Wicked Unveiled

by J. N. Colon

  “I’m staying with you.” My chest tightened, forcing the air from my lungs. I couldn’t leave Etie alone in this.

  His lips pinched. “I was hoping you’d leave—preferably now.”

  I leaned closer, breathing in his heady scent. “Not happening.”

  Etie sighed and slowly ran his hands down my arms, tiny pops of electricity crackling in their wake. His touch made me shiver. “I love you, Angeline.” He swallowed hard. “No matter what I say or do during this, I love you.”

  “I know.” My stomach clenched. I wanted to double over. “I love you too.”

  He pressed a soft kiss to my lips, giving me the tiniest sample of his sweet flavor. “Let’s get this over with,” he murmured before spinning around and marching to the center of the room.

  I resisted the urge to follow. Instead, I folded onto the floor and pressed my back against the crimson wall. Etie sat about two feet from the circle Henri had formed with the spell mixture and rocks, his body facing mine. Mama CeCe, Henri, and Bastien joined him.

  The rhythmic thump of drums began, quickening my pulse. Shaking gourds and the clanking of snake bones joined in. Power rose from the center of the room, dancing along the edges of the circle.

  I couldn’t just feel it. I could see it—like lights of the aurora borealis. They throbbed and undulated with the rising and falling tempo of the ritual song. Did anyone else see this? Or was this part of my conduit powers?

  Etie’s voice filled the air, a deep timbre that sent chills down my spine. “Louvri pòt la fè nwa.”

  The others repeated the chant after him three times.

  A wind kicked up, gently blowing my hair around my shoulders. But with it came the scent of fire and charred wood.

  “Pote baka devan. Chèn l 'nan ansèkle.” The symbols on Etie’s chest reddened as if they were being branded into him. He winced, and I felt the searing pain through him.

  My stomach dropped. Oh God. Was that supposed to happen? No one said this would hurt him.

  He ignored the burning and continued chanting. Without meaning too, I scooted closer.

  His eyes shot to mine, glowing brighter than the flickering candles around the room. He shook his head, stopping me in my tracks.

  My lips thinned, and I pressed my back against the wall again. The wind grew wilder, knocking over a cup on Mama CeCe’s altar table.

  “He’s fighting me,” Etie said over the howling. “He doesn’t want to come.”

  “Make him,” Henri snarled. “Don’t you want to save your alimèt from Baron Samedi?”

  A sick feeling churned my gut. I didn’t want Etie doing this to save me. We could figure out another way.

  “You might as well do it, Étienne.” Mama CeCe rubbed the petrified chicken foot between her hands. “We already came this far.” A humorless laugh exited her lips. “Besides, you don’t want a creature like that thinking he’s stronger than you.”

  Oh great. Could Etie even stop now?

  The pouvior bokor gritted his teeth. “Fine.” He closed his eyes and dipped further into his magic, into the darkness.

  A sour taste coated my mouth. Here we go.

  More Vondou flowed from Etie. The words were angrier, punching the air with each jagged syllable. The drumbeats and shake of the gourds quickened, matching Etie’s wild tone.

  The candle flames blew out. A high-pitched keening swirled through the wind, piercing my eardrums.

  My heart slammed against my ribs in a frantic rhythm. Cold sweat coated my skin. My conduit powers pressed against the barriers, demanding their release. They longed to connect with Etie. Not to heighten his power or steal it. To help him.

  Etie’s palms slapped the floor. Violent vibrations ripped through the room. The floorboards shook, puffs of smoke spiraling up.

  What the hell was happening!

  “Chèn l 'nan ansèkle, Resix,” Etie growled. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  Ice slid down my back. His voice was already deep, but this was borderline demonic.

  A growl filled the air coming from nowhere and everywhere.

  Okay. Never mind. That was demonic.

  A familiar rattling joined the chaos. Etie’s koulèvkay made an appearance, slithering over his shoulder and onto the floor. The mossy green and vibrant blue scales shimmered as if sunlight reflected off them. The serpent slid toward the inner circle, elongating until it outlined the ansèkle. His tongue flicked out, tasting the magic.

  My palm tingled as usual at his presence.

  Another growl thundered through the room, shaking the walls. I slammed my hands over my ears, but it did nothing to drown out the horrific voice. Words I couldn’t decipher spilled around us. Etie grew more agitated.

  A chilling laugh escaped his mouth. “You think it’s over?”

  A knot the size of a massive fist formed in my chest. Things were about to take an even scarier turn.

  Etie’s head rolled back, his muscles straining so hard veins popped out. The other voodoo casters traded covert glances. Unease settled in their glowing eyes.

  Yep. I was right. Shit was about to hit the fan.

  A loud crash tore around the room. Everyone except Etie was tossed back, rolling across the floor.

  My lungs seized. “What’s happening!”

  Bastien cursed and scrambled up, running back to his brother. About a foot away from where he’d been sitting, Bastien hit a barrier. He was thrown back, crashing to the ground.

  My gasp was swallowed up by the wind as I ran to him. “Bastien!” I helped him up. “What happened?”

  Henri winced as he stood, his gaze on his youngest son who was swaying to phantom drumbeats. Etie’s eyes were nearly onyx. He was swimming in dark magic. Mama CeCe watched him with something close to hunger. She still wanted a taste of his power.

  “I don’t know, Angel.” Bastien rubbed the back of his head where he’d hit the floor. “I think Resix is trying to take him over.”

  Oh, hell no. I’d seen The Exorcist. That was not happening to my alimèt.

  I stepped forward, but Bastien caught my wrist.

  “Angel, no!” He tried to tug me back. “You can’t go in there. Etie sealed it to keep us safe.”

  I wasn’t going to let him take on this baka alone. “He can’t keep me out.” When I’d created a barrier around myself in the cemetery, Etie had easily walked through it. Hopefully that would work here.

  If not, I’d have to fight my way in.

  Bastien reluctantly released his grip. I walked toward the circle, flicking a glance in Henri’s direction. His lips twitched as if he’d expected this. Had he known all along I’d have to intervene?

  I shook it off and focused on the faintly visible blockade. My hand lifted, and I pressed forward, meeting no resistance.

  I stepped through.

  If I thought turmoil was occurring on the other side of the circle, then this was a freaking hail storm of darkness and evil. The scent of fire and sulfur choked me. My eyes watered in protest. Tingles of cold air rippled over my skin followed by searing fire.

  Etie was fighting the demon.

  I knelt beside him, his eyes remaining fixed on the inner circle outlined by his koulèvkay. Deep rumbles of Vondou streamed from his mouth, pouring more magic into the atmosphere. I swallowed hard. Resix was clawing around in here somewhere. He didn’t want to go into the inner circle. He wanted to play.

  Not happening.

  “A pretty little witch.” The words coming out of Etie’s mouth weren’t his. “I’ll enjoy your body first.”

  Acid curdled my stomach.

  Etie gritted his teeth, battling for control. “Get out of here, Angeline!” His eyes darkened to the impenetrable shade of a midnight sky. His veins began to turn black. The light voodoo had been completely washed out. His darkness churned violently, playing chicken with the demon trying to slither inside.

  I was stuck in a horror movie. And my boyfriend was the star.

  His fingers dragged along
the floor, tearing gouges through the wood. “I mean it, Angeline. If you don’t get out, I’ll throw you out.”

  “I’d like to see you try.” My hand thrust forward, and I grabbed hold of his arm. The walls around my conduit magic crumbled.

  Etie gasped as we connected. His darkness was cool and velvety. I wanted to roll around in it, swim in it. It called to me. It knew me.

  My head tilted back as I reveled in the new sensations. It was better than Delirium. I could stay here forever. Tingles swirled through my insides, and my body hummed in pleasure. Pops of energy rippled over my skin. My muscles were becoming languid. I wanted to lie down and let the magic drown me in bliss.

  This was paradise. I licked my lips, something heavenly sweet lingering over my tongue. No wonder Etie had a hard time keeping his balance.

  Angeline! No. Don’t let it take you.

  Etie’s desperate voice inside my head snapped me out of the dark trance attempting to fall over me. I shook myself, forcing the yearning for this wonderfully wicked place below the surface.

  Shit. That was some serious temptation. The fruit from the tree of knowledge had nothing on Etie’s dark side.

  My jaw clenched, and I looked beyond the silky enticement, searching for the light. At the end of a long tunnel, a tiny pinpoint shined.

  I snatched it, pouring power around the light to magnify it. Electric tingles sparked across my toujou, spreading through my body.

  Etie’s darkness was shrinking.

  My lips pressed against his, and I breathed more magic into him. His hands lifted, holding me in a tight embrace. We were fused together, not just physically, but magically too. Our powers became just that—ours.

  Growls slammed against the barrier. We broke apart, and relief sank through my chest. The shadows had cleared from Etie’s eyes.

  “You never listen to me.” His voice was rough, but his own.

  “Nope.”

  He shook his head and slid me to his side. “Hold onto me. This will be over in a minute.”

  My hand pressed into his shoulder, his skin hot beneath my palm.

  “Get in that damn circle, Resix.” Etie slammed his fist into the ground, cracking the floor. “Koute!”

  Another angry roar bellowed. Chilling darkness exploded through the bubble encasing us, knocking my hair back.

  Then the room was silent. I blinked, and a tall figure coalesced within the smaller circle the koulèvkay was protecting.

  I swallowed hard and clutched Etie’s shoulder tighter until my fingers dug into his flesh.

  The demon Resix glared down at us.

  Chapter 20

  Yellow eyes peered down at me, pupils in thin slits. Deep midnight skin stretched tightly over thick muscles roping around the seven-foot-something frame. The shiny horns atop his head made him even taller.

  This baka was much bigger than the one sent to torment me last summer.

  “I told you not to fight it.” Etie’s body was stiff as stone next to mine. “You were going to end up in that circle one way or another.”

  A deep chuckle seeped out of the baka’s mouth, his lips parting to show snow-white teeth. “I almost had you, bokor.” His head ticked toward me. “Until your little alimèt witch joined the party.” His fingers curled in and out by his sides as if pretending to pet me. “Without her, I’d be wearing your pretty skin.”

  “Not likely.” Etie cracked his neck. “I was just getting started. I’d have won.”

  “Oh, right.” Those unsettling eyes landed on Henri. “You, pouvior bokor, got a lot of darkness.” He licked his lips. “So saturated with it.” He found Mama CeCe, surprise dawning over his expression. “Well, look at you, CeCe. Still young and beautiful.” He blew her a kiss. “Tell me, how does one as old as dirt look so good?”

  By his taunting tone, he already knew the answer to that—and it wasn’t anything good.

  Mama CeCe’s only response was a disdainful twist of her mouth.

  “Bastien Benoit.” The demon chuckled. “How does it feel to always come in second compared to your little brother?”

  A dark smirk pulled at the bokor’s mouth as his amber eyes flared brighter. “Pretty damn good. Coming in second behind Étienne means beating everyone else by miles.”

  Bastien never lacked confidence even in the face of a demon.

  While the baka was distracted, Etie pried my fingers from his shoulder, wrapping his hand around mine. “He can’t hurt you now, cher. He’s trapped.”

  I glanced at the circle his koulèvkay was moving around. I sure hope so.

  “Why has the young pouvior bokor summoned me?” Resix’s attention returned to me.

  I choked back the shivers his unnerving stare gave me. There was no need to show him how scared I was.

  “We want information on Baron Samedi.” Etie stood, bringing me with him. “We want to know how to weaken him.”

  “Do you now?” His voice turned a chilling tenor. “To save ma petite?” His teeth clanked together, and I was pretty sure he wanted to take a bite out of my flesh.

  Etie stepped in front, blocking my body from the demon. “That doesn’t concern you.”

  Resix casually lifted his shoulder. “Then why should I tell you?”

  “If you ever want to get out of that trap, you will.” Power throbbed from Etie.

  The lights flickered, reminding me to restore the barrier around my conduit powers. I was in control, but I shouldn’t have my receptors out all willy-nilly. I quickly sucked them in and reinforced the wall.

  Resix inched closer to the edge of the circle, trying to catch a glimpse of me.

  “Just tell us,” Henri hissed, stealing the baka’s attention. “You want Baron Samedi knocked from his high horse. I know you do.”

  The demon chuckled again, the sound worse than nails raking down a chalkboard. “Oh, I do. That particular loa has too much control over the spirit world, don’t you think, Henri?” His name easily rolled off his tongue.

  “He wouldn’t let you into his party?” Oh my voodoo gods. As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to shove them back in. Being brave was one thing, but provoking a demon was another. That was way beyond my usual level of stupidity.

  The baka’s eyes glowed brighter, turning the color of neon yellow moons. “More or less.” He slinked to the other side of the circle. “The baron wouldn’t allow my master a few light souls to borrow for a spell.”

  I was pretty sure he meant destroy or suck dry—something along those lines. “Who’s your master?”

  Those unsettling irises found me behind Etie. “Kalfou of course.”

  Cold air slithered down my back like a ghost raking nails over my flesh. There he was again, the loa of dark magic. If demons were his minions, the guy had to be evil incarnate. I could only imagine what he wanted with good souls. At least Baron Samedi had enough sense to deny his request.

  Etie shifted to block me. “Tell us how to weaken him, and you can go to any damn party you want.”

  Resix paused. His long fingers lifted, tapping his talons against his horns. Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap. “All right.” An ominous smile stretched his lips. “But you won’t like it, boy.”

  “Just tell us.” Etie rolled his shoulders.

  I resisted the urge to massage the tension from them.

  “You need an iron blade forged within a crossroad and salted with virgin tears during a solar eclipse.” He winked in my direction.

  Did I have virgin painted on my forehead?

  A growl vibrated through Etie’s chest, and he pulled me closer.

  The demon snickered before continuing. “Once you have the blade, it must be anointed in a crossroad during a waning moon with mouri inosan.”

  “The ash of a dead innocent?” Etie’s hand flexed in mine. “Are you telling me we have to kill an innocent person to do this?”

  My sharp intake of air echoed through the room. There was no way in hell an innocent person was going to pay the price of my mistak
es. Etie knew I’d never go along with that.

  Was this the something dead part Henri and Etie discovered a few weeks ago?

  The baka’s deep rumbles of laughter made me queasy. “Unfortunately, no. You simply need to desecrate the bones of one whose soul has already passed to the spirit world.”

  Not much better.

  Resix ran his nail around the rim of his eyes. “And then you must stab Baron Samedi in the eye.”

  My stomach heaved. Ick! In his eye? Why?

  “Which one?” Bastien’s voice sliced right through the horrific images dancing through my mind.

  Resix shrugged. “Any one. You pick.”

  “But why?” Ugh. There I went again. I’d rather not converse with the evil voodoo demon.

  “Because, ma petite, the baron is the keeper of the dead and the healer of the living.” Disdain swirled around his words. “His power comes from being able to see in both worlds all the time.” One of his long fingers pointed toward the ceiling. “One eye is always on this world.” He then pointed to the floor. “While the other keeps watch in the spirit world.”

  That was why the baron could easily move between places with the snap of his fingers.

  “Disable one of those eyes, and he’ll be trapped in one place for good without his power of dual sight and maybe everything else,” the baka continued. “And this needs to happen on Fete Gede, the day the baron is most powerful.”

  How fitting.

  “Will he still be able to allow passage for the dead to the spirit world?” Mama CeCe asked.

  Resix shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care. I’d just like to see him crippled.”

  “And why can’t you do it?” Etie crossed his arms against his chest, bunching up his biceps. “You want him injured so much. What’s stopping you?”

  Resix ran his foot—or hoof—along the perimeter of the circle, nudging the barrier. “I can’t touch the blade once it’s anointed with the mouri inosan.”

  Etie’s koulèvkay hissed, and Resix yanked his foot back. “Only a mortal soul—witch, caster, or human—can wield it. It would kill a demon and incapacitate a loa.” His yellow eyes slowly lifted, settling on Henri. “How inconvenient, right?”