by Jack Crosby
A coven needed thirteen members to be at full strength. This coven was already down three members and about to lose a fourth. “So they wanted to use the Pride demon in the ritual?”
An older witch, probably the coven leader spoke this time. “More than likely, but their spell can only succeed on the fullest of moons. That phase will take place this coming evening.”
Did we finally have some good luck? “Well one of them is dead, she was trying to divert us with two Greed demons.”
“It matters not; a single witch can unlock the spell. The Pride demon probably has informed her of the conditions.”
It was time to wrap this up. “Listen and listen well. I live in this city now and my tolerance for dabbling in things you don’t understand is very slim. You’d do well to either stop practicing or leave. If I have to come back here again, there will be no survivors.”
Leaving them to their thoughts, I turned and left. Roxanne and Veronica didn’t stick around and followed me back up. Once out of the basement, “What happened to letting me take the lead?”
“Sorry, witches piss me off and I lost my temper.”
She actually didn’t that mad, or at least maybe I missed it. “Hmmm, I shall remember this Derrick Grimm.” Trying to make her smile, I grabbed her ass under her skirt. Still no underwear on.
Veronica looked half repulsed, but choked it back. “We learned some very valuable information.”
Breaking away from the need to satisfy my girl right here and now, “Yeah, the old coven house is the place to go.”
“Newsflash, no one asked where that was. Not the best interrogation skills.”
It was my turn to condescend her. “Oh my sweet, beautiful sidekick,” I’d pay for that later, “this one is easy. A Pride demon is stuck there.”
“So?”
“This one particular Pride demon has been locked up for ten years. Do you think he’s just sat around and suffered in silence?”
It hit her. “Of course not, he’d be pissed.”
“Exactly, so we’re going to go to the most haunted house in Philly. That’s where we’ll find our witch, Nyx, and demon.”
Sometimes I was so good it almost hurt.
Chapter 5 – Mending Bridges
We decided to call it a night (morning) and start over again after some rest. Even after teasing me to no end, Roxanne hit the sack as soon as we got back. I’m pretty sure that was payback for overstepping my part in the raid on the witch coven. Veronica said she didn’t need any sleep and stayed in the kitchen.
I knew I was in trouble when I walked back to the room and found the door locked. The two of us had a very different relationship, so this wasn’t that out of the ordinary. When you have two immortal beings living under one roof with two totally different views on life, shit happens.
With little choice, I passed back through the kitchen. Veronica didn’t really pay attention to me, just sat there in like a daze. I walked back out into the office area and plopped down on the couch we had for our customers. It was actually nicer than the one we used for ourselves. Making sure the door was locked and the closed sign facing out, I closed my eyes.
My sleep was pretty peaceful, only interrupted by the feeling of someone snuggling up against me. Feeling a soft ass press up against me brought me to attention. Figuring it was Roxanne, I leaned in and started nibbling on her ear.
That’s when I got punched hard. “What do you think you are doing?” It was a loud, distressed whisper that was way too proper to be my girl.
Opening my eyes, “Oh damn. Veronica, seriously I didn’t think it was you.”
She was no longer wearing her normal business suit. She was down to a white tank top and her pants. I’d never seen her without a jacket on and my word she was hiding a body that could kill. “No, it is I who should apologize. Ever since Michael exiled me, I have been feeling many different emotions. I was sad and came here for comforting.”
I sat up. “Have things changed?”
“Yes. As I am no longer a ward of the Upstairs, I have become more like a human.”
It was starting to make sense. “So you don’t know what’s happening do you?”
“No, this is all overwhelming and confusing. I am sad due to the loss of my station, but I am happy that I still can make a difference.”
“Listen,” I moved a little closer to her and put my hand on her shoulder, “this is going to take some getting used to. But you got friends, in me and Roxanne. We’ll help you okay?”
“Thank you.” She took my hand and it was like sparks went off between us. She pulled away, looking embarrassed.
“You’ve got feelings. It’s going to take awhile to get used to them, so take it slow.”
We sat there awkwardly for a few minutes. I obviously wanted to do terrible things to her, but I needed to put the kibosh on that. The last thing I wanted to do was scorn an already fragile friend. “I guess soon we should go wake the Queen of the Night and start hunting down our witch and Nyx.”
“A most wise suggestion. I’d also like to change into something a little more appropriate to my current state.”
“What did you have in mind?”
I saw her smile and it made her even more beautiful. “I was thinking blue jeans would be nice.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
I gave her one last pat on the leg (which was incredibly toned under those pants, I could tell) and headed back to the bedroom. To my surprise I found the door unlocked. Slowly opening it, the room was dark and I slid in.
“Did someone learn their lesson?”
I couldn’t see her yet, as my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the darkness, but the sex her voice exuded was totally mind controlling. “I certainly did.”
“Come to me, now.”
If anything, I was a smart man. I moved it to the bed and fast. She was practically naked, except for a g-string I felt and leather boots that wrapped me up as soon as I was in range. She pulled me in close, “When you tell me I’m in charge, I expect to be in fucking charge.”
With speed and agility that still amazes me, she flipped us over. Her eyes blazed red (the only leftover mark from her time as only a demon) and pushed down on me hard. I was in trouble, deep shit if you will. Instead of complaining, I just bit my lip and prepared myself.
She liked to use her nails and she pressed them down into my skin. Normally she doesn’t break it, but I felt the blood trickle down. “Move only to undue your pants.”
That was a challenge under her exerted strength. I was able to unbutton them and slide the zipper down. For that I was rewarded with a smile. And then the gyration of her hips against me. Using the movement, g-string covered ass slid the pants down far enough to get what she wanted.
Between the motion against me and her perfect, jiggling breasts just inches from my face, my cock wasn’t staying in my boxers. As if by her command, it popped out and pressed against the front of the thong.
“You’ve been bad Master, so let this be your punishment.”
If this was punishment, I was going to be bad more often. I was waiting with great anticipation for her to swallow me up with her awaiting wetness, but that feeling never came. It was endless torture as she brushed herself up against me over and over again. “Don’t make me beg…”
She gave me a wicked look with those red eyes. “Begging would be nice, but it won’t help your cause.”
I felt the pressure building inside me. “C’mon baby, please don’t do this to me.”
“Mmmm, your pleas are such a turn on.” I felt juices leaking on to me. “Yes worm, beg some more.”
I felt her lubricating moistness start to rub up against me. “I learned my lesson. Let me inside you, please, let me show you how sorry I am.”
Instead all I got was a few more thong covered thrusts against me. Knowing what was so close, what I wasn’t going to have, and the feeling of her rubbing on me brought me to my breaking point. “Ahhhhhh!!!”
Her one hand
left my shoulder and reached down to grab me. “That’s it; don’t hold it in any longer.”
Her endless teasing caused me to orgasm for what seemed like forever. After the last spasm, it took even longer for me to catch my breath.
“I could’ve been even crueler and not let you climax.” The way she said it made me think she had certainly considered it.
Panting, “I’m glad you didn’t give me that punishment. I’d been pissed.”
Climbing off me and snuggling close, “Sometimes I don’t think you treat me as an equal partner. Derrick, I need to know if you respect me.”
I looked into those sad puppy dog eyes and realized I deserved worse. “I completely and totally respect you. You’ve saved my life a bunch and after everything with Beelzebub, you’re the only one I want to call partner.”
“You mean it?”
I wrapped her up close. “Yeah I mean it. As you said when we first met, we’re stuck with each other.”
“As crazy as it is, I wouldn’t want it any other way. And by the way,” that evil look came back, “you behave around that angel. That poor girl has been through enough without you trying to molest her.”
Damnit, she really did know everything. “That was a mistake, I thought it was you!”
Her expression didn’t change. “Hmph, that’s a likely story.”
Chapter 6 – I Hate Pride Demons…
While I was showering, Roxanne went through her piles of clothes to find an appropriate outfit for Veronica. They had plenty of time, because I enjoy a good, hot shower. For some reason, I think better with large amounts of hot water hitting me. I also reminded myself to install a shower bench when I got a chance. Yes I was that lazy.
We’d be leaving soon to go find that witch and the Pride demon. I hate Pride demons so much. The last one I encountered was a giant prick named Darius who made my life a living hell for far too long. Though, I guess in a way, I owed him a thank you. If it wasn’t for me getting my ass kicked by him a few times, I would’ve never grown a set of balls to go to Tartarus and regain my mystical mojo.
The one we were going to be facing was fortunately locked in a circle that the witches devised. I could only imagine what sort of dark, blood magic those wenches used to keep him in place. The other problem? This guy’s been trapped for ten years. I can only imagine how pissed he is and if he gets loose, the headaches he’ll cause.
“Derrick, are you almost done?”
I looked out of the shower to see Roxanne standing there naked. “Why, do you want to join me?”
I could see her mind working hard. She really did, but she let me down. “No, you’re still in the dog house. Be a good boy today and I’ll make it up to you later.”
I splashed some water in her direction. “Are you sure…?”
“Behave and I will fuck your brains out tonight, I promise.”
“That works for me!” I quickly finished up and without any extra touchy-feely nonsense, let her in. Damnit, I was going to be a gentleman all day.
As she showered, I got dressed and headed out to grab a bite to eat. As I exited the bedroom, I had to do a double take. “Holy shit…”
“Oh hi Derrick. Roxy was nice enough to get me some new, fresh clothes.”
She sure did. Veronica was now rocking a pair of tight blue jeans, a new tank top, and grew a few inches with some high heeled boots. I could only imagine this was part of my punishment. He green wings fluttered behind her, and her blonde hair shined from the sunlight. “You look amazing.”
She blushed at my compliment. “It is quite different than I am accustomed, but it feels nice to be a little more casual.”
My mind was racing so I immediately tried to start thinking about sports, old naked ladies, sad puppies, anything to get my mind off all the naughty and terrible things I wished to do to this magnificent specimen across from me. She was even leaning sexily up against the counter, which pushed her full rack out, as she drank her coffee.
She glanced over at me, “Is there anything you require?”
“I’m just going to scramble your eggs… I mean get some scrambled eggs with some toast.” I fumbled around and got the eggs going on the skillet. I took a sip of coffee too, trying to keep it from being weird. “Whoa, you’re hot… umm this coffee is hot.”
As soon as the eggs were cooked and the toast popped out up, I immediately grabbed my food and made my way to the front office. I hadn’t even got a mouthful of food when my phone went off.
“Grimm, you are awake.”
Did I mention Khloros was my tech expert? He set himself up to A. handle my calls while I was driving and B. configure his own phone line so he could call or text me whenever. “Yeah, I’m in the office eating, waiting on the girls. What’s up?”
“Someone is outside your office. I cannot give you more than that as they appear to be using a cloaking spell of some kind.”
I got up and looked out the front window. I saw Khloros in car form parked in front of the building on the street. I looked to both sides, but I didn’t see anyone. “I’m blind here; whoever it is doesn’t want me to see.”
In response to me, Khloros turned on his engine and revved it up. That’s when I saw the flinch, pretty close to the front door to the office. “Did you see him?”
“I sure did, thanks buddy.”
Before my mark had time to re-group and go back into hiding, I whipped the door open and grabbed at the space I saw the movement. I found my mark and he came into view. Brimstone filled the air and the demon was visible. Tall, with ghostly white skin, he was quite different looking than Darius. He was dressed very professionally, almost like the perfect picture of a mobster from the Twenties. Underneath the slender façade and expensive clothes, I felt a being filled with intense power.
He didn’t move, just spoke. “I come in peace Horseman.”
I let go of him, recognizing him as a Pride demon. “Oh that’s a likely story. If that’s the case, come on in and let me and my associates be the judge of that.”
He frowned at my request. “What assurances do you provide that the exile or Lilith’s spawn will not harm me?”
Veronica’s current state was already known Downstairs? That was disturbing. “I give you my word on my station as Death, oldest and most powerful of the Horseman.”
He gave me a thin smile. “Oldest yes, but most powerful? I think War might be able to make that claim now.”
He was starting to piss me off. “Are we going to argue semantics or are you going to accept?”
With one last look, he lowered his head and crossed the threshold into the office. I pointed to the hard chair beside my desk for him to use, I didn’t want his smell all over my favorite couch. “You wait here and I’ll get the others.”
I hadn’t even made it into the kitchen before both of them were assaulting me. With her hair still wet and flying around, “You let a Pride demon into our home?”
“Roxanne, chill, he parlayed with me. He is here under a truce.”
Veronica was no better. “Pride demons can never be trusted! There is a reason most are generals to Arch-Demons.”
I stomped my foot on the wood floors. “Everyone shut your traps and get in there! I’m going to need your help to figure out what he wants.”
The three of us walked into the office, with the demon grinning at the obvious display we just put on. “I hope my presence does not cause a problem.”
Roxanne whipped her red eyes in his direction. “Kyrule the Wise, the irony of your title is at full display here.”
I didn’t know many demons names, aside from the Arch-Demons, but this one I did recognize. “Kyrule, you’re one of Baal’s generals, right?”
The demon inclined his head. “Yes, he is my liege. However, he is not the reason for my visit. That concerns the Pride demon you are going to be making contact with later today.”
Well, he knew of Veronica’s situation, so why be surprised he knew our itinerary. “What does it matter to you?”
In a tense moment, he reached into his jacket. I made a play for Leviathan and Roxanne’s wings came to life. Kyrule wasn’t at all concerned and produced a small, rolled up document. Ignoring us, he unrolled it and placed it on my desk. “What’s this?”
“This,” disdain filled his voice, “is a decree of death for the traitor Jacar. A decade ago he escaped Hell with the assistance of a local witch coven. I come asking for his return so he may face his punishment.”
I looked at it some more. I was a bit rusty of my demon translation, so I made way and let Roxanne read it. “There is no crime listed. What did this Jacar do to Baal?”
He quickly rolled the decree back up. “That is information for the House of Baal and no other, especially one of your ilk.”
“You would do well not to speak to me in such a way you fucking piece of shit.” Roxanne’s temper was starting to boil. Veronica jumped out of her seat, her angelic sword filling the room with its bluish flame.
Before demon blood and bits were scattered across my clean office, “Listen, I think this meeting is over.” He tried to speak, but I stopped him. “The moment you disrespected Roxanne is the moment you lost the right to speak. As for your missing Pride demon, I will decide his future. Something tells me he won’t survive the night anyway.”
Kyrule got up. “You’d do well to keep your wench in line. I will forget this little outburst if you hold to your word and kill the demon.”
“And I’ll forget your little stab at Roxanne if you leave now and I never see you again.”
There was a retort sitting on his tongue, but he thought better of it. He left without incident, leaving us to our thoughts. “It’s interesting that this trapped demon is some sort of escaped Hell convict.”
Extinguishing her sword, “There is much more to this is there not?”
Roxanne and I made eye contact. “You can count on that Veronica. Let’s not waste any more time and go find out.”
