She heard Ayanna’s calming voice ask if she was sure she wanted to do this alone. “Go home,” she responded with conviction.
“We love you. Everything will work out. I have a feeling.” Ayanna and Pearl turned and plodded out of the house.
***
With determination and speed, Juanty and Sye made the journey in less than twenty minutes. Both of them were panting and in need of water. Juanty understood that this was her fight, and hers alone. She appreciated Sye for doing the right thing and hoped she would be there if needed. Elizabeth knew what she was doing. They were exhausted. They also didn’t know what to expect when they got to the top. They stopped at the base of the fall and lapped up as much water as they could before continuing up the rocky mountain to the peak.
Juanty looked up. The area was breathtaking. The waterfall had a vertical drop of about one hundred and ninety feet. Colorful rock formations surrounded the fall. There was a legend that told the story of the indigenous people who had once lived there. It was said that the colonizers arrived and slaughtered most of the natives. The survivors had to flee. Many years later, the descendants of the slaughtered came back and chanted for the god of water to move, causing the nearby dam to break. The waters spilled over and flooded the town below. The town and its inhabitants were wiped out, and no one would rebuild on the land for fear of punishment from the natives. The lush vegetation grew; animal life populated, and had, for the most part, been untouched by human hands to this day. Juanty could picture her family there, enjoying all that nature had to offer.
She started up the trail towards the top and Sye followed. The mist from the waterfall cooled them off, and they made it with much ease. Juanty looked around, and it did not take much time, only a moment, in fact, to spot what she had come for. Elizabeth was in her human form, holding Olivia in her arms against her naked body, looking down at the small child as though she had cared for her all her life.
“I have been waiting on you, girl. I was starting to think you wouldn’t show, and I would have to get this party started without you.” She walked closer to the edge, and Juanty was afraid she might slip and harm the baby.
“I will only ask you once, Elizabeth. Give me my baby.” Elizabeth heard the words boom inside her head, and that made her angry. She did not like the power Juanty had as an Iluma panther, especially the ability to invade her mind. She had always thought blacks were inferior, and Juanty’s smug demeanor made her blood boil.
“You know you and your dirty partners in crime killed someone I value today. He was a good buck. One I made good use of for my pleasure. He gave me a son, you know.” A large, yellow-brownish jaguar with black spots emerged and stood next to its mother. She patted his head, and it roared in response. The cat dripped saliva and heaved. “He’s angry and ready to tear you to pieces at my command for bringing death to his father.”
Juanty stared at the massive beast. She was not afraid. Panthers were fearless, and she was no different. She was stronger than most of her kind and was ready to fight for what she loved. Elizabeth continued to inch towards the waterfall’s edge, and Juanty stepped closer, preparing herself for anything that might happen. She knew this woman was evil and did not put anything past her. She stopped just at the edge and peered over the side. She swayed back and forth, feigning dizzy. Juanty moved quickly, but the animal she called her son moved as well, stopping in front of his mother to protect her. The big cat was definitely angry.
“I have no more time or desire to play with you, girl; although, the game has been quite rewarding. It is time for you to feel pain just like you made me feel so many years ago when you took my husband and brother away from me. The same pain your sisters should be feeling right now. Juanty looked confused. Her heart pumped harder. She knew her sisters could take care of themselves, but she didn’t know what Elizabeth was referring to, and that made her nervous.
“No need to be confused, dear. Let me explain. I sent my slaves to your land to kill that boyfriend of yours, as well as your sisters. After they are done, they are to burn everything so there will be nothing left. Not even a memory. The only reason you are still standing here now is because after I kill this precious little thing, I want you to know and understand that you caused all of this. You should have died years ago. You were worthless then, and you are worthless now. Everything you love ends up dead, and today is no different.”
As Sye listened, her eyes widened, and tears fell. She thought, He’s alive? Johnathon is alive. Why didn’t Elizabeth tell me? I have been suffering all along, thinking he was dead with his blood on my hands. I am risking my life, and she withheld this from me? Juanty knew as well. They are all liars. After all this is over, I will get her ass, too. The thought stung, but she pushed back her emotions. She needed to make things right for Johnathon. Even though she knew he did not belong to her, she still loved him. If he really was alive, there was a chance the two of them could be together after all. Juanty’s voice made her jump out of her skin.
“That shit may have worked a couple hundred years ago, but it damn sure won’t work now. I was young and untrained back then. I will kill you. It will be you who sees death today. I asked you nicely to give me my baby. You should know that a mama will kill over her young. I’m about to kill your bitch ass over mine.” Juanty knew she was in a lose-lose situation, but she had no other alternative. She had to end this for the sake of everyone she loved. No matter what happened, she knew Elizabeth had to die.
“Oh, for the love of God,” Elizabeth murmured. She tossed Olivia’s tiny frame over the edge of the waterfall. Juanty watched in horror as her body fell from view. Her usually powerful legs buckled, and she almost collapsed. Her high-pitched roar was deafening. She dropped her head and listened as Elizabeth called for Sye. “Come along, girl. Our work here is done.”
“NOW!” Juanty commanded in Sye’s head. Without hesitation, Sye attacked. She jumped at the male beast, slashing at it and ripping a gash in its face. He countered by rearing up on his hind legs and scratching at her face and neck. Juanty seized the moment and headed towards her prey with full force. Elizabeth was caught off guard by what she was seeing. When did that wench switch teams? she thought.
The water rushed around them. Juanty rushed her. Elizabeth tried to jump over Juanty and shift at the same time, but Juanty was too quick, capturing her leg between her teeth and slamming her down into the water, making a huge splash. She was unable to make the full shift because a part of her body was in Juanty’s mouth. She tried to kick Juanty with her good leg, but Juanty crunched down on the other, breaking it in half just above the ankle. She ripped off the remaining skin that was the only thing holding the dangling limb together. Elizabeth bellowed in pain as Juanty spat the gruesome body part out of her mouth.
Elizabeth was in trouble. She was useless without the use of all four legs. She screamed out, “Help me, boy!” There was no reply. She tried to focus, and although nature around her was spinning, she could scarcely see her son lying lifeless in the water. Sye had her teeth in the male’s throat, robbing him of whatever breath he might have had left. She knew she couldn’t trust a dirty nigger for anything. She hated them with everything she had in her, even her half-breed son. He was beneath her, with his tainted blood.
The pain was excruciating, and she could barely breathe. She let out a whimper.
Juanty leaned closer and invaded her mind. “Shut up all that fuss. I am the one that should be upset. You didn’t even put up a fight. You took all the fun out of this moment. You racist all the same. Cowards. You do your dirty work behind sheets and positions of power. You are all miserable and hateful. You live to steal, kill and destroy. In time, all of you lawless demons will crumble from the top down.” She smiled at Elizabeth’s tortured expression. “However, today is your lucky day because you won’t be here to see that happen. Your miserable life is coming to an end … and this time, I’m sure of it.” With that being said, she gently placed her paw on her cheek and slowly pr
essed until she felt the bone crack and buckle beneath her paw. She looked into Elizabeth’s eyes and found horror there.
“You will never bring harm to anyone I love again.”
Elizabeth tried to scream again, but the only thing that escaped was a gurgling sound as she was pushed under water. While she struggled for air, Juanty caught her good leg in her mouth and spun her face down in the water, as a crocodile would do in an opportunity such as this. Sye joined her and grabbed what was left of her other leg. The two pulled until they ripped her body apart. She wanted to bring an indescribable amount of pain and torture to this woman, but she could not let Olivia’s body remain alone.
A familiar pain raked through her insides, and sorrow flooded her senses. She howled out in pain and looked at the source of it. She tore into Elizabeth’s insides as though she was her evening’s dinner. She bit at her organs, then ripped them from her body. Sye watched in silence while Juanty mangled the horrible woman who had attacked her months earlier, just to assuage her own inner demons. Juanty didn’t stop until there was almost nothing left. Her coat was covered in blood, and although she knew the child was dead, she did not want to recover her body looking the way she did. She thrashed about in the water until she was free from blood and fleshy residue, then slowly crept down the mountain.
***
“Do you see her?” Juanty grasped at straws. She was desperately hoping that God would finally show some sort of mercy and allow her to find her baby alive. Didn’t she deserve happiness, too? She knew she did not have the strength to go home to Johnathon empty-handed. She already had to explain to him that his life had changed irrevocably. Now, she had to tell the man she loved more than anything that after losing his wife, he had to mourn his daughter. Moreover, all of this was her fault. It was because of her that he would suffer so violently that he would even be angry that she had made the decision to save his life. How could he live without his Olivia? She herself couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing her smile again, so she could only imagine the pain he would experience. Her legs wobbled, and she didn’t even hear Sye call out to her. She had completely drifted off into a place of wallow and hopelessness.
“Juanty! Stop!” The desperation in her voice made her stop in her tracks. She spun around to see a woman walking in the stream of water, holding Olivia. The water was thigh-high, and yet this beautiful woman seemed to tread effortlessly against the current. She did not seem to fear the fact that they were large cats. In fact, she walked toward them as if she knew exactly who they were. She definitely did not pose a threat but oozed a calmness that seemed to spread and make Juanty’s paws tingle. Juanty shifted in front of the woman. She somehow understood that this woman was not there to harm them. As she came closer, there was a familiarity about her. Juanty couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she knew the kind soul from somewhere.
“Hello, Juanty. What a pleasure it is to finally see you again. I am so sorry it is under these circumstances. I am afraid Olivia is gone.”
The young woman who looked to be around the age of twenty-five had the most beautiful features Juanty had ever seen. She was soft but tough at the same time. She wore a modest, flowing dress made of fine linen. Her hair was wrapped in the same tan material as the dress. She was the same color as Juanty, but it was her gray eyes that bore a hole straight through Juanty’s wounded soul.
She extended her arms, holding the baby out to her, and without hesitation, Juanty reached out for her. She took the baby in her arms and cried. Sye shifted as well, stood next to Juanty, and looked down at the tiny shell that used to possess so much life. Sye dropped down to her knees and wept, no longer able to accept her role in Olivia’s death. Remorse consumed her, and she uncontrollably sobbed. The woman reached down and touched Sye’s shoulder.
“You are a very selfish woman, but deep down, your heart is good. You have already been forgiven, but you must work on forgiving yourself, so that one day, you can find happiness. Your plan to hurt Juanty’s family will backfire. Do not do it. You will find your mate if you do right by all you have hurt. Now, please leave us.” Sye wiped away her tears and stood to her feet. She looked at Olivia and touched her cheek.
“I didn’t mean it, little one. Please forgive me.” She shed more tears. She then turned to Juanty. “I have caused such a mess of things, but I need a family. I am all alone now. Please don’t leave me alone like this. I don’t know what to do. I was hurt and confused, and I blamed you for it all. I was wrong. I know it will take a while, but maybe one day, we can learn to be friends.”
The woman again touched Sye on the shoulder. “Go. Juanty will meet you at the water’s edge in a moment where the two of you can talk.”Sye nodded and walked away. She shifted and took off through the terrain.
“Who are you?” Juanty had a thought, but it couldn’t be. She recognized that the world was not always what it appeared to be, and there were many preternatural entities in it, including herself, but she and her sisters pretty much kept to themselves and managed to stay away from that part of their life unless it was absolutely necessary.
“You know who I am. I have been waiting to see you for many years.” Before she could continue, Juanty grabbed her with her one free hand, making sure she did not smash the baby, and hugged her daughter. She smelled so good, like apples and cinnamon.
After what seemed like forever, she released her daughter so she could get a good look at her. Hope placed the palm of her hand on Juanty’s cheek, and a single tear fell from Juanty’s eye. “The ancestors heard your prayer and have decided to give you what you need at this moment. You have had a difficult life. You have been very angry when the ancestors only want you to experience love. The life that has been chosen for you is an amazing one. Don’t reject it. Embrace it. It will serve you well. Mother, you must allow yourself to experience love.”
Juanty didn’t know what to do with the feelings that were ready to burst every cell in her body. Everything that happened in this one day was way too much, and she was ready to collapse, but she was standing in front of her daughter, the daughter she thought she would never ever see again, and she could not waste time.
Her words choked in her throat, and she had to clear it before she could make an effort to speak again. With trembling and determination, she managed to get out, “Hope. I thought I would never see you again, but here you are, in front of my eyes. You never left my heart, my sweet angel. I looked everywhere for you. I have so many questions.”
“Mother, I don’t have much time. I am only here because the ancestors saw your anguish and thought I may be able to help. They know how much I love you. I have been watching you from afar for many years. I sometimes cannot do my job because I am so captivated by your beauty and kind heart.”Hope laughed and topped it off with a beautiful smile, the same lovely smile Juanty remembered seeing after she nursed her every night before bed. “You are so blessed, mother. You were granted a second chance at life. Most humans do not have that opportunity.” Hope looked away. “I always wanted a second chance. I wanted a life with you.”
Tears spilled over in buckets from Juanty’s eyes, and she wondered if she would ever be able to stop them.
“Hope, how long did you live? Did you marry? Have children? Were you treated well? I spent countless nights praying that you did not meet the same fate as I. What happened to you?”
“I am not allowed to give you any details of my previous life. I am only here to give you comfort.” She grabbed her mother in her arms again, and Juanty could tell she wanted to share so much with her. There was just no time. “I must leave now. I want you to know I will always be watching over you. I love you.”
Juanty looked at her daughter and knew she must understand. She finally had her back, but it was only for a moment. She gave up long ago, trying to stop the tears that flowed like the water she was standing in. Her heart wanted to dry up and wither away, back to that same dark place she found herself in for most of her life, but she just stood there i
nstead, admiring the beautiful creature she had once created.
“I love you, Hope. I will carry you with me always.” She looked down at her precious Olivia, then looked up at the heavens. “Thank you for the moments you gave me with this young beauty. I accept whatever future you have for me, and I promise to live with Hope in my heart for the rest of my days.” She looked away from the sky and back to Earth. Hope was gone. She sucked in a deep breath and smiled. She knew that would be the last time she would ever see her daughter again, but this time, she knew she was watching over her.
She was startled from her thoughts when she realized there was movement in her arms. She looked down and the lifeless body she held moments ago was yawning, then added a huge stretch for good measure. Her eyes that were once dark brown were now a brilliant gray and bore a hole through Juanty’s soul that now seemed to be completely healed. She almost dropped her. She felt her heart rate speed up to about a thousand miles per second, and she almost hyperventilated. Olivia sat up and grabbed her around her neck, holding on for dear life. She let out a wail and mumbled, “Dada,” before stuffing her face into Juanty’s neck.
Juanty didn’t even try to question if her mind was playing tricks on her. She looked back up at the stars that were as big and beautiful as she had ever seen. “Thank you.” She held on tight, knowing she would never let her go again. “Yes, my sweet Olivia. Let’s go home to Dada.”
Chapter Fourteen
It had been four days since Juanty had arrived home with Olivia. When she got there, things were in utter chaos. There were dead carcasses strewn across the yard, and blood was everywhere. Her sisters were cleaning up the mess, and boasting about how they had just kicked ass.
The last of Elizabeth’s goons showed up to wreak havoc on her family, but as expected, the warriors she called her sisters were ready and relentlessly attacked their enemy. Juanty didn’t join in on the aftermath party, and her sisters did not expect her to. They knew what she needed to do.
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