by Kira Saito
“Is everything alright out here?” asked Aunt Mae, as she walked into the garden. Her kind green eyes filled with confusion when she saw Ivan lying on the flowers.
He quickly got up and brushed the mud off his worn out jeans. “We were just having a mud-fight,” he said sheepishly.
“Child, how many times have I told you not to wear those raggedy t-shirts while you’re working? Go on now. You’re a handsome boy take some pride in your appearance.”
“Yes ma’am,” he mumbled, as he headed back inside.
Ha ha jerk.
“Arelia, have a seat. You don’t have any time for silly games,” she said, as she adjusted her blue headscarf and adjusted her flowery dress.
“Yes, Aunt Mae.” I grabbed a seat.
“Bea told me all about what happened while you were under Louis’ spell. She said that Gran-Ibo gave you some Black Arts Oil to bind Louis, is that right?”
“Yeah, it’s right here.” I took the oil out of my pocket. “I have no idea where to find him though. Gran-Ibo told me that I need to use my instincts and senses, but I’m not really great at that.”
Aunt Mae took a long pause. “I do have one method, but it’s a little controversial,” she said in a low voice.
“Controversial?” Oh God, this was the part I had been dreading. “Chicken sacrifice?” I whispered horrified. Although I had already half sacrificed a snake, I didn’t want to harm a chicken.
“Ha ha ha, not this time, my child. Erzulie said that Louis is bound in human form, which leaves him open to attack. He was able to put that spell on you because he was able to get access to a part of your soul, which means, he is near. You simply have to draw him out.”
My head was still a little fuzzy from my coma, so I wasn’t really sure what she was implying. “I have to draw him out? How?”
“By making yourself simply irresistible.” Her green eyes gleamed as she raised a thick eyebrow.
“How?”
“The oldest trick in every woman’s book, Come to Me Oil, guaranteed to attract the person you desire. Once you pass this oil on yourself, Louis will be hopeless in your presence. He will want nothing more than to kiss you. He’ll answer any questions that you have for that single kiss. You make this oil, think of Louis while you’re doing it, and he’ll be putty in your hands. You ask him any questions that you have and then bind him with the Black Arts Oil.”
My thoughts instantly flashed to Lucus, could I use Come to me oil on him? Did I need to? Where was he? Did he really pace like a maniac outside my bedroom door?
Aunt Mae picked up on my thoughts and gave me an amused smile. “I don’t think you need to use it Lucus my dear. So what do you think? Are you willing to give it a try?”
“Yes. I need to find him. I need to talk to him and understand what’s going on.” I was a little freaked out by the whole thing, but after everything that had happened, there was no point going against the grain.
Aunt Mae gave me a nod and went back inside the house. She came back with a handful of supplies and promptly instructed me on how to mix the various ingredients to make the right mixture of Come to Me Oil. In order to make the oil potent, I had to focus all of my energy on Louis and what I knew about him.
As I concentrated on getting the right blend of rose, magnolia, catnip, honeysuckle blossoms and orange blossoms oil, all I could think of was the kind Louis I had known. I focused on how he had saved me from the whip lashes and how he had been so full of hope. I despised the vengeful Louis, but not the person he had been. I wondered if that Louis would come back. Wherever he was, he didn’t deserve to suffer.
“I think I’ve got it,” I said, as I held up the oil. “What do I do now?”
Aunt Mae inspected the potion I had created and gave me a satisfied nod. “When you get ready for Mr. Dumpty’s party tonight, this will be your perfume. You need to focus on Louis when you place it on your skin. Carry the Black Arts Oil with you and when you know it’s him, you can’t hesitate, you need to immediately place the oil on your lips and bind his energy.”
“I can handle that, but what if he doesn’t show up? What if the oil isn’t strong enough? Or he isn’t here at all?”
“You have to have faith that he will come, and he is near. Remember, your thoughts are your most powerful weapon. The spirits favor you because you are naturally strong and determined.”
I took in every word Aunt Mae said and prayed that she was right.
Chapter 27
I vow not to be a psychopath
Later that night, it was time to get ready for Mr. Dumpty’s birthday party. Even though Mr. Dumpty never needed a reason to drink excessively, he demanded that Darkwood go all out for him because he was a paying customer. Apparently, since Lucus had way too much money, he agreed and had hired another live jazz band to play out in the rose garden, in addition to the regular excess, that was an ordinary day at Darkwood.
Even though, I was on a mission to corner and bind Louis, the party was a welcome distraction. I’d spent the entire day in a state of mindless suspicion and fear wondering when Louis was going to make his next move. I didn’t have a chance to talk to Lucus today, and that really frustrated me because I missed him. The last time I had spoken to him was in the swamp, but that had been the past Lucus and not the Lucus that roamed the halls of Darkwood today. This Lucus didn’t say that he loved me, or had the urge to unexpectedly kiss me.
Sabrina and I were in our room getting ready, and I felt like strangling her, as she decided on what lingerie she should wear under her party dress.
“The last time I wore Kiki de Montparnasse, but obviously that didn’t impress Lucus. Maybe I’ll try the Bracli this time. What do you think Arelia?” she asked, as she held up a black lace bra.
“Umm, I don’t know,” I muttered, as I rummaged through Sabrina’s suitcases and tried to look for a dress that would fit me. “I think that you shouldn’t try to hook up with Lucus remember what happened with Ivan? You said you were going to take it slow,” I reminded her.
“I can’t wait anymore, I need to take drastic measures otherwise he’ll never make a move. He’s so slow,” she whined.
I held by breath. “Maybe he’s not interested in you,” I said innocently.
She immediately set her eyes on me and her cheeks flushed. “What do you mean? Did he say something to you?”
“No,” I said quickly. “I’m just taking a guess; I mean if nothing’s happened so far, maybe it’s not meant to be?” I tried to sound all casual about the whole thing.
“Arelia, if you know he likes someone else please, tell me,” she demanded, as she tried on another bra.
I took one look into her hopeful eyes and pure excitement over seeing Lucus and lost my nerve. I rationalized that because Lucus and I hadn’t technically done anything, there wasn’t really anything to tell. So I lied to her face. “No, it was just a thought,” I said, as I tried to brush the whole thing off as nothing. I felt like the worst best friend ever.
She let a huge sigh of relief. “That black Dolce and Gabbana lace dress is way too small for me, try it on. I bet it’ll look hot on you. Maybe you can work things out with Tony.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, as I grabbed the gorgeous dress.
Tony. I had forgotten about him and the Dreauxs. Given everything that had taken place over the last few days, I suddenly wasn’t so afraid of them anymore. I mean if I was strong enough to survive the whole voodoo curse thing why should I let a snotty, rich woman with way too much plastic surgery bring me down? I had to remember what Gran-Ibo had said, I couldn’t give others the power to bring me down.
Honestly, I was tired of always hiding and being away from the spotlight. For the first time in my life, I wanted people to notice me. Well not people like Mr. Dumpty, but people like Lucus. I had spent my entire life feeling inferior because of what I apparently lacked. I didn’t want to live that way anymore.
After letting Sabrina cake way too much makeup on my face and straighte
ning my hair to death, I peered into the large oval mirror. I looked like a drag queen.
“I look drag-ish.” I whined, as I tried to wipe off the excessive layers of dark eye shadow.
“You don’t look drag-ish. You’re a dark fairy. Black lace dress, garden party, it goes with the theme,” Sabrina said, as she piled on another layer of eye shadow and mascara onto my face.
“Whatever you say,” I said reluctantly.
I knew I was anxious more than usual tonight because I wanted to look good. I wanted to be noticed, and I knew by exactly who. Although I felt beyond guilty for wanting what or who I did, I couldn’t help the way I felt. I wanted Lucus, and I wasn’t afraid to admit that anymore.
Okay, so theoretically I was trying to be all confident, but I knew that when I actually saw him, I’d probably say something stupid.
Vowing to change your ways and actually changing them were two completely different things. Baby steps I reminded myself. When I see Lucus, I promise I won’t run away from him, say mean things to him, or throw mud at him. I was sure that I could at least stick to those three promises. I could at least try not to be a psychopath. I wasn’t a psychopath when I met him in 1852, so why should I be one now? Well back then he had thought I was an ethereal spirit, and he had been drunk.
Despite my attempt at being all carefree and cool, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that kept pestering me about all the drama that the night potentially held. What was Louis going to do to me next? Would he even show up and if he did, would I be powerful enough to bind his energy. Did Louis know what I was about to do? Stop it, Arelia. Stop constantly questioning.
I remembered to carefully spread the Come to Me oil on my neck and hid the vial of Black Arts Oil in my bra. I focused on Louis. He had to come to me, I didn’t want to live under the threat of his attacks, and if Gran-Ibo was right, Lucus and Louis were connected in more than one way. I remembered her ominous words; I can’t feel something for one without having feelings for the other.
“Arelia, are you okay?” Sabrina looked away from the mirror for a split second. Her face was covered in dots of concealer, and I saw that she had settled on the Bracli lingerie.
I wanted to say no. I’m not fine that you’re trying to sleep with Lucus. Stay the hell away from him please. But instead I said, “Yeah, I’m fine.” I got up from the satin chair. “I think I’m going to go and check out what’s happening downstairs.”
“Okay.” Sabrina turned her attention back to the mirror. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
I gave her a small hug. “Sure, you will.”
“I will,” she argued, as she blended her concealer and started putting on layers of foundation.
“Sure,” I said, as I shut the door behind me.
Chapter 28
I don’t see any darkness in you
Downstairs, I could hear the uplifting sound of jazz music, as it loitered in the early night air. Since the ballroom was dark and empty, I figured that all of the guests were already outside in the garden indulging in way to much alcohol and food.
The faint scent of cigarette smoke met me, as I passed the ballroom which prompted me to stop and peer inside. I could see Ivan slumped against the piano, cigarette in hand and his tie loosened.
“I see you queen,” he said. “Why are you hiding?”
“I’m not hiding; you’re not supposed to be smoking inside.” I had no idea why I said that. I couldn’t care less where he smoked.
“Come here; let me see you all dolled up.”
“I’ll pass on your little offer.” I backed away from the door, but Ivan came close and grabbed my wrist.
His usually conceited smirk softened when he looked at me. “You look beautiful queen,” he whispered. His grey eyes filled with admiration.
“Whatever.” I shook myself free.
He ran his fingers through my hair. “Seriously, you do.”
I slapped his hand away. Never let creepy people get close to your soul. After what I’d been through, I finally understood the importance of those words. “I’m tired of your psychological warfare, Ivan. Stay the hell away from me.”
I turned my back on him and walked out of the ballroom as fast as I could. There was no way I was going to let Ivan’s warped mind games distract me tonight.
Outside, the main garden had been transformed into an otherworldly playground. Delicate twinkling lights had been carefully strung on the stately oak trees and brilliantly illuminated the never ending clumps of colorful rose bushes. The Yaupon hedges had been artfully clipped, and the Greek style water fountain seductively dribbled under the fading sky.
The guests carelessly mingled and sipped on Vieux Carres, Hurricanes and champagne, expect for Mr. Dumpty who held two drinks in his hand and insisted on simultaneously taking large gulps from both of them.
They happily swayed to the sound of the infectious music, and for a minute, it seemed as if the entire world was at peace. I was relieved to see that grand-mere and Aunt Mae were deep in conversation and sipping on drinks together while Ben sat by their side drinking a Coke. To my disappointment Lucus wasn’t anywhere in sight.
“Arelia, my champagne seems to have gotten stale. Go on and get me a refill.” Mrs. Dreaux’s shrill voice snapped me out of my Zen moment. She looked utterly stiff and uncomfortable dressed in a ridiculously too tight Herve Leger band-aid dress and clown red lipstick.
“I’m not working tonight.” I tossed her my fakest smile.
“Then why are you here? I assumed the help did other things on their days off. Perhaps bargain hunting?” She looked me up and down with her icy eyes.
Stay calm, Arelia. Stay calm. I remembered what Gran-Ibo had told me, don’t give others power to abuse you, or they’ll keep on doing it. “The next time I go bargain hunting, I’ll be sure to invite you. With all your money, you should be able to find a dress that fits you better and lipstick that doesn’t make you look like a clown. Maybe you’re just shopping at the wrong types of stores.”
Mrs. Dreaux’s mouth opened and closed like an electrified fish, but no words came out.
“What’s going on here?” Tony interrupted our little show down. Damn him for looking hot. I wanted to find him ugly, but a part of me still grudgingly melted at the sight of his familiar eyes and sandy blond hair.
“We’re just talking,” I answered.
“Arelia is being her usually obnoxious self.” Mrs. Dreaux took another jab at me, as she sipped her supposedly stale champagne.
Tony stood there like a silent idiot, unsure of how to respond. I felt like smacking him. He would be her eternal prisoner. I refused to be his any longer.
I felt a pair of sturdy arms gently wrap around my waist and was ecstatic and terrified to see that they belonged to Lucus. “Obnoxious? Arelia? Never,” he said sarcastically, as he gave me a wink.
Mrs. Dreaux gave Lucus an icy glare. “I see she’s already got you wrapped around her greedy little fingers, doesn’t she?”
Lucus shrugged. “I guess she does.” He took my hand and led me out of the rose garden and down the familiar oak lined path. We walked in silence until we reached the white wire bench. We sat down, and my toes curled as the scent of jasmine hung thick in the air.
“You look beautiful,” he said, when he finally spoke.
“I’m supposed to be a dark fairy,” I said. Why did I just tell him that? Why couldn’t I say something normal like thank you?
His gaze held mine. “I don’t see any darkness in you.”
I looked down and tried to hide my smile.
“Mae told me everything,” he said.
“Are you going to try to convince me that I should leave?” I asked.
“No, I know you’re too stubborn to listen, but I am surprised that you want to stay after you saw all that you did,” he said softly.
I took a deep breath. “What I saw was brutal, ugly, oppressive and plain wrong.”
Lucus’ head hung low, as he listened
to me speak. “I know. I’m so ashamed,” he whispered. “I never did a single thing…”
I gathered my courage and lightly placed my hand under his chin. I lifted his head from its miserable position until our eyes met. “But you were never any of those things. You were kind, alive, spontaneous, optimistic and romantic. You saw the goodness and beauty in everything. You had a favorite rat named Dotty. Maybe you drank a little bit too much whiskey. I don’t see any darkness in you either.”
Lucus’ gloom was slowly replaced by a carefree smile. The old Lucus was gradually fighting his way back. He placed a finger over my lips. “Listen.” He drew my attention to the song the jazz band was playing.
Stars shining up above you/Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"/Birds singing in the sycamore trees/Dream a little dream of me
Crap. He had heard me tragically sing to him. Before I had a chance to get paranoid, Lucus’ lips met mine in a sweet embrace that made me faintly dizzy. Our dance started out slow and smooth but increased with a vicious intensity that was frightening but irrefutably exhilarating. Under a glorious oak, while the sugary smell of jasmine lingered in the air, my eyes closed, and I felt my heart grow a size or two.
Chapter 29
Binding Louis
When my eyes finally opened I was horrified. Sabrina stood in the distance with her arms crossed. Our heavily made-up eyes met in a cat like standoff, and I swore she mouthed you bitch. She turned around and sprinted into the house.
“I have to go,” I said, as I took off my borrowed heels. “I’ll be back, don’t go anywhere.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” said Lucus.
I left him sitting on the bench even though I wanted more than anything to stay with him. Why was it when every time something good happened, something really bad had to happen right after?
When I got to the house, I headed straight for the spiral stairs. I knew that Sabrina had probably gone to our room. She hated letting people see her cry.
