Lilith - TI3 (35 page)

"Anything I can do?" she asked quietly.

"No. One of Agra’s whores is in trouble. Kali went with her in case she needs help."

"And you don’t like it."

"Not really."

"Do you think something could happen to them?"

"Now-a-days, anything can happen. This is a different world and time from the good old days. Demons aren’t the immortals they once thought they were. We have more vulnerabilities now."

"Surely they know that."

"Oh, they know... but Agra loves her whores. She gets out of control sometimes. Even Kali has a hard time calming her down."

"Well, I get the impression they make a formidable team... but I know how you feel. I’m constantly stressing out over Yemaya when she gets into one of her situations. I bet I’ve grown hundreds of gray hairs by now."

"Nothing noticeable," teased Cammie.

"Do you think we should go and help Lilith?"

Watching the two dark women making and passing out drinks was watching grace in motion. They were so in sync with each other that the line at the bar shrank to just a few women standing around gossiping.

"I’d say they don’t need our help. Besides, it’s a good opportunity for them to get to know each other... and for you and me to talk."

Dakota wasn’t sure she liked the sound of the last part.

"Don’t worry. I just wanted to make sure you’re ok with what Yemaya told you about me. I know you were embarrassed about what happened."

"To say the least... but it’s ok. I was just happy to find out it wasn’t me."

"Good. By the way, do you feel anything now?"

The journalist was surprised that she didn’t.

"No. Actually I don't! What happened?"

"I’m not sure. Kali and I have been spending a lot of time together. It's the first time I've ever been in a real relationship. It seems to have taken the edge off my
gift
. At least that’s what I think. I still attract a few women but rarely do they get so intense now. It feels strange. I'm not sure if I miss the attention or not!"

"I can imagine." Dakota remembered the first time she and Yemaya had visited the club. Being a Cambion, the child of a succubus and incubus, Cammie had the unique but uncontrollable ability to cause people to fall in love with her. Having fallen under her spell, the journalist had propositioned the woman and had gone so far as to hint at an interest in participating in a 'threesome' and trying some BDSM. Needless to say, Yemaya had been momentarily stunned by her behavior and realizing something was wrong, had calmly suggested they leave. When an argument ensued, Dakota stormed out of the bar. The next day she learned of Cammie's unique nature and was so embarrassed she wasn't sure she wanted to go back to the club. Yemaya had quickly assured her she hadn't done anything wrong but the guilt over her treatment of her lover left Dakota a little depressed. Seeing Cammie again and feeling nothing unusual helped to alleviate the guilt.

M
ARGO HUDDLED IN the alleyway waiting for her boss. Whenever the woman lying beside her moaned, she would lean down, stroke her hair and whisper soothingly to her trying to calm her down. Nervously she pressed her back against the wall and watched the silhouettes of people moving up and down the streets hoping no one would notice her. When a blue Toyota Sequoia pulled in front of the alley, blocking the entrance, she knew her time had run out. Freddie’s enforcers had arrived.

"What have we here?" asked the thin white man walking up to Margo and nudging her with his foot. His two companions snickered. "Hey, Stumpy, looks like we have another whore here. When’s the last time you had one from the
Sisterhood
?" he sneered.

"Never, boss. Everyone knows deys handsoff," replied the large goofy looking man next to him. He was quickly slapped across the face. "Hey! Why you do that, Lenny?"

"There’s no such thing as hands off for whores, you idiot. Take this whore back there and teach her to mind her own business. It’ll be a good message to those bitches that run the stable she's in. Jimmy, put Candy in the car and make sure she stays alive. He has special plans for this one. He wants to make an example of her."

"Aw, boss. Why can't Stumpy do it? I'd like a little fun with this bitch," whined Jimmy. "I'm tired of fuckin the same old stuff."

"Shut up and do what I say, stupid. You can have her when he's done with her. Until then, throw Candy in the back and make sure no one sees you."

"Sure boss," grumbled the shorter man, deciding it wasn't a good idea to piss off his boss. "You'd better not be infected with any diseases," he growled, turning to Stumpy. "I catch something from her after you've fucked her and I'll kill yah!"

"Aw man. You know I don't do no diseased whores. She's from the Sisterhood. They keep their girls clean."

"Please, Mister..." begged Margo, grabbing Lenny's pant leg. "I ain't done nothing! Let me go and I won’t say anything."

"Jesus, bitch. Don't touch me!" yelled Lenny, kicking her hand away. "Stumpy here is gonna make sure of it. Maybe it'll teach some of the others not to stick their noses where they don't belong."

Motioning to his bodyguard to take her away, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, ignoring the whimpers from the whore as she was dragged deeper into the alley. Jimmy leaned down and picked up Candy's limp body and carried her to the SUV and threw her onto the floor behind the back seat.

Tossing his half-smoked cigarette on the pavement, Lenny stepped on it and peered into the shadows. He had wanted to send a message to the Sisterhood, but letting Stumpy fuck the whore was taking too much time. A loud "oof"made him straighten up.

"Hey! Hurry up!" he yelled.

When his man didn’t answer, cursing loudly, he signaled for Jimmy to go and get him.

"Stupid bastard! How long does it take to fuck a whore?" he growled, pulling out another cigarette.

"Maybe he couldn’t get it up," Jimmy suggested, trying to make out the images in the dark alley. "You know why he’s called Stumpy?"

"Yeah. Looking at his size you’d think he’d at least have a big fuckin dick," snickered his boss. "Go get him and let’s get out of here."

"What about the whore?"

"If you have to fuck her, hurry up! Then kill her!"

Lenny decided it would be better not to leave a witness around. It might create a turf war if the whore blabbed to those bitches she worked for. Disappearing into the alley, Jimmy pulled a folding knife from his pocket and opened it.

"Stumpy, where you at, man?"

The sound of a dull thud made him chuckle.

"Bout time you finished with her. Boss says we have ta hurry. Save some of that pussy for me and then let’s get out of here."

When Jimmy didn't get an answer, he frowned, fingering the knife blade nervously.

"Stumpy, you there?" he asked, uneasily and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. After a few seconds he saw two shadowy figures walking toward him. Their shape told him that they were women and he relaxed.

"Who are you?" he demanded, scraping his thumb over the sharp blade in his hand.

"Your worst nightmare," murmured a female voice coldly.

Jimmy didn't frighten easily. As one of Freddie’s top enforcers, he did most of the dirty work for his boss, including several hits in the past three years. Most of his time, though, was spent terrorizing anyone who gave Freddie grief. Perhaps it was a premonition but now he felt he was going to pay for his past acts.

"No," said the voice in response to his thoughts. "Only this one."

An invisible hand grabbed him by the throat and squeezed tightly, cutting off any chance of calling for help. Helpless, Jimmy swung the knife back and forth trying to slash his invisible attacker.

"Don’t make it any worse. I’d hate to have to kill you too soon."

Jimmy’s eyes bulged. The pressure around his neck increased although he found he could breathe shallowly. Giving a painful rasp, he tried to speak.

"What’s the matter, Jimmy? You’ve held plenty of people like this, especially women. Surely you must have wondered how it felt?" hissed the voice, its owner not yet identified. "It's not so much fun being on the receiving end, is it?"

A few feet away stood the two women, plainly visible even though his eyes were tearing up from the painful grip. Both were tall and slender. One was slightly shorter than the other. The taller woman was light skinned with spiked orange hair and purple tips. The other was darker with black hair. It was the eyes, though, that terrified him. Glowing brilliantly and a fiery red, they blazed with an unholy anger. Dropping the knife, he crossed himself and muttered a prayer for redemption.

"So like a coward," commented another voice, disgustedly. "I can assure you your god will not help you here."

"This scum isn’t worth wasting our time on," said the first voice.

"Hey!" yelled a male voice from the alley entrance. "What the hell is taking you so long? Freddie’s waiting!"

"Tell him to come here!" The grip on his neck eased enough to allow him to comply. Coughing and gagging, he thought about warning Lenny but immediately changed his mind when the freaky looking orange haired woman stepped closer.

"I wouldn’t."

Jimmy nodded, recognizing her as the owner of the first voice.

"Bo... Boss." he rasped. "Get back here!"

"Quit playing games, Jimmy. You and Stumpy get your asses out here now."

"Ummm..."

"Tell him Stumpy fell and hurt himself."

"Stumpy fell. I think he hurt hisself!" yelled Jimmy.

"Shit! Do I have to do everything?" Lenny muttered, throwing his third cigarette down.

Lenny hated getting his hands dirty. If Stumpy was down it would take the two of them to get him to the car. Shaking his head, he trudged into the darkness, moving slowly so his eyes could adjust to the low light. He was only a few feet from his goons when he noticed the two women. Looking at Jimmy, he motioned to them.

"Who the hell are they?"

"I don’t know," gasped Jimmy, rubbing his throat and swallowing painfully.

Shaking his head, Lenny turned to look them. His eyes moved up and down their lithe figures. Smiling his appreciation, he put his hands in his pockets and licked his lips, rocking slightly forward and backward on his feet.

"So... what can I do for you good lookin ladies?"

Agra stiffened. Aware that her friend’s anger was barely under control, Kali touched her arm lightly.

"Let me," she murmured and then turned to give him the same look he had just given them. "I doubt if there’s anything you could do for us, but we can do something for you."

Lenny's bodyguard was about to comment when he felt the grip lightly around his neck. The warning was clear. Keep quiet or die! Jimmy wasn't ready to sacrifice himself for his boss.

"Well, now. I see you two are reasonable women. Personally, I hate fucking in such a crude place, but for you I think it would be worth getting a little dirty," Lenny replied, assuming, in his arrogance, they wanted to do him.

"For you it should be, however, my friend and I don’t
do
animals. We leave that to bastards like you," Kali replied, stepping close to him.

"Ah... a woman with spirit. I like that. It will be so much more fun taming you."

Reaching out to stroke her cheek, he cried out when he felt his fingers being scorched by something hot. Instinctively, he jerked his hand back and blew on them.

"What the..."

"Hell?" finished the woman, her eyes flashing a bright red. "You’re about to find out."

"Who are you? Who are they?" he demanded, looking at Jimmy for answers.