Sorry, I just changed a few things in this chapter. If you read it already you might not even notice. I hope everyone enjoys reading this chapter. Work and life is getting hectic but I am trying to still find time to write. So enjoy and review as you wish. Thanks everyone for reading.

Chapter 16

"Look, I know you are still worried about Monica, but you can't stop living your life. You have responsibilities." Karen said emphatically.

"Don't you think I know that," Nikki said feeling fatigued and annoyed. "I'm not a robot without emotions. I cannot just shut them off at will. It doesn't work that way."

"I'm just worried about you babe," Karen responded, feeling like she was pushing Nikki. "You look like you haven't eaten much of late and you have dark circles under your eyes from lack of sleep. This is not healthy"

Nikki looked at Karen, with a lament expression on her face. "Please don't mother me. I know what I am doing. Everyone needs to give me space."

Karen shook her head in disbelief. "I am sorry if you feel that way but I promise you that wasn't my intention. I understand and have been patient Nikki, but try to look at it through my eyes."

Nikki sighed and thought about Karen's words then she leaned closer to her. "I'm sorry for being a daft cow. I know you mean well, it's just frustrating that I cannot do anything. I feel so incompetent."

Karen put her arm around Nikki's shoulder and gave her a tight squeeze. "Come here and let me smother you daft clown. You know you are an extension of my family. As you know we both lost our parents and have no siblings to share our grief with. Don't you realise it silly bird, I damn well love you."

Nikki smiled as this was the first time Karen said to her that she 'loved her'. "I love you too over-protective big sister." She beaned. "Please adopt me Mother hen."

"You better have none of that," Karen scowled. "First off, you know I am not old enough to be your mother, but damn woman if I was you'd get a real good scolding from me." Both woman guffawed at the notion. "Secondly, you're getting too thin on the waist. What good sensible woman going to want a wharf board like you?"

Nikki gave Karen an eloquent look. "I'm more than flesh and bones. My vast knowledge of seduction and poetry will be enough to weave them into my web."

Karen rolled her eyes, squeezing Nikki tightly in her arms. "If I didn't love another, I'd probably be one of those women trapped in your web." She sniggered.

Nikki stopped listening and gave Karen a repulsed look. "God, please tell me you don't love bloody Jim Fenner. I might have to disown you."

Karen stopped giggling. "What are you getting at fool? Since when did I tell you that I love that cheating lout? For your information, I have blown him asunder and left him picking up the pieces. Of course it wasn't easy. That man is persistent."

"Really," Nikki raised her brow. "I don't believe he has given up for good. He doesn't seem like the type who likes to lose. Regardless, you just mentioned moments back that you loved another."

"I did not say such a thing," Karen back-tracked. It was a slip of the tongue.

"Yes you did. Why are you trying to deny it? I know what I heard." Nikki replied wondering why Karen's face was turning rosy. "Are you embarrassed?"

Karen shrugged her shoulders. "You're reading into nothing. Let it go."

"So who's the lucky chap that has stolen your heart which I am grateful it wasn't that idiot Fenner." Nikki said feeling tickled by the revelation. She knew Karen would try to weasel her way out of it. "I didn't even realise you were dating someone else other than Jim."

"I'm not," Karen remarked. "You're rambling on 'bout nothing. It's all in your imagination."

"Deny the truth all you want, but I will get it out of you someday," Nikki said giving her an evil grin. "But I am delighted you had the good sense to boot that imbecile Fenner."

"I suppose I was blind." Karen conceded.

Nikki put her arm around Karen's neck, leaning forward. "Personally, I think you're running from something, or someone. And you just allowed yourself to get involved with a git like Fenner to avoid the pragmatism of your idealistic notion of what you should be rather than just being you."

Karen was taken back for a moment. She wondered if Nikki knew her true feelings, her inner self that she hid from everyone. "Fancy words from someone known for her romantic notions. You're too insightful for your own good. I knew there was a reason I loved you."

"I sense all my dear," Nikki teased. "I can't have anyone stealing my precious Karen from me. I want her all to myself."

"You're brilliant Nikki, but I'm not a thing to be hold." She said shaking her head, and suppressing a smile as she tried to look stern.

"But you just said a few sentences ago that you might be one of those women trapped in my web." Nikki smiled a toothy grin.

Karen cocked her head, looking straight into Nikki's eyes. There seemed to be a sparkle in her eyes. "It was a figure of speech you silly tit. You're like a little sister to me anyhow. And you're too young for me."

"I'm twenty-seven and there is only nine years difference between us. You know I'm old beyond my years. But you would want me to be your first sexual girl experience right?" Nikki grinned, knowing she was pushing Karen's buttons.

"Nikki," Karen said feeling provoked. "Let's not cross that line because we both know you lust over Helen Stewart. The woman you're madly in love with who happens to be with someone else."

"Ouch," Nikki said sulking like a child. "Well, maybe I'm not your kind of flavour. But if you did like women, my best educated guess would be Yvonne. Yup, she would be more up your ally."

Karen felt her lungs get obstructed by the air she was breathing and she had to calm her nerves surprised that Nikki would even suggest such a thing. "Please leave Yvonne out of this. She's my best mate so let's not get into that debate."

"Precisely," Nikki explained. "I was just saying considering Yvonne has done the nasty with women before. Remember?"

"I know what you are getting at and that's not even an option. I'm not gay and I don't want to discuss who I should be sleeping with." Karen said looking over at Nikki. She was not amused.

"Sorry, I guess I hit a nerve," Nikki said. "Don't pay attention to my crazy notions. I didn't mean to be so crass."

"Listen, I know you didn't want to come to my place for the weekend. It will just be Yvonne, Helen and us. What do you say?" Karen pleaded. "You owe me after all this nonsense."

"Fine," Nikki finally agreed. "But you're supplying the alcohol and entertainment."

"You won't regret it." Karen smiled.

"I do already." Nikki replied.

"In that case, breakfast in on you," Karen smiled as she watched Nikki shake her head. "And I'm ordering the most expensive item on the menu."

"As you wish my Queen," Nikki said, bowing her head. "As you wish."

"So what do we have here Zandra?" Helen asked breathing onto her hands. It was a chilly Friday afternoon and the skies were blue, with hardly any clouds. This was the eighth and ninth body and she knew the killers would not stop. The killings progressed in a much faster pace as if the killers were contemptuous towards the police.

"Her body was found lying partially on gravel, near the river. The ligature marks on her ankles, wrists and neck were the same calling card. But something is different: it looks like she had burns on her palms and her wrist had been cut. And the strange puncture marks are the same as the previous two victims. It looks like the killers might have been experimenting – possibly with methods of torture. There is something else that is different – a shiny track of some sticky liquid, which had attracted a convoy of ants. If this substance is semen or saliva, there is the possibility that the killer's blood type could be determined. Tests on semen found in the earlier victims had revealed nothing." Zandra said. "Looks like she had been raped, sodomized and strangled."

"These killers are too smart to leave evidence behind." Nikki said. "If it is semen then it most likely not theirs. What are they trying to prove is anyone's guess? But I suspect, they are fulfilling a need, possibly playing a role that is most likely religious by nature since the other killings fit the pattern. You mentioned her wrist was cut. I'm guessing this was done on purpose. It seems our killers have found new methods to their madness. Believing they are righteous and cutting her wrist to extract her blood as a way to purify her blood in a Holy Grail ritual. The blood represents the wine and the Holy Grail the goblet.

"First Baptism of fire, now the Holy Grail. What is next?" Helen exclaimed, feeling disgusted if Nikki's intuition was true. These killers were sick individuals with a lot of aversion towards society, specifically with women.

"The other naked body of a girl lay close to the curb covered with a tarp. The bruises on her neck showed that she had been strangled. She had ligature marks on both wrists and ankles as well as her neck. Insects feasted on her pale skin. On her eyelid was a small piece of light-coloured fluff that was saved for the forensic experts." Said Zandra.

"It doesn't appear that they had been murdered here. The bodies were placed deliberately where it would be found quickly." Helen remarked.

"There's no indication that the victim had been dragged to the spot where she lay. She appears to be about eighteen-nineteen. Her hair is reddish brown and medium length. I determined that she had been strangled around midnight, some six hours or so before she was found. It's also clear that she had been raped and sodomised." Zandra said, shaking her head.

"Some might say the prospects for solving this particular homicide is not promising." Helen said, her voice sounding exhausted. "I am sure the examiner will find parchment down their throats."

"The body, its naked torso covered by a shirt, had been propped up against some rocks in a seated position. The case establishes a modus operandi for the killer." Nikki said. "We need to stop these killers Helen. I'm afraid, the body count is just beginning. These killers are changing. They are getting more sadistic if that is possible. They are letting us know they are in full control."

"I know," Helen said with a sense of foreboding. "We need to find a link soon and fast. We need to link these religion passages somehow Nikki.""

"These bodies display similarities between the other victims. They had been strangled by ligature and their bodies dumped with six or so miles of one another. Looking at the scene where the body had been deposited it seems to me they know the surrounding area well enough to not have been noticed" Nikki said to Helen. "Victim nine had not been dead more than a day as Zandra estimated, but the other victim had been dead longer, her estimation about a week. Yet they were dumped together. Why?

"There was a sizable guardrail between the road and the spot where the body lay. It would have taken two men to lift the stocky victim number nine over the guardrail. Nine victims in a span of two months." Helen said exhausted. "We are being toyed with and I don't like it one bit."

Nikki looked at her watch. "Sorry Helen, but I need to head back to my office. I have a session with my special client."

"Are you sure it's okay to allow yourself to get too close to your client?" Helen asked, knowing what Nikki was going to say. "From what you've said she might be getting a little too attached to you."

"I know what I am doing," Nikki smiled. "But thanks for the concern."

"Okay, Nikki." Helen replied. She was not an expert but she believed in Nikki and her methods. She knew without Nikki's help they would be nowhere near to solving the case. With Nikki on board she knew they had a chance. "Are you coming to Karen's place tomorrow with us Nikki?"

"Yes I am."

(Nikki's office)

There was a knock on Nikki's door. "Come in."

Maxine poked her head in and smiled. As she entered the room it appeared she wasn't alone. She noticed Maxine smile disappear and a frown replaced it. A gentleman with a suit came in and at first she didn't cue in who was standing at her door but he looked familiar she thought to herself.

"Sorry for intruding, my name is Sean Parr. Maxine's lawyer." He said with a smiling that appeared not genuine.

Nikki was shocked for a moment. She had only seen his picture once and he seemed to look different in person. She wondered why he was in her office. Nikki got up and walked towards Sean, feeling indifferent. She extended her hand out to him. "It's nice to finally meet in person." She lied.

Sean took Nikki's hand and shook it with force which surprised her at first but she gave back equally a firm handshake. She sensed that he was looking at her intently, eying her up and down as if he was sizing his competition. Did he know something she wondered? All the while Sean looked at Nikki with his mouth open. She was stunning he thought to himself, and he could not believe someone as beautiful as Nikki could be a lesbian. "I have heard only good things about you."

Nikki felt his words were obligatory and insincere. Something about his demeanour did not sit well with her. She knew he was up to something, but what? "Thank you." She replied cautiously.

"This wasn't my idea," Maxine said, rather bored with Sean persistence in meeting Nikki. She was suspicious of him and his motives. Why was he all of a sudden so interested in meeting Nikki when he never cared before?

Nikki glanced at Maxine, for a moment forgetting that she was in the room with them. "Sorry, what wasn't your idea?"

"Don't pay heed to a childish girl like her," He said forcefully. "She didn't want me to meet you. She wanted to keep you all to herself." He said crudely.

Maxine hissed at him. She knew he was being deceitful. She hated people that used deceptive as a way to charm their way into situations. "I am sure she meant no harm." Nikki explained. "Did you want something else?" Nikki said, knowing she sounded impatient with Sean.

Sean Parr smiled and ran his fingers through his hair as he looked around Nikki's office. Then he turned his attention back to Nikki who looked like someone that could handle herself. She reminded him of an older version of Maxine Purvis. They seemed to have similar traits and personality. He knew they were both intelligent. He knew her reputation and how nobody ever challenged her because those who had were no longer around. He wondered if Nikki had a sexual attraction towards Helen and worst, if Helen was attracted to Nikki. He had to admit that she would be someone he found attracted but he wasn't there to rape Nikki with his eyes. He wanted to know if she was attracted to his woman.

"I just wanted to meet this Nikki Wade person that my fiancée Helen Stewart kept telling me about. I know you are helping her with a case." He said, forgetting that Maxine was standing next to him.

Nikki looked at Sean clearly annoyed. What did Helen see in Sean Parr? He was arrogant and full of himself. She turned her head towards Maxine. "Maxine, can you please wait outside for a moment? I just need to clarify a few things with Mr. Parr. Is that okay with you?"

Maxine did not want to leave Nikki alone with Sean. Clearly, he seemed to have a motive and it did not seem friendly. "Okay."

Once Maxine was outside, Nikki turned her attention towards Sean. "Would you like to sit down?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I really do not want to take much of your time since I know you are busy." He said, trying to hide his discomfort.

"I would prefer if you didn't discuss my affairs in front of a client." She said, not missing a beat. "And yes, I am helping Helen with a difficult case. I am delighted to hear that she thinks highly of me. I rather enjoy working with her."

Sean cringed hearing Nikki words. "Yes, you seem to have gotten under her skin."

"I am sorry Sean," Nikki said, sitting against her desk for support. "I don't get what you are implying."

"Where's my manners," he said unequivocally. "It's just that she thinks you're quite brilliant at what you do and I guess I have to concede she's correct."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment? It's funny in a way but Helen barely talks about you. In the beginning I didn't even realise she was engaged." She lied.

Sean shot an incensed look at Nikki, then sneered. "Helen's very friendly. She doesn't have many friends and then there are those who like to gossip about shite."

"Look," she stood upright. "I don't know what information have been given to you but my work with Helen is none of your business. If this is the only reason why you are in my office then I suggest you leave right now." Nikki said firmly. She was not going to get into a debate with him.

"You misunderstood me," He said, trying to play the naiveté card.

"Do I?" She said not wavering. "From where I'm standing, it seems to me you are behaving like an awkward fiancé, because we both know you know that I am gay and you're worried that I might be charismatic and a predator."

"I might have heard something like that," he said, backtracking. "But honestly, you being gay never crossed my mind. But," he said trying to sound as if he was in control. "I don't want misguided signals to get twisted."

"I'm impervious to some pompous pretence you throw at me." Nikki said coldly. She was no fool. She knew his true intentions. "I don't feel comfortable at this moment. I would appreciate if you leave." She got up and walked towards her door and waited for Sean to follow. He seemed to hesitate at first then approached Nikki.

"Well this was interesting," he said in a cunning voice. "I'd say it was nice meeting you but something tells me you are too shrewd for that." Nikki looked straight at him, letting him know that she wasn't anxious or intimated by him. "Clearly you are beautiful when you're angry, but Helen likes dicks not chicks."

Nikki continued looking at him, not giving him the satisfaction. "Are you sure about that? Ask yourself this question." She leaned closer to him with a smirk on her face. "Why are you here talking to me about your fiancée if you felt so confident in your relationship? Do you know who she's holding late at night when you're not there? Do you know who she's thinking about when she's alone at night? Are you sure it's you?" With that she turned her back on him and walked towards her desk. She waved without turning towards him. "You can leave now."

Sean's face turned a bright red. He wanted to wipe the smirk on Nikki's face and watch her suffer but all he could do was look idiotic with resentment.

Maxine walked in with a huge grin on her face. "Did you swallow a canary? You heard the lady, leave."

He turned his attention towards Maxine. She was a juvenile genius who he hated. He wished for her to disintegrate in hell and he would do all he could to see her fail miserably. She always showed her discontentment towards him and he hated her for that. But what he hated the most was her ability to dismember him with her words. Why did she have to be a genius? She was always one step ahead of him. The look of pure evil in her eyes disturbed him. He knew she would be problematic and at times it frightened him. "Whatever."

Once he was gone Maxine turned her attention towards Nikki. "I've missed you Nikki," Maxine said, entering Nikki's office.

"I'm sorry about missing our last session as something important came up." Nikki explained. "Please, sit and make yourself comfortable."

"I'm sorry about Sean, my lawyer." Maxine tried to explain. "He's rather thin on manners and intelligence."

"Don't worry, I know his type." Nikki said laughing. She knew how to handle Sean Parr. He was a little boy in a man's body. Spoon-fed by Daddy.

"What did he want from you?" She asked.

"Just a few things, nothing worth mentioning." Nikki said, not wanting to discuss it further.

"You're lying to me Nikki," Maxine replied. "Please don't hold back. It's not healthy."

"We're not here to discuss my personal life," Nikki stated. She needed to be firm with Maxine. In truth, she did not want to feel probed.

"You need to trust me Nikki," she laughed. You know I could easily find out but I much rather hear it from you. I told you before I want to know everything about you."

"This isn't professional and you know it. But I suspect it's irrelevant to you." Nikki said, knowing Maxine would not give up. "Yes, I want these sessions to be about honesty."

"You're beautiful when you're angry. I know that fool Sean Parr made you angry and I cannot condemn it."

"We had a disagreement…sort of," Nikki tried to rationalize.

"About his fiancée," Maxine said smiling.

Nikki looked up to see a smug look on Maxine's face. "How much of the conversation did you hear?" She asked.

"Hard to say, but I might have gotten some of it. Did I tell you I have really good hearing?" Maxine said, grinning at Nikki as she watched the woman in front of her roll her eyes. "You like this Helen person don't you."

Nikki gurgled as she crossed her arms. Maxine was just like her. Nothing gets pass her. "You're still too clever for me."

"As I am to you," she conceded. Both of them laughed collectively. "I don't think Sean is fond of you."

"What gave you that impression," she said sarcastically. "What, I'm not his number one fan."

"He's a possessive sap," she stated bitterly. "You know I want you all to myself, but if you like this person that much then I would like to so meet her."

"Maxine," Nikki said with a stern voice. "This isn't an option. This is inappropriate and I cannot allow it."

"I only want to meet the woman who has captured your heart." Maxine said. "You know my love for you is not sexual."

"Yes, I know, but again, we are not here to discuss me. Let's take about you. Since you now know more about me it's only fair that we talk about you and your feelings. What happened that night?" Nikki said.

Maxine leaned back on her chair. She knew she was ready to talk about that night and what truly led her to the killings.

"Listen, I already suspected you had a psychotic break on the night of the killings. And you mentioned you felt some remorse about the killings. I know all this and more but I want to know the real Maxine Purvis. Not just the killer, but the real you. But we can only achieve this if you're ready to talk about what really led you to the killing. Not what you have told me before or my hypothesis. I think you know what I mean."

"Yes, Nikki I do and I know you're right, and you have been completely honest with me so I am ready to tell you everything." She smiled. A part of her felt some relief that she could finally let go of all the demons in her head. Of course, there was no cure for her psychotic thoughts and impulses. Then there was the matter of what she knew and what she was still trying to find out. She had some pieces to the puzzle but she still needed to unravel the mystery and that was proving to be a challenge in her current state.

There was a knock on Nikki front door. She wondered if it was one of her neighbours. She wasn't expecting anyone else to come.

"Are you expecting someone Nikki?" Karen asked.

"No," Nikki replied. "Must be solicitors or a neighbour. Just give me a moment." Nikki got up and headed towards the door. When she opened the door she found a tall man standing there, who obviously was a courier. He was holding a box and a clipboard.

"Are you Nicola Wade?" He asked uninterested.

"Yes," Nikki relied, curious as to why there was a courier standing in front of her door. She wasn't expecting a package. Did Barbara send her something she wondered?

"Can you sign here, please," he said, producing a paper for her. Nikki signed the paper and he proceeded to give her the package. "Have a good evening Madame."

"Um…Thank you," Nikki replied. She closed the door and headed back to the dining room where the others were drinking and waiting for her.

"Who was it Nikki," Karen asked.

"Some courier dropping off a package for me." She said. "But I have no clue what it could be."

"You mean you weren't expecting something," Helen said, feeling caution. "What if there is a bomb in there?"

"Really," Yvonne laughed. "Nikki, do you have enemies? Someone who might want to blow your fingers off. Then again it could be Shell Dockley, but she's too illogical to pull that off."

"This could be serious Yvonne." Helen said in a stern voice as her suspicion grew. She did not like the idea of someone toying with Nikki.

"Sorry," Yvonne apologised. "But you gotta admit, that does sound outlandish."

"Aren't you going to open it up?" Karen said, amused by Yvonne's colourful words.

"You think I should?" Nikki replied. Then she proceeded to open the package and inside there was a book. "This is the Malleus Maleficarum." Nikki said cautiously. The note read 'For Your Eyes Only. Unravel the Mystery'. Who the hell would send her this book she thought? And why the cryptic note? What was the sender trying to tell her?

"Isn't that the Witch's Hammer?" Helen asked.

"Yes, and it is arguably one of the most infamous books ever written during the Middle Ages. It made very real the threat of one being branded a heretic, simply by virtue of one's questioning of the existence of witches and, thus, the validity of the Inquisition. It set into the consciousness, for all time, a belief in the existence of witches as a real and valid threat to the Christian world. It is a belief which is held to this day...anyone who did not fit within the contemporary view of devout Christians were suspect to devastating consequences."

"How convenient that these people would be so judgmental." Helen spat. She couldn't believe how people behaved in the Middle Ages, yet at the same time, it seems that society hasn't changed much. "Who the hell would send you that book and why?"

"I have no clue. What does this book represent?" Nikki speculated. It puzzled her.

"Never read that book," Yvonne replied. "But I have seen on the tele about the middle ages and witchcraft. Brutes they were indeed."

"Many of the modern misconceptions and fears concerning witches and the influence of witchcraft. The questions, definitions, and accusations in regard to witches, which were reinforced by its use during the Inquisition, came to be widely regarded as irrefutable truth." Nikki explained.

"Seems like someone had a grudge and decided to write a book of law." Yvonne replied.

"Whether the belief that there are such beings as Witches is so essential a part of the Catholic faith that obstinacy to maintain the opposite opinion manifestly savors of Heresy." Nikki said to Yvonne who looked confused.

"What did you just say," Yvonne quipped. "I didn't understand a word you said."

"Would you like me to give you the kid friendly version," Karen sneered making Yvonne feel silly.

"Would you like me to stick a bottle up your bottom?" Yvonne replied grinning.

"Ladies, behave." Helen said, laughing at Karen and Yvonne. "I think the alcohol is affecting your judgement.

"Well this shite is fascinating Nikki." Yvonne said. "Your capacity for knowledge is unlimited. Tell me more about this Malleus Malefic…however you pronoun it.

"The crime of Witchcraft was not the only crime of which one could be accused during the Inquisition. Questioning any part of Catholic belief, one could be branded a heretic." Nikki stated. "While the Malleus itself cannot be blamed for the horrors inflicted upon mankind, it certainly played an important role. The Malleus Maleficarum is one of the most blood-soaked works in human history that unfortunately reinforced and validated Catholic beliefs which led to the prosecution, torture, and murder, of tens of thousands of innocent people."

"Sounds to me mankind has not changed for the better with its religious garble nonsense." Helen said passionately. "Someone clearly wants to get your attention."

"A systematic persecution of all nonconformists, political opponents to the church/state that deviates from the so-called norm." Karen interjected. "What a load of balderdash."

"You could agree that it was a handbook for every self-appointed Inquisitor, every sanctimonious Christian, and so forth. An inspirer of fear and distrust, rationalizing the intrusion of Christian civilized society." Nikki continued. She could not rationalize how someone could write such words with such prejudices and how people were so weak minded that they would literally take the book as a true testament of God or whatever beliefs that fell upon them.

"If I remember the book was divided into three parts?" Karen replied.

"Religion has a way of using the Devil in the equation of witchcraft." Nikki stated. "Judicial proceedings in both the ecclesiastical and civil courts. Amazing how words on paper can transcend far beyond the imagination."

"Everything by the book, by the letter of the law." Helen exclaimed. "Their anti-women stance is extreme even by the church's standards and they have the usual civilized obsession with sex."

"To conclude: All witchcraft comes from carnal lust, which is in women insatiable." Nikki said. "Fittingly torture as a method to confess their sins even if the accused was innocent,"

"All perfectly reasonable." Helen spat.

"Wow that's some heavy shite Nikki," Yvonne said. "But you're bang on."

"Those who believe in devils and evil and all that rubbish. They subdue their own wild natures and train themselves to see only their solid, measurable, mundane reality, persecuting anyone who doesn't agree with their civilization dogma." Helen cried out.

"But the more pressing question is why send me this book?" Nikki questioned. She had her suspicion, but if her suspicion were true, then could she be in danger? She did not want to worry Helen.

"Do you have any ideas?" Helen asked Nikki.

I do, but let's leave that for another day." Nikki said leaving a confused Helen looking at her.

"Let's talk about something lighter," Yvonne quipped. "All this nonsense witch crap is making me bloated."

"I agree," Karen said. "Nikki when you called to tell me that you wanted to have this little party at your place instead of mine, you promised to supply us with loads of alcohol and expensive caviar and wagyu rib-eye steak. Yet my goblet is dry, the bottle empty and my tummy growling. Where's your hospitality."

"Yes I did, didn't I? Where's my manners." Nikki laughed as she went to retrieve some very expensive wine and brandy from her collection. "Don't let her drink it all Yvonne."

"Shall we head to the table for our golden feast," Helen grinned as she winked over at Nikki. "Before Karen hogs all the caviar."

"I ain't eating those disgusting eggs." Yvonne replied, squinting her face. "But I can't wait to dig my fork into that wagyu steak. That thing is expensive."

"No need to rush," Nikki smiled. "I made plenty of food."

"Who knew you were such a fine chef?" Helen said, making Nikki blush. "But I feel bad that you have these lavishes dishes and you don't eat meat or fish."

"You might not be saying that after you've eaten," Nikki joked. "But I do love to cook even though I don't eat meat. I wanted to cook for you guys and don't worry, I have prepared myself a lovely vegetarian dish that you can all try as well."

"Forget about that dear," Yvonne said. "I'm all in for meat."

"After you Helen," Nikki said as she ushered Helen to the table. This would be an interesting evening. She didn't know why but she knew the night was still young and if she didn't know better, Karen and Yvonne was up to something.