New Purgatory was much like the new frontier in the sense that everyone wanted to stake out their own little piece of the pie. Some took up residence in abandoned buildings while others found empty warehouses and uninhabited castles for their dwellings.

No domicile was more infamous, though, than the Cirque de l'ombre, The Circus of Shadow. Where once there stood a robust and exciting endeavor into rides and good times was now only the skeletal remains of the circus ? which was fitting considering the state of its owner. Surrounded by a rickety chain link fence topped with razorwire, the park no longer exuded a sense of welcome to passersby but instead demonstrated an aura of forewarning: Stay away.

Jatari made her way to the entry of the circus, where a pair of rather stout looking individuals resided. Her preternatural grace and nimbleness left her stride unhindered by the confines of her pencil skirt and pike of her heels as she crossed the jagged and debris-filled terrain. Lazily she kept her umbrella perched upon her slender shoulder, with one lacy gloved hand stroking its hilt as the target of her eyes shifted between the two.

The men who stood at the center flap of the main tent turned to regard her, pausing momentarily to soak in the view of her alluring approach. Their faces were only partially covered with the vile clown make-up of the Circus and the gypsy regalia they loosely wore did nothing to cover the myriad of tattoos that bathed their arms, neck, and chest. There was nothing civilized about them, especially the carnal look that dominated their eyes.

?Skellz.? She said as she came to a stop between them. ?I need to speak to him.?

?Of course you do.? The one to the left said in his most practiced voice of culture, ignoring the spittle that escaped with each word. ?Is he expecting you??

?I would certainly hope so.? She answered with an air of confidence. Normally at this point she?d attempt to entice him with a more physical ploy, though the level of putrid disgust that radiated from the clown kept her steady. Instead she added, ?I?m with Madam Durant.?

The two men shared a knowing look. ?Is that so? And here I though the boss had already gotten his fill from you and yours.?

?Seems his appetite requires more than one.?

The clown smiled, peeling back his broken lips to reveal edged incisors. ?I know the feeling.?

Vampires.

Jatari held her ground with composure, ignoring the chill of fear seeking to stiffen her spine. Vampires in New Purgatory were a little different than most. In other reaches of existence Vampires thrived on human blood, finding little nourishment in the bloods of other races. In New Purgatory however it was nearly the opposite. Human blood was good, there was no denying it, but the blood of werewolves, elves, angels and demons ? even Mi-d?mons like her ? was a greater commodity. These vampires had evolved, able to siphon the magical essence from the blood they drank. If Betty-Sue was a beer, Jatari was a fine wine.

?Are we going to stand here all night?? She asked, forcing a smile. ?I?d hate to keep your boss waiting.?

She hoped that the reiteration of their employer?s patience ? or lack thereof ? would entice them to see her through, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief when it did. The one who had yet to speak took hold of the tent flap and drew it aside, giving her a clear path inside.

The ?doorway? as it were, was dark, frighteningly so. She glanced between the two and once again forced a smile, and started forward.

The smell of sh!t and urine was everywhere, so potent that she was forced to cover her nose with her hand. The interior of the tent was massive, spanning several hundred feet across, with tapering rows of seats that circled the length of the structure. Though the amphitheater was huge the benches that wreathed it were empty, with the only movement coming from the stage at its center.

She descended the steps with the click of heels upon the metal slats, eager to get to the bottom where she hoped that the repulsive aroma would come to its end. She only made it about halfway down when a voice came over the loudspeaker, the reverberating volume tearing a quick shriek from her.

?My, my!? The voice said. ?What do we have here??

Jatari looked to the stage, but found only blindness as one of the spotlights pointing directly at her ignited and filled her eyes with its brilliance. She put a hand up to shield her from the light, though it did no good. ?Who?s there??
The answer came in the form of hands, two pairs groping and grasping at her from each side. She could only make out shapes; forms much larger than her that intended to seize her as their prisoner.

Like hell.

With a twist she spun herself free of their clumsy grapples, swinging the umbrella that had rested upon her shoulder out to strike one of them in the head. When she drew the instrument back, an arch of blood came with it.

Startled, the second attacker, standing beside the one who had been struck, stopped and stared at the newly arrived wound, which gave Jatari plenty of time to take action. The butt of the umbrella shot out in a series of devastating jabs - two in the stomach and one in the throat - which sent the man recoiling as he gasped for breath. She spun, building momentum, and with the whip of her arm knocked the target of her initial assault again in the head, dropping him to the ground.

And suddenly she was surrounded, a half dozen in all, baring fangs and vicious talons.

She glanced at her umbrella and to the one in front, a challenge in her glower.

?Wait.?

The voice came from within the horde, and while the sight of her taking up a fighting stance in pencil skirt and bustier, armed with only an umbrella, might have lost some of its menace, she wasn?t going to step out of it until she was positive the threat was gone.

The mob parted, letting through their boss.

Skellz.

His every step was accompanied by the jingle of chains that intricately accessorized his leather jacket. Many thought that he was an actual skeleton, though really it was just his flesh that was so bleached and pale that he merely resembled one. The eye and lip makeup only added to the illusion, deepening his gaze and deadening his grin. Truth be told, no one knew what Skellz was, and Jatari had a feeling that he liked it that way.

He made his way to her and extended his hand. ?I apologize for the behavior of my uncivilized henchmen. It is so hard to guide the naturally misguided, wouldn?t you agree??

She glanced over his shoulder to where the pack of vampires stood, their bodies tensed with a starvation held in check only by the man before her. Returning her eyes to him, she slid her hand into his. ?So it would seem.? She quietly said.

He brought the back of her hand up and kissed her through the lacy glove, which did nothing to ward off the bone-chilling caress of his lips upon her flesh. She clenched her teeth to keep from pulling away, careful as to not tense beneath his ghastly affection.

It didn?t last long, the kiss anyway, and as he stood he started into a balanced backpedal, drawing her with him toward the stage. ?I hear you are with Madam Durant.?

?I am.? She went with him, eyes shifting back and forth as she made her way through the crowd of Vampires. Still they were ready to pounce, hissing with her every step, though none of them made a move.

Skellz escorted her onto the stage, taking the steps backwards as well. His familiarity with the site was obvious, easily navigating through the venue without looking. ?That?s odd.? He said as he brought her to a square table covered with a dirty tablecloth. ?I don?t recall ordering one of?you.?

Jatari took a seat, but not until liberating her hand from his grasp. ?That?s because you didn?t. I was sent to retrieve an item that was accidentally left behind during your last session.?

?Is that right?? He asked with sudden interest. He did not take the opposite seat, but instead lifted his heavy boot to put in her lap.

It was instinct to spread her legs, and as his foot came to rest on the chair between her parted thighs she realized it had been the desire result. The sudden shift caused her skirt to ride up her thighs, revealing the black tops of smooth stockings. She stared at his foot for a lingering moment, gathering her poise, and then slowly climbed the length of him with sultry eyes. ?It is.? She answered as lips formed a delicious smile. ?Know where I might find it??

With a bent arm he leaned against his knee, eyeing her with suspicion. ?What sort of item are we talking about??

?A bracelet.?

?A bracelet?? He asked, eyes lifting from a swift examination of her cleavage. ?You mean like this one?? And from thin air he pulled the trinket, gold and green.

Jatari recognized it, having seen it on Tonky?s wrist before. She nodded. ?That?s it.? She confirmed as she reached out to take it.

Just as her fingertips brushed across its edge, he pulled it away. ?And you think I will give it to you for free??

She blinked, looking from her fingers to his eyes. ?It?s not yours.?

?Oh but it is.? He said with a new inflection that added danger to his voice. ?It most certainly is.?

Her anger must have been easily tasted in the air, because when it surfaced the vampires who surrounded the stage started to growl and snarl with rage. She swallowed back the venomous response, and instead forged another smile. ?Very well, Skellz. What do you want for it??

His lips slithered apart in a grin. ?Such a vague question.?

She noticed the shifting of his eyes between her gaze and her body and figured where the meeting was heading. Still, the glimmer in Skellz?s insane stare wasn?t the normal arousal she was accustom to seeing, and suddenly a sense of fear speared thorough her. Who knew what the grim ringmaster wanted in return? ?It is, but open-ended. You seem smart enough to know what you?re after. Why don?t you just tell me so we don?t have to drag this out??

?Tsk, tsk.? He said, reaching out to stroke her cheek with the back of his hand. The romantic innuendo of the gesture was lost due to the ghostly aura he presented. ?So hasty are you to end our little rendezvous??

She tightened her jaw beneath the caress, not pulling away. ?Of course not, just anxious to return the bracelet to Tonky. It means a lot to her.?

?Of course it does.? The hand descended along the line of her cheek before drifting away, followed soon by his step. ?We here at the Circus love to perform. What about you?? He asked as he spun away to the harsh prattle of chains. ?Do you ?perform??

As it appeared, she was right on the money. With his step away the space between her legs was suddenly vacant. Bringing her knees together she stood and smoothed the skirt down along her thighs. ?I?ve been known to put on a show or two.?

?Wonderful.? He said as he again reached out his hand, beckoning her touch to fill his palm. ?I can?t wait to see what you can do.?

She sighed softly with a glance over her shoulder. The Vampires still surrounded her and Skellz, much like a pack of dogs waiting for the command to strike, though the fever that had infected them with her arrival had died off. They were quiet, but still vastly dangerous. She turned back to him and again occupied his hand with her own. ?And I?m anxious to show you.?

The Dance - Part Two


His confusion was hard to discern from his standard expression. ?But?you s?ill got yer shoes on.?

She glanced down. She most certainly did. ?Some girls just move better in Christian Louboutin Pumps. Now, are we going to talk all day or did you want to try and do something else?? She twirled the weapons - shaft and umbrella simultaneously - with in a daring spin.

?I mos? certainly woul?!? He suddenly barked and shot forward, machete drawn back to strike.

A weakness was instantly found with the way he carelessly charged in. He was a hacker, she was sure of it. Just from the way he barreled forward Jatari could tell that he wasn?t concerned with killing her, just with cutting her. She would use that to her advantage.

Ducking and weaving, she was able to evade his frantic slashing. She parried only a few times, unwilling to sacrifice the length of her ?weapons? to his chopping efforts. She was quicker than him, so removing herself from his attacks was much more effective then defending them. Biding her time, she waited for the opening.

And then it came.

He swung in a diagonal line from right to left, which she easily dodged with a simple side step. It was the follow-up attack that gave her the opportunity: a sidelong backhanded slash aimed at her throat, eager to take her head. Instead, she ducked and hooked him around the left ankle with the crook of her umbrella. The extension of his arm with the follow-through left him wide open and she took full advantage of it, stepping up and into him, delivering a pair of wicked blows with the broom handle. His nose torqued to one side and teeth went spraying out amidst the blood. The yank of the umbrella stole his footing, and with a cruel thud he fell back and slammed onto the unforgiving ground. For a second he was stunned.

A second was all that she needed.

She was instantly in the air, a high leap that brought her knees up to her chest through the climb, and a descent that was aided by the sharp extension of her legs, spearheaded by those fashionable heels.

The left stiletto was aimed for the soft globe of his eye, the right for the bulb of his throat.

The sound of those keen spikes striking true was disturbing and disgusting. Luckily she was fleet enough to step out of the heels before the blood that shot up from the pierced, tension-filled veins and arteries, soaked her. He gurgled through a violent convulsion which lasted only half a minute and then fell still.

She could hear Skellz hooting and howling above a small crescendo of applauds. She didn?t look though, she didn?t have to. It didn?t matter, nor would it help her out of her current predicament. In fact, she was looking at the only thing that could.

The machete.

As she knelt beside the skinny man she dropped the broom handle and pried his fingers from the handle of the machete. His palms were extremely sweaty, so much so that she had to wipe the hilt dry along his pants just to wield it without worry of it slipping. Still, it felt good in her hands. Better than that crude stick anyway.

That feeling of elation didn?t last long as her senses ignited with an incoming threat. She launched into a roll as the heavy swipe of a massive force just barely missed her, coming up to a crouch a few feet away and spinning back on the balls of her feet.

The massive club, fitted randomly with deadly spikes, that the monstrous man wielded had missed her, instead finding the chest of the skinny man, driving through the sternum to tear flesh and crack bone. It embedded into the ground beneath him so completely that he needed to jerk his arm back and forth just to free its hold.

Jatari spied him with caution. The infernal blood that ran through her veins gave her a much improved overall strength compared to mortal standards, though she was willing to wager that the behemoth before her didn?t conform to those standard measures either. She was pretty certain that he was stronger than her. She glanced at his legs, at his feet, and realized that those massive, tree-trunk sized limbs wouldn?t be so susceptible to her earlier ploy. She?d have to find a new way.

?again she dove to the side as a vicious overhand strike came for her, slamming into the ground where she had been, stabbing the earth with one of those dangerous pikes?

And she?d have to do it without getting hit.

While there was simply no way she could match his strength, she was vastly quicker and faster than he, which allowed for her to dart and dodge his onslaught of blows that left small craters all along the ring floor. She hoped to wear him down though quickly found that while large and lumbering; he was not without his endurance. It seemed he could go forever.

To slow him down, she needed to get him off his feet.

? Dop runnin? away!? He slurred after a failed sidelong sling of his club spun him around.

She ducked and dashed away, sliding to a stop at the far side of the ring. The loose sand beneath her feet made for shifty traction, which instantly gave her an idea. ?What?s wrong, tubby? Can?t keep up? Maybe I should run backwards to give you a chance.?

Enraged by the taunt, the massive man started forward, both hands wringing the weapons hilt. Instead of racing away, however, Jatari instead took off in a dead run? directly at him.

She could tell that the move startled him as the gleam of red in his cyber-eye flared to life, and he gasped openly with the excitement akin to a child finding the cookie jar. He drew the club above his head as they came together and, with every ounce of strength he could muster, brought it down on top of her.

Jatari made it out of the Cirque de l'ombre in one piece after retrieving the bracelet from Skellz. There was only one moment throughout the course of her exit where she thought that maybe he would unleash his pack of ravenous Vampires to hunt her down and kill her before she got too far away, but in the end he let her depart unscathed?for the most part. Her only regret was that she was in such a hurry to leave the dark circus that she forgot to reclaim her skirt, having alleviated it to fight off the skinny man and his mammoth friend. This left her traversing the shadowy streets of New Purgatory in only her lingerie, which wasn?t the wisest of choices. With a quick step she headed back for Madam Durant?s, careful not to dally.

Luckily the streets were only moderately busy, and, after ignoring several catcalls and howls from passersby, she made her way to the large red and black building dominating the entire corner of its intersection and the familiar sight of the huge sign hung across the front that read Mmmmasquerades. The place never looked so good.

She made her way inside with a smile and wink toward several gentlemen waiting to get in. It wasn?t that uncommon when the sun went down as Masquerades was a fairly popular brothel in New Purgatory. A line out the door was standard call for a weekend night. The scent of jasmine and incense greeted her as she pushed through the beaded curtain, and as always, the grand foyer was bathed in dim light and mystery.

?Jatari!?

She turned, hoping to find Tonky, but instead found another one of Madam Durant?s girls. Clove, a curvaceous bundle of spunk who was never without a curious glint in her eye and a wide smile to go with it, made a sauntering approach to where Jatari stood, her heel-to-toe stride sending hips smoothly swaying back and forth.

?Where?ve you been, darlin??? Clove asked as she arrived, leaning in to brush soft lips across Jatari?s cheek. She pulled back with a slightly disgusted look. ?You taste?not good.?

?Yea, I just got done visiting Skellz and the Circus, so forgive the smell.?

The appalled face remained. ?Visited Skellz?? Clove gave her the once over. ?Ya don?t mean?visited?with him, did ya??

Now it was Jatari?s turn to echo that repulsed expression. ?No. Absolutely not.?

?That?s good to know. Besides, ah thought he was Tonky?s special??

?He is. She?s the only one he seems to like. Speaking of Tonky, have you seen her around??

??Fraid not, sugah. I was lookin? for her earlier but seems she dun run off! And with the way that line outside is startin? to get all squirrely, we?re gonna need all the girls we can get ahold of.?

Jatari glanced over her shoulder to the front door where a pair of girls were ushering the men in, assigning numbers, and taking orders. It was going to be a busy night. She turned back to Clove. ?So I guess it?s really going to piss you off if I ask for the night off, right??

?Fraid that?s not in the cards, girl. Seems yer special is already here. Been waitin? up in yer room for almost two hours.? Clove?s smile widened a bit, showing off pearly white teeth. ?You been hidin? somethin? from us??

?Special?? She couldn?t help the confused look as she looked to the stairs that lead to the second floor, where her room was. ?I don?t have a special.?

?Ya do now, darlin?. Seems he was only interested in you. The Madam even offered to double up me and another girl to take yer place but he wouldn?t have none of it.? She shook her head slowly to emphasize her point. ?He only wanted you.?

She wasn?t exactly partial to specials, liking to keep her options open as to whom she did and didn?t take as a client. Specials paid extra for exclusivity, and with that additional fee they were awarded benefits from their girl that other clients weren?t afforded. Jatari had specified early on to Madam Durant that she didn?t want any specials, but from the looks of it, that clause had been compromised. ?Well, he?s going to have to wait a little longer.? Jatari said. ?I need a shower.?

?Do watcha gotta do, girl!? Clove sang as she stepped past Jatari and took a swat at her rear end. ?But when ya get done head on down to help me handle these bulls.?

Jatari lashed out, catching Clove by the wrist just as she was about to land the playful blow. The reaction startled them both, though Jatari sought to defuse it with a soft smile. ?Do me a favor. If you happen to see Tonky, tell her I?m looking for her.? She paused for a moment and then added. ?Tell her?I got it.?

Clove nodded. ?Will do.?

Jatari leaned in and returned the kiss Clove had attempted with the initial greeting, releasing her wrist along the way. Without another word she headed off for the showers.

There were many nuances about Masquerades that obliged the desires of the clientele, and the showers were one of them. The entire east wall of the main vestibule was crystalline glass, impeccably transparent, that looked in on a series of vintage shower heads. Through magic and astute ventilation, steam never seemed to obscure the view of the onlookers who were brought in to wait on their chosen delicacy.

Jatari didn?t mind the ogling, and often erotically dramatized her routine for the enjoyment of those watching. Drained from dealing with Skellz along with the combat he orchestrated, this time she was a bit quicker, lacking the normal flare she was known for. She bathed, washed the grime and dirt from her body, soaped and rinsed her hair, and got out, much to the dismay of the crowd.

Wrapped in a towel from breast to hips she made her way to her room, pausing just as she arrived at the door. She recalled Clove?s words. She said that the special had been in her room for a few hours, which straight pissed Jatari off. Her room, along with all of the girls? rooms, was off limit to clients unless invited in ? this was a standard arrangement that the Madam insisted on, so to find out that there was some stranger rummaging through her room while awaiting her arrival irritated her to no end. As it stood, the talk she intended to have with Madam Durant would cover a variety of subjects.

With a sigh she took hold of the door handle and pushed inward.

Her room was as she left it; mysteriously emblazed with the perfect array of shadow and light, offering comfort and secrecy to any stepping within. A lovely aroma appeased the senses and softened tension while a vast assortment of baubles and accessories ?from soothing oils to debauch devices ? lined shelves and stands throughout. In fact, the only thing that seemed to be missing was the form of a lingering stranger. ?I?d like you to know that I don?t normally see clients who make themselves at home in my abode without my approval. In many cultures, that is considered trespassing.? Perhaps a snarky greeting might indicate what sort of mood she was in.

Silence.

She stepped inside, eyes curiously wandering the interior. Suddenly, those alluring shadows didn?t seem so advantageous, as nothing was revealed.

And then the door closed.

A swift spin brought her about, though that only led her into the encirclement of masculine arms that claimed her supple frame with ease. It was nothing compared to the lips that seized he own in a heated kiss, however.
She wanted to protest, wanted to fight, but the passion bled across her mouth and tongue, stealing her resolve. She melted a bit, pliant and willing within that strong embrace.

The kiss ended, surprisingly to her dismay, and slowly she parted lids weighed with craving to view the wielder of that assailing kiss.

The deity.

?You?? She asked, the realization of where she was?of what was happening?quickly bringing her back to clarity. ?What the hell are you doing here??

His smirk was boyish and charming, though there was nothing juvenile about the glimmer in his gaze. No, that was desire. ?I?m waiting for you, ma douce.?

?I?? She reached up, letting her fingers trickle along the defined lines of his chest. Even through his clothes those muscles were easily felt. Suddenly she pushed away, gaining one stride of distance. ?I didn?t invite you in.?

?You did last time.?

?That was then. This is now.?

?So you want me to leave??

?I?? Suddenly she wasn?t sure what answer she wanted to give.

?Fine.? He said as he turned for the door, reaching out to take the handle.

?No!? Darting forward, she locked her slender hands around his bicep and jerked him back to face her. Stepping into him, she threw her arms around his thick neck and again met him in a kiss, leaving the towel that enveloped her svelte body to drift away and leave her naked against him.

Enclosing her in his arms once more he turned and put her against the door, pinning her between it and him. Reaching down, he grazed the tender swell of her ass and took hold of her by the thighs, lifting her off her feet and pulling her legs apart. Those splayed limbs were only empty for a split second, however; filled instead by the width of his hips and the tumescent framework of his heavy endowment.

?Yeesssss.? She moaned against his mouth, her hands dropping to claw his clothing away.

What started against the door tumbled to the floor and then moved across the room in a tempest storm of thrusting and moaning. Jatari had an extensive knowledge regarding the sexual pleasures of men and women alike, though this man?or deity, or whatever he was?seemed to push this intimate familiarity to its limit. Hours sped away far too quickly, unlike the passionate ardor between them that endured the length of their endeavor and lasted clear until the sun came up?a sight that she viewed personally after being pushed up against the window and taken from behind.

She should have guessed that Tonky would go looking for her. Jatari had known the girl for some time and while she might not have been the sharpest knife in the set, Tonky hated putting hardship on others and was often consumed by guilt when she did. Jatari also wasn?t surprised that she got lost along the way. For reasons unknown, Madam Durant kept Tonky sheltered, arranging for rides to get her to her specials when called upon, and that combined with the whirling streets and avenues of New Purgatory could easily send someone on an aimless jaunt.

She just hoped that the wolves hadn?t gotten to her yet, or if they had, showed a little mercy on one so young.

She left Deity in the room, waving off his attempts to lure her back into the bed, and raced out the door for the stairs. Even though she was overwhelmed with the apprehension of Tonky?s fate there was a small part of her that wanted to submit to his demand, and because of that she forced herself from his presence even quicker. She?d been around enough demons, devils, and vampires to grasp the concept of compulsion, and while she hadn?t had time to really analyze what was going on, Deity had proven that he was a master of influence. They?d talk about that soon?when she got back.

She?d forgone her normal style of dress; Loli-goth, for something a bit more practical for where she was headed. Tight leather pants clung to her hips and legs like a glossy second skin, with heeled ankle boots sheathing her feet. A snug corset enveloped her torso, leaving shoulders and arms bear ? though this was quickly remedied by the application of long gloves with straps and buckles. The innate ability to alter her appearance was often used for her hair, with this time being no exception: hot pink tresses were fashionably fixed atop her head.

She wanted her naginata, but considering that she planned a stealthy involvement the lengthy weapon would only get in the way instead of serve its purpose. She decided on a pair of straight-bladed short swords. They mirrored a Ninja design, which worked perfectly for her covert mission. Upon her back she wore a single sheath, the swords fitting separately into each end.

Swiftly she descended the steps on the balls of her feet, heading for the door. Trundle way wasn?t far from Masquerades, and while it might have been wiser to wait until the sun was actually up, she didn?t want to leave Tonky to deal with the savage lycanthrope Greyson Reece alone for long.

?Where ya off to so late, sugah??

Clove?s voice startled her, though Jatari blamed that fully on the nervous concern lingering inside her. ?I have to go out for a bit.?

She tried to get to the door and get out, but before she could she was grabbed around the wrist and pulled to a stop. Had she wanted, she could have easily snatched her arm from Clove?s grasp, though Clove didn?t deserve that. Jatari turned to face her.

What she found was pretty feminine features rounded with alarm. ?What?s goin? on, Jatari? What?s wrong??

?It?s nothing.?

?Oh? So now we?re lyin? ta each other??

Damn Clove. There was just something about that southern draw that made Jatari shudder at the thought of being deceitful to her. ?It?s?? She didn?t want to tell her because she knew what Clove?s response would be, but in the end she realized that she didn?t have much of a choice. ?It?s Tonky. I know where she is.?

?Good. That girl needs someone lookin? out for her. Not to mention watchin? her step while her head?s in the clouds.? Clove?s laugh quickly died away with Jatari?s resoundingly somber mien. ?Why do I get the feelin? that where she is isn?t any place I want to go??

?She?s with the wolves.? Jatari said softly after a quick look around. ?The Lycanthropes.?

Clove?s gasp was sharply audible as she raised her hand atop the plentiful swells of her chest, blue eyes as large as the oceans. ??no?? She whispered.

Jatari stepped forward, closing the distance between them severely, her eyes engaging Clove?s gaze and holding it with a glimmer of intensity. ?You can?t tell anyone, do you hear me??

?But Madam Durant-?

?You know the Madam has rules about Trundle Way. Anyone who goes south of it is on their own.? Jatari narrowed her eyes. ?If Madam Durant finds out that Tonky is with the wolves, she?ll make sure none of us get involved and Tonky will be banished.? It seemed like a harsh rule, but the wolves were vengeful and didn?t like to give back the things (or people) they had rightfully claimed. To liberate a girl, in this case Tonky, from their clutches would challenge the strength of the wolves and bring their wrath down upon the brothel, something Madam Durant wished to avoid at all costs.

Jatari didn?t have that concern.

?I?ll be back as quickly as I can.? She said to Clove, leaning forward to kiss her softly on the forehead. ?Don?t wait up.?

She made it about two steps toward the door before Clove responded.

?Ah hell no!?

Jatari turned back to find Clove stomping in her direction. When she arrived, she put a thin finger in the Mi-demon?s chest. ?You ain?t goin? nowhere without me, hear me? Ah?m gonna need a minute to get changed, but ah?ll be right down an?then we can go!? Without waiting for a response she turned and darted for the stairs, taking them two at a time.

?Clove! Wait!? She called futilely after her. ?It?s dangerous!?

Ignored, Jatari watched as Clove made her way around the bannister and vanished upstairs.

She glanced to the door and considered leaving. If she went now then there was no way Clove would be able to find her, but the last thing Jatari needed was Clove wandering across Trundle Way trying to find her. She?d already lost Tonky there and didn?t want to lose Clove too.

?Alright,? Clove said a few minutes later from the top of the stairs. ?Let?s do this.? She had changed; now clad in tight leather shorts, fencenet hose, knee high boots and a boatneck top emblazoned with a dragon circling a lavender rose. She even had a black cowgirl hat.

Jatari shook her head. ?This isn?t a good idea.?

?Then it?s a bad idea.? Clove shot back as she descended the stairs. ?A really good bad idea.?

?Do you even have a weapon? The place we?re going isn?t exactly friendly.?

?Girl, do you know who ah am? Ah?m a bona fide regulator. ?Course ah got a weapon. A gun!?

?Let me see it.?

She reached around and pulled the piece from the small of her back, immediately handing it over.

Jatari arched a thin brow as she examined the weapon. ?Clove, this is a Glock.?

?Yea??

She shook her head and tossed it back to her. ?I figured a country girl like you would have a peacemaker or something.?

?Nah, semi-automatic all the way, sugah.? She chambered a bullet and placed it back into its holster. ?Ah?m ready.?

?Alright, we?ll take my bike. Once we?re across Trundle Way you follow my lead and stay close, got it??

?Sure thing.?

It seemed Jatari would just have to utilize Clove?s participation. She had a gun, and Jatari hoped like hell she knew how to use it. Something told her at some point during this little field trip she?d have to.

Crossing Trundle Way
Part Two

They were all around her; the street, the sidewalk, and the rooftops alike. She could hear them clawing across the stones behind her as well as the shingles above as they madly followed along, howling, growling and snarling with every passing second.

It was a mad dash; aimless and swift. She didn?t know where she was going besides away from Trundle Way, which would hopefully clear a path for Clove to make her escape.

The approaching intersection up ahead presented several choices, though as Lycans ? werewolves in their hybrid form ? appeared from the left turn, the right was chosen. She tried to keep to the sidewalks when she could, not wanting to run down the center of the street and make it easy for the roof jumpers to track her, but when intersecting streets arrived she veered back toward the middle of the road. If there were wolves coming, she didn?t want to run into them headlong.

Another intersection presented itself and again from the left came a trio of wolves, forcing her right.

It was then that the thought hit her like a fist. They weren?t just chasing her; they were herding her, guiding her the way they wanted her to go.

Damn it.

She suddenly darted to the left, straight at the nearest building, and when it was close enough for her to touch she pivoted back and tore the twin swords from their sheath. Her stance assured any who approached that conversation was not her intent.

The lycans, eight in total, slowed their feverous approach and aerial pursuit, landing on the street a dozen feet away.

While larger than their human counterparts they weren?t monstrously huge, still able to fit the clothing they had worn before their hybrid shift. Covered in fur, they were, in all aspects, bipedal wolves. Not four legs but two (with two arms) extended from an elongated torso topped with a lupine head upon a vertical neck. Fingers were visible, tipped with deadly claws, though feet were without enclosures and appeared more canine in origin.

?Bad move.? The leader informed her, his canine head covered in auburn fur. ?You should have kept running.?

?My legs were getting tired.?

His large hand closed around the hilt of the sword belted to his waist. ?Why waste even more energy? Put down your weapons so we can get this over with quickly.?

Reaching down, she wedged the tip of her sword under a loose piece of rock and flicked it into the air. She came across with the other sword, using the flat of the blade to smack the rock and launch it at the group.

It hit the one beside the leader, pegging him right in the eye, tearing a yelp from his maw.

She narrowed her eyes. ?That sum up everything you need to know??

He howled and drew the sword, as did the others. All of them.

She hadn?t expected them to use blades instead of their natural weapons, claws and fangs, though maybe they had come up with a method that equalized the lethality of all three. Having trained with a variety of different weapons, she easily recognized that all of them shared the same affinity for sword-type ? medieval broadswords. It surely wasn?t a coincidence and had to reveal something?like a pack affiliation.

She could figure out the details later. With a venomous hiss she darted at the leader.

It was obvious that he hadn?t expected her to come at him in the way he faltered his next action, nearly stumbling over. Frantic and panicked, when she was in ranged he drew his sword back and thrust it forward with a lunge, looking to impale with the first strike.

A quick leap took her over the line of the thrust and a soft step upon the blade itself was used for added momentum as the other foot snapped forward with a vicious kick aimed for his canine visage. It hit him below the chin and jerked his head back, exposing his thick throat. The slash of the sword followed as a third step found his shoulder and she leaped away.

She landed on the street ten feet from him, as did his head a moment later.
Whirling back, she spun the swords with effortless grace. ?Who?s next??

Oddly enough, the remainder of the horde seemed unconcerned with the fate of their leader, their focus solely on her. She expected them to raise their swords and come rushing in, consumed by some bloodthirsty frenzy, but instead found cunning eyes regarding her and patient steps carrying them as they fanned out to trap her between them and the wall at her back.

She fought the urge to rush forward and press the attack, as it was in her nature to be the aggressor. Seven was a bit too much, at least out in the open. With the wall behind her she didn?t have to worry about attacks from that direction, which in turn bottle-necked any assault the pack wished to press. Holding her ground was the best strategy. ?Don?t be shy.? She sang, dragging the tip of her sword across the cobblestones at her feet and igniting small sparks along the way. ?Step right up and have your fate sealed.?

With a lightning reflex one of them, who had been languidly prowling amidst the others, shot forward and rushed her. He leapt high into the air, perfectly angled to land atop her, with the heavy, two-handed downward swing of his sword leading the way.

Jatari dove to the side, dropping her shoulder into a roll, and when she came to her feet pivoted back and sent her swords slicing in. The Lycan barely managed to avoid a pair of stabbing blows that would have opened up his throat and quickly backpedalled away in a purely defensive mode. Jatari pushed, spinning and whirling as she advanced to add momentum and strength to her deadly attacks.

What she hadn?t expected was a gash across her hip from the claws of another wolf; one who raced in, lacerated her, and dashed away.

Stumbling, she twisted about and withdrew to keep them both in front of her.

They didn?t seem eager to stay and reversed their direction to fall back in within the ranks of their pack.

The pain was intense as the vicious claws of the werewolf were imbued with magic, inflicting her infernal flesh with stinging agony. She could feel the thin lines of ichor dripping down her leg but ignored it, not wanting to show any sign of weakness.

Another Lycan shot forward and she readied her swords.

He came in a straight line, deviating only when he was a sword?s length away. He feigned to the left and dove right, his blade slicing across for the front of her thighs.

She dipped her sword, deflecting the path of his attack as she sprung into the air and flipped her body in a handless cartwheel. She hit the ground and spun back, a double diagonal slash, fueled by her gathered speed, aiming for his lupine maw.

The attack never landed as it was thrown off course by the unseen impact against her back. Again she was tore open, this time in vertical lines slicing between her shoulder blades. The weight of this attack was much more potent than the first, causing her to stumble forward, toward the first Lycan. He darted past her, sword launching a quick series of jabs, though she was able to deflect them as she staggered by. She crashed into the wall, leading with her shoulder to hold her up, and turned back to view her assailant.

Just another Lycan who, like the first one, withdrew and joined the patient prowl of his brethren.

Their tactic was sound. Like wolves, they swarmed her with numbers to assure her that fleeing would result in a massive pursuit, but the actual killing would only be done by two; the first sent to distract the prey while the other darted in and struck with lethal stealth.

It was a guerilla tactic also used by the bearded devils of Baator. She?d fought with those who utilized this strategy, and fought against them as well, which was fortunate. Had she never experienced this sort of combined attack she would have surely fallen to their lethal execution of it.

Lucky her.

Patience would be needed. Patience and precision.

She watched as they continued to roam that half circle, blending together and pulling apart as though the pack was some amorphous cloud of bristled fur and vicious fangs. Biting back the fear that sought to billow up and claim her spirit, she twirled her swords and waited. An attack would soon come.

And finally it did.

From the horde one darted forward, both hands wrenching the hilt of his sword for added strength.

She waited until he was close and then escaped his diagonal slash with a swivel step that took her to the side, angling her for an easy shot as his exposed mid-section.

Instead, she dug her heel in and twisted around, exposing her back to the first attacker?

?and exposing her blade to the unsuspecting second one.

With the arriving wolf reaching in with deadly claws, extended to tear her open once more, Jatari swiped hard line from side to side and claimed his hand with the first sword just moments before the other shot forward in quick succession and punched twin holes into the center of the Lycan?s chest. Yelping, it fell to the ground and sickly convulsed.

Expecting to find the first startled and shocked, as she spun back and realized that was exactly how he responded she wasted little time in dispatching him; the flicker of her wrist slicing a quick, deep line across his throat, where thick blood seeped and spewed down the front of his furry chest.

Footsteps were easily heard. Another one approached.

She waited until the steps were close, leaving her back exposed to tempt a more frenzied method, and once he was in range she leapt into the air, flipping backwards, over her assailant, leaving him to swipe at empty air.

Landing smoothly behind him, she eyed his open and off-balanced form eagerly, which meant that another had to be arriving. Twirling the sword in her left hand into a reverse grip, she spun and ducked, narrowly avoiding the line of a sword from a second attacker that would have easily taken her head had she been a second slower. Lashing out with her blade, she slashed a heavy diagonal line from hip to shoulder, spinning him about, and then struck straight ahead with the other blade, driving the tip into his back, right between the shoulder blades, with enough power to punch it out the other side.

The pleading bay of the wolf raised several sickening octaves as she twisted the impaling blade over, dug her foot in, and jerked it cleanly out. She used the momentum of that yanking motion to turn back to the original attacker, who was as awestruck as the first had been at watching his companion so thoroughly undone, and Jatari took advantage of his surprise by spinning the left sword back over into a traditional grasp and driving it and its mate into the
Lycan?s unguarded stomach.

It lurched, reaching out with its large hands to grab onto her, though she was far too quick and ripped the blades free before darting away. Strength quickly dissolved from the Lycan?s legs and it fell to the ground, curling around its wounded abdomen to whimper and slowly die.

As it seemed, one of the remaining three wovles was tired of this tactic and before Jatari could turn back around tackled her from behind.

Speared in the back by a thick shoulder, she was grabbed around the waist and driven harshly into the brick wall. He slammed her face first into the jagged stone and instantly she felt her skin break with the violent impact. She clenched her fists to keep from dropping her swords, fore if she did, she was dead.

He pulled back and again rushed forward, hoping to repeat his success. Jatari was able to bring her knee up to soften the blow, but the Lycan?s strength was impressive and once again he slammed her face into the brick. She could feel the blood pouring from her forehead, lips and nose. Another hit and the world would go black.

He drew her back again.

This time she turned both swords over into a reverse grip so the blades ran flush against her forearms, nearly losing the right one in the process but managing to hold on. She anticipated a similar attack a third time and, when it came, angled both tips backwards. He ran her forward with a furious speed, and just when they were about to collide with the wall she lifted her feet and caught herself against it, screaming as she extended her legs and pushing off the unyielding barrier.

The tips of those swords, one resting against his pectoral and one riding the junction of his neck to his shoulder, impaled inward; her push off the wall driving them deep into his thick hide. He howled, causing her head to reel and her ears to be filled with the thick weight and a high-pitched whine of his mortal cry.

She slid from his grasp and dove to the side, pulling her blades free of his dying body as she hit the ground and rolled, coming up to a knee. There were only two left and she was ready to be done with them?and this place.

She found only one awaiting her.

Quickly she recounted all of those who she had dispatched. There were eight to start and six were dead. Two should have been left but there was only one. Something wasn?t right.

Jatari slowly stood, coming out of her fighting stance to show the lone wolf a more relaxed posture. It almost seemed lazy in its effortlessness. ?Tell me,? She said as she began toward him with languid steps. ?Tell me why I shouldn?t kill you.?

He did not share the same leisurely stance as she, keeping his blade up and between them with a determined focus. ?Because you can?t.?

?Can?t I?? As she passed the severed claw that she claimed from one of the fallen she speared it with her sword, lifting it up to eye level. ?I?m sure that?s what your brethren thought as well.?

Quiet moments passed between them, the air thick with a tumultuous weight, and then slowly the attentive stance of the Lycan expelled. He stood up tall, even going so far as to sheath his weapon. ?This is over.?

?It most certainly is.? She assured him, having a hard time not laughing at his insolence. Without his sword he didn?t stand a chance. ?I was the Lady Venger of Nasarach, Lord of Baator, as well as his soul harvester. I know death, wolf. You reek of it.?

?You are done killing today.? He said in his growling, lupine voice.

?Am I? And why is that??

??Jatari??

The sound of Clove?s voice was a punch to the throat as air was instantly seized in her chest. She knew her twilight eyes were as wide as saucers and was unable to hide the surprise to the Lycan who stood before her. Slowly she turned.

Standing just a few feet from her was Clove, wreathed in the arm of the missing Lycan, his furry hand expertly wielding her Glock and keeping its barrel tight against her temple.

Jatari sighed, the strength instantly sapped from her shoulders, and the tips of the swords fell to the ground. ?Damn it.? She murmured.

With Clove as the leverage to keep her in line, Jatari surrendered her weapons and was shackled behind the back. By the hair they lead her through the streets, parading her along the way to the exultant howls of distant wolves. Shoved, kicked, and smacked, she and Clove were ushered to what appeared to be a partially rebuilt synagogue and thrown across the stairs ascending to the massive doors leading inside.

?Wait here.? Her captor said as he climbed the steps, an authoritative eye finding the other Lycan to assure him that was a command and not a request. ?I?ll see if Master Greyson wants to see them.?

Master Greyson.

Seemed fate had taken care of the details.

Crossing Trundle Way
Part Four

For Mature Readers Only. Viewer Discretion Advised.]


The bowels of the synagogue were even more depraved than the ground level, used only to incarcerate prisoners and house the ill. A stale scent of moisture permeated through the narrow stairwell the Lycans used to escort Jatari to the lower levels, battling the pungent odor of death wafting from above. There was no light within these lifeless tunnels, no luminance whatsoever, and once again Jatari found herself thankful for her infernal lineage. Had she been mortal she would have been blind, and utterly terrified.

The cells they passed were full, though mostly with Lycans ravaged by some disease that made them appear mangy and emaciated. As far as Jatari could tell they weren?t even being tended too, just left to suffer throughout the course of their affliction.

Finally they came to a cell at the very end of the hall and she was led inside.

The chamber was only ten by ten, built of hewn walls that were wet with water seeping in from the opposing side and a ceiling from which an unused lamp dangled. The room was empty of adornments or furnishings, but did host a prisoner already. She was naked, with flesh so pale and flawless that it appeared porcelain-like. She was sitting, her wrists fastened to the floor with shackles and her neck wreathed with a collar attached to the adjacent wall. Immobile, she watched as they entered, meeting Jatari?s gaze with a venomous glare that easily transcended to those who escorted the Mi-demon.

The Lycans took Jatari to where a set of heavy shackles dangled from the wall, one seeing to her imprisoning affects while the other waited to navigate the mechanics of them. The one who stayed with her locked an iron collar around her throat, keeping it snug enough to apply pressure but not enough to strangle. It was connected to a thin chain that ascended and then disappeared into a crevice high up the wall. He then hooked the shackles that bound her hands behind her back to a similar chain that emerged from the floor-level. After making sure each of them was fastened securely he snarled at her and then signaled to the other, who began to turn a pegged wheel embedded in the wall. Jatari could felt the slack from each chain simultaneously tighten; the one hooked to the collar pulling her upward and the one hooked to the shackles at her wrist pulling her down. She was sure they were going to rip her in half.

Luckily they stopped once she was fully stretched, and while it was painful, it wasn?t going to kill her.

The one who worked the wheel departed to examine the other prisoner while the one who fastened her remained, eyeing her dubiously. ?Try to escape and I will personally tear out your heart and eat it.?

?Do your buddies know that? I?d hate for one of them to catch me and beat you to the punch...er, bite.?

Speaking of punch ? his fist rammed into her stomach. With the clench of the collar around her throat, she found that regaining a breath after having the wind knocked out of her was extraordinarily difficult. She heaved and found nothing for a long time, but when she finally did suck in a breath, she clung to it.

He smirked, something violent and s!itty, and turned away to join his partner. Moving up beside, and shoving his packmate a step away, he then withdrew his flaccid length. He growled something unintelligible and began urinating on the imprisoned woman. ?I know you?re used to blood, bitch, but this is all you get for dinner. Best not let a drop go to waste.? He barked out a laugh, as did his partner, and shook off any remaining drops that clung to him. Drawing his pants up he turned and made his way for the door, but not before glancing Jatari?s way to offer her one more grin.

Jatari breathed easy, having worked through the panic of asphyxiation, and watched as the Lycan?s left. ?I?m going to fu*king kill that guy.?

?Get in line.?

Jatari glanced to the girl, whose straight black hair was glossy with moisture and dripping into her lap. Still, through the thick mane, Jatari could make out the magical glow in her gaze. ?You know what, after seeing that, I think I?ll wait my turn. He deserves a d*ck punch from you way more than me.?

?I appreciate your generosity.?

?Did I hear that right? Did he call you a blood drinker??

?Yep.?

?Vampire??

?You got it.?

?You must be pretty important if those wolves are keeping you alive. I thought you guys were supposed to be natural enemies.?

?Oh, we are.? She murmured. ?Which is part of the reason they haven?t killed me. Apparently beating my ass and pissing on me is more enjoyable if I?m alive.?

Jatari fought back a laugh. It just didn?t feel right considering their situation. ?How long have you been here??

?Not sure, but it?s been a long time.?

?How do you live without blood??

?Oh, they feed me.? She hissed the explanation. ?But it?s not good.?

?I don?t think I want to know.?

?You don?t. What about you? Why are you here? You?re not a vampire.?

?I?m not.? Jatari admitted. ?And I don?t really know. I came looking for a friend that Greyson has and ended up down here. The strange thing is that the friend I came looking for, and the friend I brought with me are both upstairs with him while I?m down here. I don?t get it.?

The look the vampire gave her was prudent. ?Well, that can only mean one thing.?

?What?s that??

?You?re down here because they can?t sway you. You?re immune to their ardor.?


/**********\


The table was hard against her naked back, but Clove didn?t care. She clenched her thighs and locked her heels against the masculine swell of the Lycan?s backside, driving him deeper inside of her. She?d tried to embrace him earlier in their endeavor, twice actually, which resulted in him finally taking her wrists in his huge hand and pinning her arms above her head. With his other hand he grabbed and fondled her breast, flicking her nipple with the tip of his thumb between rough strokes.

She gasped as his hips locked inside her thighs, and then again at the spurting arrival of his thick seed. Her legs quivered and her body stiffened; not only accepting him, but matching his orgasmic eruption.

He held taut, draining within the tight grasp of her cleft, and then, once he concluded, withdrew and stepped away.

Clove panted, swollen breasts rising and falling with the need for air as her head lolled from side to side in absolute euphoria. In that moment there was a small pang of guilt, having lost track of Jatari once she had been introduced to these two Lycans, Xylin and Wrain. A small bit of worry, a tinge of concern, started to bring her out of the lascivious delirium they instilled inside her.

She was taken by the waist and pulled down the table, the sore junction of her thighs meeting the apex of Wrain?s hips as he lifted her torso into him and claimed her lips. He kissed her, and with that kiss came a carnal serenity that swept over her and washed away her consternation. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his thick neck.

The kiss only lasted a moment before he pulled away. ?Seems Xylin really enjoys your company, as do I. But this time, let?s try something new.?

It sounded exciting; granted, anything he or his packmate said sounded exciting. She nodded eagerly and leaned in for another kiss.

He stopped her, taking one step away to stay clear of the embrace, and instead turned her over with a quick though gentle motion, pressing her face down on the table. He slid his large hands downward along the shape of her hips to the swell of her buttocks, pulling them apart to expose her most private offerings.

She gasped, looking back at him with an equally mixed antiphon of fear and enthusiasm.

He slowly swayed forward, the plum-shaped tip of his engorged tool finding the tight fissure of her most taboo entry, and then swayed onward still.


/**********\


?Ardor?? Jatari asked with an arched brow. ?Not sure I get it.?

?It?s hard to explain, and not something you really understand unless you go through it. The only reason I can recognize it is because I?ve seen it in others. As a vampire I?m immune as well.?

?What does it do??

?It gives the Lycans control, makes the recipient see them as friends.? She chuckled, and a moment later added. ??or maybe even more than that.?

?Like compulsion??

The vampire turned her head, lips curling slightly in an impish smirk. ?You mean like vampires??

?If the shoe fits??

?Good point. Not exactly like a vampire?s. A vampire?s compulsion is much more focused. The compulsion is a direct order, an exact directive. This is something much broader. It?s a sense of loyalty, a sense of?submission. It?s not so much control as it?s?obedience. The recipient isn?t forced to serve the Lycan, he?or in this case, she?wants to serve.?

?Wants to??

?Oh yes,? The vampire said. ?Wants to.?



/**********\


Clove was lifted off the table, her body drawn back to rest against his chest as his large hands slid to the crooks of her knees and drew them up, folding her in half and holding her steady.

Though he carried her out in front of him, the position kept him firmly planted inside her as he crossed the room to where an old couch was located and lowered upon it. She whimpered at the impact of their seat, his embedded length shoved just a little further inside her tightly clenched walls.

?You?re doing so well.? Wrain whispered against the nape of her neck as he drew her knees apart.

With her legs splayed, her body was fully exposed and vulnerable. She clung to his thighs as he began to slowly pump his hips, filling her newly stretched corridor with his abundant girth. Empty, her velvet sheath ignited with a starving hunger to be used once again, and to compensate for this desire she plunged her hand between her legs and began to stroke and rub the damp bloom. Parched lips broke apart in a whimper and a plea, unintelligible but desperate, as a series of minute climaxes racked her body from flesh to soul. She cried out and threw her head back, eager to find another such release.

What she found instead was Xylin approaching, his left hand wrapped around his length and encouraging it to life.

She wanted to be afraid, wanted to deny his arrival, but as her eyes fell to that hardening shaft she was overcome by a new craving. A new want.

She wanted him.

Xylin?s stride did not pause when he arrived, stepping up onto the couch, a foot on either side of Wrain?s legs, as he offered his newly aroused member to Clove, who jolted and jerked upon the Lycan?s strong hips. There was no hesitation. Clove reached forward with the hand she had used to alleviate her need and encircled his stalk, guiding him to her hungry lips.


/**********\


?So why doesn?t their power?their ardor?work on us??

?Hard to say, really.? The vampire replied honestly before shooting Jatari a smirk. ?Granted, us implies you, and since I don?t know what you are, I?ll have a hard time giving you an answer.?

Jatari paused, not really sure how much she wanted to reveal to the Vampire she?d just met. The last thing she wanted to do was feed information to Greyson through a mole. ?Not human.? She answered, the smirk she shot back discounting any further elaboration.

?Good enough, I guess. There are a few theories about it though the most popular one is the animal magnetism angle. Since, supposedly, mortals have evolved from some sort of primal form, the ardor enhances a more primitive response that has been submerged beneath a civilized subconscious. From dormant to dominant in a snap.?

?So that?s why it?s more influence than an outright command. It preys on latent emotions that are already there. Not forcing them in, but helping them out??

?A good analogy.?

?And what about?us?? Jatari smirked. ?Why only mortals? Why aren?t we affected??

?Well, I can only speak for myself and other vampires as to why we aren?t affected. Once gifted with undeath, emotions are twisted and turned and thus shielded from outside manipulation. That?s why vampires can?t compel other vampires, and why Lycans can?t target us with their ardor. Now, as for you?well, who knows??


/**********\


Clove?s talent was unquestionable and her timing immaculate. She had a sensual rhythm between lips and hand, stroking and sucking in arousing union that nearly brought Xylin to culmination right there in her mouth. He was not so anxious, though, and before he reached that peak he withdrew, much to her chagrin.

Wrain still rolled beneath her, stroking the tight hold of her newly found avenue with his deeply embedded root. The pain of this forbidden pioneering had subsided throughout his persistent pace, leaving only pleasure where there was once torment.

Still straddling Wrain?s thighs, Xylin lowered to his knees, careful not to interrupt the motion as he trapped Clove between them, finding her lips once more.

She kissed him back eagerly, yearning for his taste, as her hands rose to cradle his square jaw. The growing strength of Wrain?s thrusts was sharply felt and she moaned into the kiss she gave Xylin; a sound that spawned deeper throughout their embrace as the tip of Xylin?s engorged shaft pressed against her vacant sheath in search of entry.

There was a momentary twinge of fear at the thought of having them both buried inside her at the same time, but then came that familiar wave of jubilant tranquility, and she pulled him closer.

With a sinful scoop of his hips he found her slick opening on the first try, and followed through with a sensual thrust that stretched her open and filled her completely.

Carried by Wrain?s strong hands, Clove gyrated through the repetitious pump of both male hips, consuming them with her eager body. She took turns between them, kissing Xylin for a brief time before turning her head to kiss Wrain over her shoulder, wishing at that point for nothing more than a second mouth.

The Lycans worked in unison, their thrusts alternating so that one was always filling her as the other was departing. Their size, combined with the narrow conduits of her body, left her with a maddening sense of numb pleasure, which, as far as she was concerned was a good thing ? for she was certain they would split her in half. Still she rode them with a frantic valiancy, not interested in giving either of them up, even as another seemingly endless streak of dizzying orgasms slammed through her.

The response came in the form of Xylin?s echoed release, heralded by a final thrust that fully impaled her. He held fast and spewed his offering inside of her, howling into the air above them.

Wrain followed just a beat later, mirroring that conclusive plunge and driving just as deep into her from behind, warm ejaculate flooding the tight chamber quickly. He, too, bayed his pleasure.

Overwhelmed and astonished, her body succumbed to the demand of her lovers and responded with an onslaught of ecstasy that left the world spinning and her flesh tingling. She clung to Xylin, as he was in front of her, and moaned into the salty flesh of his neck as muscles pulsated and flexed to consume every drop of their individual gifts.

She swooned, and between blinks consciousness slipped away.


/**********\


?So how do you get out of it?? Jatari asked after a long moment of contemplation. ?How do you make it stop??

?The only way I?ve found is to get whoever is being persuaded by the ardor away from the Lycans. If the wolves aren?t around then they can?t use their power.?

Jatari clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. ?So if we get out of here, you?re telling me that we can break this hold that they have and escape??

?We?? The vampire mused. ?Are we doing this??

The Mi-demon smirked. ?Well, I figure that your information has been so helpful thus far that offering you a way out might be the right thing to do. Unless you like being their toilet.?

?I don?t even know your name.?

?Jatari. You??

?Chloe.? The Vampire replied. ?Chloe Adalyn.?

Crossing Trundle Way
Part Six


??and then he told Alamir to get me ready for the new moon or something. I don?t know. At that point I was still trying to figure out how I was going to tear Greyson?s d!ck off and ram it up his ass. There?s no way I?m going to be his hot lil? baby maker. No way. No how.? Jatari narrowed her twilight gaze, which added to the stern conviction of her tone even though it had been lowered a few octaves. The last thing she wanted was the keenly-eared Lycans listening in from afar.

Chloe glanced at the Mi-demon, still positioned upon the floor where shackles and collar immobilized her fully. ?It?s not the new moon, it?s the full moon. That?s when he?ll wait until.?

?Full moon? Great. Maybe he?ll go all psycho-beast on me and tear my arms off in the process.? She sighed, dropping her head. ?That?s just what I need; to be armless and pregnant.?

?I think you?re confusing natural Lycanthropes and werewolves cursed with Lycanthropy. There?s a difference.?

Jatari smirked. ?Of course there is, because to be a singular variety of anything in New Purgatory is asking just a little too much. So what?s the difference??

?Well, there?s several, but the most notable is the full moon. Those cursed can?t endure the full moon, and are forced to succumb to the transformation, both physically and mentally, becoming the wolf for the night. Natural Werewolves can change any time they wish, easily able to shift from human to wolf to hybrid at will. However, they are sterile, unable to produce offspring??

?Let me guess,? Jatari interrupted. ?Except during the full moon.?

?Cookie for the winner.?

Jatari sighed and dropped her eyes to the floor. At full strength Greyson would be a handful, but considering the fact that she hadn?t fed and was growing weaker, there was just no way she would be able to combat him. She considered seducing him and feeding off his arousal as the consummated, but her immunity to the ardor had her wondering if Greyson would be immune to her infernal consumption on the reverse end, and considering that they would have to be engaged in sex for her to feed, there would be no going back if she failed.

?When did he say Alamir would come for you?? Chloe asked.

The answer she received was not form Jatari, but from a much more masculine baritone standing in the archway of their cell. ?Right now.?

Again that cursed silence of the werewolves had left Jatari staring blankly at a Lycan suddenly amongst them. Even though Alamir?s goliath size set him apart from any of the others it did not seem to hinder his stealth, which persisted as he moved into the room and toward Jatari.

?Any chance Greyson?s changed his mind?? Jatari asked with a hopeful lift of thin brows.

Alamir?s wordless smirk gave her all the answers she needed. He moved to her, drawing form his belt a heavy silver key, and began to unfasten her from the wall. This key wasn?t like the keys the others had used, Jatari noticed, and wondered as to whether or not this was a master key that could unlock anything in the dungeon. The others had used a ring full of keys to release her, while Alamir only used this one.

Without a word he led her out of the cell and up the stairs, though instead of continuing on toward the throne room he diverted their path and guided her to another set of ascending stairs. Spiral in design, she took them one at a time, curious as to where she was being taken to. She hadn?t realized the synagogue had a level above the ground floor and was even more surprised to find that the second story sported rooms with actual doors ? it seemed that privacy was a priority in some aspects after all.

The chamber he led her to was a personal one, with a massive bed covered in sheets and pillows, along with a large circular tub in the center of the floor. There were six windows in all, though five of them were boarded up, with the only accessible one being that which faced north ? though through the dirty pane Jatari could see that there were bars along the outside. As she stepped in the door closed behind her, and with it came a sense of finality.

?Take your clothes off.? Alamir said as he stepped by her, bumping her with his massive shoulder on his way to a shelf near the bath where the toiletries were kept.

The light collision nearly knocked her over as strength continued to seep from her limbs. The lack of sustenance was starting to take its toll and if she didn?t act soon she wouldn?t be able to refute Greyson?s efforts. She needed to feed.

Actually, she needed to escape.

Twilight eyes fell to the waist of Alamir, watching him as he gathered several articles from the shelf. She could see the pouch where he?d drawn the key from, and knew that if she could get that she could get Chloe out, and they?d be one step closer to freeing Clove and Tonky and getting the hell out of there.

The only thing she had to do was get it from him.

She peeled her clothing from her body swiftly, wanting to be naked by the time he turned back around, though was startled by his reaction to her sensual bareness when he finally did. Stoicism. Unfazed, he returned to her and took her by the arm, leading her to the tub.

He seemed unimpressed by her sinful beauty, though she knew a way to get his attention. While a werewolf, Alamir was still a man, who had a variety of senses beyond just sight. She was a sister of the Sovereignty and wielded allure with supremacy.

As his hand took her by the bicep she looked up at him and drew in a quick breath.

Then, with a husky and pleading tenor, she moaned.

It was a pure and feminine sound that hinted at veiled arousal and as his eyes lowered she instead dropped her gaze, giving him only a peek at the rosy hue that claimed her cheeks.

?What was that?? He sternly asked.

?What do you mean??

?That sound.?

She shook her head, still keeping her eyes averted. ?I?it?s just. It?s nothing. You caught me off guard. I wasn?t expecting your hand to ?? Again she shook her head. ??never mind.?

With a firm jerk he pulled her back in front of him, hard eyes boring into her. ?Tell me.? He demanded.

Jatari smoothly drew in a breath, raising the swell of pert breasts upward. Her nipples were hard, and by the way his nostrils instantly began to twitch, she knew he could smell the arousal sweetly permeating from between her naked thighs. ?Your hand, it?s just?large. Very large. And like iron. I knew you?d be strong but not?like that.? Again she looked away, hiding her eyes and her blush, having mastered coy seduction long ago.

?You?re aroused.? He suddenly declared. ?Are you finally succumbing to the ardor??

She glanced up. ?I don?t know. Are you using it??

He paused, shocked by his own oversight. He then shook his head. ?I am not.?

She took a step back, drawing her arm from his hold, and gave a shrug. ?Don?t know then. Maybe it?s just you.?

?I?m not sure I understand.?

She turned on the ball of her foot and started away, heading for the bath. Her stride was even and graceful, allowing for the sway of her firm backside to draw his attention with each and every step. There was no need to look back to see if it worked, though. She could feel his eyes on her. She paused at the side of the tub and lowered to a knee so that her hand could gently brush through the heavenly water. ?What?s not to understand? You grabbed my arm and it?? She swallowed back what looked to be distress. ??and it turned me on a little.?

?But?why?? It?s true; his eyes were on her, roaming the svelte undulation of her body while in motion.

The question was an odd one, though Jatari was starting to understand his confusion. ?You take all your lovers with your ardor, don?t you?? She asked as she drew her eyes up from the bath to look at him, though it was only a fleeting glance and moments later she stood and stepped into the tub. She moved to the center and lowered until her delectable breasts were submerged in the warm water.

?A foolish question.? He said as he moved to where she had previously stood at the side of the tub and arranged the items he gathered from the shelf along the rim. ?A better question would be: why would I not??

?A good point.? She replied as she reached to where he set those articles and pulled back a bar of soap. She soaked her slender arms before starting to lightly lather them with the soft suds. ?Though it might put your confusion into perspective. If you always use your ardor to arouse your mates then you probably, after a while, wouldn?t recognize when a female was just naturally aroused by you.? He didn?t seem to care about her blush so she kept her cheeks clear of red, but she did avert her eyes briefly, if only to show submission to his masculinity.

He stared at her, and in his eyes Jatari could see a swirling contemplation that had yet to materialize in words. She had banked on the fact that the wolves were probably not used to arousing their mates without their ardor, and it seemed in this case she was right. She continued with that bar of soap, lathering sensual lines along her arms and shoulders before rising up to lift breasts from their sanctuary beneath the water. She was judicious with her attention, stroking and caressing the delicious orbs as she cleaned them.

Alamir cleared his throat. ?It matters not.? He said. ?We are preparing you for Lord Greyson. My arousal does not matter.?

?Your arousal?? She purred the words as she dipped down to rinse the suds from her ample offerings. ?I thought we were talking about my arousal?? She didn?t wait for his answer, sinking even lower until her head was submerged. His arousal was definitely present and the Mi-demon could sense it even beneath the water. Slowly she reemerged and found his gaze lingering upon her.

?You know what I mean.? He snapped.

?Do I?? She asked as she drifted to the edge of the bath, rising up to the melody of deluging water back into the tub. She stood still for a just a moment, just long enough for a majority of the dripping surplus to rain back within the bath, and then stepped out of it. Still wet, her smooth caramel flesh glistening with dampness, she headed for him with a familiar roll of hips that offered a view of the front this time rather than the rear.

His eyes narrowed, obviously expecting some sort of ploy from her.

There was no ploy. No trick. No mischief. In fact, she was rather brazen in her desire as she strode right up to him and reached forward to warmly cup his groin.

He winced, though his exhale was more akin to a gasp than a growl.

Beneath his pants, his great endowment filled her hand. Vertically stout, she was easily able to discern its outline through the clothing. ?Goodness.? She whispered. ?Maybe I don?t know what you mean.?

?Stop.? He commanded her with his deep baritone voice, which had retreated to a much lower volume.

?Stop what?? She asked as the hand that covered him gently began to climb along his length, a silken glide lazily stroking up and down. ?Stop talking? Stop touching??

Lips parted in a hungry moan as eyes started to fall closed. The sounds he made told of pleasure, even as his hands curled into fists over and over again throughout her caress of him. It was easy to see that he wanted to refuse her, and yet didn?t want her to stop.

With smooth fingertips she climbed high up his length, though as she reached the tip she didn?t reverse course, but ascended even higher, finding the waistband of his pants. She curled her fingers inside and pushed her hand down, instantly finding the heavy girth of his arousal. Large and warm, it easily filled her palm and throbbed against her touch. Fingers closed and once again the stroking began.

?Stop.? He repeated, and though his inflection was still deep, it lacked the authority it once possessed.

She stepped forward, her free hand sliding in to take hold of his strong hip, pressing close. The other hand continued its rhythmic caress, up and down, over and over again with a firm pace that was growing quicker and quicker. ?I don?t want to stop.? She admitted as she leaned forward and placed a heated kiss on the thick surface of his naked pectoral. It was like kissing rock. ?Not until you?re done.?

Heavy hands clenched, and it was this tension that caused tendons along his neck to protrude. Half-lit, his gaze seemed to drift aimlessly across the room, alighting on her for only fleeting seconds. Breath came in pants and he gritted his fangs to stifle other sounds seeking freedom. ?No.? He whispered.

?Please.? She begged with an air of desperation as the stroke of his length became suddenly desperate. ?Just once.?

?I can?t.?

?You can.?

?You have to-? Words diminished beneath a bestial roar that filled the room with deafening volume.

Shocked by the burst of sound, Jatari was instantly paralyzed, her gaze filled with a spinning landscape that pulsated between colors. Never had she heard a sound so extraordinarily terrifying.

Though, as reality returned she realized that her hand, still submerged within his pants, was soaked in his seed.

Twilight eyes lifted to find his gaze starting down at her with an intensity
that bordered on madness. His great chest was heaving, growing wide with every inhale, and it was this menacing sight that made her swallow back her fear. Pulling her hand from his pants, she started to withdraw.

He lashed out and took her by the wrist, catching her easily even though she sought to evade, and yanked her into him.

Her hands pressed against his chest as he curled his arm around her slender waist and drew her up, into his mouth.

The kiss was warm and so disturbing that Jatari nearly gasped as her body betrayed her and moistened the junction of her thighs. She wanted to retreat to keep the game going, but as his tongue pushed inside her mouth all she could do was welcome it with her own.

He was greedy with his embrace; mouth sensuous in its sampling of hers and hand explorative in its glide across her body, dipping between her thighs to press against the damp slit nestled therein.

She moaned softly, biting down on his lip at the caress of her sex. She needed distance. She needed him to want her, not take her, and with the way things were going she wasn?t sure she would be able to keep from surrendering to him.

Mustering awareness and control, she jerked her head to the side and pushed against his chest, arching away from him. ?Stop, Alamir. Not like this!?

Paralyzed by her refusal, he arched a hairless brow and stared at her in disbelief. ?Wha?what??

?Put me down.? She said. ?Put me down now.?
Befuddled, he did as she instructed.

As she was placed on the floor she looked into his eyes and saw that confusion. As she guessed, the Alphas weren?t used to being denied. Why would they be? Their ardor made their lovers submissive devotees, willing to comply with whatever command they gave. To have her reject his attempt was earth-shattering to him, and it showed upon his visage.

She drew in a breath and turned away, taking a moment to gather her composure. His arousal wafted all about them, tempting her senses. She wasn?t sure if she would be able to feed from the Lycans, but the opportunity was right there. It was just the timing that was wrong. She applauded herself for denying her primal urges mainly because there was no doubt that all she wanted at that moment was Alamir buried inside of her.

Once poised, she turned back. ?Tonight.? She said. ?Come for me tonight. If you are to have me I don?t want it to be a quick tryst that is easily forgotten, but a lengthy endeavor that will burn itself into our memories so that we will never forget it.? She stepped past him, clenching her jaw to keep from acting on carnal yearning as she brushed her breasts against his arm to entice him further. She quickly moved to the door and turned back to face him. ?Take me back to my cell, Alamir.?

He did so, snarling and growling along the way. He fastened her to the wall, saying nothing as the locks were put in place. Once complete, he turned away and stalked out.

?Everything alright?? Chloe asked, before adding. ?And why are you naked??

?Everything is great.? She assured the Vampire as she started at where Alamir had disappeared from. She was banking on his craving, though instantly began to second guess the move. What if he slated his lust on another and then told Greyson of her attempt. What then? Surely he wouldn?t kill her, but what about Clove and Tonky? She didn?t want anything happening to them.

Hours ticked away and to Jatari it felt like an eternity. The lack of light in the cell gave her no solace regarding the passing of time, which only added to the distress that weighed upon her mind. She was consumed with the need to get out of there and check on her friends, if only for a minute. She needed to make sure that Greyson wasn?t tearing them apart or sacrificing them to the lesser Lycans as a treat. She wouldn?t be able to go on knowing that-.

Her fear subsided suddenly.

Alamir appeared in the doorway.

Crossing Trundle Way
Part Eight.

?We have to go.? Jatari?s voice was a whisper above the jingle of chains as she inserted the skeleton key and began to unlock Chloe?s shackles. Infused with the essence she had stolen from Alamir, the Mi-demon was moving again with a sense of strength and purpose.

The Vampire did little to hide her astonishment as her hands came free, followed by her neck, and slowly rolled forward onto her knees. Gingerly she put her feet to the floor and extended her legs, rising with patient grace. ?How?? There were so many questions she wanted answered and yet that single word summoned up every aspect of her inquiry.

Jatari flipped the key over in her hand. ?I snagged this lil? beauty from our friend Alamir while he was taking a nap.? She narrowed her twilight eyes and let slip a wicked grin. ?A dirt nap.?

?Impressive.? Chloe admitted as she rubbed at her wrists. It?d been a while she was able to do so.

?We have to get out of here.? Jatari said as she looked over her shoulder to the doorway. ?They?ll find his body soon enough and we need to be long gone by the time they do. Where do they keep their little ardor puppets??

?It just depends. They?ll be somewhere on the ground floor, unless Greyson?s taken one to his chamber.?

?Then they?ll be upstairs??

Chloe nodded.

?Then let?s get started.? Jatari replied and turned for the exit.

The Vampire caught her by the wrist. ?Wait. We can?t do it like this; naked and unarmed. There?s a weapons cache not far from here and we need to get to it first. We won?t get very far otherwise.?

She looked back at Chloe, weighing her options. She wanted to get Tonky and Clove out as quickly as possible, but if it came down to a fight she wasn?t sure how long she?d last with just her fists. The feeding had healed the gashes that marred her back and hip, invigorating her all around, but even still she wouldn?t be much use barehanded against wolves with claws and fangs. ?Alright.? She agreed. ?Lead the way.?

Together they prowled the halls, slinking through shadows in a writhing path that kept them out of sight. Jatari followed along with roaming eyes, checking every corridor and intersection they came across to ensure there was no Lycan catching their scent or covertly pursuing.

They came to a steel door in the center of a long hallway, its face adorned with a brass knob.

?Locked.? Chloe said after testing it. ?Try your key.?

Jatari slid the key into the hole but knew instantly from the size differential that it wouldn?t work. ?Nothing.? She said as the attempted twist went nowhere.

?Alright, give me a sec.?

Jatari arched a brow, eyeing the Vampire curiously.

Chloe drew in a deep breath, causing naked breasts to lift and ribs to show. Her gaze fell closed and a moment later flesh transformed to mist. With a slithering speed the transparent haze curled forward and cambered down to seep beneath the door, using the narrow space between it and the floor as her avenue.

Jatari recognized this ability and knew that it belonged to the Eastern Vampires, which were a different breed than the savage type who served Skellz. That explained a lot, though also birthed a sudden concern. The Eastern Vampires were very cultured and civilized monsters with a cruel, soulless outlook on most things not Vampire ? which would include Jatari. If they somehow managed to escape, she wasn?t sure how long her kinship with Chloe would last before her breed nullified it.

She was pulled from her private thoughts as the door opened, now with Chloe standing inside, and gave a quick look around before stepping in and closing it behind her.

Weapons Cache might have been too detailed of a description. It was more like a closet with weapons carelessly tossed inside. Guns, swords, axes, and a variety of other obscure weaponry were strewn about the shelves and tables that filled the room, showing no rhyme or reason as to sorting.

Immediately, though, Jatari recognized the twin hilts buried beneath a pile of pistols and knives. She drew them out, and sure enough they were the blades she had brought form her collection. ?My arms are complete once more.? She whispered.

?That?s great, Miss Todd, but in case you?ve forgotten, we need to get going.? Chloe emphasized her point by pumping the shotgun she held. She then scooped up an over-the-shoulder holster housing a pistol.

Jatari nodded and grabbed the sheath belt for her swords, sliding it over her shoulder and diagonally across her torso. By doing so, she uncovered another belt holding a pair of Sais and decided on it as well, fitting it around her waist. ?Alright, let?s go.?

They quickly exited the weapon storage and made their way down the adjoining hall. While Chloe seemed to have a general idea as to the layout of the synagogue she wasn?t precise, and Jatari was unabashed about steering them through the shadowy passageways when directions got murky. Occasionally a distant howl would erupt, paralyzing them both in preparation of a Lycan swarm, but none ever came. Whatever was causing those dreadful bays had nothing to do with them, or so it seemed.

They found Tonky in a room not far away.

Through the empty archway Jatari could see her lying upon a bundle of blankets near the far wall, naked and curled around her own supple limbs. She seemed at peace, even though along her shoulders and hips cuts and gashes had been scored ? presumably by wolf claws.

Jatari took a step in but quickly halted as the archway across the way was filled with a new arrival, taking a step back to renew her cover. Once more she peered through the archway, watching as a Lycan entered and moved toward the slumbering beauty with hunger in his eyes. With little concern for Tonky?s desires the Lycan took her by the hips and pulled her up to her knees, an easy camber at the waist placing his face between her thighs.

Jatari scowled, starting forward. Her decisive stalk quickened to a swift sprint and she charged the villainous werewolf, spinning the blade over in a reverse grip.

Just as she arrived the Lycan looked up, tongue eagerly lapping at his glistening lips, and was surprised to find the keen edge of a sword. With a sidelong slice, aided by the momentum of her darting step, she freed his skull from his jaw and sent the top half of his head skittering across the room. She turned back just in time to see the knelt corpse fall away, as well as Tonky rise up from her prone stance to look between her and the dead wolf.

?Wha?what have you done??

?Tonky, it?s me. It?s Jatari.? The Mi-Demon said as she closed the distance between them, lowering her voice. ?We need to get you out of here.?

?Jatari, I know who you are. I?m not stupid, but I don?t want to go. I like it here.? Tonky said before dropping her gaze to the fallen werewolf. ?Why did you do that??

?No you don?t. That?s the ardor talking. Listen to me,? To make sure Tonky did, Jatari took her by the face ? a hand cupping each cheek ? and locked their eyes together. ?This isn?t you talking. We have to get you back to Masquerades. You have to come with me, and you have to do it quietly. Understand??

?I?m not going anywhere with you.? Tonky said as she ripped her head away from Jatari?s hands.

?She?s completely entwined.? Chloe interjected from the side as she looked back through the archway, making sure none were approaching. ?They have her.?

?Who is she?? Tonky asked, though quickly the inquiry in her eyes faded away and was replaced with disdain. ?Vampire.?

?We?re running out of time Jatari. At this rate we won?t be able to save your other friend.? She turned and stalked over to where they were, one long stride crossing over the corpse. ?Hell, at this rate we might not even get her.?

Jatari shot Chloe a look to dismiss such a notion, looking back just as Tonky unleashed a bellow.

?Heeeeelllllpppppp!!!!?

Crossing Trundle Way
Part Ten

The rooftops would have been so much easier to navigate had Clove not been draped over her shoulder, but Jatari didn?t let that keep her from promptly departing the Synagogue. Once the boards had been removed she climbed to the top of the building with Chloe right behind her. She?d really expected the vampire to depart the moment she had a chance and was thankful that she decided to instead stick around. According to her, the only reservation she had about continuing alongside the Mi-Demon was if the sun was up or not, and considering that the moon was high in a rather cloudless night, that didn?t seem to be a problem.

Swimming through the darkness she led Chloe north, back toward Trundle Way. Her bike was still there, she could feel it, though still too far to summon. She needed to get closer.

The sudden thunder of numerous howls halted their step, ducking them both beneath the lip of a building. With a peek over the edge Jatari watched as a score of Lycans ? half Hybrid and half lupine - tore out of the Synagogue and flooded the streets, fanning out with no apparent rhyme or reason. This wasn?t just a mindless run, however, no matter how frenzied and chaotic they sounded. No, they were hunting.

Hunting her.

?We have to move.? She whispered, receiving a nod from Chloe in response.

Keeping low, she quickly fled along the edge of the structure, leaping into the air as she reached its end and landing softly upon the adjacent building. She was only a few blocks away and needed to stay focused. One wrong miscue and the wolves would be alerted.

?They?re doubling back.? Chloe said. ?I can hear them. They?ve reached Trundle way and are now cycling inward.?

Realization struck Jatari hard. ?They weren?t trying to get to us before we crossed Trundle Way; they were trying to get to Trundle Way before us, to trap us inside their borders.?

?And, it seems, they?ve succeeded.?

Jatari crouched low against a chimney, peering across the way to a series of roofs that had multiple wolves patrolling along them. ?I?ve got four here and they don?t look like they?re leaving. They?re watching.? She glanced back to the Vampire. ?They?re watching for us.?

?I can go gaseous but that won?t help you or your friend. Ideas??

?Street level, I guess. With Clove here I?m not going to be able to fight them and keep her safe. We have to stay hidden. We?re almost to where I parked my bike.?

?Your bike??

?Yea. If we can get there, we?re in the clear.? Keeping the chimney between her and the distant Lycans, fearing their preternatural eyesight, Jatari moved to the lip of the roof and descended to the street. She waited until Chloe was with her and then started away.

Luckily the streets weren?t terribly complex; a basic quadratic grid with narrow avenues and clean intersections. This made it easy to navigate the obscure blocks, but on the reverse end gave them little cover to their movements. It was easy to move through, and just as easy to follow through. She quickened her step.

She paused on the wall, careful not to lean against the jagged bricks because of Clove, and peered around. There, at the intersection, was her beloved two-wheeled hell machine.

?and the six Lycans who surrounded it.

?Sh!t.? Chloe whispered from over Jatari?s shoulder.

?Not that big a deal.? Jatari replied with a grin. ?Step back.?

The Vampire did, though not before casting a skeptical look the Mi-Demon?s way.

Twilight eyes fell closed as she reached out with her mind, seeking to reconnect with the sentient vehicle. She wanted it, and she wanted it right then.

/***************\

The Lycans jumped simultaneously as the bike roared to life with a deep rumble, like a beast awakening from slumber. The engine revved, a warning to the werewolves seeking to investigate its ignition, spinning its rear tire to keep them at bay.

Suddenly it shot forward, splitting through the crowd, and raced away of its own accord.

\***************/


Eyes reopened. ?Go gaseous.? Jatari said, ?And be quick about it.?

Chloe didn?t question the order, quickly transform from flesh to vapor in a blink. Even her weapons went with her.

The bike rounded the corner and screeched to a stop beside the Mi-Demon, who quickly deposited Clove across the seat and then straddled the purring machine. She gripped the throttle and twisted it, and not a moment too soon; speeding off down the street, just out of reach of the pursuing Lycans who came storming around the corner.

They were fast. The bike was faster.

They didn?t stand a chance.

Streets were a blur as she zipped along, taking corners with a lean so severe that her knee nearly scraped the asphalt. Trundle Way was just up ahead, and she knew that if she could get north of it she?d be free of the pack?s pursuit.

?Jatari!!!?

The roar of her name was so deafening that it dwarfed the rumble of the bike. She squeezed the brakes and turned to the side, skidding across the street as she came to a stop a hundred feet from Trundle Way.

Looming overhead on the ledge of the near building was a massive Lycan with fur as black as the abyss and eyes as red as blood.

Greyson.

It wasn?t just him that caught Jatari?s attention, but what he held in his hand.

Or, to put it more accurately, who?

?Tonky!? Jatari screamed.

By the throat, Tonky hung from Greyson?s massive grip, writhing in obvious need of air. She kicked at the open space beneath her and twisted her body as if seeking freedom, though if she had gained it she would have then plummeted six stories to the unforgiving street below?and her death.

?If you go, she dies.? The Lycan growled.

?She means nothing to you.? Jatari said as she stepped off the bike. ?Let me have her, and let me go. We shouldn?t have come here, we know that. You need to let us go.?

?There are only two ways to escape the pack ? to kill its king or be slain by him.? Greyson snarled. ?Either way, someone dies.?

Twilight eyes caressed the form of Clove as she rolled over in her bed, pulling the covers around her shoulders. Jatari was adamant about making sure that she and Tonky were both resting soundly after they returned to Masquerades, and after watching the blonde southern belle drift off into slumber she stepped out the door and eased it closed.

The trip back had been fast, with no stops along the way. When it came to most places of commerce the breaking dawn signified the start of a new work day, encouraging people to become active and busy. At the brothel, however, the rising sun meant that the ?day? was coming to an end, which made sneaking into the building a bit easier. Girls were settling in for the night, their roaming eyes sleeping behind painted lids. She hadn?t come across a single one or, more importantly, Madam Durant along the way and breathed a sigh of relief as she made her way to her room, slipping inside.

The bath that followed was sensational and thoroughly enjoyed. Every inch of her lithe form was cleansed of the grime and dirt that stained her flesh and hair was scrupulously tended to. It felt good to wash away the filth?and the pain. Once satisfied, which was long in coming, she emerged from the tub and made her way back into her bedchamber.

?Everything alright??

The gentle touch of Chloe?s voice purred across her ears as she turned to face the Vampire, who sat comfortably at the foot of her bed. Unable to hide the smile that touched her lips, Jatari made her way for the wardrobe positioned nearby. ?Everything is fine. I was wondering where you went.?

?I didn?t want to be a bother during you and Greyson?s little skirmish. You seemed to have things under control.?

Jatari laughed as she drew a silk kimono of white and black from inside the armoire, one of her favorites. Arms were smoothly installed and the garment was wrapped about her torso, reaching just to the tops of her thighs. Molding over lush breasts it was tied loosely at the waist, falling open to reveal the sensuous sight of delectable cleavage. She moved to where Chloe sat and paused before her. ?Well, if by have things under control, you mean, was about to have my head ripped off, then you?re right.?

Now it was the Vampire?s turn to laugh. ?You were doing just fine. I was watching.? She shot the Mi-Demon a wink. ?I figured you might want some backup in case the pack decided to intervene.?

Jatari had wondered what happened to Chloe after Greyson arrived. She wouldn?t have blamed her if she took off; after all, she was the pack?s prisoner for who knew how long? Freedom had to be at the forefront of her mind. There was something satisfying knowing that she hung around, though. ?I appreciate it, but you didn?t have to. I would have understood.?

?I know you would have, Jatari. I didn?t stay because I had to.? Eyes climbed the length of the Mi-Demon until connecting with her twilight gaze. ?I stayed because I wanted to.?

Jatari smiled, the salacious weight of the Vampire?s gaze absorbed with a sense of ease. As a Sister of the Sovereignty, she was used to those sorts of looks. ?Well, either way, I appreciate it.? Reaching out, she brushed a loose strand of Chloe?s sable hair behind her ear. ?Did you see Alamir? I?ve never had anyone survive my feeding before. It looks like the Lycan?s healing factor extends beyond the grasp of death.?

?It doesn?t surprise me.? She replied, tilting her head to offer Jatari as much playroom as she wanted. ?Their recovery rate is even greater than mine. I?ve seen a single Lycan rip through a half-dozen vampires and come out on the other end without taking nearly as much damage as he ought to have. It?s?? She paused as her eyes inadvertently fell to the open span of the robe, her white-pink tongue flickering out to moisten suddenly dry lips. ??impressive.?

?Is it?? Jatari whispered through a mischievous smile. ?Well, either way, it was strange to see. The look in his eye, the way he went after Greyson. I?m not sure what was going on.?

Chloe?s laughter was heated and low. ?I think it?s pretty obvious.? A slender hand extended to capture the end of her silk belt, drawing her slowly toward her with an effortless tug. ?He was protecting you. He wasn?t fighting Greyson because of Greyson. He was fighting Greyson because of you.?

Jatari complied with a single step that expelled the distance between where she stood and Chloe sat, widening her stance to capture the Vampire?s knees between her legs. ?I sort of thought the same thing. Which raises even more questions. I killed him ? or, at least attempted to ? and yet he came back to protect me from the King of his own Pack? It doesn?t add up.?

Chloe was no longer looking at her, her eyes instead focused on the sight of succulent flesh as the robe fell even more open with her insistent tugging of the belt. Finally the belt unraveled and the kimono splayed completely.

?Chloe.? Jatari?s gentle moan was a whispered denial.

Leaning forward, the Vampire?s cold breath raced across the flat span of Jatari?s abdomen before vicious fangs lightly scraped the flawless flesh. Lips came together in a gentle kiss, and then another, as a trail started upward along the center of her torso.

Jatari drew in a trembling breath as her hands fell to Chloe?s shoulders, resting there as she reveled in the feel of the Vampire?s mouth upon her. ?You should rest.?

?You should rest with me.? Lips crested the ripe swell of her breast with an almost lazy affection, trapping the pert nipple between them and her teeth as slender arms coiled around naked hips.

The moan exorcised from the Mi-Demon?s palpitating lips filled the air all around them as fingers tightened along the horizon of shoulders. Her mind was a swirling maelstrom of desire and need, and her body responded in kind by swaying toward the prone Vampire, pressing the torrid junction of her legs into the slender, pale torso and writhing upon her. Her flesh tingled, capitulating to the ministration of that hot mouth as she was consumed by a yearning that spread quickly through her. Fingers tangled into the smooth sheen of Chloe?s onyx locks, pulling her head back, tearing her eager lips from Jatari?s breast and angling them upward so the Mi-Demon could taste them for herself.

The kiss was electric and lingering; with roaming lips and tongues sweetly colliding to the sound of mewls and moans. It lasted for a long time and yet seemed to end far too quickly as Jatari extended her arms, guiding the Vampire down onto the bed. She took a half step backwards as shoulders slithered to navigate the kimono until the garment finally slide down her arms and pooled at her heels. Bending at the waist, she placed her hands upon Chloe?s knees and then carefully dropped to her own, waiting until she was fully down before urging the Vampire?s legs apart.


/********************\


Abigail Sunshine was not a fan of surprises. She?d spent the majority of her life being the surprise, and because of that wasn?t too keen on others trying to pull the same sort of shenanigans on her. Still, the man was handsome enough to make looking at him well worth it, which bought him a little extra time. ?I?m not sure I understand what you?re in need of, good sir.? She said, an imperial accent twined about her words.

?Miss Sunshine, there is no need to be coy. We both know what line of work you are in. I?m simply trying to make you an offer.? Perched nobly upon the Spartan chair across from her, he let his hands comfortably ride along the arms of his seat as he crossed his legs. ?All I need to know is whether or not you are interested.?

Her laughter was wrought of condescending amusement at his declaration of knowledge. She?d seen plenty of pretty men walk in and out of her door with an assumption pertaining to what exactly she did. Most were wrong, and even those who were right didn?t know the entire story. Still, there was something about this fellow that carried her interest. Whether or not it was a subconscious mirror of his action, she folded her supply legs at the knee. ?Before there?s any sort of commitment why don?t you go ahead and let me in on exactly what it is that you think fills up my days??

His smirk was a complacent response to the little game she wanted to play, even though he indulged her. ?You are, arguably, the most prolific assassin in New Purgatory.?

Her distraught gasp was highly theatrical. ?My goodness, sir. That?s a rather bold indictment, wouldn?t you say??

?Why mince words, Miss Sunshine? You are who you are.?

?And you are?? She quickly shot back.

?Interested in your talent, and am more than willing to pay your fee.? He could tell that this boast of monetary gain didn?t impress her much, and quickly added. ?Or twice your standard charge if it will sway your decision.?

?Twice my fee?? She asked before adding a drawn-out whistle. ?You?re pretty adamant about wanting this person taken care of. Why??

?I?m not a big fan of demons.? He admitted. He could have played the secrecy card, but was willing to bet that Abigail Sunshine accepted and denied jobs based on information. She didn?t seem the type to rush in blindly?with anything.

?Twice my fee.? She repeated as she uncrossed her long legs and gracefully rose from her seat. She turned and moved away from him, heading in the direction of the large octagonal window situated in the center of the wall. Hips swayed and heels clicked, right up until she arrived, where slim hands fell to her narrow waist as she peered over the sprawling urban jungle beyond. ?It seems we could come to some sort of arrangement. However, there is one stipulation to all of this.?

?And that is??

?I don?t work for faceless shadows, good sir. I?m a wholesome, legitimist businesswoman. So, if you?d be so kind as to enlighten me??

She wasn?t answered with words immediately, but actions. Suddenly he was behind her, the strong length of his chest melded to her sloping back as his hands came to rest upon hers, hovering upon her body. Instinctively she tried to pull away, but he denied her attempt, pulling her towards him, impacting her backside with the strength of his hips. She gasped once, and then a second time as his mouth found her neck, where igneous lips and eager teeth grazed her flesh.

?I go by many names.? He salaciously whispered across the delicate shell of her ear. ??but you may call me God.?

It took Jatari three whole days to get Chloe out of her system, and still the carnal addiction hadn?t completely diminished. There was just something about the Vampire that she found utterly desirable and expressed this emphatically over and over again until both of them were soaked in sweat and utterly cataleptic.

Finally she managed to peel herself away from the lush curves and sensual mouth of her undead lover and escape the lascivious clutches of her hands and thighs as well. She escaped out the door with a laugh, closing it quickly behind her before Chloe could protest the notion, yet didn?t depart. Instead she placed her palm upon the door and slowly drew it downward in a wistful caress. Already she missed her.

?Jatari.?

The voice froze her, recognizing it instantly, and slowly she turned to bring the form of Madam Durant into view.

She was coldly statuesque in her beauty; her blanched porcelain skin flawless, her sable hair divine. The promising curvature of her alluring body accentuated the naughty confines of her attire as her blood red corset desperately sought to contain her ample breasts and her skirt, black and tight, framed the sensual sight of rolling hips. Simply put, she was gorgeous.

?Care to explain what you?re doing?? She asked as she approached; the length of her trademark crop tucked casually beneath her arm.

?Actually, I was just getting ready to head out. I need to swing by the Red Dragon.?

?The Red Dragon? What?s there??

Jatari mulled over a few answers but finally decided on??A friend.?

Durant?s laugh was chilling amusement as she closed the distance between her and Jatari even more, heels clicking upon the hardwood floor. ?Vagueness becomes you, my girl, but it?s been a few days since last I sent a client to your room. Care to tell me what?s going on??

Jatari grinned, holding the gaze of the Brothel?s Madam evenly. She wasn?t one of the Durant?s normal girls and never wanted there to be any confusion about that. She always had to make sure this was a common understanding. ?I?ve got some things going on right now that have been keeping me busy. You know the deal, Madam. I take clients on my availability. Mine, and mine alone.?

?I?m aware of our agreement, Jatari, and while you are always quick to remind me of your stance in the arrangement, don?t forget that I have a lean as well. We have a mutual understanding: you satisfy clients who are important to my establishment and in return I provide you with a more?unsavory?type of fellow to feed upon.?

?I know how it works, Madam.?

?That?s good to hear. Count Beshel will be making his annual venture to our quaint little home over the next few days and I am looking to impress him.? With a simple twist of the wrist the tip of the crop dropped between Jatari?s legs where it lightly lifted the hem of her skirt. ?Your talents will be needed.?

Jatari gasped at the intimate touch and tried to withdrawing step, only to be thwarted by the door. She pressed against it, unable to retreat. ?O?of course. I?d be more than happy to see to him personally.?

?Hmmm, that?s good.? The Madam whispered, nearly brushing her lips across those of the Mi-Demon as the tip of the crop licked upward, a hair?s breadth from finding the cherished treasure sheathed in lace panties. ?Though you won?t be required to go at it alone.? She added, suddenly stepping away. Again there was the click of those sharp heels. ?Count Beshel likes two girls.?

Jatari released the breath she had been unknowingly holding, quickly brought back to reality by the Madam?s words. ?So?me and Chloe??

The Madam came to a startled stop and spun around, her thin brow arching severely high on her alabaster forehead. ?Who is Chloe??

The Mi-Demon blinked, and quickly corrected herself. ?Clove. I meant Clove.?

She was met by a suspicious look from the Madam, skeptically narrow. ?No.? She hissed. ?You and Swinn.?

?Swinn?? Jatari answered half-heartedly. ?I?m not sure that?s a good idea. We?ve never really?seen eye to eye.?

?Well you will.? Madam Durant promised as she spun back around and started away. ?At least for a night.?

She could have protested but didn?t, if for no other reason than to conclude the conversation, and watched as the elegant woman departed. There were plenty of things she had to say to her but at that moment wanted nothing more than for the Madam to leave. Once Durant turned the corner Jatari began away, heading for the stairs that led to the main floor.

She was more than willing to fulfill her end of the bargain?

?just as soon as she visited room 16.

Intended for mature audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

Friend of a Friend...
...Part Two



?It?s crazy that ah found you, ya know? Small world, right? Do ya live ?round these parts? ?The silence was far too awkward to keep around, which wasn?t a problem for Clove, the natural chatterbox that she was.

?I actually don?t, I was just passing through. I have business to attend to.?

?Business?? She asked with a teasingly suspicious eye. ?An? jus? what sort o?business are ya into??

His smile was warm and seductive as he turned to face her. ?I?m a consultant of sorts. I give people advice on what they can do to achieve success.?

The heat permeating off of him was delicious and distracting, which made following his dialogue a bit tricky. She managed, though just barely. ?Sounds?busy.?

?Oh it is. I travel all over Rhy?din, though spend a majority of my time is spent in New Purgatory. I go all over, cover every corner. From the tip of North Block all the way south of Trundle Way.?

Her shoulders stiffened as her breath caught in her throat. ?Trundle Way?? She asked the question so quietly it sounded as though she was afraid to say the street?s name. ?You?you deal with werewolves??

?Don?t we all?? His words were accompanied by a mirthful chortle as his fingers fell to her knee where he gave her a small squeeze, though left the hand to rest there once done.

Her eyes dropped to his hand and stared at it, though it was more to keep from looking directly at him. The intimacy of the touch had her skin tingling. ?Ah?ah don?t know what ya mean.? She said. Jatari had told her that they needed to keep what had happened with Greyson and his pack secret and she wasn?t about to go back on that.

?You don?t?? His crimson brow arched high as he watched her. ?I don?t think that?s true. I don?t think that?s true at all.?

She was tense all through her back; her gaze still locked on his hand, even as it crept slowly from her knee and started up her leg. It transcended the top of her blueberry sock and found her thigh, kneading the taut flesh gently. ?Ah?uh??

He was not coy about his intention, dipping the hand that caressed her thigh inward, between her legs, to coerce them apart. He was suddenly very close to her, his lips just inches from her ear, filling it with the hot swath of hungry breath. ?Don?t be shy.? He whispered. ?It?s not a crime to enjoy being fucked by werewolves.?

She moaned softly, whether from his words or his touch was lost within the swirling chaos of her mind. She bit her lip to punish herself for allowing her legs to fall open from his persuasive caress yet did nothing to deny him. Heavy lids tried to hide her gaze, though she fought to stay coherent. ?Ah?are you a ?Lycan??

?I?m not.? He replied, the formulation of those words brushing his lips across the delicate shell of her ear. ?I?m something much better.? To accentuate his point the tips of his talented fingers found the lacy span of her panties, drawing a tender line along the center to caress the delectable fold hiding beneath.

?Oh yes?? She whimpered, widening her legs. She wasn?t sure why she was so compliant, unable to deny the enthrallment. Whether it was the potency of his touch or the reminder of the werewolves, her body was quivering with an instant appetite needing to be fed. ?But?you can?t tell?anyone.?

?Your secret is safe with me.? He promised, the stroke between her legs becoming more prominent. With his middle finger he carved a slick indention along its obsidian center, flicking her swelling clit to culminate his sensual caress. The frilly little skirt she wore made accomplishing this very easy, pushed quickly up her legs just by the spreading of her thighs.

Hips rolled, grinding sweetly against the motion of his finger. Somewhere along the way she had draped her leg over his but couldn?t remember when. Her breath was coming in shallow pants with the building tension that filled her belly, and the whispering kisses against her ear had her eyes completely closed and her head still.

?Tell me.? He said as a curl of that talented digit dipped inside of the garment, where he gathered it in the hook of his finger and twisted. ?What did they do to you??

Clove gasped as the constricting tension of the panties tightened their hold along her pelvis and stretched the thin strip firmly against her pussy and asshole. It hurt, though the pleasure that came along with it made the pain not only manageable, but desirable. ?Wha?what??

He twisted more, his gaze following the line of her mouth as she quietly whimpered with the administered discomfort. Her body was thrumming with need and her legs quivered against him as the tension continued to build. ?The werewolves.? He explained with a third twist. ?I want to know what they did to you. How they used you.? A fourth twist was too much, snapping the thin lace and unveiling her damp bloom.

She clenched the seat as the discomfort cultivated, assuaged only by the tearing of her panties; so much so that the moan that followed was accompanied by a stunning climax that shot through body like fire. Her breath trembled throughout, and slowly her eyes parted to find him staring at her, a pleased smile fixated upon his lips. ?Ah?they jus??ya know, fucked me.?

?Come now, that is far too vague.? The finger was again present, though now unhindered by her panties. He slid it along the span of her moist slit, spreading it open with just the tip, from one end to the other. It was as though he explored the soft tissue, or better yet, unwrapped it. Like a present. ?I want details.?

She pressed forward with her hips, wanting nothing more than his finger buried inside her aching body, and when he rejected her attempt by refusing to embark within her, she whimpered and pleaded. It was futile though, and in the end she was forced to simply sit back and endure the torture of his touch. ?Ah don?t know. They jus? fucked me. Both of them.? She bit her lip at the memory, which was combining with his touch wondrously. ?Together.?

The rain came down.

Wondrous droplets of chilled moisture bathed the winding streets of Rhy?din in a serene mysticism, sending unprepared pedestrians scampering away in frantic need of shelter. Jatari, however, was immune to this placid cascade thanks to her ever-present parasol. While normally utilized to shelter her from the sun, today it would most certainly be used to defend against the rain instead.

The familiar porch of the Red Dragon Inn was just up ahead, and it was this sight that slowed her lengthy stride to nearly a stop. The last time she had been to the Inn she had fought with Draxcilian ? as much as the Sentinel involved himself in such conflicts ? and then departed to begin on her own. Never would she leave the spiritual sanctuary of Aolani?s Sovereignty, her devotion irrefutably unwavering, but she could no longer reside within the salacious domicile of Room 16 as long as he, Draxcilian, remained there. Simply put, it was becoming too hard to separate passion from profession.

She took the steps quickly, the click of heels heard just above the rainfall, and once beneath the roof of the porch began to shake out her small umbrella. A man sat on the porch swing not far away, allotting her no regard, which was fine as far as she was concerned. She?d decided to come during the day when the Inn was considerably less active for a reason, not wanting to engage with anyone ? acquaintance and stranger alike.

The door opened and she filled its frame, pausing for a moment to take a quick look around.

Empty.

Not a soul to be found.

Stepping in, she hung her sheathed parasol on the coat hook nearby with a fluid motion that did nothing to interrupt her graceful gait, starting for the stairs that led to the upper level with an immodest swish of her school-girl skirt across the tops of thighs. She?d started the week with a scholastic flavor and maintained it through that day, with a stark white blouse and black lace stockings completing the ensemble. It was provocative and indecent, a twisted account of the innocence of uniformity, and a sight she was certain the Mistress would enjoy.

As she ascended, her line of sight eclipsed the edge of the stairs to view the length of the hall beyond and the series of doors that lined it, most notably the first one on the right. Room 16. There was a tangible seduction about it, which had little to do with the door itself ? resembling every other door along the corridor ? and more to do with the knowledge of what went on within the room beyond.

Just the thought of it made her legs tremble with a faint moistening of sacred flesh.

She made her way forward, breath coming slowly, as though that would hinder the awareness of her approach. Long legs extended with a silent stride and yet somehow it seemed thunderous against the floor even though she stepped upon the balls of her feet, keeping her heels up. It was all in her mind and she knew it. She just had to get there.

Upon her arrival she stared at the artistic door handle. She reached forward to take hold of it but paused with only a graze. Reconsidering the notion, she instead raised her fist in a motion to knock, but halted yet again. It just didn?t feel right. As she stared at the portal her hand unclenched and brushed an intimate caress along the smooth wood in wistful revere of what the chamber beyond represented.

There was a part of her that wanted to flee.

There was a larger part of her that wanted to enter and never leave.

Both scared her.

She hesitated, again half-way reaching for the door before pulling her hand away. She couldn?t do it. She turned to escape.

The impact was jolting, a cradle of thick arms encircling her, holding her against the chiseled fa?ade of the masculine flesh she collided with. Her gasp was instinctive, fueled by sudden shock, but before she could fully comprehend what was going on her lips were claimed by a male mouth, pierced by a warm, moist tongue, and she was kissed.

Her whimpering protest was short lived as she melted into the embrace, her senses inundated by a wave of torrid arousal, her lips and tongue sinfully coerced into matching his affection. She reached up, intending to shove the man away, but found her fingertips trickling along the narrow ridge of his hips. Instead it was he who pushed her back against the door to room 16 and pinned her there with his powerful physique. His hand dropped, hooking her around the back of her thigh and drawing her leg up to drape about his waist, exposing the tender junction beneath her plaid skirt.

?Wait.? She drunkenly said, tearing her lips from his, the agony of the departure striking her deep inside. ?Stop.?

?Come now, Jatari. Since when did you become the modest type??
Gasping for breath, solidifying her internal denial of this overwhelming arousal, it took the Mi-Demon a moment to fathom the words he spoke, but when she did she was overcome by another startling realization.

That voice was familiar.

?Ro?Roman??

Her leg was released with a famished graze of rugged fingertips and patiently he withdrew, taking a single step back. ?In the flesh, beautiful.?

And certainly he was, wearing only a thin pair of stark white pants that did little to actually hide the tanned flesh residing beneath. His body was a masterpiece, an alluring sculpture of impeccable muscle carved and crafted for salacious visual appeal, and decorated lustfully with a number of tattoos: a star encircling the naval and a sleeve encompassing his right arm from the bottom of the shoulder clear to the wrist. The sterling ring that adorned his left nipple matched the silver choker encircling his throat, though beyond that he wore no jewelry ? openly, that is. Jatari knew of another stud he had adorned to an unseen endowment.

Dark, soulful eyes watched her with an infamous hunger swirling inside. Lips twitched into a grin. ?Come looking for a good time??

Realization bypassed the need for restraint. With lips splayed into a wide smile she shot forward and leapt against him, arms encircling his neck. ?What are you doing here?? She asked just as her mouth again found his.

His response was delayed, seeking no reason to break the heated kiss. Arms coiled about her narrow waist, his left hand descending to cup her ass and hold her against him as lips moved across hers with the passionate intent of reacquainting sensual tongues. She gave him no quarrel, accepting his offering and matching its intensity with a desperate grind of her thighs against his hip.

Regrettably she finally pulled away, breaking their connection and stepping back. ?What are you doing here?? She repeated, savoring the taste of him with her tingling tongue. She had to look away to reacquire composure.

?The Mistress invited me.? He said with a smooth laugh. ?She said it had been too long since I visited Rhy?din and kept her company. She worried that I might be losing my edge.?

?Obviously not.? Jatari remarked quietly as she smoothed down her mockery of a skirt. ?I didn?t even know you knew what Rhy?din was.?

?I know where all the realms are, Jatari. I have to.? He laced his fingers together and reached toward the ceiling, a lithe stretch that heightened the sight of his incredible physique. ?If I didn?t, then I wouldn?t be available for all of you Sisters of the Sovereignty to practice your techniques upon.?

Mesmerized by his seductive expanse, her twilight eyes drank in the sight of him with a darkening hue of fierce stimulation. It was upon the lips and cock of Roman Toryier that the Sisters of Jatari?s original realm honed their craft ? including, of course, the Mi-Demon herself. The Sisters of that realm were a bit different than Rhy?din mainly due to the amount that filled the ranks of the Sovereignty. While in Rhy?din there were a half dozen or so, upon Jatari?s realm there were nearly seventy, all of whom were organized and trained to carry out tasks of seduction and espionage with impeccable precision.

?Jatari??

She blinked, eyes instantly climbing from the rippling span of his beautiful abdomen to meet his gaze. ?Sorry, Roman.? She said before blatantly adding. ?You?re just too fucking hot.?

He laughed, a musical sound that tantalized the ears, so throaty that it couldn?t help but conjure speculation as to what it would sound like to hear him moan with release. ?I?d apologize, but we both know I?d be lying.?

?Yes we would.? She said with a wink before turning a look at the door. ?I need to talk to her.?

?Talk to her?? The way he said the word was infused with a combination of doubt and nuance. ?I?m not sure I?ve ever heard it referred to as such before.?

?I?m serious.? She said as she glanced back to him, the glint within her eyes confirming her sentiment. ?I really do need to talk to her.?

?Interesting.? He mused as he stepped by her, brushing across her slender arm with only the heat that wafted from his nearly-naked body. ?She?s not in. She and her shadowy boy-toy ventured into WestEnd. Something about visiting an old friend?? He quirked a brow as he turned her way wondering if she knew what that meant, easily noticing the hint of irascibility that crossed her twilight gaze.

She quickly looked away.

?It?s the man, isn?t it?? He asked with an amused purr. ?What does she call him? Her?sentry??

?Her sentinel.? Jatari quietly corrected.

?Yes, that?s it.? The click of the latch resonated throughout the hallway and he pushed the door open. ?I would have never thought you?d be so enthralled.?

She drew in a breath, silently infuriated that it was so damn obvious. ?I?m not.? She whispered.

?Of course you aren?t.? He teased.

Hands clenched into fists as her eyes narrowed and she spun to face him. ?There?s nothing there.? She insisted, crossing the distance between them with a seductive sway of hips. When she reached him she placed her flat palm against the delicious warmth of his chest and pushed him backwards. ?Here?let me prove it.?