#shadowyRy

[shadowyryot]

On the prowl.

{After two days of throwing an epic tantrum behind the closed doors of my bedroom, it was time to rejoin the world. I had 5 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days left of this punishment of mine and I wasn’t going to wallow away like some spoiled princess for the duration. Sure, I had no powers left and ok, so my voice made me sound like I was a meek little kitten, but that didn’t mean anything. I could still kick ass and take names. I showered and dressed to kill, literally. I had my favorite daggers strapped to each thigh within easy reach, a skirt with two concealed slits all the way to the hips, a pair of knee higher leather boots that each had a blade hidden in the leather, my top was skimpy, barely concealing anything, which often worked as a perfect distraction, especially once I finished piling my hair up to exaggerate the exposed skin on display. I had enough money in the one account I had access too, plus cash squirreled away around the house so I didn’t have to run right out and get a job. No, instead I wanted to play first. Tonight I was going to see what I was still capable of, then I’d worry about what the next six months had in store for me.

I called for a ride using one of the app services on my phone, then waiting oh so very patiently for Micah B. to pull up in his little red Elantra. My first impression when I slid into the car was how very normal he looked, probably faded into the background every where he went, most likely wouldn’t even be missed if he disappeared. I’d have to wait though. I couldn’t manipulate information or anything right now, couldn’t make it look like I was never here. No, I’d have to be smarter about it. I leaned between the seats as he spoke, asking me where I was going, who I was meeting, things of that nature. I would be worried if I didn’t think I could dispose of the body quicker than he could react. His eyes kept straying to the rear view mirror where he was getting an eyeful of my cleavage and I gave an extra big sigh before I shook my head and went into some sad tale of being new around here and looking for a good time. With my breathy voice and sad words, I could see him falling under my spell. It was just as easy as a human it seemed. At least for those with weak minds and ulterior motives.

I trailed my fingernail along the column of his throat as I memorized his drivers details he had displayed. I hoped it was accurate, it would make this so much easier since I would be unable to track him. We were getting closer to downtown, to the destination I’d randomly chosen when I ordered the car. I glanced out the window then met his eyes in the mirror. By the time he pulled up in front of the club, we had arranged to meet up in a few hours. What ever happened then, nothing would be linked or traceable back to either of us. I slid from the back seat and gave him a little finger wave before I made my way inside. The music was vibrating through me and with each step deeper into the club I could feel myself falling deeper under its spell. Bodies moved almost hypnotically around the room and I found myself moving with the beat. Hips swaying, I squeezed between hard bodies, soft bodies, bodies of every shape and size, gender didn’t matter, not to me or my wandering fingers as I touched the bared skin as I passed. Soft, hot, hard, sweaty, smooth, it was all intoxicating. All that flesh, the hormones, the desires and the needs. Sure, I wasn’t a demon anymore, I didn’t feel it the same as I did only a few weeks ago, but it was still there, that soft hum under my skin. I avoided the bar for now, alcohol wasn’t exactly what I was craving at the moment. I moved along the dance floor, almost hypnotically, until I found a perfect specimen to play with. Dark hair, tall enough to climb like a tree, with some nice thick muscles to trace out with my tongue, and he moved like the music was part of him. Any man who could work their hips like that…yes, please. I took in those dancing with him, determining the competition and realized that while all were chasing, none had snagged him yet. Not that it would have stopped me. Not much ever did. He lifted his gaze from the blonde grinding against him and our eyes locked. I could almost feel the pull within me. Something twitched in the back of my brain but I pushed it aside as I made my way closer. His lips curved up in to a sinful grin, he reached out and pushed his dancing partner off to the side then stepped closer until we met in the center of the dance floor. His hand settled on my waist and heat radiated through me. I slid my hand up his broad chest and pressed close as he leaned down, his lips brushing against my earlobe as he spoke so quietly that I wasn’t sure I heard him correctly. “I’ve been waiting for you, Ryot. All nice and humanized, ripe for the taking…” I tried to push back, to get away, but his arm had tightened around my waist and I wasn’t nearly as strong as I was used to being. He chuckled soft and the room faded away, literally.

I blinked and tried to pull away again as the chilled night air whipped through me, I stopped immediately when I realized I was inches from stepping off the bluff overlooking the lake. I squeaked and pressed closer to the male holding me. I wasn’t stupid, I knew that drop would kill me right now. I just needed to think. I could do this. His hand brushed through my hair, even as I remembered the blades at my thighs. I reached down with my free hand and the hold in my hair tightened mere seconds before that same hold was used to spin me out. He yanked me back, his chest pressed tight against my back. His hand that had been on my waist reached down to thighs, quickly pulling both daggers free and chucking them out into the water. I cursed softly under my breath and cringed when his soft lips brushed my skin again, “None of that, mea parvum daemonium. I have plans for us.” One hand curled around my throat, and the one at my waist held me close as I was walked backwards. The sky blinked away as we entered a cave that wasn’t really a cave but an entrance into some weirdly elaborate underground dwelling.  Shadowed flames danced along the walls and our footsteps echoed on the marble tiling. I tracked every step and took note of every room that we passed through as I plotted my escape. At least as well as I could before the rooms went fuzzy. The man chuckled every so often, his voice floated in and out of my ear, numbness settled in my bones and soon, soon it was just whiteness.}

[shadowyryot]

Paying the Price

{I collected the soul as well as a few bags of liquor, weed, and gossip rags, then began the trek skyward. It was a weird way to travel to get from Hell to Heaven, there were a lot of twists and turns along the way because neither wanted anyone to accidentally stumble into the realms. You had to know where to look, which shimmer in the space just out of the corner of your eye, follow that low hum that seemed to come from nowhere, ignore that instinct that tells you to turn away. All of those were signs you were close to a pathway. None were direct even if one managed to stumble onto one. It had taken me decades to memorize the route I had, and even that changed slightly each time. It was almost like the moving staircases in that wizard movie that was so popular. Again, I just had to remember what to look for because that always stayed the same. Even if it was two lefts instead of a left and a right or duck under the limb of the old elm tree rather than hop over it. I never figured out who was responsible for guarding or changing the pathways, whether it was my side or those above. Maybe this was one of those weird things they worked together on, who knows. Either way, I had learned to navigate the system which allowed me to smuggle things in and out of both places for favors.  Some things earned me a healthy payday but this was definitely not one of them. It just made other things I did that much easier.

The soul was quiet as we moved which was unusual. Most liked to chatter at least, figure out where they were going, for how long, what the latest gossip top side was, something. Sometimes they were…not exactly violent but they were mischievous. This taste of freedom had them longing for more. A trip to the earthy realm where they could force their way into some unsuspecting body. Thankfully, I’d not lost one since one of my first times doing this more than 200 years ago. Not that anyone found out about it because I tracked the fucker down and put him right back in his place. Still, it wasn’t something I wished to repeat. I enjoyed my way of life too much to let anyone fuck it up for me.

We were about three pathways away when I started to feel it. That thread of tension and apprehension. Something was brewing somewhere and it wasn’t going to be pretty. The shimmers grew almost violent in color, pulsing more and more. The rumblings, quiet at first, grew to almost deafening levels as I pulled the soul with me and started to run. If these paths splintered, who knew where the fuck we’d end up. Two paths to go, my head started to pulsate from within and my eyes widened. The soul I was transporting began to cackle and I knew I had fucked up. Still I ran. Harder, faster. My feet pounded the cobblestone pathway. The soul began to fight in earnest now, pulling me back with everything it had. Thankfully, it wasn’t much because I was still able to keep going. The final pathway was mere feet in front of me. I reached for it, giving myself that last little push, when it moved. I blinked and tried again, watching it flicker and shift just out of reach. I spun, looking for another path, noticing then the walls closing in. The soul was stronger now, fully forming and then...then that fucker Ashmodai appeared, fire dancing in his eyes…literally. I stumbled as I tried to step back but already a lick of fire flew from his fingertips, curling towards me. “Foolish female. Did you think we wouldn’t find out about your endeavors, Ryot?” Heat wound around my wrists and the smell of burning hair and flesh assaulted my senses. I stood stock still, chin tipping up defiantly to eye down the seven plus foot demon before me. I knew I was fucked, but I hoped I managed to keep the quiver of fear out of my voice when I finally spoke.} I’m a demon, I’m supposed to break the rules, Ashy.

{My knees hit the stones before I could blink. A foot pressed between my shoulder blades pushing me down. I glanced behind me to see one of Ashmodia’s minions gloating down at me and I couldn’t help myself} Aww, Molli, did you miss me? Even like this, I still won’t submit to you, you know that, right? Or are you just pretending to listen to Ashy since you’ve told me numerous times how you imagine his head adorning the doorway above your office?

{I blinked innocently at the growl from Ashmodai and then watched as Mollidas joined me on the ground. His teeth gnashed together and he glared at me, “You’re a fucking bitch, Ry.” I smiled sweet and nodded} That I am. Especially when I’m betrayed, Mol’s. You should have remembered that when you volunteered to take me down. You did volunteer, didn’t you? Pathetic.

{Ashmodai let out a low chuckle, “She’s not wrong, Mollidas, you are pathetic. Had I known there was history, I’d not have involved you. I suppose you will have to  be punished as well. Mores the pity.”  I was raised to my feet at the slightest touch, then lifted a few feet off the ground so I could look into Ash’s eyes. “You got cocky, Ryot. I have been waiting for you to slip up. You made too many mistakes in your dealings with Nija. You stopped being cautious and now I must make an example out of you. I cannot have others thinking they can get away with stealing my souls to bring to heaven.” He shuddered as he said the word and the utter disdain in his voice was practically visible. The flames in his eyes flickered subtly, then the grin on his face widened. That alone sent that frisson of fear tearing down my spine. A happy Ash was a dangerous Ash. I swallowed thickly} What will my punishment involve?

{He snapped his fingers with a bone chilling cackle and gone were the pathways and in its place was a pit that smelled of sulfur and copper, blood and death. Normally a smell I enjoy quite a bit, but right now, I wanted to be anywhere but here. I was secured by my wrists and ankles in the center of the room, hanging like some depraved artwork (a punishment I enjoyed inflicting on others), Molli was trussed up over a large pit that was so dark and deep, I had no idea what lie below. For a moment, I thought we’d been left here alone as our punishment, but then I felt the stir in the air. The cold sweep of a blade, flat side for now, scratching along my bared shoulders. My back felt cold, exposed and I glanced over my shoulder to see the fabric loosely dangling as though it’d been slit up the middle. At least I was still covered where it mattered. That was a plus. Ash was unusually creative with his punishments from what I have heard and I was not looking forward to seeing what he was going to do, but at least I knew he’d not touch me in that way. He muttered under his breath as he worked, recanting a number of my indiscretions, at least those that involved stealing souls from hell. He didn’t seem to have a problem when I worked the system the other way, funny that one. Or at least he didn’t. The blade just scored down my back again when the room flashed a vivid white and a female stood in the center, she was nearly as tall as Ash was but thanks to my current predicament, I saw her face clearly. Ice flashed in her eyes, her pale skin nearly translucent and glowing in the darkened room. Her gaze turned to Ash and she beckoned him around from behind me. “You are not the only one owed punishment for her crimes. She has tainted the hallways of heaven….” I snorted out a laugh and shook my head} Oh hon, I promise I’m not the first and I sure as fuck won’t be the last one to taint those h….

{I swallowed a gasp as her fingers clenched around my throat, her movements faster than a blur. “You may be correct, however you are the one we have been trying to catch, you are the one who will be an example for those to come.” Ash stepped forward then and pulled her hand from my throat, “We will have to work together, Amora. What do you suggest we do?” They stepped away from me then, going to the small corner opposite, heads bent together as they worked out the details. Occasionally one or the other would glance back at me then smile before going back to the conversation. I knew that didn’t bode well for me. Nope, not at all. I inhaled deeply and tried to call on my energy, teleportation didn’t work because I fucking sucked at it and ended up in the wrong place more often than not, but right now, nothing else was working either. Ash had muted my abilities which meant I had to try things a different way. I took another slow breath and focus, attention going to the corner long enough to see they were still plotting, then back to figuring my way out of this fucking mess. I stretched my fingers and arms, struggling to find a loose anything and thought I nearly had one when I heard the soft laughter and lifted my gaze to find them both staring at me in amusement. They spoke in tandem, each uttering a few parts of my punishment before the other would gleefully jump in. It was damn frightening when a demon and angel worked together. Each word from their lips filled me with dread. I shook my head, they couldn’t be serious. That was criminal. It went against the natural laws. I opened my mouth to argue but before I could utter a sound, my lips were sealed with crude sutures from out of nowhere. My eyes went wide then my vision went fuzzy. I screamed behind my sealed lips then, louder even when the blades dug into my shoulder blades, scraping the gone as they did. Then I felt the fingers and the dread, the dulling of everything. When they were finished, my back still dripped blood and I felt numb with it all. They smiled at me and lowered me to the ground. “What do you say, Amora, 6 months? Will that be suitable for her?” I squeaked behind my lips and shook my head fast enough to make me dizzy. Well it was either the shaking or the blood loss. She smiled and nodded, “6 Months sounds perfect. We will see if she learns her lesson then among the humans she so favors. Would you care to do the honors or shall I?” He bowed and waved her on. She stepped close, her fingers trailing through my hair, “Six months with your powers stripped, heaven and hell both sealed off to you. You will not be able to reach out to anyone. Any demon or angel who tries to aid you will be subsequently punished, and word will go out immediately about that. Most of your accounts are frozen for that time as most of your money was earned through illegal channels. Find a job among the humans you enjoy so much and live as they do. Maybe you will learn to follow through with what is expected of you.” She smiled sweetly and swiped her hand over my back to finally stem the flow of blood and then the room flipped on its axis and I was standing in my driveway. Everything was still…off. I blinked and rubbed at my eyes, my color had been stolen from me. My hand slipped over my mouth, rough edges where the sutures were prominent but at least my lips were free. I let out a scream of frustration but it came out strangled. My eyes went wide and I ran to the house, using my keypad to unlock the door then resetting the alarm before I ran to my room. I tried to speak but it was faint, just barely above a whisper. My voice and my vision, as well as my powers….those fuckers were going to pay, after all, I had six months to plot my revenge.}

[shadowyryot]

SL #1

{I should have read the contract better than I did. I knew this now as I stared down at the pathetic little mouth breather on the floor in front of me. This was not what I had agreed to. I shook my head and shoved my booted foot against the back of his neck, pushing his face to the floor} Would you just shut up, you little piece of filth, I’m trying to figure out what I am to do with you.

{He whimpered and by the way he squirmed I knew the kinky little fucker liked it. When I had agreed to pet sit for Nija in exchange for a soul I needed to smuggle out of hell and into heaven, this was not what I had in mind. I couldn’t even enjoy this one, not only because he belonged to a demon that I worked with, but because he was far too passive, too doughy, too whining for my tastes. I liked my pets to be feistier. I did not want them to whimper at the mere sight of my boots, I wanted them to have a spark so I could enjoy taking the fight out of them, then I’d leave them whimpering. Nija would owe me more than a soul if I had to listen to this shit for long. I snapped my fingers and the parchment formed between them. I perused it more carefully this time, damn near forgetting the male beneath my boot. At least until he whimpered again and I dug the sole of my boot harder against his neck to shut him up. My lips slowly curved into a grin as I worked through the details of the contract. Nija was a clever little bastard. All that fine print he had hidden in the contract was meant to work in his favor, shame for him his pet was annoying the fuck out of me and caused me to actually pay attention to all these tiny printed words.

I growled low when I got to the finest of the prints, if his pet was not executed by weeks end, Nija would have me as his. I shuddered hard at the thought. I’d caved one night half a century ago to his pleadings only to find out that I would rather take a rusty chainsaw to my vagina than to ever let him touch me again. He thought he could intimidate me into being a submissive little thing…which backfired on him tremendously. That whip he had brandished had a nice solid handle which fit perfectly up his ass. It made him scream like the hounds of hell were biting him and maybe that’s what it felt like when I shoved the entire ten inches of solid oak up his ass without lube and without hesitation. Since then, he discovered he liked shit a little rougher and he took it as a challenge he would be the one to tame me.

Nija knew I abhorred reading contracts. I tended to be more of a your word is your bond and I executed a good number of contracts that way, which was probably why he had insisted on this one printed as he had. I would follow through the contract, get what I needed from Nija and then I would make him pay. }

[shadowyryot]

Bad Dealings

{It took me three days to take care of Nija’s pet the way he wanted. I would have been done sooner, but as I had the time, I wanted to pull as much information out of him as I could. He was a treasure trove of it too. So many little secrets Nija would never want to get out and now they were mine. After I had every last little secret from the male, I had actually spared him some mercy and killed him quickly. He had earned it after all. His soul was now safely ensconced in a protected area of hell where Nija couldn’t reach it. Thankfully I knew of others who wanted Nija to go down and who owed me a favor. Plus, I had promised them that they could have first dibs on Nija’s soul when I was finished with him. After that, several had been all too eager to help me with my plans. The body was wrapped in plastic and carefully placed inside a box, which was then loaded into the back of my truck for delivery. I wasn’t used to having to deliver a body, most didn’t require the physical proof, but Nija had put those stipulations in place for a reason. More than likely it was another way to trip me up. He took a calculated risk with this move of his, too bad it was not going to pay off for him. I drove carefully, not wanting to draw any extra attention to me, not with the contents in the back. It took me a good hour to get to Nija’s country estate and before I could even wonder if he would be home, the gates opened at the end of the driveway to let me in. Obviously he was not only home, but also watching. I took the long winding path up and then pulled into the half circle drive that ran almost right up to the door where I parked. I hopped out and stretched my legs before I went around to the back to lower the lift gate. I managed to get it halfway down before the large double oak doors of the home opened and Nija came strolling out in his far too short black silky robe. I managed to suppress the shudder, but only just. How anyone thought that was a good look was beyond me. He reminded me of that old porn star with the bushy mustache and stringy hair of his. “Ryot, my dear, so nice of you to come visit.” He glanced towards the box and his smile faltered slightly, “What…you didn’t!” I turned to face him after dragging the box towards the edge of the gate. My smile was wicked and my voice deadly sweet.} Is this not what you wanted, Nijjy. All the parts are present and accounted for. See for yourself.

{Nija scrambled over and tore the top off the box. He let out a low gasp as he spun on his heels. “How…what made you..” His head shook and he stepped closer, eyes narrowing, “How did you know? The contract you signed…” My brow raised and I tipped my head as storm clouds began to form overhead} The contract I signed one? The one that changed after a few hours to benefit you? Yeah, I kinda figured that part out. You should know better than to try to fuck me over, Nija

{He laughed and took another step closer until he was nearly within reach. One could almost see the slime dripping from his words as he spoke. “You will never prove it, doll. It will be your word against mine since it should be reverting back any moment now. You will be mine and there’s nothing you can do about it. I own you. You’ve killed my pet and I want retribution for a new one.” He let out low laugh, “Also, that soul you wanted for this little exchange, it appears that I’ve accidentally sent him down the shredder.” He reached for me, his arm extending from him like some warped piece of plastic. “Stop fighting me, Ryot. You’ll finally see all I can offer you and we can start a little flock of demonshifters. With our combined abilities, we will be able to take over our own level of hell.” His hand slid around my back and I could no longer withhold the shudder. I grabbed his wrist and fire burst from my fingertips. He fought and screamed but I held firm as his flesh burned beneath my grin} That’s where you’re wrong, Nija. I will never be yours. In fact, no one will because tonight will be your last night of existence.

{He laughed between his howls of pain. “You can’t. I have power and you have nothing.” It was my turn to laugh and something moved in the back of the truck. Nija flinched as my chains slid from the lockbox and wound around his neck before he could react. His skin sizzled and I dropped my hand from his wrist seconds before he hit the ground. He clawed at the chains that were burning him and suffocating him at the same time, “Wha…” He looked around and I could see him trying to call his powers to him. I planted my boot in his chest to knock him flat on his back and stood above him.} Forged Iron from above, little present from my own friends. You’ve pissed a lot of people off. No-one is going to miss you. You’ve been cut off already. I have friends too, Nija.

{I reached into the lock box in the bed of the truck and pulled out my custom honed Khopesh. The blade glimmered in the moonlight and I swore I could almost hear the metal sing for the blood it was about to taste. The chains tightened once more as Nija let out another slew of curses, effectively cutting his airway off to almost nothing. I leaned over him and dragged the tip of the blade down the center of his chest, splitting the skin like a hot blade through butter. He tried to scream but nothing came out. I smiled down at him and shook my head as I tsk’ed his predicament.} You never should have tried to play me. I have been wanting to do this for a long time.

{The blade made another pass, this time splitting the layers of fat and muscle that lay beneath the surface. Black blood oozed over the surface to the ground and smoke billowed from the wounds as the fresh topside air began to burn his innards. A blade forged with holy oils and the elements of the human world were absolute hell for a demon. It would burn and feel as though fire ants had crawled into every fiber of his being. It would be painful up until the very end for him. I plucked at his innards, dragging them out and spreading them over his driveway as he watched, his eyes wide and full of fear. His lips moved but there was no sound, it was bliss. Hours later, after he finally took his last breath, Vale came to take the soul. He glanced down at what remained and shook his head with a low chuckle. “Do you always play with your victims as such? I mean, good job, but maybe spelling out dickless weasel with his intestines was a bit overboard?” He clenched his legs together after looking down at the body again and realizing it wasn’t just words. He swallowed and then looked at me with a raised brow. I pointed to the parliament of owls just off the side of the driveway who were feasting on Nija’s prized possession, as well as a few other internal organs he no longer needed. Vale snorted, “Remind me not to get on your bad side. Anything else needed from him?” I shook my head and watched as Vale fought to wrangle the soul into the vessel he brought. Where Nija was going, what I had done would seem like a picnic. I only wished I could be a part of that too. But for now, his pet needed to be put to rest properly, and I had a deal to finish up above.}