ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

The Darker Side Of Light

by Gabite

Disclaimer: 

Xenaerotica,
Lesbian fan-fiction.

Sex violence a little S&Mish

Another time, another place
Same beautiful face.

Xena and Gabrielle are borrowed,
Sometimes blue,
Sometimes naughty,

So if lesbian isn’t your liking
This is not for you.  

Cover by ForevaXena

(Click photo for larger image)

Part 2

In Full Bloom

When Madison arrived home the uniformed cop that was supposed to be on watch was nowhere to be found. Panicking, Madison ran upstairs and burst into Julie’s room.

She saw two figures on the bed and a blue uniform on the floor. She backed out and closed the door just as Julie pulled the covers up. Madison shrugged her shoulders and muttered softly to herself,  “Must be in the air.”

The aroma of coffee filled the apartment. Madison wondered if Diana was ever going to show her face. She chuckled to herself as she thought of the mileage she’d get on this one.

Julie came out of the bedroom first. She had a quiet smile on her face.

“Now you be nice,” she said, pointing at Madison. “It wasn’t Diana’s idea, it was mine. She tried to resist, but as you know,” Julie’s grin widened, “resistance is futile.”

With a choking laugh Madison spat her coffee on her paper. She grabbed the tea towel that was lying on the bench and soaked up the coffee.

Julie looked at Madison who was still in her leather pants. “Have you just come in?”

 ‘Yes, I had a late night,” said Madison wiping coffee off her pant leg. “How’s Diana supposed to look out for you if she’s in bed with you?” Madison asked, raising her eyebrow at Julie and hoping to deflect her interrogation.

“Don’t be mad, Maddi,” Julie said. “Harvey was outside most of the night.”

Madison looked curiously at Julie. “Harvey? What was he doing here?”

“He wanted to see you about something,” said Julie, shrugging her shoulders. “He tried to ring you but your mobile was switched off.”

“Damn it!” Madison mumbled. “The one night I get laid and the whole world’s looking for me.”

“What was that?” Julie asked, her interest aroused.

“Nothing,” Madison said as she poured another coffee. “I’m just tired.”

Diana came into the kitchen. Julie gave her an affectionate smile. Madison raised her eyebrow and offered Diana coffee. She lowered her voice and whispered into the constables ear.  “I didn’t see anything or hear anything, but you smell like sex.” 

Diana did a quick about face and headed for the shower. Madison grinned at Julie and chuckled, “Bite me, I’m evil!”

Standing close to Madison, Julie whispered, “You’d better use that shower after Di gets out.” She smiled mischievously and then, feigning innocence took a small bite out of Madison’s toast.  

The doorknocker echoed on the front door. Madison bounded to the door. Harvey was standing there. He looked out from under his hat and sunglasses with an odd expression on his face.

“What’s up?” Madison enquired biting into her toast.

“The bodies of the women,” Harvey shook his head. “There’s only one left in the morgue. The rest are gone.”

Madison asked Harvey in. She sat him at the kitchen table then went up stairs to the bathroom. She opened the shower recess door and tapped Diana on the shoulder.

Diana jumped. “Shit, you scared me!”

Madison gave Diana a quick look up and down and a playful smile. “Just thought I’d warn you - Harvey’s in the kitchen. I’ll tell him your still here, just freshening your face.” Madison smiled wickedly and closed the door.

When Madison had left the bathroom, Diana put her face in her hands and chastised herself. Never have sex with your ex’s best friend!

Just then Julie came in. “Its OK Di, Madisons only teasing. She loves us really,” Julie said, picking up a towel and playfully tussling Diana’s wet hair.  “Do you know who she was with last night?”

Diana took the towel and dried herself. “No, but she seems pretty damn happy about it.”

 “Yes, she does doesn’t she,” said Julie thoughtfully. “I wonder when she’ll tell me?”

Harvey looked up at Diana as she walked into the kitchen. “Still here Di? You put in long hours!”

Diana returned Harvey’s glance, trying to look casual. “Gotta watch out for the girls,” she said and suddenly felt like that sounded really lame. 

Madison stole Julie’s toast and asked Harvey what exactly happened to the bodies. Harvey couldn’t answer the question.

“Its not like they can just get up and walk out,” Madison thought out loud.

Madison excused herself and had a shower.  She came out 15 minutes later, refreshed and ready for the questions Peter would be asking when she got to the station.

“How’d you get out of the LemonTwist without anybody seeing you?” Harvey enquired as he drove them to the station.  “We had the front, the side and the back door covered?”

Madison filled with tingly sensations as she thought about Butterfly and the LemonTwist club. She answered Harvey in a quite voice, “Must have been someone’s pee break.” She looked at Harvey and smiled, ”No they have a back, back door.”

Madison watched the road ahead in silence for a moment. “Are you going to tell Peter?”

“No,” Harvey answered. “This Butterfly chick, she must be interesting to catch your attention while you’re working a case.” 

Madison smiled. “She is interesting. I just hope I’m not letting my crotch influence my judgement.”

“I don’t think there’s much chance on that. I’ve known you for 2 years and you never let your personal life interfere with your work.” Harvey smiled and glanced over at Madison. “It’s nice to see you meet someone.”

Madison shook her head. “You’re a nice guy Harvey. You’ll make some woman very happy.” She glanced sideways at him. “That’s if you’re into women?”

Harvey rolled his eyes at Madison. “Have you seen me with a woman?”

Madison looked at Harvey with a knowing smile. “I wondered when you’d tell me. You’re not obvious.”

“It’s harder for gay men in the police force,” said Harvey seriously. “We keep a very low profile.”

Madison frowned. “Yeah, it stinks doesn’t it. The force is full of bad-arse macho men with little dicks protruding from their foreheads.” 

Harvey laughed. “Now that’s an interesting visual.” 

“Eww!” Madison screwed up her face.

As Madison and Harvey walked to the steps of the police station, Madison had the feeling that someone was watching her. She turned around to see a figure in a long coat and hat standing at the far corner of the building. The figure tipped their hat, dropped a single red rose, then turned and disappeared around the building.

Madison took off after the stranger but when she rounded the corner they were nowhere to be seen. She walked back to where the rose lay and picked it up. A thorn from the rose pierced her skin. She sucked the blood as it started to seep from her finger. Madison looked at the rose. Its petals were opening. It was ready to bloom.

Harvey raced to Madison’s side. He looked around. “Shit!” he exclaimed. “I couldn’t see his face.”

Madison studied the rose and mumbled, “It might not be a him.” 

Harvey laughed uncomfortably. “I can’t believe you said that. Women don’t kill this way. What makes you think it’s a woman?”

Madison looked at the rose. “I don’t,” she said quietly. 

Inside the station Madison took the rose to forensics. She asked that it be sent back to her after it was dusted for evidence.

The rose was returned in a plastic bag. Madison gently pulled it from the bag and stood it in water. She looked at the rose for a long time. “No,” she decided. “It couldn’t be Butterfly. She’s too soft, too gentle.” 

Back in the bowels of the LemonTwist, Butterfly and Simone were locked in battle. Centuries of training helped them move with the speed of panthers and the gracefulness of birds in flight. Alex and the others watched in awe as the two sparred. They held nothing back. Their conscious and unconscious minds mastered the elements about them. The laws of gravity meant nothing. Their hands moved quicker than the eye could follow. As they landed on the ground, they bowed to each other and centred themselves.

“How much does she know?” Simone asked.

Butterfly caught her breath. “I’m not sure, but I guess I’ll find out later tonight.”

~^..^~

Sticky Hands

Madison arrived home early that evening. She told the officer who was on guard at the front that he could go.

“Damn. Wish I was your lover.” Sophie B Hawkins echoed through the apartment. Madison’s stomach tightened. She needed to release some of this energy.  She looked at Julie who was lying on the lounge singing to herself.

“Wanna go to the gym?” Madison inquired, pulling on Julie’s toes. 

Julie looked up at Madison, “Sure, I could do with some exercise, but I can’t stay to late. I have a date with Diana later.”

                                                   ~^..^~

The gym was almost empty. Madison pumped till it hurt. Her muscles bulged. Sweat beaded on her skin.  

“Chi Sao?” Julie inquired, watching Madison complete a concentration curl. “It’ll help you with some of that aggression you seem to be acquiring.” She smiled at Madison affectionately.

“Stillness of the mind is a beautiful thing,” Madison replied, putting the weight down and removing her leather gym gloves. “Think you can stick with me?”

“I’ll do better and actually lay hands on you Madison. I’ve been practising.”

“Bring it on!” Madison teased, wiggling her fingers at Julie and looking deeply into her eyes.  “Sensitivity to your opponent’s intent is the key.”

They faced each other, calmed their minds and bowed. Then they stepped together and interlocked their hands and forearms in the starting position. They began the ancient Wing Chun art of Chi Sao, sticky hands.

Their eyes locked. Time slowed. Their hands moved as one, up and down in a circular motion. Their minds and bodies moved with the rhythm of the art’s Yin and Yang. A sudden strike deflected with a gentle parry. A thrusting push defeated by an absorbing pull. The pair stopped only to re-set their position when the other’s hands were captured and a strike landed.

Julie had improved from their last spar. She was more in control of her emotions and not as quick to lash out. Her defensive moves were more effective and she did manage to capture Madison’s hands and to strike her. But Madison was still much more skilled and this time was playing harder. With a quick and precise movement, Madison captured Julie’s hands, thrust her hand forward and struck Julie’s shoulder, throwing her off balance. Julie landed on the floor.

“Sorry,” Madison said apologetically. She grimaced and lifted Julie back to her feet. 

“Nice move,” Julie said brushing herself off. She was a little taken aback with the speed and force with which Madison had hit her.

“What’s the problem?” Julie asked rubbing her shoulder. “Is it Diana?”

“No,” Madison replied walking over to the weight bench and sitting herself down.

“I was with Butterfly last night,” she said after a pause.

Madison stared at the floor. “I’ve compromised myself. I just can’t say no to her.  And then I have the detective in me screaming - What are you doing, she’s a suspect?”

Madison rolled her eyes. “Christ Julie, I’m playing tug-of-war with myself.”

Madison looked up at her friend and her voice became soft. “I have this odd sense that Butterfly and I have met before. When she’s with me I feel complete and nothing else matters…”

There was a quite pause and then Madison continued. “Did I tell you that Xena, the warrior in my dreams has a partner that looks just like her.”  Madison’s eyes returned to the floor and she shook her head. “Puppy love or obsession?”

Julie avoided the invitation to psychoanalyse her friend. “Is there anything that links Butterfly directly to the victims?” she inquired, hoping to reassure Madison that everything was OK.

Madison pondered on the question. “No. Not directly but all the victims have been to the LemonTwist club.”

Julie rubbed her shoulder were Madison had hit her. “I’ll bruise big time,” she pouted, then she noticed the stain of blood on Madison’s shirt. “You’re bleeding.”  

Madison followed Julie’s gaze to the spreading stain on her shirt. She pulled her singlet to the side and looked at the blood seeping from two marks near her left nipple.

The door to the gym opened. Madison and Julie turned around. Butterfly walked in, giving Madison a small wave.

“Hi, I had to see you. Hope you don’t mind.”  Butterfly turned her attention to Julie. She held out her hand, “I’m Butterfly,” she said, her voice purring with sensuality.

“That you are,” Julie replied as she sized up Butterfly. “I’m Julie, Madison’s friend.”  She held out her hand and gently shook Butterfly’s hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

One look and Julie knew why Madison was so into this woman.

As Butterfly turned her attention to Madison, the detective lost herself in the tenderness of Butterfly’s emerald green eyes. She smiled affectionately. “What brings you here?”

Butterfly returned Madison’s smile.  “I had to see you.” She shifted her focus to Madison’s left breast. The sight of blood near the nipple made her tingle. “You’ve hurt yourself,” she said before Madison had a chance to question her on how she knew where to find her.

Madison looked at the blood on her breast. “It’s just a scratch. Julie and I were sparing.” She looked at Julie. “First time you’ve drawn blood.” 

“I’m sorry. I don’t know how that happened,” Julie replied as she ran her thumbs across her finger nails. She looked at the clock on the wall it was 9pm. “I gotta go babes. I have a date with Diana.”

 “See you at home,” Madison said. “Don’t stay there alone.”

Julie nodded then looked at Butterfly, “It was nice to meet you.”

Butterfly smiled back. “You too,” she said as she watched Julie leave the room.

Butterfly shifted her gaze to the warm blue of Madison’s eyes and entwined her fingers in Madison’s. “Want to have dinner? I presume you haven’t eaten. I know a great cafe near the club.”

Madison looked at Butterfly with heaviness in her heart. “I need to tell you, I shouldn’t be seeing you. You’re still a suspect.”

Butterfly looked at the ground then returned her eyes to Madison’s. “We all do things we shouldn’t do detective. That’s what makes us human. If you don’t take a chance you’ll never know.”

Madison looked at Butterfly in silence for a moment. “You’re right. Let’s do that cafe.”

“What would you like to drink?” the waiter asked.

Butterfly smiled at Madison. “I don’t drink red wine. Do you like white?”

“White’s fine,” Madison answered.

Madison noticed that most of the dishes on the menu were vegetarian. “Are you vegetarian?”  she asked after Butterfly had ordered.

“Yes,” Butterfly replied. “I haven’t eaten meat for many years.” 

Madison decided to order vegetarian.

The wine Butterfly chose was sweet and fruity, the food was nice, and the company intoxicating. Time floated by like a cloud.

Madison looked around. The waiters were sitting slumped at the bar. They were the only ones left at the cafe. “We should go,” she said to Butterfly pointing to the waiters. “Looks like they wanna go home.”

“We should,” Butterfly replied, a warm smile forming on her face. “I’ll pay for the food and wine.”

“No,” Madison said. “I’ll get it.”

Butterfly gave her a sideways look, “I asked you to dinner, remember?”

They walked from the café, their arms entwined. They stopped near the water and watched the city lights reflecting upon it.

Madison embraced Butterfly from behind. “Can I stay with you tonight?” she whispered.

Butterfly enjoyed the embrace. She leaned back into it and looked at the stars. “I’d like that.”

Madison held Butterfly tightly and breathed the freshness of the air.

 “They’re like women,” Butterfly remarked, still gazing at the stars. “They never lose their beauty.”

Madison and Butterfly went into the LemonTwist via the Vulture Street entrance. They took the elevator down a couple of floors and came to a level of the club that Madison hadn’t seen before.

“This is where you stay?” Madison asked.

“Yes. I’ve known Simone for years. She lets me live here when I’m in town. I have a place in Spain and a home in Greece.”

Madison had no idea that there was so much space underneath the LemonTwist. It was elaborately decorated in Roman style. There was a gym, a heated swimming pool, a sauna and a spa. The room that Butterfly was staying in was gorgeous. It was decorated in a Japanese style. It had a futon bed, rice paper lamps and futon cushions.  The colors weren’t traditional. They were lavenders, greens and blacks. 

Butterfly turned the CD player on. Soft music filled the room. She looked playfully into Madison’s eyes. “I feel like getting wet, how about you?”

Madison warmed to the look. “Sounds great.”

Butterfly took Madison’s hand and led her to the pool.

They took their clothes off and stepped into the warm water. The water soothed the tension from Madison’s muscles as she submerged herself and glided to the middle of the pool.

Butterfly took a breath and gracefully powered her body through the water, resurfacing in front of Madison. She wrapped her arms around Madison’s shoulders and her legs around her waist and stared intensely into the detective’s eyes.

After a moment Madison gave voice to her thoughts. “I feel like I’ve known you before,” she said touching Butterfly’s face. “I feel like we’ve met before. Maybe even loved each other before.”

Butterfly smiled. “So do I.  I feel it.  I feel it with all my soul.” She stared into the familiar blue of Xena’s eyes and kissed Madison tenderly.

A meow echoed through the music, through the kiss, demanding attention. Butterfly looked over to the edge of the pool where a fluffy grey cat wearing a pink collar had come to greet her. “Hey Ditie,” she said affectionately.

Butterfly grabbed Madisons hand and swam to the where the cat was. “This is Aphrodite,” Butterfly said warmly. The cat looked Madison up and down and then walked closer to Madison, wiggling her tail in a flirtatious manner.

“Well, maybe she is,” Madison laughed.

The cat started to walk off. She stopped, looked back at the two women through her big green eyes and purred.  Butterfly smiled warmly.

Madison chuckled. “You seem to have a good rapport with the puss. I guess she likes you.”

“I guess she does,” Butterfly replied.

The cat walked into Butterfly’s room and curled up on the bed where she purred herself to sleep.

Madison submerged herself under the water coming back up directly in front of Butterfly. The water slicked her hair back and shimmered on her skin. She placed her hands on Butterfly’s butt and lifted her up. Butterfly wrapped her legs around Madison’s waist and cupped Madison’s face with her hands. She moved her lips close to Madison’s. “Make love to me,” she whispered, then she pressed her lips to Madison’s and kissed her passionately, her body coming alive with desires. 

Madison carried Butterfly from the water, laid her down on the bed and loved her until their emotions were spent.

Xena woke. She checked Gabrielle. Gabrielle lay beside her. She was still, her skin cold. Tears weld up in Xena’s eyes. How could this be? How could she let this happen? She was Gabrielle’s protector, her lover. What would she do? She didn’t want to live. She didn’t want to breathe. She cradled Gabrielle in her arms, bought her to her lips and kissed her. This wasn’t possible. She couldn’t be dead.  Xena rested her face on Gabrielle’s. She was cold as stone. Xena’s tears fell.

Gabrielle was as motionless as when Xena had given in to fatigue and numbness and finally closed her eyes.   Xena’s heart broke into tiny pieces. She rocked Gabrielle in her arms and held her tightly.

“She’s gone,” said a voice behind her. The amazon’s words were breaking with emotion. “There’s nothing you can do.”

Xena started to shake. She let out a scream of pain and anger. It echoed through the caves, shattering stalactites that hung from the ceiling.

“She’ll pay for this,” she snarled through clenched teeth. Then raising her voice to a shout, “With my last breath I’ll make you hurt.”

A cruel laugh echoed back through the caves.

Madison awoke, sitting up quickly. She checked for Butterfly. Butterfly was there, comforting her. “Are you OK? It looked pretty rough,” Butterfly whispered.

Madison closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. “Damn dreams.” Butterfly pulled Madison back down onto the bed and kissed her lips. “I’ll protect you Madison.”

Madison kissed her on the shoulder, “I know.”  They settled back into each other’s arms and slept.

Butterfly woke before Madison. She stared at the birthmark on the side of Madison’s ribcage. It was in the exact place that Xena had received her fatal wound.  She noticed that Madison slept sounder than Xena ever could. It would be nice getting to know her all over again. She kissed Madison and gently pulled the sheet over her, then she headed for the pool. She had done five laps when Madison called to her.

“Hey sexy!” 

Madison rolled her pants up and sat on the edge of the pool. The water was warm on her feet. Butterfly swam over to her and kissed her toes. “Good morning princess.”

Madison liked the way the water slicked Butterfly’s hair back. An image of Butterfly with braids flashed through her mind. Madison frowned then dismissed the thought. “I have to go” she said, rising and putting on her boots. “There’s no rest for the wicked.”

Butterfly pulled herself from the pool. Her body glistened as the water ran from her skin. Madison’s eyes caressed every inch of Butterfly’s body. ”Gods, you are gorgeous,” she said as a smile formed on her lips.

Butterfly reached for her towel and wrapped it around her waist. She chuckled, “Why thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”

“I’ll call you,” Madison said as she kissed Butterfly. “I have to get to work.”

“OK. Make sure you do.” Butterfly’s hand grabbed Madison’s, their fingers sliding from each others as Madison turned and walked away. 

Simone joined Butterfly for breakfast. She looked intensely into Butterfly’s eyes. “Well? Does she have any idea?”

Butterfly sipped her coffee then shook her head. “No. She doesn’t.” 

~^..^~

 The Munchies for You.

Julie tapped on the glass of Madison’s office then opened the door and peeked in. “Mind if I come in?”

Madison’s face lightened and she waved her friend in.

“You didn’t come home last night,” Julie said as she closed the door. “So how did it go?” She pulled up a chair, sat down and crossed her legs. “Butterfly seems nice!”

Madison gathered together the papers on her desk, a broad smile forming across her face. She looked at Julie and said “We had dinner, we talked, we swam, then slept.”

“What? No sex?” Julie inquired.

Madison briefly closed her eyes. “Sex.” Her smile widened.

 Julie raised her eyebrow in a teasing fashion.  “I see.”

Madison’s voice became serious, “I’m just so comfortable with her. It’s like I’ve known her before.”

“What about your dreams? How have they been?”

Madison rolled her eyes. “The dreams. They’ve become more disturbing. Last night I dreamt that Butterfly was dead beside me.”

“I have a theory on your dreams and on Butterfly,” Julie answered. “What if you have been with Butterfly in a previous life?  What if you have crossed paths before? There are numerous accounts of past life experiences in the literature, and while it has never been possible to objectively test their validity, they’ve never been disproved either. It would explain the connection you seem to have with this woman.” 

Madison thought about it for awhile. “Seems so far fetched. Like something from the pages of an X file.”

“Speaking of an X file,” Julie interrupted. “I read Butterfly’s Poems of Pain. I like the way she writes. Reminds me of a book of poetry that was first published in the early 1700s.”  

“She does write passionately,” Madison reminisced. “She seems to do everything passionately.”

“Guess that’s why you like her so much,” Julie said rising from her chair. “I gotta go, but get home early and we’ll do some hypnosis.”  Julie smiled at Madison as she left the office.

Harvey nodded to Julie as she walked out of Madison’s office. Vincent watched her arse sway from side to side.  He turned to Harvey and said, “How does Madison get such trade?”

Harvey rolled his eyes at Vincent. “Well if you were one of that woman’s options, I can see why she’d choose Madison.”

Veronica looked at Vincent with contempt and shook her head. “You’re such a arsehole Vincent.”

After Julie had left her office Madison rang Butterfly on the mobile number she had given her.  Butterfly didn’t answer. The voice mail picked up.

“I’m off work early this afternoon,” Madison said. “But I have to sleep as I’m on duty tonight at the club. If you’re at the club later, maybe you could come say hi.”

Madison arrived home at about 4pm. After having a small snack and a shower, she started her session with Julie.

“I want you to go deeper,” Julie’s voice guided Madison.

“Where are you?” Julie asked

“In a cave,” Madison answered

“What are you doing in a cave?” 

“Phoebe, an Amazon is missing,” Madison answered. “We’re searching for her…Shh! There’s someone coming!”

Madison woke with a jolt.

“What happened?” Julie questioned, concern in her voice.

“I’m not sure,” Madison answered, “I looked around, saw something and woke up. I can’t remember what it was I saw.”  

Julie looked at her watch. It was time for Madison to get some rest.

~^..^~

Roses are dead

The LemonTwist was quiet. Veronica and Harvey sat with Madison at the circular bar. Madison glanced at her watch. It was 2.30am and she hadn’t seen Butterfly yet.

A woman walked up to Madison and handed her a rose. Its petals were dark velvet red and starting to open.

Madison grabbed the woman by the arm and held her tightly. “What’s this for?” she demanded, her voice somewhat startling.

 “I er… I was asked to bring it to you,” said the woman, clearly shaken by the unexpectedly sharp reaction.

 “By who?” Madison commanded, looking the woman directly in the eyes. The woman pointed to a person near the stage area. The person was wearing a long black coat and had a gold mask covering their face. Madison squinted to try and get a better look but the person backed into the shadows.

”Man or woman?” Madison enquired with urgency in her voice.

“I .. I don’t know.”

Madison let the woman’s arm go and walked swiftly to the stage area. She looked through the crowd but couldn’t see the person in the mask. She walked around behind the stage and pulled back the curtains of the backdrop. There was nobody there. She checked the stage and looked in the dressing room. She walked back and drew the backdrop back to its former position.

Suddenly over the noise of the club, a voice echoed around her. “We meet again princess. Here’s a gift for you.”   

From behind the backdrop a woman fell heavily to Madison’s feet. Madison bent down to help her but the woman was limp. She turned her over. Madison looked at her in horror. “Jesus!” she screamed. 

Harvey and Veronica had followed behind Madison from the bar and now raced toward her at the sound of her distress. They looked down at the woman in Madison’s arms.

“Oh shit,” Veronica’s voice trembled. Harvey was staring in disbelief.

Diana lay motionless. Blood dripped from puncture wounds in her neck. Madison checked for a pulse. There was none.

“Call an ambulance!” Madison shouted.  “Close the club. Don’t let anybody in or out. Get a car around to the Vulture Street entrance. I want this place sealed up tight.” She looked at Veronica and Harvey and pointed in the direction she thought the killer had gone. “Check through the dressing rooms. Gold mask and black leather coat.”

Madison didn’t expect them to find anyone.

Veronica and Harvey pulled their guns. They drew the backdrop curtains open and looked around. There was no way out except for the stage door exit and it was locked with a padlock from the inside.

Still holding Diana in her arms, Madison closed her eyes and calmed her mind. She played back what had just happened in her head. The person in the mask - was it a man or a woman? It was hard to tell. The voice was hard to distinguish but she thought she had heard it before.

She looked down at Diana. Her heart broke. Madison caressed Diana’s face. Diana looked peaceful, almost sensual.

Veronica and Harvey returned to where Madison and Diana were. “We couldn’t see anybody or anyway out except the stage door and it’s locked.”

Alex turned the lights up and the music off. People stood around gawking and talking.

Madison’s head was spinning with disbelief. Veronica put her hand on Madison’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort as Madison lay Diana’s body down.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Madison shouted. She walked off to search the building.

Harvey and Veronica interviewed everybody in the club. The story was the same. Nobody saw or heard anything.

Madison went through the lower levels of the club. Alex walked with her. She searched every room. There was no trace of the killer and Simone and Butterfly where nowhere to be found. She walked to the Vulture Street exit. There was cop near the door. Nobody had come out. He had been there since midnight.

Madison turned and walked back through the door. Alex followed closely. As they entered the pool area Madison stopped. She looked around with quiet suspicion. There would be some parts of the club that she didn’t know about. She turned her attention to Alex.

“Where’s Simone?” she asked.

“Simone is out,” Alex answered. “And so is Butterfly. They left at 3pm and haven’t returned yet. It’s unlike Simone to be out for so long.”

Madison closed her eyes briefly. “Shit,” she mumbled.

Madison sat down on the steps that led into the pool. She looked into the water and saw Diana looking back at her. She struggled with the grief that ripped at her heart. A tear escaped her and she wiped it with her hand. She regained control of her emotions and rose to her feet.

Her voice became low and formal. “Tell both Simone and Butterfly that I want to see them at the station.”  She looked directly into Alex’s eyes, “Are there any other rooms in this maze of a club that I haven’t seen yet?”

“No,” Alex replied. “You’ve seen them all.”

Madison sighed with scepticism. “Now what made me think you’d say that.”  She turned and made her way back to the dance area of the club.

She went over the chain of events again. She checked the curtains, the dressing rooms and the stage area. The stage door was locked and she couldn’t find any hidden doors. How did the killer get past her and how did he get out?

Madison returned to the bar just in time to see the paramedics put Diana on the trolley and pull a sheet up over her.

Superintendent Limpit arrived at the club. He noted that Veronica looked a little shell-shocked, Harvey was visibly upset and Madison wore the veil of coolness around her. He walked over to them and put his hand on Madison’s arm. “I want the club closed until we catch this bastard.” Madison nodded.

“Is Simone here?” Limpit asked.

“No,” Madison replied. “I’ve left instructions for her to come to the station.” Just then Madison remembered she had Butterfly’s mobile number.  “I have to go,” she said to Peter. She grabbed Harvey and told Veronica she’d meet her at the station.

Peter Limpit watched as Madison and Harvey left the building then he turned to Veronica. “She’s handling it well. Wasn’t Diana once her lover?”

“Yeah, she was.” Veronica fell silent for a moment. “They had a good friendship.”

 “She’s tough,” Limpit said as he put his arm around Veronica and led her to the exit.

“Not that tough,” Veronica replied.

“The number you have dialled is currently switched off or out of range. Please try again later.”

“Fuck it!” Madison exclaimed, throwing her mobile on the dashboard. 

Madison stopped the car out side her apartment. She ran her hand through her hair and turned to Harvey, “Can you wait here, I have to tell Julie.”

“Take your time.” Harvey replied. “I’m not going anywhere.” He watched Madison walk into her apartment building then he turned the volume up on the police radio. 

Madison greeted the uniformed cop who sat guard by the door. She asked if he wanted coffee. “No,” he said. “Had one about ten minutes ago.” Madison nodded and put her key in the lock. She turned it, opened the door and walked into the apartment.

The apartment was quiet. Julie was still in bed. Madison stood for awhile in the doorway of Julie’s bedroom, then she knocked softly on the wall.

“Julie are you awake?”

Julie made a moaning sound and opened her eyes. She looked up at Madison. Madison seemed upset.  “Another dream?” Julie asked. Then she noticed Madison was still dressed in the clothes that she had gone out in. Julie propped herself up on her elbow and reached for the glass of water that sat by her bed. She sipped it then looked at Madison again. Upon seeing the expression on Madison’s face she knew something was very wrong.

“What is it?” she asked, sitting up quickly.

Madison fought the tears that threatened to break her control. The guilt she felt prevented her from looking at Julie directly. She fought to control her voice. “Its Diana…”

Madison walked to the bed and sat beside her friend.

“What about Diana?” Julie asked, panic creeping into her voice.

Madison grabbed Julie’s hands. She stared at the pattern on the sheets.  “Diana is dead,” she whispered. She moved her gaze to Julie’s. ” I’m sorry.” Her voice was heavy with regret.

 “Dead? How? What do you mean dead?” Julie was stunned and still waking up.

“I’m sorry babes.” Madison said squeezing Julie’s hands. “She died at the LemonTwist about four hours ago.”

“The LemonTwist?” Julie’s thoughts went to the body that was left on Madison’s doorstep. “Was... was it the same guy?”

“Yes,” Madison replied. “At least we think so.”

Julie bought her hands to her face and began to cry. Madison wrapped her arm around her. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. 

Seeing her friend’s grief, Madison’s stoic resolve broke. Her tears began to fall. They sat and cried for what seemed like a very long time.

Julie placed her hand on Madison’s and gently rubbed her thumb across the back of Madison’s fingers. She remembered the pain in Crystal’s eyes. “Do you think Diana suffered like Crystal did?” Julie asked breaking the silence.

“No,” Madison said. “She looked peaceful.” 

Julie closed her eyes and cried again, her mind racing with a hundred questions, all of which began with “Why?”  It occurred to her that Diana may have been killed to get Madison’s attention.

“Don’t blame yourself,” she said as she tenderly touched Madison’s face. “It’s not your fault.” 

Madison looked at her with sorrow in her eyes. “It is, you know. That’s why I want you to go.” Madison looked deep into Julie’s eyes. “I want you far away from this place.”

“I won’t leave you,” Julie replied.

Madison brushed hair from Julie’s face. “I need you to go.”

“You need me to stay, Madison.” Julie said raising her voice slightly. “I can help you catch this bastard. I’ll spend my days at the station, out of harms way. Besides, I need to see Diana’s family.”

Madison hugged Julie tightly. She knew Julie would need to grieve and grief is more healing when shared. “I love you Julie,” she whispered. “I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”

“And me you. I’m staying.” Julie embraced Madison and held her for a long time. “We need to grieve together.”

Madison eased herself from Julie’s embrace. “I’ll grieve after we catch him.”

~^..^~

Shades of Jade

At the station the mood was sombre. Superintendent Limpit was down with the blues informing them of Diana’s death.

Mel, Diana’s duty partner sat motionless. Her Sargent’s voice echoed in her head. “You can go home. We’ll get Ricky to cover your shift.”  Mel had asked to stay. She needed to keep busy and wanted to see Madison when she came in.

Madison arrived at the station at about 4 p.m. The note that was stuck to her door read: “Please contact me when you get in… Melissa Drew”

Madison closed her eyes, picked up her phone and dialled down stairs. “Is Melissa Drew in?” she asked the desk Sargent.

“No,” the Sargent replied. “I think she went to see Diana’s body.”

Madison grabbed her keys and drove to the coroner’s office.

Mel was sitting on the cold metal bench, staring down at Diana’s lifeless face. She jumped when Madison put her hand upon her shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” Madison said looking warmly at the young constable. “Diana was a wonderful person. I’ll miss her.”

Mel turned and looked into Madison’s eyes. She wanted to hug her but she didn’t.

“Diana wanted to take the detective exam next month,” she said, her voice failing to mask her grief. “When this case came up she begged to be assigned to it.”

Mel wiped her tears with her fingertips. “Life’s so cruel sometimes.” She smiled weakly at Madison then stared at Diana.

“You know, she thought the world of you and Julie. But I guess you already knew that.”

Madison looked affectionately at her friend’s body. “Yes, she was a special person.” She put her hand on the young constable’s shoulder.

“I want to be on the case,” Mel said urgently. “I want to help you catch the bastard that did this.” 

Madison covered Diana’s face with the sheet then turned to Mel. “You’ll have to ask the Superintendent.” She wrapped her arm around the constable’s shoulder. “Come on. We should get out of here.”  

Madison walked Mel to her car then she returned to the morgue. She knocked on the door to the coroner’s office. Nobody answered. She looked around and sensing that she was the only person there, entered the office.

Madison was rummaging through reports and papers on the coroner’s desk when the assistant walked in.

“What are you doing?” he shouted.

Madison spun around. “Shit,” she exclaimed quite loudly.

She flashed her badge in his face and told him she was looking for the Diana Child’s report. The superintendent needed it pronto.

The assistant looked Madison up and down. “I could get in trouble for this you know.” Then he looked at the cabinet. “ But seeing I saw you in here with the coroner earlier, I guess it will be OK, so long as you bring it back.” He removed his keys from his brown leather belt. “It’s in here,” he said, walking to the locked filing cabinet. He unlocked the cabinet and removed the file. “We’ve already sent one to the detective in charge of the case. This is the coroner’s copy.” He looked at Madison as he handed it to her. 

Madison smiled and thanked him for his helpfulness.

~^..^~

Madison knocked on Peter’s office door. “Mind if I come in?”

Peter motioned for her to enter. The strain of the events of the last few days was evident on his face.

Madison turned the chair that was opposite him around and straddled it. “I have a theory on the case. You might not like it but it all fits.”

Peter looked at her over the top of his glasses. “Shoot” he said.

“Vampire fetish, or a vampire cult.”  

She paused for a moment then leaned her arms on the back of the chair. “Who ever is doing the killings fancies themselves as a vampire type creature. I don’t know how they’re doing it but they’re draining the victims of their blood. Diana had two puncture marks near the artery in her neck and very little blood left in her body.”

Peter removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead. “I tend to agree with you Madison.  We’re not dealing with the garden variety. There’s no doubt there’s a psychopathic pattern.” He placed his glasses back on his face. “Vampires.” Peter gave a scowl of disgust at the though of someone killing to drink the blood of another. “Do we have any suspects or leads?”     

“Maybe,” Madison answered. “I think we should be looking for a woman.”

“Why is that?” Peter inquired.

“Well,” Madison said sadness creeping in to her voice. “Its more instinct than detective work. At the club, when I found Diana.” Madison paused for a moment. “Diana had a somewhat sensual expression on face.”

Peter’s brow furrowed as he gathered the papers on his desk into a messy pile. “I’ll ask the coroner to look for signs of sexual activity or arousal.”

“I’ve already asked them to check,” Madison replied. “There were signs that Diana was sexually aroused just before her death. And knowing Diana,” Madison paused, and then became very candid, “it has to be a woman, Diana wouldn’t get turned on by a man.”

“Well then,” Peter said. “Seems like we have a break.”

Madison looked directly into Peter’s eyes. “I’d appreciate it if you kept Diana’s autopsy report out of circulation.  Diana meant a lot. I wouldn’t want her reputation or her sexuality to be the brunt of station jokes.”

Peter smiled warmly at Madison. “I understand. I’ll ask the coroner to keep it secure.”

“Thanks,” Madison said as she got up from her chair. “I appreciate it. And so would Diana.”

She turned the chair back around and pushed it to the side. “One more thing Peter.  I’d like to keep the LemonTwist open. We don’t want the killer going underground.”

“It’s your case, your call,” Peter said. “Just be bloody careful.”

Madison smiled at him. “You can count on it.” She hesitated for a moment then spoke again, “ Peter, can you get Constable Mel Drew assigned to another case. I don’t want her near this one. I don’t want to lose another good officer to this animal.”

“Already done,” Peter smiled. “I’ve arranged for her to escort prisoners interstate.”

Madison smiled wryly at Peter. “She’ll love that.”

“Are you OK Madison?” Peter asked, genuine concern in his voice. “I know you and Diana were close. If you like I can get someone else to head the case for a few days.”

“No Peter,” Madison answered. “I’m on top of it.”

~^..^~

Shattered Dreams

Butterfly slept. Her eyelids twitched as memories raced through her mind.

Xena had infiltrated the vampire lair. She was battling with a pack of young vampires. Their lust for blood made them frenzied.

Gabrielle had lost the battle with the creature that resided within her. She was about to experience her first feed. Her vampire teeth extended and her eyes turned bright amber. Saliva dripped from her lips at the scent of blood oozing from the innocent the Queen’s servant had served up to her. She sank her teeth through flesh into a throbbing artery and drank.

“Gabrielle, no!”

Gabrielle turned to Xena’s cry, warm blood escaping her mouth. Xena was staring at her in horror.

In that instant a sword pieced Xena’s armour ripping through the side of the warrior’s ribcage. Xena’s stare went from horror to pain. Time stood still for an endless moment as she looked into Gabrielle’s eyes then down at the sword in her side.

“She was always your weakness Warrior Princess,” the queen vampire spat as she thrust the sword higher, breaking through ribs and slicing Xena’s lungs. Then she laughed cruelly and walked away.

Xena grabbed the sword and pulled it from her side. She looked back at Gabrielle and fell forward.

Gabrielle’s teeth retracted. Her eyes returned to soft emerald green. She rushed to her lover’s side and cradled her in her arms.

Xena looked into Gabrielle’s tear filled eyes and smiled through her pain.  “I’ll always love you Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle tried to stop Xena’s bleeding by pressing her hands on the wound but it just bleed through.

Xena grabbed Gabrielle’s hands with her blood soaked fingers and squeezed in a gesture of love. As her lungs filled with blood she struggled to form her final words. “Promise me you’ll fight the darkness. I know you can overcome it.” Xena squeezed Gabrielle’s hands again, “Promise me.”

Gabrielle nodded. “I will.    I promise you.” She started to cry.

As Xena bled profusely, vampires gathered in anticipation of feeding. The Queen watched from a distance.

“Don’t leave me,” Gabrielle sobbed as she held Xena tightly.

Blood gushed from Xena’s mouth. “I’m sorry,” she said struggling to release the words. Her eyes dulled then she expelled her last breath.  Xena was dead.

Tears streamed down Gabrielle’s face.  She screamed. What was left of her humanity ached with pain.  The vampires encircled and moved closer.

“Don’t you touch her!” Gabrielle shouted at them.

As the vampires surrounded her, she lay Xena’s body down.

“Back off!” she growled.

The vampires hissed and edged towards her hungrily. Gabrielle’s eyes followed their every move. She sensed they were ready to attack.

The Queen watched, hoping her newest prize would stay true to the primitive urge for blood that drove them all. Gabrielle’s eyes flashed amber then glowed red with rage. She bent down and grabbed Xena’s chakram.

She screamed as she threw it. The chakram spun, decapitating two vampires in its path. Vampires screeched and looked at her in disbelief. She had killed her own kind.

 “Stay back!” Gabrielle spat at them. She pulled her sias from Xena’s boots. “Leave her.”

As two vampires stepped forward she lunged at them, thrusting her sia’s and staking them in the heart. They fell to the ground. Another two charged at her. She dropped to the ground and swiftly kicked their legs from underneath them. As they fell she rolled sideways and grabbed the blood soaked sword that lay next to Xena. She sprung to her feet.

As the vampires rose to their feet she circled the sword in front of them in a warning manner. They sniffed Xena’s blood and laughed.

Gabrielle stepped back and began to turn as if to retreat. She looked at the Queen who was watching her intently then smiled. The two, believing she was leaving Xena for them, advanced. Gabrielle swiftly continued the turn full circle and with the sword held firmly at head height swung it with vengeance, decapitating them.

The remaining vampires screeched in horror and retreated into the safety of the caverns.

Butterfly awoke. She wiped tears from her eyes. She calmed her thoughts and did some yoga for comfort. 

Resting on the palms of her hands, her knees touching her elbows and her feet off the ground, Gabrielle looked at the chakram and sword that hung above her bed. She smiled as she thought of Xena.

Simone interrupted her. “Its time to feed. Are you ready?”

Butterfly lowered her feet to the floor.  “I’ll be there in a second,” she said.

She got up and removed the chakram from the sword. She touched it tenderly, bought it to her lips then kissed it saying, “You would like Madison. She is you.” Butterfly gently placed the chakram back over the sword. She admired them with affection then turned away and joined Simone who was sitting by the pool. 

Simone looked fondly at her, her honey brown eyes flecking bright amber. “Are you ready, Papillon?” she said in French.

Butterfly stretched her arm out and nodded her readiness. Simone pierced Butterfly’s vain with the needle then attached the tube from the bag of blood.  Butterfly closed her eyes, pumped her vein and breathed deeply as the blood mixed with her own. It quenched her hunger and filled her with pleasure. She thought of Madison, her smile and her tender touch.

“That’s it,” Simone’s voice echoed into Butterfly’s thoughts. “You’re done.”

Butterfly looked affectionately at Simone, her vampiric tooth pressing on her soft lip. She smiled then rose to her feet. Her shoulders thrust backward and her arms lifted, she bent her head back and let the surge of animal seduce her. Her eyes flicked to amber as she completed the transformation.  She breathed deeply. The rush was sweet.

~^..^~

The Fall Of Night

Madison stood looking out of her office window. The sun was going down on the city. Lights flickered. Cars drove by as 9 to 5ers made their way home. She returned to her desk and rested her elbows on it, her head in her hands. She wasn’t looking forward to the internal investigations that would arise from Diana’s death. Harvey turned the stick and closed the wooden slates on the blind. He looked at Madison. “I’ll stay with you and Julie until we catch these bastards. I have my stuff in the car.” 

Madison acknowledged his gesture, “That would be great. I need someone to look out for her.” 

“By the way,” he said. “Butterfly rang. She and Simone are at the club. She wanted to come in but I told her it might be best if you go there.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you Harvey,” Madison replied, her jaw becoming tight.

“I knew you’d be pissed,” Harvey said. “But I think it would be better if you dealt with Butterfly away from the station. You don’t want to give Vincent any thing to chew his fat on.”

Madison expelled a thoughtful sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Thanks.” 

“Pleasure,” Harvey nodded as he left her office. “See you when you get home.”  

Madison parked her unmarked car. She walked through the ally where Tami had been found. Its eerie coldness spooked her. She felt someone was watching her. A chill went up her spine. Madison increased her stride. She came to the door of the LemonTwist and slammed the knocker onto its metal base.

 Alex peered through the peephole. She opened the door. “We’ve been expecting you Detective Chase. Please follow me.”

Alex led Madison into the bar area. Simone and Butterfly sat at a table furthest from the bar.

Simone rose from her chair as Madison came close. “I’ll leave you for a few minutes, then I’ll return.”

“No,” Madison commanded. “You’ll stay and talk to me. You can start by telling me what you know about vampires.”

Butterfly choked on her latte. Simone reeled back but she quickly regained her coolness. “What do you mean by vampires Detective Chase?”

Madison looked at Butterfly who was wiping coffee from her breasts, then she returned her gaze to Simone. “You know, people who live the vampire persona. Call it a blood fetish or a ghoulish fantasy.”

Simone relaxed into a smile. “Are you chasing vampires detective?”

Madison looked from Simone to Butterfly then back to Simone. “Seems that way Simone. And they have a taste for the LemonTwist. My boss wanted me to close you down but I think I’ll have better luck catching this vampire if you stay open.” 

Madison stared at Simone. “What do you think? As the mistress, do you have any vampires in your lair?”

Butterfly’s coffee again went down the wrong way. She spluttered, trying to get the coffee out of lungs. “I’m sorry,” she said patting her chest. “Sometimes that happens. It goes down the wrong way.”

Madison turned to her and said in a cutting tone, “You were conveniently absent from the club last night?”

After a night like she had just had Simone wasn’t in the mood to play nice vampire. She cut in before Butterfly had a chance to answer.  “She was screwing vampires with me Detective.”  Simone’s stared intensely into Madison’s eyes.

Butterfly glanced sideways at Simone then she returned her attention to Madison. “I’m sorry about what happened to your friend but Simone and I weren’t there. We were out taking care of an old friend. So there’s nothing we can tell you.”

“Is there anything else Detective?” Simone cut in. “ If not, then I’m off.” Simone turned to Butterfly, giving her a you deal with her look.

Madison watched Simone with interest. She noted that she was quick to loose her temper and decided she was hiding something. “You can go,” Madison said. “But we will want to question you again.” Simone gave Madison a forced smile and then left them.

“She’s a little tired and cranky Madison.” Butterfly said watching the detective closely. “Last night Simone and I were with an old friend who for many years had been an addict. She had cleaned up her life but last night she had fallen again.  We stayed with her trying to keep her nice.”

Madison sat back in her seat. She stared intensely into Butterfly’s emerald green eyes wanting so much to believe her story.

Butterfly returned the gaze, looking deeply into innocence not yet lost. She wondered what Madison’s reaction would be when she learned the truth.  Then, unbidden, her thoughts turned sexual. She imagined Madison’s hot breath on her neck. She imagined Madison’s teeth pressing against her skin and then sinking into her flesh, finding the vein and giving her pleasure.

Madison became aware of the sexual energy radiating from Butterfly. Her body reacted to it. Her nipples became sensitive, hardening and pushing on the soft linen of her shirt. She began to undress Butterfly with her eyes. She felt her sex stirring to the tiny throbs of pleasure in her clitoris.

Madison crossed her legs.  This wasn’t the time for sexual fantasy.

Butterfly’s smile became seductive. She could taste Madison on her tongue, the erotic flavours of sex.  She bought her coffee to her lips and sipped slowly.

Madison was captured by the sensualness in Butterfly gaze.

Butterfly moved her eyes to Madison’s erect nipples. She imagined covering them with her mouth, encircling them with her tongue and feeling them harden to her touch.

She returned to the erotic blue of Madison’s eyes. She imagined what it would be like to seduce Madison with a bite; Madison’s neck soft and sensual and the rise of her breasts as her chest rose with her breathing. She imagined the pleasure that would travel Madison like waves of ecstasy.

Butterfly’s eyes sparkled with sexual intensity.

Madison was mesmerised. Her body began to ache with desire.

Butterfly moistened her lips with her tongue, and then broke eye contact.

Madison closed her eyes for a second and enjoyed the feelings that were touching her like fingers of pleasure.

Then her conscience spoke - you’re flirting with the suspect again. Madison knew in her heart that Butterfly wasn’t the one that killed Diana, but she was still on duty. 

Madison opened her eyes and lingered in Butterfly’s sensual gaze. Pulling herself from the gaze she looked Butterfly up and down. She smiled and decided she needed to leave. “I’ll be back later tonight,” she said as she rose from the chair. “Maybe we could finish this then.”

Butterfly could taste the flavours of Madison’s arousal. The animal inside her wanted the detective now but she would wait. “Sure,” she answered looking back into Madison’s eyes, “I’ll be here.”

Madison was amused with her lack of self-restraint. What had happened to her brain?  She saw herself out.

Butterfly gripped the coffee glass in her hand. She squeezed it in sexual frustration, crushing it like a paper cup. Blood dripped from where the glass cut into her. She bought her hand to her mouth, licked the blood from her fingers and watched as the wounds began to heal.

“I see fighting still heightens your senses,” Simone laughed. “I wonder if the detective has any idea of your cravings.”

Butterfly blushed as Simone ran her fingers over her forearm in a playful gesture. “I could satisfy your needs. Alex could join us.” Simone’s vampire teeth slid down. Her honeyed, chocolate eyes sparkled as she looked seductively at Butterfly. “Vous savez que je pourrais vous enchanter – You know I could delight you,” she whispered.

Butterfly closed her eyes at the thought of the pleasure she’d receive from Simone’s bite. It was a tempting offer. Vampires had such sexual appetites. 

“I’m sure you could,” Butterfly said, a sensual smile forming on her lips.   “No, you and Alex go ahead. I’ll wait for Madison to come to me.”

“The offer is always there,” Simone whispered brushing her lips across Butterfly’s ear.

“You’re cruel,” Butterfly whispered. “And beautiful.”

~^..^~

Madison sat at the dinner table. She played with the food on her plate. A rare eye fillet, mashed potatoes, honeyed carrots, pepper sauce, squash garnished with lemongrass.

She cut into the pink flesh of the meat. Blood seeped on to her potatoes. For the first time in her 33 years she thought of the cow and who it was before it was her dinner. She ate the vegetables and left the meat and mashed potatoes on her plate.

After dinner Julie and Madison retired to the study for some hypnosis.

Julie started Madison on the journey into her subconscious. She wanted to take her deeper than she had before. 

“What is your name?” Julie asked.

“Xena,” Madison replied.

“Where are you?”

“I’m with Gabrielle. We’re at the amazon village.”

“What’s happening at the village?” Julie inquired.

Madison moved in the chair “We are in the steam hut. A sensual smile formed on Madison’s face. “Gabrielle is whacking me with a reed whip.”

 Julie smiled. “Go further,” she asked. “ Where are you now?”

“I’m with Gabrielle. We are at the hot springs near the village. She is washing the small wound on my thigh.”

“Deeper Madison, I want you to go past Gabrielle. Where are you now?”

“The amazons seem uneasy. Several have disappeared in the last month.”

“Go further,” Julie said.  “Deeper.”

Madison’s face became stern with concentration, she grabbed the arms of the chair. “I’m fighting. There are many of them.”

“Many of who?”  Julie asked.

“Many of them. Wait! There she is. Gabrielle!… Gabrielle, No! Jesus!” Madison shouted, waking with a sudden jolt.

 “What? What did you see?” Julie asked, concern in her voice.

“I saw Butterfly,” Madison replied, then she fell silent for a moment. “She was…”  Madison shook her head.

“It’s this case,” she said uncomfortably. “For a second I saw her as a vampire. Maybe I’m just not in the right space for hypnosis right now.”

“You called out the name Gabrielle,” Julie noted.

“That’s Butterfly’s name. Gabrielle Amphipolis.”  

Madison looked at Julie. “I’m going to try and get an hours sleep before I go to the club. Can we continue this tomorrow?”

“You know you can,” Julie answered ruffling Madison’s hair.

Madison started to rise from her chair. “Shit!” she exclaimed as intense pain ripped through her side.

“What’s wrong?” Julie asked rushing to help Madison.

“A cramp,” Madison whispered, grabbing her side. “It will go soon.” She sat back down and breathed slowly. The pain dissipated. 

~^..^~

Kisses That Tell

Madison slept. Butterfly’s poetry again swam through her mind.

Take my hand

Taste my skin

Reach through the light

that holds you within

Feel me tremble

Bathe my flesh

Lay me beside you,

It’s where I rest

Come to me,

as I sleep

Free my soul

from the taste it seeks

Feed my dreams

Feed my life

Hold me in your hands

and show me,

to the light.

G

Madison arrived at the LemonTwist at 1.30am. The music was different from the dance music of previous nights. Drums were beating out tribal rhythms. Madison was drawn to the intensity of the beat.  As she entered the b