Bound (Book#1 Arelia LaRue) YA Paranormal Read online

  “I’m Arelia LaRue and this is Sabrina Richards,” I replied.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He stuck out his wrinkled hand. I shook it, but Sabrina pretended not to see when it was her turn. “You can drive your car right up to the house and park it at the back.”

  We got back into the car. “If he’s the manager he could have at least picked a better outfit. He looks like Colonel Sanders,” said Sabrina.

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe that’s the effect he’s going for. It is the South after all.”

  The road leading up to Darkwood house was lined with regal oaks that extended far down enough to scratch the top of my head. As we pulled up to the front of the house and got out of the car, Sabrina was in a state of shock. “Can you believe this? It’s amazing!” The house in front of us was extraordinarily beautiful and intimidating with its looming white pillars and lush gardens. “It has three stories. The property has a swamp and a family cemetery as well,” she rattled on. “Can you imagine how much it takes to maintain this place? The LaPlantes are loaded and I’m here to stake my claim.”

  “What do you girls think?” asked Henri as he popped out from behind a tree.

  “Are you kidding me? It’s gorgeous!” Sabrina cried ecstatically.

  “Amazing.” I was unable to comprehend why anyone would want to own such a massive place.

  “You ladies come right on in,” invited Henri.

  “Of course, but I need help with my bags. Henri can you help me?” asked Sabrina reverting to baby talk. Whenever she wanted a favor from a man she spoke in baby talk, even if the man was pushing seventy.

  Henri, being the gentleman he appeared to be, agreed. He didn’t even flinch when she opened the car trunk to reveal a seven piece Louis Vuitton travel set. It didn’t matter where Sabrina went; she always traveled with at least seven Louis pieces. Even that one time we tried to go camping. I hesitantly grabbed my duffel bag along with one of her suitcases and followed Henri up the five steps that led to the spacious marble porch. Anxiety intensely gripped me for the first time in a long time. I don’t know what it was about this place. I knew the spirits were stronger here. What exactly did Bade mean by his little comments? I never let what the spirits said get in the way of my existence but for some reason his words really got under my skin.

  Henri opened the front door to reveal a broad hallway with a shiny white marble floor. At the end of the long hall there was a spiral staircase with delicate railings.

  “I’ve tried to convince daddy to get a spiral staircase in our home so many times, but he prefers the elevator. This is epic.” Sabrina immediately ran to the end of the hall to the staircase and started to drool over the fact that its railings were gilded in real gold. The last room at the end of the hall was opened up to what I assumed was a ballroom. On one side of the massive room sat an antique grand piano with a harp by its side. The high ceilings were home to not two but three crystal chandeliers.

  “Ms. Mae, the summer help is here!” Henri shouted down an adjacent hallway.

  “Bring them right on in here, I’m pulling the yam biscuits out of the oven,” replied a loud velvety voice.

  “Ms. Mae is getting some snacks prepared for the guests, they should be arriving in a few hours,” explained Henri, as he directed us into a spacious but surprisingly modern kitchen. Bending over the stove was a large woman who must have been around Grand-mere Bea’s age. She wore a green dress printed with tiny flowers. Her grey hair was tied up in an elegant bun and despite her age, her golden skin was unwrinkled.

  As she looked up to greet us, her dark green eyes looked astonished. “Hello girls,” she said calmly, “tell Ms. Mae your names.”

  “This here is Sabrina, and this is Arelia,” offered Henri, before I had a chance to say anything. “I’ll give you girls a chance to talk. I have some preparations to do before the guests arrive. Ms. Mae will get you all set up.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Ms. Mae graciously extended her hand. When I reached out to shake it, I got the sensation that I knew her. From exactly where, I wasn’t sure, but she had an odd sense of familiarity about her. Her kind eyes looked into mine, and I was sure that she could read my mind. “We’ve been waiting to meet you for a long time Arelia,” she said, “and of course you too Sabrina,” she added.

  “Is there anything to drink around here?” Sabrina briskly interrupted. “It was a long drive, and I’m so thirsty.”

  “Of course, I made a fresh batch of sweet tea.” Ms. Mae headed over to the corner of the kitchen where a small wooden table sat. She cordially handed each of us a glass filled with tea.

  “This is so good,” said Sabrina after taking a sip.

  “It tastes just like Grand-mere Beas’s tea,” I agreed after savoring it.

  “Kind of.” Sabrina filled up her glass again. After inhaling her third glass of tea, she was desperate to go to the bathroom. “Is there a bathroom around here?”

  “Go down that hall, take a left then a right,” advised Ms. Mae.

  After Sabrina left the kitchen, Ms. Mae focused her attention on me. “So your stubborn grand-mere finally let you come, did she?”

  “How do you know Grand-mere Bea and how do you know she didn’t want me to come to Darkwood?” I coolly asked unsure of what she was implying.

  “She didn’t even tell you about me, did she?” Ms. Mae predicted.

  “Who are you?” I squirmed in utter discomfort.

  “Take a closer look; I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” She leaned in towards me. I could smell her sweet tea infused breath.

  “Okay, enough with the big mystery. Please just tell me who you are.” I was a bit freaked out, and at the same time morbidly curious. It’s like when you see a dead animal at the side of the road, half of you wants to throw up your lunch, but the other half wants to whip out your camera.

  “I’m her sister,” she dramatically revealed. At that moment, it all became clear, those eyes, they were exactly like Grand-mere Bea’s just a different shade.

  “You’re my aunt?” That was something I hadn’t expected.

  “Great aunt,” she corrected. “Who do you think sent Sabrina that invitation? I knew she’d bring you along. That’s the only way your grand-mere would let you see me.”

  “How come I’ve never met you before and why doesn’t Grand-mere Bea ever speak about you?” I asked.

  “We had very big disagreement years ago and haven’t spoken since.” Her eyes filled with genuine sorrow.

  “Well it must have been a pretty bad fight if you haven’t spoken for that long,” I pressed hoping she would give me some answers.

  “Well it was it was over you. I believe that is a pretty important reason,” she said.

  “Over me, why would you guys fight over me?”

  Ms. Mae hesitated for a minute and then continued. “You hear the spirits, don’t you Arelia? They talk to you directly even when you don’t call them, isn’t that right?”

  “So, everyone in New Orleans sees ghosts and talks to spirits,” I reasoned.

  “No they don’t child, most of them just pretend they do. Others have to tempt the spirits to do their bidding with bribes and offerings. Not you, you have been blessed.”

  “Blessed?” I asked. “You think a bunch of spirits talking to me is blessed? What makes you think that?”

  “When you were just a baby and your momma left you, your grand-mere was beside herself. She never wanted you to feel like you didn’t belong. She only wanted the best for you. I suggested that we make an offering to Erzulie so you would be protected. In voodoo, we know her as the spirit of love. However, your grand-mere wasn’t so sure. You see, growing up we saw many folks who messed with the spirits and got into a lot of trouble. Unlike your grand-mere, I always had a close relationship with the spirits because I never feared them. Bea, she’s always been scared as a mouse.”

  “Go on,” I commanded hoping she would finish before Sabrina got back.

>   “So one day while your grand-mere was at work and I was watching you, I decided to make an offering to Erzulie behind Bea’s back. For some reason, she took an extra liking to you and made it possible for you to be a part of her world. I suppose that was her way of protecting you. We didn’t find this out until you were two or so. You would talk to people who weren’t there and always had a way of getting what you wanted. Once your grand-mere was sick with a terrible flu, and you were so sad. You held her hand and told her that you could make it better. Within minutes, she was completely healed. You told us it was the spirits. Bea was confused because you were so young. Eventually, I admitted what I had done. She was furious and told me that I could never see you or talk to her again. I tried to explain that what I had done was for your own good, but she didn’t see it that way. She thought that I put you in danger.”

  “Okay, let me get this straight. Basically, Erzulie took pity on me and decided to help me by making me into some sort of witch. How exactly has she helped me? Grand-mere and I barely scrape by month after month. It hasn’t exactly been easy. As for the spirits, they just mutter nonsense in my ears. They’ve been useless as well.” It wasn’t like me to get so confrontational with strangers, but Ms. Mae was really revealing a lot all at once.

  “You haven’t let them help you Arelia. Your gift has unlimited potential to help people, to help yourself. Of course, you can use it for evil, but I know you and I know your grand-mere and that is never going to happen.”

  “I still don’t understand why grand-mere never told me that you work here.” I hastily dug for more information.

  “Your great great-great grand-mere worked for the LaPlante family as did your great grand-mere. I continued the tradition while your grand-mere decided to move to the city,” she explained.

  “That’s so weird that she would never tell me that.” I was frightened at the prospect that maybe grand-mere did know more about me than I did.

  “Arelia, you have to check out the bathroom.” Sabrina rushed into the room out of breath, “and the dining room, it could seat over fifty people, the chairs are covered in velvet and cut in gold.”

  “Really?” I tried to sound excited while my mind was still processing the information it had been given.

  “I wonder what our bedrooms look like.” Sabrina turned towards Ms. Mae. “Can we see them?” For good measure, she threw in a, “please.”

  “Of course dear,” Ms. Mae agreed. “I’ll take you right to them after you read over this orientation guide.” She handed each of us a thin book labeled Summer Plan.

  “There is a welcome ball tonight? No way!” Sabrina was beyond excited. “Oh my God! We have to dress in period costume like from the 1850’s that is so cool!” She sounded like she was going to be a guest at the ball rather than working at the ball.

  “It’s not a formal ball, just a casual welcome dance for the guests, but of course, all workers need to be dressed up. You girls will be making sure the guests feel welcome. There will be professional servers, but I want you to talk to the guests, make sure they have everything they need. Read over the rest of the guide, so you can get a feel for what types of activities you will be doing for the next two months. Your uniforms and costumes are already laid out in your bedroom. Come with me, and I’ll take you to your room.” Ms. Mae promptly led us down the hallway and up the spiral staircase.

  Climbing the stairs, I got the distinct feeling that someone was keenly watching us but brushed it off as paranoia. As Ms. Mae guided us to our room, my mind was racing. I had so many questions that I wanted to fire at her in rapid succession, but I knew that I shouldn’t in front of Sabrina. How would I be able to explain this bizarre situation to her when I didn’t understand it myself?

  “So, we have to share a room, I hope it’s big enough.” Sabrina predictably interrupted my thoughts.

  “The other rooms are for the other help and of course the guests.” We followed her into a spacious bedroom decorated with a canopied antique four-poster bed. Two plush satin covered chairs sat in front of an enormous antique dressing table complete with an oval mirror gilded in gold. In one corner, there was a satin covered coach and in the other corner sat antique chests that were large enough to fit even the contents of all Sabrina’s suitcases.

  “The view is amazing.” I was wholly mesmerized, as I looked out of the four-pane window which had elaborate cream colored lace curtains pushed to either side. The view spanned the entire property. In the distance, I could see the murky waters of Darkwood swamp as well as the silhouettes of graves in Darkwood cemetery. Despite the fact that the sun was shining, it felt as if there was a permanent gloom that lingered over the place.

  “I am so jealous. This is way bigger and way more expensive than my room.” Sabrina lazily stretched herself out on the bed. Great, I had to share a bed with her. That meant I had to put up with her infamous snoring all summer. Of course, she claimed that she didn’t snore, but everyone said that.

  “This room doesn’t have a bathroom, but there is one down to the hall to the right,” explained Ms. Mae. “I expect you girls to be down by eight and dressed in costume. Henri and I will meet you in the kitchen. The costumes are in that chest right there.” She pointed to a chest sitting in the corner of the room. “If you have any other questions, please ask me or Henri. I have to get going and check on dinner.”

  Chapter 3

  Erzulie

  As Ms. Mae closed the door behind her, I wanted to beg her to stay and demand that she answered my questions. Sadly that would only cause more drama, which I didn’t need right now. What I did need was a long hot soak in what I imagined would be a very luxurious bathtub. At home, Grand-mere Bea and I only had a cramped shower that was barely big enough to stretch your arms out in. However, I knew the power of a hot bath from the times I slept over at Sabrina’s house. When your long lost aunt reveals that the voodoo spirit of love has blessed you with powers and it’s confirmed that you are some kind of voodoo queen, all you really feel like doing is taking a hot bath.

  “I really need to get a beauty nap in before we have to get ready.” Sabrina yawned as she put on her silk sleep mask and crawled into the cream-colored duvet.

  “I’m going to go take a bath,” I loudly announced, as Sabrina started to snore.

  As I made my way down the hall, I passed a row of white doors that all looked strikingly similar. Finally, I got to the end of the hall and took a right where I saw a door with a bathroom sign on it. Walking into the bathroom was like walking in an entirely different world. The deep bathtub was set in marble and framed by wine-red silk drapes. Thick square candles were set out on the ledges of the tub and a crystal chandelier hung directly above. Silk covered chairs were placed in front of the ornately designed square mirror and a wide array of bath soaps sat on top of the marble counter. To my right there was a shelf that held a stack of large cotton towels.

  Since I was alone, I decided to call Grand-mere Bea and ask her what the hell was going on. The phone rang a few times before she picked up.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey grand-mere it’s me, we made it to Darkwood.”

  “What a relief Arelia, did you get a chance to grab some lunch?” She was making small talk, but the quiver in her voice was a dead giveaway that she knew what was coming.

  “So I met Ms. Mae.” There was no point in beating around the bush. I needed some solid answers.

  “Did you now, how is she?”

  “How is she? I have a long lost great aunt that works at Darkwood, I found out that you used to work here too, and I’m supposedly blessed by Erzulie. I’m kind of confused that’s how I am.”

  “Calm down Arelia,” grand-mere firmly ordered.

  “How am I supposed to calm down when I have no idea what’s going on!”

  “Please, let me explain,” she feebly pleaded.

  “I’m listening.”

  “You know that all I’ve ever wanted to do is protect you. I didn’t physically give birt
h to you, but I’m certain that no one can ever love you more than I do.”

  “I know that you love me,” I felt myself somewhat relax. “I love you too, but what’s with all the secrets?”

  “I didn’t approve of what Mae did. She shouldn’t have made an offering to Erzulie on your behalf. She knew that Erzulie would bless you.”

  “How could she have known that?” Grand-mere sounded a bit paranoid.

  “The LaRue women are powerful voodoo queens, Mae has always embraced it. I respect it, but know that there always must be boundaries. The spirits are not to be messed with, and neither is any type of dark magic. I left Darkwood when your momma was born; I wanted her to live a normal life. I’ve raised you to respect the spirits, but to always keep a safe distance.”

  “Look, I know what Ms. Mae did was wrong, but it was also wrong of you not to tell me.”

  “You’ve always known. How could you have not?”

  She had a point. “I don’t know. I always thought that I was crazy not blessed. I never wanted any of this either, but there isn’t much either of can do now is there?”

  “Yes, you can come home Arelia and put an end to all of this right now,” she pleaded.

  “I can’t. I’m here already and the pay is too good. We need the money really badly. Besides, I’ll do what I’ve done all my life ignore them.”

  “You don’t understand Arelia.” She sounded helplessly defeated.

  “Then explain it to me,” I demanded.

  “I know at Darkwood you will embrace your powers and once you do you’ll always have certain responsibilities.”

  “With all due respect Grand-mere Bea I’m sixteen, you don’t have to protect me anymore. I’ll be fine.”

  “Promise Arelia, that at the first sign of danger, you’ll come home.”

  “From the looks of it, the only danger here is the LaPlantes having too much money, I’ll be fine.”

  “Things aren’t always what they seem, and once your heart gets involved, there ain’t no way you can turn back.” She was giving me one of her ominous speeches again.