He was just like them and I couldn’t help the suspicion and paranoia that bubbled within me. He wanted to use me to get his power back, just like the Baron had wanted to use me.
“And why would I do that?” I asked, tired of being used by everyone that had a player in the game.
There was no anger in his features. Rhys, on the other hand, looked as though he could strangle me for not blindly complying with a request from the high and mighty Damballah. Mama seemed as though she thought the whole scene was an amusing joke and Tyrique just appeared to be submissive.
“I was hoping that simply asking would suffice, although, I must admit, I admire your backbone. I imagine you would have needed one during your stay in Guinee,” Damballah remarked. There was something lingering behind his eyes, however I couldn’t quite tell what it was.
What was so important that he’d come all the way out there to speak to me himself?
“Why are you here? Please, just cut the bullshit and tell me what you really want,” I declared, beginning to become irritated by the electric vibrations in the air. It was putting me on edge.
“I think ya might need some privacy and a few moments alone. Rhys? Tyrique? Will ya join me inside?”
“No, I’m not-” Rhys began to protest, refusing to leave me alone with yet another Loa who was entirely capable of whisking me away.
Mama cut him off, easily sliding into the role of the scolding mother.
“Boy, did I ask ya what ya wanted? Now, get ya behind in da house. Now. Tyrique? I mean ya too. Move.”
Tyrique didn’t hesitate as he skedaddled back into the cabin, but Rhys was less easily swayed. The glimmer of defiance in his eyes went out quickly when Mama gave him the Mom stare. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, letting me know he’d be there for me if I needed anything, and he walked back to the house behind Yansa. It seemed as though Brigitte had disappeared back into the house without notice as introductions were being made.
“Now, where were we? Ah yes, I don’t suppose it’s complicated would work, would it?”
I raised an eyebrow as if to say really?
Luckily, he took the hint.
“How much do you know about where you came from?” he asked, lowering himself to the ground to sit cross legged. Patting the ground, he invited me to join him.
I begrudgingly joined him, thinking I’d be rude to snub the invitation. There wasn’t a moment where I forgot exactly who I was dealing with. This was a man with enough power to totally wipe me from existence and thusly, not someone I wanted to cross without a damn good reason.
“Not much. I’ve been told Marie Laveau was my grandmother,” I answered, thinking it best to keep the mystery of her lover under wraps until I could get a handle on what the Loa was getting at. It reminded me that I needed to sit down and finish the conversation with Yansa.
“And what of your grandfather? Do you know anything of him or who he was?” His question gave me pause and trepidation grew in the pit of my stomach.
“N-No.”
“There’s a reason that you were chosen to be the one to defend the people from Samedi and to bring the magic back to life. Your grandfather was a very powerful man once upon a time. A good man, or at least he tried to be. You have more potential than any Loa among the families. What you do with that potential will determine the ultimate outcome.”
“If he was so special, then why has no one told me about him or who he was?”
He nodded contemplatively and didn’t look at me directly. “It was too dangerous for you to know or for anyone to know for that matter.”
“And somehow it’s not too dangerous now?”
“It is, though now you’re much more capable of handling yourself should anyone try to hurt you.”
“Fine. Who is it then?”
“You surpassed all of my expectations, you know that? I supposed you favor me a smidge more than your grandmother in that regard.”
My heart skipped a beat at his statement. Did he actually mean that he was Marie’s lover? I was having a nearly impossible time wrapping my head around it.
“You?”
Damballah’s chin dipped as he confirmed that he was indeed the sire of my line. I shot to my feet, needing to do something to keep from fainting. The shock of it all was beginning to set in and I couldn’t form coherent sentences. How could I be descended from the almighty serpent? Some incomprehensible jumble of sounds escaped my lips as I tried to make sense of the ramifications. I’d never heard of anything like it before. Even the Loas had been created by Damballah himself; none had been sired by him biologically.
“You must have a lot of questions and there is plenty of time for answers, but now that you know, I need you to understand the importance of your involvement. You have power far superior to theirs and a heart of gold. You can stop them, that’s something I can’t even admit to anymore. Each day I grow weaker and I can’t do a thing to stop it from happening.”
I wanted to ask why because I couldn’t just imagine some great love affair between the woman I’d seen through visions and the man who sat before me. I was the product of such an affair. I was the evidence.
“What can I do if the Loas can’t die?” I finally asked after a long semi-awkward silence.
“You must strip him of his powers and bind him to Guinee so that he may never plague humanity in such a way again.”
“How sweet! Hope you had a lovely tête-a-tête with my wife. It’s well past time for her to be home where she belongs.” The chilling voice boomed from behind us. I didn’t even have to look to know that the Baron had come for me. Fury roared within me. I was not his to take and I would not be used again.
“Which wife would that be? It must be Brigitte because we both know you can’t have more than one wife,” I fired back, standing my ground.
Damballah didn’t validate the threat with anything more than an annoyed glance.
The commotion and change in the atmosphere had alerted the others inside to the uninvited guest. One by one they filed around the corner of the cabin only to freeze at the sight of Samedi in all his vile glory. Even Brigitte joined the onlookers, seemingly torn between her conscience and her heart.
“Yes, well, I only have one wife,” he said, staring hard at Brigitte. “Now, Maya, come home without a fight and things will be fine. We can rule together, side by side, as equals.”
The very idea of it was repulsive. Brigitte caught his meaning and stepped forward.
“Samedi, you don’t have to do this. If you would just come back to me, we can work this out before it’s too late for you. Please?” she begged.
“I have no use for anyone who doesn’t share my vision and support me in my endeavors. Perhaps, if you had been a proper wife, things would be different now.” His words were cold and lacked any sort of real emotion.
Brigitte’s eyes grew misty and I was almost certain she’d lose it in front of us all. I couldn’t imagine the pain she was feeling, though I knew if it were Rhys and me, I’d be crushed by his rejection.
“You don’t mean it. Please don’t make me stand against you on this. What you’re doing…it’s wrong. This is not our place,” she pleaded.
“Look at the bigger picture, Bri. I am servant to no one except myself and this way, I never will be again.” He said it with such finality that we all knew there was no doubting him. He would not be turning back from the path he’d started down.
A bright flash lit the clearing, temporarily blinding us. A form strode forth from its center. Another familiar face stepped into the ring. I was so happy to see Legba again. It’d been a long while since we’d lain eyes on one another, yet it didn’t help the foreboding sensation that haunted me. I swear, anxiousness had become me permanent emotion.
“Hello brother. I see you’ve found them well enough,” he said, walking behind the Baron and clapping him on the back in greeting.
Brother? Found them? There was that bad feeling again. He’d betrayed us to the Baron.
“You told him where I was?” I muttered, half to myself and half to Papa Legba.
His hands were tucked behind his back and his icy stare had its desired effect. Samedi might pose the bigger threat right then, yet I’d glimpsed Legba’s temper before. There was a deadness in his stare that held no remorse for a damn thing he’d done. If given the chance, he’d turn into a cold blooded killer, if he wasn’t already.
“Well, you know what they say, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. I simply suggested a likely location where you might turn up. Who could’ve guessed I’d be correct in my suggestion?”
How much else had he shared? It dawned on me exactly why I hadn’t seen Legba since before Mateo and I had ventured off in search of Brigitte. He’d been waiting to see where we’d run off to, then reported the entire situation back to Samedi. It’s what had killed Mateo. The Bacalou hadn’t come without their instructions. They’d known where to go and who to be on the lookout for.
I was seething. My breaths came in short spurts and pressure grew inside my head. My magic threatened to burst out of me and I wished it would. I wished more than anything that it would decimate the maniacal tyrants in one fell swoop. Instead of going on the attack, I stood stock still and searched for signs of weakness beyond his own arrogance.
Sauntering forward, the Baron dared me to launch an attack.
“Do you forget that you signed a contract in blood? You belong to me.”
He circled around me as if I were prey. I supposed I was to him. He viewed me as weak and inferior, just a means to get him more power. He didn’t know that there was so much more to me than he could fathom. Hell, I didn’t even know what I was capable of.
It made me more than a little uneasy to let him have my back. He was exactly the type to take advantage of it. Samedi lifted a piece of my hair and brought it to his nose. It was precisely that moment that Rhys lost all composure and with an angry grunt, he lunged at the Loa. With a flick of his wrist, Rhys collapsed to the ground screaming in agony.
I tried to rush to him, but Legba grabbed me about my waist and restrained me. It was the last straw. I swung my head back and made solid contact with Legba’s nose. It was enough to throw him off balance and cause him to relinquish his grip on me.
I seized the opportunity and rushed toward Rhys’s prone frame and tried to flip him onto his back. Samedi did nothing to stop me. He simply watched with interest as I tried my damnedest to protect the man I loved.
“Enough of your tricks and threats, La Croix. Let the lad go,” Damballah demanded, finally speaking up.
“Or what? You’ll spank me like the bad boy I am?” he mocked.
“Don’t tempt me. You’ve not had the pleasure of truly feeling my bite. Perhaps, it is time you experienced it first hand?” Damballah threatened.
I was frankly shocked by the calm manner with which he handled the situation. He was restrained while his attacker flaunted it in his face.
Rhys was breathing heavily when he finally struggled into a sitting position. I pulled his back tight against my body, hoping I could move us away from the threat. His frame was much larger than my own and full of muscle. I couldn’t move him an inch.
The Baron straightened and stepped back. I couldn’t understand it though. He wanted Rhys dead, likely to get him out of the way so I’d join him. Was he still afraid of what Damballah could do if he so chose? Rhys struggled to get to his feet, his muscles bunched and rippled with the aftershocks of his assault. Fury rolled off of him in waves, and if looks could kill, Samedi would’ve dropped on the spot.
“You’ll regret that,” Rhys warned.
“Doubtful.”
“Now, if you won’t join me, we will have to come to some other arrangement.”
I refused to barter with the son of a bitch again. I’d not give him an inch.
“No.”
My defiance riled up the magic within and my body hummed with the high it gave me. The tiny voice in the back of my head whispered that I could take him. I could strip him down to nothing. It fed my ego and clouded my thoughts until only one remained. It was he who should fear me.
Rhys must’ve felt my surge and anger because he tried to launch himself again at the Loa, but he was suspended by the dark magic of Samedi. The Baron didn’t pay him much thought as he returned his gaze to me, leaving Rhys frozen and aware.
“I don’t believe you have much of a choice.”
“Brother, the necklace,” Legba said to the Baron.
Samedi’s eyes dropped to the heavy amulet that was securely fastened around my neck. His orbs grew wider as he watched. It was warm and I felt like I’d been given some sort of drug. My magic responded to the flood rushing through me. I glimpsed the gem at its center. It had begun to glow. The green gem had turned black, just like my magic had. The infection had spread and was growing worse by the day. I didn’t know how much longer I had, but I couldn’t tell Rhys.
“Yes, I feel it.” He responded to Legba. “Good girl. You’re a natural.”
He peeked over his shoulder towards Damballah and I followed his line of sight. The man who claimed to be my grandfather was on his knees, shaking and sweating profusely.
Oh my god. What had I done? Without ever realizing it, my emotions had gotten the better of me and I’d drawn Damballah’s magic through Samedi. It was the rush I was feeling. His magic flooded through my veins, lighting everything on fire as it ran free. Realizing what I’d done, I pushed my power back down, horrified.
“This should be fun. Are you ready, my sweet?” he asked, extending a hand to me.
“Never. Never again.”
I’d hurt far too many people with my involvement in it all. People had paid with their lives. Both he and Legba couldn’t be trusted anymore and I felt sick that I’d ever so much as thought either of them were worthy of such an honor.
The Baron’s nefarious grin made chills run down my back. I knew he’d inflict something heinous upon us all if given the opportunity, myself especially.
Legba and Samedi shared a knowing glance before turning their gaze to me. The bile rose in my throat, threatening to choke me. Rhys was tensed and ready to break skulls if he could move. He gritted his teeth, yet stayed defiant as the spasms wracked his large frame. I wished more than anything I could help him. If I drew attention to him like that, they’d make him pay for my trespasses against them. I wondered if it was time. Had the great war finally come to fruition? I knew it had and it was only the beginning.
I still couldn’t believe everything that was happening was real. Of all people, it was Legba who’d sold me out. And it was all because Samedi offered him a better deal. Legba thought Samedi was a shoe in and he’d stick around to reap all the benefits afterwards. He had a big wakeup call coming. I’d make him pay right along with Samedi. Turncoats had no place in a position of power. How much had he told Samedi? I wasn’t sure, although, I knew he’d given up the information about Rhys. It was the reason he’d beaten Rhys to within an inch of his life.
“Why don’t you come home like a good, obedient wife and I won’t make you regret running away from me?” His accent was thick and his thinly veiled pardon was as flimsy as a wet noodle.
I felt the magic coat his words as it tried to seduce and warp my thoughts. If I went with him, I’d end up like Della, only I wouldn’t be granted the escape of death like she had been.
I shook my head and I didn’t budge from the spot where I was rooted to.
The Baron’s eyes narrowed at something behind me and he no longer had his typical air of arrogance. I felt Damballah’s presence at my rear as the air around us hummed to life. He’d risen to his feet and looked terrifying. His wrath was something to behold.
“I think you have your answer, La Croix. Now scamper along like a good, little boy.” Damballah’s voice had an edge to it that he’d not had before. He hid his fury well, but there was no hiding the flames of revenge that lingered behind his eyes.
“Yo
ur reign has ended, old man. Why not just quietly fade away while you still have your dignity?” Legba challenged.
“Dignity is not something you’d know much about. Loyalty neither, it would seem,” I fired at the Loa, wishing I could scratch his eyes out. A black ball of raw power swelled within the palm of my hand, ready to destroy anything in its path. It had grown as dark as pitch and I prayed no one paid it much attention.
Samedi stepped back and bowed low. “I’ll be seeing you again very soon, my Maya. After all, we’re bonded and you need me.”
With that, he stepped back and turned. He disappeared into the open portal at the rear of the clearing. Legba remained behind, staring us down. He glanced at each of our faces then followed Samedi like a typical flunky. He was right. He’d be seeing me again real soon. Next time, I’d be ready for him.
Brigitte stood sobbing beside Yansa. She had been destroyed by the Baron’s callous words and indifferent attitude. Her love for him was almost palpable, even if it wasn’t reciprocated, and I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.
My fingers traced along the edges of the amulet that hung heavily around my neck. It was the source of my bond to him. With it, I could take everything back and use it against him. Even force him to his knees if I wanted to. It was magic that had bound us and with it. I took comfort in that, and if I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the process…well, that would just be the cherry on top.
Epilogue
The two men had disappeared through the portal, leaving us wide-eyed and shaken to our cores. The great war that Mateo had warned me about had arrived.
Samedi’s grab for power was succeeding, and my family, or what was left of it, was paying the price. Brigitte hadn’t stopped sobbing since the rejection of the century and I couldn’t blame her one bit. I hoped that her despair would turn into fuel for the fire that would burn Samedi’s kingdom to the ground.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Mama Yansa hadn’t involved herself. She’d stood by impassively and watched as not only her son, but her creator had been attacked and hurt.
A Soul's Surrender (The Voodoo Revival Series Book 2) Page 25