Thanks to my Beta Reader, Miss Edith!
This story is the fourth in my "Django & Drusilla" series (the third was a
birthday present for my friend Mandy).
BLOOD AND FIRE:
DJANGO & DRU IN HAITI
BY SCOTT MURRAY
CHAPTER ONE - THE CORPSE HAD A FAMILIAR FACE!
The dark haired girl ran frantically through the sugar cane fields. She could hardly see where she was going, except for when the lightning flashed (and that always made her feel even more afraid). She had been running for who knows how long, her light blue dress was torn, she was covered in cuts and bruises from stumbling so much and her strength was all but failing her.
Thunder rumbled across the sky. A few moments later and lightning crackled once again. The girl sobbed with fear once more and found herself in a clearing. She didn't know what else to do, where to go. She sobbed and crouched exhausted, on an old tree stump. It was hopeless. The girl was wracked with fear and horror. She almost leapt out of her skin when a soft, caressing voice addressed her.
"And I wonder, what could be the matter with the poor little doll? Why does she sit there crying so in such a beastly night?"
"What?" The girl jumped weakly to her feet. "Who's there? What do you want?"
From out of the darkness a figure emerged. "The night is filled with evil tonight, dearie. Can't you feel it? It surrounds you and calls to you in a deathly howl!" A young woman, wearing a dark lace hooded shawl around her slim form, approached slowly, framed in the dim barely existent moonlight. "Yes. She feels it's caress. I know she can. He wants something from you doesn't he? I can see his eyes in the reeds. They see everything, don't they my poor precious damsel?"
"What do you mean?" the girl demanded. "He can't be allowed to find me again! His eyes! Those horrible eyes! Someone please help me!" A dim light began to move through the darkness from behind the other woman. A dark haired young man, carrying a lantern and a rifle came into view. That was when the girl's strength finally gave out and she collapsed in a heap on the ground.
"Ooooh, she's had such a fright, this one." Drusilla said, as if scolding far off forces that should have been following her wishes. "The night's burned her. It wants to hurt this one. Wants to break her I expect."
Django bent to examine the pale unconscious girl. "Well something's certainly burned her." he observed from a scold on her elbow. He shouldered his rifle and picked up the girl in his arms. "We can't just leave her out here Dru." He looked to his beautiful female companion warily.
"Let's take her back to the hotel." Drusilla agreed. "We can find out all she has to tell when she comes to. Has something different about her, this one. Something she just wants to tell us." Drusilla shivered from more than just the cold. "Something wicked has been out here tonight. I felt it too, Django love. The wind runs from it in fear, but it can't run fast enough." Drusilla picked up the lantern that Django had discarded and held it up to light her companion's way back where they'd come. Drusilla used her other hand to close her shawl more tightly over her, feeling naked before the giant eyes in the night sky, which devoured her every step with glee.
****
Back at the hotel, which Django and his vampire companion had made their own these last few weeks. Their own private quarters, much like the rest of the hotel, was very old fashioned. Very wooden decor. Light seemed dim at best out here, among the sugar cane fields where the old converted plantation house was situated. The wind howled with violence outside. Django entered the room, rubbing his hands for warmth and looked to the windows with caution. Did he expect to see them blow open, as they had done so often before? Or did he almost fear to see a face watching from without?
The poor frail girl was lying very still on the bed. At least she was breathing. Drusilla sat over the girl, looking intently into the other's face and caressing it with her soft, cold hands. "I'll have to keep this one safe." Drusilla mumbled softly. "Mustn't make a snack of her, not yet. She's a boon to us this one."
Django knew he was being silly, but something in the way his girl stared so intently at the comatose form, made him feel uncomfortable. Poor Dru, Django thought, she looks so hungry. Perhaps she hasn't eaten tonight. Was that it, or was it something else that made her stare so.....
"Come on love." Django gently eased his delicious vampire goddess back a little. "She probably just needs to rest a while is all. We won't know what's wrong with her until then."
"Her skin sings lovely songs." Drusilla whispered to her lover. "Even with all she's been through."
"Doubt we'd be able to get a doctor in all this storm." Django tried pulling his companion back to earth. "How about you love? Do you need anything?"
"I'm cold." Drusilla felt herself shiver again. "I need something for my tummy. Do you need anything pet? Some rum?" Django nodded with a thirst. "I'll fetch one of the chamber boys." Drusilla slipped out of the room without a sound. Django noted that she did look a little unsteadier than when they'd went out for a walk on the grounds earlier. He turned his attention back to the still form on the bed. Maybe water would revive her. There were glasses in the other room, connected to their bedroom.
****
The dark haired girl awoke with some alarm. She thought she had heard a scream. Just dull and indistinct enough in this storm for there to be some doubt. But in her condition, was it any wonder that she awoke just as rattled as before. She jerked up and looked around the room, wide eyed with caution. Her eyes settled on Django who was halfway across the room. He moved a little closer, hands up gently to calm her, but keeping some distance for now. Feeling that she was in no immediate danger, the girl rubbed her eyes a little.
"You're safe here." Django assured her. "You fainted from whatever had happened to you. You were exhausted. I have some water for you, if you'd like."
The girl shook her head insistently. "No water please! It's an allergy that runs in the family!"
Drusilla re-entered the room. She had a glass and bottle of rum in her hands. Seeing that their little guest was awake now, she hurriedly rubbed her mouth a little. The girl looked in alarm, but didn't appear to be too frightened of her companions. Drusilla went to Django and gave him the glass. Filling it out with a little rum she spoke casually. "I had to fire one of the chamber boys. Very rude he was to your princess."
Django sighed and nodded. He knew that the chamber boy hadn't been fired of course, not in the conventional sense at least. Still, their little game stopped him from having to think about it too much and he knew that Drusilla enjoyed her little deceptions.
"Where am I?" the girl forced herself to speak. "What happened?"
"We found you out walking alone." Drusilla spoke soothingly. "And you fainted on us. We brought you back to our lovely little hotel. We're quite proud of it. It used to be a plantation you know. Django and I have some workers in the fields too of course. Would you like me to get you anything."
"I wouldn't mind some of that rum." the girl said, eying Django's glass. He got up to fetch her a glass of her own. "I'm really grateful for you finding me and bringing me here like this. I'm sure your hotel is very nice. I've had such a frightful stay here in Haiti. You'll probably think I've gone mad!"
"What's your name, love?" Drusilla asked sweetly as Django gave the pretty girl a glass of rum.
"Loretta." the girl revealed. "Loretta King."
"Not THE Loretta King?" Django asked impressed. "The famous actress?"
Loretta giggled. "Not her. She's my mother."
"You look just like her." Django whistled, impressed.
Drusilla began to get animated. "Oh! What's it like? Having a famous parent?"
Loretta shook her head with an embarrassed smile, almost forgetting her troubles. "Oh, I wouldn't say she was famous really. I'm surprised anyone has heard of her." It was her turn to be impressed.
Drusilla took Django in an embrace and danced around him. "Oh my Django's just full of surprises and knowledge like that. Knows all sorts, 'e does, about films and such." She turned from her quick but passionate samba and turned back to Loretta. "I'm Drusilla." She reached a hand back to her dancing partner. "And this here's my Django."
"Pleased to meet you both." Loretta smiled and shook both their hands. "Mmmm, this really is good rum you know. I'm already feeling much better." She frowned suddenly. "Much better except.....except....Oh it was all just so horrible!"
"Would you like to talk about it?" Django asked. He was curious of course and after all, he knew that was one of the reasons Drusilla had kept her alive. Him being around being another. "No need to worry. We're used to the incredible."
"Oh no, I couldn't! It was just so unbelievable!" the girl began to struggle with herself. And yet surely it would be best to get it off her chest. Drusilla decided to help the girl lift her burden.
"Look at me, dearie." Drusilla spoke enticingly, moving her fingers in front of her face seductively. Loretta couldn't help finding herself drawn to open up to Drusilla. But in a moment, she found herself looking at her own mother!
"Oh mother!" Loretta sobbed. "I was worried about my sister. I hadn't heard from her in some time and I'd grown concerned." Bongo drums seemed to fill her head as she continued her tale. "I came to this mysterious isle to look for her. Such a strange place. The people all talk of such strange things. Things that couldn't possible be..... I found the manor where dear Janet last wrote from. They acted so strange and offhand. Told me they'd never heard of her."
As Loretta continued, her voice began to tremble and she began to appear more agitated. "I snuck back later. I found my way inside. The way they were acting, I thought they were keeping her prisoner or.....That's when I saw her! Oh mother, I still can't bear to think of it! Janet was like one of the workers in the fields. She was a zombie!" Loretta stuck her arm out to ward off some unseen assailant and then flinched reflexively. Django wondered if this was where she'd got the burn on her arm. "And then I saw those eyes! Oh those eyes! It was horrible!"
Suddenly Loretta jumped back and started flailing wildly. Django and Drusilla went to comfort her and Drusilla's hypnotism spell was broken. They calmed her and got her back in a sitting position. Loretta shook her head to clear her dizziness and confusion. "Ugh! What just happened? I could have sworn- Anyway, I guess it really did help me to talk about it after all." She looked to the others. "That is unless it really was too incredible for you."
"Not at all." Django assured her. "We've seen all sorts of strange things too. And to be honest, we've also been feeling a little uneasy around here, of late. Not that we mention that bit on postcards of course."
"You mentioned eyes!" Drusilla pressed the frightened girl. "What else can you tell us about these eyes?" Django looked at his vampire girlfriend and could tell that this subject was a particular interest to her. It wouldn't have surprised Django, if his girl had been having more of her visions of late.
"They were so intense!" Loretta reflected with revulsion. "Like they could see right into you. I'm not even sure, when or where I saw them exactly. Just that it seems connected to finding my sister like that." She thought about it some more. "I think it was Murder Legendre that I saw!" Django and Drusilla both visibly reacted to that. "You've heard of him then?"
Django nodded tensely. "We've heard some stories at least. Some of the older people around here seem to be a bit fearful of his alleged power. It's obvious that they think he would be disapproving of newcomers like us, setting up shop so to speak. The younger people or the newcomers seem to dismiss him as a myth. Apparently he hasn't been seen in quite some time. How did you come to hear of him."
"Janet's last letter mentioned some sort of encounter with a spooky man." Loretta shuddered. "But she didn't go into details. I work sometimes as an occult investigator." She shrugged self deprecatingly. "It's a living I guess. Anyway, I did some research of this part of the world and something about that name just struck me." Loretta looked again to her hosts. "You said you're used to this sort of thing too. Is the occult your line of work?"
Django looked nervously at Drusilla. "I used to be a demon hunter. Haven't found the time for it of late. But I guess I still maintain a keen edge from my training." Drusilla rolled her eyes and looked away for a while, until her smirk had faded somewhat. Loretta of course was fascinated with the revelation.
"Oh that's really interesting. You must have so many stories to tell."
"You should stay with us." Drusilla turned back to more pressing matters. "Not just for tonight. We can always find some spare room and you'll be safe with us while we look into what's really going on."
"I don't mean to impose." Loretta sighed. "But all the same, I certainly don't have anywhere else to go. Probably not safe to return to my lodgings. And if they think I know too much they might be looking for me at the airport and harbour."
Drusilla tended to agree. "Dead eyes. I can see them. Searching the fields." She seemed to be in a trance for a moment and Loretta was growing confused. Then Dru slipped out of it again and smiled. "You must let me fetch our porter to show you to your room. Let me just go and arrange it for you."
Suddenly the door to the hallway burst open and a big lumbering black man in a porter's uniform charged through the room and grabbed a dining plate from a table and started biting at it. Loretta leapt up and screamed. His eyes were dead just like one of those....
"No Laurence!" Drusilla shrieked with authority and rage. "I've told you about that. Those are plates, not human flesh. Bad zombie!" She and Django swatted the zombie about the head and began to push it back outside.
"But you keep zombies?" Loretta asked with horror. "Just like the other plantation owners?"
"Of course." Drusilla replied, offended. "It's expected around here and it's much cheaper than hiring." She beamed with pride. "We grow our own! I'm a Voodoo Princess!"
Loretta was startled by this. It really had been some night for her. "But it thought the plate was flesh? I though zombies didn't really eat flesh?"
"They're not supposed to." Django agreed. "Most of the locals aren't like that but some of them have picked up queer notions from some of the Yanks and Ex-Pats that have been coming over and gotten themselves turned, over the last few years. It's a fascinating subject really. Readers Digest has written loads about it."
Loretta was feeling confused and harassed again. She didn't think her former teacher from her studies at the British Museum would approve of Readers Digest for learning about Voodoo. Drusilla took her gently by the hand as she led Laurence with the other. "Oh never mind. You'll still have a lovely time here with us. Our zombies are quite friendly. Let's get you downstairs and I can show you to one of the guestrooms. One of the best. You'll see!" Loretta allowed herself to be led. What was one more crazy thing on this of all nights? And then of course, the porter's arm fell off without his noticing.
BLOOD AND FIRE:
DJANGO & DRU IN HAITI
BY SCOTT MURRAY
CHAPTER ONE - THE CORPSE HAD A FAMILIAR FACE!
The dark haired girl ran frantically through the sugar cane fields. She could hardly see where she was going, except for when the lightning flashed (and that always made her feel even more afraid). She had been running for who knows how long, her light blue dress was torn, she was covered in cuts and bruises from stumbling so much and her strength was all but failing her.
Thunder rumbled across the sky. A few moments later and lightning crackled once again. The girl sobbed with fear once more and found herself in a clearing. She didn't know what else to do, where to go. She sobbed and crouched exhausted, on an old tree stump. It was hopeless. The girl was wracked with fear and horror. She almost leapt out of her skin when a soft, caressing voice addressed her.
"And I wonder, what could be the matter with the poor little doll? Why does she sit there crying so in such a beastly night?"
"What?" The girl jumped weakly to her feet. "Who's there? What do you want?"
From out of the darkness a figure emerged. "The night is filled with evil tonight, dearie. Can't you feel it? It surrounds you and calls to you in a deathly howl!" A young woman, wearing a dark lace hooded shawl around her slim form, approached slowly, framed in the dim barely existent moonlight. "Yes. She feels it's caress. I know she can. He wants something from you doesn't he? I can see his eyes in the reeds. They see everything, don't they my poor precious damsel?"
"What do you mean?" the girl demanded. "He can't be allowed to find me again! His eyes! Those horrible eyes! Someone please help me!" A dim light began to move through the darkness from behind the other woman. A dark haired young man, carrying a lantern and a rifle came into view. That was when the girl's strength finally gave out and she collapsed in a heap on the ground.
"Ooooh, she's had such a fright, this one." Drusilla said, as if scolding far off forces that should have been following her wishes. "The night's burned her. It wants to hurt this one. Wants to break her I expect."
Django bent to examine the pale unconscious girl. "Well something's certainly burned her." he observed from a scold on her elbow. He shouldered his rifle and picked up the girl in his arms. "We can't just leave her out here Dru." He looked to his beautiful female companion warily.
"Let's take her back to the hotel." Drusilla agreed. "We can find out all she has to tell when she comes to. Has something different about her, this one. Something she just wants to tell us." Drusilla shivered from more than just the cold. "Something wicked has been out here tonight. I felt it too, Django love. The wind runs from it in fear, but it can't run fast enough." Drusilla picked up the lantern that Django had discarded and held it up to light her companion's way back where they'd come. Drusilla used her other hand to close her shawl more tightly over her, feeling naked before the giant eyes in the night sky, which devoured her every step with glee.
****
Back at the hotel, which Django and his vampire companion had made their own these last few weeks. Their own private quarters, much like the rest of the hotel, was very old fashioned. Very wooden decor. Light seemed dim at best out here, among the sugar cane fields where the old converted plantation house was situated. The wind howled with violence outside. Django entered the room, rubbing his hands for warmth and looked to the windows with caution. Did he expect to see them blow open, as they had done so often before? Or did he almost fear to see a face watching from without?
The poor frail girl was lying very still on the bed. At least she was breathing. Drusilla sat over the girl, looking intently into the other's face and caressing it with her soft, cold hands. "I'll have to keep this one safe." Drusilla mumbled softly. "Mustn't make a snack of her, not yet. She's a boon to us this one."
Django knew he was being silly, but something in the way his girl stared so intently at the comatose form, made him feel uncomfortable. Poor Dru, Django thought, she looks so hungry. Perhaps she hasn't eaten tonight. Was that it, or was it something else that made her stare so.....
"Come on love." Django gently eased his delicious vampire goddess back a little. "She probably just needs to rest a while is all. We won't know what's wrong with her until then."
"Her skin sings lovely songs." Drusilla whispered to her lover. "Even with all she's been through."
"Doubt we'd be able to get a doctor in all this storm." Django tried pulling his companion back to earth. "How about you love? Do you need anything?"
"I'm cold." Drusilla felt herself shiver again. "I need something for my tummy. Do you need anything pet? Some rum?" Django nodded with a thirst. "I'll fetch one of the chamber boys." Drusilla slipped out of the room without a sound. Django noted that she did look a little unsteadier than when they'd went out for a walk on the grounds earlier. He turned his attention back to the still form on the bed. Maybe water would revive her. There were glasses in the other room, connected to their bedroom.
****
The dark haired girl awoke with some alarm. She thought she had heard a scream. Just dull and indistinct enough in this storm for there to be some doubt. But in her condition, was it any wonder that she awoke just as rattled as before. She jerked up and looked around the room, wide eyed with caution. Her eyes settled on Django who was halfway across the room. He moved a little closer, hands up gently to calm her, but keeping some distance for now. Feeling that she was in no immediate danger, the girl rubbed her eyes a little.
"You're safe here." Django assured her. "You fainted from whatever had happened to you. You were exhausted. I have some water for you, if you'd like."
The girl shook her head insistently. "No water please! It's an allergy that runs in the family!"
Drusilla re-entered the room. She had a glass and bottle of rum in her hands. Seeing that their little guest was awake now, she hurriedly rubbed her mouth a little. The girl looked in alarm, but didn't appear to be too frightened of her companions. Drusilla went to Django and gave him the glass. Filling it out with a little rum she spoke casually. "I had to fire one of the chamber boys. Very rude he was to your princess."
Django sighed and nodded. He knew that the chamber boy hadn't been fired of course, not in the conventional sense at least. Still, their little game stopped him from having to think about it too much and he knew that Drusilla enjoyed her little deceptions.
"Where am I?" the girl forced herself to speak. "What happened?"
"We found you out walking alone." Drusilla spoke soothingly. "And you fainted on us. We brought you back to our lovely little hotel. We're quite proud of it. It used to be a plantation you know. Django and I have some workers in the fields too of course. Would you like me to get you anything."
"I wouldn't mind some of that rum." the girl said, eying Django's glass. He got up to fetch her a glass of her own. "I'm really grateful for you finding me and bringing me here like this. I'm sure your hotel is very nice. I've had such a frightful stay here in Haiti. You'll probably think I've gone mad!"
"What's your name, love?" Drusilla asked sweetly as Django gave the pretty girl a glass of rum.
"Loretta." the girl revealed. "Loretta King."
"Not THE Loretta King?" Django asked impressed. "The famous actress?"
Loretta giggled. "Not her. She's my mother."
"You look just like her." Django whistled, impressed.
Drusilla began to get animated. "Oh! What's it like? Having a famous parent?"
Loretta shook her head with an embarrassed smile, almost forgetting her troubles. "Oh, I wouldn't say she was famous really. I'm surprised anyone has heard of her." It was her turn to be impressed.
Drusilla took Django in an embrace and danced around him. "Oh my Django's just full of surprises and knowledge like that. Knows all sorts, 'e does, about films and such." She turned from her quick but passionate samba and turned back to Loretta. "I'm Drusilla." She reached a hand back to her dancing partner. "And this here's my Django."
"Pleased to meet you both." Loretta smiled and shook both their hands. "Mmmm, this really is good rum you know. I'm already feeling much better." She frowned suddenly. "Much better except.....except....Oh it was all just so horrible!"
"Would you like to talk about it?" Django asked. He was curious of course and after all, he knew that was one of the reasons Drusilla had kept her alive. Him being around being another. "No need to worry. We're used to the incredible."
"Oh no, I couldn't! It was just so unbelievable!" the girl began to struggle with herself. And yet surely it would be best to get it off her chest. Drusilla decided to help the girl lift her burden.
"Look at me, dearie." Drusilla spoke enticingly, moving her fingers in front of her face seductively. Loretta couldn't help finding herself drawn to open up to Drusilla. But in a moment, she found herself looking at her own mother!
"Oh mother!" Loretta sobbed. "I was worried about my sister. I hadn't heard from her in some time and I'd grown concerned." Bongo drums seemed to fill her head as she continued her tale. "I came to this mysterious isle to look for her. Such a strange place. The people all talk of such strange things. Things that couldn't possible be..... I found the manor where dear Janet last wrote from. They acted so strange and offhand. Told me they'd never heard of her."
As Loretta continued, her voice began to tremble and she began to appear more agitated. "I snuck back later. I found my way inside. The way they were acting, I thought they were keeping her prisoner or.....That's when I saw her! Oh mother, I still can't bear to think of it! Janet was like one of the workers in the fields. She was a zombie!" Loretta stuck her arm out to ward off some unseen assailant and then flinched reflexively. Django wondered if this was where she'd got the burn on her arm. "And then I saw those eyes! Oh those eyes! It was horrible!"
Suddenly Loretta jumped back and started flailing wildly. Django and Drusilla went to comfort her and Drusilla's hypnotism spell was broken. They calmed her and got her back in a sitting position. Loretta shook her head to clear her dizziness and confusion. "Ugh! What just happened? I could have sworn- Anyway, I guess it really did help me to talk about it after all." She looked to the others. "That is unless it really was too incredible for you."
"Not at all." Django assured her. "We've seen all sorts of strange things too. And to be honest, we've also been feeling a little uneasy around here, of late. Not that we mention that bit on postcards of course."
"You mentioned eyes!" Drusilla pressed the frightened girl. "What else can you tell us about these eyes?" Django looked at his vampire girlfriend and could tell that this subject was a particular interest to her. It wouldn't have surprised Django, if his girl had been having more of her visions of late.
"They were so intense!" Loretta reflected with revulsion. "Like they could see right into you. I'm not even sure, when or where I saw them exactly. Just that it seems connected to finding my sister like that." She thought about it some more. "I think it was Murder Legendre that I saw!" Django and Drusilla both visibly reacted to that. "You've heard of him then?"
Django nodded tensely. "We've heard some stories at least. Some of the older people around here seem to be a bit fearful of his alleged power. It's obvious that they think he would be disapproving of newcomers like us, setting up shop so to speak. The younger people or the newcomers seem to dismiss him as a myth. Apparently he hasn't been seen in quite some time. How did you come to hear of him."
"Janet's last letter mentioned some sort of encounter with a spooky man." Loretta shuddered. "But she didn't go into details. I work sometimes as an occult investigator." She shrugged self deprecatingly. "It's a living I guess. Anyway, I did some research of this part of the world and something about that name just struck me." Loretta looked again to her hosts. "You said you're used to this sort of thing too. Is the occult your line of work?"
Django looked nervously at Drusilla. "I used to be a demon hunter. Haven't found the time for it of late. But I guess I still maintain a keen edge from my training." Drusilla rolled her eyes and looked away for a while, until her smirk had faded somewhat. Loretta of course was fascinated with the revelation.
"Oh that's really interesting. You must have so many stories to tell."
"You should stay with us." Drusilla turned back to more pressing matters. "Not just for tonight. We can always find some spare room and you'll be safe with us while we look into what's really going on."
"I don't mean to impose." Loretta sighed. "But all the same, I certainly don't have anywhere else to go. Probably not safe to return to my lodgings. And if they think I know too much they might be looking for me at the airport and harbour."
Drusilla tended to agree. "Dead eyes. I can see them. Searching the fields." She seemed to be in a trance for a moment and Loretta was growing confused. Then Dru slipped out of it again and smiled. "You must let me fetch our porter to show you to your room. Let me just go and arrange it for you."
Suddenly the door to the hallway burst open and a big lumbering black man in a porter's uniform charged through the room and grabbed a dining plate from a table and started biting at it. Loretta leapt up and screamed. His eyes were dead just like one of those....
"No Laurence!" Drusilla shrieked with authority and rage. "I've told you about that. Those are plates, not human flesh. Bad zombie!" She and Django swatted the zombie about the head and began to push it back outside.
"But you keep zombies?" Loretta asked with horror. "Just like the other plantation owners?"
"Of course." Drusilla replied, offended. "It's expected around here and it's much cheaper than hiring." She beamed with pride. "We grow our own! I'm a Voodoo Princess!"
Loretta was startled by this. It really had been some night for her. "But it thought the plate was flesh? I though zombies didn't really eat flesh?"
"They're not supposed to." Django agreed. "Most of the locals aren't like that but some of them have picked up queer notions from some of the Yanks and Ex-Pats that have been coming over and gotten themselves turned, over the last few years. It's a fascinating subject really. Readers Digest has written loads about it."
Loretta was feeling confused and harassed again. She didn't think her former teacher from her studies at the British Museum would approve of Readers Digest for learning about Voodoo. Drusilla took her gently by the hand as she led Laurence with the other. "Oh never mind. You'll still have a lovely time here with us. Our zombies are quite friendly. Let's get you downstairs and I can show you to one of the guestrooms. One of the best. You'll see!" Loretta allowed herself to be led. What was one more crazy thing on this of all nights? And then of course, the porter's arm fell off without his noticing.