Chapter Eleven – Leave the germs on Earth!
~Likosa~
Okay, maybe running like a coward wasn’t the best way to handle the moment with Shontae, but I wasn’t expecting what happened.
I had been in that position countless times, dancing along the edge of tension created by two great powers meeting.
And I walked away, often feeling more emboldened than I had before.
That was not what happened with Shontae.
When we kissed, my resolve shattered on contact, and Shontae’s energy invaded my space.
Nothing I did could force her out as the layers fell away so fast, it gave me whiplash.
And even in that short time, I felt how powerful she was.
In mere seconds, I went from wanting to get her out to wanting to give her more of me.
She could have taken everything, and I would have allowed it happily.
She felt amazing, and I wanted to continue kissing her, feeling her hands slip up the small of my back, but for the first time in far too long, I felt fear—fear she would take from me everything I wanted to keep to myself.
I’d decided where I needed to go as soon as I made it back to the Bane.
After drinking the last of the wine, I reinforced my barrier.
The person I needed to visit would be able to sense my vulnerability, and she would pounce like the predator she was.
Unfortunately, she was the only one I could readily get to who was powerful enough to help me.
I arrived at the little house, the gentle sound of the river flowing nearby.
This was a view you had to stop and appreciate, and that’s exactly why it worked.
Wanderers came seeking solutions and found themselves in front of the quaintest home, surrounded by beautiful flowers that were just like the owner of the house.
Beautiful to look at but deadly to touch.
I strolled up the steps and walked through the front door.
There waiting for me, because she would have sensed me the moment I stepped foot on her property, was an ehkunilke, a being who phased in and out of material form but remained tied to their world.
Every world had them. Their power was tied to the vibrancy of their world; a world teeming with life had the strongest ehkunilke.
They were sad beings, often outgrowing their world but never able to leave it.
“Likosa, what a lovely surprise!” Her wide smile stretched across her angular face as she stood from the rocking chair in the back.
Ehkunilke loved rocking chairs; they made them feel stable.
It was an unfortunate side effect that the energy they possessed only grew more chaotic as they aged.
Something about the rocking motion helped put things back in balance.
They were magnets for power, and eventually, they would become consumed with the idea of escape.
As I studied them, I realized it was because they were embodiments of the purest form of energy.
That kind of power always wanted expansion, creation.
Most of the ehkunilke I’d studied slowly descended into madness, consumed by their own thirst for power and an inability to continue consuming more or to create something new from what they had.
As much as she wanted to pretend it wasn’t the case, she was getting closer to that point.
“Amelsia.” I greeted her as warmly as I could muster. She and I had had a tumultuous start to our relationship. When I first got to the Bane, she thought I was a threat, someone who had come there to steal from her. And she hated me because I had something she did not.
Her pale blue flesh shifted to ombre shades of pink because she knew it was my favorite color. Her hair bounced around her face in coiled sheets of color, covering every hue of the spectrum. Even though we were constantly at odds, I could admire her beauty.
“If the outsider is here, that means she's looking for a favor.” Amelsia swayed from side to side, another tell she was nearing a breaking point. “Tell me, am I right? It's been so long since we've done a deal together, and yet, I find myself excited for the opportunity.”
“Don't get too excited; I'm here for a simple trade.” It was in my best interest to appear firm with her, though I knew she would never make it that easy.
“Oh, you lovely being, you know me. I never offer a simple trade.” She pretended to yawn. “What’s the fun in that? They’re boring, and I like to add a little adventure to the deal.”
“I don't have time for putting on a show here, Amelsia. Let's get to the point. What do you want?”
“Well, that entirely depends on what you're here for.” Her fingers, long and wispy, turned to smoke in front of her face as she waited for my response.
“I need a teardrop flame.” Her eyes lit up, and the smoke in front of her transformed, mimicking the shape of the item I’d requested.
“And you’ve come to me for this great ask? How flattering.”
“As you know, you're one of the few who can produce one. While I would prefer to go elsewhere, I don't have time to seek the others. They're too far away and too difficult to find. You, however, live your life on display for everyone.”
“What's the point of being this powerful if I just have to hide? Besides, no one's going to come for me. We both know that.” Her gentle grin turned sinister. No one in their right mind would ever target her, not unless they had a death wish.
“What do you want in return?” I asked.
“Marry me, tie your soul to mine, and live happily ever after, you and I, the way we both know it should be.” Amelsia was toying with me.
“You are a soulless being. There would be nothing to tie myself to. Now, give me a real answer.”
“Oh, you're no fun.” Her form solidified, turning from smoke to flesh as she crossed her arms over her chest. “But as it stands, there’s nothing I need right now. How about we just say you owe me one in the future? I'm sure something will come up.”
“That’s not how I operate, and you know that.”
“Why are you so hard to work with? You're coming to me for help, remember that. You're not in the position to be making any type of demand.”
“Amelsia, I am being very patient with you, but trust me when I say it's running thin.
I understand how powerful you are in this world, but I'm reminding you right now that I have far greater reach. I play your little game because I need a favor, but tell me what you want in return. Do not play with me.”
Amelsia made a sucking noise before returning to her rocking chair, clearly disturbed by what I said to her. “This must be serious. Usually, you're up for a little banter. What's going on?”
“And since when do I share information that does not need to be shared? I need a teardrop flame. Either you can help me, or you can't.”
“Fine, I will help you. And in return, I want your water. You know, from that pool of yours.”
“Right.” I knew what she would ask of me before she even spoke. Amelsia had her eyes on my water since I got to the Bane. It was the closest thing she could get to experiencing real, living matter outside of her world.
“We both know how powerful it is. Just a little is all I need, and you can have your flame.” She twirled her fingers. “I think we can agree that’s a fair trade, considering how desperate you seem to be.”
“Fine.” I gave a tight nod, agreeing to her terms.
“Oh, this must be big.” Her eyes widened, as if considering asking for more. “I've been asking you to spare me a bit of your water since you arrived. How many times have you refused me? I can’t keep count, and you just happily hand it over now. Why?”
“Ask me that question again, and we have no deal.”
“No, no, no, that's alright. Keep your secrets.” She stood from her rocking chair, steadied by my agreement. “I will get the flame for you. You just make yourself cozy. No need to get the water right away. I trust you to hold up your end of the bargain.”
As soon as Amelsia vanished, I immediately turned to the concern of how to tell Shontae the truth. Her questions were inevitable, so I needed to have answers ready.
While I waited for Amelsia to return, I cataloged the items she had on display in the little storefront.
Nothing in front of me proved all that impressive, and that was by design.
Amelsia kept the good stuff hidden away.
Most of what could be seen was purely for show, or for bargains with people who had no idea what they were doing.
While I studied the bulgi bug suspended in the quivering jelly, a wave of euphoria washed over me. As my body erupted in pleasure, I gripped the shelving, my thoughts immediately returning to the restaurant and Shontae.
“What?” I huffed and stumbled back, landing in Amelsia’s rocking chair.
I gripped the armrest as I settled in for what I knew was a shift. Something was pulling me away from the Bane. The best thing to do was let it happen.
And then, it happened: my consciousness shifted away from my body and into the body of another woman—one with her legs spread and Shontae between them. I’m not one for shock when it comes to sexual magic, but what I experienced through the form of this other woman felt amazing.
I leaned into it as Shontae kissed her way up my inner thigh and pressed her lips against my clit. My head fell back, and I moaned her name, gripping the sheet at my sides while ignoring how the voice that came from my lips was not my own.
I looked down at her just as she looked up at me, and I could tell she saw me, truly saw me.
She blinked, shaking her head, as if trying to break away from a trance she wasn't really in.
She wasn't just seeing me; I was there, legs on her shoulders, waiting for her to do more—but she stopped and pulled away from me.
Before I could say anything, I heard Amelsia calling my name, and that was enough to pull me back to my body.
My eyes opened to a red-faced ehkunilke staring down at me.
“Are you comfortable in my chair?” she fumed.
I made no apologies; I simply stood and nodded.
“Look, also, I hate to say this, but I don't exactly have all that I need. I would need at least a day to acquire one more ingredient.”
“Are you messing with me?” I glanced at the chair. Would she be so petty as to make me wait because I sat in her seat? I wouldn’t put it past her.
“No, I'm not. And why do you look like that?” She stepped back and assessed me. “What were you doing?”
“Like what?” I straightened. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Your face is all flushed, and you have a little sweat on your brow. Are you okay? Please don't tell me you're sick. I know you keep going over there to that world with those magicless creatures. What do they call themselves? Oh, that’s right—humans.” She said the word as if she’d just licked a bed of salt and hot peppers.
“From what I hear, it is a cesspool. Did you bring something back? You travelers really should practice some sort of quarantine when you come back here.”
“No, I'm fine. Create the tear, and I'll come back with the water for you.” I paused. “The Bane is in good health, Amelsia. I will do nothing to change that.”
“Excellent. Well, yeah, give me a day—and take a tincture while you’re at it.” She shrugged. “Just to be safe.”
“Will do.” I smirked before turning to leave.
As I headed back to my home, I thought of peeking in on Shontae again, but decided against it. I could have more fun with her later. Now was the time to work.