by Jane West
Open, the neon sign read.
The small bookstore reminded me of the one in Tangi, so I decided to explore it. I had a few bucks on me. No telling what I might find.
I pushed the door open, and the bell jingled as I entered. Once the door closed behind me, a strong whiff of incense, sandal wood, hit my nostrils. The scent carried me back to a simpler time—memories of Ms. Noel. I paused a moment, trying to adjust to the dim lighting. I missed my elderly friend. Looking back, I knew I wasn’t very opened to Ms. Noel’s beliefs. I think now I’d take it quite differently. After my world had crashed three years ago, I learned the hard way that with age comes great wisdom. I wished she were still alive so I could tell her that too.
Jarring me from my thoughts, strings of beads rattled, alerting me to the clerk returning from the back. A dark-skinned lady came out and greeted me with a warm smile.
“Welcome, my friend! Feel free to look around. If you need my assistance, just call.” She spoke with a deep Jamaican accent.
I smiled back, replying. “Thank-you. I’m just looking.” I couldn’t help but admire her attire. It was quite impressive. The material appeared to be cotton, but it was far from ordinary. The garment wrapped around her whole body in bold blue, purple, and bright orange. To match, she wore some sort of cloth wrapped around her head. It was as lovely as the dress. I loved her gold loop earrings too. It seemed to go with her style very well. My eyes trail down to her feet, and oddly, she was barefooted. That’s the way to be, I thought. I hated wearing shoes too.
I began thumbing the books. I think the store carried every book of witchcraft, voodoo, and spells that ever existed. The shelves scaled all the way to the ceiling. Next, I browsed the candle section, tarot cards, and magickal herbs.
When I came to a display, my eyes rested on one item that stood out from the other trinkets. I’d seen this root before. The plant had been carved into an ugly doll. I was so drawn to the weird thing that I couldn’t stop myself from picking it up. I brushed my hand across it, noticing the rough texture of the strange bauble. The color wasn’t any better, it reminded me of tobacco spit.
I knew I must’ve appeared totally out of my element when the storekeeper interrupted. “Dat tis a poppet.” The lady spoke in a heavy accent.
I jumped, startled. I didn’t hear her approach me from behind. “Some call it an Obeah doll much like voodoo. In the hands of the wrong person, it can do great damage.” She pointed to the strange carving. “You mustn’t touch the doll.” She eyed me with caution. I didn’t take the lady as confrontational, rather instead, she seemed direct.
“Oh! I didn’t mean any harm.” I quickly laid the doll back on the shelf. “It’s just so…unusual.” I clasped my hands behind my back. I felt a little uncomfortable, like a child getting scolded.
“I am certain you did not mean to bring ill, but before you handle any-ting, you must know its origin. You must handle a poppet very carefully. One wouldn’t want to spread bad juju onto another.” She paused for a moment, gazing deeply into my eyes as if she could see every dirty secret I’d ever possessed. I began to shift a bit, feeling the unease. “You are different. Not fully human, no?” She asked as if it was a common question.
I blinked with surprise, “I’m sorry?” This stranger couldn‘t possibly know me. Although, she seemed harmless enough.
She softly giggled. “Child! You heard me. No worry, mon. You will come to me when the time is right.”
“You remind me of a friend I once knew.” I tossed an uneasy smile.
The lady paused, then her forehead creased with curiosity. “What does a young girl as yourself need with such a powerful tool like tis?” Her accent was as strong as her deep-brown eyes were penetrating.
I snorted a short laugh. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. I don’t want the doll, actually. It reminded me of my friend. She once used these dolls, and...” I stopped in the middle of my sentence.
“Your friend...she is gone?”
“Yes, she passed away a few months ago. She is greatly missed.”
“I am sorry for your loss. You have lost much for someone so young.”
The lady seemed to have read me well. It was almost eerie. “Yes, I have,” I replied curtly.
The lady paused, eyeing me like I was a tea-leaf reading. I started to shuffle my uneasy feet from the presage she seemed to hold over me. “I have a gift for you. I’ve been waiting for you.” The lady turned and made her way to the back, past the string of beads, disappearing from sight. I began tapping my foot nervously listening to the string of beads clattering. I thought about making a clean get-away as my eyes bounced back and forth from the string of beads to the door, but my curiosity rendered me. I waited holding my breath.
Soon she reappeared with a small white box in her hand. “I’ve been saving this for you. This my child, belongs to you.” She smiled and opened the plain box. Inside laid a necklace with a stone. It was beautiful, like flickers of fire with glimmering gold. It reminded me of Val. There was something else, I touched it a humming in the stone. I gasped as I glanced up at the lady. “Yes.” She spoke softly. “It is called Angel Fire.”
“It is beautiful,” I nearly choked with amazement.
“There is more to it than its beauty. It calls to your true name.” The lady smiled as though she possessed a secret about my life.
My brows knitted. “What do you mean?” A bit taken aback; I questioned her motive.
“Oh, don’t be afraid.” She laughed. “I’d recognize you anywhere, my child.” She extended her hand and introduced herself. “I am Mardea.”
I took her hand and shook it, but I sensed an uneasy stir. I pulled my hand away and responded cautiously. “Glad to meet you. I’m Stev—”
The dark-skinned woman interrupted. “I know who you are.”
Thrown off my guard, she clarified her intent. “No worry, mon. It is not I whom you should fear, Essence. I am on your side, and lately, I hear you could use a little support.” She smiled kindly at me. “Tis necklace is a talisman. It will help you tap into your magick. There is a blockage deep within you. It is a binding spell, coupled with several others to mask over it. Someone doesn’t want your powers to emerge.
My eyes orbed. “Who would do such a thing?”
“I don’t know. Though, I can tell you dat they wish to fool you into tinking you have no abilities. Don’t let them trick you! You are very powerful, so you must wear this stone at all times. Never take it off, my child.” The lady fastened the necklace around my neck as I stood there uneasy holding my hair up.
My fingers gasped the stone. “I don’t understand. How do you know me?” My mind swooned with trepidation.
“Someone close to you asked me to keep this necklace until you came. He’s a loyal believer of the old ways, and he wishes to protect you from your powerful enemies. Wear tis. Never take it off or the spells will return.”
“I’m confused. Who left this for me?”
“I’m sorry. This person wished to remain anonymous.”
I shook my head in bewilderment. “How do you know you have the right person?”
“I saw you in a vision.” The dark-skinned woman smiled.
“Did this person give a name?” I asked with urgency.
“My child, you already have the answer.” She seemed surprised by my asking.
I had to take a stabbing breath. “What did this admirer look like?” I asked as chills skated across my skin.
“He was very well dressed. It was obvious he had money. His features were tall and dark, very handsome, but his most outstanding feature were his blue eyes.” The woman watched my reaction closely. “He referred to you as Princess.”
Right then my breath caught in my throat. My hands started trembling. This couldn’t be possible! “When did he give this to you?”
“Hmm...only weeks ago.”
Holy shit! Aidan?
“Please tell me what all you know. I must have every detail!” My urgent
voice submerged in panic.
“He did give me a message to give to you.” The lady’s dark eyes held a secret that I had to know.
“Please, what did he say?”
She hesitated, unsure she wanted to reveal her mysterious messenger. “He said it was not he who betrayed you...and one more.” The lady gave pause.
“What else?” I pressed, impatiently.
“Dat your daughter is alive.”
I staggered over her last words. How could I believe this stranger? I tightened my eyes with disquiet. “This must be someone’s idea of a joke!” Now I was pissed. “Lady, what game are you playing?” Doubt colored my fear.
She smiled to herself as if she recalled a private joke. “He told me you would accuse me of lying, so he gave me something only you would know.” The lady went back behind the counter and reached underneath and brought out a glass jar with holes punched in the lid. “Here.” She slid the Mason jar across the counter to me. “He said this should be proof enough.” I gasped. I couldn’t believe my own eyes. Inside the jar took me back to a time I once wanted to forget a firefly fluttering about.
Then I fainted, collapsing to the floor.
Feathers Ruffled
“What the hell were you thinking, Stevie!” Val screamed, his face beet red.
I’d never seen him this angry before. I felt every inch of his wrath striking me, flinching each time. Damn, damn, damn! I would’ve gotten by with it if I hadn’t passed out. Just my luck! “Calm down! I’m fine.” I rested my hands on my hips. I was cloudy on the details of how Val found me. When I had awakened, I was back home in my bed. It was not until later when I’d joined everyone in the garden that I’d been struck by the big goon’s temper. From one corner of my eye, I saw Dom and Jeffery cringing. From the other corner of my eye, I saw Razz gloating. I hated that Zop.
“You were not only putting yourself in danger but everyone else in this house as well. The very folks you vowed to give your life for!” Val’s words hit me hard like closed fist to the face. He was right about that part. I turned to Dom and Jeff. “I’m sorry, guys. What I did was selfish. I won’t do it again. I promise.” My eyes glistened with tears.
Jeffery spoke up. “It’s okay, honey, but I hope you got lucky, b’cuz I don’t understand what possessed you to be so stupid.” Jeffery tossed a little shade at me. I couldn’t help but laugh. Jeffery always had a way of making light of the worst situations.
“Oh, I got lucky, but it’s not what you think.” I smiled through my tears.
“Lardy sakes! This I gotta hear.” Jeffery rolled his eyes. He was such a drama queen. Dom tossed me a short smile, and Val glared at me. Razz’s eyes tensed with suspicion which I’d just about blew a gasket when my eyes stopped at him. Honest to God’s truth, if I had to look at one more scowl at that piece of shit, Razz, I was gonna snap.
“Look, Zop!” My heated eyes turned on him. “I’ve about had it with your goddamn glares on my back. You got something to say, then say it!” The soldier needed an attitude adjustment, and I swore one more smirk from that son of a Zop, and I was going to give him an adjustment.
The Zop soldier began to speak in his tongue. “I have plenty to say, whore! I think my leader has gone soft. It is forbidden for any Zop to mix with such company as yours. We waste our time and energy standing watch, protecting a spoiled brat who doesn’t care for anyone but herself.” Razz spat at my feet. “Go back from the rock you crawled from, fallen angel. No Zop will ever accept you. You are foolish if you think my leader will ever claim you. The only use you offer is on your back. Our leader would be wise to remember his place.” Razz’s eyes simmered with hatred. I glanced at Val. His jaw was set in stone as his whole body exuded the force of authority.
“You are insubordinate, soldier.” Val stepped between us. “Stand down, or I’ll show you how soft I truly am!” He gravely threatened.
Then the Zop turned his inimical position on his commander. “Why should I when the inbred has challenged me?” His eyes bore repulsion, aiming at me.
I had enough of the Zop’s bellyaching. I stepped up. “Let’s see what the asshole’s got!” I challenged, standing with my shoulders straight. “I’ll fight him!” Even through the rush of anger, my internal voice screamed, crazy bitch, you’re gonna get killed!
Val turned to me. “Do you think you’re ready for combat?” His eyes were tight. Clearly, he feared for my safety.
“I’m ready as I’ll ever be,” I said as I glared at the hostile Zop.
“You remember everything I’ve taught you?” It seemed as though Val’s eyes were searching for a way out.
The way I saw it, I had no choice. Fair or not, I had to confront my enemy. Like it was second nature, I honed in on my very large opponent.
“All right then, let the fights begin.” Val met Razz’s heated stance. “I give you permission to engage in this duel only with your fist. There will be no weapons, nor will anyone lose their life today. Do I make myself clear, soldier?”
“What’s the fun in a few bruises and a busted nose?” There was a deep-seeded edge of hatred in Razz’s voice.
“You’d do well to follow an order. If you break it, I’ll kill you myself. Do we have an understanding?” Val’s eyes glistened with malice.
“I give you my word.” Razz promised, gritting his teeth from antagonistic regret.
Then Val turned to me and reached his hand out. “Hand ’em over.” He curtly ordered. I grimaced as I pulled the knife from my boot and slapped it into his hand. Still it didn’t satisfy him as he stood there with his hand still extended and his brow raised. Geez! I rolled my eyes. I really needed to get a new hiding spot. Reluctantly, I unbuckled my other knife that had been tucked under my shorts and tossed it to him.
“Now you can fight,” Val announced.
I sucked in a healthy dose of oxygen and released it slowly. In my combat training with Val, he taught that breathing in a fight was vital for stamina. If you become winded, you lose your concentration and strength—two very important tools if you were to survive. I rushed through my mind over all the techniques that I’d learned as Razz and I crouched down circling one another.
We swapped insult after insult. I think what made him lunge first was a cheap jab about his momma forgetting to teach him manners while she had an overactive hobby of lying on her backside. I didn’t know why, but comments about a dude’s mom got a rise every time. I scoffed in his virulent face, watching his face blaze with violent intent.
Oddly, I guess, the bigger the Zop, the slower the responses. When he lurched for me, it seemed as though he moved in slow motion. With little effort, I dodged him by side stepping. It was funny when he slammed his face down onto the gravel. My laughter was like a sonic boom breaking the sound barrier, seeing his butt sticking up in the air as his face lay flat into the sharp rocks. Nonetheless, my mockery only made him more enraged as he took me by surprise. This time, I wasn’t as quick. As a consequence, I paid for it when he thwacked me down to the ground. My head hit first, throwing me into a burst of pain while he threw himself on top of me, pinning me underneath him.
The Zop’s weight was crushing my lunges. He had to weigh a good hundred pounds more than me. We were unmatched, to say the least. By his smirk, it was obvious that he knew he had the advantage. I knew if I didn’t get out from under his iron grip, he was going to pound my face until I was dead. I refused to give him that satisfaction.
Before I had a chance to brace myself, I felt a sharp jab to my left jaw, then my right, and then my left again. His blows were so forceful I felt my jaw snap out of socket and pop back in as he continued to cold-cock me with his massive fist. I had to stop him soon, or else there wouldn’t be much left of me to beat.
Suddenly the blows stopped, following a sharp pain at the nape of my wet, sticky head. He’d grabbed my hair and nearly jerked it out by its roots. I gritted my teeth to keep from screaming out from the pain. The Zop leaned in with his foul breath and whispered in my ear,
“I bet you like it rough. Maybe I should take you, like my friend at the hospital when you were too drugged to scream. Unlike him, I like my humans screaming. And with you, I’d make you do more than holler.” His depraved voice sickened me. I forced myself to look directly into his twisted face. Yet my training hadn’t prepared me for this. I drew in a sharp breath, startled by his oil-like eyes no white, no pupil, only a fiendish black.
Then the sudden rush of memories of that hospital jarred me back to my pending danger, and I used the anger to unfurl my powers. I released the beast that resided within me. What happened next, I couldn’t say. I may have blacked out. The best way that I could describe the way things went down was that my Essence had awakened. As the consuming force grew, it devoured my entire being. Stevie vanished, and a monster had taken her place. It was similar to that experience with Aidan in the girl’s restroom, but this—this felt like the Granddaddy Mac of Hiroshima.
It all happened so fast. A sudden burst jolted me like lightening, pushing its way out, then it came to me. In one easy sweep, I freed my arms. I felt this searing heat surge forth through my hands. It was like fire, only it didn’t burn. Streams of light forged as I shoved my hands against Razz’s chest, blasting him onto the hard ground like a rocket missile.
Blood and sweat streamed down my face, but I didn’t let a little thing as such stop me. I jumped on that bastard, and I began beating his face, returning the favor. After his face started looking more like raw hamburger, I top my next blow with my knee violently thrusting between his legs. As he doubled over, squealing like the pig he betrayed, I laughed in his face. I regretted I couldn’t castrate him, by the same token, I did take delight knowing he’d be out of pocket in the lovemaking department.
Suddenly the party halted. Before I had a chance to make my next move, Val snatched me up and held me back. “Enough! You proved your point,” he ordered.
“Like hell I have!” I shrieked, fighting to get loose. “That son of a bitch threatened to rape me. He was in with that pig, Joe from Haven! He deserves to die!” I hissed through clenched teeth.
