Chapter 8: Crossing the Threshold

Amid the ancient tree’s sprawling roots, Solène and her classmates perform a sacred ceremony to summon Papa Legba, the guardian of the crossroads. Guided by Manbo Elaine, they offer rum, cigars, and prayers, opening the veil between worlds. As Papa Legba appears, his presence both commands reverence and issues a cryptic warning of the dangers ahead. The ceremony deepens with the arrival of Ayizan, the protective mother of initiates, who offers guidance but reinforces the precariousness of their path. Solène feels the weight of her journey intensify as she steps closer to the mysteries of the lwa and the fragile balance between worlds.