Ace’s Ascension (Savage Saints MC #5)

Prologue

Madeline LeRoux

My bones hurt from my old age as I lean over the table, reading the cards and stones scattered in front of me. My heart pounds against my chest as I raise my eyes, “Evil swallows you whole, boy.” I shake a bony finger at Tomas, my grandson. We’re sitting in my living room with my deck of cards and bag of stones. He scoffs at my remark until I snap my fingers in his face and slam a tarot card down onto the table, making the stones jump. “This is serious, Tomas.”

My son, Beau LeRoux, called me when his son, Tomas, showed up on their front door bloody and broken a few nights ago. Things are happening to my grandson that I can’t stop unless he believes in the powers I hold. I move my hand to reveal the death card. My eyes snap up to Tomas’s and watch his reaction. His blue eyes like his sister’s widen in surprise.

“You can take this card,” I slide it toward him slowly, “One way or another. It can mean the death of the trouble you’re heading into or the death of the comfortable life you live. The choice is yours.” I stand from the table, my bones creaking with every move, and leave the room. Tomas’s future is now in his hands.

Elizabeth, my granddaughter, is waiting for me in my room. She rises from the chair, setting the book down on the table. I smile when I see what she’s reading, Intro to Spiritual Folkways. Our legacy will continue through Elizabeth when I take my last breath. From the way I’ve been feeling lately, it’s going to be sooner rather than later.

“Memaw,” Elizabeth hurries over to my side and gently grabs my arm, leading me to the edge of my bed. I sit and she follows suit. She’s the light in the darkness that surrounds our family. Without her, our bloodlines die. “How’d it go with Tomas?”

I listen intently to the bayou speaking before answering her. The gators and the insects are singing their songs of death and destruction. Sighing heavily, I pat Elizabeth’s knee. “Soon, Tomas will have to make a choice. I don’t know which direction he will go, but I pray it’s the best for us all.” I lean over Elizabeth and grab the wooden jewelry box on the stand beside my bed. I open it and carefully pull out a gold necklace with a crystal charm. “Here, Bebe. This is to keep you safe. Wear it always and never take it off. I’ve enchanted the crystal so no matter where you are or what you’re doing, this will protect you from evil.”

I set the necklace in Elizabeth’s hand and gently close her palm. I chant quietly to myself before releasing her. “Memaw, I cannot accept this.” She tries to hand it back, but I don’t take it.

“Hush, Bebe. You do your Memaw a favor and take this. I want to know when my time is up that you are safe.” I squeeze her hand with my own until she relents.

I watch the moment Elizabeth’s bright blue eyes waiver and she pushes a tear away. She knows my time is coming soon, just like I do. I just hope when it does come, the evil that takes me to my grave doesn’t push her too far away.