Brigetta stood outside the circle, the cowl of the hooded cloak masking her features, and looked over her work. The runes around the circle had been written perfectly in a mixture of goat's blood and angelica, staining the dull grey stone floor.
A stone altar stood at one end of the room, an array of magical paraphernalia placed with care around it. In the centre sat her grimoire. It had been hand written with all her research notes and spells along with her many discoveries. It included the spell she was attempting for the first time that night.
Brigetta was a student at the magic academy where she had learned the finer points of the art of summoning the denizens of hell. Far from being frowned upon, the art had been welcomed hundreds of years ago as to further the study of the arcane arts. Demons, when summoned could offer up all sorts of new and interesting spells.
Brigetta always had a talent for summoning and had become the youngest summoner in history to attain the rank of Master. At thirty-seven, she had long ago perfected the art but had her sights set on becoming the highest-ranking summoner in the land.
She intended to become the Archchancellor.
In order to accomplish that goal, she needed to summon a higher demon and subjugate it to her will. That was just one step in the many that would lead her on the path to greatness.
The stone lined chamber was empty of all other beings. Nothing would disturb her summoning. If there were any doubt, any hesitation, the demon she intended to call would break out of her hold and all her efforts would be in vain. She would have to wait another year before the stars were aligned again to attempt a second time.
There was little chance that, even if everything were to go wrong, that the demon would cause any damage. The runes and circle on the floor would ensure that the fiend could not step outside unless given direct permission by the summoner and that is why Brigetta once again checked the circle.
Nodding to herself in satisfaction, she set about lighting the candles situated at the five points marking out the pentagram.
Everything was perfect.
Loosening the ties to her cloak, she dropped the robe to the floor, standing nude in the candlelight. Even though she was in her mid thirties, time had not dulled her beauty. Her dark hair hung down her back in waves and her blue eyes shone in the light. Unlike many of her fellow students, she didn't look her age, in fact when many of the new students met her for the first time they thought she was still in her twenties.
Her body was lithe like a dancer but her hips and breasts were the envy of many of the female students and the delight of a select few.
Her latest round of preparations however had left her little time for such dalliances. Although, after that night's spell, she would no longer need the illexperienced grasps of the younger mages. There was someone else she yearned for.
One of the professors above her, Alexander, was just a little older than her. Like her, he had kept his body in prime condition and was handsome. All the younger sorceresses had a crush on him but he never gave them a second glance.
Brigetta used to be one of their number but that all changed last week when she became a Master.
All summonings had to be done in the nude so that there were no distractions, nothing between them and the magic. The only thing they were allowed to wear was their summoning ring made from silver and precious stones. When learning the art, one became used to appearing naked in front of their class and teachers early on or they did not stay long. When undergoing her final exam, she had stood in front the professors and the Archchancellor, fully nude and summoned three mid level demons at once, one more than the requirement for the test.
It had been easy and she pulled off the summoning with little effort, which had won her admiration amongst the professors whilst the Archchencellor frowned. He reprimanded her for being reckless but awarded her for her efforts by handing her her Mastership ring.
Feigning contriteness, she had bowed her head until her black locks obscured her face and she observed the assembled professors. All of them were applauding her. All but one. Alexander watched her with his dark eyes, drinking in her curvaceous body with his eyes and a smile on his full lips.
That one look had made her heart skip. She had seen that look in many of her peer's eyes but never in his. He desired her. If time had not been a factor, she would have sought him out that night.
However, time and the stars waited for no one.
Pushing all thoughts aside, Brigetta took a deep breath, centring her consciousness and started to chant. The words she had memorised came easily until they burned in her mind and she spoke each with care, feeling the magic as it rolled off her tongue. The spell became alive and crackled around the circle. She could not stop now, even if she willed to. The magic that she was generating took her body over and the words spilled out of her mouth unconsciously.
The memory came unbidden to her mind suddenly. She remembered the way Alexander had looked at her and the way it had tugged at something low in her body. How aroused it had made her feel and how she had then fantasied about him that night while touching herself under the crisp white sheets of her bed.
She tried to shove those thoughts out of her mind but the damage had been done.
The magic swelled and exploded within the circle, the runes only just containing the blast. Sulphurous smoke filled the chamber and stung Brigetta's eyes. The fumes filled her nose, choking her. Thankfully, the candle flames burned away the worst of it and she was finally able to breathe.
As many times she summoned a demon, the one thing she never got used to was the smell of sulphur.
The smoke cleared and what stood in front of her stilled her breath.
It stood over six feet on two muscular human shaped legs and had black fur that covered it head to toe. The light flickered and dipped into a muscular chest that had an extra set of pectorals. The reason for this was the four arms that ended in strong hands tipped with sharp black talons.
The face was a dark parody of Alexander's with gleaming red eyes, almost mocking her memory. Dark hair flowed down its back in a soft wave as it turned its head to take in its surroundings.
Between his legs was a mass of finger thin tentacles, each about thirty centimetres long clustered around two furred sheaths, much like an animal's that contained its genitalia.
He, for now Brigetta was certain it was a he, turned to face her, his glowing red eyes following her every movement.
"You." The word echoed in her head all the way to her core. "You were the one who summoned me."
At once, Brigetta knew she had summoned something more dangerous than a higher demon. What stood before her was a Lord of Hell, one of the highest and most dangerous demons hell could muster.
The runes she had set around the circle were useless to her. They were only good for containing lesser demons. For a Lord of Hell, it wouldn't even hinder him for a second.
She still had a few years worth of study left before she could even attempt summoning a demon of his standing. So far, none to date had managed to do so and survive. Not even the Archchancellor dared to try.
