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Mixed Blessings Ch. 01

By: tenicka



A/N – Hi! Just a quick word of warning on this story. Although it's placed in the Sci-fi/Fantasy category, it is more than just what is known as "Punk Sci-Fi". It actually can fall under many different categories ranging from Anal, to First Time, to Reluctance, to Interracial Relations, to Homosexuality. If you are the slightest bit offended by any of the above, please move along and check out one of my other stories. If you are afraid to go where no reader has gone before, then keep reading...

Thanks for checking out Mixed Blessings! I hope you like it. :)

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Is this recorder device thingy on?

Ah yes, I see the flashing light. Excellent. All right then, I shall begin.

I will try and take this slow....

The year is 2210. 

My name is Alex Stone. 

I am Twenty Four, Male, Six Foot in height, 180 pounds. 

Very close to the end of the twenty-first century, science had excelled at cloning tissues and things began to sour once the natural order had become tampered with. 

From this tampering of human tissues, came two separate factions of human beings: one dealt with the power to curse, nicknamed "The Cursers" and the other was able to offer blessings, called "The Blessers". The majority of the humans that did not fall into either category soon found themselves dwindling in numbers until the Cursers, ever with the power to kill and the thirst to control, enfeebled the humans into slavery. This is where my story begins. 

I am, or should I say, was a Blesser...

Blessers make their homes in the sky cities, large dwellings thousands of feet above the earth's surface made of glass. They worship the sun for it brings them light, erasing the shadows.

The Cursers, on the other hand, enjoy the darkness and shadows. This place, Surface City as they call it, is below. They reside in massive metal buildings that are connected by covered walkways, never letting the sun's rays shine inside. 

Humans are unwelcome in the Sky cities, as the Blessers do not feel them equals. However, unlike the Cursers, they do not use them as slaves. 

You can always tell when a Blesser or a Curser is around by looking at their eyes. Whenever you see a white glow surrounding the irises, that means they are a Blesser.

If you see a red glow around the irises, that means you should run. And swiftly too, as that means you are up against a Curser.

I am not like my fellow Blessers any longer as something had happened to change me. I live on the surface, struggling to avoid detection by anyone. I cannot afford to be caught, not in the sad shape I am in. See, there are five levels of Blessers and five levels of Cursers. Level 1 means they could do such minor blessings or curses that you'd hardly know they are doing anything positive or negative. Level 2 is more serious and most common. Level 3 will cause problems if you were up against a Curser and against a Blesser, well, you would want them on your side. Level 4 is most powerful. A Level 4 Curser can kill a regular human with a few words from his mouth. Level 5? As far as I knew, they did not exist. If they did, they'd be like gods.

Before my incident, I was a Level 4 Blesser. 

Are we clear now? Good, I will move on to the story now...

As I sat against the wall in the deserted warehouse I called my home, I tried to recall what had led up to my ruination as a Blesser. It was because of a girl that I lost my talents. Isn't it always about a girl, though? But this one was beautiful. No, she was gorgeous. Her name was Vanessa and she was the most amazing woman I had ever met. It was a shame she was a Curser. We had met on the edge of Sky City. The Cursers, when they find a new Level 4, like Vanessa, always attempt to break into Sky City and destroy the Blessers. It was quite a rivalry between the two, and to be honest, I am not sure why. Power, I suppose. Vanessa and I had fought for a good hour before deciding that we had each met our equal. I could not best her, she could not best me, and so we called it a draw and had some drinks on the surface. 

One thing led to another and she invited me up to her place for a nightcap. That nightcap was her riding me like I was a wild stallion. With our bodies slapping against each other, her black body, my white body wrapped in sexual bliss, we blessed and cursed as we climaxed together. That was when the bad thing happened. A wave of negative and positive energy was channeled through my body through our contact, throwing me through the wall and out onto the street, buck-naked, leaving me in bad shape.

It killed Vanessa.

When I had come to, I saw a few human minions surrounding me, mocking my lack of clothing and it was at that point I realized something was not quite right with my Blessing talent. I attempted to transform a piece of paper into a shirt and it became a straight jacket. That was not right! What was wrong with me? I crawled away, and then when I was stronger, I ran after I had gathered my wits and did not stop until I could figure out what was happening. Somehow, my wires had been crossed and so now I had three things to deal with. First, many times nothing happened when I attempted to Bless, and other times the Bless would be a Curse. And no matter what happened, my eyes never held the glow. The second thing I had to deal with was that I could never become aroused around the opposite sex. I even tried the male gender, but nothing worked. I simply could not be turned on. This led to many a lonely night and when I found the empty warehouse, I embraced it, knowing I would never be attractive to women any longer. I mean, seriously, who would want someone who could not pleasure you properly? It was frustrating with a capital "F". So now I was a hermit, trying to stay off the radar of both the Blessers and Cursers. 

I might as well have been dead.

I roamed when I could, striving to avoid contact with any of the Cursers and steering clear of any Blessers that happened to be on the surface. It was a miserable, lonely existence. Except for Dog. I had found the stray animal on the streets, and even as hungry as I was I could not bring myself to eat him. So I pilfered a can of beans from one of the Cursers many grocery stores ran by their human minions and shared it with him. And since that point, he had never left my side.

"What you say we go get us some food, eh Dog?" I looked at the canine sitting at the foot of the broken chair I was attempting to repair manually (and failing), who then nodded as he stood and stretched in preparation. 

"Yes. I bored." His comment was nothing new; Dog always seemed to be bored. But that was probably my fault. Not being able to do anything but hide did tend to get a little dull day after day. I liked having a talking dog, actually. I mean, if I couldn't have a woman, I suppose having a dog that could talk was the next best thing. But the main problem with Dog was he was not exactly smart. So, it was like having a conversation with a four-year-old child. And when he threw tantrums, they were filled with some nasty explicatives. Not sure where he picked them up, it certainly wasn't from me as Blessers did not use such language. (Yeah, I know I wasn't a Blesser now, but the habit was hard to break.)

As I put on my floor-length black trench coat, I made sure to stow the stunner gun in the side pocket just in case. Not that it would help against a Curser, but it would hopefully buy me time if I did end up crossing the path of one. And if I got lucky, maybe I could actually find a rich one and rob them of their credits, which was the monetary system the Cursers used. It reminded me of pictures of chips the casinos used back in the twenty first century. 

"Come on! I want go!" Dog was getting impatient, yipping next to the heavy, metal door so I shrugged and unlatched the bar that secured it, pushing the door back so that the morning's smog could filter in. It took a moment to get used to the funk that covered the city, a side effect of having it covered and away from the sun. I knew daytime was the best time to scavenge as most Cursers partied all night and slept away a good portion of the day. Prime time for me was now. But I had to be cautious because the Blessers knew this schedule too.

As we walked down the dirty street, avoiding anything that looked remotely humanoid in appearance, we came upon one of the local grocers. I had to figure out a scheme to get some food from them, as they were sick of me stealing from them. At first I had simply tucked something under my coat and left the store, but then they caught on to me and started watching me.

And later, I had put a stunner gun against the throat of the heavy set male clerk that worked there during the day shift, but he simply laughed at me. Firing worked, but I had to stun him a few times for good measure. Now they were all prepared and carried their own stunner guns. I knew it would be curtains for me if their stuns ever landed. No, it would not kill me, but it would knock me out and I'd be Curser's fodder. 

"What do you think, Dog? What's a good strategy today? You want to run in and distract the clerk?" I squatted down and scratched behind Dog's ears while my mind worked furiously.

"No no no! Dangerous for Dog." His acute survival instinct caused me problems at times.

"Okay, then shall I just go in firing?" I rolled my eyes, not really knowing what I could do, but desperate enough and hungry enough to try something, anything. 

"Dog get." 

I stood, nodding at the fluffy canine. Finally, he would pull his weight. 

"All right, just don't get yourself stunned, pal." I patted his head one last time and watched from around the bricked corner as he trotted into the store behind another human minion sent to pick up something for his Curser master. I crossed my mental fingers that the mutt could get something good and not the pack of tampons he got last time he attempted to steal by himself. Ever try eating a tampon? Take my advice, don't. They may be high in fiber, but the string gets caught in the throat. Enough said.

"GET OUT!" It was not more than five minutes later when a small brown bolt of lightning dashed out of the store's door, the clerk chasing him with a broom, red-faced and scowling in fury. I wondered what my friend's bounty would be and waited for him to circle around so he would not bring any suspicion to my location. He looked pretty happy with himself as he came trotting up behind me to deposit an old fashioned can of Spam at my feet. 

"Suck it." He boasted and I nearly boxed his ears. Instead, I picked up the can and smiled. Spam for dinner it would be. Placing the prize in an empty coat pocket, I turned to lead us back to the warehouse and froze. Dog began to growl deep in his ribcage and I groaned when I saw the man blocking our path; there was no mistaking the red glow of his eyes. A Curser.

"Well, well. A boy and his dog." Not understanding his reference, I shook my head in confusion since I was anything but a boy. "I could always use another minion to work in one of my factories. You will do. Come." He beckoned me forward, not bothering to curse me since everyone knew humans had no chance against a Curser who was at least level two. 

"Isn't it a little early for you to be out and about?" I stalled, trying to figure the best plan of action for this one. Until I knew his level, I had to be a little cautious. 

"Fall to your knees, bringing you pain." His simple words were meant as a curse, but did I not say I had to deal with three things from my experience with Vanessa and the powerblast? This was the third: I could not be touched by their Curses. Unfortunately, I couldn't have a Blesser bless me either, but that was all right. It was well worth the trade off. 

"Yieeep!" I cut my eyes sharply to the canine beside me to watch him fall to his knees, face landing hard on the filthy concrete beneath us. "Bastard." The dog spat softly so that only I could hear. The Curser had made it an area of effect Curse, meaning anyone in a certain range would have fallen. Doing such purposefully to hurt my innocent canine friend was low. Lower than low. I knew I had to play along or he would know I was different, so I slid to my knees, wincing at the sting through my ratty pants as they slammed against concrete.

"We are doing no harm, let us be." I suggested, realizing with his power he had to be at least a Level 3. Level 3's employed the vocal power of suggestion, which was what made them so tough. I had not seen his hand wave symbols that were needed for Level 3's but I could have just missed it.

"You talk when I say. No one can talk now." I fought the urge to call him a bad name and looked to my furry companion to note his eyes bulging and his throat bobbing. Clearly he was trying to say something extremely negative, but the man's curse had stifled anything he would say. I took care not to reply, but just glared up at the man as he drew closer.

I let him backhand me, which was tough since I was supposed to remain through his curse on my knees. I had enough strength to remain there, but the sting of his hand across my cheek stayed with me for a while. 

"Let's go. Now. Get up and walk, stupid human." The man clearly had no idea of what or who I was as he turned his back on me, expecting me to follow. I did stand, but then took the opportunity to reach into my coat and blast him with the stunner. I noted with satisfaction that he lurched forward, his long, black feathery hair falling over his face as he landed on his nose. I hoped he had broken a tooth upon impact as I spun to face Dog.

"Can you stand?" The beast knelt staring up at me pathetically, whimpering, shaking his head. He was still under the effects of both curses and would be for a while. I hastily removed the clothes from the Curser, robbing him of his credits and jewelry, scooped up the dog into my stolen clothes-filled arms and ran.

Once I reached the warehouse I was out of breath, but put Dog gently down upon the pallet we shared, tossing the pilfered clothes in a pile for later. I rubbed his head and neck as he whimpered in anger and ire, trying to recover his voice and legs. 

"One of these days, Dog, we aren't going to get out of a Curser's way." I grimaced at the thought of losing my four-legged friend and sighed softly, continuing to pet him until the effects began to wear off of him. 

"Goddamn son of a b—" I knew his voice returned when a long string of colorful phrases and words were expelled from his mouth ranging from insults to the Curser's manhood to his lineage. Some I had never heard before in fact, which surprised me since I thought I had heard it all from the mutt.

"Welcome back." I went to the discarded coat I had tossed over the broken chair and dug out the can of Spam. "It's feasting time." I grinned as he began to try and test his legs, wobbly as they were. I used the little key that was on the side of the can to peel back the lid and licked my lips in anticipation of the treat. My stomach growled angrily and I sighed, hating the way I was living. I closed my eyes as I smelled the Spam, remembering the huge window filled apartment I had lived in, in Sky City, before meeting Vanessa. I had been given everything I could have ever wanted in life back then. I was brought from my wistful reverie by the Dog's whine.

"Come on! Dog hungry, stupid human!" I glared at the beast for repeating the Curser's insulting words back to me and doled out an even split onto a dish, setting it on the floor for him while I joined him, avoiding the chair so that I did not break my tailbone from falling.

I was licking my bent spoon after eating the last drop of the meat concoction (which by the way, made me think of how it would taste to lick Dog's behind. Eating Spam would not be much different, I imagined.), when I heard a very bad sound. I hopped to my feet quickly when the large metal bar covering my door went flying and the door itself flew off of its hinges. 

"Oh sh—" I shushed the dog as three Cursers strolled arrogantly into the warehouse, all three sets of red eyes upon me. 

"Fly to me through air, not so light are you?" A rather large bald male lifted his finger, almost as if coaxing me forward. I looked to Dog, who did not move and knew it was pointed to me. But when I did not fly into the air, the Curse ineffective, all three gasped. 

"How odd." The female of the group approached me, and I got a good look at her. She was a blonde with shoulder length hair, pretty face, and nice body coated in a sexily cut gold dress. I sighed soft when the idea of having a good-looking woman eyeing me as if I were a piece of candy did nothing to stir my loins. I heard myself gasp in surprise when she reached her hand down my pants before I could stop her and felt her grasp me and tug lightly. Her fair face twisted into a smirk and she commented snidely, "flaccid" after stroking me a few moments. "Perhaps you would prefer a man to do this?" She was about to motion to one of her companions, who were nearly choking with laughter at my ailment, but I shook my head to stop her.

"You have that strong of a will? Hmmm." She looked intrigued and I wished that was all it was. To have an iron will would be much better than to be unable to get it up at all. 

"You will be coming with us, whether our curses work on you or not." She snapped her fingers at her two companions who looked as if they were going to manhandle me and not in a nice way. "Our mistress would like to have a word with you. I think she will enjoy having you as a pet. You will be a challenge and she likes challenges." I sighed, not really wanting to meet her boss. 

"As fun as that sounds," I told her, walking backwards slowly to my trench coat to get my stunner, "I will have to decline the offer." I reached with my body hiding the coat as I slid my hand behind me into the pocket, talking to distract her. "How about a rain check?" But before I could even touch the gun's handle, I felt a bolt of energy flow from a stunner belonging to one of the Cursers and felt my legs buckle underneath me. I gasped as the air was expelled from my body and all I could see before I blacked out was the dirty ceiling of the warehouse above me.

As Dog would say...

Bloody hell.



To Be Continued

Mixed Blessings Ch. 02



This is the second chapter in a series. Although it can be read on it's own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Alicia sighed. Laslie wasn't entirely certain what was wrong, but she had been very nervous of late. As he thought back, he realized she'd been this way ever since Valentines day. Surely she could still be worried about accidentally killing him. Could she? He looked over at her, briefly taking his eyes from the road before him. He almost became enthralled by the vision of her beauty and had to force himself back to the task at hand.

She had cut her hair, however it never lacked in body. Before, her light brown locks carefully enshrouded her head, to narrow at her neck and curl outwards once more and bounce just above her shoulders. No longer did the ends flip teasingly outward. Now, her hair narrowed daintily into a fine point at the nape of her neck. Laslie wished he knew how she managed to keep her hair so styled at those short lengths. Should he ever grow his hair it would instantly tangle. The other, added, advantage to his near-crewcut style was that the slight green tint of his otherwise dark hair was less likely to draw attention.

Alicia wore a light, cotton, blouse that normally billowed about her. Trapped in the car, with the seatbelt cutting across her chest, the light material seemed to cling to her wonderful breasts. What's more, pressed tight to her body, the thin fabric revealed the silhouette of the teal bra she wore beneath it. He knew, without having to look, that her bikini would match the bra. She was meticulous about such things.

Because of her size, she could comfortably sit in the jeep's oversized seat with her knees pressed to her chest and her toes against the edge. Her black skirt draped around her legs. He loved to watch it flow in the breeze, as she walked. He grinned as he thought, not for the first time on the trip to his Freehome, how easy it would be to slip a hand beneath all that material. As with every other time the urge came to him, Alicia's head spun towards him in indignation. He was pretty sure she would enjoy the torment, but resisted because of her look.

She didn't read his mind, but she did know what he was contemplating. Alicia, as heavily empathic as she was, knew exactly how lascivious his thoughts were. The two had been together long enough that she also knew he loved watching her squirm at the heights of orgasm. In fact, they had never had any kind of sexual encounter that hadn't ended in both of them finishing; usually at the same time. His grin widened as he contemplated making this the first time. With him driving, she wouldn't dare try to retaliate!

His eyes darted back to her briefly, before returning to the road. His heart nearly jumped to his throat as he noticed her expression. It was one he'd learned over the last month, one that caused instant desire and the slightest hint of fear. Her eyes spoke of a hunger far more primal than feeding. She spoke of being the hunter, and he no more than prey. It was a decidedly foreign concept for the Sidhe male. Laslie could put even the strongest mortal bodybuilder to shame with a single arm.

Alicia had proven, occasionally, over the last month, that she could dominate him completely. After so much futile resistance, the primal center of Laslie's brain instantly submitted to that look. His pride, however, could not let him concede without a legitimate struggle. Fortunately, that very struggle only seemed to excite her more.

He felt her breath against his cheek and his stomach knotted with fear and anticipation. She had leaned across the gap between the seats so quickly. Like her strength, she could move so fast that he could never hope to follow. The Sidhe knew tricks and spells to enhance their, already formidable, physical capabilities, but nothing could compare to her.

Alicia was a vampire. The Dhase, as they preferred to be called, did not feed on blood, but rather the spiritual energy, the Chi, of the living. Beyond that simple fact, most of the rest of the myths seemed to hold true. She could move faster than time itself, overpower even the strongest of Sidhe with ease, and even read the thoughts of those around her. Laslie knew each of those claims to be an exaggeration, but not by much. And she's only a little over a hundred! Imagine what the ancients would be like.

"You're thinking of slipping a hand beneath my skirt and tormenting me while you drive." Or, maybe she could read his mind. In his peripheral vision he could see her kneeling on the edge of her seat with her hands planted on his armrest. Mostly what he saw was her perfect breasts swell beneath the loose shirt.

"You're cheating! You never said telepathy was in the Dhase bag of tricks." His laughter took any potential sting out of the words.

"It can be," she admitted, "but not one of mine. I just know what that expression means." A shudder ran down Laslie's body, powerful enough to force his concentration to his hands on the wheel, as Alicia's breath trickled across his earlobe. "I didn't even need a taste of that exquisitely naughty temperament. Nothing more than the look in your eyes." This time, her movement brushed against him like a gentle breeze. "Was this what you wanted?"

He glanced over, but that was all it took. His faded, blue jeans seemed to tighten. He couldn't quite get enough breath. Alicia was a master ~or would that be mistress?~ of this game. She sat in her seat with her knees together and flat against the cushion. Her body curved with feline grace, such that her right hip lay on the seat but she leaned against the door. Her large skirt draped over her, but somehow failed to cover her. His pulse raced as a hint of teal shone between her legs. She had perfected the art of the subtle flirt, in such a way that left Laslie feeling that he had snuck a glance at her. Every glimpse she offered felt like the forbidden fruit, and all the more sweet for it's felonious acquisition.

Of it's own accord, his hand reached out to touch her. She set the scene flawlessly, as she looked out the window and the terrain passed. Alicia was the innocent, unsuspecting, maiden and Laslie was the horny lech. His breath came in short gasps as his hand neared. She had never worn this set of underwear before so he didn't even know what they were made of. His heart raced as he contemplated the sensation of pressing the fabric tauntingly into her depths. He found it harder and harder to keep his gaze from sliding over in anticipation.

His hand stopped moving for a moment, then continued unabated. His glance over confused him. Alicia wasn't there and his wrist seemed thoroughly tangled in her seatbelt. He felt his body jerk and barely managed to keep the unusual reaction from effecting his driving. It did bring his eyes forward once more, and everything became horrifyingly clear.

Alicia, somehow, had managed to wedge herself between his seat and the dashboard. Furthermore, the odd lurch of his body had occurred when she used the combination of a fraction of her strength and speed to lower his jeans to his ankles. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she stared at his length, straining against the grey boxer-briefs. "You were right about something, Las. One of us won't be able to retaliate."

She ran her hands slowly up his exposed inner thighs. A shuddering breath left his body. The excited sentinel stood more firmly, which caused her to grin. Alicia reached the legs of his underwear and allowed her fingers to quest beneath. Once, he would have thought she would need to reach farther than fingers alone. That was before he realized she didn't need to touch the actual organs. She could play virtually any nerve in his body in an ecstatic tune. His body shook before she was even an inch away.

Laslie didn't know what she had done to his wrist, but the seatbelt held firm. With one foot on the gas, one hand on the wheel and the other tied, all he had was a single leg and a bad angle to work in his favor. Alicia took this into consideration and shifted. She placed his left leg under her arm and used not simply her minuscule weight, but her considerable strength, to neutralize him. This also helped keep her clear of the break pedal, should he need it.

Her thumbs reached the edge of the fabric. Well manicured nails traced smalls circles, to torment overtaxed nerves, as her hands crept beneath his sole remaining protection. Fire raged within him. She reached the tender crease between his legs and groin and the spasm nearly drove them off the road. His right foot came off the gas, headed for the break, when her nails suddenly pressed straight into his flesh. The painful shift was a warning. He was not allowed to stop driving. The moment his foot shifted back, another tormented shudder ran through his body as her short nails grazed the loose folds beneath his solid length.

He fought to keep his eyes open, in the face of her temptations. His neck ached with the tension of keeping it forward when instinct drove his entire spine to bow into her ministrations. One arm was tense from a futile, instinctive, war against the passenger side belt. His left arm and right leg burned from the concentration of maintaining the road. And all of his body screamed for release. His skin danced with sensation, his veins pumped molten lust. Pressure began under her delicate hands but had quickly built beyond her ability to control. But she had not yet begun the process that would force that pressure from his body in an explosion of euphoria.

Alicia's fingers shifted. Soft skin skated across his oversensitive flesh as her fingertips finally found his manhood. Barely regarded taps worked their way upward. Laslie had the first glimmer of hope that he would ever be allowed release from the exquisite agony that she prolonged. Eyes blinked shut for a moment, and his breath caught, as she tickled the firm ridge near the top. As she continued to trace the hard line, the remainder of her fingers worked the flaps of fabric, to reveal him. She opened him excruciatingly slowly!

Finally, her hands withdrew to let him sprout from the underwear. Laslie's breath began to even, though his heart still raced. She had leaned so far forward, to stare at him from inches away, as if to inspect him for any sign of imperfection. His pulse roared in his ears. She wouldn't go this far, imply so much, and turn back now. She couldn't! The thought sent blood pounding downward to strain, painfully, at the very limits of his skin. She didn't even flinch as it jumped towards her a few times. She simply crossed her arms over his thighs and rested her head on her hands to watch.

The cessation of her play kept the pressure within Laslie from building further, but already it strained against him. Already, his core literally ached to explode. His head drifted backward and his lungs began to fill for a scream. With so much tension, he was only allowed one way left to relieve it.

Alicia's head drifted languidly forward, even as he inhaled. With his head tilted back, she was out of even his peripheral sight. The primal scream found it's way into his chest as moist lips found his tip. His body reacted to the catalyst by trying to gasp air into already full lungs. Instinct warred with reality and resulted in a confused state of momentary asphyxiation. Her lips squeezed tighter as she descended down his shaft. Blood pumped helplessly throughout his body.

She leaned forward. His entire body shook. Air finally began to leak from his lungs as natural processes returned, but it was too late. The air had been nothing more than added pressure within him. From Alicia's new vantage, she was able to open her throat slightly. Her head dove forward to take him to his very base.

"GODS!" Tires squealed as Laslie's foot reached the break.

Alicia only remained a ~choking~ moment, fully burdened, before she began a retreat. She felt his life force pounding within her grip. She raced his seed up the solid length, only to turn aside at the last minute. Laslie's hips and legs bucked against her undeniable strength. His arm tore at the restraint. Instinct discovered his one free appendage. A moment after the first stream splashed against the inside of her cheek, his left hand cupped the back of her head to urge her down. He knew nothing but bliss, but his body wanted more.

Alicia grinned as she obliged both her lover's body and soul. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a long time since Alicia had been genuinely afraid. It was virtually impossible to kill a Dhase. All of the legends of silver and fire, even sunlight, as the bane of vampiric existence, were false. They were humanities false delusions, specious tales designed to allow them to sleep comfortably, knowing they were safe from the 'monsters.' She didn't truly know if beheading would kill one of her kind. They were all to fast and resilient for the circumstance to arise within her knowledge.

Now, for the second time in a little more than a month, she knew fear. At long last, she had found something truly worth believing in. She had found the fount of her dreams. Not only did Laslie have boundless energy, but the two would live together for centuries. After lifetimes such as those, Alicia would gladly succumb to apathy when he passed. But he was more than just a source of nearly limitless food to her.

She loved Laslie. Alicia loved his sense of adventure. She loved that he could become excited about anything new, and still discover ways of integrating it into their traditional upbringing and natures. She loved the way his body writhed beneath her as he fought his own pleasure. She loved the way he threw himself into her as he dominated her. She loved that she had needed to trick him in order to focus exclusively on his pleasure.

That love bred fear. She feared losing him. But Alicia didn't resist the fear, it was simply one more emotion, she allowed herself to feel it without letting it take control. When she first felt it, on Valentine's day when she'd nearly killed him, it had driven her. Now, it was simply a companion, a passenger within her to be inspected and enjoyed.

What did she fear now? She still feared losing him, but this time not through her own actions or inactions. She knew the possibility remained that he would discover what it truly meant for her to be a Dhase and he a Sidhe. Would those at the Freehome know enough of history to inform him? When he learned, for someday he certainly would, would he leave her? Could she bare it if he did?

Her body jerked as shards of pleasure lanced outward from her depths. Her hand came up and joined her face, flattened against the window that had reflected her gaze only moments before. Her other arm was trapped, by her own strength, against the jeep's door. Her legs were locked in combined paralysis; of too long in one position, and the surprise of the sensation. She was now, truly, the helpless one.

Laslie had played the perfect hunter; waited until the moment was secure for his prey. She had been sitting in the exact same position she had tempted him with earlier. The position didn't exactly open her to intrusion, but if the skirt fell improperly ~or in the earlier case, properly~ it certainly suggested it, even invited it. More important than the position, however, had been her concentration. His 'devious lust' spiked every time he seriously contemplated taking advantage of her. For her not to have noticed, one of her favorite flavors of his emotions, clearly showed how far in thought she had gone.

Perhaps it had been her subconscious that had placed her in such a position, so as to inspire him to change her mood. Fear may be a healthy sign for an elder Dhase, but it was still not a safe thing to dwell upon. So her body sought to allow him revenge for her earlier fun.

None of this passed through her thoughts until much later. In the moment she could only feel the sharply expanding wash of pleasure. A triple circuit arced at her very core as, he thrust deeper within. The feel of his force actually stole her vast strength. Her body responded to the surprise with true submission. In her long memory, Alicia had never felt truly overpowered. As a second wave of sensation roared outward, she discovered that she enjoyed it even more than the pretense that she had offered Laslie.

Her body shook already. Finally her empathy began to brush outward. Her body weakened further as she tasted Laslie's enticing cocktail; vicarious joy, anticipation, and, most of all, triumph. The rest of the world continued to elude Alicia. Only the constant, thrumming, sensation existed. It vibrated within her very bones. It coursed through her veins. It rushed across her skin with the power of a gale wind.

Her face and hand pressed against the glass, as if she could escape the unbelievable bliss through its embrace. Her legs curled in towards her body, but that only served to tighten the grasp of treacherous muscles that drew in the pulsing intruder.

No; intruders. Slowly, torturously, Laslie pulled at the device he had slipped past all of her defenses. She felt it drag against two sets of amazingly tender nerves. Two sets of muscles clutched at the humming toy. She found herself screaming. Laslie alternated resisting and assisting her traitor body in plunging the devastating, textured, artifact as deep within her as possible.

With each thrust, her body rocked her against the window. The smooth glass radiated a calm chilling sensation that washed down to her chest to harden her nipples. As her body shifted so forcefully, her nipples twitched and rubbed, slightly, within her lace bra. Pure voltage joined these two contacts with the other three already ablaze.

Her knees pressed with the tension and Alicia discovered the fifth and final torment. Where her breasts were likely an unexpected benefit, due to the cold March air, the tiny bullet shaped device folded within her nether-lips was cruelly, and spectacularly, intentional. Every slight movement intensified at least one of the toys he had snuck into her.

In moments her body began to buck as it sought escape, release, from each sensation in turn. Each avenue aggravated another until her body burned. The world had turned white within seconds, only to come flooding back. Muscles continued to seize and release and twitch and churn until her very form seemed numb with rapture. She quickly lost the linear world as time began to warp and twist within her very body.

Alicia heard a high pitched voice. It begged and pleaded before she realized it was her voice. She could not bear the force of sensation he raged through her. His fair strength thrust the toy deep, pushed her against the door, as it continued to vibrate into her very marrow. He was merciless in her pleasure, never relenting. Soon her screams and pleading turned to nothing more than whimpers as her body lost even that much energy; that much will to resist.

Oblivion became Alicia's blessed sanctuary from the untainted sensation. All the while, Laslie loomed above her, controlling her as never had happened before. Absolute triumph and contentment, for her pure bliss, were his only motives. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laslie stood in shock. In fact, he was so surprised he had to look around in order to make sure he was truly in the right place. This was the Freehome of the Barren Rock tribe, or at least the road leading up to it, however a man in a state police uniform stood at the end motioning for him to stop the car and turn around. A quick shift into other-sight confirmed that the man was Sidhe. Unfortunately Laslie did not recognize him as a tribesman. For him to be ushering people from the Freehome was disturbing to say the least.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 02



"Wake up, little man." Fingers snapped in my ear and I opened my eyes to find myself with a killer headache and in an unfamiliar place. When I sat up slowly, I blinked in surprise as I seemed to be lying upon a lush circular bed with nary a stitch of clothing upon me.

"Ummm." It was the first thing that popped into my head as I looked around me. The room was gold. No, really. Gold. From the ceiling to the floor, it was completely layered in gold. Gaudy was the term that came to mind and when I saw the owner, I had to do a double-take. She had gold-sprayed hair that she wore in little ringlets that nearly touched the golden-carpeted floor. Her skin was tinged in yellow, eyes slanted marking her Asian; and holy wow was she lovely. 

"Welcome to my bed," I got a good look at the little golden teddy she wore; it was so very sexy. My head knew I should have started to become aroused, but my body did not comply and so I sighed softly. She sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at me with a glint of playfulness. The woman placed a hand on my shoulder and began to caress me, slowly making her way down my body with her fingers.

"A red-head. I like red-heads." When her eyes graced the curly red hairs surrounding my limp penis, she smiled widely, showing teeth. "I really like red-heads. Or should I say, red-hairs."

I felt sorry for myself when she put the shriveled organ into her heavily-lipsticked mouth and began to try and suck me off. This was one of those moments I truly wished I were a normal man so that I could enjoy the pleasure she was offering me. But then again, why was she trying to pleasure me? What was her motivation? 

"What's your deal?" Her tone became arrogant as if she expected me to be squirting my marching soldiers down her throat already. I shrugged at her and became a little snippety.

"Perhaps I don't like the idea of some skanky Curser with a gold fetish trying to get me off without my permission." Might as well give her the impression I was in control of my body. That was the wrong thing to say as she doubled her effort, stripping her teddy from her voluptuous body to reveal twin peaks of glory and a matching hairless slit. If I only could become aroused, I'd be there and gone by now. Her body was definitely hot and I thought perhaps I would have greatly enjoyed what she was obviously offering me, had I been able. However, I had slept with a Curser once before and look how that had turned out.

"Hmm, all right then. Perhaps it is time for a little assistance." She stood slowly, giving me a wonderful glimpse of her fine derriere as she climbed out of the bed and went to the tiny signaler on the wall. 

"Come, Shasha." She purred into the communication device and within moments, one of the doors to the suite opened and the blonde who had brought me to her mistress entered the lavish room. The peroxide blonde, Shasha, wore a golden robe that clung in all of the right places and I was truly regretful that I could not achieve a hard-on. I'd be in manly man heaven right about now if so.

"This impudent man thinks he can withstand my charms, Shasha. What do you think about that?" The Asian chick crossed her arms, the nipples of her chest raised as if insulted along with their owner, and the newly summoned blonde glowered at me as if I had just committed the worst crime of the century. 

"Sorry, not into the whole gold thing." I commented snidely, which made the two women frown and look at me as if they were about to scratch my eyes out. The Asian mistress turned to Shasha and held out her hand, pulling the woman to her. They began to make out, which intrigued me. Soon, the blonde's robe fell to the floor revealing the tiniest thong I had seen worn on any female as well as the largest breasts I'd ever seen with my own two eyes. The make-out session was becoming intense, with each beginning to suck and nibble on the others tongue, neck and downward.

When the mistress pulled her minion onto the bed with her, I made room and said, "Don't let me get in the way." I sat cross-legged on the bed as the blonde began to slide down her mistress's body, licking and slurping as she went until she put her tongue on the woman's clit and began to lick, while almost cruelly twisting her mistress's nipples. The lickee began to groan and buck, thrashing and moaning and I looked down and sighed at my lack of erection. 

"Someone please shoot me now." I wanted to cry. My ego was bruised and busted and I hung my head in shame. Nothing, not even a beautiful woman getting tongue-sexed while the minion fingered her, could get me going. After the mistress had clearly achieved her orgasm, she sat up with a large grin on her face, lustfully looking my way until she parted my legs and saw I had nothing for her. 

"How is that possible?" The woman asked incredulously. The blonde stared along with her mistress in shock, shaking her head in amazement. Mistress stood and went to the communication device, chirping something it in so fast I could barely understand.

And that's when a tall, platinum blonde man entered wearing only a golden pair of boxers. Was I about to watch a threesome? Man! If only...

"Cythe, please pleasure him for us. Clearly he prefers men." The red-lipped mistress grinned evilly at me and I cringed at the thought of having another man suck me off.

I scooted back on the bed, but realized it put me in the good position for him to take me into his mouth and as he slid his boxers off of his finely sculpted body, I gasped at his man meat. It had to be at least eight inches and thick from tip to base. It put my tiny rod to shame. I sighed sadly, bitterness filling me when I realized that he was hard simply from the thought of obeying his mistress. It wasn't fair! 

When he began to climb upon the bed, eyes on my limp penis, I groaned and scooted as far back as I could go. The guy grasped my left ankle, intent on pulling me to him and I knew I had to act fast. So, I did what anyone in my position would do -- I thrust my free leg at him with all of my strength, the heel of my foot crunching squarely in his face. He let out a cry, releasing me, as blood began to spurt from his nose. 

"You bwoke my nodez!" His words sounded a bit nasally as he hopped off of the bed and ran through the door from which he had come, holding on tightly to his sniffer as he did. I looked to the Asian woman, who stood glowering angrily at me and knew I was in serious trouble now. 

"Stupid, foolish, bastard human! I give you so many gifts and you kick them in the face, throwing them back at me! Fuck you!" She was shrieking angrily now as she watched with glowing red eyes as I slid off the bed and pulled the guy's golden boxers up over my sad, soft privates. 

"Shall we play a game, little man?" She went to a cabinet and pulled out a small golden case, opening it with a wicked smile. "I am so going to enjoy this."

Unsure of what she was planning, I ran to the second door only to find it locked. I turned back to her, resigned to my fate. Without her saying another word, she flung both hands at me, hurling small golden objects into the air. It took me a split second to realize the Curser whore had thrown shirukens at me. 

Without thinking I attempted to bless them.

"They are so soft." I spat out as the small weapons flew my way. Nothing happened, of course, except that I had made them extra sharp in my cursing. Unable to stop them with my blessed cursing, I tried to maneuver my body out of harm's way and failed. Pinpricks of pain shot throughout as the shirukens embedded themselves into me, piercing my shoulder, stomach, and the meaty part of my upper thigh. The last of them nicked my cheek cruelly, landing in the wall behind me. I groaned in agony as blood began to glide down my body from each individual wound and knew she was going to play with me until my body gave out and I died; Cursers were cruel like that. Shasha laughed, clapping her hands gleefully at my torture and began to rub between her legs as if getting off on my pain.

But before the mistress could reach into the case and gather more, a tremendous explosion rocked the building, sending all three of us to the floor. I heard myself groan again when I felt the shirukens dig deeper into my body as I landed. I think I might have passed out, but before the darkness took me, I looked up and saw two male faces staring down at me as they dashed into the room. The last thing I remember was noting that my rescuers had glowing white eyes -- Blessers!

------------------------------

When I opened my eyes what seemed to be only minutes later, I was once again in an unfamiliar place. However, the room that I was in held windows surrounding me on each wall except the side where the door was located, and I knew instantly I was in the Blesser stronghold - Sky City. I lifted my head and groaned at the movement as I looked down to find myself in a large bed, carved with intricate patterns on each post. I was naked except for a white-colored sheet that covered my lower extremities. I saw bandages and realized someone had patched me up for some reason. But who?

I did not have to wait long before the door opened and one of the faces from my dim memory of my rescue appeared before me, closing the white door behind him as he entered. 

"How are you feeling?" His voice was soft, kind, and almost feminine as he edged closer to the bed, staring down at my bandaged shoulder and stomach with a concerned look. I was uncomfortable with his gaze until he saw my expression and laughed mildly.

"Don't worry, man. I'm not like that." I shook my own head, realizing how stupid I was being. Blessers were strictly heterosexuals and eschewed anything that was opposite of that fact. Not only that, but they were strictly monogamous too, pairing for life. I once had been a part of that life, so long ago before I strayed. Sighing at how crappy my life had turned out, wishing I had never met Vanessa, I waited for the guy to speak further.

"I am Leo of the Section Larson. You were a Blesser once, right?" I had a rep? Great.

"Yeah. Alex of the Section Stone." It was all I felt like offering.

"Well, just relax, Alex. You are protected here." He closed the curtains, hiding the brightness as I studied him. Tall, thin and lanky, he made me look slightly overweight. His brown hair was cropped short and stood like spikes on top of his head. Overall, he was not a bad looking fellow and I wondered what his motive was for rescuing me.

"I will send in Lara to tend to your needs in a moment." I missed the twinkle in his eye as he exited the room, leaving me waiting for this "Lara" person. I did not have to wait long.

"Hello!" A chirpy voice sing-sanged from behind me and I turned to face a beautiful brunette female as she approached through the door. I had managed to stand, stretching my sore muscles, paying careful attention to not pull at the thigh wound as I did. The white sheet was wrapped around my middle, hiding the important bits of me, but when she saw me standing as such, the girl froze as if she had seen something she should not have. I looked down to make completely certain I was not peeking out and nodded in approval as I was not. Had she never seen a half-naked man before? 

"I am Lara. You are Alex." She smiled as she came closer, almost fighting not to stare at my chest, which made me mildly amused. 

"Now that we've established who we are, maybe you can tell me why your mate rescued me." I kept my tone soft, to soften the sting of my words. 

"Oh, yes, well, he is my brother actually." Her brown hair should have been an indication. Hers was waist-length, straight and full, making her look very feminine and quite pretty. I admired her small nose, the way it flared at the bottom when she spoke and the upturned part of it that made her look younger than she probably was. Her luminescent eyes glowed, of course, but they were tilted downward, making her look sad always. Her lips were soft, plump and ripe for kissing. I wanted to reach out and stroke my thumb against them, but of course refrained. 

"Alex," Lara put a hand on my arm, which felt good. Not in an arousing way, since I clearly was incapable of feeling that way, but in a friendly, genteel way. "We know you used to be a Blesser. What happened to you?" Her glowing eyes bore into mine, and I had to look away.

"I made a mistake." I told her, frowning as I did. I hoped she would not push the envelope, as I wanted to forget that painful part of my life.

"Okay well, listen, my brother found you because he has a crazy notion you can help the Blessers." Lara did not press me about my loss but told me the information I needed to hear. "We have heard rumors of a Level 5 Curser that is now in existence. We want you to help us find him or her." I heard myself gasp at her words. Could it be true? A Level 5?

"How? How is it possible a Level 5 exists? Usually they burn themselves out at birth." I unconsciously tugged at the sheet, wrapping it tighter around me. 

"I don't know. It's just a rumor and might not be true, but we cannot possibly sit by idle and waiting, in case it is true. You are fully aware of the consequences of a Level 5's existence, right?" She looked at me, eyes dancing in the dimmed light. I nodded in understanding. A Level 5 Curser could possibly bring down the entire Blesser race and if left unchecked could possibly bring down the entire civilized world as we knew it. "So as soon as you are healed, we're going to take a team to the surface and find the Level 5. If we have to destroy him or her, if possible, we will. Otherwise, perhaps we can imprison their mind and keep them from harming us." I knew they would not kill unless it was absolutely necessary, but keeping a Level 5 alive could be deadly. It was said that it would be almost impossible to kill one though, but capturing them would be vital.

"I'm ready now." I wanted to groan at the pain I was still feeling, but anxious to get started. 

"I think you need to heal a little longer." Lara pulled at my arm, dragging me to the bed and pushed me gently down upon it. "Your wounds were very deep." I nodded, understanding, but not willing to tell her the depth was my fault for cursing myself with them. I complied, resting my head upon the pillow while she hovered nearby.

"I wish I could bless you into healing, Alex." I opened my eyes and stared at hers, seeing kindness in her face. I decidedly liked this Blesser. 

"Thanks." I said, smiling at her and closed my eyes once more to rest.

It took a few more days for me to heal, and even then I was not ready to fight, per Leo.

He stopped in from time to time to greet me and update me on the Level 5 status and see how my health was moving along. 

Lara spent every moment she could with me, playing card games and such, making certain I was never bored. She attempted to tell me of life as a Blesser, forgetting that I was once one myself, but just to hear her melodious voice, I never reminded her of the fact.

I loved it most when she touched me. It was not a sexual type touch, but a friendly touch. It was just what I needed. I could not help but think that perhaps my impotence might not be such a bad thing. I was able to see people as they truly are -- having no hidden agendas myself of the sexual nature.

But when Lara began to flirt with me, subtly at first, I could not help but change my mind on the thought. Her hands would linger on my chest a little longer than polite. She would kiss my cheek often, especially when coming or going. And when she snuggled with me one night, I knew it would have been difficult to resist pulling her into my arms had I not been impotent. Her kisses lingered on my lips as she attempted to arouse me, stroking my cheeks, then sides, pushing the sheet down after stripping to her underwear, which was white lace -- very sexy and very beautiful on her lithe and sensuous body. But when her hands reached between my legs, I suffered to see the same look in her eye -- disappointment as well as pain.

"Look, Lara, as much as I like you..." I grasped both of her hands, pulling them to my chest, keeping her captive so I could talk to her. "I've got a slight problem. Okay, it's actually a rather big problem. You see, when I lost my ability to bless, I also lost my ability to love. Sexually, that is." I smiled in self-depreciation and sighed lightly as she took a few moments to understand what I was trying to tell her. "I cannot have sex with you. Probably ever." I gauged her reaction to my words, knowing any sane woman would leave me now. Her snow-ringed eyes held something within them -- almost as if a storm was crossing through -- and after a few moments, the girl shrugged. Cuddling within my arms, she stroked my chest gently as she spoke to me.

"I don't care, Alex. I like you. I thought you would be perfect to be my first, but I'm glad you stopped. I've already got a mate lined up for me. Leo has seen to it." Lara glanced at me and then away, a guilty expression on her beautiful face. "I'm sorry, Alex. I was going to use you to get me free of that betrothal." I hid my pain from her well, which surprised me. I had thought that among the Blessers, I would be safe from manipulation and hidden agendas. I should have known better. I really should have.

"You were going to have me use you up so that your intended mate wouldn't want you?" 

At my question she nodded. "Why?"

"Because I don't want to have my mate chosen for me. I want to choose him myself!" Her words were emphatic and I could not help but shake my head. Going against the grain was dangerous for a Blesser. The higher-ups tended to not like that too much.

"That's awfully dangerous, Lara." I chided her, pointing a finger at myself for being a hypocrite. "You could have been banished to the surface for that. You'd not last two minutes down there. Some Curser would eat you for dinner." I shook my head in worry for her. "They'd never let you remain conscious but would use your body as their own cruel toy." I knew my words were hard and frightening, but she had to know the gravity of her desires. She merely shrugged as if what I told her was nothing to the girl. 

"Your funeral." I muttered, but did not let her go. I held her in my arms tightly, keeping the sheet over our now naked bodies. I wondered if she'd let me pleasure her orally. Would it get her in trouble with the mate-to-be, I wondered. I did not want her exiled. A sweet young thing like her definitely wouldn't last long on the surface, so I opted to behave and just cradled her against me until we fell asleep.

"LARA!" Leo's voice boomed in my ear the next morning, causing me to groan and smirk in slight amusement when the girl scrambled to get into her clothes without letting her brother see any important parts. His face was a flushed crimson color and after I had decided he had suffered enough, I raised my hands.

"It's all right, Leo. She didn't do anything wrong." I had his attention and he could see the honesty in my eyes. "I just held her during the night. I promise. She's still chaste and perfect." I glanced over at Lara, who was now dressed, and winked at her. The girl's face was pink, the very tips of her ears bright red, but at least she was dressed now. 

"Don't do that again, sister. Got it?" Leo's voice was venomous and I could not help but wonder if he were angry or if he were manipulative, just like his sister. sighed softly and waited for Leo to calm.

"It's time, Alex." The spike-haired man finally stated after gaining control of his emotions. "It's time to go to the surface and find the Level 5."

To Be Continued...



Mixed Blessings Ch. 02



Laslie glanced over at Alicia. The tiny woman was still asleep. Passed of from pleasure, she continued to lean heavily against the door. He smiled slightly at the look of utter contentment on her face. He had seen her joyous, even orgasmic, but never before had he seen this simple peace. He wouldn't disturb her for the world.

He stopped the car, as directed, but instead of turning around he turned of the ignition. The false trooper, for Sidhe would never take a job which left such an identifiable records trail, was trying to tell him something. Through the soundproofing of the jeep, it was nothing more than pantomime. Laslie undid his seatbelt, an action which stopped the other man's complaints, and slipped from the vehicle. He made sure Alicia was secure, and asleep still, before he turned back to the other Sidhe.

Uncertain and suspicious, the man's right hand hovered over the butt of his gun. This stopped Laslie in his tracks. While the bullets could certainly hurt him, he could still take much more damage than a mortal. What had stopped him was that the man had actually gone for the gun. If Laslie had been human, than the gun was completely unnecessary. Even a young Sidhe could easily overpower most mortals. And if Laslie was Sidhe, as he was, the guard should have already seen that with his own other-sight and know that the gun would be far less effective than other weapons. Of course, if they have put the weakest on sentry, then he could fear being overpowered both my mystical or physical means.

Laslie shook the worry from his head and held up his hands to placate the nervous Sidhe. None of this made any sense. Even if the guard was foolish enough to have forgotten to check Laslie's race, the nature spirits for miles around would have reported his approach. "I am Laslie and this is my tribe's Freehome. Who are you and why do you bar my way?"

Laslie had not turned off his 'sight but neither did he focus exclusively on it. Everything living, indeed almost everything in the corporeal world, held some form of spirit. Many Sidhe would look exclusively with their eyes in the spiritual realms, secure in the knowledge that they could still see the entire world around them. What they forgot was that other Sidhe knew tricks that could hide their spirits; their Astral bodies. All they would need to do was use the human's hunting tricks to keep their physical form hidden, and they could be considered truly invisible. With a weak Sidhe prepared to shoot him, Laslie would not be surprised to find much stronger warriors amongst the sparse trees, prepared to join the attack.

"I am Valless of the Dancing Moon Tribe." Laslie started, the Dancing Moon tribe's Freehome was a number of hours drive away. What was he doing keeping people away from his? "You are more than free to enter the Stronghome, but your companion is not."

Laslie had thought he was shocked before, now he was downright stunned. One simple word had completely thrown his entire world on its ear. The use of that word also instantly described why the foreign Sidhe would be guarding here. Declaring this a 'Stronghome' admitted that the Sidhe were now formally at war.

Laslie staggered backwards to lean against the hood of the car. His lost gaze looked blindly at the Sidhe before him. "Please, tell me what has happened?"

The Sidhe guardian relaxed at his obvious confusion. "Don't worry, we're not technically at war." A little of Laslie's tension drained with the pronouncement, but his confusion only increased. The other man took pity on him and continued explaining. "Hunter has called a Retreat. No one knows why, but the seers all claim that something big has been set into motion. He wants no part of it so he has enforced seclusion for our kind." The man's tone changed to confusion. "It's a wonder you haven't been contacted! Even the half-bloods are being brought in."

This was all too much. Hunter, the Lord of the Hunt, general of the Seleigh Sidhe, was their greatest warrior. Traditionally, he held very little authority as every Freehome was an independent entity, ruled by a council of its eldest members. Only when war was declared did he have the power of martial law. That Retreat had been confirmed stressed how bad the seers saw times to come. If even the half-bloods were being dragged back, to pollute the Freehomes, matters were truly desperate.

"How far is the disruption?" Laslie couldn't keep the bewilderment from his voice.

Valless shook his head. "You really need to speak with the elders. But very explicitly, that woman is not Sidhe, or even half-Sidhe, so she cannot come any closer."

Laslie looked back to see Alicia still fast asleep and his heart leapt at the sight. It hurt to even contemplate leaving her behind. Even a brief sojourn, here on their attempted vacation, seemed interminable. He thanked the gods that the sheer intensity of the emotions, flaring around her empathic nature, had not been cause enough to wake her. "I will go to speak with them and she will remain here, as you like. Should she wake, you will treat her with the utmost respect." His tone was serious.

"If anything should happen to her, anything," Laslie let his power breath outward. He slipped free the control he held on it and let it brush outward to fill the small clearing. It was truly a show of force, "I will personally challenge each and every warrior on duty to a duel." He let his energy speak for the likely outcome of any such duel.

He left a very concerned Valless behind as he traveled farther into the woods. He was still a couple of miles from the 'home, but he didn't mind. Since his road trip, the previous summer, Laslie had not truly gotten a chance to simply cut loose and run. Sure, he could jog through the suburbs, in fact he did every day, he could even run on the treadmills at Alicia's gym, but this was different. He was a Sidhe warrior, and a hunter, at heart. His strength speed and endurance were many times that of a human, and second, among his kind, only to the packs which traveled with Hunter or the Dark Huntsman.

The very trees seemed to bow before him. Laslie was Sidhe, he was nothing more than the embodiment of harmonic coexistence with nature. He could sense the gaps in the branches, knew the roots that stretched forth. He watched the spirits of the animals as they slid deeper into cover. They knew a hunter was near, even though he was part of nature, they were all still prey before him. It was the order, the cycle, of life. The Sidhe were so much stronger, but also so much less numerous, only then was the balance maintained. When a species slipped its bounds, as the humans had done, then nature cried out for a means towards parity. Likely, that was the great cataclysm that had forced Hunter to declare Retreat.

In mere minutes, he was there. Alicia would have raced him, and likely won, to be standing before him and gloating as he caught up. For all his speed, Laslie could never follow her actions when she so desired. Something must truly have distracted her, for him to have been able to dominate her so completely, on the trip here. He knew she had been made helpless by her cries. Never before had she pleaded with him. Always, she played the penitent submissive, but never had she seemed truly helpless, and deception was not in her nature. He had surprised her and her body had reacted as he never thought possible; overwhelmed by instinct.

His thoughts flew back to the jeep, and he hoped she was still asleep. She did not deserve yo learn that the Sidhe, his people, did not deem her worthy of acceptance. But he was here to change that. He would argue her case. He was no lore-teller, to argue the merits and precedents of allowing a non-Sidhe into a Stronghome. He was a leaf-walker, a hunter and warrior. He had trained in fighting, in tracking even in tactics, but dialectic was beyond him.

The council was easy to find, they had already congregated in the meeting area. They were expecting him, as they should be. The spirits that watched him as he made his way towards the checkpoint would have gone ahead, or sent others ahead, to inform both the guardians and the 'home proper. In addition, at least one of the unseen guards would have raced ahead of him with news. It was always possible he could have reached the 'home first, fast as he was, but he doubted it. Likely they had left before he even threatened for the safety of his love.

An elder Sidhe came forward. Laslie smiled, as he recognized a tribesman, and nodded his respect. Rakin smiled sincerely and nodded in return. "Laslie, of the Barren Rock tribe, welcome home. You have been greatly missed. Your grand-father has worried." The last bit pained Laslie the most. He and his grandfather had a disagreement a few years back, and the rift had never truly healed between the two. Laslie thought it might be time to begin such mending.

He spotted his grandfather amongst the crowd of elders, both foreign and recognized, and moved over to clutch the older Sidhe's forearms. Their eyes met for a moment of understanding before they pulled each other into a hug. "I have missed you grandfather. And I owe you an apology."

His grandfather pulled back slightly, a wry grin on his face. "Yes, you do, child. But that can wait for later, for I have missed you too. You have stories to tell, of your trip, but those too must wait. At the moment, there is a vehicle, with an unusual woman, awaiting an explanation."

"I am to understand Hunter has called a Retreat? I have only just heard by our new guardians. Why hasn't anyone informed me?"

"Yes, the Lord of the Hunt has called all Seleigh into the Stronghomes. This was near the end of last summer! By now, virtually every blooded Sidhe has returned to those Freehomes that are most hidden. We had no knowledge of where you were. When you did not reappear from your trek, we assumed you had hidden within a Stronghome somewhere on your return path."

Laslie's head fell forward, in amused frustration, as his hand came up to hold his face. "Grandfather," he began, "I know some of the changes among the humans can be difficult to follow, but I could still be reached." He sighed as he pulled the cell phone from his pocket. "I had my phone with me the entire time."

He noticed many eyes widen as he pulled the phone. What surprised Laslie was that the expressions were of fear not interest. His grandfather, simply blushed slightly in embarrassment. "I admit, I had forgotten." His expression turned serious very quickly however. "Even if I had remembered, it would have been forbidden."

This time, it was Laslie's eyes that widened. "Forbidden? How? Why?"

One of the other elders smiled patiently. "It has to do with the retreat. The Lord of the Hunt has declared that the mandate that severs all contact with humanity, must include many of their technological luxuries. It is getting so that their technology resembles much the magic of old. Without anyone sufficiently knowledgeable in it, we cannot determine what would betray us and what would be safe."

Laslie nodded. He understood the concern, and even the fear he saw at the sight of his phone. He quickly popped the battery from the back. He couldn't remember if this model had G.P.S. capabilities, but it could easily be tracked if in use. The purpose of Retreat was to hide. "Then why choose this as our Stronghome? The Dancing Moon tribe is far more thoroughly concealed, and much farther from humanity than we are."

"Apparently," the same elder who had spoken earlier seemed embarrassed, "the New Forrest Freehome was discovered back tracking the delivery, some many years back, of their portable toilets. Your tribe has never had any items delivered to this location. Many tribes, such as the Dancing Moon, had large items delivered before the Freehome was established. We did not understand that any organization would track such things and remember. Now we know differently"

Laslie choked briefly before he burst out laughing. He couldn't help himself. The concept that a Freehome had been compromised by port-o-potties was absurd, but not beyond belief. None of the assembled admonished him for his mirth. Likely they had been forced to deal with the situation many months ago. Shortly, his laughter faded and he accepted the reasoning. "I understand the mistrust of any technology, and phones in particular. Many, these days, have circuits specifically designed to use as locators, regardless of where you are."

He turned to his grandfather. "There is the other matter which must be addressed however. Alicia, the woman in the jeep, is my soul."

A number of people in the growing crowd gasped in wonder. The Sidhe were a long lived race. As such, they viewed relationships of all kinds differently than the humans did. They had countless lovers and friends throughout their lives. They could even marry and divorce without any social stigmas. However a Sidhe would only ever refer to one person as their 'soul.' They weren't always lovers, and occasionally not truly even friends, but they were the person with whom the other could not envision spending their life without. It was from the Sidhe that the humans had developed the term 'soul mate.'

"Do you understand what she is?" The question took Laslie back slightly. He looked at the unknown elder suspiciously. He had been expecting them to ask the question in a different manner. This fashion implied he already knew the answer but wasn't certain that Laslie did.

Laslie nodded. "She is Dhase." Most of the crowd looked at him in confusion. Someone, a woman, gasped in horror. The elder who had asked simply nodded, as if confirming his suspicions.

The unknown elder stepped forward. His voice raised to address the assembled crowd. "The elders will meet in private to discuss this matter." He lowered his voice so that only Laslie and the closest, all elders, could hear. "You will come with us to our cabin."

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated. If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase. The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information. Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx



Mixed Blessings Ch. 03



This is the third chapter in a series. Although it can be read on it's own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Laslie's energy flared out before him. Spirits and animals alike fled from the angry power. He ran towards the jeep and knew the instant the guardians sensed his presence. Shields snapped into place. Dullards, the lot of them! Even if they had not the sensitivity to detect his energy, they should have wondered at the fleeing spirits. In his rage, his chi acted almost as a radar. It allowed him to find anyone spiritually present the moment it brushed by them. He had known about the guards a minute before, and the spirits had sensed him, and fled, a handful of seconds before that.

As expected, two fellow leaf-walkers, each from a different tribe and neither tribesman to him, appeared from the trees. The blond carried a spear very comfortably. Laslie realized this was one of the few guards who had not reacted to his energy. In truth, he could not even sense the Sidhe, standing virtually face to face. Clearly this man was equally well trained as a shadow-walker as he was a leaf-walker. Once upon a time, that would have marked him as Unseleigh. With the rules for the Great Hunt now, however, it simply meant he was hoping one day to be victorious as Prey.

Laslie made sure even his eyes did not betray the fact that he saw the guard, plain as day. Instead, he concentrated on the Sidhe with the light brown hair. His shields were firmly in place. He was sloppy. He held his short sword comfortably, but without the promise of much skill. He could be imitating incompetence, just as Laslie was with the spiritually invisible guard, but Laslie doubted it. The Sidhe was simply too young to have enough experience. "You know you cannot be allowed to leave. The elders instructed you of such."

Laslie growled at the pup and fought to ignore the spear inching towards his neck. "I will not leave Alicia to wonder why I have left her alone, why I may have deserted her. My soul deserves better." The younger guard swallowed visibly at the reference. Instantly the stakes had risen. Even the other guard tensed at the mention. To get between a person and their soul was folly. Neither would surrender until they were together. Laslie decided to emphasize that point. "And even if you managed to hold me, somehow, stopping her would be impossible. She will come, if for no other reason than to find what has detained me."

The sword began to quiver with fear, but the noble elf kept it threatening Laslie. The guards might not know what Alicia was, but they certainly knew what she wasn't. She wasn't human, she wasn't Sidhe, and she had more than enough power that she wasn't someone to be trifled with. Laslie grinned. And, to the best of my knowledge, they haven't even seen the strength or speed she can muster. Laslie had felt that strength when she occasionally chose to dominate him in bed. He felt as helpless as a newborn beneath her. If a fight broke out, he lay better than even odds that she could tear apart half of the three assembled tribes before they could even muster a defense.

"Sh-she will b-be warned." The little sot was smarter than he seemed, probably just inexperienced. He knew exactly how powerful his adversaries were but, he bravely stood between them, as he was instructed. The spear continued to inch towards Laslie's vulnerable neck.

The blond was fooled as Laslie's right hand seemed to cross his body to draw a weapon. Laslie was after a weapon, but he had none to draw. Instead, at the last second, his hand flashed two feet upward to grab just beneath the head of the spear. The younger Sidhe reacted more quickly, thrusting forward with his sword. Laslie's whole body was already in motion now. He spun to the left and dodged the sword. His leading arm came up to connect with the shadow-walker's jaw. The man hadn't collected himself from the first action when the second attack knocked him back. Laslie was able to rip the spear from his hands.

Laslie jumped back a few steps and set his guard. He knew he was better than both men, but he had yet to gauge the blond. Surprise lent a considerable amount to the ease of his success. He still had many advantages on them; strength, skill, a slight edge of speed, and the longer reaching weapon. They had the advantage of time and numbers. All they had to do was wait for sufficient allies to arrive and they could overwhelm him easily.

The blond began to circle around Laslie's left as he drew a large dagger from the back of his belt. The Sidhe with a sword took his cue and began circling to the right. Laslie knew the tactic but also understood which opponent was the greater threat. He instantly began to back up in order to keep the two at least marginally in front of him. Meanwhile he began to shift closer to the sword wielding warrior. The swordsman was not experienced enough to understand the tactic and his own movement faltered in confusion.

It was the opening Laslie needed. He thrust the spear at the man's chest, letting the well crafted wood glide through his right hand like a poorly gripped pool cue. The sword moved to parry the high jab, but Laslie had other ideas. The spear froze halfway through the attack, but the sword was already committed. A slight shift in angle and the spear continued to dart forward to catch the back of the man's weapon. The word dipped slightly, even as the spear shifted again to slice the back of the man's hand. The sword fell from a pain ridden hand.

Laslie rushed forward into the opening. He released the spear with his right hand as his left swung smoothly forward. Bladed tip forgotten, he used the shaft as a club. With the momentum built in his body, and his own considerable strength, the blunt end of the spear connected solidly with the stunned guard. The man dropped like a sack, to land inches from his own fallen sword.

When the shadow-walker had continued to circle, in an effort to complete the maneuver despite Laslie's counter, it placed him almost completely between Laslie and the Freehome. Now Laslie had momentum and refused to waste it. He continued to run, even as the other guard collapsed. He heard the spiritually invisible guard grunt in frustration. He had tricked the two into opening the path, once more, to the jeep.

There were no signs of pursuit, but Laslie didn't expect them. If there had been evidence, then the various guards' training would be incomplete. He had to rely on instinct and finely honed reflexes to avoid the next attack. He knew he would not reach the jeep without another guard discovering him, and then he would likely be delayed long enough that he would need to deal with the owner of the weapon he now claimed.

Another warrior landed a few feet ahead on the path. This was another Laslie had sensed. He was not surprised, as he slid into a defensive stance, to discover a very athletic woman squared against him. As with humans, Sidhe men were generally stronger than the women, however, the parallel continued in that the women were far more dextrous. Although they frequently used a different fighting style, Sidhe women were no less deadly than the men. The woman's blond hair was shorn to within a couple inches of her head, her pale eyes regarded him warily and her lithe body coiled to strike at a moment's notice. His spear might have an extreme advantage of range over her twin knives, but she was the perfection of speed.

He feinted a jab at her shoulder but she ignored it entirely. The lightweight weapons would move quickly, so she would refuse to parry until the last second, otherwise he could see the block and shift accordingly. Drastic changes in attack were difficult with the unwieldy spear but subtle shifts in target were simple. He shifted his grip as the blunt butt of the spear swung forward. With the power behind the attack her knives would be useless in blocking the heavy wood. Her legs seemed to drop out from beneath her as she slid forward, under his swing.

He shifted his grip again, in order to halt and reverse the momentum, and the attack returned low. Once more, her powerful legs saved her as she coiled and sprung into the air. As the spear passed beneath her, a single foot alighted on it and sent the tip into the dirt. Had Laslie not partially expected the maneuver he would likely have lost the weapon altogether. As it was, he only succeeded in halting her forward momentum.

Her jump landed her back on the path before him. She had known that to continue the charge, while airborne, lent him the advantage of dodging beneath her to take the path. Unlike the spearman, this warrior understood that her first mission was to prevent Laslie's escape, not to best the man in a duel.

Laslie charged her once more. He held the spear close and prepared. He was well within his own striking range, while still beyond hers, when he thrust. Inches from her shoulder, one of the daggers was there to knock the spear aside. The other dagger leapt forward. Laslie struggled to interpose the wooden shaft between himself and the attack. As the first blade bounced against the shaft, the second flew towards him.

Laslie dodged and ducked the flashing knives. He couldn't help but admire the woman's ferocious assault. Although he was able to avoid damage, her vigorous attacks pushed him back. He couldn't find a single opening to reverse the momentum of the fight. She kept in close where her speed was an advantage and his cumbersome weapon a bane.

Her eyes betrayed her. It was only a quick glance, but he knew what it meant. He had been watching her body for any tell and almost missed the beat. He would have know the shadow-walker had arrived, at last, even without the look. The slightest amount of tension left her at the same moment. She knew another skilled warrior would allow them the successful capture. Her eyes simply told Laslie where the man had appeared.

That was the moment. He had no other options, for defeating the both at once would take far too long and others would come. It was also the only distraction he had witnessed.

The spear fell from his hands. Pressed close for her attacks, the woman's eyes widened as she glanced down at the fallen weapon. At once, both of Laslie's hands leapt forward to grab her wrists. It was risky, for it linked the two for contact based magic. Also, if he missed she was almost assured a hit on him. As it was, he almost failed to grab her right wrist.

Laslie didn't hesitate. His body dropped. As he fell he twisted and his superior strength tossed the surprised warrior into her comrade. The moment his hands released, one of her blades snaked out for a last attempt at him. The knife caught the edge of his hand, between wrist and thumb, and then was gone.

The small cut burned painfully, far beyond its severity. Laslie felt renewed admiration for the woman as he scooped up the spear and took off down the path. She held a composite iron knife! For as much damage as it could do to a Sidhe, or any creature of the spirit world, it would have driven him to distraction merely to carry the blade sheathed. To use it in combat would numb his mind.

He reached the car and sighed in relief when he saw her still asleep against the door. Quietly, but quickly in case other guards were on their way, he opened his door and slid in. Senses, instinctively heightened from the rush through the forest, instantly caught her scent. Her lust was fresh. A quick glance confirmed, with a thousand little clues, that she feigned sleep. The scent reached the base of his brain and he growled in anticipation. Her eyes flickered open with an equally primal gaze.

"Imagine if I had seen you fight instead of just sensing it!" Her voice matched her eyes, with a husky growl. She must have been picturing the suggestion because her scent intensified. His body pulsed in response.

"No time," he returned in frustration. "If we don't leave now, we'll end up fighting many more." An excited growl curled from her throat and made his heart race. He took a deep breath, but the constantly intensifying scent only enraged his lust further. "I don't want to hurt anyone. If we fight that many we won't have a choice!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He was right. Dammit! If the two fought the Freehome, someone was going to get seriously hurt or killed. Alicia was fairly certain it wouldn't be either of them, but that wasn't the point. Not only were they his people, they were his tribe; his family and friends. His control only made her want him more. Her panties, already drenched from her desire, began to leak across the inside of her thighs. She clutched the handle on the door and forced herself to look out the window. She couldn't control her need for him, and she certainly couldn't control her body's response, so she could only tame them by as little activity as possible. She knew he wanted her, further, she knew he could smell the effect he was having on her.

She couldn't even allow herself to read him. She had used the extreme limits of her empathy to follow the fight as he worked his way back to the car. His intensity and skill had excited her. But when he reached the car and opened the door, his own lust had spiked. He had smelled her heat and responded with his own. Alicia had seen the effect on occasion, but she had never known any but a shapeshifter, Dhase or Lycanthrope to be able to be this swayed at anything over a foot or so away. Laslie never had before. It was clear that the aggression had activated his much more primal nature.

The car roared to life and leapt into reverse. Mud flew and tires spun as he hurriedly turned the car through three points in order to shoot back down the way they had come. Reality began to dawn on her as she began to calm down. She had awoken when the energy crashed over her. She recognized his power instantly, it was the same that she wrapped herself in nightly, like a familiar, warm, blanket. But this time had not been comforting at all. The wall which he threw outward was filled with rage.

She had pushed her senses outward in order to determine the cause. That was when she spotted the fight. She felt his energy flow through the movements of the fight and could almost picture his body, she knew so intimately, shifting through the maneuvers. His deceptively strong muscles twisted and strained as he blocked and dodged the last warrior. The thin sheen of sweat, that he still wore, glistening across his chest.

She slammed into the seatbelt as the jeep skidded to a stop. She was stunned for a moment as her brain attempted to pinpoint the reason for the drastic action on the empty road. Her eyes widened as the view was blocked by his heaving chest. Her eyes began to drift upward, to discern the meaning of his strange actions from his eyes. She saw his muscles, for the first time, clearly trained beneath his normally soft skin. In his combative state, he poured chi into his very body. It was a talent few Dhase could manage.

One hand grabbed her throat roughly and pushed her against the seat, while the other dropped somewhere between her and the door. Her eyes widened in fear at the sheer strength of that arm. Normally she held back with him, only her natural restraint allowed them equality. In his heightened state he managed to close that gap considerably. Her eyes finally reached his and her fear subsided in pure excitement.

The moment she thought back to the fight, her own lust had begun to rise again. She felt the world drop out from under her. A small part of her brain realized he had discovered the sought mechanism, dropped the seat back, and pushed her prone. She struggled instinctively against him. He was a warrior in the throws of his primal mind. To him she was nothing more than a woman excited by the witnessing. To the animal that aided Laslie's ability to fight, Alicia proved herself his prize by her reactions. In life she had been trained as a warrior and remembered the lust that battle drew, but even then she had felt the urge to resist the advances.

Laslie tossed aside the folds of her billowing skirt and tore off the bikini panties. The sudden violence forced a slight yelp of pain from her. With the helpless sound his manhood strained larger as it hovered above her. He was already positioned between her legs, from the initial rush, so he simply grabbed her wrists and fought them above her head. His increased strength and greater leverage made the feat possible when combined with submissive force of her desire.

She screamed as his hips shot forward. His amazingly hard length missed her depths to stab randomly at her. Her growled in frustration and plunged forward once more. Though he failed once more, his tip caught in her blazing folds and pressed nerves that already sought release. She screamed again, this time in pure pleasure. Her eyes once more found his and a ravenous beast looked back. His hips pulled back once more for a third attack.

He forced her waiting muscles wide as he crashed deep into her. Her eyes clamped shut as her head flew back with another joyous scream. He growled, from deep in his chest, as his length jerked in and out. She welcomed the blessed intruder as it slid effortlessly across her electric flesh. Her body surrendered to his will as he stabbed her very core.

The world receded as his energy rolled over her. She tasted victory course through his aura. His hips collided with her to send him deeper than she had ever been opened. Her breath grew ragged, her throat raw as she screamed in pure ecstasy. She writhed one way and then the other in search of escape from the euphoric torment. But still he held her with ease as he pierced her over and over. Each time he pulled himself back, until all but the slightest of his tip escaped, only to slam forward once more. Each thrust stripped another level of thought from her. She was pure, burning, electric, pressure, sensation.

His body shifted and his stomach began to press against her. As his hips shot forward and back he rolled across her sensitive bud. Her body froze as bliss discovered new levels. There couldn't be anything more he could do. There could be no new heights to which she could ascend.

Suddenly, he grew within her. The pulses rocketed throughout her body and straight to her brain. Already animalistic thrusts became urgent in their power. His release cascaded through his aura and flooded into her reserves even as his seed filled her depths. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He had collapsed on top of Alicia. Her heart still raced and she barely breathed, but he could feel the utter satisfaction radiating from her as never before. Somehow he knew that, for only the second time ever, she had been truly and completely taken. Her screams had filled his ears and only fueled him to greater intensity. She had sat there, expression masked as she looked out the window, but her body betrayed her thoughts. It had been the growing scent of her cream that overrode his mind. The liquid remained, even coated him now, but his beast had been sated for the moment by her surrender.

The barest hint of motion just beyond the window brought reality crashing back home. In one smooth maneuver he spun off of her, pulled up his underwear and pants and threw himself back into the driver's seat. They were nowhere near safe yet. As he gunned the engine, he thought about the expression out of the woods and wondered if it had been created with knowledge of driven Sidhe warriors in pursuit.

Laslie glanced over at Alicia. She rolled onto her side, to face him, with languid grace. Her expression was confused, but happy. It was as if she had no idea what was happening, and couldn't bring herself to care. She lavished in the afterglow and aftershocks of their union. She always had, but never had it seemed so inappropriate as it did at that moment. As his focus returned to the path, she flopped limply onto her back.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 03



"Alex, take the left. If you see anything at all, whistle." Leo whispered lightly as we approached a dark maze that I knew would lead us deeper into the heart of the Curser's home. We had a team put together of Leo, myself, two more male Blessers and Lara, despite the fact that both Leo and I had attempted to get her to remain back in Sky City. 

But that didn't happen and so here she was with us. I growled at the thought of the innocent girl being in danger; no matter how manipulative or scheming she was, I still found that I cared about her. This mission was just a scouting expedition. They would use me as a backup plan if we found ourselves in trouble with the Cursers, but I hoped against hope that would not happen and things went smoothly.

Of course I never get my way, now do I?

"Hold!" A squeaky voice called out as I entered a wide expanse of twisted metal. "What do you think you are doing? This is a restricted area!" The Curser glared at me, hands on his hips. I knew that this close to the main quarters, where they'd possibly hide a Level 5, there would be only Level 3 and Level 4 Cursers. Dangerous stuff, especially for one without any power at all. 

Like me. 

"Um yeah, I seem to be lost. Looking for my dog. Have you seen him? Little brown thing. Scruffy. Ugly as my face." I chirped, grinning at the younger man with a devious smile. This one was young, but looked competent enough. I blinked a few times, hoping the flame-ringed contacts we wore were still in place. To him I would look like a Curser. I hoped.

"No and you had better move along or I'll bring you in for questioning." He barked at me, pointing to the way I came. I nodded with hands up to show him I meant no harm and turned my back as if I were leaving. But at the last moment, I pulled out my stunner and down he went. I squatted beside his body, resisting the urge to rob him, and patted his coat seeking a card to let me into the deeper part of the complex. As I stood with the card in my hand, alarm bells began to chime.

"Crap." I muttered and turned on my heel, dashing away. I flicked the card in a trash bin, knowing they'd change the code making it a worthless piece of plastic, and dashed backwards, heading to the rendezvous point. This had been a bust. We all made it back to the meeting point except for one. Can you guess which one did not make it? 

Lara.

Right. 

The fool girl had gotten herself caught. I grumbled angrily under my breath and then froze when we soon found ourselves approached by three Cursers. There were four of us, which would normally mean victory, but they had me so it was pretty much even.

"You aren't Cursers." The ugliest one of the bunch snapped, pointing to each of us, despite the fire-rimmed contacts in our eyes and the black clothing we wore. "Your contacts are burning your eyes." His command was a curse and I watched in mild alarm as the three Blessers beside me yanked the contacts from their eyes as if they were in pain. When Blessers and Cursers fight, you do NOT want to be within a mile. Things get a little ugly. Especially since Ugly-face was clearly at least a Level 3. 

"Tell us what you are doing and we'll let you go." A lie of course. It was at that moment when the black bag that was at their feet began to move. What the heck did they have in it? Mumbling from within made me think it was alive. I felt my eyes grow wide when I wondered if they had put Lara inside. The Blessers and Cursers began to hurl words at each other, sharp as barbs and rocks from the street began to fly around, sometimes hitting targets, sometimes missing. Things were getting as ugly as the guys face; this obviously was not their first battle with Blessers. I took time to edge my way around the fighting men, dodging rocks, garbage and anything else that was free and liftable, and carefully slid the zipper back on the bag. 

"You jerk! Let me--Alex?" It was Lara. "Get me out of this thing!" I grasped her arms and pulled, letting her legs come free and helped her to her feet. As I did, a chunk of concrete, stray from the fight, smacked her squarely in the head. Ouch! That'll leave a mark. 

I caught her easily and held her unconscious form to my body, running for the shuttle we had used to fall to the earth. It was set to go back up in intervals of hours and I wondered how soon it was due to return. I did not want to wait if it had just returned, but could not think of a better place for Lara. I dashed inside, dodging anything that flew our way and placed her gently upon the padded floor of the shuttle once in it. 

"Lara?" I patted her cheek, but she was still out solidly; I wondered if it would be more helpful if I exited to check on the Blessers or just remain inside with the girl. I was resolved of my deliberating when all three Blessers, blood streaming from many wounds, jumped into the shuttle as it began to float up to the sky. It shook a few times as the Cursers hurled their angry words, but held firm and soon we would be back in Sky City as the higher the shuttle got, the faster the speed improved.

"Is she all right?" Leo asked, pointing to Lara's prone form. All I could do was shrug. I studied the men as they doctored each other and their own wounds and could not help but feel as if I had been a hindrance to them instead of help. Another Blesser would have been much better and they might have won instead of having to make a run for it.

"Well, that was sloppy, but it worked." Leo stated dryly as he pushed a bandage against one of his arm wounds and blessed himself, "I'll heal fine. I see that my skin is forming and molding to the wounds so nicely." Removing the bandage, new skin had begun to grow from his blessing. I wondered if he were a Level 4 and stared as he did the same for the fellow beside him, but watching his subtle movements, I realized he had to make symbols with his hand and it wasn't truly healed, but more like on the way to being healed fully. That'd mean Level 3. Only a Level 4 could do things with just a word or sentence, like Ugly back on the surface. Or me. 

Once upon a time.

"Wait, worked?" I questioned him, looking at him in disbelief. "Last I checked, we had our butts handed to us." I did not mean to be antagonistic, just honest. I think Leo saw that, as his reply was mild.

"I had a few moments where I gleaned the information we needed. The Level 5 is not in the security of the Cursers." I blinked at his words. That meant the Level 5 was not in Curser care? There was hope after all then. But how would we find him or her?

"So what's the next strategy then?" I leaned back, realizing that Lara was resting her head in my lap and her hand had began to press against my crotch, stroking as if my package were her pet. It was probably a good thing I could not get aroused as having her so intimate with me there would have done funny things to my body for sure, causing me serious embarrassment with her brother and the other Blessers with us.

"Yeah," Leo glanced up to my face, shocked at his sister's action. "We're going to have to put subtle rewards out for any information. More so than we are doing now. We have got to find the Level 5. It could mean the world. Literally." 

I nodded, grimacing when Lara began to rub herself between her legs with her second hand while stroking my crotch. I had to wake the poor girl else she suffered an orgasm in front of her kin. 

"Lara, wakey wake." I shook her and the movement shocked her into awareness.

"Huh?" Her eyes darted around fearfully until she realized we were in the shuttle and near Sky City. She began to groan and then collapsed against me, which alarmed me into thinking that perhaps her injury was worse than we thought. I scooped her into my arms and followed the men quickly out of the shuttle and down a long set of white-walled halls until I was led to what looked to be a medical room. I set the girl down as gently as I could on one of the sickbeds and watched as they began to remove her clothes. I did not turn away, having already seen her as such, and knowing it would not do anything to arouse me. But the Blessers tending her shoo'd me away, deeming it improper for me to stick around so I left.

I ambled down a couple of halls until I came upon a large window staring down into a carpet of clouds that extended for miles. I sighed softly, enjoying the beauty. I flinched, startled, when a soft voice chimed behind me.

"Lovely, isn't it?" 

"Yep." I turned to face the speaker and had to do a double-take. Lara? Well, it looked like Lara, but her hair was twisted into tight brown curls and she was dressed in a different outfit than I had seen before. How did they bless her so quickly? Did they have a Level 4? Still, it was a shock to see her so perky. The girl became self-conscious of my stares and held out a hand. "I'm Luna, Lara and Leo's sister." 

"Ahhh." It made sense and I remember someone mentioning the girl to me before, I had just forgotten about her. "Nice to meet you. I'm Alex."

"Yes, I was told. I've been sent to see to you. Do you need food, water, rest?" She looked bored and I felt as if she thought she might be babysitting me. I did not need coddling, well not much, and so I shrugged.

"I'm fine. Thanks." I tacked on a polite word and turned back to the window, wondering if Lara was all right. I felt a hand on my arm and turned back to Luna with a questioning glance.

"You look happy, your heart full of cheer." She smiled lightly and then frowned when I did not smile back. "You are happy, Alex." I felt the power glimmering from her tongue and ignored her shocked look as her hand rose to attempt to create another blessing that would fail soon too. I grasped her wrist gently to stop her. 

"I can't be blessed or cursed, Luna." I told her, not wanting her to keep wasting her time. "I appreciate your effort to make me feel good, but it won't work." I wanted to bang my head against the plated glass, but refrained and instead turned to look her in the eye.

"I'm hungry. Want to take me to get some food?" After a quick nod, I began to follow Luna down the halls and into a large cafeteria-looking room filled with tables. I was relieved to find the place empty and wondered why Luna continued to stare at me so oddly. 

"Your eyes. You are still wearing your Curser eyes." She pointed to her own and I realized I still had my flame-ringed contacts in. Plopping them out of each eye, I fished a napkin and put them in it gently, tucking them into my pocket as I began to eat what the dispenser dropped gently down from above the table. It was some sort of fish meal, which made me smile at the irony. I remembered the wonderful tastes of the Blesser's food. Each meal was exquisitely blessed and it made the food bursting with flavor.

"Mmmmmm." I could not help but comment as I finished the last bite. I began to grow homesick for my own section, but knew they'd never let me in again. I couldn't see the people I had grown up with. I didn't have a mother or father, per se, but people who had donated their tissue to give me life. The Blessers were not allowed to breed their own children, for fear of a mundane human being born to them (or worse, a Curser), so each baby created was had picked, hand crafted, hand delivered into Blesser perfection. The family of Leo, Luna and Lara really surprised me. They looked very similar and I wondered if there was a true connection between them. 

"Luna," I pushed my empty plate aside and patted my full belly. "Tell me, would you? How you and your brother and sister came to live in the same place and seem to be from the same parents. How is that possible? Are you true siblings?" 

"We were created from the same zygote. We're maternal triplets." She smiled as if proud of her heritage. "The three of us are one of a kind." This caused her to giggle charmingly and I could not help but smile back. "It was very risky of the section leaders to let two of us live. But I'm happy they did." I nodded, wondering which two would have been disposed of and which would have lived. Probably Leo. They never had enough males in Sky City.

"Very interesting." I commented honestly and then let her lead me to the recreational center to play games while we waited for Lara to heal. 

I ended up spending quite a lot of time with Luna and grew fond of her sharp wit and fun sense of humor. It was strange how she and Lara looked so much alike, yet while Lara was sweet, gentle and quiet, Luna was outgoing, fun and funny. The night came and Luna shared her bed with me. Not in that way, of course, since I was incapable, but in a friend way. I had grown so fond of having Lara's body next to me was about the only way I could sleep, so her sister willingly obliged. 

Something woke me in the middle of the night. I realized it was a soft hand stroking my chest and I opened my eyes to stare into Luna's white luminescent orbs that were slightly lighting up the room. She had shed her nightgown in the course of the night and was pressed against my body naked. I groaned. No! It wasn't fair! Another beauty to have to subdue and offend? Just my luck, of course. 

"What are you doing?" I asked her softly, pressing her hands against my chest. 

"I'm touching you." The answer was of course in a teasing tone, as Luna seemed playful when she was relaxed and at ease with me. 

"I don't think that's a good idea. I'd rather not have you touch me like that." I warned her as her hand lowered to my belly, despite knowing she was completely safe with me.

"You don't want to make love to me?" Her tone suggested offense and I groaned inwardly at her question. 

"Der yes. But I wouldn't want Leo to pummel my hide for touching you back." I hedged, hoping she'd stay away from the privates. But of course her hand began to stray there despite my hopes. "Look, Luna, I don't want to hurt you, but your sister has already come onto me. And she's already told me about her arrangement for mating. Do you have something like that too?" When she heard my words, her hands immediately pulled away from me and I sighed in relief. Perhaps I could manage to keep my dignity after all.

"Yes, but I don't want to marry someone I do not know." The girl pouted and I had to stifle a grin at how cute she looked when she did that. 

"It won't be so bad. You'll grow to enjoy their affections." I touched her chin as I spoke, forcing her to look at me directly. I was surprised to see tears.

"Hey, come on. They'll cherish you like you deserve. I promise." I was not really certain if my words would come true for her, but I could at least cheer her up now. She smiled and leaned in, kissing me lightly, quickly in thanks. But then she brought her lips back to mine and pressed harder. Unable to help myself, I kissed her back, enjoying the taste of mint from her mouth cleanser and the scent of her beautiful body. 

"Touch me, Alex." Her eyes were wide with arousal and need and I groaned. Of course, this had to happen. I had to run into two of the horniest Blessers alive. Figured.

"I can't Luna. I like your sister." It was a good excuse and it worked well too as she flopped over, her back to me. 

"Fine." I could sense her anger and so I began to stroke her shoulder. 

"Hey come on, it wouldn't be fair to Lara." It was as good as I could do. She finally rolled over and kissed me, rolling back with a quick "Good night". I lay in bed a long time afterwards, her naked body still pressed against mine, pondering why in the world the circumstances of having two beautiful women coming on to me in a matter of a short period of time had to happen when I could not become aroused. It just wasn't fair!

The next day, Lara was up and about. I was happy to see her back to normal and it was amazing spending the day with both twin girls. They each tried to outdo the other in the attention department to me, which while it was flattering, was a bit unnerving. Men who would pass me revealed a slight jealousy in their features and expressions, which made me want to laugh. All the Blesser men roaming about and I had two of the most beautiful women on my arm. And I couldn't even bless!

When Lara refused to let me sleep alone in the bed provided that night, claiming she was fearful of her injury making her unconscious so that she would never wake, I had pity on her and slipped into bed with her. When I felt her hands slide around my back and grasp my butt through my underwear, I grimaced. Not again. Please, no. I couldn't take it!

"Lara," I warned, using a firm voice. She ignored me and began to kiss my chest, filling it with little touches of her lips lightly brushing against me. It was erotic and enticing, and of course did nothing for me. 

"You are safe, Alex. I know you can't do anything to me, which is fine, but I just want to touch you. Is that all right?" Her voice was almost pleading and I could not help but shrug. Whatever made her feel good. I felt guilty for Luna though, who was sleeping in the next room. I wanted Lara. I wanted Luna. But most of all, I wanted to be able to shag them both, many, many times at that. Her hand pulled mine to where it was between her legs and I was amazed at how wet she was. I hadn't even done anything! Horny girl, I could not help but think to myself. Why me, oh why me!

The bed shifted and I lifted my head to note two more sets of glowing white eyes slipping in to join us. 

"Luna?" I asked, questioning her actions. She was naked and crawled in on the other side of me so that soon I was naked, with two very beautiful and two very nude women sandwiching me between them. I could have cried.

"Alex, make love to me." Luna's voice was soft, sensual, and I knew at that point I would have to humiliate myself once again, just like when I had told her sister of my impotence.

"He can't, Luna." Lara answered for me. "He has been cursed and cannot get it up." Her voice was filled with disappointment but something else I could not quite put my finger on. And then it hit me -- because I could not have sex with these two, it made me extremely attractive to them. 

I was safe. 

I was harmless.

I was a toy to them, to use with no side effects. 

And what was worse? I was putty in their hands... 

And they knew it.

To be continued...



Mixed Blessings Ch. 03



Trees flashed past and the road rumbled beneath the jeep. Every once in a while they would hit a slightly larger bump, which would elicit a low moan of pleasure from Laslie's soul. He didn't know when it had occurred to him that he could not live without her, but he knew it to be true. Whether as friends, lovers or simply partners, his life would feel incomplete without Alicia's presence. Of course, that he loved her only strengthened the bond.

Soul or not, he still needed to know what she knew. He needed to ask her, to find out if what the elders had said was true. But how to ask her without making it sound like an accusation? And if she didn't know, how could he possibly break it to her?

"Las, what is it?" Alicia had pulled the seat upright once more and now stared intently at him. Her concern was plain on her face. She had never been capable of deception, it was one of the many things he loved about her. "What's wrong, love?"

He glanced over at her. Her concern made her young face even more tender. How could he possibly hurt her? How could he tell her the awful truth? "Do you want to know what the fighting was about?" He could see the answer in her eyes. She did, but he knew she wouldn't ask, wouldn't pry even when he presented the opportunity with his question. His eyes turned back to the road. They had lost their pursuit, for even Sidhe could not keep up with a speeding car for long.

Laslie sighed. "None of my tribe knows about the Dhase. Of that I was sure, or I would have been taught of your existence. They covered all of the other races known to us, at least peripherally. Vampires were nothing more than a myth, a nightmare created by the humans to explain something, perhaps even the Unseleigh. But whatever the reason, we had no knowledge of you."

Laslie glanced back to his love, but could not bear watching the intense concentration of her expression. Like her, he had learned to read his lover's body. That expression meant she was fighting to hide her emotions; likely her fear. He opened his mouth to speak, but could not figure out how to continue. His jaw opened and closed a few times as he tried to work it through.

"One of the other tribes knew of old tales." Laslie's head snapped around. Alicia's voice was full of pain and sorrow. No longer was she looking at him. Now, her attention was focused exclusively, and intently, on her hands in her lap. "They knew of the war. They knew of the stalemate and the compromise." He barely heard her choke back a sob. "And they told you."

"You knew?" Alicia just nodded. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. "How could you have known and not told me?"

"I hoped that the memory of that war was gone from your people. That was the compromise, after all. Neither race was to remember the other, lest they begin to hunt once more." Alicia's face collapsed into her hands as she began to sob. Laslie could do little more than place a hand on her back. As she cried, he rubbed circles across her shirt to remind her of him, to remind her he would still be with her when she was ready. He was not going to leave her because of the actions of their races some two thousand years prior.

Slowly, her sobs began to ebb. He felt her body shift against his hand, press back as a cat does when petted. "How old do you think I am?" Laslie barely heard her words.

She spoke so softly, he wasn't sure it was intended for him. He risked an answer anyway. "If any of the legends are true, it would be impossible to gauge by looking. But to guess? Knowing your relative comfort with everything modern, I'd have to say one to two hundred years. I know, for Sidhe at least, those born during the industrial revolution, or after, are much more comfortable with the rapid change of the modern world than those born before it."

Alicia's smile was weak, but she turned it upon Laslie. "Flatterer!" His confusion was evident in his eyes. "A girl always likes to be told they seem a fraction of their real age." His lopsided grin faltered when the important context of the joke hit him. "I am over two thousand years old."

Laslie's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "I was born, in what is now known as southern Scotland, during the war between the Sidhe and the Dhase. At that time the monsters, for that is what anything not human was referred to as, were well known to us mere mortals. We, the humans, were weak and they were strong. We lived by their sufferance, or simply because we remained unnoticed. We knew that the vampires and fae were at war. We didn't know why, but we didn't care either. If they all killed each other, neither would hunt us; we were either their cattle, or simply their prey."

Her eyes glazed, lost in memories. "Vasili, the one who made me as I am today, had fled the war. He saw the drive of genocide running through the veins of both species and feared the outcome. He knew the isles were one of the strongholds of your kind, but he also knew that most of the Sidhe were on the mainland, hunting Dhase. So he took me, gave me the Gift, and taught me the truth of the world, the truth of all of these things I had only seen as monsters."

His eyes remained on the road as he thought over her story. When she didn't continue he couldn't help but prompt her. "So, what was the compromise? Why the stalemate?"

"The stalemate is easy to explain. You have felt my strength and speed firsthand. A single team of Dhase could tear apart a small army of well trained Sidhe, if they were willing to spend their lives on such an endeavor. But your kind are as numerous to us as the humans are to you. You might have problems repopulating, but we may only grant the Gift every twenty or so years. Please remember also that this was long before you kind became disconnected from the spiritual realms." Laslie had always hated that particular euphemism. The Sidhe had fallen, or been expelled, because they weakened their blood with humans. "Your numbers and your magic could hurt us where nothing else could. The Dhase could hurt the Sidhe either by physically killing them, or simply by draining the life from them. For that was how the war started, the Dhase were taking lovers, and sustenance, among the Sidhe. So enthralled, less of your kind were pairing and having children. We were slowing killing off your kind through our companionship. The elders also accused the Dhase of enslaving Sidhe and simply draining them dry."

"The compromise was a spell. All Sidhe and all Dhase were to meet. The Sidhe cast a great spell to remove the existence of each race from the other's memory. Further, the two would no longer be able to truly notice each other. If a Sidhe and Dhase met, they would never think to use their unique senses on each other. This part of the spell clung to our races, to be passed on to each subsequent generation. The memory didn't matter, so long as they never remembered, they could not tell their children."

"So what happened? How do you remember? How was I able to gaze on your Spiritual form?" Alicia smiled and placed a loving hand on the cheek that had just turned towards her. Her touch was electric. It helped to remind Laslie of everything she was to him. No longer was he frustrated by her secrecy, now he was simply interested in the lesson.

"The two races went their separate ways, never to interact again. Vasili had hidden in my homeland, so we never were bespelled. As to how any of your kind could have known," she shrugged helplessly. "I can only assume that some, among your kind, kept forbidden records to pass down as a warning, should the spell ever fail." She looked at him, curiosity in her eyes. "How much of that was known to your kind?"

Laslie laughed. "Almost none. All they knew was that Sidhe blood was especially potent to your kind. Thousands of years ago the Dhase virtually hunted the Sidhe to extinction and the remaining few cast a spell to utterly destroy their enemies forever. We are blood enemies and to have nothing to do with each other."

Alicia's laughter was light and musical. "Certainly not the history I remember. Though I suppose they had to come up with something to explain vague references scattered about. Although our tradition is entirely oral, I know yours maintained limited runic histories." She cocked her head at him. "So if they were not seeking to kill me, for I could sense their intent directed solely at you, what was their goal?"

"The Sidhe are afraid. Something has begun that they do not understand. The world is changing, they have foreseen, and they do not wish to be consumed by it. They have insisted all Sidhe are to remain in Stronghomes until it passes. I refused to leave you and they fear their misconceptions."

The jeep stopped. Laslie turned in his seat and used a hand on her neck to guide her forehead to his. "You are my soul and I yours. Nothing can ever come between us. This I vow."

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated. If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase. The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information. Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx



Mixed Blessings Ch. 04



This is the fourth chapter in a series. Although it can be read on it's own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

*

Unseleigh! Was it just a word? Was it an ideology? Were they really monsters? Laslie shook his head in frustration. He sat on the edge of the bed with his forehead in his hands as he tried to work through the turns that had come of his life. Right now, all he had to do was offer his contrition and he would be once more recognized among his kind. He was only a rogue; a ronin. Ronin could be forgiven.

To be Unseleigh literally meant he was no longer what he once was. They were rival nations among the Sidhe and while occasional converts had been made from Unseleigh to Seleigh, never among those who had already defected. To defect was to renounce your former life. An act such as that would not permit return. And the few Unseleigh that had defected did not speak much of the group. It was an unspoken understanding. Perhaps the elders feared more would defect if they understood the other perspective.

Laslie started as the door opened. His hand instinctively reached for a weapon, but none were present. He relaxed immediately as Alicia entered the small motel room. She had been out collecting lunch for the two. As Dhase, a vampire, she didn't need to eat, but Laslie knew she loved the taste. She was a sensualist. She might not gain any sustenance from the food, but she enjoyed tasting it. She had brought back something from a nearby Greek restaurant. The food smelled wonderful, but his stomach was so tense he wasn't sure he could eat.

She put the bags down on the half dresser and moved over to him with a look of concern. As he sat on the bed and she stood before him, he did not have to look far up to meet her glorious blue eyes. She was nearly a foot and a half shorter than he was. Now that he knew she was over two thousand years old, and not the hundred he had originally assumed, he understood her height. Likely she had been of average size, if not tall, for her day.

Alicia scooped his hands into hers and held them loosely between the two. "Las, please. Tell me what's wrong? Why did we suddenly have to leave town? Who was that call?"

Laslie sighed deeply in a vain attempt to release some of his nerves. Alicia knew, through her empathic abilities, how hard this was for him. She climbed onto the bed. Her knees shuffled against the covers as she moved behind him. It was very much to her credit that his shoulders relaxed slightly as she threw herself against his back. Her arms draped about his neck and her breath tickled his ear. He sighed once more, this time in contentment. Nothing could ever look hopeless when he was with Alicia. She was Laslie's soul.

"The call was from my grandfather." Laslie remembered seeing the man, only a week before, in the Stronghome. "The Lord of the Hunt, the Seleigh general, sent one of his world-walkers to the Stronghome for an update. When the Sidhe go into Retreat messengers are the only way to communicate between Stronghomes."

Alicia interrupted the tale. "So how did your grandfather manage to call you? Didn't you say they were fearing any mortal technology?"

"Not quite any, but yeah. Apparently Hunter ~that's the nickname for this particular Lord of the Hunt~ realized that cell phones aren't a bad idea, so long as they're kept away from the Stronghome itself. He instructed all Stronghomes now to keep a prepaid phone in a car, just outside of the nearest town. The Stronghome is then responsible for checking it daily for messages."

Alicia understood. He could feel her cheeks rise as she beamed. "That way even if someone gets their hands on the phone, they can only trace it to the region. And likely they already know that anyway!"

Laslie melted back into her embrace. "That's right. Even if they store the numbers for every other 'home's phone that still only gives you a bunch of regions. I'm sure Hunter will also send someone around to make sure that all of those phones are without GPS chips as well. He's thorough like that."

"He's also already fought a war with unexpected consequences. That's likely to make him much more cautious."

Laslie was tense in an instant. He stood and spun to face Alicia in one smooth movement. His eyes were narrow with suspicion. "How do you know about the war?"

Alicia stood, still on the bed, so that she towered over him. The position placed her small, pert, breasts right before his eyes and it was a struggle to keep his attention focused upwards. Her radiant smile helped him guide his gaze. She shrugged as she stepped to the edge of the bed. Her hands came up to cup his face. "Las, to live thousands of years, to wish to keep living, you have to have hobbies, interests. Given the environment that I was created in is it such a wonder that I watch the politics of the monsters? Yes, even the PIA. As the only living Dhase to know of the Sidhe, it's important I know what your kind is up to. If any of you had kept records then you could have plotted to exterminate us and we would have no knowledge you even existed, much less be prepared to protect ourselves."

Laslie's expression soured. His head turned away, which caused her hands to fall to his neck. "So is that what I am? Just a part of your hobby?" He had defied his people; even fought a few. He had broken tradition for her. He had even contemplating turning traitor to everything he had been taught. All of it to be able to spend his life by her side. Even with the thought that she was just using him, he still felt he could not live his life comfortably without her. He still felt she was his soul, but if she did not feel it, he was simply mistaken.

"No! Oh Las, no!" Alicia's hands once more found his cheeks and she turned his face back. He didn't resist, not because he knew he couldn't, although she was far stronger than he was. He didn't resist because he could never get enough of looking at her smooth, well defined, features. There was nothing outstanding about her soft lips, round eyes or flushed cheeks, but their conventional combination somehow blended together into something extraordinary.

Alicia's smile was gone to a look of panic. He could tell she hadn't meant it like that. Somehow, his tension and worry had turned her words into something completely foreign to the truth, and she was lost as to where she had gone wrong. He knew she hadn't, but he didn't know how to dispel her fears.

She leaned forward and her lips met his. The simple contact was electric. His heart still raced for her. As one their mouths opened and tongues shot forward to dance. He felt the force of her passion push down on him and he met it equally. His hands slid up her powerful thighs to rest on her hips. Her body shifted forward, trusting Laslie to hold her weight as she pressed against him.

Any doubt of her feelings evaporated. His concerns washed away beneath the tide of his pounding heart and arrested breath. His tongue circled and explored her mouth, felt once more every well known inch. Alicia radiated heat, despite having just come from the late March cold. He could feel her own chest heave against his throat as she breathed deep through her nose.

All too quickly she pulled herself free of the kiss, to hover inches before him. Laslie remained acutely aware of her body, still molding itself to his. He felt his veins pulse as blood rushed downward in response. He could not be this close to Alicia without wanting more. He knew every curve of her body but he never tired of exploring her. But at the moment sex wasn't on his mind. His olive green eyes were trapped within her bright blue gaze.

"Laslie, I love you. You know that I do. For over two millennia I have avoided any contact with the Sidhe for fear that you remembered, or that the spell which protected my kind from yours was miscast. The Dhase have never had wizards or magi. We have powerful abilities but cannot alter the very fabric of the universe as you and the mortals can. Would we even realize if we had been betrayed?

"But when I saw you there, I knew I had to talk to you. I couldn't stop myself. For reasons I don't understand I had to approach just this once. In fact I found myself virtually at your back before I knew it." Alicia's smile was weak but genuine. "I had somehow committed myself so I came up with the first line I could think up."

"So, you don't like the way I smell after all?" His voice was mocking but gentle. This was the Laslie that sparred with her, teased her as she teased him. His comfort startled a laugh from her. He was glad, because it was an honest laugh, free from worry.

"Of course not!" Laslie had joined in the laughter with her response. "That you smell like unwashed animals was the best compliment I could think of on short notice. You are, after all, a hard man to find something favorable to comment on."

"I happen to have it on good authority that I am very favorable at some things."

"Prove it!" He felt her body shift slightly as she began to speak and anticipated her maneuver. She tried to use her considerable strength to toss him to the bed, so she could straddle and control him. For once, he predicted her technique and countered it. Her supernatural strength easily surpassed his, but without leverage she was helpless. For all her strength, she weighed less than a hundred pounds herself; such a paltry measure that Laslie could lift with a finger. With his hands on her hips Alicia could develop no leverage once he lifted her feet from the bed. "Hey!"

Laslie smiled. He took two steps back and brought her close. As her body pressed enticingly to his, their eyes level, he leaned forward to kiss her once more. Her arms threaded through his to brace herself to his back. One shifted upward to glide through his short hair. Meanwhile his hands shifted to cup her and provide the slightest amount of support. Then he felt free to slide an arm around her back in order to hold her with the single limb.

Alicia moaned as the added pressure pushed her body more tightly against his. He felt the lust through him in response. Quickly, however, he quelled his reaction to her new position. It wasn't that he wanted her any less, but he had realized her position was now compromised. If he let such lascivious thoughts take roost, she would sense them within his emotions and move against him. It was a trick he had first attempted in the jeep on the way to the Freehome. He hadn't the chance to test his theory a second time however. There may have been other circumstances which assisted it.

While he fought to control his emotions, he reveled in her habit for traditionally feminine clothing. Despite the weather, her white blouse was thin and light. He'd known the moment he saw her, that morning, that she had selected a matched set of underwear in white. She was as meticulous in her undergarments as she was her outer. If he couldn't see her bra, it would have to match the blouse; and her panties always matched her bra. As he thought, once more, of her pert breasts, strained against her bra, he barely kept his thoughts from degrading into lust. He could not keep his body from responding. Fortunately, the roughly foot and a half difference in height placed the core of her lust much too high to detect him as he swelled.

His heart raced. He knew she would feel it, but hoped she would rightly assume that the kiss fueled it. In truth it did, but it wasn't the only source. Beneath the blouse Alicia had worn a long, dark green, skirt. Traveling up most of the side was a single slit. Laslie's free hand happened to match the side of the aperture and a shift in weight, necessary when he shifted her to a single arm, caused the opening to widen as the skirt drifted backwards.

Alicia squeaked as his hand slid across the silken flesh of her pillowy butt. He allowed his slight fingernails to drags as they wander farther. She moaned in appreciation as his hand slid beneath the, undoubtedly white, thong underwear. Her hips began to roll, to grind her lust against his firm stomach. A single finger sought out puckers muscles and eased them slightly open, aided by the juices that flowed from farther forward.

Her head flew backward. A heavy groan escaped her as she thrust herself towards his questing finger. Laslie had discovered that she enjoyed the sensation when she had asked him to take her there. The attempt was quickly aborted when they discovered it to be mutually painful, due to his size. He had, however, occasionally used his fingers both when pleasuring her and in the middle of making love. In both cases he knew it enhanced her experience. This was the first time he'd ever started the foreplay with it, and was delighted to discover it as effective as many other techniques in his arsenal.

His finger swirled circles, pressed and tormented the sensitive muscles. Her teeth clenched with a smiling snarl and her head came forward to crash onto Laslie's shoulder. Her hands had shifted to his back as he first approached. Now, they began to claw and grip. He felt her legs flex and quiver. Alicia wanted nothing more than to cling to him while he brought her body to heaven. That was a goal he could firmly agree to.

A piteous moan escaped as his finger slid free of her tight recesses. He could feel her muscles clutch at empty air as they sought him. His wrist rotated and Laslie grabbed the thong to tug it down. For a moment there was resistance, as it peeled from her soaked depths. Suddenly it was free and rode down her legs. He let go, now unconcerned for its fate. His hand returned for her skirt. With a single arm, and her body pressed tight to his, the process proved more difficult. Desperate, now, with desire, Alicia tried to help, but ended up hampering.

Finally, the skirt ended up in the clutches of gravity. As his grip tightened once more, she leaned back and desperately pulled the blouse free to reveal a sultry white bra with padded designs. Laslie wondered, briefly, what the thong had looked like. The thought was stolen as she ripped the t-shirt off of his body with a few well placed tears.

Her hips rolled slightly in his grasp as her body begged for his hand's return. Between one moment and the next he found her lips once more pressed to his. Her legs wrapped tight around him to aid in holding her aloft. As her breasts pressed to him and her depths leaked her need across his stomach, his heart began to race in time with hers. Every inch of skin in contact with hers danced with fire. His pants grew tight quickly.

Once more his hand traced her thigh to her creamy butt. A quick squeeze pulled her skin taut and elicited a slight moan from Alicia's covered lips. His hand continued deeper. Her hips shuddered in anticipation and small mewls sounded deep in her throat. As his finger slid across her tight muscles, at last, her head dropped back. She broke the kiss with a contented sigh.

His finger spread the puckered muscles. Her body shook. Her nails dug pink furrows in his bare back as Alicia groaned. Laslie grinned as his finger began to trace her clutching nerves. She began to writhe against him, which trailed her cream across his body and rubbed her inflamed pearl. The added stimuli only enraged her need. His arm around her back and finger quested within, her only release was her raking fingers. His grin widened and a gasp escaped him. The slight pain raced directly for his loins and fueled his need.

A second finger crept forward to join the first in tormenting her. Instead of the tight muscles, this traced the delicate and sensitive flesh between and then dove into her very moist depths. Alicia's body tensed and her head snapped forward then back once more. Her scream was pure bliss and Laslie felt his body covered in her juices. He worked his hand, sliding one finger deep while the other worked the edge of her tighter muscles. Her hips began to buck in a vain attempt to escape the desired intruders. He knew every twitch sent fresh delight throughout her body as he tensed his stomach to aggravate her sensitive bud.

Her head dropped forward and teeth clamped around the solid muscle in his shoulder. Combined with her nails scratching, Laslie felt ready plunge into her, but he resisted. Instead, he added a third finger to the second. His fingers splayed slightly to work both the front and back of her sacred depths. He felt the rough folds of her most sensitive flesh and began to torment it as he spread her open. All the while the first finger traced and teased her rear and her hips twitched to massage her external lust.

Laslie knew how close she was. Something held Alicia back. His head shifted forward and his lips grazed her neck. He felt the shudder run through her body. The moment it reached his thrusting fingers, lips peeled back and his teeth caught her artery.

Alicia broke away instantly, but it was too late. Her body seemed to explode into motion. Pain lanced through his shoulder as her teeth jerked closed. His back erupted as her nails pierced his skin. His breath flew from him as her legs clenched tight. Never had her body reacted like this. He loved it, even if he didn't appreciate the pain. He loved that he had the ability to bring her to such a level. Her intensity spurred his fingers to more force, greater speed, more care. Instantly, every muscle in her body dropped limp as a tempestuous scream ripped from her.

He lowered her to the bed as he slowed his tempo. Her constant moans turned into an almost pitiful whimper. Finally he stepped back and her entire body seemed to melt onto the mattress. In a flash his pants and boxers pooled at his feet. He climbed onto the bed, hovered above her as his length demonstrated his desire. Lazy eyes, flourished at the sight of his strength poised above her. Weak hands shifted to reach for him, but she was caught by the afterglow of his manipulations.

His hands cupped her thighs to guide her legs. Laslie lifted her hips to rest across his thighs. Hands shifted and his thumbs reached in to spread her lips and open her to him. Alicia shuddered, as another aftershock roared through her body, with the latest contact. He grinned as his hips shifted forward, and her lazy smile opened with a moan as his tip reached her hot, sopping, depths.

Alicia's back arched as Laslie slid easily into her, aided by her flowing lust. Her scream of ecstasy nearly defeated him. Her muscles clutched around him, pulsing against his need. Her body tried to rock her hips into his in an attempt to draw forth his seed. He refused. Slowly he withdrew and she screamed louder.

He leaned forward, allowing his body to press against hers. Alicia was the first woman Laslie had ever been with that he never felt worried over his ability to hurt her accidentally. He could lay atop of her and she would never notice his weight. Even before their bodies lay flush her arms snaked around his chest to pull him tight to her. Her feet pressed against his butt and he felt her legs add their urging to her hips. His slow rhythm was a euphoric agony.

His head dropped to place a kiss on Alicia's forehead. He knew the tender gesture was lost to her amid the sensation flooding from her loins, but it made it no less true for its secrecy. Finally he gave in to her urging and thrust fast and deep. Her body froze beneath his as another wave of climax ripped through her. Before she even began to move again he was already sliding smoothly free. Her body reacted to the renewed orgasm just as he threw himself deep once more.

Her hips rolled against him. Her legs flew straight before they collapsed and quivered against the bed. Fingernails discovered the red marks of their previous passage and raked across his skin once more. Alicia's head had fallen to one side and her intoxicating screams peeled through the room.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 04



When you have two women, with not a scrap of clothing on them, on either side of you, it is not difficult to know what any normal man would do to them.

Not me, of course.

I couldn't do anything. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. You get the picture.

They alternated kissing me while my hands each went between each of their legs, completely soaking the sheets with their sweat and sex juices. It was so erotic that I would have paid good credits to see something like this and all of my credits to be a part... before my 'accident'.

"Mmmmm." Lara kissed me at the same time as her sister and then I watched with pleasure as they began to kiss each other, taking it to a whole new level.

I made a grunting noise as Lara climbed over my body so that she was cradled in her sister's arms and so I flipped onto my side, hand propping up my head, so I could watch and enjoy the show they were putting on for me. Luna began to growl and moan, bucking under her sister's touch as she slid her hand down to rub her clit. She removed her hand and put her own pubic mound over her sister's and began to ride her. They came at the same time with so much moaning and screaming, it should have alerted anyone nearby. 

I desperately hoped that Leo would not take that moment to wake and hear anything. I could just see myself getting thrown out of the city for this (shuttle not included). Obviously I was a bad influence on them. Obviously.

Once they had climaxed together, they lay in each other's arms, marveling that the one person they thought they knew so well could bring them such exquisite pleasure. That the one person they knew as intimately as themselves could and would become even closer, if that were possible. 

I sighed loudly, exhaling with a disappointed twirl of my tongue across my lips. 

"Alex?" Luna's voice was soft and sexy, making me desire to kiss her and not stop.

"Yeah?"

"Are you seriously not... you know... hard?" Her hand reached underneath the covers and stroked my flaccid member. 

"Oh yeah, I'm hard as a rock." I growled the words angrily, but without realizing it, I had twisted them into a curse. Uh-oh. Something started happening to me. Something bad.

I felt a quickening, as if a beast within me had been waked. My heart began to race as I reached under the sheet to touch myself and to confirm, yes, I was getting an erection.

"That was all it took?" I groused angry that all this time wasted I could have done anyone I wanted to -- all I had needed to do was curse the softness. But wait, something was wrong. It was overwhelming me. Mother of pearl, I was having the erection of erections. The king of erections! The kind that took complete control over your motor skills and made you see nothing but red. 

"AHHHHHH!" I began to scream in agony as blood vessels were popping from the strain between my legs. My hand holding it began to grow bloody and the penis itself was purple with red splotches. Was I going to die? It certainly felt like it.

"Go...go get Leo!" I cried out to the girls, ignoring them as they asked me about my condition but dressed swiftly to do as I asked. I could not let them stay with me. It was not safe for them. I was becoming a monster! 

Luna had dashed away and I pushed at Lara's arm.

"Get out of here! Now!" I barked, pointing at the door while attempting to stop myself from doubling over. I couldn't touch my erection any longer as it was so fully engorged. What could I do? I had no clue. Release. Release was all I wanted. Just a simple release! 

Please just let me release!

"Alex?" Leo came in dressed only in silky white pajama bottoms but I could not focus on him until he pressed his hands against my head. "What's wrong?" 

I pulled away the covers slightly to reveal my erection, now quite bloody and purple.

"I'm going to need to beat off, but I can't touch myself. I nearly pass out each time I do." I hated to suggest it to a straight up guy like him, but I had no choice in the matter, so I pleaded, "Please Leo, yank me off. I have to have release or I don't know what I'll do. For the sake of every female in Sky City, before I go on a complete raping rampage, you gotta do this for me." I wondered if I would overcome someone just to feel myself release. I knew I would die for it if I did, but at the pain I was feeling, death would be a welcomed thing. 

"All right, if that helps you." I could hear the reluctance and disgust in Leo's voice but I also saw the worry and compassion in his eyes. "I'm going to use the sheet, okay?" I nodded and watched, still writhing in pain, as he wrapped the sheet around the extended member and began to stroke gently. It felt so good when he did it -- all psychological, I'm sure, but it did not take long before the beginning of the most intense, crazy orgasm I had ever experienced in my life. It rivaled when I had come with Vanessa. I moaned a constant string of nonsensical syllables as my body let myself come over and over until I began to pass out from the intensity of it. 

When I woke, I felt much better. I was in my borrowed bed still, but resting under new, clean sheets. I pulled the covers up to peek underneath and grimaced when I saw myself erect as if it were morning. Just morning wood, though, I had morning wood. That was all. I could not help but notice my dick was a real lovely shade of purple.

I blinked when I realized that I felt strange. What it was, I could not quite put my finger on the feeling. 

But when Lara knocked softly, shadowed by her sister and they both entered, I knew what I was feeling -- an extreme appetite for all things sexual. I scrubbed my face with my palms and groaned as they approached me hesitantly. Leo must have told them my situation. I hoped he had, anyway. They had to know not to provoke me in any way into lust. Or it could be curtains for their virginity.

"Alex?" I heard Luna's soft voice and felt Lara's gentle touch as I moved my hands to stare at their beautiful faces staring at me so full of worry and curiosity. 

"You girls have to leave. I've got a problem. A big one." I grimaced at my words. It was too serious of a situation to make jokes! 

"We're sorry. We hope we didn't do it to you." I had to suffer through each of the girls staring at the sheet, which made me self-conscious so that I curled up on my side so that there was no outlining of my monstrous erection. 

"Nah, I just can't keep my curses to myself." At the words, both sets of white-rimmed eyes glowed my way. Oops.

"Curses?" 

"Yeah, see, I cursed myself somehow. I'm a Blesser with no powers, trust me. It just randomly happens." I shrugged, hoping that would leave it at that. They did, but were soon interrupted from anything either would say by Leo entering the room. He glared at each girl who promptly darted out, leaving us alone. 

"Let me guess -- you think I'm going to deflower them?" I quipped at the man as he sat on the edge of my bed, lifting up the sheet to stare, which made me feel incredibly odd.

"I just think it's safer if you remain away from any female contact for now, Alex." He grimaced as I began to grow even more aroused at the thought of female contact. Argh! What was wrong with me? I had just proved his point by the mere thought of having a woman's touch. Argh! There I went again! I had to stop it! Focusing on the man before me, I concentrated all of my energy and effort on talk to him about anything other than you-know-what.

"We're going to need your help getting into the human sanctuary." 

When he said this to me, I blinked in surprise. They thought the humans harbored the Level 5? No way! The hidden sanctuary where the small band of freed humans hid was closed to them. They loathed the Blessers and Cursers; no way would they help either. And it would be almost impossible to hide a Level 5 among such mundane and menial people. I had to admit to myself, since losing my Blessing power, I had felt pretty human at times. I knew I could get in easily, but to get the Blessers in too? That'd be very, very difficult as the Humans were a very shy and skittish bunch. They didn't trust many since they were fearful of becoming enslaved by the Cursers and possibly destroyed by the Blessers for being non-Blessers. 

"I don't know..." I was hesitant, staring down at my body. It was clear that even after I relieved myself, I was not losing my erection. Was I now doomed to be a sexual monster for the rest of my life? Somehow I did not feel it was an improvement over my impotence. 

"Alex," When Leo put a hand on my shoulder, I realized then it was a mistake. I clasped his hand against my shoulder and reached over with my lips and swirled my tongue around his right nipple. I began to suck gently, finally letting my eyes cut upward to his face. If I hadn't of been so aroused, I definitely would not have done that, as I really wasn't into men. I saw the look of disgust in Leo's eye but something else. Was he willing to let me explore and use his body so that I could gain release? Or was he actually attracted to me? 

I released his hand and roamed my own down the waistband of his pajamas, pushing them downward to reveal a rising erection. His body was betraying his desire to remain heterosexual. I leaned in and took his half-limp dick into my mouth and began to suck gently on it, enjoying the feel of how it made me even hornier if that were possible. It did not take long before he was growing hard in my mouth and with a gasp of awareness, he finally pushed me away from him, tugging up his pajama bottoms in disgust. 

"Sorry." I mumbled, unrepentant at the action. I let the man push me gently on my back and slip the sheet down, inspecting my bruised erection. Each time he touched it while looking sent shockwaves down my spine and I could not help but moan slightly. Looking in his face, I saw guilt for bringing me a little slice of pleasure pie.

"You're making me feel good, Leo. That's not necessarily a bad thing, right?" But he merely shrugged at my words, so I knew I would have to find a painful release my own way.

I took in a sharp gasp of air when I felt warm lips encompass my member and had to scrunch up my eyes from the pleasure barbs that ran up and down it as Leo began to suck me off. 

"Ohhhh yesssss." I hissed as his tongue ran up and down the base up to the top. It felt so good all I could do was moan and pluck at the sheets underneath us. As I climaxed, I felt cool air on my dick and then a warmth on my belly. He had quickly removed his mouth so that I came on myself, which was fine. He had done more than I had ever expected him to. The orgasm was not as nearly as intense at before, but it was good. Really, really good. 

"I did it for my sisters." He muttered, rubbing his mouth viciously with a part of the loose sheet. "I don't want you to bring them to ruin, you understand." He gave me one more look of disgust before leaving me to my thoughts. Of course, as soon as he mentioned his sisters, I started to grow erect again. I groaned as the sheet began to tent and wondered if I were doomed with a perma-hard-on for the rest of my life now. Why couldn't I just be normal? I'd have given up my Blesser power just to be able to be normal sexually. This swapping from impotence to full-blown sexual energy would be the death of me!

I ended up jacking off fifteen times before my body finally gave out and my dick stopped growing as hard. Fifteen times! I still had an erection afterward, but it was not as severe and pressing. I could actually function. I wondered if it would be the same once my body caught up. Would I have to live in a state of constant masturbation? I did not see how the Blessers could possibly put up with me through that. After all, I was only here in Sky City to help them find the Level 5. I decided I'd visit the human encampment the next day before my body had true time to recover. And so it was set -- we would go the next morning and I would go into the camp alone. 

During the night, though, I had a visitor. 

Of course I was lying in bed, getting myself off with my hand when the door opened and closed. I stopped, perplexed at who could visit at such a late hour and grimaced when the lamp flickered on and I saw who it was.

"No no no. You shouldn't be here, Lara."

The girl's eyes went wide when she saw that I had my hand tightly held around my erect penis. I could see lust in her eye and knew that if I did not send her away, it'd be the end of her purity. Of course in my mind, she was already sullied, having had sex with her own sister, but her maidenhead was still intact, which was all her future husband would care to know about. 

"Please, Lara," I begged the beauty, "Please let me be alone tonight. You don't understand what's happened to me." But she ignored me and continued to stare in awe at my throbbing organ. I pulled her to me, kissing her without saying another word. If she would not leave, then so be it. She kissed me back and let her hands slide down to grasp my hardness, stroking and exploring as she did. I knew she had never seen me erect before, which must have intrigued her as she brought her face close, mouth agape in curiosity as she studied my hard dick. 

What I did next was wrong and I knew it, but I could not help it -- I slid my hands around the back of her head and thrust myself into her open mouth. I ignored her stifled squeals, as they only served to turn me on further. I moaned slightly as I pushed her head forward enough so that my dick pushed against the back of her throat, gagging her.

Her eyes bulged and I could tell she was trying to breathe and not utilize the gag reflex to throw up and choke herself. Oh holy wow did her mouth feel so good. So very, very good. It did not take long at all before I was squirting my seed down her throat, a delicious warmth caressing me from my dick upwards, making me pant with the intensity. It did not occur to me once that she could have easily bitten me or even chewed right through me.

I pulled myself out of her mouth, uncertain of what to say as she turned, gasping and spitting out whatever she could of my jizz that was still left in her mouth. That was the worst thing she could have done as her pink, moist pussy was thrust upwards, like a beacon to me. Instantly hard once more, I groaned when I realized that I had no control whatsoever. I had to fight with myself to force my dick to listen to me and not enter into her vaginal hole. Lara froze when she felt my hand begin to rub her pussy, as I stroked gently, as if trying to make up for what I had just done to her. 

"Mmmmayahhh." She sighed softly, climbing on her hands and knees on the bed, rocking back and forth as I rubbed. I focused two fingers on her clit and stroked harder, trying to bring her as much pleasure as I could. She was so incredibly wet! I could not believe how much liquid was oozing out of her body and I had an idea. I scooped a nice amount and thrust it into her anus, rubbing it tenderly along with her clit in long strokes. Subtly I began to moisten her, thrusting a finger from my left hand into her butthole and one finger from my right into her vaginal hole so that I was thrusting them at the same time. 

I did not hear the door open and then shut, but felt her twin's naked body press up against my backside, startling me for a moment. Wordlessly, Luna slipped around me, climbing underneath her sister, spreading her legs wide so that Lara could have easy access to her pussy. She began to moan as her sister began to suck her clit, eager to please her. I wished to reach around and touch Luna, but Lara was doing a fine job of licking her. I took the distraction to put the head of my dick at the rosebud of Lara's anus. Without any hesitation, I pushed into her rectum, groaning at the delightful tightness. It was so very, very tight! 

"Ow ow ow!" Lara groaned, her head flicking back to stare at me as if I were killing her. And it probably was causing some serious pain, but I could not help it. I had to have her. And I knew I would not stop until I was all the way inside of her. If I could not deflower her, this was the next best thing. I waited, my throbbing dick begging for entry, for her to turn back around and continue licking her sister off. I pushed harder, locking my hands around her pelvis, where the leg connected to the hip and so with the death grip, I began to slide in slowly, slowly, ignoring her cries of pain and pleas to stop. 

"What's wrong, Lara?" I vaguely heard Luna ask her sister, but Lara apparently was in too much pain to answer. I finally made it completely inside of her rectum and could not believe how tight she was! It was wonderful and I began to pull out, only to go back in, lubricated by our mutual juices and her blood. It did not take me long to come, not in the state my body was in with this infernal constant erection, and soon I was squirting my warm semen into her cavity, moaning at the pleasure of it. I pulled out slowly, ignoring the blood that seemed to be as bright as a neon sign. I was not done. Of course. Once I saw Luna's shiny, gorgeous pussy still open wide to be eaten, I groaned as instantly my dick shot to attention once more. Would it ever end? 

I slid my mouth down, replacing Lara's tongue with my own and began to suck noisily on her clit, sliding my tongue into her opening whenever I could. It was absolutely delicious and I groaned with the desire to do more. But, I fought with myself once more and opted to flip her around and slide into her anus opening too after I had shoved much of her juices upward to lubricate as I had done for Lara. Luna was groaning, but I could see her staring at her sister who was curled up next to us, sobbing softly. I pushed into Luna, wincing when she screamed. I hoped no one heard us as it had been quite a noisy affair as I thrust in and out of Luna's butthole, grunting with the effort and pleasure of it as I did. Luna was begging me to stop, as her sister had, but I had to ignore it. If I did not, I would surely take both of their virginity. And as I shot the next hot load into her tight-fitting rectum, nearly blacking out from the pleasure of it, I wondered if I would not get paid back for my transgressions some day. 

I rolled off of Luna, finally exhausted, dick limp for once, and began to stroke both girl's hair. I had to make it up to them somehow. I attempted to pull Lara's body to me, to hold her, but she shoved me away, lying on her side with her back facing me. So I scooted closer and wrapped my arms around her waist, leaning in and whispering, "I'm so sorry."

She shrugged but stopped crying, letting me snuggle with her. I felt Luna wrap her arms around me, touching her sister. 

"I liked it." Luna whispered in my ear and I grinned, twisting my head slightly so that I touched my lips to hers. 

"I'm sorry." I told her too, kissing her once more before drifting off into a deep slumber, wrapped up thickly within both sets of arms. 

Until Leo entered the next day and nearly killed me....

"What the... Alex?!" I heard his voice and groaned as I untangled myself from his twin sisters while attempting to keep the twisted sheet to cover them. I looked at the state of the bed and grimaced. There was blood everywhere as well as other stains that would leave nothing to the imagination. 

"They are still virgins, Leo!" I exclaimed, grateful now that it was true. I would be flying out of the window thousands of feet above the earth's surface if I didn't stop the man. His face was a mask of fury and I pushed the girls gently out of the bed so that I could take my licks and get it over with. I could see his fist clenched and so I stood naked (and of course erect) before him, waiting for the fist. But before his hand could connect, Luna and Lara both stepped in front of me.

"No, Leo! Stoppit. It's not his fault. We made him play with us last night and we enjoyed every second. Don't touch him." Luna crossed her arms and glared back at her brother, who shrugged and stormed off angrily, leaving the three of us alone. I turned to stare at both girls, knowing I deserved whatever they threw at me. Luna reached up and kissed me, smiling as she exited, taking one of my shirts with her to cover her body. Lara stepped to me after her sister had left and slapped me. Hard. I touched my stinging cheek in shock only for a moment. I did deserve that. But then she reached up as well and kissed me, leaving with the blood-stained sheet wrapped around her body.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 04



Leo still wasn't speaking to me later that morning when we were due to leave for the surface. In fact, he would not let any of the females of Sky City come near me. Personally, I didn't blame him. After I had had my way with his sisters, yeah, I didn't blame him at all. At least I could truly say they were still virgins. They would not be in trouble if Leo kept his big yap shut; I guess it was up to him now. My perma-erection was still there, but I managed to push it against my waistband, in a makeshift sling of sorts. It would have to do as I didn't have time to think about drilling anyone since we were well on our way to the surface.

"Look, Leo," I tried to comment, uncertain if he would listen or not. I knew I still deserved my mouth to be punched, and he probably was contemplating it, but it wasn't completely my fault. "I'm sorry about last night." He knew I meant his sisters. "They came into my room. It just happened." I spoke in a soft whisper so that none could hear me but him, but still he shushed me with a warning glare. I shrugged and leaned back, closing my eyes to think about what was about to happen. If I let myself think about the previous night, it would only lead to agony between my legs. And to be honest, I didn't feel like pounding my meat in front of twenty pairs of male eyes that were surrounding me in the shuttle.

Once we arrived at the surface, we made our way to the outskirts of the tunnel system that would lead us into daylight. It was the one patch of land that the Cursers ignored, and had become the perfect place for humans to live. It had to be a hard life though -- I was there once myself - living in the shadow of fear of either Blesser or Curser finding you. I knew what it was like to have to always look over your shoulder wherever you went.

I left the men at the shuttle, with plans for them to circle around and slowly make their way inward, giving me thirty minutes once inside to find the Level 5 and signal or exit, if no Level 5. I did not know if I could find him or her, but I knew I'd have a better shot at finding them alone. To the humans, I was one of them.

As I approached the entrance gate, which was a ten-foot fold of incredibly thick iron, two humans with large stunners stopped me.

"You are new?" 

I nodded and made up something.

"Jahn sent for me." It was a long shot, but it seemed to satisfy. But then they shined a light in my eyes, apparently having been fooled by contacts before. After I passed, they patted me down, to make sure I held no weapons (which I didn't) and then asked me to bless and then curse the flowerpot they had sitting nearby. Of all the times for my blessing to turn into curses, now was NOT a good time. Fortunately, I passed as nothing happened when I blessed and then cursed. They let me enter and I swiftly made my way inside, scanning for anything that would look god-like and powerful enough to be a Level 5 Blesser or Curser. 

Little shanties were set up in family units, not too dissimilar from the way the Blessers lived. I knew humans paired, but were not set by any rules or boundaries like Blessers to stay with just one mate. Still, there were enough children running around to let me know it was safe to say that they had no problems breeding. Several people glanced at me, but I had been given clothes that looked like street clothing that human minions would wear, so no one truly paid me much attention. It was a big place and I was uncertain of how to find my way around, so thinking myself clever, I pulled over a guy and asked. 

"Hey, I've heard of a powerful human living in this place. Know where I can find them? I don't know if they are adult or not though." I asked casually as if I had been on a pilgrimage to find the 'holy' one. The man grunted and shrugged, shaking his head negatively. And so I began to wander around asking the same thing to everyone I met.

When I ran into a man with long flowing red hair well past his shoulders, freckles on his fair face, he did a double-take and looked at me oddly. 

"Why do you ask this?" He looked extremely suspicious, which in turn made me suspicious of him. 

"I'm here to worship the one. I bring them a gift of great worth." I lied through my teeth as I patted my chest, hoping I wasn't a bad liar this time. The man's expression was one of greed warring with fear, but fortunately for me, greed won. 

"Come, I'll take you." He made sure no one was around us and led me into a quaint little metal house that looked as if it was well cared for. I thought perhaps it showed a distinct feminine touch and this was affirmed once I went inside and saw the interior. Definitely had a woman's touch. And sure enough, an ebony-skinned woman appeared from the backdoor, which apparently led to a small garden. When I came face to face with the beautiful woman, I could not help but gasp in shock, mouth agape.

"Vanessa?" It had to be her sister as it looked just like the Curser who had died in the throes of passion that had cost me so much. 

"Alex?" It was her! But how? 

"You... but you died?" I took a moment to study her. She had the same dark skin that was so silky smooth to my touch once upon a time, same curly black locks, but they were up in a ponytail now. Her teeth were pearls of white and her overall beauty was indescribable. A true work of art. My heart raced inside of me as I realized how much I still desired her. But then I remembered I was cursed. I would have to be careful as there was probably no one alive that I was more attracted to than the woman standing before me. It took all my willpower to not take her right there, in front of the man who was gawking at us both. 

"The life inside of me would not let me die." She stepped closer and I could smell an earthy scent as well as jasmine radiating from her skin. I fought once more for control as she stared pointedly at the male whose hair was redder than mine if that were possible, "Tomas, I would like to speak to my old friend please. Alone?" The man looked as if he were unhappy about the concept, but nodded and exited the house.

"I had heard of a mysterious human male that was neither Curser nor Blesser and wondered if it could be you." She touched my arm lightly, almost as if fearful of the contact. "How did you find me?" 

"I had heard about a Level 5 Curser or Blesser here. Word on the street anyway. I had to see for myself." I lied to her, but felt badly for it. If she were involved with the Level 5, I had to treat her as an enemy once more. But man did she look perfectly edible! It was so difficult not to lean in and nibble on her like a pastry puff. I wanted to lick the inside of her jaw, where the --

"Alex?" Her question broke through my haze of sexual desire and I shook my head, trying to get a grip. "I have someone I want you to meet." She took my hand, which made me feel warm inside as she did, and led me to a small room just off the main floor. Inside was a little pink crib and a child was lying inside, sleeping. The girl looked to be maybe ten months old and had gorgeous tanned skin, red hair. Just like the man who had brought me here. Reality struck me then. She had settled down. Had a kid. Ugh. My attraction to her would have to remain under control. She obviously belonged to redhead, Tomas she had called him.

"You've a mate?" I couldn't look at her as I asked, so stared at the sleeping girl instead. 

"You can say that. I've been with Tomas for five months now." She touched my arm, which made me look at her. "I thought you were dead. I had lost all of my Curser power." I nodded solemnly, understanding her dilemma and forced myself to not bear any hard feelings toward her. The toddler, hearing our voices woke and began to yawn, sitting up sleepily and then finally aware that she was not alone, stood shakily to her feet in the crib. When the girl saw her mother she grinned up at Vanessa, a row of tiny baby teeth on display. I could only gasp at the little one as she turned her eyes to me. The green irises were coated with a glowing golden ring. I had never seen anything like it before. And also I determined at that point that her mother and father both had brown eyes. 

"Did you sleep good, baby girl?" Vanessa lifted the child into her arms and turned to face me so that they were both staring at me. 

"Alex, I'd like you to meet Alera. She's your daughter."

My what?!!!!.....

To be continued...



Mixed Blessings Ch. 04



Laslie felt the pressure near to bursting within his groin. Her depths pulled at him even as her lips pressed against the base of his lust. He slid effortlessly free, left only the barest tip against her soft gates, before slamming forward once more. With each powerful thrust her screams grew. With each slippery retreat so did the pressure at his core.

Alicia's head spun towards him and suddenly her screams were muted as her teeth sank into his chest. The vague pain shot straight down his body to mingle with the pressure, fire and electricity that raged in his loins. His back arched, tore his flesh from her jaw, as he thrust deeper still. The burning seed raced up his length to flood deep within her.

Laslie fought his body. His hips wanted to push as deep as possible and hold still, until he had spent a quick release. He had other ideas. With unsteady rhythm, he fought the demands of his body and pulled himself free, only to spear Alicia once more. His heart felt light as she alternated reveling in her joy and collapsing bonelessly beneath him. Her constant screams remained his greatest encouragement.

He felt his own climax drift away, but continued to thrust and pull. Alicia quivered beneath him, her screams trickling off, to be replaced by pitiful whimpers. Tears ran from her eyes. "Las, please."

Laslie settled within her. His arms wrapped beneath her, enveloping her in his body as she wrapped herself about him. Her body continued to shiver as aftershocks wracked her system. Her face was buried in his chest and he could feel the tears streaming freely. For a moment, fear invaded his thoughts. Had he hurt her? Had he done something wrong? But her hands, which had balled into fists to keep from flaying his back, opened and pulled his body tighter against hers. Suddenly he felt a need so intense that love and sorrow blended smoothly within it. He had felt these things before and knew instantly that Alicia had shared, through her kind's empathy, her own state with him.

"Please," Alicia's voice was barely a whisper amongst her sobs, "don't ever leave me."

His arms and legs tightened against her, reassuring her of his presence. "Never. So long as I have strength left in my body to fight, I will stay by your side." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The signs were there. The Sidhe knew it and so did Alicia. She did not believe in the Bible's interpretation of the Apocalypse. There was simply too much finality to it. While many ancient cultures and prophecies spoke of the end of the world, there was usually and implied association. To quote a song from the modern rock and roll; 'the end of the world as we know it' rather than simply the destruction of human life on Earth. Perhaps a minor distinction but important in Alicia's mind. If the world was not completely destroyed, she would find a way to survive, so long as she had him with her.

Never before had she understood the Sidhe's fascination with their soul. Any other race would have created a new word for such a meaningful title, and the Sidhe did have a word in their language, but they somehow managed to convey the same meaning regardless of what tongue they spoke. Something of their inflection always came through when speaking of the person who completed them. It was such a profound thing to them that even the humans had picked up on it; and the two races rarely intersected in the old days.

Now she understood. Alicia could not comprehend life without Laslie by her side. He was a caring and attentive lover, but even without that added relationship she felt she needed him, his guidance, his confidence, and his humor. Ironic that I find my soul-mate among the very race that was trying to destroy my kind when I was given the Gift. Or perhaps it was simply fitting.

Alicia snuggled closer to his warm body. She knew she should get up and clean herself. She could feel their combined orgasms drying on her inner thighs. She lavished in the afterglow. Her entire body felt at peace, as if nothing could ever be wrong again.

With Laslie lying comfortably naked next to her, the feeling was nearly insurmountable. His arm curled blithely around her back, the other tucked under his head. Her leg draped over his, and his other leg bent at the knee and lay off to one side. The overall effect was to display his glorious body to her in all its splendor. He did not have the chiseled form of statues or modern supermodels, but she knew of the strength hidden so subtly beneath his firm skin. What many would take for a thin sheen of body fat, concealing a decent musculature, were actually his muscles themselves.

Most prominently displayed, at the moment, was his manhood. Alicia shuddered and pulled herself tighter against him. It hung limp and relatively tiny against his vast form, but she knew the full scope of that wonder. As the humans would say, he was definitely a 'grower.' When fully roused it felt as if he filled her entire body. Occasionally he was a tad too long for certain positions, but otherwise it was as if he complimented her even there.

Alicia sensed the disturbance instantly and was in motion. Off the bed and with her back to a corner. With her incredible speed, Laslie had only just begun to raise his head, to cast about for her, when the nature of the disturbance made itself known.

In the center of the room appeared a Sidhe. The tall woman seemed to step out of thin air, to face the bed. The moment she was fully in the physical reality her head began to turn in confusion. Alicia stood upright, crossed her arms beneath her breasts and confronted the intruder. The warrior was dressed in a strange amalgam of armor. Alicia could see what looked like some form of kevlar beneath close held plates of a much thicker material. The outer layer was obviously intended for more primitive weapons while the inner layer protected from guns and other, more modern, projectiles. The entire outfit was colored black, which reminded Alicia more of an assassin than a true warrior. Alicia still wore nothing other than her bra. Between her legs only a slight, well trimmed, light brown fuzz resided. And that did nothing to conceal her femininity.

The warrior's head finally swung around to find her. In the same, infinitely slow, moment, Laslie's eyes widened in realization and his muscles tensed to push him up the bed and away from the intruder. Alicia sighed in frustration. With her senses and reflexes so heightened, a conversation would be excruciating. Somehow, Laslie was able to bring her to this state whenever he simply made love with her. Her body shuddered at the thought. His already romantically slow rhythm would draw out into infinity. What actually took as much as half an hour, foreplay included, felt as if it took many times that. It was the most exquisite torture anyone had ever devised and his sentimental intent never failed to draw it forth.

Alicia took a slow, deep, breath and time seemed to speed to its normal period. Laslie scrambled to cover himself as he pressed against the headboard. The woman warrior spun to face Alicia and drew a sword. Alicia regarded the weapon with a critical eye. It was well crafted and made of folded steel. Undoubtedly it would be uncomfortable for the Sidhe to wield, especially in light of the fact that this one could still step between the worlds, albeit with difficulty.

Alicia could also gauge that about the woman's skill. The transition had been difficult, although the warrior had done her best to make it look easy. Alicia had been around when even the weakest of the Sidhe would simply fade, or pop at their preference, into existence. This one looked as if she had stepped through some invisible portal.

"How did you get there?" The astonishment was clear in the woman's voice.

Alicia's voice was patient. "The same way that you ended up in the middle of our motel room. I simply used my innate abilities, and walked here. The difference is I did not rip a hole between worlds to do so." She knew that the Sidhe had methods of viewing the world that she could not hope to duplicate, or even understand. Her own ability to taste the aura of those nearby was a paltry thing compared to their other-sight. She wished she knew how they saw her, and determined she needed to ask Laslie to describe the effect at some later point.

All of that was completely irrelevant to the current situation. Alicia's hands dropped to her hips. There was no way she would be able to intimidate the warrior quickly. She was naked and the other fully armored. She held no weapons and the warrior the finest available. She gave up well over a foot of height and possibly as much as a hundred pounds to the intruder. And the Sidhe woman was hopelessly outmatched if it came to a fight. "Who are you and what do you want?"

The sword flew sideways to point accusingly at Laslie. Somehow he had found his boxers and finished covering, at least his wonderful groin. He slid off the bed, away from the woman, with his hands and arms spread wide, to display his lack of weapons. "She is Talianna. She is one of Hunter's pack and greatest of the world-walkers. She is also, typically, his primary messenger. For that reason she is occasionally, and scornfully, known as 'Hunter's Mouth.'"

If this was the greatest of the world-walkers then the Sidhe truly had fallen far over the last millennium. The woman's anger spiked at almost the exact moment a sadistic streak appeared within Laslie. Apparently there was more to her moniker than simply carrying his messages. Alicia also noted that 'Hunter's Voice,' which would be more traditional for his primary messenger, wasn't being used. Another question that could wait until later.

"That covers who she is. Now, about what she's doing interrupting some, quite satisfying I might add, rest and relaxation?"

Laslie actually blushed. The sword never wavered as Talianna looked back and forth between the two potential opponents. "That's right, we got distracted earlier. I never did get around to telling you why we were running."

Talianna finally settled on him. "You should have known that running would be futile. You never trained as a shadow-walker. You cannot hide from Hunter."

"Wait a minute! A Great Hunt has been called on Laslie?" Alicia was dumbfounded. If what she had learned of the Sidhe was true, the Great Hunt occurred on a regular schedule and was only allowed between the Seleigh and Unseleigh.

Talianna's eyes narrowed. "No hunt was called. Those are regulated and restricted. Laslie of the Barren Rock tribe is ronin. He is Seleigh, but has refused multiple edicts of the Lord of the Hunt in time of Retreat. He is Hunter's to punish and Hunter has passed that responsibility, that privilege, to me. Who are you to know so much about our kind. And what are you." That single word was spat with great distaste.

Alicia was beginning to become annoyed by the pup's impudence and arrogance. Her hands dropped to her side as she slowly advanced on the Sidhe warrior. "I am Alicia, and I have studied the Sidhe for far longer than any among you have been alive. I am Dhase."

Talianna's eyes widened, almost imperceptibly, at Alicia's admission of her race. The sword did swing to threaten Alicia, but the Dhase was unconcerned. She simply continued forward until her forehead brushed the tip of the blade. Talianna only then seemed to realize the extreme height difference and the sword began to drop to point at Alicia's chest.

Alicia had only just begun the games, however. Her hand moved so fast that it wouldn't even appear as a blur to the superhumanly quick Sidhe. Alicia reached out to pluck the weapon easily from the warrior's strong grasp, and plant the point in the floor. Alicia took another slow step forward as the change of situation registered with both of the other occupants of the room. Alicia now stood between Talianna and her weapon. Given the strength and speed of the action, Alicia had managed to prove herself far superior to the highly trained, and skilled, warrior before her.

Talianna glanced at Laslie for a moment. He remained in the far corner, tensed slightly and prepared should she challenge him. Alicia knew that to be unlikely. Everyone in the room knew he was the least threat in the room. To challenge him first would only waste energy Talianna would likely need if she was forced to fight Alicia. Both women understood each other.

Talianna's hands dove behind her back, but she froze. At the same moment she discovered her knives and even bow and quiver had all vanished, so had her opponent. She had continued to stare at Alicia as she used every ounce of speed that she could muster from her body. It was as if the Dhase had simply blinked out of existence with every one of her weapons.

Alicia knew exactly what the woman had experienced. The very first, and only, time she had threatened Vasil, he had pulled the same trick on her. As a human, she had been a peerless warrior, and by that time she had already learned much about her Dhase abilities. She had believed that the poet that had given her the Gift would be nothing before her. Her expression must have been quite the same as Talianna's confused and horrified gaze, as it swung about the room in search of Alicia.

The Sidhe found her sitting on the bed. Besides having collected all of the weapons, in the corner behind Laslie, she had also taken the time to reacquire her underwear. Alicia simply couldn't project absolute courtesy with her lust showing and Laslie's seed still leaking down her legs. "You will sit and we shall discuss this as civilized people."

Talianna's head cocked to one side. "And if I choose not to?"

"Then I shall tie you to a chair with an iron padlock." The threat was simple, but effective. Even the Sidhe of old would be unable to travel between worlds while in possession of cold iron. The modern race had lost much of it's vulnerability to iron and steel, but that loss had come in concert with the loss of their ability to travel the worlds.

Talianna sulked as she looked about the room. She finally found a chair and settled comfortably into it. Her body was tense, though she obviously tried to project a state of calm. The Sidhe warrior obviously did not realize that her emotional state was bare to the Dhase's empathy. The poor woman was afraid, both of Alicia and failure.

Alicia glanced at Laslie, as he moved to sit beside her on the bed, and grinned. The moment he sat down beside her, lust began to float through his aura. Alicia had not remained close enough to the Sidhe warrior for her to have smelled their earlier love-making, but his closeness reminded him, and with those memories brought fresh desire.

Alicia broke the silence. "What is the dispute here?"

Talianna seemed hesitant to speak so Laslie filled the gap. "They have declared me ronin for refusing to remain within a Stronghome. At a guess, they have levied additional charges for bringing an outsider to a Stronghome, and revealing the Sidhe to an outsider. Not officially a charge, but no less a crime in many minds would be tainting our blood by consorting with and outsider." The last was said with extreme bitterness.

Alicia shook her head in amusement as she looked to Talianna for acknowledgment. The Sidhe woman nodded as she continued to glare at Laslie. "I think I can clear up the additional charges. I was never brought to the Stronghome. They stopped our jeep some distance from the 'home, and I waited there while he went ahead. As for revealing knowledge of your kind," Alicia couldn't help but laugh, "I probably know more of your traditions and customs than the two of you combined. I have been alive for longer than any three Sidhe combined and in that time I have studied all of the races of the physical realm."

Talianna finally shifted her gaze to Alicia. "You have settled none of the issues. He brought you close enough to the Stronghome that you could find it with enough effort. Furthermore, that you know of the Sidhe at all carries a sentence. That he knew of this, makes him an accomplice. Further, the amount you know, makes it all the more important that you are dealt with."

Alicia knew there was more to it than that. Laslie's final accusation, that he sullied their purity, had hit a nerve within this woman. She hadn't disagreed with the assessment. In fact, she seemed to agree with it very strongly. Alicia concentrated heavily on her empathy and recoiled in surprise and horror. Talianna wanted Laslie. She felt he was betraying his kind. Alicia felt the animosity directed at her, but mostly she felt the thin thread of pure lust, well hidden beneath embarrassment.

"Why is it such an issue?" Both Sidhe looked at Alicia in confusion. "This concept of sullying the purity of Sidhe blood, why is this such a point of contention?"

It took a moment for the two to shift their minds from the official reasons to this unspoken one. Talianna managed more quickly. "We are not the people that once we were. You, who claim to have studied out history, so closely and for so long, would know this! We are a dying race, being transformed from our once proud heritage into a bastard line of the humans! If we let these half-breeds remain, then our proud heritage will be gone within generations."

Talianna dripped scorn. Not just her voice, but her expression, her very aura radiated it. What shook Alicia the most was that Laslie agreed completely. There was a slight hint of self loathing that warred within him because of it. He was only beginning to reconcile this battle within himself. A third thing to mention later.

"Then have no fear," Alicia's voice was quiet with disappointment, "the Sidhe blood will not be thinned by us." Both Sidhe looked at her in confusion. It was a conversation that had yet to come up and one she had put off. Despair settled around her heart as she reopened an old wound for the sake, and knowledge, of the very man she wished to live for. "The Dhase cannot have children."

She felt sorrow flow from Laslie. Much to her surprise, the sorrow was directed at her rather than inward. It was as if he could sense her despair, knew the pain she suffered when she first learned this truth. She had kept her voice matter-of-fact as she delivered the information, but he had still known. She turned a sad smile to him.

"We can work something out. There are some, even among my kind, who do not want to be mothers." Laslie's hand settled on Alicia's, in her lap. "We can adopt, or perhaps even use the human techniques to ensure the child is of my blood."

"No, you cannot." Talianna's voice was low and menacing. Alicia shifted her concentration from Laslie to the other woman and was surprised to discover triumph. She began to stand, to face the woman when she launched her attack, only to fall back as pain blossomed in her chest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laslie jumped to the side as Alicia began to rise. He could sense the attack building, felt the tension within her. With all of her abilities, he knew Alicia could handle it. His confidence turned to shock as she collapsed back onto the bed. It had been nothing more than a simple astral attack, a mere probe of her defenses. Had she knew of the attack, it should have been simple to deflect. If she was blind to the spiritual realm, as Laslie had been beginning to suspect she was, the attack should have had negligible results. Her reaction suggested a fully conscious psychic.

Suddenly Laslie remembered what Alicia had revealed about the war between the Dhase and the Sidhe. Sidhe numbers and magic could hurt them where nothing else could. The Sidhe had always been known as exceptionally skilled with magic because of their connection with the spiritual realms. She had also mentioned their mutually exclusive, enhanced, senses. If hers was empathy, then the only he could think of for the Sidhe was their other-sight.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 04



Instantly, his vision shifted entirely into the Astral plane. Normally, he would split his focus between that and the physical world, for fear his opponent would render their spiritual body invisible. With Alicia by his side, he had nothing to fear. She could defeat any opponent in that realm, but this was his battlefield.

His heart sank as his vision cleared. Alicia looked virtually unchanged. The only difference was that her underwear had transformed into true thongs; leather strips bound together to, barely, protect her breasts and depths from intrusion. Sprouting from her chest was a fountain of energy.

Talianna looked much as she had in her physical seeming. Like all Sidhe, her ears bore the distinct points that marked the legends of elves and fae. Although most non-Sidhe mystics could not discern the difference, there was a slight angle to the point that denoted her pure-blooded heritage.

Like Alicia, her attire was the greatest change. Instead of the very modern armor, Talianna sported what had once been known as 'Elemental Armor.' Four ivy vines, sporting only a few leafs each, draped loosely about her body. Although a single leaf covered each of her most sensitive areas at all times, the rest of the vines writhed continuously. Laslie knew that the leafs of the arboreal armor would attempt to intercept any attack which bested her skill in astral combat. Never, however, had he seen such a revealing form of the protection. This fact alone made Laslie question not only the veracity of her alias but her disgust of it as well..

Alicia and Talianna, alike, sported looks of shock. Alicia had no idea what was happening, for she looked back up to regard Talianna's physical form rather than her spiritual one. Talianna, on the other hand, was simply surprised that the attack had met no resistance. A grin spread itself across the face of her astral form.

Alicia realized there must have been some form of mystical attack and decided to strike before the Sidhe could muster another. She rushed forward in a burst of speed only the Dhase could manage. Unfortunately, astral forms were not so hindered as physical and Talianna moved just as quickly to defend her body. A leaf shaped dagger formed in her hand and slashed at the Dhase. Laslie was in motion but he was too far behind to stop the attack. More chi flashed away from Alicia and she reeled from the unseen attack.

Talianna stood between the two and her body. She had to play this far more cautiously than the lovers did, but they had greater vulnerabilities. He could use his physical form, but it reacted far more slowly than either of the women were capable of. The entire battle could be decided in the moments it took for him to stride across the room to her body.

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be much of a battle without his intervention. Alicia was obviously helpless. She needed to attack the Sidhe's corporeal form. In order for her to do that, he needed to distract her spiritual body. So all Talianna needed to do was focus on Alicia. In the slight stalemate, Laslie wondered how he could get the Sidhe warrior to fight him.

"Nice armor." Laslie poured as much innuendo as he could muster into the comment. Talianna's fierce glare skipped to him for a moment but returned to the real threat. Alicia looked over at his physical form, oblivious to his true location. "Either you can't afford better armor, or it's more than just your mouth Hunter likes."

Talianna's lips pulled back into a snarl of hatred. Laslie knew he was hitting a nerve by the fact that both of his opponent's expressions were identical. His grin turned into a leer. "Or is that the problem? Hunter doesn't notice you, even when wearing that. What? He still pining over that half-blood dancer?"

Laslie's words hit dangerously close to the mark as she got more and more enraged. Then, with his last barb she suddenly laughed. Much of the tension he'd caused in her began to fade. "You really have been out of the loop. The bitch found herself a human. Hunter's fair game again."

The news was welcome to Laslie. To have the most powerful of the Seleigh Sidhe stalking a half-breed, like a dog in heat, was not only embarrassing, it threatened the very existence of the race. Any favor he showed the half-breeds would be interpreted to be acceptance and they did not deserve that. Unfortunately, it also made taunting her much more difficult. Except that it had been working! "So he's fair game again. So what? Even looking like that you haven't caught him. At least when he was focused on someone else, pathetic as she was, you had an excuse for losing. What's your excuse now?"

Talianna's astral form was almost blindingly fast as she charged him. Her rage lent her such speed that Alicia, could she see, would barely have been able to track the warrior. Fortunately for Laslie, her skill lost as greatly as her speed gained. Her attacks, while fast, were pathetically easy to predict. A left hook, then right, then left again. He bent backwards as her foot extended towards his chest. Although the attack had already failed, he batted at her leg, sending it upwards.

Laslie knew Talianna would not fall for a counter as simple as that and she didn't fail to impress him as she used the momentum to launch into a flying roundhouse kick. It was far faster and more controlled than he could have anticipated, but it served his purpose. The leafs shifted for a moment in the middle of her attack, almost fatally distracting him. He remembered himself, in spite of the glimpse of pink lips, and ducked.

Talianna's body was already tensing for the next attack when he uncoiled from his crouch. His hands shot out. One crossed her chest and pinned her arms to her side. The other began to encircle her waist, in order to control her hips, but became tangled in one of the armor-vines. The armor seemed uncertain of his actions since they weren't an attack in the strictest sense, and could not protect her as it traditionally would. He didn't have a perfect grip on her, as she struggled against him, but it was the best he was going to get.

Laslie willed his body's together once more. As he felt himself fly backwards, his real body shifted to mimic the pose of his spirit. In a moment he was back within the comfortable bounds of his own flesh, Talianna still in his grasp. Most practitioners of astral combat are taught first to shadow-box, fighting the spirits using their physical bodies. Laslie knew he could not keep Talianna from returning to her own body, should she choose, but if she did she would be limited by its speed, as he was now. 

Alicia looked even more confused as her lover seemed to fight ghosts. Laslie smirked as he thought it an apt analogy. "Quick! Knock her...out?" Laslie gaped as Alicia appeared before the collapsing form of the Sidhe warrior. Between one word and the next, Talianna's spiritual form simply vanished.

Laslie collapsed into the comfortable chair and glanced at the weapons in the corner. Then turned to grin at Alicia. He felt his blood begin to heat as she turned to regard him. During the fight he had forgotten about her lack of attire. Now, he noticed the still-damp stains of her their combined lust on her thong. His voice was breathy. "So what do we do now?"

She grinned ferally, obviously sensing the mood her appearance inspired, if not the hardening form between his legs. She shook her head and pointed a thumb at the unconscious Sidhe. "We really should get out of here." Alicia began to get dressed once more. "Oh, and find a way to get the GPS chip out of your phone."

*

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated. If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase. The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information. Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx



Mixed Blessings Ch. 05



Mixed Blessings Ch. 5
By Deathlynx

This is the fifth chapter in a series.  Although it can be read on it’s own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order.  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Alicia didn’t understand.  “What the hell was that?  I know your other-sight can see things that I can’t but it looked like you were fighting something.  And I know something attacked me.”

Laslie smiled at her, as the jeep continued to rumble down the highway.  “Talianna sent out her spirit.  Shadow-boxing is usually the first method they teach us to fight spirits because it’s the easiest to understand.  It’s limited to your physical speed though.  That’s why she switched to astral combat.  If you’re skilled enough, it moves as a thought, and she’s damn quick.”

There was more than a hint of admiration in his voice.  Alicia couldn’t blame him.  She had used every ounce of her inhuman speed, speed that rendered her all but invisible to even Laslie, and Talianna still managed to intercept her attack.  That was worth respect if anything was.  And further, Laslie had somehow managed to restrain her.  “I thought astral combat could not harm someone who wasn’t even connected enough to see it?  I felt her attacks as if they were real.”

Laslie nodded as he watched the road carefully.  The snow had been falling when Alicia went out for food and supplies earlier.  Now he had to concentrate heavily on his driving.  The snow had stopped, but the roads had yet to be plowed.

“Actually, I was surprised too.  I’ve never seen an astral attack effect anyone who couldn’t at least sense the attacker.  There are some spirits who can do it, but no Sidhe I know of.  And it was clear Talianna wasn’t expecting it either.  It had simply been a probing attack in order to see how good your defenses were.”

Alicia considered that.  She knew that the Sidhe had means to hurt Dhase that no other creature did, but she had never actually seen it.  Vasili, the elder who had granted her the Gift, had specifically hidden himself and her from the end of the war when the two races squared off.  In addition, he had never told her how the Sidhe had done what they did; possibly because he never understood it himself.  Until Talianna had appeared, Alicia had assumed it was some form of spell.

“Astral combat is learned by every Sidhe, to one degree or another.  I can’t defend against it.”  Her voice was soft with the realization.  It was terrifying, to someone who could best every warrior and fighter she had ever met.  She knew that the Sidhe were capable of it but, much like the mortals’ atomic bomb, she never honestly expected to face it.

Laslie’s hand rested comfortingly on her shoulder.  “Don’t worry love, I can.”  She smiled as she looked over.  His grin was decidedly cocky.  “Among the Seleigh, only those from Hunter’s pack can best me.  Not really sure about the Unseleigh, to tell the truth.  I’m probably the match for any except the Dark Huntsman, but that could simply be Seleigh pride rather than truth.  We have beaten them at almost every Great Hunt since the war, a hundred years ago.”

Some of the tension drained from her, but there were other concerns still.  “I’m assuming that Talianna was drafted, for lack of a better word, into Hunter’s pack because of her skills as a world-walker but what if he sends one of his fighters next time?  Will you be able to keep them busy long enough for me to attack?”

Laslie looked much more serious.  “You’re right about that.  There are only a couple in his pack I can best, and that’s because they were selected for highly specialized abilities.  The ease with which Talianna can shift her corporeal body into the spiritual realm qualifies her.  Although even she could best many, if not most, Sidhe in both physical and astral combat.  I have no illusions that you could mop the floor with his entire pack out here, but now they know your weakness.  Even coordinating our attacks, me astral and you physical, I don’t give us better than a fifty-fifty chance against most of them.”

Alicia looked down at her hands, folded in her lap.  “So now, I guess, I ask you.  What do we do now?”

Laslie shook his head.  “I dunno.”  He sighed and looked over at her for a moment before returning to the treacherous road.  “I really don’t know.  We ditch the GPS phone, that’s for damn sure.  After that, we’ll be harder to find, but I’m willing to bet they will.  We’ll keep looking over our shoulders until he catches us.  It won’t be often, but enough that we will never feel safe.”

There was a defeat in his words that she didn’t like.  She’d heard that tone in too many fellow Dhase before they finally gave in to apathy.  In and of itself, that would not kill Laslie as it did her kind.  Unfortunately it was likely to lead to mistakes that would kill either, or both, of them.  Desperation began to creep into her own voice.  “There has to be something we can do.  Some way to hide me as the original spell does for other Dhase?  Some way to make you stronger?  Some weapon?  Somehow I can see, to defend myself?”

Laslie shrugged helplessly, but she could see him honestly thinking about it.  He his concentration grew to the point that it seemed he was barely seeing the road.  She was about to say something when he slowed the car and pulled into the breakdown lane.  Once comfortably parked, with the emergency flashers on, he leaned back.  One hand crossed his chest while the other reached for his chin.

After a minute of pondering, Laslie finally turned on the car once more.  “There are artifacts out there.  Some are weapons that take astral form.  Some are armor like the stuff that Talianna wore.  There might even be something to hide you from them.  I don’t really know for sure.  I always trained as a warrior.  I left the myths and legends to others.  Tales of astral weapons were all well and good, but Hunter wouldn’t have had me in his pack if I couldn’t win my way without them.”

“Do you know where any of these might be?”  It was a very comforting thought to Alicia.  She knew how it was to be forever looking over her shoulder, waiting for the next extermination squad.  During many periods in human history they had been intent on hunting down the ‘evil monsters.’  Human squads were difficult enough.  Eventually Hunter would begin to send more than one assailant.  Talianna, after all, had simply been a messenger.  Perhaps a test of their capabilities.  After all, against any other opponent she would have been able to cross worlds and escape.  Only Alicia’s speed had incapacitated her before she could.

Laslie shook his head.  “To be honest?  No.  But I may have some friends who can help me find them.  Some might be off limits though, especially if Hunter’s put out an APB for us.  I doubt it.  Likely he’ll try to catch us himself a few times before he brings anyone else in.  Pride and all that.”  Laslie laughed derisively.  “Besides, he hasn’t had a truly good hunt in years.  Unless, of course, you count wandering all over the Earth in search of that tramp that rejected him.”

“Then we should probably start with those contacts before his pride breaks down and they can’t talk to you.”  The mention of the woman Hunter had searched for reminded Alicia of her earlier question.  She looked down, nervous of his response.  “Back in the room, you and Talianna were talking about sullying the Sidhe blood.  Were you really afraid that would happen with us?”

A pulse of panic flooded through Laslie’s aura.  It quickly subsided as he remembered she could read his emotions as easily as others could smell a field of flowers.  Alicia had figured out he could suppress his emotions when he concentrated on it.  Until this moment he had only done so in order to surprise her with the true depth of his lusty intentions.  Now she had to wonder if he was hiding things from her.  Of course the flash of panic implied that it was not an exact art, or at least not in him.

Laslie’s voice was wounded which made Alicia wonder if he shielded in order to protect her from the true depth of his sorrow and embarrassment.  “For many centuries the Sidhe have been on the decline.  We have never been prolific, as you noted, and that has not increased either.  What has increased is the number of Sidhe bearing children to humans and vice versa.  It’s only because of the increased population really, and the amazing technological capabilities.  Our powers have weakened.  Less and less can walk between worlds, to the point that Talianna is the best of us at it.  And we all know that she has more difficulty than all but the most inept once did.”

Alicia nodded in understanding.  “And that your kind can now bare the proximity to iron and steel.”  Laslie looked at Alicia in confusion, an emotion that spiked briefly in his aura before subsiding back into his neutral facade.  “Once, when Sidhe were still as powerful as you mention, none could have even held a steel blade.  Talianna not only wielded them, but carried them back and forth into the spirit world.  The Sidhe did not much mingle with humans, not because of their lack of numbers or sophistication, but because they could not bear to be near the tools.  Those mortals that lived away from civilization usually lacked the pristine beauty or overwhelming artistic skills to attract Sidhe notice.”

Annoyance flared from her lover, only to be quelled as quickly as the other emotions.  “Please, Las, you must understand I am not condemning them for the attitude.  You yourself perceive modern Sidhe as above the mortals.  They, who were more distinct from the mortals than you are, were even more particular.”  Alicia understood the sentiment, although she never could accept it.  Dhase, all of her kind, began their lives as humans.  As such, most never broke from thinking of themselves as more than an exceptionally blessed mortal.

Laslie seemed to think about it, his eyes firmly on the dangerous conditions, and finally nodded.  “The closer we come to becoming human the more some of us relate to them.  The more attractive they become to us.”

Alicia couldn’t argue with the theory, as much as she didn’t like the implications behind it.  She didn’t like the bitterness that resounded in Laslie’s voice either.  But what was most troubling was the fact that his bitterness did not show in her empathy.  She never realized how much she relied upon her ability to read those around her until, suddenly, she could no longer read the one closest to her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laslie walked out of the pawn shop, counting out the bills.  He had only gotten a pittance from the sale of his old cell, but it didn’t matter.  His resources were relatively limited but so were his needs.  The urban Freehomes, now abandoned in the Retreat, should still be fairly well stocked for food and could easily provide them shelter.  In addition it was likely the absolutely last place Hunter and his goons would think to look for him.

They might need considerable money to get artifacts of the nature and power they needed.  Alicia’s financial situation was very well handled, however.  She worked simply because she enjoyed the interaction.  He wasn’t entirely certain, even after so many months with her, what she did, but assumed it to be some form of business dealings in the mortal world due to her standard outfits.  Laslie knew she could cover any expenses in getting a hold of the artifacts if, indeed, they existed as more than legend.

Laslie grinned at the beauty awaiting him in the jeep and flashed a thumbs up.  The two were now free of the fear that a GPS chip could track them.  The new phone, he was assured, had no such device, although its signals could still be tracked and triangulated while it was in use.  He wasn’t worried though.  He had little need to use it now that he had been declared ronin.

That still rankled him.  Cut adrift from his people.  He would be able to continue to contact them for a little while, sure, but eventually every Freehome, or rather Stronghome, would eventually hear of his status and refuse him.  He hadn’t been kidding when he’d mentioned a time limit on some of his friends.  Unless he turned traitor to everything he had been raised, he would live either among the mortals or as a hermit.  And the thought of turning Unseleigh, of bowing to that pathetic clown that deigned to call himself Dark Huntsman, filled him with revulsion.

Laslie slid into the driver’s seat and grinned at Alicia.  Neither of them had a chance to change after they fled their hotel, and the unconscious Sidhe warrior.  He could almost imagine he could smell the dried juices that stained her white thong.  His body pulsed in response to the thought.  Alicia’s eyes widened as she caught the intent with her empathy.  His grin widened as he winked at her.  Alicia blushed and looked away, but not before he caught the twinkle in her eye.

Laslie knew that she loved the intensity of his passion.  She loved that he wanted to bring her as much as she wanted to him.  “I think we should find a new motel room.  We’ve traveled far enough that she shouldn’t find us easily.  We can afford a few hours.”  Alicia nodded demurely, but he couldn’t help but notice the twinkle had only grown in intensity.

He quickly pulled in at the next vacant motel and ran in for a room.  He was back in the jeep in minutes and unloading their bags moments later.  Everything was a blur as his lust began to override his patience.  While he emptied the vehicle, Alicia had jumped into the shower.  As he dropped the last of the bags, his grin was feral.  In the slippery setting would negate most of the advantage of her strength and a little of her speed.  He quickly slipped out of his clothing, made sure to dampen his emotions so she would have no warning of his presence and slipped into the bathroom.

As expected she faced away from him as she let the water wash away the signs of their earlier session.  She paused for a moment as she reached for the soap.  He froze, but relaxed once more as her hands came up to dig shampoo from her eyes.  Her eyes still plastered shut, Alicia turned towards him in order to let the water pound at her face.  Her firm, pert, breasts glistened and the light twinkled off of the moisture that saturated the well groomed, light brown, fuzz that hovered above her lust.  His body, already flooded with thoughts of having her, stood fully erect at the gleaming sight before him.

Alicia reached out, still blinded as she tried to clear her eyes.  Her hand slipped on the soap and knocked it to the floor.  Laslie had to struggle to quell the excitement that rose.  His moment was almost at hand.  Her eyes squinted open, but she turned away from him in a vain effort to find the lost soap.  She half-knelt, half-bent, to retrieve the bar.  He knew his timing the moment the bright pink flesh slid into view.  He dashed the curtain aside as he made his move.

Laslie knew, as he jumped the rim of the tub, that they were going to collapse in a tangle.  His hands reached for her shoulders.  He felt his hard length press against her for a moment before folding down and between their bodies.  His feet slid on the slick floor.  Instead of fighting to maintain his balance, Laslie used the awkward reaction to wrap her legs and ride her to the ground.  Neither would take the slightest damage from such a slight mishap and it would leave him firmly in control.

They landed better than he could have hoped.  On instinct, Alicia’s arms flew forward to break their fall.  Her legs buckled around the strange placement of his, considerably longer, limbs.  In the end she ended up on her hands and knees, beneath Laslie.  He felt himself nestled along the length of her incredibly moist lust and pulsed against her.

His hips pulled back and he manhood sprang upright in response.  Alicia started to say something, but her voice was cut off in a squeal as he buried himself within her.  Her entire body seemed to tighten with the contact.  He found the position amazing, as he began to pull himself free.  She relaxed slightly, although she gripped him still, desperate to milk him.

He slammed himself forward once more and her back arched with a scream.  Once more her entire body seemed to squeeze at him.  He knew he wouldn’t last long like this, but it didn’t matter.  Alicia’s screams told him she enjoyed it, and he could always make sure she finished on the bed later.  He loved feeling her writhe, helpless, beneath him anyway.  She began to pull away after a moment.  He’d waited to long for her impatience.  It was possible he wouldn’t even need to pleasure her, that she would finish as quickly as he.

Fire shot down his length and flooded his veins as he helped her pull off.  The instant he popped free she sighed slightly.  He used the same moment to tighten his controlling grip.  Sure of his aim, the thrust forward.  Her muscles tugged and pressed at the base of his need.  Her scream was even louder.  Finally she regained herself from the initial surprise and she began to struggle against his constraining limbs.  He felt the pressure, fit to burst, slap against Alicia’s hot pearl.

Her body tightened hard against him as he pressed forward to rub her sensitive head.  After a moment of her paralysis, the fresh scream was purely primal.  She jerked almost clear of him when he felt his molten seed flood up his length.  He crashed deep into her.  Quickly they reached a rhythm as he pierced her over and over.  Slowly her screams rolled into soft moans even as his own endurance waned.

It wasn’t a position he was used to and his calves quickly gave out.  He collapsed onto her back and her arms and legs slid from beneath her until she lay between him and the cool material of the tub.  He had fallen out of her through a combination of the transition and his shrinking form, but it didn’t matter.  Laslie was spent and so was Alicia.

A sound intruded on his dull consciousness.  It took Laslie a moment to realize it was his new cell phone.  He grinned as he unsteadily pulled himself upright.  He grinned as he looked down to see their lust seep from Alicia.  He loved to just sit and watch her body shake from the aftershocks, but the phone rang and he knew he needed to get it.

Laslie sprinted, still naked, into the main room and scooped up the phone.  As he flipped it open he grinned at the small dark spots that he’d trailed in from the bathroom.  Alicia wasn’t the only one who needed to clean up.  “Las here.”

“Laslie?  From Barren Rock?”  Laslie smiled as the familiar voice of Tenvid drifted from the phone.  Laslie had sent a forest spirit to find the Sidhe mystic during one of the brief rest stops on the flight from Talianna.  The message had been simple, his phone number and a request to call.

“Tenvid.  Thank you so much for calling!”  Laslie’s relief was evident in his voice.  “I need to find something very quickly, and you’re the only person I could think of who might have a clue.”

“Laslie, boy, slow down.  What is it?  What do you need?”

Laslie took a deep breath.  “I need a spirit blade.”

Silence answered the other end of the line.  Laslie glanced at the display to confirm that the call hadn’t been disconnected somehow.  Finally the older Sidhe breathed out a deep sigh.  “You don’t aim low, do ya me boy?”

“If you only knew.”  Laslie’s voice was low but Tenvid apparently heard the mumbled comment.

“With that reaction, I’m sure I don’t want to.  You’re the best warrior I know outside of Hunter’s pack.  What you’d be wanting with a spirit blade?  Nope.  I’m certain I don’t want to know.  Come to the diner.  You know the one.  Come alone and we’ll see what we can do.”

The call hung up.  It was risky.  It could easily be a trap.  Why else would Tenvid have asked him to come alone?  Of course, spirit blades were very dangerous weapons and people had been known to kill to possess them.  Laslie wouldn’t want to see even a couple of Sidhe approaching if he was offering even simple knowledge of one’s whereabouts.  Likely they’d leave no witnesses.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 05



"She's your daughter, Alex." Vanessa's eyes, no longer ringed with red, held mine as she repeated the words to me. "She's thirteen months old." I did the math. Yep, that's about the right time. Ugh. It was all too much for me to handle and I just stood gawking at them both, mouth hung open like a moron. 

"Alera." I repeated the little girl's name and watched as the child stared back at me with large green eyes -- my eyes. It was so odd to stare at such a cute little thing, something I had helped make. She certainly had inherited her mother's beauty. Her flame colored hair was shoulder-length and straight with a little pink bow that was frayed on the edges. Her eyes though, they drew me back each time. How could she have a glow that was neither red nor white, but golden? It was so very strange!

"Alera, honey, do you want to play with your boo-bear?" Vanessa baby-talked to the toddler, who nodded with a reserved eagerness. "Okay then, use your trick to get it. But only this time, okay?" The little one nodded again and held out a hand to a stuffed animal that rested on a table four feet away. I heard myself gasp as the bear began to float slowly to land in the girl's outstretched arm. The child was a Level 4! Wait, how could she bless without words?!

Vanessa shook her head at her daughter. "Not like that, Alera. You can do better." The woman's tone was kind and she placed the bear back in its spot. I was amazed that the little girl did not throw a fit; she seemed extremely well behaved for such a young age. I watched "boo-bear", expecting it to levitate to the girl again, but it did not. Instead, it just vanished. Poof! One moment it was there, and the next it was gone. I turned my head to see the toy resting comfortably in Alera's chubby little arm. How....? Okay, that was by far the most incredible thing I had seen! 

"She's the Level 5, Alex." Vanessa shocked me into silence with words yet again. Oh no. No, no, no! This couldn't be happening! My own flesh and blood -- the Level 5? I instantly became alert to any sounds around me; suddenly my world had been reduced to protecting the little girl before me. I had to get the Blessers away from the sanctuary! I wondered if they would destroy it anyway, since they consider humans to be a scourge and not worthy to keep around. 

"Vanessa," I addressed the woman, watching as she tenderly kissed the toddler on the cheek. "There's going to be a massive amount of Blessers coming here if I don't lead them away." I glanced at the room, looking for a hiding place for them both. "Do you have somewhere you can hide that can't be blessed to be found?" Her eyes grew wide when she realized what I was saying and the danger that was about to occur to her child. Our child.

"Yes, we can go underground and—" 

"Stop, stop!" I cut her off, waving a hand to distract her. "Don't tell me. I don't want the information to be found by force or bless." She nodded at my wisdom and without thinking, pushed the little girl into my arms while she started to gather things she would need for their escape. Having the girl cradled to my chest bewildered me. When I stared deeply into her verdant eyes, I became lost within the golden lights. I felt as if I were staring back at myself in a mirror, looking deep within my soul. It was an amazing feeling. I flinched when Alera reached up and touched my cheek, pressing gently, exploring my profile and chin. 

"Daddy." The word she uttered was clearly understood and I was unable to keep myself from nodding. How did she know? Surely Tomas had raised her as his own daughter?

"I've told her about you time and again." Vanessa stated as she zipped a large bag closed, shoving it over her shoulder. "It does not surprise me that she knows who you are." I nodded in understanding, grateful that the black-skinned woman had kept me in her memories. 

"Daddy sick." Alera pushed her head against my chest and hummed a few moments before pulling back to smile a bright, sweet smile up at me. I returned it, unable to help myself. "Daddy not sick now." I did not know what she meant, but was glad she was calling me 'daddy'. It made me feel as if it were truly a reality that I had a daughter.

Vanessa led me to the front door before gathering Alera from me. I almost did not want to let her go and was surprised to feel that way. The woman leaned over and pecked me on the cheek. "Thank you, Alex. I'm so glad you came to warn us." She flashed me a sexy smile that brought back memories of our time together. "Maybe you can come visit us again soon and get to know your daughter." I nodded and fled out of the door, running as fast as I could to the exit while trying not to feel guilty about helping the Blessers. I had to stop the attack before it had a chance to destroy Vanessa's life and make raising my daughter difficult for her. Most importantly -- I could not let Alera fall into the Blesser's hands. 

Once I exited, I triggered the comm signal that would indicate a retreat and hoped to all the heavens they would follow it. Soon I was at the shuttle and one by one the Blessers all came. I had to lie. It would not be pleasant, but I did not see myself as having a choice. "There's no Level 5." I told Leo as he approached me with a question clearly on his face. "It was a sham to get us to show up at the Curser's headquarters. The humans thought that if you were pitted against each other, each trying to find this supposed Level 5 person, that you would cancel each other out." My stomach churned as I spat out the lies. However, I was pretty proud of how steady my voice was and how credible the story sounded. 

"That is most unfortunate, yet fortunate." Leo shook his head with a grimace and motioned for everyone to get into the shuttle for the return home. I backed up slightly, waiting for Leo's men to finish loading. The man glanced at me and saw my reticence to enter and so joined me off to the side. "Alex?" 

"I'm not going back, Leo. I can't. It's too painful to be with your sisters. I'm going to take them fully, if I do." I told him, trying to put as much honesty and conviction into my voice as I could. Oddly enough though, having sex with the twin beauties was as far from my mind as anything could be. Had seeing Vanessa changed me that much? 

"Then they are still virgins as you said?" 

"Yes." I told him honestly. "We only did the oral stuff." I left out the anal sex. He did not really need to know that. Despite the fact that I had images of the girl's naked bodies in my mind, I was rather shocked to feel a lack of erection. How had that happened?!

"I am sorry for your ...er... problem. We could see if we can find something to help with your... problem, if you want." Leo was trying so hard not to look disgusted, probably remembering his pleasuring of me. Guilt must be eating him alive. I put my hand on his arm and leaned in, taking in his sweaty scent, acting as flirty as I could. 

"I enjoyed our time together. If you want to repeat it, I'll be glad to return with you." I had to force myself not to smirk, knowing how he would react. As I suspected, he leaped backward, shoving my hand off of him, glancing sharply to the entrance of the shuttle. 

"Uh, no. That is quite all right. Be well, Alex. I am sorry we troubled you." If he had plans of annihilating the human's sanctuary, hopefully he would change them if he knew I was there. Hopefully. Some day I knew they'd probably expect me to help them again. But for now, I had a daughter I had to acquaint myself with. I nodded as he gave me one last look and entered into the shuttle. 

"Give my love to your sisters." I could not help but say as the door began to close. I thought I saw him glower, but it could have just been shadows. Smiling to myself I turned back and made my way to the sanctuary. I did not immediately go back to Vanessa and Tomas' house. Instead, I waited. I wanted to make certain that Leo wouldn't attack anyway. As night began to fall, and I felt it safe enough, I picked my way through the streets to find myself in front of their door once again. I knocked softly and Tomas answered, staring angrily at me as he allowed me entrance once more into his home.

"The Blessers have gone." I told him softly, hoping he would get his mate and my daughter for me. 

"You are not welcomed here." His tone was angry and full of jealousy, but I merely waited. Soon, he went to a trap door and opened it, walking down a spiral staircase. I watched as Vanessa exited, followed by the redhead who carried Alera in his arms. My heart began to race -- was she injured? Vanessa did not seem alarmed, though. Quite the opposite. Her face lit up brightly when she saw me.

"You've returned? What does that mean, Alex? Are you to stay with us?" I could not help but feel the joy in her words, which in turn made me feel good. But Tomas' face was turning an ugly shade of purple. 

"Vanessa, may I please speak with you a moment?" His tone told there would be no arguing against it and she nodded, taking Alera's sleeping form from the man and putting her gently in my arms once more. I cradled the tiny body to me as I strove not to listen to their private discussion.

"I will not have him here!" Tomas' screaming voice was full of venom and I winced, hoping to not bring dissension into their lives. But where else could I go? I wondered if I could find a place nearby to stay. I did not want to go far -- I wanted to not only get to know my little girl, but also to protect her. As I rested upon a shabby couch, my feet propped up on an old table, rocking the sleeping child gently, it occurred to me that I had not had an erection all afternoon. How? I did not know. But I really did not care at that point. It was perfect timing since sex was the last thing on my mind now.

Vanessa returned shortly after, without Tomas, and she gathered the child, letting me follow her to the baby's room. After she put Alera gently into the crib, kissing her forehead as the child slept, she clasped my hand and pulled me to the back of the house, to their small enclosed greenhouse/garden. 

"Thank you for staying, Alex. You don't know what it means to me." Vanessa smiled at me, which caused my heart to skip a few beats. I wanted to kiss her so badly and leaned in to do so, but she pushed a hand against my chest to bar my way. "I'm sorry, Alex. I belong to Tomas now." I saw regret in her eyes. But I saw longing and lust there too. She was struggling with my presence and I wondered if I should not have returned. Not like I could protect Alera very much anyway. Unless I could somehow figure out how to bless-curse to protect her, that is. I wondered if Vanessa had the same problem as I did, but decided she must not.

"I don't want to cause problems." I replied back, finally, returning to my senses. Having the gorgeous woman so close to me was almost intoxicating. I struggled to remain aloof but every cell in my body called for her. It was a very strange feeling -- almost as if I were halved when I was not close to her. 

"You won't." But she was lying. I could tell and she shook her head, stating with a laugh, "The only problem I'll have is staying away from your body." It pleased me to know it wasn't just me struggling to remain apart. She looked down at the sleeping toddler. "I'll be strong though, for Alera's sake. She doesn't need her mother all mixed up and confused on her emotions and feelings. I have to have clarity for her." I nodded at her words, as I agreed (almost) whole-heartedly. Vanessa lifted to her toes and kissed my forehead as if I were her child too. "You can sleep on the couch, if that is all right? It's not comfortable, but it's better than the floor." I nodded in gratitude and watched her leave the room at Tomas' call.

Staring down at the sleeping child gave me a warm feeling inside. Here was a living, breathing creation, something I had helped make. She was a part of me, no matter what Level she was and I found myself wanting to be a big part of her life from that point forward. I would die to protect her, I told myself. Reaching down, I began to stroke her soft cheek, admiring the beauty and simplicity of the little one. I did not want to disturb her, so I exited the room quietly and relaxed upon the couch. It was not very comfortable like Vanessa had said, but it was good enough. I was only a few feet from my daughter's door.

When I woke the next morning, I found myself eye to eye with an unseeing face. A stuffed toy was staring at me, dancing in my face. I sat up slowly, yawning to shake the sleep away and realized Alera was holding her stuffed bear in front of me, as if expecting me to interact with the thing. 

"Good morning, Alera. Good morning, Boo-bear." I greeted the child cheerfully, shaking the little bear's paw playfully. This made the girl smile and I swear it felt as if the entire room lit up brightly, full of warmth and happiness. As gently as I could, I lifted the girl into my lap and cradled her there, letting her play with the bear while I interacted from time to time, making funny voices. I tried to tune out Vanessa and Tomas' words as it looked as if they were parting. I watched him leave, kissing her one last time before exiting the door. It truly hurt to see him kiss her, which was completely ridiculous. She belonged to someone else now - I had to get over it!

"Trouble?" I queried as I lifted the girl up and together we walked to her mother's side. Vanessa took her from me and hugged on her a few moments before shining a smile my way. 

"Just a scouting party. It's Tomas' turn to go out. He won't return until tomorrow, but for once I'm not afraid to be alone." I knew she meant because I was there, which stroked my masculine ego. "Would you care for some breakfast? I can make you an omelet if you'd like, we have fresh ingredients from the garden." Her words were like magic and I nodded, letting her hand me Alera so she could prepare the meal. She glanced at the child, biting her lip when she realized what she had done (again). "I'm sorry. I don't think about your feelings when I hand her to you. You can put her down if you want." I nodded as my reply, but kept holding the little girl.

As Vanessa and I sat together eating, she asked me what I had done after our disastrous union. It was difficult to talk to her about it, because I did not want to talk about my impotence problem, as that was rather embarrassing, especially when sitting next to a beautiful woman who was making it difficult not to ravage her. My erection was throbbing against my waistband as usual. I had waked with it, and of course, my thoughts were constantly revolving around Vanessa and the memory of her gorgeous body. 

When I told her about the Blessers coming to me for help in finding the Level 5, her eyes grew wide with alarm. I quickly explained what I had told Leo and that he had left, knowing I was not returning and she seemed to relax marginally. Her hand brushed against mine as she collected the empty plates, sending my heart beating in an erratic pattern. I was so attracted to her and desperately hoped my untucked long shirt covered the top of my pants and outline of my hardness. 

I wanted to tell her "Look at this" as I pointed to my groin, "You did this by being so sexy, Vanessa. You are totally turning me inside out." But of course, I refrained, watching her wash the dishes and put them away. She spent the next few hours telling me how the compound worked, giving me names of who was in charge and the next in line and so forth and sent me out to find one of the work-hires so that I could find a place among the humans in the sanctuary. Perhaps if I could find housing nearby, I could remain out of the couple's way and still have a hand in raising Alera. 

It was a fruitful meeting and I was promised work. They didn't trust me enough for guard duty, so I had to start with the most menial tasks such as mucking stalls and help repairing the old solar engines that provided the electricity and currents for moving water. I did not mind -- it helped me focus on something other than Vanessa. I was shown my quarters, a small bunk that was in the middle of three others all said to be occupied by fellow workmen, and felt a small measure of relief that I would be able to have a place to call my own (even if it was shared). Of course Vanessa made me promise to stay the night on the couch once more, since Tomas would be gone. I was not certain about the wisdom of such, but agreed.

And the evening truly started off as simple as a nice dinner of fresh chicken and vegetables and Vanessa and I playing with Alera until it was her bedtime. The time spent doing so was very enjoyable and gave me a peace. My erection always went away when I was with Alera, which confused me. Was I somehow cured? I would think that and then when Vanessa would come close to me, I'd be back to where I started from -- completely erect and full of desire for her. It made me VERY glad I was to spend the rest of the nights apart. Having her in the next room drove me wild and as I lay on the couch, staring at the wooden planks of the ceiling, I wondered if Tomas knew just how lucky he was to have such a beautiful, sexy woman as his.

I had nearly dozed off when I heard a soft voice calling my name. I sat up, startled, wondering if it had been a lucid dream when I realized Vanessa was standing at her bedroom door. "Are you all right?" I called out to her, trying not to pay too much attention to the silky black nightie she wore that only just covered her body. She shook her head and I could see something had her upset and so I stood, glad I still had my clothes on, and went to her side.

Wordlessly, she pulled me into the bedroom and shut the door behind us, making me gulp in alarm. Before I knew it, she had pulled my shirt off and was kissing me as if she were mine to kiss. I knew I was breaking all the rules by kissing her back, but gads I could not stop myself. I let my hands slide up underneath her nightie, pulling it off of her and sucked in a big gasp of oxygen when I saw how shapely and lovely her body still had remained despite having a child. It did not take long for her to shuck my pants and pull me to the bed -- her and Tomas' bed. I felt terrible for taking another man's mate, but this was Vanessa! Come on, how could I possible have a chance to resist? Especially with my erection problem, which was apparently back in full force now.

"Make love to me?" Vanessa's voice was soft, sultry and full of fire. I swallowed hard, not sure if I could do it. Too many memories were flooding my mind. It wasn't as if we would have the same problem as before, since neither of us truly were Blessers or Cursers, but the pain lingered from our first encounter enough to give me pause. Plus, I just couldn't shake the fact that she belonged to someone else. She gave me no time to reflect as I soon found my erect member in her mouth. She knew exactly how to suck and lick, bringing me just to the point of release before stopping, driving me to near madness. I growled as she did it yet again and pushed her gently to the bed. I took a moment to suckle her breasts, first the left and then the right, which brought a moan from deep within her chest. 

We were both to the point of no return and so I held myself over her, eye to eye and asked in a whisper, "Are you sure this is what you want?" Her eyes, full of lust and passion and something else, flashed at me and I gasped as she yanked my body to hers. I let myself slide into her warmth and shut my eyes as I realized that except for the anal and oral sex I had had with the twins and Leo, this would be the first time I made love to a woman since the first time with her. 

As we rocked together, our bodies fitting like interlocking puzzle pieces, I fought my release. I did not want to come. Not yet. I wanted to make sure she was satisfied first. Her throaty moans grew in intensity and when I felt her body warm considerably, I knew it was safe to let myself go. 




Mixed Blessings Ch. 05



But something happened when I did. I felt a million pricks upon my skin, as if I were being flayed alive. Blinding light flashed in my eyes and I wondered what was happening. I heard screaming and wasn't quite certain if it was Vanessa or myself making the noise. The pain became so intense that I could do nothing more than black out. 

And that's when I became something more than Alex Stone.

To be continued... 



Mixed Blessings Ch. 05



He grabbed his clothes and began to throw them on as he poked his head around the bathroom door.  Alicia still lay, luxuriating in the tub.  “Sorry love, I gotta run.  That was a lead on a weapon, but given the nature of it, he specifically asked me to come alone.  I got the cell, so you can call if something happens.”

Lazily, Alicia’s arm lifted and shoed him away.  He smiled, blew a kiss and bolted.  Things were looking up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pain.  Alicia couldn’t concentrate.  Dhase were no strangers to emotional turmoil, after all, as empaths, they felt it from those around them.  Physical pain, however, was an entirely different situation however.  Their bodies were considerably tougher than most other creatures.  In addition they had strength and speed that only another Dhase of the same age could possibly match.

When the first lance of pain hit, Alicia had not known how to cope.  She had known Laslie was on the prowl, although not through her empathy as she should have.  It had been the simple things that had alerted her to his intent; the almost impossibly light tread of his foot, the shift of the door.  He had wanted to be in control.  She respected that, understood that.  She was usually willing to let him, only occasionally feeling the need to turn the tables on her energetic love.

The cool tub pressed against her abdomen and soothed the slightest bit of the searing pain within.  The, now, lukewarm water pelted her back.  Her face nestled in her arm, with her forehead pressed into the crook of her elbow.  She was barely aware that he got up and left the room, as silent sobs wracked her body.  He came back in, what seemed like an eternity or perhaps only moments, later and explained that he had to run to get something.  She waved him away.  Alicia didn’t want Laslie to see her like this.

She knew part of what had gone wrong.  Alicia had considered it before, Laslie was too long for the position he’d tried.  She had been about to warn him when that first thrust tore away her breath.  What confounded her, however, was how he could possibly have enjoyed it.  Every scream, every time she had cringed away from his stab, he seemed more excited.  Every time her body seized in pain it drew him closer to that tearing climax.

The pain finally eased enough that she noticed the frigid water that still poured over her.  She rolled over and crawled to the faucet.  She tested her body and found that she could stand, if painfully.  She went to the sink, discovered the slightest bit of warm water and began to use a washcloth to erase the physical reminder.

Never had she actually felt small before.  She was about a foot and a half shorter than he was, and it made sense that he might be too big for some things.  After all, she had difficulties pleasuring him.

She looked down and desperately wished she could clean herself out completely.  She knew, by now, that everything had leaked out, but she couldn’t help but feel the need to reach all the way inside her own body in order to cleanse everything.  She contemplated getting one of the hygiene products from the drug store on the corner, but knew it wouldn’t help.  Maybe it was the lingering pain.  Maybe it was the irrational guilt and embarrassment, Alicia knew, everyone around her would see written in her face.

Bowlegged, she walked to the suitcase Laslie had left on the bed.  She grabbed some underwear and pulled it on.  A shirt quickly followed.  Alicia froze as she stared, openmouthed, at her clothes.  She suddenly realized where the design for women’s fashion, throughout the ages, came from.  She gripped the case and tossed it aside in a frustrated rage.  The plaster of the wall buckled under the force of the blow.

Alicia had already collapsed on the bed, curled up in a fetal position.  The blue, cotton, panties were the least revealing she had.  The red bra was the thickest and most difficult to disassemble.  The grey shirt flowed and billowed about her, but clung to her wrists defiantly.  Still she felt vulnerable.  She had no pants.  Every item designed to cover her legs could be brushed aside in an instant.  Women were dressed to be taken.

Alicia lay on the bed trembling as she cried.

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated.  If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase.  The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information.  Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx



Mixed Blessings Ch. 06



Mixed Blessings Ch. 6
By Deathlynx

This is the sixth chapter in a series.  Although it can be read on it’s own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order.  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Of all things, Alicia pondered for what seemed like the millionth time, it had been the underwear that clued Laslie in.  He had returned to the motel, excited about the prospect of buying an appropriate weapon.  He had rambled on about meeting some dealer the next day when he stopped, sat on the bed and looked intently between her legs then at her breasts.  He saw the color of her bra, through the shirt, mismatched with the panties and knew something was wrong.

He’d tried to make everything better, but she couldn’t help but flinch at his slightest touch for the next few hours.  Not once had he shut his feelings away from her.  But of course his guilty conscience was obvious, even without her empathy.  She knew his sincerity when he explained that he’d though she was enjoying herself, even having an orgasm.  It hadn’t been until he had proposed they develop a ‘safe word’ and he promised to never again move things so quickly that she couldn’t even speak.  She finally forced herself not to flinch as he held her close.

Afterwards she had strictly forbidden anything remotely resembling that position.  With that the damn had burst, and the two had their first true fight.  Alicia blushed as she realized that the scene, nearly a week before, hadn’t truly been a fight.  It had been a massacre.  She had vented all of the pain, all of the frustration and fears that had been building up.  Laslie cowered in a chair and apologized.  Even Alicia knew he wasn’t responsible for a good portion of it, but he was very much guilty, if not of everything, and neither questioned her right to attack him.

Once more, the two were on the road.  For nearly a week they had been driving non-stop.  The first day after the exodus, and the incidents in two different motel rooms, Laslie had found the dealer.  Now the miniature, sickle-like, kama rested between Laslie and the door.  It was a spirit blade, which he assured Alicia meant that when he broke his spiritual form away from his body it would appear in that world unlike any standard weapon.

Laslie had sent out spirits to a number of other Sidhe who he thought might have leads on other artifacts.  A few had gotten back to him but only one had any useful information so far.  Now they were in Minnesota somewhere.  Laslie had gone out, alone once more, to the Stronghome to meet with his friend.  When he got back, he was even more excited than when he had found the spirit blade.  She still hadn’t gotten the full story for him.

“So, we’re heading for a cave on the outskirts of a town?”

Laslie looked over and grinned.  “Yup.”  Alicia glared at him when it was clear he didn’t intend on supplying her any more information.  She could barely sense his glee at lording the information over her.  She didn’t even think he was trying to shield from her, it just seemed to come more and more naturally to him.  Even feeding had been more difficult when they made love.  She hadn’t brought it up, for fear it would cause another fight.  Besides she wasn’t entirely certain it didn’t have something to do with her, a response to what had happened.  Although she had been able to continue to read him afterwards.  Maybe it was a delayed reaction.

“So you care to let me in on the big secret?  Like what the hell is going to be in the cave?”  Alicia wasn’t very good at hiding her feelings.  Dhase had difficulties with that since they often spent a great deal of kind among other empaths.  Why lie when everyone around you will know?

Laslie’s grin turned sheepish.  “I won’t tell you what we’re looking for exactly, but I will say that a Lycanthrope currently has it.  I figure we go in, take care of the Lycan and get the artifact.  Kill two birds with one stone.”

Alicia shuddered.  “I hope you won’t need me for that.  I can’t stand killing.  Most of my kind don’t.  After all, we feel what they feel so it hurts even being nearby.”

Laslie glanced at her with an unfathomable expression.  His aura was shut down as well, which made it impossible to read him.  “Not many warriors among the vamps?  So how did they ever hit stalemate in the war with Sidhe?”

Alicia cringed slightly at the reference to Dhase as ‘vampires.’  She admitted they were the basis for the myths, but they shared very little in common with the image that had developed around her kind.  “There are always those willing to do what must be done to protect their people, like it or not.”  She locked her attention on her hands.  “As I understand it, most of them gave in to apathy fairly quickly after the war.”

She caught a hint of confusion and curiosity at the last statement.  Alicia sighed.  She had thought not to tell Laslie about that.  She didn’t want him to worry what might happen to her if she lived centuries in happiness, by his side, and he finally died of old age.  She knew it would lead to apathy, but she was content with that.  She had lived for millennia, if she got a few last centuries of heaven with someone she loved this dearly, then she would, in essence, die happy.

“Apathy is exactly what it sounds like.  A Dhase stops caring about anything.  When that happens, they forget how to feed.  Or maybe it’s more like they don’t care to feed.  That part’s kind of hard to explain.  Regardless, the slowly use up their energy and die of starvation.  Aside from astral combat, as we’ve learned, it’s the only way I know of for a Dhase to die.  Oh, one of us could drain the other to death but that is a very seldom occurrence.  As I said, we don’t much like killing.”

Laslie nodded in understanding.  “That makes sense.  Well, in this case you don’t have to worry.  ‘Killing two birds with one stone’ is merely an expression in this case.  How much do you know about Lycans?”

Alicia shrugged.  “Not much, I’m afraid.  I’ve never actually run into one, but I know the lore.  They’re supposed to share pretty much all aspects of both human and animal traits.  Including the combined strength and ferocity of both.  They also have incredibly heightened senses, so sneaking up on it just won’t be possible.”

Laslie nodded again.  “Well, you have it right and wrong.  More than likely you have actually run into one just not realized it.  A Lycanthrope is actually nothing more than a mortal possessed by an animal nature spirit.  They cannot transform as they do in the movies, nor do they have exceptional strength or speed.  Well, as compared to either of us that is.  Think of a human hopped up on PCP or something similar.”

“You’re right, they do have exceptional senses.  Some of that comes as a ‘gift’ from the animal possessing them, and some of it is because they have a direct connection to the Astral that even the Sidhe can no longer match.  That’s the real problem facing us.  This thing is going to be attacking simultaneously in the physical and spiritual worlds.  At least that’s what we’re hoping for.”

Alicia was captivated.  She knew a great deal about the Sidhe, having studied them for most of her life, but many of the other ‘monsters’ remained a mystery to her.  “So we are hoping that it will engage you in astral combat while I restrain its body.

“That’s the plan.  You see, because it’s nothing more than a possession, if you can drive of or damage the spirit that is holding the person they are free.  Under normal circumstances it requires a team of four Sidhe warriors to handle.  In fact, they have a couple of teams out at almost all times looking for them in order to cure them.  One holds them while two battle the spirit.  The fourth acts as backup.”

“So you are counting on the fact that the two of us are equal to four Sidhe warriors?”

Laslie laughed.  Alicia found it very disconcerting to hear that light hearted sound and not sense the same bubbling off of him.  “Well, to be honest, I know you are strong enough to physically best any four Sidhe you com across.  Holding the thing’s body should provide no challenge for you.  For myself?  I should be able to handle an insane nature spirit, particularly with this.”  He patted the handle of the kama lovingly.  “The fourth one usually isn’t needed unless things go horribly wrong.  In truth, the fourth is either a fresh student learning the ropes, or a master in case the student is building skills.”

“So you’re not going to tell me what the artifact is, are you?”

Again he laughed, this time it seemed much more ominous.  “No time.  Here we are.”

Indeed, there they were.  They were in the middle of nowhere and there was a very dark cave before them.  Alicia blessed her night vision as it lit up the cave to almost manageable levels.  It was still dark, deep in the cave, but she could see enough to move freely, without fear of tripping on a stalagmite.  She smiled as she thought of the caves she hid in as a child.

Warfare was rife between the various tribes and she had been unable to fight for what she continued to believe was too many years.  Once she had fought, she did so with a vengeance.  That was the way of her people.  Even when pregnant, she took up spear to defend her village.  Not for the first time, Alicia wondered what had become of her children.  She and Vasili had watched them, even her grandchildren, grow.  Unfortunately it came time to move on and she lost track.  Now, there could be thousands of decedents, or her heritage could have died out after a hundred years.  She would never know.

Alicia tried to pantomime a question to Laslie but he laughed.  “Don’t bother.  If it’s here, it already knows we are.  We might as well talk normally.  Just so long as you don’t reveal the trap we have laid we’ll be fine.”  His hand flashed to cover his mouth while he parodied horrified embarrassment.  “Did I just reveal our plan?”

Alicia couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.  This was a stressful situation and it wouldn’t help them if they panicked.  “I think the plan needed a little work anyway.  I still say we just stand here and call it out.”  She turned to face deeper in the cave.  “Heeeeere doggie, doggie, doggie, doggie!  Cummere boy!  Cummon!  Come get the chew toy we brought you!”

Laslie was clutching his sides in pain, laughing at her.  Alicia didn’t expect the tactic to work.  At least she didn’t expect it to draw out the Lycanthrope, but it certainly had its desired effect.  Laslie was so honestly amused that his shielding began to crack.  The warmth of his company spilled across her body like a familiar blanket.

She began to turn to him when she caught the hint of motion.  Her eyes flew wide as she saw the man run towards her.  He was tall and well built, but what truly surprised Alicia was the business suit he wore.  It did not fit the setting, just as the wild, angry, look in his eyes didn’t.  What frustrated Alicia the most, however, was the speed which Laslie’s shields snapped back into place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It only took Laslie a moment to compose himself once the Lycan appeared.  Alicia was already in motion to capture it as planned.  That wasn’t what concerned Laslie however.  He saw the other figure in motion.  The Dhase would be completely unaware of the second threat however.  Everything happened to quickly to be certain, but he was fairly sure a Sidhe warrior had waited in ambush for them.  Where there was one there might be more.

Cautiously he launched himself from his body.  He felt the brief tug at his spirit, when he left the spirit blade securely in the physical realm.  He was trusted Alicia to keep his body free from harm while he protected her from any and all spiritual threats.  As his senses tuned to the newest combatant he knew it was a Sidhe.  Laslie could only hope a lone warrior in ambush or they were in dire straights indeed.

Laslie closed in and more details came clear.  The woman, for the warrior was female, was headed for the Lycan rather than Alicia.  His mind quickly reeled up to combat speed.  He noticed the sheer amount of lovely flesh on both of the women and grinned as the primal portion of his brain began to feed delightful suggestions to him.  In a moment, he was up to speed.  He chased the naked Sidhe who chased Alicia.

No, not naked!  Laslie suddenly saw the thin green tendrils that wrapped around her body.  Talianna had found them once more.  He was going to be too late to prevent her first attack.  The situation was very bad.  Laslie knew the two of them could take either opponent individually, however Talianna and a Lycan were far more than they could handle.  The best he could hope for was a very messy three way combat, in which the Lycan threatened the Sidhe as much as himself or Alicia.

A quick glance ahead confused Laslie.  His step faltered for a second while he tried to understand what had happened.  He glanced at Alicia, she wore the strange, hide, skirt-loincloth that must have been her hunting attire two thousand years before.  Talianna wore the Elemental Armor that revealed every inch of skin that was socially acceptable.  His gaze couldn’t help but linger on the firm, round butt.  None of the leaves bothered to cover that.  He wasn’t surprised.  Sidhe fashion did borrow from the mortals, and many string bikinis hid themselves within.  Excessive?  Certainly!  But no longer socially taboo.

His mind snapped back to the confusion.  The man who attacked them, from deeper in the cave, hadn’t changed in the slightest.  At the speed which Laslie and the women were all moving he seemed little more than a statue.  Even that was unexpected.  Laslie should be staring at a wolf, or bear, or some other animal spirit.  That was the nature of Lycanthropes.  The mythology of werewolves transforming into animals came from a time when many humans could still see into the spiritual realm.  That spirit should be present.  More to the point, it should have attacked at the same speeds that the others moved at.

Alicia slipped behind the man.  Something slowly began to bulge from the supposed Lycan’s chest.  A very thin, long, black stick burst free.  No, it wasn’t a stick.  The length was covered in coarse black hairs.  As the joint followed, the nature of the owner of the leg became clear and Laslie almost screamed in terror.  He had heard stories but had never seen one before, and even the legends did not speak of one this size!

Alicia’s arms wrapped around the man’s waist and locked his arms tight against his body.  Laslie knew that the corporeal world was no longer a threat, but he now faced two very dangerous opponents in astral combat.  Talianna reached the arachnid Lycanthrope.  She slapped something onto the thing’s chest, just above the protruding leg, and turned towards Laslie.

Laslie understood her intent instantly as the legs disappeared back into its host’s body.  Further, he realized the inconsistency.  They had not, somehow, mistaken their prey.  The artifact worked perfectly, kept the beast’s spiritual seeming as that of a man.  The amulet would allow Alicia to blend in among the mortals, harder for the Sidhe to track and spot.  Its power had also slowed the arachnid spirit’s release.  Now, Talianna had sealed it within the body.  That would give her the combined advantage of not having to worry over a three-way battle and keeping Alicia struggling with the physical form.

“Tell her.”  Laslie shook his head.  Talianna was speaking wholly within the spiritual realm.  Alicia could not hear her.  “If you don’t, you run the risk of battling the both of us, or that the arachnid will turn and attack her while you are busy with me.  You have more to lose than I do.”  Laslie stared at the Sidhe woman.  It was a devious plan but ingenious.

“Alicia.  Whatever you do, don’t knock him out.”  Laslie had to concentrate in order to use his mouth without returning to his body.  Alicia looked at Laslie’s body in confusion, unable to see his astral body.  “Talianna’s here.  She has sealed the spirit in the body.  If you knock him out, it will be free.  Most likely it will turn on you and I’ll be too busy getting rid of Talianna to help.  You must just hold him.  I know you can.”  Alicia nodded that she understood and shifted her body into a far more comfortable position.

“Quite cocky aren’t you?  Are you so sure you can ‘get rid of me’ so easily?”  Talianna had begun to circle.  In part that let her dictate the terrain of the battle, but mostly it separated her from the Lycan, should it get loose either of the Dhase or her binding.

“How quickly you forget the last time we fought.  You lost.”

“You never attacked me.  You held me briefly but that was all.  And I had only a dagger.”  As she spoke, she held out her right hand, palm open.  Quickly, energy built within her arm, shot to her hand and grew outward.  Now she held a full sword.

Laslie grinned and simply charged.  Talianna’s confusion was apparent and understandable.  Any advantage of skill Laslie might have, a debatable topic in any regard, should have been completely offset by her weapon.  By all rights, he should have chosen a defensive, conservative, stance, not an aggressively offensive one.

Her confusion subsided long before he approached within her reach.  Talianna swung a devastating attack directly at his mid-section.  With his forward momentum, Laslie couldn’t possibly dodge backward.  If he leapt over the attack he would be bound by the trajectory and very predictable.  That left him with only one option, a state of affairs he didn’t like, as it was frequently the intent of the attacker.

Laslie dove forward, to Talianna’s left, as he led the attack.  He felt the powerful attack cut the air above him.  It glided along his back as the woman desperately tried to compensate for the speed of his decision.  He finished the dive with a roll to his right and sprung up beyond her reach, even as she pulled the sword back into a more cautious position.

Her grip was the only cautious tactic as she had already begun to charge after him.  Laslie only had time for a moment’s pause before he was forced to bend to dodge a quick thrust at his shoulder.  Talianna was infuriated with him.  Not only had he questioned her ability, he provoked a powerful attack and managed to cleanly dodge it.  Now he virtually danced aside as she continued to jab rapid, but weak, attacks at him.

Laslie couldn’t help but grin as she stabbed first at one side, then the other.  Occasionally she switched in an exceptionally high or low attack, or even a quick slash.  Every one he ducked or sidestepped.  He concentrated his attention on her body, sought the telltale indications as to where her next attack would aim.  Unfortunately, he found it far more difficult to spot than he ever had before.  As her lithe body twisted and strained with each attack, the leaves continued to shift.  The three, mainly cosmetically placed, leaves incessantly slipped aside as his attention diverted elsewhere.  Perhaps there was more to her choice in armor than engaging the lust of Hunter.

He found his concentration dragged, over and over, in a circular loop by the frustrating leaves.  He knew the sword flashed closer to success with each attempt but he could no longer seem to drag his eyes away.  Where Alicia held a simple beauty, Talianna exemplified the exotic eroticism of the Sidhe.  Her combat style, at least astrally, only seemed to amplify her natural attributes.

Laslie knew he needed to balance the fight somehow.  He was confident, now, that his skill surpassed hers, but the various factors in this combat would allow for either to be victorious.  He could not accept that.  She had to lose.  He had to win.  After he was done with her, he would need as much energy as possible in order to defeat the arachnid spirit.  Then the artifact would be his.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 06



When I came to, I was on the wooden floor, naked and completely confused as to where I was. When the memory of my lovemaking with Vanessa returned, I propped myself up on my elbows and stared at the bed. Where was she? Alarmed, I managed to push myself to my feet, groaning when my head spun for a few moments. I heard a mirrored groan and went to the far side of the bed to find the ebony woman crumpled in a heap on the floor. I scooped her into my arms and put her gently on the bed, staring down at her beautiful face with concern.

"Vanessa?" I queried softly, stroking her dark cheek with the back of my hand as she began to come around. Her eyes flickered a few times, finally opening to land on my face.

"Alex?" I nodded. "What happened? Am I... are we ... dead?" 

I laughed gently at her question and shook my head.

"I've never felt more alive in my life." I told her honestly. And it was truth. My body did feel as if something had happened to stimulate the cells and my dick rested on my leg, limp, twitching slightly when I spared too much time staring at Vanessa's body. I knew that it wouldn't take much for her to stimulate it into action. I felt normal, finally, in that aspect of my life. 

"I am starting to think that our bodies aren't compatible or something." My frown gave away how I felt about that thought. It was silly though -- she was not mine and after this night, I'd never feel the pleasure of holding her against me again. At the thought of thrusting myself inside of her once more, I felt myself grow slightly hard. 

Sighing, I pulled the covers up and cradled her next to me, holding her like I had wanted to so many months earlier, but never had the chance thinking the woman dead.

"I love you, Alex." Her words caused me pain. She loved me. So what? She belonged to Tomas. My silence seemed to spur her onward. "Tomas never cared for Alera. No matter how much my baby girl tried, he would never hold her as if he loved her. Never touch her. The bastard wouldn't even look at her unless I forced him to do so." I winced at her words, feeling sorry for the little girl. It made me wrap my arms tighter around Vanessa, wanting to bring her comfort through the touch. I know she could feel my hardness, but I did not care. I was done having sex with her and she knew it. How could we possibly make love again without the pain? 

"Vanessa --" I began, hoping to put into words of why we couldn't be together, despite the pain it caused my heart. But I was interrupted by a tiny figure standing at the foot of the bed. 

"Mama? Daddy? Bad thing happen now." The moment the words tumbled from Alera's mouth, the southern wall to the bedroom was peeled away, leaving us exposed to the sudden night air. Vanessa screamed and wrapped the sheet around her as I dodged into my jeans lying nearby. I put my body in front of the ex-Curser's and our daughter protectively, holding my arms out to ward the intruders away. There were many of them; floating torches above their heads were not needed to tell me that they were all Cursers -- the red glow of their eyes gave it away. A curvaceous figure stepped in front of the glaring attackers and I grimaced when I recognized it to be the Asian woman who had the penchant for gold.

"Well, well, if it isn't 'Limp Dick'." She smirked and I realized half of her face was scarred, marring any beauty she might have once held. Not good. Nothing was as important to a Curser as their looks, well, except maybe getting revenge on an enemy. When her eyes locked on mine, her face twisted into an even uglier grimace and I knew I would probably not survive the confrontation. I glanced over my shoulder at Vanessa, still wrapped in the sheet, Alera cradled in her arms with her head pushed into her mother's shoulder. I knew the woman was attempting to protect Alera, but she knew the consequences of having the wee one fall into the hands of Cursers. It would be better to end the child's life. But would she be able to do that? Would I? And how -- if it were near impossible to kill a Level 5 - would we even attempt to harm her?

"I was told this was the place where the Level 5 was to be found." She tapped her temple as she studied each of us in turn. "But unless the little one is the Level 5, I'd say I just found a sad set of humans trying to live their dull, meaningless lives." The expression on her face as she stared at mother and child was not a positive one and I knew she was going to attempt to curse them. 

"Wait!" I called out before she could do anything. "I know where the Level 5 is. Let this woman and her child go and I'll take you there." 

The gold-lover snorted at me, which was quite unattractive, and pointed to Vanessa's bundle.

"Take the child. Kill the man and woman." She snapped her fingers and my heart constricted. How could I fight them? How could I keep them from hurting Vanessa and Alera? I knew they couldn't harm Alera, but if they tried to take her, one of us would have to do something drastic. There was just too much at stake. 

"I'd say we need some light shed on the subject." A new voice appeared from behind the group of Cursers and I sighed in partial relief when I recognized Leo and other Blessers surrounding them. "May the light shine on us all." I had to cover my eyes as the blinding flash he summoned was intense, but I knew why he had done such a blessing and quickly pushed Vanessa and Alera through the door opposite of the intruders, throwing the trapdoor open as soon as I reached it. I followed the duo downward, ignoring the screams and explosions that marked a Blesser and Curser fight. I knew it would not be pretty and definitely not a place for Vanessa and me to be in the middle of, with a child especially.

We ran as quickly as we could, Alera in my arms so that Vanessa could hold onto the sheet covering her body. 

"Ohh!" Vanessa's cry spurred me to her side immediately and I saw what had given her pause. Tomas was standing in her path, barring the way. He had two Cursers with him.

I could smell the fresh night air behind them, indicating we were close to the exit. So close, yet so far. 

"Tomas? Why?" Vanessa's voice was full of dismay and hurt. 

"They've offered to make me one of them, Nessa. I'm sorry, but I have to do this for the good of the world. That child is a menace." 

I heard myself growl at his words, wanting to flay his skin from his body for them. Did the fool not realize that they were lying to him? Manipulating his jealousy?

"Give me the child." The Curser on the left held out a hand, snapping his fingers to indicate his boredom and I sighed softly, turning my body so that Alera was hidden slightly. "I will not be telling you again, human. Do you want your woman to suffer?" 

He turned his gaze on Vanessa and held out a hand, weaving symbols into the air. I could almost taste the magic from the action and felt helpless when he sent a bolt of something black and oily her way with a curse of "Your skin is burning, twisting into nothingness". But it did nothing but dissolve the sheet surrounding her body, leaving her naked. The action angered me. How dare he toy with her at a time such as this? 

"Hmm, she cannot be cursed?" The Curser turned to his two companions with a puzzled look and I realized that what had happened to me must have happened to Vanessa. I looked over at her and she shrugged. 

"Since our first meeting, Alex, I could never curse but no curses or blesses touched me." 

"Same for me." I nodded and felt our connection strengthened with the knowledge that we were alike. No longer alone in the world. I reached out and clasped her hand within mine, pushing Alera against my chest lovingly. At my touch, the child turned to stare at me with her glowing golden eyes. I heard two sets of gasps and understood now that there would be no doubt in the Cursers mind that the girl was a Level 5. 

"No!" I had a moment of clarity. The second the Asian Curser saw Alera, loving gold as she did, there'd be no way to safekeep the girl even if they kept either of us alive. The Curser's greed would literally destroy the world. I turned to Vanessa, heart full of pain and released my hand from Vanessa's to touch the child's cheek. As far as I knew, there was no way known to physically kill a Level 5. Their bodies were indestructible, so I would have to destroy her mind so that she could not be used. That meant I would have to kill Vanessa and make certain Alera saw it. I felt the warmth of a tear frolic its way down my cheek and sighed at the task ahead of me. 

"I will have the child." The Curser, a skinny male with long, flowing black hair, stepped forward, stunner in hand once he realized his curses wouldn't hurt. But I knew the stunner would. It was going to be over and very soon. I thought about blessing the man. It would surely not work, but if it twisted into a curse, that'd be good. As I opened my mouth, I felt Alera reach out for her mother, who took her daughter's hand. We were all three connected, which made me feel better knowing we'd go down together. 

"Your hand holds the gun steady." I blessed him, hoping against hope that instead of doing nothing, the words would work in my favor and curse him. But something odd happened instead. His hand twisted into a slightly different position, but was aimed at my heart now, instead of Vanessa's. 

"You bless me to aid me?" The Curser's expression was that of intrigue and surprise. "That is very foolish, Blesser." He peered over his gun at me, confusion flooding his face. "How is it that you bless me without the glow of eyes? This is a trick?" He turned on Tomas and slammed the butt of the gun into the redhead's face, causing a thick stream of blood to begin to pour from Tomas' broken nose. It was at that point I wondered if I had truly blessed the man's gun. I decided to try something.

"Tomas' nose is now healed by the pleasant forces of air. It is crooked, but healed with no pain." I was not going to be too kind if it did work. But by the gasp coming from Tomas, the flow of his blood now stopped, it had worked! I could even see the slight curve of the ridge where it had healed crookedly. I blinked in surprise and glanced down at the girl in my arms. She was still clasping her mother's hand. I did not waste any time further and turned to Vanessa. 

"Curse him!"

"What?" She looked at me with confusion and I struggled not to look at her gorgeous body, shining in the dim light of the torch globe hovering over the Curser heads. 

"Oh!" She turned to the Cursers and stated, "You both see nothing but cruel, thick darkness to match your hearts."

The moment she cursed them, they let out a cry of surprise. Obviously they were not expecting a Curser to turn against their own, but soon they would realize that Vanessa and I were no longer simply just "Curser" or "Blesser", but something way more than what we had been born to be. I hugged the child in my arms tighter, knowing she was the reason behind it. Somehow, Alera had been the catalyst fueling our old powers.

"The tunnel will open above you both, letting the dawn's glorious light inside so that we can breathe again." I blessed the surrounding, and laughed lightly when four feet of dirt fell upon the blinded Cursers. Tomas had edged forward, wedging himself between both parties, and so he was spared from being crushed. Lucky for him, I didn't want to linger, but I made him remove his shirt, giving it to his once-woman. She put it on swiftly and together, we climbed up and out of the now collapsed tunnel system.  

The problem assaulted us as to where we could go. We obviously couldn't remain in the human sanctuary any longer. There was only one place I could think of going, hoping no one would remember it. Together we ran as swiftly as we could, until we located a hovercar. Tucked in the back with Vanessa, Alera sat quietly, only letting go of a whimper from time to time to show her fear and discomfort. I climbed into the front of the car and began to shift it into drive, heading to my old warehouse home. I hoped that it was still livable. After the Cursers had taken the door off of the hinges, that would have allowed vermin and anything else to get inside, so I knew it was risky, but I had no idea where else we could go.

When we parked nearby, I hid the car upon all exiting, covering it with an old, torn tarp that I had found lying nearby. I grasped Vanessa's hand tightly and pulled her, Alera in her arms, to the warehouse. The door had been thrust a few feet away, but as far as I could tell, the place was abandoned. I had us enter cautiously, and told the fallen door, "You will get on your hinges, and be a wonderful door for us now." But nothing happened. The fallen door just lay there, as if blatantly ignoring my words. I walked to where Vanessa was standing with Alera, clasped her hand within mine, and blessed the door again. Instantly it flew to the opening and popped back in place -- hinges sealing as if it were a newly created doorway.

Nodding in satisfaction, I released Vanessa's hand and looked to the pallet. Old clothes were piled there and so I pushed them away, making room for the woman and child.

"So we can bless and curse if we are touching?" Vanessa's voice was soft and she rocked Alera in her arms as she sat on the pallet. I motioned with my head to the girl in her embrace.

"I think she has to connect us. Somehow Alera's the key to the whole blessing and cursing thing." I shook my head in wonder and looked up in alarm when the door to the warehouse began to slide open. I quickly grasped Vanessa's hand within my own and stared in guarded surprise when Lara and Luna entered within. 

"Alex." Lara greeted and then eyed my hand clasped tightly within the dark-skinned woman. "We've come for the little girl. We followed you." Her words were soft and I knew I would be in trouble if I had to fight them both. I did not want to harm either.

"That's not happening. You have to know that I won't let you take her. I won't let you enslave her mind." My words came out a little harsher than I meant for them. For some reason I was not surprised when Leo stepped into the warehouse behind them.

"Yes, Alex. You will let us take her. You have no choice." His voice was firm, but I could tell none of them wanted to hurt us. Still, I left my hand within Vanessa's.

"You don't understand, Leo." I tried to explain, keeping my voice even. "She's my daughter. I can't let you take her. So take your sisters and leave us." I could tell all of us were growing frustrated at the stalemate. 

"Let's destroy them together, Alex." Vanessa's voice was harsh but I understood why. She was looking out for her daughter, which I completely understood. But she did not have a history with the three siblings before us like I did.

"I can't agree to that. They are my friends." I said the last part loud enough for the threesome to hear me. 

"Yes, and as friends we do not want to harm you. GIVE HER NOW!" When Leo's voice rose, in an attempt to bully me into acquiesce, I was about to get snippy back but had no chance. "OUCH!" A brown blur zipped through the door, landing behind Leo. I saw tiny white teeth as they bit into his hindquarters and I had to force myself not to laugh. 

"Dog!" I exclaimed jovially, happy to see my old pal. "Don't hurt him!" I cried to Leo as he lifted his hand to bless the dog into obedience or pain. "Come here, fellow." I patted my leg and the mutt trotted proudly to me, leaping onto me in excitement. For once, he kept his yap shut as was his way around strangers. With a swift pat on his head, I turned back to the problem at hand.

"Leo, please. I don't want to fight you and your sisters." I looked at my daughter's golden-green eyes, full of trust and curiosity. She was unaware of what was happening, of how her life was in the balance, but the little one knew it was a tense situation. But when she saw Dog, the girl squealed, reaching for the mutt's neck. Vanessa cringed at first, untrusting of the beast, but I whispered, "He's all right." She nodded and let Alera wrap her arms around him. Dog whimpered in surprise for a moment and then remained still while being squeezed. 

"Alex is amazed as we are at how beautiful the cage is surrounding him. The bars are made from the most incredible, sound-resistant material." I had been distracted just enough to not see Leo was making symbols in the air, preparing his blessing. Too late for me to do anything to counter, I watched helplessly as white metal bars fell around me, severing my connection to Vanessa and nearly taking my hand off in the process. 

"No!" I cradled my injured hand to my chest as I called out, but unfortunately, the bars were made of some odd material that did not allow sound to pass through. I saw Leo speaking to Vanessa, his hand creating symbols and I felt my heart begin to crumble. He was going to hurt Vanessa! He was going to take my daughter! 

And without our joined touch, there was nothing either of us could do about it.....

To be continued...



Mixed Blessings Ch. 06



He saw the thrust shoot towards his left hip.  He was slightly off balance and knew that he wouldn’t slide out of the way this time.  His grin never faltered as his gaze shifted up to meet her piercing purple eyes.  He almost missed his counter as he stared at the latest surprise.  She did not have the light violet irises that he occasionally saw among his people.  Rather, everything within the boundaries of the whites was a deep purple, darkening to black at her pupil.

Finally, his right hand swept up in a circle.  Talianna jumped back and stared, in shock and horror, as her weapon finished drifting apart.  Those purple eyes locked with Laslie’s and he took a moment to appreciate the full affect of her face.  Rich brown hair spilled down either side of her head, broken only by the twin peaks of her pointed ears.  After the silken strands reached her bare shoulder, they cascaded forward and back to fall a few inches shy of her artfully concealed areola.  Her entire self-image conveyed a devastating beauty that concealed the deadly skill with which she fought.

The kama rose in his hand until the blade rested across his chest, just beneath his jaw.  Her eyes drifted down, caught by the slight motion, and widened as they discovered his prize.  The previous look disappeared, to be replaced by awe and thinly veiled desire.  Laslie found that he wished he had Alicia’s empathy.  He suspected it was the blade she lusted after, but he found a part of himself rather wished it was him.

Talianna began to back away slowly, with her hands conspicuously empty and held low and away from her body.  Laslie’s merciless grin showed that he understood the irony that she mimicked the pose he held when she found him naked in the motel bed.  She had every reason to be afraid.  While a spiritual weapon could hurt, or even incapacitate, anyone in astral combat, a spirit blade could kill.  The kama would deal every bit as much damage to Talianna as she could deal normally to Alicia.

Laslie didn’t intend to kill her however.  She was Hunter’s Mouth, but this time she would be Laslie’s.  He intended to send them a message.  Laslie, formerly of the Barren Rock tribe, was not one to be messed with.

Talianna was rattled by the escalation of the fight, otherwise Laslie would never have been able to slip instantly behind her.  She froze as his hands slipped beneath her arms.  He pulled her tight against his body and let the blade of the kama hover towards her neck.  Two vines had shifted on her armor and interposed leaves between her skin and the blade.  Arboreal armor was a potent creation, but Laslie was fairly certain the spirit blade could pierce even that stalwart protection should he desire.

He slowed the blade to rest against her.  Even with the two leaves trapped between the blade and her soft flesh, Laslie felt her terror through the tension of her body.  She was frozen through a mixture of fear and self-preservation.  Only the armor dared react to the threat he posed.

His left hand slowly eased its pressure.  He no longer needed to hold her against him; the blade did that for him.  Light as a feather, his hand glided across her very exposed midriff.  He felt a shudder run through her ethereal body and smiled.  Curious, his hand began to glide across her smooth flesh.  He drifted downward.  Finally, his delicate touch brushed against a small patch of laboriously managed fuzz.  He imagined the half-curls to be the same chocolate as the hair beneath his gaze.

This time, his hand had not become entangled in the vine.  In the motel room it had struggled as Talianna had.  Armor such as this acted on the subconscious on the bearer.  There, it had resisted his unconventional attack, this time it accepted it.  There was the slightest of contact.  A vine tentatively brushed the top of Laslie’s hand.  He ignored it.

“I have a message for Hunter.  As his,” Laslie paused for a moment to let her dread the next word, “greatest messenger, I would have you deliver it.”  Talianna’s head nodded slightly, within the confines afforded by the blade.  “I don’t want him to follow me.  I don’t want anyone from his pack to follow me.”  Laslie thought about that statement for a minute and changed his mind.  It could be useful to have a single acceptable contact that could relate messages back and forth.  “Except you, if I see any from his pack I’ll deal with them.  Is that understood?”  Once more she nodded slightly.

Now, Laslie obeyed the tendrils suggestion.  His hand glided across the delightful hair and into the warm folds between her legs.  Her entire body seemed to melt against him as she relaxed into his unconventional embrace.  Laslie was surprised.  Apparently it had been even longer since she had felt the touch of astral ‘contact’ than it had been for him.  For all of her skills, it was the single lust Alicia could not slake.

A finger slipped deeper, to stroke the inflamed bud he discovered.  Instantly, the vines all reacted.  He had expected they would.  When her subconscious sensed jeopardy they would finally entangle his hands and pull him away.  The vine that covered her breasts did ensnare his right arm, but rather than pull it free, it shifted so that his hand, still clenched around the weapon, pressed against her breast.  The two by her neck embraced his body and pulled him closer.  Meanwhile, the vine that had prodded and suggested, pressed his left hand.  She wanted more, so much more.

His finger circled as he let the armor increase the pressure of his touch.  Talianna’s body shuddered and her hips rolled forward.  He could feel her neck strain as she tried to keep quite.  His grin became feral as he remembered his earlier comment.  Kill two birds with one stone.  Laslie could convert an ally and force Talianna to reveal the location of her body.  His finger shifted slightly as he sought to push beneath the satiny hood that protected her lust.  As he began to trace the sensitive nerves that rimmed its base, she lost the battle and a deep moan of pure need escaped her lips.

Laslie saw Alicia disappear.  He only had a moment.  He leaned forward towards her ear.  Conscious to keep his voice only in the spiritual realm, he whispered.  “Hunter is a fool.”  His finger drove deeper, past velvet lips, to pierce her core.  An ecstatic cry began to pour from her, when all resistance vanished.  Laslie smiled and lifted the finger to his mouth to give it a very suggestive lick.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alicia knew, with the first hint of sound from the hidden Sidhe, that she could eliminate that threat and return to help Laslie in mere moments.  Talianna had begun to scream when Alicia reached her.  She knew, from personal experience, how painful astral attacks were.  She also knew that knocking the warrior out would effectively end the combat without risk of anyone’s death.  As Alicia closed in, she got very confused emotions from the warrior.  A single punch stopped everything cold.

In another moment Alicia was back with the Lycan.  It had barely had time to move, but she hoped that Laslie would finish the job quickly.  She was as surprised when she saw the spirit blade reappear in Laslie’s hand as when it had disappeared.  His head lifted and he grinned at her.  That simple look was filled with so many thoughts, and none radiated from her lover.

Slowly, Laslie crossed the room.  He raised the kama and the blade pierced one of the Lycan’s arms.  The thing’s growls of anger instantly shifted to howls of pain.  Alicia’s body jerked as the sheer torment crossed her empathic link.  “Las!  Should I be feeling his pain?”  She cringed as the weapon raised and shot forward to lance the second arm.

“Sorry ‘Licia.  The spirit inside this thing is huge.  It might even be strong enough to turn the body.”

“Las, this is a man.  A poor, cursed, man!  Not a ‘thing.’” Laslie shrugged.  “And I thought you said they couldn’t transform?”

“Most can’t.”  Alicia’s legs nearly buckled as Laslie sliced into both of the man’s legs at once.  He continued his explanation unphased by his actions.  “Given the size of this one it’s quite possible it could.  I didn’t want to chance that you couldn’t handle a six foot tall man-spider.  Besides, this will also cripple the spirit, once we release the bond Talianna placed to trap it within the body.”

“Then why do the Sidhe need a team of four, if you can effectively cripple him, body and spirit, so simply?”

Laslie grinned and held up the kama.  “Because none of them have one of these.”  A moment later the weapon disappeared.  The businessman screamed and began to collapse.  Alicia’s entire body burned with his pain.  Only the vague sense of triumphant freedom, that trickled from the poor man, provided her a lifeline that kept her from unconsciousness.  In that moment, she suspected the Sidhe did not perform this version because their method was far more humane.  She sighed her relief when the man passed out from the pain and the sensation diminished.

Alicia tossed the unconscious man aside just as the kama reappeared in Laslie’s hand.  He began to move immediately.  He tore the man’s shirt and pulled free a small talisman, dangled on a chain, from the man’s neck.  She continued to study the object as he tossed it through the air to her.  It was about two inches across, silver, and was a very elaborate Celtic knot design.  It radiated power as it flew through the air.

The moment she caught it, the power seemed to dim to nothing.  It was a strange feeling, as if the power had simply vanished.  It reminded Alicia, uncomfortably, of the way Laslie had closed down his emotions from time to time.  She looked up to find his stare directed at her, inscrutable as ever.  She had gotten better with her guesses and was fairly certain he viewed her with his other-sight.

Laslie nodded.  “It works.”  He smiled at her confusion and explained.  “That’s what we came for.  It is designed to mask someone’s spiritual body.  With it, you look as human as the next chick.”    He slid up to her, knelt in order to decrease the height difference, and pressed his body against hers.  She could feel the tension in his hands and smiled.  She knew he wanted to run those hands over her here and now.  Combat made him horny.

“The added advantage,” Laslie whispered in her ear before he gave it a light nibble, “is it should protect you.  Not from a spirit blade, but most attacks will be muted if not negated entirely.”  Alicia gasped as he shifted down to bite playfully at her breast, through her blouse.  “Now, what do you say we find a room for the night?”

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated.  If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase.  The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information.  Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx



Mixed Blessings Ch. 07



Mixed Blessings Ch. 7
By Deathlynx

This is the seventh chapter in a series.  Although it can be read on it’s own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order.  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Alicia watched Laslie as he paced.  It had been eight days since they had heard anything.  After the incident in the cave they drove hard for two days.  The more distance they put between themselves and Minnesota, the more difficult it would be for Hunter to find them, if he chose to ignore Laslie’s warning.  Alicia had understood the purpose behind giving Talianna his cell number.  She was a known quantity, and they had proven, twice now, that they could defeat her.  Talianna was no threat.

Now they were in Pennsylvania.  When his contact had called, Laslie had insisted on a meet scheduled for the same day, at a location of his choice.  This way there could be no ambush set.  The contact had agreed, with the usual proviso that he come alone.  He had chosen a house in the suburbs as the location.  Somehow, he’d known it was recently abandoned so it made a good neutral location for two Sidhe to meet.

Alicia slid into the path of his pacing and draped herself against his chest.  Her head tilted back to look up and meet his eyes.  “Las, you’re going to wear yourself out with all of this tension.  Come on.  Let’s do something to ease it as we pass the time.”  She ended the suggestion with a purr.  Laslie had been too distracted recently to do much.  When they had made love, it had been awkward.  He had finished, but she was almost always left wanting.  She was fairly certain it hadn’t been that great for him either.  Tension and nerves tended to kill a good sex life.

He smiled down at her.  The smile never quite reached his eyes.  Alicia had taken a crash course in body language ever since Laslie had finally shut down broadcasting his emotions.  He shrugged and flopped down into the motel’s reading chair.  “I’m sorry.  I’m just not in the mood right now.”

It might not be a lie.  Alicia had felt him grow, as she pressed against him.  Maybe he was just too wound up for the whole process.  Maybe, she thought with a feral grin, it’s time to remind him what we can do to each other.

Alicia could have been across the room in an instant.  Instead, she slid her thumbs into the waistband of her skirt and slid it free, to let gravity take it.  She swayed her hips heavily with each step.  Her arms crossed.  She slowly peeled free the polo-shirt and tossed it at random.  By the time she was mere steps away from him, she wore only her silver talisman, and a matching set of black, semi-transparent, bra and thong.  From the bulge in his pants, Laslie enjoyed the show so far.

She reached the chair and straddled his knees.  Carefully she knelt forward, her legs trapped between his and the arms of the chair.  His large hands reached out to encircle her waist and pull her close.  She felt the solid form even through the fabric of his jeans.  But this wasn’t what she had decided would happen.  Alicia was stronger than he was, and she felt like he needed that little reminder too.  Her hands found his wrists and she peeled him free with ease.  Once his hands were deposited on the arms of the chair, he would know to keep them there.

She reached down to the base of his shirt and slipped it free of his belt.  He moved his arms, obediently, as she lifted it free, only to replace them.  Alicia slid backwards, off the chair, then leaned forward to unfasten the various obstructions that held his pants together.  She knew he had caught the silhouette of her breasts, as intended, as she saw the bulge pulse beneath its constraints.  A quick tug and that hard length lifted the fabric as it shot free.  She ignored the pants, pooled at his ankles, as she stared hungrily at the display.

Her hands on his arms, she pulled herself back onto the chair.  She reveled as his lust pressed against her when she moved forward.  She used her legs to lift her free, and the delightful weapon sprang downward.  She ignored it for a moment more as her body conformed to his.  His skin sent electric thrills coursing throughout her body.

She glanced up.  He grinned as he watched her, confirmed that he knew his place, and enjoyed it.  She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his tight chest.  Laslie made appreciative little noises deep within his chest.  She slid down his body until the strong length nestled comfortably along the heat of her own passion.  Pressed so firmly together, Alicia shuddered and her core began to clutch desperately for him.  That wasn’t her agenda.  He always returned the favor though.

She placed a second kiss on his body and spilled farther down for a third.  Her thong caught between their press of bodies and began to tighten against her.  Her body shook slightly with need, but she ignored it.  The same effect occurred with Laslie, except that it pushed his silk boxers down.  After another kiss and move they cleared his tip.  She felt him flinch, slightly, in pain as they snapped along the underside of his member and caught at his base.  He didn’t seem to care, as he moaned deeply.

The solid form of his masculine warmth pressed against her stomach.  He throbbed and with each pulse pushed against her, as if he could break through her flesh to be surrounded by her in any way possible.  She kissed his stomach as he sank between her small breasts.  Once upon a time she had been considered well endowed, if waifishly thin.  She didn’t care, she never had.  It was her body and she enjoyed it.

Alicia placed one last kiss on the dark, green tinted, curls above the length.  She had to jump back quickly, or risk getting pelted by the anxious member.  She grinned, as she sat at his knees and looked at the treasure she had revealed.  Her hands grabbed his hips and pulled them easily to the edge of the chair.  Once in position she hooked the elastic and stripped the boxers free, to join the pants at his ankles.  His knees spread wide with only the slightest suggestion.

Straight and proud before her.  Alicia sank back slightly in order to see the prize and his expression all at once.  He still wore the same smug grin, but there was something in his eyes she couldn’t place.  She simply didn’t have enough experience with the skill to figure it out until he revealed it.  Playfully she nipped the loose skin by her chin and his head fell back as his eyes closed.  Not content with the simple reaction she lifted forward and traced the taut, silken, skin from base to tip with her tongue.  His body shivered and he moaned.

Alicia placed her arms along his thighs for additional height and balance and leaned forward.  The solid length burned between her lips as blood raged within it.  She could always feel his power as completely within his manhood as surely as his aura.  Her lips slid farther and she felt the hard ridge slip in.  Laslie’s breath deepened as her tongue swirled around the head.  She loved the musky flavor of him, so different from the woodsy scent.  Nothing had ever tasted so masculine or made her loins burn so quickly.

She had to fight to resist the urge to engulf him.  Her body wanted to bury Laslie in her warmth.  Only her mind remembered that he was far to large to take into her mouth without choking.  The primal base of her brain didn’t care.  That part of her didn’t rationalize that she didn’t need to breath, didn’t care that it would be uncomfortable or painful, it simply wanted all of the strength to fill her.

One hand glided along his leg to grasp his perfect organ halfway up.  Alicia knew she could take at least that much and the obstruction allowed her to let go.  Her mouth surged forward.  Her lips sealed around the tasty, smooth, skin and she sucked in.  She couldn’t have all of him inside of her so she needed to draw him out.

Her head began to bob forward and back.  She sucked in with every retreat and caught a quick breath with every dive forward.  His jagged gasps came more frequently.  Her hand began to pump in time with her head, her fingers pressed and glided against the staunch nerves just beneath the sliding skin.  The next gasp broke into a groan.

Alicia hadn’t thought he would be this ready, this close, this quickly.  She grinned as she increased the tempo.  The added pressure of her lips jerked his length against her mouth.  The skin at his base began to quiver as she retreated.  She knew he was about to flood her mouth and fill her aura with his energy.

Quicker than she had ever seen, his hands dashed.  She couldn’t resist in her surprise.  Her hand was ripped from it’s position along his lust while his other hand rested at the back of her head.  Her eyes flew open as she realized her peril.  The molten sensation of lust flooded her body, in victory, as it realized she could no longer resist.  Her head surged forward even as she felt his seed race up the perfect member.

Laslie’s tip pierced her throat and plunged deeper.  She felt his warm skin against her chin and cheeks a moment before instinct tried to repel the intruder.  The first stream of burning lust splashed across the inside of her throat.  He was so deep she couldn’t even gag properly.  She had to escape.

Her head felt secured with iron.  His hand tightened as another load shot deep into her.  Tears welled in her eyes from the discomfort.  Relief flooded her as his hips began to retreat, just to be dashed as they shot forward.  They pushed him deeper as another pulse of cream filled her.

She summoned her strength and tossed her head back.  Even with chi to augment his strength, he could not compare with hers.  Alicia fell backwards.  His hand released hers, once her head was free.  She fell on her butt and stared at him.  That perfect manhood jumped in beat as it continued to shoot forth jets of his lust.  His hands had returned to the arms of the chair and he just relaxed into his climax.

Her gorge rose, and Alicia bolted for the bathroom.  She coughed and hacked in between bouts of sickness.  Her body felt the cloying liquid in her throat but could not figure out how to dislodge it.  After a few minutes her body stopped convulsing.  She was sure there was still there but her body seemed content that it was clear.

Laslie shouted from the bedroom that he had to disappear for the meeting.  He even thanked her for loosening him up.  The door slammed shut and she pulled herself upright.  A quick glance in the mirror and she moved back to the main room.  The mirror had lied, she didn’t look fine.  She couldn’t look fine when she had just spent minutes throwing up an already empty stomach.

Alicia tossed the thought away and struggled for something else to occupy her.  She couldn’t focus on things between her and Laslie.  That had all begun to fall apart recently.  It was likely the strain of the road.  If only she could find a way to work everything out with Hunter they could settle down and go back to the way things were.

Alicia stopped mid thought as a horrifying realization dawned on her.  Hunter knows what I am now.  The first aspect of the spell that ended the Dhase-Sidhe war, two millennia ago, was to steal the memories of each race from the other.  The Sidhe had limited amounts in writing, but otherwise had no knowledge of her kind.  Now that she had appeared, she lent credence to what tales they had.

The Dhase, on the other hand, had never developed a language of their own.  Strictly speaking, they had never been a separate race, as the Sidhe were.  Every Dhase was once human and they tended to continue to think, speak and write like the mortals they had once been.  Everything a young Dhase needed to know was taught by an older, more experienced, member.  To the Dhase of the war, erasing the memories of everyone would have seemed the perfect response.  They would have been blind to the concept of the Sidhe’s written history.

The end result was that the Sidhe could once more hunt her kind.  They knew her weakness.  The only hindrance would be their inability to sense their prey.  Alicia had two options; she could make peace with Hunter or she needed to tell her kind what was coming.  The second was critical, but she would try to do both.  First she would find the closest Dhase, then she would find Laslie, in the suburbs, and get Talianna’s number from him.

Alicia was now very glad she had let the Sidhe world-walker live.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laslie rolled his shoulders as he paced the circumference of the small livingroom.  Alicia had been right, bless her heart, he did feel a lot less tense now.  And this was a meeting he could not afford to be nervous during.  No, at this one, he had to be firmly in control of the situation or everything he had built could fall apart with ease.  The artifact was important, of course, but more important was to counteract the mystique of Hunter’s displeasure.  If that half-human slut could deny their greatest warrior his due, then Laslie was well within his rights to go where he wanted, do what he wanted and be with who he wanted.

Of course, Laslie could not challenge Hunter openly.  He simply didn’t have the power for that.  Sure he had a spirit blade, but so didn’t a number of Hunter’s pack.  In fact, most of them had weapons perfectly suited to their fighting styles.  Laslie’s blade had simply been what he could get a hold of.  He needed two more artifacts before he felt confident enough to stand up to the blowhard.

Soon, Laslie would have a lead on elemental armor.  Very few Sidhe, even among Hunter’s pack, wielded both a spirit blade and elemental armor.  This current talisman was as unexpected a gift as it was potent.  A power band.  These were so rare that Laslie had never even seen one before.  The bracelet would act as a mystical battery.  He could recharge it and store nearly infinite energy within it.  Even if it was completely depleted, it wouldn’t take Laslie more than a few months to syphon off enough energy to challenge even Hunter.  And Alicia had shown him the perfect method to raise all of the energy he could ever need.

Laslie didn’t even flinch when he felt the distortion that signified someone had crossed from the spiritual realm into the physical.  He turned, and his jaw nearly dropped.  Both of the times that Talianna had attacked them, she had dressed in a tight black armor that clung to her body, but hid and protected it equally well from all weapons devised by man.  “I though you might accept that I meant no harm if I wore street clothes.”

Laslie felt the blood run very hot in his body.  Talianna had a lithe, feline, beauty about her.  He had seen her fight and knew her body seemed to twist and bend in ways he would not have thought possible.  Her chocolate brown hair seemed to pour from her head to froth at her shoulders and frame her face.  What’s more, the drastic colors of dark hair and pale skin only emphasized her deep purple eyes.

All of that he had seen, and more, in her astral form.  What shocked him and set his blood racing was her outfit.  Around her breasts, for it barely covered enough of her chest to be considered a shirt, was the smallest ‘poet’ shirt Laslie had ever seen.  It fluffed out from immediately above and below her breasts in order to both confound and emphasize the size and shape of her glorious attributes.  At the top of the ‘shirt,’ the fabric connected to the inside of tube sleeves that left her shoulders and most of her forearms bare.  Through the thin material Laslie could barely make out her dark areola, demonstrating not only her lack of a bra, but that her gravity defiance was completely natural.

Her jeans were so tight that he could see the well defined muscles in her legs, augmented and accented by four inch stiletto heels.  They remained tight until her shins, at which point they flared out into bell bottoms.  His eyes barely noticed, locked as they were below her midriff.  The hip hugger’s top barely seemed to cover the slightest portion of her lust.  Were it not for underwear, Laslie was sure the slightest change of posture would have flashed the world.  As it was, the red lace thong, with string sides, only covered just enough, while drawing the gaze inexorably to that which it hid.  Laslie trembled as he noticed hints of the well manicured fuzz peek through the lace.

Laslie finally managed to find his voice, though his eyes refused to pull away for that shocking red lace.  “No.  The, uh, clothes are fine.  They look good on you!”  He knew that his body language said far more about what he thought than anything he could say.  Especially the flagrant bulge in his pants.

She shifted her weight and a slight gap formed in the tight band of the pants.  It afforded Laslie a slight view fully between her legs.  He’d been right about her needing the underwear.  He knew he should feel ashamed, but he simply couldn’t.  He found himself wishing she had foregone those as she had the bra.  “I’m so glad you decided to trust me enough to see me.  I was worried you had taken the attacks personally.  I was just doing my job.”

Her voice was a very suggestive purr.  Laslie nodded absently.  He hadn’t really heard what she said but her tone moved straight to the base, the most primal part, of his brain.  The pressure in his pants grew.  He took an absent step forward, towards the focus of his desire, the focus of his gaze.  Those soft folds now hinted at beneath the red lace.  If he only took another step or two closer and crouched, he was sure he would be able to see the pink lips and luscious bud he’d felt a little over a week before.  Only sheer willpower kept his body from moving as it wanted.

Talianna’s hands shifted demurely in front of her and broke his gaze.  At the same time she shifted her weight so that the pants, once more, covered the blatant sight, if not much more.  Laslie felt as if his mind was free of a trance.  Some Sidhe could manipulate their natural charisma with their power, he could do it himself to a limited degree, but he knew she wasn’t.  She was using wholly mundane, feminine, whiles on him.  And he loved every second of it.

His eyes found her purple orbs once more and he quickly replayed her last comment to figure out the best response.  Meanwhile his peripheral vision was still distracted by her body.  Somehow, she managed to present pure sexuality while still looking so innocent.  Although he was certain there was nothing innocent about this woman.  His whole body hoped there wasn’t even more.

“Well, since I haven’t walked into a trap, I would say no hard feelings.  After all, you have more reason to have wounded pride than we do.”  He took a deep breath before continuing.  He needed to sound out her motives and this would be the surest way he could think of.  “And you have other reasons to set me up than pride.  If you managed to assure my capture, well, it would look very good in some eyes.”  His gaze dropped as he finished speaking.  He could not bring himself to know if there was any contemplation of such actions.

“Not the eyes I’m interested in, I can assure you.”  The purr was still in her voice.  If anything, it had thickened into a full blown growl.  She began to walk towards him, the roll of her hips drew his gaze back to her.  The tone only brought his eyes back to hers.  There was a ferocious desire in her eyes that only heightened his own.  It was Talianna who was unable to stand the weight of that desire.  “Hunter has made it perfectly clear that he has no interest in me.”

Laslie crossed that last step and placed a hand on her bare shoulder.  His other reached for her chin in order to bring those purple eyes back to his.  “I’m sorry.  I know how hard it is to accept that interest isn’t returned.  I’m sure you’ll find someone eventually.  Someone who can accept your strength and your ample talents.”




Mixed Blessings Ch. 07



So there I was... trapped alone in a cage, Vanessa and my daughter near me, unable to talk to me or hear me. I pushed at the bars, but they were unmoving. Of course, without touch, I could not bless myself free, so I was uncertain of how to proceed.

But then something odd happened. Instead of remaining in the cage, I found myself standing next to Vanessa and Alera and Dog almost as if in the blink of an eye. And then I worked out it -- Alera had summoned me, just like she had with the stuffed toy. Cool. Without a word, Vanessa scooped my hand within hers and whispered something softly to our daughter. I blinked in shock when Luna and Lara vanished. Stepping around the cage together, we faced Leo, who began to grow irate at the absence of his sisters.

"What did you do to them?" He crossed his arms, making no motion that would be considered a blessing. Very wise of the man as if he had, I would have attacked him without thinking anything of it. 

"My little girl, Alera is her name, has sent them just a few blocks away. She could have killed them, but did not. She could kill you without any words spoken, but will not. Do you really want to hurt this child?" Vanessa spoke boldly, lifting Alera up so that the man could stare into the gold and green eyes. He sighed, still not convinced. But when Luna and Lara dashed back inside of the warehouse, eyes wide in wonder, he relented.

"Fine. But it will have to be put before the councils of the sections." Leo's voice was one of resignation, but I trusted him. 

"I have little doubt they will do the right thing." I did not voice the rest of what I thought -- that they would not have a choice as long as I was alive to help Alera remain unharmed and unfettered. I looked to Vanessa, who smiled brightly at me as we began to follow Leo and his sisters to their shuttle nearby, Dog with us, and felt a huge measure of relief that I did not have to kill her, that I could keep my daughter's mind intact and sharp. As long as Vanessa and I could keep the girl from hurting anyone, then perhaps she could remain free. I vowed silently to the toddler that I would do everything in my power to see that she remained that way and was not controlled by anyone.

However, at the council section's meeting, of which Vanessa, Alera and I were a part of, the situation got out of control fast. The elders of each section, selected by family members to put into the position, were shouting and insulting each other in regards to allowing Alera to even remain alive. I knew they couldn't kill her but if they tried, it could be painful for the girl. And that, I would never allow to happen.

"Alex, son," The man who had led the Stone section when I had lived in Sky City stood and faced the three of us, but addressed me. "Tell us in your own words how you were able to produce an offspring with a Curser?" Oh boy. Did they want details? All the gory details? 

"Honorable father," I addressed him formally, "We are uncertain of how we were able to produce Alera. Our union was apparently fruitful." I felt my face heat up and glanced to Vanessa, who was turning a few shades of pink under her dark skin. I shook my head and addressed the council members. "This child is harmless. She is well behaved and very under control. All fears of the death of the world are unfounded. In fact, I have a feeling she will come to greatness." I looked down at the little girl, who was patting Dog's head softly, grinning an adorable little smile as she did. How could anyone think of her as a monster? How could they think of her as anything but simply sweet and wonderful? I shook my head again and sighed. She had me wrapped around her little tiny perfect pinky. That much was certain.

"You may rest now. Once we come to a conclusion to this, we will summon you all again." The senior of the council, a wizened old man who hunched over as if he were permanently searching for something he dropped upon the floor, dismissed us with a wave of his gnarled hand. I knew that he had not reached such an advanced age by making reckless decisions -- the council would be deliberating for hours. My main concern was for Alera, of course, and since I had already been banished for losing my Blesser skills, I did not have to worry about being punished for having sex with Vanessa.

"Come," I took Vanessa's hand within mine and we exited the open door to find Luna and Leo waiting for us. 

"Alex, I'll take you to your room. The Curser will follow Luna." Leo's words were soft, but hard around the edges and I could see how tense he was. But I refused.

"No." I put an arm around Vanessa and Alera, ignoring the unhappy glare Luna gave me as I did. "I stay with them." 

"That's not possible. The Council—" 

I cut him off. "I don't care what the Council said. I will not part with them." I felt a measure of safety when I was with Vanessa and our daughter; no way would I give that up. When Leo stepped forward as if he were going to manhandle me, Dog began to growl under his breath. Of course all wounds had been blessed into healing, but that didn't mean that either of us wanted to get injured again so he backed off. 

"Fine." We followed him to the same room I had used before and gave the request for a crib for Alera, who had fallen asleep from such a long day of waiting, waiting, waiting. Once the crib had been brought to the room, we put her down for the night. Vanessa and I stood side by side, hands clasped together, staring down at the beautiful little girl. 

"I don't know how I could survive without her, Alex." Vanessa said so softly I could barely register the words. I pulled her in, wrapping my arms around her and kissed her forehead gently. 

"I don't know how I have survived without both of you." I told her warmly, reaching down to press my lips against hers. When our kiss deepened, I felt a jolt of electricity weave itself into my bones and sighed in delight when her tongue found entrance to my mouth. Without a word, I scooped her into my arms and carried her to the bed, depositing her gently upon it. I had her borrowed dress pulled off and her underclothing tossed aside before I could think to stop myself. I was so hard! And this time, it was a normal erection caused by my extreme attraction to the woman before me.

"Alex," Vanessa looked me in the eye as I removed my own clothing quickly. "We cannot—" I cut her off by kissing her deeply, unwilling to let her keep talking. I needed to make love to her and despite the pain when we climaxed, I was going to do it. But I never had the chance as alarms began to blare in our ears, causing us to gasp and dress quickly. Alera, started awake by the sound, began to cry fearfully until her mother gathered her into her arms and held her in an attempt to hide her from the loudness. 

"Can't we get a moment's respite?" I snapped to the air as I went to the door. Before I exited, I glanced to the mother and daughter inside and asked them to remain in the room until I found what was happening. Vanessa did not like the idea of being separated, as we were unable to bless or curse, but agreed with a nod. I ran down the hall, buttoning up a borrowed white shirt as I did. I ran into a Blesser and they told me that Sky City was actually under attack. Cursers had somehow built contraptions to make it skyward and now were demanding Alera or a full attack would ensue. I cringed with the knowledge as I dashed back to the room. Not good. 

When I opened the door, I had to bite back a string of curses when I saw that the room was empty. Where were they? As soon as I exited, I scanned the halls, but saw only Blessers running around to prepare for the attack. Panic threatened to overwhelm me. I couldn't lose them after I had just found them! I heard a yapping noise and followed it to see Vanessa and Alera running forward, Dog following noisily as if trying to compete with the blaring alarm system. I pushed myself, not willing to lose sight of the woman and child and finally caught up to them at one of the large shuttle bays. Lara was with them, pointing to the shuttle entrance. 

"What's going on?" I queried, nearly out of breath, as I joined them. Vanessa stopped and turned to me, a frown on her beautiful face. 

"They are sending us to the surface, Alex. They think Alera will be safer there." I mirrored her frown. Why would they take her without me? I eyed Lara suspiciously, not trusting of her intentions. 

"I'm going with you." I did not give the Blesser any chance to argue and closed the shuttle doors behind us, watching a multitude of expressions cross Lara's pretty face.

The trip was nerve-wracking, as we feared we'd get stopped or shot down or attacked the entire time we flew, but finally the autopilot landed us at the designated place, door opening in preparation of our departure. I felt bad for leaving Sky City, but what could I have done to help them? I could not risk Alera falling into Curser hands!

The moment we exited, we found ourselves surrounded. Dog began to growl and I understood why....

Cursers.

Now how did that happen? I had no time to say anything as they began to weave patterns to bind us with their curses. Clasping my arms around Vanessa, I opened my mouth and said "The ground beneath us is so wonderfully solid, don't you think? Too bad the rest of the ground is like lava." At the time I was blessing, Vanessa had been cursing and I barely heard her say, "Lightning in a dry sky is odd, but it falls upon you anyway, burning you and peeling your skin away from bone." We turned to each other as the sounds of screaming came from the handful of Cursers before us. Thick lava had oozed from the ground, burning them from the feet upward as lightning fell from the sky.

I had never been that powerful! It had to be Alera. I looked at the wide-eyed girl, who whimpered in terror as she pressed her face into her mother's shoulder. I turned, still touching them, not letting go for anything, and said, "What a pretty hovercraft. It will drive us far." The piece of metal that I had focused on had suddenly taken shape in the form of a hovercar and so I slid into the seat with Vanessa and Alera beside me, dog squeezed in tightly between the three of us.

"Why are you bringing the animal with us, Alex?" I had not had a chance to explain Dog's importance to me. 

"I'm his dog, bitch." The mutt stated matter-of-factly, which shocked Vanessa and caused me to glower at his mouth. 

"Yeah, that." It was all I said, as we began to flit across the dirty streets of Surface city. Beyond was a barren wasteland filled with danger and darkness, but in my eyes, it would be much safer than in the grasp of Blessers or Cursers, each with their own agenda for Alera. I did not stop the car until nearly a day later when we were hungry, exhausted, and mentally worn. We had to find shelter. None of us, no matter how powerful we were together, could remain awake and alert forever. 

"There?" Vanessa pointed to what looked to be a large fence that had been kept up. It meant civilization. Perhaps if no one knew of us, we would be safe. I made a mental note to watch for the eyes. If the first person we encountered had glowing white or red eyes, we'd incapacitate them and continue onward. It was a young man that didn't look old enough to bear facial hair. He waved a stunner at us and barked out orders for us to remove ourselves from the craft. We obliged and I glanced over to Alera, making sure she was still sleeping. Her eyes would give us away and we could not afford that. Not now. Not when we needed shelter so badly.

"State your business, strangers." The kid barked, spine rigid as if trying to display to us just how tough he was. Dog was wise enough to remain silent, hunched behind us.

"We're running from an angry band of Cursers. My woman and child and I would like to stay with your village for the night. Is that possible?" I mentally pleaded with the younger man, desperate to get off my feet and get some rest. I was like the walking dead, or at least I felt that way and knew Vanessa could not be faring any better. He held up a hand and went inside of the gate, discussing something with a man from the sound of the voice. Both men approached us, eyeing us warily.

"Eyes, let us check 'em?" The older man, face full of black and white hair, leaned in and studied each of our eyes, ignoring Alera. "Okay, you can probably come inside." He motioned upward and I followed his signals to watch a ladder being lowered. How would we climb that with a child? But it was not for us. A woman, judging from the soft curves, climbed down to join us.

"Who is this?" She was blind in one eye but definitely not bad to look at otherwise. Her blonde hair held a reddish tint to it and she motioned for us to answer with an expression that told me expected a response quickly.

"I'm Alex. This is Vanessa." I pointed to the sleeping toddler. "That's our daughter, Alera. And our pet dog." She looked at each of us in turn, seeing hopefully nothing but dirty, exhausted travelers. But she frowned as she studied us.

"You wear Blessers clothing." It was an accusation. Like I had mentioned before, humans were very untrusting. 

"We stole them. Our life has been very hard. We just want somewhere to stay. Somewhere safe. Please?" I pleaded, letting desperation flood my voice. I did not want to bring trouble to their village, but we could not keep running and being in the thick of battle in Sky City would be too dangerous. The woman shook her head and spat on the ground beside us. The sky was beginning to darken, which meant I probably had been on my feet for almost two days, maybe longer if you don't count the small amount of sleep I had gotten the night before. 

"I feel as if I am making a dangerous and terrible mistake, but you cannot go on. Come in." She whistled a specific noise and the gate began to grind open. I got the impression it would take quite a few men to move it. I wondered if we'd be safe, despite the thickness. Following in, I was amazed at how clean the houses looked. They were all made of wood and stone and looked as if they had been there for a while. How could such a settlement survive without Blesser or Curser knowledge? 

"Wait here and I'll have a cabin cleared for you." Her words were almost inaudible as fast as she began to walk away to get it done for us. I wrapped my arms around Vanessa and held on to her, mostly to distract myself from falling over. 

"You look as bad as I feel." I whispered to her, nuzzling her cheek as I did. Her reaction startled me as she twisted her head and captured my lips in a fierce kiss.

"Thank you, Alex." I could see the sincerity in her face, which made me feel bad. I was, after all, the one who had made Tomas jealous enough to turn in his own mate. I tried to feel hatred for the man, but if I had been in his shoes, I might have been as bitter. I don't think I could have given a little girl to Cursers though. Perhaps he had no dealings with them and did not know just how evil and conniving they could be. I stared a little longer at Vanessa with the same thoughts. I had seen her peel flesh from her fellow Curser's bones. That was pretty cruel; perhaps some things were hard to change. I sighed softly, hoping that the woman would never have to curse anyone ever again.

A new man appeared before us, almost as if out of thin air, which caused me to start. How did he do that? And then I realized I had fallen asleep. I glanced at Vanessa who smiled at me, a wide grin splitting her face.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered good-naturedly as we followed the man to a cabin. He did not say much, but when he opened the door for us, his expression was apologetic.

"I am sorry, visitors, but this cabin is somewhat isolated and dusty from lack of use. The owners had an unfortunate run-in with a Curser patrol." I sensed a sadness in his tone and wondered if he had known the occupants or if the settlement was that close knit. 

"Lady 'E' will be summoned to greet you as soon as you've rested and are ready." He bowed deeply and left us alone. The dust was thick inside of the cabin, but it was quaint and very private. I grinned at the thought of having Vanessa all to myself for once, with no prying eyes or ears nearby. She put Alera on a soft looking papa-san chair and wrapped her arms around my waist, staring up into my face. All traces of sleep were gone when our lips met. I pushed her gently into the bedroom, not even bothering to flick out the light the man had lit for us and our clothes were soon lying in two separate piles, our bodies intertwined.

"I love you, Alex." Again the words I had never heard uttered to me before I had met her. No one had ever loved me. It was a shock to hear them a second time from her lips, and I wasn't sure how to reply, so all I said was, "Me too." I kissed her until I thought I would explode and began to explore her body. It was mine. In my mind, I claimed it. I wanted it. I let my tongue run circles around the areola of her right breast and then the left, grinning when she moaned lightly under my tongue. I knew she was aroused and I certainly was hard. I inserted my finger into her opening and went as deep as I could, bringing it out and in a few times to tease.

"Alex! I have to have you in me. Now!" Her need was as great as mine and I smiled with heavy desire as I drew close to her entrance. But just before I thrust inside, I paused. Would it kill us both this time? I glanced nervously at the closed door to the other room where our daughter rested. What would happen to Alera if either or both of us died? I hovered over her beautiful black body for a few seconds pondering this....

What should I do? 

I simply could not decide... one more time could very well kill us.

Would I gain pleasure? Or would I gain death?

To be continued... 



Mixed Blessings Ch. 07



Her eyes flared for a moment and he blushed as he realized the potential double meaning of his last words.  “I think I have.”  Her hand disappeared behind her back and came back with a large silver cuff.  There seemed to be no true design behind the dents and dings in it, aside from the fact that they were clearly made in the creation of the, obviously, costume jewelry.  If he had seen it on the shelf at a store he would have thought it gaudy junk.  However there was a power radiating from it that anyone, with any gift, could sense.

Even with such a wondrous display surrounding it, as Talianna cupped it to her navel, he could not look anywhere else but at the artifact.  “Is that what I think it is?”  Laslie sensed, more than saw, her nod.  “How did you ever get your hands on an Akashic power band?”

The Akashics were human mystics.  They had the ability to manipulate the very essence of magic as no one else could.  They could reach into the very heart of a spell and control it; depower it, or even amp it up.  The catch was, they were all dead.  The Unseleigh had wiped them all out after the last war between the Unseleigh and Seleigh.  They dared to side with Hunter.  Akashic artifacts were as immensely powerful as they were rare.

“Did you bring the money?”  The simple question brought his eyes back to her’s, or rather, her mouth.  He had never noticed how delicate it looked.  She had added light pink lipstick which somehow complimented her features.  He could imagine those lips wrapped around his...Wow!  To far!  Laslie pulled the prepaid card out of his pocket.  Talianna’s lips pursed, her head cocked to one side in confusion and those thoughts of her mouth came flooding back in full force.

“It’s a prepaid credit card.  The newest thing in human ingenuity.  Easier to handle and less traceable than a briefcase full of cash.  And certainly less cumbersome than a sack for of gold and jewels.”  Laslie looked at the card briefly before he returned his thoughts to the proper uses of that delightful little mouth.  “And it’s value is set, unlike those jewels.  No matter what we say about the humans, their money can buy a whole lot of comfort.”

Talianna’s eyes sparkled with greed.  Laslie noted how much greed and lust resembled each other and twirled the iridescent card to watch her eyes glitter in response.  He could see the muscles tense in her arm.  She wanted the card.  He held his own hand out, palm up.  The message was clear; ‘cuff first, then card.’  She glanced at the overlarge bracelet in her hand and quickly placed it in his.  If this had been a trap, it would have been sprung before he got the artifact.

He gazed at the amazing find, the card almost forgotten.  With his other-sight the thing glowed with the white energy.  It wasn’t all that much more power, certainly not enough to allow Laslie to match Hunter.  The beauty of an Akashic artifact, unlike most others, was that anyone could use and recharge it without the need to consecrate it, unless it was specifically made with the new bearer in mind..  Unfortunately, with most magical items, the spell was all but depleted of power upon consecration.  There were plenty of ways to build the energy needed to charge this until he could overpower Hunter, should the need arise.

“Laslie?”  He glanced up to meet her suspicious expression.  She wondered if he would double cross her.  While their first fight had been inconclusive, the second clearly proved he could best her in astral combat, and both already knew she was no match in physical if prepared.  He could take both, but he wouldn’t.  With two fingers he held the card towards her slightly and forced her to close the distance to get it.  A thrill rushed through his body when she didn’t just reach out, but rather stepped in.

“You never answered how you managed to get your hands on this.”

Talianna’s smile was as enigmatic as it was suggestive.  “It wasn’t hard.  It was given to me as a matter of fact.”  Laslie’s eyes widened in shock.  Such a powerful gift would carry much meaning.  “As I said, I’ve set my eyes on another.  It’s not even an antiquity.  Brand spanking new.  That’s why there’s so little charge.”

Laslie had assumed that the charge had been lost as the previous owner fought to protect himself.  But being new would also explain it.  “But that would mean...”  Talianna’s smile broadened as she nodded.  “An Akashic has been found?”  Her teeth pulled back in a feral smile.  “My, my, my.  You do set your sights high.”

The smile disappeared in an instant, to be replaced by rage.  Talianna spun away from him and stalked over to rest her hands on the back of a sofa.  “No.  I have other plans now.  Hunter and the Akashic will both be dealt with, but not before...”  Her mouth snapped shut with a click.

For the moment he let her half-spoken thought go.  “Have you tried it out?”  He received the slightest of nods in response as he slipped the band on his own wrist.  The power rushed into him.  There had been much more in it than he had though.  Somehow, it masked it’s true power.  He looked back up to see her lean heavily forward.  As Talianna bent over the pants once again dipped.  This time the lighting was better, now he could see where the thong disappeared between her firm cheeks.  “”If you tried it, why not keep it for these new plans of yours?”

Talianna’s head hung.  “My abilities cannot be augmented by pure power.  Sure it could make my sword stronger in astral, but without the skill and speed to match, that just delays the inevitable.”  There was weakness in her voice.  Laslie’s body was drawn towards that weakness and he found his hand rested on the kama at his back..  “I know of your abilities.  Mostly too low level for Hunter to have considered, but such a diversity.  With that,” her hand waved absently behind her, at him, “you will be much stronger.”

“You have no idea,” Laslie mumbled.  He let the newfound power flow into his body.  He had been practicing this trick since he discovered it, in the jeep, fleeing the Stronghome.  He could now enhance his own physical abilities to near the levels of Alicia.

The kama cleared his belt and he rushed forward in an instant.  Talianna appeared to move in extreme slow motion.  Her eyes widened in terror.  Her mouth dropped open in shock.  Her muscles tensed as she tried to bring her body upright and around.  He led with the blade, a single quick slice down her back.  Right behind the attack came his left hand.  Fingers wrapped in her hair.  At first he simply held her head facing forward, then a light shove sprawled her over the back of the couch.

Her shirt had only fallen to her elbows as he dropped the spirit blade to the ground.  It’s job was done.  The precision strike sheered through the back of the thin fabric, snapped the thin red band beneath and scored the waist of the pants.  The only thing that held the clothing on the lower half of her body was her own weight, as she trapped the material against the couch.

Laslie allowed his sense of time to return to normal but kept the enhanced strength.  From his angle behind her, slightly to the side, he saw one of her tasty breasts as it hung beneath her.  Her hands grasped for his, only to be captured by his right, now free of the weapon.  She continued to struggle for a moment before she realized this was more than Sidhe strength.  She was helpless.  Cautiously, he released her hands.  She placed them on the cushions of the couch; wide enough to demonstrate submission but close enough to help support her weight in the awkward position.

Talianna couldn’t hide anything from Laslie now.  Along with the increased strength, automatically came enhanced senses.  He could smell the juices that began to soak her thong the moment he had overpowered her.  Where before she had lusted for him, now she needed him.  Unlike the time in the jeep, this time he could control himself.  “You stopped before you mentioned the Akashic’s crime?”

“Bad timing!”  Her voice was a barely understandable growl.  The hand yanked her head back slightly.  The resulting sound was pure animal and anger.  But her hips shifted backwards to grind against his loins.  The shift released the tension on her pants, but Laslie didn’t think she noticed her completely naked state.  His grip tightened.  “The half-breed bitch who spurned Hunter found the Akashic!”

In reward for the answer, Laslie loosened his grip and let Talianna’s head dip forward into a more comfortable position.  He could see the cream flowing down her legs.  It was an invitation he couldn’t refuse, especially since Alicia had banned the position.  From the moment he crossed the room he had planned this.  Alicia had taught him well that it was possible to collect energy through these means.  His hand worked the buckle, button and zipper even as she responded to his question.  Although the answer had been interesting, it had been nothing more than a distraction for her.

Talianna’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the cushions.  Her head fought his grip as the tip of his lust pushed at the gates to her depths.  Her growl was pure desire.  His right hand pushed her hips heavily, probably painfully, into the back of the couch.  He threw his body forward, to bury himself in her, in one slick motion.  She screamed as he thrust home.  Her hips fought to shift back to meet him.  Unlike Alicia, she wanted this, wanted the pain even.

He pulled free entirely, but continued to hold her in the uncomfortable position.  “PLEASE!!”  He grinned as he slowly lined up with her once more.  She fought him constantly, not for escape, but for release of another kind.  His body delighted at the futile struggle.  It was a sensation that only enhanced the others.  Once more he pierced her.  This time he felt himself push against something at the back of her.  She screamed louder, but no less happily.

He leaned over her, as his hips began to crush against hers.  His hand moved to her breast while the other continued to push her head farther and farther towards the cushions.  With just the second of his rapid thrusts he felt her tense with explosion.  When her breast filled his hand, he squeezed hard and twisted.  Her screams grew, but it was the increased pressure, as her deep muscles heaved and tugged at him, that revealed to Laslie exactly how much Talianna needed to give herself to a man’s not-so-tender mercies.  Laslie had to trick or surprise Alicia to force her to submit.  Talianna would have no choice, but would struggle anyway.

The hot, wet, grip was too much for Laslie.  As the burning seed shot forward, his arms jerked backward.  Pain would be tearing through her as her body was pulled straight back by his grip on her breast, her head yanked up and his hips crashed forward.  He pushed himself as far as he could and swore he would burst through her lovely navel as he filled her with his desire.

Laslie continued to hold the position as he felt himself grow soft within her.  All the while her body clenched and milked every drop from him.  The power cuff fed greedily of the energy that pulsed from her, as her body crashed through so many levels of orgasm.  Talianna hadn’t given much energy to it, but he was sure it wouldn’t take long for numerous small sessions to bring the band back to full potence.

Finally, he stepped back.  She sprawled against the couch as he tossed her forward and free.  “You know what else I need.”

He began to secure his pants as she answered him.  Slight sobs filled her voice, but as she slid down to sit on the floor, to lean against the back of the couch, her expression was of complete contentment.  “Anything.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alicia felt sick.  Her plans meant nothing, but then, so did her world.

It hadn’t taken long to find another Dhase.  He had been draped on a porch, basking in the aftermath of feeding.  Given her age, convincing the youth to spread the word was relatively simple.  Among the Dhase, elders were respected.  Not only were they infinitely more powerful than the youths, but were also required for granting the Gift to others.

Even more convenient was the fact that she had found one in the suburbs.  Of course, most Dhase lived in the anonymous ‘burbs when they chose to settle down, but it was useful that this one happened to be blocks from the site Laslie had chosen for his meet.  Most likely, he would already be done, proudly wearing his new artifact, or anxious to give it to her as he had the medallion.  She hoped to get Talianna’s phone number from him and set up some form of meeting.

Because of the delay in explaining the situation to her lethargic ‘brother,’ she decided to use her speed to move about the suburbs.  She saw Laslie’s jeep sitting in the driveway and thanked her luck that he was still there.  Because it had never dawned on her to measure her speed, she didn’t realize she could run much faster than a car on the crowded streets.

She had gone up to the front door to knock when she noticed movement inside, through a window.  She needed to pull herself up to the sill and hold herself, being too short to look in.  Laslie had the artifact and slipped it on to his wrist.  She didn’t know what he was feeling, as usual he masked his emotions, but his smile was enough to know he was pleased.  Talianna’s presence was actually a relief, it meant Alicia didn’t need to try to contact her, she could go in and ask.

Then Laslie rushed forward.  Alicia could only assume, as Laslie swung the blade and wrenched the Sidhe woman into an obviously painful position, that he had been betrayed.  It wasn’t until he began to unbuckle his belt and free his manhood that Alicia realized it was she who had been betrayed.

Throughout, she could not break away.  She couldn’t help but watch as Laslie, the love of her very long life, took his liberties with the Sidhe warrior.  Worse, Talianna, for all of the obvious pain and discomfort, wanted more of it, of everything, of Laslie.  While he could mask his feelings, she couldn’t.  Talianna gave herself over to the pain and triumphed in his acquisition of her.  She needed him to desire her enough to take her by force.  Her joy was complete as he exploded, painfully deep, within her.

Alicia collapsed into a ball beneath the window.  Her sobs were silent.  She swore the two would not find her there, and when the jeep pulled away and she felt reality rip once more, she knew they hadn’t.

This had been her fault.  She had to have driven him to this by denying him a position he needed.  She hadn’t been able to be a true enough submissive for him.  She was too powerful to legitimately fight him and too small to take him as Talianna had.  No, that wasn’t true, she simply could not bear the pain as the Sidhe had.  She hadn’t been able to embrace it.  Alicia had forced the man who had called her his soul to find someone else to fulfill his other needs.

Alicia stood and firmed her shoulders.  She needed to show him she could be everything he wanted, everything he needed.  Then everything could go back to the way it had been.  The way it was.

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated.  If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase.  The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information.  Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx



Mixed Blessings Ch. 08



Mixed Blessings Ch. 8 By Deathlynx

This is the eighth chapter in a series. Although it can be read on it's own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Their security deposit was gone. Alicia knew from the splintered remains of the headboard. Her hands continued to try to clutch and grip at the shattered remains as the pain seemed to consume her. Each new spike blossomed from her core and spread outward to every inch of her body. Laslie crushed harder into her and the pain continued to grow. She gritted her teeth until she felt his hips press against her butt.

She buried her face in the mattress to keep him from seeing the tears. With the last thrust, it felt as if Laslie had jammed a sword straight up her, to slice open her internal organs. Sure, she didn't need them, but why should it still hurt like hell. Laslie collapsed backwards and fell out of her. Alicia thought she succeeded, as she hid the sound of the half sob, half sigh, that escaped as the pain eased slightly.

She had to be doing something wrong. There had to be a way to make this position work for the two of them. She had never known him to be as excited as when she allowed doggy style. She had given in two days ago, when she realized he needed it so much that he would go elsewhere for it. She couldn't be truly submissive to him any other way, she was simply too strong. When his tip hit her lips from behind, every time it sapped her strength.

All she needed to do was find a way to twist her body in order to allow him his full length without feeling like he split her open. Alicia had tried to move her hips one way or the other, tried to roll them up or down. She had even tried to hold her body in every position; from face flat on the bed to virtually upright. Every time, Laslie grunted in annoyance and shifted. Unfortunately that always discovered an even more painful combination for her and more pleasurable one for him.

She now had plenty of experience to draw upon. The moment she had mentioned lifting the restriction Laslie had started to grow. It seemed like every bit of free time the two had, that he wasn't rebuilding his endurance, sleeping or eating, he took Alicia up on the open-ended invitation. She knew she wasn't injured from the use, Dhase were much to strongly built for that, but she swore she could feel it any time she didn't lay flat on her stomach. And that was a position she now dreaded, for it seemed to incite him more quickly. The sight of her tiny butt, raised slightly by the comfortable pillow placed under her hips, enticed him. It reminded him of what was free for the taking.

Worst of all, Alicia had been unable to feed for the last two days. Typically their auras would blend and merge as the two made love, and the extra energy built and released by the intimate act spilled into her. Even after he had learned to shut her away, block her empathy from reading his emotions, she could still feed from him. Now, the pain barred even that. Oh, it would be a long time before she lost enough energy even to be reduced to Sidhe strength and speed, but years of this would certainly cause problems. Fortunately, she didn't expect years. Laslie was simply exerting his newfound freedom. She had promised him desert whenever he wanted and he ate it up like a kid. Soon he would tire of it and they would go back to normal, with Alicia only having to suffer through this occasionally, as the mood struck him.

Alicia had been fighting so hard to keep herself quiet that she hadn't even noticed Laslie's cell phone had rung. He was mumbling something into it, but she was too distracted by the feel of his cum beginning to seep out of her. That brought about the realization that her legs, stomach, butt and even back were caked in his dried semen. Although he usually pressed himself as deep as possible to release, a number of times he had jerked out and used his hand to continue to cover her until he ran dry.

Alicia leaned backwards, lifted herself back to all fours, in order to crawl off the bed and get to the shower. She collapsed forward as three large fingers jammed into her, his fourth found the puckered muscles even he found painful. This, at least felt a little good. Or maybe just not bad, as the past two days had. Then his fingers spread her to her limit, and beyond, and she cried out. "Go get a shower babe. Soak yourself real good. Maybe that'll loosen you up some. Then it shouldn't hurt so much." Alicia doubted that. She barely felt his width, through the searing pain at the tip.

All of his fingers disappeared and she collapsed to a boneless mass of flesh on the bed. His fingers, now covered in his own juices, pressed against her mouth. Dutifully, Alicia cleaned them for him. She felt him shift on the bed and felt his member press at her opening again. She couldn't even bring herself to tense. Rather than wearing out, he actually seemed to be getting quicker between sessions. He pushed inside slightly. Her muscles quivered at the intrusion, but she couldn't even determine whether it was anticipation, agony or simply reflex.

He pulled out once more, but she waited for the hard thrust and scorched nerves. All she felt was a slap on her exposed butt. The hit was far harder than he should have been capable of, but he had probably enhanced his strength. He did that during sex too. It allowed him to hold her in the exact position he wanted. Even then she should have been able to overpower him, if not for the distraction of the pain. "I've got to go out. I think I have a lead on someone who has elemental armor."

He tossed on a pair of boxers, his tight pants, a loose button up and a silver tie. By the door he scooped up the only room key ~a clear message that Alicia shouldn't need to go out~ and a handful of the prepaid credit cards she had withdrawn for him. He now carried around a small fortune. He quickly grabbed the keys and patted himself down in inspection. "Phone! Toss me the phone babe? It's on the bed next to you."

Alicia's head lolled the other direction and spotted it. She grabbed it and rolled onto her side. As she readied to throw the device carefully to him, she accidentally keyed *69. She recognized the number that flashed across the screen. She made sure the call was canceled before she tossed it, all in one fluid motion. He caught it and blew a kiss, but all the while his eyes were locked on her groin.

She scrambled for a quick shower. Unfortunately, her sore body refused to respond accordingly. She did need it before she went out. She stretched out her extended hearing and knew when the jeep pulled away from the motel. She staggered to the bathroom and managed to turn on the water before her tired body gave out. She sat on the floor for a few minutes as the water ran. Finally she heaved herself into the tub, closed the curtain and set it to shower.

Alicia began to struggle with all of the stains on her. She began to fear it would take too long. There was simply too much, but every time she had been able to build up enough will to make the effort of taking a shower, he had been there. She turned off the shower in disgust, still about half covered by the remains of Laslie's enjoyment, and toweled herself off. After, she quickly dressed in matching underwear, a long, flowing, skirt and a loose blouse of thick material.

Alicia knew the initial direction of the jeep by the sounds when it exited the parking lot. She was too sore to run at full speed, and he was long gone. She definitely needed to rest some, and soon. But first she had to follow Laslie. She felt incredibly guilty for it, so much so that she almost stopped and turned back at numerous points. She told herself that if he hadn't taken the only key, she could have gone back with impunity. But since he would find her sitting outside anyway, he would assume she had followed. She knew that, truthfully, she couldn't bring herself not to.

She needed to prove to herself that now that he got what he needed with her, nothing would happen when he met up with Talianna. She was just there to sell him an artifact, or information towards one. With his comment, she thought the latter more likely. 

Alicia just wished she had been able to concentrate hard enough to be able to hear what they had said on the phone. At least then she would know where she ran. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laslie was in absolute heaven. Alicia had given herself over to him completely. The thought alone sent another pulse of blood rushing to his loins. She was the perfect lover for him. She could struggle, but once a little pain was applied, her body no longer afforded her enough strength to overcome him. He could do whatever he wanted to her, and nothing would damage her permanently. He could discover new positions and new little torments indefinitely with her.

Unfortunately, she was beginning to submit a little too quickly and too thoroughly. Talianna called at just the right time, in Laslie's opinion. Alicia will get something of a rest, hopefully enough to rebuild a little of the fight in her. I get my elemental armor, and Talianna gets to experience some of the new tricks I've picked up. We all win. He whistled tunelessly as he drove on towards the meet and contemplated what the Sidhe woman would wear on this visit.

He didn't have long to find out as he'd set up the meet for a restaurant right down the road. He was hungry. After all, he'd certainly been getting his exercise. Alicia didn't, strictly speaking, need to eat, so he didn't worry too much about ordering to go. Likely he'd have a little bit left of a number of things, perfect for bringing home to the sensualist Dhase.

The jeep pulled smoothly into the parking lot. Within a minute, with a liberal application of Alicia's wealth, he was headed to a booth table. Laslie had scouted the place, as he always did, to find out if it would be too uncomfortable for a Sidhe to bear. He had to admit the slightest discomfort, possibly steel somewhere in the construction, but it wasn't bad enough to blacklist the place. A mutt probably wouldn't sense it at all. More than likely, however, it would prevent Talianna from simply popping in or out of the location. World-walkers tended to be even more susceptible to being surrounded by iron and steel than most Sidhe. She could carry a steel sword, possibly even two, and still cross between worlds, but any more would hamper her.

The waiter came, and he ordered an appetizer for two, an iced tea in a beer mug, two additional empty mugs, and a bottle of whiskey. When the drinks arrived, he quickly split the tea into two mugs and topped them both off with whiskey. The third mug he filled for Talianna. Sidhe were much more resilient to poisons and toxins, so wine was worthless, and the whiskey, sipped, would get her pleasantly tipsy. With everything ready, he sat back and nursed his drink until she arrived.

Many heads turned when Talianna walked through the door. Laslie noted, with some amusement, that some of the lust filled glances came from women he had assumed were the wives of the men they were with. He couldn't blame a single one of them. She wore a sleeveless, single piece, red, satin dress. While the color could have been a disaster with her deep purple eyes, it was cut just above the level of her areola, with only two spaghetti straps that lead up to join behind her neck.

Talianna spotted Laslie, glared at him, but turned around to thank the maitre-di. The back remained open all the way down to her butt. The fabric sunk in slightly as she moved, to reveal that her cheeks parted less than an inch below. The formal dress suited the establishment even better than his own outfit, then again, women's outfits had always been far more diverse than men's.

Laslie enjoyed the view tremendously as Talianna turned back towards the table. It was clear she hadn't simply borrowed a dress for the occasion. This one was perfectly tailored to cling to every curve like a second skin. She even owned a strapless bra to match the dress. As she moved closer, and his eyes wandered down her body, it became equally clear that she was not wearing anything lower. With a feral grin, his eyes traveled back up, deterred once more by her perky breasts before he moved to meet her eyes.

He stood and shuffled around the table in order to hold her chair out. Laslie's grin took on a mildly sadistic hint as he noticed the tension around her firm mouth and eyes. She was clearly uncomfortable surrounded by the metal in the walls. Couple that with an unfamiliar outfit and she would be in a constant state of discomfort, the perfect situation he could exploit in so many ways. "You're late." Talianna seemed about ready to storm out when he pushed the seat in and toppled her.

She glared at him as he sat across from her. "You could have chosen a place I wouldn't have needed to get my human formal attire for!" Although obviously angry, she kept her voice low enough to blend with the atmosphere of conversation. "Of course, you should also have checked to see if the building was suitable for our kind. I couldn't step out of here if I wanted to!"

Laslie's grin widened. "I did check." His tone was of wounded pride. He was a Sidhe warrior. If he had control over the environment, then he would only choose a place where he had not only scouted, but knew he held an advantage. Anger virtually blazed from the purple orbs as he confirmed that he had set this up intentionally. "The veal here is really quite wonderful, though I've already taken the liberty of ordering drinks and an appetizer."

He pulled out the menu and pretended to study it, but Laslie was more interested in subtly gauging her reaction. Talianna glanced at the glasses, then the bottle. She nodded and took a large gulp from her glass. "Are we expecting a third? No place setting." She nodded at the second glass before him.

Laslie smiled and took a long drought of one of his glasses. After emptying nearly a third of the mug he set it down once more. "I just figured I was likely to be drinking rather more than you."

Talianna glared at his dual mugs and drained the rest of hers, to slam it in front of the bottle. Obviously she intended for him to refill it, as her other hand drifted towards the vacant menu. "Think again." Laslie shrugged noncommitally and poured her another. She pulled the cup back absently as she scanned the menu. "I hope you don't intend for me to pay for this as well?"

"No! Of course not." She glanced up. Finally, a small measure of softness had returned to her eyes. "You know money needn't be an issue around me. I might enjoy the occasional petty victory, but that is certainly one place I need not seek it."

"So that's what this is?" Talianna's hand left her whisky long enough to indicate the dress. Laslie knew that it was more than the expected attire, however. She referred more to the headache she would have all night and the unending dizziness that would remain until they left the building. "Is this a petty victory?" She took another long drink from the mug.

"While the environment is unfortunate, the setting is quite lovely." Laslie followed suit and drank another third of his glass. "And the food is second to none, around these parts. I rather thought that neither of us would have much of a chance at fine dining after this evening. What with the situation as it is." Talianna looked away, a hint of sorrow. "If you're not happy with the arrangements, there is still time to change them." He left any menace from those words, he knew she would understand it without the implication.

"No!." Her eyes snapped to his, pleaded with him not to change the plans. She knew he had brokered her a very good deal, and could easily turn everything and everyone against her. "No, it's just...I'm just..." She upended her glass, refilled it and drained that. She was terrified of the risks. He had done his best to minimize them, for everyone involved, but they were still there.

Laslie took pity on her as he carefully refilled her glass. "I understand. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about this, but I'm sure everything will work out for the best." He finished his own glass as the waiter approached. Talianna did order the veal but, Laslie noticed with a wry smile, the most expensive version on the menu. He went with duck himself, and the waiter assure them the appetizer would be along immediately. True to his word, the waiter reappeared after popping into the kitchen only long enough to deliver their order.

They ate in silence. The meal came remarkably quickly on the heals of their finished appetizers. Laslie had to order a second bottle of whisky as Talianna continued to finish her mug in only a few pulls. He knew she tried to counteract the buzz of the metal with that of the alcohol. He had counted on that, however he was still impressed by her ability to drink. He downed his own, watered down, two fairly quickly before he settled down to nurse another couple.

Talianna finally sat back from the table. A content smile graced her lips as she sighed. "Was that not worth the discomfort of the building?" She looked surprised by the question, glanced around a little, then smiled and nodded. Apparently the alcohol had long since overpowered the environment. The waiter came with the bill and Laslie simply handed him a credit card. All the while he continued to watch the stunning red-framed form before him. "If you wish to freshen up before we head out, the restrooms are not as bad as some. Certainly no more uncomfortable than it is out here."

Talianna nodded and stood. As she passed him, her hand trailed across his shoulder and she smiled thankfully. He smiled back, and then turned to watch her walk towards the bathroom. Trapped within the tight red dress, the suggestive sway of her hips was even more pronounced. What's more, he found it even more obvious that she wore nothing beneath. Had he not watched so intently, he would have missed the twitch of her finger that invited him to follow.

Little did she realize Laslie would have anyway. He tossed the dark green sports coat, that he usually kept hidden in the back of the jeep, onto the back of his chair. It was a clear indication that they were not attempting to desert the establishment before the payment had been secured. He followed, discovered the ladies room, pushed his way in, and quickly locked the door behind him.

Talianna hadn't moved very far. It was clear she had drunk far more than she realized as a hand leaned on the sink for balance. With the motion of the door, she looked into the mirror rather than risk her equilibrium to turn around. Under the flourescent lights, he could see the slight gloss in her eyes and the flush to her skin. He hoped she hadn't had too much to accomplish the mission for the evening. He doubted it, her role was small anyway.

She smiled at his reflection, but shifted to confusion as the grin he returned was feral. Something about the look triggered her instincts and she began to turn towards him anyway. Laslie rushed forward, wrapped an arm around her waist, from behind, and yanked her away from the sink. "Lash-ly?"

Without his added chi, he wouldn't break her grip, but that was not his intent. Instinct tightened her hold and drew the other hand to grasp the porcelain in desperation. The moment her arms were fully extended, above her head, and chest parallel to the ground, he stopped pulling. His other hand had worked open his pants and his pulled his boxers down. With a brief burst of speed, he crouched and carefully brought the satin dress up, to bunch around her midriff.

Talianna tried to look over her shoulder at him, but a slight tug at her hips unbalanced her as she continued to cling to the sink. Laslie stared, for a moment, at the pink tenderness before him. It was darkened slightly, likely as much from the false heat of the whisky as much as desire. There was desire, however, as she glistened slightly. Even before his eyes, she began to moisten for him. She was a proud woman, and he had known she would look amazing and sensual with his decision of location. From the moment she stepped into the restaurant he had planned and imagined this moment, until a near permanent erection had driven him to eat more quickly.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 08



"Alex!" Vanessa's cry of wanton desire brought me to my senses. "Take me! Please take me!" 

And boy did I want to do that. But I was afraid. Not for the pain I knew would slam into our bodies as we orgasmed together, but for the child that now depended so heavily upon us. I collapsed beside her, stroking her ample torso and then flat belly as I stared deeply into her eyes. 

"What if I kill you, Vanessa?" I spoke my fears, not wanting her to feel as if I were disinterested in having sex with her. She was quiet for a few moments, staring back at me as her hand stroked mine as it explored her body. 

"Then you will care for Alera." 

"And if I die too?" I could see my words troubled her greatly as her bottom lip began to quiver. I leaned in and kissed it, not liking the fear that masked her face. It was softening me, making me lose the desire, which was not necessarily a bad thing. But she leaned into the kiss, drawing it out, making it linger upon my lips and we sighed against each other. I began to make my way down her body, first kissing her neckline, then left breast, right one, down to the navel, not stopping, I kissed her until I reached her clit and opened her up, spreading her legs wide. 

If I was not going to be able to have intercourse, there were other things sexual I could do for her. I parted the split, finding the little button of pleasure I knew would help my task and placed a few light licks there to tease. She groaned at me and looked as if she were going to curse me, so I hurriedly licked harder, longer so that she could feel it. And she did, bucking and moaning in pleasure as I licked. I reached in after a few moments and took the source of her pleasure into my mouth and sucked gently, reveling in the fresh gush of liquid that began to cover my face, running down my neck and landing in a pool underneath. I knew some to be my own drool as it was a pleasant experience that I was undertaking in my sucking her off. 

When she nearly pierced my eardrums with a shriek that told me she had orgasmed, I wiped my face on the blanket and began to kiss anywhere I could, enjoying the taste and texture of her skin as I spiraled my way up and down her body. Vanessa lay staring at me with a satiated look on her face and then pulled me up to where I was kissing her. She rolled me over and copied me -- working her way down my body with little kisses just like I had. I was so hard it reminded me of when I had the erection problem, only I knew I wouldn't bruise this time. My cock was made for this woman. It was ready for her.

As she took me into her mouth, it was an incredible feeling. I had no qualms in letting her do what she wanted, but she began to tease me, sucking gently whenever I grew close to coming. Finally, after she had me begging, literally begging with tears in my eyes at the incredibly intense passion and pain, she let me squirt my jizz into her mouth, swallowing it with relish while sucking gently yet feverishly as if milking me for all my worth. I sighed as the incredible sensations began to fade and realized I could do that for the rest of my life with Vanessa, but would it be enough? I guess we really didn't have a choice, as we simply could never risk the danger it could bring by indulging in our passion. I kissed her forehead and together we drifted into the land of happy dreams of fulfillment and desire.

The next morning I woke to find my arms empty, the sheet wrapped tightly around me. Panicking, I leaped up and didn't even bother dressing, just dashed out into the main part of the cottage, worried about Vanessa's absence. The moment I exited the room, I immediately turned back around and scrambled inside to put my clothes on -- the outer room was filled with women.

Crimson-faced, I exited and tried my best to ignore the giggles and winks the handful of females sent my way. How utterly embarrassing!

"Alex, this is Patina, Fawn, Gloria, Meece and Willa of the village we've found called The Last Ditch. They wanted to see Alera." Vanessa looked at me meaningfully and I immediately stared at the girl in one of the woman's arms. I cocked my head in curiosity when I realized Alera was wearing some sort of lens over her eyes. They were darkened and I could not see through them. Relieved at the lack of danger, I made my way to the small kitchen to find a pot of coffee getting cool. Pouring a cup, I stared at the women as they talked in soft tones about raising children and how the settlement worked. The men took turns with guard duty, often raiding Curser compounds near the Surface City for weapons, provisions and food. 

Once the women had left, I held Vanessa while watching Alera play with Dog. I had taken the mutt aside and made sure he knew all foul language was off limits when he was near my daughter. I would not have her walking around the village cursing up a storm thanks to the filthy beast. The two, I had to admit, were sweet together. They seemed to never tire of each other and I liked the added benefit of having the dog watching over Alera.

"This is a nice place, Alex," Vanessa said softly in my ear, smiling as her daughter tugged on Dog's ear. 

"Yeah." It was.

"Oww! Stop pulling my ear, bitch!" The annoyed tone of the dog, which had switched to a low growl, instantly brought my back up, feelings of protectiveness washing over me.

"DOG!" He saw my reddening face and whimpered.

"Sorry, sorry. I sorry."

On our third day of our stay at The Last Ditch, I thought about how smoothly things were going for us. Alera was "allergic" to the dry air and so had to keep her sunglasses (as Vanessa called them) on her at all times. Especially (only) when visitors were with us or she was out of the cottage. I put my back into working with the men, struggling to survive the best I could and provide for my new family. I found myself actually enjoying living in the settlement as there seemed to be a real camaraderie with the villagers. They looked out for each other and everyone helped everyone else in any sort of work that needed to be done, whether it was fixing leaky roofs to harvesting in the fields that were kept in the center of town. They had strategically built the town around the fields, so that they were the safest of all. 

But the biggest surprise was that the leader, mate to the one-eyed woman we had met on our first day, a huge man named Syke, was a Level 2 Blesser. I had wondered how the village could be so strong and how each day something good came from the fields. Now I understood why. I was intrigued, of course, by the fact that a Blesser could survive alone in the center of a village of humans, but it really made sense. He was powerful by default and that gave him a fairly good leadership role. It made me wonder just how many Blessers had defected and I knew there were probably small pockets of rogue Cursers as well. 

One particular afternoon, I had been sent outside of the gates to help patch one of the holes in the main guard fence that popped up from time to time due to rust or age. There were three of us, me, Falk and Louis. Falk and Louis were brothers, but they constantly quibbled and quarreled, which bothered me at first until I realized they were happier arguing than not, so let it go. 

"Hey, look at this." Falk was bent over a section that looked as if it had been scored by something rather hot. "I think someone tried to burn their way inside." Of course his brother had to comment negatively against him.

"Nah, that's been there a while. I saw it last week." 

"Was not." Falk glowered at the younger man, kicking the panel with his booted foot. "This was definitely made recently. Touch it, fool." But he never had a chance as a large rope net was thrown over our heads. 

"Hey!" Louis yelped as a man dressed in black slammed his fist over the man's head, silencing him quickly. There was no mistaking the glow of red within the four men's eyes -- they were Cursers.

"You scum have been stealing from us long enough. It's time to make you work it off." One of them hissed in my ear and I was unable to help myself and thrust an elbow backwards, sending him flying. 

"I cannot believe that this net is made of dust, simple, soft dust." I shot a blessing out of my mouth automatically and then grimaced when nothing happened. Yes, of course, I was alone. I was used to having Vanessa and Alera with me lately that it was truly hard to deal with being without them. And now, as the Curser growled at my impudence, cursing me with foul words, unwilling to harm his new minion, I knew I was in trouble.

They brought the three of us to Surface City, on the very outskirts where a factory had been set up to produce anything from deodorant to pleasuring devices. The Cursers simply could not live without their day-to-day pleasures which they felt were much needed for their survival. Utterly ridiculous of course! Let them spend a day outside of the city without their power and they'd know what was needed for survival. When they put me to work running a punching machine that made rings of different sizes that would fit in something made by a different set of machines, I could not believe my rotten luck.

Guards roamed constantly, always keeping a bored yet watchful eye out for runaway minions as well as Blessers. I worked for the rest of the afternoon before they led us to a holding pen. There were two, actually, one for men and one for women. Some were young, perhaps ten or twelve, deemed old enough to work. Once I found myself inside of the pen, surrounded by male strangers, I wondered what it would take to free myself.

"Hey," Falk elbowed me as his brother flanked my other side. "What do you suppose we could do to become free." I wondered why they were asking me. I was not some hero sent there to save them. Why couldn't THEY figure out an escape route? Why couldn't the burden of rescue or survival or freedom fall on someone else's shoulders for once?

"I don't know. There are guards everywhere. Looks pretty secure." I shrugged, not feeling as if I had the strength to lead the men to freedom. After all, I was now nothing special. Just a human. A handful of Cursers began to circle the pen, with what looked to be a female leading them. 

"Wonder who that is." Falk, apparently in a chatty mood, commented. "Mmmm. Wish we had something like that back home." I stared at the woman, curious to see what would draw his comments out when I felt like there were plenty of pretty girls at the settlement. 

Of course, none could hold a candle to Vanessa and perhaps that's why he was looking.

The woman's hair was pink. She had to have dyed it of course, and it matched the rest of her outfit, or at least what there was left of the skimpy thing that might qualify for clothing. In her arms was a tiny little dog, also dyed pink to match. I had to cover my mouth to hide my smirk. This was one spoiled Curser female.

She was walking down the line of the cage, staring at each male as if trying to select which dessert to have after her meal. I knew whatever she was trying to find was not something I wanted to be a part of, so I subtly began to walk backwards, putting several guys in front of me. Unfortunately, this action caught her attention and she snapped her fingers to me.

"Come, you." I did not move. "Come, I said." She looked at her cadre of guards as if expecting them to materialize me before her. I sighed and moved forward, unwilling to show them that their stupid curses would not affect me. I was uncertain if I was well known for that reason, but if I were, that meant the Cursers knew about Alera. I could not risk leading them to her so I had to play nice. She studied me for a few moments and spun a well-manicured finger around, and I did as she commanded, grimacing the entire time I did it. 

"He will do." She patted the little doggy in her arms while the guards retrieved me. I walked slowly between the muscles; unhappily of course as I had no idea what she was planning for me. All I wanted was to go back to the village and be with my little family.

Apparently, as we entered a hovercar, that was not to be. I had an actual dog collar slapped around my neck and one of her personal guards held the end of the leash attached. I felt lower than her powderpuff pup as we drove to a large building, my eyes already adjusted to the darkness of the city from my afternoon in the factory.

I was brought up a few flights of stairs, my leash yanked hard when I fell, lifted back on my feet by either guard flanking me until finally we reached the top floor. Inside was a very lush apartment, everything coated in pink. What was with these Curser females and their love of a certain color? I could only groan at the offensive flat, following to the bedroom and into a large bath. There was a bathtub, which was full of bubbles inside of it.

"Strip those nasty clothes and bathe. Get really nice and clean." Pink girl commanded, looking at me as if she expected me to comply without argument.

"Why?" I asked, and then regretted it when she glowered at me. Uh oh. "Okay, no need to curse at me." I held up my hands to disarm her, waiting until she left.

Of course she did not. 

I stared at her. She stared at me. The pink dog licked her face as if happy to be with her. I did not envy said dog and would have spit out the taste.

"Well?" She tapped her shoe. "Get undressed. Get in. Bathe." She said the words extremely slow as if I were a dimwit. I sighed noisily and complied, keeping my back to her. Unfortunately for me, there were mirrors on every single wall. Great.

"Mmmm." I heard a pleasing noise from behind me and yelped when she put a hand on my butt cheek. I practically jumped into the bubblebath, ignoring her angry reaction when I splashed a little on her pink-hosed leg. I bathed slowly, not exactly eager to get out and be on display again. I counted myself extremely lucky that I had lost my erection problem. To distract myself from Pinky's lustful gaze as I exited and began to dry off with ... yep, a pink towel, I tried to focus on what Vanessa would be doing now. Was she searching for me? I desperately hoped not! 

"Come on, boy." Pinky, who looked as if she could be slightly younger than me, tugged at my leash after clipping it back to the collar. I sighed when I realized she was not going to let me dress and followed her into the pink bedroom. It was at that point I noticed two things -- first, the bed had been altered. It was now split into two beds with a pole thrust up in the center of the twins. Second, there was a rather large naked man sitting on a cushioned chair next to the bed. 

"Kline!" Pink girl dashed over to the man, yanking on my leash as she did which caused me to choke slightly before I picked up the pace and followed her. She hugged the man, squeezing his butt cheek with her free hand. I wondered what her fixation on butt cheeks was as she whispered something in the really tall and muscular man's ear. I felt as if my eyes were going to pop out of their sockets when he began to harden. His dick must have been a good eight inches, which REALLY made me feel inadequate.

The girl opened the bedroom door and pushed her puppy through, closing it behind the critter and stripped until she was naked. I tried to look away, honest I did. She had a nice body and I could not help but compare it with Vanessa's. My girl's was definitely better.

Satisfied with the appraisal, I was unaffected by her nakedness and ignored her when she smiled at me flirtatiously. Yanking on my leash, she pulled me to the pole and pointed to the twin cuffs. 

"Wrists." It was a command and I could not help but wonder what she was planning exactly. I obliged, hoping that she'd go easy on me if she planned on doing something extremely naughty with me, as I would be extremely difficult to arouse. Vanessa had seen to that by stealing my heart.

Once each wrist was strapped in, she went to the wall and pressed a button. I had mistaken the pole as a single pole. It was twin poles that began to split apart. I had to let my arms part with it, as it was too powerful for me to fight against. It was not long before my arms were as far apart as they could go without me being uncomfortable. I was in quite an awkward position, but at least I still had my legs free to fight with. But not for long. She pointed to the lower cuffs I had not seen, of course, and expected me to put my foot against each so I was split eagle. I shook my head. 

"You will do it." Her threat would have scared me in the past, but I was not going to let her put me in a compromising position, where I did not have any way to defend myself. 

She looked to "Kline" and he stood slowly, his large manhood wobbling as if it were eager to talk to me face-to-face. I gulped and slid my foot against the cuff, ignoring the sensation of feeling as if I were helpless as she tied and then made me slide my remaining foot next to the cuff and then inside with a little help of me grasping the poles with my hands awkwardly until now I was completely split apart, helpless and trapped.

I was facing both, studying them, wondering what they were planning to do with me. My dick was still limp, which I was proud of it being such, but I worried about what was in store for me. I watched as Pinky frenched the man, who ran his tongue afterward around her nipples and then looked at me with a look of pure lust in his eye. Uh oh. 

"Have fun, Kline. He's all yours." Pink girl smirked as she sat on the chair, posed to watch, her legs apart and her hand stuck to her split, stroking gently in preparation to view whatever Kline was planning for me. I began to fight against the cuffs. No way would I let him do whatever said plan was to be! I growled threateningly as he neared, but it evoked a laugh from the big man. Not exactly the reaction I had hoped for.

"This is going to be so much fun..."

Yeah right. For who?

To be continued...



Mixed Blessings Ch. 08



Laslie stabbed forward, to sink smoothly into her tight heat. "GODS YES!" He was certain everyone in the restaurant had heard her scream, but their knowledge of his skills only thrilled him more. He grew slightly with the thought, which caused her to scream even without additional motion. He pulled back, slammed forward once more and was rewarded by a less articulate scream. He tugged at her hips as he retreated once more. This time, as her body tightened, he lifted her hips so that her legs dangled.

He ignored Talianna's growl of frustration and thrust deep. Her scream was nothing more than a drawn out "yes," that Laslie was sure could be heard in the next county. He never dwelt on it but proceeded to increase his tempo. He stabbed deep as he kept her stretched between his body and the sink. As he pierced deeper and deeper her screams grew more ragged. Her arms began to shake as screams turned to moans. His own legs and hips began to tire, but he would fill her.

Then, her arms gave. He barely caught her about the waist to keep her from collapse. He dropped to his knees, unable to continue to hold her weight and continue his tempo. She began to whimper "please" over and over as her knees settled to the ground and she rested heavily against the toilet.

"'Please' what?" Renewed by the change, he crashed against her. Her entire body rocked bonelessly. Only the muscles in her depths seemed to hold any strength left, and even those began to weaken beneath his onslaught. She quivered and shook now that she was free of the impromptu rack.

"CUM! Cum in me, cum on me. I don't care how, just CUM for me!" Laslie could hear the tears of frustration as he pushed her beyond any sensation she had ever known. He threw himself backwards, to drag her from her perch on the toilet and send her face to the cool tile floor. His other hand brushed the dress out of his way.

He pulled himself completely free. When he shot forward once more she might have thought he had missed, but he didn't. Hard with anticipation, and soaked with her frustrated desire, he slid painlessly into Talianna's nether muscles. She screamed in pain, however. Where Alicia's helpless cries of terror excited him, Laslie found the mixture of anguish and ecstasy that came from Talianna even more enticing.

Even as he began to pull free for another thrust, he felt himself explode. As his momentum carried him forward again, his own cream greased his entry. He pulsed as he pounded into and out of her. In his flurry of orgasm, he lost track of where he entered her. With her renewed screams, he found a seemingly boundless store of lust trapped between his legs. With each stab he grew harder, with each jet the pressure built.

Finally, Laslie released Talianna and grabbed the sink. The world seemed to come back to him in pieces. He knelt in a bathroom, the Sidhe warrior lay on her stomach before him, with her legs spread around him. At some point she had tossed the gorgeous red dress into a corner. She was naked, but covered in long trails of his seed; even her chocolate silk hair was stained with it. More, almost an unbelievable amount, of his cream continued to leak from her holes.

He staggered upright and grabbed a paper towel. Thanks be to the gods this place is upscale enough not to be using those brown paper towels! He drenched the thing and quickly but methodically cleaned himself. Fortunately there was very little for him to manage. Talianna was another matter, fortunately much on her had already begun to dry. He unceremoniously stuffed another paper towel in each of the leaking orifices and went over to collect her bra and dress.

As he started back, she struggled to sit on her feet as she knelt. "I feel like I need a shower." Her hand reached down to curiously inspect the objects stuck inside of her and laughed as she realized what they were and why.

"No time. No time to even wipe you down." Laslie tossed her the clothes. "Unless you were exaggerating about your contacts strict adherence to punctuality." Talianna's eyes widened in shock. They had had at least an hour's worth of leeway in the schedule when she had left for the bathroom. His foot caught the edge of her purse and slid it over to her. Her eyes widened further as she noticed the time, on the cell phone he had given her.

"Shit!" She grabbed another couple of segments of paper towel, stuffed them in her purse for later, and hurriedly stuffed herself into the bra and began to slip the dress back on. He started for the door, intent on the bill and a hefty tip for their discretion and patience. She started to stand but nearly collapsed again. His grin was smug and self satisfied. His own legs were weak, but he shunted the slightest of energy from his power band into them and continued out the door, as Talianna struggled to follow.

He walked calmly to the table, leaned over, signed the bill and doubled it. With a smooth motion he slid the jacket from his chair and put it back on. He noticed Talianna exit the restroom as he pulled the maitre-di aside and offered him a number of hundred dollar bills for the inconvenience of the occupied, and probably messy, bathroom. Talianna staggered slightly, but otherwise walked with complete composure. Laslie simply hurried out the door to get the car.

By the time Talianna managed her way outside, he had the car ready and waited for her by the entrance. She climbed painfully in but sagged into the seat with the grin of a Sidhe fresh from her First Rites. Laslie smiled, as he had after every time a young woman asked him to administer her Rites. He had done this, he had shown her the limits of pleasure and beyond. The difference, this time, was that he had enjoyed himself almost as much as Talianna seemed to. During the Rites he needed to worry more about demonstrating a multitude of pleasures in a row. Typically, this meant restrictions on fetishes and a number of actions that left him only a little opportunity for his own orgasm.

"How can you stand these things?" She looked around, dazedly, at the jeep. This was the other reason for his intent to get her drunk. He admitted, at least to himself, that the primary intent was to weaken her inhibitions for a scene like the bathroom, but he had worried about her in an automobile. He had long since grown used to the steel frames, unlike many Sidhe.

His own mood dropped slightly. "Well, now, that's the bitch isn't it." She looked at him in a glazed confusion. "It's not that I can stand being in one of these, but that the only reason you can is because you're drunk." Her head rolled forward as she tried to consider it. She nodded her agreement of his comment. "You, with the greatest connection to the spirit world, can manage to bear this proximity with just a liberal dosage of alcohol."

As his explanation continued, some of the sorrow drained from him. Buried within the moaning about the fate of the Sidhe, was a realization. Here, beside him, was truly the perfection of everything that was Sidhe. Not only was she a ruthless and strong warrior, she was beautiful, and the single best world-walker outside of the mythical 'Get of Titania and Oberon.' More, she enjoyed him enough that she sat, content, with his seed both covering and inside of her. What amazed him the most, was that no one had claimed her sooner.

The rest of the short trip passed in silence. Talianna had set up the meeting in the very same abandoned house that Laslie had chosen two days before. After he parked in the driveway he moved around to her door to hold it open. She looked at him and smiled.

With her feet on the dash, the dress had climbed its way up. He stole a glance, but stopped when he noticed one of the paper towels gone. He reached into her purse and offered her a replacement. Her eyes flickered from it to him with a twinkle. There was more intelligence in them now than even a few minutes before. He smiled warmly as he reached down to catch the trickle that threatened the satin dress. She leaned back and moaned appreciatively as the soft towel dragged across her sensitive nerves. When nothing else seeped out, he tossed the used paper on the floor rather than plugging her.

She took his arm, after she smoothed her dress, and the two went in together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alicia was no longer in pain. Somewhere, in her lower body, she knew she should be. The truth was she simply couldn't feel it. Something in the depths of her psyche had snapped when she heard Talianna yell very explicit instructions to someone Alicia could not sense. It was possible, even probable, that there were others who could hide themselves from her senses, but the likelihood of one of them not only being in town, but fucking Talianna in the very restaurant Laslie's jeep was parked in front of, had been too large a stretch for coincidence.

With nothing better to do, Alicia continued to follow the two to the meeting. As Laslie led the stunning Sidhe warrior into the house, Alicia couldn't help but notice the stains that marred the woman's back. A distant part of her brain commented on the matched set that covered much of her own body still. The Dhase was impressed, however, that the dress somehow remained stain free. She would have bet, if asked, that any encounter in a restroom would leave at least one white stain on the dress. If only from when she returned her clothing to order.

Alicia found her window once more. This time she strained her ears to hear what passed inside. The Sidhe were meeting with a woman in a navy blue pantsuit. By now, Alicia had no fear that Laslie intended to cheat with this woman as well. The newcomer was human.

Laslie broke the ice. "We're here for the elemental armor."

The woman tensed and watched nervously as the two Sidhe fanned out to either side. This was clearly an ambush. As Alicia watched the woman's calm reaction, it quickly became clear she worked for the Paranormal Investigation Agency. The PIA was the secretive organization that cleaned up mystical and paranormal messes, so that humanity in general would not worry at night. Alicia likened them to those movies about the 'alien police,' except without the star actors. If any human could hold their own against two trained Sidhe warriors, in both astral and physical combat, it was a PIA agent.

The woman looked back and forth between the two Sidhe. "She said she had information about the Akashic. Is that what this is about? You'd better have friends if you think you can fight me."

Talianna nodded. "I do have that information. I may even give it to you. But do I look like I'm about to mess up my dress?" She froze for a moment then began circling once more. In that moment the agent flinched. Alicia guessed more was going on than she could see, which meant something in the spirit realm. "Thank you."

Laslie gasped and his eyes lit up. "Shadow armor!" For a moment he froze, but his eyes flickered over to his new lover. "You knew?" Alicia couldn't see the full expression in return, but the cheek she could see shot up with a wide smile. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Talianna's voice was a sensual purr. "Consider it my surprise gift to you."

Both heads snapped back to the agent and all three froze in that creepy way that meant they were likely involved in astral combat. With her heightened senses, Alicia saw the minor ticks and twitches as their bodies reacted to the spiritual attacks. She concentrated so heavily on their faces and eyes, typically the only indication of movement, she missed Laslie's broad gesture. His arm had lifted to point at the woman.

The agent's eyes flew wide and Alicia jumped as the world exploded in her ears. Crimson blossomed from the agent's chest. Alicia's senses jumped into her Dhase speed with the introduction of an unknown threat. It took only a moment to realize the true nature of the disturbance

They had drawn the agent into astral combat, despite her possession of armor which would protect her in that form. The key, as Alicia had already figured out, was that most people seemed to blind themselves to the real world when there was an astral body to face. If the spirit fought outside of the body, the empty husk was discounted.

The agent never even saw Laslie point at her. Alicia never noticed the gun in his hand.

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated. If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase. The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information. Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx 



Mixed Blessings Ch. 09



This is the ninth, and final, chapter in a series. Although it can be read on it's own, parts of the story may make more sense when read in order. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Laslie flexed his arm and watched the armor move flawlessly over it. On the PIA agent, it had resembled a cloud of dark smoke that obscured her body and made attacking her difficult. For Laslie, it had transformed into reticulated armor. Each plate interlocked with a number of others perfectly so that it moved and flowed about him like a second skin. He knew he wore a helmet, as he felt it cling to his head and slightly obscure his peripheral vision, but he could not see it. When he had tried to remove it, it instantly returned to the smoky substance that was the armor's natural state.

He had always wondered about that; whether elemental armor changed its appearance to suit the personality of the bearer. Now, Laslie either had to conclude that it did, or he simply had greater control over the armor than the previous owner had. He thought the former more likely given that she had possessed the artifact for years, while he'd been wearing it for only a minute now.

"Las, please! Turn it off!" Talianna's voice was pained. Her hands clutched her temples, as she collapsed into a chair. Moments later, her delightfully revealing astral form disappeared entirely and she breathed a sigh of relief. Laslie hadn't known that she was equally well trained as a shadow-walker as she was a world-walker.

He looked down at the dark armor. It seemed to be made of an indeterminate metal; a very dark grey, with hints of either a very deep purple or blue. There should be no reason, that he could understand, she would complain about the armor. He began concentrating, in an attempt to draw forth the natural weaponry that was inherent in all elemental armor. Given the suit's appearance, he assumed it would be something akin to a gauntlet-sword. "Why should I? I need to test it out, Tal. The quicker I get a handle on its capabilities the better we'll both be."

"I can't look at you! The damn thing's giving me a migraine every time I try." Laslie looked up in confusion. Given that she, in fact, still watched him from the chair, he assumed that she meant she couldn't look at him with anything resembling other-sight. His confusion must have been clear, for Talianna continued to explain. "Every time I try, my eyes start to shift in order to keep track of you. It's like your body is vibrating and it's giving me a tension headache trying to keep up."

That certainly explained why she, not simply a born world-walker but the very best of them, had shut herself so completely away from the spirit realm. "I'll see if I can turn off the effect for you." He adjusted his concentration to the new task, but quickly realized he had no idea if or when it would work. "I can't see the effect, you'll need to come back in order to tell me when it's no longer active."

Once more the nearly naked form faded into view before Laslie. The handful of leaves that made up her arboreal armor shifted enticingly and offered tantalizing half-glimpses of her nipples and lust, while they left virtually all of the rest of her delectable flesh accessible. He knew his concentration had wavered at the sight but didn't care much. Only when her seeming began to fade once more did his concentration return. He quickly applied it to the task at hand. A moment later, her spirit body reappeared fully. "Thank you."

Laslie was careful not to look at her, lest the dampened effect required constant attention. "Tell me if the effect returns." He quickly shifted his attention back to the attempt to call for the weapon. After a few moments a sword slid halfway forward from the gauntlet. He could sense that was not the full length of the blade, but it was better than nothing, for the moment. More confident than he had been minutes before, he returned to look at Talianna.

Her deep purple eyes veritably devoured the sight of him. He noticed, with considerable amusement, that her eyes lingered just as long on his groin as his tended to on hers. He contemplated attempting to make the armor's codpiece vanish, but cast the thought aside. There would be plenty of time for such things later; once everything had been settled. Meanwhile he idly wondered about the abilities of her own elemental armor.

All elemental armor shared a few common abilities. Being armor, they could block, or at least blunt, virtually any attack to a person's spiritual form. Even the effects of Laslie's spirit blade would be lessened, at the very least. Additionally, they could be used to ensnare an opponent, as Talianna's vines had done to him in both combats. He knew the smoky substance of his own armor could do likewise. The final common ability was the integrated weapon.

Laslie watched the four vines writhe about her body. Likely their weapon was some form of whip, although it could be something related to the leaves themselves. He wondered what ability those provided that none of the other armors could. Obviously, she was very adept at mimicking his armor's distraction through her own, very natural, feminine charms. But it was all something to be contemplated later.

He walked over to the agent's body. Laslie kicked the corpse for good measure. He'd never used the small gun before. He'd seen them on TV of course, but never actually used one. It seemed so anticlimactic, so impersonal. His ploy had worked so well that she never saw her own death. It had been difficult to smoothly control both his astral form and his body, but he'd been confident in his capabilities.

"What do we do with her now?" Laslie glanced at Talianna for a moment. He turned off his other-sight in order to concentrate better. Her physical body wasn't much easier to look at. Although much more of her body was clothed, by the red satin dress, it clung so tightly to her that she might as well not have been wearing anything. In addition, the parts of her body that weren't hidden by fabric were still stained with the dried remains of nearly an hour's worth of his passion.

Laslie shrugged. "We can simply leave her body here. Eventually someone will find it, but as a gunshot wound the police won't think much of it, and the PIA won't look to us at the least. Everyone knows Sidhe don't use guns. Did you tell her your name when you contacted her?" Talianna shook her head. "Do you think she recognized you?"

Talianna had to consider that question for a moment. "I don't see how she could have from the phone call. It's possible that she did once we got here, but we didn't leave her any time to contact someone and tell them it was an ambush."

This was the PIA. It was possible they used either technology or human magic to leave some form of record. Laslie hadn't found anything that looked like a recording or tracking device. He had even been so thorough as to do a complete cavity search. "We should get out of here and get to the next step. I can't leave Alicia alone too long or she'll get suspicious."

Talianna nodded, and the two headed back to the jeep. He opened the trunk and pulled out a spare set of clothes. Jeans and a tattered t-shirt for himself and a skirt and shirt, both Alicia's, for Talianna. She stood there' holding the clothes, and glared at him. "What? It's all I have, and you know you're not going to want to wear that where we're going."

Talianna glanced at the dress. She nodded, although her entire manner said that she resented the necessity. "Wow, hold on!" Laslie lunged forward and grabbed her arms as she was about to pull the dress over her head, in order to change. He quickly pulled her back inside the abandoned house and shut the curtains. His heart raced. "The neighbors might not want to notice a gunshot, but a bombshell stripping in the driveway? All of the biddies will remember. And the men will remember every slight detail of your body, my dear."

Laslie hurriedly pulled off his dressy outfit and changed. He forced himself to ignore the raging hard-on that Talianna always courted. It was much harder to ignore her, as she slithered out of the red dress. As she stood there naked, she swayed slightly, and contemplated the outfit he had given her. Even the unconscious movement of her hips seemed designed to enervate his lust. Finally she pulled on the skirt and struggled into the top.

On Alicia, the pleated skirt reached her knees, and the shirt was slightly loose. Talianna wore both quite differently. The Sidhe woman was nearly a foot taller than the Dhase. The skirt crept down her thighs, but threatened to reveal her lack of underwear with the slightest unexpected motion. Meanwhile, the shirt clung so tightly that Laslie wondered how she could breath; if she could breath. It was so tight that it did not, in fact, flatter her ample chest. While it certainly created cleavage for the low neckline, it crushed it into place and gave the impression of one long breast. He did, however, approve of the way the thin material not only presented her nipples, but even outlined her dark areola.

Laslie shook himself free of the fantasies that flashed through his head. He still had a few abuses she would appreciate learning, but otherwise he needed Alicia to experiment on. Soon his plan would be complete, and he could travel between the two worlds with ease. All it required was to ignore his lust for another few hours. He had more than enough patience for that.

The two quickly got back into the jeep. Once more Talianna tensed while she rode in the metal monstrosity. He could tell that the buzz, from almost a bottle and a half of whiskey, was wearing off as her tension grew. Or, perhaps, it was the proximity to their destination. The benefit was that she would be free of the accursed vehicle from that point on. The downside would be their reception, and her fate, should he lose the battle. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alicia probably should have been upset that Laslie had given some of her clothes to Talianna. Somehow, it simply didn't seem important. Nothing was truly important. Something had snapped within Laslie, and it had broken her as well. He was no longer the fun and compassionate person she had met an eternity of months before. She had thrown herself into loving that man, despite the differences and even her own history.

Most Dhase began to loose sight of life slowly. They began to forget about the little joys such as eating or simply being outdoors. Then it would move on to the larger things. They forgot what it truly felt like to love someone, or even hate someone. That was when the passion truly began to die. Finally they forgot why they bothered to put forth the effort even to feed. That was when they began to deplete their own reserves, as they slowly starved to death.

Alicia had known a few to whom a traumatic experience caused nearly instant apathy. Like the rest of her kind, she never expected it to happen to her. The irony was that she still remembered, fresh, the joys of everything, little and big alike. Unfortunately she couldn't bring herself to care anymore. Somehow, she had built the dream of her and Laslie, living for centuries by each other's sides, and that had become the foundation for her happiness.

Perhaps she should even be angry with him for his betrayal. Somehow, that didn't seem to make much sense. There was some logic to it. It would have prolonged her life as she derived meaning through her rage and pain. However it would not bring anything constructive. She could never bring herself to kill him or Talianna, and it seemed as if neither were in the least concerned with her. Even if she could bring herself to hurt them, somehow, it would teach them nothing.

Why did she continue to follow them? She could think of nothing better to do. She couldn't even collect her things from the motel room without the key that Laslie had. And, she admitted to herself, I'm curious. Curiosity seemed to be the only emotion truly ingrained into a person's psyche. Unfortunately it did nothing, really, to motivate one towards life. To the contrary, it often led one down the path to destruction.

Alicia didn't know where she was, or where the two were going. Currently she ran in the middle of the woods. Given the distance they had traveled from the motel, she assumed they were still somewhere in Pennsylvania. She kept roughly abreast of the car and deep in the woods, in order to avoid detection. She had driven for years and knew the perfect way to exploit the jeep's blind spots. She simply had to make sure to stick to the driver's side, in order to lessen the chances that Talianna's lost gaze would catch her.

This time, she was far more careful. She could still extend her empathy far about her. Most elders had forgotten how by the time true apathy set in. She could sense all of the Sidhe guards that were posted about the Stronghome. Likely, some of them thought they were invisible, but every focused concentration blazed a beacon to Alicia. She dodged them with the ease that had been trained into her as a mortal. This was her environment, and no amount of city living had worn it from her.

A few of the guards tried to stop the jeep, but Laslie just flipped them off and continued to drive through. One or two had rifles, but the reaction surprised them so much that they never thought to use them. Alicia couldn't blame them. She knew how completely unpredictable Laslie could be. The Sidhe were almost as wedded to their tradition and expectations as the Dhase, for many of the same reasons.

Alicia stopped, just outside of the Stronghome, to watch. She could not believe the decrepit state in which the Sidhe lived. Laslie had told her that they eschewed human technology, but these appeared to have ever given up such basic utilities as soap and plumbing. The few which looked remotely clean must have used the nearby stream she had leapt.

The only modern technology seen were a handful of the weapons carried. Aside from the most obvious, machine guns and heavy pistols, some of the swords had a machined quality to them. The only power she felt radiated from the people, themselves, and from the handful of artifacts that Laslie and Talianna wore.

"Barsten!" Laslie had shouted loud enough, this time, that Alicia could hear it beyond the bounds of the collection of ramshackle tents. She crept closer in order to catch the subtle nuances that she would miss with her enhanced senses. From closer, she could also use those senses to read the subtle clues that Laslie's body betrayed. She could no longer read him, but, this close, she could read his body.

Alicia would have known who Barsten was even if Laslie's concentration hadn't immediately snapped to him. He stepped from the only well maintained building with a confidence that none of the others shared. While the others were nervous of Laslie, this man knew nothing the young Sidhe could do would affect him. He radiated supreme confidence.

More than that marked him as the leader. Where others wore various styles, only he dressed in a suit, one that suited his overly large frame. He was impeccably dressed in light grey pants and jacket and a pink shirt so light that it was almost off-white. The black, leather, tie seemed almost out of place. Perhaps a concession to the leather and denim that surrounded him. The only concession to the environment were dark the hiking boots.

He looked at Laslie with disdain. Alicia understood that. Although she could no longer sense his power, she could sense that this Barsten was, perhaps, the most powerful Sidhe she had met in a very long time. Were it not for Talianna's vanity, Alicia would have thought this man was the infamous 'Hunter.' However she could not imagine the Sidhe woman ever lived in conditions such as these. "What do you want?"

Laslie's smug look never faltered. Talianna stood nervously behind him, unnoticed by all, except for Barsten, as evident by the flare of hungry lust directed straight at the lithe Sidhe. Apparently Laslie understood the reaction as well. "She's under my protection, and I'm here to challenge you." Talianna relaxed slightly with the pronouncement, but she still seemed uncertain of the outcome.

Amusement and amazement filled the clearing. Who was this pup to challenge the mighty Barsten? "You can't." Laslie's smug look faltered for a moment as he considered the statement. "That's Hunter's Blowjob. That means you're Seleigh. You can't challenge me. Hell, you can't so much as touch me unless he chooses you as prey next time. And given how far away we spotted you coming, I doubt you're trained for it."

When Barsten brought attention to the woman lust flared from every corner of the clearing. It wasn't the dull lust of simple fantasy, but the heat of true possibility. These were intruders, and the only thing that protected them from the desire that pulsed about the glade, was the unknown factor of Laslie. He had claimed the role of protector, which meant they would have to challenge him to take her. Alicia knew Talianna could defend herself from many who desired her. Unfortunately she had finite energy, and the smart ones would let her tire herself as she faced battle after battle, only to take her when she was exhausted.

"We have left the Seleigh court." The simple statement had barely been loud enough to reach the first row of onlookers. But the stunned silence spread almost instantly as those behind reacted to the expressions of those in front. Alicia was just as confused as the rest. He had shown no signs of this decision, unless his general personality was the clue.

Barsten recovered the most quickly. He took off his jacket and meticulously folded it. A young Sidhe girl, one of the few almost as clean as Barsten, scurried over to take the burden. "In that case, I stand corrected. Seeing as she's not trussed up, Talianna is no longer Hunter's Voice." The last statement was made loud enough for many of the patrol guards to have heard it. The lust only increased as they realized that, after Barsten wiped out the punk and broke her, she would be fair game. Talianna only seemed to notice his use of the proper title for her former position.

The tie went next, draped loosely around the girl's neck. Alicia hoped it was his daughter, or possibly kid sister, for she looked far too young for anything else. Although, given the discrepancy between apparent and actual age of the Sidhe, the girl would have been in her majority anywhere in the country. As his shirt came off, button by button, Alicia had to block out the look and emotions that radiated from the young Sidhe. Her eyes simply could not sanctify the apparent age. Finally the shirt was buttoned and folded, placed on the jacket, and the tie was folded and left on the top of the pile. With a final, lingering, glance the girl ran off.

Alicia got her first good look at Barsten as he turned to watch the girl go. The man seemed to be the epitome of masculinity. Not only did he care about his appearance, he cared about capability. Where some men worked out until numerous muscles were hampered by others, all too highly built, Barsten maintained everything in equality. Just as clearly, he made sure to appreciate his balance and dexterity as much as his strength and endurance.

His short, red, hair was well styled, and complimented the business suit he had worn only moments before. But most striking were his green eyes. Where Laslie's eyes were an olive green, his were a bright emerald. But more than that, it was the intensity of the love that followed the girl's progress that startled Alicia. Like most that dealt with the Seleigh, she was prejudiced and thought of the Unseleigh as nothing but monsters. She finally opened up her empathy once more and was nearly flooded by the purity of the emotion. Sure, there was some of the anticipated lust, to flavor the mix, but he probably didn't even notice it beneath the overwhelming power of the other.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 09



Fighting against the restraints was useless as I was held tightly, so I started to yell. "Let me go!" I did not want to use all of my strength as I knew I would need it, but what could I do? I couldn't see myself letting him do whatever to me without a fight so I did the first thing that came to my mind and spit on him.

"Oh this one is feisty, Lumara!" Kline smiled widely as he approached me, eyeing me up and down as if I were a hanging slab of meat. It was exactly what I felt like as he ran a hand up and down my body, until he reached my scrotum and began to squeeze.

"Stop, stop, stop, stop it!" My words began soft as he started his torture of my testicles and rose until I was screaming in pain, nearly ready to pass out. 

"Aww, does the puny man not like me touching his jewels?" Big boy leaned in and ran the tip of his tongue down the side of my face and it took all of my willpower not to reach over and snap at him like Dog would have. He saw my repugnance and anger, which caused him to let out a bellow of laughter, echoed by pink-girl.

"I think he likes it, Kline." The freaky Curser chick smiled at me, as her partner in the sublime grasped my dick tightly in his hand and began to yank me off. I have to admit, I am a normal, red-blooded male and so even being tortured as I was, I could not stop myself from growing hard even in his rough palm. 

"Mmmmm." The moan of ecstasy told me that pink girl had orgasmed, which gave me hope that perhaps they were finished with me. But no such luck and I winced as the big man stepped behind me, rubbing his extremely long and hard dick against my crack.

"I'm going to enjoy ripping into your ass." His soft words tickled my ear and I felt myself grimace as I hardened even more. Why? I had no idea. It wasn't like I was interested in being anally abused by the man! Honest! The only thing I could hope was that the ordeal would be over quickly. I felt his finger probing where it definitely shouldn't be and grunted when he thrust it up into my anus, feeling around as if exploring.

"You're so tight, girl. I'm going to make you squeal so much." His voice in my ear made me struggle against my bonds, but they held, of course, and I was completely at his mercy. When he pressed the tip of his dick into my rosebud, I grinded my teeth in anger. How could he do this to me? How could he violate me without asking at least first? I gave it no thought that I had done the same to the twins. That was the last thing on my mind at that point, in fact. I shuddered when he began to push harder, feeling skin rip. The big man began to grind, moaning in my ear, pushing in and out as he went deeper each time and I shuddered each time he did as it felt as if my insides were tearing into tiny pieces. 

"Oh yeah, that's it!" Pink girl grinned from the couch, rubbing herself once more as she watched. It was obvious that she was enjoying my agony and I attempted to wipe my face clean of all emotion and just wait it out. But the man wasn't going to settle for that and he reached around and began to stroke me, tugging each time he thrust into my ass. As he pressed against my prostate, I began to feel pleasure mixed in with the pain, which really annoyed me. I did not want to enjoy this! 

I heard his orgasm before feeling it as hot liquid shot up into my nearly full rectum and I groaned as he squeezed me harder, my world slowly growing red and then exploding after as I moaned in the throes of my own orgasmic pleasure. It sickened me to enjoy what I had endured, yet I felt as if I could go for more. The image of Vanessa's beautiful face snapped me back to reality and I sighed in relief when he began to grow limp inside of me. Finally with a final tug on my own sensitive and flaccid member, he pulled out of me, leaving a mess of blood and semen to slowly ooze out and down the back of my legs.

"You were mighty good. I'll look forward to doing that again soon." Kline whispered in my ear as he smacked my left butt cheek and went over to kiss the girl. 

"That was great! I loved watching that." She gushed at him as he sat beside her, stroking his dick lightly while eyeing me with a sultry gaze. I cringed when she pushed against his shoulder and suggested, "Let's have some fun with him before sending him back to work!" I could not help but wonder what was planned in her tiny brain but soon I would find out as she pressed a button and the bonds around my hands and feet opened, releasing me. I fell to the pink carpet, completely taken by surprise at the action.

"You are as wretched as a dog. You will stay on your hands and knees and be my dog, you cursed dog." I had not seen Pink girl's hand move as she prepared the curse until I heard her words and saw/heard her release the curse and so on my hands and knees I went, unwilling to let them know I was not phased by it. I would not tip that hand just yet. 

"Kiss my feet, dog." Kline grinned at me, pointing to his foot that he held out to me. I crawled forward, unsure of what would happen if I didn't and pressed my lips to the top of his foot swiftly. I took a moment as I did to take in the layout of the room, while they laughed and patted me on the head as if I were their pet. Nearby was a dressing table and I could see items on the top. I wondered if I could use any to my benefit and began to turn to it when I felt the big man's foot come against my ribs. 

"Uhh!" The air was dispelled from my lungs as his vicious kick sent me flying, but fortunately for me, it was in the direction of the table. I reached up and grasped the hand mirror, pulling it down with me as I did. I was glad they were busy kissing as it gave me a moment to examine the object. I grinned at the tapered end, placing it near me. It was time to act.

Without hesitation I grasped the small metal stool that was used for the dressing table and brought it down as hard as I could against the big man's neck, pressing him into unconsciousness. I grasped the mirror and began to approach pink girl, who began to desperately weave a curse.

"You cannot move, so grounded in the earth you are!" When she released her curse and nothing happened, I laughed at her without mirth. Her eyes grew wide in shock at the ineffectiveness and began to scramble backwards in an attempt to escape. But it did her no good and she soon had the tapered end of the mirror thrust into her head, ending her life.

For the big man, I had different plans. I pulled his big bulk over to the bonds and began to tie him up. Once I had his hands and feet locked in, I went to the big mirror on the dressing table and smashed it using the stool. Picking up a large shard of glass from the mirror, I returned to the stocks where the man was now coming around and pushed myself to my knees before him. His shock at seeing himself in bonds moved to a smile as he saw me in the position I was in. When his dick began to harden, it was just what I had been waiting for and I grasped his left testicle tightly, bringing the sharp edge of the mirror shard down quickly. It wasn't that I didn't want to bring him pain, because I did, I just felt as if I were exposed and any second the room would be filled with Cursers after me. 

His screams were quite loud, but I hoped that the guards were used to hearing such and I moved quickly to cut his right testicle, ignoring any curses he sent my way of the verbally abusive kind. As he hung against the poles, bleeding and moaning in pain, I spat on him once more and went to the small dresser near the door, changing into the first non-pink set of clothing I could find that would work for getting me freed and wouldn't make me stand out in a crowd of Cursers.

Once changed, I went to the window, which turned out to be a balcony that looked down upon a small garden-like courtyard. I found a trellis and climbed down as carefully as I could, body aching from the pain I had just endured. The darkness that Surface City was perpetually cloaked within helped me as I ran through the gate into the streets, walking slowly with my head down as if I were a drunken Curser on my way home. I made sure to weave some, but from the pain radiating from my lower half, it was not hard to imitate. I could practically taste freedom when I hijacked an empty hovercar, ironically it was pink colored inside and out, and began to make my way to the outer reaches. I was so desperate to see Vanessa and Alera that the emotion surprised me. I was that hooked on the two of them that it would motivate me? Nothing like that had happened before. I had changed.

As I exited the city, I sighed in relief as I saw it was night time. The cover was welcomed as I putted through the barrenness that was beyond the city. I was not sure where to go exactly, but figured where the general location was to be, which would get me there eventually. I pushed the car as much as possible as I was eager to taste Vanessa's sweet lips once more. But I had to swerve aside when car after car passed me in coming. There was no mistaking the red glow of each set of eyes that passed me as they returned to Surface City. There were so many cars that it left zero doubt they were returning from attacking the settlement. The humans had defenses like fire and stunners, but against the sheer number of Cursers that continually passed me, I was without a doubt they had to have been overcome.

I knew someone in Sky City had broken down and told the location. They had betrayed us. But I did not blame them, because I knew I probably would not have lasted either had I not had the connection to Vanessa and Alera as I did. Leo would have been putty in their foul hands. I cut my way into the parade, intent on following. If they had my daughter, it was now up to me to find her and free her. They'd never use her. Never! My heart began to restrict once I re-entered Surface City. It was the last place I had ever wanted to return, especially after what had just happened to me, but I had no choice. I had to make sure Vanessa and Alera had not been captured. They would not treat them well.

Once we entered into a deeper part of the city, I knew we were getting close to the main headquarters of the ruling class of Cursers. From word on the street when I was without my powers, I knew the leaders to be a male and a female. They kept to themselves and ruled with an iron thumb. They were both Level 4 Cursers of course, but had learned how to work together well enough they could almost finish each other's curses. Powerful stuff.

Upon entering into the main compound, I kept my eyes down so that no one saw the distinct lack of red; I knew I could not keep it up without being caught. I had to figure a way to get to Vanessa and Alera. If they were even here, of course. I sighed softly at my bruised balls. I had quite some brass ones for entering like I was doing. I was risking my life as I knew that if they found me, they'd try to curse me and that'd be it. They'd know who I was and I would never be allowed to remain alive. I was possibly their worst enemy right now and they knew it. I alone could stop them from destroying everything they touched simply because I was unaffected by their curses and if I had to distance myself from Vanessa, I could. I doubted that Vanessa could do the same, so that made me the only one who could do this.

Keeping my head down, I made my way through halls, ducking for cover whenever I saw someone coming my way. I had to incapacitate one who had seen my eyes, risking it all. He went down easily once I had confiscated a stunner from one of the many depots along the halls. I continued to stun my way through whenever I got to the place where they apparently held their prisoners. It was a cell block with clear doors so I could easily see who was inside. The moment I came across the first occupied cell, I looked inside and winced to see a beaten male, face hardly humanoid due to the punishment he had been put through. His hands were chained to the wall and when I entered since they were so cocky they did not need locks on the outside, only from the inside, I made haste in releasing him because once he had opened his eyes, I saw the white glow. I needed every distraction I could find. Having a bunch of Blesser prisoners running amok was perfect.

"Aareeeeeeeaaaeee?" The man attempted a few times to say but I just could not understand what he was trying to tell me. 

"Can you speak slowly? Did they drug you?" I shook my head in confusion, not sure how to help the man. The moment he opened his mouth, thrusting out what used to be his tongue, I understood and blanched. What better way to silence a Blesser than to remove his tongue? Feeling as if I were going to vomit, I pushed him out of the cell to show him he was free, but mostly to distract myself from the wound he had presented to me. It made me near physically ill that someone would be so cruel to do such a thing, but then I realized I had done something similar to big boy back at Mistress Pink's place. Was the universe trying to get some sort of karma on me? Whatever it was, I was sick of it!

I went to the next cell and my heart dropped to my feet when I saw a naked, beaten female inside. Her white-ringed eyes opened and I nearly let out a yell of anger and pain when I recognized it to be Lara. They had cut off her hair so short that she was near bald and by the bloodstains on the corners of her mouth, I knew her tongue was gone as well. I pushed my way into her cell, coming to my senses, and once I freed her, I felt her body slump against mine. She tried to speak, but could not, of course, and finally ended up fainting in my arms. The male Blesser had begun to free the others, all beat-up and I handed Lara to one of the Blessers in slightly better shape. We freed some humans too, who were able to help free even more and carry the worst of the Blessers. 

I dashed around, desperately seeking a Blesser who was at least Level 3 without their tongue gone, but found not one. If I had just one, I could have had them heal the injured, although the tongues would never be replaced, they would be strong enough to fight with hands and stunners at least. When I entered into a large octagonal room, I saw a male prisoner inside, head down, half-naked body covered in blood. Sighing, I made to free him but realized his torturer was still there. The Curser looked at me in shock, completely taken by surprise by a human who was where he shouldn't be.

"Hey, what are you doing here? This is off-limits to minions, stupid!" He glowered angrily at me and I stunned him, watching a long, wicked-looking knife clang noisily as it fell to the tiled floor beside the fallen man. I bent down and retrieved the bloody weapon, sticking it in a loop of my pants for future emergencies. "I'm not a minion, stupid." I snapped back at the fallen Curser as I reached for the wrists of the imprisoned Blesser, ignoring him when he started to come around.

"Alex?" My head shot up at the use of my name, shocked to see the prisoner was Leo, his face beaten badly with many cuts and bruises covering it. Hey, he had his tongue! The Curser must not have had time to cut it out. I helped him down and wrapped his arm around me as he slumped over slightly upon being freed.

"Leo, I have some bad news and some worse news." I felt obligated to tell him what was happening, since he had a right to know. "You are probably the only Blesser in this prison with a tongue. The Cursers removed the rest of the Blesser prisoner's tongues." I heard him gasp and saw the look of shock and disgust in his eye. I had to continue. "Also, there's a good possibility that they have Alera – the Level 5." His face paled so much that I thought he was going to pass out, and I doubled my effort to keep him on his feet. "I'm going to rescue her now, but I'll need the Blessers to distract. Can you manage that?" I grimaced. How could he? He was in such poor shape! But he alone could use his power to help. "Can you heal yourself?" He nodded and I waited while he began to make the symbols in the air that would initiate the blessing. 

"By the power coursing through the simple act of air, the molecules caress my skin and make me whole." As he released the blessing, I watched as his wounds began to seal up and nodded once satisfied, releasing him so that he could make his own way to the center of the prison where the rest of the injured Blessers lay, weeping and clinging to each other like a bunch of children. I took pity upon them and cut them slack, erasing any mocking thoughts I had. I knew how it felt to lose something. I had lost so much myself one time, not long ago. I still lacked my powers and so I knew how they felt. It didn't make it any easier for Leo to tell them his plan - of how he was going to bring the prison quarters down to create a distraction so that I could rescue Alera.

I knew it was time when the last Blesser had been healed of their surface wounds and let Leo pull my arm into a clasped handshake. "Thanks, Alex." He stated calmly and then pulled me to him in a quick embrace. "I wish you success, brother. I don't have to tell you how important it is that you get the girl away from here. That is the most crucial thing you will ever have to do. They cannot get control of her or it'll be over." I nodded at his words, uncertain if he was trying to rally my courage or put fear into me to prod me forward. Either way, I gulped and began to make my way to the door that would lead me deeper into the complex. I spared one last look to see Leo's arms wrapped around Lara, tears streaming down both faces. With my heart in my throat and the image burned into my mind, I continued on.

I stunned as many guards as I saw, knocking the rest out whenever I saw they were attempting to curse me. I was uncertain if they were aware of me roaming the halls, but when the floor shook, I knew Leo had done his job. I just hoped they had all gotten out of the prison block and safely. I hid in a nook as scores of Cursers ran past me, heading to the prison area no doubt. So far, our plan had worked. Once it looked to be safe enough, I wove myself into a few twisting hallways to finally confront two very large Cursers. Unfortunately, they both had stunners. I studied them from around the corner before making my move. 

"Help!" I made my voice as high pitched as possible and called out to the guards. Just as I had hoped, one of the big lugs began to amble to me. I made quick work of him, slamming my gun down hard behind his ear and then, after grasping his stunner, I fired both guns into the second guard. Once he had fallen, I used one of the men's thumbs, sliced with the knife I had brought, to press against the control pad. The door slid open with a 'snik' and I entered into a very plushly decorated living quarters. I had reached the ruler's domain.

Lying in the middle of the room, on a heart-shaped bed decorated with black sheets, lay Vanessa. Her hands and feet were bound as well as a black silk gag tied around her mouth and she was naked. I dropped both guns, (which probably wasn't a very smart thing to do), and dashed to her side. I began to untie her, dropping the gag first. 

"N-no Alex! You have to leave. It's a trap! They know you are here." She had bruises on her face which told me they had not treated her kindly, of course. I shook my head. It didn't matter; I had to free her. I pulled her off of the bed once untied and held her, rubbing her back with my hands gently. 

"I love you, Vanessa." I told her, understanding what it meant finally. I'd put my life on the line to save her. I'd never let anyone hurt her again, if it was in my power to do so. I could not live without her by my side.

"Touching. Oh, so very touching." A cruel feminine voice called out and I turned to watch a male and female, dressed in matching black pajamas, enter into the room with us. In the woman's arm rested Alera. I felt my body tense, as if prepared to spring, my focus on the toddler. She seemed to be sleeping and I felt a growl begin to form in my throat.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 09



"If you have hurt her in any way, so help m—"

"Oh shut up, will you? Why would we hurt something so precious as our new little daughter?" The man laughed as I glowered at them both. "She'll be given the finest training. We promise. We will make sure she never finds out about how weak and powerless her original parents were. And how sad we were that they left her with us, not wanting to take care of her anymore." I could see what he was planning and I could tell he was not thinking that we would live long. He probably knew by now that Vanessa or I were unaffected by his cursing, else we'd probably be dead. So that meant they were going to toy with us before killing us.

Just as I figured, the woman smiled as the man slid his arm around her shoulders and told us, "You have one request before you die. Anything we can offer you, we will let you do or have. Except to touch the child in any way, of course. Let it not be said that we treated her parents well before death." I was not certain if he knew of how powerful Vanessa and I were when linked with Alera, or if he were just being cruel, but I was not sure what we could do to get ourselves out of the dilemma we were in. Vanessa shocked me.

"Let Alex and I fuck one last time?" 

Um... what?

To be continued.



Mixed Blessings Ch. 09



Finally, he turned back to Laslie, his mood intense once more. "You are ronin?" Laslie's single nod was clipped and respectful. "Then you wish to be Unseleigh?" Another precise nod. "Then you will, indeed, be able to challenge me. I will even let you set the conditions." He paused, lust flared through him, and he shifted to watch Talianna. As always, Alicia got the feeling that every Sidhe male could successfully mentally undress her at a glance. "I only insist she's mine if I win." He turned back to Laslie. "What's your name?"

"Laslie." His voice was as clipped as his nods had been.

"All hear this! Laslie declares his Unseleigh allegiance!" A quick glance at Talianna, and a returned nod. "Talianna, first among world-walkers, declares her Unseleigh allegiance!" Barsten's voice dropped to conversational tones once more. "Now that formalities are aside, the terms?" He waved over a man in blue jeans, an orange t-shirt and a long, black trench coat. Obviously his second.

"I would have insisted that Talianna be cared for and would have you name your orphan." Barsten nodded solemnly but waited until the end to speak. "Single combat, no restrictions."

The crowd gasped. Alicia wasn't entirely sure of all of the implications, but it seemed to mean that they could each use any weapon or tool at their disposal. Alicia knew that was integral to Laslie's plan, for he had no hope of besting Barsten based on sheer power, magical or physical, and likely little hope on skill alone. It was the artifacts, hopefully unknown to the Unseleigh, which would win him the battle.

"If that's your wish, so be it." Barsten's second nodded and hurried back into the building. He came back a moment later carrying a broach, which he immediately handed to his leader. He then moved over beside Talianna. With care, he placed his hands on her shoulders and led her to one side.

Conscious of the increased speed that Laslie had developed, Alicia boosted her own to much closer to her own limits. The two stood there, unmoving. Laslie had his arms across his chest as he leaned back, his expression; not a care in the world. Barsten leaned forward slightly. He radiated concentration. She had to assume the two had begun the battle in the spirit world, and the Unseleigh was clearly on the offensive.

A few moments passed, then Laslie flared with far more energy than Alicia thought he possessed. Barsten physically staggered, as if attacked. She wasn't sure if that was the case, however, as he radiated surprise rather than pain. Quickly it transformed into caution and concern. Alicia understood that. Laslie held a bit more power than Barsten. They stood for a moment longer, then both began to move.

"Are you sure about that?" Laslie grinned and nodded his response to Barsten's question. A Sidhe ran up to the front of the group that formed the perimeter of the impromptu ring. Barsten held his hand up and the impatient man held to the edge of the ring.

Laslie looked around at the assembled tribe. "Very sure." He turned his back on Barsten to walk over to Talianna. She radiated pride for Laslie's accomplishment. Meanwhile, Barsten seethed over the fact that not only had he been held off so easily, but now his opponent showed so little concern that he would turn his back in the middle of combat. After an affectionate squeeze of Talianna's hand, he turned back to the fight. "I have proven to all that I am your equal in astral combat. I need to prove that I am the better fighter."

Let it never be said that Laslie isn't diplomatic. Alicia was impressed that he hadn't chosen to say what was painfully obvious to all. He was more than Barsten's equal in power. While she would know that it was only because of one of the artifacts, the others might very well not. She could not sense it as an independent source, and she wasn't sure if the Sidhe could either.

She also understood the necessity of bringing the combat into the physical world. To look at the two, Barsten seemed the obvious choice for that arena. Alicia had known people who could mask their energy, so to hold the entire combat there invited future challenges in purely physical combat. Laslie knew how to best even the toughest Sidhe warrior, and to prove it now diminished the number of such speculation challenges.

Barsten nodded, walked over to the edge of the audience, and grabbed one of the machine guns. Even as he wheeled to aim, Laslie had the pistol out and pointed comfortably at the Unseleigh leader's head. He hadn't even needed to use his heightened speed, as the pistol and holster, at the small of his back, was the perfect weapon for speed. Barsten slowly aimed the gun skyward and handed it back. "You were the one who declared 'no restrictions.' I simply wanted to see if you were prepared for every possibility." Laslie nodded and replaced his pistol and drew the kama.

Barsten held out his hand and a short sword was immediately placed in it. Without looking, he nodded his head in thanks and confidently approached. Laslie crouched and stalked closer. Alicia knew this to be show, as there was no way the unsuspecting Sidhe could best her former lover. With her senses, they seemed to move painfully slow. She wondered if Laslie had the same problem. More than likely he had already activated his own enhanced abilities.

Alicia saw the charge and lunge. Laslie easily sidestepped. Casually, the hooked, sickle-like, blade reached out and caught the hand-guard. She saw his attention to detail, as he ripped the weapon from his opponent's grasp, he made sure not to so much as nick Barsten's skin. Laslie took three steps back at full speed, stood relaxed and awaited his opponent's reaction.

Barsten stared in shock at his hand. He looked up to see the relatively tiny man standing a comfortable distance away, where less than a moment before they stood face to face. The kama rested against his hip in a loose grip. His confidence dropped instantly. He had to still believe he had the advantage of strength, but speed would be no contest. The combat would likely come down to endurance. That was another trait that could not be gauged on looks alone.

Although concerned, Barsten dropped into a defensive crouch, with his elbows bent and hands curled to grapple. Laslie shrugged. He had little to fear, even wrestling the much bigger warrior. The kama slipped back into the belt clip and he imitated Barsten's posture.

Laslie let Barsten advance without giving any indication of nerves. The two locked grips. Laslie must have moved painfully slowly, for everyone to watch, as he moved onto the offensive once more. One hand was thrown wide, wide the other pulled behind Barsten's back painfully. A kick to the back of knees dropped the Unseleigh warrior. Laslie's other hand slipped around Barsten's head, locked his elbow beneath the big man's chin and jerked back.

He held Barsten's neck extended. Laslie's message was clear. "Do it." The voice was too soft to have been heard by any but Laslie. With the crowd in a stunned silence, Alicia's superior senses barely picked up the defeated words, but the man's shame was clear to her.

Suddenly, it was over. Laslie released the man and stepped back. As Barsten fell, the other Unseleigh believed him dead. Alicia knew better. At the last second, his hands came forward to break the fall. The crowd let out its collected breath.

Laslie leaned over and helped Barsten to his feet with a hand under his arm. Barsten's confusion was obvious to all. It was a sentiment everyone shared, including Alicia. Laslie turned a full circle to survey the crowd. "I am Unseleigh now." He turned and offered his hand in friendship to Barsten. The man was still confused, but took the offered hand, which he raised and once more turned a full circle in demonstration. "What's more, I am the Dark Huntsman!"

Alicia gasped. This wasn't just some leader of an Unseleigh tribe. He was the supreme general of the Unseleigh. If she understood the distinction, he was far more the leader of his people than Hunter was to his.

But Laslie hadn't finished addressing the crowd. "My thoughts must be of the Unseleigh. While our drive for power makes us stronger, these duels to the death for supremacy erode that very power. Barsten is a warrior to exceed any Seleigh except, perhaps, Hunter himself. With his death we could be sure we have one who could best Hunter. With his survival, we have two!"

Alicia could feel the uncertainty, however Laslie either anticipated it, or he could sense it himself. He held up a hand to forestall any objections. "I'm not saying that serious disputes cannot be settled in this fashion. Blood feuds exist because tribes or simply people feel they have been slighted. But we need to think as a comprehensive whole, not simply power for ourselves."

He was winning them. "Think!" Once more he scanned the group that surrounded him, but this time Barsten had moved to his back, with his arms crossed. His support was obvious already. He gave nothing more than the impression of a strong second. "One hundred years ago, we were so strong that the Seleigh could not defeat us without the aid of the human Akashics!"

There was a sudden spike of anger at his mention of the human sect. "Now, only one remains." The anger grew and confusion joined it. "That's right. An Akashic has been found, and not just a child but a full grown adult." Alicia nearly shut her eyes and covered her head from the rage that poured from the glade. "Our only consolation is that he slipped by because he has very little knowledge of his true potential." Rage surged to hope and Laslie saw it in there.

"Now, spread the word of what has happened. Spread what you know to all Unseleigh, while I conference with my second; Barsten." Barsten ushered over the Sidhe who had attempted to contact him in the middle of the fight. With the noise of the gossiping crowd, as it fanned out, Alicia could not hear what was said. Laslie, however, quickly took control, even as Talianna and Barsten's second moved over.

The five moved into the building Barsten had come from. Alicia used the shadows and dwellings to slip closer. Avoiding the various Sidhe was simplicity, as they radiated emotion. In moments she was behind the building. None could see her from the main encampment, and any who came towards her would be detected long before they could spot her. Even those trained to hide their presence could not even dampen her empathy.

Strangely, she couldn't hear anything from within. Alicia pressed her ear against the building and listened more closely. Still nothing. It made a certain amount of sense that the Dark Hunstman would go to extra lengths to secure his home against any form of intrusion or eavesdropping. There were Sidhe equally as skilled as Alicia in infiltration, after all. However the Sidhe could not sense four of the people inside as she could. Three of them were nervous and concerned. Talianna was confident and a little prideful; probably because of how well Laslie managed things. Unfortunately, he was still an equal mystery to Alicia.

One of the unknown Sidhe, Alicia thought it was Barsten's second, became very focused and rushed into the compound somewhere. The nerves slowly drained, to be replaced by the same proud certainty Alicia felt coming from Talianna. Whatever was going on, Laslie not only had a handle on it, but in such a profound way that he was proving himself an able and decisive leader. Both were traits Alicia had recognized in him.

The second came back very promptly with another Sidhe. The situation was quickly explained to him ~for Alicia sensed it was likely a male~ and all within the room began to concentrate. Their power grew slightly, but not noticeably enough to be a major spell. Laslie either did not add his own power to it, or only a small portion, for he kept himself as well shielded as he did his emotions. Strangely, when the spell was complete, the level of nerves and caution in the room skyrocketed. Even Talianna was exceptionally reserved.

It could be no coincidence that four Sidhe warriors began to move towards her from the forest and encampment. While most of them could be assumed to have the building as their destination, one moved more towards the back than the front. It was time for Alicia to leave. She turned, only to find herself face to face with her former lover.

"I'm sorry you had to be here. You would have been better off if you had remained at the motel."

Laslie lunged. Alicia tried to dodge, only to discover her body acting much more sluggish than she could account for. She knew he wasn't using his enhanced capabilities, yet still he managed to grip her shoulders. She tried to call on her own Dhase strength, only to find it completely lacking. He nodded to the four warriors, as they appeared, and motioned for them to follow as he dragged her into the building. Inside, she stared at the assembled Sidhe. She knew her expression was as blank as her heart.

"Talianna, you do not have to stay..." Laslie began.

"I'll stay." Talianna, the only other woman present, held a firm resolve. She knew what was coming, but was determined, perhaps even a little excited, to stay and watch. Despite her nerves, she knew she had to show her strength among a people who prided it above all else.

Laslie nodded at her. His expression was filled with pride at her choice. That expression turned back to Alicia and became one of pity. "I want two of you to hold her at all times. Beyond that, all of you," his motion included Barsten and his second, "can have your fill. Barsten, as my second, gets first opportunity, then you." With the last he pointed at the guard who had undoubtedly alerted them all to her presence.

She knew she should be afraid as two of the warriors grabbed her arms in a vice grip. Barsten's vaguely sadistic pleasure and extreme lust should have made Alicia cringe. But none of it mattered to her as her eyes locked on him. Even as the large Sidhe filled her entire view, she continued to stare where she knew Laslie to be.

A large hand grabbed her shirt and tore it free. The two who held her each grabbed her skirt and held it out of the way for their former leader. Barsten reached out and grabbed both her bra and panties and ripped them off. Alicia couldn't help but scream in pain as the various elastic straps dug against her skin, before they finally relinquished to his considerable strength.

She could not feel fear, but she still felt pain. With the single cry, lust and desire flared in a number of those present, including Talianna. In his excitement, Barsten nearly ripped his pants off. Alicia couldn't help but look. Every bit of his body was huge. He was going to hurt her no matter how gentle he tried to be, and she knew he had no intentions towards that. The only saving grace would be that he would likely loosen her up for any of the men that followed, if he didn't tear her to shreds first.

As his pants fell to the floor, Barsten reached out and took one of her small breasts into each hand. His nails bit into her flesh as he squeezed and twisted. She cried out in pain. Without pride, Alicia saw no reason not to react as her body would have her. Silence would only suggest that he try harder to incite the pain he so desired. He twisted harder anyway as he growled into her ear. "Open them for me or I tear you apart with my hands."

With the viselike grip on each arm, it was simple enough to lift her hips off the ground so that her legs could encircle his waist. He didn't relent any pressure on her breasts for her assistance. Instead, as she felt his tip nestle against her dry flesh, he turned back to Laslie. "Found us a good slut haven't you?"

Alicia's mind shattered beneath the pain as he tore his way into her tight, dry, depths. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laslie staggered backwards. Trails of his seed clung between him and Talianna, but they were negligible compared to the amount that covered her naked form. He was pretty sure that she was asleep, then again he himself had blacked out for a good portion of it.

As he watched Barsten violate Alicia, Laslie had felt nothing but pity. He hadn't wanted it to come to this, certainly, but he could only provide his personal protection to one person at a time, barring the limitations of challenges; such as there would have been had either he or Barsten died. When Alicia had followed him, he could not protect her from her punishment, and he was obligated to protect his Sidhe from her.

She had told him how she could be defeated. It was a simple, if dangerous, spell; a power web. The spell would siphon off all magic used within its boundaries. He had added only two restrictions to the basic spell, but that had required a specialist. Laslie did not want her to die. He knew that the warriors would not kill her, but he needed to make sure the spell didn't either. So he restricted it to leave only as much power as an average human maintained. He further decided to make ample use of the spell and had all of that power redirected into his power band. Now even a dozen Hunters could attack him, at once or in succession, and he would best them all.

Alicia could only have found them if she had followed from the beginning. When he had learned that there was a 'human' lurking around the encampment, from one of the astral scouts, he had expected it to be her. He had expected her wrath and planned accordingly. He had not expected the dead eyes that he had found. He found grim satisfaction in the fact that those same eyes held nothing as he gave her to his warriors; no hate, no fear, no shame, just dispassion.

He slipped back into his clothes, after he found them, and headed for the main room. Talianna had become so excited by the woman's screams that her hand had gripped his painfully even before Barsten was through. Not much long after, she had dragged him into the private room, now his room, so that he could do much the same to her. He hadn't been much in the mood, but Talianna had skills that would have only confirmed the Seleigh's suspicion that she serviced Hunter. After a few minutes under her care, Laslie was even able to ignore Alicia's screams.

Laslie realized that he hadn't heard those screams for a few minutes. Either she had passed out, or the warriors had had their fill. Either way, it was over for now. He rather hoped all of them had gotten their turns. He'd much rather be done with this.

Laslie opened the door, to discover Alicia hung from chains, in the middle of the room. At the sound, her head rose slightly to bestow that dead gaze on him. Her feet hung off the ground, and a puddle sat beneath her. The lower half of her body was literally covered in lust. More continued to seep out of her. However, her face and torso not been neglected in the slightest. He pulled the amulet from her neck with a quick snap of the chain. "You won't be needing this." Better not to waste such a useful device.

"I really do regret that it came to this. You see, I had hoped to make a life with you, as well as among my new friends. Unfortunately, the two could not coexist. You see, Talianna is the perfect Sidhe. And I couldn't provide both of you from protection here. I also thought you might be here for revenge. I'm sorry this is what you have become."

Laslie moved up to her and picked up a piece of her tattered shirt, from nearby, to clean the cloying substance from around her eyes. "I cannot, however, take the risk that this is anything but a temporary state. Like this, I cannot fear you. But should you regain your senses, I cannot have you threatening my people. For that reason I have had them cast a spell which will instantly alert me whenever you are within a mile. You will also begin to feel pain the closer you get." He placed the cloth against her groin, to demonstrate where the pain would be, and grimaced as it stuck.




Mixed Blessings Ch. 09



Her mouth opened. Her voice rasped out a single word. "Soul!"

His head snapped up to meet her bland eyes. "I've come to a realization my darling." Laslie began to pace. "Souls do not reincarnate together out of some foolish concept of love. No! There is one thing that runs the world. One thing that everyone seeks out. Power." Laslie stopped moving and turned towards her. "That is what I have come to understand. Without power, we are all at the mercy of the fates. And that is a position I refuse to be in."

Laslie moved over to Alicia's skirt, discarded on the floor. As he lifted it, he realized it was in little better condition than she was. He slid the motel key into her pocket and turned to one of the guards. "Put this back on her, give her a shirt and escort her from here." He looked back to his one-time love and felt sorrow over what might have been. "She will never bother us again."

Thank you for reading Mixed Blessings. As always, your comments are appreciated. If you enjoyed Alicia, you might also enjoy my Gifting Night series for the adventures of other Dhase. The Dhase are a creation of my muse and anyone wishing to use them should contact me for more information. Thank you, once more, for reading and, again, please vote.

Copywrite January 2007, by Deathlynx



Mixed Blessings Ch. 10



"Let Alex and I fuck one last time?" 

Vanessa's words were coy, teasing and spoken with a smile. I snapped my head to look at her with an incredulous expression on my face. How could she possibly want to have sex at that point? Did she really think I could enjoy myself knowing the weight of the world hung over our heads, poised to fall and crush us at any moment? I caught the glimmer of warning in her eye and it dawned upon me what she was planning. The couple laughed together and kissed briefly, going to the couch nearby and gently deposited the sleeping Alera there. They approached the bed and undressed each other slowly. I kept my eyes on Vanessa. Had she meant them to join us? Was that part of the plan?

They stood near the bed and pointed to it.

"As you wish. Enjoy. But do not take too long." 

The man stared at me and commented snidely, "He does not look like he could hold his wad long anyway." I ignored the barb and turned to Vanessa, alarmed when her hands reached for my black shirt. I couldn't do this! I could not! But I had to. My hands shook as I lifted my arms so that she could pull the shirt off of me. When she undid the black pants and slid them down, I heard a soft gasp escape from her lips. I looked down and realized I still had dried blood and semen trailing down my legs from my earlier encounter with big guy. 

"What happened?" She whispered with concern and I shook my head, not wanting to talk about it; especially if I was supposed to have sex with her now. She nodded and then pulled my half-limp dick into her mouth, sucking gently and then adding force as she swirled her tongue around the base, sliding it up and down. It did not take long for me to become completely engorged and ready for her. She turned over, lifting her butt up on hands and knees and I began to stroke her presented pussy gently in an attempt to arouse her too. Soon she began to moisten and I tried to block out the fact that the Cursers were stroking each other as they watched me pleasure Vanessa.

"I'm ready, Alex. Just remember that I love you." Vanessa stated over her shoulder and I sighed. So this was how it was to end? I supposed that if I had to die, dying in the throes of passion would be the way to go, so I pushed myself into her gently, pulling out slightly and then in deeper. I pulled out almost all the way and then thrust until her pubic hairiness was touching my balls. I sighed in bliss as I slid in and out, harder and harder until I was pounding her, my balls slapping against her clit each time. It felt so good, but I knew I had to wait. 

"Now now now!" I heard her gasp and watched as she slid a hand out to the coupled duo near us. The man had slung the woman's legs over his shoulders and was pumping into her just as hard as I was pumping Vanessa's twat. I hate to admit it, but the image was erotic and only helped me reach my orgasm as quickly as desired. The woman eagerly took Vanessa's hand, unknowingly linking the four of us together as we all orgasmed in perfect harmony.

This time, the pain was intense enough that no sound was able to escape my lungs. It felt as if I were being turned inside out and I begged for death. Mercifully, I blacked out shortly after with a gasp and final sigh.

*******************

"Uggghhh." I groaned as I let my eyes flutter open. I was alive still? Interesting. I did not feel alive, yet I suppose the pain proved I was. Every cell in my body was screaming from what I had just endured. I felt as if I had just run miles and miles, my body shook with the effort of even just breathing. I managed to drag myself to my knees and looked around me. I had launched myself near the door from the intensity. Having two other Cursers with full Level 4 powers linked during such had nearly killed me. I was truly amazed I had survived. I climbed to my feet and staggered to where my clothes were. Once I had dressed, I knelt beside Vanessa, who had somehow remained in the bed during our orgasmic blast. She was not breathing and I groaned, pressing my head against her chest. I could not hear a heartbeat or if it existed, it was incredibly faint. 

I looked at the Level 4 couple but was unwilling to touch them. I pulled the sheet over their body and put one of their Pajama tops over Vanessa's body to cover her nakedness. Going to the couch where Alera lie, I scooped her into my arms, cradling her to my chest. It would be just she and I now. I made her a silent promise to never let this happen again as long as I were alive. 

I spared one last look at the woman I had loved and whispered, "I'll always love you."

I was going to leave, but something stopped me; it was the wisp of a memory Vanessa had told me upon our reunion. She had told me that the life inside of her had not let her die. Curious to try something, I brought Alera to her mother and placed her on the bed next to the paling woman's body. I reached out and laced her black hand tightly within my white one. Already the woman was starting to cool and I looked at the little one lying next to her mother, touching her chubby cheek gently.

"Alera?" I queried gently, shaking her slightly. The little girl's eyes opened revealing green and gold. I helped her sit up and she looked at her mother with a curious stare.

"Mama?" She touched Vanessa's cheek; the flame hair we shared was sticking up in places, but to me she looked perfect. "Mama?" She prodded again and looked to me in confusion.

"Tell your mama you want her to breathe. Make her breathe, Alera." I told her softly, stroking her hair as I said the words.

"Mama breathe." The very second Alera made her request, Vanessa took a large gasp, sitting up as if she had just had a nightmare. Breathing as if she could not get enough oxygen into her lungs, the ebony-skinned woman's eyes were wide and full of fear. I put my arm around both, pulling them to my chest with tears in my eyes. It had worked!

"We need to get out of here." I told Vanessa, watching the woman stroke Alera's cheek lovingly while squeezing my hand. She nodded at me and then waited for me to scoop Alera into my arms so that she could dress. As we were just about to step out, one of the Level 4 curser leaders began to stir. 

"No!" The male snapped in fury and fear as he saw the three of us holding hands and each other. I was about to locate one of the stunner guns I had brought in, but Vanessa stopped me. 

"Let me handle this." I shrugged, uncertain of what she had planned, but I spoke a blessing for myself as she cursed them both. As I finished up the blessing that would heal my anal injuries, I heard her curse them, "You and your woman's lungs are cursed. They no longer work. What a shame." I buried Alera's face into my chest so that she did not have to watch the Curser male as he suddenly was unable to breathe. His mate was already dead, so it did nothing to affect her. Only him. We left the Curser man suffocating and made our way easily out of the city. With Alera giving us power, nothing could stop us.

In an unnoticeable hovercar, Alera sitting on Vanessa's lap playing a game with their hands, I steered us onto the filthy Surface City streets, navigating to the exit slowly to not alert anyone to our escaping presence. And it looked as if we were going to escape without any further delay – until a large armor-plated vehicle-like behemoth slammed into our small car. All I heard was Vanessa screaming as my head slammed against the dash of the hover car. 

When I came to, I was quite a few feet away from the twisted wreckage that used to be the hover car. Alarmed for the safety of my woman and little girl, I began to climb to my feet. I felt an odd sensation at the tip of my temple and reached up to feel something wet and sticky there. Bringing my hand down, I saw it was covered in blood and grimaced. The pain was a dull throb and it was giving me a slight headache.

"The air surrounding me is comforting. It heals and closes my wounds, making me feel better," I blessed myself almost automatically and then remembered that I could not. Not without my link with Vanessa and Alera. I stumbled a step or two toward the crashed car and stopped, wavering slightly when I noticed a tall figure barring my way. I saw the red glow of his eyes and became instantly aware that I was up against a Curser – probably the very one who had rammed us with his monster of a vehicle. 

"Hello Alex." The man's voice was deep, full of confidence and it took me a moment to size up my new opponent. The man's skin was blacker than Vanessa's and he had braided rows of hair that hung loosely around his shoulders. I could see muscles straining against his black shirt – this man was a force to reckon with even without his Curser power. 

"Uh, yeah, hi." I glanced around me, eyes searching for a weapon of sorts so that I could be on even ground. I knew I had to move fast, because once he began to curse me and saw it had no affect, he'd be moved to physical violence. As I reached my hand out to grasp a broken piece of concrete that I could at least use to break against his head, I heard him begin to curse, hands moving in rhythm telling me he was probably a Level 3. 

"You cannot move. Your limbs simply refuse to cooperate. You are frozen, all muscles locked." His curse was hurled as I began to run to him, prepared to bash him senseless so I could retrieve Vanessa and Alera and get the hell out of town. 

"Ennghh?" I froze. I don't know how it happened, but I could not move even my pinky finger! I struggled and strained, wondering if my near-death experience after having sex with Vanessa had weakened me so much that my muscles had suddenly given out. No, it was too much of a coincidence that the Curser had cursed me with the same ailment. Just a coincidence! 

"Don't like that much, do you?" The deep-voiced man grinned as he spoke, his pearls of teeth glittering in the street light that bathed us in its glow. He stepped closer to me, the smile never leaving his dark face. I continued to fight myself, but my body was simply unresponsive. It was driving me insane! I had no idea what happened to me and my mind was racing at the possibilities. Thoughts of some new hi-tech gadget came to mind, but I knew the Cursers were too lazy to create anything like that. Had they stolen it from the Blessers perhaps? 

"Ggnnnnnn." I managed to coax my vocal cords to state something, which encouraged me. But I cringed when the big man stepped up to me so that he was looking down at me slightly. I hated the way he towered over me. It made me feel weak. 

"I want to give you my name. I want you to know the name of the one who brought your death today." His smile slipped into a line as he prepared to end me. I knew with my muscles locked like they were, I couldn't fight back. It wasn't fair! "My name is Viktor." He crossed his arms and glared down at me. "You took my intended. You stole her from me. I shall make you suffer for that." He leered down at me. "Vanessa was to be my mate." If I could have gulped, I would. This Viktor fellow had every right to be angry at me, but it wasn't as if I had known. Twice I had stolen her from someone. I knew with my record of karma- that was bad. Would this man steal her from me now? Ending my life would probably do the trick.

"Let's see. What horrendous torture can I offer you to make your passing into the next life more painful?" Viktor pondered a few seconds and if I could have spoken, I would have told him to just get it over with. I had had enough torture for three lifetimes! The glowering grin that formed on his face made me nervous. Really, really nervous. He lifted his hand and began to make the symbols for a curse. 

"Your left foot is in pain, Alex. It feels as if the skin is being flayed from the bone." When he released the curse, his hand waving in the air, I immediately felt a terrible gut-wracking pain – in my left foot! Oh how it hurt! And with my muscles still locked, I could not do anything except whimper in complete agony. Even breathing was a chore with me held like I was. I could feel myself pant and a warm tear trickled a path down my face from the corner of my eye. I felt humiliated for crying like a little child, but it was the only way my body could expel the agony that it was undergoing. 

"Oh, this is fun. I wish Vanessa were conscious to see this!" He practically clapped his hands together, obviously enjoying my suffering greatly. "And don't worry, little prick of a man, I will treat Vanessa the right way – the way a woman deserves to be treated: all of me, all of the time." The promise in his voice and smile sent shivers down my spine. Was he even aware that Alera was a Level 5? I had no doubt that Vanessa with Alera's help could hopefully rid the world of the man, but would she? Did she know him? Would she be fooled into thinking that perhaps I had fled her, leaving Viktor behind to pick up the pieces? I had no doubt the man would lie to get his way – it was the Curser way.

"Your left ankle is breaking. The bones are shattering. Can you feel the pain? It is great!" Viktor was not finished with me and when his next curse was released, I nearly blacked out from the torturous pain. In fact, I think I did fade to unconsciousness, but when I felt a hand slap me across my cheek, the sting woke me, bringing me back to the realization that he was working his way up my body. This was going to be a long and painful process! How much more could I handle? How much could my body take before it gave out physically? I suppose I had no choice but to wait and find out.

"Yes, I will give Vanessa the fucking she deserves. And often. You know once she has me, you'll be just a memory." I could tell Viktor was thoroughly enjoying himself and I nearly choked when he dropped his pants to reveal the largest cock I had ever seen in my life. Figures. Did EVERYONE have a larger dick than me? Sighing, I hoped he was gentle with Vanessa at least. She did not deserve to be mistreated by the man. She was a good woman, despite being a Curser and a great mother to my daughter. At the thought of Alera being in the man's possession, I began to shudder slightly, as much as I could do under the circumstances. 

"Ppppppphhhh." I formed a few insults I had picked up from Dog, but of course, I could not say them. Viktor must have misunderstood my intent as he began to go down a different path.

"How can my curses work on you? Is that what you ask?" He took a moment to stroke his elongating cock, wrapping two meaty paws around it and still not able to contain the monster. "I may be a Level 3, but I have always been more powerful than Level 4's. I had bumped into Vanessa after she had had her little encounter with you. She let me get close to her and told me her story of how you had fucked and nearly had killed her, leaving her without the ability to curse any longer as well as curses not working on her. I took great interest in this, but she ran when I had cursed her. She had no idea that it had been my curse that had hurt her, but it confirmed my suspicions – you both are not immune to my special curses. And with that, I shall have so much fun." He grinned maliciously. "And when your daughter is of age, I shall make her my mate as well. It won't be bad to have two: mother and daughter. It'll be fun." 

I practically saw red when he said the last thing to me. I began to fight so hard, ignoring the new wave of pain it brought my ankle and foot as I fought the invisible bindings that held me in place. I was surprised I hadn't fallen over, but the curse was so powerful that my muscles had locked me in place. Would he continue? If my leg was busted, could the muscles still hold me up? I had to get free! I couldn't let the man do the things he said he would do to my family! But how? I was as weak and helpless as a baby.

"Ohh yeah... mmmmm..." Viktor continued to beat off, building up to release. I knew he was aiming at me with the rod. I knew he would further serve to humiliate me by squirting his jizz all over me and from the looks of his ball sack, it would be quite a bit. I thought perhaps it would be better for him to break my body instead of squirt his junk on me. I was so incensed, so angry, so humiliated that if I had been released I would have killed the man with my bare hands. 

"Motherfucker!" The voice from behind Viktor was recognizable and I would have let out a cry of dismay if I had had muscles to do so when I saw Dog charging toward us both. No! I couldn't stand to lose Dog too! But I blinked in surprise when Dog leaped up and grasped the man's hardened dick in his mouth, teeth tearing into the meaty portion easily. Viktor let out a strangled cry and would have cursed Dog, but from practically nowhere dogs of all shapes, colors and sizes began to flood the area around the big man. I could hear nothing from him as a large and scruffy beast had attached itself to his vocal chords, effectively silencing any curses he would say. 

I knew the Curser was in trouble as his body was completely covered in biting, snarling animals, even a cat or two thrown into the fray, scratching at his eyes and face mercilessly. As soon as his life was done, his curse was released and I felt myself fall to the hard cement beneath me, taking the wind out of my sails as it did. I sat up quickly, grasping my ankle in agony. I had to endure Dog's incessant bragging as I used him to help me stand. He remained still as I pushed myself up, but complained noisily as I did since it brought him a little discomfort.

"Thanks Dog." I told the mutt as he let me limp to the smashed and mangled car. But the torn seats were empty. Alarmed, I began to walk to the big metal beast, staggering to a halt when I saw the thick door opening upward. Vanessa stood at the portal of the door, staring past me in horror as the dogs competed over bits that were left of Viktor. I smiled at my woman, grateful she was all right and she frowned when she saw my head wound that I had forgotten all about. 

"Are you all right?" She asked as she slid her arm around me to help me limp into the monolithic vehicle. I nodded and then patted my leg to summon Dog to me. The vehicle was well stocked and perfect for a trip outside of the city. I would use it.

"Dog stay." 

"What? Why?" I felt a sadness that I had no right to feel at his words. 

"Dog stay. Find friends." I understood then, looking past him and seeing a handful of dogs still remaining. The rest had dispersed, taking Viktor's bones with them to gnaw on later. I limped back to the mutt and wrapped my arms around his shaggy neck.

"Dog my friend." I mumbled into his neck, giving him my farewell. I patted his head and watched him prance away, affectionately licking the face of a brindle-colored bitch as he did. He had found a mate and it made me happy to see it. But I could not help but worry about him. Living in Surface City couldn't be easy for a dog of any kind, much less a talking one. 

"Take care, Dog." I called out to him, smiling as I did.

"Suck it, Alex." I knew he meant well with his words and laughed slightly as I eased into the driver's seat; I would take time to bless-heal myself later, once we were out of the city. The motor purred like a cat's throat and it wasn't long before we were making our way slowly down the unevenly paved road – heading to the outer rim of the city and then, finally, out of the main gate. 

I was not going to return us to the human village where we had enjoyed ourselves for the short amount of time we were there; no, that would be too dangerous for the humans. I had to take us somewhere just the three of us could live without any interference. I could not risk having Alera exposed again. The next time, I knew someone even worse could find her. I could risk that happening again, and so we made our way to a huge mountain range far away from any civilization. 




Mixed Blessings Ch. 10



I knew it would be difficult, but in my eyes, I saw that we had no choice. No matter how much we would try to make things right by using Alera, we would still be using her power and that was simply too dangerous. Isolation was the only way. I could bless us with plenty of food and water, Vanessa could protect us with her curses – we would be all right.

And so we established our little home in the side of the mountain. And when Vanessa and I made love, we timed our orgasms. As long as we did such, nothing bad ever came from it. In fact, just the opposite - Vanessa later brought an adorable little tanned skinned redheaded boy, Alec, into the world from one such union. His eyes were a normal chocolate brown coloring and he was the cutest thing next to Alera I had ever seen. 

I wondered what the future would hold in store for my son and daughter.

Would we be able to survive alone just the four of us? 

I guess we would find out....

************

So, I suppose if you are listening to this, you probably know that I am gone. 

You cannot find me. Don't even try.

How do I shut this thing off. Oh here---

*Click*

****************

The End! Thanks so much for reading and all of the wonderful comments and emails! It was my pleasure bringing this story to you. :)