I shrugged. I didn't exactly like the idea of going to the swamps. The waters were infested with gators. Nonetheless, it wasn't an impossible endeavor. If I used my newly embraced dragon form, I could bypass the worst of it. "So what do I do, just head into the swamp and call her name?"
Legba shook his head. "Julie Brown is not alone. Her spirit is accompanied by rougarou."
I bit my lip. Most people know them as loup-garou or as werewolves. But growing up in Louisiana, in these parts, I knew what it meant. I read about them in a few sections in my ancestors' diaries, in the plantation home where I spent my childhood. The rougarou, while I didn't actually believe they existed until now, were basically werewolves. As the story went, back in the day, children who missed too many Sunday Schools would be cursed to become one. A scare tactic, I assumed, to enforce church attendance.
I sighed. "Alright, so if we want to know who opened the void, we need to make our way through the swam, survive a bunch of werewolves, and talk to the ghost of a long-dead caplata?"
"About right," Legba said. "Which is where my aid comes in."
I nodded. "Alright, what's the plan?"
"I'm going to mount you," Legba said, straight-faced with a hint of determination in his voice.
I dropped my jaw as I looked at Marie. "Look, that Chad dude was creepy enough... but I'm not some cheap whore someone can mount, I don't care if you're something of a demigod... I'm not that kind of girl."
Legba laughed out loud. "Silly humans always misinterpret what that means. Mounting you isn't what you think. It's a form of possession."
"So you want to possess me?" I asked. "Yeah, because that's a hundred times less invasive than what I thought you meant."
Marie grabbed my hand. "It is not what you think. When we are mounted by a Loa, it is not an assault. It is nothing like being possessed by a demon. In fact, he must only mount you long enough to grant you his aspect."
"So, we're talking a five-second mounting?" I asked.
Marie nodded. "Something like that."
I shrugged. "Sounds like most of my experiences with boys."
Marie choked down a laugh. "You and me both, child. Alas... but in this case, there is little risk."
"All I will give you is my aspect," Legba said.
I cocked my head. "Your aspect? I don't follow."
"I only grant my aspect to queens. The role you are destined to fulfill merits it."
I raised my left eyebrow. "How many queens are there who have your aspect?"
Legba shared. "I'm quite selective. So far, only the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. And Ru Paul."
"The drag queen?" I asked. "Isn't that a completely different kind of queen?"
Legba smiled. "Kingdoms come in many different forms. Would you doubt, for a moment, that Ru Paul's kingdom of fabulousness is genuine?"
I returned Legba's grin with one of my own. "I have to admit. I'm a fan of Ru Paul's Drag Race. I don't know why. When that show comes on, I can't stop myself from watching."
"There's a reason why the show has been successful for so long," Legba said before snapping his fingers. "Girl, you better work!"
I snorted. Watching what looked like an elderly farmer in a straw hat impersonate Ru Paul was entertaining, if not awkward. "No offense, Legba. I don't know if you have what it takes for the drag race."
"Maybe not in this host," Legba said. "But in my previous one... alas... I dominated the stage. No one had better legs in fishnets. They used to know me on the stage as Demi Goddess."
I smiled wide. "I'm sorry I missed it!" There were more than a few drag shows in the New Orleans area. Despite my conservative upbringing, I was a fan. Not many other places in the conservative south where the community flourished. But I was pleased to know the Voodoo Loa, Papa Legba, was apparently friendly if not a part of the community himself. "Fantastic stage name, by the way."
"I started out as Mama Legba," Legba said, chewing on a piece of straw he pulled from his hat. "But something about being a 'mama' didn't fit the persona I was going for."
"So why'd you change hosts?" I asked.
Legba and Marie exchanged glances. Legba winced.
"Hate can be a devastating thing, chérie," Marie said.
I placed my hand to my mouth. "Oh my god. I'm so sorry, I didn't realize..."
Legba raised his hand. "It is what it is. Which is why I've granted my aspect to another queen, one who has a voice, who can change minds."
I nodded. "Well, your power hasn't gone to waste. However it's being used, one thing is certain, people are much more open-minded today than they used to be about such things."
Legba nodded. "There's still a long way to go. But that's not why I'm here today. Soon you shall be known as the queen of the seas."
"As La Sirene?" I asked.
Both Legba and Marie nodded and smiled wide. "It is your destiny," Marie said.
I sighed. "Can't anyone just shoot straight with me? What's this all involve, and what's all this destiny talk about? And how am I supposed to be some kind of sea queen?"
"What must happen shall happen," Legba continued. "Consider the gift of my aspect the first of your coronation. Just remember, queens come in many forms. My aspect will give you greater and more numerable abilities after you are a queen. But for now, for the matter in front of us, my aspect will serve you in that you will be able to speak to the ghost of Julie Brown directly. Without my aspect, as a human, she'd be invisible to you."
"What if I become a mermaid? I mean, the swamp is in water. Not that I really want to go swimming with the gators... but if my choice is between that and getting mounted by a Loa..."
Marie shook her head. "You won't be able to see her as a mermaid. You won't see her as a dragon, either. Only witches, and some vampires, have the sensitivity to commune with spirits on that level. Legba's aspect will grant you a similar ability."
I took a deep breath. "So what are the other side-effects?"
"The what?" Legba asked.
"There must be side-effects. There has to be some down-side to having your aspect rattling around inside of me. I mean, I'm already dealing with a dragon's essence. How many other pieces of supernatural entities can my body really handle?"
"My aspect is not a part of me or my essence. Think of it as a connection. A perpetual link to me and to my power."
"So other than speaking to the dead, what does this power of yours allow me to do? Can I siphon from it, like I would other kinds of magic?"
"It's not like that," Legba said. "But there are many things you might learn to do in time with my aspect. Not every person who is granted the aspect of a Loa experiences it in the same way. But any connection in the other realms, the realms of the dead, the void, Guinee itself."
"Does that mean with your aspect, I'll be some kind of portal wizard, like a gatekeeper?" I asked.
"Again," Agwe said. "Not what my aspect is about. It is not about traversing between realms so much as it allows you to draw wisdom from otherworlds, to call other spirits and creatures to come to your aid. As I said, how this works for you might not be the same as others. Human spirits, still bound to this world, forge connections in the otherworlds in many and different ways."
"So what's the catch?" I asked. "From what I've heard, any gift from a Loa always comes with strings attached."
Legba smiled kindly. "Might be the case with many Loa. But I find there is very little a mortal can give me worth more than gratitude. So, I prefer to offer what I give to the select few, to the queens whom I grant my aspect, without conditions.
"So there's no side-effect?" I asked, scratching my scalp. "Nothing you'd have to talk about on the commercial?"
"The commercial?" Legba asked. "I do not advertise my aspect as if it were a product to consume."
"I get that. But you know, on the commercials, how they list all the side effects while distracting you from what they're saying by images of people frolicking through fields, playing sports, having picnics, singing kumbaya.
"
"Again, there are no side-effects," Legba said, smiling kindly.
"Good," I said. "Just once, I'd like to see an honest medication commercial. One where the images actually correspond with the side-effects people might have. People sitting on toilets with the squirts. Vomiting. Then, when they say, 'possibly even death,' an image of a graveyard."
"I don't think anyone would ever use any medications if they did that," Marie said.
"Maybe not, but at least it would be honest. I mean, the whole thing is questionable ethically anyway. Think about it. They're telling people to tell their doctors what to do. Because they've seen an emotionally manipulate advertisement. It's like saying, hey, doc, screw your medical degree. I've seen a commercial, and the drug manufacturer who makes all the money if I take their shit says that I should listen to them instead of you."
"I can assure you," Legba said, still grinning. He was more than patient with my reluctance. "I am hiding nothing from you. There is no down-side to receiving my aspect. And I'm certainly not gaining any profit from this."
"And by doing this, by accepting this gift, I'm not forfeiting my soul?"
Legba laughed. "Why does everyone think because I govern the crossroads, I'm out there trying to collect people's souls? Don't get me wrong, there are Loa who do that sort of thing. But what use do I have for your soul? It seems to me you're making better use of it than I ever could."
"Your apprehension is understandable," Marie said, taking my hand into hers. Her skin was soft, unusually tender, like that of a baby. "It is wise to ask questions. But I can assure you, Legba's aspect will not be a burden. If anything, it will be a comfort for you as it has been for me."
"It will be fine," Tahlia piped up. "I mean, I have Agwe's aspect. It is a gift, not a burden."
I took a deep breath as Marie still held my hand. "Alright. But I have one more question."
"What is it, child?" Marie asked.
"What kind of lotion do you use? Your skin... it's fantastic!"
Marie smiled wide. "Hemp lotion, child."
I was mildly jealous. I used to have soft skin—not this smooth, but soft no less. So much time in the ocean, soaking in salt water, wasn't great once I resumed human form. "Of course. I should have guessed. Do you have any more?"
"I'll have Chad grab you a bottle before you go," Marie said.
"And pants, perhaps?" I asked. "I hate to impose... but if I'm about to go venturing through the swamps, and probably facing off with a few rougarou, I'd rather do it wearing something other than the Louisiana state flag."
17
THEY WEREN'T LYING. Being mounted by a Loa isn't as eventful as it sounds. It wasn't horrific. It wasn't a particularly thrilling experience, either. If anything, it was awkward. He held my hands, looked into my eyes as if I was his long-lost love, and in just a few seconds, he reported he was done.
Legba gave me a wide endearing smile before he turned and left through the beaded curtain.
At Marie's bidding, Chad returned with a bottle of hemp lotion and handed it to me. Presumably, it was one of the many hippie-esque wares available at Marie's head shop.
"Thanks, Chad," I said.
He stood there staring, his eyes fixed a bit lower than my face...
"Chad," Marie said. "That will be enough. Would you mind taking a little petty cash? Miss Joni could use a pair of pants."
"You got it, babe."
Marie nodded as Chad turned to leave.
I cocked my head. "Did he just call you 'babe'?"
Marie smiled. "Chad is harmless. A bit inappropriate at times. But he'd never hurt a fly."
I shook my head. "I'll have to take your word for it. The dude gives off some serious creeper vibes."
Marie pressed her lips together. "I can see that. But he serves an important purpose here. And I can assure you, in the center of his heart where it matters the most, he is a good man."
I pumped some hemp lotion into my hand and rubbed it into one of my legs.
"Holy crap," I said. "You're right. This stuff is awesome."
Marie smiled. "Beats the snot out of anything you'll find at your average general store. Especially the lotions that are supposedly designed by dermatologists."
"No kidding," I said. "Why is it the supposed doctor-recommended lotions are always the crappiest?"
"Smell like chemicals," Marie scrunched her nose. "Then, two minutes after you use it, your skin feels dry again."
"Exactly! I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it that way."
I bathed my salt-water cracked skin in hemp lotion.
"Want any, Tahlia?"
"No thanks," Tahlia said. "I don't know how that would affect my skin. But if there's a saltwater aquarium nearby..."
Marie shook her head. "There is one nearby on Canal street, chérie. But getting you into it would come with a price of admission and probably some subterfuge. Hopefully, with Legba's aspect, your trip to the swamp will be relatively quick, and you can be back to sea sooner rather than later."
"So if I confront any of these rougarou, what should I do?" I asked.
Marie shrugged. "You'd best avoid them."
"I don't think it's a full moon right now," I said.
Marie shook her head. "Unlike other werewolves, these rougarou are drawn to the infernal object Julie Brown protects. Their proximity to the object, a flambeaux supposed to have been fashioned by the Witch of Endor, maintains their form. The lunar cycle is irrelevant."
"What about silver bullets?" I asked. "I mean, it works in the movies."
Marie smiled. "Silver bullets work. Mostly because they are bullets. But yes, silver is a mild poison to the rougarou. But we must remember these are not monsters. They are human beings who are bearing the burden of a curse. And from what I know of your history, Miss Joni, that is something you can relate to."
I sighed. Once again, this strange mambo knew things about me that she shouldn't have. "Yeah. I get it."
I heard the chime from the front door. The head shop either had a customer, or Chad was back.
Chad showed up a few seconds later with a pair of jeans in his hands. He extended his hand and gave them to me. "I hope these are your size. You didn't tell me what size before I left, so, you know, I just sort of guessed."
I nodded. "Thanks, Chad."
I looked at the jeans. I raised my eyebrows. "What is this on the ass? A unicorn in sequins?"
Chad nodded. "Pretty righteous, right? I thought it was My Little Pony first until I realized it was horny."
I cocked my head. "You mean before you realized it had a horn?"
Chad smiled wide. "That, too. I mean, there's a reason why it's on your ass."
"And that reason is?" I asked, raising my eyebrow, almost regretting asking the question as soon as I asked it.
"Because it's chasing tail," Chad said, smiling wide. He was proud of his joke.
I groaned. And laughed a little. But it was more groan than laugh. "That's awful."
"Thank you for that, Chad," Marie said.
"And thank you both," I said. "Don't get me wrong. The state flag made an interesting skirt... but these will be much better for the journey into the marshes. Regardless of the unicorn on the ass."
"Cool, glad you like them," Chad said. Then another ring, triggered by the door at the front of the shop. "Better go get that. Sounds like we might actually have a customer."
Marie raised her right hand and flicked her wrist, leading with the back of her hand. A signal that, as I understood it, basically meant, "get the hell out of here."
I quickly slid on the jeans. "I hope you don't mind me changing in front of you."
"Not at all, child. There is no need for modesty here."
I nodded. The jeans were a little constrictive but not so tight I couldn't get them on. I inhaled a little as I zipped up the fly and pulled the button closed. "I think these might be kids' jeans."
"What gave it away?" Marie asked. "The size or the unicorn?"
&n
bsp; I laughed. "Both. But thankfully, I'm small enough I can get away with it. I genuinely appreciate it, even if Chad doesn't have the best eye for women's sizes. My fault, I suppose, for not mentioning it."
"No matter," Marie said. "We'd better get right to it. Your friend, there, doesn't have all the time in the world. I'd hate to see her desiccate."
"Me too!" Tahlia said.
"So rougarou... werewolves. How do we deal with them if silver bullets aren't a viable option?" I asked.
"If you can evade the rougarou and find Julie Brown, she can call them off. Provided you can convince her to talk."
"How likely is it that she'll be eager to help?" I asked.
Marie Laveau folded her hands together. "Not likely. The hurricane that killed her. It wasn't just a hurricane."
"Then what was it?" I asked.
"Take a seat, child. This is quite the story."
Marie gestured toward a red velvet couch set against one of her walls. She pulled up a wicker chair and sat in it as I did my best to make myself comfortable on the antique sofa. It wasn't bad, all things considered, but the stuffing in the cushions had gone bad ages ago. It cracked beneath my ass as my body sank into it.
I nodded. "Legba suggested we speak to this ghost because she once opened up a gate to the void, right? But the hurricane she died in... that wasn't a coincidence, was it?"
Marie shook her head. "The caplata called down a curse on her whole village. The power she evoked came from the void. They didn't have radar in those days, of course. To most, it seemed like a hurricane. But the winds that blew across the city were not so much blowing from the sea but were all converging on the logging town of Ruddock. What is otherwise known, these days, as the Manchac swamp."
"So this caplata somehow called winds on her village that mimicked a hurricane, then?"
Marie pressed her hands together and lifted both of them to her lips. "The caplata opened a gateway to the void in her very hometown. The gusts of wind most thought was a hurricane was the void trying to suck existence itself out of existence."
I scratched the back of my neck. "So it was like a black hole?"
"Precisely," Marie Laveau said. "In fact, that's exactly what a gateway to the void is. What the astronomers call a supernova is what is left when a star dies, an opening into nonexistence, into the void."
Gates of Eden: Starter Library Page 38
