Chapter 34: The Whore of Babylon

Monday, July 22nd, 3:27 AM - Babylon Residence, Seattle, WA

"Push, Karen!" Chantelle shouted as she gripped my hands.

I was confused, in pain. I had been in labor for nearly a day and I was so tired. The last few weeks had been a blur as I drifted in and out of consciousness. I didn't know where I was or, more importantly, where Master and Mistress were. I was being cared for by Lana and Chantelle, the missing sex slaves, in a strange house. Whenever I felt strong enough to ask, the women would deflect my questions, or tell me I just missed Master or Mistress. I was scared, the pregnancy was going too fast and I was too weak to do anything. I had hazy memories of Willow telling me Lilith's child grew inside me.

"Master!" I shouted desperately. "Mistress, I need you, please!" The contraction came on me in a wave of pain and I pushed, straining with every fiber of my being to deliver my child.

"I can see the head," Lana said encouragingly. "One more push, Karen, you're doing so well."

I took a deep breath, my head swimming. I was so weak. I concentrated, felt the next contraction come upon me, squeezing my insides, and I screamed and pushed. The pain was so much I thought I was going to die. "Master!" I cried out. And then the baby was out and I could hear a loud, healthy cry and I relaxed and everything started to grow black. I was so tired. But the child was delivered, I could rest now. My eyelids were so heavy and I didn't fight them, I was just too tired, and allowed myself to drift away.

I was drifting, drifting, drifting.

Off into the darkness.

When I awoke, I was surrounded by a gray mist on gray stone.

What was going on? I stood up. The pain, the fatigue, were all gone. I didn't feel anything. I peered around; in every direction I could just see more oppressive mist. "Hello!" I called, hoping someone would hear me.

Nothing.

I whirled about, straining to see something in the vast fog. But there was nothing. Just gray mist, swirling in strange eddies. I shouted again, wondering if I was dreaming? Maybe I should start walking? But where, there's nothing here. I turned slowly around, trying to find something to point my way when I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned quickly to my right, straining to see. There was something there. Was it just the mist swirling? I frowned, watching the pattern. No, there was something dark forming in the mist. The something resolved into a vaguely human form. I took a deep breath and started walking forward, towards the figure.

"Chasity?" I asked as the mists parted, exposing the blonde woman. She was naked, her round breasts jiggling as she walked. A sad smile was on her face.

"I'm sorry, Karen," Chasity said as she hugged me. Her body was warm against mine. I hugged my sister-slut back, fiercely, enjoying the feel of her breasts on mine.

"What are you sorry for?" I asked as she broke the hug.

"You're dead, Karen."

I blinked. "What?" That can't be possible. I just went to sleep. Right?

Chasity grabbed my hand and led me into the mist. "We're waiting over here."

"Waiting for what?"

"Master and Mistress," Chasity answered. "When they die, we will be reunited with them. Until then, all we can do is wait and watch over them."

There were six other women waiting and each of them hugged me warmly and kissed my lips gently. We were all sisters, here, and I sat down with them to watch and wait. It wasn't so bad. I had company, very pleasant company I realized, as a woman with dirty-blonde hair and green eyes nuzzled at my breasts. And one day I would be reunited with those I loved again. Smiling, I laid my head in Chasity's lap as the blonde bodyguard kissed her way down to my pussy.

Monday, July 22nd, 5:31 AM – Kurtz Farm, Madison, WI

I stood in a pasture, awaiting sunrise.

Today, Brandon, today, you will finally have the power to destroy Mark Glassner and rescue Desiree. I spent all day Sunday feverishly reading Professor Scrivener's translation of the Magicks of the Witch of Endor. I hadn't slept in two days but I didn't even feel tired. I was too excited. The day had finally come. Everything had to work perfectly this morning. I killed Professor Scrivener very early Sunday morning and no-one had found his body, yet. That would change today, the weekend was over, in a few hours students and staff would be filling-up the campus.

I could not fail. I needed to perform the summoning properly. I needed to make my Pact before the authorities tracked me down. Before Mark Glassner tracked me down. The bastard was hunting me. He had sent Doug Allard, my P.I., after me in France. To kill me. Mark knew I was threat, but once I made my Pact, I would be beyond his powers.

I would hunt him.

I had already killed the heifer. My hands and clothes were splattered with its blood. I never had to kill and butcher an animal before. The cow just let me walk up to it and shoot it in the head with a rifle while it stared stupidly at me, chewing on some grass. Then I drew a knife and set about butchering the cow. It was hard work, the animal's hide was tough, but I managed to hack off a chunk of flesh from its flank, in the end. The other cows had moved off, disturbed by the blood, and were now placidly grazing a half-mile away. The sky was lightening as dawn approached. I lit the charcoal barbecue I had brought, almost burning my hand as the flames leapt up. Probably too much lighter fluid, I realized. Well, better safe than sorry. I picked up the bloody beef and prepared to throw the hunk onto the coals.

To summon Lucifer, according to the Book, the flesh of a heifer must be burnt as an offering and the correct words spoken. I hovered over the grill, waiting for that first golden ray to appear on the horizon. The sky grew lighter and lighter, and then the sun appeared, a sliver of liquid gold appearing behind a small hill.

"The Shining One, Son of the Morning," I called out, dropping the beef into the flames, "I give this pleasing offering of flesh and ask that you appear before me." The meat sizzled and popped as the fire consumed it and the delicious aroma of beef filled my nose. "The Shining One, Son of the Morning, appear before your humble servant so that he may beg three favors from you!"

The light of the rising sun began to blind me as more of that golden disk appeared from behind the hill. I flinched, holding up my hand to shield my eyes. Something moved in the light, coming closer. I squinted, shifting my hand around, trying to make out what it was. Was it just my imagination? No, there was something there. Someone. I squinted, trying to make out the figure walking towards me. Was it the farmer? Or, did the summoning actually work?

"Hello?" I asked, hesitantly, fear gripping my heart and a cold sweat breaking out across my body.

"Hello, Brandon Fitzsimmons," a man asked with a pleasant voice. "It has been a long time since such a fine offering has been made to me." I could hear the man inhale deeply, a smile curling his lips as he savored the scent. "Hmm, USDA grade beef. Delicious. I so miss the old ways."

The sun was out of my eyes, suddenly. The man was close enough to me to eclipse the sun. I blinked my eyes, a bright, blue afterimage filling my sight. The figure was a well dressed-man in a black suit, haloed by the sun, almost like he was the sun, a dark sun that shone brightly. He was handsome with dark hair and a friendly smile on his lips. His eyes were scarlet and I felt a chill run through me.

"I wish to deal with you, Lucifer," I said with more confidence then I felt.

"Of course," Lucifer smiled. "Three wishes for your soul. A fair deal, I think."

"The same deal you gave Mark Glassner," I stated, angrily.

He nodded, unconcerned with my anger. "A remarkable young man."

"My first wish is for Mark to die."

Lucifer sighed. "Alas, I made an agreement with Mark for a long, healthy life. I can't just go and break my own deals. That is not good business. I think you could understand that, Mr. Fitzsimmons."

"What, I can't kill him?" I asked in surprise. "Even on my own?"

"Well, you can try," Lucifer shrugged. "He's already survived one assassination attempt. Of course, I never promised him a pleasant or comfortable life. Just a long one."

I frowned. Well, nothing worth doing was easy. And the thought of prolonging Mark's suffering, extending it for years and years, was a pleasant one. He deserved a lifetime of agony for his crimes. I was a careful man. I was prepared for this setback. I studied the Book, reading it over and over again, for the last twenty-four hours. If I wished for the ability to control people, there were limitations. Mark could just override my commands with his power or a Nun could hijack my Thralls. The only way to stop that was the Zimmah ritual, but I couldn't perform that spell without a living mother; she had been dead fifteen years. But, I had an idea to get around that problem.

"Then, my first wish is to be immune to another person's control." I would never be under another man's control again. I would never sit by while a man steals my wife, fucks her in front of me, and sends me on my way like a fucking errand-boy.

Lucifer nodded. "A wise choice."

"Second, I wish for people to obey me unquestioningly." I took a deep breath. Hopefully, this would work. "For my third wish, I want anyone under my control to be bound to me by the Zimmah ritual."

The grin on Lucifer's face broadened. "How very interesting." He pursed his lips in consideration. "I applaud your strategy, Mr. Fitzsimmons. It has been a long time since I dealt with a mortal with such foresight. We have an agreement." There was a flash of scarlet light and a contract appeared in Lucifer's hand.

I took it from him, and read it very, very carefully. I wasn't about to get caught by some fine-print trickery. My three wishes were all clearly written just the way I had spoken them. The price was my soul, cheap enough; I was going to hell, anyways, I figured. "Agreed," I said and Lucifer held out an old-fashioned fountain pen and pricked my thumb. I signed in my blood and Lucifer signed in his.

"Well, I'll be going. Unless you have any questions, Mr. Fitzsimmons?"

I shook my head and there was a flash of scarlet and he was gone.

I did it! Relief and exultation flooded through me. I was Mark's equal, now. I licked my lips, realizing just what that meant. People were claiming that Mark was a God. Did that make me a God? Why not, Mark was just some dumb kid who barely knew how to use his powers. He could be ruling with an iron fist instead of playing at democracy. I would school Mark on just how power should be wielded.

The crack of the gun startled me. "Keep your hands up, sicko!" roared a man.

I looked behind me to see a man approaching from a rust-colored pick-up truck, a rifle leveled at me. He must be the farmer, I realized. I smiled; as if this man could harm me. I was a God. I could see someone behind him, standing by the truck, long, blonde hair streaming behind her in the breeze. My smile broadened; I hadn't had a woman in a month, not since Mark stole my Desiree from me. Time to use my wish.

"Freeze!" I roared and the farmer and the woman froze in place.

I strode forward in anger. The man had shot at me. He could have killed me! I could see the fear in the man's eyes as his body refused to move. He was an older man, late forties, his face was tan leather, his eyes a piercing blue. I reached the man, stared into his eyes. This was power! I could do anything! No one can stop me! I glanced at the woman, she was young, maybe seventeen or eighteen, the same blue eyes shining with fear. She was frozen, too, wearing a flannel shirt, the tails tied together, exposing a flat, tan stomach. Well-worn jeans hugged her round hips.

I glanced at the man. "Kill yourself," I ordered and strode forward to the girl. I didn't flinch at the gunshot and I smiled at the horror in the daughter's eyes. I stroked her cheek. "He deserved to die," I told her. "He dared to shoot at your God. You shall be my whore, so kneel down and suck your God's cock."

"My Lord," the girl said in awe as she knelt before me. Her hands shook as she unzipped my pants. She trembled as she drew my cock out, stroking it between her gentle fingers. I moaned as her lips kissed the tip of my dick. I didn't remember the last time a woman sucked my cock. Desiree never would. That would change. Desiree would be the perfect wife no matter how many times I would have to chastise her. The blonde teen's mouth opened and I slid my cock in. Her teeth grazed my tip and I winced in pain.

"Stupid cunt!" I shouted and chastised her hard with the back of my hand, snapping her head back. "Watch the teeth, you stupid bitch!"

"I'm so sorry, my Lord," she whimpered and quickly sucked my cock back into her mouth. This time, her teeth didn't graze my cock.

I gripped her blonde hair and started fucking my cock into her sucking mouth. She was so wet and warm. I closed my eyes, enjoying the blowjob. My balls were boiling over, it wouldn't be long before I came. Gripping her head, I shoved her face down my cock until I felt the back of her throat. I held her head tightly, then roughly shoved my cock down her throat until her lips kissed my crotch. She struggled, gagging and choking on my cock as it filled her throat. Her arms flailed as I fucked her mouth. Shit, this was so fucking amazing! This was power! I could feel my balls tighten and I shot my cum down her throat.

She lay coughing on the ground, her face red as she struggled to breathe. "You pleased me," I told the girl.

"Thank you, God," she answered, reverently.

"What's your name?"

"Ashley."

"Well, Ashley, you get to be my first..." What was that word. "My first concubine."

A smile crossed her lips. "Thank you, my Lord."

"Get those shorts off," I commanded, my cock, amazingly, still hard. I couldn't remember the last time I was ready to go so quickly. Not since I was in college, I guess. Or high school, maybe. "I'm gonna fuck your cunt raw!"

She screamed as I shoved my cock inside her cunt, tearing through her hymen. She was dry, inside, and that just made it feel rough and pleasant on my cock as I fucked her hard; I pounded her virgin, teenage cunt, reveling in the pleasure that engulfed my cock. Fuck, I had to find more virgins to fuck! This is amazing!

Monday, July 22nd, 5:24 PM – Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

My new wife, Mary, was wrapped in my arms as we stared out at Paris from atop the Eiffel Tower.

We arrived in Paris last night to start our two-week-long honeymoon in Europe. When we woke up this morning, huge crowds had gathered in front of our hotel. On one side were the Believers and on the other side the protestors. In-between were the Paris police. So I gave an impromptu speech. Most of the Parisian protestors understood English and by the end they were our supporters.

Before we left for Europe, I had made a few calls to get the local police under our control and they had been extremely helpful in keeping the crowds back as we played tourists in Paris. Mary was determined to see every art museum and we spent most of the day wandering the Louvre. Mary was positively girlish as she gushed over the art. To end our day, we had the police close the Eiffel Tower so that we could enjoy it in peace. I could just hear the believers gathered below that had followed us all day.

It was beautiful up here. Paris was laid out before us, the Seine winding through the lit-up city. It was a gorgeous, romantic view with tree-lined boulevards that glowed green and magnificent landmarks shining brightly: the Arc de Triomphe, the glass pyramid of the Louvre, Notre Dame rearing up in all its Gothic majesty, and many other beautiful buildings and churches. But it all paled compared to the beauty of my wife nestled in my arms. I brushed her auburn hair off her pale neck and kissed the nape of her neck below her ear.

"Mmm," she murmured, wiggling in my arms. "Don't stop, Mark."

I nuzzled her neck and nibbled at her ear. I slipped my hand down and rubbed her silky thigh below her short skirt. "Do you like it when I do this, Mare" I asked as I moved my hand up under her skirt and gently teased her smooth pussy.

"I do," she purred. Her ass swayed and rubbed pleasantly against my hardening cock. She gasped as my finger brushed her clit.

I slowly diddled her clit with my finger while my other hand moved up her side and found her perky breast. I gave it a squeeze through her bodice then pulled the strap of her dress off her shoulder, pushing the bodice down so I could play with her bare breast. Mary moaned in appreciation as my fingers found her hard nipple and gave it a gentle pinch.

"Umm, that feels great, Mark," Mary moaned. I slid my hand lower, using the heel of my hand to grind against her clit as I gently pushed two fingers up inside her wet pussy. My wife gasped, "Finger fuck me! Umm, make your naughty filly cum!"

"Gladly, Mare," I whispered then started kissing and sucking at her neck as I slid my two fingers in and out of her sucking cunt. I could feel the passion growing through her body, the way she began to tense as her orgasm neared. I pumped my fingers faster inside her, pinching her hard nipple. "Cum for me, Mare."

"Yes, yes! Oh, I love you, Mark!" she cried out as her passion overwhelmed her. My fingers were massaged by her orgasming cunt and her plump ass ground back into my hard cock deliciously. "Oh, fuck, that was great!" She turned in my arms and kissed me soundly on the lips. "Umm, how should I return the favor? My mouth." She grinned, licking her lips. "My wet pussy, maybe? Ohh, maybe my naughty little ass?"

I grinned at her, reaching around to grope her ass. "What do you think?"

"I think my new husband wants to fuck my naughty ass," she giggled. "But, he needs to get me nice and ready back there."

Mary turned back around and I knelt down, pushing up her short, flowery skirt, exposing her pale, plump ass. I kissed each cheek, rubbing their pillowy softness against my face, before I spread her open. I fond her tight anus and placed my lips on it, sucking and licking. Mary purred as I pushed my tongue at her sphincter, slowly forcing my tongue past the tight ring and tasting the sour flavor of her ass.

"Umm, I love it when you rim me," cooed Mary, then she gasped playfully as I slipped two fingers up inside her juicy cunt.

I let those fingers soak in her cunt, getting a good coating of her savory lube, before I pulled out and pushed those two fingers into her tight ass. I slid them deep into her bowels, fucking them in and out as her ass gripped them tightly. Mary looked over her shoulder at me, a happy smile on her face. She was ready.

I stood up, slipped my cock into her tight pussy, fucking in and out of her just a few times. I almost wanted to stay in her pussy, she felt so amazing, but I wanted her tight ass right now. I pulled out, and Mary sighed in disappointment. I adjusted my cock, lined up at her sphincter, and pushed slowly into her ass. Mary's disappointment faded as I filled her asshole; she loved it up the ass, too. I moaned as my cock disappeared inside the tight tunnel.

"Oh, fuck that's nice!" Mary cooed as my cock slid all the way into her ass. "Fuck me! Fuck my ass! Give your filly a good ride!"

I pulled back and thrust back into her, enjoying her tight embrace as I fucked her slowly. Mary pushed her hips back as I pounded her ass. I reached my hands around her and gripped her breasts, squeezing the firm, perky flesh and feeling her hard nipples between my fingers. Mary gasped every time I thrust into her, then turned her head and we kissed over her shoulder.

"Harder!" moaned Mary. "Give it to me hard, my randy stallion! I'm so close to cumming again!"

I pounded my wife's ass as hard as I dared; I didn't want to hurt her. She wasn't Xiu who got off on the pain. My strokes were becoming more frantic as my own cum approached. I was getting so close, just a few more strokes and I would be there. Plunging into her tight ass, my cock's sensitive head would rub against her hot bowels, sending pleasure shooting through my cock. Then I pulled out, delighting in the velvety feel of her asshole. Every stroke brought me closer and closer to cumming.

"Fuck!" I moaned. "Here it comes, Mare! Fuck!"

"Ohh, I can feel your hot cum filling me up!" moaned Mary as my release flooded her ass. Then I felt her ass clamp down on me and Mary's body trembling in my arms. "Ohh, I love it when you cum in me, Mark! Oh, I love it so much."

I held my wife as we relaxed in an orgasmic high, gently kissing her neck and cheek, and admiring the city of Paris laid out before us. "I love you so much," I whispered. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Mary sighed. "But, I think I owe you a cum. I'm one up on you."

I laughed as I pulled out of her ass. My wife knelt before me and started licking at my dirty cock. She usually had one of the sluts clean up my cock after its been in her ass, but sometimes she liked to do it herself. I closed my eyes and leaned against the railing with my arms and enjoyed my wife's excellent blowjob.

"Excuse me, sir," 51 said. "I know you didn't want any interruptions unless it was important."

I sighed as Mary released my cock. "What is it, 51?" I asked her as Mary stood up.

51, the temporary head of the bodyguards, walked forward. She was a beautiful Black woman, her ebony breasts almost spilling out of her half-unbuttoned cop blouse. She held my phone in her hand and I took it from her.

"Hello?" I asked.

"M-master!" wailed Alison. "I-it's Karen."

"She's back?" I asked, a sick feeling in my stomach. Lilith promised to return her unharmed, but then why was Alison crying?

"A hearse arrived today." Alison paused, struggling to speak. "Karen's dead."

I dropped the phone and leaned against the railing. "What is it, Mark?" Mary asked, in concern.

"Karen is dead."

As Mary sobbed into my chest, anger burned in my heart. Lilith tricked me, found some loophole in our agreement. Demons always found some way to fuck you. I racked my thoughts, struggling to remember what she said, exactly. I thought I made her promise not to hurt Karen, to return her unharmed. The memory of floating in the darkness, flooded my mind. I will do nothing to harm Karen, that's what she promised.

I realized my mistake. Lilith didn't promise to see that Karen was returned unharmed, she just promised not to be the one to harm her. I had been too afraid of dying, too afraid of Mary dying with me, to think it through. Goddamn fucking demons! I glanced at 51 who had picked up my phone and was standing at attention.

"We're going home," I ordered, anger heating my voice. "Contact every law enforcement agency under my control. I want them to find wherever Karen was being held, find the thing she birthed, and kill it! Lilith will regret tricking me. I will crush the bitch beneath my heel!"

"For Karen," Mary whispered, sadly, her arms tightening around my body. "Turn over every stone," my wife ordered, her voice thick with grief and anger. "Do whatever it takes!"

We buried Karen in the Woodbine Cemetery three days later, on the twenty-fifth, next to Chasity and the six bodyguards that died in June. The Cunningham twins performed the funeral, dressed somberly in modest, black dresses. Tiffany, Mary's mother, wept the loudest as we buried Karen. They were friends, I remembered. Karen was the Nun that rescued Tiffany from the Warlock that made her a slave.

Guilt and anger warred inside me as I stared at Tiffany. She was responsible for Chasity's death, just as I was responsible for Karen's death. I didn't mean for Karen to die, but that didn't change what happened. Tiffany didn't mean for Chasity to die. She was tricked by the angels into attacking us. Tricked just like me.

I hugged Tiffany and my mother-in-law stiffened in my arms for a moment, confused at the sudden gesture. I let go of the anger I had been holding onto, the misplaced rage. Tiffany was tricked by the angels, just like I was tricked by the demons. There were more important things to hate than Tiffany. "I forgive you," I whispered into her ear. Tears ran down my mother-in-law's face as I turned and walked back to the limo.

Mary caught up, slipping her arm about my waist. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze, pulling my wife tightly against my side. Leah was awaiting us at the limo, holding the door open as we climbed in. To my surprise, 51 slid in after us, holding a manila folder. "Sir, we've had our first lead on your missing slaves, Chantelle and Lana."

She handed us the folder. Inside were color photos of a lobby. They were security cam footage and you could make out black-haired Chantelle and blonde Lana easily enough. Then I blinked. Both looked incredibly pregnant. That was impossible. Mary was frowning, biting her lip.

"That looks like them," Mary muttered. "The blonde has the same blue streaks dyed in her hair like Lana had. But these women look nine months pregnant. That can't be right. It's only been a month and a half since we last saw them."

"Where is this from?" I asked.

"A funeral home in Seattle," 51 answered.

I frowned. "You don't mean..."

51 nodded. "These two women delivered Karen's body to the funeral home and ordered them to drive the body to the house." 51 hesitated, then added, "The staff at the funeral home, well, I think they were bewitched."

So, it wasn't the Nuns that got to Chantelle and Lana, it was Lilith. A dream I had awhile ago flooded back into my mind. In the dream, I was holding two dolls in my hand, one blonde and one with raven-black hair. Then Lilith appeared and ripped the dolls out my grip. The pain was so intense, so real, I woke up. Crap. I never gave that dream much thought. Just a nightmare brought on by the unease I felt around Lilith. I stared at photos of Chantelle and Lana and vowed to save them from Lilith's clutches.

"Find them and we'll find Lilith," I ordered 51.

"They are not to be harmed, either," Mary interjected. "Lana and Chantelle are ours."

"Yes, mam!" 51 saluted. "Chief Spencer of Seattle PD is on it."

Thursday, July 25th, 7:13 PM - Babylon Residence, Seattle, WA

I watched the Seyb ritual from the Shadow.

The very pregnant Lana led the ritual, her hand sliding the dildo in and out of her cunt. My child was growing in her womb. I smiled, another child grew in Lana's wife, Chantelle's womb, and both women were almost ready to give birth to the first of my new daughters. Tomorrow they would be born, I thought, just in time for me to welcome them in the flesh. My Vessel sat in the middle of the coven's circle. She looked thirteen, long silver hair fell across her flat back and across her chest. Her breasts were just starting to bud and her hips were just starting to fill out. Holding my Vessel's hands, naked as well, was the fiery red-head Mona.

The coven sat in a circle around them, chanting meaningless prayers to me. Power was all about the trappings. Lana pumped the dildo in and out of her cunt, her head thrown back. When she orgasms and utters Seyb a year of Mona's life will flow into my Vessel and age her. Thirteen willing women had already given a year of their lives to my Vessel and once Mona gave hers, it would be time for me to inhabit my Vessel and escape the Abyss.

I was still savoring the grief and anger of Mark Glassner as he buried that slut, Karen. I watched from the Shadows. I promised not to harm the little thing. And I did nothing to her. It was my Vessel that killed her, that sucked all the life-force from her just to be born. I just had to watch and wait and do nothing. And shortly, I would be free of the Abyss and I would increase Mark Glassner's suffering tenfold, a hundredfold. He would curse the day he ever made his Pact.

"Yes, yes!" Lana moaned as she fucked the dildo in and out of her cunt.

Her arms wrapped around her pregnant belly. Her breasts were large, nipples pierced with gold rings, and heaved with passion. I could smell her arousal into the Shadow. A tangy, tart musk that smelled so sweet to my nostrils. Nothing smelled better than a woman's lust. The blue, plastic cock was almost a blur as Lana pumped it in and out of her hungry cunt with one hand while the other diddled her clit.

"Oh my Goddess!" Lana screamed as her body went rigid. "Seyb!"

I could see the energy flow out of Mona and into my Vessel. For Mona, nothing seemed to change. Aging one year at thirty-one produced very little difference. My Vessel, on the other hand, aged from thirteen to fourteen. She grew a few inches in height, her breasts budded into little, apple-sized mounds. Her flat hips grew some curves and a sparse down of silvery pubic hair sprouted about her mound.

Mona leaned in and kissed the Vessel on the lips. My Vessel just sat motionless. No will animated the body, yet. The Vessel had finally reached enough maturity to be inhabited and I moved through the Shadows to it. I reached out, straining to touch my Vessel. Chains were holding me back, tearing at my soul with cruel barbs. The chains of my imprisonment, somehow they knew I was trying to escape. The Vessel moved for the first time on its own, reaching out its hands towards me. It was empty, yearning to be filled, and it sensed the one thing that could fill it.