CHAPTER 17

“SO, RAMUS, I see you’re still up to your old ways,” Constance chastised.

“And I see you still like to champion the humans,” he countered.

“Who else is there since you’ve done your best to wipe out the species?” she said coldly.

“You exaggerate, Om Loh Rehn. There are over six billion of them now. That’s hardly on the verge of extinction.”

“For the present, but thanks to you, one of the viruses has reached a pandemic stage. Unless they come up with something soon, there’s a good chance this one will destroy them in a few hundred years.”

“Bah! They’ll find something. Besides, the planet would benefit from a few less humans.”

“Perhaps. For the sake of our own race, let’s hope they discover a cure for this disease.”

Ramus frowned. “Why our race?” he asked. “What does the virus have to do with us?”

Constance glanced at Ekimmu, who had been quietly listening to the conversation. Nodding, she signaled the younger woman to take over.

“Did you think your little creations only affected humans, Ramus?” Ekimmu asked, stepping forward. “That we were immune to them?”

“Of course we are. We don’t have the same immune systems. It doesn’t jump species easily. I made sure of that,” Ramus declared smugly.

“You’re an arrogant fool!” she hissed. “You can’t really believe viruses remain the same forever. Haven’t you learned yet that they adapt according to their needs?”

“Not that fast. It’s only been a few decades now. It’ll take hundreds of years for it to mutate enough to threaten us. By then, we’ll have evolved also, developing our own immunity. We adapt quickly. Besides, our people only feed on the healthiest humans. That alone gives us protection.”

“You’ve misjudged both the virus and our people. Three have already died from it in the past ten years. Several more are infected and don’t have much time left.”

“I don’t believe you. If they died, it was because of something else. I won’t be blamed for the death of any Gebian,” he declared angrily.

“What you mean is you never personally killed one of us, right?” Constance asked scathingly.

“Of course! It’s the same thing.”

“Is it?” she demanded, her black eyes challenging him to deny the truth.

Ekimmu listened, sensing something else was going on behind the conversation.

“With respect, Om Loh Rehn...” Ramus countered, glancing at Ekimmu nervously. “I don’t think now is the time to debate semantics. What is past is past.”

Constance acknowledged the wisdom of his words. Ekimmu suspected Ramus was involved in her parents’ deaths, but she wasn’t sure. After all this time, learning the truth served no purpose.

“Perhaps you’re right, Ramus,” she admitted grudgingly.

Surprised, Ramus nodded once. The last thing he needed was for Ekimmu to come after him.

“At least there’s one thing we agree on,” he said respectfully. “So where do we go from here? No doubt you have something in mind.”

“We go our separate ways as we have always done and hope time heals the damage you’ve done. I pray you’ve learned something this night.”

Ramus chuckled. “Oh, no doubt! I’ve learned much this night. Tell me something. If Ms. Devereaux had chosen to assist Ms. Lysanne in trying to kill me, would you have intervened?”

Constance thought about the question. “Probably not,” she said honestly. “I created those decrees for Queen Antianna. I will not dishonor her memory by putting them aside so easily... even for the likes of you.” Her disgust wasn’t lost on Ramus.

“I see... and if I had decided to kill one or both of them? Would you have stopped me?” He tilted his head sideways to watch her expression. “You seem fond of them.”

“I don’t believe I would have stopped you even then,” she answered truthfully.

“But I would have,” Ekimmu growled, wanting to make sure Ramus understood she wasn’t so committed to the ancient decrees. “Om Loh Rehn may follow the old ways, but I don’t. I’d kill you now if we were alone and never look back. Unlike others of our race, I never believed we should have let you continue your maniacal atrocities. If mother and father had listened to me, you’d be long dead and gone.”

“And they wouldn’t be,” Ramus added, unable to resist the barb.

Ekimmu frowned. “What do you know about their deaths?”

“Why, Ekimmu...” he taunted.

“Enough!” Constance bellowed. “Ramus, I warn you. Cease this now, or I promise you, I will break my oath this one time and destroy you myself. Don’t push your luck too far.”

Surprised, Ramus couldn’t think of any retort.

“Leave us!” she ordered. “I’ve grown weary of this. Leave Teraclia by tomorrow and make sure you stay away from Ms. Lysanne and Ms. Devereaux... and me.”

“As you wish, Om Loh Rehn,” he said somewhat sullenly before turning to Ekimmu. “It’s so good to see you again, Ekimmu. I look forward to our next meeting.” He smiled broadly.

“If we ever meet again, Ramus, it will be your last. Only my respect for the Om keeps me from ridding this world of your filth,” she sneered, blue eyes blazing.

Shrugging, Ramus chuckled and walked into the night.

“I don’t understand, Om Loh Rehn. Why do you continue to allow him to live? He is worse than a plague.”

“Because it’s our way,” Constance said. “Your parents understood and respected that.”

“My parents are dead. Their beliefs couldn’t save them, and I suspect Ramus had something to do with that. If I ever find out for sure, nothing will stand between him and me avenging their deaths.”

The old woman sighed and took Ekimmu’s arm, shaking it firmly. “Listen, child, revenge is never sweet. There’s a heavy price to pay for the taking of a life, and although there are times it may be necessary, it’s the last act of desperation and can never be undone. Ramus has done much to warrant his death, but he has served a purpose in a strange way. The diseases he helped perpetuate were not his creations, only his tools. At some point, they would have evolved, with or without his interference, and millions would still be dead. Fortunately, humans are resilient and resourceful. Besides, Ramus in all his arrogance may have brought about his own destruction. His time in this world is very short.”

“How so?”

“Ramus gambled on his genes to protect him from the future. It was a foolish wager.”

“I don’t understand.”

“He thought he was immune to the viruses he toyed with. Up until the last one, he was right. As you so wisely pointed out, however, viruses adapt. He’s carried this particular one in his blood for decades, unaware it was continually changing and evolving, adapting to his own immune system, the way it did with the humans.”

Ekimmu smiled. “Perhaps there’s a god after all.”

“Perhaps, or perhaps nature just likes to have the last laugh. Now I’m tired. Walk me to my room. I leave for home in the morning.”

“What about Ms. Devereaux and Ms. Lysanne? They’re going to have a lot of questions.”

“I leave all of that to your good judgment. Tell them what you must and give Dakota my best. She has a manuscript that belongs to our people. Please retrieve it for me.”

“As you wish. Should I ship it to your home?”

“No, keep it. I think you’ll find it most interesting and perhaps  it’ll bring you some peace.”

Ekimmu stood quietly for a few minutes deep in thought.

“Something bothers you, child.”

“Not really. I was just wondering. Why did you give Ms. Devereaux that manuscript? It’s strictly forbidden for anyone but you to have them. You’ve always been so adamant about obeying the edicts of Isis.”

“Desperate times, my dear. She is an important part of our future.”

“How so?”

Constance sighed. “You’re the last direct descendant of Isis and Geb. You’ve chosen not to take your rightful place as ruler of our people, and I suspect your chosen will not be capable of making you pregnant. With your passing, so goes our people.”

“I don’t understand. I’m just one of almost a thousand. Many are still capable of bearing children. Surely, there’s hope.”

“I didn’t say we’re destined to extinction.”

“Then why give the manuscript to an outsider?”

“If we do become extinct, no one will know we ever existed. Dakota is a journalist. At the right time, she’ll let the world know about us, but only after we are long gone.”

“Om, I think you’re growing forgetful. Ms. Devereaux will be dead long before we are. The knowledge will disappear with her.”

“Dakota will become the keeper of our history in time, and she’ll make sure we aren’t forgotten. Trust me. So what else is bothering you?”

Ekimmu couldn’t help but laugh at the all-knowing Om.

“No wonder you are the Om.” She smirked. “How did you know I was in Teraclia? I should have sensed your presence.”

“Like you knew Ramus was here?”

“Point taken. Apparently, time has dulled some of our senses.”

“Not time, life. You, like many of our people, have reduced your need for human blood. I believe eventually, if our race survives, we will revert back to our original state.”

“Meaning shorter lives. We really are a doomed species, aren’t we?” Ekimmu said sadly.

“I fear it may be so, child, or at least a changing one, but then the world is a different place. Who can really predict the future? I guess we can only hope.”

“Hope has never been one of my strong points, but I will try.”

Constance chuckled and nudged Ekimmu in the ribs. “You’ve never been one to believe in spirits, either,” she teased. “Funny how life has a way of changing us.”

“Spirits? Umm...”

Laughing, the elderly woman patted Ekimmu’s arm. “Not to worry. I saw you and the strange woman at the restaurant. Maybe you didn’t believe in them, but I’m a lot older than you, dear. I’ve met a few in my life, although I’m not so sure they knew what I was. I gave up the bloodlust a long time ago. I’m still alive, but I’m aging more quickly now. Soon, I’ll be with the one true love of my life.”

Constance grew quiet. Ekimmu knew she was thinking about the person she had just mentioned.

“You still miss him?”

“Her. And she was very beautiful,” Constance mused, almost to herself. “It’s been a long time.” She sighed, remembering the precious moments spent with her tall red-haired warrior. Unfortunately, Lynara had been both human and a lieutenant in the army of Queen Boudicea. She died in battle defending her queen. A part of Constance had died with her.

Shaking her head slightly, she took Ekimmu’s arm and walked toward the hotel. Neither spoke, each lost in her own thoughts. Once back at the hotel, Ekimmu gave Constance a gentle hug and bid her farewell. Wearily, the older woman said her goodbyes and disappeared into the elevator.

Feeling restless, Ekimmu wandered the streets for several hours before returning to her hotel room. The events of the night had given her a lot to think about, especially since meeting Sarpe. Her combination of innocence and disillusionment intrigued Ekimmu. For the first time in Ekimmu’s life, she felt something more than just the hunger. The loneliness had lessened some.

 

*  *  *

Once back at the estate, Yemaya and Dakota barely had the energy to take their clothes off before slipping into bed and falling asleep.

“Well, now. ’Bout time yah bez a joinin’ the festivities.”

Groaning, Dakota tried to ignore her grandmother.

“Don’t yah go on thinkin’ I ain’t knowed of what yah bez a doin’ thar, chile. Now wakes up that thar woman of yourn. We’ve been awaitin’ on yah but kent holds out much longer.”

“Oh, Grandma!” Dakota grumbled. “I don’t have the energy and Yemaya is exhausted. Can’t this wait a few hours?”

“This here bez the spirit world, chile. Yah kin gets yer strength from us’ens. Ain’t that right, dahlin’?”

Opening one eye, Dakota looked to see who Grandma Dakota was calling darling. Mari stood next to the spirit, smiling warmly at the younger Dakota.

“Sorry, Dakota, but if we don’t get started soon, the rest of the guests are going to rebel. We’ve been waiting for you two. Do you think you and Yemaya could join us for a little while? Then you can quietly disappear. Once the festivities get in full swing, no one will see you leaving.”

Dakota could never resist Mari. She reminded her too much of Yemaya. “Sure. Let me get Yemaya. We’ll be here shortly.”

“You already are here.” Mari laughed. “But thank you. I know you’ve been through a lot already.”

“Did someone call?” a low husky voice whispered in Dakota’s ear.

“Hey, you’re awake!” Dakota exclaimed, hugging Yemaya.

“I am not so sure about that, but here I am. Shall we join the party and get these two spirits heetched?”

Everyone laughed at Yemaya’s poor imitation of Maopa.

“I suppose so. Otherwise no one’s going to get any rest. All right, Grandma, Mari, let’s get you two joined so the others can party and do all the things spirits normally do when they want to have fun. Then Yemaya and I can sleep.”

Ursa let out with a growlish “whup” when Mari called to their guests.

“My friends, my daughter, Yemaya, and my soon-to-be-daughter Dakota, thank you for attending this joining. Tonight, I pledge my soul and my energies to Maopa and she to me. It is the happiest moment of my existence,” she declared proudly, leaning down to place a kiss on the elder Dakota’s cheek.

“As it be mine,” Maopa agreed, grinning broadly.

Everyone cheered with the exception of Intunecat. He stepped from amongst the crowd and raised his hands to silence the group. “Quiet!” he ordered. The spirits immediately obeyed.

“As the eldest, it is my honor and duty to perform the ritual binding these two together. Mari, Maopa, step forward and join hands.”

The Earth Mother took Maopa’s hand and approached the Dark One. Kneeling, they bowed their heads.

“From the blackest darkness to the birth of light, I have seen many changes in our world. We have had only a few joinings, but none so significant as this. Mari, you are the Earth Mother, born of the light, but you have lived in partial darkness for thousands of years because of your loneliness. Maopa, you are but an infant in this world and so you bring to it the vitality of youth. In this bonding, you will become the strength to each other’s weakness, but you will also become a weakness to the other’s strength. Your pain will be shared, but your joy will grow tenfold. Are you willing to accept those conditions?”

Mari and Maopa nodded. Yemaya and Dakota stared into each other’s eyes as if the words were meant for them. Intunecat noticed the lovers locked gaze and smiled.

“Yemaya, as daughter and only girlchild of the Earth Mother, do you approve of this union?”

Mari and Maopa looked up, surprised that Intunecat had veered from the ancient ceremony.

“Yes,” Yemaya whispered, her eyes never leaving Dakota’s.

“And you, Dakota, daughter of Maopa and representative of her kin, do you give your approval of this union?”

“With all my heart,” Dakota said.

“Then from this moment forward, you, Mari, and you, Maopa, are one. All who are present now bear witness to this joining. Let the celebration begin.”

Joyously, the spirits sprang forward, lifting the couple high in the air. “Now bez your time to get goin’,” Grandma Dakota yelled to the two humans. “Thank yah for comin’.”

Mari smiled at Yemaya and Dakota. “Daughters. We are all blessed this day. I know you would like to sleep now, but before you go, I have a surprise and a thank you gift waiting at the foot of the falls. Please humor me on this,” she begged, her voice low and husky.

Even Yemaya blinked from its effect as the words brushed across her skin like a warm spring breeze sending a pleasant chill through her tired body.

“Now you know how I feel when you do that to me,” Dakota whispered. “You can thank your ancestor for that skill.”

Laughing, Yemaya picked Dakota up and carried her toward the falls. “I’m glad that you didn’t get Granny Dakota’s accent,” she teased. “Although I would love you anyway.”

“Gee thanks.”

Maopa gently touched Mari’s arm, temporarily distracting her from a conversation she was having with Ladyhawk and Arbora.

“Sarpe bez a bit under the weather, I thank,” she said, nodding toward the serpent spirit coiled up near one of the many bonfires burning near the lake. “I’m a thankin’ she may be needin’ someone ta lend her an ear.”

Mari glanced at Sarpe, her brow wrinkling as she pondered her oldest friend’s distracted expression.

“You may be right, love. Perhaps I should see what’s bothering her.”

Putting her hand on the tall spirit’s arm, Maopa squeezed it for a second. “Yah needs ta take care of the guests, dahlin’. Sometimes it be easier jawin’ with a stranger than friend. Hows about I jest wander on over and see if’n she needs company?”

“Thanks! I think you may be right.”

Smiling, Maopa walked over to the serpent spirit and sat next to the coiled figure.

“Say thar, I heerd yah been keepin’ right busy, Sarpe.”

“Sssoo it would ssseem,” Sarpe hissed, rearranging her coil to get more comfortable.

“Well now, yah gonna lay thar broodin’ or yah gonna go ahed an tells me all about it?”

Sighing, Sarpe knew Maopa could be quite persistent if she wanted to be; not to mention she showed no deference to the elder’s position.

“I sssuppose you’ll be pesstering me all night if I don’t,” Sarpe grumbled

“Now, now. Whatcha mean pesterin’? Is that any way ta be talkin’ ’bout someone who’s jest tryin’ ta be neighborly?”

Shaking her head, Sarpe yawned, feigning boredom.

“Ssorry, Maopa,” she said, looking somewhat contrite. “I guesss I’m a little confused at the moment. I met sssomeone who brings out feelings I’ve never experienssed before.”

“Now that I understands. Mari does that ta me. So who be this here person? Does I knowed her?”

Maopa looked around at the spirits gathered near the bonfires, wondering which one had caught the serpent’s fancy.

“No, she’s not a ssspirit.”

“Ya means ta tell me she be human?”

“Not quite.”

“Not quite? What kind of answer be that? How ken someone be not quite human?”

“Becausse she isn’t quite human,” Sarpe said, enjoying the other spirit’s confusion. “She’s closse, though.”

“All right. Now bez a good time ta jest let loose and tells me what ya be a jawin’ about and quit pullin’ my leg.”

“Well, she looksss human, but she’s not. It’sss hard to explain. Let’sss jussst sssay when I’m around her, I feel ssstrange. All coiled up insside. Her touch is exciting,” Sarpe admitted. “That’ss the only way I can explain it.”

“Well, dang, girl! Ya has a hankerin’ for her. What be the problem, other than maybe the few yars yah might be a havin’?”

“That’sss jusst it. Her people have very long lives. We could have many yearss together.”

“I dun knowed why yah be a churnin’ yer guts over this then,” Maopa said, confused by the other spirit’s dilemma.

Sarpe sighed heavily and briefly outlined what she had learned about Ekimmu— her need for small quantities of human blood and how she obtained it. Her greatest fear was that she might give into her feelings for the mortal and permit Ekimmu to drink her essence, hoping it would either give her immortality or at least lengthen her life span.

“Yeah. I ken see that might be playin’ with fahr. Does yah loves her?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never known love like thisss before. She makesss me feel different, but I don’t want uss to become clossse, only to lose her when she passsesss to the Great Beyond. How could I not share all of me with her if it meant prolonging her exisstensse?”

“That definitely be a hard one. I doesn’t have an answer fer yah. I knowed I’d do almost anythin’ ta keep Mari with me. I loves her that much. But she already be a spirit, so I doesn’t have ta make that choice. I suppose yah has ta makes that decision sometime, but does it hafta be now?”

Sarpe thought about the question. “No. I guesss not,” she said. “After all, thisss may jusst be... how do you humans sssay it? A fling?”

“Umm... in my day, we calls it rompin’ in the hay and I must say, they ken be more fun than tarrin’ and featherin’ two-legged polecats.” Maopa chuckled.

Arbora was passing by just as Sarpe rolled her eyes. Laughing, she called out to Maopa. “You go, girl. I’ve only seen her do that twice.”

Uncoiling, Sarpe shook her head in disgust. “Great! She’ss not going to let me forget thisss,” the spirit hissed. “I guesss we should join the party. Thanksss for your help. I’ll work thisss out later.”

“Good. Mari’s been a watchin’ us like we be the last meal of a starvin’ dog. I thinks I better head on over yonder and help her chat up the others, doesn’t yah thinks?”

“If’n yah wantsss ta get sssome later,” Sarpe said, mimicking the human spirit’s accent.

“Sarpe, you rascal, behaves yohrself. Now get yohrself out thar and gives Mari a hand, figuratively, of course.” She smirked.

“Of courssse,” Sarpe said sarcastically, uncoiling her large body and gliding away.

Shaking her head, Maopa walked back to Mari.

 

*  *  *

Near the Great Falls, Yemaya found a small grove of fruit trees. Beneath one of the trees lay a blanket, a small basket of fruits, and a flask of golden wine.

“Wow.”

Yemaya lowered Dakota onto the blanket.

“Wow is right.” She stretched out next to Dakota. Picking up some grapes, Yemaya offered her one, rubbing it across her lips. Dakota responded by placing a strawberry between Yemaya’s lips, then leaned over to bite half of it.

“Mmm. Fruit never tasted this good back home.”

Yemaya smiled mischievously. Sliding her body over her lover’s, she felt pulses racing. “This is a dreamworld, so nothing here is like home.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Dakota grinned, running her fingers lightly up Yemaya’s sides. “Maybe we should test the theory.”

“Hmm,” Yemaya murmured, lowering her voice to sound like Mari. “Would you care to experiment with me?”

Dakota shivered. “You do that on purpose,” she grumbled.

“What?” Yemaya’s voice grew deep and husky.

“That... that voice. You know how your voice affects people and especially me.”

“I need all the help I can get,” Yemaya whispered, running her tongue along the ridge of Dakota’s left ear. “You taste sweet.”

Dakota groaned. “You don’t need help,” she murmured, capturing Yemaya’s lips with her own.

Yemaya gathered Dakota in her arms and pulled her tightly against her chest. Tongues lightly touching, they felt the blood surging through their veins as hearts pounded.

“You so take my breath away,” Yemaya growled, looking at Dakota’s breasts. “Umm. Dakota?”

“Yes?” she answered distractedly.

“Have you noticed that we happen to be very naked?”

Blinking, Dakota looked at her chest, then at Yemaya’s.

“That’s a definite plus for the spirit world,” she said, grinning. “I wonder what others we’ll find.”

Smiling, Yemaya ran her finger across Dakota’s nipples, watching in fascination as they hardened. “I have to say I am not the least tired now.”

“Me... Me neither.”

“And I definitely know my hormones are raging.”

“Mmm... me... too.”

“Perhaps we should do something about that. What do you think?”

“I’m... n..no... not. I mean yes...”

Yemaya chuckled. Obviously, Dakota was experiencing the same intense needs she was. Sliding her lips down Dakota’s neck to her shoulder, she nipped the skin lightly. Feeling her lover arch her back slightly, she smiled. She loved the way Dakota reacted to her touches. Leaning slightly away, she traced her fingers along Dakota’s ribs and down her left hip to her thigh. Dakota felt the goose bumps pebble up on her arms and squirmed. Grinning, Yemaya walked her fingers back up Dakota’s body and cupped a breast, rubbing the nipple lightly with her thumb.

“Do you think our bodies are feeling anything in the real world?” she asked, kissing the other breast tenderly.

“Oh. I think so. Our sheets are going to be drenched.”

“Good” was all Yemaya said, once again capturing Dakota’s lips. Locked in a heated kiss, Dakota’s senses were on overload when she felt a hand stroking her inner thigh. Arching upward, she moved her leg slightly, inviting Yemaya’s hand to take her. Feeling the movement, Yemaya ran the tip of her finger across the lower lips but then slid her hand back up to Dakota’s stomach, massaging it gently. Dakota groaned.

“You’re going to make me beg, aren’t you?”

“Never that,” Yemaya whispered softly. “But I am going to make this last all night, like I promised earlier.”

“Promises, promises.”

“One I intend on keeping.” Yemaya’s breath brushed warmly across Dakota’s skin. Feeling her own excitement growing, she rose to her knees and slowly ran her hands down Dakota’s body until they rested on her hips. Dakota closed her eyes, enjoying the caress and contact with her lover. Anticipation grew as Yemaya moved her thumbs in a circular motion. With a quick tug, Yemaya brought their bodies closer together as she knelt between Dakota’s thighs.

“This is where you are meant to be. It is what you were made for. To be loved by me.”

Dakota opened her eyes to stare into Yemaya’s. Blue flames flared brilliantly, making her gasp. Although they had made love many times, this was their moment of truth, the total surrender of their souls to each other as they exposed their innermost feelings. Overwhelmed at such love, Yemaya wasn’t aware of the tears sliding down her cheek until Dakota reached up and gently brushed them away.

“I didn’t know,” she whispered, for some reason feeling the need to apologize.

“I know,” Yemaya said, leaning her forehead against Dakota’s. “It is not easy letting someone past the walls, letting them see the real me, the good and the bad.”

“Oh, Yemaya. I’ve loved you such a short time, but it seems like forever. How could you not know how I feel? I want all of you. What little bad there is doesn’t compare to the goodness in you. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to love me.”

“With my heart and soul, my love.” Yemaya leaned down for a kiss. Unable to hold herself back, she lowered her head and placed her cheek on Dakota’s stomach, nuzzling the golden pubic hair. Inhaling, she was surprised at how quickly her mind remembered Dakota’s taste. Twirling her fingers through the curls, she tugged gently on one.

Dakota groaned, growing impatient.

“Please, Yemaya.”

Unable to resist her pleas, Yemaya slipped her fingers between the warm wet lips and stroked the soft skin buried beneath the golden hairs. Raising her head to watch her lover’s face, she found herself barely able to breath. This is what it means to be loved, she thought, awed and equally humbled by the knowledge.

“I love you so much, Dakota,” she whispered. “It scares me.”

“I know,” Dakota said, her voice heavy with arousal. “Please, Yemaya...”

Nodding, Yemaya gently separated the lips, lowered her head, and gave her lover a kiss before running her tongue along the tender skin. She vowed to herself she would do everything in her power to protect the gift bestowed on her.

They made love well into the night, both insatiable in their desire to please the other. Neither Yemaya nor Dakota remembered falling asleep. When they awoke, they were in their own bed back at the estate.

“Was it real?” Dakota wondered aloud.

“Yes,” Yemaya answered, looking at Dakota. “I think it was Mari and Grandma Dakota’s way of thanking us.”

“We should attend their festivities more often then.” Dakota grinned. “Although I don’t think I could take many nights like that and still hold down a job.” She smirked.

“Me neither,” Yemaya agreed, laughing. “I think I would give up my day job for nights like that,” she added, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Yeah, me too!”

A knock on the door interrupted their musings.

“This is getting to be a regular habit,” Dakota grumbled.

“So it would seem. Come in, Maria.”

The door opened slowly.

“Sorry, mistress, but there’s a Ms. Ekimmu Elil downstairs. She said she needed to talk to you and Ms. Devereaux before she leaves town.”

“We will be right down. Thanks.”

“That’s the woman with Constance last night.”

“Yes.”

“I wonder what she wants.”

 

*  *  *

Ekimmu listened to the crackling of the fire while she stared into the flames. They reminded her of her own inner struggles. Perhaps she would never find the answers she sought. Did anyone ever, she thought. Turning toward the door before it opened, she watched the tall Carpi and her mate walk into the room.

“Good morning, Ms. Elil. Can we offer you something to eat or drink?”

“No, thank you, Ms. Lysanne. I don’t have much time. I have to leave soon, but I thought you might have a few questions left unanswered.”

“That’s thoughtful of you. Where’s Ramus?” Dakota asked.

“Gone.”

“Gone? Gone where?” Yemaya asked, not liking the answer.

Shrugging, Ekimmu turned back to the fire. “It’s strange,” she said. “When I watch a fire, I see life, a living organism struggling to survive. It needs oxygen to breathe, fuel for nourishment, and in a way must reproduce to stay alive just like us. Have you ever thought about it?”

Not sure who she was talking to, Yemaya and Dakota looked at each other.

“Not really,” Yemaya replied. “But you may be right. What does that have to do with Ramus?”

“Nothing. Everything. We’re all flames in a way, searching for anything to prolong our existence. Ramus is no different.”

“Ramus is a cold-blooded killer who has ruined an unimaginable number of lives. He’s a parasite... a plague!” Dakota said angrily. “And you say he’s ‘gone,’ as if that’s all there is to it. Do you expect us to just accept that?”

“No, but you really have no choice, and before you start thinking about looking for him, remember that he has traveled this planet for a very long time. He knows of places you have never even dreamed of.”

“We will find him,” Yemaya said coolly.

Ekimmu smiled. “I almost believe you could. I’d advise against it, Ms. Lysanne. You and Ms. Devereaux might get lucky and destroy him, but at what price? Are you willing to sacrifice each other for the likes of him? Besides, I wouldn’t worry too much about him now. His days are numbered.”

“Numbered? We don’t understand,” Dakota said.

Ekimmu debated how much to reveal. Deciding now wasn’t the right moment to tell everything, she kept the explanation simple.

“Ramus is dying. Apparently, he hasn’t been discreet in his lifestyle. He’s contracted a virus that will destroy his immune system in a matter of a few years.”

“That gives him plenty of time to ruin more lives,” Dakota said. “And you expect us to do nothing?”

“No, I imagine you’ll try to find him. Your search will be long and fruitless, but it’s not in your nature to do nothing, Ms. Devereaux. I envy you that tenacity,” Ekimmu said, smiling gently. “I’ve spent most of my life doing nothing about him. Do what you feel you must. In the end, he will be long dead and you will have wasted precious years on the hunt. At least think about what I’ve said. Time is everyone’s enemy, but especially his. Now I really need to go,” she added, looking at her watch.

“Thank you for coming, Ms. Elil. Perhaps my driver can take you to the airport in Cahul,” Yemaya offered, placing her hand on Dakota’s arm to silence her.

“Thanks, but a cab is waiting outside. One more thing, though. Ms. Lorraine asked me to retrieve the manuscript she gave you a few days ago.”

“Of course!” Dakota said, walking to the desk and picking it up. “I’m surprised she mentioned it to you. It seems to be a very valuable historical record.”

“It is and I’ll protect it until it’s returned to her.”

Tucking it under her arm, she nodded her thanks. Walking to the door, Ekimmu stopped and looked at the two women. “I envy you your love,” she admitted. “And, Ms. Lysanne, I look forward to seeing one of your performances someday. I have no doubt it will be a flaming success.” Winking, she quietly opened the door and left.

“How strange!”

“Yes.” Yemaya’s brows wrinkled in thought. “Would you mind if I worked a little while on my new show? I just had an idea I would like to develop.”

“Nah, I have a few articles to turn in. My old boss is still bugging me about freelancing with him.”

Standing on her toes, she gave Yemaya a kiss on the cheek. Already, she could tell her lover’s thoughts were miles away.