[Author's Note: This chapter is rated M(A) for explicit adult descriptions/themes. 18+.]
[Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Fairy Tail world, which is trademarked by Hiro Mashima.]
Author's Note: This was a difficult chapter to write and will be darker than previous chapters.
CHAPTER 29
"You look delectable."
The words were nothing more than a whisper, but Natsu heard them as clearly as if it was screamed right into his ears. He narrowed his eyes at Kurai as the man leaned towards Lucy. It took all of his energy to stop his magic from heating the air around him into a skin blistering temperature. His eyes moved from Kurai's face to the hand that rested comfortably on the small of her back, and he watched as his fingers drew small circles near the base of her spine. Natsu had seen the intimate touch through most of the evening, and his patience had finally reached its limit. The few lingering guests surrounded the pair to say their final words of parting. Natsu pushed past the circle of women who had surrounded him in hopes of receiving his attention for the rest of the late evening. He didn't even register their expressions of indignation at being ignored as he approached Lucy nor did he see them leave in a huff. As the last guests stepped through the doors and the pair was no longer surrounded, Natsu placed a hand on her arm. "Lucy?" She turned to stare at him, her eyes void of any true focus before they seemed to see him. Her magic began to reach for him, and Natsu inhaled sharply as he felt his own magic respond. He muffled the growl that reverberated through his chest as he felt lust overwhelm his senses. Natsu removed his hand from her arm and his body stiffly pulled back to straighten his posture.
Lucy smiled up at him as she tilted her head to the side. Her eyes were glassy with an empty expression. "Yes, Natsu?" she replied with a sickly sweetness.
Kurai regarded the two quietly, his fingers still lightly dancing on the small of her back. Several glasses of wine in his system made him bold enough to make his touches linger, and his magic itched to claim her. He could barely contain his smile as he felt her slip deeper and deeper under his spell. Throughout the night, he remained by Lucy's side whenever he was able, allowing his magic to flow easily through his fingers to envelop the light of her magic. Coughing to hide the smirk that was easily twitching the corners of his lips, he drew Natsu's attention. Making pointed effort to ignore the glare that made his skin sweat, Kurai leaned to whisper into Lucy's ear. "Send him away," he commanded as his lips lightly brushed against her skin.
Natsu snorted at hearing Kurai's words. Who was he to think he could use such a tone with her? He dug his fingernails into his palms as his hands balled into tight fists, and he fought against the need to beat the man senseless.
She nodded – to Natsu's surprise – and trained her eyes on the pink haired dragon slayer. When their eyes met, she forced the ends of her lips to curl into a smile to ease him. She kept her tone sweet despite the harshness that covered her words. "Leave me, Natsu," she told him simply. Lucy began to move as Kurai's placed the palm of his hand on the small of her back and began to lead her away, but she stopped as Natsu's hand snapped out to grab her arm.
He ignored the pull within him that demanded to release her, and the cacophony of voices roared in his head screamed for him to obey. "Lucy," he managed in a strained whisper. His body ached as he fought against himself. "I really think you should come with me." His eyes flickered from her face to meet the curious look that Kurai gave him. Natsu leaned forward to whisper into her ear, taking a moment to take in her scent once he neared her. It calmed him as he continued to battle against the pain that coursed through him as he kept hold of her. "I- I think we should leave. Tonight. Erza and Gray, I think they're going to make us leave whether you, um, we want to or not."
Laughing softly, Lucy pulled her arm from his grip slowly and placed a hand on his cheek as she stared deep into his eyes. Tilting her head to the other side, a smile graced her lips as she felt him stiffen under her touch before relaxing to lean into the palm of her hand. Her magic pulsed steadily, and she reached out to him to soothe the rage that flared within him. "Shush, dragon," she whispered softly. "I can handle them." Lucy placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Calm yourself and wait for me."
Natsu stood alone, his hand on his cheek, as he watched Kurai lead Lucy away from the ballroom. His eyes narrowed at the man, and he let loose a low and dangerous growl. Clenching his jaw, Natsu bit his teeth together with so much force he was sure they would crack.
. . .
Kurai watched the sway of her hips as he allowed her to move past him and enter his office. He closed the heavy double doors behind him with a soft click. The movements that followed were quick: the rough capture of her wrist, the forceful tug towards him, and the twist of his body to pin the woman to the doors behind her. He let his laughter vibrate in his chest as her eyes remained void of any reaction. Her body stiffened under the weight of his body, but she made no sound or movement of protest. Kurai pushed his hips into hers and his hands pinned her by the wrists. Taking his time, he began to grind his waist into her as he pushed a leg between her thighs. The friction made him hard and he let a groan slip from the back of his throat as he let the tip of his nose trace a line along the nook of her neck. His tongue slipped between his lips and he took a satisfying lick towards her ear. "Delectable," he mumbled.
Lucy remained still, her senses numb. Her body tensed with the feel of him, and the screaming in her mind was muffled as she felt her magic flare at Kurai's presence.
He laughed as if suddenly embarrassed, and he pulled away from her body. Kurai grabbed her wrist and pulled her deeper into his office. "You're too good of a temptation, Ms. Heartfillia," he muttered, "and I've never been good at denying myself temptations." He dragged her to his desk and roughly pushed her to sit at the edge, settling between her spread legs. He took his time, staring down at the woman who looked up at him with a vacant expression. Placing a hand on her neck, the other toyed with the slit at her hip and pushed the fabric apart to reveal her bare leg. He let his hand slide under the fabric and pushed a finger against the cloth that covered her core. The ragged breath she released sent a pleasurable shiver down his spine, and he grinned as he caught the flash of panic that moved through her eyes. Despite it all, Lucy made no protest. Her face maintained its empty expression and her body remained still under his touch.
"Turning you has taken significant energy," he told her softly as the hand on her neck tightened. His eyes fell on the stone that pulsed steadily against the center of her throat. It glowed dark, all signs of hints of red almost gone. "I thought this would have pushed you over the edge, but I can still see you fighting. There's still light in you." Kurai growled softly. "I'm getting tired of waiting for my prize, Ms. Heartfillia." Pulling at his magic, the shadows that darkened the corners of his office began to move towards them. It wrapped around her wrists and held her down to the cold surface of his desk so that he could pull his chest away from her. "I did mean to be patient, but I decided to hell with patience. I can't very well give you up so soon after having you near me. So, I'm just going to need to do something to push you over the edge." His hand moved from her neck, his palms moving over the bare skin of her shoulder and her chest, and settled over her heart. "Don't worry, my dear. I will be gentle," he teased in a hushed tone, malice dripping with each word. Kurai lifted his hand so that it hovered over her chest.
"Pulvis et umbra sumus," (1) he chanted clearly and his magic gathered from his palm, the smoke appearing at his will. "We are but dust and shadow." The hand over her heart was covered in black smoke, the tips slowly forming a snake's head with a mouth wide open. Black fangs formed, elongated and poised at the ready. The fingers near her core toyed with the edging of her undergarments and pushed them aside. Kurai let his fingertips trace a tiny circle along the sensitive mound that was moist by her body's natural reaction. He laughed as she released an almost inaudible fearful whimper. "There, there, my dear. It'll be over soon." Instantly, the shadowy snake head snapped towards her chest and buried its fangs into her heart just as Kurai pushed his fingers deep into the warmth of her. He could barely contain the moan as he felt her tighten around his fingers.
Lucy gasped, her head snapping back as magic filled her and the tips of his fingers curled to push against her internal walls. Her eyes remained open as she stared at the ceiling, her brown eyes turning black as a tears ran along her cheek. She felt his magic pulsate through her, grabbing hold of the golden strands of energy that made her power tangible.
"Shh," he manically soothed. "Almost there, my dear." Kurai kept his hand over her chest and his fingers buried deep within her.
The violation made her shudder, and Lucy's body could barely contain the pained whimper and tears. Her lips parted as if ready to cry out, but her voice found itself trapped. The barrage of Kurai's magic stopped, but his fingers didn't leave her. She felt the hand over her heart move over her chest, hunger and needing in its grasp as it rested over her neck. His fingers tightened around her neck as his palm pushed the stone against her throat to choke her. It pulsated steadily, and Lucy felt her magic swell as a hunger filled her. She felt the lust, a need for desires to be satiated. She had felt it coursing through her body for several days, relished in the greed she felt as power and dark confidence change her. Her body felt Kurai's fingers move, and her magic swirled alive as her body burned as anger replaced greed. Lucy's head snapped forward and her eyes widened at the weight of the man who leaned over her. Growling, the blonde wrestled against the shadows that pinned her wrists to the cold surface of Kurai's desk. She thrashed violently under him, her body writhing as she tried to push the man away from her.
Kurai frowned, pulling his fingers out from her and stepping back. His eyes grew wide as her mouth opened and a hellish scream escaped her lips, her voice echoing against the dark wood walls of his office. Before he could register a response, a crash had him falling to his knees. His hands covered his neck and his head as shattered glass rained over him. The sounds of dozens of feet hitting the ground drowned out Lucy's screams. Confused and distracted, Kurai lost track of his magic, releasing Lucy from his shadow shackles.
She stumbled to the ground, and she continued to scream. Her insides burned as his magic moved through her blood. It wrapped around the golden strands of her magic, completely shadowing the light that filled her very being. Lucy clutched at her chest as she tried to breathe. Her screams stopped as her body shook uncontrollably, her tears falling over the shards of broken stained glass under her. The edges poked through the fabric of her gown and pierced her skin. Her nerves could barely register her pain as her magic attempted to break the hold his magic tried to gain.
Kurai felt the cold steel of a sword's blade pressed against the back of his neck, and he stood slowly with his hands up in the air by his head. Carefully, he turned to glare at the muscular man that towered over him. Familiar black eyes met his hard gaze. "Ichiro, I was wondering when you'd make your appearance," Kurai managed to say. He dusted himself clean of glass and tugged at his shirt. He steadied his hand and ran it through his white hair in attempts to make himself appear put together.
Ichiro laughed mockingly as he stared down at his younger brother. His laugh filled the office easily, and he sneered knowingly as two of his men each grabbed hold of Kurai's arms roughly. He lowered his sword and sheathed the blade. The elder of the two raised a brow before stepping past the man to kneel in front of Lucy and carefully placed a hand under her chin to lift her face into view. His eyes stared into the black vacant eyes that looked back at him. Ichiro laughed heartily. "You just couldn't wait for the waning moon, could you Kurai?"
The younger of the Dai brothers grumbled. "Didn't need to. My magic is strong enough to handle her transition." Kurai watched as Ichiro pulled Lucy up to stand by wrapping his muscular arm around her waist and pulling her to her feet. She leaned almost entirely against Ichiro, her breath short and ragged as her body continued to shake. "Get your hands off her," Kurai sneered, spitting at Ichiro's feet. "You can't have her. She's mine!"
"Shut up!" Ichiro roared as he allowed a show of anger. "Do you really think I would ever allow you to steal what is rightfully my birthright?!" His voice boomed as he tightened his hold around Lucy's waist. "I won't let you steal more from me, Kurai! I'm going to make sure you watch me retake what is mine before I kill you myself."
Before Kurai could shout back his response, a blast knocked the double doors to his office off their hinges. The door panels hung loosely before dropping unceremoniously to the ground with a heavy thud. Ichiro's feet remained rooted as his eyes adjusted through the smoke and ash that filled the room.
As the debris settled, one winged feline and three human silhouettes graced the entrance of the office. Happy floated near the redhead, his wings spread open as his paws were pulled to his face in a defensive stance. Clad in plated armor covering her chest and a billowing skirt of metal, Erza stood steadfast with her eyes focused on Ichiro. Her metal wings glistened as the light hit the silvery surface. With a sword in each hand, her body was tease at battle ready. Beside her, Gray stood with his cold hands lifted at the ready. A thin mist of ice formed a frigid fog around him. His bare chest heaved heavily with his breathing.
Completing the trio, Natsu stood front and center of their formation, his body completely engulfed in smoldering flames. His eyes narrowed at Ichiro, and his gaze flickered to the shaking Lucy in his arms. His flames roared uncontrollably as he growled menacingly at the black haired shadow wizard that held the celestial wizard. Natsu curled his back into a standing crouch as he readied his body to pounce. "Let her go. Now!" Natsu demanded in a near screaming volume. He took a steady angry step into the office, the heat he released forced Ichiro's men to step away from the approaching inferno. His eyes never left Lucy's face as possessiveness overwhelmed his senses.
The younger of the Dai brothers shuddered at the heat that blistered his skin. His body instinctually took a step back, but found himself pushed forward as Ichiro planted a solid foot into his back. Kurai tumbled forward as the grip around his arms loosened, and he found himself falling straight into Natsu's path. The dragon slayer stepped to the side, allowing the white haired man to fall past him before he spun on the ball of his foot to send a spinning kick straight into his back. Kurai grunted as the force of the kick sent him flying straight into Erza's path. The redhead quickly moved her hand over the hilt of her sword, stepped forward into a low lunge, and sent a strong uppercut into his stomach. It sent Kurai instantly onto his knees as black dots filled his vision, and he barely registered the poke to his cheek by a paw before his eyes closed.
Ichiro let loose another hearty laugh as he watched Kurai fall. He met Natsu's intense gaze. He made no move, but he watched as Natsu's muscles tensed as he stood his ground. Snickering, he leaned towards Lucy as he pulled the mage closer to him. He whispered softly into her ear, "Make yourself useful and control your dragon."
The words snapped Lucy from her trance, and her once brown eyes sparked alive as a fog lifted around her. She blinked as her vision came into focus. Her body stilled at the feeling of the arm that wrapped around her waist tightly and she leaned away from the body that held her like a possession won. Her eyes met the harsh gaze of the man who stared down at her expectantly and her head turned from Ichiro to focus on Natsu. Her magic sparked, dark strands of energy making her fingers tingle as she felt the heat of his magic.
Ichiro released her from his grasp with a smug snicker, his eyes never leaving her as she took steady steps through the protective barrier of men who surrounded him.
Natsu snuffed the flames that covered his body and he reached out his arm as Lucy walked to him. She reached out her hand, placing it over his heart as her steps took her deeper into his embrace. His arm wrapped around her instantly, and she released a shaky breath as his warmth cloaked her. Her body began to shake as a lingering ache between her legs weakened her knees. Lucy stumbled a little, and Natsu tightened his grasp around her waist to keep her from falling. Her magic swelled as her mind flashed memories of Kurai's violation, and she pulled at the darkness that resided in her heart. It raged, pulsating in heavy waves through her fingertips as the stone around her neck glowed.
Instantly, his flames roared alive and enveloped them both. The blast of heat sent everyone back with panicked steps.
"Natsu." Lucy looked up at him, her tone ghostly in tone and emotion. "Kill them for me."
Notes:
(1) Source: Horace, Odes Book IV, vii, 16.
