20. The Witch vs. The Lion
Chapter twenty
The Witch vs. The Lion
Kazimir
The sight that met us was torn from the darkest of my nightmares.
This was no normal basement.
It was too large and vast.
Too chilling.
Thirty feet away, a ring of twisted animal-masked figures swayed from side to side in the smoky space, lit only by flickering candles scattered along the floor.
There, in the center of a circle outlined by chalk and human skulls, my mouse lay.
Naked.
Unnaturally still.
Vulnerable and exposed.
Her wrists and ankles bound by rope.
I almost buckled over.
Mysh. . .
Fear gripped my heart.
Panic seized every fiber of my being.
God. No.
Her eyes were closed, her face the very picture of peace amidst the chaos, but it was a peace that thrust terror deep into my core.
Blood dripped from her nose, leaving a crimson trail along her cheeks and lips.
The sight triggered a primal urge to protect and unleash violence all at once.
I’m going to kill everyone in here.
I broke into a run, leaving Maxwell behind.
Maxwell grabbed my arm and dragged me back a few inches. “Are you fucking crazy?! What about this says run to it?”
“Get off me!” I shoved him away and rushed forward.
I’m going to bomb their families. Their friends. Their fucking acquaintances!
As I neared her, the full horror of the situation came into focus.
Enormous, ebony snakes coiled, writhed, and slithered over and around my mouse’s body.
Sickening dread washed over me.
What are they doing to her?!
Their forked tongues flicked at her exposed flesh with a sadistic hunger. Those scales glistened in the candlelight as they moved with a sinister grace, winding around her limbs, across her abdomen, and her breasts.
And worst of all, one slid across her face, obscuring her features with its scaly form.
I picked up my pace.
The masked figures snapped their views my way.
The air grew even colder, seeping into my bones and numbing me from within.
And then I just couldn’t move anymore.
I wasn’t frozen in fear.
I very much wanted to fucking get to her, but I couldn’t.
The power to move, to breathe, to even blink, had been cruelly stripped away from me.
Come on!
This sinister energy sparked on my skin.
Move! Move!
A force, invisible yet unyielding, had seized me, pinning my body in place. My arms were locked at my sides, my legs rooted.
What is this? Am I that high? Or is this really happening?
I strained against whatever it was, muscles corded with effort as I attempted to push forward. But it was like trying to move through a wall of dense, solid cemented-air.
Only my heart continued to pound.
I stood there, frozen and choking.
Powerless.
A mere pawn in a twisted game of torment.
Oxygen whooshed back into my lungs, allowing me to breathe.
I gasped on air.
My chest rose and fell, but that was all that moved.
Although my vision was blurred, I could make out another masked figure emerging from the darkness.
It was a small-framed, short person wearing a mask that was a grotesque parody of an evil elephant. Jagged menacing tusks protruded from its large snarling mouth. The eyes were black holes, hollow and dark.
The person raised a bone in the air that was slick with crimson stains and patches of red flesh.
Is that a. . .human bone?
Then, Delphine’s voice sounded from the elephant mask. “Calm yourself, lion.”
I couldn’t open my mouth to speak. I tried to will my legs into action, but they remained as immovable as stone.
Lowering the bone, Delphine prowled my way. “Now we’re toward the end of this, and the only way you can stay down here is if you follow my rules.”
I’m going to fucking kill you.
“I said to calm down.” Delphine stopped four feet in front of me. “And if you think, you can kill me in this space, you are not as smart as I thought you were.”
My rage stilled.
“Now I’m going to let you talk, but it better be pleasantries and sweet words coming out of that big mouth of yours.”
The invisible force loosened its grip on my throat, and I sputtered, taking ragged breaths as I finally gained control over my vocal cords.
Delphine moved her head to the side. “Get over here, nephew.”
Shuffling sounded behind me, and then Maxwell got to my right. “Listen. . .I don’t really need to be here.”
“As she heals, nephew, you will heal.”
“Yeah, but this scene is not my thing.” Maxwell stirred.
“Sweet words?” I hissed between clenched teeth, my rage simmering just beneath the surface but held in check by the horrifying reality of my situation. “I have nothing sweet to say to you.”
The elephant mask turned my way. “I expected as much.”
Although by her side, the bone in her hand glowed mockingly in the candlelight as if pulsing with energy.
My stomach twisted.
The figures continued to sway and chant near Emily. I had no idea what language the words came from.
Delphine spoke, “Let me tell you a story, Kazimir—”
“Get my mouse out of that circle and—”
“If I pull her out before the first set of healing is done, then she will not be your mouse, and she may shatter some more—”
“And how can I trust you?”
“Too late for that now.” Those holes of the elephant mask glowed.
Maxwell got close to me and whispered, “Maybe, we shouldn’t have smoked before coming down here.”
I tried to lift my hand. “Why can’t I move?”
Delphine shrugged. “Maybe, if you hear the story, you’ll be able to move.”
I gritted my teeth.
“Once upon a time, in a land not unlike our own, there existed a lion, mighty and feared, the undisputed king of his domain.”
I could tell she was smiling under that mask, and it made me even more angry.
Delphine’s voice took on a rhythmic cadence, as if the story itself held ancient power. “This lion believed in the strength of his fangs and claws above all else , convinced there was no creature he could not conquer, no challenge he could not overcome.”
My rage continued to simmer just beneath the surface.
“But then,” she continued, “into his territory wandered a rootworker, a being not of claw and fang but of air and shadow, of enchantments woven with words and gestures.”
“You know what?” Maxwell’s bottom lip quivered. “I actually think I heard this story already, so I’ll head upstairs.”
Delphine pointed that bone toward him and continued telling the story. “The rootworker sought passage through the lion’s land, a request she posed with great respect.”
Finally, I could move some of my body. My fists clenched at my sides.
“The lion, in his arrogance, saw not a formidable adversary but a mere nuisance. So, he barred her way, with a growl and a flash of teeth, determined to show his dominance.” A dark chuckle escaped from behind the elephant mask. “But the rootworker, she did not cower. She did not flee. Instead, she offered the lion a warning, one he was too proud to heed.”
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.”
“Is this the guy that will want to have a fucking party for my mouse and me?”
“He will.” Delphine nodded. “He’ll want to show you off, making himself seem bigger than what he is.”
“And I just ask him for the bottle?”
“That is your decision, lion. I just need it to heal your mouse.”
“Or do you just need me to get rid of the Quarter Master?”
“I’m going to go to your mouse and wake her up.”
I pursed my lips.
“But you must understand the rules.”
“What fucking rules?”
“You can’t cross that circle, lion. Wait for her to cross it and come to you.”
A shiver ran up my spine. “Is she. . .going to be okay?”
“She will.” Delphine nodded. “But she won’t be able to talk until morning—”
“What the fuck do you mean?”
“Her nervous system got a big jolt tonight. Her body is re-learning itself. Her mind is still. . .coming together with this new information. But more important, her voice will need time to heal because it is a new voice. One with understanding.”
Maxwell spoke, “Do we need to give her anything special?”
“She shouldn’t eat, but liquids are fine, especially tea.”
Maxwell gazed at her. “What about weed?”
“Oh, she’ll want a lot of that. It’s fine, but no alcohol.”
I trembled. “And. . .what else do I do for her? How do I help her?”
“Love your mouse, lion. That is it. However. . .” She lifted one finger up and wagged it. “Do not drink her breast milk. No matter how much you want to.”
Maxwell slowly turned my way. “Man, I know you haven’t been drinking her milk. Right?”
I eyed Delphine. “Why can’t I drink it?”
“Because what I gave her is going to pass through it, and you don’t want to delve into that madness.” With that, Delphine turned around and prowled toward that circle of chalk and skulls.
Unable to help myself, I slowly walked forward too.
Delphine raised that bone in the air.
The masked people stopped swaying and ceased with the chanting.
The drumming ended, and I still had no idea where it came from.
Then, Delphine yelled, “Come on back, child! Come on!”
I stepped closer and got to the edge of the circle.
The view of my mouse on that floor among those snakes would haunt me for the rest of my life.
No. This can’t be the way. I shouldn’t have let her do this.
I kept my hands fisted at my sides.
I’m taking her away from New Orleans.
The snakes slithered away from Emily, leaving the circle and slipping past the skulls.
Delphine lowered the bone. “Come on!”
My heart pounded in my ears as I watched my mouse.
Her eyes fluttered open.
My bottom lip quivered. “ Mysh .”
With a sleepy gaze, Emily took in her surroundings.
Desperate, I got ready to cross the circle.
Delphine snapped her view to me. “Stay there, Kazimir. You go over and it will hurt her and you.”
Goddamn it.
I sank back on my heels.
Emily’s eyes fluttered some more. She turned her gaze to me.
Delphine remained on the edge of the circle. “Get up, child, and go to him.”
It took everything in me to stay where I was at.
Slowly, Emily raised herself on weak elbows and struggled to rise, her small frame shaking with effort. She tried to speak, but nothing came out.
In that elephant mask, Delphine bobbed her head. “Your voice will return at dawn. For now, focus on getting up.”
Emily touched her throat with both hands.
“It’s okay. Take your time, child.”
Maxwell got to my side and whispered, “Let’s get Em out of here.”
I kept my voice low. “That’s the plan.”
“No, man. I mean out of New Orleans.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Shaking, Emily hugged herself, covering her breasts.
I’d never seen her so weak and out of it before in my life. This was a woman that I’d witness take down three armed men without a knife or gun. A few times, she had even flipped me over.
Even when she gave birth to Emilio, there had been strength blazing in those eyes.
But tonight, sadness and fear filled her gaze.
“Come here, mysh.” I pulled off my shirt.
She took one step towards me, then another, each one sending waves of terror coursing through my veins.
I held my arms out, ready to grab her.
Close to the skulls, Emily faltered, wavering as though she would collapse at any moment.
Goddamn it. If she falls, I’m crossing that fucking circle and I don’t care what will happen.
My arms ached to reach out and steady her, but I willed myself to stay put.
“Keep going, Em,” Maxwell urged softly. “We’re here.”
As soon as her foot crossed the chalk and skulls, I helped her put on my shirt. The big fabric hung on her like a short dress. Then, I scooped Emily off the ground and into my arms. “ Mysh .”
She was so cold.
Too cold.
Maxwell took off his jacket and laid it across her bare legs.
Emily mouthed something. No sound came. She tried again, and I didn’t understand what she was saying. But it no longer mattered, I had her now and everything would be okay.
Fast, I turned around and carried her away. Maxwell followed behind me, so close, he almost made me trip a few times.
Delphine called after us, “I’ll have to do things to this Eye of the Gator. Give me three days, and make sure you have the absinthe with you, when you come.”
We’re never coming back here again.
As if she heard my thoughts, a loud, wicked laugh escaped her.