Free Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by Imari Jade

Oliver did the best he could to make the remains presentable but it was hard to patch together shredded skin and missing limbs.
    Most of the bodies were mangled and mutilated and some of the faces were swollen and unrecognizable. The hardest to look at were the young people, whose soft young flesh had been forcefully ripped from their fragile bodies. Their hearts had been torn from their bodies while they were still alive. It made him sick to think how those youngsters must have suffered.
    “Did you get in touch with Isabella Denning?” Anthony asked him once he pushed aside the forms.
    “Yes, she stopped by yesterday.” Oliver closed the files.
    “Has she agreed to help?”
    Oliver nodded. “I told you she would.”
    “Her bosses didn’t seem too convincing when the mayor talked with them.”
    “A ploy,” Oliver told him. “You know how those Brits are?” He knew Isabella would do it because she loved a challenge. What was more challenging than this?
    “Does she have any idea who could be behind this?”
    Oliver shook his head. “She didn’t say.”
    Anthony stood and stretched. It had been a long night and he bet his old friend was tired too.
    “If I hurry, I think I can make it home for a quick shower and a nap, before I return to work.”
    “I’ll be right behind you,” Oliver said. “Are you still going tonight?”
    Anthony nodded. “There’s talk going on around town—the mayor is interested in meeting Isabella.”
    Oliver smiled. “We don’t get much gossip around here. Now you’ve mentioned it, they would make an interesting couple.”
    “Interesting is the word,” Anthony chuckled as he walked out of the door.
    * * * *
    “Wake up Isabella. I need to talk to you.”
    Isabella moved on the bed.
    “Isabella, it is me. Wake up.”
    Isabella opened her eyes. The room was dark except for the moonlight filtering in through the windows. She knew she wasn’t alone. Her keen senses picked it up as soon as she opened her eyes. A thin mist filtered into the room. Isabella sat up on the bed watching the fog materialize. It took human form quickly. It was a female image. “Oh, it’s you, Marie.”
    “Yes, Mon Petite , it is I, Marie.”
    The apparition floated near the foot of the bed. Isabella looked at the clock. It was three in the morning. “Why are you here, Marie?”
    “To warn you, Mon Petite . Something is amiss in the city.”
    “Duh! You’re talking about the murders.”
    “Yes, and more. Isabella the stars have aligned,” Marie replied.
    “Yes, I know. I was preparing for the world to end.”
    “Do not joke, Isabella.”
    Why did everyone assume she wasn’t serious?
    “Something evil is about to descend on our fair city...something so horrible it will put them into a fit of chaos. More people will die before this is over.” She paused. “Perhaps the world may come to an end yet.”
    “What are you talking about? Who is going to create all this chaos?”
    Marie’s image started to fade. “Someone from beyond this world.”
    “That is very vague, Marie.”
    “It is all I can tell you now. You must use your talents and natural abilities if you wish to succeed.” The image grew fainter until it was mist again. “Be careful—the unknown days are coming.” Then she was gone.
    Isabella sank back on the pillow and sighed. She liked seeing Marie but the woman had laid some heavy news on her. Isabella was used to being awakened during the night by spirits and apparitions. It had been happening since she was born. She wished they wouldn’t be so vague with the word they brought. Okay, something was coming to destroy New Orleans and possibly the world and it had been dropped into her lap. Well, she was tired. Whatever it was would have to wait until tomorrow. Isabella closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Ten
    Malcolm shook hands with everyone who came through the doors of Lincoln House on Royal Street. He had invited a small group, maybe two-hundred or less and