03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  “Not exactly.” Was the most truthful answer she could say while having a fixed assumption as she felt uncomfortable being the focus of three pretty Demon Lords.

  “Then allow me to be blunt, I wish to be Second Mistress.”

  “Excuse me?” She asked, making sure she heard it correctly. Already? Geesh, she’s sniffin’ around already? Not that it wasn’t difficult to tell as her arousal hits like a wall. It goes for the other two too. They are all horny for my man.

  “I see it in your eyes and the defensiveness by how you crossed your arms.” Kyoko spoke in Japanese while Kanade continued in a Southern drawl. “You know. Who told you of our ways?”

  “Panther.” She hated to admit, her hackles rising with anger and jealously. She tried complimenting her earlier, but confronted, it made her mad.

  “The general would certainly try to prepare you for your station.” The snow woman continued the unsettling topic as if she were merely out shopping and asking a clerk how fresh the produce is. “I had forgotten the potent musk of an Ifrit and it had stirred my cold blood fiercely. You are attracted to it like the rest of us and you already carry his scent to also make females be aroused by it. I seek your permission to mate with both of you. You will make for a great lover alone. I find myself aroused by your exotic beauty as well. The bite scars around your neck in particular are attractive.”

  Kanade’s jaw hurt by how fast it dropped. “You can’t be serious? Even if I considered it, his cock would gut you like a fish. He’s huge.” She held out her hands to tell the small woman ogling her with desire. “And as thick as your thigh.”

  Kyoko, not the least surprised returned the worded volley “You think this is my true form?” Kyoko gestured to herself, not breaking eye contact. “I had to leave most of my power in Demon World. It was a difficult choice to do so as it weakened me greatly. Like you, I’m a lesser Transcendent being. My true height is fifteen feet, three inches, not four foot eleven.”

  “But… How…?” She found herself too curious not to ask.

  “Allow me to share something private of myself.” Kyoko’s arms disappeared in front, beneath the large blue and pink sleeves. “When I resided in Demon World for thirteen million years, my mother was sister to the Fire King’s First Mistress. My aunt was and remains the Queen of Ice.”

  Kanade swallowed, the Queen of Ice was the one who sent the Ice Dragon, General Zandri, to abduct and break Ethan under the Agas’ Sheedan’s cruel ways. To be used for some nefarious purpose. Subjected Ethan to extreme tortures that would kill others a thousand times over, yet he endured. It was one of the worst times as Kanade went insane without him. Literally insane. Insane with lust that consumed every thought and desire to mate and find balance. Something female immortals suffer when their soul mate doesn’t make love if over a prolonged time. For most it takes many months or up to half a decade. For Kanade it takes little over a week to lose herself. Much faster than any woman recorded before. Those memories were still raw and fresh. Little over a week old when he fought his way out from captivity and brought her here.

  Kyoko went on, her snowflake eyes impossibly ancient and understanding. “I always called Zagan-sama my Uncle. He had many mistresses, mating while holding court sometimes to prove his power and dominance. He was cruel, powerful and the envy of all females who could survive coupling. Sometimes he’d mate as a punishment and should the prisoner survive, which almost never happened, they were freed. But then six centuries ago he changed. When he returned from somewhere after a short leave as king he was different. I know now he found love and was tempered by it. I found and lost mine a few decades after he did so, so I know how great it is to find a true lover and lose them. Uncle wasn’t as cruel, but to the horror of all, he stopped taking mistresses, prisoners and slaves. He expelled my aunt…”

  “You mean Xan…”

  Kyoko’s eyes grew round as she threw out her arms and froze Kanade’s lips shut in an instant. “Don’t say her name unless you want her to find us! Get her attention and she can mentally do harm. In my state, she will crush me or outright kill. Here I am just a powerful Demon Lord, but she has full use of her power and isn’t afraid to use it.”

  Kanade forced her lips open, finding the attack was merely a way to stop her from making a terrible mistake. A few licks melted the thin ice crystals. “Sorry.”

  “Be mindful.” Sarimee said softly, coming to stand beside Kyoko. “Return to your story, Kyoko.”

  “As I was saying, Uncle suddenly expelled all his mistresses one day. It saddened many, me as well as I was roughly sixty years from being able to ask my aunt to join them. Such a time is a blink of an eye after a few centuries. The honor to mate is great, but to carry the child of an Ifrit is beyond compare. Especially as he was the only one left at the time and who never, until now, was known to give an heir.” Kyoko touched her amply clothed breast. “What you must know, while Ifrit are fire, Yuki-onna are ice. Traditionally, we were commonly the mothers of Ifrit. Or Dragons in some cases.”

  “I birthed one only once.” Gaia revealed sadly. “Enforcers killed him in the last great war before ever reaching maturity.”

  “Wha…” Kanade was startled again just by looking at the enormity of the Titan and imagining how that would work. It was beyond her. Her imagination pictured Ethan needing a wetsuit just to make any sensations felt.

  Gaia winked. “There are spells to shorten my kind and a trick you already enjoy to make their hot seed not burn you from the inside out if you aren’t willingly given their blood. Titans though have naturally resistant flesh, second only to the Fortress Beetles who roam the great deserts mostly.”

  “May I finish?” Kyoko asked casually, but had a hint of anger in it. Gaia sat back down in the deep water, smiling in a humored way. “Back to Uncle sending the mistresses away, my aunt called upon all Yuki-onna to return to her territory in the Frozen Tundra, our homeland. Home to most ice demons. When mother came to me telling how my aunt planned war, I came to my surrogate uncle. She was scorned and when my kind are angered by a lover like that, one we found love in, we do not stop unless we are killed. As I said, I already found my love in a Feudal Lord in Japan after the Accords were put in place, but he died in battle, but I honor him to never again feast on souls.” So that’s why… Kanade personally thought. “But before the war my aunt began in anger, she was thwarted by the Accords which bind her to the Frozen Tundra. She cannot physically leave it. It made her go on a rampage that would make Ifrit of old stare in disbelief. Sadly it forced her to sharpen her telepathic influence and no being in the universe can withstand a mental lashing if she focuses. And she loves killing for pleasure and to force loyalty. But I never wanted anything to do with my aunt’s war. I honored the Fire King’s new ways over the Queen of Ice’s barbaric ones. She lives for the old ways. She wants demons to be who they are in their caste. Lesser ones being dirty, smelly and bred to be cruel. Uncle though never saw her eye to eye on that.

  “But when my power was enough to survive, I wished to be mistress, but Uncle, like all since his return that day, have been kindly sent away or thrown if angering him. So I was left saddened and mate-less. But the human man whom I loved, drew me back to Japan where we had two wonderful decades together. I chose to stay as Uncle’s observer and benefactor here on Earth. It is hard being stripped of my true powers, but I do love this world.” Kanade felt the chill of Kyoko’s hands as she took them by stretching slender arms up. “But I am saddened as each day passes for my uncle’s final decision. And still he does not even try to save his own race. We Yuki-onna are naturally compatible with Ifrit, but now there is new hope. Ethan-sama is that hope. I do know your kind cannot find it easy to share, but even you must see the chances of saving an entire race rests on your shoulders. Ask yourself if someone finds away to kill Ethan-sama, what will happen in Demon World? You will die to be with him, but we who are left behind will face my aunt’s unlimited cruelty in a war for power. Her influence will spread and she will
find a way to destroy the Accords and finally break free from her floating ice palace and seek revenge on Uncle’s allies, servants and companions. She will make the old ways return and keep it this way forever. Ifrit reproduce more rarely than yours and add to that you are his soul mate, we might never bring back their power in time that keeps most of us safe.

  “As First Mistress, it is your right to select worthy sisters to share your joy. None will have as high an honor as you, even if you do not first conceive. I truly wish to be Second, if not for no other reason than to mate Ethan-sama once for gratitude in rescuing me months prior. I can promise you that I will show you the same affection I would show him, if you allow it.”

  “I won’t be upset in the least to be Third… or so.” Gaia announced, still smirking oddly with some hidden knowledge she’d not share.

  “As shall I if you allow me as Fourth Mistress. To raise a kit of my own for once and take you to bliss will be a great honor.” Sarimee twirled her many fluffy tails.

  Tears spilled down Kanade’s cheeks slightly as she pulled her hands from Kyoko’s to wipe them away. “I’m sorry, but I ca…n’t. I know I’m supposed to be strong and statuesque like a queen, but thinkin’ about you havin’ what I desperately want… it scares me. Every drop of his seed is like the next breath I need to live. I’m flattered you want to lay with me too, but it’s… I just can’t. Not after all that’s happened. I just got my angel back just to watch Valande try murderin’ him. Everythin’ is goin’ too fast to keep up with. I can’t bear it if you lay his egg before me. I’d feel he loves you more if…”

  “Kanade-chan, kneel so my neck isn’t going to strain please. I need to tell you something sincere.” The Enchantress knelt and sat on her heels, careful not to hurt the fine gold dress. Kyoko came right up to her and freezing hands gently cradled her cheeks. “When Ethan-sama saved me in my safe-house back in Russia and let me feed to regain much of my strength, I could tell there is no one he loves more than you. No one can take that away. When I fed off him, his emotions didn’t waver. Only one who can think of no other could have been unaffected from someone like me feeding. I also fed on him slightly since I arrived and he hasn’t changed in that way. If anything, he’s gotten closer.” Snowflake orbs didn’t waver. “You are yet young, never groomed for the position you find yourself in. I know recent events make you want him all to yourself. I too know the feeling. Believe me.

  “But it is selfish. You would have made a great demon. I respect that. I respect you. If you let Ethan-sama’s line die, I and many females will see to it we breed without your knowledge, or his if we must. You are basically a princess. It is your duty to serve we, your servants. Personally, I want us to be close friends, lovers and sisters even. I want your love, no matter how small a shard I get. Can you understand our position now?” cold hands let go to gesture to the Kitsune and Titan. “We do not just wish to breed. We desire both of you. If positions were reversed, I would be honored to share my man since we are both royalty of equal status and power. If my man was the last, I would do anything to see his line have the best possible chance. Between the four of us, our races flourishes. Not his. So long as I had a piece of him, I would be happy. And you will find it hard to find females as fair as us.”

  “Can I at least think it over?” Kanade fought a sob.

  “So long as I have your promise.”

  “I give it.” She said, not lying even if possible.

  Kyoko and the other two women smiled pleasantly.

  “Can I ask if you two share a similar reason for livin’ here on Earth?”

  Sarimee’s rusty, fluffy tails fanned out majestically. “I merely came for the banquet of energy and music. In Demon World, most of our caste feed off passing bugs who consume and store Spirit Energy from this realm and other worlds. It is best to feed from the source though. Fresher. Raw. I had no ulterior motives.”

  Gaia sat silent and was asked “And you?”

  “It is my business and mine alone. Respect it, Young Mistress. But be warned, we three know why you are emotional after the young master’s telling. Sadly, others will come to you in droves just like us. They will find you weak if you break down. You need to be taught to hide your emotions so you won’t be harmed or taken advantage of.”

  Kanade was unable to disagree. “I’d appreciate any help ya’ll can offer. Thinkin’ any of you fuckin’ my angel makes me angry, but bein’ told someone went behind my back and had his baby cannot describe this other feelin’.” Needing all she could get in a short time she swallowed her pride and hated the words coming out of her mouth. “Kyoko, can I ask you to stay with us. I won’t guarantee you’ll be with my angel, but havin’ you around might help me learn. Panther’s too intimidatin’ for me.”

  “It would be an honor, Kanade-chan.” The Yuki-onna bowed slightly, nowhere near as deeply as she does to Ethan. “But fear not about me taking advantage of you and Ethan-sama. As you said ‘He’d gut me like a fish’.” Pale cheeks quirked with a hidden smile on those full blue lips. “But I too will need to prepare to settle my affairs. If you do permit me to try, I will return to Demon World with you if there is a slight chance. Allow me two weeks notice so I too may prepare. Until then I will stay as long as you will have me.”

  It was all Kanade could do to keep from crying all over again. A tremor broke the silence, shaking the entire island slightly. The Titans had arrived from the Yuki-onna’s territory. So she said “Is that what you needed to ask me privately?”

  “Yes.” The three women said in unison and laughed. Gaia quipped “I guess our relationship could be beneficial in time if we all are thinking the same.”

  Reared to believe the denizens of Chaos were foul, corrupt and the epitome of evil, Kanade found herself questioning her beliefs. Arms crossed for the return, she decided to make nice. Allies were needed in a universe of enemies. And she would do and try anything to have her angel survive. If sleeping with what were once enemies, it would be a small price to pay, even if it were steep.

  Panther, along with other hidden guards protecting their mistresses, watched the four go back. The Balam and Elves smiled since they had acute hearing. Panther though thought This is a better start than I anticipated. There might be hope for you yet, Mistress Kanade.

  “Are you sure you’re alright?” He asked aloud this time as she and the other women returned and took their places, Panther taking place in front again.

  To alleviate her angel’s suspicion she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Yes, Darlin’. I know you wanted to come when you knew I was cryin’, but I needed to be with them.”

  “Why aren’t you going to tell me what was discussed?” again the ground shook and then the first of the Titans arrived. Like Gaia, they were four armed, golden bronze skin and naked, but were men and therefore hugely muscled. The first had a slight fatty stomach while the second was lean. And boy were they hung. Gaia in particular smiled. In the hands of the first were giant plates more like an opera platform, but was filled in heaps with meats, cheeses and breads. In one hand was a tray of appropriate silverware. The second gigantic man’s hands carried huge vats like silos, but were kegs.

  “Because I’m not ready. It’s embarrassin’. I’m afraid of what you’ll think. Take your pick.” She replied, watching the two approach too.

  Dallare suddenly appeared with a large silver tray she struggled with, her small hands and frame, struggling. Right before the smaller plates, wine glasses and silverware went flying into the sand, Ethan blurred and was there in an instant, one large hand easily coming under. “Whoa there, Little Lady.” He chuckled and stood.

  “Master Ethan?” Dallare squeaked in surprise. “You shouldn’t lower yourself.”

  He cut her off with a smile. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. You should ask for help when you need it.”

  “But I can levitate with spells.”

  “Not even an Elf can make the spell before everything got dirty. Go up to my cabin and bring the
table from inside. Make it grow like when I first met everyone in the stadium.”

  “Right away.” She snuck at the peak behind her and vanished. Before he could take a step it appeared on the beach and Dallare’s little index finger glowed red as the table’s size increased twenty fold, right up to the laps and seats of the Lords. Then she turned and the tray lifted from his hands. Plates were set down in front of Kyoko, Sarimee, Ethan, Odin and Kanade. Then the large and small wine glasses were set beside them along with forks and knives.

  As this was going on Dallare said “Mistress, forgive my tardiness.”

  “You are right on time. When you are finished, bring me Shigure. I must speak with the two of you privately.” Dallare disappeared right after.

  Still the Titans approached, but were still out of hearing range so Ethan asked “Gaia, how many Titans live here on Earth. Can’t be many. Your kind must need to eat a lot.”

  “Perceptive. To my records updated two days ago, two hundred and four live and currently reside here. We have to limit some species to the size of the worlds in which we feed. Size and number of said species are regulated by me as is dictated by the Accords to not overly impact protected species. Since your battle against Michael Zing and Sheedan, many demons have come or are preparing to. It has made my task difficult.”

  “Good thing you’ve got an extra set of hands.”

  Dileep snickered. “That setup was too easy.” Gaia merely shook her head.

  Kanade though slapped the backside of Ethan’s head, beneath the horns and said “Really? You’re going to make the four arm’s joke. The best you could have said was at least she’s up to the challenge or say she can handle it because she’s a ‘big girl’.”

  Methrom rumbled a chuckle. “Hatchlings have such humor.”

  Smiles sped around the engorged table.