The Sky Beneath Her(28)

“I got these from a dealer in a small shop in Madagascar.”

“Where is that?” I asked.

“Nearly three hundred miles due east of Mozambique,” Dr. Brooks said. When my confusion was clear, he added, “The southern edge of Africa, on the east coast.”

“Ah. But why would anyone want to be there?”

“It’s a lovely island. Dry deserts. Mountains. Beautiful beaches with white sand. Ancient trees. And all kinds of wildlife creatures. Lovely natives.”

“And what do those coins signify?” Mrs. DuPont asked.

Dr. Brooks’s smile was slight—the expression of a man ready to lure his quarry. A good salesman never answered a question immediately when there was a story to tell. “The natives of the island are very spiritual. They believe in ody, or magical charms or talismans. I was fortunate enough to speak to a Malagasy elder who believed in Zazavavindrano, or water spirits. I held one of these magical coins from the sea and wished for a long life.”

“Do you believe your wish will be granted?” Mrs. DuPont asked.

“Who knows? These magical realms and their creatures can be as dangerous as they are helpful. I suppose it comes down to how the winds are blowing that day.”

“You don’t really believe these stories, do you?” I asked.

“For so many stories to persist all over the world, I can’t but wonder if there’s merit to them.”

He handed one coin to Mrs. DuPont and one to me. “Their beliefs aren’t far from the Gullah traditions.”

“Gullah?” William asked.

“Descendants from Africa who live in the Carolinas and Florida now. Some of their peoples have a water goddess named Yemaja. She’s the mother of all river and ocean creatures.”

“And here we are on the Oceanus,” I said. “Namesake of a Greek Titan and the father of the Oceanids, or river gods.”

Dr. Brooks raised his glass in appreciation of the detail. “Ah, Miss Stein, you’re a Greek scholar.”

“Not really.” My tone softened with a sigh. I was charmed.

“How does one find a water creature?” Mrs. DuPont asked.

Dr. Brooks’s eyes brightened as he sipped his wine. “I’ve heard the natives leave gifts on the bank of a river or lake. If they appreciate your gift, then you might be blessed.”

“How so?”

“The ocean is a dangerous place. Never hurts to have help just in case.”

“But you said they can also be dangerous,” I said.

Dr. Brooks nodded. “I would think these gods wouldn’t appreciate humans sailing their waters.”

“Very true.” The stories of river creatures were ingrained deeply in me. “It’s quite taboo to swim in such waters while the gods are close by. Don’t want to make the creatures angry.”

“Are these creatures in the Atlantic?” Mrs. DuPont asked.

Absently Dr. Brooks turned another coin over his fingers like a well-practiced magic trick. “That I cannot say, but it would stand to reason. Yemaja is a mother goddess. Oceanus is a father. Very protective parents.” He leaned forward a fraction. “I suspect one followed me from Madagascar to Cape Town, and then to Port of Spain.”

“How could you know such a thing?” Mrs. DuPont asked.

“Every vessel I’ve traveled has been cursed with some malady.”

“There’s a war, Dr. Brooks,” Mrs. DuPont said.

“What better way to annoy the gods?” he asked.

I inspected the coin closely. It had an energy, and I couldn’t determine whether it was either good or evil. “Could I buy this from you?”

“No. These coins are a gift from me to you ladies. Just as this coin will grant me a long life, it will keep you safe while we’re on the water.”

My fingers curled around the metal. I never said no to good luck. “And where did you say you got this?”

“From a man who practices magic. Took me hours to find him. Found myself in the most remote village. Well off the beaten path. Hot as Hades. But I refused to quit my search. I heard he had some of the most powerful charms.”

Mrs. DuPont was enthralled. “Were you in fear for your safety?”

Dr. Brooks leaned forward and half whispered, “I’m always armed and ready for anyone who wishes to cause me mischief.”

The dealer had a self-deprecating charm that I suspected had most underestimating him. William was clearly not interested in his story.

I raised the glass to my lips, but as I sipped, I noticed sweat glistening on William’s upper lip. He dabbed his lips with his napkin as I tried to focus on Mrs. DuPont’s comments about nonsense and fairy tales.

Sensing the coin between my fingers was a charm, I said, “It feels odd.”

“It’s quite powerful,” Dr. Brooks said. “Not only will it keep you safe, but if you grip it hard and make a wish, it will be granted. But the man who sold it to me reminded me to be very careful what I wished for. Wishes that come true aren’t always what we expect.”

I’d had many wishes come true. And I wasn’t always better for it. I was traveling to the United States, but I’d made a deal with a devil to be here. I mouthed a small prayer. Finally, as if remembering I wasn’t alone, I smiled.