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he waited so long for revenge?”
    “Monsieur has been so grieved over his loss that he has been unable to take what is rightfully his. Until now. The old woman owes him more than her life.”
    “Why would he want me then? He does not know me.”
    Pierre raised an eyebrow. “You do not know why?”
    “No I don’t. I don’t care either. I just want you to let Mama Gator go. She has killed no one. Whatever Monsieur Dumas believes, he’s mistaken. She doesn’t harm innocent people, certainly never a child.” Rowan struggled but his grip was firm, his fingers biting into her arm, jerking her roughly to his side.
    “Ah but she did, cherie . Not long after she cursed him, Monsieur’s wife and son fell ill. He watched them both die a slow, tortuous death. That old woman is a very strong bokor , but she will not harm anyone after today.”
    Absurd. Rowan hated how the white folk believed such nonsense about their neighbors in the swamp. Mama Gator was powerful, but she was no bokor and she used her magic and the spirits for good. “You are mistaken. Bokors are men.”
    “Believe what you will, it changes nothing. She is dying today, and you are coming with us.”
    Rowan stood, unable to move her feet. Her stomach bubbled, its contents burning her throat as they carried her only friend to the bank of the river. Mama Gator didn’t fight. They picked her up by her arms and legs and swung her over the water. She muttered her chants right up until they threw her in.
    The gators looked confused at first, circling around the ripples where she fell. Then two dove under. Soon the water churned until it became red with blood.
    Rowan turned to Monsieur Dumas. Her body trembled and tears burned her eyes. “You will pay for that, Monsieur.”
    He stepped into the boat. The others followed, dragging Rowan with them. “You think I’m afraid of a whore? I think not. Accept your fate, girl, you only make things worse.”
    She glanced back at the rippling water. “I will see you all dead for this. Every one of you.”
    “You see how we shake in fear.” Stefan said, a grin on his face.
    Rowan turned away.
    “Maybe we should break her in a bit before we give her to Rosaline.”
    “Touch me and you will die today,” Rowan whispered.
    “You think so?” He moved toward her.
    Rowan stood her ground. Rage burned in her chest.
    “I think you are nothing, I could snap you like that.” He snapped his fingers and then reached to touch her hair. He was gentle at first, playing with it and curling his fingers in it. Then grabbing it in his fist he pulled. Rowan let him think she was frightened, widening her eyes, and gasping. She reacted a moment later when his hands found her breast. Bringing her knee up, she caught him in the groin. When he let go of her hair, she kicked his stomach hard.
    The boat, already off the bank, swayed in the water. Stefan struggled to keep his balance.
    Rowan grinned. “I think so, Monsieur,” she whispered and kicked his knees, sending him over the edge of the boat.
    “Move,” Monsieur Dumas yelled as the gators, already savoring Mama Gator’s blood, moved in for another kill. “Get out of here, now!”
    They put their poles in the water and moved away from Stefan’s thrashing body. Drawn by his struggles, the gators circled. Rowan smiled again. He couldn’t swim. If he had only stood, he would have found the water didn’t reach his chest. He screamed and waved his arms, bringing the gators to him. If he had remained still, and calm, he may have stood a chance.
    Rowan watched, with pleasure this time, as the reptiles took their prey and dragged him, churning round and round, out into the deeper water. He surfaced twice, agony and terror etched into the lines of his face, before he was no more.
    Monsieur Dumas grabbed her shoulders and forced her to her knees. He held her hands behind her back and tied them tightly. “You will not get a second chance. That will cost you dearly.”
    “I have nothing