Incest/Taboo The Devil's Pact

The anger fueled my hips. I growled like an animal, slamming my cunt into hers, not caring if I was bruising her, bruising me. I had to cum. I had to have my cock. I ground my clit so hard into Jessica, bringing us both closer and closer to rapture.

To powering the spell.

Mare, I'm sorry, Mark's thought suddenly filled my mind.

I ignored him and kept tribbing Jessica. I was almost there. Almost to the pinnacle of my passion. Our clits kissed over and over. Electricity shot from my nub, pleasure thundering through my body. I groaned, staring into the slut's eyes, eager to see that moment of shock as my cock filled her.

To feel her hot pussy about my clit-dick.

"Cum with me!" I growled like a hungry tiger at Jessica. "Cum, my little slut! I want to feel your cunt flooding me with your passion."

"Yes, Mistress!" Jessica howled and writhed, hot juices flooding out of her pussy.

It was stupid of me to taunt you, Mare. I was just frustrated. It seemed so clear what we should do and I was surprised you didn't see it! C'mon, talk to me.

I was about to cum, so close to joining Jessica in rapture. Then I'd have my cock. Jessica convulsed beneath me, her orgasm writhing through her. I drew my clit back and rubbed it up her slit. Up to her little button. I nudged our pearls together.

Passion exploded throughout my body.

I opened my mouth to say that one word that would change everything.

I love you, Mare. I could feel the depth of his love, the depth of his guilt, in his thought.

A thought burst through the ecstasy spilling through my mind: What if Mark loathed me afterward? It exploded in me with the same force as my orgasm. My entire body tensed, frozen as I realized I couldn't jeopardize my marriage just for the thrill of having a cock.

I collapsed atop Jessica, shaking as my orgasm quaked through me. I blinked, shivering, shocked by how close I came toward changing my entire body. To becoming like Sam. Shame twisted through me. Breathing heavily, I rolled off of her, staring up at the ceiling.

God, what did I almost do? Was this why Lilith told us about the Magicks of the Witch of Endor? One last trap? One last temptation for me?

Let's talk, I sent back. I'm in our bedroom.

The... um... guards won't let me in. I don't want to, you know, hurt them.

Jessica glanced at me with a contented smile on her face. "Mark's outside the suite. Tell the bodyguards to let him in, and then you can go."

"At once, Mistress."

Jessica scurried out. A minute later, Mark entered the room looking as contrite as a young boy about to be scolded. He walked over to the bed and knelt down, grasping my arm. I almost pulled away from him.

Anger seethed in me, a storming ocean slamming into my mind.

"I shouldn't have snapped at you or taunted you," Mark admitted, his fingers caressing my hand. "Lilith scares me. I'm afraid she's going to hurt you. I couldn't bear that." Tears formed in the corners of his eyes. "I would do anything to protect you, risk anything. And... What if she tries to kill you next? What if I'm not there to guard you?"

My heart softened. The storming seas calmed. I grasped his face, pulled him to me, and kissed him so hard. When I broke the kiss, I stared into his eyes' depths. "I forgive you."

He relaxed, tension melting out of his shoulders and face. I pulled him up into bed with me. His strong arms went around me, his right hand going to my belly, spreading wide, protective over not just me, but our child.

"I really think we need to neutralize her power," he said, his voice slow, cautious. "And kill her daughters. I'm not sure we can wait for Sam to find the answers. It could take her months."

He was right. I sighed, "I know."

"We'll be careful, move slowly. Take no risks." He kissed my lips. "I promise."

"We shouldn't be talking about this here," I reminded him.

I snuggled closer to him. I opened my mouth, wanting to tell him about my desire to grow a clit-dick, then snapped it shut. I could still remember the disgust in his eyes the first time he saw Lilith conjure her cock followed by the relief he felt when I lied and said I wasn't interested in one.

"What?" he asked, a little wary.

"Nothing," I sighed.

He stroked my cheek. "What, Mare?"

I bit my lip and took a deep breath. "I was thinking about the day Lilith gave me a cock."

Mark stiffened for a moment. "Okay," he carefully said. I could feel the tension ratcheting his body tight. "What about that day?"

"Sometimes..." I took a deep breath. "Sometimes I think about having one again."

He looked at me, his mind whirling. "I...I don't know what to say."

"It would make you uncomfortable, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "It's kinda hot watching Sam, but..."

"It's weird."

He nodded. "If it's something you really want... I guess I could adjust."

I smiled at him. "No, it's not something I really want. I just think about it sometimes."

He relaxed. "I would still love you. Nothing could change that."

But would you still desire me? I didn't want to find out. "Kiss me," I told him, my hand reaching down to stroke his cock. "Hard."

He hesitated until my thumb brushed the head of his cock, and then his lips glued to mine. I lost myself in the feel of his lips, the scratch of his whiskers, his musk. Why ruin this? I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him on top of me. I may have wanted to be on top when tribbing Jessica, but it was so much better to be on the bottom to get fucked by Mark. To feel his comforting weight on top of me.

I would have to enjoy this as much as possible. Once my belly grew too big, we'd have to find other positions to use to make love.

My legs parted as we kissed, tongues dancing. I seized his cock and guided him into me. His tip rubbed on my snatch, sliding up and down it until I found the entrance. I groaned as the glorious pleasure of being penetrated coursed through me.

He kissed me harder as his cock sank into my wet depths. He bottomed out in me, my arms holding him, feeling his strength. My nipples rubbed on his muscular chest. He stayed buried in me for a few heartbeats, groaning into our kiss.

And then he moved. He pumped his hips slowly, making love to me with gentle passion. His cock sliding in and out of my depths drove away my dark fantasy. How could I want my own dick when I enjoyed Mark's filling me up so damned much?

This was better.

What I needed.

I slid a hand down to his ass, gave him a squeeze. My fingers dug into his strong butt-cheeks. Pleasure rippled through my body as he sensed my need, picking up his pace. He drove his cock into me faster, harder, my pussy clenching down on him, drinking in the friction.

So wonderful.

My hips rotated to meet his thrusts. My clit throbbed, crushed by his pubic bone. Better than tribbing Jessica. My pussy clenched each time on his cock. My moans rose in my throat as I kept kissing him.

"Mare," he groaned, breaking the kiss to nuzzle at my neck. "Love you."

"Yes, Mark," I gasped, trembling.

His hand caressed up the outside of my right thigh. He reached my hip and then slid past my baby bump as he climbed higher. I sighed as he found my breast. His fingers, with tender care, played with my nipple, rolling it between thumb and forefinger. The pleasure radiated out from my nub, mingling with the fire burning in my cunt.

The pleasure built in me. My fingers dug into his ass as I tightened my hips. My eyes widened, his cock driving faster into me. I trembled, my body standing on the cusp of that wonderful plunge into rapture and...

I made the leap.

Ecstasy shuddered through me. A long, gentle orgasm rippled through my body.

"Mark!" I sighed.

My husband kept spearing his cock into me. I kissed him again, moaning into his strong lips. I savored the power of his thrusts. His strokes grew harder, churning up my pussy as his own pleasure mounted.

His balls thwacked into my taint as he drove over and over into my silky depths. My first orgasm ended, but another built in me as he made love to me with such vigor. I squirmed and writhed beneath him, kissing him so hard.

"Mare," he groaned, breaking our kiss as he felt my fingers inch into his butt-crack. "You naughty filly."

"Uh-huh," I purred. "Always."

I found his asshole and teased it gently. His thrusts grew more urgent as I slipped a finger inside his bowels, questing for his prostrate. He grunted when I found it, hammering my pussy. I massaged his little organ, his face twisting with rapture.

"Fuck," he grunted, slamming his cock hard into my cunt

His body went rigid. Then he grunted. Hot jizz spurted into my pussy. That amazing feeling of cum jetting into my cervix. My orgasm rippled through me, my snatch milking his cock as we shared our rapture.

I bucked beneath him, rubbing my nipples into his chest as I squirmed. I whimpered and moaned, his balls unloading into my pregnant pussy. I kissed him hard, our tongues dueling as our pleasure peaked.

And then he held me, lying on me. I loved his weight.

"Mmm, that was delicious," I purred, nuzzling into his neck.

"I love you," he whispered, rolling off me.

I snuggled into him, hugging his muscular body. "Will you hold me while I sleep? I don't want to have any nightmares, my love." I placed my head on his chest, taking comfort from his heartbeat, his breathing. "Please."

"Always." His strong arms wrapped around me, holding me, protecting me.

Loving me.

Blazing with righteousness, the Living Gods threw their wrath down upon the demon Lilith.

--The Second Book of Vivian 4:19

Monday, November 11th, 2013 - Mark Glassner - Tacoma, WA

It was eerie watching Predator drone footage of Seattle. It was an IR (infrared) feed, white on black. The people appeared as black smears against bright streets. A green box was centered on one woman, Lamia. She appeared to be controlling the Mayor of Seattle, Craig Erikson, for the last two months. The drone had followed her from City Hall to a dilapidated warehouse in the industrial part of Seattle near the port.

To think finding Lilith would be so simple.

The warehouse was warded with spells, and Lamia took a circuitous route to it, checking carefully for tails. But all it took to follow her was a remotely piloted aircraft orbiting high above Seattle, almost impossible to spot with the naked eye. It didn't matter how careful she was; the drone had her in its sight. Its software capable of recognizing her face and tracking her across the entire city.

Lamia, an otherworldly beauty, more stunning than a supermodel. We were pretty sure she was Lilith.

"We've seen her go to this warehouse twice, my Lord," Colonel Abbey, the G3 (operations officer) for the Legion, stated. "We've parked a drone over the warehouse. Women have been streaming in and out of it all weekend. There are sentries posted on the roof, and others guarding the entrances. We didn't see any weapons in evidence."

"They'll be Lilith's daughters," Sam supplied. "They are weapons. All of them will be extremely dangerous. Even with the Legion's blessings from Mark, your men will have a tough battle."

"My men can handle it," General Brooks, the commander of my Legion, stated with confidence.

We were all seated in the Matmown. Mary and I, our sluts and advisers, and General Brooks and his staff. We watched a TV showing a recording played off a military laptop. Because the room was made of iron, radio signals inside here were spotty at best. No wires could be run through the walls for fear of compromising the integrity of the room, so we couldn't watch any live Predator drone feeds. The TV itself was powered by a Baghdad Battery, as Sam dubbed her latest invention. It put out the power of a small generator without filling the room up with carbon monoxide and killing us all.

It was also a lot quieter than a generator. Which was a blessing given that we were in an iron box.

"Is your plan ready, General?" I asked.

"Yes, my Lord. Colonel." The general motioned to the colonel.

Colonel Abbey rolled out a map, quickly unfurling it. He placed weights on the corners to hold it down. It was a detailed map of King County, the city of Seattle dominating where it rested on an isthmus, Puget Sound and Elliot Bay to its west, Lake Washington to its east. Numerous markings and lines were drawn around the city of Seattle, notations indicating troop movements. And ship movements. There were markings in the Puget Sound and Lake Washington.

"The plan is simple," he said, touching the map. "Units would be deployed to cut off Seattle along Highway 405 in the south and Highway 104 in the north. Other units will guard the two floating bridges that crossed Lake Washington."

I nodded my head in agreement. It sounded good.

"Meanwhile, the Navy will blockade the Port of Seattle. Once that's done, we'll have our mechanized infantry occupy the city itself, advancing from north and south. High-value target locations, such as the mayor's house, City Hall, Seattle P.D. precincts, and the warehouse will have chalks of rangers and special forces deployed by Black Hawk helicopters."

"Make sure your men know whom they're shooting at," I said. "Lilith must not be killed. Any extraordinarily beautiful woman should be captured, no matter the cost in life."

"Of course, my Lord," Colonel Abbey nodded.

I glanced at Mary. Her lips were pursed, jaw tight. She still wasn't happy about attacking so early. Her eyes met mine. I arched an eyebrow. With a sigh, she nodded her head.

"How soon can we attack, General?" I asked. "Tonight?"

"We're ready for that, my Lord," General Brook answered.

"Won't Lilith spot the troops getting ready?" Jessica asked, peering at the maps.

"We've been doing training operations," Colonel Abbey responded, "to mask our readiness preparations. The planning itself was done in the HP, and our officers will be briefed this afternoon in it."

"HP?" I asked.

"It's what the military's calling a Matmown," Sam explained. "You know, 'hidden place', HP." When building the Matmown in our hotel room, Sam had duplicate metal panels made, just in case. The extras were used to assemble one at I Corp headquarters on JBLM.

A smile creased General Brooks' grizzled face. "We do love our acronyms, Sir."

"Who is going to govern Seattle once Mayor Erikson is removed?" Xiu asked.

"Someone we can trust," I said.

"How about Jessica," Korina suggested. "She knows Seattle and has contacts from her days as a reporter."

Lillian grinned. "She's the best slut for the job."

"I'll do it, Master," Jessica nodded.

I looked at her. "You sure? It will be dangerous."

"Korina is right; I do know the city."

"Give her a group of soldiers to guard her," Mary said. "Good ones."

"A platoon of Rangers?" Colonel Abbey suggested.

"Do it," Mary commanded. She looked so stern.

I looked at Sam. "Is your trip all arranged?"

"Yeah, the Prime Ministers of Israel has been very helpful in arranging things with the Museum of Jerusalem. Candy and I'll leave tomorrow around noon."

"With that platoon of soldiers you promised," Candy interjected.

I nodded. "It's all taken care of."

"Is there any other business?" Mary asked.

"Yes, Mistress," Alison interjected. "Desiree and I have selected our first Warlock to track down."

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013 - Lilith - Seattle, WA

The damned soldiers were continuing their exercises past midnight.

I watched the bustle of activity at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, hoping to find some clue to Mark and Mary's plan. The army spent the weekend doing drills. And spent all day today showing no sign of stopping. Their damned military was always training! How could I tell if they were mobilizing to attack me, or doing another stupid exercise?

This was pointless. No army could attack at night.

I abandoned my vigil, waking up in my body. I groaned, my flesh stiff. I had spent hours in the Shadows watching today, and my body protested the inactivity. I stretched, pushed away from my desk, and walked out of my office and into the warehouse.

At least Mark couldn't know about this place. It was carefully prepared with spells to keep out his ghosts and stop any divinations. The protections weren't as powerful as a Matmown, but they would keep Mark from using necromancy to find us.

"My Goddess," Chantelle yawned, rubbing her eyes as she stood up from the secretary's chair.

"Has Lamia returned?" I asked. Lamia was my favorite daughter, the most beautiful and enchanting of all of them.

"Yes, my Goddess," Chantelle murmured. "She awaits in your bed chamber."

"And that foolish man is being watched?" I could see the hint of annoyance in Chantelle's eyes. I asked this question every time Lamia was away from the mayor of Seattle. I didn't want any sloppy mistakes.

"Fiona is watching him, my Goddess."

"Good, good, you may retire for the night."

Chantelle bowed, smiling. "Thank you."

"I'm sure your wife will take care of that," I said as I swept past. I could smell Chantelle's lust, and feel her cock harden as she summoned it.

I swept through the creaking halls of the warehouse. Even this late at night, it bustled with activity. My daughters bowed to me: Lani, barely visible as she crouched in the shadowed corner; Basu's forked tongue flickering out with affection; Agas, her left eye bulging yellow; the air about Haka alive with static energy; gaunt Vera, who looked on death's door; beautiful Jeh, almost as radiant as Lamia, almost; Tir's tawny hair, nestled with black, vulture feathers; and many more. Their mothers fell to their knees as I passed. I paid them no heed. They birthed my children.

I had no further use for most of them.

Young Crystal, the daughter of Babylon, knelt before my bedroom door. She was my chambermaid for the night. She rose and carefully removed all my jewelry before gently undressing me. Finally, she combed my silvery hair. All the while, my daughter Lamia lay stretched out in my bed, her ripe breasts rising from her supine form. She toyed with her purple hair, her legs parted just enough to hint at the promise of her pussy--teasing me.

I rose, summoning my cock. It thrust hard before me, surrounded by my silver curls. I made it huge, thick, knowing Lamia would squeal so hard on it.

Lamia's eyes fell hungrily on it. "Mmm, is that for me, Mother?"

"You've earned it, my radiant daughter." I controlled my daughters through their lust for me. They knew the ecstasy of my touch awaited them from the moment they were born--so long as they pleased me. And they would do anything to experience my embrace. They were as faithful as my other daughters, drowned eons ago when the the Creator unleashed his Flood.

So much death to wipe my progeny from the earth.

Lamia shuddered as I brushed her nipple with a finger. "Fuck me!" she begged. "I burn for you, Mother! Please!"

My hungry mouth captured her nipple, suckling on it. My Lust oozed into her body. She bucked and writhed as orgasm after mind-numbing orgasm rolled through her. She undulated, her pussy's scent flooding the air while her passion satiated my hungers.

My dick ached and throbbed as I enjoyed my daughter's nipple. Her quivering thighs, open, invited me. I moved between them, my daughter thrashing, lost to the rapture of my touch, to my Lust filling her body.

I rubbed my cock.

"Fuck me!" she begged, almost incoherent. "Fuck me, Mother! Please, please, fuck me! My pussy needs you! I need you! Fuck me!"

I drove my cock into the ripe, spasming depths of her cunt. She felt wonderful about my shaft. Lamia almost had my ecstatic touch, and her pussy felt divine, like heaven, on my hard cock. No other of my daughters, and certainly no human, came close to the ecstasy of Lamia's pussy.

Her cunt rippled on my cock as I savored her passion. I didn't even have to fuck her. I just had to let her pussy milk my dick. I shivered, pressing my body tight against hers, more Lust bleeding into her flesh. Our round breasts rubbed together as I captured my daughter's mouth in a sweet kiss.

Lamia hugged me, raking her fingers down my back. The hot pain urged me to fuck her hard, to pound her. My hips responded, pulling back my cock through her hot depths and driving into her spasming folds.

"Yes," I panted, breaking the kiss.

"Mother, your cock! Oh, Mother, thank you!" She thrashed, words spilling from her mouth as ecstasy wracked her body.

She never stopped cumming as I fucked her harder and harder. Her fingers found my ass, biting into my butt-cheeks, pulling on my hips. I plowed her, reveling in her hot depths. Her cunt delight made flesh, created by me for my own pleasure.

I rose, my large breasts jiggling, and threw her legs over my shoulders. Her pussy grew even tighter on my dick, spasming harder as I hugged her legs to my pillowy tits. I thrust so hard, her big breasts bouncing and jiggling, her face twisting in rapture.

"So good! Mother! Your cock is so good! Fuck me! Never stop fucking me! Mother!"

My ovaries frothed with passion, bursting with my seed. Every thrust brought me closer and closer to erupting. My girl-dick ached in her depths. I slammed in again and again, loving the friction, savoring the worship of her moans.

I watched my daughter's near-perfect breasts heave with her never-ending orgasms. Her fat nipples waved, her flesh rippling. She squirmed and writhed, her pussy bringing me closer and closer to my explosion.

"Lamia!" I groaned, burying into my daughter's cumming snatch.

My girl-jizz exploded out of my ovaries. My black seed pumped into her infertile womb. I shuddered, pleasure racing through my body. My Lust reached out through the entire warehouse, triggering the women and my monstrous daughters to orgasm with me.

I savored my daughter's pussy until all the cum fired out of me. And then, with a groan, I pulled out of her, panting. My black seed stained her cunt, dribbling out of her depths. I took in a deep breath, my body savoring the pleasure.

"Mother," Lamia mewled. "Thank you."

"We're not done," I purred, my dick still hard. Still needing more pleasure.

I rolled her over and spread the cheeks of her ass. She didn't fight me as I brought my huge, dripping girl-cock to her tight asshole. I rammed it in hard, more orgasms writhing through her body. Tight, hot bowels spasmed about my dick.

I violated her hard, sodomizing her with powerful thrusts. I leaned over her, my breasts pillowing on her back, and fucked her hard. My weariness faded with every stroke, my exhaustion wiped away by the ecstasy of sex.

I was Lilith. I did not need sleep. I just needed passion. Lust.

I plowed her bowels fast. My orgasm rose faster and faster. I didn't savor it. I just wanted the ecstasy rushing through me. My ovaries tightened, another load of girl-jizz eager to fill her. I slammed into her bowels, groaning, and erupted.

My cum poured into her tight ass so fast, spasming out of me and drowning her in my Lust. Her bowels sucked at my cock, so eager to be filled. She mewled and moaned, squirming as I filled her with more of my black cum.

"Oh yes!" I purred. "Take your mother's seed."

"Yes, yes, yes!" she gasped. "Oh, Mother, yes!"

I fired a final time into her bowels and ripped my cock out. Black jizz leaked out of her asshole. She spun about and engulfed my cock, sucking me into her warm mouth. I gripped her purple hair and stared down at her mouth obscenely sucking my cock clean of her ass.

"That's it," I hissed. "You're just so depraved, cleaning your Mother's cock."

Lamia moaned her agreement.

I fucked her face, gripping her purple hair. I slammed hard, driving my cock down her throat, washing off her ass. She sucked so hard, tongue dancing as she worshiped me. She knew how to please her mother.

I groaned as her fingers slid up my thigh, brushing the wet lips of my pussy. My dick throbbed in her sucking mouth when her digits penetrated me. Dual sensations rippled through my body. She fingered me fast, hard. Made me shiver and quake.

"My wonderful daughter! Take it all!" I moaned, shoving my cock roughly down her throat, pressing her nose and lips into my silvery bush. "What a whore I birthed!"

She moaned, cumming over and over as my Lust flooded her. Her moans vibrated about my cock. Her fingers pumped faster and faster inside me, igniting a fire in my pussy that boiled my ovaries. I savored her throat constricting about me, the pressure rising and rising.

Then I ripped my cock out of her mouth, jerking it with one hand. My pussy clenched on her fingers. Then my cock sprayed black pitch on her heaving breasts and splattered her radiant face. She moaned her orgasmic delight, tongue licking my salty cream, the dark seed running down her body to her heaving tits.

"What a beautiful daughter," I panted, admiring her near-perfect body--only falling short of perfection when compared to mine. My seed drenched her, a radiant smile on her face. Her legs spread. More pitch oozed from her cunt.

I mounted her, driving my cock into her sheath.

I fucked my daughter for hours. When she tired, I blessed Crystal with my ecstasy, until the mortal girl was near exhaustion, and then I pounced on my Lamia. I came in every hole she had, fucked her in every position known to woman. My seed oozed black out of her, and more of my pitch stained her skin in ropy strands.

"My Goddess," a voice whispered urgently.

"What?" I asked, my cock buried in Lamia's cunt again. Lana knelt beside my bed. When had she arrived?

"Mark's soldiers are encircling the city, they--"

Zuzu's loud, piercing screech filled the night from her perch on the roof.

"They are here," I said, voice calm despite my heart hammering in my chest. "You know what to do."

Mark Glassner - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

"I'm going, Mark," my wife declared, her emerald eyes iron with determination. We stood in the headquarters of the Special Forces Compound on the military base.

"It's not safe, Mare," I objected. "You're pregnant. Think about our child."

"If you're going, I'm going," she firmly said. "If you die, so does our child, so it hardly matters."

I threw my arms up in frustration. "The soldiers are going to need my abilities. They'll be fighting Lilith's daughters."

"And that's why I should be there! I've been practicing my magic." She reached out and stroked my face. "Please. I can't just sit here and wait. Not when you'll be out there in danger."

"But..."

"It's settled," she said, tossing her auburn ponytail. "I'm going, so just accept it."

"Fine," I sighed, not wanting another fight with her. "But you stay back."

"I'll be fine! I have this stab vest on." A black vest that looked like a cop's body armor covered her torso, stitched with angular symbols. "Sam says it's as effective as your armor."

"My armor covers more places," I muttered.

"I'm glad that's settled," she said, and kissed me on the lips. "Besides, you'll be there to protect me." Then she whispered in my ear, "Last time I saw you fight, I got so excited! My pussy's dripping just thinking about watching you fight. When we're done, I'll fuck your brains out."

I felt my cock stir in my black fatigues. "Really?"

"Mmm, you have no idea how hot you were when you fought Molech," she purred.

There was a knock on the door. "Sir," 51's muffled voice said through the door, "General Brooks says it's time."

"Summon your armor," Mary smiled. "Look impressive for our troops."

The gold armor materialized out of thin air, settling about my body. My wife took my arm, smiling at me. I really should put my foot down, but I could see it in her eyes. I would lose this fight. My stomach twisted anyways.

Outside, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Rangers Regiment stood assembled in their battle dress, floodlights illuminating the parade ground. The soldiers looked bulky in their khaki uniforms, body armor, helmets, night vision goggles, belts festooned with grenades, ammo clips, and rifles slung across their chests. I glanced at my watch. It was nearly four AM.

By now the 3rd Combat Brigade (Stryker) would have Seattle surrounded, and would start taking strategic sites in the city by 0430 hours. The other companies of the 2/75 Rangers would be deployed by Black Hawk helicopters at the same time around the city, capturing key locations.

The rangers saluted sharply as I approached the podium. I was nervous, not sure what I should say. "Men!" I shouted. "A grave threat has been festering in the city of Seattle. The demoness Lilith has nested there, birthing a brood of foul monsters. They are stronger than a normal human, faster, with lethal abilities that only your darkest nightmares could birth.

"But do not fear! This is why you swore your service, your honor, and your fidelity to me. I have gifted you with weapons that can hurt these abominations and granted you greater strength and reflexes. Tonight, we shall crush Lilith's monsters, capture the foul bitch, and free the people of Seattle, my people, from her bondage!

"This is America, not some demon's playpen!" Only a false god's, I thought, suppressing a stab of guilt. But it was all for the greater good.

A cheer roared from the soldiers, thundering through the air. I felt their patriotism, their worship, their eagerness to go out and kill the enemy. I stared at their young faces, nodding my head as their enthusiasm inspired me.

"Rangers lead the way!" someone shouted.

The entire company bellowed back, "All the way! Hooah!"

Energized and grinning, I ripped my bronze knife from its sheath and stabbed it into thin air, yelling, "Pasaq!"

The tip of the knife sank into nothingness, vanishing into the veil between life and death. I cut a portal to the Shadows, like sawing through thick molasses. Next to me, Mary did the same thing. This spell wasn't found in the Magicks of the Witch of Endor. We learned it from the Patriot who had tried to kill me in Washington, D.C. last month.

It disturbed me to learn that there were at least three other books, grimoires as Sam called them, that had working spells in them. Spells that weren't contained in the Magicks of the Witch of Endor. How many other books were out there? What were other Warlocks discovering?

"Stay close!" I shouted as the Rangers glanced hesitantly at each other, then poured through the portals. "We shall lead you through the darkness."

It was misty on the other side.

"Master," Chasity said, the dead woman stepping out of the fog with the other dead bodyguards. They lurked in the Shadows around Mary and me, protecting us from the Patriots. Three times, according to Chasity, the terrorist group had sent their people into the Shadows to assassinate us.

Mary and I led the soldiers through the top layer of the Abyss, the world a blur of swirling mists, nothing quite substantial. Distances were different in the Shadows. After only fifteen minutes of marching, I felt my stomach lurch. I knew, don't ask me how, that if I cut my way out of the shadows, we'd be at the warehouse.

"Captain, ready your men," I ordered. "We're about to attack."

The captain nodded, barking orders. The men knew their roles, already splitting off into four groups and moving around in the mist, guided by Mary and me. Their gear jingled and rattled as they gripped weapons.

At 0430, we would assault.

It was surreal in the Shadows. In the real world, the warehouse was as long as two football fields, yet the four groups were practically standing next to each other. They waited at where the building's four corners intersected with the Shadows. At those points, Mary and I would draw the portals for the attack. Lieutenants and sergeants gave their men last-minute instructions on the assault. Nervous energy swirled along with the gray mists and the ever-present chill.

My watch's alarm went off.

I drew the southwest corner portal as Mary carved the northeast. It was easier to make the portal on this side. It took almost no effort. "Humans don't belong in the Shadows," Sam had explained, "therefore it is easier to escape it than to enter."

The first opened onto the real world, the warehouse's dark form rising into the night. I took the few steps to the southeast corner and drew the second portal. It went fast. Then I raced to my wife at the northwest corner where she finished drawing the last one.

The first soldiers streamed through without making a sound, weapons readied, and night vision goggles switched on. Mary pulled on a pair of enchanted sunglasses that would let her see as if it was noon. She looked fierce in her body armor, black fatigue pants, and dark sunglasses. She had her auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail. Fierce and sexy.

I pulled on my own pair of sunglasses. Sam did great work. I could see everything clearly as I followed the rangers through the portal, trailed by Mary. I took two steps, the soldiers approaching the entrances to the warehouse and--

A piercing screech filled the night, the twisted cry of a bird malformed by sickness.

For a moment, everything was silent, and then Lilith's daughters attacked.​