Damn, I really needed to make better memories pertaining to my favorite foods, I thought. I wouldn’t stay at the Chateaux de La Croix, but I knew I didn’t have much to go back to either.
The sounds of animated servants were distant, though I was sure it was coming from the same corridor I was wandering through. I hadn’t paid much attention as I followed the larger hallways. I avoided the smaller offshoots for fear of getting hopelessly lost again. The noise was a good sign that I was headed in the right direction.
Savory scents wafted through the air and I was unashamedly salivating over the notion of a hot meal. Or even a bowl of cereal. Hell, I’d even settle for a triple decker peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Instead of there being a large wooden door at the end of the hallway, much like the other halls, the hallway just went around a bend and opened up into a spacious kitchen. The scene before me caught me off guard and I froze at the entrance.
The castle was a contradiction at every turn. It seemed like a medieval castle with stone structure and small windows, yet it had the elegance and grandeur of Buckingham Palace. Neither would have caused me to conjure visions of the five-star kitchen set up I found before me. It was sleek and extremely modernized, appearing quite similar to the kitchen Angie worked in. I’d been lucky enough to get a tour of it when she’d been promoted from line cook to sous chef at Emeril’s Delmonico.
“Quit your gawking and get to work!” a short, squat man bellowed at me as he bumped past me.
He reminded me of a toad, and when taking a little closer look, I was sure he wasn’t human. In fact, I hadn’t a clue what he was.
“Excuse me?” I retorted.
It was hard to believe that he was being so brusque when everyone else had seemed to tiptoe around me, except for Zelda. She was the exception and she had quickly learned, while karma may be a bitch, I was a far bigger one.
“You heard me. Grab your apron and get to work. You aren’t here to stand around looking stupid. There are meals to prepare and deliver.”
The man’s voice was gruff and deep. It had an almost growly quality to it. He didn’t bother to turn around, nor did I think he’d given me a proper appraisal. If he had, he might be singing a different tune. I considered ripping this guy a new one for speaking to me that way, however, his speaking to me like I was just a normal person was exactly why I did as he commanded.
I wanted to feel useful instead of whiling away my days doing nothing productive while locked away in my little isolated tower. There was a stack of aprons on a rack that appeared to be freshly laundered. I grabbed the first one and tied it around me. Staff charged around the kitchen at full speed. All of them were far too busy to notice me or my lack of direction.
I turned in search of the toad-man, with every intention of explaining the error to him. I’d have been glad to convey my interest in helping him, but I’d need some instruction. I just didn’t know where to begin. However, when I turned, I almost tripped over him. His eyes were narrowed on me, assessing and seemingly not liking what he was finding.
“You’re new.”
“Is that a question or a statement?” I asked, hoping to win him over with slight humor.
“So, you have jokes. Interesting.” He didn’t sound interested. He, on the other hand, was particularly interesting to me.
The toad-man had a light accent that I couldn’t quite place. It almost sounded French, though not quite. Italian, maybe?
“So…um…what’s on the menu?”
“What is your name” It took me a moment to answer him. He was staring at me only to be interrupted when he blinked. I thought my eyes had played tricks on me. A second blink had me slack-jawed. Instead of his eyelid coming down to meet the bottom, it slid out from the inside corner and covered his entire eye. It reminded me of the alligators back home and it was unsettling to see on someone that looked like a man. By the time I finally gathered my wits about me, he’d repeated the question. “Have you forgotten your name?”
“Umm…” I didn’t know what to say. The tiny devil on my shoulder that was beginning to look a lot like Samedi was screaming to screw with the guy. “Angie.”
“Well, Angie, let’s see how you do with something simple. Penne alla vodka. If you do well, we can assess the possibility of you staying on in the dish room. If you fail, it will be my greatest pleasure to throw you out. Now, go!” he yelled with a clap.
I jumped at the sound. Penne alla vodka? What the hell was that? I mean, penne…okay, it’s a noodle. Vodka, definitely got that one. Once, I’d seen vodka sauce in the market and I knew that had to have been what the alla vodka meant.
So, I needed noodles and set them on to boil. Then I needed tomatoes…I was fairly certain they had to be cooked a while first. Beyond that, I was fucked. I’d be damned if I wasn’t going to give the man something though, so I set to work.
An hour and a half later, I had tomatoes cooked and blended into a sauce with some Italian sounding herbs and spices. The pasta was cooked. I’d added some milk to the sauce and all that remained was the vodka. I stood there staring back and forth between the bottle of vodka and the sketchy looking sauce. Unscrewing the lid, I tossed a dash of vodka into the pot with the sauce and stirred it in. It didn’t quite seem like enough, so I added more. About three and a half shots more and plated up the finished mess.
“You’ve completed the meal?”
“Yes sir,” I said with a gulp; my mouth had suddenly gone dry.
“Georgio will try it and we will see.” He began to turn towards the dish when I couldn’t hold in my burning question.
“Who’s Georgio?”
He squinted up at me with a scowl. “I am Georgio.”
Georgio turned to the dish and scooped up a spoonful for inspection.
Papa Legba strode through the door just as Georgio had popped the spoonful of pasta into his mouth. The poor stout fellow began choking and sputtering. I wasn’t sure if it was my food or the fact one of the Loas had just walked in and spotted us. Legba marched towards me with an amused expression.
“Causing trouble, I see. Though I hadn’t thought to find you down here. I thought you’d be back in the empress’ suite.” Legba rested his index finger next to his mouth as he took in the apron that was now stained in tomato juices and oil. A ghost of a smile played on his face and without saying a word, I knew he thought the whole scenario was hilarious.
“I have to find something to do around here. Otherwise, I’d think I was living in a cemetery for all the people I see. Besides, I like feeling useful.”
“Perhaps Georgio could find some use for you here when your other responsibilities are taken care of. What do you think Georgio? Could you find use for your future queen?”
It was the first time that Papa Legba had acknowledged the toad-like man.
His face had gone slack, eyes widened in shock. I held no ill will towards the man, yet watching him practically kicking himself and choking on his words was giving me a thrill. I was reveling in it. My eyes shifted to Legba. He was mischief incarnate and he was enjoying the little show we were putting on just as much as I was. Everyone in the kitchen had stopped what they were doing upon mention that not only was Papa Legba present, but so was their future queen.
“You are the Baron Samedi La Croix’s intended?” He couldn’t hide his astonishment.
With a little grin and a small curtsey, I said, “I am.”
He swiped the tall chef’s hat off of his head and bowed to me. Georgio wouldn’t make eye contact with me. My guess was that it was a respect thing.
“Madam, please forgive Georgio. I didn’t know it was you. My behavior is unforgivable, but I must ask, what were you doing in my humble kitchen, Your Majesty?” He seemed afraid of both Papa Legba and me, not that I could blame him.
Had he heard about what I’d done to Zelda? The palace was likely much like high school where news, rumors, and gossip of all kinds travels at near light speed. As much as I wanted to, I couldn�
��t muster the tiniest speck of remorse for what I’d done. I did wonder if the woman had managed a way out of her predicament. Or perhaps not, it wasn’t like she could ask for help.
“There is nothing to forgive. It was just a little fun. To, uh, answer your question, I just wanted to grab a sandwich or something. I was starving, and I still sort of am.”
“Yes, of course, Your Majesty! Right away.”
He scurried away as fast as he could. It seemed as though there was a little extra pep as he moved. Almost five minutes later, he returned carrying a tray with the biggest and most delicious looking croque monsieur and French fries I had ever seen. That was the kind of comfort food I was talking about! My hunger had escalated to the point of near nausea and I couldn’t wait much longer.
Georgio handed the tray over with a bow and held his hands over his heart when I grabbed it from him. To hell with being lady-like. I was fucking starving.
Spotting the nearest chair, I zipped over to it and plopped down happily, balancing the tray on my lap. I dove in, shoving fries in to my mouth by the handfuls. They were salty and hot, practically melting when they made contact with my tongue. And that sandwich…I hefted it between my hands and brought it to my lips. The scent of the smoky baked ham mingling with the rich cheese and sauce had my eyes rolling back in to my head with delight. I attacked the sandwich with the same gusto as a starving animal.
“I admire a woman that can eat,” Legba said, propped against the wall beside me. I hadn’t noticed he’d joined me.
I grunted in reply. My tongue flicked out to swipe up a drop of béchamel sauce that had fallen from the croque monsieur. I wouldn’t waste a single scrumptious morsel. If someone would’ve tried to take the sandwich or fries from me, I may have even growled at them. The meal disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving me satisfied. There were no doubts as to Georgio’s skill in the kitchen.
“Papa Legba? Were you saying something?”
He’d been watching the staff zip around the cookery, but he swung his intense stare to me. Something behind his eyes unsettled me, though I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what it was. It was more savage, feral even, than any I’d ever seen from him. The Baron was refined, even if he was a snake, and always on guard. Legba was less so. He was who he was and made no apologies for it. His eyes held the hint of crimson that could barely be made out from under his top hat.
“Not important,” he mumbled with a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Interesting.
I stood up and placed the now empty tray on the chair I’d just vacated. The toad-like chef hovered near me, waiting for me to finish.
“Was everything to your liking, Majesty? Can I get you anything else? Anything at all?”
The near constant zing of my magic, pooled under my skin, kept me aware of the affect others were having on me. Georgio was unique though. Legba, much like Samedi, amplified everything and made me feel much more powerful, yet Georgio had a relaxing affect that calmed the magical storm that raged within me. Between him and Papa Legba, I could actually feel normal for a moment.
“Everything was wonderful. I couldn’t ask for better.”
The squat man was radiant as he listened to my praises like a proud stag. I think I even saw him puff his chest out a bit.
Legba pushed off the wall to fill the spot beside me.
“Are you ready?” He seemed distant, but there was no telling with the enigmatic Loa of the crossroads.
I nodded. I hoped that he might have some information about Brigitte that would help me. Instructions on how to open a portal would be ideal, though with my contract with the Baron, I was doubtful that Legba’s help would go so far as that.
I turned to the chef who had been, not only helpful, but entertaining as well. “Thank you so very much for a diverting and fulfilling day. I really enjoyed it! I hope I wasn’t so much trouble that I wouldn’t be invited back?”
“Your Majesty, I have to be completely honest with you. You made the single worst penne alla vodka I’ve ever seen or tasted, but it would be an honor to have your presence grace my kitchen any time you wish.” Georgio finished the statement with a straight face, mostly.
Within seconds he was laughing hysterically and tears were leaking from the corners of his eyes. I couldn’t hold back my laughter and I even caught a glimpse of Legba chuckling over the cook’s honest remarks.
The uptight staff scurried about their business, avoiding eye contact with us at all costs. It’d been too long since I’d released the pent up powers. The need to unleash them was growing quickly. A tail here, a hallucination there…it could be such a rush. Legba was shifting his weight back and forth from one leg to the other, becoming increasingly antsy. He leaned towards me, interrupting the polite, yet idle chatter between Georgio and myself.
“I have some things I need to discuss with you,” Legba whispered into my ear.
His face was a mask of stoic impatience.
I said my farewells and Legba pulled me along after him into the hallway. In the spirit of appearances, he placed my hand through the crook of his arm and we strolled leisurely back towards my suite of rooms.
“What is it?” I plastered a smile on my face.
“Not here.” Legba followed my lead, smiling and tipping his top hat to those that passed by. If only the Baron had Legba’s personality…
Something had made Papa Legba distraught and a twisting in my gut promised misery.
I noticed myself beginning to take each step a little quicker, yet dreading them at the same time. The sound of my slippers scuffing against the stones seemed to echo through the halls we passed, and after what seemed like eons, we had arrived at my familiar set of doors. We nodded to a pair of scullery maids who were chatting excitedly as they strolled by my room before we slipped inside.
Legba listened closely at the door, waiting for the two women to move along.
I intertwined my fingers to make myself seem calmer than I was. In truth, if I hadn’t done it, my hands would’ve been drenched in sweat and shaking like leaves in a fall breeze.
I spoke up to break the tension. “I wanted to talk to you about finding Brigitte anyways.”
He turned to face me and there was something in his eyes that I couldn’t place.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“You may want to sit down.”
The bottom dropped out of my stomach, however I couldn’t move from the spot I was rooted to.
“Your friend…Rhys, was it? I have some news about him. He was doing some digging into something he was working on and met with someone…how should I put it? Unsavory. There was an altercation and he was beaten very badly. He may not make it through the night.”
With the utterance of that single phrase, my world stopped. Had I heard him correctly? Surely not. Not Rhys. He was strong and sure, and always capable of handling himself in sketchy situations. It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. I wasn’t sure I could bear to exist in a world without him in it.
Chapter Six
When Time Stands Still
The air went right out of me like I was in a vacuum. The room began to spin and I couldn’t breathe. This couldn’t be real. Not Rhys. I couldn’t force a sound past my lips. My head started feeling light and I knew I was on the verge of passing out.
“Breathe, Maya. Come on. You have to breathe.”
Legba pulled me with him to the sofa where he sat down next to me. He was rubbing and patting my back all the while urging me to pull some air back in to my lungs. Soft hands smoothed stray hairs back from my face, but I was numb to everything.
My mind was clouding over with dozens of outcomes that I was desperate to have answers to. I couldn’t grasp on to a single question to get out. Looking up to meet sympathetic eyes which were staring back. It lent me enough strength to ask what I needed to.
“How could this even happen?”
What had he gotten himself in to? He needed me. The thought dr
ove me to my feet before Legba could answer my question.
Rhys needed me, but how could I get to him? How could I help him from there? The fact was, I couldn’t. In that plane, with the Loas and the souls of the dead, I was useless to help him or anyone else.
“He’s at home right now. A man that was with him helped him get to Yansa before it was too late. Calm down. This is a lot of information all at once. Let’s just sit down, take a breath, and talk about this.”
I knew he was right, but I didn’t want to admit it. How could I be expected to remain calm and composed after being told Rhys was on death’s door.
I wanted to be with Rhys. His time could’ve been limited and running out as we sat there talking about it. God, if something happened to him and I wasn’t there…no. I couldn’t think like that. He’d be okay. I had to believe he’d be okay.
“What happened? Is he going to be alright?”
I flopped back in the couch defeated. My hands lay limply in my lap and I couldn’t help but stare at them. They’d done marvelous things, even some that I’d never thought possible. However, they were useless right then.
“I’m sorry, but there’s really no way to know at this point.” His eyes were brimming with pent up emotions. He was the first person, well…Loa, to actually seem human. It was endearing to know that he wasn’t as blind to what I was going through as the King of the Dead was.
“I need to go. He needs me,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
As the words left me, I knew how true they were. Though, I wasn’t sure if I was asking permission or making the statement.
Legba’s expression didn’t change and I knew then why he looked so compassionate. “I’m sorry, I know this is very difficult.” I knew it was coming before he even said it, and could feel every word that left his mouth, fanning the flames of my growing despair turned rage. “But…you can’t leave. Without one of the Loa’s to assist you, opening a portal would be out of your depth.”
The tips of my ears became hot and I didn’t bother trying to hide the heated flush that was creeping its way up my neck.
A Soul's Surrender (The Voodoo Revival Series Book 2) Page 8