Punished (26 page)

“Yes, Aunt Mae.” I grabbed a seat.

“Bea told me all about what happened while you were under Louis’ spell. She said that Gran-Ibo gave you some Black Arts Oil to bind Louis, is that right?”

“Yeah, it’s right here.” I took the oil out of my pocket. “I have no idea where to find him though. Gran-Ibo told me that I need to use my instincts and senses, but I’m not really great at that.”

Aunt Mae took a long pause. “I do have one method, but it’s a little controversial,” she said in a low voice.

“Controversial?” Oh God, this was the part I had been dreading. “Chicken sacrifice?” I whispered horrified. Although I had already half sacrificed a snake, I didn’t want to harm a chicken.

“Ha ha ha, not this time, my child. Erzulie said that Louis is bound in human form, which leaves him open to attack. He was able to put that spell on you because he was able to get access to a part of your soul, which means, he is near. You simply have to draw him out.”

My head was still a little fuzzy from my coma, so I wasn’t really sure what she was implying. “I have to draw him out? How?”

“By making yourself simply irresistible.” Her green eyes gleamed as she raised a thick eyebrow.

 
“How?”

“The oldest trick in every woman’s book, Come to Me Oil, guaranteed to attract the person you desire. Once you pass this oil on yourself, Louis will be hopeless in your presence. He will want nothing more than to kiss you. He’ll answer any questions that you have for that single kiss. You make this oil, think of Louis while you’re doing it, and he’ll be putty in your hands. You ask him any questions that you have and then bind him with the Black Arts Oil.”

My thoughts instantly flashed to Lucus, could I use Come to me oil on him? Did I need to? Where was he? Did he really pace like a maniac outside my bedroom door?

Aunt Mae picked up on my thoughts and gave me an amused smile. “I don’t think you need to use it Lucus my dear. So what do you think? Are you willing to give it a try?”

“Yes. I need to find him. I need to talk to him and understand what’s going on.” I was a little freaked out by the whole thing, but after everything that had happened, there was no point going against the grain.

Aunt Mae gave me a nod and went back inside the house. She came back with a handful of supplies and promptly instructed me on how to mix the various ingredients to make the right mixture of Come to Me Oil. In order to make the oil potent, I had to focus all of my energy on Louis and what I knew about him.

 
As I concentrated on getting the right blend of rose, magnolia, catnip, honeysuckle blossoms and orange blossoms oil, all I could think of was the kind Louis I had known. I focused on how he had saved me from the whip lashes and how he had been so full of hope. I despised the vengeful Louis, but not the person he had been. I wondered if that Louis would come back. Wherever he was, he didn’t deserve to suffer.

“I think I’ve got it,” I said, as I held up the oil. “What do I do now?”

Aunt Mae inspected the potion I had created and gave me a satisfied nod. “When you get ready for Mr. Dumpty’s party tonight, this will be your perfume. You need to focus on Louis when you place it on your skin. Carry the Black Arts Oil with you and when you know it’s him, you can’t hesitate, you need to immediately place the oil on your lips and bind his energy.”

“I can handle that, but what if he doesn’t show up? What if the oil isn’t strong enough? Or he isn’t here at all?”

“You have to have faith that he will come, and he is near. Remember, your thoughts are your most powerful weapon. The spirits favor you because you are naturally strong and determined.”

I took in every word Aunt Mae said and prayed that she was right.
 

Chapter 27

I vow not to be a psychopath

Later that night, it was time to get ready for Mr. Dumpty’s birthday party. Even though Mr. Dumpty never needed a reason to drink excessively, he demanded that Darkwood go all out for him because he was a paying customer. Apparently, since Lucus had way too much money, he agreed and had hired another live jazz band to play out in the rose garden, in addition to the regular excess, that was an ordinary day at Darkwood.

Even though, I was on a mission to corner and bind Louis, the party was a welcome distraction. I’d spent the entire day in a state of mindless suspicion and fear wondering when Louis was going to make his next move. I didn’t have a chance to talk to Lucus today, and that really frustrated me because I missed him. The last time I had spoken to him was in the swamp, but that had been the past Lucus and not the Lucus that roamed the halls of Darkwood today. This Lucus didn’t say that he loved me, or had the urge to unexpectedly kiss me.
 

Sabrina and I were in our room getting ready, and I felt like strangling her, as she decided on what lingerie she should wear under her party dress.

“The last time I wore Kiki de Montparnasse, but obviously that didn’t impress Lucus. Maybe I’ll try the Bracli this time. What do you think Arelia?” she asked, as she held up a black lace bra.

“Umm, I don’t know,” I muttered, as I rummaged through Sabrina’s suitcases and tried to look for a dress that would fit me. “I think that you shouldn’t try to hook up with Lucus remember what happened with Ivan? You said you were going to take it slow,” I reminded her.

“I can’t wait anymore, I need to take drastic measures otherwise he’ll never make a move. He’s so slow,” she whined.

I held by breath. “Maybe he’s not interested in you,” I said innocently.

She immediately set her eyes on me and her cheeks flushed. “What do you mean? Did he say something to you?”

“No,” I said quickly. “I’m just taking a guess; I mean if nothing’s happened so far, maybe it’s not meant to be?” I tried to sound all casual about the whole thing.

“Arelia, if you know he likes someone else please, tell me,” she demanded, as she tried on another bra.

I took one look into her hopeful eyes and pure excitement over seeing Lucus and lost my nerve. I rationalized that because Lucus and I hadn’t technically done anything, there wasn’t really anything to tell. So I lied to her face. “No, it was just a thought,” I said, as I tried to brush the whole thing off as nothing. I felt like the worst best friend ever.

She let a huge sigh of relief. “That black Dolce and Gabbana lace dress is way too small for me, try it on. I bet it’ll look hot on you. Maybe you can work things out with Tony.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, as I grabbed the gorgeous dress.

Tony. I had forgotten about him and the Dreauxs. Given everything that had taken place over the last few days, I suddenly wasn’t so afraid of them anymore. I mean if I was strong enough to survive the whole voodoo curse thing why should I let a snotty, rich woman with way too much plastic surgery bring me down? I had to remember what Gran-Ibo had said, I couldn’t give others the power to bring me down.

Honestly, I was tired of always hiding and being away from the spotlight. For the first time in my life, I wanted people to notice me. Well not people like Mr. Dumpty, but people like Lucus. I had spent my entire life feeling inferior because of what I apparently lacked. I didn’t want to live that way anymore.

After letting Sabrina cake way too much makeup on my face and straightening my hair to death, I peered into the large oval mirror. I looked like a drag queen.

“I look drag-ish.” I whined, as I tried to wipe off the excessive layers of dark eye shadow.

“You don’t look drag-ish. You’re a dark fairy. Black lace dress, garden party, it goes with the theme,” Sabrina said, as she piled on another layer of eye shadow and mascara onto my face.

“Whatever you say,” I said reluctantly.
  

I knew I was anxious more than usual tonight because I wanted to look good. I wanted to be noticed, and I knew by exactly who. Although I felt beyond guilty for wanting what or who I did, I couldn’t help the way I felt. I wanted Lucus, and I wasn’t afraid to admit that anymore.

Okay, so theoretically I was trying to be all confident, but I knew that when I actually saw him, I’d probably say something stupid.

Vowing to change your ways and actually changing them were two completely different things. Baby steps I reminded myself. When I see Lucus, I promise I won’t run away from him, say mean things to him, or throw mud at him. I was sure that I could at least stick to those three promises. I could at least try not to be a psychopath. I wasn’t a psychopath when I met him in 1852, so why should I be one now? Well back then he had thought I was an ethereal spirit, and he had been drunk.

Despite my attempt at being all carefree and cool, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that kept pestering me about all the drama that the night potentially held. What was Louis going to do to me next? Would he even show up and if he did, would I be powerful enough to bind his energy. Did Louis know what I was about to do? Stop it, Arelia. Stop constantly questioning.

I remembered to carefully spread the Come to Me oil on my neck and hid the vial of Black Arts Oil in my bra. I focused on Louis. He had to come to me, I didn’t want to live under the threat of his attacks, and if Gran-Ibo was right, Lucus and Louis were connected in more than one way. I remembered her ominous words; I can’t feel something for one without having feelings for the other.

“Arelia, are you okay?” Sabrina looked away from the mirror for a split second. Her face was covered in dots of concealer, and I saw that she had settled on the Bracli lingerie.

I wanted to say no. I’m not fine that you’re trying to sleep with Lucus. Stay the hell away from him please. But instead I said, “Yeah, I’m fine.” I got up from the satin chair. “I think I’m going to go and check out what’s happening downstairs.”

“Okay.” Sabrina turned her attention back to the mirror. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

I gave her a small hug. “Sure, you will.”

“I will,” she argued, as she blended her concealer and started putting on layers of foundation.

“Sure,” I said, as I shut the door behind me.

Chapter 28

I don’t see any darkness in you

Downstairs, I could hear the uplifting sound of jazz music, as it loitered in the early night air. Since the ballroom was dark and empty, I figured that all of the guests were already outside in the garden indulging in way to much alcohol and food.

The faint scent of cigarette smoke met me, as I passed the ballroom which prompted me to stop and peer inside. I could see Ivan slumped against the piano, cigarette in hand and his tie loosened.

“I see you queen,” he said. “Why are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding; you’re not supposed to be smoking inside.” I had no idea why I said that. I couldn’t care less where he smoked.

“Come here; let me see you all dolled up.”

“I’ll pass on your little offer.” I backed away from the door, but Ivan came close and grabbed my wrist.

His usually conceited smirk softened when he looked at me. “You look beautiful queen,” he whispered. His grey eyes filled with admiration.

“Whatever.” I shook myself free.

He ran his fingers through my hair. “Seriously, you do.”

I slapped his hand away. Never let creepy people get close to your soul. After what I’d been through, I finally understood the importance of those words. “I’m tired of your psychological warfare, Ivan. Stay the hell away from me.”

I turned my back on him and walked out of the ballroom as fast as I could. There was no way I was going to let Ivan’s warped mind games distract me tonight.

Outside, the main garden had been transformed into an otherworldly playground. Delicate twinkling lights had been carefully strung on the stately oak trees and brilliantly illuminated the never ending clumps of colorful rose bushes. The Yaupon hedges had been artfully clipped, and the Greek style water fountain seductively dribbled under the fading sky.