“Savior(GhostNoteSymphonies)”—RiseAgainst
It was late, and the clubhouse was subdued that night. E sat in the common area watching TV, but no one else was around except for the prospect at the bar. He went in the back to restock before going to bed for the night, and I lifted my drink to my lips as I held the ice pack over my eye.
“You look… like you could use a friend, young Nico,” Madame Laveaux said, and I lifted my head from my hands.
“Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me!” Like her grandson, Voodoo, she had an innate ability to see things—know things. It had my anxiety creeping up—escalating. There were a lot of ugly things in my life I never wanted anyone to know.
“That looks terrible,” she said, staring at my eye.
A snort escaped, but I didn’t want to sayno shit.
“My grandson cannot read you well. Did you know that?”
I shook my head, wondering where she was going with this.
“You need to speak to him. There is something he has seen, but he doesn’t know it’s about you.”
“Then how do you know it is?”
She cocked an elegant brow and looked down her nose. “Because I know these things” was all the answer I got.
“Okay, sure. Talk to Voodoo. Got it.” I gave her a mock salute, and she narrowed her eyes.
Belated fear coursed through me. My mood was overshadowing my common sense.
It was my turn to sigh. “Sorry. I’m in a shit mood, and it’s not fair to take it out on you.”
She harrumphed in acceptance.
“It’s not hopeless, you know,” she murmured as she stared deep in my eyes. She plucked my glass from my hands and took a drink. Surprised, I let her have it.
“How do you figure? I made a promise to a woman that I don’t know if I can keep. I promised her we’d find a way to make this work, but I don’t know how that’s ever going to happen. I’m going to be a father that can’t touch his own child unless he’s wearing gloves. How would I explain to him or her why I can’t touch them with my bare hands? Holy shit… what if they are likeme?” Exasperated and worried, I dropped my face to my hands as my elbows rested on the bar top.
After a few long moments of silence, she sighed.
“There might be a way,” she ominously announced. “That you could touch the woman you love and your children, I mean.”
“Why don’t I like the sound of that?” I warily questioned as I lowered my hands. Though we knew much of what she was capable of, the woman’s full abilities were shrouded in mystery.
“It involves powerful magic, Nico. Therefore, I will only help you if she is willing. There must be true love.” She poked the table with a finger as she punctuated her words. Her reply was dark and yet aloof. Eerily pale gray-blue eyes boldly stared me down.
“What magic?” Eyes narrowed, I questioned her suspiciously. A shiver hit me, sending chills through me.
“I had a vision about you and Jasmine. Afterward, I searched through volumes of old texts for a solution for you. I found something that I believe will work. It is a special potion that you each need to drink. If it works, it should have the ability to mute her thoughts in your head. If it’s done before the baby is born, it will pass to your child. Voila! Your worries of family are solved.” That didn’t sound so bad. Maybe it tasted like shit. Oh, who was I kidding, this was Madame Laveaux; it was going to be more than some nasty-tasting drink.
“Pay attention!” she barked as she snapped her fingers in front of my face. Chagrined at letting my thoughts run away with me, I winced.
“These potions, they involve very different… um… recipes,” she said as she tapped her lips thoughtfully. Unease settled in my guts.
“Like what?” I demanded. She rolled her eyes and huffed.
“So demanding. Maybe I won’t help after all. Your manners are atrocious, boy.”
My nostrils flared, and she chuckled.
“Teasing. You’re lucky I’m a romantic. Be warned, it’s likely not going to be pleasant.” The baleful warning didn’t sound good, neither did her wrinkled nose.
“How unpleasant?” This was beginning to sound like a child’s fairytale.