Written in the Sky* Rise of the Wadjet Witch (21 page)
Read Written in the Sky* Rise of the Wadjet Witch Online
Authors: Juliet C. Obodo
“
Oh yes.” She turned back to Gemma. “Cairo—er, Gregoire did call me to pick you up. He became ill, but I was already here with my friends.” Memphis looked back at everyone.
Oh yes.” She turned back to Gemma. “Cairo—er, Gregoire did call me to pick you up. He became ill, but I was already here with my friends.” Memphis looked back at everyone.
Gemma waved hello, but was met with blank stares.
“
Not a friendly bunch, eh?”
Not a friendly bunch, eh?”
“
I apologize for the rest of the group,” Virgil said, stepping forward. “Luckily I will be your escort back tonight. And I assure you, I’m much friendlier.”
I apologize for the rest of the group,” Virgil said, stepping forward. “Luckily I will be your escort back tonight. And I assure you, I’m much friendlier.”
“
Hello there.” Gemma was always a sucker for a pretty face.
Hello there.” Gemma was always a sucker for a pretty face.
Virgil took her hand and kissed it. Memphis, Sarai, and Gabriella all rolled their eyes. Lawrence grinned.
“
Just come with me and I will make sure you get home safely.”
Just come with me and I will make sure you get home safely.”
“
Why, thank you. Are you from London? I hear an accent.”
Why, thank you. Are you from London? I hear an accent.”
“
No, but I was schooled there,” Virgil replied as he and Gemma walked out of the warehouse.
No, but I was schooled there,” Virgil replied as he and Gemma walked out of the warehouse.
Memphis couldn’t believe it was that easy, but then she felt a huge searing pain in her head. It was so great that she fell to her knees. So did the others.
What is going on?
What is going on?
“
What is going on? Why, it’s a family reunion. You really didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?” Cairo said to her aloud.
What is going on? Why, it’s a family reunion. You really didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?” Cairo said to her aloud.
Memphis heard a woman’s voice. “Why did you let the whore go? And we need her brother.”
“
Virgil is his brother, too,” Sarai spat.
Virgil is his brother, too,” Sarai spat.
“
Shut up.” The woman came up to Sarai and slapped her. “You’re just like your mother—think you know everything. You know nothing and neither did she. She was a thief. She stole my babies.”
Shut up.” The woman came up to Sarai and slapped her. “You’re just like your mother—think you know everything. You know nothing and neither did she. She was a thief. She stole my babies.”
“
They were not your babies. She gave birth to Memphis and Cairo. You gave birth to nothing, because you are nothing. You aren’t even worth star dust.”
They were not your babies. She gave birth to Memphis and Cairo. You gave birth to nothing, because you are nothing. You aren’t even worth star dust.”
Keturah looked as if she was going to strike Sarai again. The others were still doubled over in pain; Cairo had them under psionic lock. They could not move or think through the pain.
Instead, Keturah began to choke Sarai. Lawrence attempted to use his own cerebral power to fight Cairo. He managed to rise, but Cairo strengthened his mental grip and Lawrence fell back down to his knees.
“
It must be the blood from the human sacrifices giving him such brain power
,” Memphis thought.
It must be the blood from the human sacrifices giving him such brain power
,” Memphis thought.
She heard Cairo in her mind. “
Human sacrifices
?
What are you talking about
?”
Human sacrifices
?
What are you talking about
?”
“
Um, duh. That’s why you’re so strong. You’re all juiced up from the Third-Eye blood energy from the chicks you killed.”
Um, duh. That’s why you’re so strong. You’re all juiced up from the Third-Eye blood energy from the chicks you killed.”
“
No, I’m stronger than you because of my faith—because of the power of Seth. There were no human sacrifices,”
he sneered.
No, I’m stronger than you because of my faith—because of the power of Seth. There were no human sacrifices,”
he sneered.
“
Dude, were you too busy stealing my boyfriend—who is dead by the way—to read a freaking paper?”
Dude, were you too busy stealing my boyfriend—who is dead by the way—to read a freaking paper?”
“
Jonathan was your boyfriend?”
Lawrence asked. He must have tapped in.
Jonathan was your boyfriend?”
Lawrence asked. He must have tapped in.
“
Jonathan is dead?”
Cairo asked. He felt guilty. He had led them to him, but he just wanted to taunt Memphis with the fact that he stole her human.
Jonathan is dead?”
Cairo asked. He felt guilty. He had led them to him, but he just wanted to taunt Memphis with the fact that he stole her human.
“
Okay, so Jonathan was my ex-boyfriend, who is now dead because his head exploded.
”
Okay, so Jonathan was my ex-boyfriend, who is now dead because his head exploded.
”
“
Did you kill him?”
Cairo asked. He increased the pain.
Did you kill him?”
Cairo asked. He increased the pain.
“
No!”
she screamed mentally.
“Keturah and The Seventy-Two did. They have also been killing innocent women by stabbing into their skulls so you could get some brain juice.”
No!”
she screamed mentally.
“Keturah and The Seventy-Two did. They have also been killing innocent women by stabbing into their skulls so you could get some brain juice.”
“
I don’t believe you. I don’t know you. Why should I believe you over my mother?”
I don’t believe you. I don’t know you. Why should I believe you over my mother?”
“
Because I’m your sister and she is not our mother. She killed our real mother. She blew her up like she was a science experiment.”
Because I’m your sister and she is not our mother. She killed our real mother. She blew her up like she was a science experiment.”
“
You’re a liar.”
He increased the pain. Gabriella passed out.
You’re a liar.”
He increased the pain. Gabriella passed out.
Keturah had Sarai on the ground. Suddenly Lawrence got up and rushed toward her. He made contact. She fell back, hit her head on the side of a tractor and was rendered unconscious.
Cairo called out to her, screamed in anguish and rushed over to see if she was still alive.
Memphis crawled over to Lawrence and Sarai. Sarai was so still.
“
Is she…?” Memphis was afraid to finish the question.
Is she…?” Memphis was afraid to finish the question.
“
No, she is still breathing.”
No, she is still breathing.”
“
All of you are dead, starting with you!”
All of you are dead, starting with you!”
He mentally gripped Lawrence. This time he seemed to be cutting off his breathing. Lawrence gripped his throat and gasped for air.
“
You killed my mother.”
You killed my mother.”
“
Once again, she is not your mother!” Memphis yelled at him.
Once again, she is not your mother!” Memphis yelled at him.
“
I am his mother—his true mother!” Keturah shouted. “With my help he will become the most powerful being in this world.” Keturah was up and lucid, well as lucid as someone who was criminally insane could possibly be.
I am his mother—his true mother!” Keturah shouted. “With my help he will become the most powerful being in this world.” Keturah was up and lucid, well as lucid as someone who was criminally insane could possibly be.
“
Mother! You’re not dead!” Cairo ran to her side.
Mother! You’re not dead!” Cairo ran to her side.
“
Yes, unfortunately,” Lawrence wheezed. Distracted by Keturah, Cairo had released him and he was able to breath.
Yes, unfortunately,” Lawrence wheezed. Distracted by Keturah, Cairo had released him and he was able to breath.
“
Really, Lawrence? This is not a good time to bait the crazy dude,” Memphis transmitted to him.
Really, Lawrence? This is not a good time to bait the crazy dude,” Memphis transmitted to him.
“
I am not crazy,” Cairo replied.
I am not crazy,” Cairo replied.
“
Kill them all,” Keturah said as she got up. “Starting with him.” She pointed at Lawrence as she rubbed the bump on her head.
Kill them all,” Keturah said as she got up. “Starting with him.” She pointed at Lawrence as she rubbed the bump on her head.
Memphis was startled by a hand on her arm. It was Sarai; she and Gabriella had regained consciousness. They all crawled over to Lawrence and formed a huddle.
“
We have to kill him,” Sarai whispered to them.
We have to kill him,” Sarai whispered to them.
“
How?” Lawrence and Gabriella asked.
How?” Lawrence and Gabriella asked.
“
No, we can’t—he’s our brother. He’s been brainwashed; he didn’t even know that the women were being killed.” Memphis pleaded.
No, we can’t—he’s our brother. He’s been brainwashed; he didn’t even know that the women were being killed.” Memphis pleaded.
Cairo had Lawrence in his grip again; he slowly choked off his oxygen and Lawrence gasped for air.
“
We have to burn him out—burn out his light. There is a spell. Repeat after me:
Noor Idrukni
.” Sarai instructed.
We have to burn him out—burn out his light. There is a spell. Repeat after me:
Noor Idrukni
.” Sarai instructed.
Sarai and Gabriella began to chant.
They were going to kill him, and he was going to kill her Luri. She had to stop him—stop everyone.
“
Cairo!” she screamed. He looked at her and everyone quieted.
Cairo!” she screamed. He looked at her and everyone quieted.
“
Look into my mind
,” she mentally pleaded him.
“The mind does not lie.”
Look into my mind
,” she mentally pleaded him.
“The mind does not lie.”
He released Lawrence, and she felt pressure in her head; it reminded her of the sensation before her ears popped during a flight.
He had entered her mind, and suddenly her lost memories came rushing forth. They played out in her mind. She and Cairo both watched themselves as children playing in the garden. They were so happy. They both heard a voice call them in for dinner. It was their mother’s voice; they both turned to smile at her but gasped. She was so beautiful.
And then she was gone. Tears rolled down their faces as they both felt the loss.
Cairo finally believed her. Everything had come back to him: their parents, the fire, how he hated Keturah at first and wanted to go home. But she fed him lies, and performed a spell to make him love her so that she could use him to gain more power.
He turned to face Keturah. “You must die the way our parents did.”
But before he could act on his threat, Keturah’s head exploded.
“
The Seventy-Two—they must have been watching all along!” Sarai exclaimed.
The Seventy-Two—they must have been watching all along!” Sarai exclaimed.
“
No, it was me,” Memphis said flatly.
No, it was me,” Memphis said flatly.
They all turned to look at her with a mix of awe and horror. She met them with a steely, blue-eyed gaze. She killed her parents’ murderer but she felt no remorse or satisfaction—just the power that flowed through her.
“
We have to get out of here,” Sarai said. She gently guided Gabriella towards the door, stealing glances back at Memphis. It was as if she were afraid she would cause her head to explode.
We have to get out of here,” Sarai said. She gently guided Gabriella towards the door, stealing glances back at Memphis. It was as if she were afraid she would cause her head to explode.
Cairo stood still, staring at Keturah’s remains.
“
I’m sorry, Cairo. I know that you knew her as your mother for so long, but she was evil. She had to die, not only to avenge our parents but for the greater good,” Memphis said. She couldn’t believe that she was so emotionless, but this was what they were born to do.
I’m sorry, Cairo. I know that you knew her as your mother for so long, but she was evil. She had to die, not only to avenge our parents but for the greater good,” Memphis said. She couldn’t believe that she was so emotionless, but this was what they were born to do.
“
I know. I was so blind; it was because of the spell she casted. None of the love I felt for her was real.” He turned to her, tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry for… everything.”
I know. I was so blind; it was because of the spell she casted. None of the love I felt for her was real.” He turned to her, tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry for… everything.”
“
I know.” She smiled. “I can read your mind, remember?”
I know.” She smiled. “I can read your mind, remember?”
She took his hand and they followed the rest of the group.
They spent the Thanksgiving holiday together, like a real family. Claudia cooked quite a feast, and she and Sarai taught Memphis how to cast star-lit spells while in the kitchen. This would help her conserve and control her magickal energy. Performing magick without the proper form or structure was like reading a book of chemical formulas with no knowledge of chemistry; Sarai made it a point to mention that to her whenever she could.
Gemma flew home to Bristol—she needed a break from crazy Americans—and Jill was with her new fiancé’s family. It was just Memphis and her own family.
They all sat down and talked freely about Zarzora and their people. Cairo, Memphis, Lawrence, and Gabriella plied Virgil and Sarai with questions.
“
What were the people like? What was the climate? Was it really paradise?”
What were the people like? What was the climate? Was it really paradise?”
“
I can’t wait to go there and see our people.” Memphis sat back in her chair and absorbed the warmth from the food and company.
I can’t wait to go there and see our people.” Memphis sat back in her chair and absorbed the warmth from the food and company.
“
You shall, and I’m sure you will be happy to finally meet your star-mate.” Sarai winked at her.
You shall, and I’m sure you will be happy to finally meet your star-mate.” Sarai winked at her.
“
My star-mate? Is that like soul mate?”
My star-mate? Is that like soul mate?”
Lawrence and Memphis looked at each other and then at their palms. They were confused; would they both have three children with other people?
“
Yes, you each have chosen mates based on stars. It is written in the sky,” Virgil explained as if it were a well-known fact.
Yes, you each have chosen mates based on stars. It is written in the sky,” Virgil explained as if it were a well-known fact.
Memphis was filled with sadness. Luri wasn’t her star-mate. She thought about everything that they had been through. She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Gabriella; she gave her a squeeze and sympathetic smile. This reminded Memphis that at least she had a star sister.
“
So, are you two ready?” Gabriella pointed at Memphis and Cairo.
So, are you two ready?” Gabriella pointed at Memphis and Cairo.
“
Yes.” Cairo blushed at the sudden attention. He was getting used to having a family, too.
Yes.” Cairo blushed at the sudden attention. He was getting used to having a family, too.
Their birthday was a week away, and it would be the day of their Rising ritual. Though Cairo’s was induced, the ceremony was very important to stabilize his powers.
“
Most definitely,” Memphis agreed. If she couldn’t have Lawrence, she would have her powers.
Most definitely,” Memphis agreed. If she couldn’t have Lawrence, she would have her powers.
On the day of their Rising, they wore light gray robes that Sarai must have taken from the set of
Sister Act
which was playing on Broadway. Memphis and Cairo tried to stifle their laughter when she handed them the robes. They had developed a tentative connection. Entering someone’s mind can form a bond, but they had also shared a yolk sac. That had to account for something.
Sister Act
which was playing on Broadway. Memphis and Cairo tried to stifle their laughter when she handed them the robes. They had developed a tentative connection. Entering someone’s mind can form a bond, but they had also shared a yolk sac. That had to account for something.
“
Are you serious?” Cairo pouted. “This is totally going to wash me out.”
Are you serious?” Cairo pouted. “This is totally going to wash me out.”
Memphis could no longer contain her laughter and burst into giggles.
The rest of the group joined her. It felt as if all their troubles were behind them, but the ultimate battle of good and evil still lay ahead.
They sobered up and proceeded with the ceremony. They both lay down and the others formed a circle around them. They began to chant, “
Noor Kundalini Opre
.”
Noor Kundalini Opre
.”
At first, Memphis felt nothing but the scratchiness of the robe’s fabric, but then she felt an explosion of energy in her root center, which hit her feet and went up to the top of her head. She surged through the air. This time she went past the Moon’s orbit to the Sun’s.
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