The Fantasy Trove

 

Chapter 21: Political Coup

 

 

I felt my heart racing as panic began to set in. I was naked, in the back of my new SUV, along with Elly, Shayna, and Demitra, as we all scrambled to get dressed. Meanwhile, my vehicle remained on autopilot, ignoring the cop's flashing lights behind us.

Once we were all dress, and I was back in the driver's seat with Demitra in the passenger seat, I took over the driving and pulled over.

It didn't take long for me to see the cop exit her car, and I couldn't hold back a groan. Adam's aunt had a stern expression marring her features as she marched up to my window and gave it a firm knock.

"Officer," I managed to get out from a tightened throat. "What--"

"It's Sergeant Anna Roper," she corrected me, her voice matching her stern demeanor. Is your phone broken, Mr. Brody? I've been trying to reach you."

My stomach dropped. The meeting! I'd completely forgotten about our scheduled appointment at the precinct amidst the... distraction.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize—"

She cut me off with a raised hand, then leaned in slightly. Her nostrils flared, and I saw a flicker of something in her eyes. Not anger or disgust, but... curiosity?

"Change of plans," she said, her voice gruff but with an undercurrent I couldn't quite place. "Can't meet at the precinct. Got an address for you instead."

She handed me a slip of paper. I took it, my fingers trembling slightly.

"Everything alright, Sergeant?" I asked, trying to gauge her reaction.

Her lips twitched, almost a smile. "Just fine, Brody. See you there. Don't be late this time. I just finished my shift, so will probably beat you there."

As she walked back to her patrol car, I let out a shaky breath. The girls stirred behind me, equally tense.

"That was close," Shayna whispered.

I nodded, still processing what had just happened. "Too close."

Shit! I forgot all about Sergeant Roper wanting to meet with us. I glanced at the note she'd given me, then looked over at my wives.

"We should probably get going. I've got a... meeting," I said to Demitra, straightening my clothes further. Shayna and Elly stayed in the back, straightening their clothes and fixing their makeup in the rearview mirror, while Demitra moved up to the passenger seat.

"Well, this was more than I bargained for," Demitra chuckled lightly.

"Yeah, sorry about that," I replied as I pulled away from the curb and onto the road, making sure to follow the speed limit. The last thing I needed was to attract any more attention. "I guess with all the fun we were having, I forgot about meeting with that cop."

"Oh, I wasn't just meaning that," Demitra let out a rich laugh and reached over to pat my groin. "I'm not going to be walking right for the next day or so. You're not like other Knights I've been with. They tend to be more selfish. Thank you, Shayna and Elly for sharing him with me, but, um… I hate to ask, but do you mind dropping me back off at the dealership?"

I nodded, wondering at the sharp change in conversation, but was also happy to drop her off before seeing what this change in venue was all about. No sense in dragging Demitra into my drama.

As I drove away from the dealership with the sun starting to set behind us, I noticed Demitra waving from the maintenance entrance. I returned the gesture and saw her blow me a kiss. Man, she was something else. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd see her again, but also wondered if I really wanted to. She was a lot of fun, but I really didn;t need more women in my life.

You seem distracted, Charlotte commented mentally.

"Huh?" I scraped my teeth along my bottom lip, unsure how to explain my thoughts to my wives—or Charlotte, for that matter.

Elly reached forward and squeezed my shoulder. "You had fun, didn't you?"

I smiled warmly at her. How could I deny it? But then my expression sobered. "But I'm more worried about this meeting that's not going to happen at the precinct. What do you think that's about?"

In the rearview mirror, I saw Elly and Shayna exchange a glance.

"The cop was very careful not to think of why they were meeting at that address," Charlotte observed. “I don't like it. She didn't seem very happy about it, but that she had little choice.”

I groaned inwardly. "Maybe she wants to talk about Adam. He did shoot himself, after all, and since she's his aunt, maybe she's trying to protect him by keeping this away from the precinct?"

"Can I see that address?" Shayna asked, and I handed the paper back to her. After looking at it, she grunted and I saw her shake her head. "This is in a ritzy part of town. I doubt it's her house, unless she has a trust fund somewhere."

"She doesn't strike me as the kind of person to be interested in fooling around with us," Elly added, deep in thought. "Though she definitely acted a little weird after smelling inside here. We have to smell like sex incarnate after that fun tryst. I don't think it's a trap, either. She seemed too straight forward after Adam tried shooting you, and shot himself instead. Does your intuition, tell you anything?"

I knew she was asking if Charlotte had an idea without being obvious. We didn't know if this car was bugged yet, and I would need to talk to Mary about that later.

"No, my intuition isn't telling me much," I gave her a sad smile as I answered.

The girls seemed satisfied with that explanation, and we drove the rest of the way in silence.

 

* * *

 

 

I pulled up to the address Sergeant Roper gave me and cut the engine. It was a nice house, two stories with a well-manicured lawn. The neighborhood was upscale, and I wondered how a cop could afford it, but I saw a police cruiser parked in the driveway.

As we climbed out of the car, Shayna whispered, "This is weird. Do you think this is her place? And why would she want to talk to you at her house? And without backup?"

I shrugged, my stomach doing flips. "Beats me." I glanced at my watch. "We should probably go in. Don't want to keep her waiting."

We walked up the driveway and rang the doorbell. Footsteps echoed inside, and the door swung open. Sergeant Roper stood before us, her expression unreadable.

"Mr. Brody," she greeted, stepping aside to let us in. She was still in her uniform, though I'm sure she had plenty of time to get changed before we arrived.

We entered a cozy living room, the furnishings imposing and tasteful. I noticed a sword mounted on the wall—an actual sword, not a decoration. Nothing about the interior of this home said a cop lived here. No decorations for valor, or anything else one might think would be in a policewoman's home. In fact, it almost seemed too sterile, like it was a prop set for what Hollywood wanted us to think the rich lived in.

Sergeant Roper closed the door, and I heard the lock click into place.

"Why aren't we meeting in the precinct, Sergeant?" I asked, doing my best to keep my cool. Something felt off, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. "I thought I was going to give an official statement on Adam's behavior."

"Please, call me Anna," she said, walking further into the room. We followed, and I noticed Elly and Shayna's shoulders were tense. Charlotte must have picked up on it too. "I want to get this over with," she added under her breath.

This doesn't feel like a social call, she commented. Her mind is all over the place.

Anna, or Sergeant Roper as I should probably still call her, led the way deeper into the immaculate home.

"You are here to talk about my nephew," she continued after a moment as we entered a lavish living room, replete with three true leather sofas, a love seat, and a gas fireplace. My stomach dropped as I recognized one of the people already in the room. "My brother insisted that he have an opportunity to discuss things with you before you go ahead and press charges."

Adam sat in a wheelchair near the fireplace with a smug grin on his face. His right arm was still in a cast, a bandage wrapped around his head, both of which I'd seen before. New, however, was what looked like padding—almost like a diaper—around his hips and backside. Other than his smarmy smile, he looked pretty pathetic. It was hard not to smile, knowing that he'd done most of that damage to himself.

Behind him stood an older gentleman, grey liberally suffusing his once-brown hair, who I assumed was Adam's father. The older man had an air of importance and dignity about him that only came from years of holding power. The expensive suit he wore told me this must be his home. There was very few similarities between father and son. Mr. Roper was stout, bordering on pudgy, with a bulbous nose, and a thick grey mustache decorating his upper lip. Two beady brown eyes regarded us as we walked in.

"Thank you, Anna," Mr. Roper said in a dismissive tone. "Be a good sister, and see if my wife needs any help in the kitchen, won't you?" While the words framed it as a question, the tone sounded more like a command.

"You promised you wouldn't speak to him without me here," Anna shot back, standing almost like a shield between her brother and me.

"Quite right," the older man waved dismissively. "I don't intend the boy any harm, though. You have my word. I just want to have a little discussion with him and…" he paused to take in my wives, an look of disgust crossing his already unattractive features. "And these young girls."

I didn't like being called a boy, much less how he treated my wives, but I kept my breath steady instead of crossing the room and showing him what I thought of his family.

Fucking politicians! Charlotte snarled in my head. Ever since the Chaos War, they've been taught how to keep their minds from being read. I can't read much from him, but he's being very careful with his thoughts. If he taught his sister, it's no wonder I can barely read her.

After a few tense seconds when Anna didn't comply, Adam spoke up in a syrupy sweet voice. "It's okay, Aunt Anna. We just want to talk and clear up a misunderstanding. Besides, you know my father. We have cameras all over this house, and this conversation will be recorded. Nothing bad will happen to them."

I saw Anna grimace, but after another second or so, she turned to face me, mouthed an apology, then left the room.

"Very good," Mr. Roper said as though everything were going according to his plans. I didn't feel any better about this whole debacle. "Now, if you'd please have a seat, Mr. Brody, there are a couple things I'd like to get cleared up."

I looked between the couch and the love seat, but knew what the old man was trying to do. I didn't doubt that he would remain standing, leaving him in a position of power. Internally, I grinned as I moved toward the love seat. It was only a perception of power, if I let it be.

I sat, and the girls stood behind me. I felt their presence like a comforting blanket, and I turned my head to give them a reassuring smile. They stood on either side of me, and I felt more comfortable.

"So, Bobby," Mr. Roper intoned, dropping the "Mr. Brody" act now that Anna was gone, his eyes never leaving mine. "I've been hearing some interesting things about you."

"Oh yeah? Like what?" I tried to keep my tone light, but it was difficult with the way the man looked down at me. It was obvious that he was accustomed to wielding power and not being questioned as I'd just done.

"Your... unique situation, for one. It's fascinating—and a little disturbing." He placed a hand on his son's shoulder as his eyes roved over the three of us. "Adam here has been telling me some interesting things."

My mouth went dry, and I felt the others tense beside me. "Look, I don't know what—"

"Save it," Mr. Roper interrupted, standing fully upright. "I'm not here to debate whether you're the real Bobby Brody, or some imposter." He paused, and her eyes drifted to something behind me. "As I'm sure you're aware, we're coming up on another election year, and I can't have a scandal popping up right now."

I swallowed, unable to speak. Beside me, Elly and Shayna were utterly silent.

I noted Adam's grin becoming even more cocksure and I felt sick. What were they planning?

"That's all well and good, Mr. Roper, but your son attacked me multiple times without provocation," I said with conviction. "He needs to learn to leave me and my wi—women alone."

His eyes narrowed at my near slip-up, but he chose not to address it.

Mr. Roper looked down at his son, who gave him the fakest, puppy dog eyes I've ever seen.

"So you claim," Mr. Roper said in a tone that made me wonder who he really believed, or if he even cared. "However, I believe my son has suffered enough, don't you? If it really comes down to it, who will the courts believe? My son who can't get around on his own in a wheelchair, or you who appear to be whole and healthy?"

I ground my teeth, but held back from snapping at the man. I wanted nothing more than to tell him what a narcissistic asshole and moron his was, but knew that losing my temper here wouldn't help my case.

"Now then," Mr. Roper said with a satisfied smile when he noted I wasn't going to argue with him. "How much is it going to take to make this little incident become a thing of the past?"

"I'm sorry?" I asked, uncertain what he was getting at. "I don't understand."

"Come now," he said slowly, as though talking to someone on the intelligence level of his son. "Give me a number, and if I think it's reasonable, I'll write you a check right now. I know college isn't cheap, and Adam tells me you just moved in together. Surely we can come to an agreement that will satisfy us all?"

That's when I realized he was trying to bribe me to keep quiet about his son. Maybe I should have realized sooner, but with the Paladonic Knights covering all my expenses, it basically meant I couldn't be bribed. At least, not with money.

I thought carefully over my response before answering. "If Adam can promise to leave us alone, then I can promise the same."

It left a sour taste in my mouth to let him off, but this was better than getting into a huge fight with a politician's son. Even though the Knights had incredible lawyers—like Shayna's father—it wasn't a battle I wanted to get into.

If I thought my words would have sufficed, I would have been wrong. Mr. Roper grimaced before shaking his head.

"Come, now, Mr. Brody," he said, his hand remaining firmly on Adam's shoulder. The cocky kid grimaced and I wondered what kind of grip Mr. Roper was applying. "Surely we can come up with a more agreeable method? One that will cement things between the two of you? Perhaps something a little more official than simple words…"

I can't believe there's a politician that actually wants a paper trail, Charlotte thought at me.

To my surprise, and no small amount of appreciation, it was Shayna who responded.

"My father always told me that if you can't trust a man's handshake, then you can't trust anything he does."

The room felt like it was closing in on us. I looked from Mr. Roper to my wives, seeing the support in the ladies' eyes.

Before Mr. Roper could answer, we were interrupted by a newcomer.

"Dinner is ready," said an older woman with a very slight accent, dressed in plane but nice clothes. Looking at her, I knew immediately that this was Adam's mother. Despite the gender difference, there were enough similarities that I'd have to be blind to miss them. Where Adam was a very attractive man, his mother was probably a stunner in her heyday. Even with her plainer clothes, I could tell that she had a decent figure underneath, though she wasn't on par with Charlotte's goth form.

"Dammit, woman!" Mr. Roper snapped. "Can't you see we're in the middle of a discussion? I'm sure whatever you made will hold for a couple more minutes."

"Yeah, mom!" Adam piped in. "Can't you see we're busy in here?

Just then, my stomach let out a thunderous and unmistakable rumble. I hadn't thought I was hungry, but my body decided to inform me otherwise. Chagrined, I placed my hands over my stomach as I felt my cheeks heat up.

You can thank me later for that, Charlotte informed me, and I realized my stomach's impromptu dying whale call was her doing.

Mr. Roper looked at me with disgust while Adam snickered.

"We weren't planning on—" Shayna began to speak into the silence, but Mr. Roper cut her off.

"Nonsense, little girl. We invited you into our home, simple hospitality dictates that we at least share a small meal." Despite the wording, his tone gave away his displeasure at the situation.

Once again, I found myself grinding my teeth at the way he treated my wives. Everything was, "little this," and "little that." And calling them "girls," and me, "boy," just to prove that he was bigger and older than us truly annoyed me. Still, I managed to keep my cool as I stood up and faced Mrs. Roper.

Turning up my charm, just because I knew it would get under Adam's skin, I said, "Mrs. Roper, I would be delighted to share a meal with you and Sergeant Roper."

Perhaps I overdid it, but I watched as a deep crimson flush worked its way up the older woman's cheeks. She gave a very girlish giggle, but it was Anna Roper that spoke next.

"No can do from me," Anna stated as she moved to leave. "I just got a call. It appears a couple of teenagers are harassing the faun the runs the convenience store down on 130th. Mitchell, I expect you will… Who am I kidding? You'll do whatever you're going to do, as always. Just be aware that I plan on making a call upon Bobby in the morning to make sure everything is above board."

Mr. Roper seemed both offended and somehow bored by his sister. "Everything I do is above board. Now, scurry along. You being an upstanding police officer looks good for my candidacy."

"Yeah, I remember from when we were kids," I heard Anna mutter under her breath too quiet for anyone without super hearing to hear. Then she stepped up next to me and met my eyes. "My brother is a big shot senator, so he has lots of pull. Play your cards right and he can set you up for life, but you'll always be in his pocket."

With that cryptic statement, she left.

Mr. Roper rolled his eyes before barking at his wife, "Get Adam into the kitchen and make sure he doesn't need anything, woman!"

I grimaced as his wife bowed her head and murmured an agreement. If it weren't for the situation, I would have found it hilarious. Here was a guy who was a bigwig in politics, but treated everyone around him like dirt. Except for Adam, of course.

Shayna and Elly seemed to be thinking the same thing, because I felt them relax behind me. We followed the woman into a large kitchen, and I saw Adam grimace as his mother pushed him into the room.

It was obvious that the Roper family had money, because this kitchen looked like something out of a magazine. Everything was chrome and gleaming white, but it didn't look like it was ever used. I couldn't imagine them cooking any family meals in here.

Mrs. Roper was already back bustling around, putting the finishing touches on what smelled like an amazing meal. Various smells assaulted my nose, and I was surprised to find myself drooling. Despite the feeling that I was in a place way too ritzy for me, I could tell Mr. Roper only cared about appearances.

"Smells delicious, Mrs. Roper," I said, turning on my charm again. "I'm starving!"

"You must be!" she laughed as she moved around, likely commenting on my embarrassing tummy rumble earlier. I noticed she kept her back to her husband and son. "All of you sit, sit. It will just be a minute while I finish up."

As we sat down, the table was laden with an assortment of dishes that looked more like they belonged at a five-star restaurant than a family dinner. The aromas wafting from the various platters were intoxicating. My mouth watered at the sight of the perfectly cooked steak, the golden-brown roast potatoes, and the vibrant green beans. There was even a dish of what looked like homemade macaroni and cheese, which seemed out of place amidst the other, more sophisticated dishes, but I wasn't going to complain.

"Wow, Mrs. Roper, this all looks incredible," I said genuinely, ignoring the glare from Adam. It was obvious that his mother had put a lot of effort into this meal, and I wasn't going to be like Mr. Roper and act as though it was nothing.

Shayna nodded in agreement beside me, her eyes wide with appreciation. "Yes, thank you so much for preparing this."

Adam, on the other hand, seemed to think that his role was to balance out the compliments with a bit of snark. "Yeah, mom, it's not like you had anything else to do today, right?"

His words held a sting, but Mrs. Roper seemed unfazed. She simply smiled as she dished up the food, placing a generous portion of everything onto the fancy plates in front of us. It was clear that she was used to this treatment and had developed a thick skin over the years.

The table was silent for a few moments as we all took our first bites. The steak was tender and seasoned to perfection, the potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and even the green beans had a wonderful buttery flavor. I had to suppress a moan of satisfaction. This was definitely not the kind of food I was used to, and I was determined to enjoy every second of it.

Even if the other men at the table were terrible company.

We were barely a few bites in when Mr. Roper's phone buzzed loudly against the table. He picked it up, glanced at the screen, and then stood up abruptly, dropping his napkin onto his partially-eaten plate.

"I'm sorry, but I've just been informed of a very important meeting that I must attend. It appears that the life of a senator is never his own," he said, his tone implying that this was both a burden and a point of pride for him.

As he was getting his things ready to leave, Charlotte's voice echoed in my mind. He's not going to any meeting. That message was from his mistress. She's demanding to see him, and he's so eager, he forgot to block it from his thoughts.

I nearly choked on my food at her revelation. I shot a glance at Adam, wondering if he knew about his father's infidelity, but his face was a mask of indifference. Either he was very good at hiding his emotions, or he truly didn't care what his father did.

"Well, I hope your meeting goes well, Dear" Milena said with a sweet tone. I wondered if she knew about her husband's infidelity, but I wasn't going to inform her if she didn't. "We'll make sure to enjoy the rest of this wonderful meal and I'll keep our guests company."

Mr. Roper barely acknowledged her words, simply grunting in response before heading towards the door. Mrs. Roper watched him go, her face betraying a hint of sadness before she quickly composed herself.

Yes, she knows, Charlotte told me. She's not as well trained as her husband in protecting her thoughts. But don't feel too bad for her. Adam isn't Mitchell's son. This family has secrets upon secrets!

Had I anything in my mouth, I would have spit it everywhere after that revelation! It certainly explained why Adam didn't look like his father. I felt a little less sorry for the woman, though lost no sympathy. I don't condone cheating, but at least it wasn't one way.

"Is everything okay, Mr. Brody?" Milena asked from across the table.

I quickly schooled my features and plastered on a smile before answering. "Oh, yes, Mrs. Roper. This meal is really good. Thank you, again."

"Better meal than you deserve," I heard Adam mutter so quietly, I'm certain I was the only one to hear. "She never cooks like this anymore."

"Oh, please, call me Melina," Adam's mother said, her slight accent making the request seem even more polite. "And I'm glad you like. I don't often get the chance to cook."

Adam scoffed, but I ignored him. I know I should have been trying to leave this uncomfortable position Sergeant Roper put us in, but I was beginning to get curious. Adam was a douchebag of the lowest order, and getting a glimpse into his family dynamic might help me understand him better. I wouldn't say he was blameless and simply a product of his upbringing, but perhaps I could find some method to handle him better.

It'd certainly end up with him being injured less.

"I noticed you accent," Elly commented to the older woman. "Forgive me if I'm being rude, but where are you from?"

"Oh, Sorry," Milena cast her eyes down to her plate and I noted her cheeks turning red. "My husband doesn't like me talking about that."

"Yeah, 'cause she's a mail-order-bride," Adam broke in with a derisive statement.

"Adam!" Milena gasped, but didn't look up. I knew without using any of my new senses that she was mortified by her son's words.

"What?" Adam sneered back. "Just because Dad doesn't want everyone to know he had to buy a wife, I'm supposed to keep my mouth shut? I think Bobby should know the type of woman you are, instead of whatever this pretense you're putting on is supposed to be. You were bought and shipped over here. You're more of a servant than my mother. I can't even remember the last time you cooked for us."

By this point, I was getting a good picture on the family dynamics here. Daddy Roper was a big shot politician, more concerned with his image and power than anything else. Adam was a spoiled kid who didn't appreciate anything he had, and yet acted with jealousy towards me, though he grew up in a more stable—albeit dysfunctional—home.

And then there was Milena Roper. She was ashamed of her past and subservient to the men in her life, but I had seen a sparkle in her eyes when we were chatting earlier. She was beaten down, but not yet dead inside. Perhaps she survived by her acts of rebellion with her infidelity?

"I don't see anything wrong with that," I decided to add to the conversation. Milena finally looked up, her blue-green eyes confused. "About being a mail-order-bride, I mean. I don't know what it was like where you left, but you get to live in a nice home here in America. I don't know. I could be wrong, but we wouldn't be enjoying this delicious meal without you here."

"I…" Milena looked uncertain as her eyes searched mine. Elly reached over and gave my hand a comforting squeeze and I knew she approved of how I treated the older woman. "Thank you," Milena finally added after a couple seconds.

"Ugh, you don't have to be nice to her," Adam continued his campaign to demean his mother. "She was bought and paid for, that's all."

"And what does that make you?" Shayna sniped back at the narcissistic asshole. "You wouldn't be here if not for her. She's your mother, Adam. Not a puppy your father gave you for your birthday and then forgot about. Treat her with respect."

"No, no," Milena finally cut in. "It's fine. I'm used to it."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I offered Milena a warm smile, and saw her cheeks brighten in response. I didn't need to Charlotte to tell what Milena was starting to feel. I would need to be careful, so as not to give her the wrong idea.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one to sense Milena's emotional turmoil.

"Ugh, why don't you get a room?" Adam muttered, but this time it was loud enough for all of us to hear.

"Maybe we should," the quip slipped from my mouth before I could think better of it. I knew it was the wrong thing to say, but seeing the shock on Adam's face was worth it. That shock turned to outrage as I couldn't help but continue. "Maybe we'll use yours. Not like you could stop us, being stuck in that chair."

"You motherfucker!" Adam snarled in outrage. He tried to stand using his one good arm, but winced and fell back when weight was placed on his injured ass.

"Not yet," I laughed, continuing to mock the other guy. "But maybe soon!"

Suddenly, I realized what I was saying and how I was behaving. This wasn't like me. I wasn't a bully. I usually defended others, not pick on them. But there was something about Adam that just got under my skin and caused me to act out.

I turned to Milena to apologize for my behavior, but the words got stuck in my throat. Milena's eyes locked onto me, and her expression softened, a look of pure, unadulterated desire washing over her face. Her gaze was like a caress, her eyes sparkling with a secret knowledge as they roamed over my body. Her lips, full and red, parted slightly, as if she were savoring a delicious flavor on her tongue—a flavor that only I could provide. Her breath quickened, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw a mischievous glint in her eye, as if she were imagining all the wicked things we could do together. It was a look that spoke of untold pleasures and forbidden fruits, a look that made my cheeks burn and my heart race. It was a look that said she wanted me, and she wanted me now.

Shit! I thought to myself. I went too damn far.

No! Charlotte argued back. This is perfect! I know you just leveled up earlier, but this is the perfect opportunity to push further. Besides, if you knew half the shit Adam has been thinking about your wives since we walked in, you'd be halfway inside his mom by now.

That's not… I mentally trailed off, beginning to feel my anger rise. I stamped it down with prejudice, but the gears were spinning in my head. I found myself debating whether to follow up on the promises behind Milena's eyes, when Elly and Shayna made the decision for me.

I can't believe I'm going to write this in my journal, and I still barely believe what happened next. Though, considering my wives' behavior recently, maybe I shouldn't have been.

Instead of getting upset or irate with me or Milena, Shayna and Elly stood and moved behind the struggling Adam. They each placed a hand on his shoulders, holding him down as they gazed vindictively at me.

To my surprise, it was Elly that spoke first. "Fuck her, Bobby. I'm sick and tired of listening to Adam degrade his mother. At least he has a mother. Show him what kind of woman she can be. Show him she's not just an object living in this up-tight house."

"What?!" Adam squeaked in disbelief. "No! Fuck you. Don't you—omph!"

Adam was cut short as Shayna shoved a cloth napkin over his mouth and held it there.

"Do it, Bobby," Shayna encouraged me also. "But don't take her to a room. Do it right here on the table. We'll make sure Adam doesn't interfere, and I want him to see this also."

Holy shit! I thought, dumbfounded. My wives are worse than most teenage boys!

I glanced at Milena, expecting her to say something. Surely she wouldn't want to do it right here. Not right in front of her son!

But my mouth went dry as I took in her slowly unbuttoning her white blouse.

I was stunned by the turn of events but eager to go along. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect something like this, but hell, I wasn't going to say no. Not after the last few weeks of chaos, not with Milena looking at me with such longing, and surely not with the devil inside me egging me on.

"Oh, fuck yes," was all I could manage as Milena stood from the table. My dick twitched in my pants, almost painfully hard and desperate for release.

Milena's fingers trembled as she worked the buttons of her blouse, but she kept her eyes locked onto mine, biting her lip as she slowly revealed her soft, creamy skin. Her breasts were bound by a lacy black bra, and my mouth watered, wanting to taste them, to lick and suck her nipples into tight peaks. Beneath her skirt, she wore stockings and a garter belt, and my eyes raked over her tantalizing curves.

To my surprise, Shayna and Elly echoed my thoughts, whispering to each other, their eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and mischief. I could only catch snippets of their conversation as I moved around the table, my desire for Milena building with each step.

"... so hot," Elly breathed, her eyes glued to Milena's body.

"Mmm, absolutely," Shayna agreed, reaching up to pinch her own nipples through her shirt. "Can't wait to see Bobby fill her up."

Adam wriggled in their grip, his eyes wide with horror as he realized what was about to happen right in front of him. His good hand grabbed at Shayna's, trying to pry them off, but she simply laughed, grasping his shoulder tightly.

"Mrrmfmfr" Adam snarled through the gag, his eyes flashing with rage.

Despite his threats, I barely noticed him as I reached Milena, drawing her into my arms and kissing her deeply. I was vaguely aware of her whimpers as my tongue explored her mouth, but the sounds only served to spur me on. My hands found the clasp of her bra and undid it expertly, drawing the straps down her arms and freeing her ample breasts. I sucked in a breath at the sight, my cock straining against the confines of my pants.

Milena moaned into my mouth as I cupped her breasts, her hands tangling in my hair. Her skin was soft and warm against my palms, and I squeezed her gently, feeling her nipples harden under my touch. Breaking the kiss, I trailed my mouth down her neck, sucking and biting gently, eliciting more delicious sounds from her.

"God, yes," I heard Shayna murmur. "Look at her, Elly. She's loving it. Adam's mom is a dirty little slut."

"No, I'm not," Milena protested, but she quickly dissolved into another moan as I took one of her hardened nipples into my mouth, circling it with my tongue before sucking gently.

"Yes, you are," Elly replied with a smirk. "And I bet she's going to beg Bobby to fuck her. Aren't you, Milena?"

Milena whimpered as I continued to suckle at her breast, my hand sliding down to the waistband of her skirt. With a quick movement, I undid the button and pulled down the zipper, my fingers teasing the damp fabric of her panties.

"Please," she breathed, her fingers tightening in my hair. "Oh, please, Bobby."

"Please what?" I murmured against her skin, looking up at her with a mischievous glint in my eye.

"Please, fuck me," she whispered, her cheeks flushed with desire.

With a growl of approval, I lifted her easily, enjoying the way she wrapped her legs around my waist. She was soft and curvy, a stark contrast to Shayna and Elly, but I felt my rod twitch in anticipation as I pressed her back against the edge of the table. She made a startled sound as the cold surface met her bare back, but that sound quickly turned into a moan as I slid my hands under her ass, lifting her slightly so I could grind against her.

"That's it, Bobby," Shayna encouraged, her eyes never leaving the action. "Fuck his mom. Show Adam what a real man can do."

I glanced over at Adam, seeing the outrage in his eyes, and my dick throbbed in response. I wanted to show him, to prove that I could take what I wanted and that he couldn't do a damn thing about it.

Milena also turned and gave a brief glance at her son. I saw shame and humiliation burn for the briefest moment before something else replaced it. Something more primal and hungry. Perhaps this was payback for all the times he'd mistreated her, or just that she'd allowed her libido to take control, but when she met my gaze, I knew she wanted this as much as I did.

"Fuck me," she whispered, and it was all I needed to hear. No foreplay, no more preparation. She was ready and so was I.

With a growl, I slid my hands under Milena's ass, gripping her firmly as I pulled her toward me and thrust forward, burying myself inside her in one smooth motion. She cried out, her back arching as I filled her, her hands grasping at my shoulders, her nails digging into my skin. I couldn't believe how wet she already was, nor how incredible tight she felt, rippling around my entire girth.

"Oh, God, yes!" she cried, her hips moving in time with mine as I began to thrust into her with abandon. "Don't stop!"

"Not gonna stop," I grunted, my eyes closing in pleasure as I felt her tighten even more around me. "Gonna… make you… cum ."

I set a brutal pace, slamming into her again and again, relishing the way she met my thrusts with eager motions of her own. Her breasts bounced with each impact, and I reached up to squeeze them, savoring the feel of her soft flesh. She threw her head back, moaning loudly, her body shaking as I drove into her over and over, my hips slapping against the table with each impact. Glasses fell over, spilling their contents we tested the resilience of the dining table.

Adam struggled in Shayna and Elly's grip, his face twisted in a mix of rage and incredulity. Shayna leaned close, her lips brushing his ear as she teased, "Look at that, Adam. Your mom can take a real man. Too bad you never could give that to her, huh?"

"Fuck you! I'd never!" Adam snarled, managing to speak as Shayna removed the gag, his face turning red with fury. "Let me go, I'll kill him! That's my mother!"

Shayna just laughed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she watched my hips pistoning back and forth between Milena's thighs. "Not a chance. Sit back and enjoy the show, Adam. I see that bulge in your pants. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two."

I grunted, my hands tightening on Milena's ass as I felt my release building, but I wasn't ready yet. I drove into her with renewed fervor, my balls slapping against her rear, and she cried out, her nails digging into my shoulders as she climaxed, her walls clenching around me.

I waited until she finished convulsing in my arms, focusing my mind on basketball stats, or RPG strategies to keep from blowing my load. Milena caught her breath fast, though, and with a swivel of her hips, she realized I hadn't yet popped.

"You've got stamina," Milena purred, her accent growing a little bit thicker. "Good. Let's give them a real show."

With a gentle push, I stepped back and pulled out of her. My tool made a wet, slurping noise, before I was free, and we both let out a slight moan at the loss of connection.

Milena hopped off the table, flipped around, and then presented her ass to me. With a look that was both coy and filled with hungry lust, she met my gaze over her shoulder. "Fuck my Bulgarian pussy and make me cum again."

My eyes grew wide at the position she offered, and a part of me wanted to decline, to offer some token resistance. My brain wasn't quite as lust-blind as I'd been a moment before. But when I took in the sight of her round, heart-shaped ass, a fire burned deep in my belly. She presented herself to me, offering all of her, and I wanted to take it.

With a grunt, I stepped forward, my rigid cock sliding between the valley of her ass cheeks. I placed my hands on her hips, squeezing the soft flesh for a brief second before I guided myself to her entrance, groaning as I slid back inside.

"Ah! Yes, right there!" Milena moaned, reaching back to squeeze my thigh. Her accent grew thicker, each word a caress to my ears, and I couldn't help but oblige her request, thrusting forward to bury myself deep inside her once more.

"Oh my God! You're so tight!" I exclaimed, my eyes rolling back in my head at the sensation. "How is it possible you're this—"

"Tight?" Milena finished for me with a saucy grin, turning her head to glance over her shoulder at me. "Simple. Adam was a tiny baby. My husband barely looks at me anymore, so I get my excitement where I can. You're the biggest by far., though"

"Mmm, I'm happy to help," I grunted, unable to keep my eyes off the glorious sight of my hard prick sliding in and out of her wet, pink pussy. Each time I buried myself inside her, I felt my balls twitch with pleasure, and I could tell I wouldn't last much longer.

Despite this, I couldn't tear my gaze away from Milena's flushed face as she turned to face her son next to us, presenting him with a perfect view of my cock disappearing into her motherly hole.

"Look at me, Adam," she said with a wicked grin, her tits heaving as I pounded into her with a steady rhythm. "Look at what a real man can do. You never gave me anything but grief, never showed your mother the love she deserved."

I slowed down my thrusts, trying to savor the moment, but Milena was insistent, looking back at me with passion in her eyes. "Harder, Bobby, please. I want it harder."

How could I refuse such a request? I growled, gripping her hips tighter as I slammed into her, the sound of our bodies colliding filling the room. Milena cried out, her hands gripping the table cloth her head fell to the table.

Shayna and Elly seemed to enjoy the sight, standing behind Adam and whispering in his ear. I knew what they were doing: making him feel powerless, inferior to me. Never before had I been on this much of a power trip, but suddenly I understood why it could be so addicting.

And it worked. Adam slumped in their grasp, his gaze unable to break from the vision of his mother being thoroughly fucked by me. There was shame in his eyes, disgust at his own inability to do anything as I plundered his mother's wet depths, but there was also something else: a spark of lust that he tried to hide, and a resignation that the women were right—that I was better than him in every way.

And it only got worse for Adam when his mother turned to him, placing her hands on his shoulders. I continued my plundering, never losing my pace as we readjusted. Her face was inches away from his, her hot breath washing across his downcast head.

"Oh, yes! Right there!" Milena cried out, her nails digging into Adam's shoulders as she arched her back, pressing her ass back to meet my thrusts. "I'm gonna cum again! Oh, please, don't stop!"

"Never," I vowed, my hands tightening on her hips as I slammed into her, feeling my balls draw up tight. I gave her rear one quick slap, the sudden crack reverberating in the dining room, followed swiftly by a guttural moan from the lust crazed milf. I could feel my cream rising, boiling inside me and preparing to spill forth, but I wanted to give Milena what she craved first.

"Fill me up," she pleaded, her eyes sparkling with lust and desire. "I want your cream inside me, Bobby. I want to get pregnant with another little bastard! Maybe this one will be a better man than my son."

That was all it took. My eyes rolled back in my head, and I came with a primal roar, my hips jerking as I pumped my seed deep into her waiting womb. My knees almost buckled at the force of my orgasm, and I had to grip Milena's hips to keep from collapsing, but I managed to stay upright, my cock buried to the hilt inside her as I flooded her with my essence.

Our combined, animalistic grunts could probably be heard from across the street, but I was beyond caring as we came together.

Another loud crack filled the room, this one not cause by me, and I gathered what wits I had remaining to look around.

Milena stood to her full height, pulling off my length, and I couldn't miss my seed dribbling down her legs. However, Adam looked at her shocked, his left hand cradling his cheek, where I could just make out the beginning of a hand print.

"Don't you dare ever kiss me like that," Milena snarled at him. "I am your mother, not some dumb, American bimbo."

"Hey!" Shayna huffed.

But I kept my eyes on Adam as his expression turned from shock to outrage.

"You can't treat me like that!" Adam screamed, finally finding his backbone again. "I'm going to tell Dad what you did here, and then you'll be out on the street, like the whore you are!"

I would have expected Milena to grow angry or worried by her son's words, but instead she laughed. While her laughter did incredible things to her delicious curves, Adam's words had me worried. As a senator, I had little doubt that Mitchell Roper could make my life hell.

"You do that," Milena taunted her son. "Who do you think he'll believe? The submissive woman he bought and paid, who caters to his every whim? Or the disappointment son? Especially after I inform him of the drugs you keep hidden under the bottom drawer of your dresser."

Adam remined silent for a moment longer, his eyes darting around, trying to find anything to use against us. Meanwhile, I started to grab my clothes, figuring the sooner we exit, the better.

"The security cameras!" Adam said after a few more seconds. "They're everywhere in this house. "Dad will believe me when I show him the footage of you—"

Once again, Milena slapped her son, shutting him up, before letting out a dark laugh.

"You think this is the first time I've done this?" Milena demanded, her voice patronizing. "You know Francisco, the man who cleans the pool? Cliche, I know, but he fucks me every other Tuesday while you're in class. Well, he did. After what Bobby just did to me, I wouldn't call what Francisco does as fucking. Oh, and you know that book club I go to on Thursdays? I always stay late when Mrs. Carpenter hosts. Her husband is never there, and she and I spend at least an hour licking, sucking, and fucking each other's pussies."

I was fully dressed by this point, and I tried to get my wives attention so that we could slip out, but Adam's next words had me worried again. I didn't want to be in the middle of this family drama, though I had literally just stuck my dick in it.

"You…" Adam almost seemed afraid to ask the question as Shayna and Elly moved over to my side, but he pressed on. "You said another bastard. Did you have a miscarriage, or something?"

This time when Milena laughed, it sent a chill down my spine.

"Did you really think you were Mitchell's son?" Milena scoffed hard enough that she had to rest a hand against the table. "You?! He's an ugly man, and you're too pretty to be related to him."

"Then…. Then I tell him about that, and you'll be done!" Adam cried in defiance. "You can't fake my genetics."

Milena didn't laugh this time. Instead she brushed her fingers across Adam's red cheek, while letting out a gentle tsking.

"Do that and he will disown you just as fast as he does me," Milena informed her son. "Besides, do you know how many ugly bastard Mitchell has out there? I lost track after seven."

"I think it's time we got out of here," I whispered and headed for the door, my wives hot on my heels.

"Oh, Bobby!" Milena stopped us just as we reached the front door. She was still fully nude, and it was hard for me to believe that this was the same woman I'd met at the beginning of dinner. "I hope it goes without saying, but discretion is key," she said in a serious tone.

"I won't be telling anyone about this," I promised her, and meant it. What had I been thinking? Fooling around with Demitra earlier had been one thing. She wasn't a married woman. But what I'd just done in that dining room, and in front of her son, was a whole new level of debauchery that I never thought I was capable of.

"Good," she said with a bright smile. Under normal circumstances, I would have been more than happy to be the cause of such a delightful smile, but at that moment, I felt a little sick to my stomach.

She took a moment to grab a pen and paper that rested on a table next to the door, before jotting something down and handing the paper to Shayna.

"Here is my personal email. Feel free to use it however you like. I would truly enjoy getting to know all three of you better." As soon as Shayna took the paper from her, Milena turned back to me and planted a soft kiss on my lips. "Thank you again for an incredible evening."

I somehow managed to nod before turning and finally escaping from that house. If I never saw another member of the Roper family, it'd be too soon!

 

* * *

 

 

1084 A.D.

 

1084 A.D.

In an instant, Ardin saw through to the true Venita. Or rather, to the vile creature that’d deceived him, sending him on a perilous journey that tested his faith, when he should have been at home to protect his family.

Only his family was also a lie. Despite his uncanny ability to see truths and know things that should have been beyond him, Ardin struggled to understand the truth of his reality.

As the wicked pagan goddess held him, Ardin’s mind was overwhelmed by images and impressions that were beyond a regular mortal to comprehend. He was no longer a regular mortal, but still close enough that he struggled to parse the onslaught of information.

With a supreme effort of will, Ardin focused his mind on what he could. Venita held a physical form that itself held in a powerful being. She wasn’t human, and he knew this wasn’t her true body. He sorted through her last two weeks and wanted to throw up.

She was the proprietor of this den of inequity. It was bad enough that his wife owned and managed a business, but that it was this particular endeavor was disgusting. The amount of sin that occurred within these walls hourly was enough to make any pious man weep and beg for redemption. How could his sweet, loving, Christian wife allow herself to sink so low? But that wasn’t the worst thing.

She’d lain with another man the day before he’d arrived. He saw everything in her memories. The man was wealthy, politically connected, and she’d not wanted to do it, but had to, to keep her unholy business unmolested. He saw through the last fortnight, and knew that she’d had many offers, but turned down all but that one. He saw her reasoning and reluctance to accept the liaison, but was also unable to not witness the deed, and the act she'd pretended to get the man off as quickly as possible.

He felt a physical revulsion at her touch and wanted to release the small amount of food in his stomach, but managed to hold it in. Over the last few years, he’d learned how to pretend. Many were disgusted at the sight of him, and despite his abilities, he’d trained himself on keeping his thoughts and emotions bottled up. A necessary habit formed from living amongst the two-faced and corrupt humans who professed to be humble Christians, but behind closed doors, acted with lustful, greedy hearts.

“I’m here, now,” he managed to say through a throat that barely wanted to cooperate. “We can… we can be together again.” That lie roiled his stomach, but somehow he managed to get the words out. His mind raced, as he worked to come up with some way to flee this retched place.

“You’ve… been changed,” she said, after a bit of hesitation, pulling away to look at him. He knew what she saw, but for once, didn’t try to hide anything. His body was gaunt, but strong. His hair was long, almost falling to the middle of his back. But the biggest change since the last time she’d seen him was his lack of eyes. Smooth skin now covered the area his eyes once held, though that was no detriment to him.

“I’ve…” Ardin thought of how much to tell her, before firming his resolve. “I met some people you knew in your old life. When I returned to our village to find it destroyed, the man was angry and did this to me.” Ardin touched the smooth skin over his eye sockets and shook his head.

“I’m so sorry,” Venita wailed, and he knew she meant it, but her sorrow couldn’t reach his broken heart. “I didn’t think any of them would still be around. I hoped you would be able to get the fruit and return to us. I hoped… But none of that matters, now. We’re together again.”

Her mention of the fruit reminded him that he still had one remaining bite left on it. Despite having taken two bites already, the fruit had remained healthy and unspoiled. The crazy thing had actually healed over, and merely shrunk in size after each bit to look whole, if diminished. In a panic, he sent out his thoughts, looking for it, and found it safe among his meager belongings. He didn’t trust this woman, this charlatan that'd masqueraded as a pious God-fearing woman, and intended to get as far away from her as he possibly could.

How much of their marriage was an act like with that politician? How much had she pretended to love him, all the while lying to him about who and what she was? Unfortunately, his abilities didn't reach that far into the past.

He knew it was a sin, but he had to lie to her a bit more. She was already a being of power, and if she ate another bite of that fruit, who knew what it would do to her.

“That fruit is the only reason I’m still alive,” his voice came out thick with emotion, as he recalled the pain of being blasted with the lightning. “After I was hit with the power of that old man, I ate the last of the fruit. I was healed by the grace of God, but my eyes…” He couldn’t tell her about his abilities.

“That doesn’t matter, now,” Venita told him, and he knew she meant it. Her love and concern for him were like daggers in his chest. In a way, they hurt more than when that pagan god had tried to kill him. He couldn’t be with such an unclean woman, much less one that thought of herself as a pagan god. “We’re together again, and nothing will pull us apart ever again.”

He knew that a part of him was being hypocritical. He’d broken nearly every commandment in an attempt to get back to her, including infidelity, but her betrayal went way before that. She’d pretended to be a virgin on their wedding night, something that he sincerely doubted, now knowing that she was a pagan goddess of love and beauty.

“Nothing,” he told her. In his heart, he meant it as all that was left of their relationship and marriage, though he knew she would take it as a reply to her sincerity. “I’m feeling tired. I think I need some more rest. Will… Will you still be here when I wake up?”

She regarded him for a moment, her eyes inscrutable, before she offered a wide smile. “I will be right outside. Just say my name and I’ll be back in here as fast as possible, my love.”

Ardin nodded, then pulled away to rest. He wasn’t tired—another lie, but what was one more?—but needed to be alone with his thoughts. Physical contact with her was still overwhelming, and he needed to plan his exit. He knew it hurt her, but he was unable to return the words of affection as she got up and left the room.

He waited for Eothan to quietly check on him one more time, while pretending to sleep, before getting up.

He pulled out the ambrosia, looking at the strange, mystical fruit one last time, before popping it into his mouth and moving for the window.

He was high up, a fall that would kill or cripple most mortals, but he was no longer entirely mortal. With the last bite still whole in his mouth, Ardin glanced back one last time.

Goodbye, Venita, or Aphrodite, or whoever you really are, Ardin thought as his heart broke for the last time. I pray to God that we never meet again.

Without any further hesitation, Ardin climbed out the window and allowed himself to fall. His legs buckled when he hit the solid ground outside, and someone screamed. He felt his bones poking out of his shins, and the pain was tremendous, but he ignored it all. The fruit had broken open in his mouth and he quickly chewed and swallowed, feeling his body become whole once more as new strength and vigor suffused him.

Getting back to his feet, Ardin rushed from the gathering crowd. Behind him, he heard a familiar voice shouting.

“Ardin? Wait, my love, please come back!”

In the early evening light, the man who’d once been Ardin vanished amidst the bustling streets. The fisherman from a small village on the coast of the Northern Sea was dead. In his place, raced a grown man, filled with righteous power, intent on doing God’s work and punishing the wicked.

Especially those who didn’t follow His commandments, or worse, weren’t even human.

Milena

 

[tags: rough, blowjob, masochism, violence]

 

Bobby is given another mission. Hopefully, this one goes better.

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Chapter 12

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Gnolls and Slaves

 

“Everything okay in the ol’ Bobby household?” Al asked me as we stepped into his Jeep.

 

“What do you mean?” I asked, then felt a jolt from Charlotte. It’s hard to describe what that felt like. Somehow I knew she was disappointed in my question, why she was disappointed, and how she wanted me to respond to Al’s question. All of that without her saying a word. “Oh, that? Yeah, I was just a little rough after getting home. I guess they’re still recovering.”

 

“Yeah, I guess I can see why they’d act a little distant if they’re recovering from a rough fucking,” Al chuckled softly before a big grin split his face. “Man, you’ve got to treat your toys better. They won’t leave you, but if you want them to last… Well, for instance, I gave Jolene a nice foot rub last night before we—”

 

“Do you know what Consul Willmont wanted us for this morning?” I cut him off. It was that, or punch him. Hard. Shayna and Elly weren’t toys. I recalled that he had a foot fetish, so I knew that that foot rub wasn’t as much for his wife as it was for him. I liked Al, but my opinion of him dropped a bit.

 

“I’m not sure,” the man that was more freckle than normal skin answered. “If we were heading to his office, I’d say it was a mission. But since we’re heading to his house, maybe he wanted to treat us to coffee and breakfast? He didn’t seem too urgent over the phone, but you’ve talked to him more than I have. Oh! Maybe it’s a covert op he doesn’t want on the books. Maybe we’ll infiltrate….”

 

I tuned Al out as he droned on. So Wilmont wasn’t in a rush when talking to Al? That didn’t bode well. He was furious when he called me. A covert op didn’t seem to be something that would end well for me, either.

 

Especially not since the last mission he sent you on got us both killed, Charlotte reminded me. And since it was a Knight that blew himself up to do it.

 

Maybe it was a different department within the Knights, I told her. It didn’t make sense for Willmont to send me to investigate the brothel, then send in someone to blow it up.

 

Unless he did it to kill you and get your pendant, Charlotte argued with my unspoken thoughts.

 

He gave me a pill to detect you magical creatures, I mentally snapped at her. He was pretty clear those were rare. Why give me something like that if he didn’t intend for me to use it fully?

 

Not as rare as your pendant, Charlotte refused to let it go. Besides, I’m pretty sure there’s no such thing as a pill to detect magic. Don’t forget, I have access to your memories. That upset stomach you had was nerves, not because of whatever he gave you. It didn’t detect Mana or myself.

 

Wait a minute! I thought at her; something occurring to me that should have some time ago. Why don’t I have the same access to your memories? That’s not exactly fair.

 

Because you can’t handle all of my memories. Charlotte’s tone sounded pompous, but her emotions were of caution. Okay, fine! Listen, your human mind can’t handle the thousands of years’ worth of memories I’ve built up. If I gave you access to all of them, you would be swept away, and Bobby Brody would no longer exist. But, on the other hand, your twenty-two years are nothing for me to sort and manage as separate from my own.

 

“Thousands?!” I asked, shocked, forgetting to keep that within my own head.

 

“What?” Al asked as I interrupted whatever he’d been saying.

 

“Sorry,” I said, thinking fast. “I was just going over some numbers in my head. I still haven’t gone shopping for a vehicle, and I’m also not used to having an unlimited-use credit card.”

 

“Oh, uh, sure….” I could tell I’d hurt his feelings, having ignored whatever he was talking about. “Well, anyway, we’re here. But you should know that card isn’t unlimited. Spend too much, and they’ll start asking questions.”

 

“It’s worth more than I ever had before,” I confessed. “My dad was a Knight, but he kept my mother and me living in poverty. I’m still trying to get used to it all.”

 

Al didn’t say anything to that as he parked in a massive driveway. I mean, the driveway alone was bigger than the house my mom still lived in. The five-car garage—five car!!—stood at the top of a slight incline, and I won’t even begin to describe how opulent the house was. Suffice it to say that I couldn’t imagine anyone actually living in something so large or lavish. Also, how would you keep it clean? What was the point of so much space? It boggled my mind.

 

Feeling numb and wondering if I could have grown up in a mansion like this if my parents hadn’t been trying to hide everything from me, I followed Al to the front door. It opened before we could knock, ring the doorbell, or whatever it is you do to announce yourself in front of a house worth more than some small countries’ GDP.

 

“Master Mckay and Master Brody, please follow me,” a woman dressed in a French Maid’s outfit said as she bowed. Her skin was the darkest black I’d ever seen, but her hair was straight and white as fresh snow. She turned before returning upright and started walking with a hunched back.

 

Stepping across that threshold gave me cold chills. I don’t know what or why, but it felt like entering a dangerous beast’s den.

 

No fucking way! Charlotte shouted in my head. I can’t believe it. There’s just no way. She can’t be... It’s impossible!

 

What are you talking about? I demanded of my passenger.

 

Uh, nothing, Charlotte responded too quickly, and I didn’t believe her for a moment. Okay, fine. I’ll tell you once I’m sure. Her mind is a little hard to read—fuzzy somehow—but if she’s what I think she is….

 

Charlotte didn’t finish that sentence, and my mind was brought back to reality as we entered what I think is called a foyer. Four marble columns rose up from the floor three stories. The massive pillars were at least two feet thick and spaced about twenty-five feet apart in a square. Three long white leather couches filled some of the spaces in a U shape. The fourth gap was left open, but my eyes were drawn to the man walking in.

 

“Gentlemen!” Consul Willmont greeted us with warm smiles. “So glad you could get here on such short notice. Please, have a seat. Are you thirsty or hungry? I know it’s early, and I called you away from your morning routines. I can have my maid get you anything you need. No alcohol, though. Need to keep our wits about us.”

 

I stared at the brown-skinned man, wondering if he was the same man that yelled at me for not answering my phone promptly. Was he unhinged?

 

“I could use a coffee,” Al said, lifting his mug to emphasize his point. I wondered how much caffeine the man needed? He’d had a refill at my place and already needed more? How had he drunk it so fast, as hot as I knew it to be?

 

“You!” Willmont snapped at the white-haired maid. “Get him a coffee. And anything for you, Carpenter Brody?”

 

My mind stuttered. The well-built man went from imperious and demanding to acting the gracious host in the blink of an eye.

 

No! Charlotte screamed at me before I could nod and ask for the same thing.

 

“Uh, no. I’m good, Sir. But thank you,” I said, only partially surprised that I trusted the demon in my head more than the human man before me.

 

“Can I get three tablespoons of cream—french vanilla if you have it—and no sugar. Just fill it to the top,” Al told the maid as she accepted his mug. “And thank you.”

 

“Don’t thank her,” Willmont said as he again indicated for us to sit. “She’s a simple-minded thing, only capable of following simple tasks.”

 

I noticed Al’s eyes followed after the dark-skinned woman, and I elbowed him in the side. Wasn’t he madly in love with Jolene?

 

Al glared at me, rubbing his side where I’d connected, before turning back to face Consul Willmont.

 

I didn’t like the glint I saw in the older man’s eyes as he said, “She might be dumber than a cat chasing a laser, but she has some skills in the bedroom. Prove yourself, and I’ll let you get a crack at her.”

 

“Yes, Sir,” Al nodded as though the proposition was ordinary.

 

We heard footsteps approaching from the same area Willmont had entered, and I took a moment to elbow Al again.

 

“What?” Al glared at me again and scooted further from me on the couch.

 

“Jolene?” I hinted at him, reminding him that he was married.

 

The redhead looked confused for a moment, then shook his head with a rueful smile. “I keep forgetting that you don’t know these things. She doesn’t care. Neither will your wives. It’s part of the—no way!”

 

Those sons of bitches! Charlotte cursed in my head, but I wondered what had distracted Al.

 

I followed Al’s line of site to see a very tall man walk in with a shaved head. I was more than a bit surprised to see him since I knew him also.

 

“I see the fourth member of our team doesn’t need an introduction,” Willmont grinned from ear to ear.

 

“Team?” I asked, wondering if we were about to play basketball, but Al shouted over the top of me.

 

“Introduction? Derrick Rhinehardt is the hero of Atlanta. The only man alive known to go up against a wendigo by himself and survive. His record and career are legendary. I even heard he once went into a den of vampires alone, and they offered him their teeth if he let them live.”

 

The giant man chuckled in a way that told me he’d heard this all before, but none of that was why I knew him.

 

“That Wendigo was weakened after I hit it with a semi,” Derrick gave us his game-winning smile. “And as for the vampires, well, they didn’t offer them up to me. They also didn’t leave with their un-lives.”

 

I found myself on my feet as I literally looked up at one of my heroes. The man stood over seven feet tall and seemed even larger in real life. “You scored more than seventy points combined during the last playoffs and was picked as the MVP for game two. It’s widely believed that if you hadn’t sustained that injury in the third game, the Lakers would have won. I can’t believe you’re here!”

 

Willmont chuckled again as he claimed, “Like I said, no introduction needed.”

 

Derrick Rhinehardt, NBA superstar, rubbed the back of his neck with a hand almost as large as a dinner plate. “That injury was actually from the night before. I kind of got into it with a naiad. She didn’t know I was a Knight and wanted a little of my celebrity dick. She got more than she bargained for, but I’d twisted my ankle in the scuffle.”

 

“You mean you played the first half with an injury?” I asked, shocked. I couldn’t imagine playing with a hurt ankle.

 

Derrick started to nod, but Consul Willmont cut in. “You two may address him as Guardian Rhinehardt. I expect you to follow his orders without question. He’s your superior, and you will report to him after today. I am no longer your direct supervisor. I never should have been in the first place, but the way you both screwed up on First Knight left us with few options. Luckily, Guardian Rhinehardt has agreed to take you both on.”

 

“Pending their performance on our task this morning,” Derrick broke in. Willmont nodded, and the NBA star continued. “You both know of me by reputation; however, I expect you to treat me as a Knight of higher rank. Therefore, I will not be giving out autographs, nor will I show up to any special events you might have, just because we know each other. Am I understood?”

 

“Yes, Sir,” Al and I said in unison. I’ll admit, I was more than a little intimidated by the giant man. He stood nearly a foot taller than me, and I wasn’t short, at just over six feet tall.

 

“Good,” Consul Willmont said with a satisfied smile. Now that that’s understood, let’s get ready.”

 

“Um, ready for what, Sir?” Al asked, and I wondered the same thing.

 

“To see if you have what it takes to be trained by one of our greatest,” Willmont said, and for some reason, I noticed Derrick’s cheeks redden. I couldn’t imagine a person with his fame being embarrassed by the comment.

 

Even I am aware of him, Charlotte said. I wish I could read his mind, though. His body language seems off.

 

I noticed Willmont staring at me, and even though I knew he couldn’t read my mind, I told Charlotte to hush. Then, when he continued to look at me, I asked, “What is the mission?”

 

I really hoped it ended better than my last mission.

 

“My maid will get you kitted out,” Willmont said with a wave of his hand. I turned to see the midnight-dark-skinned woman had returned, holding Al’s coffee. Her head remained bowed as she held out the drink.

 

“Follow me, please,” the maid said after Al took his drink. Once again, she remained with her head lowered until she turned around. Even then, her shoulders remained hunched as she guided us. I wondered if her face was disfigured or why she kept it hidden. Considering Willmont’s apparent disdain for her, I wouldn’t doubt it. Despite my feelings about Al considering Willmont’s offer with the maid, I couldn’t deny she had a nice figure. The black and white French maid’s outfit only accentuated her coloring and shape. However, I’m not attracted to unintelligent women, and I had enough on my plate with Elly and Shayna.

 

The dark woman led us to a smaller room that was only smaller in comparison to the foyer. It was still larger than my kitchen in the home I shared with my wives. But it was as different from a kitchen as a room can get, except for the various knives hanging in one corner. Next to the blades hung a few swords, followed by maces and then spears. Multiple guns were locked behind a grate, and I even noticed an RPG and rocket launcher. Growing up in California, you’d think I’d know a little more about guns, but other than they were all different shapes and sizes, I can’t tell you what they were. I mean, I saw pistols and rifles, but I couldn’t identify the calibers or models.

 

On the opposite wall hung various armors. Considering the other medieval weapons, I almost expected to see suits of armor or maybe a leather cuirass or two. But instead, there hung many modern body armors and pads.

 

“Let me into these guns,” Al told the maid, but she didn’t move to comply.

 

“Please forgive me,” the maid dropped to her knees and pressed her head to the floor in what I thought was panic. “I was told you could pick any weapons and armor, but the guns won’t be used. Please, I’m only doing as my master commands!”

 

“It’s okay,” I said, dropping into a squat next to her. “No one’s going to hurt you. We’ll pick something else if we can’t use the guns.” I lightly rested my hand on her upper back to console her, but she flinched, and I pulled my hand back. She hadn’t moved away from me, but I sensed my touch frightened her.

 

“You may… touch me if you desire, Master Brody,” the wretched creature shuddered, and I felt sick to my stomach. “I am not worthy of rejecting a Knight. I am only allowed to serve.”

 

I stood up and took a step away, wondering how terrible her life must be. I didn’t think I could be any more surprised to see a person acting so debased, but when she shifted and looked up at me, my mouth went dry.

 

She wasn’t disfigured or ugly. Quite the opposite! Her ebony black skin was smooth and unblemished, with high cheekbones and piercing red eyes. Her eyelashes and brows were just as bleached white as her hair. Her chin came down to what I can only think to call a rounded but sculpted point. I knew immediately that she wasn’t human, even without her unearthly beauty and pointed ears.

 

Holy fucking shit! Charlotte screeched in my head, making me flinch. The maid mistook that and dropped her head back to the floor, begging to be forgiven for looking at me.

 

“It’s okay,” I tried to console her but didn’t move any closer. She wasn’t human. She was one of those freaks! And yet, her behavior broke my heart.

 

I can’t fucking believe it! I thought… I’d hoped when I saw her, but they were supposed to be extinct. Do you know what this means?! Charlotte sounded beyond excited.

 

I have no idea what you’re freaking out about, I told the succubus while staring at the creature cowering on the floor.

 

She’s a drow elf! Charlotte sounded so excited, but I couldn’t understand why. So what if the maid was a dark elf? Yes, I know what a drow is. I’ve played enough games with them that I knew a bit, at least. But they were almost always the bad guys. No, no, no! Elves were thought to be all but extinct. There was only one elf left—and let me tell you, she’s quite the bitch! But there are other elves! Or, at least, one other elf.

 

“Are you okay?” Al asked me, breaking me from my internal conversation.

 

“Huh?” I stared at the redhead, then nodded. “Yeah. Just not used to seeing or being this close to a non-human.”

 

 “You looked like you were ready to eat her,” Al chuckled. “And you were getting on me about staring earlier! Your two wives not keeping you satisfied?”

 

“What? No!” I said, feeling my temper rise at the double accusation. “My wives are doing just fine, thank you.” I almost told Al that I could never be interested in a freak, but she looked so pathetic, groveling there, that I couldn’t get the words out.

 

It also helps that you find her extremely attractive, Charlotte accused me. I’m finally softening you up. You know, I could take on her form tonight after you go to sleep, if you’d like?

 

Shut up, I told the succubus before walking up to the wall with body armors and grabbing one that looked light and flexible. Beautiful and svelt as the maid was, her attitude was unattractive to me. I know some men enjoy an extremely submissive woman—and in the bedroom, I’ll admit I might as well—but outside the bedroom, I desired confidence. “Come on, Al. Let’s get our gear ready before Consul Willmont wonders what we’re doing in here.”

 

Al shrugged before saying, “Suit yourself, but I plan on taking him up on his offer to try her out after the mission.”

 

“And what about your wife?” I asked, more than a little surprised at my fellow Knight. “Won’t Jolene have an issue with that?”

 

“Why?” Al looked at me as though I spouted nonsense. “Man, I keep trying to tell you. Our wives won’t mind. Hell, maybe I’ll have Jolene join us. What a sight that would make, huh? Jolene’s pale skin pressed against this thing’s black back. Have you ever seen skin so dark? Ebony and ivory.” Al adjusted his crotch and hummed happily to himself as he went to inspect the blades.

 

I decided it was best to ignore his crude comments as I donned the armor. I liked Al, but he was starting to remind me of Adam. Before joining Al by the weapons, I also snagged knee and elbow pads and a set of sturdy military-style boots with built-in sheaths for blades.

 

“Hey, um—” I paused, unsure what to call the maid before driving on. “Do you know anything about the mission we’re going on?”

 

Her head lifted enough for her red eyes to land on me before dropping back to the floor. “My master has only told me that we will be underground.”

 

We? I wondered but dismissed it. That would explain why guns were a bad idea. Ricochets would be unpredictable.

 

With that information in mind, I ignored the spears and longer weapons. Instead, I reached for a couple of stilettos, and then it hit me. This mission would be dangerous. I know I should have realized it before, but after having died on a mission that was supposed to be simple, I found my hands sweating and beginning to shake.

 

I willed them to close over the hilts of the two long blades. I tried to convince myself that I was stronger now and much harder to hurt, much less kill. I felt Charlotte reinforcing my positive emotions, but it wasn’t enough. Was I going to die again, this time with no hope of being reincarnated? What hope or chance did I have? I wasn’t trained on how to fight and kill magical creatures. I knew martial arts, but what good would that do against a hydra or a basilisk? Those lived underground, didn’t they? Lizard-people?

 

You’ll have two fully trained Knights with you, Charlotte tried to console me before my mind screamed off in a panic.

 

One of which sent me on the last mission where I died, I argued back. And according to you, he has my pendant.

 

Okay… Well then, you have me, and I know how to fight. I promised to keep you safe and will continue to do that, no matter what. The sincerity in Charlotte’s voice broke through my rising terror. It didn’t go away, and perhaps it was helped by the succubus’s ability to bolster my emotions, but I felt better.

 

It struck me then that despite my best efforts, Charlotte was winning me over. I trusted her. Regardless of her motives for hijacking my return to the living world, she worked hard and sacrificed her freedoms for me. Of course, I didn’t like what she was, but perhaps I didn’t have to make her existence so difficult.

 

Awe, I love you too!

 

Shut up. She had to go and ruin my epiphany.

 

“Master Brody, may I assist you?” the maid’s voice directly behind me caused me to jump and drop the blades. Before they had an opportunity to fall far and impale my innocent feet, my hands shot out, gripped both hilts, and slipped the knives into my boots. By the astonished look on Al’s face, it had to look incredibly cool. However, my heart was in my throat because I knew it was Charlotte’s skill.

 

Turning around, I faced the woman. Her eyes stared at her feet, but at least she was standing again. This close, I noticed how tall she was. With her head bowed and shoulders hunched, the top of her head was eye level with me.

 

“Any weapons you’d suggest we take?” I asked her after swallowing hard.

 

“I am not allowed to touch a weapon, but I would suggest a short blunt weapon in addition to the two blades.” Her eyes flicked up to mine again before she dropped her gaze.

 

“Hey, I could use some help too,” Al said, sounding more than a little jealous.

 

“Of course, Master Mckay,” the maid said and moved over to him. Her frilly skirt swayed hypnotically as she moved, and I shook myself to focus back on the weapons before me. “I would not recommend this spear. It’s suitable for keeping enemies at bay but challenging to wield fully when in cramped areas. This cane is a good choice if you know how to use a short sword. It has—”

 

“A cane?” Al asked with a grimace. “I don’t need help walking. I want to kill monsters.”

 

“Let me see that,” I asked and waited for the maid to hand over the cane hanging on the wall among the short swords. When she didn’t move, I remembered that she wasn’t allowed to touch the weapons and pulled it down myself. It appeared to be made of oak but was too light and sturdy. The head of the cane bent and formed the shape of a viper’s head. I noted a slight indent near the bend, and upon pressing against it, the cane’s weight shifted. I heard the metal clatter on the floor before I understood what had happened.

 

“Please be careful with that blade, Master Brody,” the maid warned me as she bent to retrieve what I now understood to be the metal sheath. The blade stretched for about two feet and was no thicker than half an inch at the widest. The shiny surface reflected light back with an oily sheen. “The inside of the cane is coated with an incredibly dangerous poison.”

 

I accepted the base of the cane from her, curious that she could touch this but not the whole object. With the blade removed, I could tell it was metal, despite its outward oak appearance. With extreme caution, I seated the weapon back inside the base and moved to put it back. I didn’t want something potentially dangerous to myself.

 

No, keep it, Charlotte warned me as my arm stopped under her control. I also noted the hungry gleam in Al’s eyes as I brought it back to my side.

 

“This was a good suggestion,” I told the maid with a smile she didn’t look up to see.

 

“Anything else I should look for?” Al asked, sounding more than a little miffed.

 

In the end, I slipped another blade into my left elbow pad and hooked a wicked-looking baton with a retractible hook onto my belt. Al opted for a silver-coated gladius, a few knives, and a spiked mace in addition to similar body armor to my own.

 

Consul Willmont looked us over as we walked out of his armory with a critical eye.

 

“Interesting choices in weapons,” he told me with a frown at the cane. “Be very careful with that. The blade’s poison coating is derived from the wandering spider’s venom. It would be quite the hassle if you accidentally nicked yourself or one of us.”

 

For some reason, Charlotte snickered at that. Was she imagining me accidentally killing my allies?

 

Nope! She was quick to answer. I solemnly swear that’s not why I’m laughing.

 

I wondered if the wandering spider was some mythical creature, but I didn’t dare ask, and Charlotte didn’t offer any information.

 

I noticed that Consul Willmont wore padded leather armor and carried two short blades on his back. Apparently, the prohibition against guns didn’t apply to him, as I noted the pistol on his hip. Derrick trundled out in chain mail and leather armor. He even carried a black motorcycle helm under one arm.

 

Compared to him, we’re all underdressed, I thought to Charlotte.

 

No kidding, she agreed. You’d think for such a vaunted hero and warrior, he wouldn’t weigh himself down so much.

 

Unless he knows something we don’t, I thought. Still, a glance at Willmont showed that he also regarded Derrick’s heavy attire with curiosity.

 

If the giant man noticed our stares, he didn’t comment.

 

“Well, if we’re all ready to go?” Willmont glanced around before pointing to the front door and facing Al and me. “You two follow after us. We’ll be driving for a couple hours. If you need to use the bathroom, now’s the time to do it.”

 

We were on the road a few minutes later, following a heavily tinted white SUV.

 

I’m not going to write about the boring drive there, except to say that Al talks a lot! Charlotte thinks Al is generally a good guy, and I should ignore how much he drooled over the maid. But, of course, she doesn’t see a problem with a man lusting after another woman and even told me that most men have much worse thoughts, though they keep them to themselves. I won’t pretend to be a paragon of virtue by any stretch of the imagination. After the incident in Utah with that wife-trainer, I have to concede that I’m not much better.

 

A little over two hours after leaving, I regretted not having more to eat. My stomach rumbled as we traveled down a bumpy dirt road before parking in a rocky, hilly area.

 

“You boys ready?” Derrick asked with what sounded like a forced chuckle as he got out of the back seat of the SUV. The maid stepped from the other side, and I couldn’t help but notice her straightening her uniform as she opened the back of their vehicle.

 

The maid rummaged around for a moment in the SUV before pulling out some sandwiches and handing them out.

 

“Best to eat now, before the fun begins,” Consul Willmont told us. “The smell shouldn’t be too bad, but if it is, we’ve got something for that. Better to have something in your bellies than nothing at all.”

 

“We still don’t know what we’re doing, Sir,” I said and took my sandwich from the maid. I was getting rather hungry, but the meal was little more than a slice of ham and cheese on white bread. Bland, but better than nothing. At least Charlotte wasn’t warning me off of this food.

 

“You boys are in for a treat,” Willmont said around a mouthful of sandwich. He took a swig off a canteen, making me realize I didn’t have anything to drink. “A small group of gnolls was spotted entering a cave a few minute’s hike from here.”

 

Knolls? I asked, confused. Isn’t a knoll a grassy hill?

 

Yes, but he’s talking about gnolls with a G instead of a K, Charlotte told me. Gnolls are humanoid-hyena monsters, very vicious and short-tempered. They breed like rabbits and will eat almost anything. They’re worse than cockroaches. Usually, I wouldn’t agree with anything the Knights do, but I can’t argue in this case. A nest of gnolls should be cleared out as soon as possible.

 

So you don’t have a problem killing them? I asked, feeling sick to my stomach. I’d never killed anything larger than a bug. I’d almost killed someone once… but that was…. Well, the less thought about that, the better.

 

“Are you okay?” Al asked me with a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Gnolls are pushovers. Barely smarter than a dog and easily cowed. We’ve nothing to worry about.”

 

“That’s true unless they’re in large groups,” Derrick chimed in. “That’s why it’s so important to find nests and stamp them out when they’re small like this one.”

 

Just be quick about it and don’t let them suffer, Charlotte answered my previous question.

 

Willmont gave us a few last-minute tips, like going for their throats, slash instead of stab, and watch out for their bites and claws. After that, we started hiking.

 

It wasn’t hard to find the cave, and I wished I hadn’t eaten before. The stench of death and rot was overwhelming. Flies choked the air and filled it with an incessant buzz.

 

“Here!” Willmont handed each of us something soft. Then, through eyes that watered from my attempts not to vomit, I saw him wrap something around his mouth and nose.

 

I quickly did the same with the large bandana and found my breaths coming easier. The cloth held the strong scent of mint, almost enough to block out the other stench.

 

“This doesn’t look good,” Derrick said, wide-eyed. “I thought this was supposed to be a small group. Instead, this smells like they’ve been here for a while.”

 

“I’m sure my information is good,” Willmont said, not backing down. “We’re too close to the road for a large group to go unnoticed for long.”

 

I glanced back, wondering if he meant the dirt road that had appeared little used.

 

“I’m sure we can handle any group with you on our side, Guardian Rhinehardt!” Al said with too much enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the tall man didn’t look as enthused.

 

I glanced at the maid, wondering what her take was, but she kept her eyes down.

 

“Derrick, take point. You—” Willmont pointed to the maid, “stay right behind him and warn if you see anything. Al, Bobby, you take the center and try not to stab one another. I’ll guard our rear. Let’s move and get this over with.”

 

Is that the first time he’s used your first names? Charlotte asked.

 

I nodded, wondering what it meant as I stepped up to Al’s right. I hadn’t paid much attention before, but I noted he carried his short sword in his left hand. I brought my cane up but didn’t unsheath the blade. I thought about using my daggers but had nowhere to store the cane.

 

“Once more unto the breach,” Derrick murmured and began walking forward.

 

That’s not the proper use of that phrase! Charlotte groused in my head.

 

I mentally nodded, knowing it’s supposed to be a rallying call to attempt something dangerous again. At least, I hoped this wasn’t the second attempt to clear out this cave.

 

Thin grey clouds filled the sky, making for a cooler day than it could have been, but I still felt sweat gliding down my spine as we approached the entrance to the cave. I noted how the tip of my cane shook despite my best efforts to calm myself. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I entertained the thought of turning and running back to the vehicles. I wasn’t ready to die again. Was I prepared to kill?

 

Take a deep breath, Charlotte’s soothing voice called to me, and I felt her calming emotions envelop my psyche. I can handle the actual fighting—if you’ll let me. I know you have skills also, but I have experience. I can’t do it if I’m fighting you for control, though.

 

I looked back and noted how closely Consul Willmont watched me. Did he know what I was thinking? Was he waiting for me to turn traitor and run?

 

I loosened my white-knuckled grip on the cane and squared my shoulders. If we run into problems or get overwhelmed, jump in. Otherwise… I swallowed hard as we passed the entrance to the cave. Otherwise, I need to know if I can do this.

 

After only a few paces, Derrick and the maid stopped.

 

“Gnolls are nocturnal creatures,” Willmont said in hushed tones as he handed out headlamps. “Keep your eyes and ears open. They’re dumb creatures when they don’t have an alpha, and this nest is too new to have one.”

 

I placed the light on my head and flipped it on. It was dim, but my eyes quickly adjusted with some help from Charlotte. In fact, as we moved deeper in, I heard Al mutter that he could barely see, but I could easily make out every rock and crevice. Finally, it occurred to me that I could no longer smell the stench of the place.

 

You’re welcome, Charlotte said to my un-voiced appreciation.

 

Just as I began to wonder how deep the cave went, and where these hyena creatures were, Derrick stopped us. The two higher-ranking Knights conferred in whispers that my internal succubus informed me even she couldn’t hear.

 

“How. Are. You. Breathing?” Al asked me between shallow breaths. He then leaned over, lifted his mouth covering, and lost what was in his stomach.

 

I waited for him to wipe his mouth, and we took a few steps away from his wet pile before I answered him, pretending to struggle with gagging.

 

“I spent some time in juvenile detention as a kid. The bathroom there was about as bad as this, but maybe with more ammonia stench. Cleaning it was a real bitch.”

 

“You’ll… have to—urgh—tell me about that… after we get out of here,” Al tried to speak through his nausea. He gave me an odd look, staring directly into my eyes before shaking his head.

 

“No, I won’t,” I told him with finality. That wasn’t a time I cared to think or talk about.

 

We were saved from further conversation as Derrick and Willmont finished their discussion.

 

“Let’s move!” Willmont said in a firm but quiet voice.

 

Your basketball star is afraid, Charlotte told me. I can’t read his mind, but his body language is clear.

 

Probably just nervous having a couple rookies behind him, I said, though she knew I didn’t really believe that. Someone with his reputation shouldn’t be afraid of dumb creatures, right?

 

I felt Charlotte shaking her head as some of her anxiety leached into me. A group of gnolls are easy prey for prepared fighters, she told me. As long as the nest isn’t too large or if they have an alpha.

 

My eyes searched our surroundings, examining every nook and cranny as we walked. I hoped with all my heart that she hadn’t jinxed us by bringing up the alpha. So what’s the big deal with an alpha? That’s just a bigger, stronger one, isn’t it?

 

Before she could answer, a weird laughing yip echoed inside the cavern. The sound triggered some ancestral memory, and I stopped moving, terrified. I’m honestly surprised I didn’t wet myself.

 

“Alpha!” Guardian Rhinehardt shouted. “I fucking told you!” His eyes grew large as he looked behind me to Willmont.

 

As if my neck consisted of rusty gears, my neck slowly turned to face our leader.

 

He wasn’t there.

 

“Willmont, you fucking bastard!” Derrick screamed, then shook his head and took charge. “Everyone, move so our backs are together. Maid, if you don’t want to become their next meal, stay between us. I’m not going to risk my life to save yours, so watch out and let us know if you see anything. You other two, we’re going to move slowly back the way we came. Trust each other to watch your backs, and we’ll get out of here.”

 

Even though he was taking charge, and his advice sounded fair, I could tell he didn’t believe that last statement. Regardless, we did as he ordered, forming a triangle with the maid behind each of us.

 

“I can see clearly,” I said, moving to take the point.

 

For a moment, it looked like Derrick was going to argue, but he took one look at my face and said, “What the fuck is wrong with your eyes? Never mind. If you can see, take the lead. The maid can warn us when they attack.”

 

I wondered what he saw in my eyes but didn’t argue. I wanted to get the hell out of there and started walking. It took all of my willpower not to break into a full-on sprint. Even so, Derrick had to tell me to slow down.

 

Sweat liberally dripped from my brow and down my body, despite the cooler temperatures inside the cave. That laughing yip repeatedly sounded, spurring us on, but the attack didn’t come.

 

“Why aren’t they attacking?” I asked, gritting my teeth against my building nerves.

 

“Damned alphas,” Derrick responded as though that said everything.

 

Alphas are smart, Charlotte informed me. They terrorize their prey. The nest is much bigger than Willmont thought, and we’re surrounded. We’re not getting out of here without a fight. Um… Do you remember this fork in the cave?

 

“Damn it!” I swore before calling back over my shoulder. “Guardian Rhinehardt, left or right? I don’t remember this fork.”

 

“What fork?” Derrick shouted back, then dropped a string of curses. “Can you see our tracks coming in?”

 

I scanned the ground, but the rock floor was heavily scuffed in all directions. “Looks like they covered our tracks,” I said back.

 

After another set of curses, he ordered, “Go left. Always go left in a dungeon.”

 

I thought it was always go right, but I followed his command.

 

“Ugh, I think it’s actually starting to smell worse,” Al complained.

 

“Stop complaining and keep your eyes open,” Guardian Rhinehardt snapped.

 

“The stench is making them water,” Al complained, though barely above a whisper.

 

Awfully cheery but hollow laughter echoed through the passageway. That sound is going to haunt my nightmares for years to come. It followed us down that cave as I searched frantically for any sign that this was the right way. At the next fork, I didn’t hesitate and took another left.

 

Then we ran out of cave to move down.

 

Our path was blocked by a solid rock wall in a slightly bigger room, and we were no longer alone. However, it wasn’t some hyena monster before us, but something much worse.

 

Bones, or rather the broken remains of bones, littered the floor and were piled up along the edges. I couldn’t identify what animal most of them came from, but I recognized a couple of human skulls. Every single bone I could see was picked clean and even had the marrow sucked out. A single, slim path beelined through the center and up to a massive monster.

 

Okay, under the duress of Charlotte’s insistence, I will write that it wasn’t completely a monster. Still, I’d argue that just made it worse.

 

This area had a higher ceiling and widened walls and still looked small compared to this creature. It had to be twelve feet in height, not counting the long snake-like tail that made up its lower half and coiled on the floor. Its upper half was that of a well-built woman that… I’m going to be blunt here. While I consider myself well-built, my muscles toned and well-defined, hers were better. And yet, on her chest hung two massive tear-drop breasts that would typically be fake on such a fit woman, but their shape and how they hung on her chest made me think they were genuine. In addition, she had six long arms spread out around her with her back to the rock wall.

 

“What the hell is a lamia doing tied up down here?” Derrick demanded, applying a name to the monster woman.

 

That’s not a lamia, but a nagini, Charlotte informed me. Before her words, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a lamia and a nagini. After her annoyance echoed through me, I suddenly knew.

 

“I think that’s a nagini, Sir,” I said before thinking better of correcting him. “Lamia are smaller and human-sized. Those six arms—never mind. Shutting up now.” I quickly shut my mouth at the man’s glare.

 

“None of that tells me why she’s tied up,” Guardian Rhinehardt growled and approached the creature.

 

I hadn’t noticed before, but her six arms weren’t just spread out but shackled to the wall. Her coils were also tied up in ropes and attached to metal hooks in the ground.

 

“To act as bait to lure in more of her kind,” a raspy voice sounded from the way we’d come, making every human jerk to face that direction. “Never thought I’d collect some Knights as well.”

 

A true monstrosity came into view. Over eight feet tall, yellowish-brown, spotted fur covering it from head to toe, and the head of a jackal, the thing stood blocking our way out. If I thought the snake creature behind us was well built, this thing was a diesel truck on steroids. However, where the nagini had a smooth musculature, this thing was all crags and hard angles.

 

“Alpha,” Guardian Rhinehardt hissed as though I couldn’t have figured that out. The thing let out the same laugh that haunted us throughout the caverns, only now it didn’t sound so hollow. It was hungry.

 

“Save the female, my children,” the alpha stated and pointed at our group. “You can eat the rest.”

 

More yipping laughter filled the room, and that’s when I noticed all the eyes reflecting the light of our headlamps behind the hulking brute.

 

“Shoulder to shoulder, men! Don’t let them through!” Derrick shouted orders. Years of listening to a coach bark orders had trained me to comply with that tone, and this time was no different. Derick took the center, two long daggers in his hands, with me on his right. I unsheathed the blade in my cane and held the sheath in my off-hand to act as a club.

 

Free the nagini! Charlotte ordered me next. She wants to help us. We’ll need all the help we can get.

 

“We should—” I never got the words out before smaller versions of the alpha swarmed us.

 

My arms either moved on instinct or under the succubus’ control, but my blade stabbed through the ribs of the first gnoll to reach me. I had to plant my feet as its weight tried to push me back. I could feel its fetid breath on my face before it slumped and fell to the ground, dead. Exhilaration at surviving the first attack warred with disgust at having killed the hideous creature.

 

My blade caught as it fell, almost ripping it from my grasp. Distracted by the sudden terror that I would be defenseless, I yanked hard on the hilt, not seeing the dead gnoll’s sibling leaping over to bite me.

 

“Focus!” Guardian Rhinehardt screamed and cut the thing’s head off in one smooth motion.

 

My blade yanked free as I turned my back to the taller man and let the headless beast stumble past me. Instead of responding, I followed his advice, remembering I was supposed to slice with my blade, not stab.

 

Charlotte warned me a moment before another one swiped from my throat. Bringing my blade up, I used its momentum to slice its wrist, spraying blood across the ground and my front. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to kill or remove it from the fight, so I brought the sheath around, clubbing it on the head.

 

“There’re too many of them,” Al gasped. I couldn’t spare a glance beyond the gnoll in front of me, but I couldn’t miss the terror in his voice.

 

My blow to the gnoll’s head must have dazed it as it blinked at me a few times, then gave off that eerie laugh, grabbed its crotch under its loincloth, and….

 

Is it…? I asked, wondering how hard I’d hit it.

 

I heard Charlotte laugh as she ordered me to focus again.

 

I took advantage of the beast’s frantic masturbation to slice its throat. Its hand didn’t release his bulbous tool even after death.

 

I wanted to ask what the hell was going on but was hard-pressed to defend against the next attack. And they didn’t slow. More than once, a claw or tooth slipped past my guard, and pain would distract me for a moment. In those moments, Charlotte took over and defended us with incredible skill and precision. She even saved Guardian Rhinehardt a few times.

 

These are just the canon fodder, Charlotte said as we were slowly forced back. Between the piling bodies and their sheer numbers, we were in trouble. If the alpha joins in, we’re fucked!

 

Her words acted as an omen as the alpha laughed angrily. Then, with no other warning, the tide of gnolls cut off.

 

If I give you complete control, can you fight him? I asked in a panic.

 

No.

 

That single word filled me with a new level of terror. Other than its size, what made it so formidable?

 

The three humans panted as we stared at the giant hyena-man walking toward us. The smaller gnolls stood back, watching and laughing as their big brother took the field. The massive brute licked its black lips as we waited for the inevitable.

 

I blinked—I swear it was no more than a blink—and it vanished. I heard a grunt to my left and saw Al on the ground, motionless, his headlamp extinguished. I forced my eyes to remain open as Derrick swung his blade at the monster, but I still couldn’t see it move. One moment it stood laughing over Al, the next, it was behind Derrick, clobbering him on the back of the head with a bowling-ball-sized fist.

 

Less than a second later, his light went out.

 

Having seen enough anime, I shouted a loud “Ha!” and spun to strike the empty air behind me.

 

My shout became a squeak as my wrist stopped in a vice grip. The monster brought its face close to mine and let out its softest laugh. Honestly, it was probably the most horrific sound so far, seeing as it was filled with yellowed teeth, rancid breath, and malicious glee.

 

The hyena’s head turned to sniff my blade before splitting into a tooth-filled grin. I felt and heard my forearm snap as it twisted its grip and brought my blade around to slice my cheek. My numb hand still held the hilt.

 

I screamed in agony, liquid fire burning along all my injuries. The alpha backhanded me, sending my agonized body into one of the bone piles. Charlotte’s cries of torment filled my head as my own filled my ears.

 

Through the pain, and as I awaited death, I became aware of another issue. Through the haze of my tortured body, I began to understand why that masturbating gnoll acted as it had.

 

All the blood remaining in my body apparently decided this was the right time to focus solely on my crotch. My manhood thickened and throbbed, adding a new level of torment. Using my uninjured left hand, I fumbled to undo my pants to release my cramped manhood. My entire world centered around my crushed right arm and engorged cock. I gripped myself at the base and felt the slightest bit of relief. The pain didn’t go away, but it was better than a moment before.

 

As I gripped my angry cock, I had enough cognizance to realize that the pain in my right arm was receding. In fact, all awareness except for my burgeoning need to masturbate receded into the background.

 

I desperately wanted to use my other hand, but it was useless. Even without the pain of my twisted arm, I couldn’t move that hand. So with my non-dominant hand, I massaged my girth, trying to find relief.

 

Stop… Focus… Words floated through my head, but I ignored them. They weren’t necessary. Good, but… no. Stop!

 

I lost control of my one good hand as Charlotte took control. I had just enough awareness to see the alpha gnoll fighting something massive before turning to what mattered most. The fact that my hand was now feminine didn’t matter as long as I could force it back to my rod. Thick veins stood out along my length in the biggest boner I’ve ever sported.

 

“He’s been poisoned,” someone said over me, but I was too busy trying to grip myself to look at her.

 

“Kinda busy,” someone else grunted with a singsong accent.

 

“Sleep, Master Brody,” the first voice commanded as a cool hand pressed over my eyes, and I obeyed.

 

*    *    *    *

 

There were no dreams or visits to Charlotte’s mind world this time. Instead, one moment I struggled to literally get ahold of myself, and the next, I found myself looking up into the maid’s red irises. I was still in pain, but it remained centered around my groin and not all over.

 

My mind was also clear, even though my crotch stood tall and proud. I realized my head lay on her lap and sat up, moving a couple paces away from her. Then I remembered where we were and got to my feet, brushing dirt and bone pieces from my body. My pants were still undone, and there was no way I could button them up with my rod as thick and firm as it stood.

 

“We should talk before I wake the other two,” the maid said.

 

I tried to cover my sex, but every touch sent electric jolts through my nervous system. At least the maid kept her eyes on my face.

 

“We can take care of that after we talk,” the maid spoke in a calming tone as though not to startle a skittish animal. “We don’t have much time before the poison overwhelms you again. The Nagini can only hold it at bay for a little bit.”

 

Talk of the nagini made me look around, and I found the giant snake woman wrapped tightly around the crushed corpse of the alpha gnoll. Her eyes were closed with all six hands clasped in front of her, one pair near her groin, one at her sternum, and the last set at eye level. It reminded me of a Hindu painting of one of their goddesses. Her fingers were laced together, with the pointers extended, their tips touching.

 

“What—” I tried to say and found my mouth was parched. I tried to work moisture back into my mouth, but the maid covered it, keeping me silent. Her hand smelled of dirt and grim, but I found myself thinking of sucking on her fingers.

 

What was wrong with me?!

 

“No time!” the maid snapped at me before continuing in a rush. “You must understand that my master knows you have something else in you. He’s been spying on you through your home. He intended for you to have an accident if you survived the gnolls. Master Rhinehardt and Master Mckay don’t know. I can’t do anything against my master, but you have been so kind to me, I had to warn you.”

 

The swelling in my crotch grew steadily worse, fogging my mind, but her warning cut through that with sudden fear for my wives. I needed to get back to them as soon as possible. But, unfortunately, I also needed to fuck something right away.

 

No! I need to focus! I demanded of myself, wondering why Charlotte was staying quiet.

 

I nodded to the dark elf, and she removed her hand. Apparently, she was much more intelligent than Consul Willmont gave her credit. “Where… Willmont?” I managed to speak around the dryness in my mouth.

 

“He’s still alive,” the maid informed me. “That’s all I know.”

 

“Hurry!” The nagini gasped, and I noted the sweat beading on her forehead.

 

The maid nodded at the snake monster before turning her red eyes on me. “In a moment, you will lose control. The poison will take over, and you’ll be consumed by lust. Know that I have experience with this. As long as you don’t fill me with your seed, I’ll be fine.” Before I could respond, she told the nagini, “Let them go.”

 

The other creature dropped all six of her hands and slumped forward, over the alpha gnoll still clutched in her coils.

 

As her hands fell, so too did my sanity. My mind felt aflame with one desire and need. My cock thrummed as I focused on the beautiful creature in front of me. It didn’t matter to me that she was attractive. All that mattered was that she had holes I could plunge my rod into again and again.

 

As if sensing my desire, the maid gripped my length hard and dry-stroked me in a way that should have had me howling in pain. But instead, it felt incredible as her two slender hands worked me.

 

It wasn’t enough. I needed more. I needed—

 

Her head dropped, her bright white hair hiding her actions, but I felt the moment her mouth slipped around the tip. My head fell back as I howled in pleasure! Even as I felt her teeth grazing my sensitive flesh, my body shook with the pleasure of it all. My thoughts were too consumed with lust and need to question why something that should have hurt felt so divine. But as I write this experience down, it boggles my mind.

 

This time as I desired more, the maid didn’t act fast enough. I grabbed her pointed ears and vigorously forced her head down. Somehow, even as thick as I am, she managed to take me into her throat. I then used my grip to move her up and down at a brutal pace, only concerned with my pleasure. I heard her gag and grunt but strove on, nearing my climax.

 

I used her throat as my own personal fuck-toy for several more seconds, moaning and grunting with my increased bliss. Finally, just before I blew, the maid managed to slip my grip and pull away. Her right hand stroked me as her left grabbed something and held it to my tip. Electrical fire coursed along my nerves, scouring my soul clean as I filled the object with my ejaculate.

 

I don’t know how long the orgasm lasted. It felt like hours but was over too soon.

 

I sensed, more than I saw, the maid stand and turn away from me. I wasn’t done, though. Even as incredible as the climax was, I needed more.

 

A female voice echoed in my head, More! I need more! So good… so good!

 

I moved to my feet with more speed than I knew I was capable of. The maid had just enough time to look over her shoulder in surprise before I lifted her skirt and attempted to thrust inside her.

 

“What?” she squawked, trying to pull away, but my grip on her skirt was iron-clad. “Normally, once is enough!”

 

“Do you need help?” the singsong voice of the nagini asked, though I could tell she was still exhausted. I noticed her delicious breasts on display and misinterpreted her question. She had holes I could fill!

 

I let go of the maid to go to the other woman, undaunted by her size or the fact that she wasn’t human.

 

Fuck her! Fuck them all! I don’t know if that was my thought or Charlotte’s.

 

The maid moved to get between us, her hand gripping my manhood once again, making me moan and shudder in delight.

 

“No, I need to finish this,” she told the snake lady. “His precum has an aphrodisiac effect, but his actual spend is deadly. I can handle him.”

 

She started rubbing me against her wet slit, but it wasn’t fast enough for me. I needed to be inside her. So even though she stood a couple inches taller than me, I gripped her waist, lifted her up, and then dropped her onto my turgid length. Even as wet as she was, she was tight! As I stabbed deep into her slick channel, I heard her grunt in pain. She didn’t fight me, though, as I combined moving my hips and using my strength to lift her up and drop her back down. As I controlled her movements, I felt her legs wrap around my hips as her hands gripped my shoulders.

 

As good as her throat had felt, this was incredibly better, but it was missing something. I needed more. My mind swirled, unable to think beyond the compulsion to fuck to understand what it was.

 

Then I felt the maid’s teeth sink into the juncture of my neck and shoulder and understood. I also needed pain. Never before had I considered myself a masochist, but something about the mixture of pain and pleasure elevated the experience to a whole other level.

 

Her teeth released me, but I felt her nails dig into my back as she cooed in my ear, “That’s it. Use my body for your pleasure. Doesn’t my tiny little cunt feel good sliding up and down your thick cock?”

 

If she has time to talk, you’re not fucking her hard enough, Charlotte told me, and I took it for the challenge it was.

 

Firming my grip on the maid’s hips, I increased my pace and force. The midnight-skinned woman grunted with each impact, her nails drawing gouges in my skin as the sounds of us fucking reverberated around the cave.. Something warm and wet dripped down my back, and I knew she’d drawn blood. But, despite the pain, it only spurred me on, and soon I’d worked up quite a sweat.

 

“Cum…” the maid gasped, and I thought she was telling me to orgasm until she threw her head back and groaned. “Cumming!”

 

As a new warmth dripped from my scrotum, I felt her inner muscles squeeze me hard. I felt another climax coming on me, and I couldn’t wait to fill her insides with my seed.

 

So good… The other voice in my head crooned. But wouldn’t it be better to paint her face? You don’t want more babies, do you?

 

I didn’t give two fucks about getting her pregnant. However, the mental image of her on her knees, mouth open as I sprayed my seed across her beautiful face, became too appealing to resist.

 

Her body remained limp as I pumped a few more times into her tight channel before lifting her up and setting her on the hard ground. As her knees touched upon the filthy floor, she came alive. Moving with an alacrity that belied her earlier daze, she grabbed the same bottle as before but not before a spurt of milky white seed flew from my tip. She dodged its aerial projection and pressed the opening to my tip as fireworks of ecstasy exploded through my system.

 

My knees grew weak as my orgasm ebbed, and I took a couple stumbling steps. Something caught the back of my leg, and I toppled over its soft and warm form.

 

Sanity crept back into my awareness, and I glanced around, trying to think through a forming migraine.

 

“What… happened?” I mumbled through a mouth that still felt dry. The stench hit me then, and I leaned over to empty my stomach of its remaining contents.

 

“Here, Master Brody” Something was placed before me, and I looked up into the sweaty face of the maid. She held the bandana I’d used earlier to help with the smell, and I quickly tied it around my face.

 

“What happened?” I asked again, my head clearing as time progressed.

 

“You almost killed me, Master Brody,” the maid said with too much calm.

 

You’re welcome for redirecting you; by the way, Charlotte informed me.

 

Memories of the last few minutes flit through my head as though they were a dream. Had I really lost all control while in this hellish place? What was wrong with me? I felt sick all over again, but this time it wasn’t due to the smell of rot.

 

“I’m so sorry I did that to you,” I told the maid. “I don’t think I can ever make it up to you. I—”

 

“I already told you that I forgave you for what you would do. I knew what was to come and went into it willing.” The maid’s soft words made me feel even more retched as she tried to soothe me. How could a creature with such a caring demeanor be so nonchalant about how I’d manhandled her? “I must admit that it was a more pleasant experience than my previous times assisting those poisoned by that blade.”

 

My head snapped up at her words, realizing that she must have suffered far worse while working for Consul Willmont. That’s when I noticed what I’d tripped over. Derrick Rhinehardt lay on the ground, unmoving. Not far away lay Al Mckay.

 

“Oh, shit!” I moved to check out Derrick, but another voice made me freeze, its singsong accent pulling me up short.

 

“They only sleep, human. The drow suggested we let them rest until I am free of this lair.”

 

I looked up, and then up, and up some more into the beautiful face of the snake woman. Terror gripped my heart, but just as fast, it was smothered.

 

Had she wished to harm you, you’d be as dead as the alpha. A glance to my left showed the mangled corpse of the deadly creature.

 

“Are there any more of the gnolls around?” I asked, suddenly worried for a different reason.

 

“Alphas draw their strength from their packs,” the maid told me. “The larger the pack, the stronger the alpha. That one was barely a pack alpha. However, the drawback for them is that if the alpha is killed, the pack dies with them.”

 

If that one was barely an alpha, I didn’t want to think what a more powerful one with a larger pack could do. It’d wiped the floor with us.

 

“Thank you for saving us,” I said and meant it with all my heart. At that moment, I didn’t care that she wasn’t human. They were still freaks, but they’d saved my life.

 

“If you are well enough, we should go,” the nagini said, ignoring my appreciation.

 

I nodded, not wanting to be in this place a moment longer than I needed to. I realized my pants were still undone as I got to my feet. My raging hormones were back under control, and I fasted my pants up with a sigh of relief. I noted the dark stains on my clothes and only then remembered my broken arm. Except it wasn’t broken. None of my injuries from the battle remained. Before I could ask how that was possible, the maid spoke.

 

“There is one more thing, Master Brody?”

 

The meekness in the maid’s tone caught my attention more than the fact that she was asking me for something. I turned to face her as I fingered the holes in my armor, finding no wounds. “Yes?”

 

“Master Willmont is dying,” she said in a tone I couldn’t read. Was she happy about that or sad? “When he dies, as his bonded slave, so will I.”

 

“Wait, what?” I asked, shocked by her revelation. “No, that’s not… I mean… How? Why?!”

 

“It’s the slave magic,” Charlotte’s voice came from my throat. I covered my mouth, but the damage was done. Willmont’s slave now knew that something else was inside me.

 

Except she didn’t look surprised. Even the nagini barely seemed to notice.

 

“They already knew I was in you,” Charlotte said as my hands dropped back to my sides. “Maybe not what I am, but they knew there was more to you than a normal human.”

 

“You moved with too much grace in the fight,” the nagini said. “And you can see in this darkness.” I also remembered how Charlotte had tried to fight me when the poison first took effect. My hand had changed into a slender feminine one.

 

The maid merely nodded, and I focused on what she’d said a moment before, though I wasn’t sure what darkness the snake-lady meant.

 

“You saved my life. Is there any way, or anything I can do, to save yours?” Even if she wasn’t human, I felt I owed her.

 

“There is nothing I can ask of you,” she said, a note of sadness finally entering her calm voice. “If we hurry, we may make it out of here in time to assist my master.”

 

Read between the lines! Charlotte snapped at me as I began to feel genuine sympathy for the woman’s plight. What did she—Oh!

 

“Nothing you can ask, but something I can offer,” I said aloud. But what could I do? I couldn’t undo the magic tying her life to Willmont’s.

 

Take over the bond. I was about to tell Charlotte that I didn’t know how, but she continued, I do.

 

I don’t want a slave! I snapped before she could say anything more. But then I saw the look of hope in the maid’s eyes and remembered how she’d saved my life. Maybe my mother would know of a way to break the slavery bond if I couldn’t free her outright.

 

“How do I take over the bond?” I asked Charlotte out loud and felt a little better at how the maid’s face lit up with hope.

 

“I can’t ask—” she started to say, but I cut her off.

 

“I’m telling you that I’m going to do it. You saved my life. I don’t care how forgiving you are about how you did it; I still owe you.”

 

“I still can’t—”

 

This time it was Charlotte that cut her off. “I know how. Where is the spell brand?”

 

Why do you know how? I demanded of the succubus, but she ignored me as the maid turned and lifted the back of her shirt. Her meek demeanor had returned as she followed orders.

 

Had I noticed the brand before, I would have thought it was an intricate tramp stamp. Raised black lines that were actually lighter in tone than her skin drew an intricate pattern.

 

“Is there a clean blade?” Charlotte asked, holding out my hand.

 

The giant nagini placed the hilt of one of my daggers in my palm as I mentally demanded to know what Charlotte needed the blade for.

 

The blade’s tip poked my left index finger in one swift movement. Then, as blood began to well from the point, Charlotte moved that finger to an ornate swirl in the center of the patterned brand.

 

Focus your will on this point, she told me. Concentrate on your essence taking over. I can feel the bond weakening. Don’t hesitate, or she will die.

 

Can’t you do it? I asked, still uncomfortable with having a slave.

 

If I do it, she’ll be my slave. It has to be you!

 

Flustered and feeling more than a little pressured, I still did as she bade. I concentrated on the tip of my finger, willing a piece of me into that point and taking control.

 

I felt no different, but after only a moment, the maid pulled away, and I found myself within her embrace. I’m not going to lie; it was a little weird getting a hug from a woman that was taller than me.

 

“Thank you, my new master!” I felt something wet drip onto my head and wondered if she was crying. “I promise to serve you well until the day I die!”

 

“I don’t want a slave,” I groaned but was ignored.

 

“I will help you carry these two, and then I must leave to find my family,” the nagini said, recalling me to the fact that we were still deep inside the gnoll’s fetid lair.

 

Grumbling, I moved to grab Al, but the maid stopped me.

 

“I will carry Master Mckay, Master. He will not be a burden to me.”

 

I turned to Derrick, but the nagini already had him on her snake’s back.

 

“I don’t know the way out of here,” I told the ladies, realizing they wanted me to lead. It also dawned on me that my headlamp was the only one that still worked. Despite that, I could see clearly and wondered if I even needed the light.

 

“I can guide us,” the nagini said and slithered forward.

 

We walked silently for a couple minutes before a question occurred to me. “By the way, I don’t know either of your names.”

 

“I do not have a name,” the maid informed me. “My previous master didn’t see a reason for me to have one.”

 

As if I needed one more thing to be upset with Consul Willmont about….

 

“I am the Royal Princess Ashani Devesh Aaban. If you were not a Paladonic Knight, there would be great reward for saving me. However, they will likely kill you on sight if my family ever meets you.”

 

*    *    *    *

 

1072 A.D.

 

Ardin waited as the sun set below the hills. His plan was reckless, but it’d taken him almost five days to figure out that this massive edifice was the pagan temple. He’d mistaken it for an official’s residence or maybe government offices. It didn’t look like what he’d expected a pagan temple to be.

 

Where were the bloodstains? The sacrificial goats? The women dancing around naked and calling out to false gods or the devil?

 

None of that was visible. Instead, a massive pale stone structure sat high, with beautifully worked columns and frescos. Ardin hated to admit it, but it was beautiful to look upon.

 

One of the other reasons he’d mistaken it for a standard building was the guards patrolled and turned back people. Their robes carried a stylized cross, so Ardin knew they were upstanding Christians. Then why would they be guarding a pagan temple?

 

Once he’d realized this was his destination, he’d considered going up to them and asking to be let inside. But after they beat an older woman when she approached, he decided on a different plan. Unfortunately, it took him two more nights to find a way in.

 

Guilt washed over him as he backed away to wait a little longer. How many commandments had he broken so far? He’d been unable to keep the Lord’s sabbath while marching and committed adultery. He’d committed murder while in a rage as another man copulated with his mistress and had impure thoughts about other women. He’d stolen food to survive and planned to steal from this temple.

 

Instead of dwelling on his failures, he turned his mind to his successes. He still honored his parents and hadn’t worshipped any gods besides his true Lord and Savior. And he hadn’t born false witness against anyone. Of course, it wasn’t much, but he held onto that with his remaining sanity.

 

As the sun kissed the horizon, Ardin knew it was time. Slipping from his hiding spot, he walked a path to the temple that was out of eyesight from the guards. He’d witnessed a young boy make this trek the evening before. He could make it to one wall if he remained within the long shadows and moved when the guards had their heads turned. The boy had vanished, and Ardin suspected there would be some way inside.

 

Following the same path he’d witnessed the boy take, Ardin only had one scare. As he reached the halfway point, he heard a shout and froze. He was between shadows and exposed, should anyone look his way. Ardin looked to where the cry originated, with his heart pounding, then rushed to the next shadow. He couldn’t hear or understand what was said, but it appeared another guard was joining the first two. That shout must have been a greeting given from a distance.

 

His progress was only hampered by his bandaged hands and pain in his back. He still had sores from the last lashings, and his hands were blistered and beginning to stink. He knew that was a bad sign but didn’t dare see anyone about it. Not that he could speak the language.

 

Reaching the pale wall, Ardin saw a wide crack in the foundation hidden behind a growing bush. As significant as the crack was, it was smaller than he’d hoped. The boy would have no problem slipping through, but even with the weight he’d lost recently, it’d be a tight fit for Ardin.

 

Unwilling to give up, he dropped to the ground and started crawling on his hands and knees. The wall was several feet thick, and as he ventured deeper, the walls grew closer. Soon, Ardin found himself inching forward on his stomach. The sides pressed against his shoulders and arms., He felt the sores on his back reopening as they scraped with his passage. The puss-filled bandages around his hands unraveled and loosened, allowing dirt into the popped blisters.

 

Ardin didn’t stop. He was so close to his destination. He didn’t know how he would return to his wife, but his instincts told him to get the fruit, and the rest would come.

 

Had she given birth yet? He didn’t think so, but he’d heard of women delivering early. The babies always had a hard time when that happened and rarely survived. He couldn’t waste any more time. He needed to steal the ambrosia and get back to her. He’d confess his crimes and sins to his wife and the priests when he made it back. But one thing at a time.

 

He knew Venita would forgive him. He’d done it all to protect their family. He hoped it was enough for God to forgive him.

 

His finger found the crack's edge, and he used his flagging strength to pull himself forward. Unfortunately, that’s when he finally became stuck. He couldn’t push himself back with his arms out in front and couldn’t gain any purchase with his feet. He also couldn’t bend his legs enough to try and push forward.

 

Panic welled up in him as he pictured himself dying here, under the wall of a pagan temple. This seemed the worst of all the ways for him to die since setting out on this cursed mission. A runaway slave in a foreign land, dying because of his own foolishness. He should have found another way. He should have turned back before now. But instead, he was stuck.

 

Closing his eyes, Ardin prayed to God. “Please, forgive me my transgressions. If it is your will, allow me to escape and make it back to my family. Take my hands and pull me free. If not, please accept my soul, filthy and worn though it is. All I ask is that my family be safe, and if possible, let them know how much I love them.”

 

He felt calm as he accepted his fate. This was in God’s hands now. Whatever would be, would be.

 

He heard a noise ahead of him, and he held his breath. Fear warred with hope that it might be a guard. Even though it would mean facing them for trespassing and being a runaway slave, it would mean his life.

 

A firm grip slipped into his outstretched hand. The walls seemed to retreat, releasing their prey as Ardin was pulled free.

 

Once free, Ardin dropped to his knees and spoke, knowing that the guard wouldn’t be able to understand him. “Thank you! I owe you my life. I would have died in there if not for you.”

 

“Heh, well now,” a deep and sonorous voice boomed in Ardin’s tongue. “It’s been some time since I’ve been owed one of those. So what’s your name, boy?”

 

Ardin looked up at his rescuer, grateful to hear his own language so clearly. Unfortunately, gratitude was soon replaced with a fresh wave of dread. It wasn’t a guard that’d pulled him free but an impossibly tall, white-haired and bearded man wearing a bright white toga. Despite how dim and dirty the room they were in, the toga and hair seemed to glow. The man stood half again as tall as Ardin and wore a laurel wreath on his brow.

 

Ardin knew this giant by the images he’d seen in his mistress’s private chambers. This was the false god, Zeus.

 

“Your name, boy?” Zeus demanded, his bushy eyebrows drawing together. “I want to know the name of the life I now own.”

 

It took him a few moments to work moisture back into his mouth to speak. “A-Ardin, Sir.” His voice cracked, but he managed to be heard. He didn’t know if he was more terrified that a guard would hear Zeus or that the being would fry him for being a Christian.

 

“Aardinsir, huh?” Zeus gave him a strange look, then shook his head. “I don’t know many from your lands, so I guess that’s probably a common name down there. Now, why don’t you tell me why you’re sneaking into my favorite daughter’s home? Not that she’s alive to defend it… Arelius dropped off his offering last night, so what brings one of the faithful here?”

 

One of the faithful? He knows I’m a Christian! Ardin thought as he moved his tongue inside his mouth to build back the moisture he’d need to talk. No, he thinks I follow after him and his ilk. Maybe I can use this? Venita didn’t warn me that a fake god was guarding this place. Did she know?

 

He didn’t know much about these creatures, but he needed to get that ambrosia.

 

“Oh, great and mighty Zeus,” Ardin dropped to his knees and spoke as words came to him. He didn’t know what to say but hoped his imagination was up to the task. “I have come a long way, seeking the means to protect my family. My wife told me about a fruit that would save us.”

 

“You’re wife?” Zeus interrupted. “Is she hot? You’re filthy, but I can tell that some women would find you attractive once cleaned up. I’ll bet your wife has a nice figure.”

 

“I…” Ardin worked to reorder his thoughts. He reached into his pockets where the broken silver chain and pendant resided. “She is the most beautiful woman in the world. Even in all my travels, I haven’t seen a woman with more natural beauty.”

 

“Oh really?” Zeus stroked his beard in thought. “And what is that in your pocket? I sense a totem of power.”

 

“All I have is this gift my wife gave me on our wedding night,” Ardin pulled the metal disc and chain out. He gripped the chain with his thumb as he showed off the jewelry. He feared the being would snatch it, but he only looked at it with a raised eyebrow.

 

“Oh, ho! Your union was blessed by Aphrodite, huh?” Zeus chuckled, and the sound made the walls shake. “Either she has taken a shine to you, or your wife is a true beauty, indeed!”

 

Inside, Ardin cringed to think that this gift may have been blessed by a pagan god. But, on the outside, he offered a smile.

 

“The most beautiful I’ve ever seen,” he reassured the man.

 

“Hmm,” Zeus looked deep in thought as he alternated between licking his lips and shaking his head. Ardin left him to it, unsure of any wisdom in speaking.

 

With each passing moment, though, he grew more worried. The guards never left their post at the entrance, but surely they heard the large man when he spoke and laughed. He was neither silent nor subtle.

 

After several minutes, Zeus spoke again, his voice solemn. “What you ask for is no small boon, Aardinsir. The very last bit of ambrosia resides under my care. It’s why I remain here in my dead daughter’s temple. Her wisdom has fled this world, but I stay to guard it. One bite holds incredible power. Athena would advise against giving you what you seek if she were here. Instead, she’d say something about the journey being its own reward.”

 

Ardin’s hopes dwindled. Even if he were fully healthy, he didn’t stand a chance of getting past this beast of a man. Wounded and exhausted, Ardin knew his quest was hopeless.

 

“But Aphrodite would say to follow my heart, and there is no mistaking the heart that beats within you,” Zeus went on, his voice changing to one filled with joy and hunger. “I see how weak you’ve become, yet you still fight for this love of yours. So I will grant your request.”

 

A single tear slid down Ardin’s cheek at hearing those words. Zeus held out his empty hand. For the briefest moment, Ardin feared the pagan deity wanted the necklace. Then, a bolt of lightning flashed without warning, and thunder reverberated within the enclosed space. Ardin’s ears rang, and when he touched his left one, it came away wet with blood.

 

But when he saw what lay in the giant hand before him, everything else faded away except the reddish-gold fruit shining in Zeus’s hand.

 

With trembling hands, Ardin reached out and accepted the offering. Zeus said something, but Ardin couldn’t hear, so the deity mimicked taking a bite. Hesitant but too dazed to resist, Ardin brought the goal of this quest to his lips. The first thing he noticed was how fragrant it smelled. Somehow the scent reminded him of laughing next to Venita in the flowery fields and the joy he felt when they married. Then, he recalled how his eyes lit up when she told him she was pregnant, and he began to laugh before he even took a bite.

 

If just the smell brought that kind of euphoria, what would the actual flesh of the fruit do to him?

 

Unable to hide his excitement, Ardin sank his teeth in. Sweet nectar, unlike anything he could have imagined, washed over his tongue. His mouth tingled as he bit off a piece and chewed. When he swallowed, he felt light and strong. His heart hammered away at his ribcage, but it didn’t hurt. In fact, nothing on him hurt anymore. In awe, he examined the hand holding the locket. It was whole and healthy, but the craziest part was that he glowed!

 

Ardin turned his gaze back to the miraculous fruit and saw that the bite he’d taken was healing. New flesh grew over the missing piece, but the fruit as a whole became smaller. He didn’t know if the core was edible but suspected that there were about two or three good bites left before the fruit was gone.

 

He looked up at Zeus, wonder and joy written across his face. “Thank you,” he told the being, meaning it with every ounce of his soul.

 

“You did say your wife was beautiful, right?” Zeus asked, stroking his beard and giving Ardin a look that bore equal parts hunger and joy.

 

Even the joy of being whole and able to hear again wasn’t enough to squash the worry in his heart at that look. Had Ardin made an unwitting deal with a false god? He’d pretended to be a follower of the pagan belief to get what he needed, but now he worried he’d gone too far. Hadn’t Zeus claimed he owned Ardin after saving his life in the tunnel? Would he have to give up his wife in repayment?

 

Before he could burrow too far down into that pit of despair, Zeus’s eyes grew large, and he looked behind him. Then he did something new and actually lowered his voice. “I’ll be watching you, Aardinsir. I can’t wait to meet your wife.”

 

Zeus vanished before Ardin could respond, and then he heard what’d spooked the pagan creature.

 

The guards were coming, and they didn’t sound happy. They shouted for whoever was inside to reveal themselves and come out or face their wrath. Instead, Ardin dove for the crack he came in through. Part of his mind noted that he moved through it easily, only having to hunch over. But when he turned back, he couldn’t see the opening behind him. Had Zeus somehow manipulated its size? If so, then did he really owe the thing his life? It was a pagan god, and though he’d been gracious enough to give Ardin the Ambrosia, he didn’t trust the giant.

 

He didn’t have time to contemplate that as he made it out into the night. Ardin ran as fast as his legs would take him, which was faster than he’d ever run before. He headed for the edge of town and wasn’t even winded when he passed from the cobbled road to the hard-packed dirt.

 

In fact, it wasn’t until the sun began to rest behind him that Ardin finally slowed and looked for a place to sleep.

 

He spotted a viable place a little way from the road under a broad tree and nestled against the trunk. Only as his eyes began to close did he realize he’d understood the guards perfectly, though he knew they spoke their own language. Then, as sleep took him, Ardin realized that he’d broken two more commandments that night, having born false witness as he pretended to put a false God before his real one.

====================

From the Author

====================

Sheesh, you'd think the hero of an erotic story would have an easier time of things... If that's what you're after, you haven't been reading my other stories. Life has to get hard, before it can get pleasant. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Maid

Bobby

Ashani Devesh Aaban