The Illusionist - 3rd Edition

by Fran Heckrotte

  "No, at least not in the way you mean, Yemaya, but you do know me. Look close. Who do I remind you of?" Mari whispered.

  Yemaya stared at the woman. Something about her was familiar. Mari smiled, her white teeth perfect. Chuckling, she held out her hand, offering it to Yemaya.

  "Come. Let me show you."

  Taking her hand, Yemaya was pulled to her feet and led her to the lake.

  "Look into the water."

  Yemaya leaned over, examining her own image. Next to it was that of the other woman. The faces were similar. Only the color of the hair and eyes were different.

  "You are me," Yemaya exclaimed, shocked at the likeness.

  "No, you are me," Mari corrected. "At least a part of you is. Eons ago, your people paid homage to the ocean. It was their mother and their father, providing the sustenance they needed. Then they left and forgot the ocean — and me. In time, I forgot about them," she said sadly.

  "You are Gaia, the earth mother," Yemaya whispered in awe.

  "I am Mari, guardian of the oceans and all that is water. Some mistakenly refer to me as Gaia. I can assure you I am not her. I made the land so my creations could grow and become more than what they were. Many left the water. A few returned. Your ancestors never did. When they moved inland, they abandoned the ocean, so I left them and those of the earth in the care of other spirits. They made better caretakers than I."

  "I am honored, Mari, and I am curious as to why you appear now, after all this time."

  "It appears I have neglected my duties, and was reminded of it by one annoying spirit in particular," Mari replied grimacing slightly.

  "Now, why ya tellin' the chile something like that?" a voice asked from behind them. "Ain't it bad nuff she be a thinkin' I'm some kind of a nut without ya be a blamin' me fer bringin' her here?"

  "Hello, Grandma Dakota," Yemaya said, smiling at the smaller spirit.

  "Howdy, chile. I seed ya finally decided to nestle down with that grandchile of mine," Dakota teased.

  "How could I not?" Yemaya grinned. "She is so much like you — irresistible."

  "Uh-huh. That silver tongue of yourn won't be a workin' on me like it do on them thar mortals. Ya bes just like this here water spirit. She be a thinkin' she can use her tongue on me," Grandma Dakota joked, knowing how it sounded.

  "Maopa, you can be so bad when you want to be," Mari gasped.

  "That be true. Maybe ifn yer lucky, I kin be with ya." Maopa grinned, her green eyes glowing mischievously. Seeing Mari blush amused her greatly.

  Yemaya coughed. This was more than she wanted to know or imagine. Apparently, the two spirits were attracted to each other, even if they didn't realize it yet. Of course, considering they were ancestors to her and Dakota, she really wasn't surprised.

  "Could you two just tell me what this is all about?" Yemaya demanded, trying to change the subject.

  "Sorry, Yemaya. Maopa... Grandma Dakota, thought you should be forewarned about the young child and wolf. What you'll find is more than the work of a madman."

  "That be the truth, chile. Darkness be a tellin' this un what to do. Ifn ya don't stop him soon, they be more chillins harmed like her," Dakota added.

  "Who is he? Where can I find him?" Yemaya asked.

  "That's the problem. We can't find him. He is cloaked in darkness. Protected by one of our own, we think," Mari explained.

  "Who among you would protect such a person?"

  "We believe it is the Dark One, Intunecat. He is as ancient as time," Mari replied. "Even older than me and very reclusive"

  "And no one here can find this Dark One?"

  "No one can or even wants to enter his realm. Intunecat is extremely powerful."

  "If he's so powerful why is he playing around with us? Surely we can't be of any use to him," Yemaya said.

  "No one knows why Intunecat does what he does. He's always been interested in the mortal world."

  Maopa nodded her head in agreement.

  "That bes true, chile. I ain't met him personal like but I heerd he's a strange one."

  "This man, you say he's a tool," Yemaya said deciding to focus on someone she could do something about. "What can this Dark One hope to accomplish with one man?"

  "Not just one. He uses people in many ways. You've already experienced his subtleness, how he can take something like simple curiosity and turn it into an obsession."

  "You mean Chisholm? I thought he was just power hungry," Yemaya said.

  "That be the truth, chile. Ifn Chisholm had gotta what he wanted, he'd used it fer no good. Intunecat sees people's weakness and feeds off it. Few kin withstands the pawer of his darkness. It takes their lives, then their blood, and finally their souls. But you and my grandchile together ya has what it takes to beat him."

  "How can we beat something that strong and ancient if the spirits cannot even do it?" Yemaya challenged.

  "You are Yemaya, blood of my blood. My strength is your strength. I am the mother of the oceans and the land. Your people have a saying. Carpi are born of the Earth. That is true now. You, however, are born of the land and the sea. In time, you will understand what it means to be Yemaya," Mari said proudly.

  Yemaya thought about her ancestor's words.

  "What about Raidon? He is my brother. Does that mean he also has these strengths you talk about? Can he help us?"

  "Raidon is of the Earth. He is a man. His strength is great, but he isn't you. In time, he may be of assistance. Enough of this for now. You must return to Dakota. She's rested enough to move on, and you don't want to be out beyond midnight. Vyushir will make sure you are well guarded, but even the wolves are no match for Intunecat when it is on the prowl."

  * * *

  Yemaya felt Dakota moving in her arms and unfolded them from around her. Leaning close to her ear, she murmured softly.

  "You ready to go?"

  Yawning, Dakota nodded.

  "Yeah. Was I asleep long?"

  Looking at her watch, Yemaya shook her head.

  "Maybe about twenty minutes. But we need to get a move on it. According to Regina, it is only another thirty minutes to the girl."

  Yemaya didn't want to tell Dakota what might lay in store for them. Still she felt her lover was entitled to know what she knew, not that she knew very much — only what the Spirits had told her. It, and the wolves' uneasiness, troubled her.

  Standing, Yemaya helped Dakota to her feet. The wolves immediately took up protective positions around them and guided them to the meadow. Thirty minutes later, they entered a small glen. The body of the young woman was lying as if asleep, her head resting on the stretched-out body of a wolf. One would almost think they were sleeping if it hadn't been for the bloody clothes, fur, and stains on the ground.

  "Stay here," Yemaya ordered, turning to Dakota. "Please," she added, softening her tone.

  Nodding, Dakota stood still, her hand stroking Simtire's head nervously. The young wolf whimpered. Yemaya, Regina, and Voinic walked over to the bodies. Yemaya knelt and touched the girl's cheek. Regina sniffed at the body of the wolf.

  Yemaya was sickened at what she saw. The throat was severed almost through the spinal column. Several slashes on the upper arm and superficial stab wounds to the exposed chest, along with the amount of blood on the body and ground told her the girl had been alive when they were inflicted. The slashing of the throat was probably the madman's last act. Yemaya didn't want to think about what else was done to her before she was finally killed.

  As she was about to stand, she noticed something unusual about the chest wounds. Gently, she pulled back the girl's blouse and took a deep breath to control the rage growing inside of her. Carved across her breasts was the word drac.

  Yemaya picked up the girl's hand, closed her eyes and concentrated. Distorted images of a man cloaked in shadows carrying her body flashed across her mind. Over the next several minutes she watched as the man undressed and stood naked in the meadow, his knife flashing in the moonlight. Then the girl slowly opened her e
yes, confused. The man sank to his knees between her outstretched legs.

  Placing his hand over her mouth, he showed her the knife and shook his head. When she nodded, he removed his hand and slowly unbuttoned her blouse, enjoying the fear in her eyes. His arousal was obvious. Yemaya felt the girl's terror. She could smell the scent of the man, the sweat and the adrenaline. Perspiration poured down the girl's cheeks and she trembled. He laughed. It was the insane laughter of a madman. Drool ran from his mouth, down his chin, and dripped on the exposed breasts. Reaching down, he pulled up her dress and ran his hand up her thigh, while his other hand frantically rubbed his crotch.

  * * *

  "Yemaya!" Dakota screamed. "Yemaya, honey, turn loose," she said, grabbing Yemaya's hand.

  Dakota had watched Yemaya and the wolves approach the bodies. Regina sniffed at the dead wolf and backed away growling. Yemaya knelt to examine the girl. She was about to stand when Dakota noticed her hesitation. Yemaya's body stiffened momentarily, then she picked up the dead girl's hand. Dakota realized immediately something was very wrong and ran to Yemaya, calling her name. When Yemaya didn't respond, Dakota finally grabbed her hand, pulling as hard as she could.

  Unable to dislodge Yemaya's grip, she panicked. Suddenly, Regina launched herself at Yemaya's chest, her massive weight and momentum knocking her mistress backward. Once the connection was broken, Yemaya lay still, taking deep breaths, her eyes closed tightly against the pain from the abrupt severing of the contact.

  Dakota sat next to her. Picking Yemaya's head up, she rested it on her lap. Regina and Simtire circled the two uneasily, while the other wolves patrolled the perimeter.

  "Yemaya, sweetie, talk to me," Dakota said softly. "What happened?"

  Yemaya could only shake her head, nausea crawling like worms through her stomach. This was an experience she couldn't fully share with her lover. The horror of feeling what the girl felt, seeing what the man had done left her feeling raw and vulnerable. For Dakota to know everything would accomplish nothing.

  "Yemaya, please talk to me. Let me help."

  She is stronger than you give her credit for, a soft voice whispered in Yemaya's mind. Trust in her.

  When she opened her eyes, Dakota saw blue eyes darkened by pain and great sadness.

  "Tell me."

  Sighing, Yemaya nodded but closed her eyes again. She couldn't bear to see the effect her words would have on Dakota. Slowly, she described the vision, her body trembling occasionally, while Dakota listened quietly.

  How horrible it must be to relive something so awful, Dakota thought. Her concern for Yemaya exceeded her revulsion of the events being described. When Yemaya finished, she lay quietly for a few minutes soothed by Dakota's hand as it stroked her hair. Reluctantly, she made eye contact with Dakota and found concern instead of disgust.

  "You never cease to amaze me," she murmured, her voice husky from the stress.

  "Why is that?' Dakota asked, smiling slightly.

  "I thought you would be shocked, horrified, and maybe... well… maybe… " Yemaya hesitated.

  "Maybe squeamish and go all girlie on you because of what you saw or are you referring to your ability to see through the eyes of a dead girl?"

  Yemaya nodded.

  "Let's see. You're an illusionist who does tricks I've yet to figure out. You talk to wolves, and they apparently talk back. I suspect you have an ability to either plant ideas or control minds — to what level I don't know — and now this. Anything else you want to tell me?" she asked half joking.

  "It would take a lifetime," Yemaya said, smiling in response.

  "Then I suppose I'll be sticking around a while if I want to know everything."

  "I suppose so," Yemaya agreed, relieved. Turning to Regina, she nodded toward the woods.

  "Andrei is on his way here. He is bringing some men to take the girl home. We have to head back. The dead wolf's pack has arrived, and they will watch over the bodies until the men arrive. They should be here shortly."

  "Do you have any idea who did this?" Dakota asked.

  "Somewhat. Nothing definite, though. I had another dream while we were dozing. Seems the Spirits are involved in our lives more than we think."

  "Do tell," Dakota commented. "I'm really not surprised. Ever since Grandma Dakota entered our lives, things have gotten a little strange." Yemaya couldn't deny that. "Speaking of strange, how long have you been able to enter the mind of dead people? It must be a horrible experience."

  "All my life, although I have avoided doing it except under extreme measures."

  "I can't begin to imagine what that must be like but it has to be horrible," Dakota said.

  "Horrible. No not always and it is not something I can always control. Normally, it happens only under extraordinary circumstances and even then it can be iffy. I have found it helpful at times, although the experience takes its toll."

  "You mean like now."

  Yemaya nodded. "I saw the killer. I may recognize him when I see him."

  "May?"

  "Yes, his face was in the shadows but I have a reasonable impression of what he looks like."

  "At least that's something but I'm still not sure I like this... this gift of yours," Dakota admitted.

  "Gift or curse, it is a part of me." Looking at her watch, Yemaya stood up and then helped Dakota to her feet. "We need to get home. It will be dark in a few hours." Glancing one more time at the bodies, Yemaya shook her head. "They were so young."

  * * *

  On their trek home, Yemaya talked about the dream, wanting to distract Dakota from asking any more questions about her unusual gift. When she described Mari and her questionable relationship with Grandma Dakota, Dakota burst out laughing.

  "Why am I not surprised to hear you're related to a spirit?" Dakota teased. "That explains those many skills of yours. At least that makes them easier to understand."

  "Maybe. That would also explain why my people are so different from other cultures. I think time has diluted their abilities, though. Probably a good thing, considering what they might have become had they kept the levels they must have had in the beginning," Yemaya said thoughtfully.

  "Are any of them equal to you? Raidon?" Dakota asked.

  "I do not think so, at least that is what Mari says. Raidon and I have never talked about it. I doubt he is ready to hear about these dreams we are having. He is a very practical person."

  "You say that as if it's a bad thing."

  "Not bad but he can be annoying sometimes."

  Dakota laughed. "I'm sure he says the same thing about you. Sibling rivalry, you know."

  "I know."

  Yemaya spent the rest of the journey home telling Dakota a little about their childhood and some of the tricks they used to pull on each other. It was a distraction both badly needed.

  CHAPTER 22

  THE MAN LAY down to rest. The night had been better than he could ever imagine. If only the girl had been more cooperative, it would have been perfect. He expected her to beg, just as his mother had done with his father. Instead she refused. It was only when he made the small cuts on her arms that she broke her silence.

  The screams were wonderful and excited him. Opening her blouse, he ran the bloody knife up and down her chest, painting her breasts with bright red streaks. He could feel himself getting hard again. Reaching between her legs, he ran his hand up her thigh. She trembled. When he finally exhausted himself, he straightened back up, still on his knees.

  The voice had told him to kill the girl. His pleasure was so great he really didn't want to, but he had agreed, and he wanted to keep the voice happy. Reaching down, he grabbed the girl by the hair, pulling her head back. Raising the knife, he slashed her throat quickly and as hard as he could. The blade partially jammed in the neck bone.

  "There," he muttered. "Now this won't hurt."

  Quickly, he carved the word drac across her chest. Such a waste, he thought. I know I could've made you beg.

  For a moment, he was angr
y at the voice for making him end the fun so soon.

  "Well, it owes me now," he mumbled.

  * * *

  It took less than two hours to walk back to his motel room. The sun was just peeking over the mountains. Several people were already in the streets on their way to work or running personal errands. No one paid attention to him as he slipped inside his room. After taking a quick shower he tossed his soiled clothes into a bag. He would discard them later in a trash container a few blocks from the motel.

  "You are pleased with my gift?" the voice asked.