Page 131 of Nightshade

“You do not believe in the heavens of the Pentacrux.”

“With due respect, how can I believe in a heaven which burns those not baptized in their beliefs? It seems cruel and unjust.”

A smile stretched Camael’s lips, and she seemed to study the girl from where she sat. “You speak of your mother.”

“Forgive me. Although you seem a friend to my mother, I do not know where you stand on the matter of witchcraft, for which she was very falsely accused.”

“Falsely accused. Bold words for a young girl.”

“Please.” Lowering her gaze, Lustina fidgeted with her skirt. “I meant no disrespect.”

“And I do not feel disrespected, child.” Camael reached for a slender object sitting out on the table beside her, and when she bent forward toward the flame, lighting the end of it, the whole room filled with the rich scent of tobacco. She puffed on the object a few times, sending smoke up into the air, then held it up. “I love a good cigar,” she said, and puffed it again. “The last, I shared with an ancient Mayan healer. He foretold many things to me.” Twisting it around, she licked her lips and set her attention back on Lustina. “Are you familiar with the pentad of blood moons?”

“My mother spoke of it, but I admit ignorance.”

“It is an ancient prophecy with many variations, told in many languages and cultures around the world. Your mother may have told you her own version of it.” At Lustina’s nod, she smiled. “No matter where it’s told, or how, every version ends in sacrifice. The one I know tells of a dark-winged creature who demanded a young virgin on the eve of the blood moon. So, the ancient people offered up their most beloved, in hopes he would spare them from suffering his wrath. The problem is, the Dark-Winged One fell in love with the girl and her kind, giving heart. And he was so smitten with her that he could not take her soul. So, he called on Death himself, and ordered the angel to grant her immortality. Well, not even Death had the power, so instead, he cursed her to be reborn. And on the year of the pentad blood moon, she is to be sacrificed to the Dark-Winged One, or there will be much suffering.”

Lustina vaguely recalled that her mother had told her a similar story. Although, her mother’s didn’t sound quite so much like a fairytale. In her version, the young girl’s rebirth served more as a harbinger of the darkness, warning that something horrible would befall the ancient people. Of course, Lustina only thought of them as stories. Never true prophecies.

“This dark-winged creature sounds awfully unreasonable,” the girl said to the elder.

Camael stared back at Lustina for a moment, and a burst of laughter sent her flying forward in her chair. For what seemed like an uncomfortably long time, she wheezed and calmed, then wheezed again with renewed laughter. Wiping tears from her eyes, she quieted and exhaled a long breath.

A flush of embarrassment rose to Lustina’s cheeks, which quickly turned to a huff of frustration, as the woman kept on with her laughter. “At least you find my naivete amusing. Unlike the bishop,” she muttered under her breath.

Camael’s laughter died with the serious expression on her face. “He is cruel to you, is he not?”

“I suppose that would depend on what you find cruel. Seems there are others in the world who suffer far worse. The poor and hungry, for example.”

“I have supped in the presence of both kings and paupers, and I can tell you that suffering has no preference for social status. Sometimes, those we deem poor have riches of happiness far beyond what we can imagine. Do not renounce your pain for anyone.”

“With what kings have you dined?”

Camael’s brow quirked and her lips stretched to a wily smile. “Ones as ancient as the gods themselves.”

Lustina eyed the woman warily. “You are telling me that you are ancient yourself?”

“Time is meaningless in my world.”

“What world?”

“Noc’tu umbraj. The shadowed one.”

The girl had never heard of such a place, and although talking about other worlds would invite suspicion of witchcraft, she could not deny the intrigue and curiosity of it. “What is this shadowed world like?”

“It is very old and very dangerous. The place where The Dark Ones walk. But there is an enchantment about it that calls to some.”

“How did you arrive here, if you are from there?”

“I have a gift that is of great value to some.”

“The Dark Ones?” Lustina asked. “What are they?”

“Do you believe in angels?”

“I do, but …”

“They did not come to your mother’s aid.”