03 Atavism of the Ifrit Page 41

  “I eagerly await the chance, Master. I have many skins with which to design for every royal engagement and I am fast at stitching.”

  “So I see.” He chuckled as the women in dresses were having the finishing touches to their gowns.

  Not much longer was spent as the seamstresses backed off to let the four women move around and were poetry in motion. Once all were satisfied with the amazing handmade works Kanade’s fist glowed blue and traced a quick line and a shimmering bench appeared so she could sit down. Seated, she took the hem of her dress and began enchanting the inside with more than a dozen spells. Taking her lead Amandale and Dallare appeared on the bench as well and were busy branding the undersides of their dresses as well rather than displaying it on the outside. Kyoko sat with a straight back and watched her woman working on her dress, and once finished whispered in her ear, grabbed the bottom of her dress as well and had her dress spelled as well. Kyoko rather liked the idea of not having it blow up or be seen up thanks to a shadowing spell.

  The Elves took a few minutes longer to finish crafting their clothing protection and apologized for making their mistresses wait and were told it wasn’t a problem.

  Dressed and ready the five left the vast room and outside Ethan’s sharp gaze locked on Panther surrounded by his mates as he held an egg-shaped gemstone that flickered with an inner light. The gem had thousands of facets and was beyond most ordinary valuables. Hearing the door open the group of Balam turned while the chamber guards didn’t budge, not that they ever did, but on closer inspection he realized these were new ones as a shift had been changed.

  “What do you have there, Panther?” his deep baritone voice carried over the distance as Kanade and Kyoko walked on either side of him with her Elves following behind their masters.

  The general revealed the gemstone egg that barely fit inside his furry palm. “I’ve just returned from retrieving one of my old treasures.”

  “Why? What for? Is it some new pain in the ass idea the king has in store for me?”

  “Hardly, Master.” Purred the feline. “Our mutual foxy friend stole this from me many years ago and was kind enough to let slip where he hid it from me.”

  “Tokala?”

  The Six blinked and Panther explained to them “Kurama changed his name and is known by Tokaka.” To Ethan he said “Yes, Master. This is the Burning Ruby Heart of Villoi. It is a priceless treasure given to me by the king.”

  “Does it do anything beside look really cool and expensive?”

  “Villoi?!” Kanade gasped as she recognized the name. Her high stiletto heels loudly clicked as her pace sped up and she soon plucked the gem out of the general’s hand and held it with closed eyes. “It’s the real McCoy.”

  “Will someone explain to me what it is?” Ethan said, slightly irritated.

  First Mistress to the general Sacnite stepped forth. “Master, it was a traded treasure the king exchanged during the years of crafting the Accords. It is a Spirit World royal treasure crafted by the dead Transcendent Villoi who imbued this gem with the power to see into the hearts of anyone with the intent to do harm to anyone near. When the Burning Heart turns black and turns cold someone near is plotting and will follow through on an act of murder soon. When the king returned he gifted the ruby to my mate who is in charge of palace security. In his hands the ruby’s power shifted and through his eyes the treasure allows him to see into the hearts without anyone knowing he is looking. Not the mind, but their intenet. The chill is absent when my mate looks too.”

  “Why does it work differently for him?” Ethan asked.

  “Because I was the one who slew Villoi during the celestial war in its last days.” Panther spoke casually. He held up his hand and Kanade gave back the priceless ruby. “The heart recognizes me as its master as it once did to its creator. It hasn’t been tampered with and has already been used it to find one of the Queen of Ice’s assassins stationed among the gate guards hours ago.”

  “Sweet. May I?” Ethan asked and held out his hand. Panther passed it over. “It’s warm.” He said almost immediately. He let his senses sink inside the object to learn how it functioned and found intricately woven automatic magic and a vast storage of Spirit Energy that would last near indefinitely and respond to its full potential to only a chosen wielder. In a few moments he said “This is a dangerous weapon.” And though it wasn’t deadly or could hurt anyone in of itself, its function could do much harm in the wrong hands.

  “It is good you see it as such, Master.”

  “Panther, I can’t afford you to lose this again. Had Tokala not taken it, someone else with worse intentions could have. Luckily he was only a thief looking for a challenge or as a twisted sense of humor.”

  The sleek feline tilted his head. “What do you suggest then?”

  “This might not feel comfortable, but I’ve just come up with a way for you to never allow it to leave your possession again if it works.” Ethan’s fist glowed purple and a single artistic symbol of great strength vibrated the very air. Then he touched the symbol with a palm and all watched as the rune flowed to the ruby egg and sunk inside. The heart began shrinking down to the size of a chicken egg while retaining all its attributes.

  “Here comes the hard part.” Ethan grabbed the back of Panther’s head, cradling it gently actually. Being a Balam meant being highly resistant to energy based powers, including fire. But Ethan glared at the sloping forehead of the jaguar-like forehead and being accustomed to pain Panther held absolutely still when all the power at Ethan’s command was utilized and concentrated to a single point more fine than a razors edge. Not even natural resistance could withstand that much power focused to that area of effect. Spread out, maybe. Smaller than a pinhead, not a chance without having fireproof blood for ultimate protection.

  Skin parted in a vertical line two inches down the center of the feline’s sloping forehead before the Burning Heart of Villoi was inserted beneath the skin. Neck muscles jumped, but Ethan’s large hand held him still. As soon as it was put beneath the skin Ethan spit on the wound for some unknown reason to later learn Ifrit had minor healing properties in the saliva, placed a firm hand over the wound and held him there.

  Silence held all still for over a minute till Ethan removed his grip and showed off Panther with a thin pink line over a bulge. “There, now it’ll not be so easily stolen. When it goes black it’ll burn colder… like having a brain freeze and I made sure that if ever you change to cat-form it’ll adjust accordingly.”

  The general felt the hard lump inside his forehead and didn’t seem upset, but rather the opposite. He was content and at ease, though uncomfortable. “I’m grateful for this, Master. Truly. Now I needn’t carry it or risk another theft.”

  “Good. Now after Zagan sends me off to who the hell knows where I need you to find nine more perfectly cut gems. That object gave me ideas and I’ll make my own version to give to the top guardian of each of my women. Yes, that means you Sacnite since you lead your sisters. If I can recreate it the abilities would further safeguard those I love and give you better protection anyway. And when I have kids it would do good to equip later your cubs as the will keep my children safe.”

  “Can it be done, Master?” Panther felt the need to ask.

  “Not sure, but I need to see if it’s possible. Right now, no. My thoughts are making and modifying my own brand of runes and has yet solidified, but deep down I feel there is a high likelihood, but will take a lot of my energy to create it. If you already eliminated an undiscovered enemy in our midst, more wouldn’t hurt, but the gifts will only go to the few who can use it to a higher potential. Just know the gems must be flawless. It cannot have a single defect and needs to be made near identical in size or slightly larger to what you have.”

  “Then I will see to it personally after I see to my duties.”

  By the time they began walking the team exited and gathered close for Villiken to transfer them to the once again packed anteroom. Bowing followed him as t
he doors opened and again Villiken transferred them all near the throne.

  This time Zagan sat hidden in flames. Beside the throne were his two thickly muscled guards, but off to the side knelt a gray Kitsune with nine tails.

  Ethan immediately felt the king’s mental attack trying to take over, but having meditated after washing his clothes meant his center never wavered and the wall held firm. The rage didn’t rise and was leashed, fully under control. With all Blake’s help the king could not gain a foothold to take over. “Not bad, Boy.” Rumbled the ancient fire Demon. “You are in control so I do not need to kill you. Let me inside so I can tell if your woman is helping keep you grounded.” Ethan lowered the wall and Zagan smiled though no one saw. Both men knew Kanade didn’t like leaving, but had been doing so ever since entering the inner chamber. “Seems my decision was right to let the Naga deal with you. Since my time is precious I won’t keep you long.

  “This is Cucillop.” The nine tiled man-fox rose, bowing to the prince. “You will be trained by the greatest illusionist in my kingdom in the Forest of the Fox. There your task is to manage to capture him. I warn you though, you have but seven chances, seven days and must survive. He will try killing you by leading you to dangerous, rather nasty areas of flora and fauna and you must learn to see through his deception, avoid hazards and grab him by the seventh day without flying or he will kill you in a most unpleasant way.”

  “You don’t need to sound so cheerful about trying to kill me, Old Man.”

  “Got to have some hobbies now don’t I, Boy. Keeps life interesting. Now go to the forest and don’t die. Elf, stay with him but do not interfere. When you hear my stomach, return him to the palace and repeat again in the morning.”

  Kneeling deep, Villiken said “As you command, My King.” Ethan, Villiken and the fox Cucillop vanished.

  Ethan had his work cut out for him especially since Kitsune could make lifelike illusions so powerful it tricked the senses to even make one believe smells and sounds were real. Worse yet, with so much power in a thick forest Ethan couldn’t pinpoint the target beating feet away all the while laughing and taunting.

  Meanwhile back at the palace Kanade and the others were dismissed from the throne room. Once inside the anteroom Kanade said “Sacnite, we will go to the mistress hall again.”

  The leader turned down to the opposite hall and the waiting crowd parted like a curtain, bowing to the First and Second Mistress. Behind piped “Hey Girl, can we come too?”

  Kanade paused to fix Nell and the other three women leaving their men. “Why ya’ll wantin’ to come? Have you forgotten what the king spoke of yesterday?”

  “Don’t cream your panties.” Nell waved her off. “The boys are finding it harder than us to control their new powers… Especially Baldr. He now feels bad for making fun of your hubby breaking everything he touched. Last night he knocked out a wall in his and Kira’s bedroom just trying to scratch himself. Magnus too. He’s so strong now he broke off a piece of the diamond wall and chewed it to mush. Our men are too strong for their own good and Blake’s going to help them.”

  “Aye.” Kira tucked a strand of bright red strawberry hair behind an ear, her glowing green eyes shifting as if in a conspiracy. “My soul mate needs much practice, but we do not. We naturally have a handle on our new powers. And I need to pick your brain for a few new ideas. I doubt his majesty’s prophecy will come true if we don’t go off on our own. Do you, Lass?”

  Thinking for just a moment, blue hair shook slightly. “Then stick close and don’t go near anyone.”

  “Unless I find new pussy for me and Magnus.” Quipped Nell with a wistful gleam in her bark brown eyes. When others looked to her she smiled brightly. “What? I’m more horny now than I was before coming here! Besides, I got to give Kanade a run for her money. She can’t out-lesbian me. I’ve got a reputation to uphold. I’m a Nymph remember!”

  “Forbid if Nell’s influence doesn’t have her and Kanade competing.” Dramatically sighed Ellen crossing her arms beneath her enormous breasts.

  “I bet three orgasm potions Kanade will beat her by week’s end.” Bet Kira.

  “And I bet half my tail-hair Nell’s prowess will win.” Ellen challenged.

  “I’ll throw in three throwing daggers on Nell.” Reevy smirked.

  “Hey!” Kanade fought not to laugh. To really surprise them she said “Don’t forget I’ve got Gaia and Sarimee commin’ to me.”

  Kira shook her head. “They won’t be here in a week so they don’t count though they are already your Third and Fourth. So far all you got is Kyoko.”

  “And not much of a lead at that.” Nell boasted. “Come on, let’s go hunting for new playmates. May the best cunt win!”

  “Ugh. What am I going to do with you four?” Kanade rolled her eyes, still keeping her arms in their place clasped in front of her belly.

  The women laughed as followed her away.

  Walking down the opposite hall that what leads to the king’s highest reserved guestrooms for over two hours Kanade was at ease as she remained in constant contact with her man. It eased her greatly, knowing he was alive, but having a difficult experience, already avoiding six near fatal meetings with demonic plants that would forever ensnare the mind and two traps in which boulder traps tried and failed to crush him. Meanwhile she and Kira were busy doing spells and Kanade was surprised by all the ideas the Witch had already come up with, some being ideas not even she was familiar with.

  Silence dominated much of the walk, but Kyoko and hers heels loudly clicked in the spacious hallways. Passerby’s dropped to their knees as soon as looking and recognizing who traveled down the center. Kanade had feared she wouldn’t uphold the title she found herself in, but found out quick it wasn’t too hard. Having the elaborate tiara really helped make her feel like a princess, just like all little girls dreamed of being. The only thing she truly feared is saying something and the intention carried out being disastrous. Thankfully she had Kyoko and realized Demons may be chaotic, but not all were bad.

  Like people everywhere, there was good and bad.

  The train of thought was cut short as the undisturbed grace at which her six powerful bodyguards shifted in an instant to an abrupt, stiff stop. Kyoko’s Nine did the same and the two Mistresses and all the other ladies came to a stop without a word.

  Round ears on all Six swerved straight ahead. To either side Third and Sixth Mistresses Nelli and Teicuih knelt and placed a hand upon the cool diamond floor. Sacnite growled darkly “Mistress, you must go.”

  “What is happening?”

  “A Siren shriek comes. I feel it through the floor. This magnitude will do deathly damage. In ten seconds it will reach us.”

  Kanade laughed bitterly. “Not a problem for me. I may not have the energy ya’ll have, but I ain’t no fuckin’ pushover.”

  Two fists aglow turned one blue and the other green as Transcendent speed gave Kanade plenty of time to create a complex spell that negates dangerous air vibrations along with physical projectiles, just in case since her spread energies detected there to be more than just sound.

  Order runes snapped together like a rubber band before a visible dome with a mile wide diameter appeared.

  Demon Energy within the shriek of a Siren along with Shaman spelled arrows hit the shield with the force of a hundred nuclear blasts, but in terms of shields and defensive spells, Order runes had the advantage over Chaos. No sound crossed through the shield, but the ground shook violently. The attack was then captured by another of Kanade’s spells and locked in a gigantic blue bubble that ate at the energy, dissipating it in a matter of seconds.

  As the attack was happening Kanade said “Ladies, if you wouldn’t mind touching my thoughts. My spells located every individual that added to the power thrown our way. Lock them down for me.”

  “At once.” The Six purred.

  Using Kanade as the anchor, the strongest female Balams’ in all of Demon World mentally targeted the magically located transgr
essors and used their combined strength to seize the minds of two hundred and twenty four demons responsible for the attack.

  Sacnite snarled and turned to her mistress. “They meant this attack for you.”

  Kanade nodded. “I know and they killed already hundreds my spell didn’t reach in the attempt. They are all women who want me dead for my edict of no more souls.”

  Fifth, Patli said “And others hide behind the scenes who set up the attack… I’ve got them now, Mistress… It is as you say.”

  Second, Xochitl snorted “Some foolishly believe we lost our edge over the centuries since we’ve not been seen accompanying a true First Mistress.”

  Sacnite barely twitched her whiskers in a smile. “Fools indeed, Sister. They did not know we continued training each day for many hours.”

  “Cut the chatter.” Kanade ordered and the Six went quiet. “Chain each and every one of them and bring them to the mistress hall to face my judgment.”

  Balam around the palace were made aware and swiftly located all who were still as a statue, bound them and did as ordered, showing not an ounce of mercy. They all threatened the First Mistress and made the last mistake of their pitiful lives.

  Chapter 12

  Impassively stood the highest female authority upon the balcony. Luminous feathered wings were partially spread as a sign of displeasure. For five minutes she stared at all the chained and gagged would-be assassins. Only a dozen were Siren, the bulk turned out to be a mix of feline Shifters, Dragons and Elves.