A witch's cackle*(12)

After we entered the hut , we had our night of passion . I bathed in his sweet moans ,my skin heated when I kissed his soft , silky skin .

I did not stop until we were both exhausted . Only then did I feel satisfied , only then did I let him rest in my arms .

I held him close , listening to his soft breathing . He was deeply asleep .

For some reason I could not fall asleep no matter how hard I tried . I stared up at nothing since it was dark .

My eyes slowly dripped close . I was just about to fall asleep when , the clay beer pot fell and cracked loudly .

I jolted awake , actually that was my intention  but I could not open my eyes .

My body seemed to loose its strength . Someone was in the hut , I tried to talk but I could not . I was paralyzed , that made my heart jolt in fear.

Not for myself but for my sleeping wife . I tried to talk to sir Xolo , or should I say uncle Xolo but I could not .

I felt like I was in one of those dreams were you feel like something is holding you down and you can't move a single muscle .

You try to scream but nothing comes out . I slowly called on the spirits of nature to help me .

The person in the room began to cackle . It was some kind of evil cackle that made my hair shrivel up painfully .

From the person's voice it was a woman . " You are in our way boy and for that you need to parish " she said her voice raspy like she was a smoker or something .

I did not know the woman , she had the same dark aura as the queen mother yet she was different . I knew it was not the queen mother .

I felt rough hands circle around my neck and her intention was made clear at that moment .

She was trying to strangle me to death . The sad thing was I could not move to stop her .

She tightened her grip around my neck and I began to feel suffocated . I could feel the grass growing inside the hut .

It took ahold of some part of her body yet she was unmoved." You have to die " she kept on chanting like the witch she was .

When I felt like I was about to die I heard a sweet melody.  She began to scream , then soon everything went silent .

The melody finally stopped and I felt strength seeping into my body . I finally opened my eyes , I felt a soft hand touch my cheek and I smiled .

" That woman is gone " Lolo , said his voice dripping with anger . " She thought she could kill my husband that easily , she is surely dreaming " .

I sat up and pulled him into my arms . " Thank you my heart " I said pressing a sweet kiss on his forehead . " You don't have to thank me , I'm your wife Ukhanyo , I have to protect you " .

My heart warmed at that , " she slowed down my powers " I said thinking it was very strange.  " She was a witch young prince and a powerful one at that , I can't believe she came back , mother must be getting desperate " .

Sir Xolo , finally spoke to me . " Where have you been ?" I asked him . "I was here but I could not help you, her powers are too strong even for the dead " .

"How is that possible , she is human , witch or not " I said feeling a bit amazed .

" Not true my prince , she is what we call an immortal , she has too much power , she is no longer human " .

My eyes widened at that , a woman who was no longer human , who the hell was I facing up against?. I asked myself .

I looked at Lolo , he was able to make the woman vanish , how was that possible .

" How did you do that ?" I asked Lolo . Even though it was dark , I still felt he was smiling at me.

" Our ancestors gave me the power to either give or take life with music , this flute is my life and power Ukhanyo ".

I nodded very surprised.  " Were you always able to do that ?" I asked him . " Yes husband , the power of the bead necklace has also made me stronger " .

"Sir Xolo, what is going on?" I asked him anxiously . " You two are destined , to defeat the evil you must be one "  .

His words got me thinking . " Do not think so hard Ukhanyo , for what you cannot defeat I can , what I can't you can " .

I decided to just nod with a sigh.  It seemed I had another enemy after my life . So much for my happy wedding day .

The next morning I decided to be extra caring to my wife . I brought food for him , which I fed to him , gave him a massage and also carried him around despite his protests .

I decided to pamper him , he was my wife after all . My aunt Meriam , was very excited to see the both of us . She teased Lolo ,like there is  no tomorrow .

My mother tried to stop her but could not beat her mischief. Lwandle , just kept on telling on aunt Meriam ,to our uncle Themba .

Everyone was happy in general.  The day seemed to be peaceful , I was really happy to enjoy the peace .

A day spend happily with my wife . Of cause that peace was not meant to last .

As soon as we went to bed the witch's cackle could be heard again . She was once again inside our hut .

This time I was prepared , I did not let her paralyse me . The grass and earth spirits held on tightly to her .

" Who are you ?" I asked with venom In my voice . She just kept on laughing like what I asked was a joke .

" The dead have no need to know my name " she said her cackle getting louder . I glared tightening my grip on her  .

" I have not met my ancestors yet " I spoke with a deep voice , twisting the vines around her waist .

I heard the hissing sound of a snake and moved further away from her . "Should I eat him my lady "  it spoke sounding very excited to have me as its meal .

"Do as you wish " she said and it responded to her and came after me .Lolo , woke up and blew his flute.  Once again the woman vanished after a short scream .

She had looked like she was burning in flames as Lolo ,played his flute.  " Damn it she does not learn " he said looking very angry.

" Don't curse" I reprimanded him . " I'm sorry " he said . I nodded , " it's okay but it seems that your flute has some effect on her that is good ".

" It's not the flute husband ,it's the song I played , the tune is an ancient tune played by the first queen of the Zulu people " .

I looked at him strangely , " how do you know that song then ?" I asked a little too curious .

" She taught it to me , since I was young , the song has always played in my mind , she said it's the  song of light  " .

I now finally understood the saying that most believers like to use ," where the is light no darkness shall prosper " .

I said looking at Lolo . " She belongs to the darkness and can't come in contact with the light " .

Lolo , hummed in agreement . One question was plaguing my mind though .

Who was she ?

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