Anthony walked beside her. “If you like, would you consider moving your headquarters over to my home? I have more than enough room to accommodate everyone.”
She eyeballed him. “I don’t trust you enough for that.”
It was Anthony’s turn to laugh a little. “I do not blame you for such feelings.”
We made our way through the house and back to the room with the big table. As we tread quietly through the hallways, every single person in our group kept darting their eyes back and forth, expecting something to jump out and scare them or something. This place was paranoia central, though I admit, I was doing the same thing.
Once we were back in the map room Sarah rested her rifle against the table and leaned back in her chair. “If y’all want a water or a soda, there’s a bunch of it over there.” She pointed to a corner of the room which was occupied by probably twenty cases of soda and way more water than that. “It’s warm, but does the job, all the same.”
We all made a mad dash for the beverages. I chose a water, as did most of the group. The majority of us didn’t drink soda, except on occasion. After that, we all situated ourselves back into the chairs we had occupied when Sarah first led us into the house.
“Now,” Sarah asked. “What does this, Korina, look like.”
Anthony reached into his back pocket and withdrew a shiny, black leather wallet. He opened it and pulled a tattered photo from inside. He stared at the photo silently for a moment, a look of sadness clearly written on his face, and then held the photo out to Sarah. “That photo was taken just over a hundred years ago. I am certain she will not have changed much.”
Sarah examined the picture and then handed it to Drew, who inspected it and then handed it to me. I held it in my hands and looked at the woman we were hunting.
The photo was that old time bronze color, faded and scratched in some places. Korina posed for the photo with the posture and bland expression I’d seen in almost every other historical photo I’ve ever laid eyes on. Her dark skin stood out against the crisp white of her dress. The dress had a high neck and tight sleeves trimmed in a loose lace that fell over her wrists. At the center of the neckline was a large cameo brooch. Her hair had been pulled up into a tight knot at the back of her neck and her hands rested softly in her lap. It was her eyes … large brown eyes surrounded by long lashes that really portrayed something about her. Those puppy eyes should have been filled with life, but I could see anger and resentment swirling within them.
“So, you knew her?” Sarah directed her question to Anthony.
He bowed his head slightly in a half nod, “Yes. I knew her for many years. She was not always as she is now. The creature she has become is not the creature I knew when we first met.”
Sarah only tilted her head in response as the picture was passed around the table so everyone could get a good look at her.
“Well,” Luke began, handing the picture back to Anthony, “let’s make a game plan.”
***
The rest of the night was spent talking logistics. Long story short, we were beginning our search for Korina the next evening. Sarah was briefing her people and preparing. We headed back to Anthony’s house shortly before dawn to get some sleep and prepare ourselves.
The moment we stepped out of the LaLaurie Mansion, I felt the tension wither out of my body. It was a crazy feeling, I should have felt safer inside, since it was out in the streets that was supposed to be the dangerous place. Perhaps the spirts had a hold on us even when we couldn’t tell they were there.
Once we were back within the confines of Anthony’s home, I felt even better. We filed into the kitchen where Anthony brought out the makings for a quick meal. After I ate two huge salami and cheese sandwiches, I felt myself begin to fade. I hadn’t gotten much sleep before we went out into the city and it was quickly catching up with me.
I bid everyone a hasty goodnight, gave Drew a quick kiss and then headed to my room. Once I was alone, I stripped off all of my weapons and threw them onto one of the fancy chairs that I’d bet no one ever sat in.
I was so tired that I even contemplated skipping the shower, but the Louisiana heat had me covered in sweat again. I hit the shower long enough to scrub my body and that was it. I threw on a clean tee shirt and sweats then fell into bed, but not before making sure my gun had been tucked safely underneath my pillow.
All the curtains were pulled tightly shut so the room was completely dark. I lay there, on the brink of sleep and only slightly aware of the waking world. I heard the bedroom door open and shut softly and I knew without looking who it was.
He set his gun on the nightstand with a light thunk of metal on wood and then pulled back the comforter. He slid between the sheets then pulled them up again. I felt his arm wrap around my waist, pulling me toward him.