Chapter 12
I Need You
That night, I sat in our room and took a look at the book that Ms. Mae had given me. Dinner was over, and we had been relieved from our duties, or I had anyways. I hadn’t seen Sabrina since we had been in the dining room where she had proceeded to give me evil glances if Lucus even looked in my general direction. She hadn’t come to our room afterwards, so I assumed that she was off somewhere with Lucus having the time of her life. I tried to forget about what she had said about me being a freak and was determined to concentrate on what was written on the pages in front of me.
I flipped through the LaRue spell book and saw that it dated back to the 1700s. No wonder it looked like it could fall apart at any minute. I was overwhelmed by the amount of information it contained; covering spells, ingredients, voodoo dolls, candle reading, card reading and surprisingly even black magic. I decided to start by reading the basic principles of being a voodoo queen. Even though living with Grand-mere Bea had given me a rough idea, I wasn’t entirely sure if voodoo was anything more than a marketing idea invented by the tourism board of New Orleans. Still, putting my skepticism aside I read on:
Proceed with caution my child, this book and the knowledge within it is not for the weak or foolish. This knowledge only belongs in the hands of the powerful and respectful. When a voodoo queen intentionally or unintentionally offends a loa, she will have to pay for her betrayal in the worst possible way. You see, the loa do not exist to be the puppets of the queen. Instead, they exist to be served and respected. One cannot call upon the loa to do ones beck and call without showing them respect. A queen must take caution when contacting the spirits, for there are many who disguise themselves as loa, but are really evil demon spirits who mean harm rather than good. Pay careful attention to the following list:
1.Voodoo is based on communication with spirits known as loa.
2. The loa are responsible for all events that take place on earth.
3. Spirits can be controlled through rituals and offerings. However, one must be cautious in dealing with the spirits. Not all have any intention of helping.
4. In voodoo, there is no distinct difference between good and evil. There is only balance.
5. In order to be truly powerful, a voodoo queen must have complete control over natural and supernatural elements that can be used to communicate with the loa. Once mastery is complete, she can utilize all elements in order to heal, curse, reverse hexes, contact the dead, and even bring back the dead.
6. Some queens are blessed by the spirits, and thus are automatically more powerful than others.
7. Voodoo queens have the capability of being more powerful than any other supernatural creature.
8. A truly powerful queen will be able to heal, communicate with the spirits, predict the future, cast spells and create potions.
9. It is critical to remember that the loa are not gods, and they should never be treated as such. A voodoo queen must have a two way relationship with the loa which is based on the principles of giving and taking. Once you start treating the loa as gods, you will be put in a very vulnerable position. You must treat them with respect, but at the same time not give in to their every demand.
As I read through the list, I felt my eyes closing. There was no way that I would be able to remember all of this stuff, and why did I have to anyways? What was I getting myself into? I wanted to put an end to all of this nonsense and tell Ms. Mae that I had no desire to be a part of this world, but then where would that leave me? Would I always be running and hiding from who I was? Sure, I had been in denial my whole life, not the most effective plan, but enough to keep me sane.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Dressed in ratty shorts and a prehistoric blue tank top, I was hesitant to open it, but I decided to anyways thinking that it may be Ms. Mae or Henri.
“Lucus.” I was surprised to see that it was him. “Sabrina’s not here.” I swiftly attempted to shut the door in his face. It was a move that was blocked by his foot.
“I’m not here to see Sabrina. I am here to see you.” His voice was eerily serious, and his expression was anxious.
“What is your problem?” I asked a little louder than I had hoped to. “I had a horrible fight with my best friend over you because she is under the impression there is something going on between us. Now, if you are the gentleman that you claim to be, which I know you’re not, considering that you had sex with Sabrina three times last night and now are here with me, you would get out of here.”
Okay, I had no idea why I was actually speaking like Lucus and I didn’t know why I was so angry at him for having sex with Sabrina. He was a guy, and that is what they did. I had been a fool for thinking that there was something different about Lucus. An idiot for thinking that despite his good looks, and wealth, he was…
“Where was I when all of this happened?”
“You mean, you never?” For some inexplicable reason, I was getting way too excited over this little revelation. “But, she said.”
“You were there. You saw her passed out like a log. I merely guided her back to your room once she had woken up. Do I sense a hint of jealousy?”
“I’m sick and tired of everyone assuming that I’m some kind of jealous psychopath.”
“I don’t think you’re a psychopath, I do apologize for my role in the fight. I had no intention of causing a rift in your friendship.”
“It’s not technically your fault. I just don’t get why you insist on hanging around me when you clearly know how Sabrina feels about you.”
“Is there some sort of law that forbids me to enjoy your company? I’m simply getting to know you better. You’re here for the summer. I’m just trying to be cordial. However, there are certain things that I know only you will be able to understand. Things that I need you to understand.”
“Why are you here?”
Lucus inched towards me, and I stepped back. There was no way I was going to get caught in any awkward touching situation with him. I knew the moment I did, Sabrina would come flying through the door. Despite me taking a step back, Lucus continued to come closer. I couldn’t help but notice how his black dinner jacket fit so perfectly over his shoulders. He looked so composed and comfortable in it, even though it was boiling. The summer heat had continued to rage long after the sun had gone down. His commanding eyes focused on me as if he were gathering the courage to say something important. They begged me to listen to him. I felt my walls starting to gradually chip away, but I couldn’t allow it. I couldn’t allow myself to be next to him, if I wanted to save my friendship with Sabrina.
“You shouldn’t be here.” My voice hadn’t come out as strong as it had sounded in my head. Physically, I’d never been attracted to someone as much as I was to him, but I had to get a grip on it and focus on why I was here. I had to make money, not spend the summer drooling over some guy.
Before I could take another step backwards, he grabbed me and pulled me towards his hard chest. I could feel his heart beating almost as fast as mine. I wanted to yell at him, but a part of me felt exhilarated to be so close to him.
“Let go of me,” I demanded, even though a larger part of me didn’t want him to.
“Arelia, please listen to me.” His eyes were full of fire and sorrow.
“Maybe if you let go of me, I will.” I struggled to regain my composure.
Slowly, he set me free, and I sat down on the bed making, sure that I maintained a considerable distance from him.
“Go on,” I ordered. I was curious as to what was making him so anxious.
“I don’t know how to start or what words I can use without scaring you,” he began. “Since the first time I ever laid eyes on you, I knew that you could help me.” He paused and took a deep breath. “I need you,” he spat out.
That was unexpected. “You need me for what, exactly?”
“Lucus, there you are!” Sabrina stood in the doorway, dressed in a black and white flor
al Prada evening dress. I had been with her when she had bought it.
Knowing that Sabrina was already angry at me, Lucus lied. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I figured you must have come in here.”
“I was just in the bathroom freshening up, sugar.” She gave him a little wink. Had she really just called him sugar? Seriously. Sugar?
Not wasting an opportunity to make a snide remark to me in front of Lucus, she said, “Arelia, feel free to borrow some of my pajamas. Those shorts look like they could turn to dust any second. Now, Lucus, you promised me a tour of the garden.”
“It’s quite late,” Lucus halfheartedly replied. “Perhaps it would be better if I showed you the gardens with all of the other guests?”
“Don’t be silly, I love the smell of flowers in the evening,” she twisted the truth. The only flowers she liked to smell were the ones crushed and made into expensive perfume.
“Yeah, she really does.” I hoped that Lucus would pick up on my cue and take Sabrina to the garden. If he didn’t, she would get even angrier at me and at this point I had enough drama for the day.
“Alright then, I’ll be happy to show you the garden. Good evening to you, Arelia,” Lucus warily gave me a small nod. He understood that I wanted to keep the peace and the only way that it was possible at this point was him giving Sabrina a stupid tour of the garden.
Once they left, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Lucus had said to me. How the hell did he need me? Was he some kind of player, pitting Sabrina and I against one another by making each of us like him? Not that I did like him or anything, even though he was attractive. It was all so strange, but I wanted to find out more. I kind of had to. If he was dangerous, I needed to warn Sabrina. Even though we were fighting, I understood that we would be okay eventually, we always were. I hoped we would be, anyways. I glanced out of the window, and in the distance, I could see Lucus and Sabrina as they made their way to the main garden. Sabrina had her arm linked with Lucus’s, and for just a split second, I imagined what it would feel like to be in her place.
I had been staring out the window for a few minutes when I heard another knock at the door. “Hey queen, are you up? Open the door.”
“Go away, I’m sleeping.”
“If you were sleeping, you wouldn’t be talking. Open the door. I’ll make an embarrassing scene if you don’t.” Ivan started pounding on the door loud enough that the guests who were sleeping probably were wide awake by now.
“What do you want?” I was furious as I flung the door open.
“Hello to you too.” He let himself in and sprawled out on my bed.
“Gross, you smell like a mini-bar, get off of my bed.”
“What are you reading?” He ignored me and picked up the LaRue spellbook that I had left open on my bed.
“It’s none of your business.” I tried to grab the book from his hand, but he was holding on to it too tightly and I was afraid it might rip.
“Black cats and graveyard dirt, I was right, you are a voodoo queen.” He looked awfully pleased with himself.
“Even if I were, it’s none of your business.” I sat down on the bed next to him as he proceeded to flip through the book. It would be my only chance to grab it from him.
“So what kind of tricks can you do?” He took off his black t-shirt and tossed it on the floor.
“This isn’t your house, and I’m not your maid.” I picked up the shirt and tossed it back at him.
“Hey, it’s a hot night, and I thought you’d appreciate the view.” He demonstrated his perfectly cut abs. “Now tell me, what kind of stuff can you do?”
“Nothing,” I replied wearily, not quite telling the truth. I didn’t trust Ivan, he was too interested, always lurking around and showing up at odd times.
“You can’t be serious, you say you’re a voodoo queen, but you can’t do any magic?” His laughter filled the silent room. “You’ve got to be kidding me, that is hilarious.”
“I never said I was a voodoo queen, you did.” I pointed out.
“Hey, it’s okay, if you want to talk about it.” His voice took on a thoughtful tone for once.
“With you? Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
“Hey, I’m a pretty trustworthy guy.”
“Any guy that says he’s trustworthy probably isn’t. Now, give me back the book.”
“You know the LaPlantes are scum, don’t you?” he said out of nowhere. Darkness filled his grey eyes. For an instant, I saw much more than a jerk. I saw a guy who was deeply troubled and tormented over something that he had not gotten over.
“Why? You don’t even know them.”
“I’ve heard rumors, plus any family that builds their wealth off the back of slaves is pretty much scum in my books,” he proclaimed adamantly.
“Why should you care how the family got their money? Plus, by the looks of it, your family probably did the same thing.”
“Don’t be so quick to judge, queen,” he snarled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” he replied. “So why are you at Darkwood, anyways?”
“A vacation. What does it look like I’m doing here? I’m just trying to pay the bills.”
“I guess we do have something in common after all. Just two working class people trying to scrape by, watching the rich kids play.”
“I’m not watching anyone play.” I knew he was referring to Sabrina.
“Oh please, you wish you were Sabrina, don’t you? You would just love hanging off Lucus’s arm.” He stretched out further and put his hands under his head.
“And you would love to be Lucus and have Sabrina hang on to your every word,” I fired back.
“Yeah sure,” he laughed. “Trust me, that’s one guy I wouldn’t want to be, and that’s one girl that I could easily have. So have you lived in New Orleans your whole life? When did you find out you were a queen?”
“Oh lord, how many times do I have to tell you that I’m not a queen,” I threw my hands up in the air in frustration. “Yes, born and raised in New Orleans.” Why was I even bothering answering his questions?
“There’s no need to snap, I’m just trying to make small talk. I guess I better let you get your beauty rest, it looks like you really need it.” He glanced over my shabby shorts and smirked. “Once you learn a few tricks I’d be so happy to see them.” He finally got off of the bed and let himself out of the room. What a weirdo.