I might need." I dropped down on the couch and turned away, ignoring his question. What could I say? That I had seen lots of blood in my visions and that even the memories of its smell made me sick to my stomach? If I told them, they wouldn't take me seriously. My confidence in my abilities was already non-existent. "Candles and white chalk, a drum and a bell. I think that's it. If I remember anything else, I'll let you know. Now, if you'll excuse me I'd like to retreat to my room while you get everything." I stood and walked to the door with the others staring at me. Reaching the doorway, I called over my shoulder, "Oh, and a blade. And something personal that belonged to Dallas, preferably something soaked in blood."
I didn't wait for their answer, just ran upstairs and locked myself inside the room, my hands shaking as I pressed my back against the closed door, letting my emotions take hold of me. What was I doing? I wasn't this confident voodoo priestess that could hold a ritual to return the soul of the deceased into a body. I needed more time. My hands rummaged inside the drawers to find some cigarettes. When I didn't find one, I slammed the drawers shut and dropped to the floor, pressing my back against the wall. It took me several minutes to calm down and convince myself I didn't need cigarettes. I went to the bathroom and dived my hands into the cold jet of water to cool my skin. Looking in the mirror, I noticed the dark circles framing my eyes. I needed rest, but I couldn't have it yet because I had a purpose to fulfill.
I wanted this. I might not be ready, but I had no time to waste. The excitement at the prospect of finding out what I really was grabbed hold of me, pushing my fears to the back of my mind, my fingers already itching to give it a try.
Chapter 18
I barely got an hour of sleep before a knock on the door jolted me out of the scary darkness that seemed to take over whenever I closed my eyes. Groggy and jetlagged from all the traveling around, I sat up and called for my visitor to come in, almost expecting Thrain to pop through the door. But it was Amber who brought me lunch, then plopped down on the bed to join me for company. I ate my lasagna and listened to her small talk, my mind half-busy with my own stuff. I still had no idea what I was getting myself into but I figured time would tell. Besides, it wasn't like I had a choice. If I truly and honestly wanted to talk to my sister, I had to figure this voodoo business out sooner rather than later.
"You still want to do this?" Amber asked as she accompanied me to the living room downstairs.
I stopped in my tracks and regarded her intently. "Isn't that what you want? To save your brother from sure death?"
"Of course." She hesitated, and in that instant I saw countless emotions on her face. Hesitation. Doubt. Hope. "I just—" she paused to take a deep breath "—please don't mess up. I don't want him turned into something he isn't, like a flesh eating, brain dead zombie." The last word barely made its way out of her mouth. I smiled at her overactive imagination.
"So you'd rather see him dead?"
Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head vehemently. "No! Never. But I'm pretty sure he would prefer that option."
I nodded and touched her arm gently. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." No idea where that came from because obviously I had no clue since I had never practiced voodoo before—not in this lifetime anyway. However, I was ready to give it a try. It wasn't like I actually believed anything I might be doing would actually work.
She nodded, and for the first time a real smile lit up her face. I marveled at how pretty she looked, and so very British with her chubby face and curves in all the right places. Striking in her own way.
I knew I should be wearing a robe or flowing gown for the ritual, but since I never asked for one of those, I figured my jeans would suffice. Hopefully, the gods and goddesses wouldn't see it as a lack of respect and would still listen to my plight.