“It does,” he replied as he slid down the tree and to the ground. He smiled at her before the darkness took him under and to an even greater family gathering.
“You have nothing to fear mighty avenger. Just go with it and come back whole,” she whispered before adding, “Gosh almighty, but you’re a handsome man. I hope you find another woman to love because it would be a complete shame not to do so.”
Chapter 29
That night, a huge crowd gathered at the Chisholm homestead. There were large quantities of great food – spicy crawfish cooked with boiled potatoes and corn on the cob, alligator sauce piquanté, fried dill pickles, fresh vegetables – along with plenty of laughter, moonshine for those who desired it and ice chests of beer for those who didn’t. The zydeco music and dancing was the best entertainment of all and lightened everyone’s spirits and moods.
With Danaé’s help, Catalina dressed with care for the evening. She was always beautiful, but tonight her long, white-blonde hair glistened in the moonlight and against the lovely blue dress she wore. It wasn’t long before Catalina caught the eye of Danaé’s distant cousin and he bowed before her while offering her his hand.
Cassidy’s heart jumped into her throat when she saw that the young, handsome man was interested in her daughter. She wanted to intervene, to protect Cat, but Grandmother placed a soothing hand on her arm to halt her interference.
“Let your daughter live a little, Cherie! For goodness sakes, she deserves some happiness after all she has suffered. Would you deny her this? The young man is named Bastian Sinclair and lives up to his name. He is venerable and wise. Although he is of marriageable age and mind, he has never shown any interest in anyone that I recall. I suspect that has changed in only a few moments. He sees the light and purity in Catalina… it would be a good union for our families.”
“May I have this dance,” Bastian bowed.
“I’ve never danced,” Catalina shyly responded, blushing at his attention. “What if I trip and make a fool of myself and you?”
“I’ll teach you the steps and I won’t allow any harm to come to you. Come please,” Bastian encouraged as he took her hands and gently pulled Catalina to her feet.
True to his word, Bastian taught Cat the basic steps to enjoy the dancing. “Step, pause, step, step,” he whispered near her ear as his right hand rested on her tiny waist and his left hand held hers.
Soon, they had the rhythm down and whirled and twirled in the large open area with all the others who enjoyed the music. Cat had never imagined such fun and she often got lost in Bastian’s hazel cat eyes.
Alec watched his sister’s enjoyment with kind amusement. Since his epiphany and the peculiar ancestral gathering he’d experienced earlier, he knew that ‘life’ would have its way with all of them. For so long, he had felt as if ‘his’ was the only path. Now, he understood that his mother, Catalina, Danaé, and everyone else was also directed by life’s forces. He didn’t have a monopoly on it.
After the many discussions had ended earlier, Alec knew that Cassidy was pleased that, as traditions dictated, his family would raise the child… my son, he silently corrected. I have a son. I will teach him as surely as Grandfather Saguache taught me. I will make sure he understands every aspect of this pact and that there are no surprises that will break his heart.
He was happy that Cat was having fun and that her life was changing as surely as his was. He read the aura of Bastian Sinclair and could see that he was a good man. In many ways, Bastian had been waiting for this very moment, for Catalina.
“Would you like to dance?” a slender, dark-haired beauty whispered as she stood near Alec. “I mean, I know you’re the great Saguache vessel, but you’re still a man. Can you have a little fun?”
“I suppose that’s possible,” Alec replied with a smile as he allowed her to lead him out to the dancing area.
“I’m Celeste,” she whispered as she moved into his arms.
“You’re definitely celestial and heavenly,” Alec light-heartedly replied. “I hope that helps when I step on your feet or make an ass of myself out here.”
He realized the easy banter with this beautiful woman was unlike him. He was usually reserved and held himself apart from others. He also knew his life was changing and it was a good thing.
“Just listen to the music. Allow it to lead you and neither one of us will suffer.”
Other than the dances he’d attended in high school, usually after a football game, Alec had never had much occasion to socialize. He felt awkward until the ancient rhythm captured something deep inside him that yearned to be free. He let go of any reservations and moved and swayed to the exotic beat that he felt within his soul. He had a reason to celebrate – he had created life and would soon become a father to the newest Saguache heir.
Celeste easily brought out his primal needs and the desire to feel a part of the community that surrounded them. Her body, deliciously warm and supple as it caressed his, caused intense emotions to stir in Alec. As he allowed himself to feel the deepest parts of creation and the true connection to everyone present, light shimmered around him and Celeste. He became the shining star that he was always meant to be.
Everyone, Cassidy and Catalina included, watched as Alec’s amazing gift transformed the clearing into a celestial oasis. Twinkling lights appeared in every tree, on each dancer and musician. It was something no one present had imagined possible. As for his family, they’d each kept Alec’s gift as secret as possible, fearful he’d be discovered. Here, in this safe place, he was at liberty to set it free.
Alec danced and danced, shedding his light freely, until Celeste tugged his hand, leading him deeper into the recesses of a small cluster of trees north of the compound. There, they joined in wild, passionate love-making that felt as ancient as all time.
Alec realized that he’d never felt more alive, more in tune with the universe, more in sync with nature. Although it was true that life would have its way, it was also true that life was desire and change. Life wanted to make love and fight evil; it wanted to create life and witness death – and then, it wanted to do it all again and again.
Chapter 30
Everyone spent the night at the Chisholm homestead. Many of those gathered talked into the night. Others found pallets and soft places to sleep while the music continued playing softly in the background. Catalina sat in a porch swing with Bastian, her head leaning softly against his shoulder while her brother lay wrapped in the arms of Celeste on a bed of moss not far away.
The next day, when everyone had recovered from the revelry, Grandmother Chisholm led the conference as the head of families joined her on the porch.
“As you’re all aware since our gathering last evening, Danaé has fulfilled her promise and now carries the next Saguache heir. The father and his family are here with us. Cassidy, Catalina, and Alec Winters.” Each of the Winters family members nodded their heads slightly as their name was announced. “We’ve always called them the blue-eyed family, as if they were separate from us, but I hope that new alliances can be made at this gathering. I hope that they are no longer apart from us. We’ll have a secret ballot vote to see if this pact between the Chisholm and Saguache families will continue. You all have a piece of paper and a pen. Use that to record your vote. As the box is passed to you, simply put your ‘nay’ or ‘yea’ in it. One of the youngsters will count the ballots.”
After the previous evening, and all that had transpired, Grandmother Chisholm was sure the pact would be renewed. Everyone present had fallen in love with the Winters family and wanted to keep them close to their hearts. She knew that Celeste, even though she would never bear a child with Alec Winters, would return to New Orleans with Alec and Cassidy. She would be a surrogate mother to the newest Saguache. Grandmother also knew that Catalina would stay behind with Bastian. Change was good and unavoidable. It was a necessary ingredient of life. Otherwise, what couldn’t change died.
Chapter 31
For the ne
xt several days, Suzanne thought about the things Vivien had said. She regretted that she’d been such a bitch to the ex-reporter during their last meeting. If she was truly honest with herself, Suzanne wanted help even if she feared she was beyond redemption. She didn’t like the things that had changed her into a bitter, cold person. She hoped that Vivien was right and that the priestess could help her.
On her next day off, she visited the voodoo shop on Bourbon Street. Santeria saw her clearly the moment she entered and came to greet her, “You must be Suzanne. I’ve been hoping you would come.”
They went behind the curtained off area to Santeria’s private space and sat at the small table designed for readings and such. The priestess lit a clarity candle and waited.
“I thought about what Vivien said and I really do want your help,” Suzanne whispered. “If it’s possible that is… if I’m not broken beyond repair.”
“I know you do. Now, just close your eyes and relax. I need to clear away the negativity in your aura and spiritual body.”
Suzanne followed Santeria’s instructions, closed her eyes, and waited. As usual, the priestess saw all manner of obstacles and disruptions in Suzanne’s energy field, but she quickly wiped them away, making a clean slate. The change was immediate. The next time Suzanne looked at the priestess, she saw that her animal body was that of a hawk.
The hawk flies high about others, has shrewd vision, and is extremely quick. It could sense out its prey efficiently. It was a perfect spirit animal for the devout priestess.
“I see you,” Suzanne hesitantly muttered. “I see you clearly.”
“Your gift wasn’t destroyed, Suzanne, it only needed a little help to return to its full form. It will do so over the next two weeks. In the meantime, I would like to introduce you to a company that could use someone with your abilities. It’s easy to tell if someone is lying and this company has a staff for that, but often an employer needs to know the underlying cause of such deception. The job pays very well and has great company benefits. It will also allow you to attend my classes as part of your employment agreement. Are you interested?”
“If they’re good people and don’t want to use me for some ill-gotten gains, I am. Do you vouch for their honesty?”
“I do,” Santeria replied with a smile as she patted Suzanne’s hand.
“I’ve hated my job for so long. It was pure drudgery going to work each day, but with my criminal record, I couldn’t get any other job. Will that keep me from working for this company?”
“No it won’t. In fact, they’ll probably help get your records expunged.”
“Amazing! You know, everything changed after I met Vivien Simon. Even though I was hateful and cruel to her, I actually hoped she’d come back to talk with me more often. Even if she does go about it with a sledgehammer, something about her honesty and desire to help others made me want to do the same. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You already have.”
Chapter 32
Vivien felt as if she had finally accomplished something. She’d helped a lot of people since moving to New Orleans. The online support group had grown and each of the members has something to offer others as they shared their stories of redemption.
She sat outside on her colorful patio enjoying a rare Saturday morning when she wasn’t called into work. She heard a car door open and close and looked up to find Bright walking towards her. He held two specialty coffees and wore a lopsided grin. She couldn’t help herself. As soon as he set the coffee containers on the patio table, she rushed into his arms and kissed him. It was something she’d wanted to do for so long. After Sabrina’s death, Vivien had realized how fleeting life could be and she didn’t want to waste another moment.
Bright was surprised but he certainly welcomed the kiss along with her small tight body pressing against his. It was something he’d wanted for a very long time too. The kiss quickly turned passionate and he picked up Vivien and carried her inside to her bedroom. The bed was still unmade and she started to make an apology that he quickly stifled with another kiss.
“This has been a long time coming,” he muttered as they quickly undressed each other and fell into the disarrayed bed clothing.
“Yes, yes…oh God yes!” Vivien cried out as their bodies joined and they each found much-needed release from the many months of interminable foreplay.
Chapter 33
Everything happened just the way Grandmother Chisholm had suspected after the impromptu reunion in the bayou. The vote passed. Alec took Celeste home with him and Catalina stayed on to get to know Sebastian. A month later, the Winters family returned to Lafourche Bayou for their wedding – a beautiful wedding in full zydeco fashion.
Sometime later, everyone was also present for the birth of the newest Saguache heir. Cassidy held her grandson close and never wanted to let him go. It was the greatest thrill of her life.
“Grandchildren are indeed special,” Grandmother Chisholm said. “I know you’ll take good care of him.”
“If I’d have to give up my children at birth, I don’t think I could’ve done it,” Cassidy softly whispered.
“You were the bloodline. That was never expected of you. For the others, those not of the direct bloodline, it is also genetic to hand over the child. Don’t feel bad about it or worry about Danaé. She was made to do this very thing. It seems cruel, but it’s not – it’s just part of life and part of the pact.”
“He’s so beautiful,” Cassidy continued to whisper as she held the newborn. “He looks just like Alec did when he was born. His skin and hair are much darker; his hair is thick and curly too. Of course that comes from the Chisholm side, but his face and eyes, even the shape of his little fingers are like Alec’s were. It’s amazing isn’t it?”
“Our families definitely make a beautiful combination,” Grandmother Chisholm said in agreement.
Alec leaned over to kiss his son’s tiny fingers and smiled at the women before turning away to talk to Danaé, “So what will you do?” he asked as Celeste and Cassidy eagerly crooned over his son.
“I’ve met someone in Lafourche that I want to spend time with and I’ll help Catalina if she and Bastian decide to have children. There are many children in the bayou. I won’t have time to feel childless.” Danaé stopped long enough to look at Alec. She could see the concern on his face. “Don’t worry about me, please. I’ll be fine. That’s one of the gifts of the pact… the mother can easily let go of the child born of the union unless, like Cassidy, she is the link to the Saguache bloodline. It’s just the way it works. There’s no reason to worry about it, honestly. I’m fine.”
“Thanks for explaining that. We’ll visit again soon. I wish you the best in everything you do, Danaé.”
“Alec, I know that our son will be fine with you and your family. I have the utmost faith that he is exactly where he is supposed to be… and so am I.”
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About the Author
Chariss K Walker, M. Msc, an award-winning author, writes fiction and nonfiction books with a metaphysical message. All of her books are sold in soft-cover and eBook format worldwide, many in large print. To find out more about this author, visit her web site at www.chariss.com.
Dark Fiction books:
An Alec Winter Series:
Prelude
Crescent City
Port City
Harbor City
Serena McKay Novels:
Purple Kitty
Yellow Scarf
Blue Cadillac
my name is tookie
Fiction Books:
The Vision Chronicles:
Kaleidoscope, Book 1
Spyglas
s, Book 2
Window’s Pane, Book 3
Windows All Around, Book 4
Open Spaces, Book 5
Stream of Light, Book 6
Lamp’s Light, Book 7
Clear Glass, Book 8
The Retreat
The Journey
Nonfiction books:
Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World
Make a Joyful Noise Study Guide
Chakra Basics: Fundamentals of Spiritual Growth
The Spiritual Gifts: Understanding for the Great Shift and Beyond
Abundance: Allowing the Universe to Manifest Your Desires
Many Paths to Healing
Keep the Faith
How to Find us on Facebook
Harbor City (An Alec Winters Series Book 4) Page 11