Cam's Justice

She was as exotic and beautiful as my shifter or Drow, and even more distracting than I'd remembered. Her striking beauty was different too, the porcelain and delicate beauty gave it a different flavor than my fair half-elf and my ebony goddess, despite the similar facial structure, long eyelashes, and upswept ears. She was also probably more distracting that time because I wasn't all keyed up for a fight in that moment, and I hadn't just gotten my ass handed to me.

There was an air of politeness and a slight arrogance about her, but given her looks and power, the latter could surely be forgiven. No, I corrected myself, not arrogance, it was earned surety and confidence, maybe the elves were arrogant by nature, but she didn't seem to be so. It also made me wonder about the fabled arrogance of the elves, and how much of that was merely the jealousy of the shorter lived and less powerful humans, who had a much shorter time to grow their power and mastery over their chosen disciplines. Most likely, given human nature, it was a little bit of both.

I also remembered she hated rudeness of any kind, and she thought all humans were rude. It was kind of a shock to have her in my home, but not an unpleasant one by any means.

Her voice was soothingly polite, "Thank you, I'd love some wine, if it isn't too much trouble."

Faith said, "I'll get it," as Siora sat in one of the chairs, while Cassia and I sat on the couch.

I wasn't exactly afraid of her, I felt no ill intent, but I certainly respected her. As far as I knew, she was one of the only people in the city that could truly kick our asses and end our lives if she so wished. If I remembered right, I'd also questioned her sanity, but I suspected it was just more cross-cultural shock.

"It'll be just a moment. I must confess to curiosity at your arrival at our door?"

She smiled, "Thank you for the gracious welcome. It will take much to explain, is this a good time?"

Faith swept into the room with a tray of filled wine glasses, and she handed one to Siora before bringing ours over and sitting on my other side.

I nodded, "Perfect timing actually, our afternoons are usually a time for leisure, and secondary projects of less importance."

Siora smiled, and then relaxed back into her chair as she took a sip of wine. She seemed in no hurry to get to the point, and for the moment I allowed her to dictate the slow measures of the conversation. There was also the shallow and exciting aspect to her company, she was a powerful woman, very easy on the eyes, and honestly a bit exhilarating. I wondered if there was something wrong with me, I liked my ladies powerful, but this felt more like a deadly game of cat and mouse, and I was the mouse. Perhaps I was just reading into it.

"You look beautiful by the way, the day finds you well?"

If she wanted to take her time, I supposed I could deal with small talk.

She said, "Thank you, the day goes well so far, though I hope it will go even better. I hope you don't mind, but I've done a little research on your group here, and what you get involved in. Your group is rather... eclectic, and obviously effective."

"To what end?" I asked curiously.

She sipped her wine, and I could feel her reluctance. It took me a minute to figure it out, although it shouldn't have, but her calm confidence and polite veneer had thrown me off. Siora was nervous, and whatever she wanted from us, she wanted it badly.

Siora said, "In short, I need your help, or more accurately, I need someone's help. The research was to discover if you'd be inclined to help me out of justice and to common benefit, but perhaps more importantly, if you could keep a secret. If word gets out of my intentions too early, I fear I may be blocked. I also wondered if you had any predisposed notions towards the other races, but given your half-elf-shifter lover, and the fact you welcome a Drow into your home, tells me that's not the case."

I nodded, "I think we can agree to keep the content of this discussion private, as long as your plans don't include an act of war or other nefarious purpose."

Her mouth fell open, and she looked truly speechless, I'd probably offended her.

I smiled, "I meant no offense, but we truly don't know you yet, outside of the fact you despise rudeness in all its forms, and you showed us mercy last week. You have us at somewhat of a disadvantage. I do look forward to getting to know you however."

She nodded slowly, "I accept your word, as I have kept mine and not shared my encounter on that night."

That... sounded like a threat, sort of.

Siora's voice seemed to be naturally polite and soothing, though I wasn't sure if that was how she was born, or if it was merely a cultured voice, but either way almost everything she said came out that way.

"My society, elven society, can be rather rigid for some of my race. We were once, long ago, as murderous and emotionally destructive as the humans, but we are not nearly as numerous. Our long lives will see less children than the much shorter and wilder lives of the humans, and as a result the deaths from that kind of society severely impacted and at one time even threatened our population. As a result, we have built a culture based on rigid tradition, and politeness in all things.

"However, not every elf fits that mold, or takes to controlling themselves in such a manner. Those elves usually choose self-exile, and of course we also have some laws that if broken require exile. When I volunteered to come to Mythfall as our part of the sorcerous information exchange, I was looking forward to meeting them out of some curiosity. I expected to find a small community of elves in the city living alongside the other races when I arrived, for where else would they go?"

I exchanged a surprised look with Faith and Cassia, before I looked back at my captivatingly charming guest.

She smiled lightly, and took a sip of wine, before she continued.

"I can see you spotted the problem right off, imagine my surprise when I arrived at the city, and there was not one elf to be found, anywhere. Even the handful of our dark cousins in the city, the Drow, outnumbered my people. It was at that point where my true priorities changed, I made it my mission to find out where they were, or if they were dead, to find out why and who and what was behind it."

She swirled her wine lightly, and took another sip, "This is quite good, thank you. Anyway, there appears to be a small cabal, a handful of men and women in the nobility, that decided having witches, sorcerers, and a few shifters and Drow in the city was bad enough, they didn't want the elves moving into their precious human city as well. I'm still undecided in how I want to deal with them, it may come down to their deaths, but I'd prefer not to as you say, perpetrate an act of war between the elves and humans.

"Regardless, I was able to determine through both scrying and some judicious use of magical influence what's been happening. It wasn't enough just to kick them out, the enterprising nobles decided they'd make some money out of it. Understand, most of these elves are as ungifted with magic as humans are, and at best make better swordsman with more years of experience. It wasn't hard for the nobles to overpower them with hired mercenaries and ship them off to the west to the outskirts of the Scarlet Highlands.

"They've been turned into slave labor, in a silver mine, from what I've been able to find out, and I have the location."

She looked at Faith, then at Cassia, "Elves aren't the only ones either. There are witches without offensive abilities being used to maintain their health under threat of death, ones without the benefit of the offensive knowledge Cassia holds, as well as shifters that are found guilty for the slightest of transgressions. The mine of course, fills the coffers of those nobles."

"That's terrible, what are you asking of us exactly?"

She smiled, "Patience, for the moment. I hatched a plan of sorts, I've secretly bought a number of properties in the middle-class section of the city. My plan is to retrieve them, and move them in, instant elven community that would be hard to displace in secret. I hope that will be sufficient to make the cabal back off. It is the retrieve them part of the plan that I need assistance with."

"I can't imagine you needing any help."

She smiled, but then shook her head, "That is foolish, but I appreciate the compliment. It is true that I subdued the three of you with little effort, but I can only control so much at once, four or perhaps five would be my limit. Everyone needs allies, I can handle a scuffle, but a true battle would overwhelm me as easily as it would overwhelm any one of you acting alone. The ravine entrance to the mine is well guarded, being in dragon country. The workers are guarded closely, and I could fight my way in only to find my people all dead with their throats slit open.

"I wish for you to help me retrieve them, and to be my ally while I stay in the city and ensure they aren't abused further."

I nodded, "I'm not sure how much you know about us, so bear with me as I explain what we're about, and what's involved."

She was patient and listened avidly, as I explained how it all started, about the coterie, and even the truth of what I was. The cost and benefits of being allies, both as it applied to allying to us and all the other members of my coterie, and what it meant personally in feeding my personal power.

I honestly couldn't judge how she took that last idea, I knew my cock was already on board with the idea of making the sexy elf mine too, but she just had that calm and polite smile on her face the whole time, as she looked at me through her impossibly bright green eyes which I found as mesmerizing as Irze's purple ones, they weren't eye colors found in human stock.

She asked, "Are you looking for a personal relationship there, or just to be fed for your power reserves?"

I replied, "I would prefer both, but the former isn't required if you wish to keep things on a business level. My mates love me, and Irze is mine that way as well, or getting there, but Lysa sees it more as a professional... trade, if a pleasurable and fun one. She also doesn't live with us, that would be up to you as well. But... it would be my pleasure to seduce and adore you, if you find that agreeable."

That was mostly true, I was falling for my vampire despite that, and would swear she softened towards me more each morning that we spent in our intimate yet wickedly perverse bedroom games. That last part I told Siora was all about her greatest sexual fantasy, and what I'd read from her. She wanted to be treated like a queen, and to be seduced romantically and be swept away.

I hoped she agreed, she'd be a hell of a fifth member in my coterie. Still, it was impossible to tell what she was thinking, she could have been repulsed, intrigued, disgusted, turned on, bored, or any number of other things under that polite veneer that she showed us.

Actually, that wasn't completely true. My instincts and magic, my demon side, told me she was intrigued and at least shallowly attracted, but it was a subjective kind of feeling, and I was used to having instant feedback of those types of feelings through a lady's body language and other subtle indicators. In Siora's case she had that whole polite veneer and that whole polite and soothing voice going on, like a mask that masked all her true emotions.

In that moment I wasn't sure if it was my usual confidence and hopeful thinking combined, or if I really was feeling that through my magic. Regardless, I projected complete confidence that I even mostly felt, I was sure elven women enjoyed confidence in a man just like every other female in the world. Of course, that confidence was paid off in her response.

She smiled, "I am not opposed to both, but we'll need to take the time to discover if the former is possible between us, if not the latter will have to suffice. To be clear, I know nothing of you in my investigations that would make a close relationship out of the question, but as you said earlier, we have much to learn of each other.

"I know it's short notice, but I want to move on this before anyone divines my plans, I'm sure I'm being monitored in some way, if only by the sorcerers. The silver mine is clear across Cyrene, it should take a full day to go the fifty miles on horseback, and I'd like to leave on the morrow at dawn. I have many things to do today to get that done, perhaps we can attend to my new duties as a member of the coterie tomorrow evening, when we make camp? I would also find time in the afternoons and early evenings for my... daily visit, from then on? I believe you said that was the best time."

I exchanged glances with my mates, they looked firmly on board, not just for the immediate justice at the mine for the enslaved magical races, but also for the continued implied support of Siora and her elven community in the future. It was big, but then Siora would also be at our beck and call for the rest of the coterie which was no small thing, not to mention in my bed daily. That last was perhaps the smallest part of it all, but by no means was it a small part of it. I wanted her badly at that point.

She was mysterious, powerful, and as breathtakingly alluring and beautiful as the rest of my mates in her own exotic way.

I nodded firmly at Siora. I took it in stride, like it was no big deal, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel excitement at the thought of unwrapping her sexy body and kissing those bowed lips with her plump and pouty bottom lip. Not to mention exploring the rest of her petite body and mountainously large breasts. Apparently, exploring her body and sharing pleasure would have to wait though, she had shit to get done and get into place before we left tomorrow morning.

"That would be acceptable, on all counts. Perhaps you will ride next to me for the trip, and we can start getting to know one another before we share pleasure tomorrow night?"

There was a small spike in her libido and lust according to my sex-demon magic and senses at my proposal, but there was absolutely no reaction at all on her face or body language. That would take some getting used to, and I truly hoped she dropped that polite façade once we actually got around to being together.

Still, I found that response encouraging, merely at my suggestion of getting to know each other before we became intimate. It also matched her greatest sexual fantasy, I was going to do my best to seduce her during the ride. Given how astonishing she was both in power and beauty, I didn't think the adoring part was out of the question either. Not on my side, given enough time to build that connection.

Siora said, "That... Your attentions would be more than welcome during the ride, and I'd be pleased to get to know you better. You are... an oddity, a puzzle I will very much enjoy getting to know."

I smirked, "How so?"

She shook her head, "You are a demon, one that can bind and enslave via sex, yet your coterie of women all stand with free will, and they're extremely protective of you, happy, and dare I say in love. I will be pleased to discover in you what motivates such powerful loyalties."

I smiled, "I look forward to discovering you as well. What I know so far... you are a remarkable woman."

She said, "Until the morning then, I will meet you here, I still have many things to get done to prepare for our return."

Had she really seemed disappointed she had to leave, or was I just projecting. Reading her was impossible hard, and it was going to be an interesting challenge.

I nodded and stood up, "I'll walk you out. We'll be ready."

She smiled, and stood up, "I find humans a bit inscrutable at times, in addition to rude. You have not been so, would it be out of line to suggest we speak plainly, especially if inadvertent offense is given due to... culture issues?"

I laughed, and held out my arm, which she took with a smile, a polite one of course, as I escorted her back to the door.

"You find us inscrutable? The feeling is mutual, Siora, and I would be pleased if you called me out on any missteps, so we can straighten things out, and I will do the same."

She nodded, "Good. I know my lack of expression, due to my culture of politeness, can be enigmatic to humans, but I always say what I mean, as I'm being polite. Humans do not. They lie, exaggerate, and they engage in sarcasm that isn't always readily apparent, and beyond that they tell jokes I have trouble relating to."

I smiled, "You have a point, we're both mysterious then, which should make this fun. Yes, I completely meant that, I'll avoid human subtleties with you if that will help, no sarcasm and no lies."

"Jokes?"

I laughed, "I'm not a liar, and sarcasm isn't a tool I use often, but I may not be able to help myself on that last one. If I confuse you, I'll be happy to explain."

I opened the door for her, and she turned to face me. Our conversation had been rather blunt, without all the usual subtleties involved in a dance between a man and woman, but in truth that was the only way it would work in our case. There really was a huge culture gap.

Her scent was... of the forest, and wild, which was completely not how she came across in her polite veneer, but what I suspected reflected her true self. She smiled and bowed her head, a gesture which I returned even if I didn't fully understand its significance, something I could ask her about tomorrow. I was tempted to kiss her goodbye, but also sensed that wouldn't be appropriate, at the moment our sharing of pleasure was just business, unless I could seduce her and lure her in for more, assuming I myself didn't find her in some way objectional to that level of intimacy.

We said our goodbyes and I closed the door gently after she slipped out, and I blew out a breath.

"Thoughts?"

Faith said, "She's attracted to you already, and likes you on a shallow level, she's impressed with you, I think. It's why she came to you, to us, for help in the first place. There's no way she didn't know that part of the arrangement would put her in bed with you, she just didn't know the details yet, and she's very much looking forward to it. She regretted her need to leave, but I got the sense she didn't want her first time with you to be... rushed."

That backed up my impressions, but it was also a lot more than I'd picked up.

"You're sure?"

Faith smirked, and then tapped her nose, "Her face might be a mask, but her scents tell all."

I laughed, "Right, of course. Cassia?"

My witch said, "She must be a wild one in bed."

I laughed, "Seriously?"

Cassia giggled, "Maybe? Anyone that suppressed would need a major emotional outlet to stay sane. Isn't that what they say? It's always the quiet reserved ones."

I snorted, "We'll see, you're pretty damned wild, and you aren't repressed. Now what do you really think?"

Cassia blushed.

Cassia teased, "Besides the fact you're panting for her?"

I laughed, "Yes, besides that, and no more than I pant for you, my love."

Cassia blushed again, "Aright, seriously, I like her. An extremely powerful sorceress would round our coterie out, and five of us plus Tammy would keep you very well fed. She's also... polite, obviously so and apparently always. I don't see her being a disruptive influence at all, and I'm looking forward to getting to know her too, through you tomorrow, since we'll all be riding within earshot."

I nodded, "I already thought about that too, and after her I'm putting a hard limit on one more, if one more even happens. I fear that's as many as I can handle, while giving you all the attention, love, and time you deserve, not to mention the little ones on the way."

Cassia kissed me softly, and she sighed into my mouth sweetly as I stroked her waist and lower back. The change in her, the fear and insecurity being gone once she fully trusted in me, was truly amazing. She was the first to enthrall me, and I loved her more every day. It was so much more than I'd ever thought it could be, that night over three weeks ago when I held her against a tree by her neck, and I'd come up with the whole coterie plan. Of course, she was a wiseass, and tested my patience often and playfully, but I loved that about her too. She was perfect to me, even with... no, I corrected my thought, especially for her faults.