CHAPTER 26


 

 

 

FIVE WEEKS LATER Dakota found herself sitting between her mom and her grandmother at the Charleston Ocean Institute. Yemaya had finished describing the facilities and had introduced Shezarra, the great white shark. When she reappeared on stage in her blue and silver wetsuit and mask, she climbed the platform and dove into the water. Shezarra swam lazily around the tank eyeing the woman.

"She's quite beautiful," Teetonka said, nudging Dakota with her elbow.

"The shark or the woman?"

"Actually both, now that you mention it," her mother teased, wiggling both eyebrows.

Pashna nodded her head in agreement.

"I've never seen a live shark before. They really are quite magnificent aren't they? Nothing like television, although I did see Jaws a long time ago and swore I'd never go in the water again. Have you seen that movie, Daks?"

Dakota smiled. Tee and her grandmother could go on and on for hours.

"Shush. Just watch the show."

As Yemaya sank to the bottom, Shezarra flicked her tail sending her sleek body rushing toward the Illusionist. Yemaya remained motionless until the great white was within arms length and then reached out and pushed off the shark's snout. The momentum propelled her several feet away as Shezarra veered off to her right. Surfacing, Yemaya took a quick breath and descended once more. The shark circled lazily around her prey looking for another opportunity to strike. Like a torpedo she once again charged, her huge mouth agape as she closed in on the woman. Once again Yemaya pushed her away. This time the shark's body turned momentarily blocking the audience’s view of the Illusionist as the animal twisted in a final attempt to grasp her meal. When it swam off, the Illusionist was gone. The audience gasped.

"She's been eaten," yelled a voice from the back of the room.

"Where'd she go?" Tee whispered.

"I don't know," Dakota replied, leaning forward in her seat. "I haven't figured out any of her tricks yet and she won't tell me how she does them."

The audience grew uneasy as the shark continued to circle, hunting for its prey. It was impossible for Yemaya to hide anywhere in the tank let alone remain under water for so long. Even Dakota, who had seen several of her shows, was beginning to worry.

"Come on, sweetie," she murmured.

Two masked attendants, who had been standing at the base of the steps, rushed up to the platform and visually searched the water. After a few minutes, one raised her hands and shrugged. The two walked slowly down the steps.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the attendant, who had shrugged earlier, announced. "I don't know what to say. Ms. Lysanne has vanished."

The audience was silent, unsure of what was expected of them. Surely this wasn't the end of the show.

"Oh, I wouldn't exactly say that," the other attendant said, pulling off her mask.

Everyone gasped. Before them stood the Illusionist dressed in an attendant's costume. Smiling she bowed when the crowd stood and cheered.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen. As I said earlier, this will be Shezarra's last appearance. In a few days she'll be transported to an undisclosed location and turned lose in the ocean. She deserves to be free like all the creatures of this world. Hopefully, in time we will come to appreciate the true beauty of the shark and stop the slaughter of these animals that have been around for millions of years. And now, once again, my partner and I will be returning to my homeland for a much needed break. May you all be happy and healthy." Waving again, she bowed once more accepting the applause.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Dakota turned to her mom to say something. Dakota would never get used to the danger Yemaya put herself in to perform her stunts. Turning to her mom, she was about to speak when a camera flash caught her attention. She glanced around to see who was taking pictures.

Not again! she thought, looking for the source of the flash. Several aisles back stood a large familiar looking man. As the lights came on, the man looked directly at her. She recognized him as the one who had left Catrina's office when they pulled up in the taxi.

"What is it, Daks?" Tee asked, noticing her daughter tensing.

Ivan felt the journalist's gaze. Smiling, he saluted her as he slipped the camera into his pocket and pulled a small white envelope from another. A final glance at the Illusionist showed she too was aware of his presence. Making eye contact with Yemaya, he held her gaze for several seconds and then turned away. Motioning to an usher, he handed him the envelope and pointed to Dakota. Although, he never fully understood what had happened to his boss, he knew these two were involved and wanted nothing more to do with them. With Catrina dead, he was free to return home, maybe even see his wife again, if she would have him.

From Sasha's memories, Yemaya recognized Ivan as the man who had guarded her for Catrina but also the one who carried the young Carpi to the hospital. The last deed was the only reason he still lived. Sasha was safe amongst her family, now. Mari and Maopa, in the guise of Yemaya and Dakota, had accompanied her and the doctor on the flight to Moldova. Of course, Dr. Sanders was still confused over Dakota's strange fluctuations in speech; and she didn’t buy the explanation given her previously, but politely refrained from asking questions.

The night before their departure for Charleston, Agra had informed Dakota and Yemaya that she was taking a trip to the Middle East to recover some of the missing whores that had been removed from a freighter. Belinda was amongst them and had talked the women into joining the Sisterhood. The demoness would have to make sure all of them were checked by doctors and then have them paired off with her own more experienced whores until they learned the rules. Then they were free to choose with whom they worked as long as they worked in a group. Unfortunately, most of the women warehoused in the other countries had been murdered once word of Catrina’s death was published. Still, the demoness had assured the whores' families that those responsible would be found and pay dearly for their crimes. Yemaya felt an incredible anger behind Agra’s quietly spoken words and shivered. Agra would be a formidable enemy to those who earned her wrath.

Having returned two weeks before Yemaya's performance, with the kidnapped whores, the nightclub owner was surprised to find forty-three tickets to the show as well as bus fare for the whores and airfare for Lilith, Kali, Agra and Cammie.

"Do you think she suspects anything?" whispered Agra, trying to keep her voice low during an intermission.

"Perhaps. Even if she does, she won't say anything. She is one of those rare mortals who can accept the impossible as probable and not feel threatened."

"And her darkness?"

Lilith shrugged.

"That's something only time will disclose. So far she has been able to win her battles but it grows stronger. If it weren't for Dakota, Yemaya could eventually lose. She's strong, but even she can't defeat something this powerful by herself."

"Is that why you helped her?"

"No. It served my needs. There was a price to pay."

"You mean Dakota's soul?" Agra laughed. "Since when did you ever charge a soul for your services?"

Lilith grinned, mischievously.

"There's always a first time."

"And do you plan on collecting payment?"

"Do I look like a collection company? I have more important things to do at the moment."

"Well, have you told Dakota you aren't going to? Surely she has a right to know."

"In time. She needs to think about her actions for awhile. Besides, I may need her services at some future date. It's a good bartering tool."

"Now you're being evil," Agra teased.

Raising an eyebrow, Lilith gave her demon friend a haughty look.

"And your point is?"

Before Agra could reply, Kali leaned over Cammie's lap and glared at the two demonesses.

"Would you two hush? We're trying to watch the show."

Lilith was about to make a comment when she felt another presence in the room. Looking around she noticed a handsome, dark-haired man sitting several rows away to her left. Nudging Agra with her elbow, she nodded her head in his direction.

"You've got to be kidding me," whispered Agra.

"You know Dis. Always the attention getter."

"Yeah... but really! This is a little much, don't you think, and why is he here anyway?"

"I can assure you it's not for the entertainment. He's up to something."

"You think he's after Yemaya?"

"No, he knows he'll never have her."

"Could he have heard about your deal with Dakota?"

"Probably, but he knows he can't collect on it without my permission."

"Dis is the Underlord. He can claim any debt his demons or minions barter for."

"Really! Would you return your whores to him if he decided he wanted them back?"

"Hell, no!" Agra exclaimed, causing several people to look in their direction.

"There you go. Trust me. Dis wouldn't dare challenge me for her. I have too many followers of my own. The Underworld wouldn't withstand such a schism."

"I can't believe you would do such a thing over one mortal."

"Oh, I wouldn't," chuckled Lilith. "but I would on principle. What is mine, stays mine. Besides, Dakota and I never really finalized the deal. I simply asked if she was willing. She's under no obligation to anyone but me, and I'll release her from it if he tries to interfere."

"Would you two be quiet? What kind of example are you setting for our whores?" reprimanded Kali.

Shaking their heads, the two demonesses leaned back in their chairs and relaxed. Lilith glanced one more time at the man and chuckled.

Really, Dis!She thought. Elvis?

Turning his head to look at her, Dis gave a smug grin and winked. Even he enjoyed a good show, and who better to impersonate than one of the most idolized mortals in human history.

*  *  *

"Dak?" repeated Tee, squeezing her daughter's arm to get her attention.

"Oh... Sorry, mother. It's nothing. I just recognized someone," Dakota replied, taking the envelope the usher had given her. Opening it, she glanced at the enclosed photo. Under the picture of an obviously dead man was scribbled the name Breshni.

Dakota looked again at where the man had been standing. He was gone.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. Everything's fine. Just remembering some information I needed for my next article," Dakota replied, turning around to watch Yemaya.

Yemaya smiled warmly at the journalist and winked before thanking the audience. Waving to everyone, she threw a small smoke bomb at her feet and vanished.

"Well, Dak," Pashna said, patting her forearm affectionately around her granddaughter. "This was quite a show. If she’s as good a lover as an Illusionist, I’ll be expecting some babies very soon."

Everyone looked at the elderly woman as if she was crazy.

"Grams!" exclaimed Dakota, blushing profusely.

"Geez, mom," Tee exclaimed. "If you can figure out how that’s going to happen, let me know. We’d be rich."

"Go ahead and laugh, but the spirits can do anything if they want," Pashna warned, shaking her head knowingly. "Shoot, if she’s a real magician, she can do anything. You just mark my words."

Laughing, Yemaya looked at her lover and winked. The thought of kids was an interesting one, although she wasn’t quite sure she was ready for them.

"Well, I have lots of questions I'd like answered," Tee said. "Like how she does all those things? And I especially want to know if she's going to make an honest woman of my daughter."

"Mother!" Dakota turned red from embarrassment.

When Teetonka saw her daughter's flushed face, she laughed even harder. Pashna just shook her head. Dakota groaned. It was going to be a very long night. Sighing, she hoped Yemaya would still want her after this. Maybe she could get a case of Corona delivered to Yemaya's penthouse. That would certainly ease the pain of the humiliation she knew lay in store for her. Or better yet, with a little luck, her lover just might teach her how to disappear. Now that would be a trick worth learning whenever mother came to town.