The Dragon Witch

by Drako

  He leaned down, burying his face in her neck. Still, she hesitated. He began to nibble on her ear and spoke to her.

  “Bite me,” he whispered.

  “I can’t.” She moaned.

  “Yes, you can. You will,” he insisted.

  Still, she resisted. Finally, he cupped her neck and forced her head to his vein. Now she could no longer resist as instinct took over. She sank her teeth into him, easily piercing the skin. There was a brief moment of pain, and then only ecstasy. As she fed, Ares' speed picked up even more. Her heat poured through his veins even as she took blood from him and he felt his release coming, unable to stop it. Victoria climaxed again and this time Ares came with her with a roar. Finally, he stilled and eased his weight off of her, bringing her to lie on top of him with her head on his chest.

  The two were covered with sweat and the heat in the cave was still sweltering. For several moments, neither said a word as they tried to catch their breath.

  “That was different,” Victoria finally commented.

  Ares laughed softly and she felt the rumble in his chest. “That was fantastic, actually.”

  Victoria smiled. “Yeah, it was. But I didn’t expect you to let me bite you.”

  “I’d have been disappointed if you didn’t.” Ares opened his eyes to look down at her lying on his chest. “You felt the urge to do so, just as I knew you would when I felt the heat.”

  Victoria sat up, in shock. “Heat?”

  “Yes, the heat dragons give off during bonding.” He watched her reaction. “Didn’t you realize it was happening?”

  “Well, yes and no. I knew I felt the urge to bite you, but I assumed it was because I haven’t fed in a while.”

  “Nope, you are now a bonded female, at least partially.” He couldn’t help but grin. “I knew you liked me a little bit.”

  Victoria rolled her eyes. “Yeah, because I bond to people I like a little bit. I definitely don’t need to feel anything stronger. I just have to like them.”

  Damned if his grin didn’t get bigger. Apparently sarcasm wasn’t going to help this situation.

  “Look, I’m not rushing you into anything.” The war god rubbed her back. “Just remember I’m the only one you feed from now and we’ll be fine.”

  Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really now? And what happens if I happen to feed from someone else?”

  Ares growled. “You won’t like my response.”

  “Am I supposed to be scared?” Her eyes sparkled with humor.

  “I think you’re being naughty and deserve a spanking.” Humor flashed in his eyes, along with desire.

  “Uh oh, we’re about to go again, aren’t we?”

  “Oh yes, we’re going to go again and again and again.” With another growl he switched their positions again, already hard.

  Victoria laughed. “I thought you said I needed rest.”

  “You need this more. I guarantee you that you won’t be exhausted at all when you go into battle tomorrow.” He sank into her again, smirking at her moan.

  “Who needs sleep anyway?” She pulled his head down for their lips to meet again.

  Ares laughed against her mouth and began to move his hips again in slow strokes. This time, he would savor her for as long as possible. He pulled all the way out and at her irritated cry, inched back in again. He did this several times, torturing them both in the most delightful way. Finally, Victoria growled at him and bucked upwards, pushing him back in completely. And just to make sure he’d stay there, she locked her legs tight around his waist.

  “Bossy, aren’t we?” Ares taunted.

  “Don’t make me hurt you,” Victoria replied.

  Ares didn’t respond, instead picking her up as he stood, never exiting her. Victoria tossed her hair back from her face and leaned down to bring their lips together again. Ares reached under her legs to grip her hips and then began to move her up and down, slowly at first and then gaining speed again. Victoria tossed her head back and Ares’ mouth immediately went back to her breasts. Again, he moved her faster and faster, the heat from her intensifying again as she came close to climax. And when she went over the edge, he was right there with her. His legs were weak, but still he held her up, his face buried in the nape of her neck and her head resting on his. Finally, he eased down to a sitting position and ran his hand up and down her back.

  “A girl could get used to this,” she commented sleepily.

  “It’s yours anytime you desire it,” Ares replied.

  Victoria yawned. “Give me about thirty minutes and I’ll desire it again. But first I need a nap.”

  Ares conjured a fur blanket and lay her on it. He lay beside her and conjured another to go on top of them.

  “Take your nap, but we’re not done with this,” he told her.

  She nestled into him. “Whatever you say.”

  Thirty Three

  Brandon and Phil were shielded from the storm by the forest and in time, it passed. Slowly they walked out of the forest together, with Brandon leading the horse.

  “This is weird,” Phil muttered.

  Brandon knew exactly what he meant. “Yeah, but he asked you to do this. I can’t refuse him any more than you can either.”

  “It’s not the worst idea he’s ever had. You’re not such a bad guy.”

  Brandon gave a slight smile. “I’m worse than you think I am.”

  “You’re better than you think you are,” Phil argued.

  Brandon grunted but gave no reply. Clearly, the wolf was blind. Perhaps he’d developed admiration for him since he’d been beaten by him. Brandon had done a lot more than the wolf could possibly know about. He had a whole lot of scars that the wolf couldn’t see. Some were physical but most were mental.

  This wolf is interesting, Id spoke up.

  Of all the times for his demonic side to speak up, why now? He’d been silent for some time.

  I’m a mirror for the thoughts you refuse to see, remember? Id reminded him. You want to hate him for taking Adonis from you but you don’t. You could even be friends.

  Friends with the current boyfriend of my ex-boyfriend. Are you insane? Brandon asked.

  I’m fucking certifiable actually, but that’s not the point. Lighten up and befriend the guy. Would it really kill you?

  Brandon sighed internally. Yes it will. He has the guy I love. Being around him hurts.

  Why? Id questioned. Because Adonis left you for him? That’s an excuse and you know it. I love Adonis too but I know he’s not our soul mate either. Deep down, so do you and you knew he’d leave eventually.

  Brandon barely suppressed a growl. I hate you, you know that?

  Id laughed. It’s not good to hate yourself.

  Yeah, well, you’re irritating.

  Only because you know I’m right. Id broke off.

  “You’re strangely quiet,” Phil commented.

  “Sorry. I was a little lost in thought,” Brandon replied.

  “You’re trying not to like me, aren’t you?”

  Brandon scowled while Id laughed in his mind.

  Oh, he’s good.

  Brandon ignored him and spoke out loud. “It’s hard to willingly warm up to you given our circumstances.”

  Phil gave him a cocky grin. “But I bet you are anyway.”

  Brandon scowled again. “That grin makes me want to punch you in the face.”

  Phil’s grin widened. “Feel free to try. I owe you one anyway.”

  “You owe me?”

  “I attacked you first when we met. It’s only fair for you to get a free shot in.”

  Brandon looked away. “I really want to hate you.”

  “And yet you don’t.”

  “No, I don’t,” Brandon admitted.

  Phil took a few seconds to respond. “I think things just got weirder.”

  Brandon snorted. “That’s an understatement.”

  “What do we do now?”

  “Ignore the fuck out of it until it goes away,” Brandon sugg
ested.

  Phil smirked. “I don’t think that will work.”

  “It’s going to have to do for now.”

  Finally, they reached the cave where Victoria and Ares had set up camp. Victoria came out, fully dressed and in a much better mood.

  “Are you guys ready to move out?” she asked.

  “I would be, if not for the fact we’re surrounded,” Brandon told her.

  “Oh, you noticed them too?” Victoria sounded bored. “They’re the same ones that were following us yesterday before the storm. I suppose we should take care of them before we move on.”

  “They aren’t wolves.” Phil sniffed the air. “I don’t recognize the smell.”

  “What you smell is a Frost Giant,” Victoria told him. “Honestly, this shouldn’t take long. I’ll give you boys a quick lesson in how to topple a giant.”

  “There’s more than that approaching.” Brandon frowned. “It feels as if there’s an effort to keep us from the coliseum.”

  “It’s about time you figured it out.” Ares appeared before them, his arms folded across his chest. “You don’t have time to fight the small fry. You need to get to that coliseum. These are delay tactics for Lucifer to cheat to win the games and the grimoire.”

  “So, we need to run then?” Brandon looked to his aunt.

  “Looks like it,” she confirmed.

  Brandon hopped up into the saddle of his horse. “Can we outrun them on these?”

  “With another quick spell, you’re damn right.” Victoria hopped up into her saddle. “We’re going to make these horses move like the wind.”

  Phil hopped up behind Brandon. “I should probably hold on for this ride, shouldn’t I?”

  Brandon stiffened. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  Victoria muttered the words for her spells and power settled over the horses. The animals neighed and shot forward. Ares watched them take off with a look of pride on his face. That woman was impressive, and he was sure she’d demonstrate that fact even more in the coming fight. Sadly, he couldn’t intervene unless Lucifer did first. Those three were on their own until then.

  Victoria led the way without stopping. The unnatural speed she’d given the horses led them to the coliseum in no time. And the whole way, they were pursued. None of them turned to look for their pursuers, but they knew what they were. One Frost Giant and a whole horde of demons were hot on their tail.

  “I smell burning flesh,” Phil told Brandon.

  “I don’t think this is going to be the type of competition we had planned.” Brandon looked ahead as the coliseum came into view. “I see the smoke. I’m pretty sure Balthas and Lucifer have laid waste to the games. They intend to take the grimoire by force.”

  Victoria heard him loud and clear, and she agreed with him. If Lucifer couldn’t win by fair means, he’d certainly resort to other methods. That left it to the three of them to take out his forces and keep him from finding the grimoire.

  As they approached the gates of the coliseum, Brandon threw up his hand and his power knocked the gates off their hinges. They raced through the gates and stopped inside the battlefield. Brandon and Victoria quickly flipped high into the air and landed in the center of the field of sand, looking up into the highest point of the stands. There sat Lucifer on a black throne, a smile upon his face as demons filled the stands. These were not the usual spectators here, that much was obvious.

  “Welcome, Dragon Witch. We’ve been expecting you.” Lucifer gestured around the coliseum. “Do you like what I’ve done with the place?”

  There was blood splattered everywhere in the stands among the spectators. Clearly the demons had slaughtered all they found here.

  “You’re an idiot,” Victoria told him. “You did all this to gain the grimoire, right?”

  “But of course,” Lucifer answered. “That book belongs to me. That power is my birthright.”

  “How do you figure that?” Victoria asked. “If it was yours by birthright, you’d already have it. But instead, you need me to find it for you, now don’t you?”

  “You are a clever girl. It’s a shame that in the end I’ll have to kill you. You’d make a wonderful replacement for my wife.”

  Victoria extended the blade on her sword. “Sorry, but I’d be the one to repeatedly slit your throat in your sleep from now into eternity. You repulse me.”

  Brandon drew his sword as well. “Make your move, Prince of Darkness. No matter what you try, that grimoire isn’t yours. It’s mine.”

  Two voices had come from Brandon, the second of which he knew was Id. Both sides were on the surface now, drawn out by Lucifer’s presence.

  “Oh, I think not. You see, I’m going to slaughter you. You’re surrounded by my demons, and I even got a Frost Giant to come for you.”

  As the dark god spoke, the Frost Giant came to tower over the coliseum. Phil looked up at the massive being, noting that his skin was a pale blue and his hair long and white. His eyes were a darker blue than his skin, and he was bare chested.

  Victoria looked to Brandon. “The giant is mine. Take out everything else that comes for you.”

  Brandon actually grinned. “Fine. See you when you make it to Lucifer.”

  Phil finally got off the horse and came to Brandon’s side. “So it’s just the three of us against all of them.”

  “If you’re scared, go ahead and run,” Brandon told him.

  “Not on your life. I’m going in with you the whole way.”

  Brandon cocked his head to the side. “Even if it means your death?”

  “We all have to die sometime.” Phil transformed into his wolf form and growled, waiting to follow Brandon into the battle.

  “How noble. I almost don’t want to put you down. Almost.” Lucifer waved his hand the and massive horde of demons attacked.

  Victoria flipped high into the air, landing on top of the coliseum in front of the giant. The giant roared and raised a club to strike. He brought it down, but with a quickly muttered spell, Victoria bounced the club back at him, causing it to smack him in the face. The giant roared in pain and Victoria leapt after him, landing on his shoulder and stabbing him in the throat. Knowing that wasn’t enough damage, she kept the sword embedded in his throat and slashed from one side to the other, then leapt back to the roof of the coliseum as blood flowed from the wound and the giant fell to the ground.

  Brandon and Phil were surrounded. The number of demons around them was huge, but there was no time to dwell on it. They sprang into action, Phil biting and clawing at everything in his path. Brandon was spurred on by his combined strength with Id, slicing through demons with a speed he’d never shown before. As the horde continued to enclose them, he flicked his sword and flames surrounded the blade. He slid the blade along the ground and flicked it in the direction of some of the demons, sending a massive stream of fire into the horde that engulfed a number of the demons. He grabbed his chakram and turned in the opposite direction, hurling it at the enemy as well. White light engulfed the chakram as it flew at the demons, going through the chests of a long row of them before returning to his hand. Brandon charged into the horde as the remaining demons hesitated. Flipping up high into the air, he landed on top of two demons, slashing their throats with his chakram as he did. Realizing he’d quickly be surrounded again, he started moving in a deadly circle, sword in one hand and chakram in the other, slashing his way through demons he never took the time to truly look at.

  On the roof, Victoria was also fighting off the horde. She’d drawn her second sword and went to work. There were not only were demons in this horde either; she was fighting off werewolves as well, which were quite a pain. She ducked under a wolf launching itself at her and slashed it down its underside. She came up, slashing yet another wolf across the muzzle before turning and stabbing a third through the throat. Keeping the wolf impaled she flicked the sword to toss the wolf down a flight of stairs, toppling several demons rushing her way. More wolves hopped over the fallen and rushed at her. She hurled
one sword, impaling one of the wolves. She waved her free hand and a violet light was emitted from it, catching several other wolves and tossing them back with burning holes piercing their chests. Switching her spell, she shot off a burst of black flames, engulfing the next round of enemies to come at her in the hottest of flames, flames they would feel down to their souls as they reached Tartarus.

  “My lord, they aren’t being as overwhelmed as you hoped,” Balthas told Lucifer.

  “They are still mortal. They will tire as wave after wave of demon comes at them.” Lucifer actually sounded bored.

  “Now that’s where you’re wrong.” The air shimmered with power as Ares appeared. “You’ve violated the rules, and now so can I.”

  “Should I fear you, war god?” Lucifer turned to look at Ares. “I was beyond old when you were born.”

  “Do you think I give a crap how old you are? Age doesn’t mean power, and in the end, you’re a coward. So do us all a favor and run now before I politely plant my foot in your old ass.”

  “How dare you speak to my god that way?!” Balthas raised his hand in rage, as if to strike the god.

  Ares turned his gaze on him and he froze. “Have you forgotten your place, mortal? I am the god of war, the son of the almighty Zeus and Hera. To raise your hand to me is to invite the wrath of Olympus down on you, and your puny god will fail to save you. You will burn in Tartarus alongside your pathetic master for all eternity.” Power lined his words and the warlock paled in fear.

  “I’ve had enough of you.” Lucifer rose from his throne. “I suppose I’ll do Cronus a favor and kill you here.”

  Ares punched him in the face so hard that he went flying into the stands, which broke under him. Balthas gasped and Ares backhanded him, knocking him down to the arena floor. Lucifer stood from among the rubble of the stands with a scowl on his face. He launched himself through the air towards Ares and Ares launched himself as well. The two met in midair and the power of the two gods clashed and rocked the coliseum. Ares went on the assault, landing several well timed punches to the chest and face, each one continuing to make the ground quake. Then he jumped up and planted both feet in Lucifer’s chest, once again knocking him back to the stands. This time, he tossed a ball of fire at him that upon impact expanded and caught a large amount of demons in it. Ares landed on the field and walked towards the area Lucifer had landed in. As he came close, Lucifer shot forward and tackled him. Ares hit the ground and immediately tossed Lucifer off him before springing back to his feet. Lucifer landed on his feet and charged again, this time kicking Ares in the chest. The war god stumbled but remained on his feet and Lucifer caught him with a right hook to the jaw. The ground shook violently as Ares stumbled, and he added to the tremors as he struck back with one of his own. The two gods traded blows back and forth, the tremors leaving several of Lucifer’s forces off-balance.