Stealing Fire

Tamara's feet dangled above the precipice. No matter how she tried to calm her racing pulse and rapid breathing, she felt the panic rising.

How had four weeks with the most gorgeous magical man she had ever met, turn into this? Tuthal, sorcerer of Kell had shown her the wonders of his alien land, brought her pleasures that left her weak, sated, and never wanting to leave his side. He had stolen her heart in a matter of days, yet she sensed there was a hell of a lot more to her magical sorcerer than he chose to reveal.

Tuthal's tower, and the place he called home, remarkably resembled a lighthouse. It was positioned by a bay inlet along the eastern side of the Kell coastline. Tamara was curled up on a soft couch by a blazing crystal fire. She glanced up at him as Tuthal had come down the steps from the upper room.

"It is time, my Tamara."

"Time for what?" She gave him a seductive smile; there was always time for some hot sweaty sex with her hunky alien sorcerer.

"There is someone I wish you to meet."

"Okay, cool." She jumped up, trustingly putting her hand into his. Tamara had seen the glint of his sword as the robes he wore parted slightly then he turned and waved his staff to open a red glowing portal; portals being a source of magical transport between worlds, and only Sorcerers like Tuthal were able to open them.

"Remember when the time comes, my beauty, I need you to scream for me." Before she could question what on earth he had meant, Tuthal had tugged her though the red swirling portal.

Tuthal did not allow her time to think or react. He gripped her wrists, lifted her off her feet, and shackled her wrists either side of her head between two poles.

"Tuthal, what the hell are you doing?" She was trying to stay calm, hoping this was some kind of kinky game he wanted to play. Tuthal's expression was passive, giving nothing away behind his miss-matched eyes.

"I need you to be my sacrifice to the soul demon, Tamara; you are the one I have needed for a very long time. Trust me Tamara, all will be well." She watched as he had opened another portal and stepped through, leaving her alone in the darkness of what could only be described as hell.

"Stay calm, it'll be alright, stay calm, stay calm." Tamara repeated like a mantra trying to believe the words she spoke. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy always had the best advice in situations like these; 'Don't panic.' But that was easier said than done.

The air was heated and fouled from the flames and sulfa that wafted up from the bottom of the very large and long pit.

Good god, how did she get into these situations? Even if her previous boyfriends had been total losers, at least they wouldn't have tried to sacrifice her to a demon.

Tamara tried yanking her wrists, but the leather straps that tethered her were too strong, and her arms were beginning to ache with the effort of trying to break free. She wasn't going anywhere in a hurry.

"Are you ready?" Tuthal's arm slid around her waist. She felt his breath on her ear. Softly, he kissed the skin just under the lobe. Tamara growled in anger. Had he returned to insure his 'sacrifice' went to plan?

"You know you're going to pay for this." Despite the horror of her situation, she couldn't help her body's response to the man behind her. She didn't know what it was about him that made her body react in such a way. Was it his heady masculine smell, the way the rough callouses of his fingertips and raised palms of his hands caressed her skin? Or was it the way his firm, warm muscled body pressed against her back. Whatever it was, no other man had been able to flip her switch as fast as Tuthal did.

"I know sweetness, I know. One thing at a time. I hope you can forgive me when this is over." He removed his hand from her waist. Tamara felt bereft of his warmth at her back. "I feel him approaching. Scream for me sweetness; let him know your terror is real."

A sudden burst of anger made her twist and kick helplessly in her bonds, as Tuthal shifted away from her. Real terror, he wanted her to feel real terror? How can it get any more real than being offered as a sacrifice to some hideous demon? Tamara screamed all right. She screamed in anger and betrayal.

Tamara glanced up and saw it approaching. Shimmering in the heat it stalked purposefully across the heated red rocks, across the cracked blackened ground of the hell realm Tuthal had brought her too.

Tamara guessed the demon to be at least eight feet tall. Its skin was reddish brown, from the top of his face right down to the pads of its cloven hooves. Long sharp fingernails gleamed like little daggers at the end of each of his five fingers. On top of its monstrous scull and down the length of its spine were green and black spikes. It had two large red glowing eyes. Much to her surprise it had a very humanoid and handsome face, despite its monster's body. Its gaze was locked on her. Large full lips curled up into a menacing smile; his lazy gaze roamed her body from head to toe. It was then Tamara did scream in genuine terror, her body trembling in fear.

"I see you brought me a treat, Tuthal." The creature had a low deep gravelly voice. Between them was a huge chasm. Surly even this beast couldn't jump without falling into the pit of molten lava below. Tamara was praying for the latter part of her thoughts, a pit falling death. Then she could go home. Not that she even knew where home was anymore. She had thought her home was with Tuthal. How wrong she was.

"'Twas it not our bargain, Nasten?" Tuthal stepped to her right side.

"You fucking bastard, I'm going to kill you," she raged at Tuthal.

The creature he'd called Nasten laughed in delight at her outburst.

"And one with spirit. Delicious."

Shit, was the thing going to eat her?

"My soul in return for the soul of an innocent beauty." Tuthal stepped forward, the tip of his boots on the edge of the fire pit.

"Aye, she is that." Nasten eyes seemed to be fixated on her heaving chest. The creature licked its lips as if it did want to eat her. Tamara glanced over the demon only to gasp in fear as she saw it was sporting a huge erection. I am so fucked. Tamara couldn't help the thought rolling through her brain. Her breathing became more rapid with fear; she twisted trying to yank her arms free. They ached from the exertion and her wrists were sore from the chafing of the leather straps which held her in place.

"Then she is yours. Give me my soul, Nasten," demanded Tuthal.

The creature opened his hand. Tamara blinked in amazement as suddenly a glowing blue tear-shaped jewel appeared on it. This was Tuthal's soul? Tamara was even more astonished when from nowhere a black stone bridge started building itself right over the fire pit between Nasten and Tuthal. Oh, no, no, no fucking way. Why couldn't he leap the pit and just fall to his death like she had hoped? Tamara was way out of luck now.

Nasten stalked across it and placed the jewel into Tuthal's out stretched palm. Nasten's gaze went back to her.

"She is five times the worth of your measly soul and powers. Come my little one, we are going to have a wonderful time together." The creature laughed at her fear.

Tamara blinked as the monster began to morph, his spiked spine retreating along with his scales. A mop of black hair appeared on his head, flowing down and around his shoulders. Huge muscles bulged under smooth red skin; the hooves were now almost normal looking feet. His hands were no longer claws but smooth red hands with black shinny fingernails. He now stood seven feet tall instead of eight. As he reached for the leather straps that held her, Tamara was so transfixed by his glowing red eyes, she did not notice he had freed her completely. Her arms drooped down as the blood rushed back. She ignored the pins and needles sensation making them tingle. When Nasten's large hand encircled her bicep tightly and tugged her towards him, reality kicked back in.

"No!" she screamed, fighting to free herself from his grip. It was like trying to pry a welded iron bar loose. He was too strong. In desperation her gaze swung to Tuthal who was holding the jewel to his chest with his eyes closed, and head bowed. He wasn't even looking at her.

The bastard had betrayed her, betrayed her sister's trust in him, and betrayed the people of Kell.