The God Breakers – Ch. 35
In The Lair of The Unseen
Dinner done. The silver plates wiped clean. Everyone joins in clearing the aftermath. Justin and I stand to assist, but they gesture for us to stay in our places. Sara is unmoving. Musical instruments carried by gossamer-clad musicians. Set to play in the far corner of the hall. They begin to play after everyone is re-seated. Through the huge doors, ten ladies dance between the tables. Wearing only wreaths of flowers. Their movement is free. Whirling on their toes and bending knees to rise again to celebrate the freedom of their existence. It is hypnotic. I look at Justin, and his usual stoicism is absent as he loses himself in the mesmerizing jubilee. I have meant to ask him if he has a partner, but something usually distracts us.
When their physical motions reach a crescendo, the room erupts with the call of "Hoopta!"
The dancers are then driven to further frenzy.
As they flutter to exit through the large doors, applause follows them. During the dance, my cup is filled and drained repeatedly—with an intoxicating purple liquor. There are no concerns in this place.
Lorraine touches my arm and tips her head for me to follow. I do.
We leave through a side door and into the forest courtyard at dusk. The sun melts. The sea rolls up and down the rocky shoal, licking the dark rocks. Mountains and trees stretch past the horizon without a city in sight. Lorraine takes my hand and mounts a smooth boulder at the water's edge. She stands before me, looking deep into my soul as she always could. The past, the future, pain, gain, and loss fade from this moment that belongs only to us. Her robes fall before I realize my hands are undressing her. Lorraine inhales and removes my linens, our eyes locked on each other. The endurance of my new body drives us into the night. Lorraine is a strong woman—I will speak no more of this. We get very little sleep.
The morning shines down on us. Brush strokes of gold over the ocean. Still intoxicated. I think of Emilia. But was she ever my wife? Our love was never this peaceful as I feel right now. I lost all care for chasing ancient gods or saving the world. Or ex-wives. Everything I am, chasing the dead. I have passed through the veil and been remade. This is my world now, and I want more of it.
A call comes from behind us.
"My lady!"
Lorraine gets up and dons her robes. I dress, and one of her supplicants runs to us, huffing and puffing.
"Numita, calm yourself."
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