Contents
3. Malibu
Overview
Angie retreats to her Malibu house after cutting detox short, demanding a week of solitude under Sense/Net’s watch. On a dawn beach walk, she is ridden by Mamman Brigitte, who warns that Angie has been poisoned and targeted. Angie then discovers a concealed packet of the addictive drug, confirming the threat and raising immediate stakes.
Summary
Angie spends a surveilled week alone in her corroding Malibu beach house, doing small domestic tasks to reclaim routine after leaving a clinic mid-therapy. Despite Sense/Net’s Hilton Swift pressing oversight and offering handlers, she insists on solitude and returns to the empty house.
Memories of past lives and the loa surface as she walks the beach under a hovering Dornier drone. On the third morning, a sudden sense of presence draws her south toward Malibu Colony, where Mamman Brigitte seizes her in a vision of candles beneath a willow, identifying herself as eldest of the dead.
Mamman Brigitte explains that Angie’s father inscribed vévés within her, consecrating her to Ezili Freda, but a coup-poudre has altered them, blocking the Horsemen. The loa warns that Angie has enemies and must fear poison; remaining here means death. Angie collapses, returns to the surf and sunlight, and the pain vanishes.
Regaining control under the drone’s gaze, Angie hides her distress. Searching her jacket, she discovers a flat packet—enough of the drug for a month—confirming the warning. Realizing someone planted it, she recognizes the immediate danger and the reality of the plot against her.
Who Appears
- AngieActor under Sense/Net surveillance in Malibu; leaves detox early; contacted by Mamman Brigitte and warned of poison; finds hidden drug.
- Mamman BrigitteLoa who rides Angie on the beach, warning of coup-poudre, enemies, and imminent danger.
- Hilton SwiftSense/Net executive monitoring Angie; tries to manage her travel and support during recovery.
- Piper HillHandler or aide Hilton attempts to send to Angie; refused by Angie.
- BobbyAngie’s past partner; remembered as part of her second and third life.
- BeauvoirPriest-mentor from New Jersey who taught Angie about the loa; recalled in her reflections.
- LegbaLoa referenced as gatekeeper who once led Angie; part of her altered spiritual access.
- Angie’s fatherDeceased; inscribed vévés within Angie, consecrating her; his actions frame the current threat.