CHAPTER 16

 DAKOTA WASN’T SURE what had disturbed her. She had only managed to fall asleep a few hours before after giving Yemaya a good back massage. The night seemed to beckon to her. Slipping quietly from the bed, she pulled on her T-shirt and jeans.

The bedroom window was open. A gentle breeze disturbed the curtains, carrying the fresh scent of the outdoors into the room along with faint flickers of moonlight. Shadows danced across the walls giving life to the quietness of the room. Feeling restless, Dakota debated whether to wake Yemaya but decided against it, knowing how exhausted her lover was from the stress of having to deal with the death of Regina’s pup.

Pushing the curtains aside, she leaned out the window, her elbows on the sill, and stared into the darkness. It would be nice to take a short walk and relax, she thought. Walking to the bed, she kissed Yemaya lightly on the lips.

“Be back in a jiff,” she promised softly, then slipped quietly from the bedroom and house.

The crisp air made her shiver. The full moon provided plenty of light, so she tucked the flashlight in her hip pocket. Walking across the drawbridge, she turned upstream, knowing the trip back would be easier. An owl hooted loudly from a nearby tree before launching itself into the air, its silhouette passing eerily across the moon.

“How typical!” Dakota chuckled. “So cliché!” she muttered, thinking back to the Halloween drawings of her childhood. Looking around, she was a little surprised Simtire wasn’t bouncing around her. Normally, she appeared instantly whenever Dakota stepped outside. The young wolf rarely left her side during her walks.

Guess she’s with Regina, Dakota thought, remembering the detailed description Yemaya had given her of the earlier events. I hope they’re okay.

A rustling noise to her left startled her. When a rabbit hopped across her path, she giggled nervously. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” she said, suddenly feeling uneasy.

“Oh, I think it’s an excellent one,” a low, raspy voice said behind her.

Heart pounding, Dakota spun around and bumped into the tall figure of a man. Instinctively, she pushed away, only to be caught and steadied by two strong hands.

“Did I frighten you? I do apologize, Ms. Devereaux,” Ramus said.

“Mr. Falthama. You startled me. What are you doing out here? You’re trespassing, you know.” She tried to regain her composure.

“One cannot trespass on the land. The Earth belongs to everyone,” he said. “Humans delude themselves into thinking they have certain rights. You’re an arrogant people.”

“I’m not going to debate it with you at this time of the night. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back. Yemaya is waiting for me.”

“Please don’t treat me like a fool. We both know your lover is sleeping soundly. It’s been a stressful day for her,” he chided. “With the loss of the wolves and everything else. Such a tragedy.”

“How do you know about them? It only happened a few hours ago. And take your hands off me.”

Shrugging, Ramus released his grip. “I know many things. Did you find Om Loh Rehn’s stories amusing?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Amusing? I wouldn’t say that. Interesting, yes.”

Smiling, Ramus stared at Dakota thoughtfully. “Do you believe what you’ve read?”

“I don’t know what to believe. Right now, I just want to go home and get some sleep, so if you’ll excuse me.”

“No.”

“No? No what?” Dakota asked, frowning.

“No, I won’t excuse you. I have use of you. Afterward, perhaps I’ll excuse you.”

Ramus suddenly jerked Dakota toward him. Holding her by the throat, he bent his head and inhaled, intentionally making the gesture obscene.

“Mmm... not as sweet as Carpi blood but not bad for a mongrel,” he said, grinning with satisfaction when Dakota shuddered.

Struggling against the grip on her neck and the arm that was wrapped tightly around her waist, Dakota realized she was helpless.

“Now, now! This will only hurt a little, so there is no use fighting me. Just a small nip should bring your lover here.”

Leaning down, he ran his tongue along her neck. Dakota shivered, repulsed by the contact. His soft chuckle frightened her even more. He was a creature without a soul.

“I disagree,” Ramos whispered in her ear, flicking his tongue against the lobe. “I very much have one, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to appreciate the wonderful taste of your skin or smell the essence of your blood and fear. Adrenaline! Did you know it makes the blood slightly tart?” He tilted his head slightly, fascinated at her ability to control her fear so well. “You’re very beautiful in spite of your impurities.”

Dakota tried to scream, but the hand around her throat tightened mercilessly, cutting off the air and the blood supply. Feeling faint, she slumped against his chest. “Yemaya,” she cried out silently.

“Yes. Call her, my dear. Bring her to me,” Ramus encouraged, his breath brushing her neck, causing the hairs to raise. “She’ll come if you call her. She can’t resist the cry of her lover. Here, let me give her an incentive.”

Forcing Dakota’s head back, he nipped the skin above the jugular vein, causing a small rivulet of blood to run down her neck.

“She doesn’t have a lot of time, I’m afraid. I grow hungry from your scent,” he murmured, licking his teeth suggestively. “Perhaps I should just savor the moment instead of being reasonable.”

“Yemaya! Please...” Dakota silently begged. “Don’t come. Don’t try and rescue me. Don’t give in to him.”

“Ah, such courage. Sacrificing yourself for her. I’m touched.” He smirked and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “She will come, you know. How could she not? Such love,” he mused, tracing a droplet of blood with his finger as it slid down her neck. Putting the finger in his mouth, he tasted the warm, rich fluid. “Sweet! I stand corrected. It would seem in your case, the adrenaline only enhances the sweetness.”

So entranced was he by his musings, Ramus didn’t notice the body launching itself at him until sharp fangs gripped his arm, penetrating the flesh. Surprised, he threw Dakota aside. Simtire immediately released her grip and backed away, aware that this was the creature who had murdered her sister. Still, she was more than willing to sacrifice herself for her beloved mistress.

“So...  your savior isn’t who I was hoping for, Ms. Devereaux,” Ramus sneered, glancing at the puncture wounds in his forearm. “No matter, this impudent young pup is a merely a nuisance.”

Wiping the blood away with his hand, he watched the wolf circle him, her lips curled exposing long white teeth. Hackles raised, she crouched slightly, ready to jump if the thing moved toward Dakota. Although Ramus knew the wolf wasn’t a serious threat to him, she could inflict enough pain to be uncomfortable for a few days. His dilemma now was whether to retrieve Dakota or catch the wolf.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Dakota scrambled farther away from him, looking for an opportunity to assist the young wolf. Escape wasn’t an alternative as long as Simtire was in danger.

Sensing her mistress’s intentions, Simtire flashed a quick look in her direction before refocusing on Ramus. Dakota felt the wolf warning her not to interfere. Not on your life, she thought. We do this together.

Ramus knew his best chance to catch the wolf was to go for Dakota. He knew she would automatically try to protect her mistress. Turning slightly, he walked toward Dakota, pretending to ignore the wolf.

“Well, my dear. This has been interesting, but time is growing short. Say goodbye to this one,” he advised, reaching for Dakota. As predicted, Simtire launched herself at the outstretched hand. Ramus quickly spun and grabbed the wolf by the neck, holding her struggling body high in the air. Simtire snarled, snapping and kicking furiously.

“Nice try. Such bravery should be rewarded. I’ll give you a quick death.”

“No!” Dakota yelled, springing to her feet and grabbing Ramus’s arm.

“Promise me you won’t resist and I’ll make her death painless,” Ramus said, holding the struggling animal effortlessly, his gaze locked on Dakota.

Before she could answer, another object hurled past her, striking Ramus in the chest, causing him to stumble backward and loosen his grip. Simtire twisted away, falling to the ground. Regina lunged, snapping at Ramus’s face, causing him to throw his hands up in self-defense. Realizing a second wolf had arrived, Ramus swore angrily. This wasn’t part of his plan. Before he could react, a sharp pain in his right calf caused his knee to buckle. Looking down, he saw an old gray male had sunk its fangs deep into his leg.

Dakota watched, mesmerized by the coordinated attack of the wolves, each springing forward, then backing away before Ramus could react. Ramus was continually kept off-guard, turning left, then right as they nipped at his legs or hands. Howling his own rage, he decided it was time to leave. Unfortunately, his path was blocked by several more wolves sitting a few meters away, snarling angrily.

“Call them off,” he yelled at Dakota, feeling fear for the first time in his life.

“They aren’t mine to call off,” Dakota said, rubbing the small wound on her neck.

“No, they are mine!” a low, extremely angry voice growled from the darkness. “It would seem they know you, Ramus. I believe they wish to collect on a debt,” Yemaya said coldly, crossing her arms as she stepped from the shadows. “But I think I will claim mine first. They can have the leftovers. Regina, Voinic, enough!” she ordered calmly. Too calmly, Dakota thought as she jumped to her feet.

“Yemaya,” she cried, hugging the taller woman. When Yemaya ignored the embrace and brusquely pushed Dakota away, Dakota’s greatest fear was realized. Eyes the color of the darkest coal looked beyond her to Ramus, who was rubbing his right arm.

“I have decided to grant you your wish, Ramus,” Yemaya said, her upper lip curled slightly, reminding him of the wolves standing silently a few meters away. “But first, I want to know why you killed my wolves. They were never a threat to you.”

Ramus smiled smugly and shrugged, deriving pleasure from the knowledge that their deaths had affected this woman deeply.

“Because I could,” he boasted, making eye contact with Yemaya. “And because they reminded me of a woman I knew a long time ago. She was quite fond of wolves, much like you, I’d say.”

“You must have hated her very much.”

“Quite the contrary, Ms. Lysanne, I loved her. Unfortunately, she didn’t return my affections.”

“So she spurned you. Smart woman!”

Ramus laughed, amused by her bravado. “If you say so. I’d say she made a poor decision. Sadly, she and her lover died rather suddenly. An unfortunate accident.”

“Accident? You call murder an accident? A lot of people die when you’re around. I think maybe it is about time someone put a stop to these accidents.”

“And just how will you do that?” Ramus asked, enjoying their game of cat and mouse.

“I have many skills, as you well know. That is why you are here, why you abducted Dakota.”

“Partly.” He saw no reason to deny her accusation. “You interest me. There’s a darkness about you, an aura, you might say. I saw two of your shows. You’re more than you pretend to be. Even your lover here doesn’t know the real you.”

“And you do?”

“Perhaps. We’re the same, you and I. We share the same darkness, the same desires, the same need for power. Only you suppress yours while I live mine.”

“We are nothing alike,” Yemaya hissed, taking a step forward. “You are a killer. You kill for the joy of killing with no thought, no remorse, no feeling.”

Ramus laughed loudly. “Please. Are you telling me you have never killed anyone?”

“There is a first time for everything. I think tonight you will be my first,” Yemaya said coldly. “We have talked enough.”

“We even have a common acquaintance, as you would say.” He suddenly changed the subject.

Yemaya frowned, caught momentarily off-guard.

“Now I’ve piqued your interest. Let’s just say I paid a visit to your dream girl earlier today. I found our little chat very interesting,” he taunted.

“What did you do to Lia?” Yemaya’s black eyes blazed with barely controlled rage.

“Why nothing,” he replied innocently. “I simply needed to experience what you have. It was quite enlightening. That’s how I know we’re the same. As for Lia, I have no need for her now. She’s damaged and besides, it would make the authorities too suspicious, don’t you think? At the moment, they think bacteria caused her troubles. We don’t want to disillusion them now, do we?”

“And the dead women?”

“Ah, sadly some unfortunate dog has been discovered to be very sick. Poor thing! The authorities destroyed him,” he smirked.

“You arrogant bastard!” Dakota yelled.

“Be quiet!” Yemaya snarled, glancing at Dakota momentarily. Dakota flinched as if struck.

“So you went to all this trouble just to meet me?” Yemaya demanded, once again focusing on Ramus. “You laid your filthy hands on my lover, threatened her, assaulted her. All so you could get to know me?”

Ramus nodded, smiling mockingly, but said nothing, taunting her with his smugness.

Yemaya wasn’t amused. “Well then, you have your wish,” she said, her voice cool, emotionless. “The very least I can do is reward your efforts.”

Surprised at her easy acquiescence, Ramus frowned, looking first at her, then the wolves surrounding them.

“Just like that? You surprise me. And what happens while collecting my reward?” he asked sarcastically. “Will the wolves attack while I’m distracted by your charms?” He eyed the three animals.

“Why, Ramus. I am hurt. You do not trust me. And here you claim we are so much alike,” she sneered, her black eyes gleaming hotly. “Why would I let them have all the fun?”

Ramus hesitated, momentarily unsure. Finally deciding she was trying to intimidate him, he chuckled. “You have a wicked sense of humor.”

“Oh, if you only knew! So do we stand here all night or will you accept my offer?”

“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.”

Yemaya smiled and Dakota shivered. This wasn’t her lover. It was the beast inside of her. The darkness had taken control.

“Yemaya! Don’t do this!” Dakota whispered, grabbing her arm. “This isn’t you!”

Yemaya looked at Dakota for a few seconds before reaching down and removing the hand clamped around her arm.

“I... said... be quiet! This is exactly me. When will you learn? Now if you are unable to do as I say, I suggest you leave. This is between Ramus and me. No one touches you except me,” she hissed. “I intend to teach him that lesson before he dies.”

“Please,” Dakota begged. “You don’t know what you’re doing. Let’s just get out of here.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“You go! I have plans. Now run along like a good girl. I will have use of you once I finish here.” The look she gave sent a shiver through Dakota’s body. Noticing the reaction, Yemaya smiled, satisfied Dakota had caught her meaning. Then turning away, she stared at Ramus. “Shall we?”

“Of course, my dear. I look forward to our union.”

Feeling helpless, Dakota looked from Yemaya to Ramus. She knew Yemaya intended on killing Ramus; at least the beast wanted to. Her Yemaya was trapped somewhere inside, a prisoner of her own darkness.

“Regina!” Dakota turned to the old female wolf. “We have to stop her. This will destroy her even if she succeeds in killing Ramus.”

Regina looked from Dakota to her mistress. She sensed the change in Yemaya. Never had she challenged Yemaya’s authority, but something unnatural controlled her human companion. Whining, she looked to Voinic. Rising to their feet simultaneously, the wolves stepped between Ramus and Yemaya, lips curled exposing elongated fangs. Confused, Simtire hesitated but moved closer, offering her support.

“Regina, go away!” Yemaya ordered, angered by their interference.

Ramus remained silent, fascinated at the odd exchange.

The three wolves stood still, unmoved by their mistress’s tone.

“Regina, I said leave us,” Yemaya hissed through gritted teeth.

Regina wavered. Yemaya had never talked to them like that. Whining softly, she stared unblinkingly into her mistress’s eyes. Yemaya stepped forward but stopped when the old female wolf raised her lips and growled a warning.

“You dare to disobey me? I am your mistress. Leave before you anger me further.” She glared angrily at the wolves.

Regina bristled, a deep growl rumbling in her throat. Crouching, she prepared to lunge if the thing inside her mistress tried to enter her mind.

“Stay!” a voice commanded from the shadows.

Everyone turned, startled by the interruption. Constance emerged from the darkness, leaning heavily on Ekimmu’s arm.

“What now?” Ramus asked, throwing up his hands in frustration. “A circus?”

“Be quiet, Ramus!” Constance said, staring at him coolly. “You’ve done enough damage this night. I’ll deal with you later. Are you okay, Dakota?”

“Constance, we have to stop her,” Dakota cried, running to the older woman. “She means to kill Ramus!”

“She means to try, but she will fail. Yemaya lacks the knowledge to destroy the likes of him. There is a way, though, if you have the courage. You need only join with her and the two of you might be able to defeat him.” Constance watched for Dakota’s reaction.

“Very good, Constance,” Yemaya interrupted sarcastically. “I had not thought of using Dakota against Ramus. It is so logical! How about it, Dakota? Join me! You and I will rid the world of this creature.” Her voice was gentle and persuasive. “Think of it. No more killing. No more fear of the dark. Help me and it will happen.”

Confused, Dakota stared at the black eyes, looking for confirmation that this was her lover. She wanted to believe the woman standing before her was Yemaya and not the beast. It was true getting rid of Ramus would end his killing spree and perhaps save hundreds of lives, maybe thousands, if her suspicions were right.

Ekimmu stood by quietly listening. Constance was giving Dakota the opportunity to choose her and Yemaya’s fate. No one would interfere once Dakota made her decision.

“I’m sorry, Yemaya. I can’t.” Dakota sobbed. “And I can’t let you do this!”

Stepping closer, she faced Yemaya, her back to Ramus. He remained still, amused by the battle of wills. The young woman had an inner strength even he hadn’t imagined. Ekimmu glanced at Ramus, sensing his thoughts.

“I will do this, Dakota! You must choose between him and me. Decide now!”

“No!I can’t let you do this. You’ll have to come through me to get him, my love. You’ve never killed before and I won’t let you start now.”

“You are such a fool! Did you really think Eddy Jones blew his brains out because he wanted to or that Dalnos hung himself out of remorse? You cannot imagine how easy it is to get people to do what I want or see what I want. I am an Illusionist,” she bragged. “I can do anything I want when I want, even to you... especially to you. You were my easiest conquest.”

Flinching, Dakota didn’t miss the meaning behind Yemaya’s words, nor the attempts to place doubts in her mind about their relationship. Straightening to her full height, she returned the black gaze of her lover, her emerald green eyes challenging Yemaya.

“I don’t believe you! It is making you say that. I know you, Yemaya. You may have done something to those people but never that. You would never force me to do anything I didn’t want.”

“You are naïve,” Yemaya sneered, then decided to change tactics. “Look around. No one here is going to help you. Certainly not Ramus! And the old woman? She will not interfere. Meddling in the affairs of mere humans is beneath her. Now the other one...” She gestured at Ekimmu. “She may be a different matter. She has a conscience, but are you willing to bet on her coming to your aid?”

“I don’t need them. I have Regina and Voinic and Simtire. Are you so sure of the others? After all, they came here for a reason.”

“Ask them! Prove me wrong.” Yemaya smirked, crossing her arms.

“No! Not this time, my love. Before, I didn’t have the confidence to help you by myself. Now I do. This is my battle, win or lose,” she said. “I know you’re in there somewhere listening and fighting. You would never give up without a struggle. I know you love me. I’m here ready to give all of me if that’s what it takes to get you back. I’ll die if need be. You’d do the same.”

Dakota watched Yemaya’s face for some sign of her lover. No one else would have noticed the slight movement of the throat, but Dakota recognized the first crack in the beast’s armor.

“Get out of my way, Dakota!” Yemaya hissed angrily, raising her hand to shove her aside. “Or I will move you myself.”

“Then do it,” Dakota challenged, pressing her shoulder against the outstretched hand. “But you’ll have to kill me first.”

Yemaya frowned. This wasn’t going the way she wanted. Looking beyond Dakota, she stared at Ramus. “Do you want this or not, Ramus?”

Raising his arms slightly and shrugging, Ramus grimaced. “As you can see, I’m at a disadvantage here.” He looked at the wolf blocking his path, then at the two Gebian women. “I’m sure you’re more than capable of handling your woman.”

Yemaya cursed and frowned. Reaching up, she rubbed her right temple.

Dakota placed her fingers near the spot Yemaya was massaging. Yemaya caught the hand and squeezed hard, watching Dakota’s face for signs of pain. Remaining still, Dakota stared into dark gray eyes, refusing to give in.

“That’s it, my love. We’ve beat it before. We can do it again.”

As the pressure on her hand decreased, the pain on her lover’s face increased. Dakota gently disengaged her hand from Yemaya’s grasp and placed her palm against her lover’s cheek.

“I know it’s hard, but come to me. I’m waiting here for you.”

“Do you wish my help, Little One?” a deep voice from within Dakota’s mind whispered, temporarily distracting her. Constance, Ekimmu, and Ramus frowned almost simultaneously, looking sharply at Dakota.

“Not this time, Intunecat.” Dakota never took her eyes off her lover. “But thank you.”

“As you wish, but you need only call and I will come,” the Dark One said before disappearing. “At no cost,” he added, his chuckle resonating through her mind.

Casting all thoughts of Intunecat aside, Dakota focused her full attention on her lover. “Yemaya, we can do this. Try, sweetie.”

Everyone watched the silent struggle. Even Ramus was intrigued. In the thousands of years of his existence, he had seen real love only a few times. Yemaya and Dakota reminded him of Inanna and her chosen. Looking at their daughter, he found her watching him and realized she was thinking the same thought. Constance remained still, ignoring everyone but the two women.

Yemaya closed her eyes and groaned. The beast could feel itself being pushed back into its cave. Raging, it resisted, struggling for domination, but slowly gave ground. Somehow, the mistress was gathering strength from Dakota’s voice. Howling in anger, it lashed out, slashing at everything within reach of its dark tentacles. Falling to her knees from the white hot pain searing her brain, sweat ran in rivulets down Yemaya’s cheeks and dripped onto her breasts as she battled relentlessly against the blackness. In the depths of her agony, she continued to follow the gentle voice guiding her home, gaining strength from its soothing warmth. Finally in one giant burst, she lunged forward, shoving the beast deep into the caves of her mind and slammed the door.

Dakota knew the moment Yemaya regained control and grabbed the taller woman as she collapsed. Sinking to the ground, she shifted to a sitting position and pulled Yemaya’s head onto her lap, stroking the sweat-soaked hair. For a moment, pale blue eyes opened to stare at her before closing tiredly.

“Take your time.”

Looking at Constance, she nodded.

“You’ve done well, Dakota,” Constance said.

Turning to Ramus, Constance frowned. “Come with me!” she ordered. “Ekimmu?”

Ekimmu stepped forward, giving Constance an arm for support. The two women disappeared into the night. Sighing, Ramus shook his head.

“I’m impressed, Ms. Devereaux,” he said, his voice holding the faintest hint of admiration. “Rest well. This isn’t over yet.”

“On the contrary,” a voice spoke from the darkness. “Say goodbye, Ramus. Dakota and Yemaya won’t be seeing you again.”

Grimacing comically, Ramus shrugged and disappeared in the same direction as the voice. One never argued with the Om, even him.

Dakota wasn’t sure what had just happened but decided to pursue it later. Yemaya was her only interest now. “Sweetie, can you stand?” she asked softly.

“I... I think so.” Dakota helped her to sit up, supporting her back until she was sure Yemaya was stable. Heaving herself off the ground, Yemaya grabbed Dakota’s hand and pulled her up to her feet and into her arms.

“I would have never made it without you,” she admitted tiredly.

“You’d have come back to me. Our love is too strong for you to fail. I just gave you a slight nudge,” Dakota teased, poking the taller woman with her elbow.

“More like a shove.”

Smiling, Dakota wrapped her arm around Yemaya’s waist, offering her support if she needed it.

“I am fine. Really.” Yemaya tried to reassure her lover, but appreciated having a warm, strong body to lean on.

 

*  *  *

Seeing their mistress was back to normal, Regina and Voinic loped toward her enthusiastically. Simtire ran to Dakota, nuzzling her hand.

“Thank you, Regina, Voinic. And you too, Simtire.”

“Yes, thank all of you,” Dakota agreed. “I’m in your debt.”

After frolicking with the humans for a few minutes, the wolves left to romp in the woods. Loping away, their howls grew faint as they disappeared into the distance.

Yemaya and Dakota made their way home and collapsed on the bed exhausted. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they quickly fell asleep.