Page 28 of Demanding Discord
“What are you smiling about?” The melodic tone of her voice drew me from my thoughts.
“I didn’t realize I was,” I said.
She held her thumb and forefinger close together. “Just a little bit.”
I chuckled. “I am in awe at the way things have transpired.”
“If by things, you mean a light witch playing house with a demon, so am I.” She placed three more bottles into her bag and zipped it shut before filling a bowl with water and carrying it to the table.
The sprinkling of herbs she dropped into the water floated atop the surface, and she set a purple candle on either side of the bowl. “I’m so glad Hecate’s kitchen is stocked. I left most of what I took from the seer at her altar as an offering.” She arched a brow. “Then you destroyed the whole temple.”
“Hmph.” I crossed my arms. “I had help.”
“I know. I’m just giving you a hard time.” She sank into the chair across from me and shot flames toward the candles, igniting the wicks before leaning her forearms on the table. Her position pressed her breasts together and upward, drawing my gaze.
“Indeed, you are.” I adjusted my growing dick through my pants.
“Down, boy.” She laughed. “As much as I would like to find out just how hard of a time I could give you, we need to focus.”
“Right,” I said. “What do you need me to do?”
She laid her hands on the table, palms up, and curled her fingers in a give me motion. “I’m going to scry again, and you’re going to share your power with me. That’s how we found Hecate last time.”
“Except we didn’t find her.” I placed my hands in hers, the soft, warm skin of her palms reminding me of the way her naked body had felt wrapped in my arms. “We found a trap set by Tumult. Perhaps he manipulated your vision somehow. He had been hiding, watching our adventure unfold, and waiting to strike.”
“Hmm.” She pressed her lips into a hard line. “Well, he’s dead now, so we don’t have to worry about that. If you can think of another way to find her, I’m open to suggestions.”
I shook my head. Unfortunately, I had no inkling of where the goddess might be. “Proceed.”
“We call on the goddess Hecate, mother of magic, ruler of the night. Allow us to find you and end our plight. As I will it, so mote it be.” She squeezed my hands. “Magic, please.”
At her request, I opened myself to her, allowing what little power I had left to cross the barrier of skin and seep into her psyche. She inhaled quickly at first, and then she took a deep, slow breath.
The tightness around her eyes softened as she stared into the bowl, the energy in the room shifting slightly as she slipped into the scrying trance. Her expression blanked, and I reached out with metaphorical fingers, caressing the tether that bound us, searching for her consciousness.
All I found was static. Only witches could perform this feat of magic, and though my magic helped her go deeper, I could see nothing of her vision.
Five minutes of silence passed before shouts sounded from outside. I twisted in my seat, craning my neck in an attempt to see out the window without letting go of Cinder’s hands. Her breathing grew quicker, shallower, and sweat slicked her palms, but I couldn’t tell if the distress came from her vision or from the commotion on the street.
More shouting ensued, along with the sounds of fists hitting bodies and the grunts and groans of those engaged in the quarrel. It was nothing unusual for this town. This place had always attracted the vilest, most unintelligent beings in the realm. It was a cesspool of the stereotypes who gave my species a bad name.
The shouting grew louder, and hoof steps clacked on the stone walk leading toward the house. It appeared, even with Hecate’s magic shielding this house, we were about to have visitors. I closed my eyes and sent another pulse of magic into Cinder, hoping to speed her vision along.
“Too much,” she wheezed, and I reeled it in.
“It seems we’ve been discovered.” I attempted to release her hands, but she tightened her grip.
“I need more time.”
“I’m not going in there. That place is cursed,” a gruff voice sounded from outside. “Banazar foamed at the mouth for three weeks when he tried.”
“We don’t have more time,” I said.
“Just a little.” She squeezed me tighter and sucked in a deep breath, furrowing her brow in concentration.
“I’ll do it,” another demon said two seconds before he let out an agonizing wail and thudded onto the ground.
“Cinder.” I shook her hands, trying to bring her out of the trance. She didn’t respond.
