CHAPTER 7


 

 

 

LILITH MOTIONED FOR Agra to join her in her office. It was obvious the bartender was extremely angry. She could feel waves of violent energy emanating from the angry demoness. Although humans were usually oblivious to this particular frequency, the potential to do damage to a few sensitive people still existed. Lilith suspected that Yemaya might be one of the more susceptible humans, not to mention several of the customers looked extremely worried at her unusual behavior.

"What’s up?"

"It’s Margo. She may be in trouble. I need to take off for a few hours."

"Then go! I’ll cover for you."

"Thanks. I’ll let you know more when I get back."

"Good... and take Kali. You may need her."

Lilith knew Agra could handle almost anything on her own, but Kali’s presence would help to keep the angry demoness from over-reacting. In her present state, it wouldn’t take much to send Agra on a rampage and then there would literally be hell to pay.

The last time she had lost control was 1908. Kali and Agra had been traveling through Europe and Russia searching for a new city to relocate. In those days it was important that they move every twenty or thirty years in order not to arouse suspicion about their eternally youthful appearances. They had just left London for Siberia when they received word from one of Dis's minions that several of their whores had been killed in an 'accident' in New York City.

Agra had grown fond of this particular Sisterhood, and especially Marylou, its oldest prostitute. At 52, she was too old to hook and had grown weary of her life on the streets. When Kali discovered her sleeping in a small cubbyhole under an alley staircase, she offered her a place to stay at a rented boarding house on 47^th Street. Too tired and disillusioned by life to argue, Marylou had agreed without question. For her it meant warmth and safety. After introducing her to Agra, she was assigned a small room in the attic and then given a few menial tasks to see if she fit in with the rest of the "sisters". It was only a matter of time before the demonesses discovered the old whore had a knack for settling petty disputes amongst the women in the Sisterhood. She was also a natural leader and knew how to work the girls and organize their routines without appearing bossy. When she approached Agra with her recommendation of establishing a specific code of conduct, the demoness listened quietly, liking most of the woman's suggestions. In five years, the Sisterhood grew, attracting more than sixty members. Marylou assumed the role of Madame and ruled the stable with a gentle fist. Another ten years passed quietly with the whores settling into an almost normal existence. Then in 1907 the day came the demonesses always dreaded. Agra had just returned from the bank when Marylou knocked softly on her office door.

"Come in," the demoness said, smiling fondly at the elderly Madame. Leaning heavily on her cane, the old whore shuffled slowly into the room and plopped down on the thickly padded chair near the small fire that always burned in her Mistress's office.

"What can I do for you?"

"Are you real busy, Ms. Agra?"

Shaking her head no, she had given up long ago trying to get Marylou to drop the Ms. part of her name.

"No. I always have time for you. What's up?"

Marylou hesitated. Agra could tell by her fidgeting that she was uncomfortable.

"Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

"No. I don't have much use for them," replied Agra. "Should I?"

"Not really. It wouldn't help anyway," sighed the elderly woman. "Look, I've known you and Ms. Kali for almost seventeen years and it's been the best part of my life so don't go thinkin I'm just tryin to get rid of you two. It's just that... well... some of the older whores are talkin about how you don't look a day older than when they first met you."

"I see. And you think this is going to be a problem?"

"It already is. There's talk amongst the younger whores now that you ain't 'normal'. I don't know why that should make much of a difference since they have better lives now than before. Mind you, the older girls don't care none but you know how people are... especially youngins. They asks questions and wants answers."

"What do you suggest?"

"Ain't my business to suggest, Ms. Agra. I'm just letting you know there's talk. One day, someone's gonna say something to the wrong people and then there's gonna be trouble for you. I don't like thinkin about that."

"I'll talk with Kali and then get back to you. Thanks, Marylou."

Nodding her head, the faithful old Madame heaved herself from the chair and walked tiredly from the roam, closing the door softly behind her. A few days later, the two demonesses called her back into their office. On Agra's desk was a stack of papers and a large brown envelope.

"Thank you for coming," said Agra, motioning for Marylou to sit down. Kali handed her the documents and asked her to read them. The two sat silently as their Madame slowly read each paper and placed it in a neat pile on the small table next to her. When she was done, she looked first at Kali and then at Agra. Tears trickled down her cheeks and dripped onto the two shaking hands clasped on her lap.

"I don't know what to say," she choked out, her voice barely above a whisper.

"There's nothing to say. Kali and I have decided it's time to move on. We want you to take over ownership of the Sisterhood. All the funds have been transferred into your name and our attorney has copies of the deed. He will take care of any legal or financial issues, should they arise, but you have final say in anything pertaining to the Sisterhood or the property. You've been running the stables for a long time now. We know you'll take care of our whores."

"Where will you be goin? Surely, you'll come back and visit now and then."

"Don't worry, Marylou. If you ever need us, we'll leave instructions on how you can get in touch with us. Now, Kali needs to go over some final instructions. Tonight will be our last night here."

"So soon! What will I tell the girls?"

"Whatever you want? I think they'll accept anything you say, but please let them know we'll miss them... especially the older ones."

"I will," Marylou said sadly.

The next few hours were spent going over financial details and instructions on whom she was to call if ever there were problems. After they were satisfied that Marylou understood everything, they bid her goodnight... not goodbye. The next day, their rooms were vacant. Nothing was left behind to indicate that they had ever existed except for a small golden amulet with the Marylou's name engraved on the back. Recessed deep within its heart was an oval shaped, blood red stone with a black center that resembled a cat's eye. When Marylou touched the gem with her finger she felt a small electrical current and jerked away, startled.

"Don't be afraid, my old friend," whispered Agra's voice in her mind. "If ever you need us, just touch the stone. We will come."

Marylou smiled, comforted from the knowledge her two friends would always be near, believing they were guardian angels. Kali and Agra chuckled at the irony.

*  *  *

After leaving NYC, the two demonesses took an ocean liner to Europe and toured the continent for several months. The summer of 1908 found them in a hotel in a small town in Eastern Europe, still undecided about where to move. Kali was trying to convince Agra to settle in London or Denmark when the air around them was suddenly disturbed by an unusual energy. Within seconds, a tiny dark red minion popped into their room and scurried nervously toward them on all fours. Head bowed, it whimpered pitifully fearing retribution for the uninvited intrusion.

"Bezsuth! What are you doing here?" Kali asked quietly, not wanting to scare the little minion any more than it already was. Stroking the smooth, bald head, she tenderly scratched behind the small horns on its wrinkled forehead.

"So sorry, so sorry!" wailed Bezsuth. "Please forgive, Mistresses... please forgive. Bezsuth not want intrude... not want intrude."

"It's okay. What's up?" soothed Kali, glancing at Agra with raised eyebrows. The other demoness shook her head and shrugged.

"She dead... she dead... soul gone... soul gone."

Kali frowned and reached down to lift the minion's chin to look into his dark brown eyes.

"Who's dead? What are you talking about?" she demanded.

When Bezsuth cringed, Kali softened her grip and patted his head affectionately.

"It's okay. I'm not mad at you. Tell us who you mean."

"The whore... the whore... she dead... she dead."

"What whore?"

"Your whore... your whore, Mistress... Marlou... Marlou."

Both Agra and Kali stiffened.

"How?" growled Agra and then softened her voice. "What happened?"

Slewing a glance at her, the minion quickly looked away, not wanting to make eye contact with the powerful demoness.

"She die in accident... in accident... train crash... train crash... many many whores die... many, many."

"Why didn't the amulet let us know? It's connected to her essence."

"He take it... he take it."

"He? He who? What are you talking about, Bezsuth? Just tell us what you know."

"Sanarixs... Sanarixs... he want souls... want many many souls... know whores easy... easy... know no one care."

"Sanarixs? Since when did that creep care for souls. He only enjoys decaying flesh."

"He want power, Mistress, power. Ever since Sabnock leave he grow braver... braver. He take their essence... all of them. He take whores' essence... and amulet... and amulet. Say you no do nothing... say you weak... weak from years with the humans."

Agra slowly stood up, her body rigid with anger.

"Where are my whores' souls?" she hissed, coldly. At that moment Kali knew her friend was barely in control of her temper but considering the circumstances was not inclined to interfere.

"He eat them... eat them... say you no do nothing... no do nothing."

"Does Dis know this?"

"No... no... I tell you first... you first... you always kind to me... kind to me... me pay back... pay back, Mistress."

"Good. Thank you, Bezsuth. You can go now. I'll deal with Sanarixs."

Before either Kali or the minion could respond, Agra was gone.

"Oh shit!" exclaimed Kali, looking at the terrified demon crouched next to her. "Don't worry. She's not mad at you, but I'd better check this..."

Before she could finish, the earth trembled and then shook violently. Running to the window, Kali noticed a large plume of smoke billowing up in the distance. The cloud soared skyward as if a huge bomb had been dropped. People in the streets had screamed and dropped to the ground, covering their heads with their arms.

"Fuck! Gotta go, Bezsuth. Return to the Underworld and get Dis. I think we may need him," she ordered and then vanished.

Kali reappeared on a hillside over looking the Tunguska Valley in Russia. Around her was such complete devastation she would have sworn the apocalypse had occurred had she not known Agra was involved. On the valley floor stood her friend, legs spread apart with hands on her hips as if posing for a statue. At her feet lay the crumpled figure of a large male demon, one arm held high in the air in an attempt to ward off his assailant.

"Where are their souls?" Agra growled. Bolts of energy bounced all around them, setting the small patches of earth on fire.

"I... I don't know!" stammered Sanarixs. "I only deal with decay. You know that!" His voice held that whiny weedling tone that the demoness detested.

"One last time, Sanarixs! If you don't tell me where their souls are, I promise you, you will know pain as no demon has ever experienced it. I will give you to Bhuta and let her feed from your essence every day. She will suck your life force slowly and painfully, leaving only just enough for you to survive and then, when you have recovered, she will do it over and over from now to eternity... and that will only be the beginning of your misery."

"Please, Agra..."

A rumbling, followed by the appearance of Dis and Beszuth interrupted his pleading.

"Dis!" cried the fallen demon. "She's gone mad! You must do something!"

The Underlord ignored Sanarixs and turned to Agra demanding an explanation.

"He has stolen several of my whores' souls. I want them back!"

"All of this over whores? There are plenty of them out there for the taking."

"They aren't his to take!" declared the furious demoness.

"So what? What difference does a few lost souls mean? It's not like they are an endangered species. Look at all of this destruction, Agra. Have you lost your mind?"

"No! I have a right..."

"You have no rights to their souls!" stormed Dis, his voice rising with his anger. "They were given to you only as humans to do with as you wish. Their souls still belong to me. You've overstepped yourself!"

Sanarixs smirked slyly. Now that Dis was here, he had no doubt he would escape the demoness's wrath. Seeing the look, Agra stiffened and glared at the insolent demon.

"Enough of this!" ordered Dis, not wanting a repeat of her previous temper tantrum.

"I will not leave without their souls!"

"You will do as I say!"

"I think not, Underlord!" she hissed, her eyes blazing a brilliant red. "You forget. I am no longer yours to command. You granted me freedom."

"Obviously, poor judgment on my part."

"Or a wise move," she countered.

Dis sighed. He knew she was right. At the time it was the only way he could get her to divorce him. As ruler of the Underworld, his word was law but not necessarily enforceable without the help of others. Unfortunately, the female demons were the more powerful of the demons giving them immense influence amongst the population.

Females! he thought.

"I would suggest you give Agra what she wants," advised Lilith, appearing next to her.

"As would I," added Kali, joining the two women.

Dis snorted in disgust. It didn't bode well for him whenever his exes and their friends banded together in a common cause. Turning to look at Sanarixs, his eyes blazed angrily.

"Now look what you've done, you idiot! Give her the damn souls before they do something extreme! I don't have time for this crap!" he said and disappeared.

It was Agra's turn to smirk. Swallowing nervously, Sanarixs nodded his head. If the Underlord was afraid of these females, he knew he was in trouble. Bending his head and clutching his stomach he gagged. At first nothing happened but then, six small golden spheres, slightly smaller than golf balls, popped out of his mouth and floated delicately through the air, pushed by the force of the regurgitation. Reaching out his hand, he pushed them toward Kali. After examining each globe, she nodded to her friend and placed them in her outstretched hand.

"You may go," said Agra. "But not unpunished!"

Snapping her fingers, she smiled wickedly as Sanarixs vanished.

"What did you do?" Lilith asked, not sure she really wanted to know.

"Since he loves the taste and smell of decaying flesh so much, I removed his taste buds and his sense of smell. What he enjoys most, he will no longer enjoy at all."

The three women laughed.

"What are you going to do with the souls?" asked Kali.

Turning to Besmuth, who was crouched behind Lilith, she motioned him forward.

"Besmuth, you have done me a great service this day. I am in your debt."  Agra knelt to make eye contact with the small minion.

"No debt, mistress... no debt," he replied smiling for the first time.

"Yes there is. Now I must ask you to do me a great favor."

"Anything... anything..."

Taking his small hand, she placed five of the spheres on his palm.

"These you must keep safe. They are precious to me. I would consider it an honor if you accept them and the trust I place in you."

Besmuth beamed with joy and straightened up until he was standing on two feet. It was an awkward position for him as he had spent most of his existence scrambling around on all fours.

"Thank you, mistress... thank you. It is great honor... great honor. I protect with my life... my life."

"I know you will, my friend," she said, stroking his knobby head.

"And the last soul?" asked Kali, pointing to the remaining globe on her palm.

"This is Marylou."

Opening her mouth, Agra placed the last small globe on her tongue and then swallowed.

"I will keep her safe until I can talk with the Twin. She deserves better than what we have to offer. I'm hoping he will give her a second chance at life."

"Good luck!" replied Lilith.

"Oh, I think I have something better than luck," Agra replied, looking smugly at Kali. "I have her... and we both know how he feels about her."

"Good point!"

Kali smirked.

The three stared at the devastation around them. For a moment Agra felt guilty at the lives lost from the explosion when she hurled Sanarixs's body to the earth. She had tried to pick an uninhabited area but hadn't realized the power behind her anger.

"This is going to be hard to explain," Kali said, shaking her head unconsciously.

Agra shrugged. It was worth it to have retrieved the soul of the one human she had truly loved.

"The humans will come up with something. They always do."

And they did. Years later, scientists determined a meteorite had struck the Tunguska Valley on June 30, 1908. The destruction to the area and for several kilometers around it was the equivalent of an atom bomb exploding, leaving nothing alive. Fortunately, very few people died.