Simon had no respect for her. So, why had he returned?

She'd gone to the ceremony hoping to win him back. Had Ezili gifted her with her fondest desire? Ironic, then, that she no longer wanted him. She would serve him his beverage, then tell him to leave.

Allison poured the strong black coffee into the mugs, leaving plenty of room in hers for cream. She balanced the tray so nothing would spill and carried it into the living room. Simon hadn't moved. Like an obedient puppy, he sat quietly on the sofa awaiting her return. Definitely out of character.

"Here, take this," she said, and handed him his favorite black stoneware mug.

He took it from her hand, but made no move to drink. She wondered if he knew the coffee was flavored, if he would give her a hard time. He didn't. He sat staring, his gaze unfocused, looking ahead of him at nothing at all. A chill traced Allison's spine. She leaned forward, waved her hand in front of his beautiful deep blue eyes. Eyes the color of a midnight sky. They didn't waver.

"Simon?"

He didn't answer. Her breath hitched in her throat.

"Simon!" she said, clapping her palms very close to his face.

Nothing.

His pupils had just enough contrast with his irises for her to make out the shape of them. Her heart began to pound. Sweat trickled between her breasts. Her fingers went numb. The mug dropped to the floor. Stoneware shattered on fine wood, the pottery in shards like the remnants of her dreams.

Eyes wide, she stared at the man seated on her sofa. His body was present, but it seemed empty, nothing but a shell of the man he used to be. A part of her thought it might be justice. Ezili had given her a gift: the definition of true love, something she would never find with Simon.

Damballah had gifted her, also. Simon was his lesson, his curse -her's forever, the price of her arrogance. Allison watched in horror as Simon's tongue came out to test the air. His spine moved in impossible ways as he slithered toward her. She screamed.

THE END