Lilith - TI3 (2 page)

"Oh yeah, I'm fine... really."

"Are you sure? You seem
bothered
."

"I am... was bothered, love." Dakota chuckled, blushing slightly. "Have you ever seen yourself climbing out of a pool, all wet, water streaming down that... that perfect body of yours? You’re like some wild, exotic animal... sleek... muscular... beautiful."

It was Yemaya's turn to blush. Not sure how to respond, she kept silent.

"Just the sight of you standing there like an ancient goddess... well, needless to say, if you have this affect on me every time we go swimming, I’m in trouble, big time!"

"Trouble?... Oh!.. I see!"

Stunned, Yemaya couldn't think of an adequate response to her lover's revelation. Seeing her discomfort, Dakota leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.

"Sorry if I embarrassed you. You just have that affect on me."

"Oh! No, I am glad, I think. I mean, I know! You just surprised me. I had no idea."

"Sweetie, I had no idea until a few minutes ago and believe me, I’m looking forward to many more episodes now that I’m more prepared." Wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, Dakota grinned smugly at the thought. "Just think... instant orgasms anytime I want."

"Does that mean you will not be needing my services any longer since the mere thought of me seems to fulfill your... umm needs?"

"Good grief, no! As great as this one was, nothing can compare to hands on experience with you."

"Just hands?" Yemaya murmured, her voice dropping to a husky, seductive whisper.

"Damn! Keep it up and I’ll be too tired for anything."

Slowly unfolding her long body and standing, Yemaya gazed down at the woman who had captured her heart the year before, her pale sapphire eyes burning with desire. Holding out her hand, she offered it to Dakota and helped her to her feet.

"So, I guess I will be wasting my time if I were to suggest we retire to our room for a few hours?"

"Oh, I don’t think so. It would be a waste not going," she replied impishly.

Letting out an unusually girlish
whoo hoo
, Yemaya sprinted away, her long legs pumping gracefully.

"Last one there gets the top," she yelled, happily, glancing back at Dakota and winking.

Gathering her notepad and belongings, the journalist shook her head slowly, muttering to herself.

"Damn! I hate losing like this!"

By the time Dakota entered their hotel suite, Yemaya was in bed with the sheets pulled up to her chin and pretending to be asleep. The journalist smirked and decided to play along. Yawning, she slowly undressed, crawled in bed and turned on her side, her back toward Yemaya. For several minutes both women lay still, each wondering if the other was faking exhaustion or really feeling it. Just as Dakota was about to cave in to her urges, she felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her backward.

"So, I guess you are too tired to play," whispered a husky voice as a warm breath caressed her left ear. Shivering, Dakota turned over and stared into the heated icy blue gaze of her lover. Passion burned brightly behind the steamy eyes.

"Tired?" she asked, her voice slightly squeaky. "I don't think so!"

"Good. I would not want to take advantage of your weakened state."

"Since when?" Dakota chuckled, pulling the dark-haired woman toward her and leaning up to capture her lips with her own. Groaning both women pressed into each other, both writhing in an effort to mold their bodies tightly together. Legs separated legs while knees nudged thighs apart in order to press against the warm centers. It would be hours before they collapsed, exhausted from their lovemaking.

Later, the two were peacefully snuggled under the sheets when Dakota’s cell phone chirped. Reaching lazily over Yemaya’s naked body, she grabbed it, flipping open the ear piece.

"Hello?"

"Daks?"

"Mom? What's up?"

Her mother rarely called unless it was important.

"It's your grandmother. She's very sick! I'm not sure she has much time left."

"How much longer?" Dakota asked sitting up.

"A few hours or days at the most, maybe a week if the spirits are kind."

"I'll be home tomorrow!"

"I'll pick you up at the airport."

"That's okay. I can rent a car. It'll make things easier for everyone. Thanks for letting me know, and give Grams my love."

"I will. Be safe, daughter. Oh, and bring Yemaya along. It's about time she met the family, don't you think?"

"I'll let her know. Bye."

"Bye."

Turning to Yemaya, she was about to say something when her lover gathered her into her arms and pulled her close.

"I heard. Sonny will charter you a flight. Besides, it has been a while since you saw everyone, anyway. I definitely do not want them blaming me for keeping their little girl from them." She teased before becoming serious again. "I am so sorry."

"She's old, but she's a wonderful person. She taught me a lot about life and about myself. Between mom and her, I was encouraged to believe I could be anything I wanted."

"Well, no one can predict the future. Maybe it is not as bad as it seems."

"Mom's a good doctor. I just can't take any chances."

"Of course not. I wish I could go with you, but I need to finalize some business in New York. Maybe afterward I can fly down and meet you and this special grandmother of yours."

"That would be great."

Picking up her own phone, Yemaya dialed Sonny and asked him to make arrangements for the flight. Flipping the phone shut she grimaced.

"I guess our vacation is officially over. How about we get some sleep?" she whispered, pulling Dakota close. Nodding slightly, Dakota settled into Yemaya's warm embrace. Placing her cheek against the blonde head of her lover, Yemaya gently combed her fingers through the short strands. "It will be all right," she murmured softly.

Within minutes the two had fallen into a comfortable slumber.

C
HILD, IT BE time to wake up."

Grumbling, Dakota burrowed deeper into the warm body beneath her.

"Go away!"

"In time, but yah need to wake up, hon. We need ta jaw a bit."

Opening one eye sleepily, she stared at her great, great, spirit grandmother, Maopa. Although her real name was Dakota, the spirits chose to use the name given to her by her adopted people, the Lakota.

"Hi Granny. It's been awhile."

"Thangs been mighty quiet lately. No need for us'ns to be a botherin you youngins. We just be glad yah got some time together for relaxin and gettin to knowed each other better."

"Yeah. It feels good. Seems like every time we get a few weeks of peace and quiet, something happens to ruin it."

"That be the way of thangs"

"I suppose. Granny, Pasha is dying! Mom says she doesn't have much time!" Dakota sobbed, unable to hold back her sorrow.

"I knowed, chile. That be why I’s here. She done had a good life. Her mind be as sharp as bear claws but her body is tarred. She done earned her rest."

"But what if she dies before I see her again? You have to do something!"

"It ain't mine ta do. When yer time comes, it comes, but Pashna is a stubborn old coot. She won't go without bidden goodbye to her favorite granchile. The devil, hisself, couldn't win that thar battle."

"I hope so. I need to tell her how much I love her and to thank her for being there for me."

"Patience, youngin. Don't go frettin over somethin yah can't do nothin about. Won't do you or her no good to go work yerself up over this, but if'n it make yah feel good, I give my word, Pashna will be awaitin for yah, even if I has to drag her cantankerous ole soul back to that withered carcass of hern and shove it back inside, mahself."

Laughing at the image, Dakota hugged her ancestral spirit.

"I believe you would. You said Grams was one of the reasons. Was there something else?"

"Well, I hate for yah to be a passin bad news on to Yemaya, but she needs ta know Dalnos bez dead. He done gawn and kilt himself."

"Dead? What happened?"

"He hanged himself. Made a noose from his beddin and done it durin the night."

"Damn! Yemaya's going to blame herself for this."

"He done what he wanted. Twern't no way he was gonna live with himself wonst he knowed what he become. His dyin thoughts were of his mama and the magic woman so she don't have nothin to be feelin bad about."

"I know, but she'll still think she could have done something to stop him. We haven’t been able to spend much time at home lately. She already thinks she should have been in Teraclia for the trial. You know how she is?"

"That I do! Yah gonna have to make sure she knowed there weren’t nothing she coulda done. He knowed what he were and were grateful to her. She gived him back the only one who ever loved him. He died knowin that."

"I hope so, Granny. I can't say I'm sorry he's dead. Killing and raping those girls and then trying to do the same to me doesn’t exactly endear him to me, but I still feel sorry for him. No child deserves a father like he had."

Maopa nodded.

"Thanks for letting me know, granny."

"Twern't nothing."

"It means a lot to me. Anyway, how are you and Mari doing?"

Grinning sheepishly, Maopa turned a strange shade of pink.

Must be a spirit thing
, thought Dakota.

"Doin fine. She be somethin else, that Mari. I ain't never come acrosst anyone with so much... energy. She done keeps me busy and she's puuurrre honey."

"I think I get the point. I'm happy for the two of you but I'd better go before you give me too much information. Besides, it's going to be a long day tomorrow."

"Not to worry, chile. Yah just get yerself home pronto and it'll be fine. I'm just wantin yah ta knowed not ta worry. Now yah say hello ta that thar magic woman, and Mari sends her love tah the both of yahs."

Feeling drowsy, Dakota closed her eyes and drifted into a restful slumber. Two arms drew her close to a warm body.

S
EVERAL HUNDRED miles away, a lonely figure huddled near a street corner, the security light barely providing enough illumination for the intersection, let alone safety for anyone waiting beneath it. The woman leaned against the grungy wall of the old brick building, glancing hopefully at the cars as they passed in front of her. Shivering slightly from the cool breeze, she occasionally straightened up and walked toward the curb to watch the approaching vehicles. Most didn't stop. A few slowed and then sped off but occasionally one stopped. Leaning down, knees slightly bent, she would engage the driver or passenger in a conversation barely above a whisper. Tonight, there weren't any takers for her offers, or she chose not to accommodate the graphic demands of her prospective customers. Stepping back she gestured for the obnoxious ones to move on, usually showing them the universal finger. Yelling an obscenity at the last driver, she walked back to the building, which provided some protection against the wind.

Dressed in clear plastic platform boots, a short silver miniskirt, and light blue jacket over a skimpy tank top, she was the picture poster girl for the stereotyped hooker everyone imagined. Her age was anyone's guess. The dimly lit area and thick makeup concealed the small wrinkles around her eyes and forehead, but nothing could hide the bitter disillusionment of a hard life filled with abuse and alcohol.

Belinda rarely thought about her past. The pain of betrayal had grown dull over the years, leaving her with nothing more than the realization that she could have been more than just a whore. If her mother had not caved in to the pressures of the church when she found out the priest had been molesting Belinda, she would have made something of her life. Although no one blamed Belinda for what had happened, the church hinted to her mother that it would be better for both of them if they forgave the priest his indiscretions of the flesh and then forgot the entire event. Being poor, the Bishop's offer of lifetime employment went a long way to buy her mom's forgiveness. Unfortunately for Belinda, the church hierarchy considered the child’s suffering irrelevant and did nothing to help her, other than to tell her it was God’s way of testing her faith and making her stronger. Suffering was a way to be closer to the Lord they said. When she finally rebelled, her mother begged her not to do anything to antagonize their priest or the church.