CHAPTER 20

MAOPA WASN'T SURE what was happening. One moment she was curled up against Mari's warm body, and the next she was in the Earth Mother's realm, alone. Even Yemaya and Dakota had disappeared.

"Dagnabit. That woman better be havin' a good explanashun fer leavin' me here alone."

Not wanting to stay there by herself, she decided to return to the Eternal Fire to check on her spirit friends. It had been awhile since she had seen them. Catching up on the news would provide an escape from boredom until Mari returned.

Sarpe, the serpent spirit, lay coiled next to a log, her body relaxed and her eyes closed. Arbora, the woodland spirit, was talking to Ursa, the bear spirit. The two had been bonded for a long time, although they seemed an odd couple. Arbora was small and slender, with lavender eyes and green and purple hair. Ursa was huge and hairy, closely resembling a large grizzly, only the eyes were different. Pale yellow, they glowed when the flames from the fire reflected across the black pupils.

Turning at Maopa's appearance, Arbora jumped up and gave her a quick hug. "It's been a long time."

"Mari and I be gettin' to know each other better."

"Good. It's about time you two spent some quality time together. She's been alone too long."

"Yep. I figured the same."

"So, where is she?"

"Now that be something I'd like tah know mahself. One minute we was all snuggled up, and the next, she be gone."

"She does that sometimes."

"Well, this time it be diff'rent. Yemaya and Dakota done vanished too."

"Really? Let's see if we can find them."

Arbora moved to the fire and passed her hand through the dancing flames. Immediately a picture appeared, showing Yemaya and Dakota talking to the hotel clerk.

"I'll be danged. They done went back. That Mari, I bet she done got tarred of bein' human."

"And I bet there's a good story behind that comment." Arbora smirked.

"Shore nuff. Only don't go expectin' me tah tell tales. She'd not be appreshatin me jabberin behind her back."

"Oh, we'll wait. It'll be more fun with her present, anyway."

"That be the truth and it'd serve her right. Leavin' me like she done."

Glancing toward Sarpe, Maopa leaned close to Arbora to whisper a question. "What be wrong with Sarpe, there? She's lookin a little puny."

"She's tired. Her last trip into the mortal world has really affected her energy level. It'll take awhile, but she'll be alright. I think she's got a girlfriend, but she won't tell us about her."

"Playin' it real secretive like, eh? Well, that be good news if'n she got her one. Now if only Mari would show herself soes I knowed she was okay."

"I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure she'll be back soon. In the meantime, let's let Sarpe get some rest and go pick on Ursa. She's feeling a little grumpy."

"Can't be havin' that now, can we?" Maopa chuckled, trying to recall a time when the bear spirit wasn't grumpy. She couldn't.