Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Everyone went silent.
A small woman emerged wearing a floor-length black dress. She was no more than 4’10, and her steps were gentle as she advanced forward.
In one hand, she grasped onto a cane that was adorned with various gems up its wooden side. The gems sparkled in the sunlight.
Her long gray hair was tied up in two braids that stopped at her waist.
All the men on the porch gave her a wide berth.
The men—that had rushed out of the woods—put up their guns and edged back.
This is Delphine.
Rafael never went up the stairs. Instead, he stayed right there and placed his hands behind him.
From the porch, the woman looked down at Rafael and nodded.
He turned and gestured to our SUV.
I guess it is time to meet the Bayou Banshee.
Slowly, I left the vehicle, holding Emilio in my arms.
My mouse took Paolo’s hand. Together, they got out of the car.
A warm smile spread across Delphine’s face while she watched us exit.
Everyone remained silent.
Delphine’s eyes softened as she looked at Emily and Paolo.
To my shock, Paolo pointed at her. “Woman, mysh.”
Emily kept her voice low. “Uh yes. She is a woman, baby.”
Paolo tapped his head. “In my dreams.”
“What?” Emily blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Dreams.” Paolo smiled.
Delphine’s gaze went to me and then lingered for a moment on Emilio as he slept peacefully in my arms.
Then, this loud movement sounded behind us.
A car door slammed.
Who is that?
I looked behind me.
Baba slowly walked over.
Suddenly, the space went thick with an unsaid challenge.
For some reason, I checked Delphine’s face. The warm smile she had earlier, instantly vanished.
Huh?
I turned back to Baba. A stern expression covered her face.
This is weird.
I kept looking back and forth at Delphine and then Baba. I could have sworn that both women were engaged in a silent, mental conversation. Each glance, each subtle shift of their expressions, was a message, a whisper in the wind that only they could hear.
Next, Baba stopped and stood next to me. “Please, give me my little one.”
I whispered, “What is going on, Baba?”
“Nothing, Kazimir. Just give me that little one.”
I did as she said.
In that moment, I realized Delphine was making her way towards us.
My nerves flared.
All of the men on the porch exchanged nervous glances.
With the cane, she took her time and passed Rafael like he wasn’t even there.
Rocking my sleeping son, Baba remained at my side.
“Welcome, Emily and Kazimir.” Delphine called out in a voice that was surprisingly strong for her size. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Emily nodded. “Thank you for having us.”
Delphine’s gaze rested on Paolo. “You want to see my garden, boy.”
Baba loudly spoke, setting me even more on edge. “Paolo will remain with me while you take the Lion and Mouse in the garden.”
Delphine stopped walking forward and stared at her. She didn’t look pleased at all.
What the hell is going on?
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread as I watched the silent interaction between Baba and Delphine. It was clear that something deeper was happening beyond our knowledge.
Delphine sneered. “You hid yourself on the way here, but I saw you.”
Quirking my brows, I turned to Baba trying to get some clue of what was going on.
Baba’s stern expression didn’t shift. “Your focus is on healing Emily, not getting close to Paolo.”
An edge laced Delphine’s voice. “This boy will have something to do with my kin. It is my right to make sure he is on the best path.”
“He has more than one path to choose.” Baba got closer to Paolo. “Regardless, when he does choose the path, it will be a time when the both of us are deep in the ground.”
“Do not speak for me. The only thing we are sure of is that you will be buried before me.”
One of the men snickered from the porch.
I glared at him.
“Behave, Kazimir.” Still holding Emilio, Baba took Paolo’s hand and led him away.
Frowning, Delphine watched them head off to another SUV.
Paolo glanced over his shoulder and waved goodbye to Delphine.
I looked back at her. “Have you been talking to him?”
Delphine studied me with pure amusement. “Now how would I do that, Lion? That boy doesn’t have a phone.”
All of the men on the porch laughed.
It took everything in me to not roar. The way she spoke seemed to be mocking me in some way, but I couldn’t point to how.
Emily took my hand and squeezed it.
Delphine moved her gaze to Max and gave him a wide smile. “Welcome back, grandnephew.”
He stirred. “Yeah. Hey.”
“Now all the commotion is done.” Delphine motioned for us to follow. “Let me show you my garden.”
Chapter seven
The Pact of Seeds
Emily
She has a heated exchange with Baba and then wants to show us her garden? What the fuck? Did I make a mistake by bringing us here?
The question gnawed at me, a persistent shadow trailing my thoughts. From the beginning, I knew Delphine was a force to be reckoned with. I had heard enough stories, seen enough evidence. Yet, the allure of healing, the tantalizing possibility of redemption... it had proven too compelling to resist.