Author's Notes:
This story is erotic fantasy, set in a world of magic. I reserve the right to be listed as the author of this work wherever it is posted. If found anywhere except Literotica.com with this note attached, this story is posted without my permission.
© Darkniciad 2007
The villains in this story are truly evil, and their actions prove it. Some scenes may be disturbing for some readers.
I make use of modern weights and measures quite often in my work, because those are the weights and measures of my fantasy world. I know many fantasy readers prefer more archaic terms, and I hope those readers can overlook my use of miles, feet, and other such measures.
Please note that the form of witchcraft in my world is not meant to be true Wicca. Nor is it supposed to follow "Charmed" exactly. No offence or confusion is intended.
You should read the preceding chapters of this story in order to know the characters and what is going on. You will find that reading Book I of this story,
Danica
, will give you a lot of insight into the characters and the continuing storyline.
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
Nara lurked far from where Venaru instructed the group of trainees in the basics of the Eastern open-handed fighting style. While she couldn't see Mache, she could sense him with the feather-light touch of her mind. The man did not react to her mental seeking, letting her know that she'd found just the right balance in her probes.
"You have him?" Her sister asked.
Nara didn't open her eyes, but offered a slight nod in response. Mara concentrated on her spell, seeking magical disturbances even as Nara hoped to detect something with her psionic powers. Neither targeted the suspected demon directly, but instead cast out a general net that only the most sensitive and attentive could possibly notice.
Mara listened to Venaru's instruction with the aid of a pair of magical earrings. She couldn't help but grin as the wiry warrior directed subtle barbs at Mache and the others. While everyone felt the lash of his tongue, Venaru directed his criticism most often to Mache, who seemed to find the instruction of little merit.
Venaru called a halt to the training contests between the students. He then pointed out things that each man should practice to improve his technique, finishing with Mache. "You depend much upon your strength, and you are arrogant. One day, you may find yourself without a weapon and brought low by weakness. At that time, my instruction would serve you well. You underestimate the power found in speed and knowledge, and it may prove your downfall if you do not amend your thinking." He then instructed the entire group, "This lesson is ended."
Nara let out a gasp and tightly pressed the heel of her hand against her forehead and the bridge of her nose. Mara let her spell lapse and reached out to steady her wavering sister. "Nara, what is it?"
Nara took a few deep breaths. "Venaru found Mache's breaking point. As he dismissed the students, Mache's mind filled with a vision so powerful and hateful that it nearly overwhelmed my own defenses."
"What was it?"
"Venaru engulfed in a column of fire and burning alive, unable to flee the hungry flames."
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
Andrea lifted her hand from above the clone's mound and right breast, the healing energy of her prayer having done its work. The clone of Danica blushed in shame, refusing to look at the concerned women standing around her.
"Daretta, dear, I know it's difficult, but you must not hurt yourself so." Edna took the redheaded copy's hand as she spoke.
"I'm sorry," Daretta responded in a tiny voice.
Andrea smoothed back down the clone's skirt and pulled her blouse closed. "It's okay, sweetie. If you start feeling that way, come talk to one of us. We'll help you."
"I promise."
"Now button up and go help your sisters. We won't say anything to them," Edna finished, giving Daretta a final squeeze of her hand.
"It just feels so good when I'm doing it," Daretta sighed as she worked on the buttons of her blouse.
"I know. You just have to remember how you feel afterwards and be strong."
Edna nodded to Andrea as she finished speaking. Andrea offered Daretta a comforting smile and patted the redhead's leg before leaving the room. She went directly to the lab, where everyone else waited.
"How is she?" Danica asked as soon as Andrea walked in the room.
"Ashamed." Andrea touched her breast. "She was still bleeding here a little."
"Are we ever going to find a way to break Zoraster's evil magic on them?" Danica sighed, and hung her head.
Recognizing that Danica was identifying her own plight with that of the clone, Celes quickly shifted away from the subject. "We will. I'll go fetch the aloe. It looks like we missed it when we were gathering up everything else."
Marlena also realized that Danica needed distraction from her thoughts. "Are you going to try to enchant them all at once? Do you think the mass enchantment spell is strong enough for that?"
Danica nodded. "The enchantments aren't that powerful, and they're all identical. It's the combination of them that does the trick." Her voice steadily lost the touches of despair that had darkened it as she spoke.
"They'll certainly do the trick," Celes quipped as she returned with the aloe.
Andrea could sense a question from Ashley, as could Celes. The dark-haired witch subtly gestured to Andrea.
"We'll just be in the way with wizard magic. Find me when they're done."
Danica nodded to Andrea before returning to her work, her mind centering on the preparations necessary before enchanting the array of phallic toys on the table in front of her.
Only a light touch and the growing connection between them was enough to let Ashley know to follow Andrea. As soon as they were out of earshot, Ashley asked her question. "I've known women who cut themselves when they were depressed. Is that what it is?"
Andrea shook her head. "It's worse than that. Zoraster did things to them with his magic, and other ways. Daretta feels pleasure when she hurts herself. She's only hinted at some of the things that she remembers, and even that makes me cringe."
Ashley nodded to indicate that she understood. She then looked over her shoulder, back toward the lab. "I'm worried about Danica."
Andrea sighed. "Me too."
The pair saw Edna following Daretta into the kitchen. The older witch waved them over, and paused at the doorway.
Once the two witches reached her, Edna said, "I had a premonition yesterday. I know a way to help Danica."
"Oh, that's good." Andrea said with relief.
"One of the two of you should bring it up to Celes, because I think she knows Danica best, but it's what the poor girl needs, if my vision is right. Come along, and I'll explain."
The two younger witches followed Edna to a table in the kitchen, their smiles growing wider as the older witch revealed her vision.
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
"Almost ready," Danica declared as she checked over the spell components arrayed in front of her on the table. Her head popped up and she said, "Oh — someone sent something through the message bowl."
Celes stood. "I'll go get it."
Another chime sounded in Danica's head and she chuckled. "Another one."
"I'd best hurry before things start falling out in the floor, then."
Celes returned a moment later, carrying a wrapped box in one hand, and a letter in the other. She held up the box and said, "From Damian." She then raised the letter and added, "This one's from Nara. They have a little bit of information. Seems our Mache gets his giggles from watching people burn alive."
"That certainly sounds like a demon," Danica sighed. "I need a pick-me-up. What did Damian send?"
Celes winked and smiled. "See for yourself. I'll go get Andrea."
Danica held out her hands and wiggled her fingers. Celes' hint revealed that Damian had finished the magical ring for Andrea. Danica eagerly read the note that had arrived with the box while she waited for Celes to return with Andrea.
"Why can't I open my eyes?" Andrea asked as Celes led her into the room.
Walking next to her sister witches, Ashley smiled when she saw the box in Danica's hand. Having only received her own ring a few days ago, she had little trouble recognizing the unique signature of Damian's woodwork. Danica sat the box down on the table right in front of the blonde as Celes positioned Andrea next to the table.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now," Celes said.
Andrea sucked in a long, excited breath when she saw the wooden box. "Is it...?"
Danica nodded. "Well — open it, silly."
"Oh my," Andrea gasped as she opened the box. She removed the ring and turned it in her fingers, admiring the beautiful workmanship. The pale gold band almost perfectly matched the color of her hair, and detailed etchings of flowers encircled the band. Four stones crowned the ring — a ruby, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond — symbolizing Andrea's control over elemental powers.
"This is what happens when you put two people obsessed with creating magic items in proximity — not that I'm complaining." Danica laughed as Andrea and Ashley both held out their new rings next to each other to admire them.
Ashley grinned and said, "These are going to intimidate any man who might want to propose to us. He'll have to do better."
"If you can't find a man who'll ask you without finding a finer ring than one of Damian's, you'll both be spinsters," Celes scoffed.
Ashley noticed the other note on the table and leaned in to read it. "That sounds like a demon with a special affinity for fire. Nearly every greater demon can command flames, but this suggests something more."
"Can't hurt to take special precautions against fire, then," Danica suggested.
Celes nodded toward the blonde and added, "And rather convenient that Andrea suddenly springs up with power over water."
"I'm not looking forward to this." Danica sighed and then took a long breath.
"Look forward to something else, then." Celes passed Danica the first of the spell components she would need to enchant the toys in front of her. "Them girls' faces all aglow."
