by Maya Daniels
“You have the key to my heart, sister.” I pat the spot next to me and she sits down, pouring more coffee into both our cups.
“It’s a beautiful day today. I’ve never seen this one before,” she says, and we smile at each other. It’s a nice way of looking at it, I guess.
“The more you find things to be grateful for, the more of those things the universe will provide, huh?” I say, and she nods, laughing.
“It is the way of the Divine,” she adds. We swing for a bit, just sitting there, enjoying each other’s company.
“Before I let you be,” she says after a while, “tonight, I want you to concentrate on what you need to do. I don’t want you to worry about anything you might hear or see, okay?” She is very serious, and dread creeps up in my stomach.
“What does that mean? Are you expecting trouble?” I tense up.
“I didn’t say there will be. I only said for you not to worry if there is. As I told you yesterday, sometimes entities try to cross into this realm, but that’s why I’m here. You just make sure that you get the information we need, leave everything else to the three of us. We trust you with our lives, and we expect the same in return.” She’s deadly serious, so I do take it to heart. She’s right. They do trust me to do the right thing, and I need to offer the same to them.
“Of course I trust you. I don’t think I’ve ever trusted anyone as much as I trust the three of you.” I hope she hears the sincerity in my voice. I do mean it from my heart.
“Okay, good. When rituals like this are done, sometimes things are much different than they appear. Gods are very tricky. They might make you see things that you wish to see or things that terrify you. I need you to stay present in your mind. I need you to remember it’s the four of us there in the circle and the god we summon. No one else will be there, they can’t. So, if you see someone that is not supposed to be there, it’s because Sin is making you see them. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you, Meda. I’m forever grateful you are here with me.” I give her a hug.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, A-ma.” She hugs me back.
Tears prick my eyes. She’s such a beautiful, loving soul. She goes inside after pouring more coffee in my mug, and I’m expecting Jezzinta to come out next. I guess they decided to do it one by one, so they don’t frustrate me if they all gang up on me. Smart strategy, I must admit. I function better if I can hear clearly what someone is saying, because I don’t only listen to their words, I watch their face, I read between the lines, I read their energy. When there are many people talking at the same time, it messes me up and that frustrates me. I don’t need to wait long before Jezzinta comes out.
“I know you were waiting for me,” she says as soon as she opens the door.
“You do?”
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out this strategy, sap,” she laughs, and I join her.
“Well, I do appreciate it, just so you know.” I give her a hug when she sits down.
“I love you more than you know.” She looks at me.
“The way you say that, I’m going to start thinking I’m about to die.” I laugh at her wide-eyed look. “I’m joking. Relax.” I nudge her leg with mine.
“I sure hope so. You haven’t found your sense of humor yet, sister,” she says, and she leans back on the swing. I do the same, but I turn towards her so I can see her better.
“I’m not going to give you advice or whatever the others did. I just wanted to tell you that I think it’s better if Meda takes the place of High Priestess in the ritual.” She’s looking at the trees not at me.
“Why? I thought you know how to do this. You’ve done it before.”
“That’s true, but Meda is much better at holding the portal than I am. Plus I’d rather be free to help you if need be than hold a damn portal, if I’m being honest.” She looks at me then, and I see she’s worried about me and how I’ll handle tonight.
“Jez, I’ll be fine, I swear it. What can happen, honestly? Plus, whatever it is, I’m sure I’ve had it happen once or twice, if not in this life, then in the previous ones.” I pat her leg. “Including dying,” I add with a smile, but she doesn’t smile back, just looks at me and her eyes go from green to blue and back again. “Your eyes are like water, Jez. No wonder you’re my favorite sister.” I try to lighten the mood.
“Oh, is that so? If my eyes were not like your precious water, then someone else would’ve been your favorite? Good to know, sap!” She acts upset, but I can tell the sparkle is back in her eyes.
“Without water, I’m nothing, Jez. You know that!” I say it jokingly, but it’s the truth. I do believe I will cease to exist without water. It’s part of my existence, as strange as it may sound.
“I know that more than you do. You should remember it,” she says cryptically. I was going to ask but she jumps up.
“I’ll let you be. In a couple of hours, we need to start getting ready. I have the cloaks and everything on top of your bed. We will grab them before we head to the clearing.” With that, she walks into the house and leaves me swinging alone on the porch.
I wish I’d asked Remi to leave the smokes outside, because I feel I’ll need a couple more before tonight. I spend most of the day sitting on the swing. I even had my lunch here. Remi brought it over, ate with me outside, and when we were done, she picked the plates up and walked inside, all without saying a word. After that, I felt a little uneasy, like someone was watching me, but I couldn’t feel anyone when I sent my senses out, and I’m sure it was because of my nerves.
The sky starts darkening and I finally get up. We need to start the ritual before the sun goes bellow the horizon.
We all dress quietly, each in our own rooms. I put on the slave costume and I look at myself in the mirror. Meda did my makeup earlier with black kohl; she lined my eyes and made them stand out. She also drew swirls and symbols on my arms and shoulders with henna. It peeled off while I was dressing and just the stained swirls are now left. I have some body lotion on me that has glitter in it and it makes my body sparkle as I move. Looking at myself, I can almost believe I’m the enchantress Inanna asked me to be. The bottom part sits low and snug on my hips and it balloons to my ankles where it’s tied with pretty bows. It sits so low that it only covers my intimate parts. I feel a bit uncomfortable, but I shake and jump to make sure it won’t drop and it didn’t move an inch, so that’s good. There’s a golden belt with little coins sitting on top of it so that it jiggles and sways every time I move or even breathe. It does add a nice effect to the outfit. The top is a simple scarf that goes across my chest and ties in the back. There is a necklace with the sun symbol around my neck and a snake cuff high on my bicep. No shoes for me tonight. I’m barefoot with just anklets and a chain that loops around my big toe to make it look like I’m wearing sandals. The bronze color of the outfit makes my olive skin look like part of the silk. All and all, it’s beautiful. I would’ve been much happier if it wasn’t see-through. I feel exposed, but the ladies said it’s all for show and I’m determined to play my part. Having the information is very important, not just for us, but for humanity. I can only imagine what that evil creature, Tiamat, would do if she got her hands on those potions. We’d all be screwed for eternity. I walk up to my dresser and pick up the little bottle of jasmine essential oil. I don’t like using perfumes. I always dab a little essential oil behind my ears, on all pulse points and on top of my heart. It’s a habit I’ve developed through the years. As I’m putting it on, Jezzinta walks in.
“You don’t need that anymore, you know. After your initiation, your skin naturally smells like jasmine. I think that’s what got Philip to act like a horny teenager,” she says, and I laugh nervously. She’s right, but it’s something I keep on doing so I feel normal. I’ll take anything that will keep me connected to my life before all this took flight into Neverland direction.
“I know.”
We grab our cloaks and leave the house. I’m the last on
e to walk out, so I close the door behind me quietly. I’m hoping we’ll be returning here soon with everything we need. We put our cloaks on, the hoods over our heads, and head out. We walk at a steady pace, not rushing and not too slow, either. There is anxious energy around us, but not in a bad way. More like we are expecting something exciting to happen, but the outcome is unknown. I don’t know how else to explain it. Finally we reach the clearing and spread out, each taking her place so we can open the shimmering dome we put in place yesterday. With our hands in the air, we thank the spirits of the four directions and bid them farewell. They served us well and I’m grateful to them. The dome shimmers and disappears like it appeared, from thin air. Walking towards the altar, we all line up. Meda stands in front of the altar with her back towards us. Remi, Jezzinta and I stand next to each other in a semicircle. We look at the sun slowly going down and wait. It needs to be just at the right time…There, it’s set half below and half above the horizon.
“As above, so below,” we all say in unison.
“Let us start, sisters,” says Meda, and her voice sounds very regal and much older than usual. I look at Jezzinta and she just nods. I nod back. I think it was a good choice to let Meda be the High Priestess. She raises her hand and starts talking. “Blissful Paean. Come, you who are revered gloriously, fruitful source of wealth and happiness.”
“Come,” all three of us say.
Meda continues. “Spermatic, golden-lyred patron, oracle, wild, you who brings light, beloved glorious young man, you who are a leader of the Muses, leader of the dance, noble and lovely and pure.”
“Come,” the three of us say again.
“You who sees all within and all beneath the sky, you whose hair is gold, whose oracle and omens are clear sustained, hear us entreating for humankind, hear our prayer and be present with delightful heart.”
“Come,” we say again.
I’m feeling the air thickening around us, and it starts to get warm, but I stand still and quiet like Remi and Jezzinta, not daring even to breathe too loudly.
Meda continues. “For you survey all the boundless aether, and you look at the abundant and blessed Earth from the above, and in the darkness of the silent night, your eyes are the stars, you see the roots of the Earth. You are caring about all the source and the end, you make everything bloom!”
“Come,” we say and out of my control, my body starts swaying. I see Remi and Jezzinta are swaying, too.
“Hence by mankind, we call upon you, since in thy care and hands lies the seal which stamps the world with forms of every kind. Hear us, blessed power of the Blissful One, and in these rites rejoice us and save thy mystics with a suppliant voice!” Meda says the last part with such force my insides shake.
“Come,” we say it as forcefully as she spoke.
As the last words are spoken, Meda grabs the ceremonial knife and cuts the inside of her right palm, lifting it on top of the chalice where her blood drips into it in a steady stream. I flinch. That must’ve hurt.
“Blood of my blood, life of my life. I call upon you, Sin, come to us!”
“Come,” we say again.
I watch as all three of them drop their cloaks and stand there in white see-through gowns. The fading light from the sun makes it appear as though they have nothing on, like they are naked and their bodies shimmer like something unreal, like nymphs have decided to grace the clearing in these woods with their presence. Everything around me feels magical. I keep my cloak on, as we agreed, until he shows up. Meda said not to move an inch from where I’m standing until she tells me to, and for the first time in my life, I’m going to obey. I don’t normally take orders very well. I do now! See? I can be good...sometimes. That thought makes me want to laugh and I hear Meda snort in front of me. She must have read my mind again. We stand like statues, waiting as the last rays of the sun disappear below the horizon and darkness covers us all for a second before the glow of the full moon turns everything silver. Well, it looks like he isn’t coming, I’m thinking to myself. Good. We tried and he didn’t show up. Now we can all go home and I’ll make fun of these three standing bare-ass in the woods waiting for a god. Meda snorts louder this time. I think she’s fighting a laugh and I’m happy I can at least entertain her.
“You dare laugh at my presence, Priestess, after summoning me?” A deep voice echoes through the trees and I fight to stay standing. All I want is to drop to my knees; the power is overwhelming. I peek through my hood, but I don’t see anyone.
“I didn’t think you would show up, Nanna,” says Meda like she’s talking to a farmer about potatoes, and I suck in a sharp breath. She’s going to get us all killed. And why is she calling Sin ‘Nanna’?
“Ah! Meda! It is you,” says the voice again and the torches we stabbed in the ground around the clearing, as well as all the candles, get lit at the same time with high-reaching flames. I jump a little. Meda laughs. I’m not sure if she’s laughing at me or Sin.
“It is I. We have summoned you to ask a favor,” she tells him.
“Well, of course. I didn’t think you would summon me just to see me,” he says sarcastically. “The gods get summoned when you need something, not to simply show your gratitude,” he adds like a reprimand.
As he is talking, he finally steps in the lit area and my breath gets stuck in my throat. My knees get weak and shaky. Oh, dear Mother sweet Goddess...holy fuck! my voice is screaming in my head. He is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. Golden wavy hair, his skin shines like porcelain. He is standing bare-chested with a loincloth tied around his narrow hips, and I know it sounds silly, but even his legs are beautiful. I can’t stop staring. I even forget to breathe. His face is so beautiful it hurts to look at it.
“I want to see the one that offers such thoughts,” he says and starts walking towards me. “Why is she covered? Have you no respect?”
Meda stands in front of me, cutting off his way. “I said I need a favor, but I didn’t say what,” she tells him.
“Well, go on, Priestess. Speak. Then move out of the way!” he says, annoyed. I guess he can read minds, too. Duh, he is a god. I’d better stop thinking before I get into more trouble.
“We have a new sister in our circle and we need you to bless her,” Meda tells him.
“You summoned me to bless a witch?” You can hear the doubt in his voice.
“Yes, we did. It’s important that you bless her, she is Inanna’s vessel,” says Meda proudly, and then there is silence. I’m thinking he is going to fry us all now, and I hear his laugh thundering all around me.
“Oh, I like her very much already,” he says between bouts of laughter. “I don’t know why you don’t get my daughter to do her own blessing, Priestess. I will make an exception, but there must be an offering. You know the rules,” he says to Meda.
“If you agree to bless her, she will dance for you,” Meda tells him.
“I’ve seen many witches dance, Priestess. You better come up with something else.” He is angry now, I can hear it.
“I know you have, but you have not seen this one. Let her dance for you, and if it is a good offering, you can bless her when she is done.” Meda sounds like she’s selling a horse. At that thought, she snorts again and Sin laughs out loud.
“Well, she does have a good sense of humor, at least,” says Sin, and I look pointedly at Jezzinta, who rolls her eyes at me. I’ll never let her forget it, if we live to see another day.
“Very well! Dance, witch, and move that foul thing off you so I can see you,” he says, sitting up on the edge of the altar. This is Inanna’s father, and he looks like he is in his mid-twenties.
What a strange world it is, the world of gods, I think to myself.
“Very strange indeed,” he agrees with me, and my stomach does a somersault.
I walk back slowly and grab the hand drum sitting on the grass. Remi moves to the side, sits down and takes the drum in front of her. With my back towards him, I push the cloak off my shoulders and
feel it pile up at my feet. This is it. I better dance like I’ve never danced before, like my life depends on it, because, well, it does, in a way. The full moon is high in the sky and I say a quick prayer. “Mother, please guide me.” The sound of the dayereh echoes through the night as I start shaking my hand, lifting it slowly up in the air above my head. Remi joins in and the beat of her drum soothes my soul. I close my eyes for a second. Jezzinta’s words echo through my mind - let your spirit guide you - and I do just that. I give total control of my body to my spirit. It’s like an out-of-body experience, watching yourself move but it’s not you doing the moving, so I just stay back and observe. At the sharp beat of the drum, I look over my shoulder at him for the first time without the safety of the cloak, and his eyes widen like he is shocked. I start by swaying my hips in circular motions while my free hand is twisting and turning like a snake, even with my shoulder. The bells on the belt join the rhythm of the dayereh and the drum, all three making a beautiful melody. Sin is watching me like a hawk, his eyes tracking every movement I make, and he is leaning forward in anticipation. I slowly turn around, throwing my hips in a sharp movement, left then right, and as Remi stops the drum, I hit the dayereh on my hip that makes the air echo with the sound of bells. He takes in a sharp breath. Now we are looking at each other face to face. That’s a little too much for me, so I start shaking my shoulders and bending my upper body backwards, almost into a bridge pose. Remi follows with the beat of her drum in sync with every movement of my shoulders. My breasts are moving wildly from this, and as I bring myself up again, I see him standing so close to me that I’m within arm’s reach. No can do! I lean sideways and while dancing I sidestep him and end up behind him. He turns around sharply, but I do the same again. He follows and now he is looking at me with narrowed eyes. I guess gods don’t like to be disobeyed. Tough luck for him. I agreed to dance, nothing more. Swaying my hips, I slowly circle around him, and he follows me with his head. When I’m behind him again, I reach out my hand, and with my finger I touch him from one shoulder to the other as I move in front of him again, and he makes a grunting noise. Moving and swaying like a boneless snake, I’m in front of him and his eyes go to my breasts that are jiggling with the swaying, and thanks to my treacherous body, my nipples turn into pinpoints. He looks up at my eyes and gives me a predatory smile that triggers my fight-or-flight instincts, but remember how he’s a god? Yup, you guessed it, he read my mind and out of thin air shackles pop on my wrists and ankles, as well as around my neck, which is connected by a chain to the shackles on my wrists. He grabs it fast.
