Triple Trouble, Part I, by Kristin Manter

At the ninth chime of the steeple bells, three doors shut simultaneously.

Game On.

Kaya, Kaydence, and Krystal emerged from their neighboring town-homes and descended the steps to meet on the sidewalk in front of their adjoining units. Each dressed comfortably in black shorts and tanks and each donning a backpack with a water bottle tucked conveniently within reach. Kaydence took Kaya's hand in hers and Kaya tightly held Krystal's; their steps made no sound as they hurried d own the quiet tree lined street.

The summer sun crept quietly behind the harsh landscape of the city's jagged skyline. It's warm hues of orange and pink, now just an eerie purple. The normally subtle breeze put off by the ocean's incoming tides had changed to angry gusts and thunder bellowed in the distance announcing the incoming storm. The girls' pace quickened, their grasps on each other tightened with each flash of lightning. Only when they turned the corner and began down the gravel alley toward the Erosity Cemetery did they release hands , slowed their pace, and began gauging their surroundings. Making sure that they had not been followed on foot, they continued through the aged, ivy covered, stone archway and entered the graveyard.

The rain began. Cool, light sprinkles at first turning to a solid wet curtain within minutes. The girls continued toward the mausoleum at the graveyard's center. Only there would they be able to find solace from the downpour, a temporary reprieve, long enough to catch their breath and finally discuss their strategy. Just as they had found it, and left it, each time previously, the door to the crypt was secured with a simple padlock. Krystal reached for the hairpin tucked just underneath her raven black ponytail, inserted it into the tiny keyhole and agitated the lock open. She pulled the heavy rot iron door open, and because of their earlier preparation, it made no sound ensuring their entry remain unnoticed. Kaya first, followed by Kaydence, with Krystal closing the door behind them just after surveying the graveyard one last time to ensure their solitude.

The tomb was large and elaborate. Big enough to hold the coffins of six adults as well as cement benches to the side of each coffin to accommodate visitors. The only light in the room came from the skylight high in the domed ceiling. Kaya, Krystal, and Kaydence dropped their sopping backpacks onto the benches of each of the three center most coffins, took a seat and removed their shoes and began ringing out their socks.

“It's perfect, absolutely perfect,” commented Kaydence excitement beaming from her fair, youthful face as she continued to twist the water from her socks. After she placed them on the bench, she reached in her backpack and extracted several small candles and matches. She lit each of them and staggered them at various places along the floor. The light from the flames danced off her porcelain skin, illuminating her sensual curves and feminine softness as she did so.

“With any luck, the rain will keep them at bay just long enough for us to dry out and discuss each of our roles throughout the upcoming events.” Kaya lay her socks beside each other and peeled her tank over her head, balled it up and squeezed the water from it before using it to pat away the beads of moisture that had accumulated between her petite breasts and over her firm abdomen. She turned to her backpack and removed her water bottle, drinking half it's contents in a single gulp before recapping it and returning it to it's side pouch.

“Although the goddess of rain is our ally, we can not rely on her to assist us anymore than she is capable. We are at no advantage this night and we must expect them to hold nothing back.” Krystal's ice blue eyes met Kaydence's optimistic gaze, delivering a sobering blow. She stepped from her saturated shorts and placed them over the edge of the bench to drip for a moment as she pulled from her backpack three tightly rolled hand towels. She tossed one to Kaya and Kaydence and they continued to dry themselves. Krystal turned away from the others as she toweled off, her slim figure boasted neither the athletic tautness of Kaya's, nor the hourglass sensuality of Kaydence, and created within her feelings of self consciousness despite the constant reassurance of her two closest friends.

Once dry, the girls left their clothing on the benches to continue to air and gathered around the map of the cemetery that Krystal unfolded and sprawled on the cold stone floor.

“Last time, they came at us from the east, we were unprepared for that as we didn't expect them to attack from ocean side. We wont make that mistake this time, Kaydence, we need you east facing at all times, call out to the sea father, only if necessary, ” Kaydence nodded in agreement to Krystal and Krystal continued, “Kaya, if your research proves accurate, we will need you facing North. You will have to summon the assistance of the wind during the fight, it will decrease their effectiveness should they decide to attempt to go airborne. I will...” Krystal's words trailed off as the candles extinguished and a wintery chill blanketed the vault.

“Well, well, well, this is even better than we could have hoped for. Not only are the three most beautiful witches in Erosity before us, but already dripping wet. Gentlemen, this may turn out easier than we expected and more fun than we dreamed.” A velvety smooth voice with a heavy Spanish accent emanated from a tall cloaked figure appeared without warning, filling the doorway with his muscular frame. His smile was haunting yet beautiful, his eyes an ever shifting shade of blue, just as the ocean's moods, and skin as white snow. His elongated canines revealed his lust for the women before him. Although he was clearly demon, he presented before them in his human form. His silvery white hair, long and tied at the nape of his neck. Behind him stood two more men with similar features and build. Their laughs echoed through the chamber, causing goosebumps to prickle the skin of each of the girls.

“Like hell, we will make this fun for you.” Kaya spat as she threw her hands in front of her and softly chanted. Fog began to fill the room, “Ladies, fight!”

Each of the girls made their way for the door, knowing that the water demons would be distracted by the rain, taking the challenge outside would be in their best interest. Making their way past the wall of hard male bodies would prove to be their first obstacle. Kaydence pressed her body against Nicor's, her breasts rounded by the pressure. She brought a hand to his face and caressed his skin softly, while hooking her right leg around his left and pushing her core against his thigh, “Must we really play this way, Nicor? When will you concede that the mausoleum is rightfully ours to use?” She purred, her tongue escaping past her full lips to moisten them ever so slightly, and tightened the grip her leg had on his thigh in an effort to use his own arousal to his disadvantage. Kaya and Krystal appeared through the fog and wrapped themselves on either side of the demon, Kaya took his ear between her teeth and nibbled ever so softly as Krystal ran her hands along his solid chest, down his firm stomach and over his hard cock. She wrapped her hand around it and began to work is slowly.

“As much as I enjoy your company, ladies, I am afraid business comes before pleasure.” With that his thigh lifted Kaydence to his lips, kissed her deeply, ravishing her mouth with his tongue, “We WILL finish this later, love” He whispered in her ear before letting out a primal growl throwing the temptresses from his body and back into the foggy chamber. Nicor stepped into the dark room, followed by Focalor and Leonard; at the same time each of the girls rose to their feet and darted for their backpacks. Each witch was more than adept with hand magic, but the only chance they had in defeating demons of this strength and status would be with the assistance of their wands.

“Their bags, guard their bags,” Focalor shouted, though barely able to see through the fog the demons were together in the center of the vault each holding a backpack high in the air, taunting their opponents with them and laughing devilishly like bullies on a school yard. Refusing to be the passive victims, the witches summoned their elements. Standing side by side, feet firmly grounded to the earth the witches took each others hands and in unison chanted.

“Elementum , nos evoke thee. Unda , Ventus , quod Terra nos invite thee. Fluo vestri bona super nos ut nos may exsequor nostrum pius. Nos postulo vestri succurro ut nos pugna elementum malum pro nos , ut nos pugna pro quis nos animadverto ut vox .”

“If you witches were half as wise as you are beautiful, you would know that you stand little chance against us, even with the help of your elements.” Focalor scoffed at the witches as they chanted, obviously amused by their attempts to harness the powers of wind, air, and water. While in his human form, he was tall and muscular, much like Nicor, and like his water demon brother, his long silver hair glistened in the moonlight beaming in through the skylight and his cool blue eyes were filled with lust and determination. Unlike Nicor, his human skin was the color of rich caramel rather than the pale ivory his counterparts wore.

“Why are we even entertaining these mortals? They are nothing more than toys to be played with and tossed aside. I have grown weary of their games.” Centuries ago, Leonard's powers alone would be sufficient a thousand times over in the battle against the sorcery of those he now faced, but because of his choice to co-habitate on earth as well as the demon realm, the demon council saw this as a sign of weakness of the flesh and stripped him of his rank and with it, most of his power. His ego remained fully intact.

“Silence! An alliance with these beauties would prove to be beneficial, in more ways than the physical, gentlemen. Do not underestimate their magic, they summon the same elements as we, and these little lovelies are not entirely pure, they can be wooed to the darkness and so we will play.” Nicor walked behind the witches close enough that his body slightly brushed their bare skin causing their skin to react and faces to flush despite the fact they remained entranced in their now separate pleads to their particular elemental, eyes closed, and seemingly unaware of the demon's conversation. “He stopped at Kaydence, placed his body firmly against her backside and leaned in closely. He drank in her scent before placing a soft kiss at the base of her neck. He continued, “The Liliam have summoned the witches here for a reason, my brothers, they have felt the call and are yet too ignorant to see their purpose. It is our duty to show them that they have been summoned to join us in raising the legions and reclaiming our ranks.” Nicor's words became loud as he fought to be heard over the witches crescendoing incantations.

The demons clutched the backpacks tighter in their grasps as wind spiraled around them with the force of a hurricane. Still chanting, the witches remained motionless. Leonard simply raised his hand, causing the room to calm. “Enough!” He roared but as he did so the ground trembled under their feet causing the demons to stumble and release the backpacks of the witches. The vault grew completely dark, the moon that had illuminated the chamber was now concealed by threatening gray clouds. As the witches lifted their voices to the sky, the earth continued to quake, the wind again began rotating, and hail began to shower upon the mausoleum, pounding at the skylight as if demanding entry. The elements had arrived, answering the pleas of the witches who summoned them. Nicor and Focalor raised their hands above their hands and the relentless beating of the hail on the glass above them dwindled to the gentle pattering of a steady rain. “Give up, witches, we can command the very same auras you have conjured here. Join us, imagine the power you can yield with us as your allies. Stop your futile attempts at dismissing us from this place. Become one with us and together we will rule more than water, earth, or air.” Nicor's voice remained steady as he spoke, each word as delicious as chocolate to Kaydence as she absorbed every word. She was enchanted by him, her heart reached for him, and her breath stilled in her lungs at the thought of remaining by his side for eternity, ruling as his partner. Her mind betrayed her deepest desires and commanded control of her voice, “We will never join you. You are nothing but leaches, draining the life from humanity and causing pain to all you encounter. Go back to hell where you belong or we shall send you there ourselves!”

Kaya brought her hands above her head slowly, she dropped them steadily to shoulder level and pressed her palms together as if praying. “Ventus , expello malum ones hinc!” she exclaimed as her palms turned out and pushed against the air in front of her. Obedient and trustworthy, the wind brought the demons from where they stood and thrust them through the door with such strength that a mortal would have surely been killed by the g-force alone. The witches ran from the vault and found the demons standing only feet from them, sheets of rain continued to pour from the open sky and a smile graced Focalor's face. “Did you expect to kill us with your little breeze? When will you ever learn?” He gave the most subtle flick of his finger, the rain stopped, the wind ceased, and the ground steadied. Within the blink of an eye the three demons disappeared.

“Where did they go?” Kaya asked as she bent at the waist, placed her hands on her knees and panted as if she had just run a marathon.

“Damn it! We let them get away a-fuckin-gain! How do they always know when we have entered the Mausoleum? It just doesn't make any sense. We will never be able to defeat them and banish them from Erosity if we do not obtain the help and allegiance of the Lilium before they do.” Krystal smoother her hands over the top of her hair and locked her fingers together at the base of her neck in aggravation.

Kaydence said nothing as she walked by the pair and headed towards the cliff at the edge of the cemetery. She looked down at the waves crashing harshly against the rocks at the base, closed her eyes, took in deep breath of the salty ocean air and spoke, “Maybe we are going about this all wrong, maybe we should join them.”