The Illusionist - 3rd Edition

by Fran Heckrotte

  "Robert Chisholm. He hired us. We needed the girl to get you."

  "The publishing magnate? Why?"

  "I don't know. He never said. Just hired me to get as much information on you as I could. Not that there's much out there. You have some powerful people behind you. Anyway, I could never please him. No matter how much I gave him, he wanted more. After the last show, he ordered us to kidnap you and bring you back to Miami. That's all I know."

  "Call him," Yemaya ordered.

  "Chisholm?" Eddy asked, shocked.

  "Yes, call him. Tell him you have me and you will deliver me to him within the week."

  Eddy shook his head. This didn't make sense but he didn't have a choice. Taking out his cell phone, he dialed Chisholm's personal number.

  "Mr. Chisholm, this is Eddy. Yes, sir, she's… uh... we have her… No sir, it was easier than we thought. Also, I have some information you'll be interested in... No, I'd rather not say on the phone... No, sir, I can't talk now… I… um... we'll be back next week... yes, sir... Just as soon as I arrive."

  Snapping the lid shut, he looked at Yemaya for further instructions.

  "You may go now. The wolves will lead you and the other two out of the forest. A van will pick you up by the road."

  "You're letting us go? What am I supposed to tell Chisholm?" he asked, confused.

  "You will know what to tell him when the time is right. Now leave before I change my mind."

  Not wanting to push his luck, he started walking toward the two injured men sitting on the ground. Both had been trying to follow the conversation but were distracted by their pain.

  "Come on, Jimmy, help me get Billy and Chuck moving," Eddy yelled.

  "No, Jimmy stays," Yemaya said and motioned two wolves to guard him. "Only you three will be leaving together."

  "But what about Jimmy?" Eddy asked.

  The look Yemaya gave Jimmy sent chills down Eddy's spine. He realized he was better off not knowing.

  "Jimmy shot a wolf for defending what is mine, someone he intended on raping at the first opportunity. Were it up to me, I would kill him myself, but the wolves claim first blood right. His death will be painful, but justice will be served. You are lucky they will be satisfied with just him."

  Eddy helped Chuck and Billy to their feet and then walked away, surrounded by three gray wolves. It was hard leaving Jimmy behind. Glancing back, he saw Yemaya walk toward Jimmy. Already the three men were forgotten by the other wolves. Several more appeared in the clearing. The image of the man being ripped apart nauseated him. A whisper in his mind scared him even more.

  "Tomorrow, you will remember nothing."

  * * *

  Jimmy watched the wolves as they circled him and the woman. He had heard part of her conversation with Eddy but not all of it. Now she was standing in front of him, surrounded by several snarling wolves. Eddy, Billy, and Chuck had disappeared into the woods.

  "Is there anything you wish me to tell your family, Jimmy?"

  Jimmy shook his head. "Why would I want you to tell my family anything? And where are the others going?" he demanded, fear making him bolder.

  "Home," Yemaya said unemotionally. "But not you. If there is someone you wish me to contact, now is the time to tell me who. I will send them word of your death. The wolves have a debt to settle. I could almost feel sorry for you, Jimmy... almost."

  Turning her back, she walked away. The man's fate had been decided when he shot Simtire and thought about raping Dakota. There was nothing she would do to intervene on his behalf. The smell of urine was strong once Jimmy realized what was about to happen.

  "Please, please, I'll do anything," Jimmy begged overwhelmed with fear. "I don't want to die. Not like this. Shoot me," he pleaded, falling to his knees. "Please shoot me."

  Yemaya kept walking, refusing to look back. One way or another, he had become a dead man the minute he had threatened Dakota and shot Simtire. Her dark side demanded vengeance. Her rage seethed at being denied the opportunity to participate but her word was sacrosanct. The wolves would have their justice. The beast within her howled its anger and Yemaya winced from the pain. It wasn't happy and she was paying the price.

  "You will never win," Yemaya vowed, forcing it to retreat deeper into the dark abyss it was imprisoned within.

  One day, it vowed.

  The wolves moved in for the kill. The growls, the ripping of flesh, the snapping of bones, and the screams of the dying man brought an unnatural stillness to the rest of the forest. The creatures of the night understood and respected retribution. Justice was swift. One life ended and was quickly forgotten.

  * * *

  Dakota was dozing when Yemaya returned. It was only a few hours before sunrise. Yemaya knew she would have to tell Dakota about the men but not everything. Maybe in time, when Dakota learned more about her, she would understand and accept the darkness lurking within Yemaya. She hoped so.

  Reymone had helped Raidon balance his demon. Hers was more powerful, but so was Yemaya's willpower. It was growing stronger, though, making it harder and harder for her to keep it contained.

  Slipping into bed, Yemaya curled her arm around Dakota's waist and snuggled against her back. Exhausted, she immediately fell asleep unaware that they weren't alone.

  * * *

  "Ya done good, chile." Grandma Dakota said stroking Yemaya's dark hair. She knew it was more important for the exhausted woman to rest than to talk with her at this time. " Tonight ain't the time ta be worryin about tomorrow."

  CHAPTER 16

  EDDY LOOKED AT his watch. He had a two o'clock appointment with Robert Chisholm but wasn't exactly sure what he was going to say. The whole trip had been a failure, and now Yemaya Lysanne knew about his boss. Eddy was sure Chisholm would have him killed. Had he not felt compelled to meet with the man, he would have disappeared like Billy and Chuck.

  He didn't even want to think about Jimmy. All he remembered was leaving the man with Yemaya. How he and the others found their way out of the forest was a mystery. The driver of an old van had discovered them hiking down the road and picked them up. When they tracked Kerc down, the guide told them they were acting strangely and had been reluctant to help them further. A five hundred dollar bribe changed his mind and he drove them to Cahul to catch their flight. Tickets were waiting for them at the airport. Eddy assumed Chisholm had made the arrangements.

  * * *

  Robert Chisholm was impatient. He had waited almost a week for Jones to return with Yemaya Lysanne. Jones had also hinted that he had some valuable information and Chisholm hoped it was about her powers of illusion.

  "About fuckin' time, too," Chisholm swore. "This has cost me over a hundred grand."

  A buzzer sounded on his desk.

  "What?" he demanded after pushing the intercom button.

  "I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr. Chisholm. Mr. Jones has just arrived."

  "Have him come in, then," Chisholm ordered.

  * * *

  When the door opened, Eddy walked calmly into his boss's office. It was the first time in years, he didn't feel nervous. What he needed to tell Chisholm would put an end to all of misery he had suffered at the CEO's hands. The relief was overwhelming.

  "Well, Jones, you have something to tell me?" Chisholm demanded.

  "Yes, I have a message from Ms. Lysanne and something to show you."

  "What is it?" his boss snapped, irritated at the man's calm demeanor.

  "First, Ms. Lysanne sends her regards. She said to tell you Ms. Devereaux no longer works for you. She'll be freelancing from now on."

  "I don't give a fuck about Devereaux. Get on with it. What else did she say?"

  "She said it would be in your best interests to leave her alone," Eddy stated matter-of-factly.

  "Christ, Jones. What all did you tell her about me?" Chisholm yelled, his face turning red as vessels bulged around his temples.

  "Everything," Eddy replied, unimpressed. "I'm also supposed to tell you she'll be watching you and rec
ommended you focus on your own problems. You're about to be audited by the SEC and the IRS. Ms. Lysanne wants you to know that she also has connections."

  "That's it? I spent all of that money and you come back with this bullshit? And now I'm supposed to be impressed or intimidated by her message?" Chisholm scoffed. "She hasn't a clue about who she's fucking with. I have more money and power than even she can imagine. I can buy just about anyone I want."

  "I suppose you can, Mr. Chisholm. She thought you'd be resistant so she told me to show you this if wouldn't listen."

  Eddy pulled out a gun and pointed it at his boss. Chisholm turned white and held up both of his hands.

  "Uh, Jones, don't do anything stupid," he stammered, taking a step back. "I have money. I can make you rich."

  "I'm not after your money, Mr. Chisholm. Don't worry. I'm not here to kill you. I just wanted you to know that I know how Ms. Lysanne does her illusions… and to pass on her final message."

  Wiping his brow with a handkerchief, Chisholm took a deep breath, feeling relieved.

  "That's good. So why the gun?" "Ms. Lysanne realized you might not believe her when she said she had a lot of influence, so she asked me to give you a small demonstration. She said you'd understand everything afterward."

  "Get on with it then," Chisholm ordered excitedly. Finally, he was going to learn her secret.

  "Yes, Mr. Chisholm." Turning to look out Chisholm's window, Eddy stared at the blue sky. He felt good knowing he had almost completed his mission. "Ms. Lysanne said to tell you if you don't back off, you're next!"

  Eddy never heard the sound of the gunfire. The bullet entered the front of his right temple, leaving a small hole but pushed out a large chuck of brain and skull through the back. Blood and gore splattered the room, covering the walls, floor, desk, and Chisholm.

  Chisholm watched in horror. The gun fell from Jones's lifeless hand, landing with a dull thud on the carpeted floor. His body sank slowly to his knees, eyes glazed and lifeless. Tumbling forward, he fell face down and twitched. Blood poured from the wound soaking the expensive carpet.

  Something wet ran down Chisholm's face. Thinking it was sweat, he swiped at it with his hand and realized it was more. Blood, pieces of skin, and gray matter clung to his palm and fingers. Robert Chisholm's scream was heard two stories down and several thousand miles away. The message had been delivered loud and clear.

  * * *

  Yemaya raised the cup of tea to her lips and then hesitated. A feeling of sadness momentarily distracted her causing her to miss Maria's comment about Simtire.

  It did not have to be this way, she thought.

  "Mistress?" Maria said softly. "Are you alright?"

  "Yes, Maria. I am fine. What were you saying about Simtire?"

  "Only that Andrea released her this morning. She's recovered enough to be with the pack."

  "That is good. Dakota will be happy."

  Picking up the tray of food, Yemaya left the kitchen and walked slowly up the stairs to her bedroom. What was done was done. Chisholm wouldn't bother either of them again.

  CHAPTER 17

  GRANDMA DAKOTA sat cross-legged staring into the blue-orange flames of the campfire. The spirit Ladyhawk was resting on her shoulder. Both watched the flickering images of the two mortals sleeping peacefully, the magic woman's arms wrapped gently around her granddaughter, their bodies snuggled tightly together.

  "Rest well, younguns. Theys be darker times in stohr."

  As if her very words conjured up the future, the shadowed face of something banished the vision of the two women, replacing it with its own.

  "I seed ya, lurking thar in the darkness. Ya been after the magic woman fer a long time. Ya kilt her mama, skeering that mare of hern and ya same as kilt her pa, knowin' he couldn't lives without her. Well, this one be diffrent. And we be a watchin' close now. The Spirits ain't tolratin' yoh mischief-makin' much more, so leaves her and my kin be. No moh of them thar tricks like was done at that thar seequarium. Ifn any more of yourn try harmin' what's mine, ya wisht ya was burnin' in the fahrs of hell cuz it be a lot more homey than that thar place ya be hidin' in now."

  Grandma Dakota could feel the dark energy seething from hate and frustration. The beast had tried to possess the magic woman's kin for over a millennium and had failed. Now Yemaya was the most powerful of her people. It wanted her badly.

  In a vision, Grandma Dakota had seen the future of her great-great-grandchild. If the demon ever gained control over the magic woman, Yemaya's soul would be lost and both the mortal and spirit world would be devastated by the destruction she could reap. Flicking her hand, she vanquished its image as if dismissing a child, wanting it to think it was more a nuisance than a threat. Angry howls reverberated through the spirit world.

  The shadows moved quietly into the light of the fire. The elder Dakota looked around, acknowledging each by name and inviting them to sit. The council convened to discuss the future of Yemaya and Dakota. Much depended on their union, not just for them but for the welfare of everyone.

  Vyushir lay by the flickering flames, listening to the taibhseah, the vision seer called Maopa. She knew certain forces were conspiring to capture the souls of the magie femeie and her mate. Normally, the wolf spirit didn't get involved in the affairs of mortals, other than her own kind, but the alliance with the woman's ancestors had been forged through blood sacrifices by both her pack and the family of the human called Yemaya. Yemaya was the newest guardian of the wolves. That made Vyushir's interest in her personal.

  The wolf spirit was angered when the young wolf, Simtire, was shot. The pup had bonded with the magie femeie's life mate and was thus honor bound to protect her, no matter what the price. The price had almost cost the wolf pup her life. Vyushir demanded the right of blood debt.

  Regina, the pack leader, relayed this to Yemaya, and even though the human could claim equal right of vengeance against the men, she acceded to the spirit's wishes. In return, Vyushir was obligated to protect Yemaya's life mate.

  When Maopa sent the request to convene the council, Vyushir was duty-bound to attend. She was aware of the tremendous energy Maopa possessed. Although, the spirit woman was a mere pup compared to the wolf spirit's age, her wisdom was undeniable.

  More importantly, though, she had been the protector of the forests and its creatures when she was human. She had saved many wolves from the metal traps men planted. Her actions and courage had earned her a place in the Spirit World. As a member of the Council of Seven, Vyushir was obligated to attend the meeting.

  Ladyhawk watched the spirits appear one by one at the eternal flames of the campfire. Comfortably nestled on Maopa's shoulder, her unblinking golden brown eyes stared into the darkness, able to detect the exact spot where a spirit would materialize.

  Vyushir lay quietly by the fire, her silver fur glowing from the flame's reflections. Sarpe, the snake spirit lay coiled contentedly nearby, soaking up the heat. Ladyhawk cocked her head slightly, examining the orange and brown snake spirit. Rarely did Sarpe attend council meetings. She had little interest in the matters of beast or mortal. Her kin normally kept to themselves. Sarpe's presence confirmed the hawk spirit's suspicions — Intunecat, the Dark One, had returned.

  Across from Sarpe sat Ursa, talking softly with Arbora. The bear and the forest spirits lived in close harmony. They spent a lot of time together. Ladyhawk felt sure their relationship went beyond friendship. Most spirits were loners, unable to cross the boundaries separating species, but occasionally, two would form a bond similar to what mortals called love. No spirit talked as much as these two if they weren't joined to each other.

  A shimmering to the right of Maopa caught Ladyhawk's attention. At last, Mari had come. Mari was undeniably the most powerful on the council and the most beautiful of spirits. Tall, silver-haired with flashing blue eyes, she moved like liquid mercury, gliding smoothly from the darkness into the light. Mari ruled all life within the oceans, seas, and lakes. She was the birth mother of the land
, although she had relinquished her claim to it eons ago.

  Her iridescent blue gown shimmered as she gracefully settled next to Maopa. Bowing her head slightly, she acknowledged each spirit by name.

  "Ursa, you are looking well, as are you, Arbora," Mari said, her voice soft, husky, and cordial. Words flowed like a warm summer breeze moving lazily through a mountain meadow. "I see the two of you continue to enjoy each other's company very much," she added, her approval obvious in her brilliant smile and twinkling blue eyes.

  "We are indeed, Mari," Ursa boomed, her voice deep and slightly gravelly like the low rumble of the Earth when it shifts deep within its core.