CHAPTER 34

“NO!”

Trapped within the dark abyss of her mind, Yemaya heard Dakota’s cry and wept. If her decision proved wrong, it would cost her the one person she loved more than life itself.

The beast was exuberant. Finally, it had succeeded in its struggle for control. Looking at the serpent coiled on its chest, it snarled and tensed its arms and legs, rejoicing in the feeling of raw power coursing through each muscle.

The movement of the body beneath the snake alarmed it. Rearing back its head, it looked around, unsure of the danger. When an arm snapped loose from its bindings, the startled serpent hissed and struck, sinking its fangs deep into the forearm. Furious at the sudden pain, the beast emerged from its cave and struggled to break the bonds holding the other arm.

Dakota caught her breath when she saw Yemaya’s right arm rip through the restraint only to be bitten by the snake. The left arm bulged and trembled as it strained to break free. Afraid that the snake would strike a second time, Dakota looked at the high priestess.

“Help her! You have to do something.”

“She belongs to Dambala now. Her fate eez in the spirit’s hands.”

“You’re crazy! She’s been bitten! She’ll die! She needs help now.”

“She weel not suffer long. See, already she grows quiet.” Lucretia smirked, pointing toward the still figure of Yemaya. “I was right about her. She has great powers. See how she breaks the ropes. Eet eez only a matter of time before she gathers her strength to save you, even though she cannot win against Dambala.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I have needs. She weel fulfill those needs. Eet eez the way of theengs, oui?”

“No. This is never the way. What do you need? We can help you, I’m sure,” she pleaded.

“Ah, c’est impossible, mon enfant. There is only one theeng that weel help me et mon petit-neveau— her blood. It eez powerful. It weel cure him of the seekness.”

Dakota’s eyes widened as she realized what the woman was saying. “This is insane! She’s just like you and me.”

“Peut-être, but I believe in Bondye. He brought her to me. Mon petit-neveau eez very sick. Thees eez his only chance, et les loas, they promise me immortality in return for her blood. Eet eez a good exchange, eez eet not?”

“It isss not!” a soft voice hissed from the darkness.

Startled and turning together, everyone watched as a tall golden-haired woman stepped from the shadows into the light created by the bonfires. Gasping, the serviteurs crossed themselves and moved rapidly away, unconsciously creating an aisle when she strolled casually to the altar. The drums grew silent as hands hung motionless in the air, stilled by the incredible beauty of the stranger.

“What eez thees?” Lucretia demanded, angered by the interruption. “Who are you to intrude on my ritual?”

“Your ritual?” the woman purred ominously, her disdain dripping from every word. “You are missstaken, priestesss. Thisss is my ritual. Thisss...” she said, motioning toward the snake coiled on Yemaya’s body, “is mine!”

Dakota watched the woman closely when she entered the circle of light. Something about her was vaguely familiar.

Lucretia frowned. No one had ever dared challenge her during her rituals. She realized that if she didn’t take control quickly, her followers would lose faith. She would be nothing. There was, however, something about this intruder that radiated power. She would have to be cautious until she knew more about her.

“You must leave thees place. Les loas weel not be pleased.”

“No, they won’t and neither am I. You make a mockery of the spiritsss, priessstess.”

“Who are you to say thees? I weel call Bondye down to punish you. He weel not be pleased,” Lucretia threatened, her eyes blazing with anger.

The woman laughed. “Do it. I have no fear of your sspirits. Your threatss are meaningless. My words, however, I sssuggest you not take lightly. You will never again misssuse my kin in sssuch a manner. It is an abomination. Continue with your perversions, if it pleasses you, but I take what is mine— him.” She pointed to the large rattlesnake lying on Yemaya’s chest. “Be warned, there is a prisse to pay for what you have done. If you sssurvive thisss night, I will not tolerate further abusse of my ssnakes. You will release all my creatures and never abuse any of them again. Dissobey me at your peril for I promissse you, priestesss, you do not want to experience my wrath.”

Stepping close to Lucretia, the woman made eye contact with her. Only then did the priestess notice the golden elliptical pupils. Gasping, she stepped back, clutching the amulet around her neck.

“Yess. You ssee the truth. Anger me again and even Bondye will not be able to protect you from my vengeance.”

Stepping to the altar, she picked up the snake and stroked its head lovingly. The serpent relaxed in her grasp and began wrapping its long body around her arm until it had worked its length up and onto her shoulders. Releasing the head, the snake settled its head comfortably between her breasts and lost interest in its surroundings. The spirit turned to Lucretia’s followers.

“You disssappoint me,” she said almost sadly, her gaze lingering on each individual as if memorizing the face. “To sserve a falsse bokor who practicess Petro is intolerable. To use mine to take a life, unforgiveable.”

Ashamed and fearful, the people dropped their gazes.

“Good. Your humility pleases me. Be gone from my ssight before I change my mind and sseek retribution.”

Trembling, several of Lucretia’s followers scurried away, slinking off into the darkness. To discover their priestess practiced dark voodoo was frightening, to have angered Dambala, terrifying, but to have seen her in human form, beyond comprehension. Some swore they would never again participate in such rituals. A few, however, still had doubts and chose to support their priestess.

“Sso be it,” the spirit hissed angrily. “Your fate is yours to choosse. Remember well thiss night. I will not forget or forgive.”

With those words, she and the large snake disappeared, bringing gasps from those who had remained. Frightened, they looked to their priestess for guidance.

“Do not fear thees loa,” Lucretia declared haughtily, regaining her composure. “She eez not the true Dambala but an imposter, a minor loa. See how queekly she left? Her powers are weak. Would she not have cured thees one of the poison or taken them with her? Eet eez a test of your faith and you have passed. My people, you are strong. Bondye rewards true believers for their loyalty,” she promised. The serviteurs looked pleased. Their bokor spoke truth for surely if the woman was the true Dambala, she would have destroyed Mambo Lucretia and freed the two women.

Turning her attention back to Dakota and Yemaya, she smiled, switching back to English. “I hope thees small intrusion deed not get your hopes up.”

Motioning to Boudreau, who had been standing in the shadows, she held out her hand. His unquestioning loyalty gave her confidence and she made a mental note to reward him for it. Perhaps she would give him immortality. It would be good to have such a trusted servant travel the years with her.

Boudreau stepped into the light, his hands extended toward her. A large knife with a white bone handle carved in the shape of a serpent lay across his palms. Seeing the carving, Lucretia frowned but then picked it up and displayed it to her followers.

“Behold! Proof! The false loa has left the sacred knife. Dambala would take eet weeth her, would she not?”

Several nodded. It was true. The real serpent spirit would have taken the powerful symbol.

Grasping it in her right hand, Lucretia signaled for Boudreau to hold Dakota.

“I theenk you weel make a good servant, Ms. Devereaux, so I weel not keel you. Perhaps, Boudreau would like you for himself, would you not, my loyal friend?” she asked, looking at her servant. Boudreau smiled and licked his lips, a rare display for her normally stoic servant.

“Over my dead body,” Dakota snarled, trying to shake off his hands.

“All in good time, ma petite, but I have many potions to make you more, how do you say, ameenable?”

 

*  *  *

Yemaya heard the words but was helpless to do anything. The venom coursing through her veins burned, making it difficult to breathe. The pain was excruciating, causing the raging beast to surge forward, angry and desperate to locate the source of the attack. Now it was in complete control of her. Survival was its only goal. When the spirit had appeared, the beast quieted and listened. It knew that knowledge was power. It would use everything within its power to retain the hard-won control over Yemaya’s strong will. By giving into the rage voluntarily, Yemaya had handed it everything it needed to stay in power.

“Have faith,” a soft voice whispered. “All isn’t what it sseemss.”

“Sarpe?”

“I have done all I can. The venom is being neutralized even as we sspeak, but it is a sslow process. Repairing the damage will take longer. I’m ssorry I can’t do any more than thiss, but it iss our way not to interfere in matterss that do not conssern uss. I have already oversstepped those boundaries, but others are coming. You musst be ready.”

“Thank you. You have already done enough.” Yemaya could feel the poison dissipating, as did the beast. Recognizing a power far beyond its own capabilities, it remained quiet, waiting for the spirit to leave. Restraint was the best strategy. Once it was gone, it reasserted itself.

 

*  *  *

Walking to stand beside the altar, Lucretia stared into Yemaya’s black eyes that were clouded with pain. Yemaya was barely aware of the priestess’s presence.

“You have great powers. Your eyes speak for you.”

“I think not,” the beast growled. “They say nothing,” it hissed, wanting nothing better than to destroy the arrogant human. The muscles in Yemaya’s arm and legs bulged as they strained against their bindings. Her free arm struggled to release the restraint around her other wrist.

Shrugging, Lucretia raised the knife high above Yemaya’s prone body. The drummers pounded furiously, the tempo increasing rapidly in anticipation of the sacrificial kill. Dakota’s scream was drowned out by the drum beats as the knife plunged toward her lover’s chest. The priestess felt the adrenaline rushing through her body. She could almost taste immortality.

“I think not,” a low voice murmured from slightly behind the priestess and to the right. The downward momentum of her arm was suddenly halted when a force gripped her wrist tightly, holding it stationary. Pulling hard, Lucretia was unable to move her arm. The grip tightened painfully.

“Release me!” the priestess ordered angrily. Her arm was pulled slowly away from Yemaya’s body and forced down to Lucretia’s side. The pressure increased. Groaning, she dropped the knife. Rubbing her wrist, she glared at the dark-skinned woman standing next to her.

“Who are you?” Lucretia snarled, frustrated by the second interruption but not sure if the new intruder was another loa or human.

The woman smiled. It was the kind of smile that put fear in its recipient. Even white teeth with elongated canines gave Lucretia the feeling she was looking at a wild animal, but the eyes made her step back. Pale blue and gleaming, they glowed brightly; flames danced wildly behind the icy pupils.

“Mon Dieu!” the priestess exclaimed, backing away. “Vous etes un d’eaux!”

The smile broadened and Lucretia shivered. “Yes, and you are a murderess. You killed Ramus. Why?”

Lucretia wasn’t sure what to say. In spite of the incredible strength the woman had displayed, she appeared calm and non-threatening. There was no anger in her voice, although her eyes burned with a curious intensity.

“We know about your kind. You are immortal. Your blood eez potent, good medicine. Eet cured mon petit-neveau from the seekness and eet weel give me immortality. I weesh for no more than what you have.”

Ekimmu’s laughter held little humor. “You’re a fool! We’re not immortal. We live and we die as you yourself have already proven. My people live long, but they suffer the same inevitable end as all living things.”

“Your kind leeve off the blood of humans. The one I keeled has destroyed many lives. I don’t theenk he weel be missed and I weel achieve my desires. Surely, you don’t fault me for wanting what you take for granted? You have used us, now I use you.”

Ekimmu couldn’t fault the priestess’s logic. Nor could she condemn her for wanting the same thing her own people wanted. The Gebians had made the same choice in ancient times for the same reason. Still, the taking of a life was unacceptable. It was ironic Ramus had died as he had lived. Even more so that he had become a victim to someone coveting the very gift he had squandered. Ekimmu couldn’t bring herself to feel angry. At least not on Ramus’s behalf.

“I understand your reasoning, but it doesn’t explain this,” she said, motioning toward Dakota and Yemaya.

“She eez one of yours.”

“She isn’t Gebian.”

“Bah! C’est impossible! Look at the eyes. They are black. They are like...” Lucretia hesitated, confused. Ekimmu’s eyes were blue, much like Yemaya’s before the ritual had begun. “Yours! Thees eez how your people survive,” she accused. “You change the color to deceive us.”

“I have always had blue eyes. An anomaly, some say. It’s true my people have black eyes. This woman isn’t one of us. No matter, your search for immortality through her or us is a waste. These deaths won’t cure your nephew or bring you immortality.”

“You lie!”

“Do I? Have you given your nephew your potion, priestess?”

“Yes and he eez better. The seekness, Eet eez gone.”

“And what sickness is this?” Ekimmu asked curiously.

“AIDS. He was indescrete in his youth. Mon petit-neveau enjoys the company of young men. Now he pays the price. I have cured him.”

Ekimmu laughed. “And you think her blood will do the same for you?”

“I do not need a cure. I dreenk the potion. I weel live forever. Thees woman’s blood weel give me power. She eez a great sorceress. Her blood holds much magic.”

“Perhaps,” Ekimmu agreed, glancing at Yemaya. Her eyes were as black as the darkest night. It was easy to understand why Lucretia would mistake her for a Gebian. “But hers is not yours to take, nor is Ms. Devereaux yours to give to another. You have unwisely chosen the wrong path, priestess. Age and ambition have made you foolish, and power will make you greedier than you already are.”

“If that eez so, immortality weel bring me wisdom, don’t you theenk?”

“You mean like it did for Ramus?” Ekimmu countered. Turning to Boudreau, her eyes narrowed ominously. She hadn’t missed his momentary display of lust. His anticipation at being given Dakota angered her, but now wasn’t the moment to teach him a lesson. “Release her,” she ordered. Later, she thought.

Unquestionably loyal, Boudreau glanced at Lucretia for confirmation, angering Ekimmu even more.

“I admire your loyalty,” she hissed, “but not your stupidity. Do it!”

Shrugging, the priestess waved her hand flippantly. The entire evening was already ruined. Still, her servant’s loyalty and obvious defiance of the woman gave her some satisfaction.

“Let her go. She eez of little use to me now.”

Once free, Dakota ran to the altar and kneeled by Yemaya. Yemaya’s eyes were closed and her breathing slow and even, as if asleep.

“Yemaya?” Dakota whispered, shaking her lightly. When she received no response, she looked at Ekimmu for help.

“Be patient! She fights another battle. This is a journey she must make on her own, Dakota. You can’t always be there for her.”

“I know.” Dakota sighed, unconsciously stroking Yemaya’s hair. “I just wish...” She was unable to finish the sentence as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She laid her head on Yemaya’s chest and silently wept, feeling completely helpless.

Ekimmu said nothing. Unwilling to intrude on Dakota’s sorrow, she refocused her attention on Lucretia.

“This is over, priestess! Take your people and go. There will be no more sacrifices. No more deaths, now or ever.”

“You cannot dictate to me or my people how we honor les loas. I am Mambo Lucretia, high priestess to Bondye,” she declared arrogantly. “Eef he eez displeased weeth me, let him tell me now.”

Her followers gasped. To call upon Bondye was reckless. Only the most powerful bokor would summon his actual presence. An eerie silence followed as they waited nervously. Lucretia smiled smugly, enjoying the stillness. Such a proclamation would ensure the loyalty of those who had remained. She was confident of her position as high priestess and bokor.

“See! Bondye does not come. He eez pleased with my loyalty,” she announced boldly.

The leaves rustled faintly as a breeze moved through the trees. At first, no one noticed. Then small gusts fanned the fires causing them to dance wildly. The large bonfire in the middle of the group flared high. From its center emerged a tall figure shrouded in a long black cape and hood. Red eyes gleamed brilliantly from the shadowed face.

“You called my name, priestess,” he said, his voice cold and unfeeling.

Terrified, Lucretia and her followers fell to their knees and bowed their heads. Some crossed themselves and began mumbling quiet prayers.

“Rise, woman, and answer me. I have no time for trivialities,” he commanded.

“Master!” she stammered, awed by his presence and impressive height. “Forgeeve me, my lord, but theese strangers dishonor you. They intrude on our ritual. I breeng gifts to pleeze you,” she added, motioning toward Dakota and Yemaya.

Acknowledging her gesture, the shadowy figure walked slowly to the altar and looked at the two captives. For several moments, he remained quiet, deep in thought. Finally, he leaned close to Dakota and smiled.

“So at last we meet in person, Little One.”

Stunned, Dakota tried to think of something to say but could only stammer one word. “Intunecat?”

The slight nod and low chuckle was his only response before he turned to Ekimmu.

“I see you have finally found someone worthy of your attentions, queen.”

Ekimmu frowned, thinking he must be talking to someone else.

“You are the last of Isis’s bloodline, are you not?” he asked impatiently.

“If our history is correct, yes,” she replied, unsure where the conversation was going.

“It is as correct as need be,” he said. “You may choose not to take your rightful place amongst your people, but you cannot abdicate your heritage. Even if you choose to ignore your obligations, your people still hope. They have waited a long time for you to fulfill your destiny. You have found that which you seek, have you not? There are no excuses left to you now,” he admonished gently.

Ekimmu couldn’t think of an adequate reply. It was apparent Bondye knew more about her and her people than even she did.

“As it should be” was his response to her thoughts.

Next he glared at the serviteurs, kneeling before him on the ground.

“Be gone!” he commanded angrily, his voice colder than death itself. “You displease me. I have no use for you.”

Scurrying away in all directions like startled roaches, everyone but Boudreau disappeared into the darkness. To suffer the wrath of Bondye was to be cursed in life and a guaranteed suffering after death.

“You, priestess! What say you? You defile my name, corrupt my people, and pervert these rituals. You slay the innocent and offer blood sacrifices to Petro, a perverted creation of your imagination, then dare to proclaim yourself my high priestess,” Bondye berated, his red eyes flaring with barely suppressed anger. “Explain yourself.”

“My lord!” She wiped her sweating palms on her thighs. “I have always served you faithfully.”

“You have served only yourself,” he scoffed. “Once there was a time when you were mine and served me well. For that, I will be lenient and let you live, but from this moment on, you are nothing to me. Be warned, though, there will be a price to pay when the darkness comes. You have condemned yourself and your nephew to great pain and misery in this world. It is nothing compared to your afterlife.”

Throwing herself at his feet, Lucretia moaned and begged for mercy.

“Leave this place, Charogne, and pray that I rethink my decision should you again prove yourself worthy of my attention.”

Afraid for her life and her soul, Lucretia literally crawled from the clearing before getting to her feet and running. Faithful to the last, Boudreau followed his mistress, unwilling to abandon her even at the cost of his own soul. Both were followed by the haunting laughter of their god.

 

*  *  *

“What about, Yemaya?” Dakota demanded, glaring at the dark spirit. “No one seems to be helping her.”

“We have helped her as much as possible, Little One. Sarpe has neutralized the venom. Ekimmu has protected her physical body while she struggles with her inner demon, and I have removed any immediate threat so she can battle her darkness freely. I think you know she wouldn’t appreciate my interference. Now you must stand aside also. If it is meant to be, she will find the solution to her problem. Be patient.”

“Be patient! That’s all everyone keeps saying,” Dakota grumbled, looking like a small child. “I’ve been patient. I am patient. I’m tired of being patient. I’ve used up every ounce of patience I’ve ever owned.”

Intunecat chuckled at her unintended dramatics. He had grown fond of her during their brief exchanges. “It is a renewable resource, Dakota,” he teased, using her name for the first time. “I have confidence you will discover you have plenty left after this. You will need it. Now I believe I am finished here.”

Before Ekimmu or Dakota could say anything more, he vanished.

“I take it you know him,” Ekimmu said.

“Not really. He helped me once. He pops up every now and then when things get tough. I’m never sure what to make of him. At first, I thought he was evil. Then he goes and does something like this. Now I don’t know what to think, but I don’t trust him.”

“He is what he is, I guess,” Ekimmu reasoned. “A spirit. I sometimes think good and bad don’t come into it when spirits are involved. They have an agenda of their own and our rules simply don’t apply when dealing with them, as I’m quickly discovering.”

“Yeah! That’s what Arbora said.”

“Arbora?”

“Another spirit I met a while back.”

“I take it you have these spiritual encounters often?”

“If you only knew!” Dakota sighed, feeling exasperated. “If you only knew!”

“Knew what?” a low, sultry voice whispered.

“Yemaya?” Dakota cried, grabbing and hugging her.

“Easy, my whole body feels like it has been run over by a truck.”

“Sorry! Are you okay? What happened?”

“I am not sure.”

“Can you walk?”

“If we go slowly.”

Dakota and Ekimmu helped Yemaya sit up. For several minutes, Yemaya didn’t move, other than to flex her legs and arms.

“I think I can make it now. Hopefully, we are not far from the highway,” Yemaya said tiredly, looking at the dark forest surrounding them.

“I have a car a short distance away,” Ekimmu said. “I’ll get it.”

Smiling, Yemaya nodded gratefully. Several minutes later, they heard a car engine and saw the headlights.

“How about we go back to the hotel?” Yemaya suggested wearily. “Then you can tell me what happened here. Would you like to join us, Ekimmu?”

“Perhaps another time,” Ekimmu said, looking at her watch. “The sun will be up in a few hours and I have to meet with someone.”

Dakota and Yemaya grinned knowingly.

“With a certain spirit, I take it,” Dakota teased.

“Mind your manners. Now let’s get you two back to your hotel so I can keep my appointment,” Ekimmu said, hoping her flush wasn’t visible in the dim firelight.

They helped Yemaya to her feet and moved slowly away.