Simtire spun around, snapping viciously at anyone within range of her teeth. Blood poured from the open gashes of the wounded man's arm. Simtire lunged at another man, her massive jaws clamping down on his thigh, severing muscles and vessels. Cursing, he beat at the wolf frantically with clenched fists.
Dakota stood transfixed, watching Simtire's gallant efforts to defend her. She didn't notice one of her attackers pulling out a pistol and pointing it. It wasn't until she heard the gunfire and saw Simtire collapse that she realized the young wolf had been shot.
The winds died, and the forest became eerily quiet. The howling of wolves invaded the silence, causing the men to glance around nervously.
"Goddamn it. Get me a tourniquet or something. I'm gonna bleed to death," Chuck yelled, trying to stop the flow of blood pouring from the injured leg. Eddy motioned his guide to help the wounded men. Surprisingly, Kerc backed away in horror, his right hand crossing his chest to ward off evil spirits.
"You kill the lup... you bring the drac down on us. I no help. I no stay. My family cursed," the guide yelled before disappearing into the woods.
"You," Eddy ordered, turning to Dakota. "Get over here and help them."
"Fuck you. I'm not helping anyone," Dakota screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared at Simtire's still body.
Jimmy walked toward her, pointing the gun at her chest.
"Listen, bitch. You do as Eddy says or I'll kill you, too." He hissed.
Dakota began inching along the boulder toward the precipice. With any luck, she might be able to jump onto a ledge about twenty-five feet below. She had noticed it when she and Yemaya had visited the site earlier. If they meant to capture her, it would be impossible for them to climb down without the proper gear.
"Jimmy, put the gun away," Eddy snapped. "Give me a hand with these two, and we'll deal with her later."
"I'm dealing with her now. She's gonna be nice and do as I say or I'll teach her a lesson she'll never forget," Jimmy threatened, grabbing his crotch suggestively.
"I said take care of those two. I'll deal with her." Eddy turned toward Dakota. "Look, lady, I suggest you just do what I say and no one gets hurt."
Jimmy sneered, deciding to obey Eddy's order but not before puckering his lips in a pretend kiss. Dakota had no doubts as to what would happen if he ever got his hands on her. She continued edging toward the cliff, making sure to keep some distance between her and the others.
"I know you," she said angrily, making eye contact with Eddy. "You're the guy taking pictures at Yemaya's shows. You've been stalking her. Why?"
"Now, lady, don't do nothing stupid. My boss just wants to talk to her. Nothing more."
Eddy began to sweat profusely. It wasn't hard to figure out what she was thinking. He dared not approach her too quickly. If she fell or jumped, he'd have nothing to bargain with.
"So why go to all this trouble just to talk? Why not just call her and set up an appointment?" Dakota asked, her eyes darting in several directions, searching for any escape route.
The howling of wolves grew closer, making the men extremely nervous.
"Come on, Eddy. Grab the broad and let's get out of here. I don't like the sound of those wolves. They're getting closer!" Jimmy yelled.
Eddy decided he couldn't wait any longer. Lunging forward, he grabbed at her arm. Dakota anticipated his move and stepped backward, feeling nothing but air under her foot. Eddy barely managed to grab her coat sleeve before it was ripped from his hand. All he saw was the woman's face, her eyes wide with fear, as she fell — and something else. Instead of surprise like he had seen on Brenda Simpson's face, he saw the resolute expression of a person determined not to be captured. For a split second, he actually felt sad, an emotion long forgotten.
Standing on the edge of the cliff, he looked down. The woman's body lay about twenty feet below. She didn't move. Not having any rope, he decided they needed to leave quickly and find their way back to the van. Hopefully, the guide would wait for them, although he doubted it.
"Okay, fellas, let's get out of here before someone comes looking for her."
He and Jimmy helped Chuck to his feet. Billy clutched his arm against his side, cursing vehemently.
The howling was close enough now to make everyone nervous. They hurried away in the direction they had come.
* * *
The last thing Dakota remembered was falling and a sharp pain before losing consciousness. She awoke to the smell of wood smoke, chanting, and the feel of a hand stroking her hair.
"Oh, shit." She moaned, wincing as she touched a large bump on the back of her head.
Opening her eyes, she found herself lying on a blanket next to a warm, flickering campfire. Grandma Dakota sat next to her.
"What happened, Grandma?" Dakota whispered, the pain easing slightly.
"Hush, chile. Ya 'bout killed yerself is what happened, but ya be safe now."
"Am I dead?"
"Nah. Ifn ya was daid, ya'd not be lying here by a warm farh. Ya'd be at them purly gates beatin' on the doors," Grandma Dakota teased. "Ya jest be hidin' in the spirit world for now. Only way ta keep ya safe 'til the magic woman come fer ya."
"Those men. They killed Simtire," she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Now, now, chile, the spirits looks after their own. That young pup is tough. If it be her time, then she died defendin' someone she loved. No better way ta go than thet, now is thar?"
"I guess so, Grandma, but I feel guilty. I should've sent her away."
"Ya couldn't haf sent her away any more than she coulda you. Seems ya tried to do the same as her by jumpin' off that thar mountain."
"That's different. Those men are after Yemaya. They mean to hurt her, I'm sure."
"That be the truth, youngun, but I sees no diffrence in the wolfling givin' her life for ya and ya givin' yers for the magic woman. It all be for love."
"I never really thought I had a choice. I'd do it again if I had to."
Smiling, Grandma Dakota continued stroking her granddaughter's hair.
"I know chile. That thar's the way it bes. Now ya just lies here and rest. She be on her way ta gets ya. Won't be long now."
Feeling warm and drowsy, Dakota closed her eyes.
"Grandma?" she whispered.
"Yes, chile."
"I love you," Dakota replied sleepily.
"I luvs ya, too, chile."
Once Dakota was asleep, the elder Dakota raised her right arm to eye level, bending it at the elbow. The flames from the fire began to waver from a breeze caused by beating wings. A small brown hawk settled gently on the extended arm, its talons wrapping around her forearm.
"Ya needs to seek out the magic woman, Ladyhawk. If she don't finds my grandchile and the wolfpup this night, theys be gonners fer shore. Now skeedaddle. We doesn't have much time."
The hawk screeched when Dakota flipped her arm upward, sending the bird spirit on her mission.
* * *
Yemaya had just settled a dispute with the business owners when she felt a strange uneasiness. Shaking her head, she tried to dispel the feeling that something was horribly wrong. The urge to get home was strong, almost to the point of physical pain. Motioning for Andrei to bring the car around, she jumped in and dialed the estate.
"Lysanne residence," Maria answered.
"Maria, may I speak with Ms. Devereaux?"
"She's not here, mistress. She went for a walk hours ago and hasn't returned," Maria replied nervously. "I sent the men to look for her. The wolves, there are so many of them now, and they howl continuously. I fear something terrible has happened."
"I am on my way. I will be there as quickly as possible. Call me if she shows up."
Yemaya hung up and turned to her driver.
"Andrei, hurry. Something's wrong. The wolves are on the move."
Nodding, he floored the accelerator. If the wolves were involved, there definitely was trouble brewing. Twenty minutes later, Yemaya was charging up the h
illside toward the ridge she and Dakota had visited a few days earlier. The wolf pack ran in front of her while several men followed closely behind. When the party reached the open area, the wolves stopped abruptly, heads lowered and hackles raised. Slowly, they approached the body of Simtire, sniffing and nudging her with their noses.
Regina lay next to her youngest pup, her head resting on the body. Whining softly. Voinic, unable to console his life mate, sat a few feet away with the rest of the pack. Yemaya walked over to Simtire and knelt, feeling for signs of life.
"Regina, a departa," Yemaya ordered. Reluctantly, Regina stood and moved away, lying near her mate.
"Bohria, a tutel, Simtire, degraba," Yemaya said to one of the men.
"Da, maestra." Gently picking up the limp body as if it were a fragile child, the burly man moved rapidly down the path toward home. Regina nosed Tanc and Clovn. Growling softly, she looked at the man walking away with her daughter's body. The two siblings stood and loped after Bohria. Standing, Regina walked to the edge of the cliff, followed closely by Voinic. Sniffing the air, they peered into the darkness, eyes focused on Dakota's prone form several feet below.
Their whine brought an immediate response from Yemaya and the men. She ordered them to tie a rope around a tree. Then tying it around her waist, she was lowered onto the ledge. Once she was assured it would hold her weight, she untied the rope and shifted her position so she could examine Dakota.
Dakota's heartbeat and breathing appeared normal but that didn't mean she was okay. Yemaya ran her hands slowly up and down Dakota's body searching for broken bones. The only visible injury was the large bump on the back of her head. Barring any internal injuries, Dakota would be sore for a few days but would recover. Yemaya breathed a sigh of relief.
"Gianni, run back to the house and have Maria call the doctor!" she yelled up to the crowded group peering over the ledge.
"Yes, Mistress," he replied.
Yemaya told the others to lower another rope. Tying it securely around Dakota and the other around herself, she instructed them to pull them up slowly while she guided the body away from the protruding boulders. Once on top, she slipped her arms under Dakota and stood, not saying a word. The men and the wolves followed silently behind.
At the drawbridge, Yemaya turned to Regina and Voinic. The two wolves sensed the controlled anger of their mistress and growled in empathy. One of their pups had also been hurt by the humans. Revenge would taste sweet.
"You know what to do. Find them but do not let these people leave the forest until I find out why they did this. Do not hurt them."
Disappointed, Regina and Voinic pointed their noses skyward and howled. Tanc and Clovn joined in. The four turned and loped into the woods, the scent of the men fresh in their nostrils. At least the hunt would be fun. Once they found their prey, they would obey their mistress, but she hadn't forbidden them from tormenting the humans.
* * *
Yemaya took Dakota to Dakota's bed, telling Maria to bring warm water and bandages. When she began washing away the blood, the injured woman groaned, her hand reaching to feel the bump.
"Shh," Yemaya whispered, stopping the hand before it touched the wound. "Everything is okay. Go to sleep."
Opening one eye, Dakota stared blankly at Yemaya, not sure if she was awake or dreaming.
"Grandma? What happened?" she asked groggily.
"I am not your grandma, Dakota. It is Yemaya. You had an accident. You fell and hit your head."
Frowning, Dakota tried to remember the fall. When she did, she tried to sit up, only to be pushed back down.
"Those men, they shot Simtire," Dakota cried frantically. "You have to get her."
"Lie still, Dakota. We have Simtire. Andrei is taking care of her."
Nodding, Dakota settled back onto the bed.
"She tried to protect me, but there were too many. Is she okay? Is she going to die?"
"In time, but not this night, I promise. She will have to take it easy for a while. I will have Andrei bring her here when she is better. Now what about these men? Who were they?"
"I don't know. One was that man with the camera. He called one Jimmy and one Billy. Simtire injured two of them before Jimmy shot her. I thought he had killed her, then I recognized the guy from your show. His name is Eddy. I knew he was going to use me to get to you, and I couldn't chance it, so...."
Dakota didn't finish the sentence.
"So you decided to sacrifice yourself for me again?" Yemaya asked. "First it was the wolves. Now these men?"
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Dakota replied, embarrassed at the thought. "I knew there was a ledge below, and I thought I might be able to land on it. I didn't count on hitting my head so hard, though," she joked, then winced.
"Or that the ledge might give way from your weight when you landed, I suppose," Yemaya added, frowning at the image.
"Oh… uh... no... I didn't even think about that," Dakota said sheepishly.
"We can discuss this another time. For now, you need to sleep. The doctor will be here shortly to examine you."
Dakota made a face and then groaned.
* * *
After giving Dakota a thorough examination, the doctor confirmed what Yemaya had suspected.
"Your young lady is very lucky. Such a fall could have been fatal," the doctor said, shaking his head as he put his stethoscope back in his small handbag. "I'll leave some pain killers to help her through the next few days."
"Thank you," Yemaya said. "I would escort you out but…."
Patting her arm, the doctor smiled knowingly. "I know the way. You take care of your patient."
* * *
"Is he finished poking and prodding?" Dakota whispered, her voice groggy from the pain injection the doctor had given her.
"Yes. Now you must rest. If you need anything, I will be right here," Yemaya replied motioning toward a chair by the bed.
"You don't mean you're going to spend the night in that?" Dakota exclaimed and winced. "It doesn't look very comfortable. If you're gonna be my nursemaid, at least lie here next to me and keep me warm," she pleaded. "I feel cold, Yemaya." As if to prove it, she shivered.
"Probably the result of a little bit of exposure. Besides, how can I refuse sleeping next to a beautiful woman?" Yemaya teased.
Slipping out of her pants and blouse, she climbed into bed, carefully wrapping her arms around Dakota and drawing her close. Only after Dakota fell asleep did Yemaya feel it was safe to drift off herself. It was a miracle Dakota landed on the ledge, let alone suffered such minor injuries.
CHAPTER 14
INSTEAD OF STUMBLING through the darkness, Eddy decided it was better for them to pitch camp for the night. Not wanting to attract attention, they thought it better not to start a fire. Chuck's leg was badly swollen. Infection had set in. Billy's arm was in a similar condition. If they didn't get treated soon, both men would be in danger of losing a limb or dying.
"This is just fuckin' great," Jimmy complained. "Lost in the woods with two cripples and our one chance at getting the woman gone."
"I'm sick of your complaints, Jimmy. Just shut up and help clean those wounds before they get any worse," Eddy snapped.
"I'm no fuckin' nursemaid. You help them."
Grabbing his blanket, Jimmy lay down by a tree, leaving the others to take care of themselves. Closing his eyes, he was almost asleep when he heard a growl. Glancing around, he noticed several pairs of glowing red eyes staring at him and the others.
"Eddy!" he screamed. "There are wolves out there."
"Shut up, Jimmy. They won't bother us if we don't bother them. Just don't make any sudden moves."
Watching the wolves, Jimmy pulled his gun out and pointed it at the spot he had seen the eyes. Nothing was there. A growl to his left made him turn quickly in the other direction. Red eyes glowed ominously.
"Bullshit. One attacked Billy and Chuck. They sure as hell will attack us."
Frightened, he fired at the spot he last saw
the eyes. Again they had disappeared.
"Damn it, Jimmy!" Eddy yelled, walking over to grab the gun. "I said they won't bother us, but they sure as hell will if you threaten them. They're probably just curious about us. Now if you aren't going to help, shut the fuck up and go to sleep."
Picking up his blanket, Jimmy moved closer to the three men. If he was going to get attacked, he damn well wanted them there with him.
The Illusionist - 3rd Edition Page 11