Rise of the Wadjet Witch - By Juliet C. Obodo Page 0,43

looked up at her. “I made your favorite, pasta and vodka sauce.”

Memphis sat down, her hunger taking over.

Dinner was not filled with small talk. Claudia explained that she was just trying to get close to her by reading her fortune. She didn’t work as a fortune-teller—she sold jewelry at a little stand in Soho—but she was drawn to Memphis when she saw her walk by, though they never met. “You have the same energy as my two angels here.” She smiled and Memphis instantly warmed up to her. She was a loving aunt; she only played the crooked Gypsy role to hide the fact she had been following Memphis.She suddenly felt the urge to tell them everything, including why she freaked out when she saw the mug shot of the murdered woman.

“It’s not your fault. The people who are committing these crimes are sick,” Gabriella comforted her.

“Yeah, we actually know who’s doing this. Well, we sort of know who is.” Lawrence told her.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a cult; they’re called The Seventy-Two. Are you familiar with the story of the Egyptian gods Osiris and Seth?

“Yes, actually, I am.” She thought about Virgil. She would have to tell them about him—maybe set up a meeting.

“Great.” Gabriella looked impressed. “Well, when Seth planned to kill Osiris, he had seventy-two evil accomplices. They were witches who helped Seth keep watch over his enemies—those who wished to bring peace. They would have them killed before they could succeed. They had the gift of foresight and would cast spells or create poisonous potions. It was a constant battle. These people claim to be the descendants of the Seventy-Two. We’re not sure about that, but they are definitely followers.”

“That is insane.”

“Yes, cults will do that to you.”

“So these people are here killing?”

“We don’t believe the entire sect is present in New York. Lawrence has only been able to picture one man; he reflected the image here and we used the crystal ball to produce a police sketch.”

“Wow, you actually use the crystal ball?” She looked at Lawrence. He winked at her, causing her to blush. She caught Claudia giving them a knowing look.

“Yes,” Gabriella continued. “We’ve scoured the mug shots and have been canvassing.”

“Gabriella received word from her precinct that a suspect matching his description was spotted in the Upper West Side the night of Jill’s party; that’s why we had to leave.” He looked directly into her eyes, willing her to know that he didn’t leave by choice.

Memphis broke eye contact and instead turned to Claudia. “Did you know my parents? The Quasars?”

“No, my dear; I’m sorry, but I did not. My sister would tell me only so much.” She gave her a sad smile. She paused and looked as if she made an internal decision to tell her more. “But you know there were others. You’re not alone. You have—”

“Someone has activated your nodes,” Gabriella suddenly blurted out, interrupting Claudia and distracting Memphis.

“I’m sorry?” Memphis frowned.

“Your eyes are turning blue.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed that. I didn’t know why. My eyes have always been hazel.” Or the color of dog poo, her green-eyed foster sister Stephanie used to tease her.

“Mine were brown,” Gabriella said.

“Mine were brown, too,” Luri informed her, standing up. “I think it’s time we used the amenti.”

“She has an amenti rock?” Gabriella also got up from the table.

“Yes, she does,” Claudia answered.

“Well, let’s get to it.”

While Luri and Gabriella went to get supplies, Claudia explained what Gabriella meant when she referred to her nodes. “As I’ve stated before, I only know what my sister told me, but there are more like you.”

“Is that what you meant when you said that I wasn’t alone?”

Claudia hesitated before nodding. For some reason Memphis didn’t believe her, and Claudia began to feed her information as if to distract her. Memphis was so hungry for any knowledge of her past that she allowed her.

“You children are special, created with the Gods in mind. You are filled with their essence—Star Essence. The universe is literally inside of you. Fourteen star children were born in 1977 and fourteen more in 1988. I don’t know the significance of those years, but when you reach the age of fourteen, a ceremony is performed. My sister was a gifted seer and she knew that she wouldn’t be here to initiate her children, so she showed me how.

“During the ceremony, which is called The Fourteen at Fourteen, the lunar nodes are activated. They are the equivalent of the Chakras to which most yogis or