03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  “Let that be a lesson.” Growled the prince as several looked downright smug at his response, others were fearful. “Like the king, I’ll allow you to feed off me, but doing it to my mates or my generals will end up like that.” Smugness evaporated and gazes dropped to the floor, unable to stand the intensity of blazing red eyes that latched onto the royalty of Demon World.

  In just a moment, he just proved that even together they were nothing. Prey.

  Effectively he protected not only his women, but his team from that moment forward from ever being fed on again.

  Cloven hooves clicked loudly on the solid floor flickering purple. Behind, the rest followed towards the opaque double doors. Vitalli and Ellen’s hooves were louder though since they were shoed.

  A foreign brush of another’s thoughts were common to Kanade ever since arriving at the palace, but one such ethereal pressure probed again and again and again till Nell lightly cleared her throat to gain attention. Golden irises noted Nell’s perfectly manicured fingernails tapping casually against a leathered thigh in timing with a certain strand to realize she was trying to speak privately. Bark brown eyes also seemed to linger in passing as they roved across the room.

  By the next finger tap Kanade let the owner enter.

  Immediately Nell’s mind flooded Kanade’s and was exactly like her personality. Loud and quirky. Easily recognizable. But concerned emotion lingered in the words “About damn time you let me in. What in the vast forests is wrong?” One dark green eyebrow lifted unnoticeably to all except Kanade.

  “Firstly I had no clue what your mind felt like. Now that I’ve experienced it and can recognize it, I won’t block. Unlike you, more than a thousand trillion curious females are tryin’ to contact me. I had to block them.”

  “Oh, I might not be as popular, but you aren’t alone. Little Ms. Witchy Witch had to teach us how while we flew on the Dragon last night. It was good we all had a blocking foundation already. I’m the second worst at this mind trick thing. Vitalli has it harder than me. Now spill.” She thought while walking beside her husband with a bit more spring than normal. “What happened?”

  “I don’t understand.” Seriously, she hadn’t a clue on Nell’s topic.

  The jade eyebrow raised fractionally higher, but no one other than Ethan and Kyoko made any indication to this side conversation going on. “I’m an archer so I tend to notice more little things than most. You’re walking differently… with more care. I know you were hurt recently… you and the pale hottie behind you with the impossible rack. You both seem…”

  “It was my angel… he uh… got remarkably larger.” Only all the other thoughts and conversations consuming Kanade kept her from blushing neon red.

  “Too big apparently. I see it now. The reason why your hands are over your lower belly. So you can hold yourself without seeming discomforted. His dick must have been too large for your cunt… were you sufficiently wet? Did you bleed?”

  “Yes to the first and slightly to the second. For both of us.” Kyoko intervened. Kanade game a mental peck on her cheek for the rescue. The Yuki-onna internally radiated warmth.

  Nell didn’t show any surprise that they weren’t alone. “Hmmm… I’ve seen how quick you heal, Kanade. We’ve been together for minutes and still you’ve yet to completely recover. He must have tore you up like a churn in your butter.”

  “But it didn’t hurt for long.”

  “Endorphins. That it did at all concerns me. You never hurt down there till now.” Nell stated simply. “I can see the lingering results of bed-play so it isn’t a lie. Kyoko I’d understand since you got a good two feet on her height wise. I’ve peeked at Ethan’s dong at the island so it would be naturally more problematic for her to fit it in, but you? Your kind is made to take all manner of sizes… for his to exceed your own limits is not good. No, not good at all. Please tell me his head didn’t penetrate your womb?”

  “No, but it was close. Felt it knockin’ all night long.” Kanade also sent extra private information and Nell absorbed it as fast as a strike of lightning.

  “… So more females the bigger, thicker and more ripples will make his shaft. Interesting evolutionary path. Women once with him would likely be unable to feel satisfied ever to that point again. Seedling, take extra precaution. If he breaks into your womb and does even minor damage, it’ll risk future pregnancy. Do it one on one. It would be best…”

  “Sorry, as you said, I’m already hooked. Sleepin’ with Kyoko made him nail me like never before and I want more. Oh so much more! But I’m glad you care for me so much and I’ll try takin’ it easy.”

  Nell didn’t look the least convinced.

  Ethan made it to the door, cutting them short and pounded his fist on one side yelling “We’re here, Old Man! Open up!”

  Many gasped at his lack of royal decorum.

  Some almost fainted as the violet fire burning on the other side shook the palace in a rumbling laugh. The doors opened marginally. “Cheeky brat.” Came Zagan’s enhanced voice through the blaze. “Boy, all of you enter so I may see to my minions waiting patiently for court.”

  The young Ifrit stepped into the blaze without care. Others aside from sixteen Balam, one Spirit Guide and a Yuki-onna slightly hesitated due to the fact they weren’t immune to the purple tongues, even Dallare. Nell had it hardest. No screams followed Blake as he crossed first and the others followed into the blinding light.

  Behind, the doors slammed shut before came the demanding baritone. “Elf, bring everyone before me immediately. It will save me time waiting.”

  A long tunnel opened up through the warm wall so Dallare could see clearly where to send them. A second later over eighty miles was crossed in the blink of an eye.

  Out of Baldr’s mouth fell “Damn! You do look like a skin covered Skeletor minus the hood and green face alright!”

  Zagan fixed the Ogre with a hard stare. “And you look like a painted unicorn.”

  “Touché.” Baldr chuckled and rubbed his horn absently.

  Zagan didn’t bother hiding himself upon the throne, still holding the eerie energy sword between his legs. One hand held a chalice made entirely out of a single piece of topaz. The yellowish precious stone didn’t hide the several gallons of wine. He took a long drink, draining down to half. Wine hydrated Zagan’s body, but could not sustain. Everyone at one time or another stared at the writhing stomach that constantly demanded food.

  Orange embers flickered around swept back horns just like Ethan’s, an involuntary constant. Like breathing or a beating heart. Judging by how they swirled and flickered, he was calm. Kanade told Ethan how the embers and sparks seemed to explain his own mental state. Right now Ethan’s were zipping around as he fought to retain control, like the last meeting.

  Beside the throne were the five Seers with obsidian quarterstaffs with two thickly muscled Balam on either side that made Panther seem fragile. Still, Panther was superior. That much was clear. There were no others around, but a dome of fire still surrounded.

  Panther, the other female Balam, Dallare, Ellen and the team all went to a knee after Panther gave them a dark look when their surprise bordered on insult. Only Ethan, Kanade and Kyoko weren’t obligated to bow in the king’s presence. Baldr followed, but was most reluctant. Barely he whistled to stay calm and not reach for his weapons.

  The ancient demon king took them all in with a calculating, hungry stare. It was impossible to decipher anything in the grizzled expression.

  Wine was sat down upon the armrest.

  “Ah, my dear niece, how good it is to see your beauty grace these halls after so long.” He said, resting his attention to Kyoko.

  “It is good to return home, Uncle, but I’m sad to see how much your condition had changed in the five centuries I’ve been away.” She admitted with a marginal bow of respect.

  “You had no choice, Child. Had I not placed the need to leave for Earth into your subconscious your aunt would have killed you had her Seer discovered what my
five had.”

  “Uncle?” Kyoko was clearly confused.

  Zagan barely turned his head. Even that looked difficult on such a thin neck. “Yes, Dear Niece. I had to see you safe for my own plans. I sent you there to learn what you could not here. I’m glad to see all my gambles paid off. You met a good and kind human, fell in love and had your heart broken all to prepare you.” Only Kyoko’s cool disposition kept a muscle from jumping in her jaw. “You don’t see it yet do you?” He rumbled a chuckle. “I placed you carefully into a prime position so that you could show Ethan Chaos isn’t inherently evil. After six centuries my plans are being realized. Your pining heartache is what allowed her to bring” He glanced at Kanade. “you into their lives. You’ve done well, Child. Besides, at least with Ethan you will have a better chance of breeding young than with me.”

  “Truly?” Kyoko asked with suppressed hope.

  “They say so in a few centuries, if you are not killed. Kanade’s pregnancy will come first. Sometime in this century.”

  “What?” Kanade’s inexperience and youth broke through the mask of indifference. “When? How?”

  “The usual way I’d imagine… unless” Zagan cracked a smile beneath a thick white beard. “sex is no longer done betwixt your shapely legs.”

  “You mean I’ll lay my angel’s egg and fill my nest?”

  “It is just a probable vision of the future. If you are killed, can you lay? No. Seers, like Ramaziel, can catch future glimpses. But it takes denizens to see the future of Chaos. Only the past is set, the present unfolds and the future has many tendrils and changes. This is why I’ve summoned you. My Seers have dire news that affects you all. Rise.”

  Panther and all bowing rose as Zagan motioned the five tall monks forward. Bald heads had a slight shine and reflected some of the mauve dome. Like usual they moved and spoke as one. Creepy. Mouths opened together. “In a year’s time Fire and Ice will meet. One will remain, the other shall vanish forevermore inside this century. Lives will be lost, love shall weep or destroy in the hearts left in those behind. Lands ruined. Hope or despair will linger unopposed. In despair new fire will be unable to be kindled. In hope it shall. Roar and hiss. Life and death. Love, Snow, Earth Shaker, Trickster, Slither, Screech, Thread and Scale must bind by eve of the first loss of the long illuminating candle to withstand the coming cold storm.”

  The tone shifted almost unnoticeably, but the five continued. “Mated in pairs stand united and loyal to the future flame. Attributes gain in their unbreakable foundation. Together survive. Assassin divide. Tooth and claw needs fur to weather the coming chill.”

  Their tones changed again. “Fire oppressed. Likely will die, but if triumphant will burn as nothing ever before has. Sadness will be the burdened yoked, but strength will be used to lead.

  “Cold shards come to wreck, render asunder and dominate. Hope or despair is all that awaits.” They finished and returned to where they had been.

  “Well that was cheerful.” Baldr dripped the sarcasm.

  Zagan paid him no mind. “After a million years you learn how to understand them. Let me clearly explain what is to happen. I do not like odds being halved. It’s too much of a risk for my kingdom, but I stacked the cards in my favor as much as I could over the centuries. It’s culminating now.” The grip on the sword between his legs tightened. “The first part is clear. In a year my kingdom will be threatened by my former First Mistress. Say not her name.

  “After the war one will be victorious. Had I not did as I had, she would have won without much resistance and all I worked for would be gone.

  “War has casualties. Always had. Always will. Tragedy breeds hopelessness or anger. No translation needed there. Same with land. This next part is why I brought up the point of offspring.” He told the two women standing together. “In the quote ‘In despair new fire will be unable to be kindled.’ means young will not come if Ethan is dead. Nothing is certain. If he survives, you will conceive. If not… the line of Ifrit dies with him.” Kanade and Kyoko swallowed. “Roar and hiss means Ifrit and Yuki-onna. It means one will die if directed at each other.”

  Zagan then pointed at Kanade as he kept making points clear to even the most dense individual. “Woman, in the way my Seers spoke means all will be your mistresses. I already know you took the name Love as tradition in Order’s rank’s so it is specific to you. Snow is a Yuki-onna so naturally it refers to Kyoko. Earth Shakers are Titans. Tricksters are Kitsune by definition. Slither are Lamia. Screech are Sirens. Thread are Arachne and lastly Scale is a Dragon, likely a Dragewete.”

  “A what?” Ethan asked and judging by the expressions of his friends they were also unfamiliar in the name. “What is a Drag-awa-te?”

  The elder explained short and sweet. “A rare and ancient sub-race of Dragons capable of shifting from the Dragons you know and can remodel their bodies into something akin to us, Boy. Only they are much smaller than full-blooded Dragons and are about a head or two taller in humanoid form. I’ve already made contact and all their females will be soon arriving.” He held up a forestalling hand. “No more interruptions till I’m done, Boy. I must make it absolutely clear what is coming. Kanade, you will need each of the female races for I am the long illuminating candle. If by the time I die and you do not have them as your mistress, despair will claim my kingdom.”

  Conversation shifted to Blake and the others. “Next speak of mated pairs. You are all soul mates and fiercely loyal to my heir. I’ve watched all along since he came to the First House and is clear to me you will not betray him. Not ever. You are loyal minions. Even without his curse. It would be in your best interests to always remain together or else one or all of you will die in an assassination within this year. Likely many. ‘Tooth and claw needs fur to weather the coming chill.’ Refers to a need for preparedness and honing of all your new skills and abilities. It means you are extremely vulnerable right now.”

  Red slits met near identical ones. “The final part is about you of course. It foretells I’m going to try and see you stronger or be too weak to survive and wind up dying. To take my throne you must be stronger than me when I was in my prime.” Zagan growled and was met by a physically stronger and louder one from the descendant. Kanade’s touch kept him calm. “The rest of their message is self explanatory.”

  “So what now since you’ve just babied us trying to figure out the words? Seriously it wasn’t all that hard.” Ethan said and scratched his short bearded jaw.

  “Firstly, Boy, you need to take care of the issue with your wrath. I observed all along how this Naga trained you to harness your cold rage and channel it with the laser focus you already had. Already he and his woman have already mastered their minds and I cannot seize it like I can yours and everyone else’s. You need to gain the control they have by the time my stomach growls or General Panther here will take your head. That is an order.” Zagan told his general who gave a sharp nod. Ethan may be the new master, but the king is still the king.

  “What did you do to help sway the odds to fifty-fifty?” Ethan asked, hoping to stall as he and Kanade worried greatly.

  “I told you already. You’ve yet to earn the right.” But before they could give voice on anything else Zagan kept speaking in a nonchalant tone as if giving an execution order under deadly time constraints was normal business, which it was. “You will learn to control your wrath, protect your mind and stand before me without the need for your female’s thoughts or soothing presence.”

  And suddenly both Ethan and Kanade cried out, clutching their heads as Zagan somehow cut off their connection and separated them.

  Without Kanade’s leash Ethan scented the weak Ifrit and roared as silver flame warred against violet. Only the disorientation of Zagan’s sudden mental attack kept from attacking, for a moment though.

  It was plenty for the king to say “Do as I told you, Elf.”

  Dallare had her orders all the while the king explained the Seers’ prophecy and was alone in knowing it was a ploy so
she could ready. None had known she was gone soon after being told to rise after the bow. Zagan was merely delaying for her to finish. She had only returned a few seconds prior.

  In an instant Ethan and Blake were sent far, far away where only she and the king knew exactly where.

  Fire and roaring had Blake instinctively conjure the energy katanas to either hand. They didn’t burn or anything like that. They simply looked like blue glass alight from within. His own new mind realized a second after Ethan’s sudden explosion what the king had planned.

  Ethan was consumed by the wrath as he and Blake stood out in a massive desert void of all visible life. Without Zagan he was loosed without a target.

  Until that target was Blake who had some of Zagan’s scent due to proximity. Enough of a scent to become said target.

  Blake took a stance, swords raised.

  Chapter 11

  The ground and sky shook right along with the unbound rage burning through Ethan’s veins. Fists were made, not even bothering to slide on the gauntlets. Blake though marginally smaller and leaner was in full control of himself. Ethan was not.

  Melted sand sprayed like water as his wings beat for additional thrust and he went to punch his fist clean through Blake’s head and easily could have, but Blake was still a Blademaster and a master martial artist in all styles.

  Blake’s new mind processed faster and though Ethan moved faster than any human eye could follow, it was still slow to him. He felt new Transcended muscles respond with more strength, speed and control than ever before and flowed around the flaming fist with childlike ease. He shook his head saying aloud “So sloppy. Are you so far gone to have forgotten” Blake slapped the flat of one katana against the side of Ethan’s face and the force behind it hit him over a mile away. “all I imparted? Have you completely” A sonic boom broke the sound barrier as great wings slapped and shot him back. Blake again easily avoided the attempt to grapple and all four of his new tail spikes raked painful lines across the front of his former student’s face. Blood flowed as he continued speaking in normal time. “lost who you are?” Whack! The Ifrit lost a wing as a sword cut through, grounding him. “Fatty?”