“What?” Ethan managed to think.
“Yes, the fool threw the last scraps of my blood into you from your dear father, rather than sharing it with your dearly pathetic brother, Billy. The fool. My blood had diluted to that point where he believed would beat me, but you’ve overcome and even managed to fool his interfering son good this time! The barest shreds of my essence you carry allowed you to overcome Fate’s plan enough to get yourself killed and gain his attention” Zagan mentally laughed in a truly evil way. “They both played right into my hand at long last.” Zagan boasted. “Fate gave you another chance and activated the traces of my blood which runs through your veins by using one of his roses and the remains of your original body. You get your fire ability and magics from ME, not from being an Elemental. I am the one who sent Panther to track down the Incubus nest who was getting bothersome and lo and behold the news he discovered. I had to be certain my blood had begun to make you stronger and sent him. Now there is no doubt. He would have sucked you dry in a day. And to even my surprise you’ve thrived. I’ve been watching, waiting, planning.”
“What do you want with my angel!” Kanade yelled at him.
“Fiesty! You’ll do…. As for what I’ll have…” Zagan clarified rather than what he’d ‘want’. “I’ll keep it to myself for now. I have big plans that must play out or Armid and the Queen Bitch will destroy my grandest plan. I will not lose after all I’ve worked for and, Boy” Ethan could only pay attention. He was at the mercy of Zagan. “Do not worry about those cellmates who kept you alive just so you can learn the true essence of the flame. The Naga and others seemed to have conveniently forgotten all about your dual energy.”
“If you hurt them I swear I’ll kick your ass!” Ethan roared physically as well as mentally.
“Excellent. You are coming along splendidly. Your time getting tortured did some good after all. You got enough control to physically do something while I’m speaking. As for your friends… do not fret. They are alive and happily reunited with loved ones. I’ll not be the one to break the Accords first. My minions know not to cross me, but I merely took the others memories that could endanger everything. The only soul I’ll let keep this secret is your dear Southern Spitfire. As I said, My Sweet… you’ll do. I cannot let either of you come to Demon World quiiiite yet.” He taunted. “Just keep it a secret if you do not wish to die prematurely. And Ethan, don’t be stupid enough to blatantly show you combined Chaos and Order runes. Use an illusion on the amulet and don’t get caught using the runes. You instinctively know them and all combinations like all greater Demons so you needn’t practice. I’ll leave you with one last piece of advice. Speak only when I allow it. Don’t. Cross. Me. Again!”
And the consuming presence left without leaving a trace.
“That really happened… didn’t it?” Kanade could only nod and hold him even closer. He shielded her with his wings to protect her physically at least. “Want to talk about it?” He asked with a hoarse voice. She shook her head violently. “Good. Me neither.” And he meant it. Finding out he was becoming the same kind of Demon the Fire King is was too much to take in all at once.
“Ugh, we need a real bath.” Kanade said with a sniff as she peeled herself off the sticky floor. It had been hours as they laid in the hall naked and shivering, but not from the cold. “I need hot soap and water… and company.”
He couldn’t hide the smile as he got to the balls of what were once feet. “I would like that.”
“Not half as much as me.” She teased and hugged him close. “Ethan, Let’s go on vacation to our island alone for a good month. We can talk there safely. I don’t want to talk when it could get us in serious danger. Please?”
“After what we’ve been through, hell yeah. I need to feel good after all I endured. Spending it in a tropical paradise with a blue bombshell is perfect for any recovery process.”
“Panther too.” Kanade tacked on with a scared smile she forced. “We need information and if he calls you ‘Master’ then he must obey you… and if you can make spells to hide us it will be best we spend as much time on our island as possible… hidden from both sides.”
“Sounds like a plan… But we need to find Dress first. You can wear my jacket. It’s now big enough to cover the vital areas, but we’re both so tall it would be all too easy…”
“Yeah.” She agreed as he handed her his jacket. “Too bad it isn’t flannel or it would look like a sexy nightshirt.” She zipped it up and blinked as it got difficult to close all the way. It covered about nine inches below her vee, but her height made it easy to be looked up when her friends barely reached her hips. “Uh, Darlin’, my boobs are larger than I remember.”
“It’s been about two months. Eight weeks is a long time and we had other things on the mind rather than being measured. I’m probably around fifteen feet tall and you’re fourteen. But to me you are perfectly the same. I’m the only one who can hug you close and rest my chin on top of your head. And when I touched your breasts they still fit perfectly in each of my hands as they’ve always done when I became taller than you.”
“You sure?” She mashed and groped herself. “My tits feel amazin’ and big, but not in a gross size like Kira who looks to topple over at any moment. What do you…” She stopped playing when she heard a low rumble and looked to see him admiring and watched his naked shaft engorge. Warmth pooled low in her belly and she was just as turned on. It happened so quick she didn’t realize mundane had turned erotic or that he had pushed her into the wall and drove to the hilt from behind as she stuck her ass out in a perfect move as if choreographed.
They joined and Kanade’s chest pressed hard in the wall as she moaned when his teeth tore in the back of her neck and she bit her lip to not scream in ecstasy. Then she gasped as she forgot about his wicked tail as it entered her pussy like another thick cock and she was moaning loud and hard. And it was over quickly, but his release was more than perfect for her to have time to cool off and lick her own blood off his scruffy chin to quip “We really need to go home and figure out some new spells. I can sense your power is greater than this former dungeon can contain as the whole castle shook. And look what we did to the wall!”
“DAAAMN!” He laughed as imprinted in granite was Kanade’s curvy shape, the roundness of her breasts and hips and even the profile of her face. “That almost looks like George of the Jungle when he hits a tree.”
“It does doesn’t it.” She doubled over laughing.
Ethan slid into his pants to ask “Earlier when you said you tasted the change in my blood, was it unsettling?”
She shook her head and brushed the stone dust off her face and hair. “Not remotely. I reckon it is like your come. It was once tangy and salty, but now is like chocolate. Your blood is sweet like warm honey. Has mine changed?”
“Nope. You taste the same. Coppery and sweet.”
“Good. I can deal with your changes. If I started doing anything other than gettin’ taller I’d be in the corner rockin’ back and forth singin’ ‘One Two, Freddy’s comin’ for you. Three Four, better lock the door. Five Six, grab your crucifix. Seven Eight, Better stay up late. Nine Ten, never sleep again.’”
“Shit that was freaky. I told you never to sing that song!” He shivered from top to bottom unconsciously. “You give those damn kids a run for their money.”
Kanade laughed genuinely. “I’m not sorry. You’re expression was so worth it.” She giggled and wove her fingers in his hand. “Forgive me?”
‘Haaa.’ He sighed in exaggeration. “You’re lucky you didn’t say anything about clowns.”
She laughed all the harder and looked at his hip. “Darlin’, is there a reason you have a soul in your pocket?”
“A soul? Oh!” He touched the slight bulge and his expression darkened. “Yeah, it’s Ximr’s. I want to show you something.”
Kanade watched as his eyes closed and gave his memory when he watched through the fire. Her own joyful moment died as she watched the m
emory within her own mind. “So he was the bastard who got those religious nut jobs to hunt me down first and then you? I see.”
“When I found out, I wanted to kill him and have a Demon get a meal, but then I remember the chain of Torment grabbing my leg and decided that is a better place to send him on vacation rather than giving a quick and clean end to existing.”
“Good. That’s why I love you. A real Demon wouldn’t hesitate for long to exact revenge, but I need to ask, does it smell like baked apple pie?”
“No. It doesn’t smell at all. Why apple pie?”
“Demons say that is what it smells like apparently. Your soul most definitely tempers the other side.”
“I thought we were going to wait and speak in private.”
“Whoops.” She slapped her free hand across her lips and said “We better get goin’. I need to get it all out of my system or fear lettin’ it slip.” He smiled and squeezed her hand.
“Stop. Stop. Stop.” She quickly stepped in front of him and tapped the yellow and orange fire burning off her mother’s gift between her perfect breasts. “You need to fix yours before going up. Use an illusion right now. I’m wearin’ your jacked remember?”
He took it off and imbued the amulet to look like a gaudy Order only rune writing rather than a single print of mixed symbols melded together. She gave a nod of approval when it looked just right.
Making way for the stairs, they went up together, but as soon as they heard voices Kanade let go and pulled down the front and back of his jacket to cover her modesty. She was scared to be seen, but had to go.
Situated at the top of the stairs was the team. “Is everything back to normal?” Floa asked as she watched Kanade hide behind her larger mate. “Kanade, speak up. You’re worrying me.”
A mane of cobalt hair peeked out one side of a leathery wing. “Floa… everyone” She amended. “I’m so very sorry for my actions, but I’m in need of proper clothin’. You’ll see my nakedness too easily since I’ve near doubled in height.”
“I changed your diaper after you hatched. It’s nothing I’ve never seen before, but Dress already figured you needed fresh clothes.” Floa said as Kira passed over a bundle to Ethan who in turn passed it behind him. He unfurled his wings and made himself a wall so she could change.
Kanade was glad Dressor made her a new red dress, thong, bra and matching heels. As everything settled into the correct place she returned his jacket he put on as she stepped around. “Ya’ll, did I hurt anyone… and why are ya’ll waitin’ here?”
Baldr said with a full blown grin “Aside from knocking me and Kira out of bed this morning, no, you didn’t hurt anyone seriously. My father though is none too happy. The romps the two of you have had have made cracks appear all over the castle I grew up in. And I mean it when you knocked us out of bed. The whole foundation was hit by an erotic earthquake measured at nine point four on the Richter Scale. If not for spells seeped into the perimeter walls the world would have felt each thrust. A lot of Witches are pissed, those who didn’t properly store their potions lost them to the floor. Some rooms need the Cleaners just to go home or will be in need of medical treatment. And here I thought rumors from this House were exaggerated.”
“What rumors?” Ethan hesitated to ask.
“Why only the best of course. Your balls to the wall castle shaking sex was proven. Makes me rather jealous actually.”
“Love, don’t be.” Kira kissed his cheek. “Your skills in the bedroom are better than your father.”
“I dare you to say that again!” Floa looked like she sucked on a sour lemon.
“Perhaps you should join us later and see for yourself, Lass.” Kira smugly boasted with her chest puffed up and made her double d’s seem larger.
“Good to see my absence hasn’t messed up your banter.” Ethan said to the team.
The close nit group all looked seriously at him, none showed mirth, not even Baldr who would have cheered the two women to duke it out in a mud pit. Blake said “There hasn’t been any rivalry, banter or one moment of laughter since you led the Ice Dragons away from us. We were out there day in and out scouring the globe for you. I even paid sixty High Witches to help increase Kira’s power just to try a new spell she created which has become revolutionary in most other kidnapping cases to locate them. It even found me and I was hidden in one of Dallare’s most powerful shielding spells, thanks to Kyoko’s willingness to send her finest Shamans. We didn’t give up.
“But then Gaia explained after your freedom she had two of her Shaman infiltrate the mountain and got you out enough to burn and bring the whole empire down on Sheedan’s head that is now decorating Odin’s trophy room.”
In the privacy of his mind Kanade said “So that is the cover Fire King established.” without looking away or drawling attention.
Blake continued as he scratched his scaly forearm. “And when one of Kyoko’s Elves arrive saying you’ve been found, Odin ordered every available warrior to your position. By the way, Baldr isn’t joking. Odin and a lot of Witches are pissed. You better tell him you need a vacation and make it your permanent home till things settle. This castle has stood for more than twenty thousand years and never once had cracks in the mortar. The only thing that tempers everyone is not only are you a hero yet again, but also to get Kanade’s sanity back.
“Only one individual might be a problem. King Grayback in on another warpath.” His gold and brown slit eyes turned to the Enchantress. “And we would all rather see this castle and all its history be destroyed than have made you wait in that state a moment longer.”
“I’m sorry.” She whispered in shame.
“Tis not you who ought take blame.” Vitalli said as he stomped his large hoof. “Tis Sheedan’s fault. And she paid the price. Thou must remember thou had no control or options to separate. Thou are better. Tis all that matters really. I know what it is like. Truly I do. I too was once captured for over a year and my stunning filly had also lost sanity. Tis best to not dwell and remember, thou didn’t ask Sheedan to kidnap your stallion.”
“He’s right.” Blake said. “It was out of both your hands.”
“What does Grayback want?” Ethan asked.
“Don’t have a clue. Don’t give a flying fuck either.” Floa said as she held the shoulders of Blossom who also had Panther wrapped around her neck like a mink scarf. “We’ve been taking shifts all day long so he doesn’t go down and confront you while you were rather… indisposed.” She tactfully said with a quirk in her green cheeks.
“We were plannin’ on a vacation ya’ll.” Kanade admitted to change the subject. “I reckon we all need one after all the stress Sheedan and Zandri put my angel and I through.”
“Zandri?” Reevy asked as she squeezed forward.
Kanade knew real quick she screwed up as everyone went still and Panther’s blue eyes glared and rolled his eyes before purring. Basically saying ‘Big mouth.’ Ethan though said “Yeah, she was the one who made all of you pass out and caught me. Do you know who she is?”
“You need not concern yourself.” Reevy said as his act was genuine to all but Kanade.
“Ethan, I’ll go see if Cook can fix us up a hearty meal.” Kanade said as he turned to her.
“Hold on a moment.” Blake said as he unsheathed his katana and turned in to the blunt side and lifted hair at the back of Ethan’s neck. “Where has my mark gone? The tattoo of your mastery under me.”
Ethan screwed his eyes shut and his jaw twitched right along with his fists. “I don’t want to talk about it, but it looks like I have to so you can all understand. It’s gone because Sheedan’s Shaman skinned me for two days the first time. Like an orange being peeled that healed back within a few hours to do it over and over. From scalp to toe my skin was cut off by magic because of its durability. It wasn’t just a single time. I was skinned alive more than fifteen separate times, had my hand cut off by a chainsaw, bitten by a Lamia repeatedly, had my dick cut off twice, my wings were even torn off
three times by being twisted like you’d wing a chicken. You could have taken my skin and made a leather outfit fit like a love for each and every one of you a dozen times over. I was even sodomized by a pair to the point my hips fractured and I blacked out. They wore my rapid regeneration down to a little faster than Magnus’.” Imagery of his words made them all pale and show sadness. Even the two Nagai seem to look sick to their stomachs, scales seemed to darken. “And on the day I was broken out I killed and ate both the Succubus and Lamia who made my life a dark and painful hell.”
“Wait… you ate them?” Kira looked to grow sicker as she dry swallowed.
“I barbecued them first.” He defended himself.
“Kill or be killed. Eat or be eaten.” Blake said and diffused the hesitant looks he was given. “Had I been starved like those you befriended and what they reported before being sent on an extended vacation, I’d rather eat a rotting Ghoul. I’ve had to do it a few times in the past, but I didn’t get the choice to cook them to perfection.”
“I’d rather not talk about it any further in front of the kids.” Ethan knelt and gently rubbed Blossom’s head. “Hey, Kiddo. I see you took good care of Panther for me.” He scratched the feline under his chin and earned a louder purr. With the lifted chin Ethan noticed Panther had even managed to put his collar back on, the one that has a tag that is made to send him away should Ethan be using his fire. With his Demon side’s awareness he knew what Panther was somehow and Kanade, through his mind, mentally thought “You can detect him whereas I cannot.”
Blossom looked down. “I failed you Uncle Ethan and Auntie Kanna.” She sniffed back a sob as she fought back her tears. “I lost Panther. I searched everywhere for him and it was as if he knew you were back… Uncle Blake and Baldr found him prowling around this stairwell yowling. I know not where he has been at all. I’m sorry I lost him.”
02 Wrath of Flames Page 54