Dreams of Fire Page 7

  Chapter Four

  Kara Hartman District Wharf, District of Columbia, Present

  The next morning, Kara rushed around her studio in preparation for Selene’s arrival. She heaved her light kit out of the closet and set it as gently as she could on the floor, laying it on its side before unzipping the case. Kara retrieved the lamp and placed a pink gel on the lens. She laid it carefully on the floor and reached for the tripod. She pulled the legs of the stand apart and set it several feet away from the white screen on the wall. After she mounted the lamp on its stand, she extended the pole to just above Selene’s height. Kara plugged in the lamp and clicked it on. She then shut the blackout curtain across the window so that only the pink light was visible. Kara adjusted the fins to focus the light and angle it slightly downward. Perfect. She opened the curtain again and clicked off the light, then set up her tripod in front of the screen and mounted her camera on it. She white balanced the camera and slowed down the shutter release to several seconds. As she mounted the camera on the tripod’s head, Kara’s stomach suddenly growled. She was so eager to begin the day’s work that she had forgotten to eat. Kara turned off the camera and went to the kitchen for a quick breakfast.

  After eating, she showered quickly and dressed herself. At 9:25, Kara reclined on the couch and waited patiently for Selene to arrive. To her pleasant surprise, the doorbell rang at exactly 9:30. Kara sprang to her feet and answered the door.

  Selene stood outside and greeted her with a smile. “Hey.”

  “Hey! Come in.” Kara replied. She stepped aside to let Selene enter. She strolled in casually as Kara shut the door.

  Selene stood before the window in the living room. “Wow. This view is amazing.”

  “Yeah, I’m really lucky I can afford it,” Kara said.

  “So, where are we doing this?” Selene asked.

  “Studio’s back here.” Kara said as she pointed behind her with a thumb.

  “Draw me like one of your French girls!” Selene said as she followed Kara. She laughed.

  Selene entered the studio behind Kara and gazed around at the set up. She saw the lamp, the tripod and the screen and was impressed by all the professional equipment. For the first time in a while, Selene felt out of her comfort zone. She had never modeled before and had certainly never set foot in an art studio. Selene had spent so much time pulling Kara into her world that it was jarring now that she was being pulled into hers. This studio was Kara’s turf, her element. “Just stand in front of the screen over there and we’ll get started in a minute.” Kara said as she pointed to the screen against the wall.

  “Okay,” Selene replied. She felt she had to move extra carefully lest she knock something over and break it. Selene traced a wide circle around the tripod and stood before the screen. Kara closed the blinds and drew the blackout curtain across the window. The studio was plunged into darkness as Kara reached up to turn on the lamp.

  “Look away, Selene. This is going to be bright.”

  Selene turned her eyes away and beams of pink light shot across the room. It illuminated the contours of Selene’s darkened face just like she envisioned. Kara became alive with anticipation.

  She stood behind the camera and removed the lens cover, clicked it on and peered through the viewfinder. “Don’t move until the shutter closes. It’ll make the shots blurry.”

  Selene nodded her acknowledgement.

  Kara twisted the dial on the lens and zoomed into a close-up shot. “Give me one of these.” she said as she stood and made a motion as if to peel back a jacket. Selene mimicked her. “Great. But turn toward the light…Nice!” Kara snapped the photo.

  For the next hour or so, Selene posed in front of the camera under Kara’s patient guidance. She reclined, sat and stood under the focused beam of light. She posed with props and without. Sometimes Kara would adjust the angle of the light or move her tripod from here to there but she did so with a confidence and directness she had never seen in her before. It was fascinating to see Kara calling the shots and making decisions. As Kara clicked the shutter Selene wondered how the images were turning out.

  Kara snapped another image of Selene in a reclined pose and then said “Okay. Let’s take a break.” Selene relaxed in the chair somewhat relieved to hear her say that. She sank her bottom down to the seat and put on her jacket.

  “Can I see how they turned out?” Selene asked.

  “In a second.” Kara shut off the lamp and drew back the curtain to let the light back in. Selene winced her eyes at the sudden brightness.

  “Oh, sorry,” Kara said as she walked back to her.

  “It’s okay.” Selene said. She hopped up from the chair as Kara dismounted the camera from the tripod. She peered eagerly over Kara’s shoulder as she turned on the LED display. She scrolled through the images and Selene saw herself cloaked in shadows and the contours of her face outlined with an intense pink glow. Both women smiled as they cycled through the images. “Oooh! That one is cool.” Selene said as she pointed to a shot of her reclined under the pink light. It was a profile view of Selene’s dark silhouette against the glow of the lamp. Her hair hung over the back of the chair and her hips were raised up with her feet planted on the floor as the rays of light burst out from the far end of the room. Kara paused on the image so they could both appreciate it.

  Kara loved being so close to Selene. She could feel her body pressed lightly against her as they scrolled through the photos together. She breathed in the scent of her perfume and wondered if Selene felt the same.

  Selene was fascinated by all the details and nuances of Kara’s little world. She looked around the studio and saw Kara’s desk at the far end of the room. While Kara reviewed more of her images on the camera, Selene wandered over to her desk where she saw an open sketchbook amidst a pile of reference photos, brushes, pencils and erasers. Intrigued, she picked it up and began to peruse its contents, flipping through pages of skyscrapers, busy streets, mansions and pillars. There were scenes of bridges, monuments and the tiny city dwellers that meandered among them. She saw a sketch of the waterfront with a fleet of boats moored at the pier and the multitudes of people that walked briskly along its busy street. Amazed by its level of detail, she kept flipping through until she stumbled on a portrait.

  She recognized the face instantly. Selene was arrested by the woman’s dark smoldering gaze, the darkest features in the woman’s visage. Her eyes lingered on the contours of her long tresses that flowed freely over the shoulders of her leather jacket. The intense white glimmer of her piercings was a striking contrast with the shadows on her nose and mouth. Selene smiled and laughed quietly to herself. The face was her own.

  “Kara, when did you make this?” Selene held up the portrait for her to see.

  Kara turned and looked up and instantly blushed when she saw what sketch she was talking about. She hesitated before making her reply.

  “It was…the day after we met,” Kara said quietly.

  Selene smiled. “I love it. It’s like looking into a mirror.”

  Kara smiled coyly but said nothing. She looked down again at the screen of her camera and scrolled through a few more images. Selene placed the sketchpad back on the desk and walked toward Kara. Out of her periphery, she saw her approach and looked up again suddenly. Her heart stopped as Selene entered her personal space. Their eyes locked together and Kara was enveloped by those simmering, dark orbs. She stood before her completely frozen and yet she melted on the inside. Selene reached up and softly dragged her fingertip down her cheek. Kara smiled shyly. Then she leaned in and pressed her lips to hers. It was just the slightest touch before Selene pulled back and waited for a sign. For a moment she just gazed breathlessly at Selene. Kara had daydreamed of this moment for months and months and now, finally to her utter surprise, it was here. Selene’s eyes became her whole world as she stood there lost in that burning gaze. Her breath touched her face as she stood totally paralyzed. Then, not knowing what else to do, she leaned in and returned
the kiss with intense fervor. Selene exclaimed with surprise as their lips locked together once more.

  Kara led her out of the studio and into the bedroom where they tumbled onto the mattress. She savored the weight of Selene’s body on top of her while they kissed open-mouthed. Suddenly, the feel of her lips was not enough anymore. She wanted Selene—all of her. As if she had read her mind, Selene reared up on her knees and took off her jacket. Kara pulled off her sweater and cast it aside as Selene’s shirt fell on the floor. She purred with delight as her lover showered her neck with kisses. Kara’s hands caressed Selene’s warm and smooth skin. She felt her bosoms pressed against her own. She breathed her perfume while Selene’s long, brown hair fell around her. Kara reached around her back and unclasped her bra. Selene smiled and ripped it away from her chest.

  Their clothing continued to dwindle as they explored every region of each other’s bodies. The two women writhed together naked on Kara’s bed while their moaning echoed off the walls. Kara was drunk on the taste of her lips and high on the feel of her skin. For an unmeasured length of time, she gave Selene one carnal delight in exchange for another. They continued to make love until they collapsed in each other’s arms, sweaty and exhausted.

  The next day at work, Kara sat at her easel as she painted the World War II Memorial. She filled her canvas with color while humming softly to herself. The corners of her mouth were upturned in a smile as thoughts of her time with Selene lingered in her mind. Kara remembered their afternoon of pleasure in vivid detail even while she painted. She could smell again the scent of Selene’s perfume and feel the warmth of her body. She could hear the way Selene called her name and the way she moaned when she touched her intimately.

  “Boss!” Daniela called out.

  Kara jumped on her stool and spun around to face her assistant. “What? Oh! Lo siento, Daniela. What is it?”

  Daniela giggled. “I’m just reminding you to ship the Eastern Market piece today.”

  “Oh of course. Thank you, Dani,” Kara turned back to her canvas and resumed her work.

  Selene Radcliffe District of Columbia, Dupont Circle, Present

  Selene sped through the city in pursuit of her client’s limousine. She weaved rapidly between cars as a feral demon tore at the roof of the vehicle. Its claws dug into the metal and ripped open gashes in the steel. The limo driver swerved this way and that in a vain attempt to shake the beast. It clung with an iron grip as the sound of screeching tires pierced the air. Gunshots rang out as the bodyguards inside the cabin shot at the beast. The bullets grazed its dark fur as it continued to tear at the roof. It snarled and gnashed its teeth amid the cries and shouts from within.

  Selene raised her palm and summoned a ball of flame which she hurled at the beast. The flames exploded against its fur and it roared in agony. The putrid odor of burning flesh trickled into Selene’s helmet. She zigzagged through traffic then accelerated until she was side-by-side with the limo. Selene blasted the creature with a stream of fire before it swiped its claws at her. She ducked beneath it then swerved to avoid a moped. More gunshots pierced the air. Selene had to end this now before it got any messier.

  Selene fell back until she was just barely behind the limo. She turned as it blazed through the intersection. The demon-hunter followed closely behind as the raging beast tore another scrap of metal from the car. The monster peeled it away and cast it aside like refuse. Selene leaned forward and planted both feet on the saddle as she balanced delicately on the speeding motorcycle. She took a deep breath and kept her eyes straight ahead at the burning demon atop the limousine. Then she leaped high into the air and landed hard on the creature’s back. She clutched at its fur and clamped her knees around its hips as the monster flailed beneath her. It reached up and dragged its claws down her arm and Selene screamed. The limo veered around another corner and she held on for dear life. The wind whipped through her hair as the beast continued to writhe on top of the car. Then Selene summoned a shimmering, red dagger and plunged it into the monster’s skull. The searing blade pierced through hide and bone and thrust deep into its brain. The demon’s eyes rolled back and it immediately fell limp beneath her.

  Selene sighed with relief as the limo slowed and pulled up to the curb. The door beneath her opened and her client stepped out. The young man with short blond hair regarded her with crossed arms and a frown. “Took you long enough,” he said irritably.

  Selene climbed off the vehicle and stepped onto the sidewalk. “What’s that you said? ‘Thanks for saving my life?’ No problem, just another day at the office.”

  The boy snorted. “My father won’t be happy about the limo.”

  Selene refrained from rolling her eyes as she floated the dead beast to the sidewalk and regenerated the damaged vehicle. The gashes and the bullet holes vanished as if they never happened. Her client’s eyes widened in astonishment. The idiot probably didn’t know that was possible. “Clay, hand me my check book.”

  A moment later, a hand stuck out of the window with a check book and a pen. The boy took it and leaned against the car as he scribbled on a clean check. Then he ripped it out and gave it to Selene. “Thanks,” Selene accepted the check and stuffed it into her pocket. Then the boy got back into the limo and it drove off.

  “Nice work!” a voice called out from behind her. Selene turned and saw a man of dark complexion and a purple bandana on his head. His muscular arms were covered by a leather jacket and a silver belt buckle gleamed at his waist. Selene’s motorcycle was leaned against the façade next to him.

  “Donnie?” Selene exclaimed.

  “In the flesh.” he replied.

  Selene smiled. “Come here!” she said with her arms wide open. The two embraced over the reeking corpse. Passersby stared at the macabre scene. “What are you doing here?” she asked as she pulled away.

  “I was helping a friend down in Florida and as I was heading back up to New York, I thought why don’t I swing by D.C. and hang out with Selene for a bit?” Donnie replied.

  “Let’s go somewhere and catch up.” Selene said. Then they hopped on her motorcycle and sped off.

  Three blocks away, Selene and Donnie sat down at a bar and ordered their drinks. Business was slow in the afternoon; hardly a soul occupied the dining area. The tables were largely empty and the billiards tables were silent. The only sound that could be heard was the soft playing of guitars over the sound system.

  “So, how long will you be here?” Selene asked. She thanked the bartender and wrapped her fingers around a glass of whiskey.

  “Just passing through.” Donnie said before he tipped a bottle of beer at his lips. “I’ll be on my way again tonight. You look well.”

  Selene grinned. “I am. I’m thriving here in the city.” She sipped from her glass and swallowed the burning liquid.

  “Who was that pretty boy in the limo?” Donnie asked.

  Selene chuckled quietly. “The mayor’s son. The kid’s girlfriend caught him sneaking around with some woman and threatened to get back at him. He knows she’s a mystic and was afraid she would send a demon after him. Turns out he was right.”

  “Ex-girlfriend from hell!” Donnie shook his head and laughed.

  “Pretty much.” said Selene. “So, what have you been up to? I haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “Same old, same old. Killing demons, getting paid. I just came back from helping a friend in Miami. He was having problems with a kraken.”

  “A kraken! You’re shittin’ me.”

  “I shit you not! Its big-ass tentacles nearly wrecked the beach before I could freeze the water around it. I had to use the tide to shove it back out into open waters.” Donnie said as he drank his beer.

  Selene laughed and shook her head incredulously. “I missed you, Donnie.” She leaned forward with her elbow propped on the bar.

  “We all miss you, too,” Donnie replied. “Do you ever think about coming back?”

  Selene’s smile faded and she sipped from her glass. “No, thi
s is my home now.”

  “New York has been overrun with demons lately. We could really use your help,” said Donnie.

  Selene avoided eye contact with him. “I’m sure you guys can handle it.”

  “Nora’s been asking about you,” Donnie replied.

  Selene placed her glass on the bar louder than was necessary. “I’m not talking about her.”

  “C’mon. Don’t tell me you’re still sore over that.”

  “I’ve never been so great at healing, Donnie.”

  Donnie sighed. “You can’t stay mad forever, Selene.”

  She drained the last of her whiskey and left a few dollar bills beneath her glass. Then Selene rose from her stool and said, “It was good to see you again, Donnie. Take care of yourself.” She turned and walked toward the door.

  “Chen sends his regards.” Donnie called after her. Selene paused at the name, then left without another word.

  Kara Hartman Adams Morgan, District of Columbia, Present

  Later that evening, Kara met Selene at their favorite bar in Adams Morgan. She leaned against the wall by the pool table and watched Selene line up her shot. She bent forward with her cue stick beneath her as she pulled it back and thrust it forward several times before the white cue ball. Selene squinted her eye as she aimed and carefully estimated the force and angle at which she would strike the ball. Then the tip of her cue stick punched it forward and the ball rolled to the side where it ricocheted off the edge and bumped against the four-stripe. The four-stripe rolled toward the corner pocket, slowed then stopped right at the edge. Selene moaned loudly.

  Kara giggled. “Nice try, Selene.” She picked up a bottle of beer and tilted it at her lips. Then she set it back down on the table and approached the white ball.

  “All right, Hartman. Let’s see those pool skills,” Selene said. Kara stood at the corner pocket and observed the table. Immediately, she saw two solid colored balls which sat flush against one another a few inches in front of the opposite corner pocket. Kara planted her hand on the table, then tilted her cue stick downward to avoid accidentally sinking Selene’s ball. “Don’t worry. You can sink that if you want.” Selene said. Kara shook her head and chuckled. She thrust her cue stick forward and the ball rolled and struck the two solid colors. The two balls flew apart in opposite directions, one into the corner pocket, the other dropped into the center pocket. Selene’s eyes and mouth went wide in astonishment. Kara tried not to laugh too freely at the panic on her face. She walked to the other side of the table and lined up her next shot. Kara struck the cue ball with a loud snap. It hit the opposite edge then bounced back to the center where it struck another solid color. It shot across the table and sunk into the center pocket at Kara’s right-hand side. Kara had sunk all the solid colors but Selene still had three of her stripes on the table. Tony, the bartender walked up with two plates of food which levitated above his hand. He looked at the table and whistled. “Selene, you’re done.” he said.