The Sleeping Serpent:

by Luna Saint Claire

  18

  Placing her yoga mat near the back of the class, far from her favored spot at the front, Luna was nervous about seeing Nico, since he hadn’t replied to her e-mail. Walking around the room with his rehearsed swagger, he gently adjusted postures as he passed. All eyes were on him as he called out kriyas, and Luna watched him carefully as he unconsciously pushed his hair back, his eyes gleaming brightly in the dim light of the studio. She waited for him to look over at her, but he never did.

  After class, she went up and asked how he was doing. Avoiding eye contact, he replied curtly, “I’m busy, Luna. Things are exploding. I have meetings and dinners and events piling up.”

  “Are they all with Alexa?” she asked, her jealously palpable.

  Nico looked away, “I’m sorry, Luna. I’m late. I’ll call you later.”

  Her e-mail asserting he was using his sexuality to gain Alexa’s favor had obviously touched a raw nerve. Kicking herself for her resentful remark, she held back her tears long enough to escape to her car. When he called a few days later, she was relieved and did her best to reconcile.

  “Luna, I have a big event coming up and they want a video of me with several of my clients. I need you to be interviewed.”

  Relieved to still be a part of him, she responded, “Sure, Nico. When and where?”

  “On Saturday, at Alexa’s house. Be there at one o’clock.”

  Luna’s stomach did a flip flop. Then, thinking she’d outshine that bitch, she asked snidely, “Where does she live?”

  Nico was strictly business. “I’ll text you the address. She’s on Coldwater Canyon.”

  Regretting her snippy mouth, she asked sweetly, “What should I wear?”

  In the past, he would have teased her playfully and said she was beautiful. But this time he stayed detached. “Wear something nice, and bring a yoga outfit. We’ll be doing some kriyas by the pool at sunset.”

  On the verge of tears, her voice cracked, “OK, Nico. Sounds interesting.”

  Though she hadn’t meant it sarcastically, Nico went on the defensive. “What does that mean? Don’t be jealous.”

  Without thinking, she griped, “OK, Nico. Don’t worry, I won’t tell her to stop robbing the cradle.”

  “You’d better behave yourself, Luna. Don’t fuck this up, OK?” he scolded.

  Trying to be playful, she chided, “Don’t worry, Nico. I was just joking with you.”

  “You’re not joking, Luna. That’s the problem. I know you mean it. I’m just saying to be careful with Alexa. She’s a snake.”

  Luna hung up thinking, Great, another snake! Maybe he never should have named the studio Amaru—it seems to be coming back to bite him.

  Luna took her time driving up Coldwater Canyon and through the open wrought iron gate framing the driveway to Alexa’s house. Pulling into the turnaround in front of the Spanish style stucco house, she recognized the white Mercedes.

  Luna had on a vintage off-the-shoulder tomato-red brocade dress that she had altered herself, hemming it to mid-thigh after Nico had admired her legs in the black dress he’d given her. She wore several sterling silver necklaces of different lengths, accentuating her graceful long neck and defined, tan shoulders. The dress flared out so that it swished playfully as she walked, and she amped up the effect by wearing black, high-heeled Gucci sandals. Other than at his birthday party, Nico had never seen her dressed this sexy. She was always in a yoga outfit, leggings, or jeans, coming from work.

  The door was answered by a young Asian man, obviously the housekeeper, who escorted Luna to the back veranda overlooking a natural stone pool with a waterfall. She took in the elegant, yet serene, setting. Several seating areas were woven within lush gardens of ornamental trees and flowering shrubs. She stood on the veranda until Nico, feeling her presence, gazed up from the pool level below. He stared for a moment before smiling, his smoky green eyes emitting a warm glow. Luna could see he was stunned by her appearance, and if not for her distinctive long, flowing chestnut-brown hair, wouldn’t have recognized her.

  He raked his hair back as he walked toward the stairs as she gracefully descended the stone steps, greeting her warmly with a double-cheek kiss. He whispered near her ear, “You look very beautiful, Luna.” His eyes seared into hers, and she squeezed his hand without speaking. She made no expression, but observed that Alexa never took her eyes off them.

  Nico introduced the two women. “Nice to meet you,” Luna greeted Alexa with cool detachment. “So nice of you to host this event in your lovely home.”

  Alexa replied with the same formality, “Thank you for coming. I understand from Nico that you work in the Wardrobe Department on Going My Way.”

  Ignoring the subtle dig, Luna emphatically asserted, “Yes, I’m the head costume designer on the show.” Instantly, she regretted not underscoring she’d won the Costume Designers Guild Award.

  A pretty, curly haired young woman Luna recognized from class approached. “Are you Luna Saint Claire?”

  Taken aback, Luna answered, “Yes, I am. And you are?”

  Smiling broadly, the girl extended her hand. “I’m Heidi Marks. I took Tyler’s philosophy class at UCLA. I was reading his blog last month on Hinduism, and at the bottom he mentioned Amaru. I’d been looking for a yoga studio, so I took it as a sign!”

  Luna laughed, “Yep, that would be like Tyler. How long have you been going?”

  Heidi released a torrent of dark brown ringlets from her hair tie, accentuating the sexy wild woman appearance she was blessed with, thanks to her curvy figure and ample breasts. Despite all that, she had a sensual earth mother demeanor, making her seem nonthreatening to everyone.

  “Just a few weeks. Nico is awesome. I’m learning so much.”

  Luna saw a flicker in her eye. Luna had long ago learned that everyone crushed on Nico.

  When Luna looked curiously at her, Heidi continued, “Oh, sorry. I’m a makeup artist. Nico asked me to do him a favor today. And I’ll be joining you all for the filming of the kriyas later.” Luna wasn’t surprised. Nico would recruit everyone he could to his cause. Glancing over at Alexa, Heidi added, “You ladies look fabulous.”

  Luna took the opening to compliment Alexa, referring to Alexa’s watercolor print silk organza dress. “I love your dress. Stella McCartney did such a fabulous spring collection, didn’t she?” Privately, Luna thought Alexa should hire a better stylist, because the tissue weight sheer dress wasn’t flattering to her thick figure. The racer back really accentuated her flabby arms and back fat.

  Before Alexa could respond, Nico pulled her away, and the two walked to a secluded area in the garden. Luna could tell he was nervous from his body language. Alexa was holding his arm, and Luna heard her telling him not to worry. She could hear just enough to understand he was telling her what he wanted her to say, something about opening up her blockages. Then she heard him say, “Lower your voice.”

  Suddenly, he walked away in a huff, heading toward Luna. He stopped and signaled for her to come speak to him. When Luna was close, Nico quietly said, “Look, Luna, this is what I need you to say. Talk about how you came to me to awaken your creativity. Explain how the despacho ceremony and Kundalini Yoga kriyas moved the prana and opened up your possibilities.”

  In his addled state, he rambled, but Luna knew he was looking for assurance that everyone would say the right thing to make him look good—and powerful. Luna agreed, comforting him, “Yes, of course, Nico. I’ll say how I’m more open, relaxed, and creative, and that I’ve allowed myself to flourish in my personal and professional life. OK?”

  Nico smiled and calmed down. “Perfect, Luna. I knew you would say all the right things in a beautiful way! Alexa is being difficult. She doesn’t want to say what I want her to. I just want her to say how I was able to unblock that anger with yoga and the healing ceremonies.”

  Luna understood why he would be upset. He’d invested a lot of time with Alexa.

  The crew was setting up the camera to film Alexa sitt
ing in front of the pool. Slipping on a pair of nude patent leather Jimmy Choo pumps, she was trying to get Nico’s attention. “Baby, can you come here please? I need to ask you something.”

  Luna was incredulous she would call him “baby” in front of everyone. But that would actually be the point, after all.

  Nico turned his head in her direction. So he was accustomed to being called “baby” by her! Luna could tell he was embarrassed, and rolled her eyes at him. He sauntered over to find out what Alexa needed, then stopped to speak to the videographer. Luna went to stand next to Heidi and watched as the director called action.

  Heidi had apparently seen other such interactions between Nico and Alexa, and made a comment about their volatile relationship.

  “Relationship?” Luna inquired.

  “I should say so!” said Heidi. “I was doing her hair and makeup in her master suite, and she told me he’s her boyfriend. I’m sure she was letting me know in case I thought I had a chance with him,” Heidi laughed.

  Luna was speechless.

  Heidi continued, “He does flirt with me, and I have to say I was intrigued. He’s hot. But she sure let me know in no uncertain terms he’s off limits. And this was while I was covering up her bruises with makeup!”

  Luna steadied herself, hoping she had concealed any reaction. “Bruises? What do you mean?”

  Heidi leaned in to whisper, “She has a bruise on her left cheekbone, and on her arms, as well. I’m sure he’s laid hands on her. She made some lame excuse about a cabinet door jumping out at her! And when I did his makeup for a segment of the Morning Show, he had a split lip! I didn’t dare ask him about it. Whatever. I just covered them up.”

  Luna was agog as Heidi continued happily dishing away. “But I know it when I see it. And I see it more often than I would like. Of course Nico wants her for money and connections. I mean, look around! But when she makes too many demands, like wanting public displays of affection, he gets angry. He told me that himself.”

  Luna took it all in, letting Heidi fill the air with more information. “The bruises on her arms are fingerprints, probably from him grabbing her and trying to control himself from punching her in the face!” Heidi sure wasn’t holding back!

  Watching the shoot, she began mocking Alexa under her breath so no one except Luna could hear, “Look at her posing! Just look at her making a fool of herself. Or maybe not. I guess she has him right where she wants him, doesn’t she?”

  Luna stayed quiet, better not to say anything than too much was her motto. “I guess…” Luna’s voice trailed off.

  Alexa spoke briefly, and though adept at not using the anger word, she still got the point across. Soon, Luna realized she was up next.

  They placed Luna in a secluded alcove in the garden against a long, limestone dining table shaded by a grape vine-covered pergola. Leaning casually with one hand on the table, she let her hair fall to the side. Her tomato-red dress with black intarsia was striking against the stone, accented by the light playing off the three crystal chandeliers hanging above the table, creating a picturesque fantasy setting. Luna was naturally expressive when she talked, often using her hands as she spoke. She animatedly wove a visual of her experience with the despacho ceremony, describing all the objects and their meaning, creating a magical tale of healing and the flowering of her creativity.

  Then she continued with her yoga training, “Nico taught me the Breath of Fire and how to arouse and unwind the tightly coiled serpent—the kundalini—at the base of my spine. He showed me how the kundalini travels upward through the chakras, and the energy opens the fire in your body, moving it up from the root chakra, which is the center of our physical reality and where we feel nurtured, to the sacral chakra, which is the connection to our emotions. As a designer, I needed to awaken this chakra to create effortlessly and without any blockage. I remember when Nico showed me how to move this energy, in a private session. At first I was uncomfortable. But as I trusted him, I was able to accomplish this kriya, and soon I felt as if I could fly. As prana, Sanskrit for life-force, moves through the seven chakras, it opens up our potential. Everything becomes possible! I learned what happens when each chakra is opened up for a free flow of energy. The solar plexus activates our passion for life, turning fear into love, anger into action, and sadness into joy. The heart chakra allows us the experience of unity and nonjudgmental universal love. The throat chakra, our voice, allows us to be heard and understood. It’s also a vibrational connection to the universe. The third eye,” Luna pointed gracefully to the spot just above the bridge of her nose, “gives us clarity and a focused mind. We can access the essence of our inner knowledge. As the ancient teachings say, know thyself, and the crown chakra brings the experience of the transcendental meaning of life—oneness and bliss.”

  She was really at her best, the words flowing effortlessly as if directly from some universal consciousness. “My work with Nico has allowed me to experience so much more of life, with more grace and peace than I ever could have imagined.” She looked at Nico just off camera, and placing her hands in prayer position, bowed her head, “Nico, namaste. I bow to you.” After she ended her monologue, no one said a word—and the videographer let the camera run as Luna walked out of view.

  When class was over, Luna didn’t want Heidi to know she was staying to talk to Nico. She went to the locker room and took a shower, then put on her signature bohemian look of distressed jeans and a paisley printed cotton gauze top.

  Taking her time, she fixed her makeup, applying only a touch of bronzer and lip gloss. When she removed the elastic tie securing her hair atop her head, a lush chocolate brown curtain cascaded over her shoulders. Carefully, she clasped large turquoise beads around her neck, replaced the silver cuffs and rings she’d removed before class, and went in search of Nico.

  “Oh, Luna. You’re still here? I thought you’d left.”

  She reminded him, “No, Nico. You and I made plans. Remember? We were going to hang out and talk.”

  Nico replied simply, “Well, then help me. Can you sort the mail?”

  Happy to be allowed to help him, she chuckled, “I don’t know, Nico. What will you do if I die?”

  He grinned and gave his standard reply, “Bella, you can’t die. I need you too much!”

  She waited until she felt the timing was right—not that it could ever be right—to bring up what Heidi had said at Alexa’s house. “Nico…” she faltered.

  “Luna. Stop flirting,” he quipped.

  Luna got serious. “I’m not flirting. I’m concerned about something I heard.”

  He shrugged her head off his shoulder. “What did you hear, Luna?”

  She took a breath. “Well, Alexa told Heidi that you’re her boyfriend.”

  Nico laughed, not the response she had expected. “Well, bella, that’s a lie. Alexa is sick in the head. You do know that, right?”

  Luna had known he would deny it, but added, “I just wanted you to know people are talking. It’s not good for your reputation.”

  He continued his defense, “Either Heidi is lying, or Alexa told her that to keep Heidi away from me. Heidi has been flirting with me! Everyone flirts with me Luna—even you!”

  She punched him gently in the arm. “You flirt with me all the time! So I flirt back. But we’re just friends. These other women want you; they want to fuck you and be with you!”

  He laughed out loud again. “Yeah, right—and so do you. So stop gossiping!”

  She wouldn’t give up. “It makes you look slutty.” She couldn’t help sounding bitter.

  He wasn’t concerned. “Don’t worry. I have them under control. They’re friends, that’s all. They’re all helping me because I cured them.”

  Luna still wasn’t convinced, and pushed harder. “I think it’s bad for your business to let the world think you’re for sale.”

  Sounding annoyed, he snapped, “What, you think I can’t handle a bunch of middle-aged women with a crush on me?” Then, before she could ge
t a word in edgewise, he barked, “That was over the line. Enough! You’re just jealous!”

  Seeing he was getting irritated, Luna dropped the subject.

  But he was now paranoid, and probed further. “Do you believe that I’m fucking Alexa? Are you spreading these rumors?”

  Luna pounced. “Nico! I most certainly am not! I would never say something like that. I’m trying to protect you.”

  “Don’t worry, Luna. This is my business.”

  “I always worry, Nico. You tell me not to, but I can’t help but worry about you.”

  “I have it under control, I promise. I need Alexa to do things for me. She’s a business associate, nothing more.”

  She just sighed, “Uh huh.”

  Nico didn’t look up, and just kept paging through a catalog from Dick’s Sporting Goods. He went on, “She’s getting me investors, and we’re talking to a network about my own show. You better get started designing my line of yoga clothes right away!”

  She didn’t want to push her luck, and simply said, “OK, Nico. Just be careful of the rumors. Protect your reputation at all costs.” She wasn’t convinced Alexa would come through for him. And though she knew she needed to stop nagging him, she found it hard to do. They would never see eye to eye.

  This time, he looked up at her from under that lock of hair over his eyes. “I will, Luna. Thank you for caring about me. But please, be supportive and not so judgmental. Can you do that?”

  She squeezed his arm and said, “Yes, I can do that.”

  “Good. Come. I’ll open a bottle of wine.”

  Following him into the apartment she remembered, “Tyler and I are going to Santa Fe for Indian Market in a few days. Are you going to visit Ita and your sister?”

  Her question put him on edge. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Luna. I don’t even know what month it is. I haven’t even had time to cut my toenails.”

  She laughed to herself; she loved that expression of his. “But you always go in August, when it’s slow here…”