“Now my loyal servants. I will again prove to you that I am truly a Goddess of Lakshmi.” She opened the flap on the side of her weapon, uncoiled the tube, focused on her breath, and then blew while holding open the receiving valve, carefully monitoring the meter. Fifteen minutes later, it was at maximum capacity. She closed her purse to fully shield the glow.
Guard1 knew it was impossible to talk Karolita out of her plan. Many times, she had seen Karolita’s eyes when she was bent on vengeance against perceived injustices. Guard1 knew Karolita’s plan would fail and they would be captured, tortured for whatever information they had, and executed. However, Guard1 knew what happened to those who attempted to stand in the path of Karolita’s vengeance. It was an absolute truth — if Guard1 attempted to interfere with Karolita’s plans, at some point, she would be executed. Therefore, Guard1 chose a ‘Maybe’ over a ‘Certainty’.
“All of you stay here. Keep out of sight,” Karolita hissed. “I’ll take care of these vermin and bring to you, my children, some comfort.”
“Thank you my Goddess,” Guard1 whispered as Karolita crouched down and advanced on the Angels around the fire.
Remarkably, Karolita dropped from her knees to her stomach, creeping from one tree to another until she was close enough to ensure the blast would slaughter all of them in one shot. She saw their eyes as harsh and calculating, their faces bloated in arrogance, their superiority, their greed, and their possession of fire, of warmth, of food — when she had none — fire, warmth, and food that should have been hers.
Soon she would have more than just their food and fire. Soon she would have their eyes. She would personally cut them out with her Destiny Blade and share them with Collin before she hacked him to pieces.
An exact aim was not necessary. The most important thing was speed and surprise. To open her purse at this close range would be trouble since the Celestial glow would be noticeable to anyone looking in her direction. She would need to aim and fire very quickly before the enemy had time to take cover or flee.
The Angels in the enemy camp continued to shift around their fire. Why can’t they just line up and stay still. Just like a bunch of monkeys. She was eager to get warm but had to make sure she killed them all with one blast. She would be patient. She had plenty of time. They, unknowingly, did not.
As she carefully watched their pattern of movement, it became clear how the pattern would progress. She just knew she was finally witnessing the flow of natural law that her personal guru, Guru Patanjali, always talked about. My full enlightenment will bring to an end all your wretched existences.
Finally, the pattern clicked into place. Each individual would soon be visible. The time had come to see an explosion of flesh into small chunks and ash. The only thing left would be their trophy eyes.
With her right hand poised on the purse’s clasps, she readied her shooting hand.
Perfect.
She flicked the clasp.
Are they all looking at me?
“rrrrrrr.”
Karolita froze. The sound in her left ear was low and guttural.
“rrrrrrr.”
Another guttural sound hit her right ear. She felt hot breath on her cheek as she jerked her head around.
Gleaming white teeth were only centimeters from her face. Panic arose from her belly like a sickness, but her body refused to move even though her mind told it to.
She felt her purse yanked from her hands. Reflexively, she jerked back to her left only to encounter another set of gleaming white teeth holding the handle of her purse in snarling jaws.
Karolita levitated, flying backward toward the others, the trees moving past her in a blur. She heard herself screaming, but was not certain if she screamed because of her own fear or as a warning to the others. Regardless, by the time she reached them, they too were fleeing — Eros leading the way.
Karolita twisted her head behind her to see if the two sets of white fangs were following her. She saw the guard dogs still standing where she had been lying. They were massive, much larger than she had thought. At least they were not chasing her. Beyond the guard dogs, she saw the horrible Valkyrie, still hovering around their warm fire, oblivious — too stupid to realize their near brush with death.
“HELPPPPP!” Eros screamed. Eros’ head was rapidly twisting from side to side. Each time it twisted, Karolita could see her horrified profile. Karolita kept her attention in front of her as she broke into a full sprint, doing her best not to collide with anything in the rain-drenched dark. She glanced in the direction that had generated Eros’ terror. Standing in the shadows was another massive guard dog, baring its teeth, course black hair standing on end.
No one except Karolita and her personal trainers knew this, not even her closest friends, for Lakshmi had forbade it, but Karolita was much more athletic than anyone knew. Her trainers had run her until her legs were on fire and her heart exploded in her chest. She was no stranger to these sensations as she ran through the forest. Still, she could not catch the others. It was not terribly surprising that her two bodyguards could outrun her and were leading the way — clearing the path — with Guard1 periodically glancing back to check on her. She was astonished that Eros could sprint so fast for so long.
The black clouds completely obscured the moons. Even with her fully dilated pupils, Karolita had to focus on the path made by the feet in front of her to avoid running into trees.
After five minutes of sprinting, Karolita could see the yellow glow of a fire on her right at a distance through the dark woods. Unbelievably, Eros had led them in a wide arc that took them back to the horrible Valkyrie and their warm fire.
SPLASH!
Karolita plunged up to her voluptuous breasts in a large pond of water. It was still raining hard, so it was impossible to hear anything but the pounding on her head. The water was perfectly black, so the pond appeared no different from an inch of water standing over dark, wet leaves. The others had not seen the pond either as she now found them standing with her, trying to catch their breath.
Karolita did not like water. She never swam on her own accord. The only time she had ever been in water was when Lakshmi forced her to learn how to swim well enough to save her own life. Karolita also did not take baths or showers. She had slaves who were delighted enough to give her sponge baths.
Karolita began to move toward the other side of the pond.
“Don’t. Don’t,” Eros said in a panicked whisper, pointing. Karolita froze, searching the pitch-black darkness. There on the other side, partially obscured by bushes were more guard dogs, just as black as the others and probably just as big.
Reflexively, Karolita began to back up while she kept an eye on the guard dogs in front of her.
“Stop,” Guard1 whispered. The softness of her voice made Karolita freeze again. She slowly turned and followed Guard1’s finger as she subtly pointed all around them.
They were surrounded by at least a dozen guard dogs — all of them crouching in the dark — horrible, penetrating black eyes staring holes through them.
Eros began to sob.
“I have failed you my Goddess,” Guard1 said in her normal voice, realizing there was no need to whisper. “I never saw it coming.”
Karolita instantly comprehended. They had been herded into a trap. They had all underestimated the Valkyrie’s vicious companions.
Soon their long sharp fangs would tear holes through them and drink their blood.
Her fantastic adventure had finally come to an end. They had reached a cataclysm from which they would never emerge. Soon they would be dead and all of them knew it.
Chapter 48
The Virgin and the Frustrated
Silly Little Seraphifs did it all the time. But not me. There I was, a military genius, the commander of millions of the most intense warriors in the Creation, sitting on a perfect beach on a perfect night with the guy of my dreams. And yet, I was too much of a coward to look him in the eyes and just tell him what I wanted. It took
PaPa to set things straight. More than helping me get laid, somehow, my Godfather coming to my rescue that night, ended up changing the eventual outcome of the war for Eden. Thank God for Godfathers.
—Colonel Josephine P. Doulmahel
Isle of Belize
Josephine knew all about Parvarti, so it came as no surprise when she read Pegasus’ quick set of panicky, clandestine signals about Parvarti still being a virgin.
As they had walked along, Josephine had noticed the interesting dynamic playing out in front of her. Skillit had once told Josephine how Parvarti had occasionally flirted with her, so she was not terribly surprised when she saw how Parvarti had nervously allowed her hand to slip lower and lower. It was entertaining and fascinating to watch Parvarti’s attempts at sexual aggression, while Pegasus did her best to remain cool.
“What are you going to do about it?” Josephine asked Pegasus with a few nondescript tosses of her hair, blinks of her eyes, and flicks of her fingers.
“What do you mean? What am I going to do about it? Did you know she was a virgin?”
“Course I did.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me? There’s no way…”
“Sorry, hot-lips. Got a problem with lesbians? Intimidated because Yummy might be better than you? Decide to switch back to the righteous form of sex? Wait till Kuko hears this. I’m sure she’ll be crushed.”
“No, Josie. Please no. Not with Parvarti. What if…”
“What if what?”
Parvarti felt the sudden shift in Pegasus’ attention. There was no need to translate the words flying back and forth between her and Josephine. Her secret was out. She did not know what to do or say, except to look back at the sand and feel bad about lying to her parents. When she finally looked up, Josephine was trotting toward her with a big grin on her face. Josephine signaled her to stand and join her at the tree line.
“Hi,” Josephine said with a smile. “I know you’re always prepared. So what type of Soma buds did you bring with you?”
It was exactly the opposite of what Parvarti expected her to say. Much to her relief, Josephine acted like she knew nothing about her ‘condition’.
Parvarti obediently dug into her small travel pack. She pulled out a variety of Soma and offered the entire selection to Josephine.
“Well, which ones do you want for yourself? I’m the one mooching here.”
Pegasus anxiously watched as Josephine and Parvarti divided the Soma. Pegasus glanced at Collin who was gazing in the direction of Oceania — seemingly lost in a daze. When she looked back at Josephine and Parvarti, they were whispering into each other’s ears. Josephine had positioned herself such that she was looking right at Pegasus. Pegasus expected some sort of hand signals, if only to taunt her, but no signals came — only an impish smile. The two finally broke their huddle and returned to their corners. Parvarti looked at peace as she trotted back to Pegasus — totally at peace for about five seconds.
Pegasus stood, watching Parvarti disappear into the jungle. She looked over to Josephine. “What’s that all about?” she signaled her.
“You’ll find out,” Josephine signaled back.
Pegasus slowly trotted after Parvarti, carefully picking her way through the jungle, following Parvarti’s sounds. Those sounds ceased and were replaced by the whispers of nighttime animals. Pegasus stopped. Where to go? Then she heard some piglets.
“Aryanani? Where are you?” Pegasus said, using one of the sweet pet names King Joshua had given his youngest daughter.
“I’m over here, Pasiel,” Parvarti called back with a soft voice — also using the name Pegasus’ father always called her.
Pegasus took her time making her way through the jungle, which opened into a meadow with scattered hardwood trees. Parvarti was sitting in front of one, her knees propped up, her head resting between them. Three piglets were rooting around her.
“May I join you?”
Parvarti nodded. Pegasus sat in front of her. One of the piglets began to root against her leg, occasionally giving her a little nibble, wondering if she might be something tasty to eat. Pegasus removed the pipe from her pocket. She loaded it, lit it, and handed it to Parvarti. Parvarti shook her head no.
“So, are you attracted to me?” Parvarti finally asked.
“Oh yeah,” Pegasus replied without a thought.
“Well then.” Parvarti spoke with more confidence. “When Josie and I were just talking, she asked me who I wanted to be my first.”
“And by the way. You really are good,” Pegasus said light-heartedly. “I thought I was good at lying. But I never thought anyone was good enough to fool Sipheria. If you got away with this virginity thing, after reaching age of consent, right in front of the Salvington royal court, then you are formidable.”
That brought a sheepish smile to Parvarti’s face. “Well. Josie just informed me that I didn’t get away with anything. Of course, they’ve seen these kinds of inhibitions before. Saw right through me.”
Parvarti sighed. “I have no idea what to do with Collin. How am I supposed to know how to please someone like…”
Pegasus raised her hand and cut her off. “Two things. First. Neither Josie nor anyone else will ever whisper a word about the virgin thing. So Collin won’t know. The second thing you have to remember is that you are the female, so you don’t have to do anything. I promise you, Lieutenant Used will be highly motivated to please you. Understand?”
By the time Pegasus finished her speech, Parvarti was on her feet. She grabbed Pegasus by the hand, pulled her up, and they walked briskly toward the far side of the meadow.
At the edge of the meadow, Parvarti climbed a ladder on the backside of a massive elm tree. A moment later they were high in the branches, sitting in an observation room, nicely furnished with equipment and food, a small table, and a comfortable looking cot — big enough for two.
Suddenly, Pegasus realized what Parvarti had said earlier. “So, Josephine asked you who you wanted to be your first. Me or Collin? And you chose me?”
“Yes I did. For several reasons.”
“I’m listening.”
“Well, the first is practical. Collin lives on Oceania. He’ll be available any time I want him. But you? Josie said she had no idea when you were going to leave, or when you might be back.”
“True,” Pegasus said as she looked out the window. “A message might be waiting for me as soon as we get back to the main island.”
Pegasus, waiting to hear what Parvarti might offer as another reason, heard some movement and turned around. Parvarti had already stripped off her clothes.
Parvarti wrapped her arms around Pegasus and gave her a kiss. An electric charge flowed up her spine.
“We really don’t need any more reasons, do we?” Parvarti whispered in her ear.
Pegasus just shook her head no, feeling a wonderful burn everywhere Parvarti’s hands touched. Pegasus swept Parvarti up in her arms and gently laid her down on the cot.
“I’ll promise you something, sweet, adorable Princess,” Pegasus said as she kissed Parvarti on the neck. “There’ll be no need to tell the Salvington Royal court anything.”
“Why’s that?” Parvarti asked, gasping for breath.
“I have a feeling, in a little short while, there’ll be flames so bright, Queen Magdalene herself will feel the heat.”
Deep in the Celestial Waters of the Mamsa
En-route from Oceania to the Isle of Belize
The four men sat around the small table in the command ship’s conference room. They were reading the latest security updates on Venom as they flowed quickly and silently through the Mamsa waters on their way to Belize Isle.
As far as atrocities were concerned, none of the information surprised them. Still, it was always unpleasant to read the details. Even though Michelle and Laura’s teams were holding Beliar’s feet to the fire, unless something changed drastically, it would not be long before he conquered Northern Venom and claimed the entire continent for him
self.
However, if General David Pesagniya had anything to do with it, he would make sure Beliar would also claim some serious casualties along the way. It seemed likely the Azakamani might reach DEFCON1 within days.
General Pesagniya waited until everyone finished reading, and then locked eyes with Frank Haiguns.
“Frank. This must hurt. I know I put you through a tough time. But I want you to know, considering the complicated, difficult decision you had to make in that moment, were I in your position, I very well may have done the same thing.”
“Thank you sir. I appreciate that. I know you have to answer to The Council of Thrones. I don’t envy you. If you want me to be the one who tells Janene’s parents, I’ll be happy to do that.”
“I’ve already sent them the report. But a personal note from you would probably be appreciated.”
General Pesagniya turned his attention to Commander Vegu-Aniel Odinero. “Aniel. Brigettie just brought up the name Pasiel Pegasus. I believe she’s a friend of yours?”
“Yes sir. She is,” Aniel replied warily.
“Aniel, if this is bad news, I might as well hear it now.”
“General, to my knowledge, you have yet to receive the latest Intel on Lord Smigyl’s travel itinerary.”
“I’ve been getting mixed signals, but from the last memo, he was to travel directly from Jerusem to Salvington to meet with King Joshua. At some point, Rahu was to return here alone.”
“Yes sir. That was the latest official brief. However, apparently Rahu begged Smigyl to come to Eden with him. Probably terrified to face Indra alone. With the depth of Indra’s power structure on Elysium, I guess I don’t blame him. Smigyl, Rahu, Chismael, Guru Patanjali, and his servant Shorinam are all on Elysium…”
Pesagniya rubbed his eyes, shaking his head.
“…Mac recruited Peg to be their pilot.”
Pesagniya continued to rub his eyes. “Go ahead and spill it, Aniel. Why is Peg now on Belize with Josie? I’m all ears.”
Aniel recounted the details of Kuko’s ruse against Pegasus, and the Nazz’s progress on replicating the Lanonandek transport.
Lilith: Eden's Planetary Princess (The Michael Archives Book 1) Page 38