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Pancakes

By: MattFinish



The fierce white sunlight heralded another Australian mid-summer day. You didn't need to hear the incessant droning whir of the cicadas to know that the day would be another scorcher.

You regret the late night on the balcony where the chatter and the wine flowed just that bit too freely. That is always a hazard when staying with my old forestry mate, Adam, and his family. You hope whatever that special thing I had planned for today involved somewhere cool and peaceful, the museum would be nice.

You groan loudly when I bound in and announce that we're going for a bushwalk (a bushwalk!) and suggest that you dress suitably.

I have arranged for our eleven-year-old daughter to stay with Adam and Sue and their twin teenage sons; she is very impressed. Although friends from infancy, we chuckled last night about the first obvious signs of romance. We wondered how the boys would compete for Leslie's affections and how they'd resolve the usual impasse; usually by biff and bash.

You find me in the garage with Adam packing some strange items in the rucksack. You puzzle over the car inner tube, a huge plastic bag and rope. As its' to be a picnic lunch, you pack some fruit, cheeses and crackers. We also pack some towels and a key.

Grateful again for our car with its air-conditioning I drive through the Saturday morning traffic out towards the foothills with their lightly forested slopes and stunning gorges. You sigh as you realise the beach and the water theme parks are in the opposite direction.

Eventually I park on a reserve next to the single-lane bridge spanning one of the more spectacular gorges. Downstream, where the gorge opens out to floodplains, there is already a stream of cars leading to the popular swimming holes. Upstream was the beginning of the rugged state forest reserve, access barred by a locked gate.

Now the key makes sense to you, as you realise I used my old forestry contact through Adam to obtain it. Opening the gate, I explain we're going for a swim. You retort that you weren't told to pack a costume. Your breath catches as I explain where we're going no costume will be necessary. You thrill at the skillful way I have connected with a long-held fantasy and wonder how many other fantasies I have planned to exploit today.

Wow, the path is even more overgrown than when Adam And I used to come this way to perform faunal surveys! Coming once again to the lip of the gorge, I motion for you to proceed quietly to peer over the precipice. Movement in the river catches your eye as I explain that you could always rely on seeing the duck-billed platypus frolicking there. Today we are spoiled to see a pair playing in the back eddies of the stream.

The bush is strangely silent under the sizzling February sun. The river below looks so inviting but so far away and apparently impossible to reach. In places huge over -hangs in the gorge just about obscure all view and shade the river below.

Eventually we reach a place where the gorge appears to widen and the walls aren't quite as steep. Here the casuarina trees appear to grow more closely and have a straighter form. I explain that this is where we break away from the trail to head down to the water.

The descent is still very steep and we sidestep and slide from one gnarly trunk to another. Suddenly we reach a sharp precipice. You turn to me accusing that I had forgotten the way until you see me uncoiling the rope.

I explain the only way down to the river is to abseil the last twenty feet! I recount how the first time Adam and I found this place we had no rope so just ran and leaped as far as possible towards the centre of the dark pool. You shudder at my crazy risk-taking in those days.

Gingerly you abseil over the overhang and I lower you the last part onto the sandy beach. Next I lower the rucksack, before finally abseiling to stand beside you. You start to ask if I expect you to scale the overhang going back when shocked you see me retrieve the rope. I explain that we will inflate the inner tube, put the rucksack and all our gear in the plastic bag to float behind us downstream.

I explain that upstream there is a 40-foot cascade and no other way down to the water than the way we had come. Also downstream lie a series of plunges and pools so that access from downstream is well nigh impossible. Hence I explain there is no need for a swimming costume.

Looking about under the overhang, we marvel at torrents that piled up the great wall of debris. Dapples of reflected sunlight dance crazily around the ceiling. A short distance upstream we can see large flat dark boulders laying in the sun; a perfect spot for lunch!

We scrabble over to the rock platform and lay out our lunch. You go to sit down when the shock of the sizzling rock surface on your bare thigh causes you to shriek and jump. Carefully we lay out and sit on the towels. We suspect we'd fry like pancakes on the griddle on those rocks in no time flat!

After our trek, the food and wine are more than welcome and we sit and discuss the proceedings for the rest of our outing. I tell you of a rapid not far upstream which is perfectly formed to be the world's best all-natural spa. Intrigued, you insist I show you.

Reassured once again by me of our remoteness, you Finally shrug off your clothes to join me in being naked. My eyes feast on your naked loveliness. They drink in all those wondrous curves resting on the best curve of all; the little round belly above your fluffy mound, the one that never quite regained its girlish flatness after the birth of our princess.

Hand in hand I lead you to the rapids. My cock swinging hot, free, full and heavy in the sunshine. It started to thicken and stiffen as I thought of the erotic delights ahead of us in the rapids. Trying to hide my growing tumescence I guide you into a shallower section of the rapid. Wedging in beside you I instruct you to sit back and press into the rocks while the river flows over our shoulders down over our chest and abdomen as it flows eventually to the sea. I wonder whether the current will work its old magic?

Sure enough the incessant pounding and pummeling of The water past my loins brings on a full-blooded veiny erection. The tip of my cock feeling the shock of the cool water as the foreskin fully retracts. I remember the first time Adam and I discovered this effect of our "spa". I also remember how we left the water that time. How intently we stared at each others cocks as we rubbed our own until jerking spastically we shot ribbons of cum onto the water. Not once did we ever mention or seek to relive that private moment, it was just there as part of the rich tapestry of our friendship.

Whether the torrent was stimulating you in the same way or you just wanted to break my reverie anyway I feel your questing hand snaking into my groin. I warn you to be careful not to disturb our precarious position as the current will dislodge and sweep us down the rapid.

I swoon under the dual sensations of your fist milking my shaft while the water rushes past my aroused and engorged nipples and glans. I could feel the drawing tightening of my sac as I rushed inexorably towards orgasm. I feel the tell-tale tingling at the tip and I raise my hips to your grasp urging you- urging me on on, harder faster! Sensing the orgasm is near you lower your mouth to nip at my nipple.

That final exquisite contact brings me undone as my cock starts to buck and squirt in your fist. That final movement also upsets our precarious position in the rapid and the current sweeps us laughing, tumbling, squirting and sliding down the slick smooth rocks!

In the quiet pool below, we hold each other in our arms. Pulling away from me you say all that wine and water makes you want to pee. Drawing on an old fantasy I ask if I can watch you pass water. Either its the wine or the hilarity of the moment just shared, but you agree. Climbing up onto a semi-submerged boulder you squat in front of me. Fascinated I watch as your golden stream arches from your delicate pink pussy into the river. The current quickly carries away the spume. Emboldened, you ask me if I'd care to return the favour!

I climb onto the rock beside you as you take my softened pliant cock in your palm. As I pee you delight in aiming the stream first here and there, splashing yourself in the process. You giggle and squeeze me meaningfully asking if there are any other games we can play with "it". Sadly I say that you, the rapids and the cold water has done its worst. However I tell you my mouth and tongue are in perfect working order. Your green eyes cloud with lust as you consider the oral pleasures I am offering.

The rock we stand on is broad, smooth, in dappled shade with occasional ripples lapping over it. I draw you down in my arms, but the rock is too small for both of us! I slide back into the thigh deep water. I suggest you lie back and wiggle your delightful ass to the edge of the rock. Kneeling on the coarse river sand, I move onto you. You drape your legs over my shoulders and with your heels At my back, draw me closer towards your wonderful responsive pussy.

I plough the tip of my tongue up and down your mound until I part the hairs and the labia underneath. Your taste is much different today, more neutral somehow. Probing deeper at the entrance to your vagina I taste the beginnings of your arousal. I can feel your pussy flowering open offering me absolute access to your most sensitive tissue.

Your ass is hovering above the rock now as you direct your hood and clit to my mouth. Teasingly I skirt the proud nub electing instead to rove my tongue up and down your slit. Finally in exasperation you hold my face in your hands directing my mouth onto your clit. With a softened tongue I sweep that fine clit from side to side, until like my cock in that torrent becomes rigid. Then concentrating on that most sensitive part on the left I began to seriously suck and strum with my lips and tongue.

The fingers holding my head began to grip more firmly as you approach the moment of your orgasm. I begin a final frenzy of licking and sucking as I felt the powerful puckering and clenching of your pussy muscles. Lifting right off that rock you jam as much of your hood and clit as possible in my mouth. With a softened tongue now I gently soothe that tight bud until the sensations become too intense and you push me away. As is my reward I dip my head further to lap at the clear thick cream that comes with your orgasm.

Already I am hard, a woodier more durable erection this time. I stand before you, holding this masterpiece of manhood and invitingly you crook your elbows behind your knees to draw your thighs apart. As I move onto you again something grabs me by the toe! YEOOW I kick my leg to send a yabby (freshwater crayfish) sailing across the ravine! The moment is lost as we chuckle and remark how fortunate the yabby wasn't around while I was kneeling!

My proud hard cock had started to deflate until you offer to restore it to its former glory. Gently I cradle your head as you lower you head to the tip. Pushing the loose skin back with your lips you start to lave the smooth glans with your tongue. The first drop of sweet pre-cum tells you that once again it is ready to plunder the depths of your love canal. You lay back expecting me to enter you standing as before, but I shake my head, not wanting to tempt fate and hungry yabbies again.

Instead I offer to lie back on the rock while you take from on top. Hurriedly you scramble off the rock for me to take you place. First you crouch over me, groin to groin, chest to chest mouth to mouth as with our lips and tongues we hungrily feast on each other. Then grasping me firmly you rise up to mount me.

Expecting you to slowly slide down onto me, I am surprised as you pause to rub my smooth tight glans all around your slick inner lips; the friction is delightful! Gently you lower your snug wet warmth over me and lean back to show me your hand busy working away at that fine clit. Now, crouching over me, you begin that sweet jacking motion.

For the next few minutes the sounds of water over the rocks is joined with the liquid noises of our dance. My hands clench in the flesh of your ass as I rise off the rock to thrust into you each time you bear down. Meanwhile your hand between us is frantically tearing away at your clit. You arch your back to direct the tip of my cock against the front wall of your vagina.

That extra friction sends us spiraling over into a loud and prolonged mutual orgasm. My penis begins to erupt and spurt as I feel the deep powerful spasms at the neck of your womb snatch at the glans. Our cries of passion echo around that overhang scaring the tortoise from their logs and the kingfisher from its prey; but we are oblivious to anything but each other.

Laughing we roll into the cool welcoming embrace of the River in a slimy tangle of arms legs and lips. Finally drawing apart we drift an kick lazily around the pool; much like the platypuses earlier until lengthening shadows across our private gorge tell us it is time to leave.

We have never returned to that special place in the wilderness, yet carry with us vivid memories of the wild spirited loving that took place there.

Pancakes



It was near midnight when he pulled the pickup truck into the lower level of the parking garage and found a place well covered by the security cameras as well as within sight of the security guards station. This was not exactly a gentile neighborhood being near the docks and warehouses of the port. He grabbed two large duffle bags from behind the seats of the truck and headed out of the garage nodding to the half interested security guard as he walked past.

To all outward appearances Carl could have been just another sailor going to the docks to prepare for the approaching storm though his duffle bags seemed more bulky than most. What was visible in the darkness of night was a long coat over a dark pair of cargo pants and heavy boots topped off by a wool cap worn over short sandy colored hair. Outside of his green eyes Carl's facial features were unremarkable aside from showing the effects of weather and the scars of fights one would expect to see after many years at sea... or in battle.

Trucks filled with workers and sandbags passed him as he made his way to a remote nondescript warehouse on the ship channel side of the port. It was about 3 stories tall with a large door on each side big enough for trucks and a normal size door next each large one. Running just under the roofs edge there was a row of windows on the two walls that constituted the long axis of the warehouse. 

He circled the warehouse quickly. His senses telling him that what he was looking for was indeed in the warehouse. He also discovered that the security alarm had been disabled and that the doors were locked from the inside. He walked over to some large crates stacked nearby that where in shadows cast by the security lights in the area. He removed his coat and opened his duffle bag. 

Under the coat and trousers he wore the latest high tech compression sports wear for hot conditions, all black, With the coat off giving a better look you would guess him to be about 6 foot tall, a muscular 200 lbs and about 35 to 40 years of age. At least that was how he appeared. Carl started to quickly pull various items from the duffle bag and put them on. First was a synthetic mesh vest with padding at the shoulders and other areas. He removed his wool stocking cap and pulled on a synthetic stocking cap that not only padded his head but was cooler than the wool cap Next he pulled on a byrnie, a long sleeved, waist length chain mail shirt. He then put on a barbute style helmet directly over the stocking cap. This was followed by a 3 foot long sword in scabbard with belt and a round shield about 3 feet in diameter. He then pulled on a pair of gauntlets. The next to last item was a small battleaxe. He looked at as if considering and then stuck it in his belt. The final item was a .44 mag revolver. Carl looked at it then the warehouse then back at the gun before returning it to the duffle bag. He then hid the duffle bags behind the crates.

Outside of the gun the rest of the items were, admittedly, a strange outfit for a man to be wearing in the 21st Century but Carl as not a man of the 21st Century for he was not 35 years old but several centuries older. It would be inaccurate to call him a man of the past because he transcended time. Carl was part of group that had been referred to in various mythologies. In Western cultures they were known as Paladins, the Twelve Peers or Knights of the Round Table as a few examples. While many of the stories that about them had little basis in fact the Paladin did and do exist. They were and are part of the continuous battle between good and evil for control of the earth. Carl had been part of that battle longer than he cared to remember. In the past he would have been storming a castle or riding a horse into battle to slay dragons, now he drives a pickup truck to a parking garage. 

Cell phones, laptops and assault weapons were just as likely to part of his weaponry now as swords, shields and armor. And they were not just any weapons and armor. They were holy, enchanted, magical or mystical, pick the term of your choice. The helmet and chain mail were not shinny or gleaming but darker than black as if they absorbed all light. In low light they would appear as a shadow. The Shield was similar in appearance except for a grayish ring along the outer edge. His sword was not some flaming sword of righteousness or light but also as dark as his armor with a thin gray outline denoting the cutting edge. In dark or lowlight conditions it would be invisible. His one handed battleaxe was a different story. It was not enchanted though it had been blessed. It was not a dark weapon but being brown in color with a cutting blade on one side and barbed piercing one on the other. It was a titanium and carbon fiber combination. This would be his first opportunity to try it in actual battle.

Carl approached one of the small side doors to the warehouse. He stared at it for a few seconds then there was a clicking sound as the lock was opened. He looked around noting the approaching storm clouds with increasing wind and lightning. He slid quietly through door shutting and locking it behind him. It was dark inside the warehouse except for the soft flicking glow at the opposite end. The only sounds were from some large slow turning ventilation fans, the increasing wind noise from outside and a rhythmic chanting coming from the direction of the light...

There were two rows of shelves running the length of the warehouse each almost reaching the roof. They all had various sized crates, boxes and palletized material loaded onto them. Carl moved silently toward the light and chanting sounds staying hidden between a row of shelves and wall. As he got closer to the lighted area he climbed to the top of the shelves a moved to look down almost directly into the lighted area. His movements were silent despite the armor and weaponry he carried.

He saw five figures in black full-length hooded robes. Each was standing on the point of a pentagram inscribed on the floor. They were facing in towards the center each holding a torch. Also at each point was a burning candle. At their feet were bowls and spattered and pooled in the center of the pentagram was a red liquid that, if Carl's past experience was anything to go by, was probably human blood. He did not ponder on whose blood it might be for to long. He did not see a body lying around so it was probably collected earlier either by force or willingly donated. There were believers and then there were believers. He noticed movement on the shelving opposite his and he could make out a figure in the shadows. Carl had a pretty good idea who, or what it was and knew there would be no interference or threat from that quarter. At least not directly

He briefly considered disrupting their ceremony, obviously they were hoping to conjure or summon some evil being or creature, but that would solve nothing. Even if he eliminated these followers of evil others would take their place and there would still be demon spawn waiting in the ranks to be called forth. Nope let the demon come forth and he could deal with them all at once.

As their ritual continued he could feel a slight vibration as the pentagram began to glow and smoke began to rise. Carl removed his sword from its scabbard and adjusted his hold on the shield. Everything went silent. Not just quite but absolutely no sound, no wind noise, no fans truing, no chanting, not even the sound of his own breathing.

Then there was a loud boom of thunder outside followed by a howling wind and driving rain. It rattled the walls of the warehouse as well as the shelving he stood on. At the same time a swirling column of flame erupted from the pentagram. The five hooded figures continued with their chanting even as a tentacle of fire reached out from the column to drag one of them screaming into the inferno. The storm increased intensity as did the column of flames. Another tentacle of flame reached out a grabbed second disciple. This one went more quietly. Must have been a really true believer thought Carl. 

The wind had picked up in strength so that it was rattling the roof and walls of the warehouse with greater intensity. At the same time a figure began to coalesce out of the flames. The entity formed was about 12 feet tall with a muscular frame and, as the flames died down, was tan in color covered in reptilian like scales. Its eyes were solid black orbs. The creature's mouth was shark like with multiple rows of teeth. The head was like a deformed pumpkin set directly on its shoulders with little neck to speak of. It had only two arms, each six foot in length ending in a three-fingered claw. Each claw added another 8 inches to the length of the arms. The arms themselves appeared to have an extra joint between the elbows and wrists. The creature stood upright on feet that resembled a bird of prey's talons. Carl's attention was captured by the creature's 12-foot tail. It appeared to be covered in thick hairs and ended in a scorpion type stinger. This was one of the more unique looking creatures to come from hell's depth he thought, and he had seen more than few. 

The creature stood in the still smoldering pentagram and surveyed the 3 remaining disciples of evil before him. They were kneeling with their heads down as if awaiting a command. Instead they got death. The creature's arms shot out impaling two of the disciples on his claws lifting them off the ground and toward his mouth were it started to eat them as if they were snacks on tooth picks. Unfortunately for the disciples, even impaled on his claws they were they were still alive as the demon's teeth tore off various body parts for ingestion. Their screams were almost drowned out by the storm outside. This proved too much for the one remaining disciple and he broke and ran for the nearest door. The creature watched in almost indifference and then turned sideways toward the fleeing former believer. It then raised its tail flicking it almost like a whip toward the running figure. The fleeing disciple then became the dead disciple as his body was pinned to the door by 6-inch quills from the tail of the beast. 

"Well that is certainly different" thought Carl as he glanced at the shadowy figurer across the warehouse. The beast had resumed snacking on what was left of the two individuals still stuck to his claws. The storm had increased in intensity; the wind was becoming a steady roar almost drowned out by the near continuous thunder. "Well enough of this sitting around time to go to work "Carl said out loud as he prepared to jump down and confront the beast head on. The beast looked up at the sound of his voice, let out a roar and flung what remained of his meal off his claws and on to the floor. They hit with more of splash than thud so little of them was left. More out of coincidence than design Carl jumped down from the shelves just as the beast threw some quills from its tail at him. The 8 quills missed, imbedding themselves in the shelving, walls and roof. Not a very tight grouping he thought glancing up at the imbedded projectiles. Carl had already sized up his opponent. The creatures had the advantage of size, weight and reach plus had at least one projectile weapon. He also guessed that those scales would be hard to hack cut through. The Warehouse was fairly confining with the large shelving so getting around the creature would also be difficult.

On the plus side his shield and helmet would protect him from slashing, stabbing and biting attacks from the creature. His chain mail would offer protection from slashing attacks and all his special armor offered protection from most attacks magical in origin such as flame. It was the unprotected parts of his body he would have to worry about. Unlike the old days he no longer carried a full suit of armor. It would have required a third large duffle bag and been a little conspicuous carrying around in public. Carl has also grown to prefer the freedom of movement the wearing of less armor had afforded him. His sword was unbreakable, never dulled was far lighter than its size would indicate so he was able to employ it with lighting fast speed. His battleaxe lacked the enchanted characteristics of his sword and armor, instead of relying on the advanced technology of its material, although it had been blessed. 

Carl approached the creature at a fast walk, shield held high sword low. The beast stood its ground roaring and crouched low arms held wide, tail held high like a scorpion's. Carl was prepared for what happened nest. Flames shot out rapidly from the creature's mouth, after all what type of demon spawn cannot project fire in some form? He crouched down behind his shield as the flames approached but not for protection from the flames as the flames appeared to hit an invisible wall about a foot from him. While Carl could not summon and project fire he could control it. In this case he just stopped its movement toward him. He could have just as easily turned the flames in another direction. He held his shield in front of him because he had a hunch what was coming next and he was right. Out of the flames game about a dozen quills. Half passed over his head or to his left while the remainder bounced off his shield. The creature may be evil and ugly but was not completely stupid. It had counted on the flames, if not injuring him, blocking his view of the oncoming quills it launched just after it released its fire.

As the flames cleared the creature saw that his attack had failed. It let out a roar and charged forward, as did Carl. There was no clashing of bodies together instead a dance of death ensued. Carl attempted to get inside the creature's claws and tail to deliver a deadly blow while the creature tried to use its reach and range weapons to its advantage.

Carl found himself only able to land hacking blows against the beast's arms and tail. His sword may have been able to cut steel but getting deep cuts against the hardened scales of this creature of darkness were another story. . It seemed the creature's arms were not bulky so much with muscle as extra layers of scales.

The creature would attack him with its arms and tail as Carl moved in. Carl would make a slashing attack against one of the extremities, aiming for a joint if he could, while blocking one of the other extremities with his shield then quickly parrying the third with is sword. At other times he would try a smashing down with the edge of his shield on a joint or the tail. At the same time he had to be alert for the attack by fire or launching or quills. This was one of the reasons he liked the less armor, he had to move fast. That is not to say the beast did not score a hit or two. One was a glancing blow to the head by beast's tail that caused his head to ring briefly, the other was a slashing blow to his side that knocked him a couple of feet. Neither blow penetrated the armor, that was impossible but the armor did not render him invincible. Some of the force of impact was transmitted to his body. 

The blow to his head would have crushed his skull were it not for the helmet but instead he would be left with a headache. The slashing blow to his side would have cut him in two without the chain mail but instead he would have some bruised ribs. They could have just as easily been broken had the blow been stronger. His shield also absorbed and dissipated a large percentage of any impact on it. It like his helmet were impervious to any piercing attack such as thrust by the creatures claws, scorpion like stinger on its tail or the quills but the chain mail would be driven into whatever hole they created as they struck his body. The armor would remain intact; his body would not though it would serve to limit the depth of penetration. Plate armor would solve part of this problem but even "enchanted" plate armor was heavy and would slow him down too much.

The beast was not unharmed either. So far Carl has managed to remove one clawed finger from each hand while coming close to hacking through one of its extra joints on its left arm. But this certainly was not going to kill the creature. They had both pulled back from each the as if they need to catch their breath. Carl could still hear the storm as the increase in intensity had slowed but not stopped. He was not getting anywhere and time was not on his side. He had to get in close and deliver a killing blow fast. An added complication was that the floor was getting slippery with what passed for the creatures blood.

Carl took out the battleaxe and held it with his shield hand. The beast approached and as he hoped for attacked with a blast of fire and quills. He ducked down behind his shield as the quills bounced off of it at the same time he laid down his sword and shifted the axe to his right hand. While doing all this he had stopped the fire short of him. Once he had sifted his weapons he turned the fire back at his opponent directly into its face. While flames could not hurt the beast it did masked Carl's actions from its view. Carl stood and threw the battleaxe at the beast head hopefully towards its open flame belching mouth; the same flames that blocked the beast view of him also blocked Carl's view of its head soit was a best guess throw. He was rewarded not with a roar from the beast but the scream of a wounded animal.

Carl glanced at his sword and it flew back into his hand, yes he had a limited ability with telekinesis that is how he unlocked the door. He hoped to imbed his axe in the thing's skull or at least take out an eye but this was better. The beast had decided to charge him from behind the cover of flames and the axe had hit it in the mouth in mid rotation with the piecing blade imbedded in the roof of it mouth and the cutting edge stuck its lower jaw partially splitting it. The creature must have instinctively bit down on it as the axe entered its mouth. It was now trying desperately with its mangled claws remove it. The demon turned its head skyward and tried to burn axe out with it fire but only succeeded in heating it up. Carl took this opportunity to charge, the beast. 

Realizing too late what was happening the Demon was lowering its head just as Carl drove his shield up into it lower jaw this drove the piercing blade of the axe deep into it skull as the creatures jaws were forced close. At the same time Carl plunged his sword up into the things chest coming up under the breastbone. The momentum pushed the beast over backwards carrying Carl with it. It landed with a thud. Carl rolled off it pulling his sword out as he did so. There was no thrashing about, screams or roars from the beast; it was finished. 

Even now smoke and heat was beginning to rise from the creature. It took three quick cuts from his sword to free his battleaxe from the beast's skull, so deeply it was imbedded. The battleaxe was still hot from the beast's attempts to burn it away but otherwise seem to have held up well. He quickly moved to the nearest exit from the warehouse, as he exited the door the beast's corpse erupted into a huge pillar of flame quickly spreading through the warehouse. Once outside he retrieved his duffle bag and moved to a safe location while the entire warehouse erupted into flame. As he was changing back his less conspicuous clothing he noted that storm had all but disappeared with just a slight wind and a few rain drops present.

Carl made his way unnoticed back to the parking garage; in the distance he could hear the sirens from approaching fire trucks probably in response to a warehouse fire. The fire would no doubt be attributed to the storm. Fire investigators would find no bodies, as the intensity of the fire would remove all traces of the beast and its disciples.

He climbed into his truck and drove home. Home in this case was a two bedroom two bath with attached garage. His neighbors did not know much about him except that he seemed pleasant enough if a little antisocial. His line of work was rumored to be some type of consulting as he was often away traveling. After entering his home he turned on the news. They were reporting the surprising dissipation of a storm that had been expected to reach category 5 and cause major damage. Right now there were reports of some minor wind damage and one warehouse fire but no casualties. "None except 5 disciples of Satan and one of his more imaginative creations" thought Carl. He quickly logged onto his security system and reviewed the surveillance recordings making sure there were no unwelcome visitors who had managed to get past his security both magical and technology based. Satisfied all was secure he logged on to his computer and sent an After Action Report as well as an evaluation if the battleaxe to a secure online forum that served a clearinghouse/ of information as well as weapons and services available for the It was through this database that Carl obtained the battleaxe. 




Pancakes



There was probably a Headquarters of Good somewhere that coordinated all the activity as best it could but like a covert intelligence agency or resistance operations it was a layered, compartmentalized operation with nobody knowing all the members. In this manner if one person was turned or compromised it would not take down the whole operation and made it harder to infiltrate. All Carl knew was that he received irregular deposits into his bank account representing his "self-employed" activity as part of his cover and once a quarter a packet of paperwork to make his tax filings. 

Being "self employed" he was subject to more scrutiny from the tax authorities than the average citizen and he been audited more than once. This had lead to some joking among his colleagues as to which side the tax collectors worked for. To maintain his cover and not attract too much attention is paperwork was deliberately not perfect going along the lines of "why are your papers in order?" Perfect paperwork would attract attention. During one audit he was found to owe additional taxes and on another he got extra money back. Over the internet he received information on the enemies' activities or probable activities and messages from higher to coordinate the actions of individuals when needed. However in most cases he was allowed to evaluate threats and chose which ones warranted his attention.

The good half of the community consisted of not only Paladins but also many others including wizards and witches, vampire and werewolf hunters and selected members of the clergy of most faiths. Of the Paladins nobody knew for sure how many there were. Estimates ranged form as low as 50 to as many as 500. Carl's own best guess figured about 100. In modern times it was rare to encounter more than one or two at a time and it was not as if they had reunions. While Paladins where immune to disease, quick healers and long lived they certainly were not indestructible. Were they immortal, if they could avoid fatal injury? Nobody knew because no Paladin had ever died of what could be called old age. If one was severely injured or crippled from battle it was almost like chum in the water for sharks as all the evil beings and their servants would seem to converge from all over to eliminate the relatively helpless Paladin. 

Where do Paladin come from? They are human and can be from any race and, despite legends such as Joan of Arc, there have never been any female Paladins. There does not seem to be a genetic commonality among them. One simply recognized those characteristics in another and if they encountered somebody with those characteristics the individual Paladin would attempt to develop him as a knight might develop a squire. The hope was that the person would accept the training because the forces of evil also recognized those characteristics and would attempt to kill him before he could become a threat.

Paladins did not have magical ability on the same level as a Wizard but could master simple things to aid in battle. These skills tended to vary from Paladin to Paladin. Carl, for example had mastered the ability to control (not summon) fire, had some telekinetic ability, and with effort could summon and control lighting though accuracy was problematic. All Paladins were masters of weaponry and close combat. They could handle any weapon from an ancient sword to modern assault rifle. Their personal weaponry varied from swords, battleaxes and spears to bows and javelins. Their choice armor and shields also differed. But their weapons were all enchanted or blessed to some degree. Modern firearms were also used and though not enchanted or blessed were useful at times such as dealing with a zombie outbreak.

Finishing his internet business he went to take a shower checking his injuries as he did so. He had a small knot on the side of his head would be gone in a couple of hours but the bruises on his side along with his probably cracked ribs would take at least a couple of days to heal. Getting dressed he decided he would go get something to eat, wondering as he did so if the usual crowd would be there. 

He arrived at the local pancake house just before 2:00am taking a seat in a large round booth toward the rear figuring others would be joining him soon. The waitress had just left him a menu and went off to get him his large orange juice when Satan appeared across from him. Well Carl knew he was Satan, to others he appeared as a long haired, unshaven young 20 something college student. In this guise he had given himself blue eyes and blonde hair. He was about 5' 8 and 150lbs. He had a laptop with him and started to set up taking advantage of the free WiFi.

Without looking up from his menu Carl stated "The quills were different; made things kind of interesting."

"Thank you, professional compliments are always welcome. I would hate for you to become bored or complacent"

"Something else was different; you used more than one soul in the creation of that demon didn't you?"

Satan was typing something into his laptop. "It is nice that you recognize the effort that goes into my work. Yes, three souls actually; a recently deceased Middle Eastern dictator and his two sons. I don't recall seeing that battleaxe before."

"Yup it was new"

"Enchanted?" 

"Not telling" Carl replied as he looked up form his menu. The waitress had brought him his O.J. and a menu for Satan. The restaurant was beginning to fill up with the late night crowd; college student s cramming for exams, dancers and patrons from the strips clubs that were just now closing and assorted late partiers and shift workers. On one of the large screen TVs talking heads were debating the sudden unprecedented change in this evening storms intensity. One, a prominent, prize wining politician was claiming it was proof of man-made global warming, the other a less prominent politicized TV evangelical was claiming that it was proof of just the opposite. He noticed Satan looking at the TV screen with a slight frown

"So which one are you getting?"

"Are you kidding? One is a politician and the other is a TV Evangelical, I'll end up with both of them."

"You don't seem particularly happy about it."

"As souls go , for my purposes, they are not very high quality. Give me a tyrant, mass murder or an openly dishonest criminal, even a drug lord. As you know the higher the quality the soul the more powerful minion I can create. With souls like those I can give you a run for your money in this war." Then pointing TV screen "Souls like those are of low quality and not much better than cannon fodder. They are useful only to keep you occupied or distracted while I am doing other things."

"I am guessing you have not done anything with Hitler, Stalin, Mao or Pol Pot?"

"Nope they would be powerful but they are unstable. It would be difficult to keep them fixed on their assignment. I saving them for something special"

"Something special like Rwanda perhaps?"

Satan's reply was cut off as their waitress came up to take their order.

"Steak and eggs, medium rare, eggs over easy" said Carl "also a stack of blueberry pancakes."

"Strawberry pancakes with a side of hash browns and linked sausage also could I get a large O.J.?"

"Sure thing sweetie, separate checks?"

"Put it all on his" replied Satan

Carl merely nodded with a slight frown. Just then a tall dark brooding figure entered. His had a pale complexion with dark eyes and shoulder length hair tied back into a ponytail. His clothing was as dark and severe as his attitude. He was maybe 5'9" and 140 lbs.

Carl spoke lowly to Satan, "your best buddy Vlad just came in."

"Damn it what does that blood sucker want?"

"You mean besides to rule hell in your place "

"In his dreams, well at least the only open tables are across the room."

"Plenty of room here with us"

"He wouldn't sit with us, we cannot stand each other."

"Never stopped him before"

"He won't sit with us regardless. He is particularly mad at me for that Venezuelan thing last week"

"Bet he will, he is looking lonely." Smiled Carl.

"He always looks like that. What would you like to wager, perhaps your soul?"

"And what would you put up in return, a 500 year ceasefire maybe? Besides you tried this before in Italy around 1590. My soul is not on the table."

"Everybody's soul is always on the table. Anyway your terms are not unacceptable"

"How about the check you are sticking me with?"

"Fine if he sits with us I'll buy"

Vlad scanned the room his eyes lingering over the couple of tables the strippers were sitting at before he spotted Carl and Satan. He squared his shoulders and strode purposefully over. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all" Carl quickly replied before Satan could respond as he moved down the booth making room for the vampire.

"Judging by your lowly attire and the way the promising storm died out I say you had a lousy night" stated Vlad.

"And I suppose you did better?" responded Satan.

"A gang fight on the east side was very filling for both my appetite and my recruiting effort . I think some of them used to belong to you. I figured whatever you were brewing would provide opportunities for me."

Satan did not respond , he merely frowned as the waitress brought the vampire a menu and asked what he wanted to drink.

"Order whatever you want" said Carl pointing at Satan "he is buying".

Satan shot him angry look while Vlad limited his display of astonishment to raised eyebrows. "That is great; I will have the ham and cheese omelet, no onions with a side of browns and bacon. Please bring me a cup of decafe coffee with that"

Carl and Satan both stared at the Vampire. Looking back he said "What? Caffeine will keep me awake all day."

Satan resumed pecking away at his laptop keyboard. "If you guys will excuse me for few I want to catch up on my email before the food gets here."

The TV news had switched to sports coverage, Vlad and Carl began debating the merits of a college football playoffs system 

"Look, I am not saying a college play off system wouldn't be nice but I think the President of the United States and a US Senator would have more important things to worry about." stated Carl "It is not that big an issue."

"It is a big issue millions of dollars are in play and some schools are being cut out of their opportunity to get a share of the pie even though they have a superior team" responded Vlad.

"I would rather they did something about the cupcake schedule some of these larger schools setup to pad their records. For example compare the 2010 Texas and Air Force schedules. The Big 12 being such a poor conference and Texas's non-conference schedule being so easy I would say that Air Force has the tougher schedule if you look at the ranked non-conference teams they play. They also need to speed up the game"

Satan reached in his pocket and pulled out a cell phone he had set to vibrate: "whoops a text message, no rest for the wicked" He paused then laughed at his own joke. He then typed out a response. 

Vlad was about to say something in response when the waitress arrived with their food. Satan put away his laptop to make more room at the table. As they dug into their meal and tall older gentlemen whose short white hair made him look older than his 55 years enter the restaurant and walked over to their table.

Carl greeted him with a "Hello Padre, he is buying tonight" pointing at Satan. While Satan and Vlad merely acknowledged his presence with nods of their heads as they stuffed their mouths. Father Mark slid into the booth next to Satan. "A menu and coffee, black" he said to the waitress as she came up to refill their drinks. "So what did I miss?"

Vlad: "we were talking football......"

Carl: "Oh Oh"

Satan: "Here we go again."

Father Marcus looking at Carl: Don't give me Oh, Oh, you know I am right. All that talent and they have trouble making into the playoffs I am convinced he is evil incarnate" He shifted his gazed to Satan.

Satan holding up his hands: "I told you before he not one of mine, Why would I have anything to do with "God's Team"? You are talking to the wrong guy" Damn another message" he said reaching for his cell phone

Carl: "Besides you have to admit he does a pretty good job of marketing a team that continues to fall short of expectation year after year."

Farther Marcus leaned back and looked at Vlad.

"Hey, he is not one of mine either."

"Will if they don't measure up this season I am through, I will find a new team to support. Life for us mortals is too short to waste on a losing team. There is fan loyalty and then there is stupidity." Looking down at is menu he continued "So I take it that the dying out of the storm means somebody's evening did not go so well?"

Satan shrugged "You win some you lose some."

Vlad: smiling "I did not do so bad at all"

"Not as well as you think, I found two of your more recent converts" said Father Marcus with a smile

"You Van Helsings have been a pain in my side long enough it is time...."

"Vlad, you know the agreement. This is neutral ground , we keep it civil and if you can't handle business discussions talk about something else." Interrupted Carl

Vlad simply responded with "fine" and returned to his eating"

The waitress returned to get Father Marcus's order. "Silver Dollar Pancakes side of browns and bacon, please he replied"

Father Marcus glanced at Carl's Plate. You eat a lot red meat son, maybe you should cut back"

Satan responded with "Cholesterol is the least of his worries, if it even affects him."

Vlad smiled "Don't worry about it Carl, it won't . I know for a fact it does not impact the taste."

Just then a young 20s something couple came through the door and headed toward the booth. The girl was about 5'6" slender blonde hair tied in a pony tail She had green eyes behind wire rimmed glasses. She also had a smile that would not quit

With her was a young man, equally thin, about 5' 9" brown hair brown eyes. He had a goatee on his face and was wearing a ball cap on his head brim backwards. They were both dressed in jeans and sweatshirts, wearing hiking boots. Everybody shifted over has the squeezed into Vlad's side of the semicircular booth. 

Satan greeted them with "Hello you two how goes the wizarding and witching biz." 

Aradia (Obviously the female of the couple): "Kind of slow we heard about the approaching storm on the radio and headed back to town but it looks like the fun is already over."

She reached across the table and snatched a strawberry off of Satan's plate.

"Some fun" thought Carl still feeling the pain in his ribs. "Where are you coming back from?"

Anton (the male part of the couple): "We were doing a little backpacking. Our weather radio gave a severe storm warning so we thought we should head back."

The waitress returned to the table: We don't need menus" said Aradia . "I'll have a short stack of strawberry pancakes with extra strawberries and some milk"

"And you sir?" asked the waitress. Aradia spoke up for him "He will have the stuffed French toast and a milk also"

Satan started laughing "That is amazing, his lips did not even move when he ordered" Everybody including the waitress smiled at the remark. Well every body except Aradia and Anton.

"Will this all still be one check?" asked the waitress? 

"Yes ma'am and we may have one more person showing up" responded Carl

Satan looked at him with a scowl "Spending my money kind of freely aren't you?"

"A bet is a bet."

Just as Carl finished talking then they head the roar of a motorcycle pulling into the parking lot.

Aradia spoke first "It seems the countess has arrived"

A tall thin strikingly beautiful woman entered the restaurant. Her complexion was pale similar to that of Vlad's. Her only make up was bright red lipstick. She had dark eyes and shoulder length straight black hair. She was dressed in black biker leathers and boots. All eyes watched as she crossed the room, even the women.

As she approached the table she spoke "Sorry I am late, but I waited to make sure the weather cleared. It was not exactly ideal for motorcycling."

"So, Liz how do you like the Harley?" asked Father Marcus

Elizabeth Báthory: "I love it, I would never have been able to ride around on one in the old country without attracting a lot of attention. "So tell me what did I miss?" as she squeezed in next to Father Marcus."

"Not much, mostly sports talk" Carl said

Liz rolled her eyes. "Not the Cowboys again, still blaming you." Turning to look at Satan

"Yes and for some reason he does not believe me when I tell him I have nothing to do with them."

Father Marcus smiled and said "I wonder why"

"Well I have nothing to do with it either, besides I'm a WNBA fan." 

"So you are the one" Carl joked

"We also discussed Carl's diet."

Liz glanced at his plate: "I thought Sir Galahad was supposed to be watching his cholesterol"

"Why do we keep harping about my cholesterol? When was the last time anybody heard of a Paladin taking a dirt nap because of a clogged artery?"

The waitress returned at the moment with more orders and cleared some of the other plates. Elizabeth Báthory ordered "same thing he is having" pointing at Carl's plate only make the steak rare.

Liz then looked at Vlad who had a frown on his face. He was watching the TV which was no showing movie trailers for upcoming attractions. "What has got all tall dark and gloomy more depressed than usual?"

Vlad turned to her and said "You would be upset to if Hollywood was out to ruin your reputation" On the TV there was a trailer for the latest Teen Vampire romance drama.

Satan was smirking "So twinkles, how does that affect your reputation?"

Anton: interjected with "I thought it was sparkles?"

"Laugh it up, but you don't have somebody portraying you as some glittering, angst ridden, love sick, metrosexual. Vampires used to be feared if not respected. Now, thanks to these female authors, we are seen as dandified, male model types, romantic love interests for menopausal females or overweight teenager girls. Plus we have a bunch of wannabes getting fang implants and actually calling themselves vampire."

"Like you have it so bad, look at how wizards are portrayed. The most popular is a whining EMO teenager while many of the adults around him are bumbling idiots somehow appointed to positions of influence and power." Anton replied

"and somehow being a Wiccan is now a pop culture religion" joined in Aradia

"Don't forget the damn Goths" was Liz's contribution.

Vlad responded with his anger growing: "Nobody is attempting to emasculate you, how could there be any respect in being a vampire? It is almost as if there it is a planned campaign to discredit us." He turned to look at Satan.

Satan sighed "First the Cowboys and now this, You know I have no power to act directly in this plane." He took a bite of his food and leaned back.

Father Marcus responded "We all know that and we also know that your power is exercised through your influence on others."

Carl adding "And at least half Hollywood is at your beck and call by some estimates. How else could a convicted child rapist be given one of their most prestigious awards?"

"I do not deny my influence but I think you give me too much credit. It was not me who told millions to buy the books and see the movies." Seeing his audience unconvinced he continued." I don't attempt mass conversions very often. Time is on my side and I am content with a few souls here and there. As they say patience is a virtue "he ended with a laugh.

Father Marcus shaking his head: "Virtue in Satan?"

Anton: "Certainly more groups are susceptible to your, shall we say charms, than others"

"Without a doubt. Politicians, lawyers, and many of your supposedly most godly such as TV Evangleists. Religious conflicts always supply me with a rich harvest." He looked at Father Marcus as he shoved another bite into his face.




Pancakes



Aradia: "But you must have a constant rich harvest as you put it without wars. Just look in this restaurant."

"Perhaps but just who would you say is a more likely victim?"

Aradia nodded over to a table of rather loud strippers who had come in earlier.

"You are young and too quick to judge" He then reached for his cell phone which had started to vibrate. He glanced at it and said to Carl, explain it to her will you I have to respond to this"

Carl who had heard this all many times before put down his fork: "Why the strippers? Because they are already engaging in you might consider sinful activity?"

Aradia and Anton nodded together. Elisabeth, Father Marcus and Vlad who were already familiar with this continued eating while Satan was busy texting.

Carl continued "Well because of the rough life that many of them lead you may think that like a junkie they may be more open to Satan suggestions but in truth it just the opposite. They still have hope and faith just as many who work in what many consider more respectable professions. Sure a drug user or a person with low self esteem is easy pickings but as a group not the easiest. " He paused on the waitress came with Liz's order and to check on their table and top off some cups of coffee. When she left he continued. "look around here again. There is one group that the evil guy a had more success with than any of the others"

Anton and Aradia looked around seeing beside the strippers, the shift workers, students and a couple of truckers.

Anton offered the guess: "Students?"

Carl: "Which ones?"

Anton: "What do you mean which ones"

Carl: "Well you have three groups there and if you look at the books they have with them I would say that one group has a bunch of science or engineering majors while the other two seem to be philosophy types."

Aradia offered her guess: "The geeks?"

Carl shook his head; " As a group as much as they might insist that they are atheist and attempt to explaining everything with mathematical formulas and experiments the fact remains that they cannot explain it all so that leaves doubt in their mind. There are others who upon seeing he beauty of their formulas and are unable to reconcile that as sort of random chance but see a grand design. So no matter what they say in public they are no more susceptible to him" pointing at Satan, who was still texting "than the average guy on the street"

Satan, who had finished his texting: "In fact it is the young pseudo-intellectual types are the types I have the most success with. They feel they are too smart and sophisticated to believe in Supreme Being or any of the religious philosophies or as they call them myths."

Aradia: "So how does lack of belief translate in a sudden belief in you?"

Just as Satan was about to respond his cell phone buzzed. Looking at Carl "Explain it to her for me will you this looks like it could take a bit"

Carl had finished eating a pushed away his plate. "Think about it. They believe themselves too sophisticated and intelligent to have faith. They don't believe in miracles. They believe that everything from the smallest single cell organism to the complexity of life is a rain forest is a product of chance. Child birth is not a miracle to them just some organic matter that happened to come together and despite the inability of their own science to duplicate it from raw materials. So it does not take real miracles to sway them just "favors" if you will"

Satan on cell phone: "Yes, same crowd as always" "No of course not" "No I don't know when"

Carl continuing: "Say one of them needs a grade adjusted, he ( pointing at Satan) has the followers in place so that a 2.0 GPA becomes a 3.5. Students are always short of money so next month rent is paid as if by magic. Or perhaps they are hoping for a grant to study cow manure odors. You do not really think an honest person would give them money for that do you? So these minor "miracles add up and the y start to believe in the power of those granting them. Not all of them become Satan worshippers per say but they become part of the network and in their own way they start granting favors. That philosophy student who needed the GPA raised is now a professor in a position to raise other GPAs, helping to recruit others. Out of this crowd the true believers are developed. They see Satan's favors as miracles and proof of his power while the miracle that is everyday life is ignored.' Others who do his favors rationalize by saying since there is no supreme being there is no devil and no harm in what they do. Sort of a moral relativism."

Satan still on cell phone: "No I don't know when, I still have a lot to do" "Of course I do, why would you say that" "Ok , I will ask tonight I promise" Yeah me too." Then he clicked his phone close.

"Trouble at home?" smirked Elisabeth

"Yeah it was Lilith, she was complaining how I never take her anywhere." He paused "she thinks I prefer spending time away from home"

Carl asked. "Well you do don't you?"

"You don't have a wife or wives so you would not understand" "Look guys what do you say we allow spouses to our attend our little get together occasionally?"

The question was greeted with a spontaneous and almost unanimous" NO!"

Anton and Aradia did not respond but looked around and with Satan asked why not?

Elisabeth spoke first. "the last thing we need to turn this into is a couples social gathering, the next time you know we will be discussing child care and gardening and I am not about to start exchange recipes with Lilith."

Vlad added, "This demilitarized gathering gives me a chance to take a break from things. I don't have to worry about somebody trying to shove a stake through me or douse me with holy water, I can relax. Having wives or husbands here would just screw things up"

"So if Anton and I were to get married one of us could not attend?" ask Aradia.

At that comment the normally quite Anton started to choke on his milk then he managed to clear his throat and gasped "Who said anything about marriage?"

Aradia's eyes narrowed "Are you saying you don't want to marry me?"

"We have never discussed it before..."

Father Marcus interjected "I think that you two should have this discussion in private. You are providing too much entertainment for everybody else." Indeed everybody else at the table seemed to enjoy the direction the conversation was taking. "I think we can grant an exception to the no spouse rule if a marriage occurs between members of our group"

"Easy for you to say since as a Priest you will never have to deal with having a spouse around" said Vlad.

"I still also think we should revisit the no spouse rule" spoke up Satan

"With five wives I would think you would enjoy the break. Taking too much heat on the home front?"

"What would you know about it you have never been married? You spend too much of your life alone, it would not hurt for you to have some steady companionship. You will end up a lonely old bitter man" he said to Carl

"I hate to agree with him but he is right" said Father Marcus. "You know what they say about all work and no play."

Elisabeth purred "If you need some companionship..."

"As much as I appreciate your offer I would like to survive the experience besides I thought you preferred the ladies" replied Carl to Elisabeth.

"I play for both teams. I think you will find being among the undead not all that bad, at least compared to your probably mortality"

"How did my social life and cholesterol become such a concern for everybody? Don't you people have lives or un-lives as the case may be, of your own to worry about?"

Satan spoke up "Calm down I think Marcus was just being a Priest and a friend and her highness," nodding at Elizabeth "is probably in heat. My reasons, as normal, are purely self serving. When I take you down I take you down I want you mentally and physically in top form. There is no reputation to be gained by taking you down when you are not at your best. Sure I could do with one less damn Paladin around but my image is considerable enhanced if you go down at your peak."

"Well I will do my best to accommodate you but I don't think that means me getting a steady girlfriend right now so let us drop it."

"Fine I want to discuss the no spouse rule" said Satan

"As do I" said Aradia 

Vlad looked right at Satan, "If we let Lilith join then where does it stop? You have four other wives; will they all be joining us?"

So they argued back and forth stopping only when the waitress came by. When they voted on it they ended up with a 3-3 tie. Father Marcus abstained from voting because as he put it "without some heavy duty rule changes from he Vatican it is unlikely I will ever have a spouse so I don't think I should vote on this issue." Satan, Aradia and Anton (under heavy pressure from Aradia) all voted to allow spouses while Carl Elizabeth and Vlad voted against. The deadlock was broken when Carl offered a compromise exempting current attendees from the no spouse rule should they marry another member of the group. This convinced Aradia and Anton to change their votes.

Satan signed and said "This just hasn't been my night." At any rate I have to get going I have busy schedule and with that he vanished."

"Dam the skipped out on the check" said Carl

Those remaining sat there looking at him till he said "OK, I will get the check but you guys have to cover the tip and next time somebody else is buying, The group laid their money on the table and gathered their stuff up as Carl went up to the register to pay the tab, Father Marcus waited with him and they exited the restaurant together were Vlad stood scanning the darkness. There was slight breeze with heavy humidity but the skies had begun to clear. 

"So did you buy the excuse Satan gave for his concern over your well being?" asked Father Marcus.

"Well I think he was telling the truth about wanting me healthy. Reputation is everything in his business. Taking out an enemy who is in unable to defend himself, like he did Jefta in Bosnia, does nothing for his street cred, so to speak. Why do you think there is more to it?"

"Don't laugh but I think he is lonely"

Carl raised his eyebrows "lonely, how so? He has fives wives, seven princess countless minions. Somehow I don't think he lacks for company."

"I don't think it is a matter of quantity but quality. Somebody once said something to the effect that great and powerful mean tread a lonely path lit along the way only by encounters with other great and powerful men such as themselves. Sometimes these men are their enemies. Now I cannot call Satan great but he is powerful. Perhaps he finds those who serve him not worthy company. He hates you and would not hesitate to feed you your own heart to be sure but I think he also respects you in his own weird way."

"That is an interesting theory Padre but I really don't believe Satan considers anybody his equal and to be honest I am not . If I were to meet him on his home ground, Hell, I would not stand a chance. Even here were he cannot act directly there is not much I can do to him."

"Well, I still think I am right but do what you will. It has been a long night and I need to get some rest, Take care and God Bless." Father Marcus then headed out to the parking lot.

"Back at you Padre"

Vlad spoke up "It pains me to say this but I think Van Helsing is right" Just then a Jeep Wrangler drove by Anton and Aradia waved as they went by.

"You think those two will make it?" asked Vlad

"Why not? They have as good a chance as anyone in this business"

"Anton is too young to be involved which such a headstrong woman. He should still be being mentored by an older wizard to develop his skills more." Vlad then walked to his car, an M5, got in and drove away.

The vampire biz must pay pretty good thought Carl walking toward his truck. As he got closer he noticed a figure standing in the darkness next to it. He did was not too worried about an attack by Vlad, The Countess or Satan as that would have been against the agreement. On the nights of their get together no side would attack the other on the restaurant premises or for two hours after their departure and there would be no following or stalking to their homes. 

Of course evil would not be evil if they honored all their agreements but they seemed to value this one, still it did not hurt to be cautious. Of course it may only be a mugger which he could easily handle.

Carl approached his truck from the front and as he got out his keys the figure stepped from the darkness "give a damsel in distress a lift?" she asked.

It was then he noticed the motorcycled tied down in the truck bed. 



Pancakes



Sara comes in the front door after her morning run, she is dressed in her running gear which consists of a tight black pair of running shorts and a lovely purple tank top that is barely able to hold her breasts in place. She is a little out of breath and as she stands in the doorway she takes a few deep breaths and realises that something smells really good and heads towards the kitchen to see what is cooking. As she gets to the kitchen she gets a surprise to see Andy in front of the cook top wearing nothing but an apron, from behind of course the apron covers nothing and she just stands there for a moment enjoying the view of his butt. Andy soon turns around with the frypan in his hand and seeing Sara smiles at her and says "I thought you might like something when you got back from your run so I made up some pancakes."

"And the whole just an apron thing?" she replies.

"Well I thought you might like something when you got back from your run," he says with a laugh, but his laugh stops and his eyes drop to Sara's chest as he notices her nipples pressing thru the fabric of her top "It would seem you are feeling pretty good gorgeous," and his eyes roam over her taking in all her curves from top to toe "so would you like something to eat?"

Sara walks towards Andy in a slow sensual way and looking down notices that there is a tent starting to appear in the front of his apron "Yes I think I would actually," her eyes not leaving the growing shape of his apron "Why don't you put the pan down?" Andy drops it back on to the cook top and as he turns back to Sara she steps forward putting her arms around his neck and moves in for a deep kiss, Andy responds and wraps his arms around her waist pulling himself tightly against her pressing his penis against her and he can smell her scent mixed with her sweat. Sara grabs the knot of the apron at his neck and releases it then steps back letting the apron fall to his waist.

"Oh I like that look but something isn't quite right," and she gives him a soft kiss on his lips before kissing down his chin across his neck then on to his chest where she flicks her tongue across one of his nipples before she starts to lower herself further.

"mmm ..." is all that Andy says obviously enjoying himself very much.

Then Sara continues to kiss down across tummy stopping at the edge of his apron, and then reaching around behind him she undoes the apron completely dropping it to the floor uncovering his erect penis. "For me?" she says in a little girly voice "you shouldn't have, but since you did," she leans forward and takes the head of his penis in her mouth and Andy leans back against the edge of the bench to support himself. 

Sara takes hold of his penis in her hand and gently runs her hand up and down it before she takes it out of her mouth to a disappointed groan from Andy, but she just reaches over to the bench where she had noticed the bottle of maple syrup then turns back to his penis and pours a small amount of syrup over the tip of his penis and takes it back in to her mouth. Sara's tongue works at licking the syrup from his tip as she slowly moves her head back and forth taking him slowly deeper into her mouth and when a small amount of the syrup drops on to her top and she suddenly pulls back. "I don't want to get my nice top dirty," and with that she quickly takes it off freeing her breasts and giving Andy a wonderful view of her erect nipples, she then goes straight back to his penis pouring more syrup on it and begins taking it deeper into her mouth.

Some of the syrup is dropping on to her breasts and Andy is wishing his mouth was down there right now but is enjoying what she is doing too much to want it to stop as Sara tilts her head back a little to open her throat and takes him completely in. She starts to fondle his balls which are also now covered in syrup and there is a general sticky mess all around Andy's penis and Sara's mouth, as his penis hits the back of her throat she gently squeezes his balls and clamps her lips around the base of his penis and starts to swallow hard on his shaft sucking all the syrup off him.

Andy can feel that his arousal is rising quickly as Sara works away on his penis with strong passion as if she hadn't had him for ages and he starts to thrust his penis in and out of her mouth as she holds her lips tightly around his shaft, he knows he can't last long with the way she is going and then knows he will soon explode as she slides a hand around his butt finding the entrance to his anus pushing her syrup covered finger in slowly. This pushes Andy over the edge and his orgasm hits him, he thrusts into her mouth reaching the back of her throat as his seed begins to flow forth in large bursts, Sara begins to swallow then suddenly grips the base of his penis to try and stem the flow before taking his penis from her mouth then aims it at her breasts before releasing her grip and his seed flows free again all over her breasts. Andy looks down at what is happening and licks his lips as he realises what she is doing, Sara then looks up at him saying "Well my sexy cook, you prepared something for me so I thought I might prepare something for you," and letting go of his penis while still kneeling before him takes her breasts in her hands and lifts them slightly as if offering them to him.

"Why thank you," Andy says with a smile and taking her hands in his pulls her to her feet and quickly wraps his arms around her taking a hold of her butt and lifts her up on to the bench behind her. She moans as he quickly lowers his lips to her nipple, covered in his own seed and the remanets of maple syrup that had dropped from Sara's ministrations on his penis, and he begins to lick and suck her nipples and breasts. He takes his time moving from one breast to the other cleaning them thoroughly leaving nothing behind sending Sara into ecstasy and she starts to groan loudly. Andy lifts his head to look her in the eyes for a moment and says "I think a second course is in order," before kneeling down in front of her and pulls at her running shorts. 

"Sure thing stud," Sara eagerly replies somewhat breathlessly, and lifts herself enough to allow him to easily pull her shorts off before moving back between her legs and begins to taste her very wet pussy, his tongue working its way over her pussy lips and clit causing her to gasp at the sudden wave of pleasure that washes over her.

"Oh Andy," she moans and places her hands on his head pulling him firmly against her and he responds by sliding his tongue inside her pussy, he then moves his hands, one goes to her breast and gently caresses it while the other joins his mouth between her legs and takes her clit between his fingers causing her to squeal as he gently tugs on it. He begins thrusting his tongue deeply into her pussy eliciting more moans from her lips and her legs lift and wrap over his shoulders behind his neck and she hears him try to say something but it is muffled with his mouth firmly planted on her pussy. After getting worked up from sucking Andy's penis before and then his attention to her nipples it isn't taking long for her to feel that familiar sensation deep inside as her orgasm begins to build.

As Andy delves deeper still with his tongue and rubs her clit between his fingers her orgasm finally explodes and she pulls him harder against her with her legs, seeming to drive his tongue even further into her pussy and she screams out loud as she bucks against his face until her orgasm subsides. She slowly lets her legs fall from his shoulders and he stands up after one more lick across her clit and somewhat breathlessly says "Well sexy, what about time for the main course?" 

"mmm... main course sounds good to me," she murmurs as she slips off the bench into his arms there naked bodies pressing together, his penis once again hard pressing against her. And with that they head off to the bedroom, the pancakes all but forgotten.



Pancakes and Sausage



My name is Marilyn. I'm a mom. That's it, just a mom. I'm a wife to my husband Hugh, and have been devoted to him for twenty five years now. Sometimes I look at myself and wonder where the time went.

We met in school and dated only briefly before the war. Hugh's unit served bravely in the Pacific theater, Hugh was decorated for his valor in Iwo Jima. We wrote one another religiously while he was away and, like many high school sweethearts of the time, were married as soon as he was discharged from the service. Our only son, David, was born three years later, and we soon settled into a comfortable life. Hugh worked in insurance, I took care of the house and my boys, David and Hugh.

Hugh is a strong man, and doesn't talk much about his experiences in the war. All he's said is they were too horrible to talk about. I think that's all I want to hear. Hugh was always fit, and cut a fine figure in his suit and hat. I used to watch him walk to the car each morning, admiring him from the kitchen window.

Then there is David. He is my joy. As an only child, I have devoted myself to him his entire life. He gets hugs and kisses each morning when he wakes, and every evening before he goes to bed. When he was younger, David would sit on my lap and we would hug for what would seem like hours. It was my only solace during the frequent evenings that Hugh spent out with the boys. Sometimes I would get lonely and crawl into bed with David. Curling up with him would help me sleep.

Then, a few years ago, Hugh's drinking got to be a bit too heavy. He would get intoxicated and fall asleep on the sofa in the den, sometimes days at a time. He would go away for days and, when he returned, he would smell of liquor and cheap perfume. All he'd tell me is he was with his friends from the unit, because only they understood him. This hurt my feelings because, like a good wife, I wanted him to come to me with those things.

Finally, it became too much, and I left Hugh. Daddy had set up a nice trust fund for me, so David and I were well taken care of. We had a nice apartment downtown, in a building with a doorman and a concierge. A car would come and drive David to school and, when he graduated, we took a week long trip to the shore to celebrate.

That's when things got a little . . . different.

David still enjoyed his morning and evening hugs and kisses. I must admit, I enjoyed them too. He is now a tall young man, with a figure cut like his father, but like I remember his father before the war. I have managed to keep myself fit. My hair is still blonde, I still fit into a size 6, and have managed to stay slim. I have always dressed conservatively, wearing slips with my dresses, an apron in the morning, and a cocktail dress at night, even if staying at home. I'd wear gloves when I went anywhere, and always wore the appropriate amount of jewelry.

At the shore, though, we dressed more casually. This one day, David wore a pair of shorts and a thin cotton shirt. I wore a thin cotton dress and, because it was hot, didn't wear a slip all day. The dress was pink, cut just above my knees, with white buttons up the front. The material was thin enough that, in the sun, one might see through it if they were looking closely enough. Feeling the dress against my legs made me feel good, and I think I walked a little differently, enjoying the feeling of my legs rubbing against one another, and the soft material of the dress on my skin.

David noticed too, I think. That morning as I walked into the kitchen, I caught David looking at me . . . more intently than he has in the past. I could swear that he was looking at my legs. Was he trying to see through my dress? The thought made my cheeks flush, I don't know why. 

I walked up to him for his morning hug and kiss. He stood up, my he's gotten tall, I walked up to him, he wrapped his arms around me. His arms felt good on top of mine for some reason, so I gave him an extra tight hug. He pulled me into his chest and smelled under my ear. 

"Mmmm, Chanel?" He asked of my perfume. I giggled and told him yes. 

He smelled again, his nose digging into my ear. The heat of his breath went down my neck, and somehow a chill went up my spine. I got goosebumps. How could this be happening with my son?

We stood there a few moments more, when I felt his . . . front, pressed against my . . . front. I could tell he was getting some special enjoyment out of our hug. I must admit this made me dizzy. 

I broke away and, flushed, made his breakfast. While I cooked, David just sat there, watching me, with a funny look on his face. I have to say I felt a little uncomfortable with that encounter. If I was honest with myself tough, I'd realize it wasn't discomfort with David's getting excited, it would be discomfort with the fact that I got excited too. What kind of mother am I?

That day, we read some, we walked the beach, and after the discomfort from the morning's encounter faded, we chatted. It was a little odd, but that day we talked more like two adults than like a mother and her son. 

He talked about going off to college, I talked about how much I would miss him. At one point, as we were shopping and I said something silly, he kissed me on the lips. It was quite impromptu, and seemed very natural at the time, but it brought back those uncomfortable feelings. The feeling of his lips on mine, his mouth so strong, mine so soft, left me flushed again. From the way David thrust his hands in his pockets after, I think it had a similar effect on him.

No matter, we walked back from the shop arm in arm, without a care in the world.

That evening we had a wonderful dinner. I cooked roast pork and we both had a glass of wine with dinner. He was of age, so why not? After, he cleared the dishes, something Hugh never did. I thanked him with a peck on the cheek. After the kiss on the cheek, David looked at me as if to say he wanted another kiss on the lips. Oh, I couldn't have that! 

"Off to the living room with you," I said, a little flirty. Hands in pockets, David did as he was told. What a good boy!

We finished our evening of reading, and it was time for our hug and kiss goodnight. I had changed into my nightgown and robe. The nightgown was white silk, not much bigger than a slip. I wore a bra and panties under it, and on top, the robe was a comfortable thin cotton number, also white. I felt good in it, and when David saw me, his eyes widened. I didn't notice until later that my nipples were hard, and protruded from the thin cloth of what I had on.

He walked up to me, as he did earlier this morning, and took me in his strong arms. I could feel my body almost melt into David's. I forgot for a moment that he was my son, and simply enjoyed be in the arms of a strong man. I think I sighed when he held me, and wrapped my arms under his, up to his back. 

"You feel so good, mom," David said, as he pushed his front into me. 

I could feel he was excited, he made no pretense against pressing himself up against me. What is interesting is that I didn't pull away. In fact, I think I pushed back a little. So excited was I, I forgot where I was and who I was with. It just felt good. So that's how I reacted. 

"Goodnight darling," I whispered to him, and kissed him on the cheek, holding his head in my hands. David pulled himself into me, and moved his face as if to kiss me on the lips. Would I allow myself to kiss him on the lips?

No, I couldn't. Instead, I pulled away. 

"You need some sleep big boy," I said, walking off but still with his hand in mine. 

He was visibly excited, with what looked like a tent pole in his pants, and he made no effort to hide it. His face was flushed as I'm sure mine was. I gave his hand a squeeze, then gave him a light kiss on the lips. 

"I'll cook something special for you in the morning," I whispered to him. His only reaction was to look down at me. That's when I saw the condition of my nipples. Oh my, they stood right out!

Quickly, I let go of his hand, walked into my room, shut the door, turned out the lights, got in bed, and made myself feel good. I'm quite sure that David did the same.

That night, I didn't sleep well. I got up early nonetheless, and started making pancakes and sausage, David's favorite breakfast. 

For some reason, I stayed in my nightgown and robe, rather than changing into a dress as I did most mornings. Soon, as the smell of the sausage cooking filled the beach house, David emerged from his room, looking sleepy. When he walked into the kitchen, things quickly became uncomfortable again. I was at the kitchen counter, with my back to him. I looked back at him, and seeing him only in his underwear, something he never did, I turned away from him. 

"Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes dear," I said. He said nothing in return. I could feel his eyes on me, and being honest, it excited me. What I did then, though, surprised even me.

"The powdered sugar is on the top shelf here, could you help me reach it?" I asked David. I knew my voice sounded nervous, almost shaking. I also knew my knees felt weak, and I was feeling that now familiar warm, moist sensation "down there."

Hearing what I said, David, my son, walked up behind me at the counter. He reached up, but it was still a stretch. He couldn't reach the powdered sugar. Now, I know if I had moved, he would reach it fine. But I didn't. Instead, I stood there and so David had to lean into me. Doing so, his front pressed into my rear. 

I let out a low moan. David reached the powdered sugar and placed it on the counter in front of me, his front still pressed into my rear.

Then there was a pause. He stayed there for what seemed like a few minutes, but I'm sure was only a few seconds. Then, imperceptibly I think, I pushed back against his front with my rear. With this, David let out a low moan. He pushed into me, this time more forcefully. This was obvious, and I found myself wondering what I should do. I felt the heat between my legs, and the hardness of that part of his body. It felt good, and I haven't felt good for so long. 

I decided to keep going. I pressed back on him, and straightened up a little. With that, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pressed himself into me even harder, and pressed his lips against my neck. Feeling his hot breath there gave me the goosebumps again. 

All he said was, "Mom . . . ." I let out a hmmmm, and moved my arms up and cupped his head in my hands, so his lips stayed at my neck. It felt so good.

David's hands moved up my waist, and soon cupped my breasts. He opened the cotton robe and soon his hands were inside my bra, pulling at my nipples. By now, I was positively grinding my ass up against his dick . . . his hard dick (oh, so bad to say it that way!), and he was alternating between sucking my neck, kissing my ears, and moaning.

Soon, my robe was on the ground, my nightgown was down to my waist, and my bra was pulled off my breasts. I unhooked it for David, as it doesn't seem he's ever unhooked one. Soon, the bra and nightgown were on the floor. David's hands reached down to my sex. It was burning, and so very wet. 

First, over the panties, his fingers probed my warmth. I ground my crotch down on his fingers, moaning like a whore. Then he slipped his fingers into my panties and, for the first time, he came in contact with my very sensitive lady parts. I moaned loudly as the fingers of his right hand grazed over my pubic hair, then down to my warm folds. He rubbed my lady parts as he kissed me. I humped his hand and soon, a rush came over me. I became dizzy and I thought I was going to pass out! My knees buckled under me, and my whole body started to quiver uncontrollably. 

Then it came, in rush after rush, my orgasm took control of my body like never before. "Uuuhnnnn," I moaned, over and over again.

David's hands were dripping wet after, wet from my sex. I leaned forward on the kitchen counter, now no longer able to resist my son. He could have me any way he wanted. With my chest on the counter, I felt him step back from me, and his fingers slip into my panties, from the sides. Slowly, he slid the panties down to the floor. I stepped out of them without getting up from the counter. Then there was a pause, and I could tell he was removing his underwear. What I felt next was remarkable.

His hands went to my hips, then slid down the sides of my legs. Then, I felt his bare hard cock come rest up on my uncovered ass. He leaned down over me, chest on my back, then reached out front, between my legs. I felt an expectant twitch in my pussy . . . my wet pussy. Then his cock came off my ass, and down between my legs. I felt his fingers reach for for the cock. 

With that, I reached down too and, with his hand in mine, we both took his cock, and placed the head of it up against the entrance of my pussy. There I was, with my chest against the kitchen counter, my face flushed and panting like a prostitute. My legs were spread and my son's cock was poised at the very entrance of me. There we sat for a moment, perhaps to see if it was real, perhaps to revel in the expectant pleasure of it. But soon, I could not wait. 

"Fuck me," I said, "Fuck me David." 

"Oh mom," he said, as he slowly glided the head of him into me. My juices flowed as he continued sliding the length of his cock into me. 

It took a deliciously long time, and soon, I felt his full length enveloped in my womb. We both moaned. 

"Fuck me David," I said, this time more urgently. Soon, he drew the length of himself out, and plunged it back in. 

"That's right," I said. 

He did it again. "Ohhh." Soon, my son was pumping his cock hard in and out of me. I was pushing back best I could, wanting more, and relishing each thrust. 

His cock seemed to open me up. I clamped down on him with my pussy, and he groaned. I could feel his cock swell. I could feel the head flare out, and his cock instinctively sought pleasure that would lead to his orgasm. 

"Fuck me . . . fuck me . . . cum in me," I panted. David pumped me for all he was worth. I pressed my rear into him, wanting all he could give me, then he came. Oh, and how he came! 

Spasm after spasm came over him. He thrashed about behind me, as I could feel his sperm pump into my body. I clamped down on his cock, my pussy greedy to keep the seed inside me. 

His orgasm lasted almost a minute. After that, we stood there, in the same position, until he became flaccid. Slowly, his cock slid out of me. I felt it fall out and I stood up.

"Now go get yourself cleaned up, I'll warm up these pancakes and then we can eat."

Good boy, he did what he was told.