Hierophant - Tarot Trilogy

1

DNA

Her distorted face, half human, half monster, stared down at me. The right side of her face and body was that of a beautiful girl, with her long black hair draped over her naked shoulder. Beauty was met with horror as her left side became contorted, morphing her long black hair into a bald head with black wisps for hair. Her human eye was reflected by a satanic one, as were her scabbed nose and her mouth, which faded into tiny pointed fangs that oozed with saliva. The left side of her naked body had been warped into a hairy skeleton of what once was.

DNA Lounge had decorated all of its walls with paintings such as these in representation of an artist by the name of Boogyman. I would have loved to walk around and study each of them, as they showed both the beauty and horror of my world, but I was here to do a job. I headed to the bar to get a cranberry and vodka before spotting a small empty table in the corner of the club. Dark gray walls with white chandeliers that radiated a red glow created the romantic ambiance, and a single red rose in the center of each table completed the look. There was a band getting set up on the stage in preparation for tonight’s entertainment. I walked past them, across the large dance floor to the table in the corner and watched them set up as I sipped my drink, staining the glass rouge.

I wore a long black dress with red floral designs that clung to the few curves that I had and revealed just enough cleavage. The dress had long slits that reached the middle of my thighs, revealing my black lace tights and two-inch combat boots. The boots didn’t really go with the dress, but in a scene like this, I could pull it off. My hair was braided around my head and into a knot that rested at the nape of my neck.

The band had played their third song when my targets finally showed up. Demons have a way of appearing human, like a glamor. They must blend in or risk being noticed because too much attention could lead to their annihilation. Some people can see them for what they truly are, and that poses a problem for them. If they find out that a human can see them in their natural state, then that human usually doesn’t live long to tell the tale. Survivors often became HDA’s, Hired Demon Assassins, turning from the prey into the hunters— at least, that’s how I got the gig.

The three fiends that I had been hired to take out were dancing in the center of the dance floor, ignoring the human crowd. Watching people dance in a goth bar was both alluring and amusing. Everyone seemed to move with the music, as if becoming part of it. There was no judgement, only the music and the feeling. All kinds could come here and be themselves without fear or judgement.

The three hellions were all male and of varied species, making them an odd trio. Most demons preferred not to mix with others, unless they were related or part of a clan. Even then, fights often broke out among them, resulting in several casualties or lost limbs.

The live band ended their song and placed their instruments down, indicating that they were taking a break. Love Metal began to play from an invisible sound system as several people headed for the back patio behind the stage to smoke and cool off. I watched as the trio headed for the door; then I grabbed my drink and followed them out.

“Can I please bum a cigarette?” I asked the shortest of the three, in a small mousy voice. Confidence rings with strength, and for some reason, knaves didn’t like to fight for their meals. The short one obliged and then held out a lighter to ignite my cigarette. I smiled and said, “Thanks.”

The Tarsier demon said, “My name is Toby, and you are?”

I looked at the ground as I said, “Gabriella.”

Toby curtsied dramatically and, looking up at me with his enormous brown eyes, said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” He was a short guy, about 5’1 and though I couldn’t see them, I knew his mouth was filled with tiny, sharp teeth.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes and instead I smiled as I turned to the other two fiends, who introduced themselves less dramatically.

The Caiman demon said, “Hey, I’m Jack.” He had raven hair, rough skin, and glowing jade eyes. Due to his glamor, his full form was not revealed, even to me.

“Nice to meet you.” Then I glanced at the one with glowing blue eyes.

He looked back at me, and it felt like he was peering into my soul. I felt my cheeks grow warm as he extended his right hand to take mine; I moved my drink to the hand holding the cigarette and extended my hand as well, as he said, “It is a pleasure to meet you Mademoiselle Gabriella, my name is Phillip.” Then he took my hand to his lips and passionately kissed the back of it. His hand and lips were clammy and felt like the skin of a corpse. I had an instant flash of my dead parents lying in their coffins, as I reached out to touch my mothers face. I shuddered and jerked my hand back.

The warmth in my cheeks had drained, and I wondered if my face was as devoid of life as it felt. I bet I fit right into this scene now. I quickly collected myself as I said, “It’s a bit chilly out.” Then I smiled and took a drag of my cigarette.

The blue-eyed vampire was studying me profusely, making me uneasy. “I’m curious. What brings a beautiful woman, such as yourself, out to a hole in the wall alone?”

I wondered briefly if he was on to me, then shrugged the feeling off as I said, “New place, new scene, new friends, and all that.” I was quickly losing my patience, but remembered that I had a job to do, so I pasted a smile on my face once more and added, “Everyone is so nice here!” with forced enthusiasm.

Toby spoke next, drawing my attention away from the vampire and back to him. He seemed slightly irritated at being overlooked, but I wondered if he was used to it. “I will be your friend, Miss Gabriella. What brought you out to California? Chasing a dream?”

I smiled at the last comment as I said, “More than you could know.”

Toby seamed a little perplexed when I didn’t explain.

“I’m curious,” I said as I turned back to Phillip. “What brings three handsome guys out to a hole in the wall on a night like this?”

This time it was Jack who replied. “What better place to meet such accepting people? The outcasts accept the dark and in return get along quite well.” He smiled a dark smile, as if to hide a secret that only his party was privy to. I didn’t let on, but changed the subject.

“So, what do you all do for a living, when you are not out exploiting your primal dance moves, that is?” Their’ dancing seemed ritualistic in nature.

Phillip continued to stare at me, as if I were the most interesting out of the four of us. “What an intriguing word, primal, to describe something as simple as dancing.”

“I just say it like I see it. What word would you use?”

He seemed to think about that for a moment before saying, “Prestigious, perhaps would be better?”

I finished off my drink and said, “Fine, if that’s what you prefer. I think I will be heading out now. It was nice to meet you boys.” I put my nearly unsmoked cigarette out in the ashtray and headed in to cash out.

Toby grabbed my arm and said, “We hardly had the chance to get to know you! Surely you will stay for one more smoke?”

I shook my head and said, “Sorry, early morning. Besides, I’m getting bored and want to see if I can find a more prestigious club.” I grinned and turned on my heel, heading for the bar. I cashed out and quickly went to my car, then I took out my katana from the trunk and held it to the side, so it couldn’t be made out in the distance. I felt a presence watching me from afar but didn’t try to scope it out. Instead I headed for the alley two doors down from the club. It took only moments before I heard him approach. I pulled the sword from the hilt slowly and held it to my side, waiting to attack.

Toby appeared first, looking a bit more drunk and slightly offended. “What part of a dark alley is better than spending time with me?” he asked in a salty tone.

I shoved off the wall, pulling my dagger from my boot as I said, “One clingy hellion is enough to turn me off, let alone three.”

I watched his eyes about pop out of his head as he started to morph into his full form. His lips drew back from his teeth as he hissed, “Demon killer!”

Tarsiers are known for being very fast and deadly, but due to their large eyes and small brains, they are only able to focus on one thing at a time. I lifted the katana as if to swing it at him, but he dodged the blade and went to attack my left side. As he leaped for my throat, I brought the dagger from my boot up through his chin and out between his large eyes. I kicked his body away from me, holding tight to the blade as it shot out of his skull, spraying me with blood. Then I kneeled at his corpse and jabbed the blade through his heart for good measure.

“Dude, Toby, save some for me!” Jack said as he and Phillip came around the corner and into the alley. I pulled the blade from Toby’s chest as I stood, back turned to the two remaining...