03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  Ethan rumbled deep in his chest, knowing without a shred of doubt that she enjoyed it all. It made him feel satisfied his mate was in ecstasy. The way her channel clamped on and wouldn’t let go was proof of where she always wanted him. Her mind was mush and was all his doing. Her moans were for his ears. Her scent was his. Even if he could smell another woman’s sex on her lips. That too was his property. He drew her close and kissed her from behind. The hunger for his mouth, wasn’t a surprise, nor forced. She liked it this way. A slap or two on the ass made her chuckle as she returned to sanity. “More.” She hummed and he gladly made sure her wish was fulfilled.

  Bright and early Ethan walked outside and took a deep satisfying breath. He really enjoyed becoming an Ifrit now that the shock of change and imminent death threats had calmed considerably, had finally worn off. The best part of it all was the need to sleep was almost nonexistent. One hour a week is all that was required. Still he could force it and relax. That meant the whole night was filled with carnal exercise with a non-human woman who was a sexual glutton without peer. Things had to be taken care of as Kanade had already left the cabin after cooking a meal for everyone and flew it to the outside table that remained on the beach. Calm ruby eyes found that Dallare had shrunk said table considerably since no one there were the size of a Titan or Dragon anymore.

  The only one to wait on him was his loyal guard leaning against the cabin’s wall also enjoying the morning sunrise and warm wind making his coat of soft black hair ripple in waves. He leaned in his new armor, his intention clear that it was a true gift in his bright eyes. It was armor no other could enchant and the priceless knowledge his master gave it meant it would be hoarded for all time.

  Down below on the beach, only one individual was absent. All the cheerful couples sat together merrily feasting on the morning meal all made by Love’s guiding hands. Blake, Vitalli, Ellen and Reevy likewise wore new full body armor like Panther and himself while the others of the team were all were in bathing suits. Except Nell who was openly topless at the moment. Kanade sat in a lovely sundress, side by side with Kyoko in another casual set of clothes since she wasn’t expecting anything formal. She wore a flattering blue top and a matching skirt while Dallare sat to her other side drinking tea in another Shaman robe.

  “Good morning, Panther.” Came the deep baritone after another lung filling breath. Always a good idea to greet someone waiting at your beck and call.

  “Of course it is, Ethan. Your harem has doubled.” Quipped the leaning protector.

  Ethan felt so good he laughed richly. “So did you enjoy the marathon?”

  The feline man paused in consideration before saying “I did not grasp the meaning of these Loony Tunes. I’m at a loss to understand why someone made them. Especially Wily E. Coyote. His prey is faster and has no meat to sustain the energy put into catching it… and why this ACME corporation makes such defective items. I would have slain them for such shoddy quality.”

  For some reason, Panther’s seriousness made him double over laughing, holding the stitch in his side. “Oh, my… you’re on a roll. Wait… you’re serious?” The general didn’t show any sign of jest or anger at being laughed at. Then came a nod. “Jeese, man… The cartoons are meant for laugh… entertainment. A way to unwind after a difficult day.”

  “That is what mating is for. To release pent up frustration and energy.”

  “Panther, what do you do for fun?” Ethan asked as a realization reached him.

  “Fun?” was asked back in a way that was more a foreign concept to him. He stopped leaning against the wall and stood beside the master overlooking those down on the beach. “I enjoy hunting worthy prey and adding their life to sustain my own. I enjoy my mistresses who give me strong and worthy cubs. I enjoy fulfilling my master’s will. Is that not fun?”

  “So your only hobbies are hunting, sex and obeying orders?” The summed up fact made the feline nod once. “I’m not you, but I would be quickly bored living if that was all I did in life. You’ve seen my comic collection. It makes me enjoy another way of life. Temporarily. But lets me live differently. Movies, cartoons, books… it’s all the same. An escape that eases life’s screwed up and messy trials. This isn’t an order, but I want you to find a distraction…”

  “No, Master. Any distraction is an invitation to our enemies. If I ever caught one of my warriors partaking I would flog and whip them back into what we were bred for. Your protection. One thought of voluntary absence will kill us. I understand what you want, but I cannot. My former master also tried what you ask out of humor and I obeyed, but ended with this scar for my negligence.” Panther lifted the fur around his throat to reveal a faint scar beneath. If not for supreme eyesight that could see distant galaxies, Ethan wouldn’t have noticed the faint scar only a cursed blade of upmost sharpness could make from behind. Natural immortal regeneration would leave no evidence behind. Only a cursed blade would leave any sort of lingering mark. That is why every immortal of Order Ethan lived with for the past months all look so flawless and young despite being centuries or more old. Lasting scars mean nasty curses as a worldly display to show the wounds didn’t heal right. “I was snuck up on many millennia ago and near lost my head by an Arachne. It was all the lesson I needed to know even a minor distraction is invitation for assassination.”

  “Harsh… but if one day you change your mind and find something curious, you have my permission.”

  This time Panther smiled. “That is something I will consider. Not likely to ever occur, but appreciated.”

  Crossing huge arms thicker than a person’s torso, Ethan asked “I’d like your honest opinion on something.”

  “You shall always receive council unless I am ordered otherwise.” Mirrored the general by crossing his arms too at the edge.

  “What is Kyoko’s angle? I know Kanade trusts her, but it is all too convenient in my opinion. Everything I know about her screams in my head she’s rushing. That is not in her character. She deviously makes plans meticulously decades ahead of anyone I know but then suddenly decides to marry my angel without much of a resistance. I just do not get it. I realize her kind is promiscuous like Succubae, Nymph and Pixie, but I can’t seem to wrap my mind around it. I know her as well as Kanade, but…” he shook his horned head.

  “Ah.” Is all Panther said and what seemed hours were just dragged out seconds. It was like an annoying itch impossible to scratch. “Ethan, you do know the reason, but have not allowed yourself to consider she was once like Star-bolt is.” The master’s breathing hitched. “You’ve known what the universe truly is for less than a year. In reality, you are still a newly birthed cub. In time you will see patterns repeat time and time again. Demons have no soul, but it is ignorance that we do not feel as those with a soul do. We can empathizes and show compassion, which is against our baser nature, but we can overcome it. Without some form of anchor or ideal to maintain our identity, we run wild with lust. Lust for blood, rape, murder, revenge, and so on but souls are the best temptation and near impossible to resist for any demon. Even after finding that anchor is it near unbearable. Most are forever lost and need guidance in order to resist Order’s chopping block and veiled executioners. That is why the strong are looked up to and desired. You know the greatest love stories result from loss.” Ethan nodded. “For we demons, losing an anchor that holds us together makes us feel as if we have a soul and was now broken. Losing it is like dying every moment of every day forever. Time doesn’t heal our wounds like mortals. Imagine losing Mistress Kanade, but know that if you committed suicide there would be nothing waiting after, the only hope in knowing Fate can reincarnate the soul and face the fact he rarely does it and wipes their memories of their life so they remember nothing.” The strangest thing happened, Panther spoke with emotion and gave Ethan the feeling he was speaking as if someone close was going through the same thing. Perhaps a cub? He wondered. “You want my opinion? I’ve heard every word and listened to Kyoko’s vocal patterns for any sign of dec
eit… plus I cornered her and scanned her mind in anticipation for this question as well.

  “She knows my station and what I am known to do against treasonous acts. Wisely she didn’t resist. I found she has ultimately lost hope her husband will ever come back. She’s seen many over the years who look like him, but are not. Young men with an uncanny likeness. And over the centuries it has unsettled her more than she’ll admit. She thinks it is another of Fate’s cruel tricks taunting her, but with each man she discovers is not her husband, makes her be closed off more and more. Is was gradual, but she noticed a change into becoming introverted. She realized she had no place left on this world without him tethering her and be reminded over and over and over of his loss by doppelgangers. She wanted a change… no… more like needed one.” He revised. “In order to be freed of heartache and longing.

  “It ultimately came when you saved her from Sheedan’s attack.” One red eyebrow lifted. “I remember a report once stating when she slipped to this world and was weakened due to the veil, needing to feast on emotion to regain strength, she was attacked by a middle class Harpy. Dallare wasn’t nearby, but an imperial swordsman lord of Japan was. He fended the beast off and she was smitten by his bravery. He tended her wounds and even let her feed off him as they traveled to his castle to increase her strength.

  “She hates being weak, but when you saved and let her feed off you that day, that jagged part her husband left behind in his death, was smoothed.” Whiskers twitched. “It made her feel vulnerable, something she hadn’t felt since him. She’s clearly smitten and has not lied once while I listened. My opinion is she is honest, much like Mistress Kanade. A good match as any to be seen. She is desperate to find a connection… a new anchor to keep her whole. And she doesn’t want to stay on this world anymore in a lost hope for reincarnation. The bitterness between Chaos and Order has few happy endings. Fate clearly knows Kyoko wanted her husband reborn, but won’t do it. Between him and his sire, they hold grudges forever.”

  “Who was taken from someone close that makes you so mad?”

  “I’ve said too much.” And Ethan watched the general close up like an unbeatable and impenetrable vault. It was clear he believed to have said too much and chastised himself mentally.

  “Alright. I won’t push. But if you think Kyoko is being honest and won’t stab my angel in the back, I’ll trust your judgment.”

  “How can you trust what I say so openly?”

  This put a smirk on Ethan’s lips and a frown on Panther’s. “For months you’ve been disguised as our pet cat. You slept on my chest when I was injured or across my shoulders. You comforted Kanade when I was taken. If anyone had the most opportunities to kill me when my defenses were down… it would be you. And is still you. Even though I’m physically and mystically stronger. Your speed scares me more than anything. I have no chance with you so close. Even five miles away would not be sufficient to defend against you. That is enough for me to trust.” Great wings spread. “Time to join all the fun.” And threw himself off the cliff.

  Nothing quite felt so amazing as flying. Air caressing the sails of wings like feathers. A cooling blast rushing past his face and whipping long red hair like a flag. Nothing, absolutely nothing could compare. If sex wasn’t so amazing, flying would be number one. It invigorated and made life seem wonderful. Streams of air flowed down the neck of the armor and cooled around like Will-o-wisps chasing one another.

  Sadly the flight was cut short as wings flapped forward in attempt to slow the impact made by the coming ground. The landing was gentle and as hard as he tried, Ethan still made sand blast around and pelted those nearest the table, but before the minor sandstorm went on the attack to sting others and spoil the food, great blue wings spread like a shield, enveloping near everyone. Only Nell and Blake got hit, but it was a minor inconvenience that didn’t overly upset them. A quick wipe of the hand brushed the sugary grains off.

  “Sorry.” Came the heartfelt apology.

  “Food’s safe. That is all that matters!” Vitalli harrumphed, biting into a large wedge of cantaloupe. He was still clearly pissed about yesterday’s nude adventure and the undressing of his mare.

  “Here! Here!” raised the glass of orange juice from Baldr.

  Ethan took his place beside Kanade as her wings drew back. She smiled as his tail wrapped around her possessively and she played with the velvety soft spade tip. Her grin grew as an unstoppable shiver shot through his hulking body. “Don’t come in your pants, Darlin” and he stuck a tongue out at her childishly. It elicited a dainty laugh.

  “I know that laugh. You just thought something dirty.” Lilted Nell with egg speared at the end of her fork accusingly.

  “Did not.” Ethan lied for Kanade since she couldn’t.

  “Don’t lie for her. I know that look. I get it when I’m horny… and I’m always horny.” The Nymph giggled as Kanade was caught red handed and flushed.

  “Wasn’t it you who told me a dirty mind is great fertilizer for a fertile imagination?” Kanade fired back.

  The green haired woman grinned evilly. “Better believe it, Seedling. I’m glad you’re finally taking advice from someone who knows how to live life orgasmically! Sad you won’t sleep with me though. I could really enjoy… nah. I… I can’t say it! Ha, ha, ha, ha! I’m kidding! You’re hot, but I can’t seem to get off fanaticizing anymore…” she fell back and kicked her legs in the air as she laughed. No longer did those feelings persist, but teasing remained an Olympic sport she excelled at. Tears shed “Great Canopy that expression was priceless!” meaning Kanade’s face that got her into all kinds of trouble.

  Kyoko seized this opportunity to take Kanade’s right hand into both of her own and say “Do as I taught, Love-chan.”

  A deep breath expanded Kanade’s chest as she closed her eyes and willed her emotions to settle. The tear-pears set in polished gold looked like sparkling fire in its place in ample cleavage. The embarrassing flush drained away to her neutral yet regal stature. Chin held level with the horizon. Hearing dimmed out Nell’s giggles. Eyes still closed till the world drifted away and control was established. Seconds later golden eyes found the world and it returned the look back at perfection. “Well done.” Came acceptance that all was correct in the name of First Mistress.

  Nell quieted and swallowed. “Whoa… you look like a queen!”

  “Thank you for the compliment. But my title is First Mistress to Prince Ethan Volorum of the Fire King’s territory.”

  “And you sound like one.” Nell’s full lips stayed parted. “So Hot.” Like her, the table was just as impressed at how quickly and efficiently she turned it around. Only Reevy and Blake schooled their features impassively as only a Naga can.

  “Sound like what?” Popped in a tinkling voice as a leather clad Pixie fluttered in. filling the last vacancy of the group.

  “Mornin’, Floa. How was your night?” Kanade said with a small smile, still practicing.

  “Why do you sound like you got a stick up your ass?” The Pixie cocked her head as tiny feet landed on the table. “Trying something kinky? Good girl.”

  “No… I’m practicin’ for Demon World.” She relaxed some and held out her hand for Floa to climb her fingertips like a ramp. “Nell’s bein’ Nell and I wanted her to stop teasin’ me.”

  “Sweetheart, you’re too easy a target.” Floa admitted and kissed her new daughter’s cheek in warm greeting. “And that is what we love about you.”

  “Any news?” Blake asked as Floa was sat down on Kanade’s collarbone.

  Despite her diminutive four inch size, a Pixie’s tinkling voice carries as far as she wants. Being masters of portals had huge advantages. “Yup. Odin got approval for all of you from your respective leaders. The one to hold out the longest was Crait. He eventually got overruled.”

  “Of course my father would be.” Blake hissed in his native Naga tongue and rolled his eyes. Ethan still found it like listening to a snake, but after hearing it in English this whole
time was a bit of a shock, but he easily translated without the magic within the silvery bracelets. “What else/”

  “Fate stopped by and Celestia basically flicked him off in front of everyone to say Ethan and Kanade can visit the First House anytime they damn well please. She said and I quote ‘The two of them can come here and you can’t stop them. If the barrier lets them pass then it’s bloody well good enough for me to see my apprentice. Go back to Spirit World and fuck off.’ Then she pecked him in the head and set him on fire. It was laugh out loud funny.” Floa’s version of Celestia’s British accent was spot on.

  Baldr in the middle of taking a drink shot it through his nose, burning all along the way and coughed with Kira patting his back.

  Ethan and Kanade burst out laughing while Dallare said “You jest.”

  “Doubt it.” Said Ethan wiping a single tear from the corner of his eye. “I trained under that ornery Phoenix and I can tell you that is exactly what she would say and do. I lost count how many times she pecked me in the head… it was a miracle I’m not bald. She is a perfectionist and expected me to be no less. Needless to say the top of my head was almost always scabbed with blood while Blake whipped everything else black and blue.” The Naga Blademaster broke into a broad smile. “Celestia doesn’t like people screwing with her work schedule.” The jovial expression dissolved.

  “What is it, Master Ethan?” Dallare asked.

  “Celestia…” He spoke reluctantly and seemed far away in thought. “She and I… we were going to work side by side making weapons and armor. We were both looking forward to it and even started making an addition to the shop for me to work due to my changes.” Remorse filed those catlike red eyes as they bore into the table’s oak grains. “Excuse me for a few minutes.” He stood up and walked away.