Demon Mine (Karmic Lust)

by Nikki Prince

  "And you, dear, get the worst of it. You will not know who you are, and Samael can't tell you. You will die, and every time you die, you will come back and be that much further from the truth. This curse will last until you remember your name and what you did to me."

  Tears fell from Lilith's eyes, and she looked at Eva.

  "Why are you doing this? What did I do to you?"

  "Do you know how hard it is to live with a man who doesn't love you? Who pines after another woman and compares everything you do to what she did? No, you don't, because everyone wants Lilith! Lilith even has an angel choose to be fallen just for the pleasure of being between her thighs. I was the one taken from his rib, made to be his. The perfect fit for him and yet he pines for you!"

  "You must be mistaken! Stop this! Go back to him, please, Eve. This is madness!" Liliana was pleading with Eve and her words ignored.

  "Oh, I am going back, but I'll not stop it. The curse stands." Though she laughed, no humor filtered into her laugh.

  "Eve, no good will come of this." Samael continued to hold the crying Lilith.

  "Maybe you’re right, but I feel better already."

  ****

  He was brought out of his reverie by a male voice behind him. Turning, he smiled as he looked at Clay Quinones.

  "I knew I'd find you here, bro."

  "Yeah, it is the one place I can come and think." It was a nice lookout point down into the city. Yet, strangely enough, he found that no one really visited it. Which made it a nice escape for him when he needed to think things through, and today was one of those days when he was in need of such an escape.

  "I understand completely. Eva has put us in a bind. She can't find her way to me until what she’s put into motion is undone."

  Samael nodded his head, half a grin on his face as his fingers stroked over his goatee. "That's one hard headed woman you have there, Clay. By visiting Lili and I with a curse, she doomed the two of you as well."

  "You’re right, she is hard headed, but she will eventually see things my way. We just need to get things in motion so that your Liliana can remember."

  "How is the wooing going by the way?" Samael could not help himself after he said that to Clay, he had to laugh.

  "She is as skittish as hell. On the other hand, her body and subconscious remember my touch. So it is well worth the pouting and the like."

  "You do realize she thinks you’re just a delivery man, right? And that she doesn't know you are part owner in C&C?"

  "Oh, I know that. I want her to realize that money is not as important to her as she thinks it is. That what we feel for one another is. You will have to do some damage control in your own relationship. Liliana doesn't know you are the other half of C&C as well."

  "Yes, you're right. I do have to tell her that. On the other hand, I am hoping she will understand the reason behind having to keep everything a secret from her. Is Eva aware of the other secrets that you hold?"

  "No. I haven't told them to her yet. When the time is right, I plan to. Getting the curse removed is the most important thing now. The rest of the issues can wait."

  "Clay, Eva isn't going to take kindly to us manipulating her. You do realize this could backfire, right?"

  "You're preaching to the choir, bro. I already know that. She is going to be very angry. In order for us to break the curse, we have to do this, as she won’t willingly break it herself. I will deal with Eva, and she will see that in my arms is where she was meant to be." He sighed and looked down at the city for a moment then looked back to Samael. "What was set into motion was partially my fault. I have to make it right, one way or the other."

  "Then, if you're sure, we will proceed."

  "I'm very sure."

  "Okay then, I will proceed with the plan to have Remie enter Liliana's dreams and get her to remember her past. There is always a loophole with a curse. Eva never said that we could not manipulate Liliana's dreams. She only said that I could not tell her who she was."

  "Just think if we would have thought of this earlier in the game." Clay nodded.

  "I know. I don't believe any of us went beyond feeling the moment. We've all been too wrapped up in the emotions of it all. I have been too blind with anger and everything else to see past it, until now. Time to end the pain and reclaim what was lost. Besides, looking back at what could have been isn't going to help. Let's move forward."

  "I will keep Eva distracted."

  "Liliana and I are forever grateful."

  "It's the least I could do. This all started because I could not get over what I thought I had lost." They both knew he meant Liliana.

  "It will all be over soon. Go now. I need to call upon Remiel." Remiel, otherwise known as Remie now, was the archangel of dreams and hope. He was the only way that Samael would be able to get around the rules that Eva had attached to the curse. Remie would be able to get through to Lili and once she remembered, the curse would end.

  "Good luck, bro." Just as quickly as he had arrived, Clay was gone.

  Samael closed his eyes, centering himself as he began to call on the archangel whose help he needed. Soon, he heard the whisper of angel's wings, and Remie was at his side. His large wings folding against his broad back were impressive, disappearing as he became more human-like. If anyone had happened by they would’ve only seen two men chatting on the rise.

  "Remie, thank you for answering my summons so swiftly. I know it has been a long time. But the task that I have for you is urgent and must be kept in the strictest of confidence.”

  "Samael, my brother, it has been a long time. Everyone knows what has befallen you and Lilith. So what is it that you wish for me to do?" The fair-haired Watcher had a very commanding presence. Remie’s light blue eyes were brilliant and piercing, making one feel as if he could see into one’s very soul. If Samael had not been what he was, he would have fallen in supplication. He was one of his fallen brethren, the keeper of hopes and dreams. He was as magnificent as Samael had remembered.

  "I have found a loophole in Eva's curse, Remie, and I am in need of your services. I need you to visit Liliana, nightly in her dreams, to get her to remember her true self so that we can break the curse." Samael smiled as he watched Remie's face, noting just when understanding came as to what task was being set before him. It was like their days of old. To have a task was what they lived for. It was something to do, like centuries before when more people believed.

  A smile was on Remie's face, and he nodded his head. "Yes. That would definitely get you around the fact that you can't tell her who she is. Though, I am sure my being the giver of divine visions was meant for a higher purpose." He chuckled. "But I am sure I was given these gifts for more than just one reason."

  Samael laughed. "I am sure you’re right, Remie. As the humans like to say, things happen for a reason."

  "Right. I have to warn you." Samael knew that it was serious as a somber look came over Remie's features. "There is always the possibility that this won't work."

  "What do you mean?" Samael turned to his friend to look at him fully, wanting to make sure he heard everything he had to tell him.

  "The memories may be buried too deep. I will have to sift through centuries of memories to get her to a place where she will remember her beginnings. Even with my divine suggestions, it doesn't mean it will work. I want you to know from the start. No false hope."

  "I appreciate your candor, and I still want to proceed. I have faith in you, brother, and in your abilities."

  Remie nodded. "I will begin tonight. Do not prepare her. Her mind must be clear of any outside influences. The next thing that you must do tonight is make sure she is in a deep sleep, and I will take care of the rest."

  "I have my ways of keeping her exhausted enough so that she will be in a deep sleep. No worries there."

  "I would say too much information, but then I totally understand the allure." Both of them chuckled.

  "Thank you again, my friend." He clasped Remie's forearms with his own i
n an old greeting of the Watchers, and Remie returned the favor. "I am in your debt."

  "I may have to call on you sometime myself. No thanks needed. It feels good to have something to do, a purpose. Besides, who knows, perhaps you will steer me in the right direction of my own happy ending."

  "You’d be giving up your wings, my friend."

  "Warning heeded and acknowledged. But as you know, some things are worth the loss." Samael smiled and then nodded as he let Remie go from the clasp.

  "‘Til later on this evening, my friend." Remie grinned and bowed with a flourish, and as he came back up, his wings formed and spread out impressively. His departure was only a whisper on the wind. Samael let out a deep, healing breath to clear his mind of thoughts that what he had planned wouldn't work. He knew he could not think like that. He had to believe that everything had a purpose and that it would all fall into place. This would work. It had to.

  Chapter Five

  In the aftermath of their lovemaking, Liliana lay in the bed, her head lying on Samael's chest as she drew small invisible designs. She loved the quiet moments with him. It made her feel emotionally closer to him. She felt his fingers stroke into her hair, and he gently massaged her scalp. She groaned in pleasure, her eyes falling closed. She could hear him whispering softly against her hair, but she found she was too tired to ask what he was saying. It all sounded like mumbo jumbo to her now, anyways. She felt so lethargic. Not a way she normally felt. What was wrong with her?

  "I am sorry, Samael, I just can't seem to keep my eyes open." He chuckled and kissed the top of her head softly.

  "Go to sleep, my sweet. We always have tomorrow."

  "But that's just it, Samael. Who says we’re promised tomorrow?" She covered her mouth as she yawned.

  "I do." It was her turn to chuckle.

  "You are always so arrogant, Samael." She was tired of fighting and closed her eyes.

  "Perhaps,” he chuckled.

  Kissing the top of her head again, he stroked a hand gently down her back as he continued uttering words she could not make out. His words were lulling her to sleep; she sighed then snuggled closer as she drifted off.

  ****

  He waited for her breathing to even before he untangled her limbs from his. Once he had removed her body from his, he got up from the bed to place a sheet over her naked form, staring down at her for a few more moments before settling on the floor across from the bed. He sat cross-legged on the deep burgundy carpet waiting for the whisper of wings that would signal Remie's appearance. He didn't have long to wait. Remie was always on time.

  "Lovely. She is in a deep sleep and relaxed, which will make it easier to delve into her subconscious." Remie stood off to the left side of him, staring over at Liliana's prone form.

  "Yes, I had to speak in ancient Aramaic so that she wouldn't realize what was happening. It's a good thing to know that my abilities haven't completely left me."

  "Some things only the originator can take away. Eva isn't powerful enough to even come close."

  "Agreed." He stopped talking as he saw Remie move from his side, and then moved closer to the bed and sat at the edge closest to Liliana. He brought his hand up and pressed it gently to her forehead, closing his eyes as the beautiful dead language tumbled from his lips. Samael stayed where he was; this was Remie's show. Unless Remie asked him to help, he would not interfere.

  "Her memories are buried deep. Eva did a good job with this curse. I don't feel like it cannot be undone," Remie said.

  "Why do I feel like there is a but somewhere in there?"

  "Because there is one, just pausing to make sure all that I have said sinks in first." He removed his fingers from Liliana's head and turned his attention fully on Samael, though he stayed where he was. "She has had centuries of not remembering who she is, which in turn has dampened her ability to see the truth for what it is, and every time, who has been there to stop her?"

  "Eva," Samael whispered.

  "Yes, Eva, the same person who's important in Liliana’s life. As far as she knows, Eva can do no wrong, and Eva would not purposefully hurt her. She loves Eva. It will be hard for her to believe that Eva did harm to her. She may take some convincing, which means this may take longer than you would like. You also may not get the desired effect." He knew that Remie meant that Liliana could decide not to be with him or to love him. She could be hurt enough to make that choice.

  "I understand, Remie, but I will not let Eva win. If I quit now, she has won. As I said before, we need this settled before time has run out for the four of us. No more limbo for Lili and me. I will accept whatever consequences come my way with this as long as the curse is broken and Lili is whole again."

  "Okay, my friend, as long as you are sure. I will continue." Remie looked back at Liliana, closing his eyes again as the Aramaic flowed from his lips. Samael bowed his head and closed his eyes as well. Samael felt the ancient words wrapping about him, filling the room, blanketing them all.

  ****

  Some Weeks Later

  "I have been having the strangest dreams, Samael." Liliana looked at him as they sat at a table at the all-night diner they often frequented after a night out dancing. He looked up from putting creamer in his coffee as they sat in the quiet booth, and he hoped his face was neutral and she wouldn't be able to see anything was up.

  "Talk to me," he said.

  Her hands cupped her latte, and she looked nervous. She took a sip before continuing.

  "Well, perhaps I have just been thinking of our situation too much because now it has manifested into dreams. In the dream, I was this other person. An individual who I knew was me but didn't look like me." She paused, and he waited for her to carry on.

  "You were there as well. I knew you as this other person, and I loved you then, too." When her words came to a halt for a moment, he spoke up.

  "Tell me why you think the dreams are odd."

  "I guess it's because I have always felt we have known each other before. From the very beginning, that is how I've felt, and the dreams seem to validate that feeling.”

  "Yes, you've said that plenty of times." He wanted her to feel comfortable and to remember without him having to add to it. He took a sip of his coffee as she fidgeted with her drink. She watched him for a moment and then nodded.

  "I just find it strange that the dreams I am having aren't in the present time. A particular one I just had last night was in the 1920s. I know because in this dream I was wearing a flapper dress and my name was Lila Flynn. I was a redhead and white. I knew it was me—I just looked different. I knew you as well, and in fact, you ran the Speakeasy where I worked. But you looked like yourself, though of course your clothing was period." She heaved a sigh and then went on. "You were just as handsome as ever and just as devilish." She chuckled at that small joke. He grinned and gave her a wink.

  "And these dreams bother you because it seems familiar? Or because of...?"

  "The dreams seem so real, Samael. I know I’m dreaming, but it feels like it is real, or that it was a real point in some other lifetime. I mean, I felt as if it had truly happened! I guess the dreams don’t really bother me on a level of fear, but it is a level of why in the hell am I now dreaming about this constantly, night after night. I have also started daydreaming about the dreams. No matter where I am, the dreams have been constant in my thoughts. It feels like Déjà vu all over again and instead of a dream, this feels like a vision."

  "Are the dreams interfering with your everyday life so much that they are a problem?"

  "No. They aren't that bad, though I find myself wishing for something that I can't define every morning when I wake up. I feel as if I am searching for another part of me. I actually can't wait to go to bed so I can dream to see who I am next and where you are. I just feel like this is important for some reason and that I need to figure it out."

  He reached across the table and grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "What does Eva say about the dreams?"

  "Ev
a?" She rolled her eyes. "Eva is nowhere to be found lately as she is so sprung over Clay and has been spending time with him every chance she gets. Her attraction to him is obvious, but if you ask her, she can't stand the man." She laughed gently. "So, no, I haven't talked to her about it. Besides, it seems silly to do so."

  "It isn't silly, baby. Not silly at all, in fact, I am happy you came to me with it." It was good to hear that Clay was keeping Eva occupied as he said he would. He really didn't need Eva coming in and stopping the progress that was happening with Liliana's memories.

  He brought her fingers up to his mouth, kissed the tips softly, and watched as she smiled brightly.

  "It's just strange, Samael. I mean the dreams seem to flow right after each other in sequence. I can go about my day, but once I close my eyes and start dreaming again, it's as if I'm watching scenes from a movie. It feels like snapshots out of my life."

  "Then I'd say don't worry about the dreams. Keep on dreaming and see where it leads. Who knows, through them, you may find some things out about yourself that you never knew.”

  "You're right. Nothing at all to worry over, I will just see where this goes. I may go to a person who interprets dreams. It would great to see why I am dreaming what I am dreaming."

  "How about we have a slice of your favorite cheesecake and a refill of your latte to celebrate that epiphany you just had?"

  "Mmm, you sure know how to tempt a girl." He chuckled and raised his hand for the server to come over so he could order. After they'd ordered a slice of cheesecake and a refill for the drinks, Liliana got up, moved to his side of the booth, and cuddled close, laying her head on his shoulder.

  "Samael, is there no way to lift the curse that you're under?" He was taken aback by her question, and he didn't answer her at first. So consequently, she held her peace and didn't say anything more, allowing him to have time before he spoke.

  "I am working on a way, Lili. That is all I can say on it."

  "Is there nothing I can do to help, Samael?"

  Their talk was interrupted for a moment as the server came back, placing a thick slice of New York Cheesecake with chocolate drizzled all over it and a cherry on top in between them. She smiled over at Samael as she picked up her fork.