Mother of Darkwaters: Book one of the Vessel series (91 page)

   Amy releases Julianna. She holds her friend’s shoulders while looking into her green eyes.

   “I don’t wanna lose you as a friend, but you’re risking it all.”

   “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”

   Amy lets go of Julianna and turns to go check herself in the mirror across from her king-size bed. She holds up one finger as she walks, “First off, no one drags me into anything.”

   Amy lowers her hand, “Secondly, I value our friendship or I wouldn’t be here. If you think it’s worth this sort of risk… I sure hope you know what you’re doing.”

  
Me, too.

   Jennifer approaches the two white doors at the front of her house. She pulls open the one on the right. Tamara stands on the porch.

   “Hey girl,” Jennifer greets while standing clear of the entrance.

   “Hey,” Tamara answers before stepping into Jennifer’s house. She looks at the statue fountain further into the grand hallway. At the hall’s end, two double doors lead into the dining room area.

   Jennifer closes the door. It seems to be the only one that ever sees any action anymore. Since Danny’s death, there has been no reason to open the left side of the enormous archway. Jennifer turns and looks at Tamara. Her bff returns an uncomfortable-looking grin.

   “That bad, huh?”

   “Yep, we need to talk about something,” Tamara answers.

   Jennifer arches her right brow slightly. Tamara remains silent. Jennifer holds her left arm outward as though she is presenting the second floor landing in a showcase, “Need a drink?”

   “Definitely.”

   “Then PR1 it is.”

   “Wow,” Tamara responds, “I haven’t heard you say that in forever.”

   Jennifer smiles as she begins walking. Tamara turns and walks side-by-side to the staircase. Together, they begin ascending the stairs.

   “Is Becca getting everything ready?”

   “She’s been flooding my phone with texts,” Tamara complains, “I hope she gets a hold of Caroline soon. I can’t deal with her right now.”

   Jennifer laughs, “When can anyone ever deal with her? It’s Becca.”

   Tamara doesn’t respond. She remains silent as they reach the top of the stairs, turn left, walk the hallway’s length to the T-intersection, and hang a right. She allows Jennifer to take the lead and follows her into PR1. Jennifer rounds the bar while Tamara takes a seat on the first bar stool across from her.

   Jennifer places two shot glasses on the bar, opens the hair of the dog with the name of Crown Royal, and pours single shots into each glass. She pushes a glass forward and takes the other in her right hand.

   “So what’s up?”, Jennifer says before slamming the shot back.

   Tamara tilts her head back and downs the liquor. She closes her stinging eyes as she chokes on the fumes. Whenever she opens her watery eyes, she sits the glass back down and points.

   “We have a party to go to tonight,” Jennifer says while filling the two glasses again, “I’m not passing out before I see Amy Lee. You better start talking fast.”

   Tamara ignores Jennifer’s response as she downs the second shot. This time the liquid seems to go down with greater ease.

   Tamara sits the glass down and motions her head towards the right.

   “What’s with the door being open?”, Tamara refers to the open door where Jennifer’s brother committed suicide.

   Jennifer downs her shot and sits her glass on the bar, “I thought it was time.”

   “That’s a pretty big step.”

   “Can’t live in the past,” Jennifer answers, “It doesn’t change.”

   “Hmm. Well, I’m proud of you.”

   Jennifer smiles while waiting for her bff to get to the real point why she is here. Tamara staggers in a nervous breath. She shifts her brown eyes away from Jennifer and glances at the Crown Royal bottle. Whenever she glances back to her bff, she silently pleas with begging eyes.

   “Last one,” Jennifer caves into her bff’s puppy dog gaze. She pours both glasses full with double-shots, “But we’ll make ‘em a big one.”

   Jennifer takes her glass and holds it up. Tamara lifts her glass.

  
Clink.

   Both girls down their shots and choke as they clumsily place their glasses on the bar.

   “I might have to nap because of you,” Jennifer says while feeling the familiar fogginess of alcohol brain, “This better be worth it.”

   Tamara grins nervously.

   “Spill it,” Jennifer says firmly.

   “I saw you leave out with Mandie yesterday. And you didn’t return my calls.”

  
Hmm. Jealous much?

   “Is that a problem for you?”

   “Um-no,” Tamara sounds surprised by Jennifer’s response; “I just thought something might be wrong is all. No need to get defensive about it.”

   “I’m not being defensive,” Jennifer says, “Just get to the point. We don’t have all day. Caroline’s going to need our help with Rebecca. ”

   “Did I do something to piss you off?”

   “No Tamara, stop making this about you. What’s up? Spill it already.”

   Tamara pauses as she scrutinizes the odd behavior from her bff. She looks down at the bar, “Does Mandie ever talk about it?”

   “Huh?”

   Tamara looks up, “Does she ever mention what I did to her?”

   “No, that’s a stupid question. Why would she want to? She
checked
Becca in class and parked in your parking spot. Then you beat the fuck out of her. What’s to talk about?”

   “Whoa – why are you onboard with Mandie all of a sudden? It’s not like you tried to stop any of it. No reason to get all high and mighty now. Besides, it’s not what you think. You don’t understand.”

   “How in the world is anyone supposed to understand
that
? Out of all of your submissives, Ju - uh - Mandie didn’t deserve it.”

   “What were you about to say?”

   “Don’t try and change this on me, Tam,” Jennifer continues, “This is about you and what you did to Mandie. Sure, the first girl you sent to the hospital. But she didn’t look
anything
like Mandie did. So tell me, how is someone supposed to understand this? Cause I’m not getting it at all. Geezus, Tam… you almost killed her. What is wrong with you?”

   Tamara remains silent as she stares at Jennifer. Of all of the scenarios she played in her mind before coming over, this was certainly not among them.

   “You’re right,” Tamara, finally, speaks – her tone is calm and somber.

   “Pfft - I’m always right,” Jennifer agrees.

   Tamara looks up and shakes her head – her eyes are friendly, “No.”

   She finishes with an approving grin, “But nice try.”

   “Look,” Jennifer speaks calmly, “Sorry about that. But it needed to be said. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?”

   “I know.”

   Jennifer observes Tamara’s eyes sadden – the girl’s thin lips begin trembling.

   “Aww,” Jennifer says while rounding the bar. She quickly embraces her bff in a hug, “Why are you crying?”

   “There
is
something wrong with me, Jen,” Tamara sobs.

   “Good grief, Tam. There’s nothing wrong with you. You just need to admit that you’re a lesbo and like to spank a girl’s ass, that’s all.”

   “What?!”, Tamara panics while pushing Jennifer away.

   Jennifer grins, “Heh.”

   Tamara wipes her eyes, “What are you talking about?”

   “Lezzzz-beeee-unnnnn. It’s not that hard to say.”

   Tamara’s head retreats questioningly, “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

   Jennifer looks upward, “Gawd, you even denser than Caroline.” The hostess drops her head and stares at her bff, “Stop it.”

   Tamara begins to say something, but decides against it. With her mouth slightly open, she looks away from Jennifer and stares at the bar’s surface.

   “I love you, Tam. You know that.”

   Tamara keeps staring at the bar.

   “What did you expect me from me? Did you want me throw a fit so you could have an excuse to ignore your feelings towards Mandie? I’m sure it would’ve made things easier for you, but you should know better than that from me.”

   Tamara shifts her eyes to look at Jennifer; yet, her head remains positioned in the direction of the bar.

   “You’re my best friend in the whole world. How could I ever live with myself knowing I had a chance to help you, but refused because I wanted to please you with the words you wanted from me?”

   Jennifer shakes her head, “I can’t.”

   “I
do
love you,” Jennifer continues, “And that’s why I’m telling you what you
need
to hear and not what you
want
me to say.”

   Jennifer crosses her arms, “So deal with it…you nasty whore.”

   Tamara lets out a quieted laugh. She takes a deep breath and exhales.

   “Lezzz,” Jennifer exaggerates the sound with her lips, “Le - lezzzzz-beeeee-unnnnn.”

   “I get it,” Tamara says quietly.

   “Say it, Tam.”

   “I don’t need to.”

   “Yes you do. Lezzzzz-le-le-le-lezzzzzzzzzzzz.”

   “Okay-okay. Just stop that.”

   Jennifer’s brows raise high on her forehead while she waits in anticipation.

   “Lesbian. Happy now?”

 
Clap-clap-clap!

  “Good for you,” Jennifer says while leaning in to hug Tamara. She creates a space of about twelve-inches between their bodies. She pats Tamara’s back like she is contagious with a disease before releasing her and taking an extra step back. She looks at her bff while her right hand covers her mouth and nose.

   “Ha…ha,” Tamara says the words mockingly, “Very funny.”

   Jennifer drops her hand to her side and turns her back to Tamara, “I thought it was.”  

   She walks around the bar, grabs the Crown Royal, and begins pouring, “One more to celebrate my nasty – oh so nasty – lezzzzzzzz-le-le….I just can’t say it. Sorry.”

   Jennifer winks as she pushes Tamara’s shot glass in front of her. She raises hers in the air. Tamara follows her lead.

  
Clink!

   Tamara sits her glass down after gulping down its contents. She appreciates Jennifer with her eyes. Her bff returns the sentiment with a nod. She watches as Jennifer slides her phone over. She swipes her fingers over the phone and begins texting.

   “Uh-oh,” Jennifer looks at the name she sent the message to.

   “What did you do now?”

   Jennifer locks her phone and slides it away, “Nothing. Just downloaded the wrong song. Got in a hurry.”

   “I hate it when I do that.”

   “Same here.”

   “We need to talk about Mandie,” Jennifer quickly changes the subject off of her phone.

   “I ended it. There’s nothing to talk about.”

   “Actually there is,” Jennifer disagrees, “Maybe not Mandie in particular, but you.”

   “I said it. Isn’t that enough?”

   “Your spanking fetish, Tam.”

   “Whoa – I’m not sure…”

   “Oh, did I say spanking fetish? I meant severe beating to the inch of one’s life.”

   “Dammit Jen, I feel bad as it is. You’re making it sound even worse. I have plenty of guilt already. I know what I did. I was there, remember?”

   “Look,” Jennifer ignores her bff’s plea, “I’ve known you forever. I get it. It’s who you are.”

   “I’m not…”

   Jennifer holds up her left hand, “Wait.”

   Tamara pauses in mid-speech against her better judgment.

   “After talking to Mandie, I know she’s your other half. What you did to her is not the issue here. It’s the fact that she’s an anguisette.”

   “A what?”

   “An anguisette – someone who feels pain like everyone else, but whenever she perceives the slightest bit of enjoyment from her friend or lover, her pain becomes pleasurable. She can’t control it.”

   “What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense.”

   “Mandie told me. So I looked it up. There’s not a whole lot of info on it. The word’s mainly used as an explanation for submissives in BDSM who are into extreme punishment, but that’s not accurate.”

   “Kinda sounds accurate to me.”

   “It’s not,” Jennifer replies, “Not for Mandie. She is a
real
anguisette.” 

   “Jen, I’m not understanding where this is going.”

   “I found something about it in ancient times. Over the years, anguisette has been divided into two separate meanings. One is the BDSM meaning.”

   “And the other?”

   “The other is a spin off. They call it a succubus.”

   “Ha-ha-ha.”

   “No, I’m serious.”

   “A succubus? Ha-ha-ha.”

   “Succubus is a demon, but the terminology is linked to anguisette.”

   “So Mandie's a demon? Is that what you’re telling me? Ha-ha…”

   “Stop it and listen.”

   “I
am
listening. Do you know how this sounds?”

   “Mandie’s not a demon and she’s
not
a succubus either. The more she pleasures, the more she makes the other person desire to do more. They become spelled –
both
of them.”

   Tamara’s amusing attitude abruptly stops.

   “What did you just say?”

   “Ahhhh…something sound familiar?”

   Tamara stares at her bff, “She’s a witch?”

   “No, Tam. She’s an anguisette.”

   “What is an anguisette? She has magical powers?”

   Jennifer thinks better than to mention anything remotely close to what she understands about Julianna. She treads carefully.

   “An anguisette can’t control her actions after the first rush of pain turns on her. When she loses control, so does the other person. Mandie didn’t spell you – the anguisette did.”

   “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of. You’ve got to be messing with me.”

   “Wish I was.”

   If this was any other person attempting this conversation with her, Tamara would laugh all the way to the front door and never come back. But it’s not. It is Jennifer. And as comedic as her bff can be at times, Tamara knows when Jennifer is being serious. This is one of those moments. There isn’t a single sign of playtime within her friend’s eyes.