Chapter 71

Zayate’s POV

A few days ago, I went to see the old man, and he told me what sacrifices to make—a cow and a sheep. I gave him the money so he could buy and sacrifice the animals. Later, he called me to give me a talisman and a foul-smelling liquid in a bottle. I had to anoint my entire body with it every day to break the spell so that Ousmane would stop looking at me with disdain and see me as he used to. Then, we would proceed to destroy the gris-gris in the bottle.

After a quick lunch, I changed and went downstairs to meet Oumou, who was waiting for me. We left, and I had the money the old man requested; nothing was too expensive to get my man back.

He welcomed us, got up, and placed the bottle in the center. He then took out everything inside. I even saw needles—unbelievable. He untied the things wrapped in red and black threads and unfolded the papers with Arabic writings. He put everything, including Ousmane’s photo, in a bowl.

“I’ve spent the last