Page 71 of Nita's Redemption

A huge tub of the sugary popcorn appeared in front of her, making the demon squeal and jump into the center. Nita ignored her friend, focusing on Zeus.

“As I was saying, there is someone who gave Nita the illness among this group. Would that someone like to come forward, or would you like me to ferret you out? Before you choose, let me tell you that I am not a patient God, nor am I a forgiving one. You see, Nita is like a daughter to me and my family. We love her like she’s ours, and that one—” he pointed toward Bakra—"she and the other female demons took her under their wings and made her one of theirs as well. Now, I will ask again. Who tried to kill my Nita?”

Nita sucked in a breath. “Wait. I thought they tried to make me sick?”

Avalon and Sohan stood next to Honor. They looked around the group just as Jubilee stepped forward.

“You’re so fucking stupid. All of you are like females in a horror movie. Too stupid to live. And you, Hurricane, becoming a slobbering child ready to suck your father’s teat instead of decimating this pack like we should’ve. The females we met in town, they had it right when they said we were the better pack. You were the strongest alpha. We all could sense it until you gave him your throat. Even your pussy ass little brother has more respect than you. Do you know why? Because he knows how to be an alpha. We all thought you did too. Obviously we were wrong. If you would’ve just died, we would’ve taken over this pack,” Jubilee roared, shifting into her wolf.

Nita was too stunned to react. Hell, the entire pack seemed to have their mouths open, stunned by the female’s outburst and words. Hot breath was inches from her face before she snapped out of her stupor. Nita threw her hands up as she gave her body up to her wolf. Her eyes opened as she heard a yelp.

Bakra stood a foot from her holding a limp black wolf with a handful of kettle corn. She shoved the food into her mouth. Bits of popcorn missed her mouth as she tried to eat more than she could actually fit inside. Every eye was on the gorgeous female as she chewed loudly with her mouth open. Nita wondered if Bakra was aware she held a dead female wolf in her right hand and if she planned to release her. Blood dripped down her arm from where she’d impaled Jubilee.

“I have never seen anyone as fast or deadly as her in my entire life. She had been chomping away one second, and then bam, she was in front of Nita with Jubilee impaled on those spike like claws. She did this maneuver where she twisted them so that no blood or spittle could hit anyone other than... well nobody except her. And even now as we stand here with our mouths hanging open, she’s leisurely eating her treat while my packmate hangs limp in her hand. Most males would be tossing her away and shuddering. But not her. Why?” Hurricane asks, awe infusing every word.

“Aw, male, you are cute, and I’m sure you are hung like a horse. No, Zeus, I will not ask him to show me. You weirdos got all stupid when we asked before. Jeez, you’d think it was a compliment since we’ve seen horses doing the deed with their partners. That schlong is huge,” Bakra emphasized the last word by trailing the letter u out obscenely and then made to move her hands farther apart. “Ope, my bad. Who wants the naughty wolf?”

Zeus let out a sigh. “Seriously, I am working on her manners.”

“I didn’t just drop her and kick her like a bad puppy now did I? See, improvements. Also, I am not licking my fingers after every bite. Booyah. Now, where was I? Oh, right. Wolf man, don’t fall in love with me, since you and I both know you’re not my truemate, and I’d end up slitting your throat if you led me on only to dump me when you got all gooey eyed with your real female. Anyhoo, I’m going to take myself and my popcorn home unless you need me for more killing?” Bakra wiped her hands on the black leather pants she wore, then sighed. “Dang it, I need to wash my hands before I reach for more.”

Nita closed her eyes, counted to ten, and then opened them. Bakra reappeared wearing a smile and a new outfit. “Thank you for saving me, B.”

Bakra strolled in front of Nita. “I felt the vibration through the realms. I think I’ll always feel that connection. Menka was going to come, but I was in Nebraska like I said. It’s kinda close to here, so I got to you first. You boys best do right by our girl, or you might have to face the claws.”

Her friend flashed her hand, showing off what looked more like Freddy Kruger’s fake claws than what the demoness actually had in her arsenal. “B, stop being a drama queen. Love you so hard, you crazy demon.”

“Loved you first, weird girl.” Bakra clacked the claws together, then she was gone.

“YOU REALIZE SHE IS crazy in a good way, but she still scares the living shit out of us.” Tank nudged Nita’s hair aside with his nose from behind.

“That’s the best kind of crazy, in my opinion.” Nita took a deep breath, her gaze focusing on the wolf lying lifeless on the ground.

“Zeus, do you sense any more like her within our ranks?” Tank asked.

Hurricane growled, his brother showing he disliked Tank’s question. Well too fucking bad. His pack was the one that brought the taint, even if it was only one of them. Tank wanted to hear from the big guy that they were safe from the inside at least.

“Settle down, both of you. I don’t know if you paid close attention to what was said, but this one was easily tainted. She said a female is who put the disease in her mind. Whoever this female, or females are, they are who the true danger is. I’ve tried to locate them, but on Earth, I am not as powerful since we Gods made a pact long ago. I will go back to Olympus and see what I can uncover. I fear we are dealing with another power beyond that of a simple human.” Zeus dropped his chin to his chest, whispering a few words. The wolf began to float. “If you wish it, I can see to her burial and make sure she cannot be used against any of you again.”

Nita gasped, her hand going to her throat. Tank wrapped his arms around her as the other two males who make up their family stepped to each side of them. “What do you mean, Zeus. I know that Seamus did some fucked up shit, but Jubilee isn’t involved in dark shit like that.”

He hadn’t known his brother and the others for long but there was no way they were touched by darkness or evil. He’d have sensed that.

Honor and Hurricane hung their heads. Weariness clouded their auras.

“Go ahead, tell them,” Zeus said.

“Our maman was mated to a male who couldn’t shift. He and his family were not good inside or out. When he died, we escaped the bayou that had a hold on us. The land his family held wasn’t like the one my maman had grown up around. There are of course, gators and a lot of history that runs riot throughout Louisiana, and I ain’t gonna say we don’t have a lot of superstition that has been part of our heritage. However our stepfather’s family believed if you sacrifice a living thing, you can gain powers. The bigger the sacrifice, the greater the powers. They also believe they can bring back a being who is believed to be this powerful male who will grant them great things. Papa Legba is many things in our world. We were taught that he is the gatekeeper between the human and spirit worlds, and no one can reach the spirits without Papa Legba acting as the intermediary. Some believe if they can bring him back to our world, then they can walk between both worlds.” Hurricane lifted his head to the sky, his voice trailing off as the clouds covered the moon.

“The problem with allowing anyone to act as an opening between Earth and other realms, like Heaven and Hell, is that they would need to be walking between them. Which means the being isn’t quite steady in any one realm. As for Papa Legba, they say he is not very demanding but is known to be a trickster. He loves riddles, and sometimes they are not benevolent. Sometimes when you are sending and receiving messages, they’re distorted or misunderstood, because Legba stands at the crossroads between certainty and uncertainty. It’s foolish to think you could control a spirit such as he. If you show the slightest bit of disrespect, know he too will act accordingly.” Zeus waved his hand, letting the image of Papa Legba appear as if he was floating down a river. The male with a beautiful smile, wore a top hat as he leaned on a cane. He was much darker skinned than Nita, but his eyes were bright white with the dark brown almost swallowed by the whiter parts. Tank felt power radiating from the male.

“You sound as if you know he is real and not this fictious character created to scare people.” Nita shivered within Tank’s arms. Her words sounded strong, but with his arms around her, he felt her worry.

Zeus looked around before he settled his stare on Nita. Tank shifted his legs, letting Nita lean back on him a little more. The move brought Zeus’s attention to him. “I’m only telling you the history of this male. If these females and Hurricane’s ancestors have worshipped him for centuries, then they have a bond with the loa. He in turn can open the door to the spirit world before a ceremony. There are some varying beliefs regarding the specifics of honoring Papa Legba, but the colors most often associated with him are black and red, white, and red, or yellow. All these colors I have seen outside your borders near the land that Seamus had tainted. The land we thought had been scrubbed clean. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they’ve come here at the same time as females who have a connection to Nita in some way. In fact I would hazard to say they are one and the same. And yes, I feel a deep connection to her within them. For now, I will return to Olympus, and as long as none of you leave the borders, you are safe. I am sorry I hadn’t foreseen this happening.”

Nita bit her lip. “If these women were here for me, should I go to them and you know, kick their asses?”

“No, that will only give them more power to do whatever they want. This started many years ago, child. Stay safe with your males and give me a day or so to recharge to see if I can find out more, please.” Zeus ran his huge hand over the top of her head.

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