Voodoo Queens of New Orleans - Vol. I | ✓

Chapter 43: The Loa Chose You

**
The next morning, we were to convene with the rest of the priestesses that practiced across the city.

After the attack on Ben and the delivered invitations from the Council, the priestesses and priests contacted agreed to meet with the Coterie; they were afraid. It was clear. If they weren't, they would want nothing to do with us.

I got up that morning and began to get ready. The events of last night took a heavy toll on me, causing me to get no sleep. My eyes were heavy and my nose was beginning to bruise, but I tried to ignore it as I got dressed in jeans and a tank top. The only ones who were dressed in white were the mambos of the Coterie. Everyone else, even the hounsis, were dressed in casual wear.

I walked into the living room of Aza's house where the meeting was to take place. The Coterie had all arrived, dressed in stark white and wearing colorful beads. The girls and I stood in the corner, purposefully out of the way, though I felt as if I should have been in the center of it all with the rest of the mambos - even though I wasn't a priestess, I felt just as significant with all of the revelations that last night had given about me. But I decided just to remain quiet and to myself. I tried to keep my mind quiet; excessive thought about Russel Van Doren, Marie II, tempus summatum and especially Hezekiah would probably drive me insane.

"What happened to you?" Imani asked me, referring to my bruised nose and mouth. I shook my head, assuring her that it was nothing of importance, but the girls still looked at me with concern and curiosity. I saw Mikael a ways away staring at me with quizzical eyes, but I paid him no mind.

When the clock struck 11, people started to arrive. There were about ten of them that showed up - 8 female and three male. All priests and priestesses of vodou. They all wore white, and they all had judgmental looks. Still, Mama was cordial with them, as was Aza, who offered them to sit down and asked if they wanted anything to drink. Most of them asked for tea, while others wanted nothing at all. We were tasked to make beverages for them. When we brought them out, they were short with their phrases of gratitude. Many of them were staring at me with a heavy gaze that held questions. I turned away and retreated back to the corner.

All of these priests and priestesses were the head of their respective houses. Of course, all the ones that were contacted did not show up; this was only a fraction. Many of them couldn't swallow their pride and put the safety of our collective before their animosity towards the Coterie, but Mama was surprised at the number of people that did show up, which said something.

She found it difficult to speak due to the state of her neck, but she still continued to do so with authority and prominence in her voice. She thanked everyone for coming and apologized for the short noticed, but assured them that it was of the utmost importance.

"I know that the Coterie has not been very welcomed by the other voodoo practitioners in this city specifically," she said. "But I think now more than ever, it is important for us to put our differences aside for the greater good."

A few nodded, but most didn't. They only listened and waited. And in this break of silence, there was a knock on the front door. We all looked around, confused on who it could have been. Maybe another priest decided to show up despite their hatred for the faction?

Mikael went to open the door. And when the bright pool of sunlight poured into the house, a figure stood in between it, forming a darkened shadow that matched her spirit: Sajida.

The entire mood of the meeting completely changed. The priestesses shifted uncomfortably in their seats, and some got up quickly and moved to the side as if they were ready to leave or unsure of what her move would be. Sajida enjoyed this. As she walked in, she wore a large grin that stretched to both far corners of her cheeks. My first reaction was to look at Aza, who narrowed her eyes and frowned. Mama was furious, too.