The antique claw-foot tub was much larger then the original that had previously occupied the bathroom. It was wide and deep enough for two people, much unlike the former. The original that had broken like a Styrofoam cup when he'd helped Angela cross the barrier between heaven and hell; helped her see the half-breeds for their true selves and condemned her to the ever present knowledge of heaven and hell's influences on this reality. Then he'd only helped, holding a fully dressed Angela down under the water, completing the transformation.
Tonight Constantine was helping with yet another transformation. He and the water were the only elements that remained the same; the woman that sat naked in his lap was not Angela. Nor would she be condemned to the same curse John had, seeing the half-breeds and them seeing him. This transformation was certainly just as risky, but in a different way.
Elizabeth leaned forward, one arm around her knees as she pulled them to her chest, the other resting on the curled lip of the tub. Constantine twisted her hair up and pinned it with a wide clip, soaking the washcloth in the warm water before beginning to scrub the pale skin of her back.
He scrubbed gently, cleaning the skin that was as of yet still unmarked. He could see the bones of her spine under the stretched skin, ran his palm down them for the last time before they would be forever buried under the indelible ink.
"Did yours hurt?" Elizabeth asked, laying her cheek to her upper arm as John continued.
"Yes."
"Do you think mine will hurt?"
John smirked. "Oh yes. You're pushing ink under your skin, baby." He brushed some loose hair out of the way, lathering the bar of soap in his calloused palms. "Scared?"
"Some. I'm not going to back out now."
"Not your style."
"Not yours either." Elizabeth grinned wryly. "Do you think Dago is right for the job?"
"He came with high recommendations from Midnite. I don't think Midnite would recommend anyone who didn't have the skills or the power to pull it off."
"Yeah." Elizabeth agreed, distantly. John remembered when he'd had the Red Kings tattooed on his arms; he'd not been exactly scared because being self-assured was just his nature. He'd been more then ready to get them done and test them out, although that had resulted in a few sticky situations until he'd mastered it. Not everyone could pull off the incantations for the Sulfur of the Philosophers. Even when he did, it took a hell of a lot out of him and he would need a full night's sleep before he was back to his full stamina. It helped that he already 'saw' the half-breeds as well. Left him fewer words to incant.
"Recite." He commanded her, continuing to wash. Elizabeth cleared her throat, closed her eyes.
"Sigilla Saturni: The first Pentacle of Saturn, black as night. Strikes terror and submission into spirits, invoking the four great Names of God: IHVH, ADNI, IIAL, AHIH."
"Very good." John murmured softly.
"Sigilla Jouis: The fifth Pentacle of Jupiter, blue as the oceans. Assures visions, and was held by Jacob as he beheld the ladder of Heaven. Sigilla Martis: The fifth Pentacle of Mars, red as blood. At the sight of this Pentacle, demons will obey thy wishes. Most powerful when writ on Virgin paper."
"About a year too late for that." Constantine smirked. Elizabeth ignored him and continued.
"Sigilla Solis: The Fourth Pentacle of the Sun, yellow as the fires of its namesake. Enables thee to see spirits as they truly are, rendering them visible to thine eyes. Also reveals the true thoughts and secret heart of friend or foe."
"Remind me not to be thinking anything when you invoke that."
Elizabeth shot him a glare over her shoulder. "Sigilla Veneris: The second Pentacle of Venus, green as the Earth. Obtains grace and honor for all matters of the heart, all things that belong unto Venus, and accomplishing all desires herein. 'Place me as a signet upon thine heart, as a signet upon thine arm, for love is strong as death.'"
Constantine leaned forward and pressed a kiss over the spot where the fifth pentacle would be inked. He grinned against her skin, his mouth lingering there. "You desire me, do you not, woman?"
Elizabeth twisted around in his lap, facing him. Her grin was as wicked as his. John slid down deeper into the water, catching her waist in his hands as she straddled him. Both groaned as they joined together; Constantine shook a bit as Elizabeth's desire washed over him through their mental bond.
"Finish reciting." He commanded, finding her left nipple to suck on as she rode him slowly.
"Sigilla Mercurii: the fourth Pentacle of Mercury, all colors of Creation. Gives assistance in understanding the knowledge of Creation. Seeks out and penetrates the hidden. In the center is the Name of God."
"The inscription." Prompted Constantine with a growl as he thrust deep up inside her.
"Sapientia et virtus in domo ejus, et Scientia omnium rerum manet apud eum in saeculum saeculi." Elizabeth dropped her head back, gripping the sides of the bathtub hard. John grinned and thrust again, his hands sliding down to her hips.
"Very good. I told you learning Latin was a must!"
Elizabeth moaned, meeting his next thrust with a down thrust of her own. John groaned and his eyes rolled back, his fingers digging into her hips. "Sigilla Lunae: The fifth Pentacle of the Moon, silver as the light of its namesake. Protects against Phantoms of the night, and the nightmares and restlessness they bring. Also brings answers to the bearer in thy dreams and can summon souls that were departed to Hell."
"I may need that one." Constantine thrust up hard, hand on the back of Elizabeth's neck as he pulled her down to him. Her mouth found his, ravaging him. Shakily he worked a finger inside her, seeking the sure spot he knew so well.
"Love you." Elizabeth managed, mouth claiming John's once more as she climaxed. Constantine squeezed his eyes shut, focusing on the heat that engulfed him.
"Love you more." He gasped before joining her.
