Waiting around for Janaxia to prepare herself seemed to take forever, although from the waves of evil Stathis could feel, she was doing something elaborate. Stathis wondered what she would be wearing – probably something sleek and tight, of course. She seemed to have been favouring the silks recently. Probably heels as well and quite elaborate makeup, she would want to look fancy for them.

It took until the sun was gone from the sky before she finished, Stathis ducking into her own room as Janaxia’s door opened. She waited a few breaths before following, feeling slightly awkward at having to stalk Janaxia. She was wearing a dark cloak, almost melodramatically long, flowing around her like liquid shadow. Which did have the advantage of making her extremely easy to follow down the well-lit hallways, and with the hood up, she would have a hard time spotting Stathis.

Janaxia left the compound, taking a quick glance around, before striding away. Semari dropped down from above, landing next to Stathis.

‘Parth owes me a gold, if you’re interested.’

‘Considering she summons up clothing, how can you be sure? She might have formed them afterwards.’

‘Put stuff on out of order? Nah, she wouldn’t do that. And she did consider several options, want me to tell you the details? We can check later though. I mean, we’re going to let her get them good and distracted, right?’

‘Yes, that will make our lives easier if they’re busy with her.’

Semari nodded then jumped away again, swinging off window-ledges and fading into the darkness off the rooftops. Hakara’s voice came from nearby. Stathis looked around, barely able to make out a wavering patch of air, like a heat-haze. ‘I have covered Parth, Yeros and myself with this spell. I believe I can maintain it for a sufficient duration.’

Yeros’ voice came from the darkness. ‘Handy having a wizard about. So try not to get spotted, or this is a bust.’

Fortunately, Janaxia was even less observant than usual, intent on reaching her destination, setting a brisk pace, at least compared to her usual more casual languor. They left the busy main streets and entered an area of manors, each in their own walled compounds. Janaxia approached one of the gates, the guard admitting her.

Moments later, a shape leapt over the walls, followed by a barely-perceptible “thud”, and then the gate creaked open. Stathis entered, stepping over the body of the guard, dragging them behind a bush before checking their pulse. They were alive, and probably just a hireling. She bound their wrists and gagged them, before Semari startled her, dropping out of a tree.

‘Place has nice big windows, no bars. Sounds like a party inside, like one of those fancy fuck-parties rich people have. Lots of masks and not much clothing. No music, not much food.’

‘An orgy, then. Well, that should keep everyone distracted. Could you tell how many people were alive?’

‘Most of them, I think. They’re a bit dozey-looking, so guess they’ve been nommed or something?’

‘Probably, vampires have some kind of enchantment power. Everyone else, are you nearby?’

Hakara’s voice sounded from right behind Stathis. ‘I’m here, I believe Miss Parth is nearby.’

Yeros spoke. ‘We don’t know their numbers, so a frontal assault is unwise. If we wait until the revelry is underway, then we may be able to secure an area and move from there. There will be a master or similar that has created the rest – if they can be destroyed, then the others will be weakened.’

‘OK, I’ll give you a boost upwards. And Hakara? There’s likely to be some stuff up there that might make you a bit uncomfortable, so it’s fine if you want to stay back. And watch out with your area affect spells, let’s try to avoid killing their victims, or Janaxia.’

‘Very well. Thank you, Stathis.’

Getting up was surprisingly easy, although giving Yeros a boost was complicated by his invisibility, pressure of his feet appearing at random before suddenly vanishing. Then Semari helped Stathis, almost throwing her into the air with a powerful upwards lob. Stathis pulled herself the rest of the way up, before approaching a window and looking in.

Beneath her was an open hall, low couches scattered around, fires roaring. Guests were wearing masks, and not much else, at least that wasn’t transparent or lacey. Most of those present seemed to be drowsy and were moving as though drunk or dazed, except for a few that moved between them, checking them over, as though assessing livestock. Stathis quickly counted – four probably-vampires here, maybe a few in the other rooms. At least Janaxia was easy to spot, her horns catching the firelight from the roaring heath, golden chains glinting.

Stathis took a deep breath in. Well, Semari hadn’t been wrong. And no wonder she’d been wearing that heavy cloak! She smiled at two of the vampires, who approached her, running hands over her skin, Janaxia responding with visible appreciation to their touches. One of them brushed her choker, a golden spark snapping out, making them retract their hand. The trio walked away, disappearing up some stairs towards the backrooms.

The empty air spoke, Parth’s voice coming from above. ‘Darkness shall feast upon darkness.’

‘Sure. As long as she keeps those two busy for a while. Let’s go see if we can find a side window.’

She steered Hakara away from the window as the activities inside started up, what few clothes were involved getting shed or shredded. She grabbed Semari by the collar, dragging her away as she started to gawk. ‘Save the day first, leer later. Come on, get ready to punch some monsters.’

‘Yeah, but…’ She craned her neck. ‘Wow, I’ve never seen that combination. How’s he going to… oh, yeah, that works, but looks uncomfortable, especially if she twists wrong.’

Stathis resisted the urge to look herself, creeping around the roof until they found a small window. Through it could be seen a couple, keeping each other distracted, quite noisily, enough to cover up the sound of Semari breaking the glass and reaching through, easing it open. Semari looked up at Stathis, who gestured at the couple, still lost in each other. Semari shrugged and stepped forward, her hands punching out. Their thrusting, writhing motions stopped as the pair were neatly rendered unconscious. Stathis moved through the window herself, carefully sweeping the broken glass out of the way first, pulling a sheet over the pair before Hakara entered. She felt someone brush past her, as either Parth or Yeros entered, the door creaking open.

‘OK, let’s move out from here. Hakara, keep an eye out from here, try and support us, but stay out of danger.’

‘Yes, Miss Stathis.’ Groans of ecstasy could be heard from downstairs, along with solid, meaty sounds, bodies slapping against each other. ‘Thank you.’

Yeros’ voice came from emptiness. ‘I’ll check downstairs, see if they have any prisoners.’

Semari was moving through the other rooms, dealing with the occupants swiftly. Although Stathis had to stop her posing the unconscious bodies into “entertaining” poses. When a snarling growl came from one room, Stathis ran to help, finding Semari brutally pummelling a naked vampire, as they tried to protect themselves from her assault, huddled up against a wall, arms protecting their face. A blow got through, bone crunching. On the bed, a young man was staring slack-jawed at them, blood trickling down their neck from a pair of puncture wounds.

The vampire tried to speak, as Semari punched them again, the thing’s wounds already starting to heal. Stathis ran a finger along her blade, divine fire bursting to life. She put a hand on Semari’s shoulder, who stood back, giving Stathis a clear shot. She thrust, straight through their heart, the vampire’s body immediately melting into ash. Then she turned to the victim, lightly flicking him on the forehead, breaking the charm on him. As his eyes began to clear, he blinked at them uncertainly, opening his mouth to speak. And then fell backwards with a quiet sigh, as Semari chopped him across the back of the neck.

‘Semari! I was going to ask him if he knew anything.’

‘He was all, like, woozy and stuff, he wouldn’t know anything. And he might have screamed or something.’

‘Just go easy, OK?’ There was another crash from outside. They ran to check, to see a body on the ground floor where it had fallen from the top of the stairs. Arrows through its chest pinned a vampire to the ground, pale flesh now streaked with vivid crimson blood. Their eyes flashed red as they reached up, starting to pull an arrow out. Another arrow flashed down, hitting them through the hand. Parth had taken up position on the banister, nocking and firing again.

Stathis vaulted over the banister, landing by the pinned vampire, a single sweep of her sword decapitating them, their body shrivelling to ash, leaving only thin wisps of gauzy silk behind. Stathis looked up, to be met by the dazed look of more of the vampire’s victims. Several figures were bound and suspended from the ceiling, intricate knots of rope suspending them from the ceiling, red rope bright against their sweat-slicked skin. Stathis moved between them, cutting them down as she broke the charms wound about them, feeling the dark knots of power break and fade. As they slowly recovered their wits, they looked about with panic, darting for their clothing and then running for the door.

Stathis returned upstairs, gesturing at Semari and Parth to investigate the other doors. None revealed anything other than people fucking in various configurations and with a variety of accessories. Some continued even after Stathis broke the charm they were under, apparently so caught up in the heat of the moment that they didn’t notice. Semari had to be pulled back from knocking them unconscious, as they came to the final door – a large, intricately thing of heavy wood, depicting various sex acts. Stathis held her hand up to stop the others, then raised four fingers. Semari sniggered, until Stathis glared at her. Then she started counting down, folding her fingers down one at a time.

On zero, she shoved the door open. Inside was a palatial bedroom, walls covered with paintings, mostly heavy on the flesh-tones, while shelves held a baffling diversity of whips, candles, ropes, cuffs and chains, along with other devices Stathis didn’t recognise. One of the vampires looked up at them, fangs bared, hissing at Stathis.

‘More meat, come to be devoured? A little brawny for my tastes, but not unappealing.’ She stared at Stathis. Their eyes flickered and went a deep red, hypnotic patterns forming as she tried to entrance Stathis.

Stathis ignored it, not even needing to focus to break through the enchantment. ‘I’m guessing you’re not the master here?’

She felt a presence, an old and cold darkness swelling nearby. Thick black mist filled the room and she had a glimpse of a face, cruel eyes staring at her from features that were youthful but cold and sneering. Then her vision vanished, impenetrable darkness filling the room. A blow struck out at her, knocking her aside.

‘Petty little knight of light, you think yourself my equal? I, who have outlasted the centuries, the last of Balephrax’s brood?’ Another punch hit her in the head, her head ringing. She dropped low and tried rolling to the side, hoping to avoid attacks, for at least a moment. The voice, cold and cruel, spoke again. ‘You may have power in the light, but here, in the cold, sweet, darkness, I reign! When I have killed you, then I shall add your delightful friend to my brides. There is a power in her, something I have not felt in long centuries.’ A kick smashed into Stathis’ ribs, then there was the sound of another strike, Semari making a sound of pain.

Stathis reached out, fumbling in the darkness, hands brushing against something on the floor, a firm, leathery lump. She forced power into it, light bursting out. She tossed the item aside as it pushed back the darkness, swiftly regaining her feet. The vampire lord was close enough to attack, and she swung her blade at him. He reached out, stopping her blade with a single hand. His skin burnt and hissed as her divine flame licked at his flesh, first red-raw muscle, then bone appearing from beneath the burning flesh. ‘A useful trick. But you cannot stand against me.’

He punched out, smashing Stathis securely in the chest, her armour crunching from the strike. She pulled back, several of his fingers falling to the ground as she withdrew her blade. He smiled. ‘A nice trick, but even this will heal soon.’

Semari charged, spinning around in a full kick aimed at the back of his knee. He didn’t even flinch, taking the impact full on without moving, before grabbing Semari’s shoulder. They fought for control, his raw power competing with Semari’s greater skill, before Stathis attacked again, stabbing at him. Her blade sank into his chest, hissing and burning as it penetrated. This made him grimace, as he turned towards Stathis again. ‘A momentary setback. Bright though you are, you cannot hold back the darkness, no matter how much you try.’

The resistance around her blade suddenly vanished. His body faded into mist, flowing away, sinking down through the floorboards. Semari kicked at a stray wisp, sending it scudding through the air before it vanished from sight.

‘Yeah, you better run!’ Semari made a rude gesture at the empty space.

The other vampire leapt at Stathis, falling back under a sudden cascade of arrows, sending them staggering backwards. Stathis finished them off with a single slice, more dust falling to the floor.

Golden sunlight lit the room as Stathis turned to the bed. There was a single figure there, currently concealed beneath silk sheets. Stathis slowly approached, then yanked the covers back. The figure was revealed, naked save for a golden choker, twisting with a slight gasp of discomfort as the sheets were pulled back. Arms fumbled and reached for the sheets as Janaxia slowly reached over, eyes bleary. She looked up, lash sputtering into a dull crimson, her tattoo going from passive to sudden spiralling movement over her body.

She pulled the sheet back, covering herself up. ‘What is the meaning of this? I know you may disapprove of my liaisons, but escalating to violence does seem a bit much. I wouldn’t have expected you to behave like a jilted lover.’

Stathis approached, leaning over the bed and staring into her eyes, trying to determine if she was still under the effects of some vampiric charm or curse. ‘You do know they were vampires, right?’ She tapped the choker, where there were more dents and teethmarks in the metal. ‘Looks like they were trying to eat you.’ Stathis stared into Janaxia’s eyes, breaking the charm binding her, watching the glaze fade from Janaxia’s green eyes.

‘A few nibbles can add a little spice. Simply because you are close-minded does not mean that I should limit myself, does it?’ Clothing began to form on her, flowing from the neck down. ‘The pleasure of a cold lover on a warm night is quite the experience. Could you please turn that light down, it is no way to awaken. And really, using such an item for light seems excessively vulgar.’

The light source was moving, as Semari picked it up. ‘That’s going to make some weird shadows if you start using it. Want to give us a show, Janaxia?’

She thrust it at Janaxia, the thing wobbling slightly.

‘I most assuredly do not, and find it objectionable that you would even raise such a suggestion. But the light is overly bright, if whoever is responsible could kindly dismiss it, I would be most grateful.’

Stathis let the power fade, light blinking it. And the impenetrable darkness returned, power of the vampire lord still in effect.

Janaxia’s voice sounded from the darkness. ‘Thank you. And now kindly turn around, so that I may finish dressing myself.’

‘Uh, we’re in a cloud of impenetrable darkness.’

‘Yeah, we can’t see jack shit. Ow!’ Semari’s voice came from nearby, followed by a heavy thud as she walked into something.

Janaxia sighed, and there was the sound of silk rustling, then the sounds of more cloth, fabric probably falling into place around her body. A warm hand took Stathis’ own, pulling her towards the entrance, until they emerged from the darkness into the hallway outside. ‘Really, how you manage without me, I don’t know!’

Janaxia was dressed now, slightly disappointingly, back in one of her usual outfits. Then she vanished back into the darkness, emerging a few seconds later with Semari, still carrying the item from inside.

‘Are you OK then? We were worried you might have been eaten. Uh, in a bad way.’

‘Hmm. I suppose they were a little brusque, but sadly the climax was reached all too swiftly. I suppose even the vigour of the grave cannot help with some physical shortcomings. I would have made my excuses and left, but there was the hope that a second round may have been more satisfying. And the bed was very comfortable.’

‘You really need to learn to protect yourself against being charmed.’ Stathis reached out and tweaked the chain on the front of the choker. ‘Otherwise I really will leash you to something, before you get eaten by a succubus or something.’

Janaxia flicked her hand away. ‘I am quite in control of myself, thank you, and do not need such… forcible restraining. And I find that I must seek pleasures where I can find them, of late.’ She glared at Stathis, apparently feeling her personally responsible for this.

‘Pleasure is fine. Getting eaten by vampires is a whole different matter! Did they bite you at all?’

She checked Janaxia over, or at least all the exposed parts of her – her neck had been protected by the choker, and there didn’t seem to be anything on her shoulders, back or lower arms, but her skin looked pale and drawn. Janaxia flushed. ‘As I am quite intact, that scarcely seems any concern of yours!’

‘Hey, I’m just worried about you. Vampire bites can be nasty, I’d rather not have you waking up in the middle of the night with a thirst for blood.’

Semari waggled the thing she’d found. ‘Hey, we all know who she’d be coming to bite first. Can we loot this place? I mean, they were vampires, but this is, like, a proper house, so if we take stuff, are we brave adventurers or villainous thieves?’

‘Janaxia? Your friends own this place themselves?’

‘I believe they mentioned it was a gift or legacy of some kind? Although I was a little distracted at that precise moment, they were very… distracting.’

‘Right. So I think that means that the stuff was theirs, which means it’s fair game now. We can throw a tithe to the temples, that should even it up. Parth, anything decent?’

Parth already had her hands full of jewellery, awkwardly juggling several sculptures as well.

Janaxia tutted. ‘That is the Maiden of Dawn being ravaged by Illitheria of the Dark Kiss, sculpted by Hathurn Kavorness! Do be careful with it.’ Janaxia plucked the piece from Parth’s hands, carefully examining it for damage, hands running over the smooth black surface, caressing the curves and shapes of it. It appeared to show their coupling in extraordinary, almost excessive detail; a saint’s halo was picked out in gold, while another woman held her down, with horns made of ivory, emerald eyes glinting opposite sapphire. ‘A most impressive piece, all told. I’m sure it will fetch a good sum, to an appropriately discerning collector. A shame we cannot keep it, it is rather fetching.’

She turned it over and over while examining it, seemingly lost in admiration. Stathis steered her back downwards through the hall, glad at least that Janaxia wasn’t paying attention to any of the ropes or other paraphernalia scattered about, taking notes or finding anything to bring back. Hakara slowly crept down the stairs herself, looking uncertainly at some of the items, stepping over the detritus and stains on the floor, gaze fixed firmly downwards.

‘Everything seems in order upstairs. Shall we leave?’

Semari jumped over the banister, now with rings on her fingers, necklaces and bracelets at neck and wrists. ‘They’ve got loads of shiny stuff here! Didn’t expect all this in a holy city, thought it’d all be poor people and priests!’ She waggled the dildo. ‘Reckon this is magical?’

Hakara made a strangled sound, face burning, as Stathis sighed. ‘Put that down, you don’t know who it’s been in. And it’s not going to be worth anything. Just leave it behind.’

‘Hey, it lit up! That’s pretty magical.’

‘Just leave it behind. Have we checked all the rooms, made sure there’s no-one hiding anywhere?’

Parth nodded. ‘Clear.’

‘Right, let’s get out of here then. Semari, put that damn thing down, and let’s go.’