A lion's roar filled the air. It was close. Was Lion coming to her rescue? Dorothy smiled. If he did save her, she was going to make him so happy come bedtime. But, while Lion might be a match for Scarecrow, she wasn't so sure anyone was a match for Glinda.
“Surrender, Dorothy,” Glinda said, starting a slow advance toward her. “You have no defense against my magic, while your weapons are useless against me.”
She had such a look of lustful confidence, too. Dorothy worried the inside of her cheek while her mind raced at a mile a minute. Nothing she could think of would save her from them, much less get her to the Null Stone. And then Scarecrow started towards her.
Scarecrow was closer, and moving faster. The look on his face scared Dorothy even more than Glinda's expression. Despite only having one arm, he looked fierce and dangerous. She already knew he was deceptively strong and fast.
Maybe I shouldn't have returned to Oz, she thought. My shoes!
She thought of standing next to the horse, and started tapping her heels together. Glinda shouted, pointing her wand at Dorothy, while Scarecrow pounced at her. Dorothy flashed out of existence half a second before he could plow into her. She reappeared next to her mount.
Holstering her pistols, Dorothy ripped open the saddlebag holding the powerful talisman. The Null Stone was right on top, and she pulled it as she spun around to confront Glinda.
“The Null Stone will be the end of you, Glinda Upland!”
“No!” Glinda cried. “It you activate it, your own shoes will be neutralized.”
“I know, and don't care.”
Glinda looked panicked, but then pointed at Emerald City. “You will destroy all of the defensive wards protecting Emerald City. It has taken centuries to build up those wards. And they are a major reason Emerald City and Oz are so powerful. Is that what you want to do, Dorothy?”
Dorothy glanced toward Emerald City. How far away was the city? Within one mile range of the Null Stone's power? Maybe. She wasn't a good judge of distance like that.
“Lion!” Glinda shouted. “Defend!”
A roar shook the air from behind Dorothy. Her horse let out an equine scream of terror, and raced away, plowing fearlessly into the melee surrounding them. Dorothy cried out after it, cursing herself for not mounting up as soon as she had the Null Stone. And then men screamed in pain and fear, seconds before Lion in all his animal glory broke through. He paused at the edge of the battle, locking eyes with Dorothy.
“Lion! Help me!” Dorothy cried, feeling elated.
He did not help her. Lion lowered his head, and growled long and low, exposing his vicious fangs. She gasped, stepping back from the threat.
“I don't understand,” she stammered.
“I captured him,” Glinda said. “He's mine to command now, as you will be shortly.”
Having been in Glinda's power briefly once before, Dorothy understood too well what that would mean. Her body got all tingly, then felt energized as her resolve stiffened. No way, no how would she allow herself to be captured by Glinda. Emerald City's wards be damned, Glinda Upland was going down!
Squaring off against Glinda, Dorothy lifted the Null Stone. Glinda's eyes widened, and she shouted something. Dorothy locked eyes with her.
“Dis – “ Dorothy started to speak the trigger word to activate the talisman, but Lion slammed into her back. Driving the air out of her lungs, and forcing her face first into the hard ground. “Ugh!”
She lost her hold on the talisman. To her shock and horror, the Null Stone flew into the surrounding melee. Out of sight.
“Oh my.” Scarecrow spoke inches from her ear. “You've been captured.”
Chapter 34
“Don't let her tap her heels,” Glinda shouted, rushing towards them.
Dorothy sucked in as deep a breath as she could, rolled over, and kicked Lion where it hurt the most. The Warlord of the Beastmen's roar came out more of a screech. He leapt aside, even as Dorothy flung herself back at Scarecrow, bowling him over as she frantically rolled. But his hand caught her right ankle.
A lightning bolt struck the spot she'd just vacated.
Ka-Boom!
The percussive force threw her a dozen feet away, but Dorothy managed to roll back onto all fours. She and Glinda gawked at each other, before both charged toward the other. Glinda threw another bolt of lightning, but Dorothy dodge aside.
Ka-Boom!
The explosion staggered Dorothy, but she kept her feet. Glinda proved too fast with her wand, so Dorothy veered away and headed for the spot she'd seen the Null Stone vanish.
Kill the Witch, save the world, she thought.
Zigzagging, she avoided a pair of fireballs. Then a glowing rope of energy sped past her when she dodged right. It came from the end of Glinda's wand, and looked white hot to her. Something told her it wasn't Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth, but an insidious instrument of evil.
“Soldiers! To me! To me!” Dorothy cried.
Glinda cursed behind her, and then whipped her magic rope around to wrap around Dorothy's left ankle. A hard jerk sent the Empress of Oz to the ground. So Dorothy pulled her pistols and started shooting at Glinda. Nothing penetrated Glinda's arcane shield, but it made the Witch flinch. That was enough to kill the spell and free her leg.
A quick scan of the situation found Lion growling, glaring murderously to her left. Glinda straight ahead, and Scarecrow way too close and creeping closer to her right. The scarecrow's remaining hand was cupping his crotch protectively. Or lovingly?
“Wahoo! Victory feels so good, Dorothy,” Scarecrow called, leering at her. “You look primed and ready to play.”
“Stay away from me, you perverts!”
Glinda paused, catching and holding Dorothy's eyes. Wicked glee spread across the Witch's face.
“I'm going to teach you so much,” Glinda purred. “I'm going to train you so wickedly wonderful.”
Dorothy's jaw dropped. Then anger filled her, and she opened fire again. And… The sliders locked back. Empty. And her spare magazines were all in her saddlebags.
“Fuck me,” she muttered.
“I will,” Glinda said. “Lion! Scarecrow! I think her magic weapons just ran out of magic. Get her!”
Turning, she raced toward the Null Stone's location. Scarecrow proved faster, tackling her just short of the fighting soldiers. Even one-armed, the evil scarecrow managed to take her down, and hold her for a little too long for comfort. With fists, knees, and elbows, Dorothy fought free only to be wrapped up in Glinda’s magic pink rope as soon as she regained her feet.
Glinda yanked Dorothy off her feet. Scarecrow was on her a second later, with Lion standing over her and growling. Face down in the dirt, Dorothy lifted her head to find Glinda smirking wickedly as she strutted towards her.
“Bind her,” Glinda commanded.
Lion shifted back to human, accepted two short lengths of rope from Glinda, and then bound Dorothy's ankles together. Scarecrow then placed a sharp blade to her throat, forcing Dorothy to stop struggling. That allowed Lion to easily pull her arms back and bind her wrists.
Dorothy screamed her rage and frustration. Kicking and bucking, she struggled in vain to break free of her bindings. Scarecrow giggled insanely, while Glinda bit her lip and watched. Lion remained angry silent.
“I'm afraid our new friend Lion is not happy about his subjugation,” Glinda taunted. “It doesn't matter. He's perfectly obedient.”
Dorothy twisted enough to look up at him. Lion stood there naked, wearing only a silver collar around his neck. A collar of obedience. A slave collar. She felt relief flush through her, relieved that he didn't betray her. Yet, he remained Glinda's to command.
“Fight the collar, Lion! You are a warrior!” Dorothy cried. “Don't let Glinda win.”
“I've already won, my pet,” Glinda purred. She pushed the toe of her left boot against Dorothy's mouth. “Kiss it. Lick it.”
“And make it pretty,” Scarecrow said.
Dorothy bit it
instead. Glinda yanked her foot back, though she didn't look the least bit upset. Then she pointed her wand at Scarecrow's disembodied arm. The arm flew back to its owner, and reattached.
“Thanks, boss, you're the best,” Scarecrow said.
“Strip her.”
Scarecrow used his knife to do the job. Before her mind could wrap around her dire straits – naked and helpless before her enemies – Dorothy was stripped down to just her Silver Stilettos. With her ankles crossed and bound tightly, she couldn't tap her heels to save her life.
Glinda gathered the two Uzis, both pistols, and the holster, and even her katana in a pile next to Dorothy. So close. Then the Witch cast a spell with her wand, causing a pink bubble to form around the pile of weaponry. Then, with a flourish of her wand, Glinda sent the bubble full of 21st Century Earth weapons flying away.
“Those weapons all belong to me now,” Glinda said. “You will teach me everything you know about them.”
“I will not.”
“Oh, you will,” she said. “Scarecrow. I want you to slit her throat on my command.”
Scarecrow pressed his knee into Dorothy's back, right between her shoulder blades. He grabbed a fistful of hair, yanked her head painfully back, and then placed the razor-edged blade to her throat.
“What? Are you crazy?” Dorothy cried, eyes huge.
“I bet your blood is bright red,” Scarecrow whispered. He kissed, and then nuzzled her ear. “I bet it tastes delicious.”
“Dorothy. Listen carefully. Your life depends on it,” Glinda said. She moved down to Dorothy's feet, dropping down to one knee. “If I kill you, the shoes will release and I can claim them. You'll be dead. Or, you can give them to me of your own free will. Your choice.”
“But I'm helpless without the shoes.”
“I know. That's exactly how I want you,” Glinda purred, stroking her captive's bare calf.
Dorothy gasped and panted. It was all going so terribly wrong. Her mind writhed in turmoil. She couldn't think of any way to escape. Her only choices were death or submission.
“I…” she gasped, hot tears starting to flow, “I… I submit.”
“And?”
Dorothy closed her eyes, huffing and puffing. It was the hardest thing she'd ever done. Her next words would seal her fate. Her body flushed with heat, knowing bad things were going to happen.
“I give you the Silver Stilettos,” Dorothy whispered. “Take them. They are yours.”
Glinda hesitated. She stared hungrily at the silver ankle boots. Dorothy's ankle bindings kept her from just taking them. Suddenly, the boots blurred before her eyes and shifted into silver stiletto pumps. Her breath caught.
With a trembling hand, Glinda reached out to gently touch one shoe. It did not attack her. It did not zap her hand away. Glinda's fingers slid across the satiny smooth leather, before wrapping around the tall stiletto heel. She gave it a little tug, and the shoe pulled off Dorothy's foot.
“Oh yes.”
Glinda gently, slowly pulled the other Silver Stiletto off. Dorothy released a groan of misery. The Witch smiled at her naked captive. Dorothy lay face down in the dirt, helpless and vulnerable. And Glinda possessed the most powerful talisman in all the Lands of Oz.
The Witch stood, placing a hand on Lion to steady her. With a slash of her wand, Glinda's white thigh boots vanished, leaving bare legs and feet. She carefully slipped on one Silver Shoe, and then the other. With just a thought, the stiletto pumps transformed into shiny silver thigh boots.
Glinda's face lit up. “Oh yes! Yes! I feel it. I feel the power!”
Dorothy was pulled up to her knees next to Glinda. Scarecrow knelt behind her, one arm thrown around the captive's throat. Lion in his animal manifestation moved up close behind Glinda. And then she cast her spell.
Dorothy's breath caught. A pink bubble formed around them, and then started to rise up into the sky. Glinda leaned over, cupped the back of Dorothy's head, and forced her to look up into her eyes.
“I win, Dorothy. You are my plaything now,” Glinda said, voice deep and husky. And then she kissed Dorothy. Kissed her long and passionately.
Chapter 35
The thirty foot tall throne room doors groaned as they swung open. Uma and Isobel stood to either side of her, wearing red leather cuirasses and silk skirts. Glinda sat upon her throne in her usual pink and white, silver thigh boots on her feet. A tiny smile tugged on the corners of her full lips.
“O Great One,” her majordomo called. “The Cardinal Witches Wanda Darquehart of the West and Jezebelle Silvermane of the East beg audience.”
Glinda lifted one finger. Uma stepped forward.
“Show them in,” Uma said in her deep voice.
Wanda and Jezebelle entered, side-by-side, striding up the long, narrow red carpet. Wanda came in a black leather catsuit, with some purple lacing holding a leather cincher around her tiny waist. Jezebelle wore a blue halter top and matching slit skirt. Glinda admired their confident strides, and the way their hips swayed, boobs jostled, and long hair bounced. Yes, both Wicked Witches knew how to work it.
Jezebelle's face remained neutral, but Glinda saw the rage seething behind Wanda's eyes. That was one pissed off Wicked. The strawberry blonde Witch's smile spread as the warm fuzzies filled her.
“Be welcome, sisters,” Glinda said. “So kind of you to answer my summons.”
Wanda stopped and gave her a wary look. “I came of my own free will. Summons be damned, sister.”
“We are partners, Glinda,” Jezebelle said. “Capturing Dorothy and stealing the Silver Shoes didn't make you God Queen of Oz.”
“Ooh, God Queen. I like it,” Glinda said, wagging her brows. The other two Cardinal Witches scowled. Glinda laughed and waved that away. “Just a joke. You are correct. We are all partners in this endeavor.”
“Equal partners,” Wanda said.
“Of course. I called you… I asked you to come so we could finalize our plans to capture Gillikin and Quadling Countries. Once Olivia and Diana are firmly under our thumbs, then we can turn our full attention on breaking Emerald City. And then the Reign of the Three Witches will begin.”
Glinda waved her wand, and a map of Oz appeared between them, floating a foot off the floor. The different Countries were shown in their national color. All of the major cities, rivers, and mountains were shown. Another twirl of her wand, and the deployment of all armies appeared on the map.
“I don't see why we have to force Olivia and Diana to submit to us,” Wanda said. “I say subjugate them totally. I claim Olivia as my slave. You can have Diana.”
“No,” Glinda said. “Don’t be a fool, Wanda. I came of age during a War of the Witches. Remember your history. When either the Wickeds or the Goods triumph and completely vanquish both of their rivals, then the Land replaces the lost Cardinal Witches with even more powerful Witches to overthrow the victors. The Land wants balance. We will keep the current balance, only Olivia and Diana will be forced to pledge fealty. They will serve us.”
She could see Wanda considering her words. After a moment, the Wicked Witch shrugged and smiled with sinister delight.
“I rather like the idea of Olivia serving my every desire, and hating every second of it,” Wanda said. “Okay, I agree. But speaking of obedient slavegirls… What have you done with Empress Dorothy?
“You didn't kill her, did you?” Jezebelle asked.
“Kill Dorothy? Perish the thought,” Glinda said, and smiled. “She's much too beautiful, and eager to please, to just kill like that.”
“Where do you have her hidden?” Wanda asked, looking around. “Is she off entertaining your troops?”
Glinda gave her a withering look. Wanda would think like that. But the Winkie army was almost entirely male. Men enjoyed passing captive women around. Her own Sa'Kor had pretty much all paired off, so had little desire to abuse captives. Though, there were a few of her officers who'd enjoy some private time with Dorothy.
“Dorothy is too special to s
hare,” Glinda said. “She's my pretty plaything. I would never dream of allowing mere men to soil her feminine perfection.”
Wanda and Jezebelle glanced at each other, before turning lecherous eyes on Glinda.
“You will share with us, right?” Jezebelle asked. “After all, all prisoners of war belong to all of us.”
“I captured Dorothy, so she is mine,” Glinda said. The other two Witches stiffened. “But, I might be persuaded to share. Dorothy has so much to give.”
Glinda stood, nodded first to Uma, and then Isobel. “Attend me.”
She swept out of the throne room, with Wanda and Jezebelle following, and Uma and Isobel bringing up the rear. Glinda led them through her luxurious castle-palace. Their heels clattered and scraped on the polished marble floors. Soldiers snapped to attention at her approach, looking so fine in their silvery armor and red clothing.
Glinda led them through the Hall of Mirrors, and through smaller audience chambers. They turned down a wide, ornate staircase of purest white marble, with a red carpet down the middle. Down they went, two levels below ground. And then Glinda stopped before a guarded, iron-bound door.
“I'm not sure I'm comfortable going down into your dungeons, Glinda,” Wanda said.
The Witch slanted a cool look back at the Wicked Witch of the West. “I don't blame you. Not after what you did to me in your dungeon. Shall we turn around now?”
She loved the turmoil in Wanda's eyes. The Wicked Witch really wanted to get her hands on Dorothy, yet her primary concern was her own skin. Yet, to back out now would mean a loss of face. Cardinal Witches loathed to show any sign of fear at any time.
“We are partners, so I have no fear of retaliation,” Wanda said, returning an aloof look.
For now, Glinda thought. And at the same time, she was sure Wanda and Jezebelle were thinking the same thing. Can't trust a Wicked Witch. Am I the first Wicked Witch of Oz? Her grin spread. I prefer Wonderfully Wicked Witch of Oz.
“This isn't part of my dungeon,” Glinda said. “It's my…um…playroom.”
Wrath of a Wonderfully Wicked Witch (Return to Oz With a Vengeance Book 2) Page 20