[ Three ]
1371 Words
I sat still, marveled at how easily Daisy interacted with them. She wasn't even this comfortable with the Zanabi.
" You ain't tol' ha' yet? " Sid asked Daisy. She fixed her laugh into a straight face, Sid reading her like it was an instinct. It had to be. He called me out for what I was thinking moments ago and hit the nail on the head. " So whatchu' wanna' know, Vee? "
I didn't know where to start. I fumbled with my words as he parted another portion of Kelz' hair, twisting it and weaving the design again.
" You never saw me 'round 'cause yo' grandma made me leave. " he started. That shocked me. Just like my mother, I never knew my grandma to be that kind of way. " Tellin' her I liked men was one thang, but fallin' for a vampire was anotha'. He wasn't turned then, but word gets 'round fast in the bayou. "
" When was the last time you saw Mama and Tee Triece? "
" Lemme' see, fo'teen years since I spoke to Justice, three since I spoke to Triece. "
" Why so long? "
" Afta' yo' nasty grandma did that ritual on me and saw I absorbed it, she needed me gone. She told yo' mama and auntie stories 'bout me bein' dark and evil, castin' spells on 'em and cursin' the family bloodline. They asked me 'bout it and I tol' 'em I ain't do it. We got in this big ole' fight, and then she put me out. "
" You ha' chile', why she do that? "
" It started befo' I was had. Yo' granddaddy was a root doctor wit' some special gifts. He saw ha' becomin' jealous of me and tryin' ta' hurt me, so when I was still in ha' belly, he put a special spell on me. I can't be hurt by magic, I only take it in. Then she got sick, and he was the only one who could heal 'er. He performed all kind 'a spells on 'er 'til one finally worked. Then she saw me. My future. My power. She was castin' dark spells on me, but ain't kno' it was jus' makin' me stronga'. Once I was had and yo' granddaddy had his boy, she knew she lost. "
" I can't imagine how hard it would be."
" As a pecka' in the moanin'. " we all chuckled. " I ain't kno' my strength 'til I was five. I was performin' spells Justice and Treice was doin', even spells mama only dreamed 'bout. That's when yo' grandaddy showed me control. He ain't have no choice. I was recitin' spells in my sleep, causin' all kinda' hell to break loose. I couldn't 'een go to school, had errbody thinkin' I was the devil. "
I took everything in as best I could. There was too much I still didn't understand, but couldn't even put them into questions.
" Na', listen, Triece gave you that picture fo' a reason. You special, Vee. You 'on see it na', but I see it. Be sneaky, chi'. "
I was speechless. I looked at Daisy who looked at me. A hint of envy in her eyes, but contempt.
" Is you done? " Kelz reached for his hair. Sid popped him across his knuckles with the comb.
" Don't be rushin' me. " he growled. " Na', I'm done. "
Kelz stood up, towering over us all as he walked away from the room, leaving us sitting there in silence.
" The Zanabi workin' on a spell to get rid 'a you. " I didn't mean to say it, but I did. I somehow felt protective of Sid. I felt connected to him.
" Whateva', them witches been tryna' get me fa' years. I ain't they enemy. "
My phone began ringing. I pulled it from my pocket, looking at the Caller ID. It was Mama.
" Don't ansa' that call, chi'. Justice get one peep 'a yo' voice, she gone' lose ha' damn sense. " he chuckled.
" Damn, Vee, we gotta' get back. "
Daisy rushed up, grabbing the keys, and pulling me towards the door. We sat back down in the car, speeding for the French Quarter. Once we finally made it back, Daisy sat there with her hands on the steering wheel. I was afraid to even move.
" 'Memba what I said: don't speak, don't think, don't dream. "
I nodded as we both reached for the door handles, rushing out of the heat and into the cool air of the shop. People were shopping around, filling the place up with small chatter.
" Find whatchu' lookin' fo? " Tee Triece suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Daisy and I stood still.
" No ma'am, the sto' ain't have it. "
" Mhm. " she looked us up and down. I knew she knew. She wasn't who I was worried about. It was my mother who would require more strategy. " Lunch on the counta', wheneva' y'all ready. "
Daisy and I took a breath as I made my way upstairs and to my room. I stopped in front of my mother's study once I heard the faint voices. I placed my ear to the door, gently.
" How I kno' to trust you? " she asked.
" We the least 'a y'all worries. Sid say some 'a them witches startin' to get rebellious. " Kelz told her.
" What witches? "
" The Tribe. They aimin' fa' tha' quarter, and with y'all focus on Sid, they makin' it happen. "
" How nasty? "
" They got the pests involved. "
" Fuckin' wolves. " she cursed. " What I need ta' do? "
" Sid wanna' help, Justice, you kno' that. " Kelz' response caused her to scoff immediately.
" Out yo' mind, Kelz. "
" Be that way, Justice. It's they blood on yo' hands. "
I rushed down the hall to my room, walking inside and sitting down on the bed. I was still trying to process everything I learned today. My family was not the family I knew them to be. There were so many secrets still left untold. In the back of my mind lingered the fact that Sid was lying, but what did he have to lie about? I knew he was telling the truth because, just like she demonstrated, my mother despised him. She never brought him up to me and I never asked. I felt betrayed though. This was an important part of my life and she withheld it from me.
" Don't you go gettin' mad with yo' mama. " his soothing, deep voice took me back to my childhood. The way we'd get in that yard and run around. The swing tied to the tree that sat right outside the front porch. The day he passed was the most hurtful day of my life. " My lil' Princess. "
" Grandaddy. " I stopped myself from crying. I looked around the room for him, but he was nowhere to be found.
" Yo' Uncle kno' what he talm' 'bout. You special. " I could tell he was smiling.
" I jus' don't get it. "
" Be patient, Princess, you will. "
I sat there on the bed, tears welling up in my eyes. I looked at one of my old book bags, snatching it from the closet and packing it with some clothes. I left the room, walking down the stairs and running right into Mama.
" Renee, whea' you headin'? "
" I'm meetin' wit' some old friends. I'll be back in the mornin'. "
She focused on me for a second but raised no questions.
" Aight, you be safe, baby. " she kissed my forehead before walking up the stairs. I continued for the door but was stopped by Daisy.
" Uh uh, whea' you goin'? "
" To Sid's. You comin'? "
She reached behind the counter, pulling the black bag onto her shoulder. I lifted my brow.
" Good. Now I ain't gotta' feel bad fa' leavin' you. "
- Writer
