Shado of the Covenant

Chapter 28

City of Demons

"So, you're Shado?!" She purred out as her long red coloured tongue licked out over her lips while large pink eyes stared up at Shado from where she sat at a table with some kind of drink in front of her, and Shado would rather not know what it was she was drinking, just in case it was something weird or gross.

Shado had just entered the bar, and she couldn't help but cringe as she looked around at all of the 'people', or things in the establishment. The Christmas holiday had crept up on her, and since Dumbledore was no longer in any power at the school, it was so much more peaceful, if you ignored a few of his minions, but they were close to being expelled by McGonagall if they didn't quit being idiots, which Shado doubted was possible.

When the old man had been fired as school headmaster, he tried to plead a case and blame everything on Shado, but the board and wizengamot wouldn't listen to him as he was running low on powerful allies who were stupid enough to speak for him, and his apparent lunacy, and Shado was gaining more support than ever. It didn't hurt matters that Lily and James Potter no longer supported him, and charges were filed against him dealing with that. Shado was glad to be able to skip town for her mission, as her mother was so pitiful with how guilty she was, and how much pain she felt for the pain Shado had been through, and still threated about their missing little sister, but all they could do was search.

However, Rose could hopefully deal with their parents, as Shado didn't feel that she was ready for more than she had already done with their mum, yet, and being sappy enough to hold her mother for over an hour in the bathtub had been a stretch of Shado's emotions, knowing Dumbledore stole her family, quite literally. Shado had a task to complete, and hoped the little time away she spent would help her get over her rage, or else she dreaded think what she would do to any moron brazen enough to stand between her and Albus Dumbledore's painful death, and loved Ginny, and wouldn't want to hurt her parents if she could help it, as she knew how distraught her beloved friend would be, and in turn, Rose.

Fortunately, Dumbledore had even been taken off the Wizengamot for incompetence, gross neglect, and abusing his power when it came to the Girl-Who-Lived, and extra criminal corruption charges were being put forth because of the Lily and James situation, and he was also under investigation for the matter of Sirius Black's false imprisonment. The old man was going to jail no matter what, or he was going to die, and the smart money was on Shado killing him.

Sirius had finally been set free, officially, the day Shado took off for the US, and the ministry was forced to pay a large sum of compensation, so they wouldn't want to set precedence, and let Dumbledore get away with any of his crimes. Shado and Rose made sure that Sirius went into therapy, so that he could get the treatment he needed for his time served under the dreaded power of the dementors. The ministry liked to keep the money they had so that would put some damnation on the old fool too as they were ordered by the courts to pay that cost too, as everything got done quicker in the magical world when necks were on the line.

However, Shado did manage to get a new law imposed that stated that under NO circumstances were dementors allowed near ANY school again, even though the minister and his waning support fought her team of monstrous lawyers on that front, it was passed. Though, Shado didn't get why anyone would have fought her on that, as it was only common sense placed into law. The minister was practically screwing his arse to the gates of hell while fighting against that. It was a wonder the minister was voted in he was so incompetent, and greedy, but then Dumbledore helped him, which was understandable as the minister was easily manipulated, and it became obvious he was Dumbledore's rouge puppet.

Shado let her emerald green eyes roam the young woman's body before nodding. "That's me," she agreed, as she looked her over. She was wearing a long blue dress with slits to the sides and spaghetti straps, which accentuated her bust, and she had some nice-looking legs, even though her tits were on the small side, Shado wouldn't mind looking, and certainly wouldn't mind playing with them. It was probably every girls dream to fool around a little with a sexy demoness, wasn't it?

The demonesses eyes were slanted in black crosses with the irises pink. Her tongue was three times the length of a humans from what Shado just saw, but other than that, just like a human's tongue. She looked to be around twenty, with straight teeth, but her skin was a deep shade of blue with some noticeably darker scales around her eyes and shoulders, and wrists, and ancles.

Her fingers were long and thin, on all four hands, attached to four arms, two under the other with some kind of double layered shoulder bones hidden by muscle and skin, she thought, and the mere prospect of shagging a beautiful demoness with four arms was rather intriguing. Shado was certain she also had a tail, and yes, it was long and thin like a whip, curled around her right leg, half hidden by her dress, and her hair was cut into a pixy cut, and a deep black, with long sharp jagged ears pointed up beyond the top of her head from the sides. She was wearing lose shoes on her small feet, and she had a small nose, and nice smile on her deep plumb lips.

"Please, do take a seat!" she invited, moving with predatory grace as her right foot moved out of her shoe, and pushed the chair opposite her back slightly for Shado before disappearing back under the table and into her shoe. Her toes, and feet were probably the most human thing about her.

Shado waited a moment, letting her take in everything she was. Shado was wearing a black leather rippled skirt that hung halfway down her thighs. Her right sock was black and went up her thigh only leaving a few inches of skin exposed, and her left was white, and ruffled around her shins. She was wearing half boots, her right was white leather, and her left black with opposite coloured metal plating.

Her belt was black, but her tee shirt was white, hugging her body perfectly, and hidden underneath was a white sports bra. It was tight, firm to her, and sleeveless, ending just above her bare abs. She wore a thin leather jacket open, which went to her waist fading from white at the bottom through several different shades into greys to black at the collar. Her pendant was hanging around her neck, to her chest, almost seeming like the lime green and gold wanted to defy all of physics just to mess with the natural order of things. Then she was wearing white leather fingerless gloves with black metal plate pieces on the back of her hands with an engraved pentagram over them, connecting all the plates. Her hair was cut short and ruffled down her sides to her shoulders, and short at the back, with bangs curtaining her forehead.

Shado took the offered seat and scooted forward slightly as she placed down a bottled water she bought since she wasn't technically old enough to drink alcohol in the US or UK for that matter, and that green guy who owned the place wasn't going to fool for her fake ID that she got from Gringotts back in London, no matter the charms to make him; he saw through them, and demon bar or not, he didn't want to chance losing his alcohol license, who knew?

He complemented Shado on her 'ID' though, and offered a non-alcoholic selection rather than the blueberry alcopop she had wanted. He didn't even think she should have come into the bar in the first place until lime sparks in her eyes told him to shut up when she asked for a bottle of water instead, as a contact had 'introduced' the meeting with the demoness, as Shado didn't care she wasn't human, as long as she didn't bother mundane humans, or humans in general really, and had what Shado wanted.

Opening the cap on the bottle, Shado drained the chilled drink before her eyes flicked over to a pair of men at another table who at first glance could pass as human, but she knew differently as they eyed her, licking their lips.

However, they quickly looked away as her eyes lit up with gold light. They should learn that things weren't as they seemed in the bar, but then again if they followed her out later, she would enjoy dusting them. Shado hoped they would follow her later, as she hadn't killed vampires before, and it would be fun for them to be the first and second, she got to dust.

Shado turned back to the woman while she watched her with a smile, her lower set of arms folded below her tits, and her left upper arm holding her drink, and last one leaning on the table. Shado took note of the amazing flexibility of the demoness's arms, and wondered what else they could be used for.

"First, my sister, anything?" Shado asked coolly, as she pulled out a huge wad of cash and placed it before the demoness, and she just slipped it away and into her purse before anyone would have a chance to register the transaction.

"I did tell your subject, My Lady, that I may not have much success," she answered in a Russian accent. "However," she quickly continued, as she watched the gold light return to Shado's eyes. "I have discovered around the time of your sister's birth that Albus Dumbledore was seen in Japan, and didn't want anyone to know about it!"

"We've checked with Mahoutokoro," Shado said in annoyance. "She's not there-."

"But," the demoness quickly interrupted. "You're only looking into magic goings on of the type you were born into…"

"Oh, shit," Shado deflated as she sank back into her seat. "I thought of that, but expected one of the schools to have invited her, so we figured it was a certainty, since she was into the Wizarding World, and even sent out feelers into the Muggle World in the UK, in case the old bastard used his influence to forbid her entrance to Hogwarts, and just dumped her on a church doorstep or something, and even checked with the English and Irish Sanctuaries, but the only person noteworthy we sound was a Valkyrie Cain nee Stephanie Edgley, in Ireland as someone we want to join us."

"I see…" she replied thoughtfully. "Nice that you found an interest in a new witch, but back to the matter at hand. Albus Dumbledore doesn't have friends in Japan that I could discover. Its far away, and though the UK and MACUSA, and most Western European countries are on rather friendly terms, their traditions and the like are so far removed, as their culture isn't as closely knit as the before mentioned, so it is probable that he left her there. If I were in your shoes, My Lady, I would centre my search on Japan, to start, but keep watch on other Asian countries, just in case."

Shado sighed as she calmed down and nodded. "Okay, thank you. you have been rather helpful… if you ever want to leave the life of whoring out information, and join the Covenant," she said as she leaned over and slipped a small white card between the demoness's tits in her dress before sitting back with a small smug smirk.

The demoness looked surprised but offered her own smirk. "You would feel silly, if I took you up on that empty offer now, wouldn't you?" she asked as she pulled out the card, and frowned as she felt the odd magic within it curl into her, and made an imprint, and as before it only had a phone number and email address with a time and date, it now said her name. She knew what it could and would do, and felt awe in her hearts as they both seemed to skip a beat against each other.

"I don't make offers, I do not mean," Shado said smugly. "I was told you could make an amazing sister, and asset to the Covenant. I want you at the Joining Ceremony. I see whereas we couldn't get any information on my little sister's possible whereabouts you've given us a place to start a search, and narrowing it down to one country, and even one continent is more than I had ever hoped."

"Thank you," the demoness said while looking unable to say more and then as if on a whim she reached into her purse before Shado reached over and stopped her.

"A girl has to eat, keep the money, you earnt it, and my gratitude."

"Of course, My Lady," she replied as she placed the card into her purse instead.

"So, anyway. The rod… where is it?" Shado demanded coolly as she had almost forgotten, and returned to business mode. "I don't want to spend any more time with these things than I already have!" she demanded, but she wasn't too aggressive. "Vampires are creepy little stalking nut jobs!" she said in annoyance. "I don't mind the demons, as long as they leave humans be, but them…!" she sighed coolly, as she was already missing her sister, and her covenant, but she had things that only she could do, which was why she was in LA, and not at their new stronghold enjoying the Christmas break.

Shado had left Rose and Ginny with Laurel, Daphne, and Astoria where they were still nursing Lily back to full-health, as all the cleansing magic and potions had left Lily both physically and emotionally drained, but Shado was glad she got to set her mother at ease that she didn't blame her, and knew her mother would be happy to see her again once she got home, and maybe they could have another relaxing bath together, with Rose next time. It was nice, and Shado knew her mother deserved some pampering after everything she had been through, and maybe that next time they could use the communal baths at the castle, as Shado had yet to enjoy them, and then Laurel and her daughters could join them too with Ginny; it would be great, with some drinks and food perhaps?

It was lucky Lily had Laurel to hold onto though, as the blonde woman was there every step of the way, keeping her company, and comforting her when she broke down sobbing uncontrollably. Perhaps Lily Evans would feel truly whole when they found Holly. Shado prayed to whatever bitch god let this happen that Holly was safe and sound or else she would not be held responsible for any murderous rampages she may be party too, or any fate god or goddess getting the shit beat out of them.

James didn't seem to be much better, just in different ways, but Shado tried to tell him she didn't blame him, but he wasn't all there, as the poor bastard felt emasculated, and violated by Dumbledore and how the old bastard stole and destroyed his family. He zoned out and stared into space a lot, and then out of nowhere looked like he wanted to invent the sport of Dumbledore hunting, and then Dumbledore torturing, and then Dumbledore murdering. Shado could get in on those sports too. He was staying with Remus and Sirius, as he and Lily couldn't stand to be in the same building together, let alone the same room. They didn't hate each other, but they couldn't like each other, as they blamed themselves and each other for not being strong enough to get away, even though neither of their daughters did, and they, especially Shado had to suffer for it, and they could only hope that Holly was safe and being looked after. It kind of helped to know that Frank and Alice Longbottom, during their recoveries were having marital issues too.

Dumbledore and several healers were going down for what they did to Frank and Alice, and the healers had already had their licence revoked, and were in custody with bail denied, and were awaiting their trials, and hoping for lighter sentences as they dobbed in each other and even Dumbledore, as the fear of Azkaban could do that.

Rose, Lily, Daphne, Astoria, and Laurel were sealed and warded in their castle stronghold near Dublin for the Christmas holiday, so hopefully they would have fun, and Lily would stop moping and have some fun too. Shado had suggested to Rose that they strip Laurel down to some edible undies, put a bow on her, and wrap her up for Lily to open on Christmas day. Ginny and Astoria thought it would be a great idea for both women to cheer up. Rose and Daphne just rolled their eyes, but they still added the idea to their list of ways to cheer their mothers up, and the more hurt Lily was, the more it hurt her best friend, Laurel, no matter how happy she was to get Lily back, seeing her in so much pain, and being helpless to help her, must have hurt a lot, but Lily hearing that Shado didn't hate her, and that she had love for her had helped a great deal, even if Lily didn't feel she deserved her daughters love.

The stronghold was rather amazing though, like a cross between modern (muggle), and gothic, (mage) architecture. The goblins outdid themselves with the best of both worlds, and then some, they would have never thought of. Then add in what the witches of the Covenant did to the protections and security systems, and the place was near perfect. There were always a few extra Covenant witches dropping by, especially the older gals, as they helped with preparations for the Joining Ceremony to take place during the summer holiday. They had a massive ritual chamber build underground just for that purpose, and it was stunning, and looked the part, based off the Covenants tower at Hogwarts, and they were already sending letters out to prospective witches, and those already within the Covenant to renew their vows with their new queen, and new witches who had been invited by Shado personally, such as her sister, and closest friends.

Shado named the place with her magic, to add to its strength. Arcania. It was large enough with all its grounds to support a small town, so she figured she would just give it a proper name like one.

"Unfortunately," the demoness said gently after a few too many seconds' pause that Shado's mind had wondered. "I couldn't get my hands on it," she answered, sounding unconcerned, but she did frown looking slightly disappointed before looking back up at Shado with a radiant smile. "However, I do have somewhere you may find one; they're so rare to non-existent these days, and nobody knows how they were created, but.

"I am sorry to fall short again, My Lady. It is so rare that I have trouble recovering something, and unfortunately, I will not walk onto the Mouth of Hell willingly no matter the price, as I am not that brazen or powerful a foe, and they don't have it to order online, even though I knew they..."

"The Mouth of, what?" Shado interrupted, as her 'resource' had started babbling and that did catch her attention as it would anyone's, and Shado was confused.

Shado was disappointed that she couldn't get it, but when she agreed to this, she knew it might not be as easy as they hoped. She was more disappointed that they hadn't got an exact location for Holly – a country was great, but a town would have been better, and didn't ask, as she knew her new demoness would have said if she had a town to start looking first.

"The Valiant Rods were designed for cleansing the darkness of magic," she replied with a small smile, and not answering Shado's question. "It was used by Shinto over one thousand years ago when that religion was still a bigger scene before other large-scale religions unfortunately, or whatever, caught on so much more. I doubt anyone would be pure enough in this day, and age to build one, unless a child, but then they would never have the power, nor mental fortitude to do so.

"If I may?" she asked, curious. "What exactly do you want with one? You don't look like the type of girl who would want to become a priestess, and no offence, but I doubt you could use it?"

"Yeah, yeah, only the pure of heart can use it," Shado replied, rolling her eyes, as she knew this too, and knew she was far from pure of anything. "I just want to purify a school if you must know, and it won't be too hard to teach a little girl to use it. I want to send on some imprints, and take out the magic that isn't in the school's best interest, like the odd curse or jinks some jerk put around."

"I see. Well, I guess that means the school is old enough for you to show concern," she replied thoughtful while Shado nodded as they both knew what school she meant.

"Yeah, the headmaster has been expelled for now, but he's a slippery old man," Shado growled out hatefully thinking about him. "If that bastard weasels out of jail after everything he has done, I'm going to kill him. But anyway… what is the Mouth of Hell, and where do I find it?"

"Oh, yes," she replied, smiling at her, as Shado felt a soft bare foot sliding up her right leg, over her thigh until it stroked about the warm flesh of her inner thigh up her skirt, but she let her have her fun, as Shado took another gulp of her water, and nodded for her to explain while trying not to imagine what a four-armed cutie could do with those four sets of fingers at the same time.

"It is of course on Earth," she was fast in explaining, smiling at the queen of the Covenant, and if she accepted; her queen, and that thought made her quiver and lick her lips, as she never thought she could possibly have a family. They could give her life meaning, and she could imagine join them, and finding a home. "It is where, let's say: a gateway from a hell dimension to earth or vice versa is always so close. It can be highly dangerous, and the vampire count in the town is off the charts because of where the town is. It draws soulless things, or just plain badness and evil towards it, so lucky for me I have a soul, and I don't wish to see the town if I can avoid it, especially not right now-," she stopped abruptly to quiver.

"What do you mean by that?" Shado interrupted, but she didn't seem to start at all as the demonesses foot reached higher up her skirt, touching across the front of her white panties. Shado had started absent-mindedly stroking her ankle, around her soft scales, and lower leg, as she was turning her on. Shado couldn't help it as demon chick or no, Shado thought she was hot, and it was a mutual attraction, and four flipping arms!

"There is this evil bitch of a hell god, and from my resources, she is after some kind of key to escape the Earth," she answered with a shrug. "From what I can gather, this, Glorificus was imprisoned here some time ago, and wants to get home, and you have to wonder what evil she was up too that could possible get hell gods to punish another.

"Though, there's more. If she gets the key, it could potentially destabilise the earth's reality and hey, Armageddon," she finished looking as if she didn't know what else to say, and that she would rather the Earth be around for many more centuries, and Shado would concur. "Well, umm," she tried before something seemed to come to mind. "That whole Armageddon thing might just be hearsay, and myth anyway because if it did do that then how would anyone know, unless the key has never been used, in which case-."

"How would anyone know for sure," Shado agreed with a small smile. It made her feel uneasy thinking about this crazy goddess, but maybe Shado could kick her arse and get her to bow or some such, but wouldn't other gods want to stop this bitch? Shado had no idea, so maybe it would be down to her, which would be fun. "So, is anyone trying to stop her?" she finally asked, as there were always heroes.

"Yeah well-," she began but they looked around as the noise in the bar that had been brash with chatter and even some laughter and karaoke quietened when a man walked in through the doors.

He looked human, and had muscle that he hid by a large long black coat to his calves, and a seriously depressing expression, as if the world and universe hated him and he wanted to sulk about it, but he was too macho for that sort of thing so he brooded instead. If it wasn't for the fact, he was certainly a vampire, and his eyes showed age, Shado would have thought that he took his mood and style from Batman comics, but she was sure he was much older than those Detective Comics number one, and probably even older that The Shadow books were, so maybe they stole from him?

"That's Angel," Shado's new demoness informant startled her as she watched him head over to Lorne. Well, she thought that was the green-skinned owner's name, and realised she should have paid more attention.

Shado turned back to her - to Narielle, she thought. It was an odd name, so Shado thought that was right. "He's... there's something different about that guy, he... other vampires don't look like they hate themselves, like that."

"He was cursed with his soul," Narielle replied quietly as she nearly made Shado jump as she pushed her foot tight into her crotch. "Ridiculous curse. If he ever feels pure joy, he'll lose his soul again… again. But as he is now, he has to suffer the pain of every atrocity he has ever caused, every life he had taken, forever immortal with all of that guilt, alone to repent."

"Well, that must suck," Shado said with a smirk, amused with her own pun while the demoness laughed. "Well anyway about this Glory-," Shado trailed off as she couldn't remember the hell goddesses full name, but shrugging she continued. "Glory and my rod?" she asked hopeful.

"Well, the Slayer is dealing with Glory," she answered and sighed, as Shado knew she looked lost, as she didn't know what a slayer was, and could only guess that it slayed things, probably demons from context. "The Slayer is a supernatural girl, picked one in every generation. In other words when one dies another awakens, and they fight monsters to the death. Buffy Summers is quite the specimen actually; never met her, but she seems determined to live, or a fate god just likes her, or hates her, depending on whether she is having fun with her life or getting tired.

"She has a younger sister, Dawn, and some other help," she listed off. "She has two Wicca, Tara, and then the other one is Willow. Willow is quite powerful too. She seems to be using magic a little too much though, without mental and spiritual training, doing it alone without someone to keep her anchored. Earth bound magic, or I suppose you could call its darker side, demonic magic can become somewhat addictive, and unpredictable, triggered by emotions alone like a witch's accidental bouts while they are young, but on a whole new level that your people could never cope with – more obscrus, liked... which is along the lines of your own magic going berserk if you tried to supress it through fear, and normally kills you eventually.

"Anyway, then we have some silly boy who really doesn't do much. Alexander Harris. He was dating an ex-vengeance daemon, Anyanka, or as she uses now, Anya, but I think he blew that or something, idiot, she is smoking no matter she's a selfish bitch. Centuries ago, when she was young and human, she was a good person, but men... anyway the Slayers watcher is a man named Rupert Giles. You should watch him, he never used to be the man he is today, and can be dangerous, and has cut ties with the Watchers Council for the most part."

"Okay, I've heard of the Watchers Council, so that's what they're about, kinda wondered…" Shado replied thoughtfully, "so fair enough. This sounds like it's going to be, fun, I suppose, yeah, fun, fun, fun," she mumbled, not sure whether it was going to be fun or complete trouble, though, probably the latter – maybe she would get to fuck this Slayer and all her girl friends to make sure it was actually-fun? "So, this staff… how will I find it, and can it purify daemons, or should I say a hell goddess?"

"A magic shop called the Magic Box is owned by Rupert Giles, and you should be able to find it there," she replied, smirking. "And then, no; it won't work on daemons or her, though it may be able to destabilise their magic if they cursed something or someone for example, but would you want to risk a child's life like that?"

"No, I suppose I wouldn't," Shado replied with a sigh, semi-satisfied, as she relaxed into the seat enjoying the way Narielle had obviously used her foot like that before. Shado pulled out a small wad of US dollars this time, and slid it across the table to the demoness where she slid it into her purse with a nod of gratitude, and Shado groaned in annoyance when she pulled her foot back.

However, Shado noticed the shadow over them, even in the dim blue lights of the club, and looked up to see Angel. Shado had let her guard down slightly. It wouldn't happen again, but she heard daemons couldn't hurt anyone within the bar so she felt safer than they should have felt with her inside the bar. Though, Shado would stick to the bars rules as long as they had too, as she did like to play fair when others did, or in this case were forced too.

Angel chose one of the spare seats, not even asking for permission to join them, but Shado was in a good mood so let it drop. "You're Narielle?" he asked, and the demoness nodded while Shado was actually-pleased she remembered her name right, especially if she were going to join the Covenant. "I need some information," he said, before eyeing Shado as if to tell her to go away, but paused as her eyes were near glowing with golden light, and power.

"It's nice to meet you at last, Angel," Narielle said with a wide smile. "This is my dear friend, Lady… or should I say, Lord Shado Umbra," she said, which startled him, but he said nothing of it. "She cares nothing for anyone you might hunt, so please, don't be shy now. If you have the money, and I have the information; I'm sure we'll both be pleased."

He looked away from Shado after a moment and back to Narielle before pulling out a few hundred-dollar bills and handing them over before she nodded.

"I'm looking for a pack of vampires," he began, "they have been buying blood with cocaine and heroin. Humans capture someone, take them in alive, and they receive a fee in drugs. I've heard some rumours too; one teenage boy selling his twelve-year-old sister-!"

He startled as Shado sparked with lime green, as her eyes went wild with hate. "Tell me where they're hiding, so I can kill them all, human, vampire, I'm not fussy!" Shado demanded clenching her fists as she burst with strength.

Narielle smiled and nodded, as she pulled out a pen and piece of paper, writing down the address and handing it to Shado. Shado grabbed the vampires' arm and dragged the surprised man up to his feet, glaring at him and showing him the address.

"You have a car don't you, and know where this is?" she demanded because there was one thing, she hated more than Dumbledore, and it was human dealers. She had stopped some humans doing it back in London before, but in many ways, this was worse, and she wouldn't stand back knowing about this, and not doing anything about it, as she had dealt with crim a lot back in London, and now would deal a blow in New York. It always seemed to be such 'progressive' voting cities that had such damaged people who thought they could do whatever they wanted.

"Umm... well yes," he agreed nervously before straightening himself back out. "I'm not taking you with me; you're just a kid," he said snatching the address from her coolly.

"I'm the Queen of the Covenant of Witches!" Shado retorted glaring at him. "I can and will do what I want!" she informed him coldly, and he backed up slightly as he saw her eyes on fire with a golden storm of power and light, and he quivered, and she wasn't playing with lightning anymore.

to be continued…

A/N: Hey there… you… if you liked this, please do feel free to leave a comment or review, and share to those who you think may enjoy this too, and of course like and favourite, so you can be updated with future chapters to your email inbox.