“Go!” Marjani shouted to Charles and Barbara.
“Come with me, Miss Allen.” Charles said, putting his arm around Barbara’s waist.
“And take my child to Julian? Never.” Barbara dug in her heels.
“Would you have him raised by Marie Laveau?” Charles bellowed.
Barbara grunted and headed from the courtyard. Charles followed close behind.
“Now, it’s just you and me, Marie Laveau.” Marjani narrowed her eyes.
“What kind of magic is this?” Marie moaned, studying the cuts on her hands and wrists where the glass from the shattered orb had become imbedded.
“It ain’t magic, woman.” Marjani smiled. “It’s science. That’s somethin’ far more permanent.”
“You done made yourself a powerful enemy, Girl.” Marie groaned, pressing her wounded hands into her dress.
“I ain’t afraid o’ you.” Marjani shook her head.
“You should be.” Marie hissed. “Listen to me, Girl. You think you’re above us all because you got your freedom. My curse—my curse to you is that you remain a slave forever. You will be forever sweating and toiling! You will never rise above the dirt that you are.”
“As you done said yourself, woman, ‘dirt don’t burn.’”
“No, Girl, but it washes away. It washes away.” Marie growled.
“Tend to your wounds, witch.” Marjani spat as she walked away. “Maybe them snakes you wriggle with can heal ya.”
“You’ll pay for this!” Marie shouted. “You’ll pay dearly! You’ll never sleep, Girl! Never! And when you take to your bed, that last time, you’ll die in the heat of the earth!”
“Do your worst, woman.” Marjani laughed as she hurried off.
Marjani strained her eyes to find Charles and Barbara. Across Jackson Square, she spotted Barbara’s blonde wig as the woman rushed away with Charles. But, that wasn’t all Marjani saw. Several yards in front of her, she noticed Robert and Mr. Punch.
“Dr. Halifax!” Marjani shouted. “They’re over there!” She pointed wildly.
Robert heard Marjani and grabbed Mr. Punch’s arm. They rushed toward Barbara and Charles.
“No!” Barbara growled as Punch and Robert approached her.
“It’s for the best, Barbara,” Mr. Punch said. “We can give him the life what he deserves.”
“It’s true, Miss Allen.” Charles said softly.
“Traitor!” Barbara spat. “Traitor!”
“Give us the child, Barbara.” Robert said calmly. “You want him to have a chance, don’t you?”
Barbara began to sob. “I want him to have his mother.”
“You did your part, you did.” Mr. Punch replied. “You gave him life, now let us take care of it. You know you’re not capable of raising this child, you’re not.”
“And you are?” Barbara whimpered, tears rolling down her cheeks. “You? You think you’re a puppet!”
“No matter what I am,” Mr. Punch answered gently. “I’m more whole than you are.”
“God help me.” Barbara murmured.
“Let Colin have a chance,” Charles whispered in her ear.
Barbara looked at her child for several moments, running her finger down his soft, pink cheek.
“My son.” Barbara moaned.
“Nothin’ will ever change that. He’ll always be your son. You done well.” Mr. Punch said. “Now, let us take care of him.”
Barbara closed her eyes and hugged her baby.
Charles, Robert and Punch watched her closely.
“Take him,” Barbara croaked, barely audible. “Hurry.”
Robert took the child from Barbara who buried her face in Charles’ chest.
Mr. Punch locked eyes with Charles and silently told him to look after Barbara.
As Punch and Robert quietly walked off with the baby, Charles embraced Barbara whose tears fell to the stones of the square.
Did you miss Chapters 1-205? If so, you can read them here.
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