Voodoo Unleashed

by J. N. Colon

  The thing saw his words take root. “Come on, cher. You know it’s true, but I could be with you.” He licked his lips, his tongue long and grotesque. A black widow crawled across his cheek and into his shirt.

  The sight of it finally snapped my body out of its frozen state, and I scrambled out of bed. My feet tangled in the covers, and I slammed against the wall with a thud. “Get out!”

  His eyes pinned me with a dark look. “I think not.”

  Movement next to me pulled my attention away from the not-Etie. A centipede longer than my hand crawled across the wall less than an inch from my head. I squealed and stumbled away, my foot stomping on something.

  A crunch echoed.

  Shivers shook my body. I knew that sound. Everyone knew that sound.

  I reluctantly lifted my trembling foot. Guts of another centipede were splattered over the heel.

  My gag reflexes went into overdrive, as did the willies rippling through my body. Several shrieks of horror tumbled from my mouth as I tried scraping the bug guts on the carpet.

  Get off my foot!

  A boom of thunder was drowned out by a deep, unnatural growl. “Maybe you like this form better.” The demonic voice tore through my eardrums.

  Etie’s body bubbled and melted away as a seven-foot-tall monster emerged. The lamplight shone on a pair of shiny onyx horns protruding from a massive head. Crimson eyes flickered, the very fires of hell regarding me.

  My heart wildly battered my ribcage. I was scared shitless. Who wouldn’t be in the presence of a devilish creature licking his long claws as he prepared to dissect his next victim?

  I really didn’t want to be his next victim.

  The monster closed the distance between us in one easy step. Sallow yellow and brown scales shifted together as he moved. Adrenaline poured through my veins, spurring my body to react. I scrambled under his arm as his claws reached for me. My legs hit the bed, crashing onto the mattress.

  Dozens of black widow spiders converged over my hands. I shrieked and grabbed a pillow to swat at the eight-legged creepy crawlers.

  Note to self: pillows sucked at smashing spiders.

  During the frantic attack on my bed, my eyes landed on a brown object nestled amongst the pillows. I snatched the leather pouch.

  Etie gave me a gris-gris bag for my nightmares. It was tucked away in my drawer. This wasn’t it.

  Someone put a malevolent gris-gris bag in my bed. Dark, heavy energy pulsed from the thing. It made the hairs on my arms stand on end.

  A large talon swiped for it. I stumbled to the side, just out of reach. For the moment anyway. He could easily overtake me.

  A warning growl slithered between razor-sharp teeth. Blood-colored eyes were fixed on the bag in my hand. Before he could attack again, I ripped the leather pouch open. The contents plummeted to the ground.

  Silence coated my room, heavy and deafening after the scene from hell. The horned demon was gone, as were the centipedes and spiders. I lifted my foot, checking for bug guts.

  Gone.

  The leather pouch tumbled from my fingers. Bone, hair, and a few other ingredients were sprawled across the floor.

  My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. Heavy rain slashed against my windows, breaking the silence even more. My hands trembled by my sides.

  Someone put a gris-gris bag in my room to call that demonic thing? Who? Why?

  I reached for my phone. There was only one person I needed. Wanted.

  The fight we had over Trisha and his recent cold shoulder behavior were meaningless compared to the nightmare I woke up in.

  What if there were more gris-gris bags in my room? What if that thing returned?

  My finger swiped over the touchscreen. A sudden jolt of electricity crackled in my hand, shooting through the phone. I dropped it with a hiss, my skin tingling.

  The screen blackened, and smoke trailed from it.

  What the hell just fried my phone?

  My throat squeezed, and black spots converged over my vision.

  Something didn’t want me to call Etie.

  Screw this.

  I yanked a hoodie off of my vanity chair and snatched a pair of rubber boots from my closet. My racing heart thundered in my ears as I made a mad dash down the hall. The portraits of relatives seemed to move, following my frantic movements. For the first time, I avoided my father’s picture at the end.

  Outside, rain instantly soaked my clothes. Ice slithered down my back, and it wasn’t from the unnatural chill in the air.

  Something was out there beyond the darkness and sheets of rain. Something was watching.

  Chapter 23

  My chest burned along with my legs. Mud clung to my boots as I ran. Lightning streaked the sky, and I glanced over my shoulder again. Shadows moved in the distance.

  Cold panic sliced open my veins. I struggled through soft, soggy swamp terrain as rain weighed me down. My teeth gritted against the sobs trying to break free.

  I had to keep it together. I couldn’t fall apart out here alone.

  When that tidy porch came into view, my knees almost buckled in relief. I took the stairs two at a time and crashed against the wood siding. Soft light glowed from the two front windows. Someone was home.

  My knock was frantic, and my body shook as I waited for an answer.

  A lifetime passed before the door finally creaked open. Light spilled onto the porch, outlining his wide shoulders and messy hair in a gentle golden halo.

  “Angeline?” That husky voice sent warmth through my chest. “Angeline, what’s a matter with you?” He glanced behind me at the pouring rain. “How’d you get here?”

  “Walked,” I choked out, my lungs still burning. “Ran actually.”

  Etie yanked me inside, his eyes widening at my drenched, ragged appearance. I looked like a drowned rat. “What happened, cher?”

  Cool air from the air conditioner puckered my skin, and my teeth chattered. I crossed my arms over my chest, but it did nothing against the cold. “Some kind of demon spirit thing and a gris-gris bag.” That was all I got out before the shivering became uncontrollable.

  “Étienne, is everything okay?” A woman sauntered into the kitchen. Her mouth dropped when she saw me, and a few French words cascaded from her rosebud lips.

  Etie’s mom.

  Old age was not a bad thing on this woman. She was just as beautiful as she was in the picture of her and the boys when they were little. Light crinkles surrounded her eyes, and laugh lines framed her mouth. The light glistened on the tips of her long lashes and highlighted the strands of gold in her braided blonde hair.

  “What happened?” Her long fingers fumbled with the belt on the cream-colored robe tied around her petite waist.

  I bit my quivering lips. Oh crap. I probably woke her. My gaze sought out the clock on the wall. It was just after two in the morning.

  “Mama, this is Angeline.” Etie’s rough hand brushed the soaked strands of hair from my face, his warm palm burning my icy cheek. “She’s been out in the rain.”

  “Oh my goodness. You’re soaked to the bone, child.” Her Cajun accent was heavier than Etie’s. “I’ll get you a dry towel.” She marched toward the laundry room door, her fuzzy slippers shuffling across the floor.

  Deep lines creased Etie’s forehead. “You looked like you’ve been through a nightmare.”

  A humorless laugh slipped out. “You’re not wrong.”

  “You’re safe now,” he murmured.

  Warmth tried melting the ice in my veins.

  His t-shirt and sweats were rumpled, and his hair was tousled as if he’d just rolled out of bed. It wasn’t a bad look.

  His mom returned, handing me a towel. I pressed it to my face, the clean soap smell comforting.

  “Étienne, you help her get warm and dry. I’ll make some tea.” She began busying herself at the antique wood-burning stove.

  I tried to tell Etie through chattering teeth she didn’t need to do that, but he ignored me as he he
lped me out of the muddy boots.

  “Come on, Angeline,” he said, drawing me toward the hall with his warm hand in mine.

  His mother stopped him and patted his cheek. “You be a good boy now, Étienne. Take good care of Evangeline.”

  He nodded. “Yes, Mama.”

  If I weren't so cold, I would have awed at that. Big bad Étienne Benoit was a sweet mama’s boy. Considering what his father had done, I shouldn’t have been surprised.

  Etie led me through the house, ignoring the water my drenched clothes were dripping on the dark hardwood floor. The air from a ceiling fan made a dream catcher with green and gold beads dance in the corner, and moonlight streamed through a beautiful stained glass window.

  He opened the door at the end of the hall, revealing a tidy bedroom. I was instantly hit with the familiar and heady spicy herbal blend that did funny things to my body. The beige carpet was soft beneath my feet.

  My eyes landed on the large bed pushed against a tawny-colored wall. The covers were pulled up, but wrinkled and pillows askew.

  Etie appeared in front of me, cutting off my line of vision. His fingers gathered the hem of my drenched hoodie.

  “W-What are you doing?” I asked or, at least, tried. My words were muffled from the shivering.

  “Your clothes are soaking wet. You’ll catch death if you don’t get them off.” He removed the hoodie without waiting on a response, tossing it in a basket with his clothes. When he went for my tank top, I protested.

  “I-I’m fine,” I said through chattering teeth. “I can do it myself.”

  “Stop arguing with me, Angeline. I’ve seen you in your underwear before.” His mismatched eyes traced my mouth. “Besides, your lips are turning blue.”

  My gaze shifted around the room for a mirror. In my distraction, he pulled the shirt over my head. Without waiting, his fingers hooked in my shorts, swiftly bringing them down around my feet.

  My pulse trembled at the ease and quickness he’d undressed me. Oh, he definitely had lots of practice doing that.

  Goosebumps puckered my trembling body. Etie draped a towel around my shoulders, rubbing my arms to warm me. I should’ve been embarrassed that I was half naked in front of him.

  I wasn’t.

  In fact, all I could think about was the warmth radiating from him and how my body longed to be wrapped in his.

  “Tell me exactly what happened.” The serious tone of his voice melted my naughty thoughts.

  Acid curdled my gut as I replayed the horrific experience. I conveniently skirted around what the thing said as Etie. I couldn’t take the humiliation. When I finished, a deep line formed between his brows and a scowl thinned his lips. The sharp edge of danger glittered in his irises.

  “What is it?” I finally asked when he remained silent.

  He shook his head. “I’ll get your tea.” He stalked toward his dresser and dug out a t-shirt. “Put this on.” He spun around and disappeared through the door, closing it behind him.

  His abrupt departure was usually just part of his lovely personality, but I had a feeling it was more about my monster attack than anything else.

  I slipped the t-shirt over my head, his scent filling my lungs. The hem hit me mid-thigh. A pair of pants would have been nice.

  Rain still pounded down, rapping on the ceiling and windows. The trees outside swayed with the force of it mixed with the wind. I rubbed my arms to warm my shivering body. My gaze drifted to the bed again, those covers looking pretty damn good.

  What would Etie do if I curled up in his bed while he was gone? My cheeks heated as I thought of what I’d want him to do.

  The door opened, saving me the embarrassment of looking like a fool. Etie placed the steaming mug of tea on his bedside table, shadows guarding his eyes.

  “Come on, cher.” He pulled back the covers of his bed, motioning me in. “You get warm.”

  My feet remained glued to the carpet. Did he use some magic voodoo juju to read my mind?

  When I didn’t move, his brow arched. “Is there a problem?” The corners of his lips twitched. “Afraid you might like my bed too much?”

  I rolled my eyes, ignoring the temperature rise in my body. Hell, it was a good thing. Maybe my limbs wouldn’t fall off.

  Etie’s hand brushed my back as I slipped under the covers. His gaze traced my features. “Drink the tea. It’ll help warm you up,” he whispered, tucking a strand of damp hair behind my ear.

  Well, hello, Mr. Sweet and Attentive. I hadn’t seen much of this personality.

  His fists planted on either side of my legs, and he leaned forward. “I could think of other things that would warm you up.” His voice dipped to dangerous levels, warm breath blowing across my cheeks.

  And there he went.

  My eyes narrowed as I yanked the covers up. “Cute.”

  He winked the green eye. “I know I am.”

  Etie stood, giving me some much needed space. Unfortunately, that space was still scented by him.

  His mood shifted again, hard lines stretching over his face. “I’m going to do a spell to make sure nothing unwanted gets in here tonight.”

  My throat dried up, and a lump sank to the bottom of my stomach. Another spell? I didn’t have a good track record with voodoo spells. They always backfired.

  Etie opened the doors of a dark stained armoire. Clanking echoed as he grabbed several objects, placing them on a small round table. A porcelain bowl joined the glass bottles and dried herbs. An ivory-hilted dagger came next.

  Chills spread over my spine at the sight of the blade. Blood was needed.

  As if sensing my unease, Etie glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t worry. This will be fast, and you won’t be involved.”

  It was hard to believe him after the experiences I’d had.

  “After you do this, you’ll tell me what that thing in my room was?” I asked.

  Etie gave a curt nod before returning to the spell he was working.

  My chest tightened as he dumped ingredients into the bowl. I was waiting for that knife to come into play. I reached for the mug of tea, cupping it in my palms. The heat was delicious on my chilled skin. Honey and chamomile swirled over my tongue as I sipped it.

  Vondou words flowed from Etie as he waved a hand over the bowl. His eyes brightened and glowed through the dim room. Lightning flashed, making them appear even more supernatural.

  Energy blossomed in the room. Tiny zaps trickled across my skin. It didn’t hurt, but I placed the cup of hot tea back on the bedside table in case I jumped and spilled it. I’d hate to get third-degree burns.

  Etie reached for the knife. Without warning, he sliced his palm open.

  My gasp was drowned out by a loud sizzling as his blood dripped into the bowl. A puff of smoke erupted, curling toward the ceiling.

  Fire, blood, and something sweet scented the air.

  Etie picked up the bowl and walked toward the door. His fingers dipped into the mixture and traced symbols on the wood. More voodoo chants fell from his lips. The shapes burned a fiery green before dulling and disappearing.

  He moved to the two windows, repeating the same process. When he was finished, those glowing eyes met mine.

  A hot shiver rippled up my back.

  “Nothing will step foot in here tonight.” Darkness and danger coiled around his voice, leaving no wiggle room.

  I believed him.

  Etie tossed the spell ingredients back into the armoire, and I released a breath of relief. That was tame compared to what I’d seen before. He took a seat on the edge of the bed, facing me.

  I grabbed the tea again so my hands had something to do other than caress those wild locks of his. “So, the thing?”

  “It’s called a baka,” he said. “It’s a shape-shifting demon.”

  Without Etie’s superfast reflexes, the cup would have dumped hot tea all over my lap when I dropped it.

  “A demon!” I screeched. I hadn’t expected the thing to actually be a demon.

 
; He set the cup on the table without chiding my clumsiness. “Yes.”

  “The kind that can possess me?” Images of The Exorcist whirled through my mind, making me shiver. It only worsened when Etie didn’t deny it. “Did the gris-gris bag cause it?”

  “Sort of.” Etie stretched back on his hands, the t-shirt straining against his chest. “A baka can manifest anytime, but the gris-gris bag was used to control it. To make it torment you.”

  I drew a shaky hand through my damp strands. “Who would do that?”

  This reminded me of the vivankò attack. Both incidents stunk of mystery. The voodoo king wouldn’t need to use either of those things to torment me. He seemed pretty happy doing it himself or using his spirits. And if he was trying to kill me, he could just as easily do that himself, too.

  Etie’s jaw clenched. “I don’t know, but it means someone has been in your house. I don’t like it.”

  A fist tightened around my heart until it threatened to pop. “What if more gris-gris bags are in my house and not just my room? I can’t let my family get hurt because of me.”

  Etie leaned forward and rubbed my arm gently. The gesture was enough to loosen the invisible fingers gripping my heart. “I’ll have Bastien check your house.”

  My brow arched. “How is he going to do that without anyone seeing him?” On second thought, I didn’t want to know. “Never mind.”

  He stood and grabbed his phone from the dresser. His fingers worked fast as he typed a quick message to his brother. “He’s on it.”

  A weight lifted from my shoulders. My family would be safe tonight. My gaze flicked toward Etie. And so would I.

  He shut the light off, flooding the room with darkness. “Get some sleep, Angeline.” Lightning flashed, outlining his wide shoulders as he made his way toward the other side of the bed. Material rustled, and the mattress dipped from his weight.

  My pulse spiked. He was sleeping with me?

  Even the thought was a high-pitched squeal in my head. As my eyes adjusted, I found Etie directly beside me.

  The corners of his lips twitched. “Problem, cher?”

  My gulp was audible. “N-No.”