***The Infernal Plane of Lust***

***Amon***

My time with Danielle and Claire wasn’t the worst, but I was thankful when the two vixens were finally forced to take me to the gathering that Khorne and Ashley had promised earlier this morning. Not that being spoiled by two hot succubi was something to complain about – apart from the danger of losing my souls to their attentions.

In any case, I couldn't say that the two had been bad company. Mingling with the two was worth it.

Especially witnessing Danielle’s art in action was like watching a small miracle happening in front of my very eyes. Years of searching my souls’ memories wouldn’t have taught me as much as studying her unique gift at work. I was sure that thanks to her adjustments the next prototype of the amulet would work just fine. And thanks to paying attention, I thought it to be entirely possible to apply Danielle's ‘art’ to other enchantments.

With some fine-tuning, there might even be a possibility of turning the conversion enchantment into a genuine spell.

I scowled at the other's interruption of my thoughts. But he wasn't wrong. In theory, all enchantments could be used as spells and vice versa. A spell was nothing more than shaping the world's energies into a shape that would allow the circumvention of what most mortal races would call the laws of physics. This shaping of energies was called the spell-matrix and the ground building block of any spell.

The creation of a spell-matrix could be very easy, or indefinitely complex. The more complexity, the longer it took to shape the matrix and to cast the spell, no matter the proficiency of the caster. This was why enchantment was a popular tool to 'outsource' the complexity part or to create permanent effects that would persist without the caster's attention.

Which was essentially how I achieved my newest trick that I now called rune-armour. There was actually no need for my predecessor's plate-set if I just knew the defensive enchantments that were woven into it. As long as I had the mental capacity, I could call upon the effect without a physical item.

After all, the process of enchanting was nothing more than to replace the spell-matrix with a rune formation attached to a physical object, preferably with a material that would easily conduct the energies. An enchanter's work was then to imprint the spell on the object by channelling the energies until the enchantment became self-sustaining. The runes would then emulate the spell matrix on their own.

The advantages of an enchantment were self-evident. Since the user wouldn't have to know the principles behind the spell, enchanted items could be handed out to illiterate buffoons. The active spell-component, if there was one, could be triggered easily, since the user just had to channel more energy into the enchantment. Also, an enchantment wouldn't backlash at the caster like some ordinary spell if it failed – because the user didn't guide the energies directly.

“Amooon,” Claire whispered directly into my ear while she poked my cheek with a finger. “Where are you right now?”

I snapped out of my silent contemplations and studied my surroundings, realizing that Claire and Danielle had led me into a ballroom that was packed with both Khorne's and Ashley's followers. The two females, each clinging to one of my arms, had come to a halt in the corner of the room where we were out of the way of the larger crowd.

My minions were also present, although they had formed a group around Shax and Jada a few steps further away.

“Didn't you notice that he just had a moment of insight,” Danielle chided her sister. “I know exactly when a fellow artist has a moment of epiphany.”

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat, still a little overwhelmed by the fact that two females of Isabella's class were paying so much attention to me. “Nothing so grand and glorious, I am afraid. I was just marvelling about how much Danielle helped me out with my project... and then my thoughts went slightly off-topic.”

“I hope it was a good off-topic,” Claire purred while rubbing her chest against my upper arm, clearly misunderstanding me. “I hope you will decide to reward us later.”

“Ah, sure...” I replied, unwilling to admit that I hadn't exactly fantasized about the sisters while I zoned out.

I surveyed the rest of the ballroom, my eyes drifting towards the large platform at the back of the room. Khorne and Ashley were standing on top of it while having an idle conversation with each other. They looked relaxed and unbothered by the crowd. Did that mean that they had found the culprit?

My attempt at listening in on their conversation turned out to be fruitless when I tried to concentrate on their voices. No matter how I strained my senses, I couldn't understand a word they spoke. Which was odd, since I could understand the idle chatter from the underlings at the base of the platform just fine.

Lip-reading was also out of the question because some strange, pink force-field blurred their faces. Then I noticed the slightly violet shimmer that encapsulated the two Demon Lords. Likely some kind of privacy spell which was ridiculously over-engineered.

We were still waiting for something to happen when I felt a cold shiver running down my spine. Someone had entered what I would call my personal space, and I hadn't noticed a thing before the sneaky bastard was right behind me. The fourth person that had joined our group touched my back and leaned against me.

“Claire, Danielle, I was searching for the two of you,” Isabella spoke out from behind me.

I relaxed ever so slightly but tensed again when I considered the situation. Was Isabella the jealous type? We did have an understanding when we last met, but I wasn't certain about what exactly our forming relationship entailed.

“We weren't hiding,” Danielle pointed out.

“Indeed, but Jada caught me in one of the corridors and didn't let me off,” Isa hummed. “It felt like she was trying to buy the two of you time.”

“We have been completely civil with your man here,” Claire said and then turned her questioning eyes towards me, blinking those perfect eyelashes. “Right?”

“Completely!” I affirmed quickly, with a hint of desperation in my voice. “The two of them have been very helpful.” In my mind, there was no way that this wouldn't end in bloodshed.

I tried to turn around, but Isabella held tightly onto my back and me in place. There was no question that she wasn't sending me a message with the way her claws dug into my back.

“Keep shielding me from that vile man,” Isa instructed. “I don't want to be seen by him.” She peeked over my shoulder but kept using her two sisters and me as a wall to shield herself from Khorne's sight.

I realized that she might not be terse with me, but that there was another problem that caused her agitation. A feeling of uneasiness crept into me as I guessed at who she meant. “Why would you want to hide from Khorne?”

“Haven't you listened at all when I told you about my troubles?” Isa complained. “He is seeking an alliance with our house, and he wants an heir who he can use as his herald after he has challenged Lust. It's one of the Infernum's requirements for becoming a Planar Lord by right of challenge. His only problem is that succubi aren't all that fertile to begin with, and Mother dislikes losing even one potential daughter.”

Claire sighed while leaning into me. “And it happens so that our little Isa is the only one of us who is fertile right now. If he was willing, Khorne could take our Matari instead – and I believe Mother would prefer that. But as it is, he would have to prove patient.”

I guessed that this Matari was yet another sister who I hadn't met.

Danielle snorted. “Four centuries of patience. I doubt he is willing to wait that long when the war with the last opposing factions can take no longer than two or three seasons.”

It took some time for me to finally get it, but when I did, I suddenly had the burning desire to storm onto that stage and rend Khorne limb from limb in front of everyone. If not for the three succubi holding onto me, and the feeling of confident reassurance I felt from Isabella through our link, I might have done something stupid.

Khorne looked in my direction and scanned the crowd with his eyes. It was as if he had sensed the killing intent, but luckily he couldn't quite tell who it came from.

As it stood, I swallowed the irrational desire that had taken hold of me as if it were a mouthful of bile. “That is... quite the thing to find out.”

“Yeah, but don't worry,” Danielle said with some cheer that seemed entirely out of place. “Ashley would never allow a stain like Khorne to sully her line. She might not look like it, but she has been playing this game far longer than he has been alive.”

I nonetheless leaned slightly backwards and whispered towards Isabella, “We still have to talk about that 'fertile' thing.”

She petted the back of my head. “Oh, don't worry, I am not stupid enough to do what you think without consent. It hurts that you think me capable of such a scheme. We already talked about that - if you remember.”

I couldn't refute that Isa had been honest in all her dealings so far. Still, I wouldn't let down my guard with anyone.

Letting out a breath I didn't know I had held onto, I nodded, somewhat irked at my reaction. It felt somewhat irrational, given that I hadn't cared about my dalliances with other females so far. Then why would the possibility of having offspring with Isabella bother me any more or less than another random demoness? To anyone else, I would have been utterly indifferent, but something was different about Isa.

Khorne and Ashley decided at that moment to hold their speech. The succubus matriarch waved her hand, dispelling the violet security spell that had shrouded their conversation. Then Khorne addressed the gathering.

“Many of you already know what this is about because we questioned them. Today, one of my men was found dead in his room – he suffered his final death. We took this day to investigate various suspects, but couldn't confirm anything. The mortal remains point at the possibility that an Átahsaia was the culprit, and after conferring with Erok, my weapons-master, I have no choice but to accept the possibility. For those who do not know, the Átahsaia is a rare demonic evolution that allows someone to become a powerful mind-flayer. Combined with the ability to essentially become their victim, this poses quite the conundrum on how to identify the miscreant.”

He paused and took a long look at the crowd as if hoping that his presence alone would cause the culprit to lose his nerves and run.

“Our apparent inability to identify the offender reliably leaves us with few choices. There is little doubt in my mind about the assassin's motives or his employer. It is likely that our enemies hoped to find us gone by the time the storm season ends. This means that the attacks won't stop unless we put a stop to them. Ashley and I are of the opinion that the best solution is to always stay in groups from now on, preferably with one of Ashley's succubi since they are specially trained in resisting attacks against the mind.”

That drew a whole spectrum of different reactions from Khorne's men. From supportive hooting to betrayed sounding grumbles. The crowd's reaction to this news seemed somehow subdued.

I pursed my lips. “I expected Khorne's men to show a little more enthusiasm at such a suggestion.” Weren't they partying with Ashley's daughters the entire night? I had suspected that the castle's male population had a night that wasn't so different from my own with Isabella.

“Only fools would overstay their welcome in a succubus's presence,” Danielle whispered from my left. “A few hours of partying may be fine for these fine menfolk to keep their wits. That isn't to say that Khorne made bad choices when he picked his people, but there aren't many demons to begin with who can be trusted to survive in a succubus den for a few days, not to mention an entire season. Meaning that they certainly aren't on the level of a Demon Lord when it comes to mental defense. They certainly would need some time away from us by now.”

“The smart ones are probably torn between risking the mind flayer or extended exposure to a succubus's aura.” Claire sighed. “As much as we might not want to, turning a male's mind to mush is in our nature and will happen inevitably with those who have a weak will.”

“Not many would be able to resist my sisters as you do,” Isabella explained, sounding somewhat proud of me. “But I noticed right away that your mental fortitude is admirable. Put any of those other fools into that spot between the three of us and they would be a gibbering, rambling mess with their sole drive to rut us until they would eventually expire.”

Not everyone has the benefits of a split personality to fall back upon.

'Would you please not distract me right now,' I thought back. 'Besides, it's always you who yells at me to go for it!'

Because you are a prude who would leave a female who is aiming her backside at you unattended at the wayside. A real Demon Lord of Gluttony would never spurn a woman!

'That's not what Gluttony is about!'

There are many ways to satisfy your hunger, and as many forms of hunger as there are planes in the multiverse, young one...

It was a relief when Khorne broke up my inner conflict by raising his voice above the crowd.

“This is not a matter that's up for discussion! You will stay in groups at all times for as long as possible. The Átahsaia is not to catch anyone else off-guard. If you are too weak-willed to keep your wits about you, you will retreat into your rooms and stay there until you have yourself back under control. If I ever catch someone wandering the castle alone, the Átahsaia will be the least of your problems! Additionally, Ashley and I will check the security in your private quarters, just to make sure that none of you skimps on his personal security.”

Ashley stepped forward to speak on a few more matters of security regarding the castle as a whole, but I didn't really listen. Sleeping in my rooms or in some other public area was the furthest from my mind. The first thing I was going to do in the evening was to pay Kasdeya another visit.

Once what felt like a company's annual meeting ended, the crowd dispersed, and I made my way over to my minions with three succubi clinging onto me.

Uphir just scoffed when he saw me coming. “Do you see that? It is getting worse.”

I scowled at him but decided not to reprimand him this time for his foul mouth. The tone of his voice hadn't been malicious, but jovial, and so I let it slide. Still, his tongue seemed far looser than normal. Was it related to the environment, or was this simply a side of himself that he had intentionally hidden while our relationship was new and untested?

“You guys have heard that this Átahsaia is apparently a real concern,” I stated the obvious. “Can I rely on you to stay together and vigilant?”

“Oh, I will stay vigilant for certain,” Jada commented dreamily while she stroked Shax's biceps. The giant of our group nodded at me, but otherwise simply stared ahead while he ignored Jada. Apparently, he had decided to try it with an approach of indifference towards his self-proclaimed girlfriend.

I looked towards Philo and Uphir, knowing that the two of them were almost as good as an item when it came to demonic relationships. Which left only Kitia and Jebril as potential loners in our group.

“It is no worry,” Philomena commented and clapped Uphir on his back while hugging Kitia with the other arm. She had apparently guessed my concerns. “We have already talked about this and came to the conclusion that bunking together in a time like this is the best solution. It will be like back in the good old days when all of us had to share one of Baaars sewer tunnels!”

“That's good?” I replied questioningly, wondering whether I should be sad for their shared past, or happy for them to be able to re-enact a little bonding ritual.

“It will be fine,” Jebril dissuaded my reservations. “Will you join us?”

“In fact, I was thinking about returning to Kasdeya's laboratory after this,” I said. “There is still a project to finish. That... and take a look at the other stuff she has lying around.”

The low growl from right behind me told me that I had just made a grave mistake. Even Claire and Danielle had enough sense to untangle themselves from my arms and to take a step away from the enraged succubus that was clinging to my back.

“I-” I tried to explain, but Isabella stepped around me, threw a wary glance at the two Demon Lords to make sure that they weren’t paying us any attention, then took my hand.

“Please excuse us for the night,” she said curtly, somehow getting across that there would be no further discussion about this. Then she pulled me towards the exit with brisk steps. “You can play with Kasdeya’s toys tomorrow morning.”

“Ah, yes.”

Something told me that saying no would cause a scene right here and now. And to be honest, some wicked part of me was thrilled about spending another night with her. I had already partaken once from the forbidden fruit and it hadn’t killed me. So who was to say that I couldn’t do so a second time?

There was the issue with Khorne, and what would happen if he found out about the two of us…

The thought immediately fled my mind when my gaze drifted south while I followed the lady into the castle's hidden network of corridors through another secret entrance. This time, it was disguised as one of the many paintings on one of the corridors.

It didn’t take her long to lead me towards another bedroom that was only accessible through the secret passages. It looked very similar to the one inside the stairway pillar that led to Ashley’s office.

Isabella didn’t say anything and simply started taking off her clothes. At least what little fabric there was to the tight-fitting blue dress she had chosen.

Wondering about her actions, I started taking off my own clothes but didn’t get very far.

Isa jumped me while I was still fumbling with my belt, sending both of us tumbling onto the bed.

Then she simply laid on top of me while doing nothing more and to hug me while burying her face in my chest. “Let’s just sleep tonight.”

My thoughts came to a screaming halt when I realized that she was shuddering against me. Was she afraid? Was this about the matter with Khorne? Not knowing what was going on, I decided to pat her shoulders and summoned my wings to hug her.

This wasn’t how a demon was supposed to behave. Just what was happening? How could she send me such a mixed set of messages and then just tell me to sleep?

I think she is trying to torture us! Tell her to twirl tails with me at the very least!