Page 16 of Awaken the Dragon
“Where is here?” Shola asked the slimly built man.
He looked older, like her father. His full beard was snowy white, but his head was bald. There was a dusky beige hue to his skin, sort of like, the color of sandpaper and his eyes were russet brown. She’d noticed them as soon as he removed his sunglasses. Everyone who worked for this company wore sunglasses, even in the evening when there was no sun to be protected from.
“We call it the Office.”
“Is it the company headquarters?”
“Something like that,” he replied.
He moved while he talked. Going to a wall in the dimly lit room and touching a control panel which pulled heavy navy-blue drapes away from windows that were at least eight feet tall and the width of the entire room. He pushed another button and there was a clicking sound before dark brown blinds lifted slowly and stopped at the midway point. The view was breathtaking. Hills of bright green grass stretched to meet a thick row of trees on one side and the blue-gray wall of mountain that stretched so high, she had to get closer to the window and lean in to see to the top, was on the other.
When she had stepped out of the truck, she’d been in awe of the majestic beauty of the landscape. It was so different from what she’d seen of Burgess so far. Almost as if this place was separate, but still a part of the city. It was weird and so was the quick change in temperature. Theo’s shirt was still keeping her warm but the tip of her nose was cold.
“Would all companies have bedrooms like this?”
It was like a small apartment. She couldn’t imagine why anyone needed a king-size bed with steel head posts that almost touched the ceiling, but liked the warm beige and brown colors of the comforter and rugs.
“The Office is not like any other company,” Bleu continued. “The bathroom is through that door. You use these controls for the lights and curtains. There’s also a button on here that will ring directly to me. It’s the blue one.”
He paused and the quiet had her turning to face him. A small smile ghosted his face as he stood next to a control panel on the wall close to the bed. There was another panel by the window.
“Oh, I get it. Your name is Bleu, so the button to call you is the color blue.” A smile cracked her lips just before she admitted that she liked him.
He winked at her.
“Now. I’ll get your bags and bring them back. You relax yourself. I’m sure Theo will be back to speak with you soon.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” Her question stopped him on his way to the door and he turned back to look at her.
“Why am I here? Why is Theo watching me at all?” She sighed because there were so many questions and not enough answers. “Look, I know this might be the way that you do business here, but I have things to take care of as well. I need to get my phone from my bag and then there is a schedule.”
Bleu nodded. “I’ve downloaded copies of the schedule to the communicators. Theo and the other agents working on your case are aware of each place you need to be. Everything will be taken care of, Ms. Shola. All you have to do is relax.”
He didn’t wait for her to respond, which was just as well, she didn’t know what else to say or what else she could do. She needed the nine stones before she could move forward. Or did she?
Shola wasn’t certain what she needed at this moment. Yesterday at this time she’d been focused on her goal and ready to get started. Now, she had ridden on a motorcycle, faced a group of demonics, dreamed of a sexy guard with blue eyes and been one floor up from a room where a woman was brutally murdered. The thought made her swoon momentarily.
She shook her head and reminded herself what was at stake—the continued freedom of her people. Their fate was in her hands. She held those hands out in front of her and saw them shake slightly. Her balance was off. It was understandable considering everything. But she needed to find her center once more; if she were not spiritually centered her mission was already a failure.
When her bags were delivered fifteen minutes later, she pulled out the things she needed to get her mind and soul in order. She would set up her altar and call on Oya, the Orisha goddess of the Niger River. All that she required was kept in a leather satchel tied with cord made of nine colorful strips of yarn. With another slow look around she decided that near the window was the best place. Now all she needed was...there in the corner, a small round table which she carried to the spot in front of the window.
Shola pulled out her purple handkerchief first, unfolding it slowly and placing it on top of the table, being careful to keep each corner flat and to smooth any wrinkles. Her red sweep away candle was next, with the intricate bead design she created herself pressed into the side. Lighting this candle was a request for Oya to sweep away unnecessary obstacles and problems. After setting the candle on top of the handkerchief she reached into the bag for the small bottle of Pennyroyal oil to anoint the candle by placing drops on top of and around the spot where the candle stood. She went to another bag and found the small flask she kept filled with wine and returned to the altar to set it beside the candle. Removing her necklace, she laid it on the other side of the candle and smoothed her hand over the pendant. Then she struck a match and lit the candle.
On her knees with her head bowed she whispered the words that would travel on the wind, the request that would be heard and hopefully granted.
“I give honor to Oya, the Mother of Nine. May the winds of the earth and the winds of heaven bring me blessings and long life.”
She said the words again, quieter this time as she let all that had occurred in the last day and night slip from her mind. Her shoulders slumped with the weight she’d been carrying and she repeated the words again. Until all she could hear was the whisper on the wind, the words being spoken to her by the great and mighty Oya. It began in the tips of her fingers, always. And steadily, slowly her well was filled. The more she spoke, the more peace and harmony was poured into her. Answers to what was required, to how best to proceed, filtered in until finally she felt full and complete. Inhaling deeply, her nostrils flared and air threatened to overflow her lungs.
Peace came in the stillness of her body. Power rested calmly against her skin. And then the goddess was gone.
“Shola, this is Ziva. She’ll be traveling to your appointment with us.” Theo spoke in the even, authoritative tone he was used to while in his official capacity as the lead agent.
Hours after he’d arrived, he’d showered, changed clothes and sent Bleu to get Shola. Now that she was standing in the reception area of the Office, he felt it was time to get on with this assignment. She’d also changed clothes, something he thought was odd, but shouldn’t have noticed. What she’d been wearing before had been just fine.
The pants she wore now were dark brown and fit tightly against her long legs. Her blouse was some type of red-and-beige print and hung looser on her than the previous T-shirt.
