Lilith - TI3 (6 page)

Catrina laughed. Men were so predictable. They assumed she was straight and were intimidated when they found she preferred women — not that she hadn't had some good times with a few men. Occasionally, she'd meet one who interested her. Normally her instincts were right. The man was more than willing to go down on her and usually was very good at what he did. Once her orgasms subsided, she didn't mind giving back as good as she had gotten. Her one regret afterward was having to eliminate the guy. She'd be ruined if any talked. Her eyes roamed up and down Ivan's body, assessing his looks and build. Standing very still, he felt like a caged mouse being watched by some sadistic cat. When she smiled, he shivered. Something about her seemed less than human.

"Another time, then," she promised, disappointed. Had he shown more balls, she might have been tempted to try him out. At least he could be trusted. "So, what do you suggest we do about Ms. Lysanne?" she asked, returning to the original subject.

"At the moment, nothing. I don't think she knows about the girl but if it looks like she's found out anything, I’ll handle it then. Right now, we need to know more about Ms. Lysanne's habits and routines"

"As long as it doesn't take very long. I can't afford to have anyone interfering with our business. You know what will happen if we're discovered. Eliminate her if you even suspect she knows something. Now, what about the girl? Have you taken care of her?"

"She's being held away from the others until we decide what to do with her. I think Gregori was right. If we kill her, the Lysannes will definitely get involved. Maybe we should just cut her loose. I don’t think she’ll recognize me and with him gone, there’s no connection to us now."

"I’ll think about it. I want to look at her, first, before I make a decision. Bring her to me," ordered Catrina. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation at having a new 'toy' to play with, and the knowledge that she would never release her.

"Here?"

"No, you fool. Bring her to my place tonight, say around eleven. I want to see this girl that’s causing me so much trouble."

"As you wish."

"Remember that, Ivan and you'll go far. Now keep me informed," she commanded. Ivan left, wondering why he had ever gotten involved with this woman. The fact was he had no choice and he knew it. Catrina Drenkova was a powerful woman. What Ms. Drenkova wanted Ms. Drenkova got — no questions asked. He had sold his soul to the devil and she was it, he thought.

T
HE NAME OVER the entrance read
Lilith's Den
. The sign boldly displayed on the door read
PRIVATE CLUB, WOMEN ONLY... ALL UNAUTHORIZED MALES WILL BURN IN HELL!

Damn, I like this place already
,
Dakota thought. Folding the small paper with the club's address on it, she tucked it into her coat pocket. From the number of cars in the parking lot, it was obviously a popular hangout. Hopefully, the owner wasn't one of those people that posted a sign and then let guys in if they were accompanied by a woman. She had seen that too many times and was always disappointed.

Shivering slightly in the cool night air, she walked rapidly toward the door and pushed it open. A blast of warm air welcomed her. Stepping inside, she was greeted by a large woman with several tattoos on her forearms and shoulders.

"I.D., please," she demanded in a gravely voice.

"Sure," replied Dakota, pulling her license from her wallet. "I'll take that as a compliment," she added, jokingly.

"It's policy. No I.D. ... Not allowed in. Boss's orders. Thanks."

Handing the license back, she motioned toward a side door.

"You can check your jacket there. It's mandatory. The boss thinks it's safer and friendlier that way. No surprises, if you know what I mean."

"No problem. It beats having to worry about it."

After checking her coat, she wandered down the hallway and into the main room. Gray swirls of smoke floated randomly around the bar, giving it a mysterious atmosphere.
No smoking
signs were posted on the walls. Dakota realized the haze was produced by machines concealed in the ceiling to enhance the laser lights flashing around the wooden dance floor on her right. Several couples were gyrating to the fast beat of techno music. To her left was a long black enameled bar lined by women talking loudly in an effort to be heard over the cacophony of music and the voices of the occupants at the tables. No where in sight was there a male.

So far so good,
she thought.
Walking to the bar, she pulled out some money and waited for one of the two bartenders to notice her. After a few minutes, a young woman stepped in front of her and smiled.

"So, whatcha going to have?"

"Corona and lime. Thanks."

"One Corona and lime coming right up."

Watching the woman walk to a nearby refrigerated locker, the journalist was intrigued by the bartender's appearance. Short red hair, highlighted with purple tips and combed into a spike, she was about Dakota's height but not quite as heavy. An orange tank top and brown jeans emphasized her slender physique. A chain link belt finished off the wardrobe. Bringing the beer back, she popped the top and stuffed a lime slice into the top.

"Here ya go. Three bucks."

Dakota gave her four and took a sip from the bottle, glancing around the room at the activity.

"Nice place. You ladies are serious about the 'no guys' thing."

"Yeah. That's one thing Lilith is adamant about. It makes for less trouble."

"Is it always this busy?"

"Fridays usually are. If you're looking for a quieter place, I'd suggest you come on Thursday or head on down to Lazy Susan’s. She has a few pool tables and caters to the country western crowd."

"Not my style. This is perfect."

"Good! Soooo... what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? I can't believe you're cruising. A looker like you has to be taken."

Laughing, Dakota switched her gaze back to the bartender just in time to catch a small, fiery glint in her dark brown eyes.

"That is sooo cliché."

"Yep, but it's a good starter and always works."

"I can imagine. Actually, a friend of mine left me a copy of an ad about this place. I decided to check it out?"

"By yourself? Why didn't you bring her along?"

"Rhonda? She's as straight as they come... not that she isn't cool. She just isn't a night person."

"Well, I can't believe you're unattached. Oh... by the way, my name's Agra."

"Hi. Mine's Dakota. Agra, eh? That's an unusual name."

"It's a nickname. My real one's too long to pronounce and too odd to remember," Agra laughed. "Dakota is a nice name. So, Dakota, are you or aren't you?"

"Attached? Definitely!"

"Well then, where's the lucky lady? She can't be dumb enough to let a good looking woman like you run around a place like this all by yourself. Too many cats on the prowl looking for kittens to gobble up."

"This kitten has both teeth and claws... and my significant other doesn't control what I do or where I go."

Agra raised her brows questioningly.

"I mean she’s not the controlling type. The relationship wouldn’t work if she was."

"Ah! An independent woman
and
in a relationship. How refreshing! Oops! Gotta get someone a drink. Be back in a few."

Waving goodbye, the bartender left to serve a woman at the end of the counter. As Agra leaned over the bar, the woman leaned in, their heads almost touching. Long, straight black hair swung forward, blocking both of their faces as they engaged in a quiet conversation. After a few seconds, the woman turned to look at Dakota. The journalist gasped. Pitch black eyes gleamed brightly in the dimly lit room. From a distance the woman reminded Dakota of Yemaya, tall, dark and sensual looking. Picking up her drink, Dakota moved to take a seat at a nearby table.

"I wonder if she's
family
," Dakota mumbled to herself.

"Do you always talk to yourself?"

Turning her head, she stared at the woman who had been sitting in the corner. Eyes the color of polished onyx reflected the flickering light from the candle sitting on the table.

"Always," Dakota murmured. "It's a bad habit of mine."

"I see. We have something in common then. I'm Lilith, the owner of this place."

"Oh. Hi. I'm Dakota."

"You seem distracted. Are you okay?"

"I was just thinking."

"That's never good in a place like this. You're supposed to forget all of your troubles here. Anything I can help you with?" asked the woman, sitting down at the table.

"Not really. And actually I was just thinking about you. You remind me of someone. It caught me by surprise," confessed Dakota, embarrassed.

"Ah. Well, I hope it's someone you like."

Laughing, Dakota smiled for the first time.

"Oh, definitely!"

"Good. From your smile, I can tell it's more than just friendship. Does she reciprocate?"

"Completely!" Dakota smiled, thinking of just how well Yemaya reciprocated.

"I see. So where is she, if you don't mind me asking? You're too cute to be in a place like this on your own. Some of these women are very predatory."

"That's the second warning I've gotten since I walked in here. Is there something going on I should know about?"

Chuckling softly, Lilith shook her head.

"Nothing beyond the norm. I just like to look after my customers, especially newcomers. We get a lot of young women who go looking for a little excitement and then get more than they can handle."

"Believe me, excitement is the last thing I need in my life. I'm just here for the ambiance of being surrounded by women, nothing more."

"Well, you look like you can take care of yourself. Soooo, Dakota, what do you do for a living, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm a journalist, an investigative journalist."

"Really! How exciting! Have I read any of your reports?"

"Probably not. I freelance for a magazine called Illusions and Magic... and a few others. Most people have never heard of it unless they're into that sort of thing."

"Well, actually, between you and me, I have a subscription," Lilith confided. "You’re not planning on doing one on my place are you?" she asked casually. Lilith stared into the Dakota's green eyes as if trying to read her thoughts. Had the journalist not experienced the dark intensity of Yemaya's gaze, she would have been unable to withstand this woman's scrutiny. Realizing they were both staring, the two lowered their eyes simultaneously and then chuckled.

"Miss Lilith, do you want another drink?" asked Agra, interrupting the conversation.

"Please, Agra, and another Corona for Dakota, on the house."

"Sure thing. You warning her not to get picked up by any strangers?" teased the bartender, winking at Dakota.

"Oh I think she can take care of herself. Besides, I hear you have already warned her."

"Just doing my job, boss. Can't have new clientele being harassed now can we?"

"No, we can't. Thanks Agra. Now where were we... oh... the magazine. You've been doing an exposé on the Illusionist. Rumor has it you and she might be an item. From your comment about me reminding you of someone, I take it you were talking about her."

"I would never have taken you for someone that listens to gossip."

"You'd be surprised what you can learn when you open your mind to all possibilities. Some gossip has value and besides. That’s usually what you hear in bars, isn’t it?"