CHAPTER 18

 THE SWEAT TICKLED as it trickled between her breasts before continuing its path down her stomach to her navel. Reaching down to wipe it away, she stared at the moisture on her fingertips and realized she was almost naked. Confusion and a sense of loss brought tears to her eyes, and she closed them momentarily in an effort to regain some sense of being.

Falling to her knees, she looked up, her arms spread apart, begging to be saved. The flames danced magically around her, holding her captive. Jumping to her feet, she ran in circles hoping to escape the prison, only to have her path blocked by the orange, red, and blue fiery tentacles of the flames flaring upward. Swaying back and forth, in and out, they beckoned her closer. Occasionally, one would snake out to caress her body. Scrambling backward, she looked left, then right, searching for help, but there was no one.

She withdrew into a corner in an attempt to escape her tormentors’ searing touch. Relentlessly, they moved closer. She dropped to her knees, and her hands pressed against her chest in fear. Terror made her scream, but no sounds were heard. Clutching her throat in pain, she swayed dramatically back and forth. Finally exhausted and accepting her fate, she sank to the floor, curled in a fetal position, and covered her head with her arms.

A silver blue flamed sprang up behind her. Moving gracefully, it danced seductively around the prone figure forcing the orange flames to move away as brilliant silvery blue tentacles lashed out. Angry hisses could be heard but were ignored. Returning to the woman, the blue flame touched her shoulder tentatively. Opening her eyes, the young woman looked around. The orange fires still danced mockingly around her. It took her a few moments to realize something was different. Then she saw the blue flame. Its second touch was bolder, a warm caress that brought her to her feet. Slowly, she stretched out her hand.

The flame flickered momentarily, then stretched toward her, touching her fingertip hesitantly before running up and down her palm; then it receded, dancing seductively across the floor. The orange flames retreated farther. Curiosity overcame the woman’s fear. Moving toward the flame, she held out her hand. The flame moved forward, dancing slowly, its tentacles swaying like a snake. Gaining confidence, the woman stepped into the fiery embrace. Silver blue arms tenderly enveloped her body. As the two merged into one, like lovers, they danced slowly in a circle seemingly unaware of the danger around them.

Jealous and angry, the orange flames closed in on their captive. Suddenly, the blue flame flickered brightly and exploded, sending thousands of sparks into the air, followed by a large puff of smoke. When they finally settled to the floor, both the woman and her fiery lover had vanished. The other flames screamed their frustration and died out, the performers sinking slowly to their knees.

Complete silence followed.

The crowd roared, jumping to their feet. Applause thundered through the arena. Spectators turned to their neighbors asking if they had seen where the Illusionist and her companion had disappeared. Because the stage was in the center of the audience, there was no avenue of escape without being noticed.

“It’s an illusion,” the young man seated next to Dakota said.

“Obviously,” she agreed sarcastically, trying to ignore him.

“I’ve studied these magicians, and they all use mirrors to pull off most of their tricks,” he said, wanting to impress her.

“I see! So where exactly are these mirrors?” Raising an eyebrow, she gave him a skeptical look.

“That’s the really cool part! They’ve placed them all around and have mirrors to conceal the mirrors. Each mirror picks up a reflection of something and transmits it to another. Pretty soon, there are so many reflections, the mind gets confused and can’t see what’s directly in front of it. It’s quite ingenious, you know.”

Sighing, Dakota decided she had tolerated the young man’s ignorance enough. “Uh-huh! Look, why don’t you go find one of those mirrors for me while I write down a few notes? Now if you’ll excuse me, I don’t have time to talk right now.”

“Oh, sorry,” he said, blushing.

Dakota shook her head. Idiot, she thought. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her pen and paper and made notes about the show. After a few words, the pen skipped.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” She stuck the pen in her mouth and sucked hard, oblivious to the shouts and applause of the crowd. “I don’t care who gave you to me. You do this again and I’m tossing you in the trash.”

It was then she noticed the crowd had quieted. Looking up, she saw Yemaya standing on stage looking at her. Several members of the audience had turned in their seats to see who the Illusionist was staring at.

“I give up!” Dakota muttered, taking the pen from between her lips and throwing it in her purse. Smiling sweetly at her lover, she shrugged nonchalantly.

Yemaya laughed softly and winked before turning her attention to the audience and bowing.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your generosity. The proceeds from tonight’s show will go to HIV and AIDS research. Hopefully, with your contributions and the help of several scientists, we’ll win this battle soon. Be safe on your way home and remember to tell those you love how you feel. You may not get another chance.”

Yemaya waved, walking toward the nearest exit. At the door, she stopped and peered at the back of the arena on the far side. A figure moved stealthily along the aisle and disappeared behind a partition near a service entry door. When Dakota saw Yemaya stop, she followed the woman’s gaze, curious.

“Ramus,” she muttered angrily, looking back at Yemaya, who acknowledged her thought before leaning down to listen to one of her staff who was whispering something. Motioning for Dakota to meet her in back, she left.

“That was Ramus,” she declared, hugging Yemaya tightly.

“Yes, but calm down. Ekimmu was right. He’s dying.”

“Serves him right! What did he want?”

“Apparently, he is interested in our cause.” Handing Dakota a piece of paper, she waited for her reaction.

“It’s a check for a million dollars!”

“So it would seem. I guess he thinks he has something to gain if a cure is discovered.”

“I hope he’s long dead and gone by then,” Dakota growled, tossing the check on the table.

“I could not care less if he is,” Yemaya said. “It is the cure that matters. Where the money comes from is not important as long as it moves us forward.”

“Yeah, I guess, but I can still fantasize.”

“Only about me, love. What did you think of the show?”

“I think the next time I attend one, you need to make sure I don’t sit next to some idiot,” Dakota grumbled. “And get me a damn ink pen that works. Do you have some type of power over those things?” She eyed her lover suspiciously.

Laughing, Yemaya hugged her. “No, I think you just like attracting my attention,” she said. “How about we go back to the hotel? Those flames made me hot.”

“I think it was your attendant. Where’d you find her? She’s quite attractive and a very good actress.”

“That is Lia. This was a form of therapy.”

“Lia? She’s recovered?”

“Pretty much. Dr. Lichy thinks the bacteria have a very short life span. She fit the role for this act, so I thought I would give her a chance. Who better to play the captive?”

“Good point. By the way, are you ever going to tell me how you do that flame impersonation? It looks so real!”

“Would you believe me if I said it was?”

Dakota eyed Yemaya suspiciously. “Actually, I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“There you go.” Yemaya smirked.

“That’s okay. Keep your secrets. I happen to know exactly how you do it,” Dakota declared, strolling away with a slight swagger.

“Oh? Do tell.”

“Mirrors. Lots of mirrors,” Dakota said smugly.

Rolling her eyes, Yemaya was about to make a smart remark but decided discretion was wiser. “Umm. Right. Mirrors.”

Grabbing Dakota’s arm, she pulled her into her own and kissed her. Dakota groaned as the heat from her lover’s body inflamed her passions. “Or not!” Yemaya whispered, feeling very warm. “I think we need a nice long vacation away from all of this.”

“Our bags are packed. How soon can you finish up here?”

“Sonny can take care of that. We have more important matters to attend to. Care for a little romp in the hay, as Grandma Dakota would say?”

“Shore ’nuff. Last one to the plane gets the back rub, and I’m talking about a very long rub,” Dakota purred as she ran toward the exit where a limousine waited outside.

“Damn. I hate losing like this,” Yemaya muttered, strolling slowly after Dakota.

 

*  *  *

In the alleyway across the street, shiny black eyes peered stoically at the two women as they climbed into the limousine. Watching it drive off, his lips twitched slightly before he turned and walked into the darkness.