Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Puppeteer ❯ Demon, Heat and Fire ( Chapter 9 )

Hello and welcome to chapter 9! Let's see if Niven survives and Sorr'an can escape slavery... Hope you enjoy! Special thanks to my great beta Cassiopeia.

 

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Demon, Heat and Fire

 

The knife was pressed against my skin and I felt a sharp pain before the pressure vanished. I heard a surprised yelp, a warm liquid splashed on my face, flowed down my skin and dripped into my slightly open mouth. A metallic-sweet taste invaded my taste buds - blood! I heard a thump as if a something dropped to the ground, a gurgling sound reaching my ears. Two hands grabbed my shoulders and I was gently shaken.

 

“Niven? Niven, are you okay?” Sorr'an's voice sounded close to my face. I tried to reply but I was still paralyzed. “Niven!” The shaking became more insistent, then it stopped and I could hear the catboy sniffing me. He gently lifted me up and lowered me to the ground, resting my back against the trunk I have been sitting on. Footsteps departed and I sat there; darkness around me and the crackle of the fire the only thing I could hear.

 

I don't know how long I sat there but it felt like an eternity before feeling crawled back in my limbs, a tingle in my muscle that started to sting and burn. I slowly opened my eyes, my surroundings a bleary darkness interspersed with bright spots. Blinking I tried to clear my vision and squinted my eyes when I looked into the fire. A few moments later contours sharpened and I looked around. I rested my gaze on a body whose limbs stuck out of it in unnatural angles. There was a puddle of blood under its neck and I shakily stood up, taking a tentative step towards the corpse. It was Welf, his throat a bloody mass like it was pierced from the neck and ripped open by fangs.

 

I kicked his side and stomach for good measurement, the sickening sound of breaking bones giving me a weird satisfaction. “Taking my eyes, taking my life, hmm?” I stomped on his chest, ribs scrunching under the sole of my boots. “Whoring him out, breaking his will?” A sudden rage filled my mind and I attacked the corpse. “Making him your slave? Cutting off his tail? Torture him to death?!” I stopped violating Welf's body, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself down.

 

I looked around. No Sorr'an in sight. I started searching and it didn't take me long because I could hear his stifled groans. When I stepped onto a clearance I saw the catboy's hunched silhouette leaning against a tree. He panted heavily and his right hand moved frantically up and down somewhere around his groin. He suddenly stiffened and let out a gasp, resting his forehead against the trunk before he threw back his head and growling out a frustrated. His left hand clawed into the bark of the trunk he stood at and then his right hand sped up again.

 

`Damn, the curse. He needs release and it seems his own hand isn't doing the trick.'

 

I called out softly. “Sorr'an?”

 

Stopping his motions Sorr'an looked in my direction, turning his body away from me. “Go away!” he growled out.

 

“Sorr'an, I don't know how to help you but…”

 

“Go away! JUST GO AWAY!” he screamed.

 

I blinked and then returned to the campfire. I stopped when I entered the site - something was off. The fire burnt higher, green and violet flames licked at the wood without consuming it. Suddenly a creature stepped out of it - black skin and diffused outlines - and leaned over Welf before straightening up.

 

“Come out Puppeteer. I can see and smell you.”

 

I cautiously stepped on the clearing. “What are you?”

 

Turning towards me the creature's body flared up and suddenly a beautiful woman stood before me with porcelain skin, heart-shaped face with full lips, dark hazel eyes, framed by straight, ebony hair. A slender neck melted into narrow shoulders, a hand glided over firm, small breasts, a flat stomach towards her crotch where she rubbed gently, pushing her index finger into her. A small moan escaped her lips before she replied with a honey-sweet voice: “I can be your wildest dream.” Tilting her head she smirked. “Perhaps you want me more like this?” Again its form flared up and there stood a young man, strong shoulders, medium long, wavy dark hair, high cheekbones and a sultry smile on his lips. A quick check confirmed that he was naked, too. “You seem to have many fantasies, and I can make them all come true.” The voice was velvety but definitely manly and with a cock of his hips he strolled towards me. “Now I know it, perhaps we start with someone like that.” Another flare up and Sorr'an stood in front of me. Well, something that looked like Sorr'an. It took another step to me but then suddenly hissed, looking behind me, twisting its face in a way that deformed it into a demonic grimace. I looked over my shoulder and saw the real Sorr'an, his talons prolonged, stalking towards us. The demon retreated a few meters and spat: “Keep him away from me!”

 

I reached out for Sorr'an and stopped him in his tracks. He stiffened but stood still. “What are you?”

 

“I'm a Morkran'ol.”

 

`Oh, the demon Welf talked about.' I furrowed my brows. “What do you want here?”

 

Pointing at the corpse the Morkran'ol replied: “I'm here to claim what's mine. Hold back this… thing,” it nodded at Sorr'an, “and I will leave immediately.”

 

“This thing?”

 

“Yes… I can't see him clearly, he's… Colorless. Unshaped.” It sniffed. “There's just a faint scent of my smell, but it's oppressed, mangled and perverted.”

 

I blinked. `Perverted? And that from a demon whose power is perversity.' Then I remembered Welf's words. When you wake up, you seek, no, you need release again and again. You will fall for the one that gives it to you first, become their slave and obey their wishes even if they destroy you. I took a step forward. “Is he infected with your curse?” I demanded to know.

 

“I don't know.”

 

“Tell me or we will destroy you!”

 

“I don't know!” the demon answered, its voice holding an edge of panic.

 

“Will he become a slave to the one that gives him release?”

 

“I can't say. He may. I really don't know.” Its face took a pleading mien. “Don't destroy me. I you do, there will be others coming after you, so please don't.”

 

I scrutinized it. `Demons rarely tell the truth but this one actually seems scared though you never can tell with a demon, especially if it's a seducer.' I pondered our options. “Okay, fuck off. Never come close to us again!” I threatened.

 

Nodding the Morkran'ol scampered to Welf's corpse, shouldered it and then stepped into the fire which blazed up and enveloped them, then they vanished and the fire returned to a normal color at normal height. I looked at Sorr'an who relaxed slightly but then shuddered and turned to leave again.

 

“Don't Sorr'an.”

 

“I need to… I can't stay…”

 

“I know what you need to, but please… Don't go away, I don't mind.” He looked doubting at me. “I mean… You can't help it and I don't want you wander around in the darkness while you are… distracted. It still is dangerous out here. Bandits and wild animals, you know?”

 

Sorr'an looked at me for a few moments and walked to the border of the glade. He peeked over his shoulder and I thought I saw him blush a little before he turned and reached into his pants. I sat down with my back to him, trying to ignore the pants and moans. Mental images of Sorr'an jerking off flashed through my mind completely unwanted. I willed them away, concentrating on the fire when I heard a knocking sound turned around, seeing Sorr'an pounding a fist against a trunk. Welf's voice resounded in my head. Becomes their slave… Sorr'an muttered something unintelligible. Obeys every wish… The catboy growled. The longer the release is denied the worse the pain and heat becomes. Sorr'an let out a desperate mewl. I clenched my fists then got up, fumbling in my vest pocket and got out one of the bottles I didn't want to take from Arias. Stepping behind Sorr'an who stiffened when he recognized my presence I gently said: “I hope the curse is only giving you the heat. But there's no use in letting you die because of it, so…”

 

I uncapped the bottle, smeared the cool liquid on my right hand and gently reached around for Sorr'an's dick. It was scorching hot - damn, how long was he rubbing it? I applied the cold lube over his rock-hard penis and Sorr'an relaxed a little, leaning back against me. I explained: “This lubricant has a cooling and slightly healing effect in case… smaller wounds appear… I think it will help your abused dick.” I massaged the lube into the overheated skin and his dickhead and Sorr'an's head lolled back, resting against my shoulder. I soon supported his weight; my left hand came down to reach into his pants and massaged his balls. The velvety feeling against my fingertips surprised me - fur covered his sac instead of hair and it felt so soft, so nice against my fingers. Sorr'an started to growl and buck up into my hand and I decided to give him what he obviously needed. With a good hold on his cock I let my thumb rub over the underside of his dickhead, increasing the pressure and the catboy pushed his face in the nook of my neck. His whole body stiffened, his tail wrapping around our waists and then he jerked in my hold while semen shot out of his dick, splattering against the tree and covering my hand. I gently massaged his balls and dick till it started to grow soft, Sorr'an relaxed in my hold and I kissed his temple, carefully stuffing his overused appendage back into his pants.

 

I supported the catboy while we returned to the fire. “Sit down.” I said and Sorr'an complied. I felt unease rise in my chest. “Stand up!” I ordered. He blinked but followed my orders. “Sit down!” Sorr'an sat down, confusion written on his face. I panicked. “Stand up!” I commanded.

 

The catboy snorted and rolled his shoulders. “I'm a little too tired for such games, you know.”

 

I sighed in relief. “Good. I thought… Not important.” I sat beside him and asked: “Is it better now?”

 

Sorr'an nodded and suddenly hugged me tightly. “Yeah, thank you.” He blushed. “I'm sorry you had to do this.”

 

I patted his back and waved his comment aside. “No problem, it wasn't a burden…” I went quiet and after a long moment of awkward silence I cleared my throat. “You should go to bed, it was an exhausting day.” I cursed silently - could I be anymore ambiguous? “I will keep watch, so you can rest peacefully.”

 

“Watch? But we didn't have a watch the last days. The Lichtbeuger still works, right?”

 

I nodded. “Yeah, just in case another demon will come back.” It was a lie but I needed to calm down - giving release to Sorr'an gave me quite a problem. Sorr'an watched me for a moment and then went to sleep. Soon he snored quietly and I let my mind wander. The Morkran'ol shifted into a woman and a man and that was no surprise. But transforming into Sorr'an finally… And I kissed the catboy when he came - and if felt natural to do so. I rubbed a hand over my face, feeling something crusty. Lowering it I watched my palm and saw dark-red crumbs - Welf's blood. I poured some water in my hands and washed the remaining stains away, the cold liquid cooling me down. I decided I pondered enough this night and went to sleep, too.

 

I woke up the next morning, a slightly familiar weight on top of me. I opened my eyes and blinked groggily till I could see bright green eyes staring into mine. “Good morning, Niven.” Sorr'an said huskily. I remained still, captivated by these eyes, so warm and sensual. The Katze lowered his head till his forehead rested against mine. He spoke softly against my lips: “Can I ask for your help again?”

 

“My help?” I asked confusedly. Sorr'an thrust his groin into my hips. “Oh… Still the curse I guess?” The catboy remained silent and I reached for my vest, pulling out the bottle from yesterday. Lubing my fingers I asked him to lift his hips and he did as told. Reaching in his trousers I fisted his already leaking dick and started to spread the lubricant over the velvety flesh. Sorr'an pushed into my hand, a low purr rumbling in his chest. His lips were only an inch apart from mine and his thigh rubbed against my morning hardness teasingly. I shivered and felt my control slip away. I stopped and loosened my hold on the Katze's dick. Sorr'an growled disappointedly. “Hush… Turn around, I don't want you to soil our clothes when you come.” The Katze complied and wriggled a little till he found a comfortable position. I resumed my ministration of his penis and he moaned in response. Automatically my free hand caressed his stomach before slipping in his trouser, fondling his testis. Oh, how great they felt in my palm, the fluffy fur-covered sac so soft against my skin. I stifled a moan; his thigh wasn't pressing against my groin anymore but therefore his wonderful butt rubbed against it and a cat ear tickled my nose. I doubled my efforts to bring him to fruition. `I just can't lose my control - I can't!' Sorr'an's scent invaded my nostrils and I threw back my head, increasing the pressure on his dick as much as I deemed enjoyable. The Katze mewled softly then pushed up and moaned, his cock pulsing strongly in my hand. His essence spurted out and I even got some on my chin, then Sorr'an melted into a purring mass, snuggling against me. “A shooter…” I murmured.

 

Sorr'an tilted his head lightly. “Shooter?” he asked in a low purr.

 

“Yeah… It just means that you shoot your semen quite far…”

 

Sorr'an blinked. “Is this good?”

 

“It means nothing.” I replied. He didn't have to know that I kinda deemed it sexy. I wiped my hand against the leaves on the ground. “Come on, get up. If we hurry we can get to the next city today.”

 

Sorr'an gently laid his hand on mine that was still holding his spent dick and urged it to put it back in his pants. I did so and retreated both hands when the Katze turned, smiled at me and nuzzled my neck. “I can help you out with that, too.” He purred and gently rubbed his palm against my highly aroused hardness.

 

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. “No, we need to get moving or we won't make it today. I want a bed tonight.”

 

I opened my eyes and saw a bright smirk on Sorr'an's lips. “I see; a bed. Well, then let's get going so we have a bed tonight.” He rolled from me and started to pack his things. I blinked and got up, too, trying to will down my arousal. `That will be one hell of a journey today.'

 

--------------Later this evening-----------------

 

I sighed in relief when the city gates came in sight. I had tried to walk in front of Sorr'an the whole day so that I didn't have to look at him but he had insisted to walk beside me and my gaze had drifted to the Katze again and again. When I lifted my hand to scratch my nose or chin I had the musky scent of his dick, balls or semen in my nostrils. It unnerved me how my body reacted to it and walking long with a raging hard-on just wasn't comfortable. I would have to do something about it or this journey would become a long torture and I had a plan.

 

It was an hour after dawn and the gates were already closed so I pounded against the metal door that was embedded into the gates. After a moment a spyhole opened and a watchman's face appeared.

 

“What do you want so late in the night?”

 

“We're sorry but we were surprised by the nightfall. Can we please come in?”

 

“No!” barked the man in a harsh tone of voice. “After sunset only people with an official passport from the city elders are allowed to pass.”

 

I rummaged in my vest pocket. “Perhaps this is equally sufficient?” I handed the watch guard a copy of Arias' signet that carried his magical signature. Surely the guard wouldn't be able to see it but Arias was a very well-known man in Meygran and in Tamspod he was popular and his official seal a sign that the person wearing it is trustworthy.

 

The watchman took the round, flat stone and examined it, looked at me before returning it nodding. He opened the small door and waved us inside. “The next time be here before nightfall, understood?”

 

“Yes, we're sorry.” I quickly walked down the road. I knew my way around in Dal Beron because I was in this city quite often. There was an inn, the Steel Keg, I stayed regularly at when taking a break for a night on my journeys and I led us there. It was a big, two-storied house that stood alone in the middle of the Soaker's Square; a name the Steel Keg helped to shape. Entering the bustling taproom I could smell the typical odor of An Old Man's Feet - a special kind of tobacco they served here with home-brewed beer called Cat Piss. Despite their names both tasted quite good and I spent many evenings and hours enjoying both in not very healthy amounts but tonight I needed something else. I stepped up to the counter, greeting the barkeeper. “Hello Raffy. How are you doing these days?”

 

A middle-aged, tall man with black hair, which showed hints of a silvery grey, and a soft face with light blue eyes turned and grinned friendly. “Niven, long time no see.” He rounded the bar and embraced me in a big hug. “Things are fine - even in the worst times people drink and smoke, perhaps even more than in good times.” He pulled back a little, his big hands resting on my shoulders. “You look good. Too bad Marna ain't here today.” I winced a little and Raffy laughed. “Don't fear, I think she would have emptied a pitcher of beer over your head but then hugged you. As she always does when you return after a long time of absence, though this time the part where you two went upstairs would have been canceled. She's married now and in good hope.”

 

I blinked surprised. “Really?” I smiled. “Well, I'm happy for her.”

 

Raffy nodded. “I know. Now, who's your companion here?” He looked at Sorr'an.

 

“He's… a friend.” I answered.

 

“A friend, right…” The barkeeper lifted a brow but didn't say anything further. I was glad that he was a good friend and knew when to be discreet - a quality good barmen always have.

 

Looking around confirmed my worry that we drew quite some attraction with Raffy greeting me soundly and Sorr'an hooded in his coat. “Hear Raffy, can you give us a room with two beds and bring him a good serving of meat with a mug of beer?” I looked at the Katze. “You don't smoke, do you?” The catboy shook his head.

 

“You don't want anything?” Raffy asked.

 

“No, I just put down my things; I have something to take care of.”

 

Fumbling under his apron Raffy conjured up a key and gave it to me. I motioned to Sorr'an to go upstairs and followed him. When we entered the room the catboy and I set our backpacks down. “Okay listen, you will get a meal soon and some beer to wash it down. I'm leaving but I won't be away very long.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“Nothing important, just something I have to take care of. Enjoy the beer and tell Raffy if you want more. Perhaps we take a day off after all what happened last night with Welf.” Sorr'an looked at me a little lost when I turned to leave and I was tempted to ruffle his hair but left the inn.

 

I went south and just before the working class neighborhood degenerated I arrived at my destination. Red lanterns swung above a sign, illuminating it. It read `Lady Mireille and her ladies' and hung above the entrance to a brothel I knew was clean, discreet and had moderate prices. The whores were of adequate beauty and skill and that was more than enough for me tonight. I entered the building, the scent of flower perfume lingering in the air. I paid the bawd her share to enter the room where I could choose from the women who were momentarily available. Just one look around and I chose a small woman with red-dyed strands in her black hair. I followed her to her room and when the door closed I placed a silver coin on the nightstand.

 

The whore made a surprised face before grinning. “Well, that's enough for a whole night sweetie. Or do you have special preferences?” She furrowed her brows. “I don't do everything, you know…”

 

I interrupted her. “My preference tonight is that you get undressed, lie down on the bed and keep quiet.”

 

The grin was back on her face. “Oh, are you so hot for me?”

 

I stopped undressing and reached for the silver coin. “You know, I can look for another girl, perhaps one that knows how to shut up and do as I tell her.”

 

“No, no, no… Fine, I'll be quiet if that's it what turns you on.” The woman disrobed and laid down on her back in her bed.

 

“You have some lube? I won't waste time with foreplay.”

 

She smiled at me what she obviously deemed seductively, spread her legs invitingly and ran a finger over her vulva. “Don't you want to do it, hunk?”

 

“No. Hurry or I will start even with you unprepared.”

 

The look on her face darkened but she dipped her fingers in a bowl that stood on her nightstand and applied some grease on her private parts. I lubed my fingers and stroked my dick to full hardness then settled between her legs. Lining up I pushed forward not really caring if she was comfortable or not. When I was fully sheathed I placed my hands besides her head and braced my weight on them.

 

“No kissing.” The whore said.

 

I nodded. “Don't fear…” I started to pound into her, closing my eyes and concentrated only on the friction around my cock, trying to ignore her intense perfume and small gasps and moans. I rushed to orgasm, the peak hitting me fast but felt somewhat shallow when I emptied myself into her and she scratched my back. Taking a moment to regain my breath I pulled out of her, grabbing a sheet to clean myself then sat on the edge of the bed. The arousal that I carried with me for the whole day and night was quenched, replaced by a cold ball in my stomach.

 

I got up and started to dress. “I'm done. You can go back and look out for other wooers.”

 

“You paid me enough for a long night, handsome. You can nap and I will bring you some wine and fruit and when you replenished we can go for another bout. The whole night if you want. People say I have a talented mouth.” I heard rustles of the sheets. “I will try hard to suck the last drop of semen out of you, I promise. I normally don't have an attractive customer as you are, hot stuff.”

 

Her voice echoed in my head and caused pain I couldn't explain. I wanted to scream at her to shut up but instead took my vest and left the room and the brothel, making my way back to the Steel Keg. The coldness spread through my bowels while I walked along the empty streets and entered the taproom not really hearing the shouts of laughter and bickering that sounded from the other guests. I went to the counter and got me mug of Cat Piss, smiling crookedly at Raffy when he looked at me. Entering our room I disrobed from my vest and sat on my bed. Sorr'an had looked at me when I came into the chamber a plate with leftovers from the roast at his feet and a beaker beside it. I took a long gulp of beer and closed my eyes, relishing in the emptiness that was on my mind, embracing the bleakness that came with it.

 

I was startled when I heard a sniffing sound close to me and opened my eyes to see Sorr'an snuffling a few inches away from my loin. “Excuse me, what do you think you're doing?”

 

Sorr'an made a face. “There's a strong icky scent lingering on you and it comes from your groin. It's mixed with the smell of…” He inhaled again then looked up with a taken aback mien. “Sex. It smells like sex.”

 

I rubbed my palm over my face. No need to deny it. “Yeah, I was at a brothel and tried to take some comfort in its services.” Sorr'an looked confused. “I paid a woman to sleep with her. It's her perfume you smell. And the sex you smell is because… Well, because I had sex with her.”

 

The Katze's facial expression went blank and held something I couldn't quite identify. He looked down. “So you like women better?” He said with a voice that held a tinge of… sadness?

 

“No, I don't care much about gender. Actually I like men a little better but it's easier to find a whore than a rent boy who is willing to serve men.” I shrugged. “I just needed someone to get the arousal off of me, you know.”

 

Sorr'an looked up. “But why did you go to a strange woman and gave her some of this money that you say is so precious?”

 

“I don't think my hand would have sufficed.” I grinned despite my mood. “And I'm not flexible enough to give myself a blowjob.”

 

The catboy looked in my eyes for a long moment. “But perhaps my hands would have been enough? Or my mouth?”

 

I stared at him in astonishment before clearing my throat. “You would have done that?”

 

Shrugging Sorr'an answered: “I offered you this morning.” He smiled. “To help you out.”

 

“Well, I didn't want you to think you had to repay me. You had no choice, I had to help you or else things would have gotten worse.”

 

Now Sorr'an coughed slightly and blushed a little. “Actually… This morning it wasn't the curse I think. Perhaps a little bit but mostly…” He bit his lower lip with a fang and peeked in my face. “Horniness?”

 

I blinked and then had to laugh, a relieved expression flashed over the catboy's face. “Oh, if that's the case perhaps I ask you the next time I have this problem again.”

 

The Katze grinned and nodded and his mien went a little more serious. “I like you Niven. I can't say why because you are so tight-lipped and confusing - one moment it seems you like me, too, the next you push me away. But you cared for me when I was poisoned, you bought me clothing and food and help me find my clan and… You wrapped an arm around my waist last night, when I laid close to you and tugged at me till I cuddled into your side.”

 

“I didn't!” I protested.

 

Sorr'an lifted a brow. “Oh yes, you did. Why don't you relax a little and let things go their way?” He lifted my shirt and started to lap at my navel and trailed further down, scrunching his nose.

 

My eyes went wide as saucers. “What do you think you're doing, Sorr'an?”

 

He smiled up to me. “You stink of this woman and I can't sleep with this stench in our room. I don't mind the sex smell, though.” The Katze resumed his lapping only stopping when he reached my waist. Pushing my shirt further up he discovered the spot where the whore had scraped me. Lavishing the scratch with his tongue he murmured: “This will make it heal faster. I want to be the causer next time…”, while he caressed my hipbone with gentle fingers.

 

Warmth spread in my groin and inside me. I scrambled to my feet and took some steps away from the catboy who looked puzzled at me. “I need… to think. Sorr'an it's not your fault, but yeah…” He sighed and got up, sat down on his bed eyeing me as I wandered through the room. I couldn't think with him in the same place. “I will take a walk.” I said as I went to the door.

 

“Will you go to another woman?”

 

I looked over my shoulder and tried a smile. “No, I won't go to another woman. Or man. I just need some time.” He nodded and I left the Steel Keg, roaming through the streets till I sat down in small dirty joint ordering a beer and a shot. I sat in deep thoughts, sipping at the beer that tasted like stale dishwater. Thought about Sorr'an and what he had said, that he liked me, to let things go their way. I liked him, too. A lot and I didn't know a thing about him, aside that he liked fish, meat and especially bacon, bright colors and cuddling in the night. I smiled lightly. That he had a body that met my tastes perfectly would make it so much easier to… fall for him. Fall for him... Like I fell for Leonhard. I gritted my teeth and downed the shot then stood up, feelings fighting inside me. Leo…

 

I walked through deserted streets welcoming the chilly wind that blew through the alleys. I was startled in my reverie when a boy ran in my direction screaming. “Fire, there's a fire!”

 

I grabbed his shoulder when he passed me, twirling him around. “Where's a fire, boy?”

 

“At the Steel Keg. The inn is burning!” the boy yelled then jerked himself free and ran down the street, shouting `Fire, fire.'

 

My heart stopped and I raced to the Steel Keg at top speed. When I reached the Soaker's Square a huge crowd stood around the burning inn. Flames burst out of the windows, the roof was on fire and smoke wafted out of the door. Everybody was staring and screaming but no-one was helping or getting water. Why was no-one helping? I jostled a guy, shouting in his face. “Why is no-one trying to extinguish the fire?”

 

The man looked coolly at me. “Can't you see it's too late? Bad luck for Raffy, he has lost his inn. Oh and of course for the people that were sleeping on the second story. The fire spread staggering fast, nobody could escape this hell. Let's just hope they died while sleeping, numbed with the smoke so that they didn't burn while being wide awake.”

 

My head snapped back like I was hit. `Burnt alive? No-one escaped? That can not be!' I held my head in my hands, shivering. “How can you know that when nobody even tried to help?” I yelled in rage. The man regarded me with a look of pity and then turned. They were all just watching; gawkers that lusted for some attraction. Fury whirled in my mind, anger about these indolent rubbernecks. Red dots and threads wavered before my vision and suddenly I could see all their connection points, where I just had to spin a magic thread in their systems to control them, all of them. I raised my hands and concentrated. It was like my insides were turned outside, a burning pain in my chest and limbs and it felt like all my energy was drained. Then silver lines connected me with every single person on the Square. I focused on making them move and my brain felt like an anthill was invading it but finally they moved and I got a better grasp on my magic. Forming a bucket chain I started to make them try to get the fire under control, willing them to move faster.

 

Bucket over bucket was poured in the fire when suddenly I felt something rip and one of my magic strings became black, shaking me and pulling at my core, my life energy. I snapped it off, closing the chain where a dead body fell to the ground like a puppet whose strings were cut. Another cord went black and then another one but I didn't care, the fire had to be put out.

 

I heard the trampling of boots and shouts but ignored them when suddenly a bright pain exploded in my head, making my vision swim but I didn't let the strings go. Another blow to the back of my head blinded me and I fell forward, the world going black as I hit the cobblestones.

 

TBC…

 

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