Chapter 1 

In the darkness, four bleak walls, tall, featureless, threatening yet comforting, enclosed the ring. Cold, weighty, and with but the merest of gentle flickers illuminating archaic runes, it had been waiting. However, time grew ever shorter, and the chilly metal shifted, seeking more.

Ahead, the future had become the roaring, glittery swirl of a towering sandstorm. Gifted, but not to the extent of those who’d crafted it, those who traveled along its wispy pathways, the ring strained to discern patterns. On occasion, a flicker drew its attention. As it strained, every once in a great while, a golden thread would wind outwards into thundering chaos. One such strand had led it to Aiden, but another now formed.

The ring knew fear. Shivers raced around its far-too-hefty mass. Not all futures held equal weight in the great scheme, that much it understood. But enough clues coalesced, forming a workable notion of what might be. As expected, forces gathered from many sides. All chased one goal—retrieve the ring. However, each worked at odds, and therein lay possibilities.

Endless possibilities. 

No, the slender twines were narrowing, fusing, twisting together as time marched onward. Deep within the whirling morass, more flickers tempted it with other potential futures. Yet, as always, _they_ possessed the largest pull. 

They’d made it. 

They understood it. 

They craved it, wanting the ring back, clutched in steel talons, dripping with inherent cruelty.

Again, the cold, isolated circle of beyond-metal shivered and almost moaned. What restrained it? Pain. Anguish. Profound grief. Despite the golden path hardening amid the whorls, its own need must remain unanswered. Once more, the one who possessed it suffered, his hurt slicing deeper than its own. Thus, the ring scuttled the first glimmering flames, chewed hard on lips it did not possess, and continued to wait.

After all, the other forces in play also drew closer. Those offered some hope.

***

Beneath a sky of thick russet clouds, a gust of searing heat brought spinning dust devils to life. As if they were crazed dancers, arms raised, their ghostly forms spiraled across a desiccated, lifeless plain. The scarred, pitted expanse was marred with sharp rocks, perhaps the shattered teeth of long-murdered giants.

Carried on the choking breeze, a vaguely metallic scent tickled Leah’s nostrils as a voluminous shawl flapped around her slender curves. Laced with fine-spun silvery thread, the thin gauze still managed to glitter despite the dull lighting.

With the ever-present heat sending trickles of sweat down an otherwise-unclothed frame, she turned at a clattering sound to find the source. Heavier and even more stifling, the air was flitting through a clump of dead trees. Withered, gnarled limbs collided like a child’s spasmodic drumsticks. As another fiery blast sent delicate strands of brownish-blonde hair across her cheek, the discordant noise, both sharp and chaotic, set her teeth on edge.

“How fitting,” she mumbled, dislodging a salty bead from her lip to trickle down her chin.

Beyond the unsettling arboreal corpses spread more of the vast flatness, ending in craggy rock cliffs. From the deep shadows hugging their base, the glinting points clawed skyward, stabbing at whatever dim light dared make it through the murk. Amidst them clung the misshapen cluster of obsidian towers she knew so well—to the detriment of much sanity. By definition, it was an outlandish place, and one to which she’d never grown accustomed, no matter how many times _they_ dragged her back to its steely-clawed embrace.

At hushed voices, she shifted her gaze, and, heart thumping, found the alluring unholy curves belonging to her keeper. As was Treacle’s custom while outdoors on _their_ world, no clothing adorned perfect, gleaming skin. Closer to its normal shade, the—creature, angel, demon, pick any box to toss it into—was a richer reddish-brown. One might almost confuse it with the hue of a Native American, but the tone leaned closer to crimson. An inhuman coloring.

Neither male nor female, it chose to possess both a feminine physique shapely enough to catch any male’s eye and a handsome, lengthy, taut-skinned cock, impressive enough that such a man would be proud to wield it. Exuding an otherworldly sexuality, and with its obsidian eyes glinting, it sat on a smooth boulder. As the being conversed with a slight figure poised atop the lap Leah knew so well, the perfect lips she wanted roaming her skin were moving.

At a shaky sigh, she shifted her attention to the other woman. Face and physique healed of Treacle’s harsher…machinations, a sleek, dark-haired beauty wore a silken black gown trimmed with flashing gold lace. More a collection of shiny sable strips, its breeze-driven swirling offered the most delightful views of an enticing porcelain-skinned form. As the slim body rose and fell, toned legs tensing and relaxing beneath the flapping dress, Leah gnawed at her lips; she missed riding that well-endowed lap.

“Hui Ying, my dear sweet Mary, are you ready?” the curvaceous, golden-haired being purred as the glossy red nails of one hand caressed the wide-eyed woman’s cheek.

“Y-Yes, mistress,” replied the cock-rider. 

At the trembling in the reply, Leah restrained a moan. She craved Treacle, always had and most likely always would. Such was the way of things for her since tumbling into the caresses of those sharp claws. As the beast played, she also suffered, and enjoyed, the tremors rippling through the other woman when the sparkling—unnaturally long—fingernails lowered to roam bare collarbones.

“Mmm, keep doing that, my pretty little toy,” Treacle murmured, eyes suddenly finding Leah. “You’ve got such a nice…everything.”

Of course, it would try to make her jealous. That’s what those of her ilk did, striding across the web of human emotions, weaving designs for their own ends—well, more like those of The Woman and Him, their masters. 

As always, it worked; jealousy had already arrived, and sand granules crunched between clenching teeth. When those familiar talons, fraught with emotions the beast heightened with every slow upward thrust into its bouncing companion, sank into Leah, she restrained a groan. Chest hammered by a racing heart, she turned away to once more find the strangely wrong, haphazard ebon-stone towers glued to the sharp cliffs adorning the haze-shrouded horizon. No need to watch. The wind was low enough. She could hear both the ever more energetic motions and the conversation she’d been summoned to witness.

“Mary, you’ve done well, these past few…” 

A gust covered the fading male-female voice, but not the rumbling laughter. No matter, references to time were irrelevant in that place. Just then, the slender woman unleashed a much louder moan, and Leah bit deep enough into her lip that the taste of salty metal welled up around her teeth.

“Th-Thank you, Treacle,” broke through the moaning.

“I’m not sending you after him again.”

For a while, faster, wetter sounds filled the hot air, but soon the moans returned, along with softer, unworldly laughter. Talent, the demon possessed in spades; she thrived on toying with a human for hours, sometimes for days. Although witnessing such things many times and learning quite a few tricks, she’d never become such an accomplished maestro.

“But, mmm, w-why?” Mary cried out before a shaky groan, much louder, echoed across the bleakness.

Pulse speeding, she risked a peek and instantly regretted it. The tips of sharp, unworldly, talon-like nails twisted tiny nipples. The pale frame, the top of the dress at its waist, flew up and down as the porcelain woman tried to remain focused on Treacle’s smile. With each rapid bounce, an enormous glistening girth, wrapped with thicker, darker veins, bisecting perfect, stretched pink flesh, flashed into view. The silvery drool of their coupling slithered down massive, dark balls to stripe the rock and drip onto the dirt beneath them. That time, the moan escaped Leah as she spun away to gaze at the blurring horizon.

“Such is my will, little toy.”

At Treacle’s words, she found herself nodding as the arid plain blurred before her. If there was one truth in that crazy world, it was that the creature’s will was iron. Mary understood as well, and rather than further questions, only louder moaning erupted from the woman.

With each guttural sound, so full of need, she crushed her quivering thighs together. When, at last, the grunting roar she craved resounded across the bleakness, Leah shuddered. The other woman’s ride slowed, then stopped as slurping on skin replaced her moans. Another peek had the shawl-wrapped woman chewing the inside of her mouth. Though the draping dress covered its languid motions, she could well remember every delightful sensation of that mighty wand’s powerful pulses, filling her, so deep, so much, so completely.

“You shall return to Blaine,” the demon declared, lifting the quivering pale frame. 

As Mary, wide-eyed and drooling, rose from the beast’s wondrous lap, a loud squelch announced that hateful void building within the poor woman. Also feeling it, she roamed a shaky hand over her own belly.

“Y-Yes, Treacle,” the slender figure replied while finding her feet.

How else to respond? They had no choice. Well… Leah glanced at the distant towers, focusing on one in particular. Narrower than the rest and though she couldn’t spot from there the black-iron, rough-hewn chains, they always clanked, rattling in the fiery breeze, perhaps clutching another of Treacle’s projects.

At quiet footfalls in the sand, she turned to find Mary adjusting the dress, covering her perky chest. After a slim smile at Treacle and a swift peek at Leah, she swept both hands down her shaking flanks and started for those distant, wind-whipped towers. 

Heartbeat thundering, Leah’s gaze locked onto the deep-red mast. White-streaked and glimmering, its softened length drooped. Ah, but at a sudden forceful pulse of the shiny shaft, a shiver roamed her spine. Not long before it would be recharged, seeking its next rider.

“No, not you.”

At Treacle’s voice, the deeper, more masculine one, she flicked her gaze to those gorgeous, threatening, playful, teasing, tormenting, dark eyes. Of course, it had read her mind, and she managed a shaky nod before following its gesture and walking closer. As it rose from the rock, the immense rod before it dangled, sending soupy trails to the dirt. The pungent aroma of raw sex sent tremors racing through her.

“Come. Walk with me, my pet.”

When a toned arm lifted, she whimpered and slid under it. Despite the sweat rolling down her body, she snuggled tight to the insane heat the creature emitted. Once more, the hint of tenderness offered comfort, and her sigh joined the wind as their footsteps sent puffs of dust into the heavy, chemical-laden air. Treacle didn’t speak until Mary had marched from sight, disappearing behind a row of sharp-toothed, misshapen boulders.

“You will have a window.”

Once more the voice was feminine, and Leah allowed a moan to escape as fingernails wandered the diaphanous material flapping over her chest. After looking up and finding Treacle’s grin, she added a purr. Back where she belonged, toy with her happy mistress.

“A window?” she whispered before moaning louder as the sharp-tipped fingers found the newer, tighter pebbly nipples.

“Yes.” Treacle laughed. “It’s time for you to excel.”

“Aiden?”

“Hmm, been talking with Mary?”

Before she could answer, the nails pressed. It was a gentle squeeze, but nerves across her body flared. The glitter in those fathomless black pools promised so much more…if she behaved. Happy toy and playful owner. Another, more powerful crush of the little peak drew a louder cry from her.

“Y-Yes,” the trembling woman forced out at last. “She said—”

“Doesn’t matter what she said.” As Treacle’s eyes sparkled, delving deeper into her soul, the hand slipped downward. “You, my dear pet… I’ve been holding you close. Waiting for just the right moment. You’re made for such challenges.”

“Th-Thank—”

The world suddenly blurred, and Leah’s voice dissolved into a forceful groan when the fingers slid between her legs. The creature drew to a halt, facing her; its hand pumped, mashing the silken material into her. 

Once more, she was naught but a plaything, and her gaze kept flicking between Treacle’s smile and the dangling rod, smearing her shawl with glossy, potent-smelling fluid. Even stronger, the aroma of the recent coupling again flooded her nose, adding to the madness spiraling within her.

“Don’t thank me. It was your choice, remember?” Mostly feminine, the voice punched through the rushing in her skull. “You still wish to serve me, correct?”

“Oh…. Oh, y-yes,” she managed, riding the palm as fingers pressed deeper, forcing themselves, wrapped in thin silk, into her.

“Good girl.”

Just as quickly as playtime had begun, it ended when Treacle removed the hand and began walking once more. After a series of curt gasps, Leah rushed to catch up and let herself be ensconced under that perfect, gleaming, muscled arm again.

“You’ve chosen well. The hair color is quite becoming.” Those bottomless dark pools found her face, and heat fountained up both cheeks. “Beautiful eyes. His mother’s?”

“Yes, Treacle.”

“Nice touch.” After a slow nod, the creature gave the much-slimmer figure a far-too-quick scan, but shivers still raced along her spine. “That body should work well.”

“Thank you. Um, I…. No way can I compete with his, um, companion.”

“Smart. I agree.” 

The demon again nodded, inspecting Leah’s new, smaller chest. Barely more than cones, they felt strange, hardly bouncing when she moved. Pink-tipped with tiny nipples, they were…

“Cute,” Treacle finished her thought, then guffawed, sending thunder into her ribs.

“Y-Yes.”

A silent exchange of gazes left her shaking as they walked, but at Treacle’s grin, she relaxed. The beast had peered into her and not found her lacking. 

“Hmm, that may suffice. Been working on this for a while, pet?”

“Yes, Treacle. If you can—”

“Whatever you require, I shall provide.”

“Than—”

“No, no thanks. Do not fail me like she did. I trust you more.” With a low snarl that had Leah clenching her jaw, the creature looked towards the bleak ebon castle. “Her, I did not. Never did. That choice was forced upon me. If you should falter…. It would be, hmm, unfortunate…for the both of us.”

“I understand, Treacle.”

“I’m sure you do. We’ve been through much to get you to this place.”

“Yes, Treacle.” 

For a while they walked amid the swirling rust-tinged dust and the deepening shadows. Every motion of Treacle’s hand along her hip as if to return to her leaking seam had Leah’s pulse staggering, and each quiet laugh told her the creature realized its effect. 

Yet, she understood. One more in a long, winding line of tests. Thus, as the languid saunter continued, she tried to focus, reviewing her plan. At last, she risked a peek at Treacle. Rather than watching her, it was focused on the distance. 

“Umm, window?” she asked.

“Ah, yes.” The creature cleared its throat, then pinned her with those black diamonds. “There is much moving, but your target will be vulnerable.”

“Just to be clear, the mission is—”

“—the same.” As its eyes delved deeper, the demon added in a low, gravelly voice that had Leah’s ribs shaking, “Get my ring back.”

“Yes, Treacle.”

Chapter 2 

From one more dream filled with the warm, nervous smiles of his dead friend, partner, and lover, Aiden awoke with a start. Mind draining of memories packed with sensitive Tim Owens, the latest victim of fucking cancer, his hand clenched the supple roundness of a firm buttock. In response, an indistinct murmur sent hot breath across his chest. 

Heart racing, he scoured his dark bedroom. Through the hazy afterimage of the ring’s soft pulses still echoing in his mind, he looked down to find Anna’s disheveled hair sprayed across his torso. Arm tight to him, she lay, straddling one leg, with those magnificent, heated curves pressing his ribs.

“Just as she always does,” he whispered, caressing the sleek warm skin of her perfect rear, then snorted. “Always?”

Rory would be wondering; she’d been spending more nights with Aiden. Not that her husband would complain much; he received enough video and stills.

“Shit,” he said, glancing towards her phone, tossed to the bedside table before her hands had torn apart the fancy hairstyle, sending shiny auburn tresses billowing out behind her as she’d leaped to the mattress. “Forgot again.”

On the other hand, what did she have to share? Since his return from the funeral, they’d done no more than snuggle and sleep together. As if possessing radar, which, of course, thanks to the ring, the gorgeous busty woman sorta did, she’d appeared on his doorstep. 

Still shaken with grief, he hadn’t even called for her. Anna had simply arrived wearing only a shiny pink robe and a smile. The latter he’d needed more than anything, but once the robe disappeared and those wondrous curves slipped into the sheets, her warmth had slowed his pulse and gotten him to return the grin.

“Guess that says something,” he murmured into the darkness.

Yes, they’d come a long way, and she remained much more than a simple companion. Still, she played her own game with her husband.

“Gonna have to send her home,” he whispered before lowering his lips to the silky tresses atop her head.

At a soft tinkling from beyond the bedroom doorway, he froze. The sound appeared again, and even as he  slipped free of her limbs, the ring’s image flared in his skull. 

“What is it?” he murmured in its direction. 

Chest tightening, he slowed his slide from the sheets to snatch a pair of shorts. A sudden flash of circular flame in his mind matched an unfamiliar noise, more of a quiet puff, from the main room. Another whoosh met his ears as he shoved his feet into the shorts while moving towards the open door.

No sooner had he stepped into the main room than he froze. A hint of ozone tickled his nostrils. Both faint starlight and the silvery gleam of a fat, low moon blazed through translucent curtains. Backlit by the brightness, a deeper shadow, tall with broad shoulders, filled a high-backed armchair. 

“Who….” He squinted into the inkiness. His heart slowed as the aroma intensified. “What are….”

“Hello, Aiden.” 

There was an odd timbre to the voice, as if it wasn’t entirely of this world. That thought alone made Aiden’s skin crawl. Before he could react, another shadow came into focus, stepping from behind the chair. Long, wavy hair and impressive curves, along with the quiet clicking of heels on the tile floor, proclaimed the alluring silhouette belonged to a woman.

“What would you like to drink?” The seated figure chuckled, and after a quick gesture, the heel clicks and curvaceous shadow moved towards his well-stocked bar. “Don’t mind sharing, do you? I believe you could use a bit of fortifying.”

“Umm, how did you—”

“Ah, all in good time.” The figure’s head rotated, tracking the woman slip behind the counter and reach for a bottle. “Whiskey, dear. Two.” The seated figure turned to him. “Neat, correct?”

“Uh, yes.” Aiden’s fists shook at his sides. “Who are you?”

“Well, let’s start with the simple stuff, shall we?”

“Simple stuff?”

Although he couldn’t make out its features, the figure appeared to smile as it glanced beyond him.

“First, close the door. Not to worry, your delightful lover won’t awaken, but I’d rather not have you feel we threaten her.”

Even as he tried to parse the words, his fingers drifted backward to grasp the doorknob. A slow tug drew the door closed as the figure’s large hand gestured toward another armchair.

“Please, Aiden, have a seat. We mean you no harm. In fact, quite the opposite.”