Punished Arelia LaRue Book #2 Page 4

  “Run Arelia!” Lucus’ voice was faint but determined.

  “Please give me the strength to move.” I pleaded that Erzulie would hear. “Please help me stop him.”

  “Come on Erzulie, help me, and please guide me.” I knew that, despite her delicate appearance, Erzulie fiercely protected her devotees. I concentrated on a chant that I knew could be used to gather courage and strength from her.

  Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,

  Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,

  Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,

  Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,

  My blood is pouring down.

  There was no response, why wasn’t she responding when I needed her? I tried again.

  Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,

  Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,

  Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,

  Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,

  My blood is pouring down.

  Thankfully, she heard me and finally chose to respond.

  “What do you have to offer my dear?”

  I thought quickly. “Erzulie, I only have my own blood to offer. Please help me, please help Lucus.”

  Erzulie laughed gently. “I don’t want your blood. You don’t have enough blood in your body to exchange. His thirst is insatiable. Run my child,” Erzulie whispered. “Find seven bottles of rum, and a black candle. Bring them back here, and I will help you.”

  “Thank you. Thank you!” I raced back to the house looking back only once to see Sousson Pannan taking another greedy bite, this time from Lucus’ chest. I had to find rum and lots of it.

  Chapter 5

  Ivan, I promise I will try to understand

  When I finally reached the main house, I was out of breath and sweaty. My hair was a tangled mess and my feet were covered in mud. Eerie piano music greeted me, as I ran through the front door and into the main hallway. I stopped in front of Ms. Mae’s office and turned the ancient doorknob. Lucky for me, the door was unlocked. Black candles, black candles, but where did she keep them?

  The music coming from the ballroom increased at a rapid pace distracting me slightly from the task at hand. It was so wretched and haunting that I couldn’t help but get lost in it.

  Snapping out of it, I scoured the shelves for candles. Thankfully, I found a shelf stocked full of them varying in size and color. I grabbed a black one and shoved it in my left pocket.

  Where did they keep all the rum in this place? I knew that Lucus had cognac and other random booze upstairs, but I hadn’t seen any rum. I dashed into the kitchen and frantically started opening all the cabinets. Unfortunately, the kitchen was enormous. There must have been a million places where liquor could have been stored.

  Frustrated, I went into the back pantry and scanned the shelves for rum. There was no sign of it anywhere. I found bottles of vodka, whiskey and tequila, but not what I was looking for. My cheeks were getting flushed when I heard the piano music stop. I could sense someone come into the kitchen, and relief washed over me. Maybe, they could help.

  “Queen, what a lovely surprise,” said Ivan, as he leaned against the pantry door. Was he seriously dressed in nothing but black boxer briefs? His grey eyes took in the sight of my ripped kimono, and an amused smirk crossed his face. “You look stunning,” he said sarcastically.

  I wanted to bite my tongue, but I couldn’t resist. “Look who’s talking. What if a guest sees you like that?”

  “Trust me; if Mrs. Dumpty wanders downstairs she’ll thank me for the peepshow. I doubt that piggy Dumpty does much for her.”

  I let out a sigh. I had no time for arguments and games. I took my chances and asked him for help. “Ivan, where do you guys keep all the rum?”

  “I wouldn’t know queen. I’m more of a vodka man.” He walked into the large pantry and took an unopened bottle of vodka from the shelf. Wasting no time, he opened it and took a large sip.

  “I don’t believe you, you know where it is.”

  “Maybe we’re out,” he said casually.

  “This is New Orleans. Tourist are on vacation, I doubt Darkwood is out of rum. Please just tell me where it is.”

  He lazily twisted a piece of blond hair around his finger and took another gulp of vodka. “I don’t know where it is,” he said, as he walked out of the pantry and into the kitchen.

  I knew he was lying. I followed him. “Ivan for once in your life can you please not be an ass and tell me where the stupid rum is!” It was obvious he was getting some kind of sick pleasure out of the fact that I was nearly begging him.

  “Nah, I don’t feel like it. Why are you looking for rum anyways? Are you planning a romantic moonlit picnic with Prince Charming, complete with Hurricanes and all?” he asked, as he leaned against the long wooden counter in the middle of the kitchen.

  “Shut-up, just tell me where it is.” I grabbed him by his arm and dug my nails into him.

  “Watch it queen, I wouldn’t want you to leave any marks,” he said easily.

  “Ivan, tell me where it is.” I brought my face close to his and tried to look as threatening as possible.

  A glint of satisfaction filled his eyes. Ivan clearly knew I was desperate. “I don’t know.” He shrugged, as he drummed his fingers on the counter.

  “Fine! You’re obviously a sadist who doesn’t give a crap about helping anyone.”

  I knew I was acting like a raving maniac, but I didn’t care. All I could think of was how much blood Lucus must have lost by now. Even though, he couldn’t die, it was because of my stupidity that he was being feasted on by a disgusting spirit. I should have been in his place. It should have been me lying there with Sousson Pannan on my stomach sucking my body dry. I had been an idiot for thinking the spirit world was all innocent. How many times had Grand-mere Bea and Ms. Mae warned me that you never messed with random spirits? Had I listened? No.

  I started to open the rest of the kitchen cabinets when I felt Ivan’s vodka-infused breath on the nape of my neck. He nuzzled me gently with his nose. I turned around, furious. “What is your problem? If you’re not going to help me find rum, get the hell away from me!” I hissed.

  He grabbed a lock of my hair and sniffed it. I backed away in repulsion. “Get away from me, you creep.”

  “I can help.” His bizarre grey eyes dug into mine.

  I let out a hopeful breath. “How? Do you know where it is?”

  “I do.” He gave me a devious smile.

  “What do you want?”

  Ivan’s gaze wavered for a split second. “Hmmm, let me see…” He placed his index finger on his bum-chin and tapped it lightly.

  “Ivan, please,” I said in a sugary-sweet voice, but in reality, I was itching to smack the arrogant smile off his face, which wasn’t as good-looking as he thought.

  “Hmmmm let me see, hmmm.” He pretended he was deep in thought.

  It had been a lousy idea asking Ivan for help. He was impossible and infuriating. “Forget it,” I muttered. I would have to go wake up Ms. Mae and ask her for assistance.

  “Don’t give up so quickly queen.” His voice was soft, as he took my hand into his.

  As we made contact, I broke out in a cold sweat. The energy I got from Ivan wasn’t like anything I’d ever felt before. It was troubled, melancholy and heated. It made me tremendously uneasy and a bit queasy.

  “I just need one little thing from you,” he whispered, as he stroked the center of my palm.

  I tried to pull away, but I couldn’t. He had me mesmerized.

  “What?”

  “I need you to promise me something.”

  “Such as?” My heart pounded with remarkable intensity.

  “Promise me that you’ll understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  “It doesn’t matter. You want the rum, don’t you?”

  I ripped my hand away from his. “Yeah, I w
ant the rum.”

  “Then repeat after me: Ivan, I promise I will try to understand.”

  I wanted to scream you’re an idiot! But the emotional part of me was torn. At that second, there was something about the way the light hit Ivan’s eyes, the way it bounced off his hair and the planes of his face that transformed him into a lost little boy. I thought about Lucus and was desperate to get back to him.

  I took a deep breath I hoped wasn’t making a tragic mistake. “Ivan, I promise I will try to understand.”

  “Good choice, queen.” The old Ivan was back, and the hint of vulnerability I had seen was hidden under the mask of an egotistical jerk. “I’ll get your rum. You’re obviously desperate for a drink.”

  He strolled back into the pantry at an epically slow pace. I followed.

  “So, where is it? I swear if this is another joke…”

  “Hey queen, take it easy, its right here,” he said, as he pointed to a cabinet in the corner.

  Immediately, I ran over to it and tried to pry it open. “It’s locked,” I said, after I noticed the small latch.

  “You’re going to need this,” he said, as he dangled a silver key in mid-air.

  “Why do you have the key?”

  “I work here, remember?”

  “Okay, whatever just open it.” I needed that rum, but Ivan didn’t seem to care. He continued to dangle the key well above my head. I felt like Sabrina salivating over a Birkin bag or a boy.

  “Come and get it,” he sang.

  “Ivan, you ass, give me the key!” I shouted, as I jumped and tried to make a grab for it. Sadly, my effort was pretty much wasted considering Ivan was way taller than me. Out of sheer frustration I punched him hard in his stomach.

  “Tsk, tsk, violence is never the answer.” He shook his head, and his stupid grey eyes blazed with a hint of annoyance. “You’re going to have to do better than that,” he said.

  “What do you want now? I already made you that stupid promise. What more can you possibly want?”

  “I want you to say it again,” he said easily.

  “What?”

  “Say it again. Say Ivan, I promise I’ll try to understand.”

  He grabbed my bony shoulders and pulled me close to him. “Go ahead queen, say it.” I could see the blond stubble on his chin and the determination in his eyes.

  There were a thousand things that I wanted to scream at him and do to him at that exact second. They were all things that grand-mere had taught me were un-lady like.

  Instead, I took a deep breath and decided to be as calm as I possibly could. “You’re an idiot and I’ll never understand you even if I tried. The only reason I’m going to say it again is because I need that rum. So, here it goes, Ivan, I promise I will try to understand. Even as, I’m saying these words, I can assure you that I’m never going to understand a thought that comes out of that sick twisted head of yours. You’re pathetic. Now, give me the key.”

  A lazy smile spread across his face as he let go of my shoulders. “I’ll take it.”

  “Good, now, please open the cabinet.”

  Ivan made a colossal production out of slowly opening the lock and cabinet. When he finally did open it, I was relieved to find rows and rows of rum bottles stored within.

  I wasted no time and grabbed as many bottles as I could. Sadly, each bottle was pretty heavy. How the hell were my puny arms going to carry seven of them at one time? Maybe if I put them grocery bags it would be easier.

  Ivan crossed his arms and leaned against a shelf. “I’m hurt; I wasn’t invited to the party.”

  “Bags, where are the bags?” I snapped.

  “Dunno.” He shrugged.

  I let out a low breath and turned to face him. “You work here, remember? If you have the key to the rum cabinet, I’m pretty sure you know where the bags are.”

  “Sorry.” He shrugged again and threw me a smirk.

  “You’re useless,” I hissed, as I held the bottles close to my chest.

  Luckily, I was able to still move at a pretty decent pace as I made my way out of the pantry.

  “Don’t trip and fall queen.” I heard Ivan shout after me.

  I knew I was going to eventually pay for my promise, but at that moment, I couldn’t care less.

  Chapter 6

  Seven Stabs of the Dagger

  The pristine New Orleans night had grown tired of shining stars and brilliant moonlight. While I had been indoors, gloomy clouds had invaded the sky and fat raindrops had found their way to the muddy path. The oaks had stopped swaying and were unnervingly still and silent.

  I moved at a horribly slow place as I tried to make my way to the gate. Determined to move faster, I started to half-run when I tripped over a single oak branch that was carelessly lying in the middle of the path. Before I could hit the ground, I felt a pair of solid arms secure me and the rum bottles.

  “Easy queen, you don’t want to spill good rum.”

  “Leave me alone, Ivan.” Why was he following me? I continued to walk ahead, and ignored him. The rain started to fall at a maddening pace and drenched my flimsy kimono.

  “Here, I can carry those,” he offered.

  I didn’t have time to argue so I thrust a few of the bottles in his hands and continued to walk. I didn’t care if Ivan saw what was happening to Lucus. I couldn’t care less what he thought. All I wanted to do was get to that gate.

  “So where are we going?”

  “Just walk.” I instructed him.

  “You’re awfully uptight queen. Did you have a lover’s quarrel with Prince Charming?”

  “Shut-up, keep walking and stop calling me queen. My name is Arelia. It’s not that hard to pronounce.”

  “What’s going on up there?” Ivan asked, as we approached the iron gates.

  “Get away from him, I have your rum!” I tried to sound strong and controlled, as waves of revulsion washed over me. A nearly naked Lucus was still being feasted on by Sousson Pannan. The spirit was still firmly planted on his belly. Lucus’ body was covered in bite marks, and his eyes were sealed shut.

  “You’ve come back,” said Sousson Pannan. He turned his hideous blood-soaked head towards me in acknowledgement and climbed off Lucus.

  “Who are you rambling to?” Ivan asked, as he placed the rum bottles on the ground. “And what the hell happened to Ken?” He examined Lucus. The fact that he wasn’t at all shocked or horrified at the sight, alarmed me.

  At that moment, I was tempted to offer Ivan to Sousson Pannan in exchange for Lucus. It would have been the perfect trade. I was pretty sure that no one would miss Ivan or care if he mysteriously disappeared.

  I ignored Ivan and focused my attention on the spirit. “Look, I got your rum. I brought you seven bottles. I’m sure that’s enough to satisfy your thirst.”

  Sousson Pannan staggered over to Ivan and sniffed him. “I see you’ve brought me another sacrifice as well.” His yellow eyes scanned over Ivan’s boxer brief clad body in approval.

  “No, I’m sure his blood doesn’t taste that great, here take the rum,” I pleaded.

  “Who are you talking to?” Ivan looked at me like I was delirious.

  “No one. Get down and don’t move.” I grabbed him and pulled him away from the spirit. Even though, letting Sousson Pannan take a few bites out of him would have done him some good.

  I tried to offer Sousson Pannan the rum again. “You said you wanted rum, remember? I brought you rum, please take it and go away,” I begged. Where was Erzulie? She said she would help, but so far she was nowhere to be found.

  “Yes, but I want to try his blood first.” He pointed a jagged finger at Ivan, as he stumbled closer.

  “Erzulie help. I need you. I need you. Please.” I kneeled over Lucus’ body as rain splashed on it and wiped away the blood that oozed from his wounds. I brushed away the hair that covered his eyes and grazed his bloody cheek with my hand. Lucus said that his body was able to heal, but what did that mean? Did it heal at a normal pace? If
so, it would be awfully long before all the wounds closed. I felt an unexpected lump form in my throat thinking about how much pain he must have gone through.

  Sousson Pannan was next to me now taking in the scent of my hair and skin. I held my breath, but his stench was unbearable. I felt so helpless and defeated, but I wasn’t ready to give up. There was no way I was going to let him take a drop of my blood or anymore of Lucus’.

  “Erzulie please!” I shouted again. “He’s not taking the rum.”

  “More blood,” the spirit whispered as he licked my neck.

  “Open the rum bottles my dear. Place the candle in the earth.” Erzulie’s soothing voice finally responded.

  She appeared and stood in front of me dressed in a luxurious pink gown and exquisite silver jewelry. Her flowing hair was adorned with pink chrysanthemums. She looked so refined and vaguely angelic except for the fact she firmly clutched a silver dagger in her right hand. I remembered that although Erzulie loved flowers, perfume and all things pretty and girly, she had an affinity for daggers, as well. Supposedly, they represented her strength.

  “Ivan, help me open these bottles,” I ordered. “Don’t ask why, just do it.”

  For the first time in his life, Ivan did what he was told and opened all seven bottles in less than thirty seconds. I placed the candle into the dirt.

  “What do I do?” I asked Erzulie.

  “Repeat my chant,” she said, as she lit the candle.

  I tried to ignore the grotesque spirit as he continued to lick my neck and concentrated on the chant.

  Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,

  Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,

  Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,

  Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,

  My blood is pouring down.

  After I had finished, Erzulie took my hand and stabbed it seven times. “Ouch!” The pain was blinding. “Was that necessary?” I hollered horrified.

  “Repeat the chant and place your blood in each of the seven bottles.” She ignored my cries of pain.