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their living room. His entire body had been covered with bite marks from an unidentifiable animal. Or at least the police told the neighborhood it had been an animal.
    However, Grand-mere Bea heard from a friend of a friend that Lily had been the mastermind behind the death. Apparently, she got tired of her unfaithful, abusive, and constantly unemployed husband that she asked a local voodoo queen to call on Sousson Pannan. Sousson Pannan, who had an insatiable thirst for rum and blood, took a ghastly delight in being summoned for tasks that fed his appetite. He had sucked the poor guy dry.
    I thought quickly. “I didn’t call upon you, I haven’t asked you to do anything.”
    “You didn’t call me, but you invited me in. A gracious hostess always makes sure her guests are well-fed, doesn’t she?”
    He tore a sleeve off my silk kimono and took in the scent of my flesh.
    “Get away from her!” Lucus yelled, as he saw my sleeve fall to the ground.
      Sousson Pannan let go of me. He set his eyes on Lucus. “Aged blood is quite delicious, but not as delicious as the blood of a powerful queen.”
    “No!” I screamed. “I’ll get you all the rum you want, don’t take any blood. I know that you love rum; there are bottles and bottles of rum in the house. I can get you as many as you want.”
    “But, I’m thirsty now, my bottle is empty. Do you have any rum with you here Arelia?”
    “No, but I can get some.” I tried to bargain with him.
    “Thirsty!” he screamed, as he came closer and ripped the other sleeve off of my kimono.
    I held by breath, as he brought his foul mouth to my wrist and prepared to take a bite. “Please don’t,” I begged.
    He tossed back his head and let out a spine-chillingly wicked laugh. “You’re not so rude now, are you?”
    “What does he want?” asked Lucus. He was still slumped against the oak tree, unable to move.
    “Blood.” My voice was faint.
    “Take mine, you can have all the blood you want,” offered Lucus.
    “How noble, always such the gentleman.” The spirit let go of me and stumbled over to Lucus.
    “No!” I screamed. “We’ll get you rum, lots of rum.”
    Sousson Pannan glanced over at me. “Until I get my rum, I’ll need to satisfy my thirst. You out of all people should know that Arelia, you know how the spirits must be appeased. We aren’t your puppets.”
    “What is he saying?” demanded Lucus.
    “Lucus, he’s coming towards you, he wants your blood until I can get him some rum.”
    “Arelia go, run, don’t speak to him. I’ll be fine.”
    “But…”
    “Please, go now!” ordered Lucus.
    Sousson Pannan limped over to Lucus and dragged him away from the oak tree and onto a patch of grass. He kneeled on the ground and examined him for a second, inhaling the smell of his flesh. He sat on his stomach and ripped off Lucus’ shirt with his long fingernails. After a diabolical laugh, he sank his jagged teeth into Lucus’ neck and started his morbid feast. Blood dripped down the sides of his mouth as he paused and gave me a wicked smile.
    “Run Arelia!” Lucus’ voice was faint but determined.
    “Please give me the strength to move.” I pleaded that Erzulie would hear. “Please help me stop him.”
    “Come on Erzulie, help me, and please guide me.” I knew that, despite her delicate appearance, Erzulie fiercely protected her devotees. I concentrated on a chant that I knew could be used to gather courage and strength from her.
    Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,
    Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,
    Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,
    Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,
    My blood is pouring down.
    There was no response, why wasn’t she responding when I needed her? I tried again.
    Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,
    Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,
    Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the dagger,
    Lend me the basin so I can vomit my blood,
    My blood is