’t lie to me.” He walked around Timp, letting his hand stray too close for my comfort. I watched him keenly as he neared my makeshift body bag.

“What were you doing there? A marshal in a whorehouse.” I whistled playfully. “That’s a bad look.”

“I got a wife. Kids. What could I possibly want from that filth?”

I made a show of looking at his trousers. “You’re a man, ain’t ya?”

He stretched a hand toward Tourmaline’s body bag. Before I could even yank on Timp’s reins, my good girl huffed unhappily and circled away hard all on her own, sending a clear warning.

“People go into the back, invite-only,” he said.

“And?”

“Some never come out.”

“Sounds like they’re getting their money’s worth,” I said. However, I could practically feel the slow creeping of Hell’s frost overtaking my insides like little frosty spiders.

“Now, word on the street says it’s some weird, circus freak sex show, but local law enforcement won’t even take a gander. So, tell me, stranger.” He stopped directly in front of me. “What does go on back there?”

“You said no one comes out,” I told him, gesturing to myself. “Here I am. Turns out, I didn’t receive the same kinda invitation you’re hinting at. Thing about rumors, in my experience. They’re usually true.”

“I said some never come out.”

“Potato, potahto.” I shrugged.

“You’re confirming nothing’s going on in there but freaky sex?” He pressed a fist against his hip, shoving his jacket aside. He was trying to act like it wasn’t a blatant attempt at showing his pistol and badge, but I knew the trick.

“I ain’t confirming a thing. Now, if you don’t mind, I got places to be.”

“This isn’t a game, you dumb redneck.” His face grew stern, brows furrowing. I bet he thought he looked mighty frightening, a man from the north, down here in hick town. “I know the senator frequented that establishment. Now you show up, hanging out with that witch Laveau and strutting into special backrooms with known criminals like Rouge Garrett.”

“It a crime to have old friends, officer?”

“Depends.”

I sighed. “Is that all?”

He studied me from spurs to Stetson. “What’s that you’re hauling?”

“This?” I gave the mat a hard whack. She wouldn’t dare speak up for fear of having that mat pulled back and facing the oven. “Nabbed me a gator. Fierce one too. Ever try hunting one? I reckon not. They don’t have these up where you Yanks come from. Really makes you feel alive. This one almost had me, but now I’ll get some new boots. Don’t taste half bad either. Like chewy chicken.”

He stuck out his tongue in disgust. “I’ll take your word for it. First hunting owls, then this? Most men don’t visit cities for hunting.”

“Most cities don’t have this kind of game. Besides, I like a change in scenery, and Madame Laveau has use of the parts for her remedies.”

“Remedies,” he scoffed.

I nodded. “Staved off a bad infection for me years back. She’s a wonder, truly.”

“She’s something alright.”

“I like helping out when I’ve got downtime.”

“What is it you do for a living, Mr.… I didn’t catch your name.”

“Never said it.” I spun Timp back toward the road. “Look, I really do wish I could be of more help, but I’ve gotta get this thing on a spit, lest its spirit come back biting. A lady lets you crash at her place, least you can do is fix dinner for the house.”

“I guess that makes you the only gentleman in all of Crescent City, then.”

“Could be,” I said. “Tell you what, I’ll keep an eye out for your missing senator. And do yourself a favor. Go back to the Arlington, get a drink or a smoke, find a pretty girl, and have a good time.”

He harrumphed.

I offered a final friendly nod as I steered Timp along. Then I watched him in the corner of my eye, moseying down the street. I’d gotten into his head. Here he was, in a city known for debauchery and dishonest men tucked into the sweaty armpit of the nation. Invisible outside these marshes. Why not stop being a hard-ass and loosen up?

Once he faded out of view, I brought Timperina to a stop in front of the vacant home rather than Laveau’s cottage.

“Stay out of sight, okay, girl?” I said as I hopped off. I took her by the snout and pressed my forehead between her eyes. The incident with that turtle-gator had me feeling closer to her than ever, even though in cities, we’ve never been further apart.

She snorted.

“I know, but you can’t stay here. It ain’t safe. Go back to Laveau’s until I call.”

She tapped her hoof.

“Timperina, enough.”

I heaved Tourmaline over my shoulder and gave Timp a nudge to trot across the way to the hitches. She did so, still grousing. Then I turned to the entry. With marshals keeping watch on Laveau’s—which Roo seemed to know about—I had extra defense here. Where there was one, more were always hiding. The law rolls like pack animals.

I gave the area a thorough once-over, then pushed the door open with my boot and entered, gun at the ready.