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I thought for sure it was her. The man that now stood behind her growled, and she placed a hand on his chest.

“It’s ok, Juju. This is important.”

She turned back to me and smiled. “It’s you.” She nodded and stepped away. When I blinked, she was gone, and I spun around looking for her.

“Where the fuck did she go?” I asked out loud.

The man she called Juju glared at me.

“Where is she?” I asked, and my hand tightened on the butt of my gun.

Suddenly, a hand covered mine and a whispered hiss said, “What the fuck is wrong with you? There are thousands of people out here.”

I looked at Mac. He hadn’t seen what just happened.

I turned back to ask Juju again, and he was gone.

The woman looked at me as though she knew who I was. I hated this fucking city with its voodoo and spirits. We needed to find Kelley and go back to Boston.

To Hell with this shit.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Freyja

It was the night of the ball, and I tried to remain calm. Athena had been acting strange the past two days. Every time she looked at me, she smiled.

That wasn’t strange. Athena always had a smug smile on her face. One that said I know what you’re in for and you aren’t ready for it.

Only this time, it wasn’t a smug smile she gave me. It was one of compassion and maybe a hit of apprehension. She wouldn’t tell me anything though.

I stared at the dress that was hanging on the closet door. It was beautiful. The color was wisteria, a pale lavender that popped against my tanned skin and dark hair. A chiffon A-line silhouette that featured a plunging V-neckline adorned with delicate lace that salaciously enhanced the swell of my breasts.

But it was the floor-length chiffon cap sleeves and exposed back that had me feeling like a Greek goddess as I floated across the floor.

Tonight was the final night of Mardi Gras. The Mistik Krewe of Comus. The most exclusive ball in New Orleans. And it was invitation only.

Every year the Malpas family was invited. And every year we declined because something always came up.

Except this year.

This year I was meant to be here.

Lucille had told me so.

Tonight was the night I would meethim.

Not thehimI wanted though.

My shoulders slumped as I thought about Duncan. In an instant, all the excitement fled my body, and my eyes welled up. Athena chose that moment to burst into my room.

“Freyja, are you ok?”

Inhaling deep, I willed away the tears and looked up at my sister with a smile. “Yup,” I said. It was unconvincing even to my own ears. So when she tilted her head in sympathy, I knew I wasn’t fooling her either.

“Everything will work out the way it is supposed to.”

I nodded, agreeing with her. I knew that. I knew the universe had a plan for me. One I didn’t understand but accepted as my path. That was why I was here and not back home having dinner with the man I really wanted.