by Daniel, Jake
Instead of backing down, Luna charged toward her brother, his concentration finally breaking free from the snake. I held my knife as the snake stopped and decided which way to move next. Luna and Cyprian struggled near the long row of windows that opened out to the darkness beyond.
I started toward my brother but the snake cut me off. Luna’s tail swept across the floor, nearly knocking me from my feet as she struggled and finally gripped onto her brother. I met her eyes as she let out a yell. “Go!”
I activated my charge and was near the column in seconds. As the skill expired I saw Luna twist violently. Her momentum carried both of them out of the massive window, and into the darkness.
I turned in time to meet Luna’s snake mid-strike with the blade of my knife, slicing the snake’s head clean off. It writhed violently on the floor in front of me as I turned and cut Matt free. As I cut the final binding, I felt a sharp pain rise in my heel. At first I had thought my wound had reopened. Instead, Luna’s snake had its fangs sunk to the hilt. The headless body that had been twisting in agony seconds earlier, had regrown a bloodied, raw head. I could see through the sinuous muscle to his fangs as it emptied its venom into me. I shook my leg free from its grasp and it lunged again. This time Matt brought Aether’s halberd down violently and cut the snake in half.
“Matt, come on, let’s get you out of here before that thing grows another fucking head!” I pulled his wrist forward and he dropped the halberd on the ground.
His face was pale and his skin was clammy. He seemed to be poisoned. As I freed him he dropped to a knee. “Thank you, brother.” He took several breaths, as if trying to work up the strength to talk.
I helped him to his feet. “Come on, Alysain should be back. She will get us out of here so we can heal.” I glanced down to my leg and where I’d been bitten was a solid stream of blood and tainted spirit pouring from the wound.
Matt made it about halfway across the room and collapsed. I pulled him toward the door and out onto the platform. He looked up at me as we reached the stairs. “There’s no time. I told Cyprian about the scroll grandpa left for you. He wouldn’t stop talking about it.” He coughed and scarlet blood shot out and covered my chest. “He said it was the only thing that would be able to save me.”
I reached down to my bag. I’d almost forgotten that I had brought it along with me. “Did he tell you what it says?” I was focused on getting my brother out of danger and I couldn’t imagine why this piece of paper would save him. He needed healing. I couldn’t help but think that Teng had left out some details when he originally told me about the scroll, but even if it was what Matt needed to be healed, I still didn’t know how to use it, or even read it.
Matt tried to push himself upright, but settled on leaning his back against a wall. “He mentioned that if you are severely wounded, if you recite the words on that scroll, you will be completely healed.” Matt stopped and coughed. A fresh round of blood sprayed out onto the ground in front of him. “We have to try it. I don’t think I have much longer.”
I glanced out at the platform and then back up at the throne room we’d just left. I didn’t know where Luna and Cyprian were, and I didn’t want to wait around to find out. My injured heel throbbed, and I knew we needed to act fast before I ended up paralyzed or worse.
I pulled the scroll out of my bag and unrolled it. The text glowed bright orange as it met the evening air. I closed my eyes and could sense Luna’s snake’s venom flowing through my body. My breaths were coming out shallow and I knew Matt was right. If it did have the ability to heal either of us, we didn’t have the luxury of waiting to find out.
My hands began to shake in spite of my best efforts, so Matt took the scroll and stretched it out. I swallowed hard, it felt like someone had shoved a thousand cotton balls inside my mouth. Matt stood and inspected the scroll for a few seconds before rolling it back up. He looked at me and shrugged. “I guess not. Well, I think I can take it from here.” He pushed himself upright by using the wall and laughed.
I looked up into his face and his eyes flashed red, and appeared for a moment to be exactly like Cyprians. I felt my muscles seizing and forced myself to a standing position before I couldn’t stand any longer. “What are you talking about? Let’s go.”
Matt shook his head. “I don’t think so. Don’t worry, that venom will finish the job soon. I’m sure you won’t feel a thing here in a few minutes.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
My mind reeled as Matt turned his back on me and walked calmly back into the throne room. I called out in an attempt to stop him. “Matt, what the hell?! What are you doing?” It was no use. He entered the room without even so much as a glance back.
The snake’s venom was slowly shutting down all of my motor skills and my legs began to wobble. I let out a breath as I fell to my knees. The only explanation I could come up with was that he was under Cyprian’s control. Although, that didn’t answer the question that was at the front of my mind. What does Cyprian want with the scroll? I closed my eyes to use my Sight but all I could see was a blur. The venom was taking over and I was about to be at its mercy.
Every few seconds I lost more use of my body, until eventually I was laying on my back looking up at the sky. The tower and platform around me were blurry and everything began to spin. I wasn’t going to die like this, I refused to die like this. I activated the tainted spirit within my core and rose to my feet. I willed myself forward, entering the throne room like a zombie from a low-budget horror movie. I glanced inside and spotted Matt who had taken a seat upon the throne. His arm was outstretched and the scroll was in his hand. I turned my head slowly and standing in front of him was Cyprian.
Cyprian turned in my direction slowly and held out a hand. A second later the heavy wooden door that led into the room slammed shut in my face. Even with the tainted spirit running through my body, it was too late, I wouldn’t be able to open that door again. I stumbled backwards and felt myself falling over the top stair. I waited for the impact but it never came. Instead, two arms wrapped around my chest and I was lifted up into the sky. My head dropped to the side. I was unable to hold it up on my own any longer.
Alysain’s sweet voice cut through the night air as I was lifted higher. “Hold on, Logan. I’m going to get you help.”
My scar glowed brilliant purple from all the tainted spirit in my core, and when I caught a glimpse of Alysain’s wing, I saw that the tainted spirit was making her glow as well.
Alysain’s flight was being affected by the spirit. I could tell by the erratic jerks and sudden loss of altitude as she struggled to carry me back to the boat in the distance. We crossed over the trees and I could feel myself slipping from her grip. “I’m sorry, I feel so… weak. I don’t know if I can make it back.”
I craned my neck as far as I could and tried to speak normally, but my voice came out as nothing more than a whisper. “It’s okay, get us as close as you can. I understand.”
Alysain crossed over the shoreline and my arms and legs hung down in the cool water of the sea. It felt good to be out of the tower, but I knew I wasn’t out of the woods yet.
We sank further until finally Alysain’s wings gave out and we crashed into the water. Alysain held my head up out of the water. I looked into her eyes and smiled. “Thank you for coming back.” My voice still came out as nothing more than a whisper.
She kissed my lips and tears rose to her eyes. “I’m sorry I failed you. I thought I could make it.” Her wings were stretched out on top of the water, keeping us afloat for the time being, but I knew it wouldn’t last. I kept slipping below the water’s surface, but there was nothing I could do, the venom had completely taken over. I slipped under again, this time for longer. I looked up through the water into the dark night above.
Unlike the other times, this time I didn’t resurface. I could feel Alysain struggling to keep us above water, but it was to no avail. I was about to breathe in, giving in to the burning in my lungs, but as I thought I couldn
’t hold off any longer, I saw a golden glow from above.
As the glow brightened, I saw a slender hand reach into the water and grab onto my arm. I was pulled up out of the sea and noticed Alysain was rising as well. I could no longer move my body but I was able to see who had come to our rescue.
Jun, still under the effects of the potion that Dahlia had given her earlier, was still in her giant form. She lifted up into the air with ease and took us the remaining distance to the ship.
Jun set us down on the ship and everyone rushed over with worried expressions. Each of my pregnant bonded women kissed every inch of my face as I tried to catch my breath. It wasn’t until Fapplejack finally spoke that the others realized that something was seriously wrong. “Logan sir, why aren’t you moving?”
I gave him a small nod but could no longer open my mouth to speak.
Chloe rushed over and kneeled at my side. She picked up my foot and called out to the others. “Look! This isn’t good. Let’s get his clothes off and get him into bed.” I could tell the holstaur’s maternal instincts had kicked in. I also noticed that she looked different, and even without using my Sight, I immediately knew that she was pregnant as well.
The women carried me into the great cabin and placed me on the bed. They pulled my pants off and I had flashbacks of the venom from the giant snake that I fought back in Amos’s test labyrinth. Although, the feeling in my arms and legs started to return after that attack. This time, I’d nearly lost all feeling, and it didn’t show any signs of letting up.
Dahlia ran a hand along my arm and leaned down to kiss me as the others prepared everything. I was fading in and out of consciousness. I didn’t want to fall asleep because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to wake back up. They brought Alysain in and laid her next to me. The griffon was breathing erratically, and thrashing from side to side. The tainted spirit had taken control of her body. I could feel the heat emanating off of her body as she laid beside me.
I closed my eyes as things around me blurred. When I reopened them my vision was completely obscured by Chloe’s giant breast. She leaned over me and pressed herself into my mouth. Her sweet milk poured down into my throat, and while I still was unable to move, I was no longer in pain.
I took several deep breaths after Chloe backed away and Gwen joined my side. “Don’t worry, we’re headed back now. Get some rest.”
I responded to her through my Sight skill. “Don’t go through Necross. They will be expecting us there. Use the new port south of the manor.”
Gwen ran her hand down along my face. “I will let Fapplejack know. Now, get some rest, it is the only way to counteract the venom until we can get back to Teng.”
Fapplejack burst into the room before Gwen could continue. “Logan sir, we have a visitor, she says she knows how to cure you.”
I tried to think of who the visitor could be but my question was answered as I heard her voice as she entered the room. “Logan?”
All of my bonded rushed in front of the bed. Isobel was the first to speak. “Take another step and I will cut that stupid snake tail off faster than you can shift.”
Luna was taking a huge risk by being on the ship, and I knew she wouldn’t be taking that risk unless it was worth it. She stayed at the door and pleaded with the others. “I can provide the antivenom. In fact, I’m the only one who can. So you can kill me now, and he dies, or let me help.”
Chloe was the next to speak up. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but can you please explain to us why we should trust you?”
I could barely see down toward the end of the bed, but I saw my bonded standing shoulder to shoulder. They were ready to attack at the drop of a hat.
“Because if you don’t, your children won’t ever know their father,” Luna responded matter-of-factly.
Gwen walked over to my side and glanced down. She closed her eyes and used her Sight. Her voice cut into my mind. “What should we do?”
I shut my eyes and responded. “As much as I don’t want to, we need to trust her. I know she has not given us any reason to believe her up until now, but I can feel this venom is different. My movement was first, but I have a feeling it’s not over yet.”
Gwen didn’t immediately respond, but after several seconds she walked back toward the front of the room. “How do we get the antivenom?”
Luna let out a small laugh. “Well, you’re not going to like it.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Isobel was not pleased and I knew that she picked up on what Luna was hinting at. “You have to be kidding me. There has to be a different way.”
“None as effective. His movement will return when I start and the venom will be neutralized when I’m finished.”
Gwen snorted. “You mean to tell me that you have some sort of magical antivenom pussy power? I can tell by the way you look at him that you want to bond with him. You’re going to have to try harder than that.”
Luna shook her head. “I created Nova and the other snakes on that island. They are an extension of me, thus I am the one who knows what the venom can do… and how to stop the spread. I am warning you, if you don’t let me do what needs to be done, then Logan will not make it through the night.”
I tried to use my Sight to read Luna’s mind, but her mental fortitude was too strong. I shifted my Sight to Gwen and I was actually surprised when I picked up on her thoughts, and instead of being scared or nervous, she was intrigued, as if the idea actually turned her on a bit.
I slipped in and out of consciousness, trying desperately to stay awake and fight the raging venom within my body. I lost track of all time. Alysain’s sweet face laid next to me as the griffon remained in a deep sleep. A hand reached down and while touching my face, turned my eyes to meet theirs.
“You should regain movement soon, but I need you to let me finish or I will not be able to properly cleanse your body of Nova’s venom.” Luna’s eyes met mine for a moment, but she quickly looked away as she moved atop me. Her perfect breasts were bared and her nipples were already hard as she lowered down and met my lips with hers. Her forked snake-like tongue explored my mouth, slow at first but soon faster and more deliberate.
She tasted like fresh blackberries, and the way she worked her tongue inside my mouth made me want more. This intriguing woman, who was my enemy earlier, was now kissing me as if she were one of my bonded. As her saliva mixed with mine I began to feel the effects of the venom reverse. It was similar to lidocaine wearing off after spending time at the dentist, but I still was unable to talk.
She moved down to my hips and removed my pants. Of all the places for my feeling and blood to rush back to first, I was pleasantly surprised to see it was to my rock-hard member. I tried to talk but Luna held a finger to my mouth, cutting me off before I could get a word out.
I flexed my hand and regained use of my right arm. I reached up into her violet hair and grabbed a handful, turning her head toward me. I brought her back down to meet my lips and kissed her passionately, meeting her forked tongue with mine in a frenzy.
Luna’s moans grew louder and she pushed down onto me, laying her entire weight on top of me, as if trying to control me.
I regained more feeling every second as the antivenom effects from our kisses kicked into overdrive. I brought my hands up and squeezed her breasts, bringing each one down into my mouth and lapping at her nipples until they were rock hard.
She dug her nails into me and raked them down my chest down to my girth. “I need you to control yourself or I will be forced to control you… the healing is not complete yet.” After a devious smile she wrapped both hands around my erect member and squeezed. “I need to taste you… to see how much venom is left.” Her head shot down and her tongue shot out and flicked back and forth rapidly over my tip. She tossed her silky violet hair back behind her head giving me a clear view of her face as she expertly serviced my member.
As soon as the feeling completely returned to my legs it was as if the lamia woman was able to sense it and she coi
led her long snake-like body around them. She held steady and squeezed down, trapping me in place. She looked up at me with a smile. “That’s better. Now, where was I?” She dove back down, and wrapped her mouth around my length, taking it halfway down her throat before coming back up. Her moans grew louder and this time I heard an additional moan from across the room.
I turned my head and spotted Gwen, who sat in one of the large chairs, one hand between her legs as she pleasured herself, and the other covering her mouth as she tried to stifle her moans. Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy as she moved her fingers expertly over her swollen mound.
I turned back to Luna, now harder than ever, and grabbed onto each side of her head, bringing myself deeper into her throat each time she moved forward. After several seconds I pulled her upper half toward me and spotted her swollen channel right where her human parts ended and her shimmering snake tail started.
I gripped onto her hips and brought her down on top of my shaft, prompting a gasp from the dhampir shifter as I entered her. “Oh, fuck. Now I see why your bonded will do anything for you.” She rocked her hips and forced herself down farther, eventually taking all of me inside of her. “Now, fuck me! Empty yourself into me, I want all of it. I need all of it.” She screamed out and squeezed her body around my legs even tighter, taking away the feeling that I’d just regained.
“Yes!” She hissed as she came violently on top of me. Her channel contracted and pulsed around my girth, sending me over the edge. I emptied my hot seed deep inside of her, holding her in place to ensure she received it all.
A brilliant flash of light blinded me as I finished, and I had a quick moment of guilt course through my mind. I knew I was now bonded with Luna, whether she or I wanted to be. Although, after what I’d just experienced, I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to considering it, if I could just figure out what she was up to.