**"Here's the changing room, in case your clothes get a little too bloody for them to be wearable." Rashida guided me through the thrall's quarters, explaining to me where everything was as if I was going to take up permanent residency. I was still in shock that I was abandoned there, but then again, why did I expect anything more from Hezekiah? Why did I expect anything more from a vampire, at that? Rashida walked me through the changing room—a small area filled with vanities, lockers and naked women. The thralls stared me down like I didn't belong there or like I was some sort of parasite that was treading my way through. Rashida had to hold my hand and pull me through since my body was nearly immobile. Her words barely registered in my head; my eyes flickered left and rig

Hezekiah stepped around slowly, examining my room with steps that were mute against the old flooring. His eyes narrowed and studied my books, the closet, the TV and everything else. The judgmental state of his gaze made me self-conscious. "You're inside," I tell him. "Now, what is it that you want?" Hezekiah reaches deep into his pocket and pulls out my pendant—the deep blue gris-gris Mama gifted me the day I arrived, blessed by Legba's veve stamped on the front. Against my better judgment, I smiled. "My pendant," I sighed out in relief. "You kept it?" "Actually, I lost it at first. When the Coterie came to the Jubilee, the Elders were the first ones out. Not only did I get separated from you, but I got separated from your little

**I came down from my room once the Coterie finally disappeared down the bayou towards the river. Esther, Rocio and Kizzy were speaking in the kitchen, yet I still didn't feel "forgiven" enough to be part of the conversation. Still, I inched myself towards the kitchen with the intention of getting something to snack on.Once I got to the door, I paused before entering."I just don't think it's fair that we don't get to attend the ceremony," Rocio complained to the girls, rubbing shea butter on her hands."Madam Dumont trusts us to keep the house secure while she's gone.""Give me a break, Kizzy," Rocio replied, annoyed. "She left us here to babysit her daughter. Isn't sh

** Sasi One was quick to ambush us the moment we rushed out of Sajida's lair. "Leaving so soon?" she asked, following us close to the door. "We've overstayed our welcome," Kizzy told them, already opening the door. "We thank you for your hospitality." "It is no problem! We hope that you come to us again!" "Yes," Sasi Two added, "please come back soon!" "We will," Rocio lied. We walked out into the damp night, the bayou still blanketed in mist. The Gatekeeper was waiting for us at the dock, standing in his pirogue, lantern illuminating the shadows of his body. We weren't hesitant to get in like we were the first time; we we

The moment we reached the safe house, the vampire hunters quickly hauled Evander out of the car. His wound had worsened; he was nearly unconscious. I was afraid that he had vampire venom inside his bloodstream. Mama and the rest of the Coterie immediately came outside when she saw us. Her face was too far away to distinguish; I was thankful. I didn't want to see her fury just yet. "What happened?" she asked, nearing us with the rest of the priestesses behind her. We had to lie. We didn't know if Mama would believe it, but there was no way we were going to admit where we really went. "We found him in the forest," Kizzy explained. Mama was close enough then—she was clearly distraught, confused and upset that we—I—had left again with