The Court of Souls?

Chapter 41: ~Deception.~

Hecate or Hekate (/hkti, hkt/; Greek , Hekt) is a goddess in Ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding two torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She was variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, dogs, light, the moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery.

- The Journey to the Afterlife

***Dedessia, the Sea of Souls, Semper Fidelis***

***Elona***

Are you well, Elona? Chloe asks and hands me a drink. We are in the kitchen and Mom is giving me a lot of attention recently. She is all over me because she is becoming a grandmother and looking forward to it.

I am fine. I am just a little concerned about Shade. I purse my lips and squint my eyes, adding up the recent events and his behaviour.

Did you two have a fight? If he isn't giving you enough energy, we could find you some townsfolk to empty. You don't have to kill them, Mom offers.

I vehemently shake my head. I would never do that! And besides, even if I let them live, Shade would make them disappear as soon as he gets wind of me taking a snack.

What is it then? Chloe asks concerned.

First, I was thinking about our spy problem and why we can't use it to our advantage. Second, Shade is up to something and I don't know if that's a good thing, I mumble.

Chloe takes a seat right next to and places her hands on the table. You were the one who jumped right into this soulbond thing. If you think that he isn't trustworthy and you realize that only after you got yourself with child...

I shake my head. It isn't that. I trust Shade and his previous personalities. He is a good natured fellow towards those who he regards as family. I am just concerned that he might do something stupid, or is in the process of doing something stupid. He likes to jump head first into danger, just to keep me out of it.

Chloe furrows her forehead. How so? He seems very competent to me. And likeable, once you get to know him. Though he isn't good with first impressions; we have to work on that.

Yeah, that's just until he deems it necessary to throw himself into some dangerous situation to unravel a mystery that was bugging him. Taking a look at the mana storm got him thinking, I saw it in his eyes. And if he tackles a magical problem that interests him, he doesn't hold back when finding answers. This time he is locking up and trying to evade my questions.

That almost certainly means that he has some suspicions about the mana storms. The implications may be dangerous, so he is trying to keep me out of the loop to protect me. But not this time. I know him. I am thinking about a solution to the spy problem, so that he doesn't get impatient, I explain, grumbling.

Mother takes my hand and smiles at me reassuringly. You are the best daughter to have. And I am sure that you don't make mistakes about your men. So, what are we going to do?

I thought about using the spy against them. The circle of people who you trust is small, but that may play to our advantage. We can set up a trap for them. So far, we kept our small expeditions a secret. Even the fact that we are secretly observing some people, I take a sip from my drink. Turns out that it is one of Mother's favourite herb teas.

I understand. But how would you go about a trap? How can we give them a convincing target? Mom asks.

I close my eyes and gather my thoughts. We have to give them something that poses an opportunity which they can't pass on. It has to be big enough to be believable. Several of our higher immortals have to be gone from the city.

I suggest spreading the word that we are in dire need of resources. For that reason we have to send a group of fifteen higher immortals to Parle's old city. There they are supposed to start a mining operation for iron ore. Parle had a small mine going under their city. It didn't yield much, but if we put together a story about enhancing our anti teleportation wards, that might draw their attention. All our people would have to do, is to excavate the entrance.

Chloe studies my face for several moments. I don't like it. What you are suggesting is to open ourselves to an attack. Doreen and Tisha will never allow that. And what guarantee do we have that they won't send another spirit for us.

Ah, but that's the trick. Our people won't waste their time with labouring inside the mine. Instead they will put up a teleportation circle to instantly rejoin us if necessary. We will do the same in case they become the target.

If Shade is right, then they can't make spirits on demand. He left an observer at the mana storm and, so far, the storm hasn't changed. I suppose that the storm would have to grow and shrink again to create a spirit.

As long as we act fast and decisively, there may be a window of opportunity. But I need your help to back me up against Doreen and Tisha. I am sure that Shade will stand behind me when he hears of the plan, but Doreen may need a little nudge.

Chloe licks over her lips. Oh, I am sure that I can do that, but are you certain that such a risk is necessary?

I grumble and bite my lower lip. I find it much more reassuring if the whole clan comes up with a risky proposal, than having Shade cooking up one of his own ideas.

Is that so? I suppose I can assist you when we talk to the others. And quit gnawing on your fingernails. Go and get your husband to do some kinky stuff if you are desperate for a good boning. Chloe snorts and gets to her feet.

He is avoiding me, except for my meals. And he has problems getting it up. I guess I exhausted him a little. I answer contritely.

Chloe bends down and grabs my tail. I am so surprised that I let out a little shriek. At this point I would not put it past her to do something which might destroy our bumpy mother and daughter relationship. Instead she pushes the tail's tip into my mouth and smiles victoriously. There you go. You are a succubus, but unable to bridge the time until your mate returns? Pathetic. Don't make me join you in bed to refresh your techniques.

She turns and walks out of the room.

Refreshing my techniques? I pull the tail out of my mouth and study it. Admittedly, it has the right size, but what about the tip? I blush as a dirty thought crosses my mind. So I curl the extremely flexible tip into something that resembles a screw. Damn! Why have I never thought about using this thing to my advantage!

Shade, or Angrod, always used my tail against me. But what if I use it on him instead? I guess I have to test it first. Pushing up my skirt, I guide it between my legs and past my panties.

Fuck, this is good!

Minutes later I am still writhing in my chair and panting heavily. My forehead is on the table to keep me from falling off. This is good. But with a guy it must be even better.

Suddenly the door opens and Shade steps inside. Elona? Your mother said that you need me. What... are... you... doing? He actually looks a little distressed.

Hah... I was exploring another way to get you going. My expression turns into a wide grin and I pull out the wriggling tail. My mother gave me an idea!

His expression turns blank and his entire face pales. That's certainly not how he imagined feeding me his energy.

Then he turns to flee and I pounce!

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