He shook his hands. “Yes, thank you. Good to meet you. Now I suggest we get down to business. When was the last time you saw Samantha?”
Steve reflected for a moment. “It was that Saturday morning. She said she needed some space, and left the house with no explanation. She hopped on a TNC car, and that was the last we saw of her.”
“How was your relationship with her?”
Sarah answered, “Well…lately, she has been sneaking out to go to parties, or to bars downtown. We’re pretty sure she has a fake ID, because she is only sixteen, and would not be able to drink or go to those nightclubs, otherwise.”
“Yeah. She has been skipping school a lot. I don’t know where she gets the money to do her partying. I have a feeling she mooches off her friends,” said Steve.
“So, she is angry, and restless, and looking for adventure. Would that be an accurate statement?” he said.
“Yes,” said Sarah. “We don’t know why or exactly when this started, but about a year ago, she just started down this path: skipping school, and attending lots of parties where there were drugs and alcohol.”
“Well, we do know she was on the Red Line train headed towards the Shady Grove station. We’ll have to review the security tapes, and see what we can find,” he said.
“Please find our daughter,” pleaded Sarah.
“We’re doing our best, ma’am,” he answered.
* * *
TOR now worked seamlessly on her computer, and Poisonous had found a few sites where she could deal in selling illegal contraband. The possibilities were endless, and she had already arranged a few deals. One in particular caught her eye: selling contraband arms to a radical Islamic group in Iran. “Oh, now this looks delicious. I should buy low and sell high.”
Research into places she could by armaments proved that there were many places to do so. She chose a Russian manufacturer of rifles, pistols and machine guns. She decided to buy around fifteen thousand dollars worth, and sell them for over a hundred thousand U.S. dollars. “That should be a tidy profit, and if this works well, I will perhaps look into costly drugs, like methamphetamines, or heroin.” Giggling, she arranged all the transactions online, and ended up selling the weapons for one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars. “Always nice to find bloodthirsty barbarians who will pay any price for weapons of destruction.” Smiling with satisfaction, she sat back in her chair, and beamed at her success.
Yet moments later, the memory of her time with Roger flooded her thoughts.
Pacing around her bedroom proved no relief: she had tasted some excitement, and wanted more. Roger not only could deal well on the dark web, but proved to be good in bed as well. Nevertheless, her hadn’t even called to ask her out again. Restless legs took her from one place in the condo to another, never staying very long. Grumbling to herself, she finally walked out to the balcony, wearing her shorts and t-shirt so she wouldn’t get the attention of the crass construction workers across the street. A previous visit to the balcony, scantily clad in a very skimpy bikini proved a mistake. She didn’t mind the lewd comments by construction workers. Their wolf whistles and the ogling of her body caused the passers-by on the street—especially the males—to look up and see what all the fuss was. She liked that kind of attention, even from complete strangers. However, the constant ‘you should be ashamed of yourself’ and ‘Please cover yourself’ that came from the pedestrians on the street, especially the church goers and the married women made her furious. No one ever told her what to do. If she had been on the street, she would have taken them all on. Even that would not work well, because vaporizing people in broad daylight, completely in the open, would only blow her cover. However, she had quickly retreated into her room before she jumped off her balcony from six floors up and badly damaged her human body. The obvious choice of returning to her demonic state would have given her away. It was best to maintain her cover as a human.
The traffic in the streets consisted of delivery trucks, and the occasional courier on a bike. Some tourists explored the neighborhood, wearing T-shirts just bought from a street vendor near the mall, and cameras at the ready. She stretched and sipped on her tomato juice cocktail, with several dashes of the blazing heat of a very spicy hot sauce. The heat from the spices at least woke up her taste buds. She read another of the magazines about the adventures of the young and thrill-seeking, but wanted real action.
“This is dull. I need to get out of this condo. Her gaze went across her fingers and toes. The coat of polish she had put on both made her gloat with pleasure, then suddenly perk up. “By Lucifer, that’s what I need to do.” She went back inside, put on some casual shorts and a t-shirt —one that didn’t cause her to chafe—and left the condo.
On the train back to the condo, her new jewelry sparkled on her fingers. One ring had rubies on it—red being her favorite color—and another was silver and turquoise. She even bought earrings to match.
“Is this seat taken?” a deep male voice inquired.
The owner of that deep voice, a tall, handsome black man with a chiseled physique to rival a Greek god and a smartly tailored Armani suit, replete with gold cufflinks and a real Rolex watch stood over her, motioning at the empty seat next to her.
“Hi. I was just wondering if the seat next to you was taken.”
“It is now—by you.” She offered him her friendliest smile. The hunt rose in her blood again, and the wild animal prepared to attack.
As he sat down next to her, and the first thing she noticed was the woodsy smell of his cologne. The dark, musky-sweet smell gently settled in her nostrils, smooth and masculine, and played on her senses.
“So, if I may be so bold—what is a fine thing like yourself doing alone on the train? I would think for sure some lucky man would be accompanying you.”
“You are.” No further words, just a smile.
“Well. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Tyrell Johnson. And you?”
“Perri Loliyekar.”
“Sounds like an Indian name; and it fits. I like dark exotic women like you.”
“Well I like dark, exotic men like you.” The smile never let up as she carefully reeled him in.
“Well, let me make a proposition: would you like to talk some more over drinks?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” The prey was within striking distance; now was the time to move in for the attack.
They got out of the Metro at the Mt. Vernon Square station, and went to a club near. Locals called it the Yup-Scale Club. The sign on the door said, Luxury Zone.
A sea of fashionably dressed people milled about the club nearby. The patrons in the club wore very expensive outfits, making her feel out of place. “Tyrell... I’m not dressed to go in here.”
“Oh, don’t worry. You’re with me.” Tyrell flashed a large bill in front of the Maître D’. “Rocky. I’d appreciate it if you’d overlook the lady’s attire. She’s with me, and I’ll make it worth your while. Aren’t private tables usually three hundred dollars?” He took out a large wad of bills, and counted off four hundred dollars. “And I mean private. Are we understood?”
“No problem, Mr. Johnson. Come right this way.”
Upstairs, they chose a booth in the back corner of the room. Not many casual observers could see them. Once seated, she worked her principles of attraction. “Hey... you’re too far away. Why don’t you come closer?”
He moved closer to her, and she had him where she wanted him. “Mmm...” She put her hands on his rock-hard chest, and marveled at this man’s physique. Then he pulled her close, and pushed her hair out of her face.
His lips closed in on hers and… A server brought them drinks, putting brakes on the momentum. The flames cooled just a little, but once ignited, the flames burned until they consumed her... and her prey.
Tyrell turned to the server, hiding his annoyance with an exaggerated smile. “Do me a favor, baby... we need some privacy.” He handed the server a hundred dollar bill, which disappeared into a pocke
t. “Could you help me out, and make yourself scarce—really scarce?”
The dance resumed: they kissed deeply, and held each other tightly. The fire burned ever hotter within her and her need to conquer made her dizzy with desire. “Tyrell, can we find something more interesting to do than entertain the servers and the patrons of this club?”
“Sounds to me like we need to retreat to my crib.”
“I like the sound of that...”
“I think we’re done here. Shall we leave, lovely lady?”
“Gladly.”
On a Monday night, the metro closed at midnight. The clock on his nightstand showed 11:15. “This has been lovely,” Poisonous said, “but I need to leave. Got to catch that train before midnight.” She got up, got her things together and picked up her shawl.
“You know, baby... after such sweet love I’d be glad to give you a ride home.”
She cringed.
Blood boiled, and the fury slowly arose. Again, the human emotion in his words irritated her. Poisonous’ entire human body started shaking. She faced away from him, and spoke slowly. “Tyrell... I don’t love; I satisfy my desire.” A too sweet smile aimed at him as she turned, facing him. “So let’s not pretend love or sweetness has anything to do with this. I don’t love anyone or anything. And I never will.” A still, small voice inside her reminded her of Shane, but she ignored it.
His eyes belied a small amount of disappointment, but he quickly shrugged it off. “Hey... I’m easy. I’m not about the monogamy thing right now. I’m a firm believer in doing what feels good. Any commitment beyond that is more than I’m willing to make. If you’re cool with that, so am I.”
“But since you’re offering to give me a ride... what can we do until then?
“Bring your fine self over here, and Tyrell will make the wait worth your while.”
He dropped her off at her building at one-forty in the morning. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stay the night, but I have an appointment later this morning.” She kissed him again. “Call me.” Another kiss sweetened the deal. “I’m looking forward to seeing more of you.”
“Girl, you are a for-real freak.” They kissed deeply one more time. “See ya...”
As his Mercedes coupe drove off, the taillights faded into the night. Giggling, she said, “Oh no. You’re the freak.”
She walked over to one of the chairs in the lobby, put down her purse, then pulled out her cell phone. A little numeral “1” floated in red above the Message Bubble. Opening the message app, she perused the message. The time on the text read 20:47. “I must have been with Tyrell when I got this. Hmm. Roger. Well, finally. Now let’s see what my first conquest desires.”
Meet me tomorrow for lunch?
Of course. Name the time and place and I’ll be there
“Yes, Roger. You and I must meet again. After all, I must keep this game lit with interesting activities. The more the better.”
Her thoughts returned to Tyrell. Oh yes...now that was a conquest. “That was... very nice. And he’s so masculine...” A giddy smile snuck up on her. Then she giggled so hard that tears came out of her eyes. As she walked into the elevator, she burst into more giggles, and held her stomach, which began to cramp. The pain brought her back into a sober state, but the smile remained.
Exiting the elevator, a short walk down the hall put her outside the condo door. The key turned in the lock, and the door opened. Soft, stealthy footsteps made no noise to wake or arouse the suspicions of her roommate. No Evie in sight. Now this was a good thing. Her early morning inquisitions had become old. She floated into her room, satisfied until another day.
As she lay on her bed, luxuriating in the events of the day, she became aware of a familiar heaviness. She looked up, and saw one of her former cronies, from the same squadron as she, standing there, tentacles slithering over her body, undulating slowly and steadily.
“Desolée? Is that you?”
“It is I. What are you called these days?”
“As you know I’m Poisonous, but in this flesh, I’m called Perri.
“Oh really? You are in a state of flesh…do you want me to fill you with lust?”
Peals of laughter filled the room at the irony of that statement. “No, sister in evil. I do that very well myself. I have conquered two men thus far.” She licked her lips hungrily. “I like them both, very much; they are as callous and hard as I am. But I crave new adventure, in fact, all the time, no matter what form it takes.”
“What kind of adventure are you seeking next?”
Poisonous reflected for a moment. “I’m not sure. Something destructive. I haven’t caused any physical damage lately. Must get on that,” she said, smiling at Desolée with wickedness in her countenance.
Desolée turned into a young woman whose dark, wavy hair covered her olive skin. She walked over to Poisonous.
“So tell me more about working in human form.”
“Well. It’s interesting. It takes some time to get used to being in a body, but I’ve discovered that you can do many things up close and personal that you can’t do only as a dark spirit. You can actually inflict evil, rather than just suggesting it.”
Still enjoying the time spent with Poisonous, Desolée said, “By my evilness, that sounds like an interesting idea. We must talk more about this.”
“Yes. Come by any time. It’s an interesting diversion to share one’s experience with a sister in evilness.” She smiled. “Now, don’t you think it would be more interesting feeling evil up close than inflicting it?”
“Oh, great Lucifer, yes! I must look into this idea some more.”
“Oh, we shall. By all that is perverse, we shall. I promise you.”
“You know, it occurs to me. Why don’t we work together to concoct evil? Two dark angels from the immorality squadron…” Desolée looked directly at her. “…would certainly be a successful enterprise. Covering all sides of the bet, you might say.”
Poisonous saw two balls of blinding light blaze their way into the room.
Desolée got out, “It would be grand... uuungh” Her head snapped back, and her body involuntarily arched upwards as two angelic swords thrust through her chest and her belly. As the messengers of light took out the swords, her eyes closed, and her lifeless body fell to the floor. Desolée left the now dead body on the floor.
“Come on you ghouls. Do your business and be done with it,” Cydnie said.
Two sentinels from Hell came, grabbed her arms, and drug her away.
“To the pit,” one said.
“Aye... may she burn forever!” the other said.
“No-o-o-o-o...” wailed Desolée, slowly disappearing from view.
Poisonous’ lips curled into a snarl and her eyes blazed with fury. “It’s you! Cydnie, the accursed pain in my side. What right did you have to do that?”
“You know the rules,” Cydnie answered, her tone cool. “You may do as you choose, but any demon tempting you is banished to Hell forever.” Cydnie and her assistant slowly returned to New Jerusalem.
The body of Desolée still lay on the floor. There was no way she could haul it and hide it, so she injected it with her poison and it slowly disintegrated.
The angels out of sight, she lay back on her bed in a dour mood. “This portends badly. This turn of events has put a damper on this whole evening.” She looked up again to see VD standing there and startled. “VD? When did you get here?”
“A while ago. I watched the whole thing.”
“But... why didn’t you say anything?”
“I think you can see that it’s walking on pretty treacherous ground to be near your evil.”
“Well, obviously, you’re playing it smart by laying low.”
VD’s eyes glassed over. “I miss you Poisonous.”
Her head jerked in VD’s direction. “What? Have you lost your mind? You’re a demon; demons don’t care about each other. It’s human sentimentality.”
“And what of it? I care about you. A lot.”
/>
She couldn’t believe her ears. “Look, VD: get a hold of yourself. Get out there and get humans to practice immorality; or never find redemption; or lose their way. It’s your calling, for Lucifer’s sake!”
“I’m not up to it. In fact, I really don’t want to anymore.”
“Now that’s just plain insanity. You’re going to have to answer to Lucifer for this. You do realize that, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I don’t care. All demons disgust me these days. They are so heartless and cruel.”
She shook her head in disgust. “VD. Please. Don’t go soft on me. You and I were partners for a long time. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? Do you want to be the laughing stock of the Immorality Squadron?”
“Honestly, Poisonous, I don’t care. None of them have had to lose their partners. None of them were banned from doing or encouraging evil. Right now, I’m about ready to chuck this evilness. What has it gotten me? I’m lonely, I’m discouraged...” She looked longingly at Poisonous. “And I miss you. I don’t want to have to be away from you all the time. You’re my best friend.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t hang around me at all. You’re beginning to embarrass me.”
“Well at least Evie treats me with respect. That’s more than I can say for you.” She flew away, crying.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but it’s not right. It’s just not...right.”
Before another word got out, the old familiar nemesis caught her off guard again. He snuck into her thoughts, and ripped open her dark heart, letting tenderness and love shine through. Her love for him had begun to tear her apart. Try as she might, she couldn’t stop the tears. Helplessly falling on her bed, she buried her face and sobbed.
Sadness expended, angry and shaking, anger burned at Shane, followed by strong curses. “Why do you torment me like this? I don’t care about you. I can’t!” A brief pause. “... can I? Oh by Lucifer, my heart’s betraying me.” She reflected on all the years she had known Shane. It was odd that she found herself always returning to torment him; almost as though she were attracted to him. Which she was.
Poisonous: A Visit To Earth (DC Angels Book 2) Page 7