by E. Van Lowe
“What about the blood sacrifice? If he doesn’t accept her, the Satanists will sacrifice her.”
“We don’t know that for sure.”
“And I suppose that’s a risk you’re willing to take?” He didn’t respond. He could hear the outrage in my voice and knew better than to defend a coward’s position. “Tell me truthfully. Is there such a thing as a soul sucker?”
The pain in his eyes was apparent. “Yes,” he whispered. “I lied because I was trying to—”
“And is the soul sucker eating away at Erin’s soul?”
“I don’t know. I can’t imagine how your Satanists could get their hands on one.” He began wringing his hands together.
“But it’s possible there’s a demon inside Erin eating away at her soul?”
“Yes,” he replied with even more pain. “It is possible.”
“So my best friend since the third grade thinks she’s marrying her boyfriend, but in fact, her boyfriend and his Satanist pals plan to raise Satan to marry her. And if Satan doesn’t rise, which we know he won’t, they will murder her in a blood sacrifice.” I hit him with my most piercing gaze. “And you’re telling me that I shouldn’t go to warn her, that I should think only of myself. Did I get it all right?”
He stared at me, his lips quivering, his pupils shrinking.
“Do me a favor. If you love me, demon, you’ll go back to hell. I could never return a coward’s love.” I practically spat the words into his horrible face.
I’d gotten more answers than I’d come for, more information than I could process. It was time to go. I climbed from the bleachers and started across the field. He didn’t come after me. He didn’t call out. I didn’t turn back.
I walked across the field and off campus. I kept walking, aimlessly it seemed, playing the unbelievable conversation with Orthon over in my mind, and when I finally looked up, I realized the sun was setting, and I’d walked all the way home.
*
I entered to laughter.
The voices of Tony and Suze were coming from the kitchen. When I walked in, I found them cooking together. A pang of nostalgia stabbed at my consciousness. Cooking was an activity Suze and I had done together since I was old enough to be trusted to hold a knife. Not too long ago, cooking was our thing.
They didn’t hear me come in and continued laughing, teasing one another. Tony was at the stove grilling steaks and making a smoky mess. Suze was at the counter preparing a salad. As I looked on, tears gathered in my eyes. I was happy. Despite all I had discovered today, I was happy that I was wrong about Tony. He wasn’t a demon. He was the really good guy he had presented himself to be. My mother deserved a good man.
“Hi, hon. We didn’t hear you come in.”
Suze and Tony were looking at me and smiling. His cheeks weren’t puffy, his eyes were clear.
“Hope you’re not a vegetarian. These steaks cost me a small fortune, so if you are a vegetarian, you’re meat eater tonight,” he teased as he turned the sizzling meat.
I sucked back the tears and laughed. It felt good to laugh at something. “I’m not a vegetarian.”
“You look like you’ve had a long day,” Suze said. She had just pared a tomato and was about to arrange it over a bed of field greens.
“You don’t know the half of it. I see Tony’s allergy meds have finally kicked in,” I said, keeping the conversation off me.
“They have. I was wondering if they were ever going to work, but when he came over today, he gave Amanda a big kiss, and nothing. Not even a sniffle.” She smiled in his direction.
“I guess with certain breeds it just takes longer to work,” Tony said. He smiled and winked at my mother as he sprinkled a heaping amount of salt and pepper all over the steaks.
“I guess,” I parroted. Especially if the breed in question is a hell cat. “Where is Amanda, anyway?”
“Right over there,” said Suze, pointing with the paring knife.
Amanda was nestled in the corner by the pantry playing with a new yarn toy, obviously purchased by Tony. She looked up at me for a moment before going back to her toy. A few hours ago she was about to kill a demon for me, and now, she wasn’t giving me the time of day. Man, even hell cats are finicky. Go figure.
I excused myself and went up to my room to freshen up for dinner. As soon as I was behind closed doors, the smile faded. A tear tracked down my cheek. There was so much despair in me, I had no idea which devastating piece of news the tear was for.
Guy was not Guy. He had been impersonated by the demon, Orthon, who had managed to make me fall even more in love with him. But if Guy wasn’t here, where was he? He had to know what was going on. He should have come to rescue me, unless he didn’t survive.
I hadn’t considered this at school in the bleachers, but once I’d had a chance to sort through my thoughts, it seemed to be the only logical conclusion. Guy didn’t come to rescue me from Orthon because he was dead. Of all the devastating news I’d gotten today, this was the most devastating. In a sense, what I thought the riddle meant was true. A self-fulfilling prophecy. Guy would not return.
I couldn’t allow my mind to dwell on this hardship for too long. I needed to be strong. Erin’s life was still at stake. I had to rescue her, no ifs, ands or buts about it. I had to rescue her. I realized that using my abilities could ensure that I become the devil’s bride. But what choice did I have? Erin needed my help.
I went into the bathroom and took what should have been a soothing shower. It wasn’t soothing at all. Water splashed over me, but when it was done, I felt as grimy as I had before I’d begun.
I couldn’t go down to dinner. I couldn’t join them at the table with another counterfeit smile on my face. I wouldn’t be able to fake it for very long. Eventually the despair would appear, and they’d ask me what was wrong, and I was tired of lying.
I changed and went downstairs and told them I’d gotten an emergency call from Maudrina. I know, a lie to avoid telling a lie. Sheesh! My life was one helluva mess.
“Can’t it wait ’til after dinner?” asked Tony. The steaks had now been plated, and they looked and smelled yummy.
“Normally I’d say yes, but you didn’t hear her voice. Something has devastated her. She needs me.” All of that was true. Maybe not true for today, but true none the less.
“They’re teenage girls, Tony,” Suze said. “Everything is life and death with teenagers. Don’t you remember what those years were like?”
“Oh, yeah, pimples and popping hormones. I was a mess.” They both laughed.
How I wish my biggest problem was acne.
“I’ll wrap yours up for you,” Tony said. “But they’re better right off the grill.”
“I’m sure they are. But hey, you’re family now. I’ll get a steak out of you yet.” This plastered big grins on both their faces.
I grabbed a banana, said my goodbyes and headed out the door for Maudrina’s. It was time to come clean. I had to be honest with someone.
Chapter Twenty
We were in Maudrina’s living room with Piddles snuggled next to her on the sofa like a throw pillow. Sam stood in front of me, nudging my hand every few minutes as a reminder that my real job in life was to pet him. Maudrina’s father working on a car in the garage was the only sound aside from my voice.
I told her everything: from Harrison leaving me the most adorable hell cat, to Orthon being outed by my hell cat, to the true meaning of the riddle. I closed with what Satan had in store for me. It was story time at its horrid best.
Maudrina didn’t interrupt once. Aside from a few “oh, wows” and “I don’t believe its,” she remained silent throughout.
When I finished, I looked into her eyes. If her head could have spun around, I believe she’d have been doing the Exorcist thing.
“Say something,” I said after several moments of silence.
She held up a hand in a stop signal. “I’m still digesting,” she said. “Give me a minute.”
I sat ther
e petting Sam and listening to her father tinker in the garage for what felt like an eternity.
“Wow.” It came out a whisper. I looked up from Sam to find her staring at me, her eyes leaking sympathy. “Someone needs a hug.”
“Oh, yeah,” I replied. We stood in the middle of her living room, and I allowed her to hold me, while Piddles complained and Sam tried to nudge himself between us.
“Not now, Sam,” Maudrina whispered. She gently pushed him away, but a gentle push meant nothing to Sam.
“I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”
“Not half as sorry as I am.”
“What are we going to do?”
I took a step back. “I’m going to rescue Erin, of course.”
“Megan, it’s too dangerous. You heard what Orthon said. You’ll be sacrificing your life for her.”
“We don’t know that for sure.”
“He’s a demon who was sent here by Satan and fell in love with you. I’d trust him if he told me using my abilities would just about guarantee me being Satan’s bride.”
“I can’t just give up on her.”
Maudrina moved away from me, circled around behind the sofa as if in thought. Piddles followed. She turned. Her eyes were moist.
“You should give up on her. She’s not worth it.”
“What?” A stab of outrage shot through me. “Of course she’s worth it.”
“Okay.” A river of sadness flowed through the one word. She came back around and slunk down onto the sofa. “I’m not going to push it, Megan. If I push all we’ll do is get into an argument, and now is not the time for arguing.” Her tone shifted. “But if you somehow miraculously manage to get out of this and bring her back safely, and she steps one toe across the line… I’m going to kick her ass.”
The strong language coming out of Maudrina was so shocking, I couldn’t help but laugh. The laughter spilled freely from my lips, and as it did, I could feel the tension oozing from my pores. “You’re going to do what?” I said my, eyes tearing with pain and laughter.
“You heard me.” She was smiling now. It was a distant smile, like a rainbow that I knew wouldn’t last. “I’m tougher than I look.”
“Thank you, Maudrina,” I said, my laughter dying. “You’re the best thing in my life right now. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She balled up her fist and smacked it into the palm of her hand. It made a slapping sound. “Bam! Just like that,” she said, and despite the dire situation, we laughed together. We laughed high and loud, the laughter acting like a super adhesive, bonding us closer together than ever before.
*
The following Saturday, the summer heat returned with a vengeance.
Suze and Tony left for Vegas around 5 a.m. to beat the traffic. Friday night they sang Happy Birthday to me over a beautiful cake from Sylvia’s and toasted me with sparkling apple cider. I hugged my mother extra long at the door before they departed, and told her I loved her.
“That’s a pretty special goodbye for a weekend trip,” teased Tony.
“We’re close like that,” Suze teased back. And then they were gone.
I took a cool shower before getting ready for work. It felt nice, allowing the cool water to cascade over my body. I felt as though I was in a cocoon of safety. Yet when I turned the water off, the stickiness returned, along with thoughts that today I’d be risking my life.
Only die-hard coffee drinkers order hot drinks on days like these. Ice blended was the order of the day. The shop was cool, and the few guests that came in were friendly, but it wasn’t a busy day. Busy days were the best because they took your mind off your troubles. Days like these, your troubles hung around like your cousin from Santa Barbara who didn’t know when to leave.
Saturday evening, after my shift at the café had ended, I took the bus to Aunt Jaz’s for a pre-wedding briefing. The plan was for me to change into my disguise at Aunt Jaz’s as well as get some last words of encouragement. The bus was nice and cool, but the walk from the bus stop to Aunt Jaz’s apartment had me sweating as if I’d run a marathon, or perhaps it was the thought that I might not live through the night that had rivulets of sweat running down my sides.
Aunt Jaz answered the door in full makeup as usual. A colorful apron covered her 50s print dress. The old AC was doing its job because the air inside was refreshingly cooler.
“Just in time, deary,” she said, pulling me into a hug. She held onto me extra long, just as I’d held onto Suze.
“Sorry I’m so sweaty,” I said.
“You need a nice cool glass of ice tea.”
“Something smells wonderful,” I said as she released me. This prompted a wide grin.
“I was going to make my chicken soup for good luck, but I figured chicken and dumplin’s would be even better luck, wouldn’t it?”
“I guess,” I replied, not sure how to answer. I’d never had chicken and dumplings before, but I’d seen it made on TV, and it looked wonderful. But a hot meal, on the hot day I was about to risk my life, was the last thing on my mind.
“It is. You can take that to the bank. Now, come along. The others have already started without you.” She turned and bustled down the hall toward the kitchen. “I told Hector to wait, but you know how men are.” She laughed her boisterous laugh. I was glad to see Aunt Jaz back to her old self. My last visit had been strained as she attempted to act as mediator between Orthon, whom I thought was Guy, and Monsieur Perez.
Speaking of Orthon, I hadn’t heard from him since that day in the bleachers. There were times when I thought I missed him, but then I’d realize it wasn’t him that I missed.
I entered the lime green retro kitchen right behind her. Both Maudrina and Monsieur Perez were seated at the dinette table.
“Look who’s here,” called Aunt Jaz.
Monsieur Perez looked up from his dish of chicken and dumplings. “Megan,” he said and nodded. “Where’s Guy?”
“I thought it’d be better if he didn’t come.”
“Hmm,” he replied, as if considering what I’d said. “I think you’re right,” he added and then resumed eating.
Tiny wisps of anger swirled in my gut. I looked at Maudrina, who was shaking her head and rolling her eyes disapprovingly. She still didn’t like Monsieur Perez. I caught her eye and we both started smiling, which diffused my anger.
Aunt Jaz handed me a tall glass of ice tea. I took a few sips. It felt good going down.
“Hey, Megan,” said Maudrina, rising. There was a dish of chicken and dumplings in front of her, but she’d barely touched it. “What’s in the garment bag?”
“My disguise.”
She came over and gave me a hug just like one of Aunt Jaz’s but better. We’d been doing a lot of hugging lately. “Can’t wait to see it.”
“Sit, sit,” commanded Aunt Jaz. “Food first, and then we’ll get into all this unpleasantness.” She moved to the turn-of-the-century cast iron stove where she began scooping up a dish of food for me.
“I’m not hungry, Aunt Jaz.”
“Nonsense,” she replied without stopping. “You need something in your belly before you go out there.”
“But I’m too nervous to eat.”
“Listen to her, Aunt Jaz.” There was a hint of annoyance in Maudrina’s voice.
Aunt Jaz stopped, appearing momentarily confused. Food was her solution to all problems. It was her greatest tool, and without it she seemed lost. “You’re right, Maudie. Megan knows best. Chicken and dumplin’s reheats real well. She can eat after.”
Monsieur Perez dropped his fork onto his empty plate. It clanked loudly as he pushed the plate away. “That was wonderful, Jasmine. Simply wonderful.”
“Thank you, Hector,” she replied, once again on solid ground.
“You’ll need to get close to her,” Monsieur Perez said. He was looking at me, his eyes deadly serious as he dabbed at the corners of his mouth with his napkin.
“Erin? Of course I’ll get close to h
er,” I replied. My hands were now beginning to sweat as the reality of what I was about to do sank into my bones.
“Close enough to call out the demon,” he added, his gaze boring in to me.
I was getting fed up with Monsieur Perez’s intimidation tactics and could feel my anger again slowly beginning to rise. “And what do you suppose the Satanists will be doing while I’m calling the demon out? Cheering me on?”
“This is important, young lady. No need to be snippy,” he said, hard eyes narrowing.
“You think I don’t know it’s important? This is my best friend since the third grade we’re talking about. If I can’t find a way to reach her, I could lose her forever.” My voice rose with indignation.
Monsieur Perez shifted in his chair and lowered his gaze. “Just wanted to make sure you understood the importance, my dear.”
“And you did!” snapped Maudrina, with venom.
Monsieur Perez shot her a vicious stare, and she eyeballed him right back.
“Soul suckers are lesser demons,” said Aunt Jaz, trying to keep things moving along. “Like the ibwa you dealt with a few months ago. If someone of your ability calls out a lesser demon, he must obey.”
“And if I call out the demon, it will come out and release Erin from its grip? Just like that?”
“Yes,” replied Aunt Jaz. “Well… I suppose.” Her eyes shifted nervously toward Monsieur Perez.
“I hear a but in there,” I said. My eyes moved to Monsieur Perez, who stared back with the expression of a hungry dog, as if I was a piece of meat he wanted to gobble up.
“You are the most powerful weapon our community has ever had,” he said with pride.
My gaze shifted back to Aunt Jaz. “What’s going on here?”
Her eyes urged Monsieur Perez to say more, and when he didn’t, her gaze moved back to me. “If the soul sucker has consumed most of Erin’s soul he will not be able to leave her body without…” Her words trailed off.
“Without what?” I asked, my voice ringing with panic.
“Without killing her,” Monsieur Perez replied. “But it’s worth the risk.”