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)
I frowned. “And what was the warning?”
“Not all strength comes from tooth and nail. Some battles are won with the mind, with the heart, with the very essence of one’s being.”
The air grew colder.
Freezing.
“The lion was amused and intrigued. He demanded a demonstration of this power, and it was a challenge she readily accepted.” Delphine put the bone back at her side.
I could barely focus on the story. All my attention remained on Emily. Her still body among those writhing serpents.
Please, be okay.
“With but a whisper and a gesture, she summoned a force unseen, a magic so potent it brought the mighty lion to his knees, not through pain, but through an overwhelming sense of his own limitations, his own vulnerability.”
My heart raced.
“In the end,” Delphine’s voice softened, “the lion learned that true strength lies not in the might of one’s claws but in the wisdom to recognize the power in others, to know when to fight and when to yield.”
I rolled my eyes.
“And the rootworker, she passed through his land unharmed, leaving behind a lion forever changed, his pride tempered with a newfound respect for the unseen forces that shape our world.”
I leaned my head to the side. “There’s a problem with that story.”
“And what is the problem?”
“The lion did have claws and fangs, but he also had nukes.”
Delphine went stiff.
“And in the end, a spell is a spell, a chant is a chant, but nukes are fucking nukes.” I sneered. “And if my mouse and I have any problems here, even more, if we don’t return to Russia in perfect health, then a particular witch, rootworker, voodoo queen, banshee, whatever you want to call her, well. . .she will not walk on, unharmed.”
I gestured to the chanting masked people. “And her supposed kin will not walk either, and her land with the beautiful garden and a house that has lasted in her family for generations, and her city steeped in music, food, and history. . .it will all go POOF! After the lion roars.”
She shook her head. “Stubborn lion.”
“Yet, have you ever heard a lion roar? Better yet, have you heard the stories of when I roar?”
Maxwell got closer to me. “Hey, man. This ritual situation is ending soon. I say we just let it all rock out, get Em, and go.”
“Why is she naked?”
“Her clothes were burned,” Delphine said. “She can’t put that old energy back on her with the new energy.”
I pointed to my mouse. “What are all those snakes doing in there? Is she okay? Is my mouse alright?”
“She is fine, lion. Why would I harm her when she has been harmed by my family enough?” Delphine’s voice no longer held any calm or softness. “I am healing her. That was the deal.”
“The deal wasn’t snakes and strangers around her—”
“The deal was healing, boy. Now shut up before you need some healing of your own.” With the bone, she pointed to the jar filled with the Eye of the Gator. “I see you got it.”
I glared. “I want to get my mouse out of here.”
“Soon, lion. Very soon, but what did you think of the Alligator Don?”
“What the fuck are you doing to her. She’s out. Will she wake up—”
“Like I already said. This is healing, little lion, in a way you may never understand.” She closed the distance.
My nerves flared.
Maxwell edged back.
She took the jar from me and looked up. “You did well.”
“I killed him and his men.”
A dark chuckle left the mask. “I hoped you would.”
I blinked. “Are you playing me, witch?”
“The term witch isn’t accurate for me.”
“I’m not your errand boy or assassin. Did you really need this eye for Emily?”
“Why would I ask for the eye, if I didn’t?”
I got feeling back in my legs and could move my foot. “If you want me to solve your problems, then say so—”
“The second ingredient is the Absinthe of the Ages.”
“What?”
“You’ll need to get something else.”
I shook my head. “Get something else. This may be the last time we speak—”
“Emily will want to come back. She’s on the path.”
I gazed at those snakes.
“Calm your soul, lion. Those snakes are closely associated with Damballah Wedo—one of the most revered loa.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“They invoke Damballah’s protection and healing energy, facilitating spiritual renewal and physical healing.”
Her explanation gave me no ease. I still didn’t want Emily in that damned circle.
“Back to the Absinthe of the Ages.”
I frowned. “I am never leaving you alone again with Emily—”
“This I know. Plus, your mouse will need to be with you when you get this potent brew.”
“What the fuck is it for?”
“It was distilled from rare herbs by New Orleans’ most renowned voodoo queens over a century ago. The last known bottle is in the possession of the Quarter Master.”
I remembered him being mentioned by Jean-Pierre also.
“His name is Remy Broussard. He grew up in the French Quarter and dominates the black market.”