Page 97 of We Are All Sinners

I look back at Brix, winking at him.

He chuckles, saying something to Liam, and winks back.

“Did y’all get everything set up, before I light this bitch?” Savvy calls out to everyone, looking back and forth.

“Let her rip Sav! I’ve got the camera rolling for M.J.” Cami shouts, then lets out a whistle, holding up her phone to capture the big moment, “Sucks you’re getting your cherry popped instead of getting to see this in person bitch!” She chuckles, behind the phone.

I watch Savvy as I get more excited for the show with everyone cheering her on. She looks fierce as she smiles wide, lighting amatch. She watches it burn for only a second before she drops it at her feet.

Flames ignite instantly creeping up the line of fuel, flashing bright when the flames finally lick the steps to the front porch.

Orange, red, and yellow consume the once beautiful home, putting off a beautiful glow as its heat caresses my cool skin.

I watch black smoke fill the night sky, making it seem like the souls once captured here, are finally being set free.

Savvy stands in place for a few minutes just watching. No one bothers her as we all start to move around the fire, while the boys go back to tailgating and watching us.

The crackle and roar of the fire mixed with the sounds of the house creaking, while its bones burn to ash, sound even more beautiful with the voice of Mackenzie Johnson singing, “The Sisterhood.”

I can feel the presence of magic in the open space surrounding us. The ancestors are here with us, giving us their blessings.

I smile, feeling the warmth of the fire mixed with the power of the moon as it rises. My body starts to sway with the melody, while my mind clears as the smell of sage, chamomile, and lavender fills the air.

I recognize the scent as one of Cami’s favorite concoctions. She used to always burn it when we were younger.

Savvy joins us, throwing her hands up in the air, twirling in circles. She gets to bear witness to her demons burning as the flames dance brightly in the night sky.

The guys set up the sound system, ice chests, and snacks on a table for the evening. The girls and I set our circle several yards out around the entire house using salt, crystals, candles, all the pieces to the trinity, as well as other objects we all brought as an offering.

Cami agrees that if it truly has that much power that we can somehow get the ancestors to hear us, maybe get them to let us live our lives and break the curse.

Doubtful, but worth a try.

Charlie knows his crystals and gemstones. He explained that what we thought was a ruby in the necklace worth millions, is actually called a Spinel stone. It’s one of the rarest gems in the world and can also be found in blue. The stones are basically doppelgangers to rubies and sapphires. He said it’s very difficult to decipher between the two, so he could see why we thought it was a ruby.

Spinel is said to channel the healing powers of nature and earth to regenerate your life force energy to help keep you going. It’s the most important piece of the trinity. The crystals and Boudreaux’s grimoire complete the trinity, when set together, and is considered one of the most powerful relics known to witches.

We have decided that we will add it to my mask for our reception. Mia and Abby are all over it already, knowing that we will all have to be on our toes that night. They are going to create a mask that will ward off any negative energies and help bring me peace.

We all dance around the fire, releasing all the negativity surrounding us, asking the ancestors for answers, and ultimately for help, to save us.

Cami twirls in front of me, then takes my hands, spinning us both. I close my eyes as I’m taken to a bright room with glass walls. The images flip through my mind quickly, but I see what they all did.

Brixon and me, growing up through her eyes. She was there watching it all unfold. Him, giving me flowers, our first kiss, that night with us together for our first time. The car wrapped around a tree, covered in red butterflies. Our lifeless bodies inside, including hers.

I see our wedding, Brixon kissing me. Our parade, making love in the back room before our entrance into the ball, the bayou.

I come back, realizing that the vision I was just given wasn’t from Cami, but from the ancestors. It stops at the bayou, with me.

I stop dancing and hit my knees, letting the tears fall, knowing that nothing I do will change anything. It’s me or him. They won’t let us both live. This is their answer.

I hear the voices again, clear as day, “You will break us free sister. The last Lablanc witch. You will be the last to suffer at our covens’ hands. You will free us all.”

If not me, then one of my descendants, giving them entire generations to once again torture.

The curse has to end with me. I am meant to break it, just not in the way that I thought.

I realize in this moment that the ancestors that have had me do their bidding all of these years are not the witches of New Orleans covens who have been consecrated to the earth in the cemetery, sharing their magic with generations to come. The witches in my head are my ancestors. I have been exacting their revenge, including my grans and mamas.

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