Magic hung thick in the French Quarter’s sultry evening air. Eliza and Thomas stepped onto the cobblestone streets, each stone whispering centuries of secrets and history. The petunias and trumpet vines tumbled over wrought-iron balconies, their heavy scent mingling with the aroma of Creole spices that hung in the air. Jazz music danced through laughter, chit-chat, and the clinking of horse-drawn carriages. They caught glimpses of past parties, as natural as the life buzzing around them.
Yet, amid this sensory overload, Eliza could not find the magic she sought. New Orleans’ energy was intense, with spells and enchantments woven into its fabric. It was almost blinding.
Thomas glanced at Eliza, his eyes sparkling under the city’s vibrant lights. “Why is it so hard to find Cassidy? Shouldn
