He turned and stepped into the light from the lamp. “Do you have it?” His deep voice rumbled through Alyson’s body as he spoke. He looked stern and tense, the question blunt and without politeness.
Fear was her first reaction, since looking into the eyes of a man—or spirit—such as this was daunting. His eyes seared hers but she found the strength to reply. “Yes, and Claudia told you what I want in return?”
“I don’t like being blackmailed. If I wanted, I could have come and taken you and what you hold. I suppose I’m curious—no woman has ever tried shit like this with me. Holding something as a ransom.”
“Well, I need you…not like other women do…well, I mean I could use some of that too but—” She stammered over her words. “I just have to do this. Every woman will want to read it. You’ll be famous.”
It was probably true, but there was a large part of Alyson hoping she would be the one becoming famous.
“I don’t want the sort of fame you mortals seek. I am more adept at anonymity. I come to women who beckon me. I have nothing to gain from fame.”
Alyson held up her hand, stopping him. “Wait, if we’re going to do this, let’s do it right. You go sit down in that chair. I’ll get my tape recorder and notes. I have a million things to ask you. The agreement was the medallion for an interview.” She walked to the desk against the wall, rummaged through some things, then sat across from him.
“Yes, as I agreed. Just us, and I’ll answer any question you ask honestly.” He lowered his head. “However, I ask you to remember that I’m doing this against my better judgment. There’s always been the risk that something like this could happen if the medallion fell into the wrong hands.”
“So why are you doing it?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps it’s a chance for me to reflect on things that have passed. My existence. Maybe answering your questions will answer a few of my own.”
Alyson didn’t want a tabloid headline piece of sensational nonsense about this man. She wanted the big salami, the whole enchilada, the grandiose winning lottery ticket. A book that would sell millions and take her higher than she’d ever envisioned. She’d be known as the woman to finally conquer the Dark Lord of Lust.
She sat down across from him, cleared her throat and started the recorder. “Who or what are you?” First question, direct and to the point.
“I am neither a who nor a what. I am a spirit brought to life by needs and wants. I am fundamentally a living fantasy.”
“That’s a little egotistical, isn’t it?” She was quick to cut in and stop this self-proclaimed sex god from launching into a speech about satisfying all women.
“You asked who or what I was, so I told you.”
“Okay.” She paused. “Let me rephrase my question. What is your given name?”
With a deep sigh, he began. “Pilan, my name is Pilan. I have also been called Yayil, but that is a more powerful being than me.”
“Where are you from?” Alyson took notes like a stenographer trying to keep up with an auctioneer.
“I am from an ancient Indian tribe now gone, almost completely wiped out.” He adjusted himself in the chair, becoming more comfortable.
“What tribe? How did they get wiped out?” Alyson was hungry for information.
“Stop. Just stop.” He looked cross, frustrated at her questions. “I won’t sit here and play your fucking games, Mercedes.”
She bit back a gasp. “Why did you call me that?”
“Because that is your name. Alyson is the name you took to fit in. Your mother gave you her name from her Spanish ancestors and you were more worried about how it sounded than your heritage, so you took your middle name instead.”
Alyson was stupefied. “Are you reading my mind? What are you doing?”
“You want the truth from me. You want to know my story. Well, be honest with me and I will answer any questions you have. Just relax, listen and ask me what you really want to know, not what you fucking think everyone wants to know.”
His demeanor had changed and there was a definite edge to him now. It got to Alyson. “All right, I’ll ask what really intrigues me about you and then I’ll listen. Please tell me about your origins.”
“I am of Native American descent, as I told you. My people lived among great mountains and beautiful scenery. It was God’s land and we respected and appreciated its beauty and grandeur.
“I was summoned by the tribal medicine woman. She was extremely powerful and had been in touch with the spirit world, harnessing all her powers to bring me to life. I lived as a guard to protect the women of the tribes. I am from the third world of people—part human, part animal. Over time, I was taught control, because my animal side is that of a mountain lion and it was feared I might devour the tribe. The women of the tribes were the only beings who could calm my fierce nature.
“Our men were warriors and protected our land. But between internal conflicts and the arrival of the white man, our numbers were devastated. The men would leave to fight the enemy for weeks or months at a time. I was left to protect the women and children left behind. For centuries I lived as a myth. When others crossed into our lands, I would spread terror within their tribe. Their fear of me was protection enough. I was forbidden to kill.
“The older I grew, the more powerful I became and other tribes didn’t venture into our small territory. It was then that the true meaning of my existence was revealed. I was brought forth as a protector, but as a man, other needs were also rising to the forefront.