Lilith - TI3 Read online

  "Mistress?"

  "I'm here, Sasha. And this is my friend, Dakota. How are you feeling?"

  "I don't know. I'm so confused. What happened?" she asked, wincing from the pain.

  "I'll tell you later, dear. Sleep now. You'll feel better after you rest."

  Sasha had always loved the Mistress's voice. Something was different about it, though. Now it seemed more soothing than normal; unnaturally so, she thought as she drifted into a peaceful slumber. The psychological trauma was temporarily suppressed so the body could heal.

  When Lonnie came to check on Sasha and the two visitors, the room was empty except for her sleeping patient. Satisfied she was resting peacefully, the doctor decided to clock out and go home. It had been a very long night. At least no one died on her shift.

  * * *

  Dakota awoke to blackness. Blinking she felt confused.

  Damn, Either I’m dreaming or I'm blind.

  She felt the laughter rather than heard it; and it was very cold.

  "Welcome to my world, Little One."

  Intunecat? God I hope this is a dream," Dakota thought, trying to wake up.

  "No dream, my dear... and God can’t hear you. I'm real or at least as real as I can be at the moment."

  "Cripeez! Just what I need! You in my mind," she swore.

  "Don't worry. I'm not in your mind. That would be a challenge, one I'm not interested in at the moment. Tonight I am merely the messenger," explained the Dark One.

  "Messenger? From whom? What message?"

  "Mari and Maopa, of course. As to the message, well, first you must hear what I have to say."

  Intunecat described precisely what had happened to Sasha. It wasn't his nature to spare feelings or leave out details. By the time he was finished, Dakota was so angry she felt she could kill the woman herself.

  "Do you have this woman’s name?"

  "Names mean nothing to me but you will find she owns a business at the waterfront where you live. She is a seller of women."

  "Seller of women?"

  "Yes. Male mortals have needs. She provides them with the means to satisfy them."

  "Are you saying she’s a pimp?"

  "No. She... what is the phrase you humans use? She... markets them... against their will."

  "Shit. She’s in the fucking sex-slave trade business."

  Intunecat merely nodded.

  "So, what is it we're supposed to do?" Dakota demanded, angrily.

  Intunecat chuckled. Dakota was well suited as the life-mate of Yemaya.

  "You must keep Yemaya focused. She'll become emotional just as you have. In her case, it could be deadly. Because she is Carpi, she feels more deeply than most. That is her greatest weakness. You know her darkness but even you don’t realize the depth of it. It wants its freedom. This must not happen. Make sure Yemaya stays in control of herself. You are the key to her survival. Until Yemaya tames it, she is a danger to herself and everyone around her."

  "Not me," countered Dakota. "Never me."

  "Even you, Little One," Intunecat replied, calmly. "You are both Yemaya's strength and her weakness. Don't underestimate either possibility."

  "I'll do what I have to. How will we know where to find Sasha?"

  "You'll know." promised Intunecat. "Now return to Yemaya. She's waking and will need you."

  * * *

  Yemaya wasn't sure what woke her. Perhaps a dream she wasn't remembering. Whatever it was, the pain was real. Unable to shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong, she decided there wasn't much she could do at the moment. Time revealed everything. Wrapping her arm around Dakota, she snuggled against her side, relaxed and drifted off to sleep.

  Dakota awoke feeling strangely disoriented. For a few minutes she lay still, not sure if she should awaken Yemaya and tell her about her conversation with Intunecat. Rubbing her forehead, she wasn’t even sure it was real or a dream. Deciding she couldn’t take the chance, she gently shook Yemaya.

  "Hey, sweetie wake up."

  Groaning slightly and burrowing further into Dakota’s chest, Yemaya tried to ignore the soft voice calling to her.

  "Come on. We need to talk. It’s important," coaxed Dakota.

  Opening one pale blue eye, Yemaya stared at her lover for a few seconds.

  "It's about Sasha."

  "What about Sasha?"

  "She's been hurt. Get dressed and I’ll tell you all about it while I call a cab."

  By the time the taxi arrived, a cold rage burned inside Yemaya. Dakota could feel the fury beneath her lover's calm exterior. Intunecat was right. The Illusionist was being consumed by her anger.

  "Intunecat told you this?"

  "Yes. At first I thought it was a dream but it’s just too real... like when Mari and Grandma Dakota visit us."

  When Yemaya didn’t say anything, Dakota began to worry.

  "Talk to me, Yemaya."

  Yemaya barely heard Dakota. Her mind was on Sasha and what she had just learned. No one harmed her people without suffering the consequences. She would enjoy making this woman pay for her actions.

  "Damn it, Yemaya. Tell me what's going on inside that head of yours."

  Yemaya gave her a blank look, still lost in her own thoughts. For a split second, Dakota thought her lover's eyes had changed from icy blue to coal black and was afraid. Shaking her head, she grabbed Yemaya's arm and shook it.

  "What?" Yemaya finally asked, calmly; too calmly.

  "I said tell me what you're thinking... What are you feeling?"

  "Anger, of course. I am angry. How else am I supposed to feel?"

  "No different, sweetie. I just want to make sure it’s only that. Okay? So what now?"

  "Now, we check on Sasha. Afterward, I find this woman."

  "And then?"

  "And then I will kill her." It was said so coldly that Dakota shivered.

  "No!" Dakota ordered.

  "No what?"

  "You won't kill her. At least not unless you absolutely have to."

  "And why not?"

  "Because I'm asking you not to. Promise me you won't, Yemaya."

  "I cannot do that. Do not ask of me a promise I am unable to keep, Dakota. It is not my way." Yemaya stared into Dakota's eyes, sensing the fear. She had known from the beginning there would come a time when she would have to choose between the Carpi way and her love for Dakota. Sighing, she lowered her eyes. "I cannot be anything but who I am," she whispered, sadly.

  Dakota closed her eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  So this is it, she thought.

  Fingers gently wiped the tears before they could fall.

  "But I will try my best not to," promised Yemaya, her voice husky. "I cannot give you more than that, my love. I am Carpi and the protector of my people... as were my ancestors before me. That is the very reason I have unique abilities and this is the price I pay because of them."

  "I know, Yemaya. But you can choose to be something more than just a product of your history. I don't want to lose you."

  Yemaya gathered the smaller woman in her arms, holding her tightly. Pushing the rage back, she felt it reluctantly retreat. For the first time in her life she realized something within her was capable of destroying both her and Dakota's love... a raging beast lurking in the dark recesses of her mind, patiently waiting to break its bond and seize control of the Illusionist.

  CHAPTER 16

  LILITH PACED BACK and forth as she listened to Agra’s report of Belinda’s disappearance.

  "Surely one of the minions can tell us what’s happening," Agra said.

  "You would think," Lilith agreed. "Apparently, they have little interest in such unimportant things as whores."

  "Since when did minions get to choose their duties?"

  "Since Dis grew bored with this world, and lazy. It seems he has decided the humans can do enough evil on their own without his intervention. I’m not so sure he's wrong, either."

  "Well, I’m not about to let anyone harm what is mine witho
ut feeling my wrath. My lord gave them to me thousand of years ago for fulfilling my duties to him. Those who choose to work for me willingly come under my protection."

  "Agra, you have done all that you can. Perhaps Dis is right. We’ve grown too attached to these humans. Most of them are doomed to a miserable existence as it is."

  "That's not the point... and I’m not here to argue with you. If Dis or his minions won’t help me, I’ll find someone who will, even if it means going to the Twin."

  "I think that’s a little extreme and unnecessary," Lilith admonished.

  "Me too, for now," Kali agreed, having just entered the room. "There are other ways of finding out. I’ll put the word out to a few minions who owe me favors. If they can’t find anything out, themselves, you can bet they’ll know someone that can." Turning to make eye contact with Agra, she placed her hand on the demoness’s shoulder. "I promise you, if we don’t hear anything soon, I’ll join you if you still want to go to the Twin... and Dis, himself, won’t be able to stop us. He has felt my wrath, already. He may still be our lord but only as long as we permit it."

  Lilith looked from one demoness to the other and then laughed.

  "Dis is lucky you two aren’t ambitious. I’m not so sure he’d win in a battle against you."

  "We have no interest in ruling the Underworld," Agra said. "The damned lead boring existences."

  "As do the good," Kali added. "It’s those whose fate is still undecided we find most to our liking. They are the unfinished stories of life."

  "I agree. Keep me informed," Lilith ordered and vanished abruptly.

  "She can be so serious at times. You'd think after all this time she'd learn to relax," Agra joked.

  "Like us you mean."

  "Hey, we're getting better."

  Kali cocked her head sideways and smirked at her friend. Her newest hairdo made her look like a punk rocker from some heavy metal band. Red spiked hair with purple tips, dark green eyes and the torn jeans and tank top was far removed from the dark looks of her past. The change was obviously the result of her mental evolution from the angry demoness who had rebelled against the Twin... and had earned Dis's respect and gratitude... to the more fun-loving woman of today. Had Kali not lived in the time when the Twin had cast Dis and his followers out of their Kingdom, she would never have believed this Agra was the same person who had married their Underlord. Of course, the marriage lasted only a short time before he decided enough was enough and begged her for his freedom.

  "What are you smirking about?" Agra demanded.

  "Oh, I was just remembering something from long ago?"

  "Care to share or is it personal?"

  Laughing, Kali shook her head.

  "Not really. I was just thinking about those years you and Dis were a couple."

  "Paleeze! I had almost forgotten that or at least was trying to."

  "I know but you have to admit we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your marriage to him. After all, it's the only reason you got the whores."

  "Yeah. Everyone still claims I did him and them a favor releasing him from the contract." Agra chuckled.

  "Well, whatever went on between you two, he definitely put his minions through hell while you were together."

  "Not as much as I did him. All he ever wanted was sex. I don't know if you've ever seen Dis without his clothes, but he's enormously endowed... and considers himself a great lover."

  "Ummm, I think maybe we can leave out the details," Kali snickered. "Anyway, I'd say you probably did. It was soon afterward that Lilith caught his eye."

  "Not to mention, you had caught mine and was flirting unmercifully."

  "Well, you were hot, and I was an angry and ambitious woman."

  "That's putting it mildly. When the Angels defeated us in the Great Battle, there was no one to defend the Underworld against their final assault. We would have been overthrown had you not rallied the demons."

  "Threatened you mean."

  "Threatened... rallied... no difference. The light emanating from your eyes and hands was so terrible it scorched anyone it touched. They feared you more than they did Dis and it scared him so much, he still avoids you. I've always wanted to ask you where it came from?"

  "I really don't know. It’s just something that happens when I'm extremely angry."

  "Well, I hope no one ever makes you that angry again."

  "I'm a lot mellower now... I think."

  "Uh huh," Agra teased. "I'll take your word for it."

  Leaning her head against the backrest, Agra closed her eyes and relaxed. It felt good reminiscing over old times. Picking up on her thoughts, Kali agreed.

  CHAPTER 17

  DR. LONNIE SANDERS caught only a few hours of sleep before deciding to check on her patients at Mercy Hospital. Although it was her day off, she felt a need to make sure everyone was stable. She was especially interested in Sasha. The aunt and her partner disappeared before she could get any personal information on her patient. Sasha was still sleeping. Checking the notes on her chart, Lonnie nodded in satisfaction.

  "Good," she mumbled to herself. "She's stable and resting well."

  "Are you the attending physician?"

  Lonnie looked up to see Ms. Lysanne and Ms. Devereaux standing in the doorway.

  "Why yes. We met earlier this morning, remember?"

  Yemaya frowned and was about to reply when Dakota coughed and nudged her with her elbow.

  "Sorry, Doctor..." Dakota apologized, taking over.

  "Sanders. Lonnie Sanders."

  "Right, Dr. Sanders. Sorry. It took us awhile to get here."

  "I can imagine. Traffic is getting worse and worse. Which hotel are you staying at?" she asked trying to make conversation with the two.

  "Hotel? Oh. We've already checked out. We wanted to see how Sasha is doing so we can make arrangements to take her home," Dakota said.

  Lonnie frowned. Something about the two women seemed different. For one, the small blonde spoke excellent English with only a small hint of a mid-western accent. The taller woman remained quiet. It was almost as if their roles were reversed from earlier.

  "Well, if she keeps improving I'd say she might be released in a few days. She's going to be in considerable pain, but that can be handled with meds. My biggest concern is her mental state. The emotional scars from this type of thing are usually far greater than the physical."

  "My people and I will help her through this," said Yemaya softly. "She will be well cared for."

  Jesus, what a voice, thought Lonnie. What I wouldn't give to be in Devereaux's shoes if these two are partners. Then again she’s not so bad herself.

  "Good," Lonnie said aloud. "Well, she's definitely doing a lot better since you saw her this morning. Sorry you vanished so soon, though. I could have given you the full update on the extent of her damages."

  Yemaya looked at Dakota and frowned.

  "This morning?" she mouthed.

  "Ummm, I'm thinking grandma and Mari," whispered Dakota.

  "Oh. Of course."

  Lonnie watched the peculiar exchange. Shaking her head, she knew something was going on but figured it wasn't any of her business.

  "If you two want to accompany me to my office, I'll go over the details and give you an idea what to look for while she's recovering. Like I said, the mental trauma is the bigger problem now."

  "As you wish, Doctor. Let me look at my niece for a moment and I'll be along shortly."

  Nodding, the doctor motioned for Dakota to follow her. Yemaya stood next to Sasha searching for signs of awakening. When she found none, she placed her hand on the girl's cheek and closed her eyes. Slowly, the images of torture surfaced in Sasha's mind. Yemaya could feel the hatred and rage building in her own as she felt the pain the young Carpi endured. The Illusionist had never experienced evil in its purest form. The torturer's face was forever branded in her victim's mind, every cell scarred from the ordeal she had suffered. Yemaya knew Sasha would never fully recover from this tragedy and
deep within her own mind the beast stirred.

  "Yemaya! Stop!"

  As Dakota was leaving she remembered the last time Yemaya had tried to help one of her people. A mind merge, for lack of a better term, almost cost the Illusionist her soul. Walking back into the hospital room, she hurried to her lover's side and gently pulled Yemaya's hand away from Sasha's cheek. When Yemaya looked at her, a burning fury blazed in the ebony colored eyes.