Page 37 of Xavier

“He won’t attack me, will he?” Xavier asked, remaining behind Lissette.

“If I don’t bag him first, he will.” She gritted her teeth, held the net in front of her and approached the rooster. “He doesn’t like men. I think he feels threatened.”

Napoleon darted to the side.

Lissette’s hand shot out. The fishnet shot out with it and caught the bird as he launched at Xavier.

Wings flapped against the knotted strings of the net, but Napoleon couldn’t escape.

“Ha!” Lissette shouted in triumph, holding the handle of the net, the rooster caught between the strings. “Not so tough now, are you?” She hung the net on the post, bird and all.

Xavier frowned as he passed the captured rooster. “Will he be all right?

“It won’t be his first night trapped in the net,” Lissette said. “Come on, we have a lot to do before dark.”

She led the way to the cottage and climbed the steps, Xavier following. As he arrived on the porch, the screen door swung open, and Madame Gautier, dressed in a colorful muumuu, emerged, leaning on a cane, her right foot encased in a brace boot. “What in de Sam Hill is going on out here?”

“Mémère.” Lissette hurried forward and took her grandmother’s hands in hers. “Shouldn’t you be sitting with your foot up?”

Her grandmother waved her hand. “I sit most of de day. Besides, how else will I know what all de squawkin’ is about if I don’t see for myself?” Madame Gautier’s eyes narrowed as she glanced over Lissette’s shoulder toward Xavier. “And who might be you?” she demanded, planting her fists on her hips.

Xavier stepped forward, stood beside Lissette and held out his hand. “Ma’am, I’m Xavier Xanders. I work with the Brotherhood Protectors. My current assignment is to protect your granddaughter, Lissette.”

Madame Gautier took his hand in a firm grip. “I understand you saved my Lissette two times already. For dis, I owe you my gratitude.”

“You owe me nothing,” Xavier said. “I only did what was right.”

“You be a good man, Xavier Xanders.” Madame Gautier covered both of their hands with her other hand. “Not many would help her. Not many have. For dis, I thank you.”

Lissette pushed back the swell of emotion that made her eyes sting. “Mémère, we have a list of the folk whose reliquaries were stolen—the people whose protection has been compromised. I know some of them have already had bad things happen, and I want to warn the others to be careful.”

“Dat is good of you, mon cher.” Her grandmother released Xavier’s hand and patted Lissette’s cheek. “However, dey might not listen or even open deir doors for you.”

Lissette nodded. “I realize that. I thought I could combine the warning with the remedies you bring for your usual house calls.”

Her grandmother’s brow furrowed. “Mon cher, I can no make house calls like dis.” She waved a hand at the boot on her foot.

Lissette gave her a crooked smile. “I know, but those people count on you. I can make those house calls for you, deliver your medicines and check on them like you do, while warning them to be vigilant, since they no longer have the protection.”

“You would do dis, knowing dey won’t make it easy?” her grandmother asked.

“I would,” Lissette answered. “I know how much some rely on your visits. If nothing else, I’ll check on them and let them know they aren’t alone.”

Her grandmother’s frown deepened. “You can’t expect dem to come around and welcome you in.”

Lissette lifted her chin. “I expect a lot of pushback and rudeness. But at least they’ll know what’s happening with the reliquaries.”

“You need also to warn of de coming storm,” her grandmother said.

Xavier nodded. “The weather reports indicate Louisiana is in the storm’s direct path. Over the past twenty-four hours, it’s escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds up to one hundred twenty-five miles per hour.”

“We’ll give a heads-up in case the governor calls for an evacuation,” Lissette promised, “and we’ll ask if they’ll need help getting out.”

Her grandmother stared out at the bayou, rubbing her left arm as she did whenever the weather changed and a low-pressure system moved in. “De storm is inevitable. It’ll grow stronger,” she said. “Not all will survive.”

A chill snaked down the back of Lissette’s neck. Sometimes, her grandmother seemed to have the sight and could predict the future. Not always. But when she did, it invariably came to pass.

The older woman pulled her gaze back to Lissette and Xavier and gave a distinct nod. “Very well. You will need t’ings I prepared before my injury. I marked who gets dem and how to administer.” She turned and hobbled back into the cottage, leaning heavily on the cane. “Come, girl. Time be a wastin’.”