“You were not ordained. I still reign here. Why do you think nothing has worked for you? Show me your power? The city looks un-kept, barely a scent of prosperity lingers and that is because of the people. That seat,” I pointed, “is connected to me, not you. A king must appoint a king. And Brother I have not appointed you.”
“Or the death of a king…”
“Am I dead?” I chuckled. “All you ever had were your looks, Aarif and that damned smile. But your mind…shrimp. You have small thoughts.” I laughed harder, “I am certain a shrimp cannot run a kingdom. I have admired what you have done with my people, my kingdom—it’s just proof that Chike knew you were not fit to be king—the reason why he chose me.” His nostrils flared, and I was getting angry thinking of the state of Tahirah, “what is it the mer of Medit call you?”
“I was wise enough to steal the seat from you.”
“No, I was wise. I valued my life, and followed the lead of God.”
“Curse Adonai! I’ve never seen His power.”
“And so He has cursed you…us, for your selfish ways. The command reads keep your brother, and you have failed at that. Remain humble in spirit and you will not know My wrath, and well you have awakened His wrath and it has fallen on us all! Besides, you cannot steal what does not belong to you. My blood lives in that throne, so it does not recognize you as king.” Jaw clenched, nostrils flared…His dark skin radiated his anger. He was ready to attack. “Have you found a cure for the barren? Or what about the famine? The filth of the city? The gate! What of the gateway to the city? You can’t even keep the gate! You are worthless and your time is up. I will have my throne. I will lift the curse and I will be king. The wicked shall not reign.”
“You and your God bore me. The only curse I bear is you.” His eyes rolled around in his head and he let out a gust of wind.
“Ahh…you see what the mind of a shrimp knows?” I tapped my head with my finger. “Nothing. Be ye damned Aarif, till the day my reign returns.” I trained my triton on him, level to his face. The anger, the pain, the betrayal was all burning inside of me, I didn’t know how long I could control myself. “No good shall come to you, you are damned and soon you will find death, by God’s will.”
Aarif was taller, bigger and so when he rushed me, slamming me to the stone floor, it cracked. Enya was forced from my hand, sliding across the floor. The crown from my head, following my triton. Too much talking…Aella warned me.
“Hanan?” I turned my head so that I could see Minkah. He was there, his heart whispering confused words and emotions. I listened harder, to hear where his heart was, but it was still unclear. I could never really read my brothers’ hearts.
If I gazed into the water and saw my reflection, I would see Minkah and he would see me. Our gaze was severed by Aarif’s voice.
“Kill him!” he ordered. I slammed my fist into his shoulders—he went flying into the high ceiling. He yelled, the crystals were sharp, in his back. I flipped backward, onto my feet, Enya reached me and Minkah had his triton in hand. He watched me and for a moment I thought his eyes were regretful, but it was quickly replaced by hate.
“What little brother? You thought I was dead?” I needed time. This time talking too much would be useful. I needed to get past Minkah. His hateful gaze, his stealthy movement. He slowly encircled me from a good distance, I knew his combat style, he’d throw his triton to distract me and then…
I sent mine first, into his stomach. He reacted with his power, but he was not fast enough. I ran and slid onto my hip towards the door, snatching up the crown, placing it on my head, I jumped to my feet and ran. I pushed myself, I had to, death was on my heels. Exiting the throne room, I passed Rashidi.
I turned my head to see the young mer, “A spans time.” I reminded him, and turned before reaching the edge. I glanced back one last time, spears speeding towards me, bouncing off the walls as they missed the target. Aarif and Minkah were gaining on me with their guards closely behind.
Enya in hand I smiled at my brothers and then plummeted to my future.
“I will kill you…” Aarif’s mind followed me into the water.
“You will not. You can’t.”
“I’ve alerted Kosey.” Cunning and sly, his voice was.
That name nearly stopped me, but I knew my purpose and that’s what mattered. The birth of my seed, reclaiming my throne, lift the curse and then, defeating Aarif, Kosey, he would die shortly after.
“Kosey? You traitor!” Twisting my body around to meet the Shrimp face to face. “He killed Chike, your own father…” Stretching my hand forward, two fingers up—fighting myself, I wanted him dead—I opened my mind so that every mer and maid within reach would hear my promise, my threat, and my future. “Seven years time, I will return more powerful than you can dream. I will reclaim my throne and lift the curse that leaves my people in ailment. Long live the king!” I threw my hand up clutching my triton. Power spewed and without hesitation I released the fire burning through my blood and Aarif went slamming into the palace wall. “I leave you with this, you will kneel or you will die. Either way you and Minkah will be banished, be it in spirit or life. Enjoy playing king, keep my seat warm, brother.” I turned to leave and vanished into the water.
Chapter 8
I stared at myself in the full length mirror, examining my outfit. Black slacks with a plum colored lace blouse, it had a deep plunging neck line—I wore a cami underneath. I topped off my ensemble with a black tailored blazer, adding long pearl necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Of course, Ben had dinner with us, he was pretty much an honorary family member. He tried holding my hand while my parents were around, but I’d pull away. I really didn’t want the third degree from Dad and I didn’t want Ben to go through that either. Though, leave it up to Warren to make it perfectly clear to my parents about Ben and me. Not that we had a definite thing going on, he just felt it was his “responsibility,” as a brother to fill them in. I did the same for him; I mean I was the oldest. My parents were accepting to he and GG’s relationship—they knew GG, none of us actually knew Ben. However my father let it be known that he felt Ben was a good catch and genuine in his interest. So he received the stamp of approval. Honestly I think his approval had something to do with Ben and his love for sports and future as a sports agent, which in return meant free tickets to a Lakers game or something.
“Let’s walk a bit before we catch a cab, walk off some of these calories.” Dad patted his stomach and wrapped his arm around Vivian. We were walking through the same marketplace as we did earlier in the day, except it wasn’t exactly a marketplace now. The sky was dark and clear of clouds, the temperature was warm with pinch of chill and a soft breeze swirled around sending my hair whipping across my face. Music…reggae oozed out into the streets from restaurants turned night club, enticing lurking tourist and natives. Neon lights lit up windows and voices mingled together with the snare drum.
We walked a little further before Ben stopped. My dad had just hailed a taxi. “Let’s get our palms read.” Ben said in a hushed voice.
“Why? I don’t like dabbling in stuff like that.” My stomach already tangled itself in knots.
“Come on. There is nothing to be afraid of. Besides, it’s not real.”
“Then why do you want to do it?”
“I don’t know. Never have. I’m curious?” He shrugged.
“Well I’m not. Let’s go back to the ship.”
“Eva, Ben. Come on.” Dad waved us over.
“Mr.Washington, we’ll catch the next taxi, you and Mrs. Washington deserve some alone time.” I started to protest but Warren gave me that glare. So I shut my mouth. “We’ll be right behind you.”
“If you’re not back within the hour, I’m coming for you.” The authority in my father’s tone could have moved mountains.
“Yes sir.” Ben answered.
“Warren.” Daddy pointed and gazed into Warren a warning, I knew that look too well. It was the ‘behave,’ o
r else look.
Ben grinned down at me, “this will be fun, I promise.” I disagreed wholeheartedly, and went along for the ride anyway.
“So what is it that you want to do?” GG asked.
“Just wanted our palms read.” He pointed to the shop that blinked Open in bright neon lights, below the open sign was a crystal ball lit up in blue lights. “Let’s go.”
“I wonder if she’ll see the NBA in my future?” Warren bounced off the balls of his feet, pretending to shoot a ball into an invisible basket. GG rolled her eyes and yanked him forward.
I was still unsure about the whole palm reading. In church they always talked about opening spiritual doors and making yourself vulnerable to evil. Wasn’t this toying with unknown spirits? Wasn’t this opening an evil spiritual door? Well if so we were knocking on the doorway to hell and the flames burned in my belly as anxiety opened my pores, making my clothes stick and my hands clammy.
“May I help you?” A short woman opened the door to the small shop. Her skin was brown and milky. Her graying hair had a purple tint—short, but styled with big curls, she probably set it in curlers every night. She was definitely once beautiful in her younger years, because she aged in a graceful way that did not appear as harsh as other elders looked.
She didn’t seem like a fortune teller, she wore normal clothes, light blue jeans, and a salmon button up with the sleeves rolled to her elbows. There was nothing eerie about her apparel (I guess I half expected a skull to be dangling from her neck, with chicken bone earrings), maybe she was what they called a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Her eyes were something different…violet, beautiful—wise, as if knowledge found her, even when she hadn’t looked for it. There was nothing demonic about her, nothing that I could see.
“We want our palms read.” Ben said.
“I don’t read palms, I read souls and it is twenty dollars each.” Her heavy accent ended high at the end of twenty. So it was like twentea.
“Souls?” My voice cracked. “I don’t know about this.” I yanked on Ben’s arm.
“Okay, then we’ll have our souls read.” Clearly ignoring my protest.
“You pay me now.” She held her bony hand out. I didn’t reach for money, Ben wanted this not me.
“This is for me and her.” He pointed back at me.
We entered what looked like a waiting room. It was dimly lit with a golden light, making the walls seem yellow. The floors were tiled in white stone. And a gold chandelier hung from the middle of the ceiling—it’s where the golden light spilled from. I stood in front of the old white Victorian love seat on the east wall.
“Do you want to go together or one at a time, how do you want to do this?”
“Two at a time, we’ll go first.” Warren said.
“Let’s all go. We only have an hour to get back.” I said.
“True, I don’t need Dad on my case.”
“How do you read souls?” Stuttering on the last word. To read palms was one thing, but now souls? I was tense, as if Satan stood behind the curtain, laughing whole heartedly, waiting to drag me to hell. This was a bad idea.
“Soul reading is done from the eyes. The way shows clear.” I didn’t understand, but I nodded my head as if I did. “Okay, follow me.” I swallowed my wallowing fear as we stepped into the next room—the cool satin curtain just grazed my face as Ben lifted it for me to enter.
Satan was no where to be found, not visibly at least.
The room was lit by a lot of large white pillar candles—they were spread out along the floor, giving off a sense of peace, and maybe even promise of spiritual activity. Most of the candles were half melted—wax once liquid, solidified in place like frozen streams of tears—some of the wax landed in white puddles on the floor. Small flames flickered and as we moved further into the room, our shadows were cast onto the wall. Curtains lazily billowed as a small breeze swirled around. Even in the midst of apparent serenity, fear was still present, my gut was egging me to leave, but I didn’t.
Chapter 9
“Relax.” Reba the psychic said to GG who stared wide eyed at the lady. “I can’t see a thing, you all tense. Let me in.” She whispered, running her hand under GG’s chin.
“Okay.” She closed her eyes inhaled, let out a drawn breath and opened her eyes.
“Let me in…” Reba whispered again. After about five minutes more she stood, her hands up in the air. “Oh girl, you wont let me see nothing. I can not tell you a thing.”
“Sorry.” GG whispered childishly. She glanced at me shrugging her shoulders, she took her seat.
“Come here young lady.” I glanced up and caught the old woman’s gaze, her violet eyes seemed even brighter. My stomach twisted as my future sped toward me.
Still caught in her gaze, I felt it. Sensed the omen in the room. Hands shaking I took a deep breath, shit. I stood up and walked over to Reba’s sturdy wood desk and took the only seat available.
She reached for my hands, smoothing hers over mine. “This won’t hurt. Just relax…close them beautiful eyes and relax.” The room was silent, “okay, now lean forward.” I did as she asked still keeping my eyes closed. “And when I say, open your eyes.” The old psychic ran her callous warm hand over my face, “okay, open.”
Opened. My eyes were open and her gaze penetrated mine. I thought I heard her voice whispering in my head, ‘relax it’s okay,’ I faintly mumbled okay in response. Not even two minutes passed when she jumped back and out of her chair—faster than I believed she could move.
“Kosey!” She cried rubbing her hands together, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “You must go, please go!” Reba raised her hand, two fingers up, the rest folded down. “You, you…I cannot help you. And I can’t go back, I won’t.”
“I…don’t…”
“No! I will not go!” She stumbled back, and cautiously I rose to my feet. “Leave!” Her bony hand reached inside her pocket and she threw the cash onto the desk.
“I’m sorry.” It was the least I could say, though I didn’t know what I had done.
“Come on Eva.” Ben grabbed my arm and began pulling me towards the door.
I couldn’t look away from the old woman, “the money?”
“Just leave it. This is too weird, even for me.” I staggered back and watched Reba take her seat, she seemed feeble and out of breath, resting her head on the table.
“She needs help. Maybe we should call an ambulance.” I said, snatching my arm away. I walked back to Ms. Reba.
“Eva.”
“Ben, she doesn’t look good…Ms. Reba?” Warily I reached out to touch her hand and before I could make contact she quickly had mine in her grip.
“Wait.” With her free hand she opened a desk drawer and pulled out a red cloth. Her head still down she said, “When they come cut their throat…” she handed me the cloth, it was wrapped around something, “and remember Angel, with death comes life. Now go…please.”
“When who comes?” I whispered. “Ms. Reba, what are you talking about?” She released my hand.
“Go…I cannot help you.” I was being dragged out of the shop by Ben and we left immediately.
I didn’t un-wrap the cloth until I was alone in the room, until it was only GG and I.
“What is it?” Her curls fell over my shoulder.
“A shell.” The shell was thin and looked fragile, shaped like an African Maasi shield, pearly white, with a thin hint of gold sparkling throughout it and a shade of purple that trailed along the jagged edges.
“I’ve never seen a shell, shaped like this or even with gold…why did she call you Angel?” GG watched me quizzically, as if I had an answer to her question. “Why did she give it to you?”
“I don’t know.” I thought of the invisible voice that whispered to me on the beach. I didn’t know what any of this meant. Or if it meant anything at all? It could have been an act like Ben said. I didn’t think so. Otherwise, why it was happening or who the old woman thought was gonna attack us w
as a mystery to me.
I knew one thing, and that was that the gateway of evil had been opened and there was no closing that door…I knew it, felt it in my stomach, visibly saw the shadow lurking above me, around me. The heady scent of death, seeped into my pores, and obliterated any peace I had left. I was afraid, and the flames of hell were licking at my heels like a dehydrated dog. I knew I sensed an omen in that room, and he sat there waiting for me.
I’d had enough. GG, Warren and Ben were going at it, as if anything they said mattered much. It didn’t. What was done was done. There was no going back, nothing any of us could do. Something was going to happen and it wasn’t gonna be good. It was inevitable.
Ben and Warren of course argued that it was only GG’s and my imagination. We were being paranoid, because “there was no such thing as psychics and such, the old lady was only trying to scare us…we were tourist, here for a little excitement.” Believe what you want, I told them. I could feel and literally see what we had done.
You are probably wondering how I knew something bad was preying on us. Have you ever had that creepy, lurking feeling, in the pit of your stomach? Like walking down an unfamiliar street after dark, feeling eyes watching every step. It was like the boogie man waited excitedly in the shadows waiting to jump out at you. That feeling. It was like there was a shadow of eeriness that seemed to plague the ship, or perhaps it was the dark and swollen clouds that hovered menacingly above us? Maybe it was the words of Ms. Reba? I just couldn’t shake the creepiness.
Shivers writhed up my spine, hairs pricked up on my arm. I was tired and afraid, and at that moment I only wanted to sleep. Sleep would give me some sense of peace, help clear my head.
Ben wrapped his arm around me, running his hand up and down my arm, he stared down at me. “Let’s go inside. The arcade? Maybe that will help us all relax.” Cutting his eyes at GG.
“This is your fault.” GG retorted.
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