Lilith - TI3 (19 page)

"Good afternoon, sister."

"Good morning. What have you found?"

"As always, straight to the point. Anyway, Reymone has been snooping around or at least his contacts have and we discovered a possibility. Catrina Drenkova."

"Drenkova! The Drenkova that is rumored to have connections with a few members of our parliament."

"The same. There's also some stories going around that she's involved in a drug ring and the white slavery trade. That would fit in with a sex slave market. It seems the woman has a very shady reputation."

"Slavery? This may be what happened to Sasha. Have you or Reymone checked around to see if any of our young women in Moldova have disappeared?" Yemaya asked straightening slightly.

"Actually, we did but we haven't found anything here. Reymone's contacts tell us Ms. Drenkova runs an import/export business with several small offices strategically located in Europe, SE Asia, and the Middle East. Her home office is in Baltimore. Apparently, she has cozied up to a few senators and politicians in the States and receives considerable tax benefits and perks for basing there. We're not sure what they get in return but one of the politicians was investigated for having several illegal immigrants as domestics."

When Yemaya heard Baltimore she stiffened. Dakota instantly sensed the tension but remained silent.

"Thanks, Raidon. Do you have an address for Ms. Drenkova?"

"As a matter of fact I do," he replied giving her both the office address as well as her home address, a small secluded estate outside the city limits.

"One more thing," Yemaya said. "Send me a faxed picture of this woman to Dakota’s place?"

"As we speak," her brother replied. "Your young lady should be receiving it shortly."

"Good. I will get back with you."

"Be safe, sister. I know what you're planning. Don't lose your head."

"Count on it, brother. Bye."

Turning to Dakota, she noticed Dakota was holding up a picture.

"Is this her?"

"Yes," Yemaya said taking the photo.

"She's very attractive,"

"Yes. Beauty is good at hiding evil."

"In her case, anyway. So what now?" Dakota asked.

"Now we get some rest. Tomorrow, we can check out her business and estate and then see how Sasha is doing. I am too tired to think beyond that."

"Me too. It's been a long day."

Dakota snuggled up close to Yemaya. Within minutes both were sound asleep.

*  *  *

"Yemaya, I know you're tired, but we need to talk," Whispered a sultry voice, much like her own.

"Can this wait, Mari?"

"If it could, dear, I wouldn't bother you."

Yemaya opened her eyes. She was sitting in front of the Eternal Flame. Grandma Dakota and Intunecat were talking quietly but stopped when Yemaya appeared.

"How yah doing, Yemaya?"

"Tired, Grandma Dakota. You and Mari keep strange company these days," she commented looking toward Intunecat.

"Strange?" the Dark One asked.

"He's here to help."

"Help? How? Dakota said you cannot do anything about Sasha since no spirits are involved."

"Well, that's not exactly true. We do have a few tricks without breaking the rules too much."

"You mean like impersonating Dakota and me? The poor doctor probably thinks we are schizos, but thanks for helping Sasha. I am not sure she would have survived if you had not been there for her."

"She’s one of my own. I could do nothing less,"  Mari replied.

"Yep. And I believe what be Mari's be mine too."

"Thank you, Grandma Dakota. Alright, you have my attention. Why the meeting?"

"Tomorrow you and Dakota will confront the mortal who brutalized the young woman," interrupted Intunecat. "It is imperative that you not give in to the rage you hide so well."

"Why do you care? I thought you thrived on dark emotions."

"Only when they serve my needs.This situation doesn’t."

Yemaya was about to comment when he interrupted her by holding up his hand.

"Now isn’t the time for debate. Inside of you is a darkness most mortals carry, but it has nothing to do with me. You control your anger well. You must do the same with your rage. The
beast
feeds off it. It is only a small part of you but it is strong and grows every time it breaks free from its lair. One day it may consume you. Tame it and you become its master. Fail and it becomes yours."

"If you have nothing to do with this darkness, who does?"

"We don't really know," Mari said. "Perhaps it's always been a part of humanity. Perhaps something greater than even Intunecat, whom we presumed to be the First Born."

"So no one has the answer. Alright, I can accept that, but how do I control my anger? It is a normal emotion."

"This isn't anger we're talking about, daughter. This is
rage
, the
beast
. Anger serves you well when needed. Rage serves no one but itself. Learn the difference between the two. Now, we must go. Though we can't be of much help to you, we'll do what we can... and don't worry about Sasha. We'll take care of her. You have a greater battle ahead."

"Thanks, Mari and Grandma Dakota."

Turning to Intunecat, Yemaya hesitated.

"And thank you, but understand one thing, Intunecat. Your role in this does not obligate me to you in any way. I will never be indebted to you."

The Dark One smiled.

"I would expect nothing less," he replied and vanished.

L
ONNIE HAD BEEN informed earlier in the day that her patient would be transferred to a charter flight and flown to Moldova. She wasn't sure it was in Sasha's best interest to move her so soon without an attending physician on board the plane.

"I really don't recommend moving her yet," objected Lonnie. "The flight is going to be long and she still needs medical attention."

"We'll arrange for everything she needs," replied the dark haired woman, her voice warm and silky.

"Well, I still don't like it. She's my patient and I know more about her problems than a stranger. I also have Sasha's mental state to consider. Having a stranger near her right now might add to her trauma. She's still confused about everything and hasn't faced her demons yet."

The smaller blonde coughed.

"Pardon me, doc, but maybe yah could be a makin the trip with the youngin."

Lonnie was momentarily speechless.

Good grief,
she thought.
Either this one is schizo or... or what?
She asked herself.

Yemaya chuckled, her pale blue eyes twinkling.

"My partner can be very 'country' but she's working on it."

Dakota slapped her arm and grinned.

"Behave now. I be... I mean I ... well, dang... so I be country. Ain't no law agin it," she huffed.

Yemaya and Lonnie couldn't help but laugh.

"No, there ain't," Lonnie replied. "I'd love to accompany Sasha but I have obligations to my other patients; plus I'd have to check my passport, make arrangements for a visa. Two days really isn't enough time to do much of anything."

"Normally, that's true. However, since you would be a guest in my country, the visa isn't a problem. My business manager has talked with your government officials and they've agreed to expedite any paperwork they require. I've talked with your administrator, and have assured him that your position will be filled by a competent doctor. Everyone would be well compensated for covering your absence not to mention a rather generous donation on your behalf, I really don't think there's too much else that we can't deal with if you agree to go."

Lonnie frowned. Apparently, there was more to this woman than just wealth.

"Seems you've removed about all of my objections or obstacles."

"We've tried. I would be very grateful if you did this."

"I appreciate that, but my main concern here is Sasha. I'll need some equipment and supplies if I decide to do this."

"Yah names it and it be yours."

"Yes, if you give my manager a call, he'll provide you with anything you need," agreed Yemaya, handing the doctor a business card.

"Well, guess I don't have any choice.  I'll make sure everything here is taken care of and I'll see you two on the flight."

"Unless something comes up, we'll be there."

"Yah kin bet yoh booties, Doc."

*  *  *

Intunecat knew instantly the moment Lilith entered his dark world and marveled at her ability to negotiate the impenetrable blackness. Only a handful of spirits was able to find the path to his inner sanctum without his assistance.

"I'm impressed," he said, his voice deep, but nothing like that of her ex, Dis.

"Why is that?"

"Few are able to find their way through the darkness. You seem comfortable in it."

Laughing, Lilith walked over to a large fluffy chair and sat down.

"I'm used to it. The Underworld is more than fire and brimstone."

"True. But even its darkest corners are not completely devoid of light."

"I don't need light to find my way around your world, Intunecat. We both know the eyes see nothing here. It's the mind that sees all."

"Only a few minds."

"Perhaps, or perhaps you've lived here too long. The worlds are evolving. There are things out there we would never have imagined a few thousand years ago."

"I’m aware of the new darkness, my dear. Unlike the Twins, I haven't abandoned the mortal world."

At the mention of the Twins, Lilith frowned.

"Yes, I know the truth about them," He continued. "My world still remembers the last great battle. We didn't appreciate it when it spilled over into our world."

"I can appreciate that. Hopefully, it was the last."

"I see you are a reasonable person. That's good."

Lilith smiled at the compliment but didn't respond to it. Handing her a glass of wine, the dark spirit sat down across from her.

"Do you really believe they are the original creators?"

"Surely you don't claim the honor?" demanded Lilith.

"No, but neither will I credit them with it either. I remember a time when there was nothing but me... and for that reason alone, have my doubts about them."

"Interesting. The Twins talk about a time when only they existed," countered Lilith.

"It would seem we are one for one then," He chuckled. "I like it... not knowing for sure. It means there is still a great mystery to be solved."

"So it would seem. But enough of this! Cammie said you may know something about the missing whores."

"I know of one named Sasha, if she is one of yours."

"She is! Where is she?"

"I'll show you."

From the blackness a vision of the young woman in the hospital appeared. Beside her stood the two women she had met in her nightclub.

"What have Yemaya and Dakota to do with her?" asked Lilith, standing to move closer to the images.

"Sasha is one of Yemaya's people. These two women, however, are not who you think they are." Intunecat said.