Lost Bloodlines Ch. 09

As life-like as if the original had been captured in a photo, Lilith knelt seductively against a dark backdrop, one finger bit between her full lips, and the other beckoning the viewer forward. And she was quite shockingly naked, every inch of crimson skin bared for all the world to see in what Victoria felt was a creepily accurate representation. Though the top line of text was written in that strange, flowing language that composed 'demonic', below it was mercifully an English translation: 'Lady Lilith's Emporium.'

Hurrying past the provocative pin-up that was making her feel things that were not warranted in a place like this, she gasped as she found exactly what kind of 'Emporium' the people of Gomorrah thought Lilith would have. Hidden from view from the rest of the store, three shelves were filled with every sex toy Victoria could imagine, and many more that she could not. Her face turned bright red as endless rows of beastly dildos, vibrators, nipple clamps, and bondage gear graced her eyes.

The Valkyrie swung her head to either side, making sure her friends weren't immediately in sight, and then took a hesitant step forward. Cheeks still flaming, her eyes roamed the dildos that claimed to be faithful reproductions of dozens of monstrous species: the knotted red of a werewolf, the flared head and medial ring of a centaur, and even a dual-dicked, spiky monstrosities that claimed to be the hemipenes of a Naga. Of course, they also came in demonic varieties, allegedly of famous demons. Her eyes skimmed over the members of Aamon, Stolas, and Asmodea, but gasped again as she found Lilith to be among the list. And from a cursory glance, an accurate one, at that.

"This place is so...perverse." Victoria whispered to herself. But inwardly, she could admit that it was a perversion that she was very much interested in. Her eyes fell to a small table to her side, offering 'enchantment testing.' She recognized a few of the test toys spread out on the table (hopefully cleaned, and not for public...use), but her brow furrowed as she saw an odd little metal bulb resting on its side. With curious, hesitant fingers, she reached out to poke the strange object, and when it didn't bite her (or feel slimy), she picked it up. Turning it this way and that, she couldn't decipher what it was supposed to be. A thick metal bulb tapered on one end, followed by a tiny stalk and a wide stopper, complete with an inlaid jewel on the outer end. As she was musing its purpose, the purple gem unexpectedly lit up, and Victoria was rocked by a wave of exquisite pleasure where her fingers touched the rapidly warming metal.

She stifled a moan and shifted the thing in her grip, even the smallest movement sending delightful shocks through her fingers and deep into her core. She brought her other hand towards it and poked at towards her other fingers, failing to fight back the moan that arose from the extreme sensitivity of just a single touch. Fighting through the pleasure, she dropped the object back on the table, where the purple gem went dark once more.

So, it caused skin to become hyper-sensitive wherever it touched the metal, she mused. But how would that even work? It was rather oddly shaped for vaginal or oral insertions, and there'd certainly be more convenient shapes for other types of....oh. Oh! Her eyes widened, and she immediately wiped her fingers on her pants, desperate to rid herself of the imagined filth of the buttplug. She froze, however, as a voice rang out through the shop.

"Well hello, there, miss, what can ol' Barnabas do for you today?" Cheeks afire, she turned around slowly, sure that her guilty exploration was about to be discovered...only to find the rear of the store still empty. Thanking whatever deity would listen, she stepped out of the 'Emporium', relieved that Aqua was the one to grab the store-owner's attention and not her.

The siren was near the cash register to the front of the shop, where a portly demon smiled down at her. The eponymous Barnabas seemed to be the stout variety of demon, wingless and with a bit of a hunch, but thickly corded muscles. She was surprised to see that the universal demonic dark hair was actually graying at his temples, just where two stubby horns poked up from his forehead. Sam was nowhere to be seen, though she thought she spotted a glowing ring floating above the shelves on the opposite end of the store.

Aqua had some sort of fabric in one hand, bright pink with indecipherable writing, and in the other she had a little stuffed plushie of a succubus. "Hi Barnabas! So, you see, I have a little problem. I don't have any money, exactly, but..." Whatever hare-brained excuse the siren had thought up to try to convince the shopkeeper never got the chance to leave her mouth, as the demon's eyes glanced up to where Victoria was standing and he immediately blanched, his red skin turning a startling shade of pink.

"Oh, by the pit," he gasped, and threw out an arm towards the door. "I don't know what your business is, Valkyrie, but we don't serve your kind here. I demand you leave at once!" Despite the bluster in his tone, Victoria could see that the elder demon was terrified, his arm shaking like a leaf as he put on a bold face. Her heart fell. She should've put her Glamour on back in the alcove, of course this would happen! With eyes downcast, she headed towards the door without a word in her defense.

Which was the moment Sam chose to reappear. Stepping into sight, the angel had an eyebrow cocked as he took in the scene. "What's the problem here?" he asked casually.

If Victoria though the demon's reaction to her presence was bad, it was nothing compared to Sam. One look at the wings and the halo and he actually let out a little yelp, and immediately lifted his arms next to his head non-threateningly and he cursed in the demonic tongue, closing his eyes in fear. "Please, I'm sorry, take whatever you want. Anything at all! Just don't hurt me. I have kids, grand-kids, I won't tell anyone I saw you, just..."

"Whoa, calm down there," Victoria stepped in, putting herself between the demon and angel. "There's been a miscommunication. We're not here to rob you, or kill you, or anything like that. We're Turned monsters, do you understand? We used to be human. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Barnabas peeked open one eye. "So...he's not going to smite me?"

Sam shrugged, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his tight jeans. "Couldn't even if I wanted to. And I don't."

The demon opened both eyes, blinking in a confusion at the three monsters before him, before appearing to relax, letting out a deep breath and slumping his broad shoulders. "Whew, you gave me quite a scare there. Haven't felt that kinda rush since my Legion days." Still recovering, he placed his hands on the store counter, cocking his head as the examined Sam and Victoria. "Can hardly blame me though, with you two lookin' like that. Humans, huh? I heard all about the Awakening, and let me tell you, ya got stuck with just about the worst possible species. Not a demon in Hell who won't have a heart attack seeing wings like that." His gaze turned towards the siren still beaming cheerily up at him. "You too, little one?"

She nodded quickly. "That's right! And let me tell you, being a monster is sooo much better than being human."

Barnabas chuckled. "We can at least agree on that, kid." Clearing his throat, he seemed to fully accept the unusual occupants of his store, sitting down at the little chair behind the counter. Victoria allowed Sam to step forward near Aqua now that the immediate threat of violence seemed to have passed. "So what're you three doin' in Hell, anyway? Thought all the Turned were being sent back to their people." His eyes took on a thoughtful look at that, and he scratched at the scruffy grey of his beard. "Though I suppose that'd mean you got no where to go. I doubt the North or the Burning Sands would take the likes of you. Didn't think the Legions would grab up just anybody either though."

Sam shook his head, the sudden motion causing Barnabas to twitch slightly, but he seemed to push through whatever feeling hit him quickly. "We're a special case. We came here with a demon; she requested that we be allowed to join her specifically."

"Huh, well how bout that. Musta been someone Lord Lucifer wanted real bad if he let..." His eyes suddenly widened, his mouth opening slightly in shock. "You don't mean to say...you came here with the Lady Lilith?"

"Yep!" Aqua proudly proclaimed. "We're part of her harem!"

"Well, not all..." Sam started to say, but Aqua stomped on his foot before he could continue, and the angel clamped up with a wince.

As for Barnabas, he looked practically starstruck. "By the Morningstar...I've members of the Infernal Harem in my store!?" He rushed around the counter as quick as his bulk would allow, seizing each of their hands in succession and shaking them enthusiastically. His hunched posture straightened with pride. "It's an honor to meet you. Barnabas Amelius, formerly of the Seventieth Legion, at your service. Anythin' I can do to serve the Lady."

Victoria was more than a little embarrassed by the sudden deference the elderly demon, but it was certainly better than being thrown out. "Please, sir, we were just taking a look around the ring, you don't need to..."

"Actually," Aqua practically purred, interrupting Victoria's polite extrication. Her mischievous grin appeared. "There is something you could do."

"Anything ya need!"

"Well, we're still pretty new here," the siren started, her voice thick with sweetness. "And our Mistress hasn't yet given us much spending money, so I was hoping..."

"Of course!" Barnabas laughed, enthusiastically slapping Victoria on the shoulder. "Anything you want from my store! Take it, take it! I was ready to give up my third grandchild, some inventory is nothing." His eyes were gleaming with possibility. "'Barnabas's Assorted Wares and Sundries, patron to the Infernal Harem'. Oh, I can see the new posters now."

"And an exceptional patron at that," Aqua smiled up at the elder demon, she placed the two items she had been holding on the counter, and Victoria groaned inwardly when she saw what the fabric had been. Tight pink panties, with "A Hell of a Time!" printed on the ass. "I didn't want to grab much, but these are just too cute!"

"Indeed they are," Barnabas chuckled, and dipped behind the counter to grab some bags to wrap the items up. Sam leaned against the counter, a thoughtful look on his face.

"If you don't mind, Barnabas, I actually just had a few questions."

When the demon turned back around, his smile was strained for a moment as his eyes darted up nervously to Sam's halo before returning to his face. He hid the discomfort quickly, however. "Sure thing, son. What'd you like to know?"

"I was curious about how exactly the Legions work here. You said you used to be part of one. Are all demons not part of one Legion or another?"

Barnabas put out his hand and tilted it from one side to another. "Eh, yes and no. We all start that way, gotta put in our century of service, and after that's up, you can either stay in the hierarchy or return to civilian life. But even then, pretty much everyone in a Legion is related to each other, so we stay pretty close. Both of my kids are with the Seventieth now, and I'm taking care of my son's little ones." His eyes twinkled merrily. "Twins, can you believe it? A true blessing from Lord Lucifer."

"If you don't mind me asking, Barnabas, how old are you exactly? I haven't seen many older demons."

The demon picked up Aqua's little gifts and placed them in a cloth bag, shrugging as he did so. "Just hit six hundred and eighty a few months ago. Hmmm. Pretty sure that's right. You stop keeping a close count after a while."

"Is there an upper limit? Or are you all functionally immortal?" Sam pressed, and Victoria was starting to wonder where this was coming from, even if she was interested in the answers.

But Barnabas shook his head. "Nah, just the first generation are immortal. Lady Lilith's kids. The rest of us usually clock out at around eight hundred or so. Depends on the lineage, some last longer than others. Imps usually don't even make it past two hundred! My father actually made a full millennium before passing a few hundred years back." At that, the shopkeeper's eyes widened, and he abruptly rushed into the back of the store. Victoria shared a confused look with her friends, but the demon rushed back in a couple minutes later. He was holding a wrapped parcel in his hands, bound tightly in oiled leather.

Stepping back behind the counter, he laid it reverently down next to Aqua's bag. He carefully began unraveling the binds as he spoke, the pride thick in his voice. "This actually belonged to my old man. He used it all throughout his service, even fought in the Great War. On the same battlefield as your mistress." His hands, becoming slightly unsteady with emotion, revealed what was bound so tightly: A short steel dagger in a riveted sheathe. He carefully pulled the weapon out, its leaf-shaped blade shining brightly. Barnabas stared deeply at the dagger for a moment longer, before sheathing it once more. His face was resolute as he looked up at Victoria. "Please, take this as a gift for your mistress. He would be honored to know his warleader had something of his."

"Oh, we couldn't possibly..." Sam started to say, but Victoria stepped in quickly.

"She would be honored to carry it into battle once more," she said, and immediately knew that the choice was a right one as the old demon actually teared up slightly at her words. He nodded quickly, and slammed a fist to his chest in the Legion salute. Victoria returned it, as best she could.

Seemingly embarrassed by his sudden emotion, Barnabas coughed awkwardly. "Anyhow, is there anything else I can get for you? Only the siren picked something out."

"Yeah, actually," Sam said, pointing back to where the aquariums were. "Do you do deliveries? I'll take one of the 'death-drinker' piranhas and a small tank if so."

"An excellent choice!": Barnabas exclaimed, "I'll get you all set up. Even throw in some smaller ones it can gnaw on so you don't need to lose a finger or two. Back to the central Villa I assume?" Sam just nodded thankfully, and the demon's attention turned towards Victoria.

"None for me, thanks." She hefted the precious heirloom from the counter. "This will be more than enough as a gift for Lilith." The shopkeeper nodded with a appreciative smile, and after exchanging goodbyes, the three made their way out of the store. Or, at least, two of them did. At the last second, when Aqua and Sam passed through the door, Victoria darted back inside. Barnabas watched with raised eyebrows as she rushed to the 'Emporium' in the back, retuning a moment later with a small packaged item. Setting it on the counter awkwardly and not making eye-contact, the flustered Valkyrie uttered a small, "Actually, this would be great."

Barnabas peeked at the item in her hands and let out a knowing guffaw. With a lecherous wink, he shooed her out the door. "Of course. Sure your mistress will love usin' it on you." Entirely mortified, but thankful, Victoria hurried out. Before Aqua could question her on what she had rushed back in for, Victoria stuffed the enchanted buttplug into Aqua's little backpack, alongside the ancestral dagger.

"Wait what..."

"Nope, no peeking," Victoria scolded, taking deep breaths to hopefully cool her flaming cheeks. "Trust me, you'll appreciate it too." The glance Aqua gave her was skeptical, but she just shrugged. Victoria indicated towards a nearby alley, away from the hubbub of the market. "Come on, we should really switch to our Glamours. Better a human than a walking nightmare to these people."

Sam couldn't exactly argue with that, and he followed her around the corner. The alley appeared deserted, and the two winged monsters started the process to activating their magical disguises. Through the first glimmers of the magical transformation, Victoria saw Sam's face go ashen as he looked at something behind her, and she cocked her head curiously as he opened his mouth to yell. Before the sound emerged, however, her ears were deafened by a sudden explosion of noise, and a searing hot pain blossomed between her shoulder blades.

Feeling like she was moving in slow motion, Victoria's legs crumpled out from under her, and she fell towards the pavement.

-00000-

End of Part 1

AN: And so we dig a bit deeper into the city of demons, and Lilith's family comes out to play. I'll be doing something a bit different this time, and releasing this chapter in two parts. About 40k words in, I realized it was getting to be too much, so I split it up. I'll be releasing the second, longer half of this chapter in a week or so after doing some final edits. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or rating below!