A beautiful Autumn even more in the Crescent City, a Second Line marches down Rampart St celebrating the reopening of its trolley car, patrons flocking to the various pubs and bars of Bourbon rocking their black and gold for Saints pride, and a lone homeless man clutching his pail tight as he saunters through Conti leaving the Dungeon after seeing what is has become.

October in the Big Easy is a wonderous time to be in the city, has tourists flock to learn of the Nocturnal battles between the Vampyres of the East Band and the Lycans of the west. Curio Shops brimming with life as patrons buy souvenirs of their visit, purchasing feathers, sage, witty t-shirts, and kinky lingerie. On man looks away from it all and sneers and n disgust as to what the city had become.

Night falls, the city becomes flushed in life, tantily scad women clothed minimally advertise their respective strip clubs, various barbacks fluanting sign after sign of 2 for 1 drinks, street performers scurrying around for low tips, and the christian protester scorning all who travel the streets in search of sin. Stars don't exist in the night sky here and God is far removed from this place. Only the man in rags takes solace in the quiet of an abandoned church.


Aye, lover. You are bitter dat dis city has grown. Dere was a time you loved dis place as much as you loved me. Tia Shura know she lost ye heart, but my love need not to worry because de Madam will help us find it. Ye have not seen ye auntie in such a long time, and I'm sure she be missing you.

Auntie Marie rests in her tomb, and to disturb her would bring Z great anger. She is to be left alone my former lover, do you understand dis woman?

Dem words sting, dey are more painful den a gunshot, why will ye not forgive me?

Becuase you have betrayed my trust. De Congo is a maze that you traded me heart for a way out. Dat is why you no longer share my bed. Dat is why you are ex lover. And dere is another who has my eye.

You dare betray de Loa to be smitten with dis sanguine witch? Dey will have your jaw if dey find out. What do Z plan to do, hmmm? Make her a child of de Loa. She already blaspheme by saying de Papa's name. And she will never love you like I do.

She will not be a child, but Z will make her him bride. De Loa will be pleased dat our family has grown more powerful.

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Isabella, our contest is one for de ages. Your power and my power will collide dat will shake de foundation of Bondye's kingdom. Mine is de city built on shadows and you have tread on sodden ground. De big boss have decided to make my Auntie's resting place de site of our conflict, pray she does not awaken. But do bot let her fury deter you my sweet, de moon will shine bright and de Loa will be watching. Your resting place will be beside her and Z will celebrate de triumph of not only vanquishing a beloved enemy, but also de consecration of a beautiful union as I replace de heart of my former betrothed with yours. I will send you to de Barons and dey will prepare you for Z, and make a new home for us to sow our seeds and exault us to be Barons ouselves.......

IN DE HOUSE OF Z.

Z LIVES