Spell, Crook and Handle Pt. 04

"What the hell is going on," the leader asked.

"Take her below," the man with the rough hands ordered.

"Did the worm do this," another asked and the leader scoffed at the idea.

"How could he, I sensed no magic," he snarled. "Make sure she is fed."

The dark skinned blonde walked over and looked me over. She looked like she was puzzling something over. She squatted down and I got a healthy glance underneath her skirt. I smiled as I stared at her trimmed pussy. It was a Sharon Stone moment.

"You are a surprise," she purred. "So you want to fuck me. That could be dangerous. I tend to kill off mortal lovers."

"You are Akhkharu," I asked and she nodded. "I had no idea there were day walkers."

"I am a member of the Sun clan little snake. There are few born to my clan these days."

"You think I am already dead don't you?" I asked and she nodded.

"I have lived an interesting life," I said.

"Tell me about China," she asked as she sat down on the concrete.

"Since you asked so nice," I said looking at her covered tits. "They look like they are quite edible. Anyway... here's what happened..."

I told her all about China. I shared every little detail and noticed the other elders watching us. Feng gave me a silent countdown to dawn. My story ate up quite a bit of time. Ten minutes to dawn and the elders lost patience.

"She is not coming or is stalling until dawn," the leader said.

"We should retreat below," the man with the rough hands added.

The elders began to leave when Gabrielle struck. The blonde hair elder sitting on the floor erupted into a column of fire from a gorgeous head shot from a gauss pistol. The next second the silver grenade went off amidst the gathered Akhkharu. The younger vampires were dead in seconds while many of the elders suffered the same fate. The leader and rough hands raced off at inhuman speed for the access to below. They were on fire and burning as they reached for the sewer lid. The leader snatched back his hand as the magical seal Gabrielle had drawn on it blazed to life. I giggled for a second until I felt the razor sharp teeth sink into my leg. I cried out as the desperate vampire at my feet tried to heal using my blood.

I was amazed the blonde bitch was still moving after a clear headshot. I felt my strength leave me and all I could muster was a single syllable. The spell struck her crushing her skull. She dropped to the ground and remained still. Unfortunately the bitch had opened up an artery in my leg. I was bleeding profusely and began to see spots. Feng was in full panic mode. She was calling for a helicopter to evacuate me. But it would still take precious minutes for the paramedics to arrive.

The bodyguards appeared and pinned Gabrielle down with wild fire. I focused my remaining strength and spoke the lynch pin for my second spell. My bonds fell away and I tumbled face first onto the concrete. I managed to roll onto my back and pass out. The last thing I remember was an explosion and then everything went black.

I floated upon a darkling sea. The sky above me ablaze with a billion stars. It was directly overhead, an all too familiar constellation the sultan and around it the companion stars of his court. I don't know how long I drifted on that nameless sea but I was washed ashore eventually. Was this my fated afterlife? I stood up and looked out over the stygian beach with its black sand and an overwhelming stench of the dead and dying. I was drawn inland and followed the compulsion. If I didn't know better I was simply dreaming. But those times were behind me. That blonde bitch had opened up an artery and I had bled out on the cold concrete floor.

I found a path in the jungle's interior and followed it. I saw the top of the monument long before I reached the clearing that held it. It was hundreds of feet tall and appeared to be constructed of massive stone blocks. How the hell could anyone fashion a thing like that? The jungle fell away and I stepped into the clearing but I wasn't alone. A hooded figure was standing next to the stone tower and once more I followed the overwhelming compulsion. I walked over and greeted the figure in gray.

"Doctor Livingston, I presume," I said and the silent figure turned to face me.

'Louis, you made it,' the mental voice belonged to Yog-Sothoth or Akasha as I had learned in Japan.

"Do I call you the Key and the Gate or the Root?" I asked and it laughed.

'They are but titles to try and describe me,' it said in that sexless voice. 'I am so much more than mere titles Louis. But that is not why you are here.'

"Go on oh limitless one," I said and again it laughed.

'That is why I chose you. You are irreverent and bold to the end.'

"Now hold on, I was the one that reached up and touched those characters in the Black Cathedral. I chose you."

'Yes you did,' it said and that is how I was snared. '...Curiosity.'

"No use bitching about it now, I am dead and I suppose this is what passes as an afterlife."

'Louis... you are constantly jumping to conclusions. You were right to alert Gabrielle to the dark skinned Akhkharu. She was the oldest and most potent of the elders assembled. You failed to learn why they lured you to the warehouse however.'

"So I am not dead and they didn't want to kill Gabrielle," I said.

'Just so, they wanted to form an alliance,' Akasha explained. 'The Akhkharu wanted to fashion a cease fire between the Inquisition and themselves.'

"Somebody must have spooked the shit out of them to do that."

'A correct assumption, one of the great powers has grown too powerful and the balance is threatened. Seal the breach before it is too late.'

I heard the sound of water thundering in my ears. I turned to see the tsunami rising above the jungle. I managed two words before it crashed over me, oh hell. I woke up and was gasping for air. Gabrielle clung to me and held me as the wonderful sensation flooded my being. I looked down and the bodyguard for the leader was swallowing a load. The dark magic still held sway over her and I watched while she straddled me and impaled her cunt with my cock. Her hips moved with powerful thrusts as she rode me.

"What the hell," I said in just above a whisper.

"I found you on the floor in a puddle of your own blood. You had somehow managed to shift your form and stop the bleeding. I killed every last one of the mother fuckers except for her. She was sealed below and has become a very useful tool. Drain her dry and let's get the hell out of here!"

"I can't," I said and saw the confusion on her face.

I told her all about the Akhkharu wanting a cease fire and why. This was of course between moans of pleasure as the bodyguard climaxed twice. I rolled her onto her back and called on the dark miracle. I wasn't out of the woods yet. I was still too weak to travel. I pounded her and drank deep but not enough to kill her. Each orgasm sent a flood of healing energy into my body. When I was strong enough I managed to pull out and leave her relatively intact.

"Make me yours," the bodyguard begged. "Fuck me... more..."

"I need your help," I said and the vampire nodded.

"Anything, I will do anything for you," she whimpered.

"The peace treaty," I said and she nodded again. "Tell me all about it."

Her name was Leah O'Connell and a member of the shadow clan. It was her duty from birth to guard the elders from harm and carry out spying and assassination missions. Even though she was an elder herself, nearly fifteen hundred years old, she was still duty bound to serve. It was by order of the Twelve that peace be sought with other groups, among them the Inquisitors. When I asked about the Twelve she only said they were the eldest of the Akhkharu.

"Twelve bloodlines and twelve progenitors," I said and Gabrielle nodded. "So what are we going to do?"

"You are going to the safe house with little miss donor here. I am going to Rome. The new Grand Inquisitor is to be installed soon and after that I will return. In the meantime, rest up, fuck her and keep her in line."

"Is that an order?" I asked and she smiled.

"I can't believe I am saying this, but yes, that is an order soldier."

Interlude: Lesson the First

The cab pulled up to the address and the man paid the cabbie. He stepped out and looked up at the old gothic church. The man walked up the steps and tried one of the two large wooden doors and found it unlocked. He pulled it open and stepped inside. There was a sense of silence and serenity about the place, like a library and he hated it. The man passed into the church itself with its aisles and aisles of wooden pews. Sunlight streamed through the stain glass windows casting a myriad of colors upon the floor. At the front was an altar raised up above the main floor and behind it a crucified figure. It was getting better now. The man liked the sacrificial altar and the image of the dead man nailed to lumber.

"You have never set foot in a church before."

"No," the man said spinning and glaring at the man in the navy blue suit. "What do you want?"

"I like that," said the stranger. "Direct and straight to the point, I want someone to suffer. I have a list. I want you to work your way through that list. You don't have to kill anyone unless you want to but I want them to know fear. I want them to squirm and panic and run. Once you have done that I will take care of the final target myself."

"So let me get this straight," the man said. "You are hiring me to frighten a couple of people? Get someone else, I don't do that."

"I didn't pick you out to frighten a couple of people. I want you to put the fear of god into them. I want them to sweat, to panic and to be looking over their shoulders as if death itself were on their heels. They need to suffer and never know a good night's sleep. That is what I want."

"Oh well, now that you put it that way," the man said. "I'll do it but it'll cost you."

"I believe that this holds some corporeal value," the stranger said as he tossed the diamond necklace at the man. "I am sure this will meet your avaricious expectations."

"It'll do," the man said as the stranger turned to leave. "...Oh uh, by the way, why are you doing this?"

"This man that I will slay, murdered my sibling," the stranger said. "The list and files are behind you, have fun hunting."

The man turned and there was a briefcase. He was sure it hadn't been there a moment ago. He sat in the pew and opened it. The contents were a series of envelopes. Each envelope had photos and a complete biography on the subject. A single folded piece of yellow note paper contained the order in which he was expected to act. He didn't mind when they were going to die. He just needed time to do a little research and decide how to entertain them. He was an artist after all and art must never be rushed. There it was that rush of anticipation. He felt that giddy rush and placed the diamond necklace into the briefcase and he closed it. The man rose to his feet and turned to leave.

"Anticipation... Anticipation is making me wait..." he sang under his breath as he left the church.

By the Book:

Dead Angle (angle outside the reach of the defenders)

It has been close to ten weeks since Gabrielle left for Rome. The Ordo Malleus was in a stalemate on who to elect to the position of Grand Inquisitor. She had been ordered to stay until the deadlock was broken. She shipped back my body armor and we kept in daily contact via emails and texts. It was unwise for anyone to know about me just yet. She still feared discovery and her heroic account of the previous Grand Inquisitor's self-sacrifice had brought some to tears. The power vacuum had kept the order ineffective and rudderless for the time being. I just hope the replacement didn't come too late.

My new companion and I had been on the move since Gabrielle left. We were currently off the coast of Corpus Christi. I had seen for myself what long term exposure to the effects of the dark magic could do to a person. It was rather frightening really. The bodyguard, Leah O'Connell, was completely subservient to the smallest suggestion without a hint of free will. She still possessed self-preservation instincts but she would die protecting me.

It was the beginning of December and this was our first night out in Corpus Christi. I had to feed the bodyguard. So we hit the club scene and I allowed her to pick out someone to feed from. She never killed, that was dangerous and drew too much attention. So we would find two maybe three individuals every few nights for Leah to sip from.

We stood by the bar and she got the usual amount of attention, a lot. While I sipped my beer she would observe the crowd and find her meal. She tapped me on the leg and I turned. I followed her gaze to the stunning blonde in the tight top and short skirt. Leah smiled and I gave her the okay. She didn't go directly towards her prey. She circled the blonde and cut through the crowd like a shark through water. Suddenly she was next to her and whispering in her ear. The blonde smiled and nodded. Leah slipped her arm around her waist and headed for the bar. I finished my beer and got the bartender's attention. By the time he got to me Leah and her new friend was standing next to me.

"Guinness for me and..." I said letting the blonde order for herself.

"Tequila with a beer back," she said. "Thanks for the drink. Your friend is very persuasive."

"I know," I said and turned to get a better look at her. "Wow, you are stunning, I hope my forwardness doesn't offend."

"Thank you, I feel like we've met before." She said. "I am Gillian by the way."

"Louis and this is Leah," I said as I placed my hand over hers.

The contact was electric and Gillian shivered at my touch. The dark magic wormed its way into her mind and her erogenous zones. It was insidious that way. It was like a dark current of energy seeping through cracks and invading her deepest desires. Gillian had that sexy southern drawl and a smoking hot body. Leah had chosen well. She was around five feet four inches tall that long blonde hair of her hit her lower back and a cute round butt. Her face was round with prominent cheek bones and dark brown eyes. Her full mouth tasted of tequila, beer and mint. As we danced we kissed a few times to test the waters.

"You are a good kisser Louis," she said in my ear over the pounding music.

"It comes easy with someone like you," I told her and she blushed.

"Mind if I cut in," Leah asked and she guided Gillian into an intimate dance.

I smiled and let the vampire play. She didn't get out as much as she was used to. I returned to the bar and watched the pair on the dance floor. I caught the moment as Leah's lips brushed Gillian's neck. What appeared to be a series of butterfly kisses was so much more. She was making tiny cuts and then as her tongue went over the wounds her saliva closed the wounds. It was very clean and effective.

"You young studs think you are all that," a very drunken female voice said.

"Excuse me," I said turning to the middle aged woman.

"You heard me," she said frowning. "Do you know how difficult it is competing with those young sluts?"

"I find that hard to believe," I said and she blinked. "A sophisticated woman as beautiful as you must be beating them back with a stick."

"I..." she stammered and blushed. "You think I'm cute?"

"I do. Would you like to dance," I asked and she nodded.

I released Gillian from the dark magic and focused my attention on Candy. As we danced she was silent but her body spoke volumes. Her hunger was so strong and a single nudge would break what little control she still possessed.

"I bet you are quite a gifted lover," I whispered in her ear and she nodded. "I won't be crude but I am eager to see how easily you pleasure a young man like me."

"You want to..." she whispered in my ear and I nodded now. "Oh god it has been so damn long!"

"Ever make love in a bathroom stall," I ask and she shook her head.

"No, but I have always wanted to," she purred. "The thought of being caught gets me soaked."

"I think we should go," I said as I led her off the dance floor with Leah not far behind.

We hit the men's room and I picked out the largest stall at the end. It was unoccupied and we slipped inside. I pushed the lock into place and turned. Candy was on her knees and waiting. She unzipped and took me out.

"Jackpot," she said as she began giving me head.

I was right. Age came with some serious benefits. She had half my cock down her throat in no time at all. I grabbed her by her hair and began thrusting slowly. Candy's hands went under her skirt and between her legs. As she diddled herself I fucked her throat. I didn't push her too far she had been drinking quite a bit. Her hunger peaked and I pulled out of her mouth and she got to her feet. She bent over the toilet and told me when she was ready. I flipped up her skirt and eased inside of her nice and slow. Candy lowered her head and began thrusting backward even before I was all the way inside.

"Oh damn, you are fucking huge," she growled. "I love a nice young cock!"

"Keep your voice down," I said and she nodded. "I knew you were a talented lover."

I began to feed from her taking just tiny bits for now. Candy whimpered as her first orgasm hit her. She looked over her shoulder at me in surprise. I took over and began hammering her from behind now. Her soft moans grew even more insistent as a second climax grew in her.

"How are you doing that," she asked as I fed a little more. "I never come more than once ever. Oh shit here it comes!"

She bit her lower lip as the second climax shook her to her core. I fucked her faster now with shallow thrusts and Candy was all promises of love and fidelity as a third orgasm built. I took a little more essence triggering an even faster build up.

"This is impossible," she hissed. "A third one... your cock is killing me!"

"Hush and enjoy," I told her and she complied.

Our bodies developed a perfect rhythm guided by the ever growing dark magic circuit. The slow steady trickle of life force from Candy fed me and drove her body crazy. I was sitting and she was riding me slowly now. I watched her fuck faces as climax after climax struck.

"I am close," I told her. "Where do you want it?"

She scrambled to her knees and greedily sucked me off. We ended as we had begun. I loved the way she worshiped my cock and her throat muscles worked as she swallowed. We were both panting as we recovered. Candy sat on her heels and looked up at me with a mix of wonder and fear. The dark magic withdrew and she began to laugh.

"Yahtzee," she giggled. "I just turned forty and in my entire life and all the lovers I have had none of them have fucked me like you just did. You my boy are a fucking miracle. I came here tonight to drink, dance and then go out and blow my brains out. But now, oh now I have a mission. I am going to fuck myself silly as often as I can thanks to you."

"I am glad you chose to live. You are far too special a lady to snuff out your light prematurely."

I helped her adjust her clothing and her hair. She looked fit and hungry for life. I peeked out the door and there was no one in the hall. Candy left the bathroom and blew me a kiss as she returned to the bar.

"She is a walking corpse," Leah said from behind me. "You have only delayed the inevitable."

"We are all walking corpses to an immortal," I said and she nodded. "So even if she has only a few more days, they will be the most vibrant and amazing days of her life."

"And that is of some great significance," Leah asked.

"If you were facing death what would you remember from your long life?" I asked and she became contemplative for a long time.

"You," Leah said at last. "You are, of the centuries I have lived, the singular most influential figure."