Torment
by MooncatX

the Bliss Crimson

PREVIOUSLY ON GARGOYLES

*Matt Bluestone confronts Mace Malone at Flora Dreidel's grave*

Matt: "Nobody knew more about Under World dealings than Mace Malone... Thanks to you the Illuminati had the goods to cut themselves in. They've been Organized Crime's silent partner ever since... For a man pushing a hundred, you're amazingly well preserved. How accommodating of the society to provide its senior members with rejuvenation drugs."

Mace: "You should see our dental plan."

- Revelations

Jackal: "There's nothing like the smell of new meat."

Hyena: "Especially when it sizzles!"

- The Green

**************
But it torments my spirit;
Beneath my breath the heart is shaken.
Let me only glance where you are, the voice dies,
I can say nothing, but my lips are stricken to silence,
Underneath my skin the tenuous flame suffuses;
Nothing shows in front of my eyes,
My ears are muted in thunder.
And the sweat breaks running upon me,
Fever shakes my body,
Paler I turn than dying grass
I can feel that I have been changed,
I feel that death has come near me.
-Sappho

**************
Scotland
976 AD

The hunting was good here. Even though the clan leader had cautioned all the Castle gargoyles not to press too deeply into the forests surrounding Prince Malcolm's lands, the impetuous young female had gone in search of the rare herbs and plants that the Archmage's books mentioned. The ones that would make spell components, and further her nascent sorcerous abilities.

Since "losing" the Phoenix Gate the Archmage had not been inclined to continue her apprenticeship. But she had been a quick study, and already had the basics of spell craft to work on. If she could gather her own supplies, she might even be able to set up her own sanctum.

But grubbing for the shyer vegetation had left her soft blue skin dirt stained, as well as her only clothes. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. She couldn't return to the Castle so soiled. The others would comment, and unwanted questions were sure to be asked. She scowled, unwilling to reveal to her clan her secret ambition to be a magic user. Gargoyles were warriors, and magic was not "the way" of her kind. She'd be ridiculed. Or worse, forbidden to continue with her study of sorcery.

That must not happen. After the things that had been shown to her last year, the young gargoyle was determined to master the magic arts as well as those of war. Her mate's future self had said not to look for the terrible events that her own older self had revealed. But she could not ignore the nightmares she'd had ever since that dark night. The spectre of her rookery brothers and sisters lying shattered, naught but broken stone and dust... How could she forget what she had seen?

But if she were strong enough. Skilled enough. Surely when that terrible fate came to pass she would be able to fight it! And if she had to be a little more... secretive... to accomplish that, then she would do whatever was necessary.

Like taking a bath.

She'd seen a small spring fed pool not far away. The water had glistened silver and ebony beneath the moonlit sky. It would be perfect.

Quickly the young gargoyle female loped through the forest. Later, once she and her clothes were clean, she'd climb the highest tree she could find and glide home, drying on the wing.

With those thoughts in mind, she laid her precious herb bundles to one side of the pool, and stripped out of her halter and loin cloth, taking them with her as she waded into the cool waters. She shivered as the cold wetness rose up her bare thighs, higher with each step. It was strangely exhilarating. When the pond's chilly kiss reached her sex, she gasped in shock, and nascent pleasure. Hmmm... Maybe she would linger a while at her bath, and explore these new, delightful sensations. They were not unlike the feelings that she had when her mate touched her in certain ways...

She smiled, thinking of her love. He was the largest of all her rookery brothers, and the best warrior of the entire clan. Someday, she knew, he would be clan leader. But he was not only battle skilled, but beautiful as well. His skin was the shadow hue of lavender, and his great strength was matched only by the gentleness of his touch. When he called her his Angel, her heart melted within her breast. When his large warm hands slipped beneath her tunic and cupped her breasts, other parts of her melted as well...

Sighing, the young gargoyle closed her eyes and let a taloned hand slip down her wet, naked flesh, imagining it was the touch of her love...

In the brush near the water, two sets of human eyes watched the inhuman creature begin to explore her budding sexuality. Their interest sharpened as the moonlight revealed the female gargoyles lush young curves.

"Yon monster has breasts like any village wench. And a firm young pair they look to be, eh Connel?" the young huntsman muttered to his companion.

"Aye, she may have the wings of a demon, but that body was made for a man's use, sure enough." Connel replied, "I'd say setting our camp here has been a bit of luck. If you be thinking what I am, Corwin."

"A bit of sport? With that? Sure an she's fair to look at, but I hear Prince Malcolm keeps the beasts at his Castle. Might he take it amiss if we tupped his fighting cattle? Not to mention what the priests would say, for coupling with so unnatural a creature." Corwin frowned, but his eyes never left the glistening beauty splashing in the heart of the pond.

Her soft moans filled the night, and her watchers felt their cod pieces become uncomfortably tight.

"I'd say it's worth a few Hail Mary's, Corwin. She's a temptress, for sure, and a wicked creature for all her innocent seeming face." Connel concluded, reaching for the sling shot at his belt, "People say Prince Malcolm risks his immortal soul by consorting with these gargoyles. I say we see for ourselves if the consorting is worth the price."

"And afterwards?" Corwin asked, handing his young lord a steel shot, the metal ball being the size of a child's fist.

"Afterwards we'll do our Christian duty, and dispatch the monster to her maker." Connel said with a toothy grin, "We will be doing our part for Christendom to rid the earth of her sinful, lust inciting kind."

The slung piece of metal struck the gargoyle from behind, connecting at base of her crimson tressed head with a sickening thud...

Four Weeks Ago

The Golden Orchard Hospice did not receive visitors. Their few clients were cared for by a quiet and efficient staff, who did their job, and asked no questions.

Curiosity was strictly discouraged.

The ice blonde woman who stalked through the halls was not staff. But by the time security was aware of her presence, she'd already found the man she was looking for.

Room 23 held one occupant, an old man whose thin wisps of white hair were wildly unkempt. His sunken features were more skeletal than warm flesh, and only his unnaturally brilliant stare gave any indication of the what once had been a sharp, clear mind. Rattling at his bathroom's door knob, he had opened and closed it perhaps a hundred times in the last day, alternating between it and the closet door. He moved on to the room's main door. Even though it was locked after sunset, he had to at least try. So he was more surprised to feel it's knob turn in his hand than to see the woman standing on the other side.

"Hello Mace."

Her voice was the cool comfort of the grave as she reached out a pale hand and waited.

"Just one more door." he said, placing his own withered hand in hers, "Just one more door and I'll be free."

**********
Now

Fox shifted in her bonds, cursing the languid slowness of her body's response. What had Hyena doped her with? Something that relaxed her toned and limber body too much for effective combat. At least it wasn't a hallucinogen.

She still had some ability to move, but not quickly enough for the two Pack members who sauntered down the hall way, brimming with excitement over their promised reward. Jackal had swung Fox over his shoulder, one hand holding her legs, while the other wandered over the silky skin and firm roundness of her ass, patting and rubbing as he hummed a familiar tune.

"Must you do that?" Hyena snapped, shooting her brother a disgusted look.

She watched her brother slip his cool, metallic fingers into the valley between Fox's nether cheeks, dragging downwards until he could tease her softly pouting cunt lips. He tweaked the tiny copper curls that dusted the captive's plump sex, and rolled tender flesh between his thumb and forefinger, playing idly with the soft unguarded treasures.

"You've already had a bit of play time with Fox," Jackal grinned, at his sister's frowning face, "I'm just giving her a little something to remember before we turn her over to Dracon."

"Not that you oaf! I wouldn't mind if we took a few moments to give Fox something really memorable." Hyena's eyes slid over the other woman's body with predatory interest, before returning to glare at her brother, "But stop that infernal humming! If I have to listen to the Pack theme song one more time...!"

Fox tried to block out Hyena's snide comments, and Jackal's invasive caresses. Reluctantly, she found her mind drifting back to when Hyena had surprised her with the hypodermic claw tips. She continued to berate herself for not seeing the trap Hyena had laid for her...

The sadistic Pack member had been waiting for Fox to make her move, playing with her former leader like a cat would a mouse. Of course Hyena had suspected that Fox had gotten her bonds loose enough to slip out of them. Fox was a very dangerous woman. That was what gave the game it's spice.

Fox had already lost the element of surprise, but Hyena had been alone with her in a small confined area. It wasn't going to get any better than that. Fox knew if she didn't take Hyena down hard and fast, things would get very bad, very quickly. So she'd taken her chance...

Her kick strike had rocked the predatory Pack member's head back, and allowed Fox a moment's hope of success. But Hyena shook off what had been a solid blow, and returned the favor with a punch that knocked Fox back to the cold metal floor. Then Hyena's cybernetic limbs were all over the fallen woman, binding her wrists together, tangling her legs so that she couldn't kick. Fox had struggled, her youthful body, still in it's prime, was strong as a rigorous, sometimes harsh regime of daily training could make it. But she had lost leverage, and Hyena's cybernetic strength exceeded even olympic level human muscle. Laughing, the cyber enhanced Pack member pressed Fox flat onto her back, and kept her there until the struggles ceased.

Fox knew she couldn't take Hyena physically in just her naked skin, not in a straight fight. Which left guile. All she needed was for Hyena to drop her guard, just for an instant, and Fox would be happy to prove artificial brute force could be over come by natural cunning.

The female cyborg's body was pressed so hard against Fox that she could feel the discomforting metallic thrust of Hyena's pelvis grind against her own.

"So is that a new enhancement, or are you just happy to see me?" Fox let her voice drop into it's lower, seductive register, moving now not to struggle, but to rub herself suggestively against Hyena's cyborg body.

"You're such a slut, Fox." Hyena's laughter faded away, and she purposefully tightened her grip on Fox's wrists until the other woman cried out in pain, "After seeing you in bed with Maza, I'd almost believe you'd spread your legs for anyone. Xanatos has had you, the gargoyles little cop friend. I always thought Wolf was just bragging when he said he'd taken you doggie style, but now I'm not so sure."

"Wolf is full of shit." Fox snapped, but her eyes narrowed thoughtfully, "But the thought isn't without a certain attraction. He has a certain animal... magnetism. I bet you're curious as to how far his genetic modifications have gone as I am."

Hyena's feral grin told Fox she'd hit a mark.

"You are a sick bitch, Fox," Hyena purred, loosening her hold by just a minute amount.

Fox hid her relief, feeling her blood moving again was a welcome pain. She knew Hyena better than she wanted, both from leading the Pack and the time they'd been cell mates. But now Fox was glad to put that knowledge to good use.

"Isn't that what you like about me?" Fox asked, letting the tip of her tongue moisten her lips, "Isn't that what you want from me?"

"What makes you think you have anything I want?" Hyena taunted, but her eyes brightened with interest.

Their faces were bare inches apart, it took the smallest effort for Fox to lift her mouth to Hyena's. For such a homicidal hardcase, Hyena's lips were surprisingly soft and tender. Fox sucked slowly on the full bottom lip before moving on to a full open mouth kiss. She put everything she could into the effort, a mix of seductive invitation and heated sensuality.

Hyena's surprise quickly melted into triumph, and she accepted Fox's gesture by returning the kiss with almost punishing force. The mercenary's tongue slipped deeply into the accepting moist warmth, and Fox's tongue stroked back, making slick, heated promises without words. Hyena felt her cunt tighten in anticipation. Playing with the dark haired police woman had wetted Hyena's appetite, but Fox squirming naked beneath her was even more exciting. Maza had been a tasty little lamb, but ultimately a prey animal. Fox was another predator. The thought of forcing her former leader to submit like prey made Hyena wet.

"You were saying?" Fox asked, breathless from Hyena's enthusiasm, "

"Speaking of new enhancements, I do have a few I'd like to show you." Hyena's voice was nearly guttural as she pulled away.

The mercenary's excitement was obvious. She released her grip on Fox and sat up, straddling the woman beneath her. Still pinned under Hyena's weight, Fox waited for her moment. When Hyena's hands went down to the metallic guard over her sex, Fox struck. A palm strike at Hyena's nose, designed to fracture the facial bones and cause shock trauma to the brain... If it had landed. Instead, one of Hyena's cybernetic arm deflected the strike with contemptuous speed, while on her other hand, needle tips extended from the already menacing talons.

"The first enhancement is the hypodermic delivery system which lets me inject a target with a number of toxins... or recreational drugs." Hyena's tone was sly, as she dragged the needle tips across her captive's fair skin, not quite piercing.

Fox froze, the whites of her eyes showing as she focused on a bead of clear liquid forming at the end of a talon tip.

"Want to guess which ones I loaded up just for you?"

"Don't." Fox whispered, not taking her eyes away from the threat that dimpled her flesh.

"But Fox, sweet heart. It might even be one of your old favorites." Hyena's voice was a taunting croon, "I remember exactly what you liked best, before you decided to go cold turkey. Too afraid they'd dull your edge, wasn't that the excuse you gave? But maybe the real reason was little miss control freak was afraid she liked letting loose too much."

Fox's silence was all the answer Hyena needed.

"You were so much more fun before you went straight, Fox." Hyena said with mock regret, "The things you did... Well no use crying over spilled psychotropics."

"What do you want Hyena?" Fox asked, her voice flat as her stare.

"That brings me to another new toy," Hyena purred, finally removing the guard plate that covered her sex.

"David's tech boys gave you that?!" Fox's voice rose in disbelief.

"Strange how many brilliant pervs your hubby manages to employ." Hyena laughed, pleased at Fox's wide eyed response, "But I think they out did themselves with this one. With this baby I can be an inny or an outy."

The thick, penile cable that extended from between Hyena's nether lips twitched, and moved forward like a blind snake.

"It's also linked into my nervous system, so I can enjoy every sensation as if it were the real thing." the cybernetically altered woman mentioned as she scooted forward, "Now three guesses what I want you to do with it."

"You have got to be kidding!" Fox protested, any thought of continued seduction forgotten in the face, quite literally, of the cybernetic phallus, "You could choke a horse with that thing! There's no way I could..."

Her protest faded as the Hyena flexed her needle tipped hand.

"Do it." Hyena commanded, having gotten positioned so she was resting on her knees, pelvis lifted even with Fox's mouth, "Open those soft pink lips and wrap them around my new plaything, or I'll have to find a different set of lips to slid it through."

The hand that wasn't pressing sharp edged chemical threat against Fox's tender skin, trailed behind Hyena, finding the soft red gold curls of Fox's sex. The tapered ends of Hyena's sheathed finger blades stroked between the pouting lips of her captive's vulnerable cunt.

Fox glared up at Hyena's smug face, but obediently took the artificial cock into her mouth, allowing the thick girth to press her lips apart and slide into the warm moist cavern. Her tongue slithered along the shaft, adding stimulation as she began to suck.

"Yessss..." Hyena hissed in pleasure, "That feels nice. Keep doing that Fox."

The mercenary let her hand start rubbing at Fox's silky thatch, slipping between the soft fleshy folds to find the slick moistness that gathered there.

"Oooh! Fox, you are a bad girl. Getting wet from this are you?" Hyena's mocking laughter brought tears of humiliation to Fox's eyes.

She was wet, her intimate places still sensitive from Elisa's welcomed touch. Now Hyena's invading fingers plundered the same places the New York police detective had explored so lovingly. Fox could feel her body responding to the sexual stimulation with unwilling arousal. She would have cursed if her mouth were not full to the point of gagging with Hyena's faux cock. She could feel it pulsing in her mouth, strangely warm. Almost as if it were living flesh instead of a cybernetic abomination.

But if it really was connected to Hyena's nervous system, perhaps over loading it with stimulus would produce the same effect on Hyena, in effect immobilizing the mercenary if she were to 'cum' with her artificial cock. Fox was willing to take the chance. She sucked on the cyber shaft in deadly earnest.

Hyena's moans of pleasure were abhorrent, yet perversely exciting. Fox, to her horror, felt herself growing even wetter as she began to take unwilling pleasure from her act of fellatio. It did not help that Hyena' was rubbing at Fox's sex with wanton abandon. Fox gasped, taking the phallus deeper than she wanted into her throat, as she felt Hyena's fingers penetrate her sex, sliding into her with cruelly forceful strokes.

It's just sex. Fox focused on the thought, holding onto it with fierce desperation. It's just sex. It meant nothing. Closing her eyes, she willed herself to believe that it wasn't happening to her. It was just her body. The response she felt was no more controllable than feeling cold when ice was pressed against the skin, or heat when touching a flame. There was no shame in feeling pleasure when Hyena thrust unwanted cybernetic fingers into the the moist cavern of her sex. Nooooo...

No shame in beginning to quiver with building orgasm as Hyena's thumb rubbed over the swollen bud of Fox's excited clit...

Whimpers escaped from Fox as Hyena increased the sexual stimulation, her hips began jerking in time with Hyena's own pumping gyrations above her face. She could feel the artificial penis begin to swell, it pulsed in her mouth and throat...

Hot liquid splashed deep in her throat, and Fox jerked back gagging as Hyena pulled away breathing heavily. The hands that had both threatened and pleasured Fox were now wrapped around Hyena's cyber cock, milking it of the last of it's artificial cum.

Now was the time to strike...

Fox pulled herself away from the screaming frustration of another forestalled orgasm, and wrapped her hands around Hyena's throat. No blows this time, just old fashioned strangulation. She had the necessary muscular strength, achieved through endless hours of training. Hyena was choking under Fox's grip, too weak from cumming to offer real resistance...

Then Fox's strength failed her. Fingers so close to victory slipped from Hyena's bruised flesh, muscles lost their tension, and Fox felt a great lassitude sweep over her entire body...

"You didn't think the hypodermics were the only delivery system, did you Fox?" Hyena choked out, laughing painfully, "But you did win the lesser of two evils. My newest attachment only carries a drugged load. My claws have a more fatal charge."

Fox heard, but was unable to respond as she lay limp and used on the metal prison's cold floor.

"Poor baby, you didn't get off, did you?" Hyena crooned, crawling back to Fox's sprawled form, "Well don't worry. I have all sorts of things planned for you..."

Fox's mind snapped back the present as Jackal slung her off his shoulder, and steadied her on her feet. Blinking in confusion, Fox wondered if she'd been wrong about the hallucinogens. She'd lost time, and realized she was in a completely unfamiliar room, with a man she recognized by reputation alone.

"Dracon. Tony Dracon." she spoke slowly, glad her words didn't come out slurred.

"Mrs. Xanatos."

The dark haired mob boss examined his new prize with a critical eye.

"She's naked too. Why is everyone you bring me stripped?" Tony's voice held disapproval, but his gaze lingered on the red haired woman's exposed charms, "I'm running a business operation here, and it's not a porn film."

"Sorry boss. She and Maza came this way." Jackal's apologetic tone was patently false, "They were making out when we grabbed them. You did know your new honey was into other women, right?"

Tony's eyes narrowed as Jackal and Hyena smirked openly. He was already regretting adding the two trouble makers to the Dracon payroll. He had known that he'd need more than ordinary muscle when it came time to deal with the Gargoyles. Tonight's test run had shown that the cybernetically enhanced mercenaries could deliver on the goods. But it also revealed they were devoid of any kind of respect for their newest employer. Something would have to be done about that.

"So Maza and this chick... ?" Tony grinned, more a feral display of teeth than an expression of mirth, "Well, that should make the marriage more interesting. I don't care if she has a girl friend or two to keep her out of trouble when I'm not available."

"You can't seriously be thinking of marrying that cop, can you?" Jackal asked, disbelief obvious.

"Him? And Maza?" Hyena's derisive laugh rang through the room, "And what about her boyfriend? You remember, the big purple one? Or maybe you don't mind sharing your wife with another species as well as with other women."

Tony's smile tightened. Yes. Something would definitely have to be done about these two.

"Goliath and his fellow monsters won't be a problem. They won't even be alive long enough to disrupt my wedding." Dracon's told them.

And once the Gargoyles are are dead and gone, you can join them. Dracon's thoughts brought a genuine smile to his face, and he grinned with his two unwitting cyborg pawns.

"Still no word?" Lexington asked as he entered the Castle's main hall.

"No lad, I'm afraid not." Hudson's voice held a weariness as the older warrior turned to the small green gargoyle.

Most of the clan had already returned after hours of scouring the city for any sign of Elisa or Fox. The only one still left was...

"Goliath!" Brooklyn's call alerted them to their leader's arrival.

He entered grimly, making the large room seem small by his foreboding presence. His dark eyes searched the faces of his clan for some sign of hope. With each set of downcast eyes, Goliath felt his heart grow colder.

"Any updates from Xanatos or Bluestone?" he asked finally.

"Only that they have no new information. All the hospitals have been checked, and double checked. Matt has asked friends of his in the police department to contact him if they find any... news..." Hudson hesitated, but continued, "Good or bad."

"And Dracon?"

The name came out in a growl that chilled the ridges on Hudson's spine.

"No word on him either. It's like he dropped off the face of the planet." Broadway answered.

The burly gargoyles frustration was evident as he struck the wall nearest him.

"I don't understand. He's a criminal. And they just let him out of jail without even warning Elisa." the confusion in Broadway's voice was painful to hear.

"Lad, we dinna know for sure that Dracon has anything to do with the lass going missing." Hudson reached out to the younger gargoyle, a comforting hand clasping his shoulder.

"She's the cop who put him away! It's got to be Dracon!" Broadway's voice boomed out as he shrugged off Hudson's hand, "He's always had it in for Elisa, and now that he's free he's done something to her! If he's hurt her..."

"We don't know that." Lexington spoke sharply, looking from Broadway to Goliath's grief stricken countenance, "We don't! Yes, we don't know where Elisa is right now, but that does not mean she's been harmed. Even a hard core scum like Dracon would know striking at Elisa will only borrow trouble. He's seen how important she is to us..."

"Exactly. Dracon knows we care about Elisa." Broadway retorted, "And he hates us! What better way to hurt us than to..."

"Stop!" Angela's clear, feminine voice rang through the room, reminding them of her presence.

She went to Broadway and placed a calming hand on his quaking shoulders, "Just stop, all of you. Elisa will be alright. She has to be."

"And if she isn't?" Brooklyn mantled his ebony wings and crossed his arms beneath their dark cloak, his neutral tone carrying clearly through the room, "If we find out Dracon or someone else has done something to Elisa?"

"If anyone has hurt Elisa... I will make them pay." The pure menace in Goliath's voice was echoed by the white hot glare of his gaze.

Elisa resisted the dreaming. Tossing in fitfully on top of the sweat dampened sheets, she fought her way back to consciousness. Whatever the pale bitch had forced down her throat was coming back up. She fell more than stumbled out of the strange bed. Verging on collapse, Elisa steadied herself with a hand on the bedroom wall.

Even with her vision swimming in and out of focus, she could see how rich and decadent her surroundings were. Thick oriental rugs on the polished hardwood floor, sheer gauzy canopy over the a king sized bed fitted in glossy sheets of silk and satin and enough pillows to drown in. Tony Dracon had obviously deposited her into a little love nest after... after...

Elisa grabbed for a nearby vase, dumping out it's arrangement of orchids and roses, she heaved out the contents of her stomach.

"Jalapena... " she cursed weakly, sinking to the floor with her back to the wall.

She remembered Dracon's insane proposal. He'd ignored her immediate refusal as if she hadn't even spoken. Instead he tried to snow her with talk about things she didn't know that could make her reconsider his offer. He had to be delusional. Why would he think she'd ever change her mind?

Then he'd given Demona to that female Dr. Mengele.

The silver gilt blonde had talked about the gargoyle like she was a lab animal. Even Tony Dracon had shown a twinge of humanity when his mad scientist had suggested dissecting Demona. Hel had been distressingly familiar with Gargoyle biology, and made a thorough physical examination of Demona's wounds while removing the physical restraints on the gargoyle, before laying her out like an offering. Whatever they'd drugged Demona with was more effective at keeping her docile than any shackles. But even if her body was quiescent, her eyes had raged. Their glow was a crimson stain that Detective Maza could not ignore.

When Hel had decided to put off slicing open Demona to see what made her tick, Elisa had sighed with heart felt relief. It was short lived. The only reason Hel wanted to delay her horrific plan was because a full dissection would require time to set up and perform, and there were only so many hours left until dawn. But those next few hours could still be put to other use. The cold hearted bitch had decided to test how much extreme stimulus the gargoyle could endure. And Jackal had offered his and Hyena's services immediately. She could still see the lust burning in his eyes as he reached out and began touching Demona's defenseless body with predatory interest.

That was when it all went to hell.

Elisa had protested violently, first with words, then with actions. And finally Dracon had his head henchman, Glasses, restrain the policewoman while Hel had come at her with a syringe. Pretending defeat, Elisa had let her body sag in the mobster's grasp, lulling him into relaxing his grip just slightly... right until the blonde attempted to plunge the needle home. A wrenching twist, and instead of slipping into Elisa's flesh, the slender metal spike plunged into the man holding her.

Hel didn't even bother getting another syringe. She simply grabbed the furious detective's jaw in one hand, and forced something down her throat with the other.

Then the world had dissolved to black for the second time that night.

"I've got to get out of here." Elisa told the empty room, "I have to get to Fox, and we both have to get out of here."

What about Demona? A small voice in the back of her mind prodded at her insistently. She tried to save you earlier. She needs you now.

"Demona's the enemy. She's tried to kill me more times than I can count." Elisa protest sounded weak even to herself.

But not tonight. Not when you needed her.

"Jalapena... " Elisa moaned, burying her face in her hands for a long moment.

She shuddered, remembering the feel of Jackal's engorged cock pressing at her flesh... Her own broken pleas for help... Jackal's scream as Demona's tail whipped around his throat, stopping him from completing the act of rape...

Slowly Elisa raised her face from her hands, staring through the veil of her own hair... the bitter chocolate of her eyes dark with resolve.

This was all Elisa's fault. Demona cursed the human female for the thousandth time, and tried again to move her limbs. Some mobility was returning, but with an aching slowness that was driving the gargoyle to the point of madness.

Always, always when she succumbed to a moment's lapse of judgment and did some kindness for a human, always she wound up bitterly regretting it. Demona snarled in her mind, still unable to express herself any other way.

Saving young Macbeth and his leman when both were but dewy children. That had been a mistake. Macbeth's later betrayal had led her to siding with Canmore, and that had led to the death the last of Scotland's gargoyles.

Canmore, when he was but a boy... if she'd slain him then instead of supporting Macbeth's weak notion of mercy... She'd let the whelp live and later when he returned as a grown man, he'd repaid her compliance in defeating Macbeth with basest treachery.

And now in a moment's weakness Demona had given aid to the woman she detested more than any other human.

She should have left well enough alone and left Goliath's pet human to be ravished by others of her misbegotten species.

Why hadn't she?

Demona brooded over the question. She had woken up furious at how easily she'd been taken by the human mercenaries. Not to mention in terrible agony from the bonds they'd placed on her wings. Those two cybernetic abominations had worried at her bound and helpless body like a pair of animals. How aptly those humans were named, Jackal and Hyena.

It had been very difficult lying unresponsive, playing possum until she had an opportunity to strike back. But as soon as she freed herself, Demona promised herself to repay them for every indignity she had suffered at their hands. When the gargoyle showed no reaction to their torment, the brother and sister lost interest in her.

Bored, the male decided to play with Elisa's sweet, naked charms instead. Her unclothed body was utterly defenseless, and it's sexual allure was inevitable.

When Maza had regained her senses, she was in the midst of being molested. It was small wonder she fought so ferociously against his attentions, but it sealed her fate. Her very struggles excited her captors, their arousal growing with her every act of protest. When they began beating the police detective, Demona had cursed in the darkness, silently willing the human to go limp, play dead... Those sobbing cries of pain caused Demona to twist in her own bonds, and she used her own pain to try and block out the the discomfort she felt at Elisa's distress.

The human was her enemy. What was it to Demona if one more human woman was abused by others of her own kind? Their weak were often preyed upon by those stronger. It was the nature of their despicable kind.

But Elisa hadn't lose her defiance, and despite taking vicious blows, spat in Jackal's face when he continued his sexual harassment. Despite herself, Demona was impressed with the dark haired human's spirit.

It was only when Elisa realized that her captors were planning to actually rape her, that the human's true vulnerability was revealed.

There had been a sickening familiarity to the human's breathy, desperate pleas. They reminded Demona of another time, another place, when the cries had been her own...

Demona had growled low in her throat as she tried to banish old memories. No one had heeded her cries that night when she learned another depth of human depravity. Those human males had hurt her...

She'd been little more than a child then. Attacked from behind, rendered senseless from an unprovoked attack... Coherent thought had been slow to return. But once back, it was no mercy. The young gargoyle had found herself staked out on the ground, limbs splayed while her attackers made painful use of her. Confused, her head swimming from the blow, she'd pleaded for them to stop, screamed out for succor...

No one heard. No one who cared.

And the brutal use had gone on...

Ancient, unresolved feelings of shame and anger welled up in the gargoyle's heart. No matter what Demona herself had planned to do with Elisa Maza, watching the sobbing, helpless woman being raped by those cybernetic savages had not been an option. Besides, the gargoyle rationalized her unwilling desire to help the police detective, Elisa was her prey. Demona would not share what was hers with those scavenger beasts.

Now, listening to her new captors talk, the crimson haired gargoyle wondered if acting on her confused feelings of sympathy and possessiveness had too high a price. Her blood ran cold in her veins as the one who'd struck her down, spoke again of experiments...

There wasn't enough time before the dawn for a proper, full fledged dissection, and that hellish woman had known that gargoyles were stone by day. Demona had blessed her stars that the blonde witch did not know this gargoyle would remain flesh even during the day. But there was no reprieve from other horrors. Even if there wasn't time for a dissection, there were a few hours left of the night. Enough for Demona's captors to find other uses for the female gargoyle.

Then the one called Jackal began to touch her...

It was with a sense of utter humiliation, and no little irony, that Demona witnessed Elisa Maza coming to her defense. It was, as fate would have it, was pathetically inadequate attempt.

Elisa was drugged by the white haired creature who pretended at humanity, and taken away. Demona felt an odd, piercing sense of loss as the dark haired police woman disappeared from view.

"Are you comfortable my dear?" Hel's voice was cool in it's detached consideration.

The red haired captive tugged weakly at the collar wrapped around her throat, and glared sullenly at the woman who held the attached leash.

"I'd be more comfortable without the bondage gear." Fox said bluntly.

"But it suits you."

The blonde woman spoke softly, the chill momentarily lifting from her features as she studied the attractive young woman clad only in leather cuffs, collar, and chains. This human was as interesting as the gargoyle who lay on the other side of the one way glass. They were alone in the observation room, the only audience to the coming display. Dracon had not wanted to stay and watch the show he'd help to stage.

Dracon had left the woman, Fox Xanatos, in her keeping. And his instructions had been ruthlessly simple. Fox was to be given a full, graphic demonstration of the extremely unpleasant situations she could find herself in... should her husband, David Xanatos, not meet the demands that would soon be made to him. After witnessing some of the severe treatment the gargoyle would suffer through, Fox would see it was in her best interest to convince her husband to do whatever was necessary to secure her safety.

It was a brilliant, if brutal idea. A shame that the man who had thought of it did not have the stomach to see it through personally, instead of leaving it to his partner.

Hel sighed, the mobster was showing distressing signs of weakness.

But there was little help of it at this stage. Dracon had the under world connections she needed to complete her projects. Mace Malone's advice had been sound. Tony Dracon was necessary. For now.

But it wasn't Dracon's interests that made this captive so fascinating. It was her blood.

Fox Xanatos wasn't completely human.

Reaching out a pale hand, Hel gently stroked the flame colored hair of her kinswoman.

"Don't." Fox said, her face stony, "Don't touch me."

Hel let her hand fall away. She had forgotten how deeply the rejection of her own kind cut. But... this little half breed was still an infant as fay reckoned time, and unschooled, or Fox would have known who and what held her leash. And what she risked with her insult. Still, Hel could be generous when the mood suited her. She would forgive. This time.

"I would spare you this." Hel told her prisoner, "Truly."

Fox shivered at her captor's words. It frightened her that the woman actually sounded sincere. Whatever was about to happen on the other side of the glass was not going to be pleasant. Her eyes narrowed as the light level slowly increased in the other room, revealing a familiar form sprawled on an examination table. She had seen Demona's earlier attack on Jackal, and the consequences. Fox had been so relieved that Elisa had been spared Jackal's attempted rape, she'd barely given the female gargoyle any thought. Demona was immortal. No matter what was done to her, she'd survive. So it had been easy to dismiss the blue skinned female's fate, especially when Fox's own was in jeopardy.

Why was she here, like this?

Fox could vividly remember the first time she'd seen David's sometimes ally. Her first impression had been of fantastic wings, a wild mane of crimson hair, and shapely blue skinned curves barely concealed by a scant halter and loin cloth. If Demona hadn't been so overbearingly arrogant and contemptuous of all humans, including Xanatos, Fox might have been jealous. But the female gargoyle had never taken any pains to hide her deep seated disdain. And Fox had been glad that the beautiful creature was far too bitter and dangerous to ever be a rival for David's affections. Because with her exotic looks, and amoral, passionate, warrior nature, Demona would have been among the few females on the planet that might have captured his romantic interest.

Then Fox would have had to find a way to destroy the gargoyle.

But fortunately that had not been necessary. Indeed, Demona had been in attendance to Fox and David's wedding as the reluctant maid of honor. It had all been part of a brilliant Xanatos scheme. One which had planted the first seeds of his great destiny. Demona's own plans however had not been so successful. She'd departed after their time traveling adventure in a seething fury.

That had been the first, and last time Fox had any direct contact with the overly volatile female. Fox didn't count the time she'd been turned into a stone statue, along with the rest of New York, by the human hating gargoyle. That had been her own fault really. David had warned her not to watch the spell laden television broadcast. But Fox hadn't been able to curb her curiosity, and had become another victim to Demona's treachery. After that, the uneasy alliance between Xanatos and Demona had severed. Fox hadn't been unhappy with the end results. She and David had made mad, passionate love for days afterwards.

Fox blinked back tears. She'd see David again, and her son. Both she and Elisa would make it through this horrible night somehow. Fox had to keep focused on that. Whatever it took, she would see to it that they made it out okay. At least she didn't have to worry about the gargoyle. Demona could take care of herself.

Why wasn't she moving? The gunshot wounds from earlier would have healed by now. Fox frowned, finally noticing the Demona's eyes were wide open, the pupils seemed dilated... but it was hard to tell for sure. Was she drugged?

"The show's about to begin."

She started, the cool comment had come from right behind her. Fox had somehow missed Hel moving in close enough to for the chill of her breath to brush against her captive's cheek. The silver blonde reached past Fox to touch a control panel next to the one way glass. Sound from the other room was pumped in through hidden speakers.

The rising volume of a familiar, manic giggle sent a sick chill through Fox. She watched Jackal and Hyena make their entrance into the other room. Their eyes gleamed with feral excitement as they headed towards helpless gargoyle...

Jackal and Hyena circled their prey, examining the prone gargoyle from every angle. She lay in disheveled disarray of crimson hair and smooth, azure limbs. Her body spread out, limp on the raised, padded table. The lone piece of furnishing of the otherwise barren examination room. The blood on her soft blue hide had dried, the brown flaking stains the only evidence of the damage she'd taken earlier in the night. The ragged holes in her wings had already closed, leaving the thin wing membranes whole once more.

"Aw... look brother. Her clothes are all torn and soiled."

Hyena's solicitous croon raised the fine hair on back of Demona's neck.

"Why, you're right Sis. Tsk, tsk." Jackal's tone of disapproval did not match the wide grin on his face, "Perhaps we should help her out of them."

"Do you think we should? The poor thing might catch cold if we strip her naked."

Hyena's purr was disturbingly close... Demona slowly turned her head. It was like moving through thick, sticky molasses, but at least she was able to move. She found herself face to face with the female mercenary.

Leaning down, Hyena let her lips hover over Demona's soft, full mouth... not quite brushing the red ripeness. Dark brown eyes bright with excitement, she drank in the sight of the captive gargoyle's widening black pupils. The prey was fully aware, if not active. That was always the most fun. There was no point in tormenting someone if they couldn't properly appreciate it.

"Don't worry baby sister." Jackal's breath was too warm against Demona's bare neck as he leaned in closer, watching his twin's partially parted lips with avid interest.

"If she gets cold, we'll just apply some... heat."

Laughing, Hyena danced back a step, leaving her brother to sigh in momentary disappointment. But she'd only moved away so the helpless gargoyle could see her extend a gleaming, razor sharp blade from her hand. For a moment Hyena held a pose of contemplation, as she let her gaze wander over Demona's halter and loin cloth.

"This rag will have to go first," she said, indicating the bullet hole ridden top.

"An excellent choice." Jackal agreed, also moving back, to better watch his sister begin the game.

Hyena slowly slipped the jutting blade beneath the cloth covering the gargoyle's chest. Letting the gargoyle feel the sharp coldness of the metal in the valley of her cleavage for a long, exquisite moment, before ripping upwards, slashing the fabric apart. Demona's lush, round breasts quivered in the aftermath of their violent exposure. The darkly ruddy nubs of the gargoyle's nipples contracted into stiff peaks in the cool air, gaining the appreciative interest of the room's occupants.

"I think she likes us." Jackal chortled, reaching out to touch one of the dark red buds.

His sister's blade whipped out, slapping at his hand away with a hard rap.

Jackal yelped and snatched his hand back, glaring at his sister... His startled anger melted away under her heated gaze, and his lips curved up in a smile.

"Well baby sister, you want first shot?" his voice came out slightly hoarse, as he watched the tip of her tongue wet her lips in aroused anticipation.

"Why thank you, brother dear. You're too kind." Hyena's voice was sweet as only a loving sister's could be.

Demona shivered, involuntary chills sweeping through her. She'd expected torture. She just hadn't expected it to come in the form of sexual molestation. It sickened her, to be at the mercy of human lechery. But it was not something she'd hadn't endured before. If they thought to break her down with a little rape, they were sorely mistaken. Let them do their worst. She was recovering from the poison that coursed through her veins. Soon the tables would be turned and she'd be cutting more than cloth.

"Oh my, my, my... " Hyena shook her head, "Just look at the grim resolve on that pretty face. It's an absolute shame."

"You know how dull martyr types can be, sister dear. So wrapped up in their self righteous delusions that they think the world can't touch them." Jackal commented, "But isn't it a delight when we can show them how wrong they are?"

"Yes. You're so right brother." Hyena spoke as she let her claw wander lightly over the exposed breasts, not quite piercing the skin, "This gargoyle needs to learn the world can touch her in ways she'd never thought possible."

"That we can touch her in ways she never thought possible." Jackal amended, moving forward cautiously.

This time his sister didn't warn him off. Jackal reached out to stroke the captive's ankle, brushing lightly up the shapely calf, and on to the delicate, sensitive skin of the gargoyles inner thigh. He felt the tremble beneath his finger tips, and his smile stretched further.

"Not so stoic now, are we pet?" Jackal asked, his fingers continuing their journey, "You'll lose the rest of that reserve soon."

His hand was beneath her loincloth now, and cupping the soft mound between her thighs. Demona's tail twitched, what would have been a furious lash if she were not so drugged. Jackal noted the motion and grinned, his grip tightening almost painfully on the plump sex in his hand.

With a smile of predatory delight, Hyena watched the movement beneath the brief triangle of cloth. Whatever Jackal was doing was having an effect on the prisoner. The gargoyle's eyes widened further, their liquid darkness could not hide the distress she felt. Then the mercenary removed his hand, his fingers gleaming in the room's harsh fluorescent light.

"Isn't this a nice surprise," Jackal examined the wetness with smug interest, before offering the evidence to his sister.

"Lovely..." Hyena laughed softly, "I think we aren't the only ones who'll enjoy this dear brother."

Jackal trembled as Hyena slipped his dew covered fingers into her mouth, her eyes drifting shut as she first licked, then sucked them clean.

Grinning, Hyena pulled away from her twin, enjoying the shamed pleasure in his eyes. Torment was sweeter for the sharing. There were few she enjoyed sharing with as much as her own dear brother.

"She has a sweet flavor."

"Mind if I have a taste?" Jackal's voice was devoid of it's usual bravado, his request full of hesitant hope.

His eyes drawn once more to his sister's mouth.

Hyena smiled, and with casual cruelty gestured to the almost forgotten prisoner, "Help yourself."

Jackal felt disappointment was as keen as pain, but relief as well. Turning back to the gargoyle's vulnerable body, he curled his fingers over the loin cloth, and tore it away in one savage motion.

Demona closed her eyes as she felt the room's cool air rush over her bared sex. This was harder to deal with than she was expecting.

Damn Thailog...

She'd almost forgotten how he'd conditioned her body to respond even against her will. The silver maned gargoyle had taken great pains to twist Demona's natural response to his often humiliating caresses, bleeding her anger into excitement, and her disgust into arousal. She'd let him do... things... to her. Out of feelings she had mistaken for love. Out of her own desperate loneliness. Knowing now that he had only been using her, Demona had ruthlessly blocked out the memories of those past degrading pleasures. When he'd disappeared in the flames of the collapsing amusement park, Demona had thought she was done with that part of her life forever. Now she found that even if Thailog with gone, his evil lived after him.

She felt only loathing for these human deviants. But she was getting wet.

Jackal's discovery had been all that was humiliating. And as he pushed wide her thighs, parting the tender lips of her sex, Demona felt an odd dampness seep beneath her lashes. No... She blinked rapidly, trying to deny the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. Please no...

She didn't want to cry.

As if in answer to her plea, a sudden painful pinch distracted her from the peril of weeping. Demona's eyes opened in shock, and she found Hyena's face hovering close once more. The woman had grasped one of the gargoyle's taut nipples, and was squeezing tightly.

"That's a good girl. We wouldn't want you to miss anything." Hyena's voice was solicitous, but her smile was pure cruelty.

Locking gazes with the gargoyle, she pulled the nipple slightly, increasing the discomfort. Demona growled, eyes narrowing as she imagined ripping the smile off of her tormentor's face. Hyena's smile only widened, and she took the gargoyle's other nipple in hand and subjected it to the same treatment as the first. Demona was glad of her anger. Welcoming the fierce desire to kill and rend the woman before her. Demona's rage kept her safe from a threat greater than mere pain.

She gasped in shock as Jackal's mouth fastened on her heated wetness and began to suck...

The pain in her nipples intensified, and Demona cried out. Not because of the discomfort. She suffered worse pain by far during her daily transformations..

No... she cried out because of the sick pleasure welling through her as the human's mouth greedily feasted where he had no right. His long, broad, human tongue forcing it's way deep into the honeyed well of her sex, his human nose mashing against the sensitive bulb of her clit as he licked and suckled with little grace, but much enthusiasm.

"Stop..!"

The word burst past her lips unexpectedly. Demona's eyes widened as she realized she had regained the power of speech... then closed in humiliation as she realized her involuntary exclamation would only spur her attackers on. She used the now white hot pain of Hyena's pinching fingers, and kept her eyes closed. Focusing on the pain, she tried to ignore the sensations building from Jackal's oral assault.

Hyena's mouth twisted in anger. The prey was not going to ignore her. Releasing one of the monster's reddened and swollen peaks, Hyena reached down to push her brother's head away from his prize. Demona's eyes flew open as the fingers that had previously tortured her nipple now found her vulnerable clitoris...

"Don't... !" her breathy plea died in her throat.

A strangled scream erupted from her throat, and her eyes blazed crimson with her agony.

"That's better." Hyena's voice was husky with passion as she released the gargoyle's sensitive flesh, "I like you better with your eyes open."

Jackal resumed his feeding, and Demona shuddered with pain and revulsion, but did not close her eyes again. Instead she watched the sister with wariness.

"That's my good girl." Hyena crooned, stoking the gargoyle's long crimson tresses, "Now, it's not so bad is it?"

Her hands moved from the softness of Demona's thick red mane to the half folded wings. The delicate wing arms trembled under Hyena's curious touch, completely unfurling under the demanding exploration.

"How interesting." Hyena commented, running her palm over the outstretched wing, the inner lavender flesh smooth as fine silk, "I made sure those clamps pierced all the way through when we captured you. Your precious wings should be little more than a cloak of tattered flesh. Now there aren't even any scars."

Extending the blade of her index finger, Hyena pressed the razor edge against the taut skin nearest the wing hand, then slashed down.

Demona's mouth opened, as what felt like a line of fire stroked through her wing, burning pain flaring through her. But she did not scream. Not yet.

Hyena watched the fine line etched in the delicate wing flesh fill with tiny scarlet beads with slightly parted lips, her tongue flicking out to moisten them.

"Playtime."

Demona had thought feeling pleasure would be worse than feeling pain. Hyena took long, deliberate care to show her how wrong that was. There was no more worry about pleasure for the gargoyle, unwanted or otherwise. Only pain. Inventive... invasive... prolonged pain...

Her wings burned. An inferno of agony. This time, when the screams forced their way out, they did not stop until they were cut off with a savage kiss.

Hyena's gaze was feverishly bright when she lifted her head from the gargoyle's trembling lips. Mouth and hands stained scarlet, she panted with her excitement.

Jackal had already discarded his concealing armor, his flesh rampant in his hand as he watched his sister shudder in her growing ecstasy. His love and fear mingling into old, entrenched lines of lust. When she was like this, losing herself in the bloodlust, there was no safety. Not even for him.

But he could not tear himself away. He never could.

"Mount her."

The order was more a growl than words, but it was one he'd been waiting for. Jackal leapt to obey, literally. In a move almost too fast to see, he was on the table with the gargoyle, straddling her quaking azure hips. It was his turn to tremble as Hyena reached out a blood wet hand to cradle his ready cock, stoking it scarlet. Her other hand spread open the soft lips of the gargoyle's sex. She guided him into the waiting heat.

"Fuck her. Fuck her like you should have done the Maza bitch. Show her what interfering has cost her..."

In his private office, Tony Dracon adjusted the volume on the close circuit monitor. He sat relaxed in the massive chair, feet resting on the desk

His right hand, Glasses, rested in one of the other available chairs, still recovering from the small amount of drug that had entered his system when Maza had pulled her little stunt earlier. That woman never gave up. Tony was perversely proud at how much spirit his fiancee had. Breaking her of it would be a real challenge.

The screen zoomed in on the examination room that Hel had provided for Jackal and Hyena's playtime with the female gargoyle.

"Why do you reward them like this? I know you don't like those two." Glasses asked, studying Dracon's profile.

Tony did not move his eyes from the scene on the TV screen, not even for a moment as he answered distractedly.

"I'll take care of them in due time. But the gargoyle comes first." he smiled, "I wanted to watch her scream."

"But boss, I thought you'd never met this particular gargoyle before." Glasses frowned, returning his gaze to the body writhing beneath Jackal's assault.

"I haven't. But this gargoyle, that gargoyle, it doesn't matter. They are all connected. Hurt one, you hurt them all." Dracon's voice held grim pleasure, "Rape one... "

"That ain't natural." Glasses muttered, his disgust evident, but he took care those words were too soft for his boss to hear.

Fox wanted to shut her eyes. She wanted to place lift her hands to block out the screams coming from the other room. But she didn't even dare to blink as the gargoyle's rape continued. How could she? After what Hel had told her...

"This is for your benefit, you know." the strange woman had spoken softly, but each word was as clear as if etched with acid, "There is no science to this. No value for me in this unfortunate creature's suffering."

"Then how can you stand there and watch this horror show?" Fox had asked turning to face Hel, accusation burning in her cerulean gaze.

"It doesn't bother me." Hel had stated simply, pale eyes staring back with chilling calm, "But then neither does it please me. It is merely the means to an end."

"What end?" Fox snapped, feeling the lethargy from Hyena's drug beginning to slowly recede beneath the weight of her growing emotional turmoil.

"To make an impression on you." the silver blonde woman answered with cool practicality, "Every moan, every cry... every scream. It's all for you. Whatever the gargoyle suffers at the hands of your former associates... it's all for you."

"That's a lie." Fox said shifting her eyes, no longer able to meet the other woman's stare, "Those two would rape a tree if they could get it to scream. This has nothing to do with me."

"You think not? If you weren't a factor, the gargoyle would be under my care now. Her suffering limited to the necessary pain of clinical examinations." Hel shrugged, "But Dracon wishes to motivate you. Show you exactly how bad things will be for you unless you offer your fullest cooperation."

Hel reached out a pale, fine boned hand to turn Fox's gaze back to her own, curious to see if the flame haired hybrid was moved by the non-human creature's plight. How much human regard and conscience did this half breed have?

Those that mortals named fay were creatures of strong passions. Often moved by selfish whim and fickle desire... but seldomly by compassion. Few fay would dare let themselves be personally affected by the consequences of their presence on may fly mortal lives. Humans, gargoyles... they lived and died in furiously bright, frighteningly short bursts of energy. Heart felt sympathy for these ephemeral creatures was rare quality for any of immortal blood... by sheer reason of necessity.

"So for your sake, Dracon is allowing your one time comrades to sate their perverse appetites with this prize specimen." she continued, "Rather than leaving you in their hands in her place. You should be grateful, it is but a chance grace that you are not the one enjoying their attentions."

Fox jerked her chin out of Hel's gentle grip, the conversation was becoming too personal... too disturbing. She glared at the one way glass, refusing to flinch as her eyes focused on the on going atrocities.

"You probably would hurt her just as badly in the name of science." she tried to thrust the topic away from herself, "They do it for pleasure, but in the end that gargoyle would suffer just as much if I weren't here."

"Oh, she'd suffer pain. That would be inevitable." Hel agreed with a wintery smile, moving to stand behind Fox once more.

Leaning close she let her voice drift to almost a whisper, "But I wouldn't have raped her. And I think you know the difference between mere pain, and the punishment your... friend? ...is enduring right now."

"She's not my friend... I barely know her." Fox's voice was faint, as she tried to ignore what Hel was implying, "I don't even like her."

"That is a mercy for you then, isn't it?" Hel reached out to adjust the speaker controls that allowed them to hear everything in the other room clearly, "She's nothing to you? Then you needn't worry about feeling any responsibility."

She raised the volume slightly...

The harsh sounds of labored breathing filled the observation room... Demona's moans had a sob like quality to them. Her face was drawn with pain, and wet with tears...

"You are a practical woman, Fox Xanatos. I approve." Hel's cool voice was almost affectionate.

The chill of her breath against Fox's ear sent shivers through the red haired woman's already stressed nerves.

Elisa had gone through the room twice, searching for a way out. The door was locked. There were no windows. She'd been through the attached bathroom's medicine cabinets, but there was not even a hair pin or a nail file, and unless she discovered a way to pick locks with dental floss, there was nothing remotely useful. The bedroom closets had plastic hangers, half full of Tony's business suits and a few casual clothes. The detective had combed through the pockets, but there was nothing. All the clothes had a just pressed, new look and smell.

There also had been a small selections of dresses. Similarly new, tastefully expensive... all in her size.

Apparently Tony expected her to be staying awhile. With him.

Nearly screaming with frustration, Elisa turned to the large armoire across from the bed. She'd found it only contained a large television set. Too large for her to even consider smashing open to scavenge for parts. It probably wouldn't have helped if she had managed it. She was just a New York police detective. Not MacGyver.

Finally, she sat on the bed in frustration. Might as well check the news. If clan had figured out she was missing, they might be tearing the city apart for her even now. And if Xanatos were looking for Fox, there might be some mention.

Reaching for the remote, Elisa clicked on the idiot box and began surfing for WVRN.

What she got was a scene from hell.

""Fuck her. Fuck her like you should have done the Maza bitch. Show her what interfering has cost her." Hyena urged on her brother as he plunged into female gargoyle pinned beneath him.

Elisa blinked, mouth dropping open in shock.

She watched until the nausea over came her again, then leaned over the bedside to be sick on the expensive oriental rug. But she'd already cleared out the contents of her stomach earlier, and was reduced to painful, dry heaves.

When Demona began screaming again, her thumb jerked against the channel button... She wanted to believe it was by accident...

"...aren't you watching the show with your new partner?" Glasses asked his boss, both men sitting in what looked to be an office, intent on a television screen showing Hyena and Jackal's continuing brutal assault on the gargoyle.

"I don't trust her." Dracon told his henchman, eyes never leaving the rape, "I wanted to see what she'll let slip. That observation room Hel and Fox are in is wired just like every room in this building. The previous owners stripped the place down pretty good, but they left the surveillance system intact. I'll run through the tapes later to see what her reactions to this little entertainment."

"What about Maza? She's a cop. After that scene she threw earlier, she's going to want to see that her pet gargoyle is okay when she wakes up. This isn't going to go over real well with your new... fiancee." Glasses said, keeping the edge of sarcasm out of his voice.

"What Maza don't know won't hurt her. She's out cold right now. By the time she wakes up all this will be over." Dracon dismissed his underling's worries, " Hel says the gargoyle will turn to stone at dawn. We'll clean her up a little before then. Once she's a statue, Elisa will only see her beast is okay, and everything will be aces. I got another set up like this in my bedroom. Elisa will be able to check through the day that her friends are alive, and in one piece. It will keep her calm until tonight. By then everything should be in place for our getting hitched. Afterwards I'll see to it she'll be too busy to be concerned with them."

"What about her other friend? The Xanatos woman. She's getting a front row eyeful right now." Glasses continued, worried by Tony's lack of concern. "She's sure to blab the gory details."

"Not if she doesn't want to share that winged reptile's fate." Tony's voice was hard as steel, "Fox Xanatos will keep her trap shut if she knows what's good for her."

"I don't like this boss." Glasses complained, averting his eyes as ragged sobbing carried over from the security monitor, "You can't keep Maza in the dark forever. Once she gets wind of this, she'll flip out again. Women are like that. Especially someone like her. This idea of making her your wife... I don't understand it. You should just waste her."

Tony finally turned away from the rape scene to stare down his head henchman.

"You don't have to like it or understand it, my friend." Dracon's spoke almost pleasantly, but the pleasant tone didn't reach his eyes. "But if you question me again, that gargoyle won't be the only plaything our two new recruits get to have fun with. Am I clear?"

Glasses stared at his boss. Finally he nodded. "Like crystal."

Elisa clicked off the television monitor. Her normally dark face was bloodless, giving her a hollowed, haunted look.

It was close to dawn when they finished with the gargoyle. Hyena's face was suffused with pleasure, as she withdrew her cybernetic cock from Demona's cooling sheath. Her brother had already collapsed on the floor, having spent himself once in each of the captive's openings. The creature's satin like skin was now covered in a sticky mix of blood and other fluids. That, added to the many slashes criss crossing her body, gave the gargoyle a resemblance to a patchwork doll.

Leaning down, Hyena gave the blue skinned female a last, lingering kiss. The mouth beneath was cold and slack, but that didn't bother Hyena much. She and Jackal had already used it a number of times to their satisfaction. Demona's black eyes stared up blindly, full of dazed pain. Shock had already settled deeply into her system. Hyena climbed off the gargoyle's limp body, and went to shake her brother into mobility.

"Come on brother dear. Sun's almost up. Let's grab a shower. Then we can grab some breakfast. I'm starving." Hyena laughed softly, helping Jackal to the exit.

She hadn't felt so good in a very long while.

"Pancakes?" Jackal's sleepy voice asked.

"Sure. Why not." Hyena agreed as they left, "Pancakes. Stacks of them. With loads of syrup."

The one way glass slid back into the walls, opening the observation room into the examination lab. Fox stumbled forward, shaking. Hel had given her a pile of clean towels, and told her where to find the lab's water hose, so Fox could wash down the room. Then the she'd just left. Leaving Fox alone with what remained of Demona.

She couldn't be alive. Not after that. Even an immortal had to have their limits...

Somewhere out of sight, the sun rose...

For the first time since the first time Puck's gift had taken hold, Demona did not roar curses at the pain of her transformation. Cold blue skin gave way to warm pink flesh in silence. Brilliant crimson hair darkened to auburn. Tattered wings and slashed tail melted back into smooth skinned, bare human shoulders and round, unmarked human buttocks. Talons receded to delicate human hands and feet.

Green eyes, still wide with shock, blinked slowly. Finally focusing on the other woman in the room.

"Fox...?" the hoarse whisper was barely sound, yet it struck Fox with the force of thunder.

Tony Dracon yawned and stretched. It had been a long night. But he wanted to be the first thing Elisa saw when she woke up. He'd already had the staff prepare a breakfast cart. Buttered eggs and cinnamon toast, crisp strips of bacon and a large cup of coffee. The golden apple was buffed to a fine polish, and gleamed on it's own separate little plate. Even if she didn't eat it right away, sometime during the day, Elisa would get hungry enough to snack on the tray. The apple would be the obvious choice after the rest of the food cooled. Until then only Tony would be the only person she saw.

Hel had been very specific about that. One apple. One chance. And he had to be the first and only person she saw after eating the fruit.

"Elisa? Sugar? You awake yet?" Dracon called out as he unlocked the door and pushed the cart inside.

The lump under the covers didn't move. Tony sighed, he probably was going to have to wait awhile before Maza came out of it. He turned around to close the door, and stared at Elisa in a moment of blank surprise, right before she brought down the heavy white object in her hands.

"Yeah Tony, I'm up." Elisa said dumping the toilet cover beside the unconscious mobster, "Too bad you're down for the count, Sugar."

Bending down she rifled through his pockets.

Bonanza.

Keys. Money. Gun.

Slipping the first two into the pockets of the black dress she'd changed into, Elisa checked the clip on the third and slipped off the safety. She stared down at Dracon's senseless form, and sighted down the barrel. Her finger tightened on the trigger... then slowly eased off again. No. She couldn't do it like this, not in cold blood. But almost... Oh almost...

Elisa bit her lip and slipped the safety back on the gun before tucking it in her waist band. Quickly and efficiently she tied and gagged the mob boss, leaving him on the floor by the breakfast cart. Checking the room one last time, Maza shifted the make shift carry bag she'd made out of a sheet, onto her shoulder and headed out.

Snagging a piece of fruit from the cart as she went, she couldn't resist a last parting shot.

"Thanks for breakfast Tony. Maybe I'll return the favor someday."

Hel stared at the empty room frowning.

There was no gargoyle statue.

There was no fay half breed prisoner either.

Even if the flame haired woman had managed to escape, how had she taken the gargoyle with her?

To be continued