Chapter 26 Chapter Eleven Part Three - Orenda
I laugh so hard I choke on my drink, forcing me to place it down as I catch my breath and smile at Invidia sitting beside me.
“Why did you blow a hole in the Great Wall of China?” I laugh in bewilderment.
Invidia laughs, swallowing the sip of her drink. “It was an accident, and I was like sixteen. There was some creepy bug crawling on me, and I went to flick it off and then the next thing I know there’s a huge-ass hole in one of the most historical landmarks in the world.”
“And no one noticed?” I ask dubiously.
“Oh, lots of people noticed, but my mother just erased their memories and repaired the wall like it never happened,” she shrugs.
“Smart thinking on your mother’s part,” I praise, sipping my drink.
“Smartest woman I know,” she says with a thoughtful smile.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what were you doing in the middle of nowhere in Madagascar of all places?” I ask curiously.
“Hunting, I guess you could say,” she answers reticently.
“Hunting what?” I quiz, my brows knitting together.
She looks around and scoots closer. “I guess out of anyone, you’re the safest person to tell.” She takes a large sip of her drink and puts it down. “There is something going on regarding eytes,” she declares.
I listen intently, not all that surprised that someone else in the supernatural community has caught on.
“I’m aware.”
Invidia nods, “I should have figured that,” she simpers. “But did you know a makkari is behind it?”
I straighten up in surprise. “Are you sure?” I question dubiously.
“I’m certain. That’s why I was there.”
“You were hunting the makkari you think is involved,” I theorise.
She nods. “Not that it did me any good,” she remarks dryly.
“Have you spoken to your High Priestess about it?”
She shakes her head. “With what evidence?”
“Good point. I still think you should speak to her since makkares are her area of expertise, but since eyti are still at the heart of the matter, my brother and I will continue to look into it. Now it seems you’ve given us even more to think about. Why did you start to suspect a makkari?”
“I witnessed it. Well, kind of. Just the other day I saw a makkari doing something with the eyti. I didn’t get a chance to see more, she seemed to sense another presence and booked it out of there. No good comes from eyti and what kind of makkari seeks them out? I knew I had to find answers, now here we are,” she shrugs.
“Invidia, this is very serious,” I stress. “You have to reach out to the High Priestess and warn her.”
She shifts uncomfortably. “Maybe you could do it,” she suggests meekly.
“Me?”
She sighs. “My…I feel sick just saying this. My family took part in hunting Isolde down. I was never a part of that, I swear,” she stresses anxiously. “But I just don’t think I can face her or the shame of knowing what my own family tried to do to our High Priestess,” she divulges, her head bowed in shame.
I reach out and take her hand in mine. “Invidia, you are not responsible for the actions of your parents. They made their own choices. Isolde is a good woman, and I know she would never judge or condemn you for their sins. She probably wouldn’t even judge them. Everyone was deceived,” I reassure her.
She squeezes my hand, smiling softly. “That’s sweet of you to say.”
“But if you’re not ready, my brother and I can handle it,” I offer.
Her eyes open wide and hopeful, a smile stretching across her face. “Really? You mean it? Oh, thank you, Orenda! Thank you so much!” she exclaims, throwing her arms around me.
I chuckle, returning her hug as I rub her back. “You’re welcome.”
She pulls back, still smiling. “I’m really glad I met you.”
“Honestly, so am I. I really needed to get my mind off my troubles, and you came at just the right time.”
She grins, “Go me. But hey, what are friends for?” she grabs her drink and lifts it in a toast.
Surprised and touched by her words, I lift my glass, clinking it with hers as we both take sips. Even though I’ve lived a long time, I’ve never made a lot of friends, and I can’t entirely explain why. Perhaps my sense of duty always outweighed my need for friendship. I’m friendly with many people around the world, but those I call close friends are limited to the Delegation and Tituba. Ayawamat has always been my best friend, brother and companion and I never felt I needed more than that. But sitting here, laughing and drinking with Invidia like we’ve known each other for years makes me feel like I’ve been missing out.
Tonight I went out seeking a distraction but ended up gaining a friend, and I have to say, it feels really damn nice.