by Leo King
With the pain so great that she could barely move, she slid Connick to the ground and stumbled back. Then she regarded the gathering light, instinctively knowing who it was.
“Papa Ghede.”
From the center of the white light blossomed the ghostly image of a short man with a tall top hat, a fancy tuxedo with tails, a fat, oversized face, and an almost comically large cigar in his mouth. In his hand was a huge apple. His expression, however, was not the jovial one Sam knew. It was angry.
“Well, this is a barrel of bad bourbon,” Papa Ghede said. “Where is the woman who did this to me? I’ll make her dance herself inside out!”
Meyer and Hakim carefully approached, but Sam motioned for them to get back. “This is a god. Let me talk to him. I need to calm him down, or he’ll level this place.”
The pain in her body was starting to subside. She cleared her throat. “Papa Ghede, the woman you seek isn’t here!”
He gazed at her and then blinked. “Bridgette, darlin’? That you? What’re you doing in a meat pack, love? You and brother had a falling out again?”
As if a part of her already knew what to say, she shook her head. “Papa, I forged a pact with this mortal to free my man. Don’t you remember that he’s been bound?”
Papa Ghede’s fat face pinched in concentration. Then he said, “My word, my word, now I remember, Bridgette! The king’s been trapped in that snake’s coils. Oh, but I won’t be able to free him. He’s at the crossroads, love. Only mortals can go there.”
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “So dat’s why you forged the pact, is it now, darlin’? If that meat pack can find a way to the crossroads, you can save Brother. Crafty as always, Bridgette, luv.”
Sam nodded. What he said felt correct. “That is my plan, Papa. So for now, can you go and watch over our people?”
He sniffed, his expression finally relaxed. “Our people are in a bad way right now, love. That snake is using something to control them in this mortal world, ya.”
Without thinking, she reached down into her cargo pants and gripped the container holding the pen.
His eyes glimmered. “You have it with you, don’t you, love? Give it me, and I’ll break it right quick.”
Her heart racing, Sam took out the container. This could be the chance to put an end to the pen.
“Wait!” Meyer shouted. He came forward and got on one knee before Papa Ghede. “Oh, Chief of the Loa, please forgive this ignorant mortal’s question, but what will be the damage done by you destroying that focus?”
Rearing back his head and laughing hard, Papa Ghede said, “Now, this one I like. He has manners and an eloquent tongue. To answer your question, mortal, the snake’s focus has much of his own spirit in it, making it stronger than all but the strongest. The explosion will be enormous. Everything for a mile will be set aflame.”
Meyer shook his head. “That will kill everyone, Sam. Only you’ll survive. Maybe.”
She rubbed her face. They were so close. “I’m sorry, Papa, I can’t give it to you right now. If you can only wait—”
Again, he cackled, hard and long. “That wasn’t a request. Now give it up, love. Our people are suffering something awful, and destroying that thing is the only way to free them from that snake’s control.”
She flinched. I didn’t know that. So the loa are, indeed, suffering because of Vincent’s control over them. Benevolent or malevolent, the loa are my people now.
Again, he cleared his throat and held out his hand. “Give it up, ya.”
She put the container away. “As much as I want to free our people, Papa, I can’t let you break it now. It’ll kill too many mortals.”
His ruddy, cheerful face changed into a glowering mask of fury. The air around him heated up as he snarled at her. “You testing my patience, luv. Give us the focus or I will take it!”
Gritting her teeth, Sam motioned Meyer and Hakim back. “Both of you, take Connick and go.”
As they pulled the unconscious district attorney away, she held out both hands to Papa Ghede. Her words flowed naturally. “Papa, please. We are friends. Let’s not fight over things. How about a drink of rum and a good dance?”
“I’m not in the mood for that,” he said, his voice deepening. Around the room, fabric started smoldering and loose debris shook. “I want to free our children, luv.”
Children? With those words, she knew what would disarm the high loa. “Papa, if you and I fight, or if you destroy this place, you’ll kill two small children!”
His darkening countenance started to lighten almost immediately. “Come again, luv? Children is here?”
“Yes! This meat pack’s two little ones. Can’t you feel them? Their small beating hearts? Are you not the defender of children, the defender of innocents?”
He closed his eyes. A moment later, he said, “I’ll be. Yes, I feel them. My anger was clouding my judgment. Oh, my, but I almost made a terrible mistake.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, she smiled. “It’s OK, Papa. I’ll take care of the focus. Would you please go be ready to tend to our people? When it’s destroyed, they’ll need you to lead them.”
“A’right, luv,” Papa Ghede said. “But make sure you do that soon. All our children are suffering, light and dark. It ain’t right.”
As he started to vanish, she called out, “Papa, please watch over the spirits of the dead as well!”
Once more, he leaned back his head and hooted. “Always watching out for them mortals, eh, love? Don’t worry. Them’s a right angry lot, being unable to pass beyond. They’ll fight for you if’n you ask.”
And in a flash of light, he was gone.
By now, Meyer and Hakim were carrying Connick, who was groaning in pain.
“Lady Castille, what did Papa Ghede mean by ‘unable to pass beyond’?” Hakim seemed concerned.
She glowered. It was exactly as she had feared that night in her townhome when she had fought off the ghost of Edward. “Until Vincent is destroyed, the souls of the dead under the voodoo pantheon cannot move into the afterlife. Rodger, Michael, dear Richie, and everyone connected to them will not be able to rest.”
“Is there any other way around that?” Meyer asked.
“No, there is not,” a synthesized voice said from the balcony. Before she even saw the Baron Samedi mask, Sam knew who it was.
“Oracle.” The name felt like poison on her tongue.
With an effortless jump, the Oracle landed in front of the altar. He then casually approached them. “Good work on disarming Papa Ghede, Queen of the Loa.”
Hearing Meyer and Hakim with their weapons, Sam waved them back again. “No, guys. This one is mine. Get Connick to safety. He’s going to need medical attention.”
“Sam,” Meyer said. “You were weakened from my invocation, were you not? Can you fight him?”
She turned back and winked. “Don’t worry, Meyer. I’m a goddess, remember?”
He frowned, but then said, “Come on, Hakim. We have to leave Sam to this alone.”
Hakim bowed his head, “As-salamu alaykum, Lady Castille. Ma'aasalaama.”
As they left, dragging Connick out, Sam chuckled. “I should have learned that language.”
“He said ‘peace be with you’ and ‘goodbye,’ Sam,” the Oracle said.
Turning back to him, she narrowed her eyes. “You sure know a lot of things about a lot of things. What are you?”
“The same as you.”
“Fused?”
He nodded. “I see you also know Professor Mathias. He invented that term. I prefer the term pact-holder.”
She snickered. “Or god?”
“You said it, not me.”
Tightening her fists, she glared at him. “What do you want?”
He spread out his arms. “What I want, for the moment, is just to talk. I have a proposition for you, Sam. We are fighting for the same goals, believe it or not.”
“No!” she shouted. “I am nothing like you at all!”
“Ar
e you now?” he asked. “When you fought those guards, did you not feel the rush of power, the thrill of being omnipotent, and the self-disgust at enjoying it?”
Her heart beat faster as she realized he understood her feelings. It was like he knew her innermost thoughts. “How do you know that?”
“Because, long ago, I felt those same things,” the Oracle said. “It’s natural. We are gods, Sam. Gods among men. And now we have a chance to act as gods and save them from a terrible fate.”
“What do you mean?”
He started walking around her, his eyes focused upon her. “I’ve found a way to open up a portal to the crossroad where Vincent has Baron Samedi bound. We can put an end to him together, freeing the loa from servitude to him, as well as the souls of the dead who are lingering. Moreover, we can relieve you of your cursed existence. You can die in peace, Sam.”
She tilted her nose up, staring at him. “Who are you?”
“Someone who has been trying to erase the mistakes of the Castille family for a long time. And now, I can finally put to rest the sins caused by the family patriarch.”
“Who are you really?” Sam narrowed her eyes. “Show me your face.”
“Do you really wish to see it? Do you really wish to know the truth?”
“You’re damn right I do, you jerk. Show me your face!”
“Very well, Sam.”
Slowly, the Oracle removed his mask.
Chapter 50
The Mercy of Death
Date: Sunday, June 15, 1997
Time: 10:48 p.m.
Location: Deepwater Olympus
Somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico
“Dr. Kindley, stop!” Stabilized by Violet’s power, Tania aimed her rifle at his head. In the back of her mind, Violet wept bitterly, still distraught over Noelle’s death. Beside her, Amelie had her knives out, ready to strike. The night air blew around them as they stood upon the side platform.
With one foot inside a small helicopter, Dr. Kindley seemed more irritated than worried. “What do you want, lowborn?”
Tania gritted her teeth. His arrogance disgusted her. “It’s over. We’re taking you into custody.”
He smirked. “Oh, I don’t think so. Tania Patterson, right? Do you know what I think you’ll do? I think you’ll let me go.”
After what had happened with Noelle, Tania was in no mood for games. She shot at him, missing on purpose. “Or I could kill you. I think, given the circumstances, I’d be forgiven.”
Holding up one of his hands, which was adorned with a signet ring bearing the Knight Priory crest, he asked, “Do you know what this is?”
Suddenly, Violet bellowed in anger “Sister! Can you sense it?”
The sudden change in tone took Tania by surprise. Sense what?
“Close your eyes and feel that ring!” Violet was absolutely livid.
Tania did so and extended her senses to it. Deep within, she felt a small, terrified soul shivering in constant torment. It was Hannah Davis.
“Hannah!” Tania yelled. She knew from Dixie that Dr. Kindley had used souls for talismans, but this was well beyond repugnant. “How dare you bind that poor child’s soul!”
Dr. Kindley’s grin widened. “It was easy. Each of these talismans is powered by one of my deceased patients. My lapel pin, my glasses. I even have someone in a porcelain crown on a lower molar.”
Quivering with anger, Tania asked, “Talismans where an agreement has not been made are torture to the spirit. You’re hurting them beyond death!”
He chuckled. “Oh, yes. Sweet pain. And I plan to make more when I’ve escaped. Many more.”
Violet’s voice began to deepen. “Vile. A monster just like Vincent.”
With a look of disgust, Amelie asked, “Why would you do this?”
“Mmm,” he said. “Power, of course. Power to rule. It’s my birthright, you see. I am destined to rule the Knight Priory. And once that Saucier bitch is gone, I will.”
Tania was dizzy from the rage coursing through her.
All this suffering just to lead a group. I hate him, Sister.
“As do I. People like him are mad with the delusion that they should rule. We should kill him, now!”
Aiming at him again, she said, “My sister wants you dead, and I am sorely tempted. So unless you desire death, I suggest you put up your hands and surrender now.”
Still grinning, Dr. Kindley raised both his hands. “You mean, like this?” The ring started glowing, and with a quick gesture, he shot a bolt of electricity at her and Amelie. She wasn’t expecting that kind of attack, and it hit them both full on, flinging them back and scorching the skin where it passed through their bodies.
“Damn it!” Tania exclaimed. Next to her, Amelie struggled to sit up.
Then he jumped, the crest on his lapel glowing and his hands elongating into a pair of sharpened blades. Coming down, he stabbed both of them, Tania in her broken leg and Amelie in her stomach.
“Disgusting little lowborns,” he said, twisting the blades.
Amelie coughed up blood, grabbing at the blade, while Tania cried out in pain. Through the agony, she heard Violet. “Sister! I’ll numb your leg. Fight him!”
As she felt Violet’s energy flow into her leg, strengthening it and taking away the pain, Tania pointed her rifle at him. He jumped back, his metal hands covered in blood.
“This has been fun, Tania Patterson. But, for now, I—” He stopped as several throwing knives embedded themselves in his legs. He fell to his knees.
Tania glanced at Amelie, who was sitting up and holding her gut, blood leaking from it as well as her chin. But she was smiling. “Kick that prick’s ass, T.” She passed out.
Standing up, Tania saw Dr. Kindley crawling toward the helicopter. With a guttural roar, she dashed forward and, focusing her sister’s power into her strength, kicked the vehicle. With a loud screech of metal, it slid off the platform and fell into the Gulf below.
Dr. Kindley watched it fall, his eyes wide. Then he narrowed his gaze. “You damn piece of trash. I’ll kill you for that.”
Sniffing, Tania said, “Whatever.” Then she gave him a hard right hook to the face, but at the last moment he caught it. His eyes started glowing.
“What the… ?”
“I am a pureblood of the Knight Priory of Saint Madonna! I will not permit garbage like you to defeat me.” His glasses, lapel crest, ring, and even the inside of his mouth started glowing.
“He’s using every talisman at once to increase his power!”
What can we—
Before she could finish, an invisible force emanating from Dr. Kindley knocked her back. Electricity crackled and fire blossomed around him as he started levitating, his hair standing straight up and his eyes shining. “I am the New Order here. I’ll remake the Knight Priory into a force no one will dare oppose. I’ll build it on the bodies of its enemies. And I will start with you!”
Stumbling back, Tania fired at him, but the bullet bounced off an unseen barrier. In all her years working with voodoo and magic, she’d never seen anything quite like it.
Lightning strike after lightning strike rained down upon her, each of her dodges more clumsy than the last. As she rolled from the third one into the center of the platform, a massive bolt struck her, searing her flesh and cooking her organs. Above her, he laughed. “How about we purify your dirty blood with sacred flame!” He then inhaled, the glow in his mouth increasing, and he spewed fire at her.
“Oh, bullshit!” she shouted, jumping out of the way and landing near the edge.
“We need to find a way to use his power against him,” Violet said.
How do we do that?
“Hmmm. He’s overusing those containers. If you can get me close, I…”
There was then an uncomfortable silence from Violet.
What? Do what, Sister?
“Just get me close. Touch him, and I should be able to disable him.” Something in her voice sounded resolute.
Tania did
n’t waste any time. As he inhaled deeply again, she sprinted. Rolling under the flame, she closed the distance in a matter of seconds.
“Come to meet your death, trash?” He whipped his hands, each finger elongating like razor wire, and cut into the ground around her. Some of the wires grazed her skin, slicing her, and some even cut her hair. But Violet continued to push energy through her, and a moment later, she tackled him.
“You’re going down!”
“Get off me!” he roared, slicing at her with his razor fingers.
I’ve got him!
“I know. Tania, listen. I love you.”
Sister? What are you—?
“It has to be this way. I’ve made too many mistakes. First you, then Sam, and finally Noelle. Goodbye, sister. You were the better one.”
Sister?
With a flash, Tania felt Violet leave her body. The excruciating pain from her broken leg overwhelmed her, forcing her to roll away. Dr. Kindley started convulsing and screaming and writhing in agony. His ring, his lapel crest, his glasses, and even his mouth started smoking as if on fire.
She’s overloading the containers to set the souls free. But the release of energy will—
And then his ring exploded, taking one of his fingers. His lapel crest exploded, burning the flesh from his face. His glasses exploded, searing out his eyes. His tooth exploded, and blood sprayed from his mouth. He continued thrashing back and forth, shrieking in pain, until he came to rest in the fetal position.
But Tania wasn’t focused on him or her own pain. Instead, she was focused on the souls that had been released, flitting away into the night wind. Hannah, then a short man, a prudish woman, and man who looked similar to James Woods. What she didn’t feel was her sister.
Violet’s soul was no more.
Tania howled. “Sister? Violet? Noooooooo!”
For several minutes, she beat the platform, wailing. Her heart felt like someone had twisted a frozen knife into it. When she finally calmed down enough to think, she heard Amelie coughing.
“T, I think… ,” Amelie muttered, slowly crawling toward her. “I think I need help.”
