Shadows Over Bramblewood

ALAN

The drab law office of Turnbriar and Finch sat next to the resplendent stone church on Front Street, like a sullen, disobedient child sitting next to his responsible older brother. Inside, the carpets were worn and frayed, and there were malignant brown stains on the ceiling tiles. An ancient air conditioning system rattled and coughed, feebly striving to counteract the stifling heat of early June.

Unlike the building, Henry Finch was young and vibrant, and it was hard to picture him poring over thick legal tomes, or whatever lawyers did. He greeted me with a firm handshake and a keen look in his eyes, as if he was a vulture and I was crawling through the desert on my last legs. Then he turned and introduced a young blonde woman named Brianna.

"Brianna is an administrator with the local bank here in Bramblewood. She and I will be working closely together to take care of your mother's estate. As I mentioned during our phone conversation, there are one or two items we should discuss."

One or two items turned out to be twenty or more. An hour later, I was ready to climb out the window. "Look," I said, interrupting Henry's explanation of fiduciary obligations. "I still don't understand why we can't just sell the house and everything in it."

A shadow crossed over Henry's face. Just for a second, it seemed like he was irritated - or maybe even worried. But then the shadow passed, followed by a benign smile, as if he was about to explain algebra to a dim-witted child. "Well, you see, Miranda - I mean, your mother - placed the house in trust. She wanted to preserve it, to keep it just like it is..."

"That doesn't make any sense." I sighed, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose. "What good does it do, to keep it shuttered up for decades?"

Henry nodded. "I understand your concerns, Mr. Blackwood. But the house belonged to your mother, and it was hers to do with as she wished. I believe it had great sentimental value to her."

Well, that much was true. Not the sentimental part - his mother had been as emotional as a refrigerator. But she practically haunted that house during her life. Who knows, maybe her ghost lingered there even now. The thought of that sent a chill down up my spine. "So we're stuck with it? There's no way to break the trust?"

Henry shook his head. "Your mother was emphatic. You and your siblings are welcome to live there, if you choose, on the condition that no alterations are to be made."

The thought of living in that miserable place made me shudder. But then again, my meager savings wouldn't last too long staying at the Old Devil.

Henry slid an envelope across the table. "The keys to the property. Please note that any documents you might find - any books, papers or writing of any sort - are to be turned over to me. To assist in the administration of the estate."

"Fine," I said, only half listening at this point.

"Excellent. Brianna and I will be in touch soon to discuss the next steps. Good day, Mr. Blackwood. We'll talk again soon."

I picked up the envelope, its dull weight matching the lump of dread in my chest. I failed to see how this day, or any day soon, could be considered 'good'.

* * * * *

BRIANNA

I was almost out the door when Henry's voice stopped me. "Oh, Brianna...a quick word, if you don't mind."

I did mind, since I was going to have lunch with Daniel and Lucy soon. But this estate was a big project, the largest I'd ever worked on, and I wanted to get it right. "Sure," I said, forcing brightness into my smile.

"It's a strange thing, really," said Henry. "There was this old parchment in Mrs. Blackwood's study, and I was wondering if you could take a look at it." He placed a worn piece of paper on the table, watching me intently as I leaned over to examine it.

"It's...just a bunch of symbols," I said, though there was something indescribably odd about them.

"Keep looking," he instructed, moving closer. "I think you'll be surprised."

My eyes roved over the sigils. They didn't make any sense. And yet, there was something fascinating about them. The more I stared, the more they started to form an uncanny pattern. It was like watching raindrops slide down a window, except they were all sliding together, gradually coalescing into some sort of mysterious message I longed to understand.

"What do you see?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said, hesitantly. It wasn't what I saw - it was what I felt. The symbols almost seemed to be writhing, and I was starting to feel a little dizzy just looking at them. And yet, I couldn't bring myself to look away. "What is this?" I asked breathlessly.

"I believe it's some sort of magic spell," he replied.

"No, I'm serious."

"So am I," he said. "I believe these glyphs are imbued with some sort of mystic energy. Staring at them makes a person highly susceptible to suggestion. It also leads to a heightened state of arousal."

"Nonsense," I snorted. That couldn't be true. And yet...why was I so feverish all of a sudden? I could feel my heart thudding faster in my chest, and a warm, telltale heaviness was settling low in my belly. There was no doubt about it - I was starting to get horny. And it just got worse with every second I stared at that page. "What's...happening to me?"

"You're starting to feel it, aren't you?" He was standing right beside me, and I shivered helplessly as his words rumbled into my ear. "The hunger, building. Flooding your body with desire."

"No," I said, forcing my eyes closed and shaking my head, trying to resist the symbols that were now dancing wildly in my mind. The arousal was surging in me now, thick and hot, more powerful than anything I'd ever felt before. It was naked, raw lust, amplified beyond reason. I could feel my nipples tightening, my groin swelling with need. I wanted to do something about it - but not here, not now.

I started moving toward the door, my legs unsteady. But then I felt Henry's hand on my arm. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked smugly.

"Let me go," I murmured, barely able to think straight. A lazy fog had stolen into my mind, making it hard to concentrate on anything but the simmering heat between my legs. I wouldn't be able to control myself for much longer. All I needed was somewhere private so I could rub myself into oblivion.

"No," he said, with calm determination. "You're staying right here, with me." He put his hand on my ass, making me gasp and squirm. "Your pussy needs some attention, doesn't it?"

Oh, God, it did, it really did. The last thing I wanted to do was masturbate right here, where Henry might take advantage of me. But my vagina was so fucking hungry, and those insidious symbols were driving me crazy, tempting me to just give in. Would it be so bad if I allowed him to finger me, just a little? I started to imagine what that would feel like, and my greedy little twat practically squealed with delight.

I couldn't stand it anymore. With a frantic groan, I reached under my skirt, desperate to find my swollen clitoris. But before I could get there, Henry seized my arm, preventing me from satisfying that throbbing need. "Let me go!" I hissed, trying to yank free of him.

"Allow me," he said, and sent his own hand down into my skirt. I stopped fighting him immediately when his fingers found my sweltering crease. I needed this, badly. I let out an embarrassingly loud moan as he started to stroke me, his fingers gliding up and down the cotton of my panties. It felt fucking amazing, and I wanted him to do more. My hips started to buck against his fingers.

But...this was wrong. Henry had done something to me. I didn't understand what it was, but I knew I couldn't just let him continue. At this rate, I'd be on my back in no time, letting him fuck my brains out. "I have a boyfriend!" I blurted. Sweet, kind Daniel - God, how I wished he was here right now! No way could I betray him like this!

Henry just smiled. His fingers shifted and delved inside my panties, making direct contact with my slick, tender pussy. Oh, God, it felt so good! I kept telling myself I should push him away, that it wasn't too late to save myself. But the seconds ticked by, and I just stood there, allowing this stranger to massage my twat. I was in serious trouble.

"Your boyfriend isn't here right now, is he?"

I shook my head, my heart pounding as I stared helplessly into Henry's green eyes.

"And you need to come, don't you?"

I gritted my teeth, wanting to say no. But my horny body was betraying me, my hips moving in time with his fingers as they glided up and down my slit. I was so, so close - just a few more brushes against my clit, and I would be gone.

"I want to hear you say it," he persisted, his gaze fierce with desire.

"I...I need to come..." I whispered, breathlessly, licking my lips. I could feel the pleasure welling up inside me, and I was too far gone to resist it anymore.

"And you want me to make you come."

I nodded quickly. "Yes! I want you to make me come." I shamelessly gripped his broad shoulders, my hips squirming wildly. "Please...I need it so bad..."

He pulled me close, surprising me with a sudden kiss. I didn't even try to push him away; instead, my mouth opened in a lusty groan, his tongue found mine, and we started kissing like real lovers. I knew I was betraying Daniel, but the sting of that guilt was nothing compared to the feverish need in my pussy. Henry was rubbing vigorous circles on my swollen twat, giving me what I wanted more than anything in the world. I came apart, trembling violently as Henry strummed my wet sex, coaxing screams of pleasure that no one but him would ever hear.

As the orgasm began to dissipate and my mind started to clear, the reality of what we'd done started to sink in. But all the anger, hurt, and humiliation that I ought to have been feeling was strangely absent. I didn't like the idea that Henry was developing some weird sort of power over me, but he had given me one hell of a climax. In fact, part of me wanted to fool around a little more, even though that would be a really bad idea.

"I...um...I have to go now," I murmured weakly, pulling free of him and staggering toward the door, half expecting him to stop me again. Just as I reached for the doorknob, I saw those strange symbols dancing in the air before me, bringing a fresh wave of dizzying lust into my body. I gasped at the force of it, the sudden yearning heat between my legs. I leaned my forehead against the door, trying to resist the urge to reach under my skirt again.

"You're stronger than I was," said Henry. "When Miranda Blackwood did this to me, my cock was so hard, I couldn't even think about leaving her. All I wanted was to fuck her - and as soon as I did, I made myself her servant. So fight it all you want. The same thing's going to happen to you."

"Never!" I spat defiantly. My pussy was throbbing now, aching and insistent, and I knew how amazing it would feel to let Henry touch me again.

"Come over here," he coaxed. "I want to see your tits."

I shook my head, but my fingers were already on my blouse, undoing the buttons. I couldn't stop myself - in fact, I didn't really want to anymore. I walked slowly back toward him, a giddy thrill sweeping through me at the thought of baring myself to him. It was so wrong - but before I knew it, my blouse was hanging open, my bra was on the floor, and my swollen nipples were on full display. I felt a surge of delight at the way he stared at them, like a predator eyeing his next meal. He reached out and cupped my right breast, and I gasped as his thumb brushed against my stiff, sensitive tit. "You're beautiful," he murmured, staring into my eyes as he started to stroke my left nipple, too. "I'm going to enjoy making you my slave."

"I'm not going to be your...ohhhh!" He leaned down and kissed my right nipple now, his tongue lashing against the turgid nub, and my breath caught as he began to suckle me in earnest. I bit my lip, hoping he was joking. I wasn't turning into some sort of sex slave, was I? This was just a little fooling around, to satisfy these weird urges I was suddenly feeling. I could stop him anytime. I just didn't want to right now, not while he was feasting on me so deliciously. I combed my fingers through his thick hair, sighing contentedly as he licked and sucked. His fingers sought out my other nipple, then began tugging and pinching it until I was groaning with pleasure. The hunger in my pussy was becoming unbearable. "Please," I gasped. "I need you..."

At his command, I shucked my skirt, then my panties. I sat down on the smooth conference table, leaning back, completely naked with my thighs spread open. There was no guilt this time, no reluctance. I was ready for anything he wanted to do to me.

Then his lips were on mine, his fingers were on my snatch, and I was moaning like a cat in heat, writhing and pressing myself against him, wanting more. I was going to let him fuck me; there was no doubt about that anymore. I could feel my orgasm building, my body tensing and clenching as he rubbed my tender slit. "Come for me," he urged, his fingers practically vibrating against my clit. "Make yourself...mine."

The way he said that last word threw me over the edge. I groaned and squirmed, twisting my head left and right as the pleasure roared through me, ravaging my senses. It was the most powerful climax I'd ever experienced; nothing else even came close.

When the ecstasy finally subsided, it left me dazed and devastated. The only thing that registered in my lust-addled brain was the fact that Henry had removed his clothes. My eyes wandered down his toned torso until I saw his cock hanging full and thick between his legs. "Are you going to fuck me now?"

He smiled. "Do you want me to?"

I bit my lip, staring longingly at his hard shaft. Sensible me should have said no. Sensible me should have left this office twenty minutes ago. I could have been eating lunch with Daniel and Lucy right now. Instead, I was sprawled buck naked on this conference table, on the verge of letting a stranger fuck me.

"Well?" he prompted, guiding the tip of his lust-heavy cock to my pussy lips. I shuddered with pleasure as he dragged his flesh up and down my juicy slit, teasing me. "Do you want it?"

I clenched my teeth, trying one last time to find the will to resist him. But then I saw those damned symbols again, and sure enough the lust came pouring through me even hotter than last time, virulent and unstoppable. I moaned helplessly, feeling my nipples tighten, my pussy aching to be filled. He could do it - he could push that hard cock of his inside me, and it would feel so, so good.

"Yeah, I do," I said at last, leaning back on my elbows, offering myself to him. I couldn't help myself - I just wanted him to fill me and fuck me. I would deal with the consequences later.

He pushed forward, and I groaned loudly as slid inside me, inch by delicious inch. His cock was thick and satisfying, and I could already feel myself mounting toward another climax.

"You're going to want me, now," he said, his eyes wandering greedily over my quivering body as he fucked me with a slow, patient rhythm. "Only me."

I nodded quickly, looking down to where his dick was sinking inside me. "Only you," I replied softly.

"No one else."

I shook my head. "No one else," I echoed. How could there be anyone else? I was crazy about him now, him and his wonderful prick.

"You're mine now," he said.

"I'm yours." I groaned helplessly, leaning my head back and closing my eyes as he drilled my sopping pussy. "All yours."

He smiled down at me. "Good girl. Now go ahead and play with yourself. Make yourself come while I fuck you senseless."

* * * * *

He made me text Lucy, apologizing for missing lunch and telling her I'd be working with Henry all night. Then he made me text Daniel, telling him it was over between us. I felt a pang of sorrow, but it was eclipsed by the insatiable hunger coursing through me now as Henry drove me to his apartment.

He had fucked me through back-to-back orgasms, and I was dazed and delirious by the time he finally pumped me full of hot spunk. But now here I was, already wanting more. Was I turning into some sort of sex addict? All I really wanted was him - his fingers on me, his tongue on me, his dick inside me. I would do whatever he wanted, as long as I could get more of him.

When we got to his place, I managed to wait until he closed the door. Then I was all over him, kissing him frantically, pressing myself against him, doing everything I could to communicate how much I wanted him. I mewled happily as he reached down and touched my bare pussy (I hadn't bothered to put my panties back on, since I didn't think I'd be needing them for a while).

"You're all hot and bothered again, aren't you?" he said, with a devilish smile.

I looked into his eyes and nodded vigorously.

He led me to the sofa, where he kneeled down and unfastened my skirt. A thrill of anticipation raced through me as he stared at my naked groin, his mouth just inches away from it. "This pussy is mine, now," he told me, then leaned in and started licking. I sat back and moaned as he went to work on me, my fingers digging into the cushions. He looked up at me, gauging my reactions as he wagged his tongue all over my eager slit. It wasn't long before I was panting heavily, my body clenching as he licked and sucked. God, this man knew how to eat a pussy! I could feel the orgasm coming on fast. He was licking my clit now - swift, furtive strokes that made me shudder and jerk. I was tightening, my whole body tense, holding my breath as he licked and swirled, swirled and licked. And then I came apart, groaning loudly as my body caved in to the pleasure, trembling and wet from what he had done to me.

A few minutes later, I was straddling his thighs, lowering my slavering pussy onto his waiting cock. A savage growl of pleasure escaped me as I sank down on him, his meaty girth stretching me apart. He was undoing the buttons on my blouse, but I couldn't hold still. I began rocking my hips, slowly at first, savoring the erotic friction with his hard dick nestled inside me. But when my blouse fell open, and he started groping my tits, there was no way for me to take it slow. I bucked my hips against him like a cowgirl at a sex rodeo, my hands planted on his broad shoulders as I used his body to get what I wanted. I became an engine of lust, eagerly grinding and writhing atop his hard flesh with a maniacal rhythm. I wanted that bliss again; I needed it now, just like I needed him. He was tugging on my nipples, looking up at me with that fierce triumph in his eyes. He knew he had me. My mouth crashed against his, our tongues entwined as I sprawled headlong into another mind-wrenching climax.

Then I was down on all fours, groaning deliriously as he plowed his thick prong into me. Why had I ever thought about resisting him? My body was made for this, made for him, and the staggering pleasure pumping through me was better than anything. He said I was going to be his sex slave, and I really didn't mind that anymore. Nor did I mind the drool slipping from my mouth as he fucked me harder. The ecstasy was rising up again, drowning out everything else, fueled by that wicked, incessant rhythm. How many orgasms had it been now? I couldn't think anymore. All I could do was bray like a sex-crazed animal as my pussy surrendered to him yet again, convulsing and wet with unbridled bliss. Through it all, his powerful cock kept plunging inside me, ravenous now, eager to deliver its creamy load. When he finally started groaning and thrusting erratically, it set me off again. I slumped weakly, my cheek pressed against the sofa cushion as I moaned blearily, feeling his hot seed erupting inside me.

We hadn't even made it to the bedroom yet.