CHAPTER 15

 SARPE COULD DO nothing to save the wolves. The species was not hers to protect. Still, she felt a deep sorrow over the death of the two youngsters. She would make sure that Vyushir knew of their bravery, even if the foolish bravado of youth had cost them their lives.

For several hours, the serpent spirit had wandered deep into the forest, her thoughts continually returning to Ekimmu. Something about the woman unnerved her. She had never felt that before. Sarpe rarely assumed human form. The effort was exhausting, requiring a lot of concentration and energy.

Lying quietly amongst the leaves in her natural form, she watched the wolves romping playfully in the meadow, oblivious to the world around them.

When the tall man appeared, Sarpe immediately sensed a powerful darkness. It reeked of an evil she had touched upon only a few times in her long existence, although never in human form. She didn’t know its origin but was very much aware of the destruction that usually followed its coming.

Watching him kill and feed from the wolves was painful for her. Although their deaths didn’t involve her species, Sarpe felt an obligation to Vyushir to at least let her know how they died. The wolf spirit would seek her own justice.

Ekimmu’s arrival had surprised Sarpe but not as much as Regina and Voinic’s acceptance of her. Wolves rarely allowed outsiders into their world; that Ekimmu could actually touch the alpha mother or her dead offspring confirmed a bond between the two species.

Shifting into human form, Sarpe followed Ekimmu until they arrived at the outskirts of Teraclia. Only then did she make her presence known.

“A nisse night for a walk,” she said, startling Ekimmu.

“Where’d you come from?” Ekimmu demanded, uncomfortable at not having noticed the woman sooner.

“Oh, I dessided to take a sstroll and notissed you sstanding here.”

“You must have good vision then.”

The sarcasm didn’t escape the spirit. “Yess, as a matter of fact, I have exssellent vision,” Sarpe said, smiling.

Since Ekimmu’s vision was also exceptional, she noticed the smile and chuckled. Stepping close to Sarpe, she leaned toward her and whispered, “I think there’s more to you than excellent vision.”

“And what would that be?” Sarpe asked, amused at the woman’s audacity.

“At the moment, I’m not sure. But I’ll know shortly,” Ekimmu promised.

Neither knew who made the first move when their bodies merged. Sarpe felt the heat pulsating through her as Ekimmu wrapped her arms around her in a gentle embrace. Orange flames danced mysteriously within the pale blue eyes, making it impossible for Sarpe to break eye contact.

They swayed slowly back and forth, Ekimmu’s eyes drawing her into a world of hot, lustful sensuality, a feeling unfamiliar to the spirit. Waves of heat pulsed though her like rays from a warm summer sun lulling her into a sense of serenity. Her body, pressed tightly to Ekimmu’s, savored its soothing warmth, robbing her of all thought except the desire to become one with her captor. Leaning her head against Ekimmu’s shoulder, she relaxed and for the first time in her long existence, felt at peace.

Ekimmu burned inside. Desire overwhelmed her. An uncontrollable need to touch and taste her mysterious captive confused her. She had experienced lust many times in her life, but never anything so powerful. Sarpe’s body was cool and refreshing, a soothing balm to the fierce fire raging through Ekimmu. Pressing her lips against Sarpe’s neck, she flicked it with her tongue, surprised at the musky, honey sweet flavor. Craving more, she gently took the skin between her teeth, wanting to taste.

Sarpe shivered as the tongue caressed her neck, the sensation both chilling and exciting. It was the teeth that brought her to her senses, causing her to jerk away, startling Ekimmu. The spirit quickly stepped away, confusion evident in her expression as she reached up to rub her neck.

“Thiss isn’t ssuch a good idea,” she said softly.

“I wouldn’t have hurt you.”

“It’s not me I’m thinking of,”

Ekimmu frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“I know. Let’ss ssay I’m not what you think I am.” Sarpe sighed. “I can’t let you sseek what you want from me.”

“I want you,” Ekimmu said. “I need to touch and taste you.”

Sarpe stared at the woman. She too felt a need to experience the sensations Ekimmu had just described. “I wish it could be sso, but I could never allow you to feed from me, although I don’t find the thought at all repulssive.”

“You know!” Ekimmu exclaimed, surprised.

“I ssaw you with the human female. I watched your dansse.”

Ekimmu frowned, remembering back to the night she and Lia had met. Other than the girl and her, the area had been devoid of any life form except for the strange snake. Shaking her head, she rejected the absurdity that Sarpe and the snake were somehow connected.

Sarpe smiled but said nothing, giving Ekimmu time to think.

Perhaps it was the moonlight reflecting off the golden brown eyes, perhaps the musky scent of the woman, or just the inevitable conclusion.

“Who or what are you?”

“I could assk you the ssame questions,” Sarpe said, stepping away. Ekimmu inhaled slowly, not wanting to believe what her mind told her was true.

“You know who I am,” Ekimmu said evasively.

“I know what name you call yoursself and that you appear human, but you aren’t. Sso, the quesstion is, who or what are you?”

“This is ridiculous. Of course I’m human. What else is there?”

“A good quesstion.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“It would sseem that what you ssee is what you get, according to you. As you ssaid, what elsse is there?” Sarpe smirked.

“Touché.” Ekimmu chuckled. “So we apparently have a standoff unless one of us takes the initiative, right?”

Nodding, Sarpe remained silent. It would be up to Ekimmu to take that step. Sensing the moment of truth, Ekimmu wasn’t sure what to do. She wanted to know Sarpe better. Sighing, she took Sarpe’s hand and pulled her toward a grassy moonlit area. Lying down on her back, she rested on her elbows and stared up at the stars.

“Come on! Lie down.” Ekimmu patted the grass. “Somehow I think you’ll find it familiar ground. No pun intended.”

Smiling, Sarpe lay on her side, her head resting on one hand.

“Where to begin?” Ekimmu mused.

“A wisse persson onsse ssaid the beginning is always a good place,” Sarpe teased.

“Of course. I suppose I should preface this by saying you’ll probably think I’m nuts. What I’m about to tell you will sound strange.”

“I’ve sseen sso many sstrange things in my time that life has sseased to be sstrange. In fact, I became very bored with my exisstence, until now.”

“I know the feeling. The beginning, huh? Okay. That would be a few thousands years ago, as impossible as that might sound.”

“A mere drop in the bucket,” Sarpe said.

“Umm. Sure,” Ekimmu agreed, not sure if the woman was being sarcastic. “Anyway, my people go back a long ways. Our records date to a time before the most ancient of civilizations existed, to the time of the gods, if you believe in gods, that is.”

Sarpe smiled. “I do.”

“I’m glad. My people believe we are the chosen people of the gods Geb and Isis. Supposedly, I’m the direct descendent of Isis. If we lived in a community, I would be their queen, but we’re a solitary people. A few have been lucky enough to find one of our own to bond with.”

“Why one of your own? There are billions of people on thiss planet. Are you incapable of mating with humans?”

“I don’t think so. It’s just that, well, we are rather long lived. I’ve had many lovers in my life. It’s depressing watching them grow old and die. Eventually, I came to realize it’s easier to stay away from relationships.”

Sarpe remained silent.

“Sorry, I’m digressing. As I was saying, we’re long lived. Our best chance at happiness and the survival of my people is staying with our own kind. The sad thing is that will also be our doom. There are only about a thousand of us left. In a few thousand years, we’ll be gone, but then, that’s the way all things go, isn’t it?” Ekimmu asked.

“Sso it would sseem,” Sarpe agreed. “Jusst how long do your people live?”

“I could tell you stories of my childhood. My earliest recollection is Babylon,” Ekimmu said hesitantly, waiting for the outburst of disbelief.

“Babylon. Ssuch a long time ago,” Sarpe said. “For ssome,” she amended.

Ekimmu gave her a strange look. “You sound unimpressed.”

“Ssorry. I’m very much impressed. I’ve never heard of a sspecies sso long lived. It gives me hope.”

“Hope?”

Sarpe’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Thiss is your story, remember?”

“I get the feeling you aren’t surprised by any of this,” Ekimmu said, reaching over to stroke Sarpe’s cheek. “Perhaps you’re used to the ramblings of crazy women.”

“Like I ssaid, I’ve sseen a lot of sstrange things in my life.” Sarpe leaned into the caress, her skin tingling at the touch.

“I guess I might as well expose my entire sordid history,” Ekimmu threatened. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Shifting closer to the warm body, Sarpe wrapped one arm around the woman’s waist while resting her head on Ekimmu’s bicep. “I’m all earss,” she replied.

For hours, the spirit listened to Ekimmu describe her childhood, her parents, and her experiences. Only when Ramus was mentioned did she interrupt.

“Ramuss. A rather unssavory creature, I would ssay.”

“Yes. Unfortunately, he still lives. I fear he’s found his way here. In fact, that’s why I was out so late tonight. Well, actually, you started it,” she accused.

“Me? What have I to do with thiss?”

“I was restless after our meeting and decided to go for a walk. I heard the wolves crying and decided to check it out. When I found them, they were dead, the work of Ramus, I believe.”

“Sso that was Ramuss!”

“You saw him?”

“If he’s the one who killed the wolves, then yess. Tall, sslender, very sstrong. At first, I thought he was a vampire.”

“Vampire?”

“He drinkss the blood of his victims, but I realized he was of the living unlike those who musst hide from the light.”

“It’s true we need blood, but we are no different than other living creatures. It provides certain elements essential to our health. All living things must eat.”

“Yess, that is the way of life, but thiss Ramus enjoyss the kill more than mosst.”

 “I know. Stay away from him. He’s dangerous.”

Sarpe shrugged, snuggling closer to enjoy the warmth. “He’ss no threat to me.”

“He’s a threat to anything living,” Ekimmu countered angrily.

“Perhapss, but not to me,” Sarpe reiterated. “Trusst me on thiss. I’ve been around a long time, and very few things can harm me.”

“You sound like an immortal,” Ekimmu joked.

“Not really. That’ss a human concept.”

“Human! You make them sound like a disease.”

“No. Jusst different.”

“Let’s stop this verbal charade. I’ve told you about me. Now it’s time to tell me about you.”

Sarpe laughed. The more she was around Ekimmu, the more she liked the woman, human or not. Then again, since she was the serpent spirit, human or not didn’t mean much to her.

“I ssuppose you have a point. You remember assking me if I believe in gods?”

“Yes.”

“Do you?”

“I’m not sure. Are you going to tell me you’re a goddess? Of course with your looks and body, I’d willingly believe it.” Ekimmu grinned and wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

“No. I’m definitely no goddesss.” Sarpe smirked. “But closse.”

“Damn! A woman can only hope. So how close is close?”

“Would you ssettle for a sspirit?”

“Spirit? Like in spirit spirit?”

“I don’t know of any other kind.”

“You mean the not real but a ghostly spirit type?” Ekimmu asked, reaching over and poking at the warm body pressed against hers. “You feel real.”

“Of coursse I’m real. Sspirits aren’t imaginary. We’re very much alive, jusst different.”

“How come you look like us? Wait, that was you the other night! You were the snake. Are you a shapeshifter?”

“No, not in the way you mean. I can take on many formss. The oness like my kin are the easiesst. I haven’t ussed this one in over a thousand yearss.”

“You’re a snake?”

“Sserpent. More correctly, sserpent sspirit. Ssnakes are part of my kin. Does that bother you?”

“I haven’t even had time to absorb this, let alone be bothered,” Ekimmu said. “But if this is your human form, I have no complaints. Umm... you said they were ‘part’ of your kin. What else are you related to? Please don’t tell me frogs and toads and turtles.” Ekimmu looked uncomfortable.

“Unfortunately, yess. They are what you would call disstant relatives.”

Rolling her eyes, Ekimmu sighed. “Okay. I guess I can live with that, as long as I don’t have to attend any family reunions,” she teased. “So there is some truth to the fairytale.”

Sarpe frowned. “Fairytale?”

“You know, the frog turning into a prince. In my case, it’s a snake into a princess.”

“I’m no frog... and definitely not a prinssess. As for family reunions, I gave those up long ago.”

“Good. Cold-blooded creatures give me the willies.”

“Like me?” Sarpe asked, leaning away from Ekimmu to look into her eyes.

“I wouldn’t say you’re cold-blooded. In fact, I’d say you were rather hot and you definitely give me the shivers.”

Sarpe smiled, pleased. “Good and I’d ssay you’re probably right.”

“So, tell me, do spirits feel emotions?”

“We feel everything,” Sarpe said. “After all, life ssprang from our essensse. It’s rare for uss to bond, although it does happen occasionally.”

“I take it spirits are mostly solitary by nature. It appears we have much in common.”

“Ssadly sso. I’m happy to ssee the Earth Mother has found one to fulfill her needs and dessires. They’re holding their union sseremony in a few days.”

“Earth Mother?”

“Mari. We believe she created your world. Yemaya is her desscendant.”

“Now that explains a lot. Ms. Lysanne is a powerful woman and very beautiful.”

“True, but don’t underesstimate her mate. Dakota is the key that keepss Yemaya’s darkness in check. Her anssesstor will be Mari’s chosen.”

“So history repeats itself.”

Leaning toward Sarpe, Ekimmu pressed her lips against the spirit’s cheek. “Have you ever felt lust, Sarpe?” she whispered, her voice purring slightly.

“No. At leasst not until ressently,” Sarpe murmured, turning her face so their lips were almost touching. “But I’m ssertainly willing to experiensse it.”

“Good. I’m willing to help, if you want,” Ekimmu said softly.

Inhaling deeply to slow her breathing, Sarpe felt slightly disoriented. These feelings were so alien to her. She was unsure of what to do next. Sensing her confusion, Ekimmu wrapped her arms around the spirit, drawing her tightly against her body.

“It’s okay. Let me show you,” she said tenderly.

Acquiescing, Sarpe relaxed slightly. “You can’t feed,” she ordered, almost brusquely. “You musst promisse me no matter what, you won’t ever sseek nourishment from me without my permission.”

“Tonight you have nothing to fear. I promise I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”

Releasing her hold, Ekimmu rolled Sarpe onto her back while she stretched out next to her, her head resting on a palm. Reaching over, she began unbuttoning the silk blouse and pushed the edges aside. In the moonlight, she noticed the skin beneath the clothing had an unusual pattern covering the stomach and ribs. Irregular light and dark brown patches crisscrossed Sarpe’s torso.

“Interesting tattoo,” she observed, running her finger along the darker areas.

“It’ss not a tattoo. That’ss my natural coloring. Does it bother you?” Sarpe asked, her skin rippling from the tickly sensation. “I can change it.”

“No, I like it,” Ekimmu whispered, pushing the blouse apart to expose two small, well-rounded breasts. “No bra,” she commented, then frowned slightly.

“I don’t need one. Iss that a problem?”

“Oh. No. But, well.”

“Ssomething’s wrong, isn’t it?”

“Oh, no, no. It’s just... well... you don’t have...  nipples.”

“Nippless? I don’t need nippless,” Sarpe said indignantly. “It’ss not like sserpents have need of those things or anyone is going to ssee me unclothed.”

“Well, I am and nipples are an important part of lovemaking.”

“Really?” Reaching down, Sarpe ran her hand over her own breasts. “They mean that much?”

“Absolutely! You have no idea how much a nice set of nipples contributes to the mood and the pleasure in lovemaking. I’d rank them somewhere between the second and third most important body part.”

“Ah! Nippless it is then if they are sso important.”

Ekimmu’s eyes widened as a nipple formed on each breast. Laughing, she poked Sarpe in the ribs, causing the spirit to jump.

“That’s a great skill you have, dear, but could you make them slightly smaller, maybe the size of acorns? They kind of remind me of walnuts, which is a little intimidating.”

“Ssooo ssize does matter. All right. How’s thiss?”

“Perfect,” Ekimmu purred, reaching out to stroke one with her thumb. “Can you feel this?”

“Yess. It’ss pleasant.”

“That’s a relief. Now I’m wondering what else you might be missing.”

“There’s more?” Sarpe wondered, her golden-brown eyes widening. “Does thiss have ssomething to do with numbers one and two?”

Rolling her eyes, Ekimmu couldn’t stop the laughter bubbling up from deep inside. “You don’t know much about a woman’s body, do you?” she teased.

“I’m the sserpent sspirit. Sserpents don’t need the extras humans sseem to need.” Sarpe looked somewhat indignant as she arched her right eyebrow.

“This is going to be so much fun for the both of us.” Ekimmu grinned and stroked the spirit’s cheek. “Perhaps a quick lesson in female human anatomy might be a good start before we continue. I suspect you’ve left out a few small things that make a huge difference in how this is going to turn out.”

Sarpe shook her head in frustration. “I hope it’ss worth it,” she mumbled.

“Oh, I promise you, it most definitely is.” Ekimmu tried not to laugh at the dejected look on the spirit’s face. “Now the next big question is, do you know what a clitoris is?”

Shaking her head, Sarpe sighed. “I’m beginning to feel like your legendary Frankensstein.”

Laughing loudly, Ekimmu leaned down and kissed Sarpe hard on the lips. “Not to worry, dear. I’ll make sure you have the correct body parts in all the right places before we’re finished.”

The next several hours were spent describing and creating the various essentials of womanhood. Finally satisfied the spirit understood everything perfectly, Ekimmu decided it was time to call it a night. “It looks like we’ll have to continue this another time.”

“Yess. I have to admit, thiss one was rather exhausting. I can’t believe I came here to resst. I never knew human women were sso complicated.”

“Trust me. You’ll find it’s worth the effort. Once I show you the rest, I think you’ll be quite pleased with your efforts.” Kissing Sarpe soundly, she took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “For now, though, I need to get back to the hotel. I’ll be leaving later today. When will I see you again?”

Sarpe smiled tenderly. “You forget. I’m a sspirit. Thiss world holds no boundaries for me. When you’re ready, I’ll be there,” she promised.

“Then I’ll see you tonight. No use wasting time.” Ekimmu sighed with relief.

After a quick hug, the two separated and went their own ways, each excited over the possibilities the future held. The streets were almost abandoned as Ekimmu strolled toward her hotel. About to enter, she was startled by a hand on her shoulder.

“We have business to attend to. Please come with me.”

“Of course,” Ekimmu replied dutifully. “I am yours to command.”

The two women disappeared into the darkness.