Magnolia's Fall From Grace by Zara Teleg

Author:Zara Teleg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Free Spirit Indie Publishing
Published: 2021-03-17T18:30:00+00:00

I cautiously took a step to him, offering a warm smile and trying not to look as intimated as I felt. I extended my hand. “You must be Venom’s father.” I was relieved I remembered not to call him Vincent.

He accepted my hand. “Now I understand what all the fuss is about.” His eyes did a quick sweep over me. “I think it’s time we get to know each other. Join me for a walk?”

I looked at Vincent, who seemed to be debating if he should step in.

“Relax, son, she’ll be fine. I won’t let the gators get her.” He winked at me.

“Um, sure.” I smiled and gave Vincent a slight nod, letting him know it was okay.

Voodoo began walking us away from the party. He took out a cigar, lighting it but not saying anything until we were out of earshot.

“Seems you have made quite the impression here. Your name has been all I’ve heard. I wanted to get to know the girl who has this place in such upheaval.” He blew out a circle of smoke. “So, tell me about you, Maggie Grace. That’s what they call you, right?”

“Yes, Mr. Voodoo.”

I thought he was going to choke when he busted out a laugh. “Mr. Voodoo? Voodoo is just fine, my dear.”

“Well, I am from the Atlanta area. I just graduated from school, and I’m going to college in the fall to study medicine. I came here to volunteer with the rebuilding of the community and to work with a doctor.” I hugged my shoulders, not wanting to give him more info than I needed to.

“And Viper tells me you went to boarding school?”

“Mm-hmm. St. Bernadette’s.”

“I see. A Catholic girl.” He said the words like they left a sour taste in his mouth.

“Yes, sir.”

“I grew up that way. Did Venom tell you that? My parents had us in bible study every week,” he said begrudgingly.

My unease grew as the sounds from the party faded, and the darkness of the swamp lay ahead. Long grasses along the path poked and scratched my legs. The frogs’ croaking clashed with the crickets’ chirping, which only got louder as we got closer to the water. I glanced over my shoulder to see the now small outline of Vincent still watching in the same place I had left him.

I wasn’t going to let this man intimidate me. I summoned my courage. “He didn’t. He said religion was not part of his upbringing, and I really don’t think he understands mine.”

The air smelled of stagnant water as we crossed the small footbridge, now out of sight from anyone. Voodoo stopped to pick up a flat rock. “Religion is a cult and a waste of time. Someday, sweetheart, you’ll see. It will abandon you when you need it most. The only thing you can rely on in this life is yourself. Trust no one.” He placed the rock in his fingers, twisted his wrist and released it to skip across the water—seven splashes before it sank.

“Nice job.

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