Soulmates Beyond Time
The Spider's Lair was a club for the eclectic. It's theme was spiders of all shapes and sizes. Ropes had been weaved throughout the area of the room to give the appearance that you were walking into a giant cobweb. Even the staff dressed to represent a particular species. The bartenders wore brown and a spider-shaped pin was worn on the collar of their turtlenecks. It was the symbol of the black widow. Women could be seen above dressed in black and yellow skintight garments reminiscent of the garden spiders Peter would see. They danced in cages shaped like giant webs.
Drugs and alcohol were sold and bought like commodities. Anything and everything could be had for a price. The club did its business in the most unusual manner. If you wanted to buy drugs, you tossed a rubber spider shaped like a blackwidow into the web at the center of each table. If you wanted alcohol, you tossed another shape in the web. The shape of the spider determined the drink you were buying. If you wanted information, a large fly was tossed into the web. Not a single word was spoken, which made the silence all the more deafening when the music stopped. Even the music centered around the theme. It was not a place for everyone, unless you loved spiders.
Peter entered the Spider's Lair. He could sense many eyes turning in his direction. He was not their usual customer. Whispers could be heard and he was soon approached by one of the men in brown. He motioned Peter to follow. The man lead him behind the stage area into a long corridor. Even here the theme continued. Peter brushed up against the wall and found the cobwebs to be real. It would seem the fly had indeed entered the spider's web. Peter was led into another large room. In one of the corners could be seen what looked like a large egg-shaped chamber. In another corner was a throne-like chair. Along the walls Peter looked in horror at what he saw. His father and Kermit were trapped within strands of tightly woven bands. Skalany was standing between Kermit and his father. She looked like a statue. Peter approached slowly. The look in her eyes and face told him that she had been given a very powerful drug that helped to induce hypnosis. The drug would break down a person's resistance to suggestions, especially those suggestions used to harm another or ones self.
"Don't go any closer or I will have her kill your father immediately."
Jordan had exited the egg-shaped chamber and made her way to the throne-like chair. The strong image of Peter's vision came to his mind. Slowly he backed away and stood in the center of the room.
"What is this all about, Jordan?"
"I think you know."
"I do not."
"You sound like your father."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"I'll spell it out for you. I want you as my mate."
"You've got to be kidding."
Jordan snapped her fingers and Skanaly walked up to Caine and ran the long knife across his cheek leaving a thin trail of blood. Peter watched helpless. It was at that moment that he realized there was no saving this woman. Somehow her nature had been completely altered into this new form.
"The next one will go deeper."
"What has happened to you?"
"My eyes have been opened to the powers."
"The powers of evil you mean."
"Perhaps. Now, are you going to be my mate or do I continue slicing up your father?"
Peter weighed the decision.
"What about Kermit and Skalany?"
"Kermit can go free after we finish our business. Of course, that may take several weeks. As for Skalany, I like her this way. She could be really annoying. Always butting in where she doesn't belong."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Why do you think? You and your father are very powerful. With your blood running in the veins of my children, especially the female line, the Sect can continue. Only the blackwidow can really control the power. And if you were to give me several daughters . . ."
"I've heard enough. I won't do it."
"You will or you will see your father and Kermit carved up and fed to one of the most carnivorous of the spider species, the desert tarantula."
Jordan pointed to another part of the room. A large glass tank could be seen. In reality, Peter was looking through the wall to another room. Inside he could see hundreds of spiders.
"I will let you think about your decision."
"Will you let me speak to my father and Kermit without any interference?"
"Of course. I will not deny you that pleasure." Jordan got up and headed to the egg-shape chamber.
Peter moved over to speak with his father and was surprised at how pale he looked. Jordan had somehow drugged him and the webbing that surrounded him continued to sap his chi. Peter tried to brush some of the cobwebs away from his father's face. Tears formed in his eyes at the thought of him suffering.
"Oh, Pop."
"Peter, you cannot do what she wishes. She will kill you, too, if she succeeds in getting what she wants."
Peter pulled out some herbs and placed them in his father's mouth.
"Here, these will strengthen your chi. If I don't, she'll have Skalany kill both you and Kermit. Don't worry, Pop. There's more than one way to kill a spider."
"Peter, you must not let her scratch you with her nails or let her bite you. Her blood has been turned to poison." Kwai Chang could feel the herbs working to restore his chi. It would still be a few minutes before he would be able to break free from the webbing. Peter went over to Kermit but Skalany blocked his path. It would seem that he could only talk with his father for now. Peter took from his satchel a small bottle.
"Pop, your going to have to take care of Kermit and Skalany. I'll leave my satchel here at your
feet."
"Peter, be careful. I do not want to lose you."
"You won't."
Peter walked over to the inner chamber. The small bottle concealed in his hand. This was going to be one of the strangest pairings he had ever done, but he hoped he would not have to go that far.
End of Part 19
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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