“You have bite scars all around your neck without its protection. That’s why. Do you find it odd I’d not notice something so obvious?”
“I like them so don’t judge. One day likely my whole neck will be one continuous white scar that will look like a glittery choker. My neck, shoulders and even my inner thighs are bitten. You should see what I did to Ethan.”
A deep rumble had the table looking to the winged Elemental smiling. “I’m proud of every bite. My accumulated bite scars though are more prominent and all over my body. But I can’t figure out just how in the world I now have two marks on my butt.”
“Tis no wonder you were so loud!” Vitalli chuckled.
“Thou were just as vocal in our stall, Husband.” Ellen bantered.
After another good laugh Ethan looked to the whole table. “So I Guess Ellen and Blake told your teams what is going on?”
Reevy’s team leader, a blonde Amazon with many scars on her muscular arms and one large one across her neck said “As we agreed, Elemental. For the Dragon essence, I give you one free mission. My girls and I are yours to command for the meeting. Screw us over and I’ll tear off your head.” Her team consisted of herself, a High Witch, Pixie, a Shifter and two female Nagai. Reevy being one.
Vitalli’s leader was a powerful High Wizard in command of a Master Witch which was also his wife, the Centaur Vitalli, a Pixie and a Gargoyle. Eleventh most deadly Wizard in the world to be accurate, but led an A Class team. He was laid back, ancient to at least nine hundred years, unless in a fight when he goes berserk and attacks anything that comes at him all the while laughing. “Ellen explained the overview of the mission with my squad in private. If it is to be just the eighteen of us, not including you, Enforcer, I must ask if all the Demon Lords will also bring eighteen S Class warriors for protection? If so we’ll be outnumbered at least twelve to one.”
“I really do not know. In this, I assume it is so.”
“Ah, Ethan’s famous assumptions… What can go wrong?” Magnus dramatized.
“Be nice to the Lad.” One of Reevy’s teammates said. By all outward appearances she was a slender black haired woman in thick green clothes. But in reality she was a rare Cheetah Shifter loyal to Order. Fifth generation. She was in all reality a Demon, but one who was dedicated to the cause, just as her parents and their parents. Plus she was spelled just in case her demonic tendencies get aroused. “From all I’ve seen, he’s doing better than Tattoo when he was brought in with that arrow still in his spine. For a human not even here for a year, he’s done a better job than most assimilating. Go on, Lad.”
“Well, even if we are outnumbered and they bring only Dragons as escorts, I can tell I could go alone and tear through them. Plus my abilities over fire are hard to resist. Any fire used against you all, I’ll sense and redirect.”
“And I’ll also buy rings for everyone to enchant for protection.” Kanade added since she was going. “My spells in defense are hard to break or bypass, especially against Shamans. Since we will have three Pixies, I’ll even spell the rings you can wear rings like a belt to force all demonic bugs away for a good mile with the gatherin’ powers that will attract them like bugs to a bug-zapper. And as my angel said, he is powerful enough to go alone. But…”
“Then if he can go alone, why is he calling on my one and only offer to be second in command.” The blonde Amazon gruffly said as she crossed her scarred arms beneath her breasts.
Kanade’s eyes narrowed. “First of all I wasn’t finished speakin’. Secondly, I was about to say he could go, but the eighteen of us at his back will be a show of support and force if we need the added leverage. Rarely does a Spirit Guide even stand among Chaos and not be like my mother ready to kill them all for even lookin’ at her. If you know the plan, Ethan needs us to be beside him so he can get the added influence to make them see sense. His new body might also help as it is intimidatin’. Lastly, you will not be second in command of this mission. Blake is.” Ethan nodded it was the truth.
“Another Male will not be in command. I will not allow it.”
Ethan leaned forward and leveled his slit eyes upon the unflinching Amazon. “Then I challenge you to break my little finger. If you can do it. You can be second. If you cannot, you’ll resign as a squad leader. Your qualities will get you, your team and mine killed with that short temper. Do you accept my conditions?” He held his left fist out, pinky extended.
Infuriated was an understatement to the humiliation he just threw at her in front of everyone. What was worse, his team looked humored while hers were uncertain and weren’t going to intervene on this one. “How dare you disrespect me! I do not have to take this. I’m withdrawing offer to aid you.”
As soon as she stood with an empty plate he growled “Are the promises of an Amazon so easily broken?”
She paused and her team slid away before she spun and leapt over the table bent on pummeling him. To Ethan, she seemed to be moving slightly slower than usual and that the way she moved used every bit of power she contained, focused into a deadly punch capable of killing most creatures.
With just his pinky finger he touched her flying fist and tensed before her thrust fully extended and locked up. There was a loud ‘Pop’ of bones being dislocated the moment weight was put behind it. He barely felt any pushback while for her it was hitting a ten foot thick steel door. She fell hard onto the table with a grunt and a moan of pain. Other women might scream in agony. Never an Amazon. She tried getting up, but the same extended digit pressed against her forehead and effortlessly pushed her off the table and halfway across the path between sides in the tables. As soon as she fell and gathered her feet she looked down at her hanging arm not responding and personally popped the joints in her elbow wrist and shoulder back in place. “You done?” He calmly asked, holding the little finger out still.
“She is now.” Queen Gra grabbed her by her hair and lifted her off her feet. The queen had seen it all on her way from outside to sit in het throne beside her husband. And she was inwardly furious. Outwardly disappointed.
“My Queen!” She gasped as she realized who held her in such a humiliating way. “What…”
Gra punched her square in the nose, breaking it to cause a fountain of blood to flow and not loosening the grip in the hair. All without sneering. Her real beauty was a cold mask now. “Be silent. Not only do you fail to honor the verbal agreement I permitted you to allow, but then you attack like you’re still in training at puberty. Only the unstable attack a fair bargain, yet he stopped you with but a finger. I’m sending you back for retraining so you know the chain of command you violated.”
“My Queen, please don’t do this to…” She was rendered unconscious by an abdominal blow and thrown over a shoulder.
Gra turned to the silent table and pointed to the Witch Kira worked with for weeks on the Dragon harvest. “You are her second, no?”
“I am, Your Highness.” She swallowed.
“Report to Morgane after eating to be tested as new team leader. If found adequate you will lead the team from today forth and will still honor her agreement for one mission under the Elemental’s command. Afterwards, do as you wish. Do not be so foolish as this whelp.” She gestured to the large woman over her shoulder.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
As soon as Gra was out of earshot he looked at the all startled women team to say “I’m sorry…”
“Don’t apologize.” Reevy spoke up. “You did the right thing. She was… stubborn is the kindest word I can politely use. It might have helped on secret missions, but not on diplomatic. She is volatile, even for an Amazon.”
“I thought she was your friend?” He asked and was surprised the team just look at him without the expected hatred.
“Friend? No. Not like your team. Ours was made because of our tracking and stealth skills to flush out Sheedan. She was a grouchy leader who literally hates men. She’s had only one daughter in her two hundred years only for obligation. When the five year rush to mate calls upon all
the Amazons, she locks herself away for those two weeks. Lillianna is better suited.” The Witch blushed. “Her temperament is much more flexible to lead properly, but now we’re down to seventeen.”
“I’ll bring my twin brother.” The Wizard leader of Vitalli’s team said. “He’s easily bored and will enjoy walking into a Demon’s den.”
“Any hints to pass the test?” Lillianna asked the two men.
“Sorry.” The wizard said. “Not allowed.”
“Just be yourself.” Is the most Ethan could say.
“Be myself? How is that to help?”
Ethan simply looked at her. She flushed when he wouldn’t explain.
“Good timing, Cook.” Floa cheered and Valande chuckled, enjoying the show.
Soon the table was loaded with breakfast delights and Ethan’s body craved another loading like yesterday. Moans of satisfaction and grateful ‘Thank you’s’ to the greatest chef of all time spread up and down the hall to all those eating. Cook was back in good spirits, even though she looked a lot like one. Cook conversed with nearly everyone, cheerful as a Pixie hopped up on nectar which Blossom gulped hers and was zipping all over the place. ADHD had nothing on a young Pixie, but she was a riot. Almost as much as Merlin screaming like a woman as he ran down the middle off the hall butt naked. Oddly enough with a pair of bouncing breasts and Crait charging after him with his massive sword ready to kill. It was obvious Merlin made Crait mad as his scales were now bright pink with yellow smiley faces all over his armor and weapon. Blake laughed hardest at his father on the receiving end of the insane Wizard and had cut off his clothes with the intent of doing some serious damage. None got in the way. Both were quite capable of dealing with the other.
The morning’s breakfast had to come to a close and Lillianna, a High Witch in her own right, said to the table getting to know one another. “I’m off to visit Lady Morgane now.”
“Luck.” The Shifter wished before the rest of them offered support.
“So what are your plan’s for today Elemental? And of us?” The only Gargoyle in the group wondered. She was quite comely for her kind, wore no clothing and had four teats not engorged with a mother’s milk. Instead of the bulkiness of a male, she was sleek and agile.
He sat the warped metal pint mug down, staring at it mostly. “I need to see Jormun first, but as you can see from my mangled silverware and cups… I need to learn quick how to control my new strength. If I have to shake anyone’s hand right now aside from my angel’s or Val’s, I’ll crush them without intending and I don’t like hurting people without provocation. Just look at this.” He held up the large cup once filled with milk. It was riddled with impressions from his fingers after one sitting. “I tried really hard not to do this. I need to have control. This body I now have is powerful, deadly. You saw what I did to an Amazon with just my pinky. What if I had punched…” he shook from an inner chill.
Nothing needed to be said further.
“Don’t worry, Child.” Valande reached around her daughter to pat his shoulder. “Kanade and I will help teach, but you are thinking in the wrong direction.”
“What do you mean?”
“You are so worried of controlling your strength without even understanding your limits. To gain control, you must first understand your own maximum ability. You found it hard to walk because you were afraid you’d leap fifteen feet on accident. You have an Enforcer’s strength, that much was shown earlier. It has just come so quickly rather than gradual progression from a hatchling.”
“Makes sense. Ever since I died I’ve had nothing more than being sent headfirst into situations. What’s to mean it’ll stop now.” He threw both arms up.
“Tell me, did she seem slower than you’re used to?” Valande asked.
“Yes, Ma’am. Is that normal?”
“For those with immense energies, Yes.” Reevy said. “It comes naturally to certain species, time seeming to slow when they feel threatened in any way. In our own,” She touched her scaled breast. “once we reach a Blademaster’s level we too see the world slow. It is what makes us the best swordsmen and women of all spiritual beings. Enforcers are alright, but they are best with javelins. Many do experience some slowed moments in highly emotional times, but for us it is normal. It is how I can catch an arrow out of the air. But couple slow-time with your strength and you’ll be much harder to wound and kill. Why do you think Blake ever barely get’s injured? You move slow to him… or did.”
“Thus is why Kanade and I will help you. We know our bodies do things similar to yours. We can take all you can dish out and more. Ours is the most resilient spiritual race. Go visit Jormungandr and when you are done, come to the training area so we may begin.”
“After meditating I would like to be involved as well, Lady Valande.” Blake said and got a fiery nod.
“Then we will come as well.” The Wizard took his teammate Witch’s/wife’s hand and stood. “We will collect my brother and meet there so we can do group exercises and learn our different teams’ strengths and weaknesses. After lunch we can go over any ideas gathered from it and proceed with a better benefit to us.”
It didn’t take long to reach the field in the darkness after heating the World Snake’s boulders. Jormungandr said nothing, not interested in Ethan’s new appearance, just that he kept him nice and warm without the foul taste of sulfur by having them heated in a volcano.
Already word spread of Ethan’s return and many waited by the clear lake freezing over and he left an arm out to knock the chill away and heat it up to bathwater levels. It was dark, but people frolicked in their bathing suits or Nymphs with nothing on at all. Some just basked in the water, enjoying the feel of it again.
“I see you are walking more comfortably.” Valande noticed as she leaned up against a boulder as tall as herself. Beside the boulder was a bunch of long steel bars etched in runs designed to keep from being damaged. Like usual she wore high heels, a bra-like top and pants. Few could look so relaxed outside in a Scotland winter in that ensemble.
“Sure am, Val.” He grinned and wiped his face. “After eating dirt a few times.” Kanade and the large group who would go to the gathering of Demon Lords stayed close, enjoying the heat he gave off to resist the snow and sleet. The children were already at school, but Vina tagged along at her mother’s hip. Little azure eyes trained on a long tail swaying back and forth. “Oh, and I can still feel my toes. I barely feel the cold I’m walking on.”
“You were told they are harder than normal. First we must teach you to run and get your new legs used to weight balancing. Walking here helped get you more aware of your new form. Kanade, run ahead of him. His first objective is to catch you. Don’t make it easy, use the grove to keep him guessing.”
Kanade didn’t want to leave his side, but as soon as she felt his mind shut down to a singular focus, she bolted.
Heavy feet pounded the snow, crunching loudly. After a few steps there was an impact along with a growl of frustration to regain footing. Kanade paused, her eyes able to pierce the veil of darkness without issue. Ethan struggled, but got up and leapt forward, only to fall again. That one leap was over twenty feet.
Something clicked inside Kanade’s mind as she stopped and held out her hands for him to stop. He did and as his singular focus relaxed her thoughts pierced his saying “We’re going about this the wrong way, Darlin’.”
“What do you mean? I’m trying my hardest here.”
“That’s my point. You’re Tryin’. Last night when I tried crawling up to get you in me and we fell… actually after fuckin’ me silly the first time on the floor you grabbed my ass and put me against the wall. That is what I’m gettin’ at. In the heat of the moment you picked me up with my legs locked around you. You didn’t have to think at all. You just did. Your body knows what to do, but your thinkin’ too much is causin’ such problems.”
“But how do you want me to do it? Trying not to think is making me aware I’m thinking. I’m in a lose-lose situatio
n.”
“I have an idea.” Her gold eyes leaned over to the group staring in confusion, but far enough away they wouldn’t see what she was about to do. Kanade turned around and lifted the back of her shirt some and grabbed the strings of her thong inside the waist of her pants and lifted so the red lace was displayed to full advantage between her wings. It elicited a hungry rumble that made her grin. “Try to keep my thong in sight, Lover Boy. If you can catch me before I reach the other side of the grove I’ll give you a quick blow job.”
Then she ran as hard as she could instantly as his mental focus was saying “Thong! Thong! Thong! Thong! Thong!...” and his image was only of getting hold of it.
Like a charm, Kanade’s plan worked almost too well. The structure of his new legs coupled with an extra foot of height had her zipping for the trees as fast as her legs could move, but she saw through his eyes he was right behind her. To outside observers, they were running at over a hundred and fifty miles per hour and he was gaining. Her hand struck out and snagged a thick limb to change direction. It broke off, but not before she managed a breakneck turn. Ethan ran headfirst into a tree, almost grabbing a wing to pull her down. She didn’t stop or was afraid because his skin was resilient. He sniffed the air, caught her alluring scent and charged off. Kanade got a rush from being chased by him. Most would be worried. Not her. Not as his thoughts were centered on ‘Thong!’ and the body that kept it from him.
Fourteen more trees were hurt as were dozens of startled Nymphs walking around their home grove by the two giants zipping around. His speed was great, but Kanade stayed within the grove, always just out of reach. But the more he chased, the faster he adapted to sudden turns and predicting her movements by using her own thoughts against her. After an hour of chasing, he never lost sight, but she remained elusive. Sweat poured from both, but neither were actually tired, much as he would be as a human. Thankfully the thick forest grove was planted in neat rows easily navigable.
And then it happened, Kanade was caught and lifted with a laugh as long arms wrapped around her from behind. “Ha, ha, ha, ha. You got me.”
02 Wrath of Flames Page 31
