Cursed (closed)

[feistyphoenix]

True Form

The Past :

Gaul, 1st Century AD

I was summoned to a dank temple in the middle of nothing.

I was a mistake.

The idiot druid had been trying to cast some sort of spell to boost his own sex drive. I remember hanging back in the shadows just waiting for him to fall asleep. He finally did and I slinked forward slowly, my spindle of a tail swishing silently behind me. When his eyes opened he didn’t see my true form, he saw a dream. He saw the woman of his dreams, a figure crawling into his bed, rubbing against his tired body, awakening his desire. It was always the same. They gave in wholeheartedly. I enjoyed that wide eyed terrified look before they took their last breath. The energy would course through me and away I would go into the night, alive for a little while longer. I had the uncanny ability to remain unnoticed if I focused on it. The closer I got to a man the more clearly he could see me, feel me, desire me.

Over time the hunt for more power consumed me. It was the only thing keeping me alive. I brought countless men to their knees and then their graves, I truly enjoyed it. Hundreds of years passed and I was happy being alone. I knew no better, had no feelings of loneliness. My emotional range was limited to revenge, hunger, thirst for blood, and pure physical pleasure. I had no loyalties or responsibilities. I was a young thing then.

Eventually it all caught up to me. That sucked.

The Present:

Tennessee, 1863

The woods outside the Army camp were quiet but I knew what I was doing. I let him see me. He hopped off the top fence rail he’d been sitting on and started towards me deliberately. The sun was just about set now and the familiar game of cat and mouse began. I kept him a certain distance away, knowing it would drive him crazy.

I looked over my shoulder every now and then; my long hair fell loose in waves around my waist. The tattered dress I was wearing clung to my curves, I lifted the hem high to my knee to make my way through the undergrowth. He would catch up soon at this pace. I was not able to move any faster in these clothes. I made it to the river bank, slipped off my shoes and started wading in. The slow moving water felt heavenly on my bare skin. The dry cotton soaked up the water; it traveled slowly up the fibers until my whole torso was wet. I turned around to face him as he burst through the tree line. I spread my hands flat on top of the water. I watched the young soldier intently and he laid his gun down on a flat rock before walking to the edge of the water.

 

[Hard_Rom]

https://teeninfonet.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/bpjmovzieaaa2qa-large.jpg

Corporal Jethro Elkins, age 21, 6', 175lbs, 1st Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry scout, from Harrison, Tennessee, father: lumber mill owner and Rebel, mother: deceased, raised by black nurse Mama Waters (Vodou practitioner)

I didn't want to scare her, so I laid down my rifle gun. She don't look scared. She don't even look nervous. Sometimes regular soldiers ain't no better than marauders. Been chasing... following her a mile or better but we're still be well behind Union lines. She ain't no Reb spy. She couldn't be! Not her. Who is she?

"I won't hurt you," I tell her from the river bank, "I couldn't." "My name is Corporal Jethro Elkins of the 1st Tennessee Cavalry."

I undo my sword and gun belt and along with my knife put them with my rifle gun. Hat and coat join the pile as I turn and wade into the river, still fully clothed. The water is cold and the current does have some force to it. She stands serenely with her hands just touching the river's surface. Where the river's current swirls and pushes against me, it parts quietly about her body. In the last light of the setting sun I can almost see her body beneath her thin wet dress.

"Please! Don't run any more!" I implore her, "I might lose you in the dark." "And then... I don't know..."

She has red hair. Mama Waters said I should be wary of girls with red hair. In fact she was quite adamant about me staying away from reds. Like she knew something bad would happen. Mama Waters many times knew things before they happened. Folk would come to her for fortune telling and healing from all over. Even from New Orleans! But Mama Waters was wrong this time. The Lady will not hurt me, I know it.

"What... I mean who are you?"

 

[feistyphoenix]

I tried to keep the grin to a minimum, the last thing I was worried about was him hurting me. I wasn't worried about anything really, what did I have to be afraid of? The bone in my wings could break his neck if I swung hard enough.

"I didn't think you were fixin' to, honey," I said seductively. Somehow over the years I had picked up a slight Southern drawl, which mixed with my original Gaelic tongue that I spent years taming so it was more neutral, the result was a unique but not particularly distinguishable speech. If I happened to speak to someone they usually assumed I was the daughter of an Irish immigrant. It suited me just fine. The less questions people asked, the better.

He wasn't a particularly impressive man, that never really mattered to me. All I cared for was his life force. Soldiers were all fired up on adrenaline, aggression, and the high of battle; they were particularly delicious, he would be no different.

I focused harder, fed his brain an image of me without my unearthly traits. No wings, the small horns sprouting from beneath my thick red waves, nor the tail. Even though it swished in the water like a rudder, keeping me stable in the rushing current. If I wasn't careful he'd be swept away from me and I would lose my prey.

My lip curled slightly upwards revealing pearly white teeth, uncommon in this area.

I stepped forward towards him, very nearly touching him. I enjoyed this so much. I could smell the outdoors on him, I licked my lips and then snagged my bottom lip in my teeth. It was difficult to hold back.

 

[Hard_Rom]

I ain't normally one for goin' about a-blasphemin' but Jesus Christ! The Lady wants me. Me! She bites at my bottom lip lightly and I feel my cock start to get hard. A wave of pleasure goes through my body from her seductive bite. Her wet dress clings to her curves extenuating her heavy breasts, I can make out her nipples through the thin material. By God, she's not a-wearin' any under things. The curve of her hips is uninterrupted by any sign of wearing drawers. My hard cock strains at the thin wet material of my drawers and wool uniform trousers. Almost of their own accord my hands come up, wanting to cup her large breasts. I want to touch her. I need to touch her. I daren't.

Who... no, what is she. Mama Waters said that there are creatures who walk this world who are not of it. Some are good and kind, some are malevolent and evil. And that lookin' was no way of tellin' if they was bad or not. For evil many times appears as beautiful. So to keep evil at bay, Mama made me up whut she called a Mojo bag. I wears it all the time on around my neck. When it hangs it sits plumb in the middle of a tattoo that Mama Waters did on me. Made me sit still while she done it by making me drink somethin'. Alls I remember was Mama Waters chantin' and prayin'. What ever she made me drink made me feel all strange like and with weird dreams. At one point I thought I was lookin' down at myself while Mama used a rose thorn as a needle. I was lying in a circle she had drew on the floor with a five pointed star, candles, incense and all her bones and charms scattered about in funny patterns. She called the tattoo a Veve. Said it had magic to ward off evil. When Daddy saw it, he gave Mama a whippin' for it. Then he beat the tar outta me for trying to help Mama Waters. Bastard!

I don't know why I'm a-thinkin' of Mama Waters. The Lady needs my attention. She wants me just as much as I want her. I know, I hope, I fear she does. The thought of her beneath me, her arms and legs wrapped around, holding me, taking me inside her, letting me cum in her as her cunt spasms and draws my essence deep inside her. My desire overcomes my fear. My hands move to cup her tits and I close my mouth on hers to kiss and suck at her top lip as she bites at my lower lip.

 

[feistyphoenix]

He managed a few more words than most men did in my presence, i was mildly amused by it. He was so young and full of life, it enthralled me and made me want him.

For some reason as the passion between us grew I started to feel an unfamiliar heat. It was soothing against the chill of the water at first but as my hands reached for his hips, pulling him to me and threatening to rip the thin material of his under shirt it started to feel uncomfortably hot. What in the hell...

I kept going, not one to be deterred. I was trying to focus on my usual tactics but it seemed they were less effective than usual. I mean, he was still trying to climb into me like they usually did but this was different.

I started sucking the life from him as I kissed him, tongue reaching for the back of his throat, choking him purposefully. I gripped his biceps tightly, holding him in place. I felt his body give but only marginally so. I became more forceful but it felt like something was...in my way. I lifted my leg and rubbed my body against his as it coiled around his hip. I needed this.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Sweet Jesus! The devil's got me in his grip! I can't move, she's got me held tight as tied. My legs get knocked out from beneath me by the current as I struggle to get some purchase or leverage. Still she holds me like I was a ragdoll. Oh Mama, you was right! Mama! Mama Waters! I would call out but her tongue thrusts into my throat. I can't breathe! The Lady wraps her leg around me, her wet ungodly beautiful body pushin' up against me. My still hard cock is stimulated by her motions and the rough cloth of my clothes until it is fully engorged. I can feel a drop of warmth leak from the head. Oh Mama! Mami! Mami Wata!

I choke and gag, a-squirmin' in her grasp as my sight grows dim. There is no doubt in my mind, I am to die. And as I accept that, all the demon's illusions fail. All I can see now is a dim view over her shoulder as the moon rises over the eastern hills of my home. It is then the wings of the demon raise up obscuring the view of the moon. The thin leathery skin of the wing allows the moon to shine through like a ghostly orb or like... an eclipse! "When your death eclipses da moon," Mami had said, "Den, my baby boy, I will come."

The spasm which goes through my body feels like I been thrown from a horse. My arms and hands move to grab her who holds me. They are my hands but I did not move them. And it is not me that shoves the Lady back, to hold her like two wrestlers locked in battle. My feet are planted for me and the current is as in a still pond. I don't even see this. My body is not my own as my eyes roll up and back into my head. The pressure in my head makes me open my mouth to scream but from it comes the voice of Mami Wata, my nurse and foster mother. And I know not what she says.

"AISHA KANDISHA ISHAKANDISH SHAKANDIS HAKANDI AKAND KAN A AH-SID-NAK-AH-SIA AH-SID-NAK-AH-SIA AH-SID-NAK-AH-SIA," Mama's voice and words boom from my mouth, "Dis one be mine, demon! Dis one be loved of me!" "You will not have him. Not now, not ever."

Next thing I know I can feel myself pull the Lady towards myself. Again our bodies are crushed together this time held by me. Or by the spirit of Mami Wata! Trapped between us is my mojo bag backed by the Veve tattoo on my chest. Instantly I can feel a searing pain in my chest that seems to go off like a loaded scattergun between us. The force of it drives me back from our embrace. The current takes my feet out from beneath me and pulls me away from the Lady and sight of her. Quarter of a mile downstream I manage to pull myself to shore and collapse.

 

[feistyphoenix]

It happens so quickly, so very quickly. I do not know what it is at first. All I know is the burning and the searing pain. It rips through me as he holds me to his chest. I try to speak, try to protest but I am drowned out by the voice eminanting from him. It isn't him, it is her. My bright eyes widen in fear as his glow back at me in anger and hate.

The force that parts us sends me back against the rocks at the waters edge. I am soaked from the splashing and paralyzed in pain. I cannot even manage to scream. My head burns, my back feels like it has been broken, and I feel like something has been ripped from within me and replaced with something foreign.

"Pull it together Ashe," I remind myself. But I cannot. I gasp for air and try to crawl away from the water a little further but my body is not strong any longer. I feel nothing but weakness. I have been stripped of the power, if I could just fly...but my wings! My beautiful wings! They are gone. I reach behind and hug myself tightly, I can feel the ripped skin down to the bone on my shoulders where they had once been. It heals under my touch but the flesh will be scarred I know. My tail has suffered the same fate I am sure of it. I run one hand through my hair, pushing back the wet tendrils, no horns.

All the while a feeling is creeping over me, like one I have never had before. It crushes me, makes it hard to breathe, and move. The tears spring to my eyes as I lay myself against the large flat rock on the bank. It is so cold now. The physical pain I feel is nothing compared to the way my heart is bursting from the guilt. So many lives I have destroyed and so many things I have taken from others. It is unimaginable how much pain I have caused others and now it is returning back to me tenfold. The hot tears spill down my cheeks and I finally find my voice.

I have never screamed before, there was never a need. But now I cannot stop screaming.

 

[Hard_Rom]

The sound of the Lady screaming brings me back. I've heard folk scream before but nothin' like that. Gettin' to my feet, I'm surprised to find out I ain't injured none. By the light of the moon I pick my way back upstream, climbin' over rocks and dead trees. The Lady is still screaming when I get to her. Her thin wet dress is even more torn and ragged, clinging to and exposing her under the moonlight. Her back arches in sheer agony thrusting her breasts upwards and opening her thighs. My hard on returns with a vengeance.

Ducking under an overhanging tree, I wade to the rock the Lady has washed up on. Helplessly I watch as she writhes and squirms under her torment. God, I'm so fuckin' hard! Not knowing what to do I clamber out of the river and on to the rock. I strip off my wet shirt and bundle it up. When I get the chance I slip it under her head and put a hand on her shoulder. I look her body up and down tryin' to find signs of hurt or injury. My other hand begins to roam her body. I want to think I am lookin' to see if the Lady is hurt. My guilt at my action has me look around for witnesses. If the Lady does not stop screamin' we will have a patrol on us in real short time. Yankee or Reb!

"Lady! Please, you must be quiet," I implore her, "Where does it hurt? Are you injured?" "Please Lady! There is danger! Please!"

I don't know how to stop her screamin' We'll be caught real quick. Why do I think that even the Northern army findin' us would be so bad? I can't just clamp my hand over the Lady's mouth and shut her up. Not able to think of anything else and wholly desiring to, I lean down and kiss the Lady trying to silence her screams. I hope she don't hurt me too bad.

 

[feistyphoenix]

I hardly notice him return to kill my now human form through the blinding pain. The release from this torture would be welcome. I can barely see his form in the dim half light, until he's almost on top of me.

Whatever demon is left in me is not ready to give up without a fight. As his mouth meets mine my right hand slides to the small of my back, reaching for the small dagger tucked away. My left hand closes around his throat and with all the strength I have left I force him away, pinning the knife to his jugular.

I notice the small leather satchel slung about his neck as it swings in the air between his chest and mine. At the same time a wave of recognition hits me when my eyes roam his skin where his tattoo rests.

A string of Gaelic then Welsh curses fly before the guttural demonic language spews forth. I hiss and growl as an angry wild cat at him, how dare he!?

Finally in English I manage, still fighting the pain of my broken state, "who are you?"

 

[Hard_Rom]

At least the Lady has stopped screamin' but now Sweet Jesus she aims to kill this poor sinner. Jesus Christ! She is fast with a knife. I don't feel the strength in her grip as before but the look in her eyes is the same. Real sharp blade. I feel the sting of a sharp cut and the warm trickle of blood. I was awful hard a second before. Her speakin' in tongues kinda took the wind out of that sail.

"My name is Jethro, Jethro Elkins," I reply, "I'm with the Yankees as a scout."

I remove the hand that was touching her and wave it easterly.

"My Daddy and me come from outside of Harrison, near Chattanooga. He's a Reb," I continue, not sure why, "I was raised by Daddy's house slave Mama Waters after my Mama died." "Please! I don't know what just happened. I don't want to know. Just let me go and I won't say anythin' to anybody about nothin'."

"Don't kill me. I get found with a slit throat and there will be patrols all the way between here and the Duck River. They'll hang you as a spy."

 

[feistyphoenix]

"They wouldn't find you, boy," I snarl, "and they wouldn't hang me neither."

I slide the knife gently to the string around his neck, cutting it with the flick of my wrist. I hiss at it drops between my breasts. I return the knife to his throat and slowly wriggle out from under him, snatching the bag as I go.

I sit an arms length away, resting on one hip with both of my long bare legs to the side. I keep my knife point and my fierce green eyes trained on him as i deftly untie the bag and smell what is inside. It's harmless to me now but it disgusts me all the same. I throw it over his shoulder and into the river before advancing on him again demanding answers.

I'm practically in his lap now, on my knees over him, inches away from his bare torso. I examine the tattoo, or what I can see in the dark.

"Do you even know what I am? Who gave you such powerful magic?"

My head swam, I breathed deep and evenly trying to stay in control. I was weak and I knew it. I hoped he knew how dangerous I could still be, for his own sake. I was struck with the realization as I looked at him, this boy, I didn't want to kill him. The crushing guilt was washing over me in waves.

 

[Hard_Rom]

"You're the Devil!" I answer her, "Or one of his demons."

All the stories Mama Waters told me come floodin' back in to my mind. Christian myths, African myths and the fusion stories of Saint-Dominque and Haiti. Angels and demons, spirits good and bad. Mami always said to listen to the preacher on Sundays as the Jesus spirit was good and kind but thought also that the preacher was uneducated and very young. Preacher is getting on sixty years old now and comes from Boston! Don't know how old Mama Waters is. Daddy don't know neither. She must be very old though. She was in Haiti during the end of the slave revolt in '04 and was, as she admits, a young girl back in Africa.

I almost braved her knife when she took Mami's bag from me and threw it in the river. But something told me it had done it's work.

"Mama Waters," I tell her, "She gave me that bag and done the tattoo on me." "She's the woman that raised me. She's Daddy's house slave."

It's dark, she is in shadow holding a knife to my throat and still all I can think about, besides answering her, is how I want her so bad. It must be some demonic spell but even knowing that, it makes no difference. It's a good thing she is not actually sitting on me. My cock is hard yet again and tenting up my wet thin wool trousers. What did Mami call them... Succubi!

 

[feistyphoenix]

"I don't belong to the devil," I reply quietly. My strength is fading.

Truth is the whole underworld has been in chaos for so long it was pretty much every demon for themselves. Sure, every now and then a conglomeration or alliance would crop up but someone always got greedy or betrayed the group. It was much safer to be alone. So that's what I had done. I had a smatterin' of friends across the ages, one or two on the East Coast even, but none of them would be able to fix this.

This boy didn't know the first thing about the veve scrawled across his chest, or that he had been responsible for forcing a soul into me and stripping me of demonic power.

I can still see the lust written all over his face. I wondered if there was still some lingering effect I had on him. The more thinking I did the more my body hurt. I ached everywhere. My breathing became more labored until I had to brace myself on the rock with one hand, the dagger under my palm flat against the grey shale.

"I won't kill you..." I breathed quietly, almost falling into him. It fucking hurt being human.

"Please," I was almost whispering, because I'd never in my long life had to beg for anything before, "make it stop hurting."

 

[Hard_Rom]

The Lady must be hurt real bad. First the knife falls away from my throat and now I have to put my hands on her waist to stop her from falling. Maybe she's all bust up inside from the rocks. The Lady said I done magic. Is that it. Maybe she's sick. I don't know. Mama Waters will know what to do! If I can get her home, Mami can make her better. I believe her when she said she won't kill me. I don't think she could anymore. When she asks me for help, I know I have to get her to Mami.

Problem with that is I think, as I gather the Lady up in my arms, is that home is seventy-five miles south of here. Straight thru a Yankee army and a couple of Confederate ones. Holding the Lady tight I make my way out of the river and up the bank. Staying in the moon shadows of the cottonwoods, I carry her back to where I left my guns. How to get home quick is a real problem. There's too much work for scouts and patrols with all the activity going on. This whole area is still a hotbed of Reb sympathizers. No way I can get leave. I don't think it would be good to take the lady to an army hospital. They're bad places to die. I lay the Lady down while I scramble down the bank and retrieve my weapons and ammo. Ain't nothin' to it. Just goin' to have to desert, steal a couple of horses, take a roundabout route home by going east first not south, be about one hundred and fifty miles by the time we are done. A week at best.

When I get back to the Lady, I prop her up and offer her a drink from my canteen as I explain what I think we should do. Only fools drink army water, my canteen is full of homemade local whisky. I hope she realizes that.

 

[feistyphoenix]

He doesn't even hesitate to take care of me. He must be crazy. I go along with it, for now at least. I'm stuck with him until I can get whatever he did to me reversed.

"You're crazy," I tell him after he tells me the plan, "I don't need medical care. I just need to rest awhile and get this soul taken outta me."

The guilt and all the other emotions have made my head swim. It's enough to drive a demon mad. Giving an immortal being a soul is a dangerous thing.

I take the canteen from him but before I can drink I smell the liquor. I snort the scent softly out of my nose and hand it back to him.

"I'd rather drink from the river," I say and try to stand. It goes okay. I'm a little unsteady, and still barefoot. I turn away to look for my shoes but hear something behind us. I look at him like a wild thing caught in a trap. If the wrong people find us they'll kill him and right now I need him. I step closer to him to steady myself. His arm slips around me, it's the third or fourth time he's done that.

I hate needing anyone. The sounds get closer, it's definitely people, one or two. I cock my head listening, then hold up two fingers for him to see. His arm is still about my waist, perhaps if we stay still...

 

[Hard_Rom]

The Lady has got good hearin' or somethin'. Lookin' awful unsteady and jumpy as a rabbit too. She's tellin' me numbers before I even heard them comin'. Damnation! There can't be no shootin'. If they're Yankees guess we'll just have to play at courtin' or somethin', what with me putting my arm around her. Problem is loyalties are awful divided in these parts. A few counties east or west puts you on the other side. And by my reckonin' my unit may be the closest Union troops another mile north of here. These folk is comin' from the south. It's dark I should be able to get the drop on who ever they are. I make sure the Lady is not going to fall and put my hand on my knife.

If they spoke I could maybe figure out who they are but no such luck. It ain't till they're not eight feet away and almost past us that the moonlight shows the Confederate pattern cavalry swords hanging from their frogs. Reb cavalry? Horses? Kill'em first then ask questions. I give the Lady a quick reassuring hug, probably more for my benefit, then take a step sideways. Sure enough the near one turns towards me. My knife takes him in the throat. Fallin' back he impedes his partner long enough for me to draw my sword and close with him. He lunges as I rush him and my parry just knocks his blade aside. Soon as I get past his sword, I give him a brutal kick to the balls, which takes all the fight out of him. My sword coming down on his shoulder takes the life out of him. I have to push him off my blade with my foot. Turning I see the first Reb choking his life out with my thrown knife still in his neck. Giving it a twist and pulling it out finishes the job.

Wiping my blades off on his coat, I start to go through his pockets before I remember the Lady. I sheath my blades and look for her in the shadows.

 

[feistyphoenix]

It startles me, the way he fights. I'm not afraid of him, though in my current state I probably should be.

"You didn't have to kill them," I say quietly from the shadows, "I coulda convinced them not to hurt you."

It's strange to me that killing seems so abhorrent when it has been my main profession I suppose you could call it.

"You need to get back to camp, the longer you're gone they'll send men to look for you, to kill you for deserting or to see if the Rebels already did the job. I'll just have to go with you."

A succubus with a soul smack dab in the middle of a Union camp, I knew it was a train wreck in the making. I knew I'd likely have to persuade him, but it was the best chance we had right now. I could just hide in his tent and sleep.

"Or you can leave me here, I know it doesn't seem like it but I can take care of myself, even as a human," I whispered as he came closer. We stood together under the moonlight and I shivered. Autumn was comin' on and the nights were getting cooler.

 

[Hard_Rom]

As soon as she shivers in my arms, I take off my coat and wrap it around her. I should have thought earlier to keep the Lady warm.

"Sorry," I say as I button it up.

"Also, you are wrong," as I move to search the dead bodies, "They had to die. They were a danger to you." "And I'm not leaving you!"

I have a brilliant idea!

"If you need rest. I can get you to my tent," I say, "And these two fella's are your ticket in." "I went for a walk and came across these two Reb trying to have their way with you."

"Stay here," I order the Lady, "They must have horses close. I will be back soon." "And when I do, you will tell me what you mean by having a soul put in you and not being human. Near as I figure Mama Waters put a big hex on you when you tried to kill me or whatever you intended."

I turn and head back south, back trailing to find where the Rebs hitched their horses.

 

[feistyphoenix]

"It's alright," I say quietly. My hands move to cover his as they reach the collar of the jacketbefore I turn away. The intimacy does not sit well with me, I just need to get back to normal, then we can go our separate ways. If I ever see him again, I won't hurt him. That will be our deal.

I hope.

I already do not like the idea of everyone knowing I'm in camp. If he thought these two would have had their way with me, he was wrong. I'd likely be the one having my way. But there's not much I can do now, i agree to his terms.

I sit by the river and wait for him to get back with the horses. I try not to think too much. I'm very tired and this coat is itchy. I unbutton the first few and let my skin breathe. I wait, it turns into more than a few minutes.

I hear some sounds behind me in the brush, but it's not horses.

It's a man. I don't see him until he breaks the treeline, not 20 feet from where his brothers in arms lie dead. He must not be able to see them in the dark. He keeps a pistol trained on me. Obviously noting the Union coat I'm wearing.

"Stand up, boy. Hands where I can see 'um," he says roughly.

I do as he says and reply, "I'm not a boy nor a man," as I turn and face him.

"Damn..." he says as he approaches closer to inspect my assertion.

He runs his fingers through my loose hair, "Ya better get that coat off girl, how am I gonna know you ain't carryin' a gun too."

I slip out of it and listen as he sharply inhales at the sight of me. Demon or not, I know my body is to die for. The dress barely covers my breasts anymore, the corset bodice is intact but the thin skirt is torn to shreds on one side, revealing my pale leg in the moonlight. I watch him lick his lips.

I breathe deeply, centering myself.

"You won't need that," my voice is quiet but he lowers the gun, losing focus. He will regret it later.

His hand encircles my waist as he pulls me in close. He's very tall, lanky and unshaven. He's an older man, too old to fight a young man's war.

"My God girl," he says in disbelief.

"Please, I'm lost and alone," I plead as I press myself against him, "I need to get home."

He sighs and drops the gun. I hear it clatter on the rocks. I can feel his body harden against me.

"I'll get you anything you need darlin'," he promises, "as long as you give me what I need."

I play at innocence, "what do you need," I ask as my hand goes to his shoulder.

"Ah need a woman's touch sumpin feirce," he growls now. Desperation is the downfall of many men.

I wonder when Jethro will he back with the horses. It strikes me that I'd rather be next to him than alone.

"Girl, you the kind that drives men mad with desire ain't you," he acusses as he holds me tightly against him.

"I suppose so," I say as I reach for my dagger.

Shit. I dropped it earlier. I'm completely unarmed. I'm frustrated with myself. Now I'm stuck in the strangers grip without my knife. These damn emotions make it hard to think.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Sure enough 'bout a quarter mile upriver, I hear a horse. I don't want no shootin' so I lay my rifle down and draw my knife. I'm figurin' three men. They would have left a man with the horses. Yep, there they are a bunch of horses just in the trees with some fella holdin' them. Goin' to have to move real quiet with them horses. Winds in my face luckily. My axe would be nice, swords clang about too much when moving Indian style. So I leave it behind. After that it's just a matter of movin' real quiet like. The sound of the river is drowning out any sounds I make.

It's only when I rise up behind him and the horses react does the Reb even know I'm there. He turns quickly, goin' for his revolver. My knife takes him under the chin and upwards. He dies real quick droppin' to the ground and sliding off my knife. I wipe it off on his coat. He's just a young un. Younger than me. Too young to be fighting a man's war. Rebs must be gettin' real short of manpower.

The horses have moved of twenty feet away. I'm going to collect them when I realize there are four saddled horses! Where is the fourth man? The Lady! She's alone! Bugger the horses! I turn and head back, collecting my sword and rifle as I go. I daren't move too fast and make noise but I have to protect her!

 

[feistyphoenix]

alright, don't panic. I can figure this out.

I move away, testing him to see if he will let me. He does. I think he's too mesmerized watching to stop me. I reach for the jacket and put it around my shoulders. I notice my knife where I dropped it. I sit on a large rock, what's left of my skirt hides the dagger on the ground.

"What's yer name, girl? Where your sympathies lie these days," he asks, moving toward me and away from his gun.

"Does it really matter," I stretch my leg out and watch his eyes follow my bare skin in the moonlight. There must be some power left in me.

"Can you help me find my horse? I lost him out here somewhere," I'm hoping this distracts him.

"Not 'till you give me what I need," His voice is like gravel. I know he means it. Damn.

"Come here then," I entice him on pupose.

He slips out of his pack, when he turns to put it down I lean to the side, collect my dagger, and tuck it behind my back. Under the jacket he can't even tell I've moved.

He approaches and pushes the jacket off my shoulders again as I stand. I was so hoping to avoid this. I don't want to kill anymore. He grabs me by the hair and pulls my face up to his. He smells of alcohol, tobacco, and gunpowder.

His kiss is rough and forceful. I resist the urge to fight him off and instead give in. He pulls me tightly to him. I slip my hand behind my back and pull my knife before putting both arms around his neck. He moans in desire and pumps his hips against me. I very carefully aim the tip of my dagger, careful not to touch him with it before the time is right.

He's pulling at my clothes. I pull away in refusal when he pushes my skirt out of the way. His eyes flash in anger and he holds me tighter, so tight my eyes tear up from his hold on my hair. I start to panic. I'm not used to not being in control.

"Don't have whores like you back home," His grin is sinister. It's the final straw.

The knife cuts through his flesh like butter. I sink it all the way to the hilt and then push off against his chest. The knife comes with me and he's a crumpled bleeding mess on the ground, but he's not dead yet.

More hot years stream down my face. Why'd he have to find me? If he'd stayed away I wouldn't have....I shouldn't have...

He can't speak but he reaches for me, blood gurgling from his mouth.

I turn around to run.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Fighting the urge to break into a run, I move as quick as I dare. I won't be any use to the Lady blunderin' into an ambush. Skin him, that's what I'll do if he harms her. As I approach where I left her and the two dead Rebs, I stop and listen.

I hear the Reb call the Lady a whore and turn my head peering into the moon shadowed trees. Two figures stand close together, then one crumples to the ground. The second figure is the Lady, I see as she turns to run. Dropping my rifle gun, I catch her in my arms as she runs blindly away from the fallen Reb. She's crying. The moon lights her face to show gleaming streaks of tears.

"It's okay!" I say with relief, "I'm here." "Did he hurt you?"

 

[feistyphoenix]

I swallowed hard and tried to catch my breath while shaking my head.

"No, he didnt," I turned to look back. He was bleeding out, groaning in pain and gurgling.

And crawling towards his gun. He almost had a hold of it.

I wasn't even thinking. I just lunged towards him, reaching trying to smack the gun away.

The bullet struck my torso. It stunned me and I staggered back, holding my side. It fucking hurt like hell. I hadn't been shot in decades.

"Shit," I doubled over in pain. I knew it would pass but it never made it easier to endure. I growled in frustration, knowing I deserved it but wishing I hadn't needed to kill a man.

I tried to keep breathing, only vaguely aware of what was happening. The world felt like it was rushing up to meet me.

 

[Hard_Rom]

The sound of the shot echoes back off the hills and the Lady staggers.

"Nooooo!" I scream.

Drawin' my sword I kick the dying Rebs rifle gun aside and bury my blade in his head. I leave it embedded in his split skull and turn to the Lady. She's staggerin' and about to fall. Takin' her in my arms I lay her down. I grab up my coat and bundle it under her head. In the pitch black of the treed river bank I can't see how bad the Lady is hurt. From my belt pouch I draw out some matches and strike one. In the flickerin' light of the flaring match, I try to see where she has been shot and how bad.

I ain't thinkin' 'bout the sound of the shot bringing a patrol down on us. All I care about now is the Lady.

"Please! Don't be dying, Lady," I beg, "Please!"

 

[feistyphoenix]

He's being a mite dramatic about the whole thing but I suppose that is to be expected.

I run my hand through his hair and around the back of his neck tenderly.

"Look at me," I softly command, "you might not believe me but I'm going to be fine, I'm not dying."

My hunger is returning with a vengeance. My body needs another's flesh. I may not be able to kill anyone with sex and I sure as hell don't look like a demon anymore but at my core my needs are the same.

My wound is burning. Its agony waiting for the hole to close, the metal bullet lodged in my ribs will be forced back out the entry wound. In my weakened state I don't know how long it'll take. Maybe a few minutes, maybe overnight. Either way, I need rest and to satisfy my darker needs.

The pain helps me forget the other emotions roiling in my head. It seems quiet for once, aside from Jethro frettin' over me.

"I'll be fine," I reassure him again; I put his hand over my wound to show him, the dress is wet with blood but I'm not bleeding anymore, "see? It's healing already."

Without thinking I kiss him, he's so close already. His warmth is welcome. I don't know why I do it, just seems the right thing cause he's tryin so hard to keep near me, to keep me safe. I want him now, I keep kissing him softly, desiring being close to another. The familiar rush of desire is welcome. I start to feel like myself.