The Illusionist - 3rd Edition

by Fran Heckrotte

  "Am I interrupting anything?" Dakota asked, setting a breakfast tray on the coffee table.

  "Not at all. What is for breakfast?" Yemaya asked, getting up to sit on the settee by Dakota.

  "Eggs, fruits, homemade bread, juice, and meat!" she exclaimed. "Bacon to be exact."

  Yemaya laughed at her enthusiasm. "Well, you can have my share since you seem so excited."

  "Woohoo!" Dakota snatched up a strip and poked it in her mouth. "Mmm, heavenly," she sighed.

  Smiling, Yemaya buttered a slice of bread and offered a bite to her lover. Dakota gently clamped her teeth around the bread and the other woman's thumb and finger. She licked the fingers with her tongue before releasing them and taking the bread to chew.

  "Hmm... .you seem to be full of energy today," Yemaya observed, chuckling.

  "Oh, I am. Nothing like a lot of time in bed to heal the body," Dakota joked.

  "Yeah, rest does that," Yemaya replied. "I have been meaning to ask you. What did your boss say when you turned in your resignation?"

  "He wasn't happy. I still owe him for the advances on my assignment."

  "How much? I can transfer the funds immediately," Yemaya offered.

  "No, I can't let you do that. You're not paying my bills. I have money. I'll send him what I owe."

  Yemaya was amused but impressed by Dakota's exertion of independence. Reaching over, she ruffled the short blonde hair.

  "Okay, I was just offering. I might have a proposition for you, though."

  Dakota grinned. "And just what would that be?" she questioned, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

  "That is not what I had in mind at the moment. I was thinking more along the lines of your article. Would a personal interview satisfy the debt?"

  Dakota nodded. "I should think so, as long as it was a good one. I don't want to disclose anything confidential about you or your people, though."

  "We could get some photos of the village. Some interviews with a few locals would add a perspective no one else has done. I promise you will have an exclusive no one else has had and nothing important will be revealed."

  "That's a great idea. I'll call him later today. I at least owe him that." Dakota picked up the newspaper Yemaya had put down earlier. She immediately noticed the headlines about the suicide. Scanning it, she turned to Yemaya but said nothing.

  "What?" Yemaya asked, feeling uncomfortable.

  "You read this?" Dakota asked, tapping the paper with her finger.

  "I noticed it earlier," Yemaya said hesitantly.

  "Anything you want to tell me?"

  "What is to tell? I would not believe everything I read. You know how reporters are," she teased.

  "Yeah, and I know something about you now. Did you have anything to do with this?"

  "If you mean did I somehow influence Mr. Jones's actions, the answer is yes and no. At one time, Jones was a good man. Unfortunately, Chisholm made him into someone he hated. I gave him a choice to be who he was or who he wanted to be. He made his own decision after realizing what he had become. I guess he chose what he wanted to be," Yemaya said unrepentant.

  Dakota wasn't sure what to think. Obviously, Yemaya had done something to Jones. She couldn't bring herself to believe the woman she loved would do anything wrong, though. Still she had no doubt Yemaya would go to extraordinary lengths to protect her own. Shaking her head, she put the paper down. Love was about trust, she thought. There was no reason not to trust her.

  "What about Chisholm? What happened to him?"

  "Nothing. The paper says he took a leave of absence from his position. I imagine when he returns he is going to have to answer a few questions from federal auditors. It seems there are some discrepancies in his tax records," Yemaya said, taking another sip of coffee.

  "How inconvenient for him," Dakota said sarcastically.

  "Very."

  "Okay, then."

  "Okay?" Yemaya asked nonplussed. "That is it? Okay?"

  "Yeah. Okay. I believe you." Dakota smirked. "Any reason I shouldn't?"

  "Well, no. No reason," she answered, unsure about Dakota's unquestioning acceptance.

  "Good. So what's on the agenda today?" Dakota asked, changing the subject, amused at catching Yemaya off-guard.

  Maria knocked softly on the door before entering.

  "Mistress, Kenyon is on the phone. He requests your attention immediately if possible."

  Kenyon was the local magistrate of Taraclia. Although elected by the people, his family had held the position for over three hundred years. They were highly respected and trusted by most villagers. Yemaya took the phone, apologizing to Dakota.

  "What can I do for you, Kenyon?"

  Dakota watched as Yemaya's expression changed from casual to serious. Something was wrong.

  "I see… When did she disappear?... Last night? Why was I not called immediately?... This is unacceptable. You know I am available at any time under such circumstances... Keep the men looking until sunset... They are not to go into the woods after dark. I will send my own people to look for her... You are welcome... And, Kenyon, you are never to delay contacting me in the future if something like this happens again. Goodbye."

  Yemaya handed the housekeeper the phone.

  "Maria, have Andrei organize the men. A young woman has disappeared. We will need to search the woods."

  "Yes, Mistress," Maria replied, quietly shutting the door behind her as she left the room.

  "What happened?" Dakota asked.

  "One of our young girls has disappeared. She visited a friend last night and never returned home. Hopefully, she is only suffering from youthful inconsideration and is staying with a friend without notifying her parents."

  "Maybe she ran away or something," Dakota suggested. "You know how kids are nowadays."

  "No, she is a good child. It is better to be cautious and check this out. My men will search the woods for her. I will check with the wolves to see if they know something."

  * * *

  Dakota was just beginning to accept Yemaya's special relationship with the wolves in her region. Their obvious affection for her and obedience was undeniable. On one occasion, she had watched Yemaya wrestle with them, then without a word, everyone stopped. The wolves howled in unison, and ran into the woods. Curious, Dakota asked Yemaya what was wrong to make them leave in such a hurry.

  "I sent them to check on Verdina and Balba. They have a litter of four pups, their first. The wolves love their young. Balba is Regina's oldest offspring, so they are always minding each other's business."

  "I thought wolf packs were very individualistic and territorial," Dakota said.

  "In some parts of the world, they are. Ours have closer ties than most. Packs will split and divide, but they remain a family. Cross one and you cross them all."

  "A warning?" Dakota asked.

  "Not for you. You are Simtire's mistress now."

  Surprised, Dakota looked down at the young wolf lying at her feet.

  "Mistress? I thought she just considered me another member of her pack."

  "That would have been the normal situation. For some reason, she chose to make you her mistress. It is highly unusual and quite an honor."

  "But why?" Dakota was stunned.

  Yemaya shrugged. "The way of the wolf is not always predictable. I have never known a wolf to bond to a human in such a way. She sees something special in you that attracts her."

  "Human? You make it sound like you are something other than that," Dakota joked.

  Laughing, Yemaya reached out and wrapped her arms around Dakota and pulled her close. "Merely a figure of speech,"

  Dakota snuggled against her enjoying the warmth and feel of strong arms. "Sooo, what's on our agenda for today?"

  Yemaya took a deep breath and then reluctantly let her arms drop to her side. "The first thing is to get the men out to look for the lost girl. I will take the wolves out to look too."

  "We," Dakota corrected.

  "You are not coming.
There is going to be a lot of hiking, and you are still recovering from your fall."

  "I'm fine and I'm coming. If you leave without me, I'll just take Simtire and go looking on my own."

  "I can order her to stay here," Yemaya countered.

  "I don't think she'll obey you very much once she sees me taking off on my own. Short of tying me up — and don't go getting any ideas — I'm helping."

  Yemaya sighed. Dakota could be extremely stubborn. The idea of tying her up was enticing but not the way Dakota meant. Smiling, she began to imagine all the things she could do with the woman in a bondage situation.

  "Hey," Dakota said, slapping the woman's arm. "I know what you're thinking. Save it for later."

  It was the second time Yemaya actually blushed.

  "All right. Get changed and bring a warm jacket. We will probably be out for several hours. Regina is waiting for us."

  "But you haven't... oh, never mind. I don't even want to know how you called them. Back in a few."

  Yemaya watched Dakota walk from the room. Immediately, Maria entered and shut the door.

  "Mistress, the men have left to look for the girl. The wolves are outside. Regina seems extremely agitated. I think she knows something."

  "I am afraid so, Maria. Ms. Devereaux will be accompanying me today, so please pack a light meal for later."

  "Beg your pardon, mistress, but is it wise to take the young lady with you?"

  "No, not wise, but it is that or leave her here, and she has already told me she would go looking on her own."

  "That young woman has a mind of her own."

  "Indeed. I fear she is going to give me a lot of heartburn, Maria," Yemaya chuckled.

  "I'm afraid so, but I think the benefits will far outweigh your frustrations," Maria said. She was happy for Yemaya. Her mistress had spent her entire life as a loner. If Dakota brought her peace and happiness, Maria would welcome her warmly.

  "They do, Maria," Yemaya agreed, thoughtfully. "They do."

  CHAPTER 19

  THE VOICES HAD been there forever — faint whispers painting tantalizing pictures of young women undressing for his pleasure, telling him all the wonderful things they wanted him to do to them. It was his destiny to fulfill their needs, their wants--- and their greatest need was to please him.

  Unfortunately, no one understood him. People eyed him suspiciously when he talked to himself. Crossing themselves, they quickly moved away. Others lowered their eyes to avoid the insanity in his. Recently, however, something had changed. He no longer heard several voices. Now he listened to only one.

  He had never heard of Taraclia, but the voice told him his dreams would soon be fulfilled once he traveled there. The local library provided him the information he needed to make his plans. Afterward, it was only a matter of packing the few possessions he owned and driving four hundred kilometers to the village.

  A small motel provided the only accommodations he required. Once settled, he waited for instructions. For three days, the voice remained quiet. Frustrated at the silence, he finally decided he needed to go for a walk. An hour before sunset, he noticed a young girl walking hurriedly down the cobbled street and up the dark alley.

  "She is teasing you," the voice whispered softly. "See how she leads you into the darkness. She shows you the way to your dreams. No one will see you in the alley."

  Grinning, he nodded and followed the girl.

  "Tonight, you must only follow her," the voice advised. "See where she goes, what she does."

  "When?" he asked, anxious to begin the fantasy.

  "Soon, very soon. Tomorrow you must retrace her steps so you will know the best place to take her. See how her hips sway. She wants you," the voice murmured.

  "Yes, tomorrow then."

  He followed her through several alleys until she stopped at a small house on the outskirts of town. The man glanced nervously at the wooded darkness beyond.

  "There is a clearing through the trees. A quiet spot only a short walk away. It is the perfect place to fulfill your dreams, to fulfill her dreams. No one will find you there. Tomorrow you must search it out and memorize the location."

  Drool ran down his chin as he thought about the girl. She was probably sixteen or seventeen. Reaching down, he began rubbing his crotch in anticipation. He would make sure he gave her everything she wanted. He could almost hear her begging him for more. The man returned to the motel room excited over the prospect.

  "She is only the first," the voice promised. "There are many more waiting to please you if you obey me."

  "Whatever you say." He would agree to anything as long as his fantasies were fulfilled.

  * * *

  The wolves were restless. They felt the presence of something unearthly moving through the forests. Had it been human, they would have either ignored it or investigated, but this was something powerful, something that had not visited their land in many generations. Now it was back, and the older wolves weren't willing to challenge it on their own. They needed their mistress.

  Shina was too young to understand or believe in the danger. Night was her favorite time. She prowled the woods or ran the meadows, long legs pumping, lungs struggling to oxygenate the large muscles. That night, she heard the call of a young male wolf from another pack. His lonely cries begged her to join him in a romp amongst the trees. Deep within her, the need to respond was irresistible. The male was black, the tips of his coat lightly frosted in silver. Big boned and muscular, she found him acceptable. After circling each other for several minutes, she lunged at his throat, lips curled, fangs exposed. Playfully, he shouldered her aside.

  Again, Shina attacked and again he simply turned his shoulder toward her, parrying her strike. Soon she grew tired and lay down. Panting, he strolled up to her and lay down too. They began licking each other's face contented. The male wolf was the first to sense its presence.

  Hackles raised, he turned and stared at the trees to their left. A low growl rumbled deep in his throat. Shina couldn't tell what made her playmate uneasy but decided it was best to imitate his behavior. Standing, her eyes searched the darkness for signs of anything not of the forest. A shadow moved slowly between the trees toward the meadow. The scent was foreign to the wolves, reeking of perspiration and something else. In its arms was the smell of a human.

  Shina whined and backed away. When the young male refused to follow suit, she grabbed him by the fur and pulled. Now wasn't the time for bravery or stupidity. The mistress needed to know about this. The male snapped at her, standing his ground. His ties to the mistress were not as great as hers. He'd only heard of her from other pack members.

  Shina gave a final growl before loping off in the opposite direction. She had traveled only a short distance when she heard the snarls and howls of anger and pain and finally nothing. Anguish made her want to raise her nose to the sky and howl. Fear kept her silent. Her journey back to the pack would take several hours. For the first time in her life, she was afraid of the dark.

  * * *

  Regina paced back and forth along the fringe of woods, just beyond the drawbridge. When Yemaya and Dakota appeared, she immediately ran to Yemaya, stood on her hind legs, and placed her front paws on the shoulder of the woman. Golden brown eyes stared into icy blue. Moments passed. Dakota remained quiet, aware something important was going on.

  After a few minutes, Regina dropped back to the ground and backed off. Yemaya knelt, beckoning a young female wolf forward. Shina crouched low and crept toward the mistress.

  "It is okay, Shina. Come here." Again, Yemaya lowered her voice until it became soft and soothing. For a moment, Dakota felt herself drawn to Yemaya. It was an eerie feeling.

  Shina stood and slowly walked forward. Yemaya stroked her head and rested her cheek against the wolf's head for a few seconds. Then she stood, wiping the dirt from her knee. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Dakota.

  "Are you sure you want to come? It will be a long trek."

  "But that's not what's bothe
ring you, is it?"

  "No. Something terrible has happened. We must hurry."

  They moved quickly south, the wolves surrounding them as they led the way. Regina walked on Yemaya's right, Simtire on Dakota's left. Voinic was about fifty meters in front. Shina and the rest spread out and continually checked for anything unusual. The mistress and her life mate were now under their protection.

  CHAPTER 20