* * *
Much to her brother's distress, Maria remained with Carolina for more than six weeks before deciding to return to Cristo. When Ramon spotted her shopping in Cristo’s open-air market, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"None too soon!" muttered Joseph darkly for he, too, had been counting the days.
"We journey to Santiago tomorrow, Joseph," Ramon instructed, "and we will watch Carolina's home."
"I shall take the child at the first opportunity, sir," whispered Joseph. "Trust in me! We shall not fail," he assured his master.
The next morning, at daybreak, Ramon set out bowls of fresh offerings for the spirits. After Joseph packed supplies, and had fed and tied up Carrisa and his master's latest love interest, the two climbed into the old Chevy and set off on their mission.
Once they got to Santiago, near Carolina's house, Joseph hid the car in the bushes. They crept to a vantage point, which afforded a clear view of the family's activities. To their dismay, although they watched diligently the first day, no one appeared.
They fared no better the second day, Ramon becoming more agitated as daylight slipped away. He still hadn't procured the child and the need to journey back to the hut to give his captives a drugged meal pressed upon him. The little man was startled out of his fears as Carolina, her husband, and Niña came up the road, heading for their home. Ramon crouched behind the bushes, trying for a better view.
Yes! She was carrying the baby!
From their conversation, he learned they had been visiting friends. The family disappeared inside and, at first, Ramon feared they planned to retire.
But no! The evening had grown cool and Carolina announced to her husband that she wished to enjoy the air. She reappeared almost immediately to deposit her tiny son in a basket beside the front door, then called to Niña to come and join her. Carolina fussed with the baby until he fell asleep. She popped her head inside the door to ask her husband to bring her a cool drink, then she sat down to wait. Ramon and Joseph crouched anxiously in the bushes. Minutes ticked by and no one else appeared.
"I will get my own cool drink," Carolina snapped impatiently. "And what has become of Niña?" She jumped up and disappeared inside the house.
Joseph motioned that Ramon should go to the car, then he crept closer to the house. Moving silently as a cat, Joseph scooped the baby from the basket and disappeared into the forest's shadows. Gaining the other side of the woods, he carried the infant to the car and climbed into the passenger seat. By then, Carolina and her family had reappeared, carrying their drinks, and sat down to enjoy the cool, evening air.
Ramon chuckled gleefully at the sight of the sleeping child cradled in his friend's strong arms. He started the car without delay and sped down the road toward Cristo. It was several minutes before Carolina realized her son was missing. The Chevy reached the main road before her anguished screams pierced the night.
A few days later, to Ramon's great relief, the sacrifice went well. The Baka was pleased! In fact, everything was going well. Upon safely returning to the hidden place and retiring that night, the little man took a minute to reflect on the blessings the Baka had bestowed. Since his initial bargain with the demon and his alliance with Joseph, Ramon enjoyed a finer lifestyle. His zombie trade had proved to be a lucrative means of securing wealth and the things it could buy.
With Joseph's help, he was able to take any woman he wanted, disposing of those who fell prey to his sexual experiments by passing them on to René, the latest gift having been presented the previous day. And, best of all, he had finally managed to compile a list of blood kin who met the perfect victim requirement.
But the nagging doubt persisted, for Ramon was certain the Baka waited for him to make a mistake.
Waited! Laughing at him!
The more he pondered the matter, the more certain he became that his downfall would be brought about by his sister's dormant power.
As for Maria, she kept little Luis close beside her since learning that Carolina's baby had mysteriously disappeared. Worrying about her only child might keep her busy for the time being, he mused, but what if she had another child. Ramon sat up in a cold sweat. Joseph stirred on the mat beside him.
"Sir?" For a moment there was no sound in the darkened hut, save Carrisa's gentle snoring, then Ramon turned to his friend.
"My sister! She has one child and one child is enough. She must not pass her power on to other children. We must protect ourselves, Joseph!"
"What would you have me do?"
"Tomorrow! Tomorrow you will help me make preparations," the little man growled. "She must not carry another child to term." Ramon sank back on the mat. "Tomorrow," he promised himself. "I will protect myself tomorrow." He fell into a fitful sleep.
The following morning, Ramon rose with the dawn and dutifully set out his offerings to the orishas. Then he commanded Joseph to gather an assortment of fruits and a large, fresh coconut. When this had been done, the little man arranged his altar.
"Take the woman outside, Joseph. Go down near the water where you can neither hear nor see my ceremony."
Joseph rose, took Carrisa, and left the hut.
"Do not attempt to return until I summon you!" his master warned.
As soon as the two were out of sight, Ramon took a machete and slashed the coconut into four parts. He sprinkled the pieces with salt and water, asked his question, and cast them to the ground.
The ceremony had begun.
Meanwhile, Joseph sat on the bank, watching the water flow by. Time passed slowly and he was bored with only Carrisa as a companion. He decided to entertain himself, by commanding his charge to enter the shallow water to perform her toilette. When Ramon called them to the hut, Joseph noted his master appeared calmer, satisfied.
"I have consulted the Obi and the spirits have answered me," Ramon confided. "For those who stand against me, the result will be death!"
"Our enemies shall die!" Joseph laughed. "Ah, the Baka is good!"
The little sorcerer howled with laughter, his eyes glittering dangerously. "But now we must take a child for our ceremony of protection."
"A name from the list, sir?"
"No! This sacrifice need not be a blood relative, Joseph," Ramon chuckled. "Any small, healthy youngster will do."
"We go tonight?" Joseph begged.
"Ah, Joseph, you are so eager to perform your function! Yes, we will leave at dusk on our mission. We will choose a child from the outlying area. One that cannot be traced back to us."