They placed the goat's body on the serpent ve'-ve'. Men rushed forward and used machetes to hack it to pieces.

Appeased, Damballah left the man. He slumped to the dirt. Like in the proverbial dream, Allison felt she was falling and wondered if she'd die when she hit the ground. Heaviness encased her as gravity regained its hold. Ezili had left her. She was alone.

Father Michael approached, taking a hand to help her to her feet. "You are blessed, Allison," he said. "Ezili showed you favor. She confronted Damballah on your behalf."

Allison nodded, still trembling. "She protected me. I'm grateful, but will I get what I want? Will Simon come back to me?"

The priest frowned. "It isn't enough your life was spared? Damballah isn't always so easily appeased. You ran over a snake. He promised to teach you the arrogance of your ways. Count yourself fortunate things turned out as well as they did."

She looked at her surroundings, saw the celebrants clearing away the traces of their presence. It had been a strange ritual and the mystery of it remained. She took in a shaky breath. "I know. I've learned my lesson. I'll never hurt another living creature, as long as I live."

"You feel like you can drive?"

She nodded. Without another word, he turned and climbed into his sleek black car. Windows tinted to hide its secrets, it drove away in a whisper.

Allison was quick to follow.

When she arrived home, her heart leapt in her chest. Simon awaited her at the front entrance. "I'm glad you're here," she said.

No reply.

Silent, he watched her unlock the door. Her hand shook with such force it took three tries to place the key. She hated that her nervousness was so apparent. He'd know he had the upper hand.

They crossed the threshold and she switched on a light, flooding the living room with its soft white glow. Mutely, Simon followed her into the room. She decided she needed a moment to compose herself. "Sit down on the sofa," she said, "I'll make us some coffee."

For once, Simon did as he was told.

It had been a rough night. Allison took the grinder down from the kitchen cabinet. Poured the chocolate flavored coffee beans inside. Simon hated flavored coffee. She had always bent to his will, always prepared only those things Simon favored. Tonight, she felt no such compulsion.

The grinder roared. Allison inhaled deeply, savored the aroma of the fresh ground beans. She prepared the coffee, got two mugs and a tray, the cream and sugar. All the while, her thoughts raced. In everything Simon had bullied her. Dinner had to be just to his liking or he'd made her fix something else. He'd chosen the movies they watched; he had even picked the furniture which decorated their home. Sex had been a roughdance choreographed for his pleasure, not hers. Their life together had been a farce.