Free Voodoo Love (And the Curse of Jean Lafitte’s Treasure) by Victoria Richards Page B

identify. Sometimes it seemed that laughter, rough and course, bubbled around us, and once, I could have sworn someone just to my left was crying. But I could make out nothing, and when I shone the flashlight around there was only trees and the occasional splash of water.
                  As I took another sip of vodka, I squinted in the darkness, trying to see Juan. Another time and place, perhaps this would have been considered a romantic outing. Even though we were in danger, my mind wandered back to our kiss earlier that day in my house. It had set my hormones off, making me long for him and causing me to wonder what else had taken place between us two years ago. My dreams were always explicit when it came to Juan and more than once, I dreamed about sex with him. Had we ever actually done it though? I couldn't remember, but I knew I wanted to. And I wanted it bad.
                  I drank again, knowing that I shouldn't be having these thoughts. Before I could examine them further, an orange light flickered in the distance. As we got closer, I could see it was a fire someone had started in an old chiminea. Its flames illuminated a weathered and worn shack surrounded by Cypress trees. A figure sat next to the fire deftly beating on a small drum and chanting.
                  "Is that Euralie?" I asked.
                  Juan nodded and maneuvered us towards her small wooden dock.  She continued with her work, not appearing to notice us as we got out of the boat. I gripped the bottle of vodka tighter as we approached her, ready to use it as a weapon.
                  Euralie stood and the bayou fell silent without the sound of her drums. Her eyes were tightly shut. She was inside a white circle made of bones laid out on the ground. Various candles were lit inside the circle, surrounding a tall drum called a tanbou. A small animal skull sat to her right, and her long green sundress swept against it as she swayed. Outside the circle were symbols and intricate pictures that I couldn't interpret, but I knew what this was.
                  Voodoo.
                  You can't live in Barataria or anywhere in Louisiana for that matter without being aware of it. It's part of the backbone of the culture around here. Many people believe in talismans and voodoo spirits who have the power to give and take away.
                  "Don't break my circle." Euralie kept her eyes shut. "One of you ain't natural anyway. You have no power here.  But the other…."
                  She opened her eyes and stared at me. Thought it had been two years since I'd last seen her, she didn't look surprised to see me. If anything she looked…angry.
                  "You got all the power." Euralie said. "Your very skin sings of power, Elizabeth Brown."
                  "You remember me?"
                  "Oh, I know you, alright. And I’m good friends with an acquaintance of yours."
                  "Who?"
                  She pointed at my vodka bottle. "I see you brought an offering. That's good. The voodoo loas like all kinds of liquor."
                  "Loas?" I turned to Juan who merely shrugged.
                  "Spirits, little girl," Euralie whispered. "The gods of voodoo are called the loas. And they be stirred up something awful tonight. They need something to calm their spirits."
                  "I know just how they feel," I said.
                  "Do you?" Euralie peered at me. "You look like someone who has seen many things. You still got my treasure map?"
                  I glanced at Juan for help here.
                  "She doesn't remember anything Euralie. Not the treasure, the location--nothing." He took a step towards her, but she held up a small cross made from two chicken bones.  "I won't hurt