The Sleeping Serpent: Read online

  “She is very beautiful.” He enunciated each syllable slowly, then added, almost as a concession, “But very young. She’s like a baby.”

  Luna found the salacious way he said the word “baby” disconcerting, and flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t help feeling jealous, remembering the pictures he’d e-mailed. “Ah, so that must be who took all the great photos of you!”

  Nico nodded and his lips curled up in a perceptible smile. “We had a good time, I guess. She took my mind off my mom and all the legal stuff I had to deal with.”

  He peeked at her through his long eyelashes with what she thought was a flirtatious look. “I’m actually seeing her tonight.” He plucked the strings of the guitar still lying across his lap. Speaking slowly and seductively, he continued, “I didn’t know when she arrived she was a virgin. Her pussy is so small and pink. She was swollen and wet and opened right up for me—and she had multiple orgasms. Now she can’t stop, and begs for me all the time. We made love everywhere. I fucked her for hours. She didn’t know what happened when I made her squirt; she didn’t know what that was. She came so hard, she shuddered and passed out.”

  His story caused Luna to blush with embarrassment, and she felt a wetness and throbbing in her sex. The look of amusement in Nico’s eyes revealed he knew it, and she wondered what his motive was in telling her these things. Deciding it was no longer worth being coy, she laughed, “Why do you insist on driving me crazy? What am I going to do with you?”

  He laughed out loud. “Bella, do I make you nervous? You’re so innocent and get embarrassed so easily. Why is that? Should I not tell you these things?”

  She realized in an instant that being around him awakened her, stirring the sediment that had long ago settled at the bottom of her well. He made her feel a part of him, of something larger, and somehow more alive.

  She decided to answer playfully, encouraging him. “You tell wonderful stories. I enjoy hearing them.”

  Looking up at the clock, Nico declared, “Oh no. I didn’t see what time it is. I have to go.” He leaped up and said hastily, “Don’t worry, Luna bella. I’ll tell you lots of stories.”

  Nico had been mysterious, saying he had something special planned. Calling out as she walked into the studio, Luna stopped short upon entering the chamber. Her heart pounded in anticipation when she saw he was making preparations for another ceremony.

  He explained, “Bella, I’ve been waiting to do this ceremony with you since I returned from Buenos Aires. I could only get some of the elements I needed there. The ceremony is called San Pedro, after the Catholic saint who is the gatekeeper of Heaven.” He paused just long enough to pull her to where he was busy placing items on a soft, white blanket, then continued talking rapidly, “My role tonight, as the maestro curandero, is to make you bloom during the ceremony—to make your subconscious open like a flower, like the night-blooming Huachuma itself. I’ve been preparing you for this ceremony.”

  Catching Nico’s excitement, she listened intently.

  “This ceremony restores balance. It will awaken you to a greater spiritual awareness, helping you see clearly what is holding you back. Then you can remove those obstacles from your path.” He paused and looked her in the eyes. “Luna, we’ve become very close to each other, and I know you trust me.”

  Thrilled by his declaration, she nodded.

  Kneeling on the blanket, Nico gestured to the many objects laid out upon it. “What you see here is called the mesa—the altar. The mesa is divided into the past, the present, and the future. Together, they are the complete universe. On the left of the mesa are the ancestors—our past and the world below.”

  Soaking up everything he said, Luna looked at the objects on the left and saw an arrangement of bones, antlers, ancient artifacts, stones, leaves, bottles of herbs, and shells.

  In the center of the mesa, a sun-shaped iron mirror lay next to a cluster of clear quartz crystals. Nico explained, “There must be a balance between life and death; good and evil; past and present; matter and spirit. The shaman doesn’t see these as opposites, but as two halves forming a whole. So the middle of the mesa is the integration of those energies. The crystal channels and clarifies my vision.”

  When Luna commented that the right side of the mesa had so much Catholic imagery—crosses, images of saints, and a portrait of Jesus, Nico responded, “Santa Maria represents Pachamama, Mother Earth.” Picking up the devotional candle, he said, “This stands for The Holy Spirit; the sacred spirit that is in all things.” Lastly, picking up the picture of Jesus, he added, “Jesus Christ is the personification of the ideal shaman for all humanity.”

  In addition to those items, the right side of the mesa held tobacco, sugar, corn, limes, talcum powder, and bottles of wine and perfume. Lined up like a barricade behind the mesa, a row of sticks, posts, and swords stood guard.

  Carrying two cups of greenish liquid, he announced, “We’re ready to begin. Now, drink this down quickly, bella. It’s bitter, so you don’t want the taste lingering in your mouth.”

  She studied the strange liquid, wondering what it was, but she trusted Nico and definitely wanted to share this mysterious and powerful ritual he’d prepared just for her. She drank as instructed.

  Nico smiled. “Good, Luna. Now we’ll wait. It will take a little while before the magic happens.” Picking up a flute, he played softly, and the light notes wafted through the air like perfume.

  Luna was content; happy just being in the chamber with him, feeling part of something sacred. Soon, Nico put the flute down and blew into a whistle, making a soft whirring sound. While chanting a prayer, she heard him say her name, making her feel warm inside. Just like in the despacho ceremony, the sounds and artifacts comforted her, like being brought back into the womb of her personal history.

  She saw Nico select a staff from the mesa. He recited a chant, focusing his attention on the staff and other objects. Somehow, she knew Nico didn’t see these objects as inanimate. He sang to the plants, stones, and shells as though they were living entities who were speaking to him, giving him their secret knowledge. Luna felt tranquil—soothed, in a dream from which she didn’t want to awaken.

  Thoughts floated in and her mind wandered as she fell under the spell of Nico’s dulcet voice singing in the ancient tongue of Quechua. A slight tingling and numbness spread over her legs, then her arms, and she realized she couldn’t move her body no matter how hard she commanded it. Unafraid, she let herself slip away while Nico continued chanting and shaking a rattle. Suddenly, she felt his hands on her body, massaging her arms and legs.

  Dimly aware of his actions, she wondered if she’d know later that these things had really happened, or if she’d think she dreamed them. Shaking the rattle over her, he blew the whistle before pressing his lips to her skin and gently sucking in exactly the spot where she always felt the fire butterflies—her solar plexus. She felt detached, as if Nico was doing this to someone else while she observed from high above, in the far corner of an enormous room.

  Luna was perfectly aware she was with Nico in the safety of the chamber, yet at the same time she was being swept by an invisible current transporting her to an ancient place of rivers and woodland. Back home to the Mohawk tribe of her ancestors. She heard a familiar voice singing to her, but felt no need to locate it. Instead, she looked up. The sky was vast, and she could see billions of stars. Each individual ray of light clearly etched a grid across the sky. A cool breeze and the mist from a waterfall drifting in the night air brushed lightly against her skin as she climbed higher onto the cliffs to touch the stars with her bare hands. She marveled at how she was completely connected to all things, throughout all time, without beginning or end.

  Then Nico was there with her, his bare skin radiant in the moonlight. His muscles rippled as he took her by the hand and led her up the precipice beyond the falling water. A rainbow of colors emanated outward from him until they enveloped her as well, and she thrilled at the knowledge she was sharing his au
ra. She reached out and felt his arms, then gently caressed his face, running her fingers across his lips to feel their softness. Pulling her fingers through his hair, she reveled in the feeling of his energy commingling with her own. Luna realized Nico was there with her in forever time. Gazing into his eyes, she fell into a dark green pool of memories and familiar feelings from long ago. Again, she heard her name in something Nico was chanting.

  Luna fell deeper and deeper, spiraling down a funnel of undulating rivers, fragrant pine trees, and the sweet scent of oranges. She felt a flood of understanding and knowledge—that time no longer existed, and there was no self and no other, they were one. Nico reached over and placed a garland of herbs around her neck, then he wrapped them around her wrists, like bracelets. Stroking her hair, he held the staff above her head while chanting her name, and she fell further into the elliptical galaxy of his eyes—right into his soul.

  Taking a bottle of fragrance, Nico sprinkled it to all four corners of the mesa, then spilled corn, sugar, and wine as an offering to the holy spirits. She knew he was doing this to connect the past and the future, the light and the dark, the world above to the world below, and the sacred to the profane. She saw everything—through Nico’s eyes.

  “Luna, you are blooming, flowering—florecimiento. This is the moment of your baptism, your transformation into a being of light and pure consciousness.”

  Luna knew she had been here before, with Nico. This ritual, this ceremony, was symbolic of something they had shared hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago. They had once been together in a sacred space in time, and now they were making a journey from life taking to life giving.

  7

  The early morning light slipped quietly through the crack between the window frame and shade, jolting Luna into the present. “Oh my God, I have to go home.” The sound of her own voice startled her, and dazed, she sat up asking, “What time is it?” She had been half asleep, her head on Nico’s shoulder while he played guitar, lulling her.

  “What is it, Luna? Why must you leave now?”

  Her heart raced; she didn’t know how she would explain this to Tyler. Standing up, she noticed all the colors were brighter and she felt keenly aware of everything around her. Unable to ignore the myriad of sensory experiences, she wasn’t sure she could drive.

  “Luna, you’re panicking for no reason. Just call Tyler. I don’t think you should drive. I’ll make us breakfast.”

  She nodded and took out her cell phone, and saw she had a dozen messages from Tyler. Swallowing hard, she dialed home. When Tyler answered, she mustered a conciliatory tone. “Hi, honey.”

  Before she could say another word, Tyler gushed, “Oh thank God, Luna! I was so worried about you.” A second later his tone changed. “So what the fuck? Where are you?”

  He was furious, and Luna felt he had every right to be. She turned away from Nico as she replied, “I’m so sorry. Really. I can’t explain everything now, but the ceremony was a lot longer than I ever thought it would be. I’ll tell you all about it later, OK?”

  Tyler sighed. “I guess.”

  “I’m sorry,” Luna repeated. “Really. I’ll be home soon, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  “OK.”

  “I love you.”

  Tyler grunted, “Yeah.”

  Luna hung up feeling guilty about leaving out that the ceremony involved only her and Nico, though she deemed it better left that way. She had never lied to Tyler, but she told herself there was no harm in omitting a small detail.

  Tyler didn’t look up when Luna walked into the room, which meant he was still angry with her. She sat down in the chair facing his desk. “Honey, I really am sorry.”

  He glanced up only momentarily before pretending to be busy on his computer again. She continued, “I just had no idea how long the ceremony would take…Our cell phones were off…so I couldn’t call or text. This was a ceremony Nico learned in Peru—a very sacred one.” She paused to gauge Tyler’s mood. Seeing his face still stoic, she implored, “Ummm…Had I known the time, I would have called…But there are no windows in the room. I just didn’t know…”

  He finally looked up. “I don’t know what to say, Luna. I was so worried. That was very inconsiderate of you. I worried all night long, and didn’t know if I should start calling hospitals or the police or what.”

  She hung her head. “I know. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what else I can say.”

  “Well, you could say you’ll never do that again.”

  Looking up, she saw his face had softened. “I promise.”

  Later, she texted Nico:

  Everything here is OK. How are you feeling? I feel like a new person is inhabiting my body. It’s wonderful. I hope this feeling lasts forever. I’ll try to stop by later.

  After a long shower, feeling refreshed and somehow newly reborn, she drove to her office. Though she felt an urgent need to go straight to Nico’s, she had work to do.

  When she arrived at Amaru later, Nico called out to her from the office, “Luna, thank God. I’m confused about these.” He waved a stack of envelopes in the air.

  She rolled her eyes. “Oh, Nico. I don’t understand why it’s so hard for you to stay on top of this stuff.”

  He chirped, “That’s why I have you. To do these things for me. I’m not good at organizing.” He patted the chair next to his. “Here, sit and do this with me. It doesn’t take so long when you help.”

  Absentmindedly, she suggested, “Maybe you should hire a bookkeeper.”

  He frowned. “I don’t like strangers knowing my business. I trust you.”

  She sighed to herself, but was pleased to hear him say he trusted her.

  Making small talk, she asked casually how things had gone with Sofia.

  “I’ve cured her IBS. We did energy balancing with the yoga. She’s all better.”

  The work with Sofia had taken time away from Luna, and she felt a bit resentful. But at the same time, she was glad he had gotten more business. Congenially, she responded, “That’s great about Sofia! And Tyler has a new client for you, too. Her name is Erin Whelan. She’s the founding partner of Grey Dog, a big ad agency in Santa Monica. Tyler and she went to college together, and she messaged him on Facebook asking about you. I guess she saw a post of yours that he shared.”

  Nico put his arm around Luna and pulled her even closer. “That’s great! I really need a client like that. Is she going to call me?”

  “I’m sure she will. Tyler gave her your phone number.”

  “When was that?”

  “I don’t know…I guess about a week ago?”

  Nico frowned slightly, but quickly returned to a normal tone. “Well, could you ask Tyler to follow up with her? Maybe encourage her to call me soon?”

  Annoyed, Luna scolded, “Nico, don’t be pushy! Pressuring people can backfire.” Tyler was especially laid back, hated being aggressive, and rarely extended himself. Luna knew getting pushy with Tyler wouldn’t work.

  Frowning openly, Nico took on a snappy tone himself. “I need high-end clientele like that.”

  Feeling how stressed he was, Luna dropped the subject. Putting her head on his shoulder, she rubbed his bicep affectionately. “Don’t worry, Nico. I’ll ask him. I’m always here for you.”

  He looked up at her from under his thick black lashes and allowed his eyes to get misty. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I’m under a lot of stress.”

  Luna warmed inside.

  When she’d finished making out the checks and organizing the papers that had been strewn around, Nico suggested they go for a walk. “I need to get to the health food store to get supplements for Sofia.”

  “Oh? What do you need to get?” Luna asked.

  He hesitated. “Nothing, really. Just something for balancing the flora in her stomach.” Then, taking Luna’s arm in his, he said, “Come, bella. Walk with me.”

  Strolling in the direction of Angelina’s, Nico became noticeably agitated. “Why do you want to know w
hat supplement I’m getting for Sofia?”

  Seeing he was descending into a dark mood, Luna attempted to avert the storm. “I was just taking an interest in your work…as a friend. I didn’t know it would bother you.”

  “I just don’t want you telling anyone anything you learn from me.”

  “Oh, Nico. I would never discuss anything about you with anyone!”

  “Just please promise me.”

  She quickly vowed, “I promise.”

  A steady drizzle started falling, and Luna was getting a chill. He urged her to walk faster, scolding her for not wearing a jacket. They made it to Angelina’s just as the heavens opened up into an early autumn thunderstorm.

  The rain was falling steadily when they left the store, and while waiting under the awning for it to subside, Luna looped her arm snugly into his, her other hand encircling his bicep. Lulled by the peaceful serenity of rain muffling the city sounds, and the crisp, refreshing scent of the ozone aftermath from lightning, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. Standing silently, she felt him relax and his ceaseless anxiety dissolved as a calm stillness enveloped them. Cherishing the feeling that there was no one else in the world but the two of them, Luna sighed and said quietly, “I love you, Nico.”

  Letting that sit for a few beats, he flexed his bicep so it squeezed her hand, then murmured enigmatically, “What exactly do you mean, Luna?”

  She hesitated, not knowing how to reply. His tone caused her to question the answer he sought. Finally, she answered, “I feel very close to you. I love spending time with you. You make me feel young and beautiful.” She paused before adding, “I’ll always be here for you, Nico.”

  “Luna…you’re married. This is wrong.”

  “No, no, Nico. That’s not what I meant. I’m just saying that if things were different, a different time and place…if I were younger and not married, I could see us being together. That’s all.”