The Illusionist - 3rd Edition

by Fran Heckrotte

  He shivered, cold and uneasy. He preferred the quiet. Why wasn't the voice here to reassure him? The meadow was still thirty minutes away. His pace quickened.

  * * *

  Yemaya jumped from the Hummer and ran into the woods. Andrei would follow once the other men arrived. Regina and Voinic waited impatiently at the forest edge. When their Mistress arrived, they positioned themselves on each side of her before leading the way. They were unable to keep Simtire from leaving and were afraid the young wolf would do something rash to save Dakota. The wolf had also sensed the attack when it occurred.

  * * *

  "Simtire."

  Startled, Simtire slowed to a trot, looking all around. This voice was not that of her pack or the Mistress, but it demanded her attention.

  "Simtire, I am Vyushir."

  "Vyushir," she growled in awe.

  "I know you want to help your mistress, but if you attack the human, he will kill her and you. If you want to help her, you must be patient. The mistress comes. She must handle this."

  "I won't let my mistress be harmed. I will die before that happens." Simtire declared.

  "She will die if you become impatient. You must wait," Vyushir ordered.

  "I will wait for a while, Vyushir."

  "That's all I ask of you," the wolf Spirit answered. "Now go and wait."

  * * *

  Simtire lay in the shadows behind a dead tree trunk. She could smell the man and the scent of her mistress. Lips curling, she felt her muscles tighten. It would only take a moment for her to reach him and rip out his throat.

  "No," a voice hissed to her left. Startled she looked around, her eyes settling on a huge orange and brown snake. "You will ssssstay as you promisssed," Sarpe ordered, her eyes coal black and deadly, her head swaying slowly back and forth. "The missstressss is near. Patienccce, youngssster. Your time will come ssssoon enough."

  Simtire reluctantly relaxed and settled down to watch. Sarpe nodded approvingly and lowered her head.

  "I will move closssser. If your missstressss needs our help, you will know. We won't allow her to be sssseriousssly harmed," the snake Spirit promised and then slithered away through the grass.

  * * *

  The man finally made it to the meadow. His heart pounded furiously from fear and the exertion of carrying the unconscious woman. Something was wrong. The voice wasn't around. The night was alive with sounds and shadows. He laid Dakota on the grass, straightening her body and positioning it as if she were sleeping. The blow to her jaw must have been harder than he intended. She should have been awake by now. There was no way he could continue if she wasn't awake.

  CHAPTER 26

  DAKOTA FELT LIKE she was on a boat, swaying back and forth. Disoriented, she struggled to open her eyes.

  "Sleep, Dakota."

  The voice was low, soft, and seductive. Warm spectral fingers stroked her brow, easing the pain and confusion.

  "Yemaya will be here soon," the hypnotic voice promised. "I can't let you awaken yet."

  Dakota relaxed, settling into a deep slumber.

  * * *

  Intunecat stormed through the darkness, trying to reach the man's mind. Somehow the Spirits had managed to block the link between him and the human. The only way he could reach the man was to take on a human form. Unfortunately, once he assumed a corporeal shape, he became vulnerable. It was a chance he had to take. Changing again into the boy, he materialized at the edge of the forest. The man was standing over the woman, looking around in fear. Stepping into the meadow, he called out.

  "Why do you hesitate?" Intunecat demanded.

  "Where have you been? Something's wrong. The noises. The trees. Everything is moving now," the man yelled, frustrated and afraid.

  "They are only noises. If you don't want to take your pleasure now, then do as I've instructed and kill her," Intunecat ordered. "Others will be here soon."

  The man looked down at the still form. Pulling the knife from his belt, he stared at its reflection in the moonlight.

  "But she's not awake. I can't kill her 'til she wakes up. She has to know I'm not going to hurt her," he explained illogically.

  "Do as I say," the voice warned. "Kill her."

  Sighing, the man started to kneel when a large snake slid over the woman's chest, coiling lazily across her torso. Screaming, he jumped back as the snake turned black unblinking eyes in his direction. A forked tongue slipped between closed lips, tasting the air.

  "Jesus fucking Christ," the man cursed, stumbling backward. "Where'd that come from?"

  "It's harmless," the voice said. "You can kill it with your knife. You must kill it and the woman. I'll help you as I did before. Remember how you killed the wolf. This snake can't harm you."

  The man's hand trembled. Barely able to hold the knife, he looked at the boy standing nearby, then back at the woman and the snake.

  "You... you kill the snake," he stammered, holding the knife out as an offering. "You kill it and I'll take care of the girl."

  Intunecat realized he was getting nowhere. Cursing, he walked over and looked at the knife and then the snake.

  "So, Sarpe, we meet as mortals now," he declared. "It is a mistake that will cost you dearly."

  "If it is my dessstiny, sssso be it."

  A low growl from behind Intunecat caught his attention. A young wolf was slowly moving in his direction, her hackles raised, lips curled, and fangs bared.

  "It would sssseeem we have company," Sarpe hissed, her head moving back and forth. "Who will you try to kill firsssst?"

  "The wolf is no threat to me," Intunecat answered. "Just as you are not one. I may be in human form, but I'm immortal. I am older than time. Do you spirits foolishly think a mortal wolf pup and a spirit — even one as old as you — can defeat me so easily."

  "No," Sarpe said. "Alone I'm no match for you."

  Intunecat smiled, his eyes gleaming brightly.

  "But with our help, we are more than one," Mari interrupted as she materialized between him and Sarpe.

  "That be the truth," the Maopa agreed, appearing with Ladyhawk on her shoulder. The hawk Spirit nodded without breaking eye contact with the Dark One.

  Intunecat laughed.

  "So the Council of Seven has convened. But where are the other members? Hiding?"

  "They are here," Mari replied. Arbora and Ursa shimmered into existence near Dakota. Vyushir appeared next to Simtire, her eyes flashing angrily.

  "You killed one of mine," she growled at the man and ignoring Intunecat completely. "The debt must be paid."

  The man was terrified. The voice promised to help him He crossed himself and began praying as he backed away from the group.

  "Prayers won't help you," a cold, angry voice whispered from behind. Turning quickly, he searched for the source.

  "Where are you?" he demanded, fear giving him a small degree of courage.

  "I'm here," the voice replied. "Beside you."

  He turned around but saw nothing.

  "I don't see you. Show yourself," he yelled, holding the knife out defensively.

  * * *

  Yemaya stood behind the man, quietly contemplating what she was going to do with him. He had tortured and killed the young woman, killed the wolf pup, and injured her lover. Inside, she seethed. Vengeance would be swift and sweet.

  "He is sick," Dakota's voice murmured softly in her mind, interrupting her thoughts. "Vengeance is never good."

  "He killed the girl and the wolf, and he hurt you." Yemaya mentally raged. There was no way she was going to let him go.

  "Then he should be punished," Dakota reasoned. "But not by you."

  "The debt must be repaid. It is our way. Vyushir demands justice. I cannot simply turn him over to the townspeople try him." She wanted to make Dakota understand the importance of the pact between her and the wolves.

  "Then figure out a way to satisfy the debt and give him justice," Dakota rationalized. "You must do this my way, Yemaya. Vengeance will give the Dark One wh
at he wants — you — and I can't allow that. I'll die first."

  * * *

  The entire mental conversation took only seconds. Yemaya sighed, looking at the others. For the moment, they were distracting Intunecat. She needed to do something quickly.

  Searching the man's mind, she pried into the darkest corners looking for a solution and the reason for his insanity. As a child, he had been damaged by his abusive father. Faint memories of a mother who sacrificed herself to protect him from his dad's terrifying temper still remained, tucked deeply away in a small secluded spot.

  Reaching in, she grabbed the memories and pulled them out, weaving each event through his conscience like fine needlework. The boy had loved his mother, but she was too weak to protect him — a weakness he blamed her for. After years of beatings and humiliation, his father finally succeeded in destroying the boy's love for his mother.

  "She loved you, you know," Yemaya spoke, her voice gentle, calming.

  "She was weak," he replied, suddenly thinking of his mother.

  "She was strong," Yemaya countered. "She endured your father's beatings and remained silent so you wouldn't be harmed."

  "No! I heard her! She begged him to stop. She never fought him," the man said, shaking his head angrily.

  "If she had resisted, he would have killed her. Then he would have focused on you. She loved you so much, she endured everything to keep you safe, even after she realized you had become like him."

  Tears streamed down the man's face but still he denied the truth. His father always told him women were weak. His mother proved it. Women were meant to serve and pleasure men.

  "You remember the day your mother died?" Yemaya continued.

  The man nodded, closing his eyes. His father had just lost his job. He started drinking after he came home. His mother did her best to avoid him, which angered him further, sending him into a rage.

  "She took your hand and begged for your forgiveness. What were her dying words? Du'dera, Dalnos, Mie Sedre."

  Yemaya nudged the memory forward. He was seventeen. His father had finally gone too far. In his drunken fervor, he threw her to the floor and kicked her stomach until he passed out.

  She had suffered internal injuries so severe nothing could be done to save her. He remembered kneeling next to her as she lay on the living room floor, bruised, broken and bleeding. She carefully took his hand, running her thumb over the palm, her eyes wet with tears and slightly glazed as death closed in.

  "I'm so sorry, Dalnos, my child. Remember, I always loved you. I will always love you." Then she died.

  He had stared at the hand that still held his, even in death. His mother had deserted him. Just like that. He dropped the hand, stood, and walked away, never looking back. He stole the money from his father's wallet, packed a few items, and left.

  "She never left. See, she's here, Dalnos," Yemaya whispered.

  * * *

  Dalnos opened his eyes. Before him stood his mother, her face young and beautiful. There were no bruises, no scars. Only a warm smile as she held out her arms, her hands motioning him forward.

  "Mama?" Dalnos cried, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Is that you, Mama?"

  "Mie Sedre," she replied, her voice warm and loving. Dalnos rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her waist, leaning into her warm embrace. Resting his cheek on her breast, he sobbed.

  "Mama, I missed you so much. I was so alone when you left," he mumbled against her chest.

  "I know, but I never left you. I've always been here," his mother whispered, her cheek pressed against his hair. "You just couldn't hear me."

  Dalnos nodded.

  "I heard so many voices. They kept whispering to me. Telling me to do horrible things. I guess they drowned you out, huh?" he asked, trying to remember if hers had been amongst the many he heard.

  "I guess so, Son. But you don't hear them now, do you?"

  "No, Mama, only you," he replied happily.

  "Then you will only hear mine from now on. The others won't bother you anymore, I promise. Do you believe me?"

  "Yes, Mama." Dalnos smiled childlike.

  "We must go now. Others are coming and you have to go with them," his mother explained.

  "I'm afraid. They want to hurt me," he whimpered. "I hurt one of them." For the first time, he felt remorse

  "I know. I'll be with you. They won't hurt you, I promise." Putting her arm around him, the two walked toward the town, the man's head bent slightly forward, his arms hanging limply.

  Yemaya watched the man walk away lost in the memories of his mother. Vyushir growled when he passed her but didn't attack. Yemaya had honored her request for the blood debt a few weeks back. She would allow this human to live. Yemaya tipped her head, acknowledging the gift, then turned to the others.

  * * *

  Since his link had been severed earlier, Intunecat wasn't sure what had transpired between Yemaya and the man, but he knew she had somehow severed the man's link to Intunecat.. As much as he wanted her for himself, he grudgingly admired her accomplishment. Maybe the Spirits had helped her; perhaps it was her lover, or she could be more powerful than he imagined. There would be another time to discover the truth.

  Once Yemaya arrived, the Spirits remained silent. The battle was hers and Dakota's to win or lose. They had merely delayed the Dark One long enough for Dakota to help Yemaya gain control of her emotions.

  * * *

  Yemaya approached Intunecat, stopping a few feet away. Her gaze slowly assessed the human form in front of her.

  "You are the Dark One," she said softly, amazed at how human he looked.

  "Yes." His voice was deep and pleasant but emotionless.

  "Why?" she asked, knowing he understood the many questions behind the one word.

  "Why did I have the girl killed? She was my path to you. Why the man? He was the tool, and he was mad. That made him easy. Why did I go after your life mate? Because she is your weakness and your strength," he replied casually.

  "Why me?"

  "You are the key to fulfilling my desires," he answered truthfully. "Once I possess you, I will possess this world and the Spirit world. It's not complicated."

  "Your desires," she repeated. "Your desires are so important you would do something this terrible to achieve them?"

  "You judge me unfairly. Come with me to my world and you will understand," he offered, impressed by her calm demeanor and lack of fear.

  "Never."

  Intunecat shrugged.

  "Never is a long time. You ask me about my desires. The answer lies in my world. Only there will you find and understand my whys."

  "As I said before — never."

  "So be it. I'm curious, though. What did you do to him? I've never lost a human before."

  "Nothing," Yemaya replied. "He simply remembered a moment in time before he became what he is now. His life has been a journey of misery. Why would he not choose to live in the happiness of his past rather than the pain of the present?" she asked philosophically.

  "If you say so. But I think there's more to it than that."

  Yemaya shrugged.

  "Think what you want. You would have to live in my world to understand," she countered sarcastically.

  Realizing there was nothing further to gain, Intunecat decided to leave.

  "This is the second time you've thwarted me. We will meet again and again until you make the journey to my world. It's your destiny," he said matter-of-factly.

  * * *

  While Yemaya was confronting the Dark One, Mari woke Dakota from her deep slumber. Dakota listened quietly to the exchange between Yemaya and Intunecat. Even asleep, she had been aware of the events around her. She had reached out to her lover to soothe the anger raging inside. Once Yemaya calmed down, she pulled back but didn't withdraw.

  Intunecat watched the small mortal as she walked over to Yemaya and wrapped her arm around the taller woman's waist.

  "We make our destiny, not you, Intunecat," Dakota answered, in
terrupting the conversation. "Yemaya will never be yours. She's mine, she'll always be mine. I may not have the powers you or Yemaya or the others have, but I love her, and that gives me the strength to defeat you anytime."

  Yemaya grinned. Dakota certainly was a feisty one. To take on the Dark One was unwise, but it revealed the full extent of her love and commitment.