Dawn of The Dragon

Chapter 10: Kalera's House

Zoran's stomach is in knots as he unlocks Kalera's door, waiting for Musfall to push it open. They enter, tiptoeing inside without conversation. Thoughts of Kalera pop into Zoran's mind. He and Musfall have been detained in Peru for eight weeks because officials targeted them for an enhanced pat down.

During the process, officials found Musfall's herbs. Believing they were drugs, Zoran and Musfall were accused of being smugglers. It was an international nightmare. They were jailed for six weeks before receiving one phone call or council.

It was unsettling, but Zoran's lawyer straightened the whole mess out. Now Zoran stands in Kalera's living room pondering. Anything may have happened to her. All he wants is to get her back.

Musfall's emotions are in turmoil. He has not meditated nor called on his powers since the airport in Machu Picchu. As a voodoo priest, he is a man of great influence in his family. He has followed in the footsteps of his great grandfather, his grandfather, and his father. In fact, his powers have not failed him since his training in South Africa began long ago.

Nearing the fireplace, Musfall gazes upon a picture of Kalera as a young girl. The photo is the only one she has of her troubled childhood. As he stands there, a feeling comes over him, and in his mind he hears the voice of a child begging her mother for a pair of ritual pearls.

Musfall places a book on the counter, noticing a woman who seems lost. "Ma'am, I can help you with those, if you like?"

"That obvious, huh?"

"A little," he replies. "Here you are, our best healing herb."

"My mother will kill me if she finds out I'm here. I'm a Christian, you know."

"That's what they all say," he replies with a smile. Turning to the child, he asks. "Who is this curious little one?"

"This is my youngest daughter, Kalera. And yes, she's curious."

"Kalera, close your eyes," Musfall directs her. "Now I want you to focus on the thing you want most. The one thing you want right now. Now open your eyes."

A pair of ritual black pearls are around the girl's neck.

"Thank you, sir!" Kalera says, beaming at him.

"That's so nice of this man, but I don't have enough dear," her mother responds while taking the pearls from around her daughter's neck.

"That's okay. They're on the house. Special pearls for a special girl and her lovely mother."

From that moment on, Fredreeca and Kalera made trips to the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. Musfall became Kalera's favorite guide, even after he later opened his own voodoo shop. And as Kalera grew older, she would still visit him on her own.

On one dreadful day, Kalera's stepfather found her at the shop and began beating her. Musfall had often asked Fredreeca about the bruises and whelps on the girl, but she would never give a straight answer.

Today he learns why. After calling the police, he intervenes, punching the stepfather in the face. He is lying on the floor refusing to get up when the police arrived. They take one look at Kalera and do not arrest Musfall, but take the stepfather to jail. The man does not leave quietly, however. He yells about how he will be back with a lawyer, and also get Musfall deported.

Six months later, Fredreeca had separated from her abusive husband, who she had married for a second time. Years ago, they had divorced, and she had met and married Kalera's father. After an affair and their divorce, she remarried her first husband.

About a month after the separation, Fredreeca begins dating Musfall. Kalera's brother and sister Hella and Gotfry hate the idea. They miss their father regardless of what he had done. Kalera, however, embraces Musfall. She even teaches him to write properly in English. In return, he teaches her some bright magic.