03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  Reevy said “Kanade and he already told us how quickly he’s learning. I believe it. If not, you would be wearing armor with vulnerabilities. May I test the spells and find if they are automatic? I will cut only deep enough to bite the leather.”

  Ellen consented and the Naga female drew a dagger and faster than a snake’s strike there was a loud clang as if the blade struck steel so hard it didn’t scratch. Reevy said “It was a hair or two thick, but my blade only got that close to the leather.” Speckled brown and gold slit eyes narrowed. “Safflam, blim, plootu, mavier…” with each word the enchantments on the dagger activated spells of power. And since she had time, she activate all fifty three spells imbued within the blade and could cut through any known barrier to her. The blade glowed bright yellow like the sun and made the air itself hum from the intensity. Then she struck like before, but with spell additions Ellen’s armor flared brightly and covered every part of her, safeguarding the exposed areas too like gloves, a helmet and shoes. It was so blindingly bright it made the other women yell.

  “What happened?!” Ellen said in terror as the other women had fallen and screamed.

  A loud ‘whoosh’ came before the ground shook when Kanade landed, breaking through the canopy. “Calm down everyone. I’ll help.” She knelt and placed her cool hands over Reevy and Nell’s eyes, channeling Spirit Energy in a healing way as she was taught long ago. Both palms faintly glowed light blue.

  “Kanade, what happened? I’m blind!” Kira said in fright.

  “You all should have been wearing what Dress and my angel made. I was too late to warn, but it looks like my angel isn’t the only one to assume and get in trouble. The armor would have made you see nothing like Ellen’s did. Any high end, lethal spells that are caught by the armor get absorbed and is transformed into a burst of light that causes blindness, temporarily. If you wore yours you would have seen nothing. A slight tingle would have warned of an attack. There… is that better?”

  “Yes.” Reevy said and sat up alongside the Nymph blinking a lot and rubbing her eyes. “Things are still bright, but I’ll live.”

  “Hold still, Kira, Floa.” They did and Kanade healed them as well. Afterwards they all looked up at the giantess in a dress. “Just because your clothes can’t hurt anyone, they are far from harmless. Best to let Ethan explain their properties. Just know he made these to keep you safe and as a farewell gift. A way to remember us after we leave. Best to put them on right away.”

  “Equip.” Kira said and like Ellen’s, her crimson leather fit her like a sexy glove. “This feels good.”

  “Equip.” “Equip.” “Equip.” Reevy, Nell and Floa all had their armor slapped on. But it was Nell who said “You two kiddies won’t be difficult to forget.”

  “Not without a curse.” Kira reminded.

  “Actually, as long as you wear these, no known spell curse will gain purchase. And few potions cause an effect.” Kanade let known. “Let’s get back. We’ll be leavin’ soon. He wants to go over the suits before Kyoko and Dallare return.”

  “Before that, how do we take them off?” Floa asked as she played with her covered boobs.

  “Touch the symbol between your breasts and say ‘Un-equip’. Simple as that.”

  “Ethan and his KISS philosophy.” Nell laughed.

  “Keep. It. Simple. Stupid.” Reevy smiled and rolled her eyes, marveling at her own armor that hugged even her long, slender tail.

  “I reckon it was his grandfather who instilled it.” Kanade said with deep concern as she knelt at the stream’s edge, carefully making sure the other women were well. Nell still blinked in a forced way. “But ya’ll got to admit, he keeps us all on our toes.”

  “Or hooves now.” Floa giggled.

  “And what are wrong with hooves?” Ellen crossed her arms as she readjusted longswords across her equestrian spine.

  Concern turned to a hard and angry glare from Love. “Do not let me hear you badmouth my angel’s hooves, Floa. I find them very fittin’ and masculine. He is sensitive losin’ his toes. Do not forget Mikhale cut off my man’s legs and they re-grew into what they are now.”

  “Easy, big girl.” The Pixie’s hands went up in a gesture of surrender. “I’m only trying to lighten the mood.”

  “Well don’t make fun of his changes at all.” Kanade made it a point as she stood and made all of them seem children as she towered over each and every one of them, turned and walked downstream.

  “Yikes. Love needs to learn some tips from Levity.” Nell said as the other women followed far behind.

  “No. She has a point and needed to tell someone off before she explodes.” Floa said since she knew Kanade better than nearly everyone. “After all the shit the Spirit King and her clan did to those two kids, I’m astounded they even want to save this world. If it was me and I had their kind of power I would be kicking ass.”

  “Then it is a good thing those two are so gentle and not callous.” Reevy said as she found her armor allowed for easy access to her many daggers and throwing knives. “I realize it is only their kindness that not only saved us, but what is allowing us to continue to live. I for one do not wish to piss these young hatchlings off any further, especially since most of us made a pact last night.”

  The other women gave knowing looks and a mild grimace of acceptance. All but Floa who was saddened. She said “Now you hurt my feelings. You know why I can’t do it. Odin isn’t…”

  “Yes, we know.” Nell laid a consoling hand on the Pixie’s slender shoulder. “And your kind can’t survive long term. What I’m more concerned with is what is going on with Kyoko and Kanade. I really want to put an arrow through her eye after what she made Baldr endure… and Kanade is too kind and easy to be taken advantage of…”

  “Haven’t you figured it out yet?” Reevy hissed in a low tone. The other women were so blankly oblivious the Naga said “Think about demon hierarchy closely. What does the Balam call her and Ethan? Think about it.”

  “I don’t understand.” Ellen mumbled.

  “Great canopy above!” Nell stopped and the Nymph put a hand over her heart. “Reevy, you can’t mean…”

  “She wants to…” Kira couldn’t come and say it.

  Bluntly Reevy said “Yes, Kanade is a mistress to a prince. In their society it is common for strong demons to have the best opportunity to have offspring. Most likely, Kyoko is grooming Kanade as the First Mistress and is to eventually make love to both. Watch how Kanade is blushing. She’s listening.”

  The other women stopped, as did the winged beauty who turned around, blushing like a red neon sign, making her glittery skin sparkly like cut ruby. “Wha… how did you hear us?” Floa asked without shame. In fact, she was mad now that she knew what was going on. It was quite literally revealed in Love’s expression. She was found out.

  Kanade admitted. “You invoked my true name. It’s like a tiny light pops in my head and my mind sought yours without realizin’. Like my angel, I’m learnin’ that bein’ Transcendent has drawbacks and why others take on another name. Every time my name is spoken, I’m drawn. If you wish to talk about me behind my back, I’m Love now.” She went to turn.

  “Don’t you turn your back on me!” Floa clapped her hands and Kanade disappeared for a moment and appeared closer, facing them. “As of right now I’m invoking Spirit Guide law thirty nine millions four hundred six.” Kanade’s jaw dropped as her powerful mind located it. “As of right now I’m claiming you as my daughter and under my clan. Valande is no longer your mother, I am. And right now you need to shut up.” Floa shrunk and flapped her butterfly wings and flew up so she came level with Kanade’s face. “Now don’t you dare make it sound like we are spitefully talking behind your back. If I could paddle your ass like I used to when you were small, I’d do it right now so you could know I’m trying to help. I really want to poke you in the eye for even thinking you are alone in this. I’m your mother now so come to me.” The pixie’s tone softened. “Do you hear me?”

&nbs
p; “You… you want me as a… a daughter?” Kanade’s bottom lip quivered. Privately she thought I’m dreamin’ aren’t I?

  “Sweetheart, I’ve always saw you as my daughter, but your parents still lived and Megann would have taken you before word was they somehow perished. And what’s one more to my brood of over seven hundred. Blossom though would love you as another big sister. Emphasis on BIG. So yes, I’m claiming you as mine so as your mother you know I’m so mad. Screw it…”

  “Ow.” Kanade rubbed her eye after Floa poked it. She could have easily avoided it as time seemed to slow when threatened, but Kanade held still, deserving it.

  Floa sighed in relief, came closer, grew and threw her arms around her new daughter’s neck. “Now that I’ve disciplined you for being stupid, tell me, is Reevy’s theory true? Is she wanting to get in your bed?”

  Floa was hugged back and felt tears falling on her mane of black hair. In barely a sob came “Thank you, Floa. I’m a grown woman, but knowin’ you want me as your daughter means more than you will ever know. And yes, Reevy’s right.”

  “We can’t let her.” Kira stated adamantly with crossed arms.

  “It’s already done.” Kanade said as she knelt in the sand in front of her friends and new mother she sat down gently. “I don’t like it one bit, but the alternative is much worse if I do not.”

  “What alternative? And how can she even see Ethan or you as a partner when I can’t anymore?” Nell and the other women were united against what they discovered thanks to Reevy’s deductive skills and sense of smell who knew the scent of arousal and put the pieces together.

  “Look, ya’ll, this isn’t easy for me. Ya hear. Kyoko is at least willin’ to help me. She even let me touch her mind in confidence while ya’ll were washin’ up. And she really means to follow through. If anythin’, she doesn’t lie. She doesn’t like it or find it often necessary. She is honest and didn’t even deny what she did to Baldr even though it upset me more. Kyoko let me know that she wants no secrets between us and let me tell you, she’s done really bad things in her long life. Until she met her man in feudal Japan and found love, she make even a Succubae and Nymph blush and was more cruel than a Dragon with a hangnail.” What imagery. “But she has changed and wants what I have and is willin’ to help me. What is both frightenin’ and flatterin’ is she truly finds me more attractive than my angel.” Said in such a way so as to not gain his attention by calling his true name. “What she wants is to lay his egg and be with me. But what she also let me know is one way or another, she will take his seed behind my back if I’m unwillin’ to even share.”

  “But how can she do it? Yes he’s big and pretty, but I can’t see myself having sex with Boyo again anymore. None of us can anymore…”

  “Because she is a demon, Kira.” Kanade said. “I discovered it in her mind not long ago. “She doesn’t have a soul. Not like the rest of you. When he and I first started sharin’ blood and our scents mixed, it repelled your desire if not your jokes at our expense.” This made the other women grin as Floa and Nell especially liked harassing them in regards to sex. “Your soul found us repulsive. Kyoko finds our scent intoxicatin’. As much as I don’t like her wantin’ to make love to my angel, it’s worse should I find out she had a child with him without my knowledge.”

  “But couldn’t Et…” Kanade’s hand slapped over Nell’s entire face.

  Love made a shushing sound that was more a hiss. “Don’t say his name.”

  “You mean he doesn’t know?!” Floa was stunned like the rest of them. Kanade flushed yet again. “So basically you’re cheating on him?”

  “I’m not…” came the refusal.

  “Oh really? What would you call it? Protecting him?” Floa had both hands on her round hips in the universal sign all women use to show they are angry at a child. “The other day I told Odin I was going to take Kira up on her claims of Baldr’s bedroom prowess. And did.” Floa winked at the Witch who smiled. “And she was right. Her man sure has some tricks that had me in orgasm in seconds. The difference is, I told Odin I was going to boink his son and was glad I did. I taught him what his son did to me and we are better because we are so open.” Floa poked Kanade in her exposed cleavage of her dress. “You are cheating. Even considering it without telling him is cheating. I get your kind has a hard time taking extra partners, impossible even. But these circumstances need openness and your closing your angel out. You either tell him what is really going on or I will!”

  “Am I really cheatin’?” She asked the others.

  “Yes” or “Aye” came a unanimous answer from the others. Nell added “Floa’s right. He’s a big boy. He can handle it like you. Your hurting him without realizing it. At first I thought why he was constantly grimacing when Kyoko showed up was because of Baldr’s actions, but it was you who was more secretive. You’re sidelining him selfishly. By the way, he has the right to know. And as a prince, can’t he decree to have only you? And Kyoko is my height. How can she expect to have sex without impaling herself on his rod? It’s longer than my…”

  “If only.” Kanade laughed without humor. “My problems would be solved. Apparently she’s much taller with her full power. She left most of it behind to come here. As for him decreeing it, it will bring assassins. He could order Panther and the Balam guards who serve the Fire King to keep females from his chambers, but if he decrees I will be his only mistress, others will send assassins to cut off his balls and bring them to their master and impregnate. Apparently his ancestor must daily turn away several million females who want to ride in his rodeo. Demon World royalty survive through strength alone and many females are as deadly, if more so, than men. And they are more ruthless. No matter how much I hate it, I would rather have Kyoko as a friend than an enemy.”

  “Very wise.” Heads turned to the sound of Kyoko standing no longer in a Kimono, but in a pair of blue jeans and a white top. It was a jolt to behold more than being spied upon. Surprisingly she was breathtakingly beautiful in formal Japanese attire, but now in simple jeans and a top she was a picture of modern beauty. Her pale, platinum hair was now braided in a single long weave rather than intricately done up and pinned in place with jewelry and now laid across the right shoulder and over her busty chest. At her side was her ever faithful friend Dallare, remaining in a lovely Shaman’s robes, calmly watching on. “I am grateful you see me so, First Mistress.”

  Love swallowed thickly, not realizing right away they were being observed and listened to. Everyone had gone stiff, even Reevy who had instinctively drew both daggers from the small of her back. “How long have you been listenin’?”

  “Since Dallare-chan warned me she sensed powerful magic and we saw you helping them to see again. I must say, you are much more attractive now in my eyes.”

  Kira threw out her chest and said “You just want to take advantage of them.”

  Kyoko threw her chest out in mimic and Kira’s jaw dropped as the Yuki-onna’s amble bosom was even more endowed than her own pride and joys. No one even knew since she wore the heavy fabric of a traditional kimono that hid a knockout figure which would make any man pant like a dog and roll over for scraps at the dinner table. “I truly do. Yes, I want them. There is no denying the fact so why bother. I want her and to bare his offspring. I’ve bore many, but his would be the best by far. I already broke up with my boyfriends so I may dedicate my entirety to them. It is my commitment. I am bound to him by blood and to her by extension. I will not deny my infatuation, nor my desires. I will train her for her role. Is it too much to ask to…”

  Floa stepped closer, right up to the taller Demon. “Then you heard she’s my daughter too.” She cut her off. “I’m not going to trust you further than I can throw you, but if you are willing to invoke clause nine thousand sixty nine, section G of the Accords on Kanade, I won’t say another word.”

  Kyoko held still, measuring the seriousness of the Pixie before her while holding a forestalling hand to Dallare who’s finger was beginning the tr
acing of a spell to move Floa from her master. Dallare stopped, but watched carefully for any sign of hostile intent.

  “Um, what is this clause?” Kira asked as she noticed Kanade’s confused concern matching her own and the cold silence hanging between the Yuki-onna and Pixie stare-down.

  Reevy answered since she was taught every letter of the Accords and knew it almost as specifically as Magistrate Morom of the Ogres, though not to his level of memory and specific detail. “Either Floa wants her to leave and never return to this world under the penalty of having her power stripped and given to over Floa or she’s wanting Kyoko to marry Kanade right here and now. The Shifter on my team I believe did it and is married to her husband, a Centaur. I’m certain Floa means for Kyoko to marry Kanade.”

  Judging by Kanade’s expression, she was terrified at this turn of events.

  “Is that all?” Kyoko asked after realizing Floa was deadly serious. Floa nodded sharply. “Very well.”

  “Mistress?! You cannot be serious. It’s irrevocable.”

  Kyoko smiled down to her Elvin friend. “It is my best opportunity I’ll only be allowed to take. I will never make First Mistress with Ethan-sama. He has eyes only for his mistress. It is good we have a Witch to work with you.” She looked up at the giantess, Love. “Kanade-chan, I am willing to appease your mother’s wishes. I just wish I had thought of it first. It will smooth out the ripples and friction that has resulted. Are you willing?”

  “Uh…”

  “Hey! What’s the holdup ladies!” Boomed Ethan’s voice as he and all the men in full armor came around the corner. All of them wore black fitted leather and their women all did double takes and their eyes slid out of focus after being startled. Each woman’s husband were the prime example of the male species. Broad, muscular, dominant, protective and lethal.

  “Did we miss catching you hotties playing ‘I’ve never’?” Baldr came in a swagger, both sword and shield strapped to his back.

  Kanade looked all around. Trapped by stares, or so it seemed to her. “We uh, were… just talkin’ with Kyoko on goin’ to her palace first and lookin’ at her coy pond…” She swallowed.