The time Yemaya was away on business, Dakota would take long walks through the forest. She loved listening to the animals and watching the shadows dancing amongst the trees as the sun moved across the sky. Simtire was always present to keep her company and to make sure she found her way home. During Dakota's late evening strolls, she had to admit there was something creepy about the woods.
* * *
At breakfast one morning, Dakota mentioned her unease to Yemaya.
"I am not surprised. People fear the darkness and the night, especially in these woods. Many are afraid of the drac — their word for devil. Few venture outside after the sun sets. Even those employed by us rarely travel once the sun sets."
"You'd think humans would have outgrown that by now," Dakota said.
"It is hard for to overcome generations of superstition. Even the most enlightened of us cling to ancient fears. We think we have banished them, but when the sun sets, the winds blow, and things go bump in the night, our hearts still pound. It is the nature of man to fear. Our species would have died long ago without it."
"I suppose so It sure doesn't help when I get warned about vampires wondering the woods at night."
Yemaya smiled. "You have been talking to some of the staff."
"More like they've been talking to me. Every time I go out someone is telling me to be back before the sun sets."
"Good advice," Yemaya said.
"I thought you didn't believe in them," Dakota replied.
"Like I said, I have no reason to yet. But I never totally discount possibilities."
Dakota sipped her coffee and watched Yemaya as she scanned the local newspaper. After several moments, Yemaya glanced up, giving her a questioning look.
"Go ahead and ask," she offered.
Startled, Dakota blushed.
"Oh, sorry," she apologized. "I was just wondering about something."
"About me, I gather."
"Well, yes... although it's not really important. I'm more curious than anything. I've noticed that you're multilingual. Besides the obvious — English, French, and Romanian — are there any others?"
Yemaya chuckled.
"A few. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. You're very fluent in the ones I've heard. You have a pleasant accent when you speak English but nothing distinctive enough to identify your origin. It has a certain Old World formality."
"Old World?"
"Yeah, you know, proper English. It took me awhile to figure out what was different about the way you spoke but then I realized you never use contractions. I don't believe I've ever heard someone talk 'long hand,'" Dakota joked.
"I have never really thought about how I talk. My tutor was a very proper English woman from the old school. She would tell me only illiterates used lingual shortcuts. Obviously, she was greatly mistaken, but I find I am unable to change old habits." Yemaya laughed.
"More likely unwilling," Dakota teased. "But I wouldn't change a thing. It gives you a certain... um... mystery. So what are you doing today?" she asked, changing the subject.
"I need to meet with two merchants. They want me to resolve some issues."
"Don't you get tired of acting as mediator?"
"Not really. My family has always settled disputes amongst my people. Normally, Raidon would do it, but since he is away, it falls on me. What are you going to do?"
"Mostly work on my article. Probably take a walk later."
"Take Simtire. She likes your company and she will guide you home."
"I have no choice. She's always waiting for me," Dakota joked.
"She is a part of you now, as you are her. It is the way of wolves. Now remember you must be back by dark. The nights are cold, and Simtire is still too young to be completely reliable once the sun sets. Even wolves grow uneasy at night without their pack. She will want to be with the others."
"No problem. I certainly don't want to be caught out after dark. It's creepy enough during the day."
Patting Dakota's thigh, Yemaya stood up.
"I really need to go now. Andrei is waiting with the car."
Dakota walked along with Yemaya to the Hummer. Andrei stood next to the vehicle, holding the door open.
"Good morning, Andrei," Dakota said, giving him a shy smile.
"Good morning, Ms. Devereaux," he acknowledged, smiling broadly.
Yemaya motioned for Andrei to get in the car. Then turning, she stepped close to Dakota, cupping her face between her palms.
"The day will be long without you," she whispered.
Gulping, Dakota nodded.
"I will see you this evening. Then I think the time has come for us to talk," Yemaya murmured as she lowered her lips to Dakota's. The kiss was fleeting but held the promise of much more. Dakota felt her heart racing as the taller woman backed away and climbed into the Hummer. Waving, she watched it disappear down the road.
CHAPTER 12
ROBERT CHISHOLM opened the large envelope stamped "Confidential" that had just been delivered to him. Inside was a detailed report on the mountainous region of Romania and Moldova. His researchers put together a detailed report on the history of the land and its people.
Scanning the documents, he noticed several references to a small population of locals called Carpi. They were a clannish group having limited contact with the rest of the world. Rarely did they venture far from the homeland, and when they did, it was never for long periods. The report cited several legends connecting them to the legendary Vladmir Dracul. Snorting his disgust, he was about to throw it aside when his eye caught the name Lysanne. Immediately intrigued, he read the entire file.
Raidon Lysanne was considered the leader of the Carpi people. His older sister, Yemaya, held an equal status but didn't appear to exert her position most of the time. They were the offspring from a marriage between a French-Canadian named Vincente Lysanne and Anya Lupescu, the only child of Beles and Drenkova Lupescu, former leaders of the clan. Beles Lupescu was killed in a riding accident. Her husband died a few weeks later. Some said of a broken heart.
The report continued on, giving the reported lineage of the Lupescu family back to the fourteenth century. The exact origin of the name was unknown, but it meant "son of wolf." The Lupescu's rule over the Carpi remained uninterrupted as far back as the researchers could trace.
Leaning back in his chair, Chisholm stared out the window. So Ms. Lysanne is some form of royalty. Interesting. Chisholm continued to scan the report. The last sentence was of particular interest to him. "Legends attribute some of the Carpi people, and especially their leaders, with unique powers like the ability to 'influence' those around them." Although Chisholm wasn't quite sure what was meant by "influence," the fact that it was highlighted was enough to feed his obsession with Yemaya Lysanne.
Certainly such an ability would explain how she pulled off her illusions so well and why cameras and electronic equipment were never allowed during her performances. She could fool the people, but it would be more difficult with electronics. Picking up his phone, he dialed Jones' cell number. After several rings, a voice answered.
"Eddy Jones here."
"Jones, what's happening over there?" Chisholm demanded.
"At the moment, we're hiking through this god awful forest trying to get to the Lysanne's place. No one said we'd be playing Boy Scout in the woods, let alone have to spend a miserable night camping in them," Eddy grumbled.
"I'm not interested in your personal problems, Jones. When you get results, call me. I want this woman caught and brought back to me unharmed. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, boss. It may not be easy, though. She's popular around here. Trying to smuggle her out of this country is going to take a lot of dollars."
"I don't care how much it costs. I want her at my country home within two weeks. Do you understand?"
"Sure, boss. Two weeks. I'll call you once we have her."
"Good. And Jones, remember, if she doesn't show up, don't you show up," Chisholm threatened.
Slamming the phone down, Chisholm closed the folder and leaned back in his chair. He had sensed there was more to this woman than just smoke and mirrors. Now he was sure. Somehow, she was controlling the audience. If he could figure out how, he could use it to his own advantage.
"Shit," he smirked. "I could be President."
Laughing at the thought, Chisholm left for a board meeting, his mind already visualizing how he would make the bastards kiss his ass once he took control.
* * *
Eddy flipped the phone cover shut and swore.
"Someone ought to shoot that fuckin' bastard," he grumbled.
"What's up, Eddy?" Jimmy asked.
"Nothing. Chisholm wants us to speed things up. He expects us to deliver that broad back in Miami in two weeks. The idiot has no concept of what it's gonna take to snatch her, then smuggle the woman across the border without getting caught. Asshole thinks money solves everything."
"Well, it sure has for him. He calls the shots and we jump," Jimmy grumbled.
"Yeah, and if we don't jump this time and succeed, we're all going to be living out the rest of our lives in this stinkin' little country. How much farther, Kerc?"
Shrugging, Kerc pointed to the next ridge.
"Maybe two hour. Maybe less. We climb there. Then you see castel fort."
Two hours later, the five men lay on a precipice overlooking Yemaya's home. With binoculars, they checked for a weakness in the building or landscaping but found nothing useful.
"Shit. It's a fuckin' fort." Billy groaned.
"Yeah. How are we supposed to get someone out of there?" Jimmy asked.
"Just keep watching. Something might come up," Eddy said.
As if conjuring up a solution, they saw Yemaya and a young woman walking toward a Hummer that had just pulled up to the drawbridge. The intimate kiss between the two women took them by surprise.
"Jesus fuckin' Christ," Jimmy cursed. "They're dykes."
"What a waste of good pussy," Billy said. "I bet I could change their minds."
"You couldn't change a piss ant's mind, you cocksucker," Jimmy replied and sneered.
"And you think you could? Last time you had a woman, you had to get her so drunk she didn't know what she was doing, and even then, you had to tie her down to spread her legs. At least my women come willingly." Jimmy smirked.
"You two, shut up," Eddy ordered disgustedly. "You ain't doing nothing to no one. Chisholm wants the woman untouched. You understand that? That means you keep your dicks in your pants and your hands in your pockets until she's delivered."
"Yeah, well, nothing says we can't have some fun with the other one, now does it?" Billy asked.
Shaking his head, Eddy went back to watching. When the car drove off, he slipped back down the hill.
"You two keep an eye out. Maybe we can use the other woman for bait if the opportunity arises. I'm gonna scout around."
CHAPTER 13
DAKOTA THREW DOWN her pen in frustration. Why was it every time she started writing about Yemaya, her pens ran out of ink?
"They're cursed," she mumbled. "How can you curse a friggin' pen?"
Looking around Yemaya's desk for something else, she found several pencils.
"A-ha!" she whooped. "This will do." Ecstatic, she began scribbling.
Snick! The lead tip snapped. Picking up another pencil, she tried again.
Snick!
Cursing, she threw the pencil against the wall in frustration.
"That's it. I'm done."
How was she going to write about Yemaya if she couldn't get anything to work? Rocking back on two chair legs, she crossed her arms and stared out the window. Worried about disclosing too much about Yemaya, she needed to think about her article a little more.
Dakota still didn't understand how Yemaya pulled off her illusions. Definitely she had to be careful not to disclose the information about the Carpi's ability to influence or control others. Talk about creating mass hysteria. If it was true, Yemaya and her people would be hunted down and slaughtered — or worse, captured and made into guinea pigs. Who wouldn't want to possess such power?
Sighing, Dakota realized she needed help from Yemaya to explain her illusions, something that would satisfy the readers but not give away too much.
I guess there's nothing for me to do but wait for her return, Dakota thought, glaring at the offending tools of her trade. Picking up her pen, she shook it in exasperation.
"You'd better not work for her or I'm tossing you for good," she warned. "Well, it's as good a time as any for a walk."
Dakota grabbed her jacket and told the housekeeper she was taking a stroll through the woods.
"You must be back before dark, Ms. Dakota," Maria cautioned. "Ms. Yemaya will be very upset if you are not here when she arrives."
Patting the older woman on the shoulder, Dakota assured her she had no intention of staying out past sunset. Losing her way in the forest was not her idea of a good time.
Halfway across the drawbridge, Simtire was sitting patiently, her wolfish grin giving her a goofy look. Dakota ruffled the thick fur of the silver wolf and motioned her to go on. Eagerly, Simtire ran off toward the path leading to Dakota's favorite spot, a small cluster of boulders overlooking the river. She had discovered it several days earlier and enjoyed the shelter from the cool breezes as she watched the sun move slowly across the sky.
* * *
Jimmy watched the woman and large dog walking toward the woods.
"Hey, Eddy. Get over here," he yelled.
"What's up?"
"Looks like the big dyke's girlfriend is taking a walk. This might be the best chance at grabbing her. Once we get her, we can get the other bitch to do anything."
"Maybe. Let's see if we can catch up with her." Turning to the guide, he asked if he knew where she might be going.
"Is possible she go there," he replied pointing to some large boulders several hundred feet up. "Good view."
"Can you get us there quickly?"
Kerc nodded.
* * *
Dakota climbed the steep incline to a small plateau bordering the large boulders along the edge of a cliff. Simtire wandered around, stopping occasionally to sniff at a rock or plant. In one spot, she turned her back to Dakota, squatting to pee.
"That's ladylike," Dakota said and laughed.
As if understanding her remark, Simtire gave her an indignant look and stalked away.
"Sorry," Dakota yelled, shaking her head in amusement. "Sheesh! Who'd have guessed you were so sensitive?"
Several yards in front of her, she noticed the wolf stop abruptly, her hackles raised. Head lowered, a deep growl rumbled from her throat, her lips curling upward, revealing long white canines. Looking in the direction the wolf was staring, she watched several men step from behind the trees and walk toward her. Backing away, Dakota was halted by a large boulder. Simtire moved quickly to stand in front of her.
"Hey, fellas. What's up?" she asked nervously, her right hand grasping Simtire's neck fur.
"You are," Jimmy replied and smirked. "Come along nicely and just maybe we won't hurt you."
Simtire crouched ready to launch herself at anyone within reach of Dakota.
"I think you've made a mistake. I'm not going anywhere. What do you want?" Dakota demanded, her voice trembling.
"Like I said, bitch, you."
Dakota recognized the lust in the man's eyes. Maybe the others wouldn't touch her, but this one definitely had rape in mind.
"Shut up, Jimmy," another man ordered scowling at his companion. "Look, miss. You have to come with us. Do it peacefully and no one gets hurt. We aren't looking for any trouble here."
"You've fooled me. I don't know you, and I sure as hell am not going anywhere with you. You're trespassing. If I'm not home shortly, they'll come looking for me," Dakota bluffed.
"Guess we'd better get a move on it then," the man replied, motioning for the others to
take her.
Simtire launched herself at the closest threat, fangs ripping through the skin and muscles of his arm. Screaming he fell onto his back, her momentum and weight pushing him off balance. Two other men tried to pull the wolf off their fallen comrade.
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