CHAPTER 16


 

LILITH PACED BACK and forth as she listened to Agra’s report of Belinda’s disappearance.

"Surely one of the minions can tell us what’s happening," Agra said.

"You would think," Lilith agreed. "Apparently, they have little interest in such unimportant things as whores."

"Since when did minions get to choose their duties?"

"Since Dis grew bored with this world, and lazy. It seems he has decided the humans can do enough evil on their own without his intervention. I’m not so sure he's wrong, either."

"Well, I’m not about to let anyone harm what is mine without feeling my wrath. My lord gave them to me thousand of years ago for fulfilling my duties to him. Those who choose to work for me willingly come under my protection."

"Agra, you have done all that you can. Perhaps Dis is right. We’ve grown too attached to these humans. Most of them are doomed to a miserable existence as it is."

"That's not the point... and I’m not here to argue with you. If Dis or his minions won’t help me, I’ll find someone who will, even if it means going to the Twin."

"I think that’s a little extreme and unnecessary," Lilith admonished.

"Me too, for now," Kali agreed, having just entered the room. "There are other ways of finding out. I’ll put the word out to a few minions who owe me favors. If they can’t find anything out, themselves, you can bet they’ll know someone that can." Turning to make eye contact with Agra, she placed her hand on the demoness’s shoulder. "I promise you, if we don’t hear anything soon, I’ll join you if you still want to go to the Twin... and Dis, himself, won’t be able to stop us. He has felt my wrath, already. He may still be our lord but only as long as we permit it."

Lilith looked from one demoness to the other and then laughed.

"Dis is lucky you two aren’t ambitious. I’m not so sure he’d win in a battle against you."

"We have no interest in ruling the Underworld," Agra said. "The damned lead boring existences."

"As do the good," Kali added. "It’s those whose fate is still undecided we find most to our liking. They are the unfinished stories of life."

"I agree. Keep me informed," Lilith ordered and vanished abruptly.

"She can be so serious at times. You'd think after all this time she'd learn to relax," Agra joked.

"Like us you mean."

"Hey, we're getting better."

Kali cocked her head sideways and smirked at her friend. Her newest hairdo made her look like a punk rocker from some heavy metal band. Red spiked hair with purple tips, dark green eyes and the torn jeans and tank top was far removed from the dark looks of her past. The change was obviously the result of her mental evolution from the angry demoness who had rebelled against the Twin... and had earned Dis's respect and gratitude... to the more fun-loving woman of today. Had Kali not lived in the time when the Twin had cast Dis and his followers out of their Kingdom, she would never have believed this Agra was the same person who had married their Underlord. Of course, the marriage lasted only a short time before he decided enough was enough and begged her for his freedom.

"What are you smirking about?" Agra demanded.

"Oh, I was just remembering something from long ago?"

"Care to share or is it personal?"

Laughing, Kali shook her head.

"Not really. I was just thinking about those years you and Dis were a couple."

"Paleeze! I had almost forgotten that or at least was trying to."

"I know but you have to admit we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your marriage to him. After all, it's the only reason you got the whores."

"Yeah. Everyone still claims I did him and them a favor releasing him from the contract." Agra chuckled.

"Well, whatever went on between you two, he definitely put his minions through hell while you were together."

"Not as much as I did him. All he ever wanted was sex. I don't know if you've ever seen Dis without his clothes, but he's enormously endowed... and considers himself a great lover."

"Ummm, I think maybe we can leave out the details," Kali snickered. "Anyway, I'd say you probably did. It was soon afterward that Lilith caught his eye."

"Not to mention, you had caught mine and was flirting unmercifully."

"Well, you were hot, and I was an angry and ambitious woman."

"That's putting it mildly. When the Angels defeated us in the Great Battle, there was no one to defend the Underworld against their final assault. We would have been overthrown had you not rallied the demons."

"Threatened you mean."

"Threatened... rallied... no difference. The light emanating from your eyes and hands was so terrible it scorched anyone it touched. They feared you more than they did Dis and it scared him so much, he still avoids you. I've always wanted to ask you where it came from?"

"I really don't know. It’s just something that happens when I'm extremely angry."

"Well, I hope no one ever makes you that angry again."

"I'm a lot mellower now... I think."

"Uh huh," Agra teased. "I'll take your word for it."

Leaning her head against the backrest, Agra closed her eyes and relaxed. It felt good reminiscing over old times. Picking up on her thoughts, Kali agreed.