Chapter 26

 

It felt almost like floating, but it was comforting to feel my body held by two massive arms. I squeezed one of the arms that held me.

Talk about biceps…

I opened my eyes, and Oggie looked back at me.

“Good to have you back, Annabelle.”

The sunlight was blinding. Apparently being unconscious for a while leaves you with dilated pupils. I shielded my face.

“Ashley and Mikah… did they…”

Oggie smiled—his face was about the only thing I could see through the sunlight’s glare. “Pauli got them both out. Just before he came back for you.”

“Damnit, that boy has saved me more times than I can count.”

Next thing I knew, Pauli appeared on Oggie’s shoulders. “I can’t count that high either you know, since I’m accustomed to counting things on fingers and toes. The highest I can count to now is one.”

I laughed.

“Thank you, Pauli, for saving them.”

“You saved a lot of people today,” Oggie said.

“But there were too many who died…”

Oggie nodded.

“Where are we going, anyway?”

“There’s someone who wants to see you.”

“Mikah and Ashley?”

“They want to see you too. But I’m afraid that will have to wait. You’re too important, and you can be sure Kalfu is trying to find you even as we speak.”

I shook my head. “I need to see my sister. Isabelle wants to see Mikah.”

“Soon enough,” Oggie said. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Again, where are we going? I can walk, you know. I don’t even have a headache.”

Oggie smiled. “Mikah made sure you wouldn’t. He had a couple of those pills on him and gave them to you while you were under.”

“Thank God for that…”

“I can set you down…”

I nuzzled into Oggie’s chest. I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted him to. It felt comforting to be in his arms. To be held… but I wasn’t a baby. “All right, set me down please.”

As my feet touched the ground—my bare feet; someone had removed my shoes—I felt white sand squish between my toes.

I looked around. The sound of the ocean crashing against the shore was strangely familiar.

“Holy crap,” I said. “How long was I out? There aren’t beaches like this in New Orleans.”

“It’s been a few hours,” Oggie said. “I was starting to get worried, in truth.”

“And who are we going to see?”

“Look at the waves… you’ll see.”

I stared out at the ocean. It was beautiful. Peaceful. I didn’t have much in my life that offered serenity—so I relished in the momentary sensation.

Then I saw a form emerge from the sea. His long hair, his body chiseled. He smiled at me.

“Agwe?” I asked.

He nodded.

Where his legs had been there was now a giant tail. He was a merman.

“You did well, Annabelle,” Agwe said. It was the first time I’d heard him speak.

“You do talk after all?”

“When I’m on the surface I dry out easily, and the vocal cords are the first to go. But yes, I can talk.” Agwe grinned widely.

“Why are we here? What do you want with me?”

“In my eyes, you were the true champion of the Trials. And with Erzulie gone, it is up to me to declare the winner.”

“I thought Sauron…”

“She did not win on her own accord. It was another who wielded the power on her behalf.”

“Then Dudley was the runner-up…”

Agwe’s head hung low. “Unfortunately, Mister Dumont did not escape Vilokan in time. In fact, you are the last surviving competitor aside from Miss Lemursia. And on account of Miss Windstrom’s efforts and her compliance with those efforts, I’ve disqualified her.”

I cringed, remembering what Nico and Brayden had said. “Kalfu is going to use the bodies of those left in Vilokan… We have to…”

“That’s why I need you, Annabelle.”

“You need me? For what?”

“I need your help to put the souls of Vilokan to rest. Before Kalfu seizes them.”

I nodded. “How can I do that?”

“With the prize that goes to the champion of the Trials.” Agwe handed me what looked like a totem; it resembled a serpent. I took it in my hands.

“Is this Dumballah’s blessing?”

Agwe nodded.

“What in the world will I do with it?”

“The choice is yours,” Agwe said. “But choose wisely, for the sake of Vilokan and all her people.”

I glanced at Pauli. I’d thought I’d get him a new body if I happened to win this thing… but here we were. So much was at stake…

“It’s okay, Annabelle. I know you wanted this for me. But I’ll manage. Besides, have you ever seen an ensemble more fabulous?”

I chuckled. “Any suggestions?”

“If I were you,” Oggie interjected. “I’d hold on to it until the time is right. Until all is made clear. You don’t have to use it now.”

I gripped the totem tightly. “I think that’s wise.”

“But now I need you to come with me,” Agwe said. “If you are willing.”

“Where to?” I asked.

“To my domain. Some have called it the Vilokan of the sea.”

“Why are we going there?”

“Two reasons. One, you’ll be safe from Kalfu there, until you’re ready. But second, there is an ancient trident. It was once mine, before it was sealed away. It was used to create Vilokan. If you recover it, you can restore the lost city. You can redeem the souls of those who remain trapped.”

“When I was unconscious, I saw something… Nico and Brayden. They said the souls of Vilokan were passing on.”

“Some of them,” Agwe said. “But many more languish. Destined to become wraiths. To be utilized by Kalfu. If you don’t set them free.”

“And you can’t just get this thing for yourself?”

Agwe shook his head. “I cannot retrieve it. The power that holds it is not something I can penetrate. But you can.”

“So you want me to go on a quest? I’ve always wanted to go on a quest!”

Agwe smiled. “Yes, I suppose you could call it a quest.”

“One problem,” I said. “I can’t breathe underwater. You know, on account of being human.”

Agwe smiled. “I’ve never given my aspect to a mortal. But today you will be the first. It will grant you the ability to breathe in my domain.”

I glanced at Oggie. “Are you sure you’re okay with him mounting me? I mean, it’ll feel kind of like cheating on you.”

Oggie grinned. “You already have more than one aspect. What’s still another? I think I can live with it.”

I winked at Oggie.

“And I’ll get to see Ashley and Mikah soon?”

Agwe looked at Oggie. “When we know it’s safe.”

“All right,” I said. “I’ll go, on one condition.”

“What’s that?” Agwe asked.

“Give Pauli your aspect, too. He comes with me.”

Agwe pinched his chin. “And if I agree to this, you will come with me?”

I nodded. “I will.”

“It’s a deal,” Agwe said.

“Language I don’t like hearing from a Loa. A deal, but not a bargain, right?”

Agwe laughed. “No, I do not make bargains like that.”

“Sweet!” Pauli exclaimed. “A three-way mounting with a demigod! Fantasy fulfilled!”

Oggie and Agwe even laughed at that one.

“All right,” I said. “Then I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

“One thing first,” Oggie interrupted.

“What’s that?”

The next thing I knew Oggie grabbed me by the waist and pulled me in for a kiss. His lips mashed with mine. My fingers dug into his back, trying to pull more of myself into him, wanting more…

And Isabelle didn’t even protest…

It’s okay… You deserve happiness, too.

Oggie released me.

I took a deep breath. “Wow…”

“That’s all you have to say?” Oggie asked. “Wow?”

“Sometimes that’s all you can say.”

Oggie smiled at me. I smiled back.

Then I turned to Agwe. He looked into my eyes. And I felt it… Not much, but I felt a change. Something new. Something powerful.

Pauli zapped himself onto my shoulders.

“Are you sure you can give your aspect twice in a row?” I asked. “I thought most Loa could only give their aspect every so often.”

“When you’ve never given away your aspect,” Agwe said, “there’s plenty to give.”

Agwe and Pauli locked eyes as Agwe bestowed his aspect on him.

“That was hot!” Pauli exclaimed. “The most action I’ve had in weeks!”

Agwe smiled.

I turned to Oggie again and smiled. “See you soon?”

Oggie nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”

Agwe took my hand, and together with Pauli we waded into the waters until our bodies disappeared beneath the waves.

 

To be continued…