Jewel of Inanna (Perils of a Pagan Priestess Book 1)

by Hannah Desmond

  The drive to the airport took forever. Lilly found herself biting her nails and twisting her hair. “You nervous about something, baby?”

  Lilly took a deep breath, “I don’t know why I am feeling so jittery. I haven’t seen her in so long and I don’t know what to say.”

  Roland laughed, “Knowing you, my love, I’m sure you will think of something. Plus, you will do it rapidly and appropriately. It’s the way you roll. I’ve seen you rise to the occasion more than once.”

  “I’m glad to hear you have confidence in my social skills.”

  “Yep, you are more together than you know. Stop worrying and enjoy the anticipation of being reunited with her. It is going to be super groovy.”

  “I love when you talk hippie to me,” Lilly said, laughing.

  She saw the rosy glow of her Aunt before she spotted her white blond hair and serene face in the line of passengers spilling out of the airplane. In only a moment, Aunt Pearl was there before her smiling brightly, a divine blush infusing her entire being.

  Lilly stood still for a moment, taking in the presence of the woman she had loved so dearly and missed for so long. Aunt Pearl opened her arms and pulled Lilly gently into an embrace. “It has been too long,” she said in her musical voice.

  Lilly put her arms gently around her, afraid she was an apparition and would disappear into air. “I can’t believe this is happening. It is really you!” she said at last, stepping back to get a good look at Aunt Pearl’s face.

  Pearl’s green eyes shown as she smiled, “Is it you Lilly, all grown up and beautiful with red hair?”

  Lilly’s hand flew to the curly mop on top of her head, “I’ll explain it later,” she said as Roland stepped up to her side. She introduced him to her Aunt and the three of them headed to baggage claim.

  Tiny tears glimmered on Lilly’s eyelashes as they stepped into the sunny parking lot. “What is it Lilly? I’m hoping those are tears of joy,” Aunt Pearl said.

  “Oh, they are tears of joy. It has been an amazing twenty-four hours for me. Roland has been away and he surprised me around dawn this morning with his return. Now, I am here with you and it is a dream come true.”

  Pearl smiled, “For me too, my love” she said as tears sparkled in her eyes.

  Once Pearl was settled in the open apartment next to Sabine’s, Lilly told her to put on her walking shoes. “I’m taking you to eat at one of the best restaurants in the city.” Pearl nodded enthusiastically.

  Soon the two women were strolling arm in arm down the quiet blocks of Chartres street towards the Marigny and Valentine’s Restaurant. Gumbo and crawfish pie were placed before them and for a while there was no talking. The waitress came over to check on them and Pearl ordered bread pudding with rum sauce for desert. Looking across the table at Lilly she licked her lips and said, “It is so great to be back where food is rich and spicy.”

  Lilly agreed, “So where have you been? Why did you leave and why didn’t you...?”

  Pearl put her hand up and shook her head gently, “One thing at a time. I know you have a million questions, first let me say it was never my intention to hurt you. I did not want to leave my home and I didn’t want to leave you. I was threatened, you see. Threatened with my life and yours, if I did not comply with the request.”

  Lilly’s green eyes narrowed as her mouth pulled into an angry grimace. “Who?”

  Pearl took a breath, “It was your stepfather, Rex.”

  Lilly’s hand slammed on the table and she exploded, “I knew it! He is a low life bastard.”

  Aunt Pearl nodded in agreement and took Lilly’s hand in hers, “He is a dangerous man. I have seen things in his aura which lead me to believe he may have committed murder in the past. From the look in his eyes and the swirling darkness around him, I believed him when he promised to make you disappear by accident. He scared me thoroughly. I agreed to leave my home.”

  “I am so sorry Aunt Pearl. I feel terrible. Your home was such a refuge and your gardens, your beautiful gardens….”

  “It is not your fault, Lilly. Rex is filled with fear and anger. He sensed you and I are different. To a man like Rex, different is dangerous.”

  Lilly’s face darkened as she stared at her Aunt for a moment, “Who do you think Rex murdered?”

  “I’m not certain. It is a feeling I hesitate to look deeply into. For a long time I ignored my intuition regarding Rex’s activities. I adopted a better not to know attitude. You are no longer a child living under his roof. You and I are free to do what we please. I tried to contact you several times. I called all the universities in Louisiana, but none would confirm you were a student there. I get the Times Picayune delivered to my home in North Carolina and I saw your wedding announcement. I had no problem getting Alex Castiglio’s phone number. I called several times hoping you would answer. He picked up every time and was very rude. He finally told me to never call again. I was concerned for you. First you had Rex, an abusive stepfather and then a rude and callous husband. I had to relax and trust you would find me when the time was right.”

  They sat in silence as the waitress removed their plates and brought the bread pudding and coffee. Lilly tasted the sweet concoction, grinned and wiggled her eyebrows at Aunt Pearl. Pearl closed her eyes as the bread pudding melted in her mouth, “Mmm, I haven’t had this in years.”

  After a few bites of the bread pudding, Lilly couldn’t contain her curiosity, “How is life in North Carolina?”

  “It’s been fine, other than missing you, I’ve been happy. As I told you on the phone, Evan lives in Asheville and I was happy to be near him. He has a wife now and they always make me feel welcome. North Carolina is lovely. It is a bit colder than I’m use to yet the snow in the mountains is beautiful and peaceful. The people are kind and...”

  Lilly frowned and interrupted her Aunt, “Are you planning on returning to North Carolina? I was hoping you were here to stay.”

  Pearl took a moment to reply, “I don’t know yet. Let’s see how things go. I would like to visit the North Shore and see what condition my house is in.” Lilly nodded slightly and blinked away tears, she couldn’t bear to lose her Aunt again. “Now, tell me all about you, sweet Lilly,” Aunt Pearl said as she poured cream into her coffee.

  Lilly looked into her Aunt’s up tilted green eyes, so much like her own and shook her head slightly, “I’d prefer to continue this conversation in my apartment, if you don’t mind.”

  Aunt Pearl nodded, “I understand, some things are best said in private.”

  Lilly led them up Decatur Street to the building that had housed the Raven Moon. The windows were dark, the building empty. A “For Sale” sign hung on the front door. Aunt Pearl shivered when she placed her hand on the door. “The vibrations are askew. There needs to be some psychic clearing, a lot of psychic clearing. This place is broadcasting negative energy.”

  “Yes,” Lilly agreed, “But there is something else we need to take care of first.”

  Pearl raised one eyebrow, “The important thing we need to discuss in private?” Lilly nodded.

  Roland was waiting for them when they arrived at Lilly’s apartment. He sat on the sofa with his arm around Lilly as she told Aunt Pearl about her abusive marriage, her escape, finding Panthea’s, her early initiation, the passing of the Inanna crystal into her keeping, her kidnapping by Regina, the theft and recovery of the stone and the reason they needed her help.

  Aunt Pearl sat in the rocking chair, hands resting in her lap and listened to the tale of Lilly’s recent past. The strength of the young woman astonished her. “I am so proud of you Lilly,” she said when the tale was done.

  Lilly looked astonished, “Proud of me?”

  “Yes, you have come through so many challenges. You have had an exceptional life, and I have no doubt it will continue to grow and expand in intensity as you continue to grow in wisdom. There are many adventures ahead of you.”

  Lilly sat silently staring at
her Aunt.

  Roland patted her gently on the shoulder, “See, I told you. You are one special lady.”

  Lilly shrugged, “Okay, I’m glad ya’ll think so. When you say challenges, it does put things in a new perspective. I tend to think I’ve made a royal mess of things since the day I met Alex. I have to stop berating myself and congratulate myself for rising to the challenges. Although, I don’t know how many adventures I can stand,” she said with a touch of sarcasm.

  “Speaking of adventures,” Lilly said, “have you heard of a pyramid in the swamp lands?”

  Pearl was silent for a few minutes then spoke in a halting voice, “My mother told me bedtime stories about a magickal pyramid when I was a child. I don’t remember where it is. She released a small “Hummm” as she sat back and closed her eyes. After a few minutes, she looked at Lilly and Roland, “I vaguely remember hearing the pyramid was built near the mouth of the river by Toltecs or maybe the Mayans, I forget. There are stories about the pyramid and portals, however, it has been a long time since I heard anyone mention it. The stories may be based in fact or merely Faery tales.”

  “No, it is real!” Lilly exclaimed. During my visit to Kumira, the powerful Atlantian priest she channels appeared and confirmed there is a pyramid nearby where two great bodies of water meet. Kumira says the Fae may have knowledge of the pyramid where the violet light in the stone could be awakened and its magic returned.”

  “If that is the case,” Aunt Pearl said, “we will have to visit our family in the Dark Bayou to get that information.”

  A frown creased Lilly’s brow, “Do you have any idea how we can approach the Faery village in the swamp. How can we get close enough to make contact? Will they know it is you and I coming and let us in? I haven’t been able to get close to the place.”

  “Yes, I think I can help,” Pearl said as she pulled a heavy silver chain from around her neck. A highly polished and exquisitely carved wooden egret dangled from the end of the chain.

  Lilly gasped, “One of daddy’s carvings!”

  Pearl nodded, “Yes, it is. Do you have any of his carvings?”

  Lilly’s mouth dropped open, “Yes! She said as she dashed into the bedroom, opened the drawer beneath her altar and returned holding a carved wooden alligator the size of her thumb and a long leather cord. The alligator had a small ring in its nose and she quickly threaded it onto the cord. “This will do until I get a chain to put it on,” she said as Roland tied the cord around her neck.

  “Excellent, I knew you would have at least one of his carvings. Hopefully, these two talismans will be enough to get us through the telescoping portal and onto the front porch of my mama’s house.”

  Roland looked at the intricate carving around Pearl’s neck, “How are the carvings going to help?”

  Folding her hand over the small wooden bird, Pearl held it to her heart, “All of my brother’s carvings were imbued with magick. Each member of our family has a carved talisman which connects them to the village in the Dark Bayou.”

  “Lilly, o you still wear your talisman?” Pearl asked,

  Lilly gasped, “No, no I haven’t worn it since I married Alex. He told me I looked like bayou trash when he saw it. I tried wearing it under my shirt, but he knew it was there and made such a fuss about it, I put it away.”

  Scooting up to the edge of her seat on the couch, Lilly leaned forward and spoke seriously to her Aunt, “There is a small group who have agreed to go to the Faery village with me: a powerful Atlantean Priestess, Kumira, Roland, you and I. Everyone wants to come, but I think a small group may have a better chance of getting close and being welcomed. Kumira has some idea about where the pyramid might be. She is hoping the faeries will have more information and one of them will come with us as a guide.”

  “I want in on this trip,” Pearl said. “I would love to see my family and learn what is known of the lost pyramid.”

  The next moment Pearl was overcome with a huge yawn. “Excuse me, I didn’t realize that was going to happen,” she said blushing slightly.

  Lilly stood and grabbed a set of sheets and towels from the bathroom closet, “Come on Auntie, I’m going to walk you over to your apartment and make sure you have everything you need. It has been a long day and I know you are tired.”

  Chapter 48

  Journey to the Dark Bayou

  The next morning Pearl sat in Jolene’s kitchen sipping her second cup of coffee. I know all of you want to meet Lilly’s Faery kin, but I think Lilly’s idea of a small group is a good one. Only essential persons need to come on this trip. Jolene looked around the table. James and Sabine had disappointed faces, knowing their presence would not be essential.

  “The plan Lilly has discussed with me, has our journey scheduled for the morning of the new moon,” Pearl continued, “I don’t think leaving in the morning is a good idea. The bayou fairies are night owls. They feel most comfortable under indigo skies and moonlit waters. Their magic is strongest in the swampy landscape of hanging moss and night blooming flowers. Their own inner light and glowing lanterns illuminate the darkness. Daylight finds them sleeping or having breakfast at 3PM. There are a few who must rise early and get the children to school, they rotate this chore. We would not be a welcome sight early in the day.”

  James sat silently listing as Pearl described the life of the bayou fairies, “How is it you and Lilly’s dad left the village?”

  A good question, Aunt Pearl replied. “Those who choose to live in the secret world of the swamp know the world of man encroaches on their lives and will continue to do so. They want their children to be aware of the world outside and prepared to deal with the people and technology they will encounter. Some of the children are sent to the local school to learn the ways of men. A few of them mate with land-dwellers, birth their babies in the village and raise them in the Faery culture. Others, marry land- dwellers which is what Avery and I did. It doesn’t happen often, but it is necessary some of the children integrate into the outside world. Choosing to bring our magick to the world of men was a difficult decision. It became apparent if those with Faery blood did not enhance the world of men and share healing energy, the people of the Earth would devolve. The animals and plants of the Earth would perish at a rate more rapid than they are at this time. Faery blood is strong. Our family in the Dark Bayou are descendants of humans and fairies who mated centuries ago. It takes eons of mating with humans before the Fay power is diminished. We don’t want to become isolated from outside influence or risk our village becoming too inbred.”

  Everyone was digesting the information when the gate buzzer sounded and Kumira’s voice came through. James buzzed the gate opened. Within seconds, Kumeria joined them at the table. Lilly looked around at her friends and broke the thoughtful silence. “Aunt Pearl and I need to speak with Kumira and make plans.”

  ~

  Roland joined the three powerful women at the round oak table in Jolene’s kitchen. They sat together in silence, gathering their thoughts and opening to any messages or guidance the spirit world might convey. Kumira began to speak and the plan unfolded. “Tomorrow is the full moon. After learning about the nocturnal habits of the bayou faeries we are going to postpone our trip for at least a week.”

  Pearl nodded, “While the light of the full moon would be a blessing, I agree with you. The sickle moon would be a safer time to make our way through the bayou.”

  “We can easily rent a boat, a motor boat would be best.” Pearl stated. “I would like to set off in the late afternoon.”

  Lilly nodded in agreement, “We may arrive at the Faery village before the sun has fully set. If our relatives are still in their pajamas, I don’t care. I would prefer to arrive for afternoon breakfast than be detained by slimy swamp things.” Roland stared at his hands knotted together on top of the table as three women laughed nervously.

  “All will be well,” Pearl said in a matter of fact voice. “We are not helpless. I lived in the village for
many years and managed to avoid being eaten by an alligator.”

  Kumira nodded her head and looked from Lilly to Pearl, “We have talismans, Lilly’s tingling hands, the protection of Quetzalcoatl and the power of love accompanying us on our journey.” The sacred chant, “Ooooeeeeaaaahhh,” vibrated through the room.

  The week passed quickly and everyone was ready to go. The day of their scheduled departure arrived bringing torrential rain, followed by another day of steady rain. The group struggled to stay calm and centered.

  They had packed, discussed, meditated and cooked together. Everyone was ready to go. The missing light of the Inanna crystal worried Jolene more than she dared say. Lilly held the dull crystal in her hand as she paced around her apartment chewing her bottom lip. Heavy morning rain cleared by lunch of the third day and the group began their journey.

  The sun shone through low hanging clouds in LaPoint, trapping the humid air at 70 degrees. Quickly loading overnight bags into the boat, along with fruits, candies, soaps, lotions and a variety of other gifts for the Fae, they gingerly climbed into the boat.

  Roland had a compass on a cord around his neck, sun glasses, a straw hat and a serious look on his face. The ladies, similarly attired, were quiet. Steering the boat across the basin into a nearby channel, they traveled at a steady 15mph. It was a good ten or twelve miles before the purple irises and pink azaleas lining the channel gave way to the red swamp maple, cypress trees, thick vines and hanging moss of the Deep Bayou.

  Roland looked at Pearl, “Which way?” She nodded her head to the left. He steered the boat around a clump of land where a flock of Ibis gathered beneath a willow tree. He slowed the boat to a crawl as he navigated through cypress knees.

  Lilly took out a bottle of “bug off” from her bag and slathered it on her exposed skin. She passed it around and everyone applied the oily herbal concoction, hoping it would be strong enough to repel the enthusiastic mosquitos inhabiting the bayou.