Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Both women had on slippers.
I gazed down at my body.
Oh no.
Snakes crawled over me.
The snakes slithered over my legs, arms, and chest, their scales glistening in the light with a range of colors from emerald green to deep black, gold to ruby red. Some had intricate patterns, while others were a solid color.
Still, the snakes moved like rippling waves across my body.
I gritted my teeth. “Get me out of here.”
Delphine turned to me and sneered on the other side of the circle. “What did you do lion?”
Epilogue
The Dark Revelation
I pushed black snakes off me, and they hissed.
Delphine yelled, “I told you not to drink her milk!”
I took in my surroundings.
We were in our bedroom, and Emily still slept on the bed, but they had me on the floor.
Boris, Wassily, and the rest of my men were no longer in the room.
Instead, Tisha stood with some of his men and several of Delphine’s men.
Pushing away other snakes, I rose to a sitting position and looked at my cousin. “W-what happened?”
“No.” Delphine waved him away. “You get to talking.”
Baba stepped closer to the circle, but didn’t enter it. “Did you find the original, Kazimir?”
“Yes.”
Gasping, Delphine edged back. “Y-you found her?”
“Well, I found her apartment.” I shoved away more hissing snakes and sat up. That was when I realized I wore no clothes. I slowly stood. “What happened to make all of you come in here?”
Baba tilted her head to the side. “And when you found the original’s apartment, did you go inside?”
Guilt filled me as I stepped over snakes and left the circle. “No. Pavel convinced me that it was my mouse’s journey.”
Tisha widened his eyes. “Pavel?”
Yes, Tisha. Things are about to get way more odd the longer we stay in New Orleans.
To my shock, Baba held a large white robe in her hand. “So, you did not open the door or go inside of the original’s apartment?”
“I did not.” I went to her, took the robe, and put it on.
Baba curved her lips into a wicked smile. “Well done, Kazimir.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Well done?”
Then, Baba stepped around me and headed over to Delphine. “You are not the only one that can play chess, little one.”
“Little one.” Delphine mocked. “I know what you are, and you don’t scare me.”
“And I know what you want to do.” Baba pointed at her. “No matter how compassionate your purpose is, you cannot move the Lion and Mouse around like pieces on a chess board.”
Delphine’s men stepped forward.
She held her hand in the air.
They moved back into position.
Baba continued not even caring that the men had intended to harm her. “As you already saw with Maxwell, you move the lion to one space and the whole board will crack.”
Delphine’s small frame shook with anger.
“I did not see that happening to Maxwell.” Baba shook her head. “Did you see it?”
“Of course I did not—”
“The Lion and Mouse are not pieces. They are monsters. Erratic. Unpredictable. If you want them to help you create a better world, then there is only one thing you must do.”
Delphine crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell them what I want.”
“No. Close, but not exactly.” Baba lowered, placed her hand into the circle, and plucked a snake from the floor. Its scales shimmered in the room’s dim light as it coiled around her arm.
Delphine’s men tried to step forward again.
She sneered and held her hand up. “Step back. There’s nothing you can do with this one anyway.”
“That is right, boys.” Baba glared at them. “Stay over there.”
I raised my eyebrows.
Delphine rolled her eyes. “What advice do you have?”
“You never tell them both. You simply tell the Mouse everything. Share it all. And then she will convince the Lion.” Baba held up the snake, its ribbons of emerald and sapphire sparkling under the flickering chandelier light.
Delphine narrowed her eyes, yet I noticed that lip shiver again.
Whatever was going on. . .the fact that Baba was messing with that snake surely put Delphine on edge.
Baba studied the snake. “By the way. . .thank you for staying out of Paolo’s dreams. I appreciate that.”
With that, Baba dropped the snake back into the circle.
Fast, it slithered away to the other side of the circle as if terrified.
Delphine spoke, “When I was a little one, I read this Russian story about Baba Yaga. She lived in a hut that stood on chicken legs, deep in the forest.”
Baba turned to her. “She did.”
“She was an old woman with iron teeth. Sometimes, she was menacing. Other times, she offered guidance. Regardless, she was very mysterious, powerful, and deeply connected to the natural and supernatural world.”
Baba shrugged. “It is good you have read up on Slavic folklore.”
Delphine’s eyes darkened. “But have you read up on my gods?”
The space crackled between them.
“I have.” Baba nodded. “What do you want from me? Shall we debate on whose gods are more powerful?”