by Morgan Hawke
Galen snorted. “Gee, thanks, I feel so reassured."
Sygni followed the lines of power flowing through his body, looking for the spell's core. Her frown deepened. The magical tracery looked more like circuitry than traditional formulae, and as such it seemed to be running counterproductive to what it was supposed to be doing, mainly keeping the vampire upright and breathing. She finally spotted the key node, the power core that ran the spell.
It was inactive.
What in Hel ... ? She scowled. “I think your sorcerer fucked up."
Galen turned his head. “Is that good or bad?"
Sygni tilted her head, perplexed. “According to what I am looking at, this spell shouldn't have raised you from the dead.” She peered closer and spotted a second set of tracery underneath the main spell, linking all the essential parts together to make it effective. A second spell? That meant that there had to be a second and functioning node.
"You mean the spell didn't work?” Galen rolled his eyes to follow her. “Then why am I walking around?"
"Because something else is influencing the spell to make it work.” Sygni dropped to one knee and swept his long hair to one side, exposing the base of his neck and the small, circular tattoo right between his shoulder blades. The design in red, yellow and black was the northwest Native American god Raven with the sun in his mouth. Raven was god of mischief and guardian of mankind. Her brows shot up. Was this the second node, the one actually working to keep him alive? Only one way to find out ... She held her palm over the small tattoo and brushed a small wave of power against it.
The mark blazed up like a burning star. The secondary tracery in Galen's body shimmered to sudden and brilliant life, showing the true lines of power keeping him alive.
Sygni flinched away from the light. “Well, I'll be fucked ... so that's why it worked."
"What, damn it?"
Sygni stepped back from Galen and headed for her candlelit altar. “You have a very active guardian spirit.” She yanked open a drawer and pulled out a pair of large, black feathers. “If Raven hadn't claimed you, you'd still be grave dust. It's his power that's holding you together."
"Raven?” Galen frowned from the floor. “You mean the tattoo?"
"Oh, yeah.” Sygni nodded as she lit a fresh charcoal in the incense chafing dish.
"But it's just a tattoo...?"
"Not on you, it's not.” She walked over to him. “Raven's power is literally scrawled all over you. You must have done something to get his attention at least once, some kind of ritual. Turn over onto your back."
Galen rolled over onto his back. “I did a dream walk when I was twelve, does that count?"
Sygni found herself focusing on his muscular stomach and his semi-erection. She jerked her gaze away. “Dream walks definitely count, they're a type of initiation.” She held out the feathers. “Hold these in your hands and spread your arms out again. I'm going to see if I can call him and get him to remove the fucked-up spell still binding you."
Galen took the feathers and spread his arms out into the star. “You are really going to call a god?"
"Yep.” Sygni walked back over to her altar. She lit a tall yellow candle and dropped incense onto the red coal on the chafing dish. The scent of cedar filled the room.
Galen sniffed. “You're not using sage?"
Sygni snorted. “Your Raven is northwestern, they use cedar up there. Sage is for the desert gods.” She pulled out one of her cigarettes, split it open and dropped the tobacco shreds onto the chafing dish. Cigarette smoke mixed with the cedar incense.. She turned back to Galen. “Now, let's see if Raven is home to answer the phone."
Sygni walked over to Galen to stand between his spread legs facing her altar and raised her arms. “I am Sygni Darkheart, and I respectfully call to Raven of the Sun...” She chanted out Raven's invocation in a strong clear voice.
The light from the pentacle blazed up and a soft wind swirled around the room.
Galen gasped and arched up from the floor. His black eyes abruptly blazed golden with sunlight. Laughter both joyful and bitter burst from his lips.
Sygni felt a shudder of power wash through her. This was no minor god.
Galen abruptly sat up. He turned to look at her with searing yellow eyes. Galen was not behind those eyes, someone else was. “I hear you, Darkheart. What do I owe this honor?"
Sygni took a steadying breath. “I want to remove the spell on your warrior without destroying him. Raven, will you help me?"
Raven raised a sarcastic brow. “He was made from a corpse. You know damned well that he can't return to being mortal."
Sygni sighed and shook her head. “I'm not asking for that. I want to pull off the control binding his maker put on him."
Raven lounged back on one elbow and grinned ferally with Galen's sensual mouth. “Sure, babe, I can do that. What'll you give me for it?"
Sygni bit her lip. Damn, she had forgotten that he was also the god of gamblers. “I'm just a mortal Raven, I don't have much to offer a god..."
Raven sneered. “Cut the humble bullshit, Loki's consort, I'm not buying it! I can see what you are from here. You're practically made of fucking power.” His eyes narrowed to fiery slits. “If you want to save this one, you better offer me something worth having."
Sygni fisted her hands at her sides. “Galen wears your mark, and someone changed him into a vampire!"
Raven shrugged and looked away. “Yeah, so?"
Sygni felt the rage boiling inside. “Don't you care what's been done to him? He's your chosen warrior!"
Raven scowled at her. “Look, you clueless witch, I don't have to explain myself, or my plans for any of my chosen. If I hadn't wanted him to be a vampire, he wouldn't be one."
Sygni gasped. Son of a bitch! She set her jaw. “Fine, then chew on this, Raven Sunscorched, sooner or later I will have to take out this sorcerer.” She jabbed a finger at the god at her feet. “And when he goes, your warrior goes with him!"
"Oh, I know.” Raven smiled slyly. “What I want to know is why you care if Galen is destroyed or not?"
Sygni hissed. Why was Raven being such a cold-hearted bastard? He was supposed to care very deeply for his people. “Galen is a decent man, he doesn't deserve to die..."
"Yes, he is, and no, he doesn't, but I want you to tell me why you care. Spit it out, Sygni Darkheart, why do you want to save the vampire Galen?"
What? Sygni jerked back as though slapped.
~ Six ~
Sygni stared down at the god lounging comfortably in her glowing pentacle. He wants to know why I want to save Galen? What could she say? She closed her eyes. The truth. One never lied to a god. Not even one that was being a pain in the ass.
Sygni focused on the god. “I don't love him, if that's what you're asking. I do care about him, and I have a serious case of lust for him, but I haven't known him long enough to love him."
Raven's expression softened. “I fell in love with the Sun at first glance. Our first mating scorched me black, but I tell you now, it was worth it.” His expression became stark. “I love her still."
Sygni tilted her head. “I thought you were scorched when you made the Sun jealous of a mirror and she came after you?"
Raven snorted. “I made her jealous all right. She thought the mirror was my new lover, but that came after.” He grinned suddenly. “You know what they say about make-up sex! What little of me wasn't black was charred soot after that! I was in agony for a whole damned year.” He sighed. “Sun's fire, it was great..."
"I'm happy for you.” Sygni crossed her arms. “I told you why I want to save Galen, will you help me?"
Raven turned to look at her and slowly shook his head. “Nope. You lied to me."
Sygni's mouth fell open. “What?"
"Let me put this in perspective for you.” Raven's mouth curled in a bitter smile. “I'm currently inhabiting a corpse, for all intents and purposes, with a soul marked as mine. When I leave his body, I'll just take him with me,
leaving a very nasty dry husk behind. As far as I'm concerned, that'll put him out of that two-bit magician's reach. I'm perfectly satisfied with this, how about you?"
Ice water filled her veins. He's taking him? White rage burst in her heart. “I didn't call you to kill him, you fucking bastard!” She balled her fists and launched herself screaming at him, determined to beat Raven's smart mouth to a bloody pulp.
Raven rolled up on his knees and caught her wrists in mid-jump. He jerked her over and down, rolling her neatly under him and pinning her under his body. “Blessed Day, what a temper!"
"You fucking sack of shit bastard!” Sygni screamed up at him, kicking and fighting to get to break loose and hurt him. “Damn you, you're his guardian! You're not supposed to kill him!"
Raven laughed in her face as he held her struggling body securely under him. “I don't believe you actually attacked me with your fists! You didn't even try to use magic to take me, sorceress.” He shook her to stop her shouts. “Why Sygni, why didn't you use magic?"
"Because...” Sygni stilled in shock and confusion. Because any spell effective on Raven would destroy Galen in the process. She stared up at Galen's face with the gold blaze of Raven's presence in his eyes, afraid to think what this meant.
"Because you didn't want to hurt him, you thick-headed mortal!” Raven narrowed his eyes. “Sygni, you attacked a god in defense of a vampire that shouldn't be alive in the first place. You know you don't stand a chance against me without magic. Why did you risk your life for a corpse?"
"He's not a fucking corpse!” Sygni bucked under him, trying to get a fist or a foot loose. “He's a person! He deserves to live!"
His smile became a gentle curve. “Tell me again, Sygni, that you don't love Galen?"
Sygni felt the tears prick her eyes. Blood and night, she was not going to cry! Balling her heartsick pain into a tight knot, she scowled up at the god. “Fine, I fucking love him, Raven. Is that what you want to hear?"
Raven grinned broadly. “It what you needed to hear, Sygni. The truth from your own lips."
"Fine, whatever, and you're fucking insane! In love with someone I've only known for a few hours? My ass!” Sygni twisted under him. “Get the fuck off me!"
Raven held her down without effort. “Give me a taste of your power, Sygni Darkheart, and I'll help save your lover."
Sygni gasped and stilled. He was going to help save Galen? She looked up at his golden eyes and frowned. “What do you mean by a taste of my power?"
Raven licked his lips. “Fuck me."
Sygni stared at him. “What?"
"You heard me, witch.” He knelt up, releasing her from his hold. “Get naked, get on this dick and fuck me. Give me the power in your orgasm and I'll use it to keep your vampire lover in the here and now."
Sygni rolled out from under him and rose to her feet with her back to him. She crossed her arms over her breasts. “Raven, you are a royal bastard."
Raven chuckled nastily. “Oh, I know. Now, get your clothes off. I want to see those tits."
* * * *
Sygni peeled out of her boots and her leathers with her back turned to the god lounging in the center of the glowing pentacle. She couldn't stop trembling. Why am I so nervous? Its just sex, damn it, and I've fucked Galen before...
But it wasn't just sex, it was spell craft, and though it would be Galen's body, he wasn't in it, a god was. There were dozens of legends about mortals sleeping with gods, and regretting it.
Sygni thrust her mind away from that round of thought and dropped her leathers on the floor. If she wanted to keep Galen upright, she had to submit to Raven's demands. For a god, he was a serious pain in the ass, but he was also famous for keeping his word. She had no doubt in her mind that if Raven said he would save Galen, then Galen would be saved.
Sygni turned to face the god, chin up and shoulders back. “I'm ready when you are, Raven."
Raven's gaze traveled up her long legs then higher. He stopped briefly at her shaven mons, then moved up to focus on her breasts. “You have a nice set of tits, Sygni.” He reached for his dick and stroked his already firm erection.
Sygni quirked her brow and set her hands on her hips. “I'm glad you approve."
"Oh, I approve.” He looked up into her eyes and sat up, spreading his legs wide on the floor. His erection rose, large, rigid and threatening before his stomach. “Come.” He held out his hand. “My cock aches for you."
Sygni snorted. “How romantic."
Raven chuckled and motioned for her. “This isn't about romance, babe. This is about power-fucking."
"Fine, power-fucking it is.” Sygni gathered her courage and stepped onto the platform and into the pentacle. She took Raven's outstretched hand.
Raven tugged and she tumbled into his arms, landing with her legs splayed on either side of his thighs. He grinned. “Now, you're all mine, witch.” He caught her hair at the base of her neck and arched her back over his arm. “And I want to see what those gorgeous tits taste like...” His head dropped and his teeth closed tight around her nipple.
Sygni gasped and arched. “Shit!” He was biting her right to the edge of pain. Blood and heat rushed straight from her tortured nipple to her core. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, unable to escape his mouth because of his grip on her hair. “Watch it with the teeth! I want that back when you're done with it!"
He chuckled, but released her from the grip if his teeth. He stroked her nipple with his tongue instead, working her to painful tightness with loud wet suction. His hand closed on her other breast, squeezing and tugging on the nipple with breathless strength and devastating skill.
A groan escaped her throat and she twisted on his lap. Moisture formed and slithered down her thighs. What he was doing was so very good, yet still very close to painful, and it was getting her very hot, very fast. Perhaps too fast...
Raven took his hand from her breast to reach under and explore her wet flesh, easing her open. He insinuated a long blunt finger past her tender folds, then thrust, burrowing deep.
A soft sound burst from her lips with his invasion. Her core contracted and throbbed hungrily. Sygni couldn't stop herself from pressing her swollen clit against his palm.
He groaned against her breast and slid a second finger into her. He curled his fingers up to find the sweet spot within. He stroked it with ruthless precision.
Sygni cried out, overwhelmed by the violent delight that thrummed demandingly through her, and writhed against his hand. Her body rose to a boil with murderous speed and shoved her toward an explosive threshold. She whimpered as the pressure increased to the breaking point. Tension coiled tight. She was going to cum...
Her power swirled to sudden life, entangled with her rising climax.
She gasped in sudden fear. What in Hell?
Raven pulled his hand from her and his lips released her tortured nipple with a wet pop. “I was right, you do like it a little rough.” He licked his slick fingers and grinned. “You almost came there."
Sygni panted for breath. Confused tension jangled across her nerves. She wasn't sure if she was frustrated or relieved that he had stopped before she came. Something about her building climax had resonated with her magic. That had never happened before, but then, she'd never had sex with a god before, either. She shook her head. “I don't know what you're doing to me, but I'd really like to be in one piece when you're done."
"You will be.” Raven bent his head to stroke his tongue against her inflamed nipples. “More or less."
Sygni gasped out a soft cry. The brutal pleasure of his light caress had scorched straight to her clit. Mother Night, they were right about sex with gods being hazardous to one's health!
Raven pulled her mouth to his and kissed her. His tongue stroked hers with hungry intent.
Sygni whimpered under his demanding kiss. This was definitely not Galen she was kissing.
Raven released her mouth and licked his lips. “I think you're ready for a good hard fuck."
Sygni smiled grimly. “Then let's fuck.” Finally it was her turn to show him what it was like to be manipulated sexually.
Raven laughed. “Such eagerness!” He pressed her back onto the floor and pinned her there. “I think I like it!"
"Hey!” Sygni pushed at his shoulders. “I thought I was supposed to do the fucking?"
"I want a proper sacrifice, witch.” Raven abruptly flipped her over on her stomach and pulled her up onto her knees by her hips. He positioned himself behind her and rubbed his hardness against her butt. “I want pain with your pleasure. I want your ass."
"My ass?” Sygni gasped. Oh no, he did not just say that! She got her hands under her and fought to get out of range. “Oh, hell, no!"
Raven locked his arms around her hips. “What? You've never been ass-fucked? Sweet!"
Sygni sat up on her knees and fought against his arm. “I have too!” Just not with a dick anywhere near that large ... She twisted, throwing herself to the side, but he was too damned strong.
Raven laughed as he held her pinned. “Oh, come on, it won't be that bad!"
She glared at him from over her shoulder. “You are not shoving that dick up my ass!"
"Oh, really?” Raven snapped his fingers and a small crystal bottle dropped into his palm from thin air. “Why ever not?"
Sygni got her feet under her and pushed. “I barely fit him in my pussy! He's way too big for my ass!"
"Suffer. It's good for you.” Raven put his palm between her shoulders and shoved her forward onto her hands. “That's enough out of you! Don't move from this position."
Sygni jerked, but couldn't move her hands or her knees. “Son of a bitch! What did you do to me?"
Raven shrugged as he pulled the stopper from the small bottle. “It's a basic hold spell.” He poured a thick golden liquid into his palm.
