by Maya Daniels
“Don’t be an ass. You know what I mean. And don’t worry about me. If it’s not the right man, it’ll be the right lesson. I honestly believe that.” I turn away. I have no wish to talk about it anymore, either.
“I didn’t mean it that way, Alexia. I only meant they’re assholes.”
“Well, so are we,” I point out, and we both laugh.
“That we are.” She gets up and leaves me alone again.
The sun is high in the sky and the day is flying by faster than I would like, but the sooner we do this, the sooner it will be done. I’m just going to take it easy today. The more relaxed I am, the better I’ll deal with it. The front door opens and Meda comes out with the pot of coffee in one hand and her mug in the other.
“I come in peace, bearing gifts.” She lifts the pot and I grin at her.
“You have the key to my heart, sister.” I pat the spot next to me and she sits down, pouring more coffee into both our cups.
“It’s a beautiful day today. I’ve never seen this one before,” she says, and I can’t agree more. It’s a nice way of looking at it, I guess.
“The more you find things to be grateful for, the more of those things the universe will provide, huh?” I say, and she shrugs and nods at the same time.
“It is the way of the Divine,” she adds.
We swing for a bit, just sitting there, enjoying each other’s company.
“Before I let you be,” she says after a while, “tonight, I want you to concentrate on what you need to do. I don’t want you to worry about anything you might hear or see, okay?” She is very serious, and dread creeps through my stomach.
“What does that mean? Are you expecting trouble?” My shoulders tense.
“I didn’t say there will be. I only said for you not to worry if there is. As I told you yesterday, sometimes entities try to cross into this realm, but that’s why I’m here. You just make sure that you get the information we need, leave everything else to the three of us. We trust you with our lives, and we expect the same in return.” She’s dead serious, so I do take it to heart. Plus, she’s right. They do trust me to do the right thing, and I need to offer the same to them.
“Of course I trust you. I don’t think I’ve ever trusted anyone as much as I trust the three of you.” I hope she hears the sincerity in my voice because those words were pulled straight from my heart
“Okay, good. When rituals like this are done, sometimes things are much different than they appear. Gods are very tricky. They might make you see things that you wish to see or things that terrify you. I need you to stay present in your mind. I need you to remember it’s the four of us there in the circle and the god we summon. No one else will be there, they can’t. So, if you see someone that is not supposed to be there, it’s because Sin is making you see them. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you, Meda. I’m forever grateful you are here with me.” I give her a hug.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, A-ma.” She hugs me back.
Tears prick my eyes. She’s such a beautiful, loving soul.
After pouring more coffee in my mug, she heads inside. I’m expecting Jezzinta to come out next. I guess they decided to do it one by one, so they don’t frustrate me if they all gang up on me. Smart strategy, I must admit. I function better if I can hear clearly what someone is saying because I don’t only listen to their words, I watch their face. I read between the lines. I read their energy. When there are many people talking at the same time, it messes me up and that frustrates me.
I don’t wait long before Jezzinta comes out.
“I know you were waiting for me,” she says as soon as she opens the door.
“You do?”
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out this strategy, sap.” She laughs, and I join her.
“Well, I do appreciate it, just so you know.” I give her a hug when she sits down.
“I love you more than you know.” She says softly.
“The way you say that, I’m going to start thinking I’m about to die.” I grin at her startled look. “I’m joking. Relax.” I nudge her leg with mine.
“I sure hope so. You haven’t found your sense of humor yet, sister,” she says, and she leans back on the swing. I do the same, but I turn towards her so I can see her better.
“I’m not going to give you advice or whatever the others did. I just wanted to tell you that I think it’s better if Meda takes the place of High Priestess in the ritual.” She’s scanning the trees ahead, avoiding my searching gaze.
“Why? I thought you know how to do this. You’ve done it before.”
“That’s true, but Meda is much better at holding the portal than I am. Plus, I’d rather be free to help you if need be than hold a damn portal, if I’m being honest.” There is worry in her creased forehead, and that worry is for me but also for how I’ll handle things tonight.
“Jez, I’ll be fine, I swear it. What can happen, honestly? Plus, whatever it is, I’m sure I’ve had it happen once or twice, if not in this life, then in the previous ones.” I pat her leg. “Including dying,” I add with a smile, but she doesn’t smile back, just looks at me and her eyes go from green to blue and back again. “Your eyes are like water, Jez. No wonder you’re my favorite sister.” I try to lighten the mood.
“Oh, is that so? If my eyes were not like your precious water, then someone else would’ve been your favorite? Good to know, sap!” She acts upset, but I can tell the sparkle is back in her eyes.
“Without water, I’m nothing, Jez. You know that!” I say it jokingly, but it’s the truth. I do believe I will cease to exist without it. It’s part of my existence, as strange as it may sound.
“I know that more than you do. You should remember it,” she says cryptically. I was going to ask but she jumps up.
“I’ll let you be. In a couple of hours, we need to start getting ready. I have the cloaks and everything on top of your bed. We will grab them before we head to the clearing.” With that, she walks into the house and leaves me swinging alone on the porch.
I wish I’d asked Remi to leave the smokes outside, because I feel I’ll need a couple more before tonight. I spend most of the day sitting on the swing. I even have my lunch here. Remi brings it over, eats with me outside, and when we are done, she picks the plates up and walks inside, all without saying a word. After that, I get little uneasy, like someone is watching me, but I can’t sense anyone when I send my energy out, and I’m sure it is because of my nerves.
The sky starts darkening and I finally get up. We need to start the ritual before the sun goes bellow the horizon.
We all dress quietly, each in our own rooms. I put on the slave costume and check myself in the mirror. Meda did my makeup earlier with black kohl, lining my eyes to make them stand out. She also drew swirls and symbols on my arms and shoulders with henna. It peeled off while I was dressing, leaving only stained swirls in its place.
Rubbing some glittery body lotion on me, I sparkle every move I make. I can almost believe I’m the enchantress Inanna asked me to be. The bottom part sits low and snug on my hips and it balloons to my ankles where it’s tied with pretty bows. It sits so low that it only covers my intimate parts. I’m a bit uncomfortable, but I shake and jump to make sure it won’t drop and it doesn’t move an inch, so that’s good. There’s a golden belt with little coins sitting on top of it so that it jiggles and sways every time I shift, or even when I take a breath. It does add a nice effect to the outfit. The top is a simple scarf that goes across my chest and ties in the back. There is a necklace with the sun symbol around my neck and a snake cuff high on my bicep. No shoes for me tonight. I’m barefoot with just anklets and a chain that loops around my big toe to make it look like I’m wearing sandals. The bronze color of the outfit makes my olive skin seem like part of the silk. All and all, it’s beautiful. I would be much happier if it isn’t see-through, though. It makes me too exposed, but the ladies say it’s all for show and I’m determ
ined to play my part.
Having the information is very important, not just for us, but for humanity. I can only imagine what that evil creature, Tiamat, will do if she gets her hands on the potions. We’ll all be screwed for eternity.
Walking up to my dresser, I pick up the small bottle of jasmine essential oil, even though I hate using perfumes. But I always dab a little essential oil behind my ears, on all pulse points, and on top of my heart. It’s a habit I’ve developed through the years. As I’m putting it on, Jezzinta walks in.
“You don’t need that anymore, you know. After your initiation, your skin naturally smells like jasmine. I think that’s what got Philip to act like a horny teenager,” she says, and I laugh nervously. She’s right, but it’s something I keep doing so I remind myself that I’m normal. I’ll take anything that will keep me connected to the life I had before all this took flight into Neverland direction.
“I know.”
We grab our cloaks and leave the house. I’m the last one to walk out, so I close the door behind me quietly. I’m hoping we’ll be returning here soon with everything we need. Wrapping my cloak around me, I tip my hood over my head, and everyone does the same before we step outside.
Let’s hope everything goes as planned. I regret even thinking those words, because things never go as you want them to.
Chapter 16
We walk at a steady pace, not rushing and not too slow, either. There is anxious energy around us, but not in a bad way. More like we are expecting something exciting to happen, but the outcome is unknown. I don’t know how else to explain it.
Finally, we reach the clearing and spread out, each taking her spot so we can open the shimmering dome we put in place yesterday. With our hands in the air, we thank the spirits of the four directions and bid them farewell. They served us well and I’m grateful to them. The dome shimmers and disappears just like it appeared: from thin air. Walking towards the altar, we all line up. Meda stands in front of the altar with her back towards us. Remi, Jezzinta, and I stand next to each other in a semicircle. We watch the sun slowly going down and wait. It needs to be just at the right time.
There, it’s set half below and half above the horizon.
“As above, so below,” we all say in unison.
“Let us start, sisters,” says Meda, and her voice sounds very regal and much older than usual. I glance at Jezzinta and she just nods. I think it was a good choice to let Meda be the High Priestess. Raising her hand, she continues. “Blissful Paean. Come, you who are revered gloriously, fruitful source of wealth and happiness.”
“Come,” all three of us say.
Meda speaks again. “Spermatic, golden-lyred patron, oracle wild, you who brings light, beloved glorious young man, you who are a leader of the Muses, leader of the dance, noble and lovely and pure.”
“Come,” the three of us say again.
“You who sees all within and all beneath the sky, you whose hair is gold, whose oracle and omens are clearly sustained, hear us entreating for humankind, hear our prayer and be present with a delightful heart.”
“Come,” we say again.
The air is thickening around us, and it starts to get warm, but I stand still and quiet like Remi and Jezzinta, not daring even to breathe too loudly.
Meda goes on. “For you survey all the boundless aether, and you look at the abundant and blessed Earth from the above, and in the darkness of the silent night, your eyes are the stars, you see the roots of the Earth. You are caring about all the source and the end, you make everything bloom!”
“Come,” we say and out of my control, my body sways. I see Remi and Jezzinta are swaying, too.
“Hence by mankind, we call upon you, since in thy care and hands lies the seal which stamps the world with forms of every kind. Hear us, blessed power of the Blissful One, and in these rites rejoice us and save thy mystics with a suppliant voice!” Meda says the last part with such force my insides shake.
“Come,” we say it as forcefully as she spoke.
As the last words are spoken, Meda grabs the ceremonial knife and cuts the inside of her right palm, lifting it on top of the chalice where her blood drips into it in a steady stream. I flinch. That must’ve hurt.
“Blood of my blood, life of my life. I call upon you, Sin, come to us!”
“Come,” we say again.
I watch as all three of them drop their cloaks and stand there in white see-through gowns. The fading light from the sun makes it appear as though they have nothing on, their bodies shimmering like something unreal, like nymphs have decided to grace the clearing in these woods with their presence. Everything around me is magical. I keep my cloak on, as we agreed, until he shows up. Meda says not to move an inch from where I’m standing until she tells me to, and for the first time in my life, I’m going to obey. I don’t normally take orders very well. I do now! See? I can be good...sometimes. That thought makes me want to laugh and I hear Meda snort in front of me. She must have read my mind again.
We stand like statues, waiting as the last rays of the sun disappear below the horizon and darkness covers us all for a second before the glow of the full moon turns everything silver. Well, it looks like he isn’t coming, I think. Good. We tried and he didn’t show. Now we can all go home and I’ll make fun of these three standing bare-ass in the woods waiting for a god. Meda snorts louder this time. I think she’s fighting a laugh and I’m happy I can at least entertain her.
“You dare laugh at my presence, Priestess, after summoning me?” A deep voice echoes through the trees and I fight to stay standing. All I want is to drop to my knees. The power is overwhelming. I peek through my hood, but I don’t see anyone.
“I didn’t think you would show up, Nanna,” says Meda like she’s talking to a farmer about potatoes, and I suck in a sharp breath. She’s going to get us all killed. And why is she calling Sin “Nanna?”
“Ah! Meda! It is you,” says the voice again and the torches we stabbed in the ground around the clearing, as well as all the candles, get lit at the same time with high-reaching flames. I jump a little. Meda laughs. I’m not sure if she’s laughing at me or Sin.
“It is I. We have summoned you to ask a favor,” she tells him.
“Well, of course. I didn’t think you would summon me just to see me,” he says sarcastically. “The gods get summoned when you need something, not to simply show your gratitude,” he adds like a reprimand.
As he is talking, he finally steps in the lit area and my breath gets stuck in my throat. My knees get weak and shaky. Oh, dear Mother, sweet Goddess … holy fuck! my voice screams in my head. He is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. Golden, wavy hair shimmers in the light of the moon, while his skin shines like porcelain. He is standing bare-chested with a loincloth tied around his narrow hips, and I know it sounds silly, but even his legs are beautiful. I can’t stop staring. I even forget to breathe. His face is so beautiful it hurts to look at it.
“I want to see the one that offers such thoughts,” he says and starts walking towards me. “Why is she covered? Have you no respect?”
Meda stands in front of me, cutting off his way. “I said I need a favor, but I didn’t say what,” she tells him.
“Well, go on, Priestess. Speak. Then move out of the way!” he says, annoyed. I guess he can read minds, too. Duh, he is a god. I’d better stop thinking before I get into more trouble.
“We have a new sister in our circle and we need you to bless her,” Meda tells him.
“You summoned me to bless a witch?” You can hear the doubt in his voice.
“Yes, we did. It’s important that you bless her because she is Inanna’s vessel,” says Meda proudly, and then there is silence. I’m thinking he is going to fry us all now, and I hear his laugh thundering all around me.
“Oh, I like her very much already,” he says between bouts of laughter. “I don’t know why you don’t get my daughter to do her own blessing, Priestess. I will make an exception, but there
must be an offering. You know the rules,” he says to Meda.
“If you agree to bless her, she will dance for you,” Meda tells him.
“I’ve seen many witches dance, Priestess. You better come up with something else.” He is angry now and I can hear it.
“I know you have, but you have not seen this one. Let her dance for you, and if it is a good offering, you can bless her when she is done.” Meda sounds like she’s selling a horse. At that thought, she snorts again and Sin laughs out loud.
“Well, she does have a good sense of humor, at least,” says Sin, and I stare pointedly at Jezzinta, who rolls her eyes at me. I’ll never let her forget it, if we live to see another day that is.
“Very well! Dance, witch, and move that foul thing off you so I can see you,” he says, sitting on the edge of the altar. This is Inanna’s father, and he is physically in his mid-twenties.
What a strange world it is, the world of gods, I think to myself.
“Very strange indeed,” he agrees with me, and my stomach does a somersault.
Walking back slowly I grab the hand drum sitting on the grass. Remi moves to the side, sits down, and takes the drum in front of her. With my back towards him, I push the cloak off my shoulders and it slides down pooling at my feet.
This is it.
I better dance like I’ve never danced before, like my life depends on it, because, well, it does in a way. The full moon is high in the sky and I say a quick prayer. “Mother, please guide me.” The sound of the dayereh echoes through the night as I start shaking my hand, lifting it slowly up in the air above my head. Remi joins in and the beat of her drum soothes my soul. I close my eyes for a second. Jezzinta’s words echo through my mind. “Let your spirit guide you. I do just that. I give total control of my body to my spirit. It’s like an out-of-body experience as I watch myself moving even though I’m not really doing the moving. I just stay back and observe.
At the sharp beat of the drum, I peer over my shoulder at him for the first time without the safety of the cloak, and his eyes widen in shock. I start by swaying my hips, gyrating while my free hand twists and turns like a snake at my side. The bells on my belt join the rhythm of the dayereh and the drum, all three making a beautiful melody. Sin is watching me like a hawk, his eyes tracking every movement I make, and he is leaning forward in anticipation. I slowly turn around, throwing my hips in a sharp move, left then right, and as Remi stops the drum, I hit the dayereh on my hip making the air echo with the sound of bells. He takes in a sharp breath.