by Kai Leakes
Her screams intensified then her mind spilt wide open. Again? She didn’t understand; she never been in the wall. She had only witnessed the pain that it caused. Yet now, the more her breath was snatched from her, the more she fought, it slowly became clear that was a lie. She began living her nightmares again and the King’s maddening laughs only drove her into the darkness of insanity.
Her mind opened to her like an ancient tome revealing truths she had suppressed for generations upon generations as she lived it again in the present. The Cursed locked her into the wall after they had caught her the first time and gave her their bite. She felt the sickening pain of it spread slowly through her body, changing her pure soul once they locked her in this hell. She could only watch, seeing the generations go by of her not being reborn but being tainted until the day they brought her out.
She remembered being pulled from the wall by a cloaked woman to escape and be reborn but later found again due to that taint of the bite having latched on to her soul like a tracer. She traumatically saw her child self being thrown into that wall again to later be ripped from it by the Mad King and another male: Jacques. She then was forced into the body of a freshly turned Gargoyle. Her body instantly burned in that moment.
A strange embryonic-like liquid covered her flesh, causing her tendons to crack, rip apart, and then fuse again. She felt that searing fusion with the Dark Gargoyle as her fleshy shell sloshed off, turning her into what she was today. She remembered that she had pleaded to be given death but that enigmatic laugh of the Mad King washed over her as he looked down at his newest and only surviving creation: her.
Tears formed in her eyes for the first time of what she perceived was her long-lived life. Their iridescent wetness almost fell as she saw herself being changed into a Cursed demon. The humiliation, anger, and grief washed over her. She saw her light almost extinguish until a low, healing song touched her spirit. It wrapped her in a soothing balm making her forget everything, until now. She had changed into pure evil, but now she was slowly awakening.
Her survival instincts cloaked the budding knowledge then she yelled, “I put a tracer in the girl because I saw other relatives. Relatives we must kill. Relatives that we can maybe also bring in to strengthen our side, my King!”
The Mad King was lost in his sick game. His maddening obsession with her body and this torture had him yanking her back. A frozen malice flashed across his chiseled features. Impeccable evil revealed his monstrous serrated teeth, ready to strike her neck at the same time of fondling her bare orifice.
Nydia closed her eyes. She recognized in that moment that the very people she felt was her family were now her enemies. Clarity explained that their blood would flow by her hands. It gave her hope in knowing that she would die protecting herself and her Mistress from this evil. She would die in satisfaction of having gutted the King open to feast on his rancid entrails. She wanted this retribution and she would have it by working with the Light. This was her vow.
Blades clicked in her arm bracelets ready to insert themselves into the King, before Reina’s scream broke the Medusa from her dark intent. “She is mine, Popi! You will not taste her!”
A slap then hiss sounded in the chambers. Nydia found herself pulled from the wall, and then thrown across the floor like a ragdoll. Momentum from it had her instantly push up to her knees to crouch low while watching Reina confront her father who stood grinning from ear to ear. Blood coated Reina’s nails. Her Mistress hoisted herself forward with a blade protruding from her asp bracelet pointing at the King’s devoid heart.
“Mi hija, my child.” Sharp-nailed fingers snatched Reina by her throat squeezing before the Kings lips fell over hers in a sick kiss. Nydia watched Reina’s body stay erect. Her venom-tipped blade inched upward toward her father’s heart. In her silent struggle, the King dropped her to the floor in malicious pride, glaring down at her crumpled form.
“I’m sure the spilling of my blood would amuse you both, sí? Pero, today is not that day, however. I did enjoy our time together and you are correct, my daughter. I bestowed her upon you, so she is yours to taste only because it amuses me. Now tell me, Nydia, what does this whore on her knees you brought to us have to share?”
Nydia almost gave Reina a thousand blessings, but she remembered where she was and who she was. Such ideas were unnatural for her to think, which caused her to flex her fingers while standing. To show her submissiveness Nydia kept her head bowed. She pushed her loose braids over her shoulder then ran her hands over her sweat-soaked skin. Glancing toward her owners, standing erect in defiance, the guttural clicking resonated softly from her lips.
She returned to the dark game she always played. The Medusa spoke, “My King, she can tell us where my prey went because her marker is lost to me while in the air. Which I believe she is in, since I cannot track her. This one will tell us what we need to know; besides, as you can see, she is very ripe with sins. Ready to be drunk and turned to fill your taste, my liege.”
The King bellowed with laughter. He seemed very pleased with that as he circled the crying woman who held the side of her neck. Pleading for her life, the stripper’s naked, voluptuous body shook in fear, pain, and disbelief. Her hands shifted to cover her face and body, ineffectively attempting to block any attacks that may come her way.
“She is a beauty. I see she likes to dance for money and spread her legs for the enjoyment of others while pumping her system and others with chemicals befitting a pharmaceutical lab. Delicious catch, my dear Medusa. You please me,” the King replied. His bulky hand ran down the shaking woman’s back. Lust brightened his caramel eyes in gluttonous resolve. “Daughter, you will bring her to my chambers. Then you will play with her for my enjoyment before we ready for the event.”
Nydia noticed Reina’s sharp jerk. A swift blaze of hatred sparkled in her silver-rimmed eyes before the look and the rings disappeared. Rigidly addressing her father, Reina’s voice dripped in veiled contempt. “Of course, Father. I do enjoy new toys.”
The King brushed his tan blazer off and called for his attendants. Twin golden-etched chamber doors inlaid with black-red blood and swirling trapped spirits opened to let him pass.
Casually glancing over his shoulder to run his eyes over both Nydia’s and Reina’s bodies he paused, buttoned his cuffs, then coolly addressed them again. “Do not take your time, daughter. After we are done, Medusa you will take whatever information you can get out of your captive, and go from there. You disappoint me again and you will spend time in the wall with your pets and your former friends, understood? We do not have time for any errors. The gala is coming up. Nephilim Light Houses are turning dark by our hand. Any failures or weakness will result in immediate death, which I do not have time for. Understood?”
Nydia scornfully bristled then snapped her aching spine back to stand erect. Her face smoothly hardened in resigned anger before she genuflected in prostration. “Yes, my King, I only live to serve you and my Mistress.”
“Good, be sure to remember it. I have begun the war; do not fuck it up, my dear,” King Caius smoothly commanded. With that, the King left. His aura told everyone that they were dismissed. Nydia watched Reina briskly follow, the folds of her dress sweeping against the marble floor.
Relief at having dodged a bullet caused Nydia to inwardly wince the moment she felt Reina’s lips press against her own.
“And the book? The Oracle bitch?” Reina inquired.
Falling into her usual role, Nydia reached upward and brushed Reina’s silky hair over her shoulders to kiss her cheek at the corner of her lush mouth. “I saw that if we get her blood with that of Brandon’s that we may be able to read the contents then locate the Dragons around the world, without your father knowing my Mistress.”
Admiration caused Reina’s plush lips to part in a slow smile. An elegant hand played with the ends of her hair. Nydia took in Reina’s mental musings while she walked back to her seat next to an observing Winter. “And then I will be Queen and the Ora
cle will truly be dead.”
Nydia bowed her head in resignation. The game dictated that she play the servant, which she did. She sat at her Mistress’s feet next to Winter. Reina brushed her fingers through her braids in thought. “We will continue this later; for now father waits. Nydia, do be careful because I will not be able to save you from the wall next time.”
Swift as a breeze, Reina stood motioning to her private attendants then exited the chambers. Nydia was finally left alone to her confusing, jumbled feelings, ready to crumble to her weakening resolve when she heard, “Nydia, come with me so that I can restore your energy and talk about your truth and purpose.”
The truth? What truth? Her purpose? She had no purpose. Her purpose was to protect Reina and be her lapdog. Her purpose was forever to be a slave in hell. Fury made her lash out at the voice near her ear, at the hand resting on her shoulder and at the blurred body near her side. Everything seemed to flood her senses and hit her in a flash making her see nothing but red.
Tears flooded her eyes. She squeezed the throat of her target. Her thighs clamped tight to constrict the airway of her prey while she sat atop their chest. She growled then muttered low to her enemy before she realized who it was. Winter lay calmly under her grip, softly smiling with knowledge that lit up the Witch’s features.
“Told you we would fight. So now that that is out the way, you finally are now ready to reclaim your rightful destiny, flower. Moreover, you understand my role. I do all for Reina. Now come, we have work to do, insurgent Fatima,” she simply stated in her mind.
Nydia blinked at the name. She slowly stood taking the hand of the woman she always called a comrade and staggered to Winter’s healing chambers. Yes, Winter’s word added to the burning sensation in her chest. But, it was the reality that they hadn’t lied, that maybe there was more to her life and that Calvin could be hers. Thinking of his cell phone number so that she could text him intel, Nydia knew her ties had changed and that her Cursed family was now her enemy.
Chapter 18
“Gentlemen and Ladies of the city of Chicago please raise your glasses and let us toast your presence here. On behalf of my father, I would like to again welcome you all to the seventy-fifth fall annual M’ylce Masquerade Ball and Charity Gala hosted by Primus-Grete Tech formally Primus-Grete, Inc. My father and I raise our glasses to our many supporters and new faces who have devoted their time to partner with us to bring change and growth to the Chicagoland area.”
Thousands of hands clapped in response to the soft and delectable words pouring from her lips and Reina beamed. The many people here were either politicians, business moguls of every kind, high society, or newcomers interested in bartering away whatever they had to be part of this world. This pleased the Cursed to no end. The endless supply of greedy humans always built up their numbers and tonight was no different.
Reina had watched her father make a quick exit to play with some humans. Therefore, it was her obligation to continue hosting the gracious event and keep the Southern Cursed houses and international councils fed with fresh blood and human souls ripe for the corruption. Her night was busy but she knew it would be a profitable one. After their prior meeting, her father, the Mad King, had hastily reminded them of the ultimate goal of collecting humans like cattle and hording them on their side. The Cursed needed large numbers for the final battle against the enemy and this time they would win just as they had almost done when her father had taken down the One Son.
The sweet taste of her red champagne slid down her throat as everyone mimicked her move. Her silver stare roamed over the masses watching some humans who sipped their wine quickly grip their neck, or arm, or some other places where their fresh Cursed Bite throbbed then spread quickly through their systems. Varied individuals’ irises instantly dilated, while their bodies slowly became tainted with darkness due to their drinks. This was the way of Cava rose M’ylce champagne, freshly made from demons and possessed humans blood with that of white champagne to give it its pink tone, disguising it as a sparkling rose wine.
Reina savored hers and waved her hand. “Celebrate and raise those donation numbers; remember we aim to feed the homeless and provide community service to children and families in need.”
The lies she thread spilled from her lips and she had to laugh. Her father’s company did do what she just delivered but, of course, it was a façade. Whatever appeared good only helped them counter it with multiple levels of pain. Such as buying out families homes on the South Side and West Side. Forcing many to foreclose on property some have owned for many years. The numbers of homeless they helped, the more they multiplied by causing homelessness. Those they helped receive medical care, the more they gave cancer or the worst of the STDs in order to raise the level of open souls for the darkness. It was twisted and delightful.
As the music played, Reina adjusted her golden waterfall jeweled mask and moved to speak with many dignitaries. She laughed while addressing a member of the Southern Cursed council. The weakling had the gall to try to explain why their numbers were not up to par.
“M’lady Princess, you must forgive us. As you understand the South is heavy in religion and breaking through the barriers is just not as easy as it seems but we did manage to pollute a major pastor in Atlanta and already our counts are slowly rising.”
“Lord Johnson, I almost thought I would have to gut you alive where you stand for the insulting failure you have become,” she coolly stated.
Reina surveyed the icy blue stare of the older male in front of her widen. He was handsome in his age. To others he would seem to be forty years old, tall with broad shoulders, blond hair, and a smile that reminded her of Brad Pitt. His body was just as built. But it was the way those blue eyes widened in shock at her that made this interesting for her.
“M’lady? Ma’am?” Nathan stammered.
“You heard me clearly, Nathan. You stand in front of me in a tone that reeks of superiority and you wag your finger at me as if I am but a child. You also expect me to accept that your numbers are low because you all can’t behave like the top-level demons you are and wreak hell on the South? Tsk, tsk. Oh, but I should be happy that you effectively turned a well-known pastor to our side?”
Reina gave another soft laugh. She rested her hand on his forearm then stepped closer. Both of their personal bodyguards stood watch just in case something went wrong. The exciting sensation of that possibility happening made Reina’s nipples tighten and her bud throb with the anticipation.
“You forget to use the natural history of strife saturated in the very blood we purposely spilled years ago, generations ago to create a culture of hate and fear in the South.” As she spoke, her voice softened as it were silk wrapping around a throat.
She then leaned forward to whisper in her subject’s ear, “I should rip your throat out now. Feed from you and fuck you at the same time as my guard feasts on your innards, but . . . I won’t.”
With a soft laugh, Reina pressed her soft lips against the elder’s cheek then stepped back. “I won’t because you amuse me and clearly you’ve been overstressed, yes? So stressed that you forgot that you were speaking to King Caius Primus-M’ylce’s only daughter. I, born from his dead seed, something none of you elders have ever done and can never do. I, who was raised as his second in line. Silly rabbit. You so foolishly believe that I would accept that feeble excuse? That I am injudicious?”
Madness crept into her pupils. She stood delicately sipping from her flute glass assessing the now-fuming Lord from beneath her lashes. Toying with him, she continued to speak meekly with a lethal tinge of fury. “Hmm, you are forgiven for your slight impairment and I applaud you for getting into the church. Oh wait, yes, my father seeded the church with darkness at its very birth! You did nothing innovative! Hmm, excuse me. I often forget my manners. Lord Johnson, what a wonderful insurgent skill you use. Please let us discuss this more at a later date. Enjoy this night! It is a wonderful delight that the Southern districts are here. A toast to
you, good sir.”
Lord Nathan Johnson inwardly fumed. “Princess, I meant no offense to you,” he mumbled in restrained pauses.
The ruddy hue of his tanned skin marked his body in splotches. The darkening of his iris let Reina know he was ready to kill her, which she enjoyed.
“Of course you didn’t. Drink up, dear; it is never good to let your drink get warm, not this kind. It was just a slight miscalculation of course.”
The male lifted his glass and downed his drink quickly. As they conversed, he was clueless to the area emptying around them, leaving only a few of the lord’s house members and her. He also was blinded by the fact that as Reina hugged him, she had nicked his flesh with her asp ring and given him the kiss of death. By the time the night was over, he would be nothing but ash.
“Yes, you are diligent in your understanding,” Nathan bolstered.
“As are you; please continue your night.” Turning to leave Reina paused, stopping her retreat. “Oh and Lord Nathan?”
“Princess? How may I be of service?” the Cursed Lord bowed before her, his irises fading due to the poison flowing through him.
The sting of a blade hitting air then meeting the side of a throat made everyone gasp. Reina turned on her heels and worked her blade across the hard tendon of flesh and bone. She smirked with sensual release as those blue eyes stared in confusion and hate before the body burst in plumes of blood and ash covering her guards who suddenly flanked her.
“To the house of Johnson and your new Lord soon to take his place, let me make myself clear.”
Reina coolly walked around her guard and pointed her blade at the various family members who looked on. “I am a Royal! At any goddamned time, I can dismantle your kingdoms. Insult to me and my family will not be permissible. Ignorance and imbecilic behavior as well as actions will not be permitted!”
Her voice rose with authority while she walked around her subjects. She watched the males’ fangs lengthen in desire and women watch on in respect. “You do not question me. I question you! You all will get your numbers up ASAP. The Southern houses will act in accordance to the governing laws as dictated and you will not forget that we are the Cursed! Humans and the Nephilim are our cattle; you will do everything in your imbecilic minds to govern the darkness. Do I make myself clear? Who the hell am I?”