“Wow, those are really different.”
Jessica had assembled a small table and covered it with a black velvet cloth embroidered with various symbols. Displayed on the cloth were several dozen necklaces, half a dozen bracelets and a few anklets. A stand with three-dozen pairs of earrings was situated at the back edge. Her friend had abandoned her own table and was staring at the paintings.
Sabrina released a pent-up breath, wondering what her friend would think. “Yeah. My style has changed lately.”
“Ever since you got back from your trip up north.” It wasn’t a question. Both Jessica and Tilly knew she hadn’t been the same since then. “They’re darker, more emotional.”
Sabrina made herself really scrutinize the paintings. Technically, they were probably the best work she’d ever done. It was the subject matter that was the most bothersome. She’d always painted city scenes and people, loving to depict the vibrancy of New Orleans. It was a bonus that they sold well to tourists.
But these paintings were different. The dark, mysterious bayou filled with shadows that hid some unseen terror, a hint of a wolf in one, a flash of something else in another. What it was, even she wasn’t quite certain. An enormous serpent-like creature slithered through one painting, while a tall man in a suit stood at the edge of another, his face lost in the deepening shadows of early evening.
She reached into her bag and pulled out the final painting, knowing she wouldn’t sell it no matter the offered price. Beside her, Jessica sucked in a breath. “Wow.” There was no mistaking her friend’s reverent tone. “That’s incredible.”
He was incredible. She rested the painting against the low concrete wall behind her and admired the wolf that dominated the scene. He was enormous, his sharp fangs exposed, his head raised. It seemed as though he’d step off the canvas any moment and prowl through the streets of the city in search of prey. Fierce and magnificent, he was primal power at its most basic.
“Thanks.” It probably wasn’t a coincidence that the wolf in the painting resembled the one tattooed on her back. The skin on her back tingled and she reached behind and touched the area through her tunic.
Since she was a teenager and dreamed of the wolf, she’d considered him her guardian, her spirit guide. Maybe it was because her last name was Wolfe and it seemed only right that the wolf belong to her. Either way, she knew the painting belonged to her, but she couldn’t resist displaying it.
Jessica sank down onto her stool and glanced around. It was still too early for the tourists to be out and about, but there were a few locals checking out what was available for sale on their way to work. “I think I should come over to your place this evening and we can do a protection spell.”
Sabrina didn’t want to make a bigger deal out of her dreams than they already were, but she couldn’t help but worry. She’d never had dreams this vivid in her life, nor had she had ones that frightened her so badly. The man in her dreams, not her fantasy lover, but the man with
Decision made, she felt a little better. “Okay. I’m doing readings at the cafe until nine, but after that.”
“Works for me. I can always have a brownie and a latte while I’m waiting for you.” For such a tiny person, Jessica had an enormous appetite and sweet tooth. Her friend rummaged around in her large tote and pulled out a four-foot strand of semi-precious stones, beads and metal charms, which were spaced about two-inches apart for the length of the cord to create a lariat-style necklace that could be worn in various ways. “Here, take this. It’s been blessed for warding off evil.”
Sabrina shook her head. “It’s beautiful, Jess, but that necklace is one of your most expensive, and I can’t spare sixty bucks right now.” The stones glittered in the morning sunlight, their sheer beauty driving back her shadowy thoughts of the night before.
Jessica shook her head. “It’s a gift. The purple stones are amethyst, the pink ones rose quartz. There’s regular quartz and agate as well. All of them are good for warding off negativity and evil.” She stood in front of Sabrina and wrapped the length of cord once around her neck before loosely tying the dangling ends. “The beads and charms have been chosen because they’re protective. I blessed it too just last night. Didn’t know why I did, but I do now. It was meant to be yours.”
“Jessica,” she began, but her friend shook her head.
“No, do this for me. I can’t stop the dreams from coming, but this is one small way I can help.” She smiled. “That and by cleansing your apartment later and doing a protection spell.”
Tears pricked Sabrina’s eyes. Her friends were the best in the world. Other people might laugh at her or dismiss her dreams, but not Jessica or Tilly. They not only believed her, they wanted to help her.
She hugged Jessica, wrapping her arms around the much smaller woman. The scent of Jessica’s vanilla perfume made her think of cookies and home. It was the smell of comfort and protection, of all things good in the world, and she inhaled deeply before releasing her friend. “Thanks. You’re the best.”
“I know.” Her dry reply made them both laugh.
Sabrina picked up the long strands of gemstones and beads and admired the necklace. It really was a work of art, and she’d cherish it forever because of the sentiment behind it.
“You can wear it as a bracelet too if you want. Just wrap it around your wrist and tie the end.” Jessica picked up another long strand and showed her what she meant.
“I think I’ll leave it as is for now.” She felt better having the stones and beads wrapped around her neck. Right or wrong, she felt more protected and less vulnerable than she had when she left her apartment this morning.
A group of four women, obviously professionals from the way they were dressed, stopped in front of her paintings. While three of them studied the various canvases, one of them pointed at her necklace. “Your necklace is absolutely gorgeous. Where did you get it? I’ve got to have one.”
“Funny you should ask.” Sabrina smiled and pointed toward Jessica’s table and the display of jewelry. “This is the wonderful woman who crafted it.”
The women shifted their attention to Jessica’s table and Sabrina watched as her friend sold all four women jewelry, including two of the lariat-style necklaces. Jessica caught her eye and winked at her while she continued to chat with the women. Her friend was a natural saleswoman, never pressuring a customer to buy, yet most of the folks who stopped at her table purchased something. She simply had a special touch.
Luckily, she often got the overflow from Jessica’s table and vice versa. It was only one of the many reasons they liked setting up next to one another. They also watched each other’s wares when one of them went to get something to eat or drink or to take a bathroom break. She’d often sold jewelry for her friend and there were times she’d come back with a fresh cup of coffee only to find several of her paintings had sold. When things were quiet they chatted as they worked on new pieces for sale. It worked out well for both of them.
Sabrina touched her necklace one final time as she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Slightly more relaxed, she picked up a charcoal pencil and began to sketch her friend in action. No more dark drawings for her. At least not today.
Chapter Two
Sabrina loved working at Cafe Ledet, both behind the counter and when she did card readings. The crowd was always eclectic and never failed to entertain and inspire her. It was a welcome supplement to her art career, which was growing nicely. She’d had a good day in the Square and had sold five larger paintings as well as two- dozen art cards that she’d had printed of some of her more popular pieces.
Days like today always made her feel good, but a late buyer had left her running slightly behind schedule. Not that she was complaining, as the guy had laid out three hundred dollars for one of her new canvases. She’d managed a quick trip home to drop off her gear, change her top and grab a salad before hurrying back to the cafe for her night job.
Tilly had left to run an errand but had promised to be back by the time the cafe closed at nine. As promised, Jessica was sitting in a corner reading a book while she ate a brownie and sipped not a latte, but an iced coffee. Sabrina checked her watch. It was half past eight. Only thirty minutes until she was done for the evening.
She’d had three readings tonight, which wasn’t bad for a Wednesday evening. There was always a bigger
