Cedric the Demonic Knight

by Valerie Willis

  “You’re a Shaman, a peaceful cynocephali, and one of the last of your kind.” Hugging Wyll, he gave him a few hearty pats on the back. “I’d prefer my friends not to be in battle. Otherwise, there would be no one to clean my sorry carcass off the field in the end. Good bye, Wylleam.”

  After Wylleam had vanished from sight into the woods, Cedric started the long walk back to camp. His shoulders were heavy from the burdens he faced. All he could do was try to dig deep into his new well of knowledge to see what he knew of curses. None of his past vampiric relatives had survived or avoided their curses from what he could gather. There were instances of overcoming a curse for a short time, but in the end, not one had outlived their curse. Walking into his tent, he rubbed the back of his neck as he stopped to watch Angeline stitching some leatherwork in her hands. Her brown eyes looked up at his and he returned his stare to the ground, ashamed of himself. She doesn’t need to know. When it happens, perhaps I will be blessed enough to tell her then.

  #

  The pungent scent of dog and slobber filled the air in the field as Cedric and Angeline marveled over the sea of fur and muscle that lay before them. Barushka stifled and snorted, nervous of the pack he found himself standing in. This was the army, no; this was Romasanta’s pack in its entirety. Romasanta approached them and after a nod with Cedric, he made a loud whistle that rung like a teakettle. A large, golden brown werewolf appeared out of the grays and blacks. This one had several brandings burnt into his skin and fur, like that on a knight’s flag or the Bishop’s robe. Unlike the common werewolves that made the bulk of the pack, this one walked on his hind legs and like his master held a more humanoid look. He bowed to Romasanta as if he were royalty and awaited his command.

  “This one will lead the group that will break a line to the gates for Barushka.” Shooting a glance at the elite werewolf, it responded with a wagging of his tail. “Are you both ready?”

  “As ready as one can be for war.” Angeline tightened her hold on Cedric’s waist as he shifted in the saddle. “On your command.”

  “Excellent.” A wild grin crossed Romasanta’s face as he transformed before them. “Remember our bargain well, pup.”

  He broke into a deep and massive howl that knocked the wind out of the lungs of those near him. Barking and howling rang out in response as the ground shook from the massive shudder of the pack moving towards Morrighan’s castle. Angeline could not cover her ears hard enough to keep the noise from deafening her. She felt the nerves in her body tighten and twisted across her spine and joints as she looked out over the surges of fur. The sight was unholy and picking up speed. Breaking her eyes off the pack beside them, she looked across the ever-shortening gap to the horde of Morrighan’s army and castle. The chimeras of hundreds of years of magically made monsters stood firm, waiting to meet their onslaught.

  One of the vulture-like creatures with features of a lion and the size of a dragon, called a heliodromos, broke from its circling above the castle. It dove across a section of the pack. The screeching thudded through their chests as it ran its jaws and claws in a line before them, like plowing a field. A fountain of blood sprayed up into the air, a red curtain waving in the wind. Angeline watched in horror as the other heliodromos followed suit, blood misted the air all around them. She could feel spots of cold and warm speckle across her skin as they passed the devastated areas. Burying her face into Cedric’s leather tunic, she hid from the gore that painted the sunny skies like a million sparkling rubies. Feeling no fear from him was the only comfort she had in the chaos; her shield against all the monsters of life.

  Her fingers still ached from working so hard on the tunic he was wearing. It had been damaged a while back during his fight with the chimeras. It was one he had brought from Williamsburg and held the seal for the House of Romulus. She wanted to give him something knightly to wear in the war, since she had failed to find him a blade. Barushka leaped over a row of mangled werewolves and Angeline groped at the front of Cedric’s shirt in surprise. After landing, Cedric pulled her hands off and repositioned them in a more secure spot around his midsection. He had made it clear that she was to do nothing about attackers until they got within the castle walls. All she could do was hang on and pray she could stay on the saddle before hitting their destination.

  When she pried her face from Cedric’s back, she was astonished to see how much of a gap they had covered in such little time. The brown wolf and his pack were cutting down all manners of creatures. Ravenous in their work, they went as far as taking down their own. They took the task of clearing Barushka a path as top priority and all in their path were good as dead, werewolf or chimeran. Morrighan’s castle walls casted a wicked shadow over them. The blackened stones were tall and it was difficult to see the very top of them at the short distance they were from the gates.

  Another howl rang out to their right, and there was no mistaking it, that was Romasanta’s signal. It was amazing to watch all the monsters around them halt in their actions and pause in admiration of feeling such a powerful aura. Barushka and the pack that led them forward increased their gaits, now free of conflicts. The sea of chaos shifted, the torrents of chimeran creatures fought to seek out Romasanta. Morrighan’s interest had indeed shifted to this rare appearance of the Father of Werewolves. There was a crashing sound up ahead as part of the pack had ran ahead in the moment of relief and taken out the castle gates. They could feel the ground shake from the weight of the massive iron doors through even Barushka’s bulk and gallop. The flames in Barushka’s eyes and hocks flared taller as he ran over a plantlike creature.

  They left the demons in the courtyard for the pack and Barushka slammed through the castles front doors. Angeline yelped as fiery splinters of wood skipped across the black marble floors. It was a massive corridor, long and tall, as they cantered down its length towards the black throne in the distance. Laughter and giggles echoed off its walls and ceiling, sending Angeline’s skin crawling. Snorting, Barushka stopped before the black throne where Morrighan and a man flirted and fondled one another. Their playful behavior misplaced with the sounds of the war echoing in from the fight that was now spilling into the castle.

  The man she sat in the lap of was far more massive than even Romasanta. His long black hair was wild and the dark red eyes stared at Cedric, amused. Morrighan released her suckling of this man’s neck to see who had interrupted them in their moment of lustful play. The gown she wore was straps upon straps, all buckled with garnet jewels and gold. The front skirt piece held the largest of the garnet colored ovals and there was no denying that the items all held magic within them. Shiny and slick, her black hair pulled back into braids and a bun to one side sporting more gold and garnet ornaments. She was shorter than Angeline was, but her lips of black were sharp and held a deep red glare to them as they curled into a wicked smile.

  “Welcome, my dear Cedric.” Her tone was clear and melodious. “Have you met your father?”

  “Morrighan, stop teasing the poor boy,” The man’s voice was deep-toned and the cunning sensation behind the way he spoke made even Cedric uneasy. “He’s come a long way to visit us, dear. Show some care and concern, or he might think wrong of us.”

  Chapter Twenty: King Incubus Boto

  “I am here to challenge Boto for the right to be the Incubus King.” Cedric’s voice was firm and unwavering as the words flowed from his mouth. “As a half-blood, I am entitled to challenge the current king anytime I wish to do so.”

  “What?” Angeline’s mind filled with questions, none of the words that came to her matched anything she had known as to why they were conducting this war. “What do you mean—”

  Cedric yanked her arms off him, dismounting, “Do you decline the challenge?”

  “No, I am not allowed to decline any challenge. So, you have finally taken an interest in the idea of becoming the King Incubus? Following in your old man’s path?” Shoving Morrighan off his lap, he stood exposing his unnatural height and size. “The ques
tion is, are you sure you don’t want to decline, my little bastard? Do you know how many things like you I have killed for my own enjoyment?”

  “I’ve heard the stories.” Spitting at the ground, Cedric’s jaw twitched as they stared at one another. “I was curious to know if you lost count of your bastards and that’s why you forgot to clean me out with the rest. It’s hard to get any challenges if there are no challengers left alive, you know?”

  “Feh, I wish I had known Lamashtu allowed you to live.” Boto’s grin faded to a look of anger. “That bitch of a Babylonian demigoddess waltzed in here and indulged in the act of snatching you from the womb. She laid burden across the body of that already half dead moroi, spoiling any chance for another try. That one fought harder than Lillith when I mounted her, she tasted so sweet.”

  “That explains a lot as to how one would be able to escape a fortress as a newborn.” Cedric thumbed the sheath of the daito that Vladimir had given him, feeling his grandfather’s grief and fury made him clench his teeth. “So do we battle it out right here, or is there some place special you want to be put to death at?”

  “Here is fine, you little cock sucker.” Boto’s grin grew wide, exposing the dual set of fangs that were larger than Cedric’s own. “It’s about time I stopped for a moment to wipe the last of my bastards off the earth before Lillith’s new clutch hatches.”

  Angeline watched in terror as Boto’s skin greyed and the muscles about his scarred body exploded into existence, making the towering man into a wall of strength. Horns curled wildly from the sides of his head, the same black ram-like horns that Cedric had, yet larger and more aggressive in appearance. Wings stretched out from behind him, like a second pair of muscular arms with clawed fingers spreading wide. Lillith’s wingspan seemed miniature as Cedric stood in the Incubine King’s shadow. A tail whipped side to side as a monstrous laugh flowed from Boto.

  “What’s the matter, boy? Didn’t expect the old man to be so massive?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be cutting you down to size soon enough.” Pulling the daito free of its sheath, Cedric took an offensive stance, relying on the knowledge given to him by his vampiric relatives of the fighting styles from the Far East. “You’ve been sitting in that position far too long, Boto. It’s time for someone new to rule over the Incubine scum.”

  With a glint of his red eyes, Boto launched forward with amazing speed, claws clashing against the curved blade of Cedric’s sword. His feet were sliding backwards on the slick marble as he received the force from the attack. Furious, Cedric stared into Boto’s fanged grin and reluctantly he allowed his own horns and strength to come out. This was enough of a boost to allow him to stop his feet from slipping. With one quick motion, Cedric spit into Boto’s face causing him to leap back in a growling rage. As Boto wiped his eyes clear of the insult, Cedric managed to run his blade across Boto’s shoulder.

  The only reaction from Boto was a shudder and wave of arousal that hit everyone in the room. Being the King Incubus, and having lived so long, his powers had everyone taking a second to catch their breath from the intrusion of sexual excitement. A bead of sweat ran down Cedric’s cheek, as he already knew all too well that this was going to be a fight much like the one with Lillith. Everyone had concluded that Cedric had something no one else possessed in order to beat Boto, but what this special thing was, was not clear. Despite the moment of painful pleasure given to him, Boto was fuming from the motion of Cedric’s spitting on him. With a roar, he came at Cedric again, who did his best to dodge the incoming assault. Disregarding the claws that scraped open his side, Cedric managed to land a wide cut across Boto’s back. Boto’s wings reached back with uncanny speed and gripped Cedric’s ankles, yanking him to the ground. He had failed to consider Boto using his wings as a fighting tool.

  “How fucking annoying can you be?” Grunting, Boto released Cedric as he shook off the arousal that was crawling across his own skin from his cuts. “I am impressed, it’s been a while since one of my bastards have been this feisty.”

  Leaping back to his feet, Cedric wiped the blood from his nostrils from hitting the floor nose first. “You should have kept your grip on me.”

  Running at Boto, Cedric ran his blade across Boto’s side and ducked under the counterattack from the spiked elbows of the wings. Sweat was pouring across Boto’s skin as he panted in the ecstasy that fueled him. The same drunken grin that Cedric had worn in the past was now on the King’s face as he folded his wings. Like a bull, Boto rushed in, horns down. Cedric landed a foot on the back of Boto’s head as he launched himself over. A tail sideswiped Cedric midair, sending him skipping across the hard marble floor. His daito spinning far out of reach stopped in front of Morrighan’s feet. Coughing and shuddering from the painful impact, Cedric was trying to stop his head from spinning while his eyes struggled for a moment to refocus properly. Unlike Boto, he was receiving only the pain of each hit, protecting Angeline from the waves that might render her incapable of fleeing.

  “Oh! What a shiny piece this is.” Morrighan picked up the sword, turning the blade in her hand. “I think I will keep this.”

  Picking himself off the floor, Cedric panted as his body ached from skipping across the ground like a rock on a pond. His head throbbed from smacking against the cold floor and looking over at Angeline, he received a knowing nod. They both knew deep down if Cedric had any chances of winning, it would have to be Angeline feeling the pain. Their bond was keeping him from his true nature when he forced the reversal of the sensations they felt. Her eyes were firm, her expression grave, and the nod confirmed that she was ready to do whatever it took to ensure he made it out alive. Sighing, his skin crawled as the pleasure from his injuries flooded his body, warming his blood, making his heart rush. Angeline paled, her grip on Barushka’s reins tightened and her knuckles went white. Cedric’s skin crawled as the drunken sensation started to take hold faster than he could assess it. It was overwhelmingly distracting receiving the solid wave of ecstasy.

  Boto grinned wildly as he felt this shift within Cedric; stretching his wings wide, he flew forward with a powerful flap. There was a deafening clack as they locked horns. Boto was shoving Cedric backwards with the force of the impact. Face to face, they both gritted their fanged teeth. The red glow of Boto’s eyes taunted Cedric, further thrilling the incubine excitement within them both. Calling forth all his strength, he knew this was not the time to hold all his demonic intentions at bay. He would have to take the risk of setting free all that resided deep within him. Heat surged through him, mixing in with the poignant sensations that now overwhelmed him. Tingling erupted across his body as he too formed incubine wings and tail. His horns pulled further out, his fangs larger as his overall bulk and size closed most of the gap between him and Boto. It became clear that there was no mistaking that he was the offspring of the Incubus King.

  His hair held onto its red color with the black tips. This was not like the incubine takeovers he had experienced in the past where his hair had given way to the solid black. Everything flooded his senses, his sense of smell, touch, taste, and hearing all changed. So much was making him feel excited as he managed to push Boto back a few steps. Shivers ran across his spine as the salty smell of Angeline’s sweating body hit his nose, the sound of her heart pounded in his ears, the grinding vibrations that tickled his skull as their horns shoved against each other. The taste of his own iron-filled blood in his mouth made the whole event seem surreal. Cedric was struggling to stay focused in all the waves of arousal, all the excitement coming from his actions and surroundings. Incubi were truly animalistic, indeed inferior demons.

  With a flap of his newfound wings, Cedric was pushing Boto across the black marble floors. A look of surprise and excitement lit Boto’s face as he broke away from their locking of horns. Cedric’s heart was racing; every thought was exciting in this state, whether it was for fear of receiving a hit or giving one, it did not matter. Whipping a tail side to side added to his pleasure as his bloo
d boiled through his veins. A gasp escaped Angeline’s lips from where she still sat on Barushka. This new form brought forward waves of desire unlike anything either of them had felt before. More shivers washed over him, looking back at Angeline it made it very clear to him why Boto had fully changed. The whole fight Boto’s arousal increased with every injury, and Morrighan reflected the same sensation, not one of pain but pleasure. After allowing himself his full demonic form was the only time that the bond between him and Angeline shift so they both received positive sensations. She felt only desire with each impact and this removed the last of his ties to stay tame. Cedric could once more afford to be reckless as needed to get himself that much closer to bringing Boto down.

  In his moment of distraction, Boto lunged forward, ripping his claws across Cedric’s chest and shoulder. Ecstasy flooded every part of him as the violent pain turned into a frenzy of longing. His thoughts and body begged for more. Arousal flowed out of Angeline, which added to the drowning flow of feelings Cedric was experiencing. Both of them felt the lascivious manner of the ability an incubus held and its condescending effects. Boto’s horns rammed Cedric square in the back, slamming him to the ground. Growling came from Cedric as his cheek felt the bite of the marble floor once more.

  Catching his focus again, Cedric jerked to his feet and leaped forward. His claws slid across Boto’s cheek and chest with effortlessness. More excitement seeped out of the King as he laughed. Cedric was still moving too slow, hindered by the unfamiliar form. Boto’s claws gripped the hair on the top of his head, lifting Cedric off the floor with the greatest of ease. With a wicked smirk, Cedric went flying into the closest column. Orgasmic pleasure erupted across his body from the impact, and he landed on his feet, barely able to catch his breath. Angeline moaned in response, sweat pouring across her as she watched in horror as the fight continued. Shaking the sensations down, he was starting to get the hang of manipulating all his new feelings.