Lilith - TI3 (32 page)

"Yes... and since you did manage to reach me, it proves the barrier is not perfect. How did you manage that?"

"I’m really not sure. I’ve been able to see and hear everything in your worlds but I was never able to hear what anyone was thinking. The first time I became aware of your thoughts was when you were talking with the Dark One."

"It was the first time I had really thought about you in a long time. Before, if something reminded me of you, I quickly pushed you aside not wanting to dwell on that part of my past."

"I understand. Well, now it seems that at least this part of the barrier is broken. For me, it's enough. Thank you for giving me that."

"I gave you nothing."

Looking at her watch, Lilith realized she was going to be late for work.

"We’ll talk later,"
she said, reluctantly. When the Child didn’t answer, she realized her daughter had already departed.

P
UTTING DOWN THE phone, Dakota turned to Yemaya and gave her a thumbs up.

"He said he liked the rough draft and wants me to come in to discuss publishing the story about my mom’s tribe. I’m supposed to meet him next week."

"That is terrific!" replied Yemaya, giving her lover a warm hug. "So I am going to know a famous author, now."

"Famous? Look who’s talking.  Say, how about we head on over to Lilith’s place and celebrate?"

"That sounds like a plan. I would like to see if she found anything more about those leads in Europe."

"You still think you can track down the people that killed those kidnapped girls?"

"Probably not... but I hope she or Agra might be able to. I know they got their whores back but I think they might be willing to help us slow down this sex slave industry."

"Me too. Considering what they are, it still amazes me that I like them so much."

"I know what you mean. Maybe there is a lesson in all of this."

"Yeah... the first being not to get too close to Cammie," smirked Dakota, remembering how she had made a fool of herself over the Cambion. "Let’s hope she’s like the measles... a good dose and I’m immune," she joked.

Isn’t she afraid of doing it again? How does Yemaya feel about it all?

"Are you still bothered by that?"

"Wouldn’t you be? I told her I was interested in BDSM and a threesome! Me! In a threesome and doing S and M? Not on your life!" declared the journalist, blushing a bright red.

"I noticed you did not include bondage in your objections," teased Yemaya, relieved that Dakota was apparently getting passed her encounter with the Cambion.

"Weellll... I wouldn’t object to mild restraints... or handcuffing you to the bed, not that it would do me much good. You’d just escape from them."

"Now why would I do something so stupid? After all, I am not one to ruin your fun." Wiggling her eyebrows, Yemaya picked up the car keys and headed for the door. "As long as you promise to be gentle."

"Paleeeze."

The parking lot was filled with cars and motorcycles when they arrived.

"Looks like it’s going to be crowded."

Nodding Yemaya took Dakota’s arm and walked her to the door, where several women were standing in line. A large white woman with tattoos on both arms was checking I.D.s. Looking up she motioned for them to go on in causing one of the girls in line to grumble.

"Ya got something ya want to say to me?" challenged the bouncer, standing up to glare at the complainer.

"Yeah. How come they get to go ahead of us? We been waitin in line for twenty minutes."

"Aww... now ain’t that just too damn bad! But seein as you don’t like how I do my job, maybe I should just piss you off a little more and send you on your way. We don’t like troublemakers here, little girl. Are you a troublemaker?"

The girl swallowed and looked down at her feet.

"Umm... no. I was just thinkin out loud... that’s all."

"Good. Next time... think quietly. Now, where was I?"

Overhearing the conversation, Dakota looked at Yemaya and grimaced.

"I don’t think I’d want to piss her off."

"Me neither," agreed Yemaya, motioning her toward the bar. "What would you like to drink?"

"Corona with lime."

Several women were crowded around the bar. Kali and Agra moved up and down the small enclosure mixing drinks and serving beer. As Yemaya waited patiently in line, she felt a cool hand take her elbow and gently pull her backward.

"They’ll bring it to you. Come sit at my table."

Yemaya couldn’t mistake the low throaty voice of the owner.

Turning, she smiled appreciatively at the dark demoness dressed in a cranberry red tank top and black leather slacks. Three-inch heels gave her a slight height advantage over Yemaya. Seeing the two women together, Dakota couldn’t help but notice their similarities. Tall and sleek, with long dark hair, both women exuded a sensuality that was almost physical. The major difference between them was the eyes, and to a lesser degree skin tones. Where Yemaya’s eyes were a pale ice blue and her skin golden, Lilith’s was a creamy white and her eyes gleamed like black pearls.

"They make quite a pair," whispered a soft voice causing the journalist to shiver as a warm breath tickled her ear.

"Cammie! How are you?"

"Great! How are you doing?"  Cammie watched Dakota closely for signs of discomfort. Noticing a slight flush creeping into her cheeks, she pulled the journalist aside. "Listen, don’t think about it. Yemaya told you about me. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Easy for you to say,"

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Kali and I are an item now... and it seems to reduce the effect I have on people. I’ve noticed I don’t nearly have the following I used to, so I think you’re safe for now."

"That’s a relief. I’d hate to put Yemaya through another episode like the last."

Cammie smiled slightly.

"I think she can handle it. Here they come. We’ll just pretend nothing ever happened."

Dakota nodded, more than willing to forget the night she had practically thrown herself at Cammie. Yemaya’s explanation about the Cambion had made it easier to understand what had happened but it still bothered her. Tonight, however, there was something different about the succubus. The journalist was attracted to her but it wasn’t so overwhelming. More importantly, she no longer felt the urge to engage in a threesome or in S&M behavior.

Sensing her thoughts, Cammie laughed and led her to a table in a darkened corner. Yemaya and Lilith joined them while Agra followed carrying their drinks.

"Hey, Cammie, Dakota. Hi Yemaya. That was a great show last month. I never got to thank you for the tickets. Our whores loved it."

"It was my pleasure. I will make sure they get an invitation to the next one."

"Thanks. Drinks are on the house... boss’s orders."

Placing them on the table, she winked at Lilith and left.

"Are you sure you own this place?" teased Dakota.

"Sometimes I wonder. The longer I’m here the fewer decisions I get to make... except for paying bills. I definitely get to take care of those."

"One of the benefits of being the boss," Cammie said. "So, what are you two going to be doing now that the tour is over?"

"I think we will probably try to take a break. It has been awhile since Dakota and I have actually had some quality time together."

"Yeah, all of our attempts at relaxation seem to get interrupted by some sort of crisis. Maybe this time we can make it past a couple of weeks without something happening." Dakota added.

"I know what you mean. I’m not sure I even know the meaning of vacation. One of these days I’m going to just disappear and let Agra and Kali take over for a few months," promised Lilith.

"Right," smirked Cammie, rolling her eyes dramatically. "You could no more do that than they could give up their whores."

Lilith shook her head in disgust.

"I can’t even get a little respect from my clientele."

In an unusual gesture of affection, Yemaya patted the demoness’s hand sympathetically.

"Trust me. I know the feeling." She said, glancing toward Dakota.

"What?" asked Dakota giving her an innocent smile. "How’d I get drawn into this?"

Laughing softly, Yemaya leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

"I’ll make it up to you... later," she promised, her voice low and husky.

Dakota shivered and then blushed as Cammie and Lilith stared at her curiously.

"Ummm... I think I need to pee!" she blurted out and then turned bright red. Jumping up she dashed toward the bathroom.

"She’s a gem," commented Cammie, smiling at the rapidly retreating figure.

"Yes... she is," Yemaya replied quietly.

Before Lilith could say anything, she saw Agra take out her cell phone. Within seconds it was obvious the barkeeper was getting angry with whomever she was talking. When she slammed the phone on the counter causing several customers to jump and glance nervously at her, the club owner decided she had better see what was up.

"Excuse me. I think I need to talk to Agra."

Yemaya and Cammie nodded understandingly. Agra’s unusual display of temper had caught them both by surprise considering the barkeeper’s normally happy demeanor.

"I hope it is not bad news," Yemaya said, feeling the hair on her neck and arms standing up. The air in the club pulsed with an unknown but very noticeable energy... at least to the Illusionist.

"Oh. You can be sure it’s worse than that, Agra is easy going. It takes a lot for her to act like that, especially here... and if she’s that angry something big is up. If you’ll excuse me I think I’ll wander over and see if I can calm her down a bit. That’s one of the other benefits of being a Cambion... not only does everyone love me, but I can soothe the savage beast... so to speak."

"Good idea. We can chat later."

Walking quickly to the bar, Cammie passed Dakota, who was wiping her hands on her pant legs. Yemaya watched as the Cambion took the journalist by the arm and leaned down to whisper something in her ear. The blush returned to Dakota’s face and she smiled, sheepishly. When Cammie glanced at Yemaya, she winked and then moved on.

Standing up at her lover's approach, Yemaya pulled Dakota's chair closer to her own.

"Hey. Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah. Sooo... what’s up? Where’d everyone go?"

"Well, Lilith went to talk to Agra who just received a phone call. Apparently something is up. Cammie decided to make sure everything is ok by interjecting her ‘soothing’ nature into the situation... and you seem to be flustered over something she just said," teased Yemaya.

"Oh."

Arching her left eyebrow, the Illusionist leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms and smiled faintly.

"Oh?"

"Oh. I mean... Cammie was just offering me some advice."

"Really!"

"Yeah, really."

Yemaya didn’t comment but just stared at Dakota, amused at how uncomfortable she looked fidgeting in her chair and tearing her paper napkin into little pieces.

"Oh... okay... she said you were hot. Sheesh! Like you don’t know that already... and now that love goddess seems to be lusting after you."

"Love godde..." bursting into laughter, Yemaya almost fell out of her chair. "Demoness, maybe, and she definitely is not lusting after me. Kali is more her style."