Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

trusted me, and when they were willing, they came here. No money worries, food prepared, education for their children. They think they’ve died and gone to heaven. ”
    With an expression of self-satisfaction , Slater pranced in front of his captive. Lucier listened, sickened at Slater’s words . “You’re no different than the men who used them before . ”
    “ Y ou’re wrong. We’ve given them a good home and a purpose. Some act as surrogates and others, the beautiful, intelligent ones, are happy to procreate to help us avoid inbreeding , a difficult task at times. The young are so romantic. We’ve only experienced one unfortunate mating.”
    Lucier huffed almost under his breath. “My G od, you’re mad . ”
    “A reaction of the unenlightened,” Slater said.
    This travesty must be exposed . They couldn’t keep him strapped forever. They ’d either have to kill him or untie him eventually. “And Jeanine Highsmith?”
    “I tried. Subtly of course, but I never felt comfortable she’d embrace our goals. Too independent and confident. She didn’t need us. That’s what it’s about. Need and acceptance.”
    Slater took a handkerchief out of his pocket. He moved closer to wipe the sweat from Lucier’s forehead but must have realized he ’ d be vulnerable to an attack, even from a man teth ered to a chair. He retreated .
    “We never mentioned our religious persuasion with any of the women,” he continued, “just love and affection. By the time the worshipping began, they were so happy, so loved, they didn’t care if the devil showed up in his horns and cape and swept them away to Hades.” He put the handkerchief back in his poc ket. “By then, they needed us.”
    Lucier couldn’t say anything. T hat was how cults worked. Lure in the weak, the outcasts . Make them feel they belonged.
    “I find your lady appealing ,” Slater said . “S he ’s highly intelligent with amazing sex appeal. Once she produces babies, she’ll develop more interest in her sexuality. Between giving birth and her harvested eggs planted in surrogates with the chosen sperm, she’ll produce enough offspring in the time left to her. She’ll nurse them, and I guarantee the motherly instinct will take over. Maybe I’ll keep you around long enough to witness that.”
    Lucier thought about the morning in the pink house, in the rocking chair—Diana’s lactation and its effect. He saw his hands around Slater’s neck, but it was only a mirage. His arms and hands were still strapped to the chair, his fists clenching and unclenching with the fury of a man poised on the threshold of committing murder.
    Anyone could be brought to the point of homicidal rage, given the right conditions. He’d seen it as a cop, now experienced it as a man. He needed to save his strength until he found an opportunity. Unless they killed him shackled to the chair, he would.
    “I’m sure I can interest her in me again,” Slater said. “ S he is already ― the tortured man, striving to find peace in his ruined life.”
    “Man? ” Lucier sneered. “ H ardly.”
    Slater ignored the sarcasm. “Enough of one to make a woman forget. I possess unique talents.”
    Lucier’s stomach sank. They were going to turn Diana into a sex zombie. “What you’re doing is not only illegal, it’s immoral.”
    Slater’s laugh was the most evil sound Lucier ever heard.
    “I have no morals, Lieutenant. May I call you Ernie? I’ve never felt close enough to you till now.”
    “Fuck you.”
    Slater crouched in front of Lucier’s chair, just out of reach. “Only weak men resort to cursing. I was weak once, but not now. Diana will find out. Of course, I’ll share her with the others. All the men will want their time with the Goddess of the Moon. That’s how it works here. Don’t worry. Being a pragmatist, s he’ll grow to enjoy the adulation . No sense fighting what you can’t change.”
    The scene resembled a bad horror movie. Slater had obviously lost his mind along with his manhood. They’d all lost their minds.
    Diana looked pitiful. Her head lolled to the side, drool hung like a liquid thread from the corner of her mouth. Fighting the restraints only sapped Lucier of what little energy he had left.
    Slater, the bastard, knew it too.

Chapter Forty
    R eturn to the Comfort Zone

    C aptain Jack Craven knew Ernie Lucier as well as he knew any man . Before the deaths of his wife and children , his lieutenant never took off a day he didn’t have