The Dead Zone, Ghouls and Gore (Squishypink x Darkangel)

Both Carys and Lilias were startled the moment Crane shouted his orders. His voice was like a spike drilling through them and Carys, especially, felt a chill remembering his earlier brutality. No. She would not be claimed by him. If she had her choice, Crane would never touch her again! As Ivana helped them up, Carys could still feel the lingering reminder of what that beast had done, the last bit of his cum dribbling down her thighs. What she wouldn't give to wash it all away, to replace such horrible nightmares with hopeful dreams. She thought about the magic these beings had, how it could help, how it would help.

Just then, Carys' thoughts drifted. She thought about the one kind man—no, he was a ghoul...oh, did it matter any more—and her cheeks heated. He'd want her happy. He'd make sure of it. She knew it the moment he walked away.

Just then, Ivana explained the magic a bit more. How it was administered, how it worked. Carys nodded in understanding, grateful to be told about this...about everything. She wondered if being a mage would make her stronger, better able to recover once the magic treatment they had took its hold. Maybe if she worked on her own magic, her own abilities... She glanced over her shoulder at Brick, her cheeks heating just a bit more. Would he let her try? For him, would he if it meant enjoyment for them both?

Facing forward again, Carys looked over at her friend. Lilias still seemed a bit frightened, but Carys felt a bit easier knowing the things Ivana had dared to divulge. She'd risked herself for them both telling them these things and that meant something. Though Carys was unsure if the ghoulish woman knew that. She glanced at Ivana and gave her a smile. "Thanks," she said softly. "For giving us hope.

Lilias nodded, one hand trying to hold her shredded dress together, the other moving to gently touch Ivana's arm. "We are in your debt. You're a good friend."

Carys just smiled, but her anticipation grew the closer they got to the citadel. She'd have to make her declaration if she wanted to avoid potential problems. But she was terrified of what Crane might do.

Ivana let out a frustrated sigh as the girls thanked her. Yeah. Wonderful. Hooray for everything. It still hurt like a sunuvabitch to be so thoroughly ignored. Friend-zoned, even. She said nothing and instead went back to her duties as the squad's flanker, drifting along the outer edge of their ragged little column and making sure nothing came at them from a dark shadow. Several minutes passed and Ivana let her mind wander as her body went through the repetitive, rather mindless task. Drifting back to the left flank, she moved to investigate behind a rock outcropping where any number of nasty critters could potentially lay in wait, relieved as she found nothing but a zombie raccoon, which was pretty cute if you didn't look too closely. She turned to rejoin the column, only to stop mid-stride as a fiery pain blossomed in her belly. Looking down, she saw her stomach split wide open, the shiny black mass of her insides already starting to spill out. Time was suddenly stretched out, everything distorted and moving in slow motion as she quickly hugged her arms around her midsection to keep everything inside. It wouldn't work for long, the strange clarity of the moment let her realize that no matter what she did, her entrails would wind up spilling forth in just a few moments. She staggered, barely able to waddle forward with her abdominal muscles all slashed. Nothing worked as it was supposed to, and though the pain was terrible it was far away, as if happening to someone else. Shock, definitely.

A dark shadow darted to her right, and her back exploded in a new dawn of fiery pain as black blood spilled down into the crack of her ass. She whimpered, recognizing the shadow's sadistic laugh. Crane. He was behind her, or over her, or in the shadows, somewhere. Anywhere. Everywhere? She couldn't think, her mind swimming in pain and fear, sadness that she'd never get to kiss Caryss. Where the hell had that come from? She chalked it up to the blood loss, not wanting to admit to herself that there might be more to her feelings than the lust for feeding. None of it mattered anyway. She'd be dead any second...except the killing blow never came.

"Sadistic fuck wants me to suffer," she gurgled, staggering forward again. "Fuck that." Her awkward, halting waddle took her one short step at a time toward the column, back to the relative safety of the group. It went on forever, or so it seemed. The throbbing pain burned off more of her adrenaline with every step as the shudder of her gait threatened to spill her guts. In the depths of her blurred vision she could make out faint shapes of people, the rest of the group seeming so far away though it couldn't have been more than fifty feet. A hateful hiss to her left; Crane rushing forward without any further pretense of stealth.

"Just fucking die already!" he shouted as he lunged forward. Ivana thrust out one of her arms, intent on fending him off and for the moment forgetting to hold herself together. A sudden impact jarred her wrist, the crunch of bone and the parting of flesh. By pure dumb luck, Ivana's clawed fingers had driven up under Crane's jaw, lancing upward into his skull. The group leader went limp, his momentum carrying him crashing into Ivana and sending them both sprawling on the ground. Her intestines slipped free of her body, other organs following in a spill of black organic matter as she blacked out.

The two female ghouls at the front of the column immediately moved in for the kill; Brick never knew if this was allegiance to Crane or simply a misplaced sense of duty, avenging their fallen leader. Either way, they never reached Ivana. His leap crushed one under his staggering bulk, while a magically enhanced punch caved in the other's head. With some effort he disentangled his squad mates, leaving Crane's dead body as he gathered up what was left of Ivana. Amazingly she was still hanging in there, but it wouldn't last long. The healer's magic wouldn't fix this; she wouldn't know the proper spells to heal a ghoul. There was only one option.

"You! Mage!" he shouted at Caryss, laying the broken ghoul woman at her feet and carefully trying to stuff her pieces back into her body. "There is no time to mince words--if she does not feed, she will die." Though unconscious and mired in a nightmare of agony, Ivana's teeth snapped and gnashed by reflex, her biological imperative causing her to lash out blindly in the feeble search for sustenance.

Carys gave Lilias a smile as they walked, doing her best to raise the healer's hopes and lift her spirits. They would soon be approaching the citadel, its ominous silhouette outlined in the distance as they marched in line with their captors. Though both were starting to think of both Brick and Ivana as something else. The mighty fortress would be their new home and with it would come a new way of life.

Lilias shivered, worried about meeting the ghoul she now belonged to. Carys' thoughts just spun through her mind, though they also settled on Brick. She knew he was behind them and she could somehow feel his gaze, his hunger. Suddenly, Ivana moved out. Carys arched a brow as she watched her meander off to scout and search. She hoped she didn't find another one of those mind flayers. A shiver ran along her spine thinking about what those horrible nasties did.

"Carys, Carys," Lilias rasped, causing her to turn and look at her friend.

"What is it?" Carys asked.

"Crane. He...he..."

Carys perked up, her body starting to tremble as fear began to course through her veins. She hoped that the ghoul wasn't planning something, wasn't going to come after her again. Glancing around, she saw that Ivana wasn't back yet. "Where's Ivana?"

Lilias just shrugged, her face pale causing the circles that had formed under her eyes to look worse than they were. Carys bit down on her lip, stopping in her tracks and turning around. Just then she heard the gurgling cries of someone struggling. Dying! Carys gasped and Lilias began to sob. Ivana had come out from hiding—no, from being attacked...by Crane!

Ivana struggled, but somehow clawed through Crane's skull. Lilias' sobs grew louder, her hand moving to cover her mouth as she dropped to her knees. Carys felt fear and panic, the need to draw on water. Brick then bested the two ghoul women who'd been near the front of the line, the sight of it causing Carys' heart to race. She looked right into his eyes as Lilias lost herself in sorrow.

Brick told Carys what to do, Ivana's near lifeless body a bloody mess as her teeth gnashed and her mouth sought to bite, to feed on any bit of living flesh that was near. Fear coursed through Carys at the order, but so did something else, something unexpected and unexplainable. Her eyes just remained locked to his—seeking, pleading—though her body trembled violently. Despite the fear, she knew she'd do it

He'd told her to. Brick had told her.

Nodding, her eyes still on his, Carys slowly untied the laces of her top and removed it. Lilias just sniffled, kneeling on the ground. Once Carys' top was bared, she felt herself blush, her face growing warm. Breaths quickening, heart pounding, she inched closer to Ivana. Her mouth had gone dry, so she licked at her lips. She then brought her arm to Ivana's mouth and braces herself for the frenzy to come.

Brick put his hand on Carys's back, partly to give her comfort and partly to push her down if she lost her nerve. He held her fast in place as her body instinctively flinched away from Ivana's first bite, her screams bringing out an emotion in him somewhere between sadness and arousal. Part of him wanted to spare her the pain, but part of him wanted to join in ravaging her. He couldn't take his eyes off her exposed breasts as they darkened with splattered blood from her wounds. Those choice cuts of perfect flesh dangling in front of him was almost too much to resist.

Ivana took chunks of Carys's forearm away in ragged mouthfuls, her body running completely on automatic while her mind was lost in its sea of agony. As much as she had desperately wanted to taste the girl all night, she would miss out on all the subtle nuanced flavors as her claws wrapped around the limb, slashing through the joint and severing Carys's lower arm completely. As she swallowed hunks of bloody meat, Ivana's wounds slowly began knitting back together, sealing her innards inside.

"Lilias," Brick said, cradling the screaming girl in his arms. "Lilias, she needs healing!"

It was sheer and utter agony as Carys felt Ivana's teeth sink deeply into her flesh, gnawing away at sinew, muscle and eventually even bone. Her body writhed in pain and she couldn't help but cry out as chunks of her body tore away only to be consumed to nourish her friend. As she took the assault, her eyes remained fixed on Brick's face, focusing on him as pain took over, threatening to devour her much as Ivana was devouring her body. This was the second time she'd been taken, eaten by these creatures, but at least this time it was to help a friend, not to sate some sadistic bastard.

Carys sobbed as her body gave into the pain; the only comfort that of Brick's arms as he held her. But slowly, her sobs turned into whimpers, soft screams as her body began to still. Lilias watched on in horror, tears spilling down her pretty face as she watched Ivana eat to her heart's content. The ghoulish girl was healing, her body returning back to the way it had been. Carys' sacrifice was working! She'd done it! Sniffling, she suddenly heard Brick's low voice cut through the gnashing of teeth and the squelching of flesh as it ripped from bone. The healer nodded, her tummy in knots as her muscles tensed.

Lilias raised her arms and called upon all the powers within her to heal Carys before her life dwindled entirely. Already she could see her friend's eyes beginning to dull, her body lying still almost lifeless as Brick cradled her against him. As her own body grew warm with healing magic, Lilias pushed all her energy onto Carys, letting it all wash over and through her until her body began to come back together, become whole. The bone of Carys' one arm worked its way back into joint, fusing in all the right places. Slowly, the muscles and tendons re-grew and the skin replenished itself, a beautiful milky white. It was when Carys' breathing became steady that Lilias knew her magic had worked, had done what was needed. She smiled and moved closer to Brick and Carys.

Carys' eyes blinked rapidly, looking up toward Brick. Her body was still trembling, shaking from what she had done. But seeing Brick, his arms holding her, she felt a sense of comfort. "Did I...did it work?" she asked, her worry evident, though she tried to sound brave. She was exhausted from everything, her body spattered in blood. Turning slightly and making a soft sound, she snuggled against Brick. "I hope Ivana is all right."

Lilias nodded, a smile plastered all over her face.

Brick held the mage in his arms, trying to comfort the fragile little girl, though such instincts were long since departed from his undead mind. He only mimicked the motuons he could remember, stroking her hair with one large hand in what he hoped was a helpful way but really just made a mess of it. He looked something like a gorilla petting a kitten. But with more blood. Or less blood. It all depends on the temper of the gorilla.

Ivana's body was a mess. The flesh she'd eaten was enough to stabilize her, staunching the bleeding but not repairing too much of the deeper damage. All her insides had been stuffed roughly back inside her, so that her stomach was twisted and bulging with misplaced organs and knotted muscles. She'd have to endure a lot of repair work when they arrived. The whole world was still a big ball of pain, but the feeding instinct had at least cleared enough for her to think.

"Who...wha...?" She blinked away some of the cobwebs. "Oh shit, who did I eat?!" For a moment she was worried she might have damaged the healer. If so, the prince's wrath would make her survival a curse rather than a blessing. But as she struggled to look around, she saw both girls whole, though Carys was covered in blood.

"Rest now, all of you," came Brick's voice, though there was worry in it. They couldn't afford to stay in the dead wilds with only one of them fit to fight. He looked at the discarded shackles that had drained the mages of their power until now. "Thank you...thank you both. I'm not going to bind you again. You're more or less free. But know that if you run off, the dead zone will be a far worse fate than the Citadel."

Carys just snuggled deeply in Brick's arms, his own holding her and petting her, pushing away the recent trauma. It was clear he wasn't sure what to do, but she hardly minded. The effort was all that mattered, his gentle presence after all she'd endured. This time had been so different from what had happened when Crane had just taken her, brutalized her body, violated and shamed her. This had been something else and...she could see how things might be all right for both she and Lilias. She turned to see Ivana's eyes fluttering open, the ghoulish girl looking dazed, and worried that she'd done something terrible. But Lilias was quick to move in, to place a gentle hand against her shoulder.

"Shh..." Lilias whispered. "I am fine. I am whole," she added, her smile bright as her blue eyes glistened with tears.

Ivana seemed to be out of imminent danger and it was then that Carys realized that the shackles that had been draining them both were suddenly gone. Again she shifted in Brick's arms, looking up at him as he spoke what clearly had to be the truth. She felt the sincerity in his words and she felt no regret with what she'd done to save Ivana. The ghoul had risked her life for both she and Lilias. That wasn't something she took lightly, especially knowing what she did now about how these beings worked, their way, their hierarchy of life out in the Dead Zone.

Carys looked up at Brick and shook her head. "I will not run," she said and then glanced over at Lilias who was already nodding.

"Nor will I," Lilias spoke while raking a hand through her raven-dark hair, her words confidant and sure.

Too much had happened between them all and, as Carys remained in Brick's large arms, she suddenly felt like she was somehow in the right place—exactly where she was meant to be. It was an odd realization and it frightened her. The people of Sanctuary would think her mentally unstable for having such thoughts. Even Lilias might rethink her words back when she'd stormed into her humble home before they'd been snatched away into the night. But she couldn't help what she was feeling inside after everything. She looked at Ivana, at Lilias and then back up a Brick.

Something was stirring inside. It was a mix of both excitement and fear, but at least Carys knew she welcomed this. She wanted to walk down this path, this unknown road that was suddenly stretching out before her. Her breasts still bare and spattered with blood, she pressed herself against Brick and whispered in his ear, "Just take me home." She pulled back slightly, her eyes looking into his...searching, trying to read him. Her hand rested against his chest and she sucked in a sharp breath. As her insides fluttered nervously, she wondered if he understood. If he truly realized that she'd chosen him as her owner, her master, the one she'd obey and feed from that moment forward.

Brick looked down into Carys's eyes, seeing emotion there but failing to find it in himself. There used to be so many feelings, he remembered, in some half forgotten time before he became a ghoul. Staring down at Carys, seeing her look of total acquiescence, there was one feeling he could not ignore. Hunger. Already it was gnawing at him; he'd been too long without feeding and it would boil over soon. For her own sake, Brick set Carys down so that she could stand on her own two feet.

Ivana, alive but unable to stand, struggled to roll herself over so she could look at the girl who had just been her prey. She could still taste Carys in her mouth, and the girl's blood was smeared all over Ivana's face and chest. There was a big part of her that wanted more, wanted to take Carys and tear her open, feast on every choice morsel in her body. But for now, the only part of herself that Ivana allowed was the one that said, "Thank you. I'm sorry I had to hurt you. I...I'm not fit to stand but I couldn't ask you to feed me again. For what it's worth, you tasted amazing."

Brick twitched at Ivana's words, the notion of her eating Carys again. He felt some kind of way about that, but was unsure what exactly it meant. Did he take offense at the imposition? No, something more than that. "We need to move," he said, scooping up the wounded ghoul in one massive arm. He put his other hand on Carys's naked shoulder, unable to keep from staring at her delicious young breasts. "It's only an hour or so to the Citadel from here. We must make it before...before I get too hungry."

After waiting for just a moment for Carys and Lilias to gather themselves mentally and hysically, Brick led the way with Ivana tucked under hus arm.

Lilias watched on in silence, her blue eyes taking in everything as Brick set Carys down and seemed to almost flinch the moment Ivana let loose her thoughts about how her friend had tasted. She swallowed hard in that moment, thoughts drifting to her own future. Would the prince think she tasted just as amazing? Would he long for her to find pleasure each and every time his teeth sank into her flesh? She now knew that some ghouls preferred this—some, like Brick and she had to believe Ivana—but what about the man...no, the prince wasn't a man any longer. None of these people...were. But it was getting harder to think of them as undead, soulless creatures. Though Lilias could see Brick's conflicted feelings etched on his face, a sign indicating he was unlike she and Carys, unlike those who lived and breathed, she'd never see him or Ivana in the same way again. As she watched Brick, he seemed to be trying to sort things out and then the way Ivana stared at Carys...

Yes, these ghouls were hardly soulless. Oh, if only the people of Sanctuary knew her thoughts at that very moment. Then, most of them hadn't been through the things she and Carys had. Watching her ghoulish friends, she decided they just hadn't utilized their emotions for far too long. Their hunger no doubt overwhelming and influencing everything, stamping out the emotions they certainly had in their un-beating hearts.

Lilias was just sure of it.

Carys' felt her cheeks grow warm at Ivana's words, the compliment hardly unnoticed. She bit down on her lower lip and looked down at the ground. Just then, she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. She turned and faced Brick, her gaze slowly moving up until her eyes met his. She was mostly bare before him, her arms hanging by her side, not moving to cover up. She gave him a nod and then looked over at Lilias. The healer could only smile. She was ready to face her fate at the citadel with the prince...whatever it might bring.

"I'm ready," Carys said softly as she watched Brick pick up Ivana and start leading the way.

Lilias walked next to Carys and gave her a knowing look. Carys just blushed. "He couldn't keep his eyes off you."

"Lili," Carys chided, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red. "He was staring at my breasts."

"Nevertheless," Lilias continued, that smile still upon her lips. "He hungers for you."

"Of course he does," Carys whispered. "I'm a mage and..."

Lilias shook her head. "No. It's more than that. And you know it."

"What do you mean?" Carys asked somewhat intrigued.

"I think he truly desires you." Lilias paused. "You're lucky and I'm happy for you. I can only hope to find such a fate with the prince."

Carys felt an ache suddenly form deep in the pit of her tummy. She also worried for Lilias. So far the things they'd heard about the prince were cryptic and confusing. But everyone had their view of their of their ruler. So it was to be expected that each one would view the man...no ghoul...no... Ugh! They would each view him differently.

"You'll be fine, Lili," Carys said softly, reassuringly. "I'll make sure of it." She let out a soft sigh and peered out into the distance. She could see the citadel now, it's silhouette immense as it loomed against the darkening sky. Looking to Brick, Carys then asked, "What happens once we arrive at the citadel? Especially since we're unbound and..." her voice trailed. "Just what happens to us once we get there?"

Brick kept the two mages moving at a fairly brisk pace over the broken ground while he cradled Ivana's broken body under one arm like a misshapen football. The girls' conversation was hard to follow as they whispered between each other, but when Carys asked Brick directly about their fate, he felt it was only right to answer. They were almost to the outer walls, after all.

"When we arrive, you'll be seen as prey," he said to Carys. "Until you publicly declare yourself the property of one of us. I strongly urge you to pick Ivana; she does not have quite so much...rage in her hunger. Lili is already claimed, and none of the ghouls in our faction will go against our patron."

"Listen, Brick," Ivana said, trying to crane her head to see his face. "I don't think she wants me. She...Carys really likes you. When we get back, just...go. Hit the slave pits, do your thing. The girls can stay in my room while I get patched up. I've got some spare clothes and everything. Come get Carys after you've fed."

Brick nodded hesitantly. If her reactions were any indicator, Carys would not be dissuaded from becoming his chattel. "Carys, if you are serious about becoming mine, I am deeply honored."

The outer gates of the Citadel loomed before them, green balefire torches lighting the walls and towers. The main portcullis stayed closed, and a trio of armed ghouls shepherded the group in through a side entrance, asking what the hell had happened out in the wastes.

"Crane went rogue," Ivana gurgled. "Tried to take the prince's prize for himself. I stopped him but..."

"She needs a full body meal and a necromancer," Brick cut in, lowering Ivana and letting the two guards take her. "This woman is a hero. The prisoners stay with her, they are cooperative and no harm is to befall them." To Carys he turned and said, "If you are to declare for one of us, this is the time. Tell the guards whose property you are and they will not harm you. Then just follow them to Ivana's room while I...I need to eat some people."

For a moment, Carys felt a pang of worry. Her blue eyes fixed on the large ghoul as he carried the broken Ivana in his massive arms. She couldn't help but hear the hesitation in his deep voice and the fear of rejection became very real. She'd wanted to believe Lilias when she spoke of Brick's desires. But as he urged her to dismiss thoughts of him and declare Ivana, her heart began to shatter along with her confidence and any hope of a life in the citadel. The surge of adrenaline as it coursed through her veins made her breath hitch and her heart race. Her skin immediately heated, the flush rushing down along the slope of her neck and then along her breasts. Her nipples stood pert and at the ready as goose bumps formed over her milky white flesh.

Carys glanced over at Lilias. But the healer's eyes remained fixed on Brick. Perhaps she suddenly felt pity, unable to find it within to grant any semblance of comfort. How could she? She was being rejected, told she wasn't good enough, worth enough...

And then Ivana interjected. Carys' tummy fluttered and her gaze shifted down toward the ground. Truly, she owed this ghoulish woman so much...her life, her happiness. She then looked up at Brick through lowered lashes, her heart hammering in her chest as he told her he'd be honored if she chose him. A wave of relief washed over, the panic ebbing as Lilias just smiled silently.

It wasn't long after that they finally arrived at the citadel. Lilias' face blanched as she took in the sight and readied herself for a fate unknown. Carys just stayed quiet and let both Brick and Ivana handle the guards until Brick addressed her, urging her to speak.

Carys swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. She glanced up at Brick and smiled, eyes soft and glistening. Then, looking at the guards she cleared her throat and spoke. "I'm the property of Brick," she stated. Lilias reached for her hand and gave it a small squeeze. "I declare him my owner and captor. I belong to him." She bit down on her lower lip and Lilias let her hand slip from hers. The healer already knew who she belonged to. She just hoped he was as good natured as Brick.

Carys then turned toward Brick and smiled, the guards already pushing her along, Lilias not far behind. She didn't want to be parted from him, the fear of the unknown great without him there. Luckily, Ivana would be with them for a bit longer and she hoped Brick's words would hold weight with the guards and other ghouls of the citadel.

As they headed toward Ivana's room, Lilias shivered. She wondered when she'd be presented to the prince and what would become of her once she was. Carys gave her friend a reassuring look before glancing around and then moving her arms about her chest. So many hungry eyes were staring at her as she passed them by. If she and Lili hadn't been escorted by guards or in the company of Ivana, she was certain they'd have been pounced upon. Or, well, she'd have been. She could imagine their teeth sinking into her flesh, the thought suddenly making her ache between her legs as she imagined Brick being the one to devour her bit by bit. Blinking hard, Carys wasn't sure where that thought had come from. Perhaps it was delirium from having been eaten...twice! She didn't know. And oddly, she didn't care.

"When will I be brought back to Brick?" Carys asked Ivana, causing Lilias to also look her way.

"And me to the prince..." though unlike Carys, the fear was evident in Lilias' voice. She trembled slightly as the anticipation of her fate grew. All she could do now was hope that she'd be as lucky as her friend.

Ivana gave a wet cough, a bit of blood running from her lips as the guards shouldered her and dragged her bodily back to her quarters. "Girls, just relax," she managed, her voice dreamy as a kind of light headed high set in from blood loss. Somethung had obviously broken again while she was being manhandled back and forth. "Jusssst give Bricky like an hour and he'll come back...then we can...all go see...princy-poo...yayyyyy."

Morgana arrived at the door to Ivana's quarters, a domicile like any other in this wing of the Citadel where the favored servants of Malekith rested between missions. The guards, both male ghouls with blank expressions and exceptionally sharp claws, dragged the barely conscious ghoul to the door and spoke briskly with the newly arrived necromancer. Her flesh was sickly pale, almost like the ghouls themselves, and though her body seemed withered somehow it was also youthful and ripe. Her black hair was greasy and clung to her face and neck like she'd just gotten out of the shower and not bothered to dry it. Behind her came a blonde girl who clearly had more tits than brains, judging by the vapid smile on her face. Her body was fit and supple, a couple of pink sashes covering her privates but transparent, so that her erect nipples and shaved vulva were clearly visible. She was on display, a walking menu, but her pride in her station was as apparent as her puffy labia.

"Our new guests have arrived, I see," said the necromancer, her voice without menace but dripping with unhealthy curiosity. "My name is Morg--"

"Big M, little organ!" Ivana cut in, before breaking down into a fit of stoned giggles.

"...Morgana," finished the necromancer, sketching a shallow bow that showcased a distinct lack of cleavage. In fact the black dress she wore seemed to take great care not to expose her choice morsels, with dark leggings keeping her thighs from showing under the split sides of the dress. "I am one of the few necromancers you're likely to meet, healer and advisor to the undead. I can already smell the stink of life from you, healer," she said, pointing to Lilias as though she were something hideous, then drifting to Carys with a more neutral expression. "Which means you must be the poor girl who threw in with Brick. Pleasantries later, I have work to do. Now brace yourselves, Ivana's room is...ugh, it's too horrible to even describe."

As the guards opened the door and dragged Ivana inside, it was clear that the necromancer hadn't exaggerated. The whole room was painted the most horrendous shades of pink, and fluffy pillows and plush stuffed animals littered every surface like corpses on the battlefield. An orange tabby cat circled between the visitors' feet like a purring vulture brushing up against its prey. In one corner, a mannequin stood as a silent guardian over this pink massacre, draped in a frilly white dress like a vengeful ghost of lace and ribbon.

"Sickening," Morgana said, motioning for the guards to throw Ivana on the absurdly soft bed.

Carys and Lilias exchanged glances as Ivana rambled, clearly slipping into a strange state of delirium due to her injuries. Carys blushed deeply, her arms hugging more tightly around her bare upper body. It had been her flesh infused with elemental magic that had saved the ghoulish girl from imminent danger. But it was clear that she needed further aid. When the guards halted before a rather large door—no doubt the one leading to Ivana's room—they suddenly found themselves in the presence of a woman.

Lilias tilted her head, dark hair falling over her slim shoulders as she tried to hold her shredded dress together. The thing was ready to fall to pieces, but it was more than what Carys donned. The Mage only wore a simple skirt, the thing torn revealing the milky white of her thighs. The two regarded the woman before them as Ivana continued her odd muttering.

A part of Carys felt like it was her fault. Perhaps she could've done more...should've done more. But they were all at the citadel now and it wouldn't be long before their owners came to fetch them.

"Necromancer?" Carys stated more than asked, letting the word roll over her tongue. The art was forbidden in Sanctuary and for good reason.

"I hadn't realized there were any left," Lilias interjected, a small frown upon her lips. "It's been outlawed in Sanctuary."

Carys bit down on her lip as she watched this Necromancer, this Morgana. Just then, the guards opened the door and urged them forward. Lilias busied herself with taking in the sight of Ivana's room while Carys' eyes remained where they'd been—on the Necromancer. Lilias giggled softly as she observed all the shades of pinks smashed together like they belonged. She supposed she could understand the color choice. Though she hadn't expected it at all. She had to admit that it felt nice to smile after everything. She was still afraid to meet her prince, but with Ivana nearby, things were bound to always be interesting.

Carys stepped closer to Morgana, her arms causing her breasts to squish together rather enticingly as she eyed the woman. "Are you like Lili?" she asked, but then thought better of how to ask her question. " What I mean is, do you heal the ghouls?"

Lilias' eyes widened and her focus immediately turned to Morgana. Was this woman a ghoulish healer? As a Necromancer, it made sense...to a point.

"Will you heal Ivana?" Carys then asked. "She's been in need of aid since..." her voice trailed. She remembered Crane, his brutality.

And he'd never lay his hands or his eyes in her ever again. Soon all remnants of that bastard would be washed away. Carys could feel the ooze between her legs. It was all that remained of that brutal beast and soon it would be gone with the rest of the garbage.

"Since you helped her," Lilias finished, her smile bright. Carys blushed, her eyes averting to the floor.

"Since our ordeal. You will help her?" Carys asked. She hoped so. She and Lilias could use every ally they could get. But this ally was more. She was also a friend.

Morgana frowned at the healer, offended at her narrow view of the world. "Yes necromancy is banned in Sanctuary, but did you really believe yourselves to be the whole of the world?" She scoffed and turned to Ivana on the bed, dragging a hooked knife harshly down the front of the injured ghoul's ragged clothes. She pulled Ivana's outfit wide open to reveal her naked torso from her collar all the way down to the thin black oyster of her sex, though the sight was anything but pleasant.

"What in the unholy shit happened here? Her shit is over here where this other shit should be, and then that shit is...I need to open her up." Several flicks of Morgana's hands, a few words of power and a tap on Ivana's forehead sent a spell surging through her mind to reverse the sensation of pain and turn it to pleasure, a kind of impromptu anaesthesia for ghouls. The same hooked knife that had opened Ivana's clothes punctured her below the sternum and slashed straight down to her nether lips, splaying her insides open in a single motion.

The unbearable pain became an irresistible pleasure, sending Ivana careening into a convulsive orgasm, suddenly crying out Carys's name before falling limp in a blissful heap. Blinking at the shock of Ivana's outburst, it took Morgana a second to process the scale of the problems inside her.

"Well," she said, looking at the tangled mess of organs, "I guess for Brick this is as subtle as it gets. You, Lilias, scrub in. Well, don't bother scrubbing since she can't get an infection. But get over here and help me get her bits sorted out. If you've never worked on an elf before the plumbing is basically the same except this little doodad here, basically an extra liver. Help me get everything untangled and back in place before we heal her up." Reaching elbow-deep into Ivana's abdomen, she pulled out the wounded girl's intestines and did her best to undo the disorder wrought by her earlier and Brick's rather blunt triage.

Lilias blushed and turned to look away as Carys stood firm, her eyes fixed on the necromancer as she began to do her work on Ivana. It was becoming clearer and clearer just how sheltered the two of them had truly been living their lives in Sanctuary. It had been pleasant enough, but they'd known little of the world, of what existed out in the vast expanse beyond their wall. A part of her supposed that they weren't meant to know, had never been intended to co-mingle with those residing on the other side. But things had changed ever since the horde of ghouls had invaded Lili's humble home deep in the heart of their village beside the wall. And now...

Now life had changed quite drastically. Carys found herself standing there watching this necromancer, hoping with all her might that the woman would be able to save her friend and that soon Brick would return and things would somehow be all right. Lilias slipped her hand into hers and she gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. The healer turned slightly, her blue eyes finding hers as they looked at each other for a brief moment while Morgana chanted her strange spells and held out her knife. Carys heard Lilias suck in a breath as her eyes shut, but she refused to look away. Instead, she turned toward the woman as she sliced into Ivana, the ghoul writhing, shouting out her name.

Carys felt a warmth rise to her cheeks. She hadn't expected the ghoulish girl to have such a reaction. But it was clear she was in the throes of ecstasy and the one thing on her mine—her. She swallowed hard and a wave of sadness washed over her. If only she could give her friend what she wanted. But...she couldn't. And it stung knowing there was nothing she could do. Her heart belonged to another. She'd already declared herself. But it hardly meant she didn't care. Lilias glanced over at Carys, the look on her face more than apparent.

Things were going to be awkward. Or...were they? Carys set her jaw and decided she wouldn't do anything to embarrass Ivana. The friendship meant too much to her after everything that had occurred out in the Dead Zone wastes. She wouldn't compromise it. After all, it was just a little crush. She could deal with that.

"She'll be all right, won't she?" Carys asked as Lilias moved closer and started to assist Morgana. The healer cringed as she watched the blackened blood pool over all the decrepit looking organs inside Ivana's body.

Lilias took a deep breath and plunged her hands inside along with Morgana. She could do this. She had to. Ivana was depending on them and she wouldn't let her down. She looked at her face and smiled tightly. This would work. It had to! She could feel Carys standing behind her as she watched on from a few steps back.

"We'll do what we can," Lilias stated, almost a whisper. "I can do this...I can do this." Sweat formed on her brow as she began to rearrange things, slowly putting Ivana's tangled insides back to the way they were supposed to be.

Carys just stood there hoping everything would somehow work out and that their friend would heal. For a fleeting moment, she thought of Brick and how he'd ordered her to let Ivana feed on her body to help stave off the worst. It had helped, she was sure of it!

How she missed him.

It was a funny thing to be missing someone she'd feared so terribly not so long ago. But so much had changed so very quickly. But his presence gave her comfort and he'd know if Ivana would survive this ordeal. She trusted him. He'd earned that. He'd earned her. And now all they could do was...wait.

With the two of them working together, it wasn't long before the necromancer and her assistant had put Ivana back together. The ghoul girl never stopped squirming, moving what little she could with her whole body opened up. The pleasure had been incredibly intense, just as intense as the pain would have been, transforming Ivana's world into an endless orgasm until she was sewn shut. She actually felt dehydrated from the amount of slippery creme that had come out of her pussy.

"You did well, for a traditional healer," Morgana said, giving Lilias the kind of reassuring slap on the ass usually reserved for sports coaches and leaving a black, bloody hand print on the back of her dress. "Now she just needs to eat and she'll be right as rain." She paused and called out into the hallway, "Feeder!"

The vacuous blonde girl who had accompanied Morgana entered the room, her vacant, content gaze flitting between the mages in search of instruction. A simple gesture from Morgana pointed the girl to where Ivana lay, and without hesitation or any further prompting she hopped into the bloody bed. Ivana wasted no time sinking her teeth into the feeder, who reacted with giggles and squeals of delight as her flesh was ripped away. Carys's name may have come up a few times.

"Here, you two don't have to watch this part," Morgana said, beckoning Lili and Carys to the other side of the room as the wet gnashing of skin and muscle echoed off the cramped walls. "I know you're both new here, so just take your time getting used to all the killing and eating. The feeder girls are basically empty shells and they love their work, nothing to feel sorry for there. But the two of you," she said, popping open a small leather case to reveal a pair of syringes with very long needles, "well, you're gonna need a little help. This is the first part of the Treatment, and I've been instructed to start you both on your cycle so you can enjoy getting ripped up. Turns it into a sexual thrill like you wouldn't believe. Now, the injections need to go directly into your womb for it to have the greatest effect; I can do it for you or you can do it yourself. It's up to you."

Lilias squeaked when Morgana slapped her backside, but she was relieved to learn that Ivana would be well and recover. She could hear Carys' audible sigh at the news and a soft giggle that she no doubt stifled by covering her mouth as she quickly turned around and shot her an icy glare. It wasn't common for Lili to show annoyance, but after the stress she'd endured working on Ivana, she couldn't help it. Taking a deep breath, however, she was able to let the emotion flit past and soon was back to her typical self once again. After all, what was a small slap compared to the awkward embarrassment Carys had to have felt the moment Ivana shouted out her name while climaxing during the oddest surgery ever performed.

Stepping back, Lilias nodded and smiled. She was glad that Ivana was no worse for the wear. She looked over at Carys whose giggling had stopped. The elementalist's lips were turned up into a genuine smile. "Good job, Lili," she complimented, causing the healer's cheeks to turn red.

Carys stepped aside, making room for Lilias as she moved away from Ivana's bedside. Morgana ushered in a pretty girl—a Feeder—oh, the terms were starting to buzz about both mages' heads! They watched her giggle and smile as she crawled into the bed next to Ivana who wasted no time in sinking her teeth into the girl's milky white flesh. Carys swallowed hard, her thoughts turning to Brick. Would it be like that for them one day? She'd already been consumed twice...two times without aid, without knowing the feeling of pleasure...once by force, once due to need...and now...

Carys wondered what Brick was doing that moment with his very own Feeder. Was she giggling and smiling for him? Did he enjoy the way she tasted? Suddenly her insides clenched and she looked directly into Morgana's eyes. Her body was already bared on the top since she hadn't gone through any of Ivana's clothing yet.

"Do it, here, in the womb." Carys didn't flinch as she stepped forward and offered herself up for Morgana to inject with the special medicines that would alter her senses, the first step toward finding pleasure.

Lilias looked over at Carys, her jaw dropping slightly. She'd never seen her friend so determined before, but the fiery spirit was infectious. Deciding it best to follow suit, she pushed aside the shredded pieces of her dress and nodded. "Please?" she asked, her expression soft.

Carys looked at Lilias and then back at Morgana. Unable to stand the delay, the platinum blonde reached for the syringe and plunged the needle deeply into her womb and then pushed the contents into her body. She felt a surge come over her, something warm and strange and oddly pleasant. Lilias gulped. Though she was desperate for the spells and aid, she wasn't quite as bold as Carys. Blushing, she looked at Morgana and smiled.

"I am ready," Lili said.

Morgana would have been lying if she said she hadn't been stalling on the injections, just a little. She liked to draw it out, especially with the new girls, to make something of the tension in the moments before the first injection. Of course, she never expected that Carys would up and stab herself in the uterus. Strictly speaking, it didn't have to go there; it was just hot as shit to watch, that's all. There was no hiding her arousal at the sight, or the way she bit her bottom lip and clenched her thighs together. This was totally her thing.

Taking the second needle from the case, she slunk close to Lili, far closer than she really needed to be, pressing the cold steel tip against the subtle swell of the healer's lower tummy. Just the tiniest bit of pressure at first, enough to make a dimple in the skin without breaking the surface, then a long and tense moment of staring deep into Lilias's eyes with hers full of hungry lust. The skin broke, the needle slipped inward, and Morgana worked it ever so slowly deeper to pierce the lining of Lili's most sacred place. When it finally gave way, a faint gasp escaped Morgana's lips and she pushed the plunger down, filling Lili's womb with magic like the seed of a lover.

The needle came out quickly, its purpose accomplished and its payload spent, a trickle of bright blood running down into Lili's crotch. "Was it good for you too?" Morgana asked, knowing that the next injection really would be. She threw the syringes back in their case and shut it tight, turning for the door without bothering to wait for her patient's recovery. "See you girls around."

The giggles and orgasmic groans, meanwhile, had all but stopped coming from Ivana's bed. As Morgana departed, Ivana rose with blood both red and black staining her from head to toe. In the bed, the feeder girl still gurgled and twitched, most of her torso completely shredded and half her face gnawed down to the bone. Both her breasts were just gone, and her sex was so thoroughly devoured that her hips were all but hollow. What was left of her expression was flickering between horror and ecstasy, the overwhelming sexual thrill warring against the primal terror of death.

"Um, hi," Ivana said, her arms wrapped around her chest defensively. She felt surprisingly vulnerable, ashamed almost, being seen in such a state. Especially by Carys. "I, um, I guess the cat's out of the bag, about how much I like you, huh? Um..." Ivana trailed off, no idea of what to say at a moment like this but acutely aware that they were all ragged and covered in blood. "So...there's a bath down below, in the caverns. Kind of a hot spring, if you wanna get cleaned up. I, um...I don't have to come with you, if you prefer."

While Carys felt tiny tingles flow along her skin, she thrust her emptied syringe back at Morgana and allowed herself to adjust to the sudden sensations coursing throughout her body. She could still hear those giggles coming from Ivana's bed, soft laughter mixed with gurgling sounds as if someone was drowning, sputtering for breath. Her thoughts remained fixed on Brick and what he must be doing elsewhere. Ivana had warned—hell, he had warned—that his appetite ran deeper than most. Would that mean she'd never satisfy, never be enough...? The very thought gripped at her heart, twisting it along with her insides.

The sounds of ecstasy filled Carys' ears and she turned toward Lilias just as Morgana glided toward her friend and seductively plunged the healer's belly full of magical secrets unlocking the wonders that would allow her pleasure once she was handed over to the prince. Lilias looked like a frightened rabbit as the necromancer purposefully toyed with her. Lilias bit down on her lower lip, her cheeks a bright pink that swept well past them and down along her neck.

"I..." Lilias tried to answer, but she couldn't find the right words as her mind went numb and the strange warmth brought on by the magical contents within the syringe began to take effect. As she struggled to find her voice, stumbling over what to say, Morgana closed shop and made her exit.

Carys let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as the woman left, most of her thoughts fixed on Brick and the pleasures he was undoubtedly experiencing with another. She began to wring her hands together, worry consuming her as Lili stepped closer and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. Just as she was about to speak there was a stirring from Ivana's bed. Both women turned.

The pretty girl from earlier was no longer giggling nor was she moving. Was she dead? Neither knew for sure nor did they know if she'd regenerate. Would they with this magical concoction they'd been given? Was that and the pleasure part of the deal? It had seemed so, but there was still so much neither of them knew or understood. Carys' eyes drifted to the seemingly lifeless shell, her once voluptuous body a bloody mess as it laid open and splayed upon Ivana's pink bed.

Carys felt her cheeks heat when Ivana brought up her feelings toward her. She hadn't expected the ghoul to be so bold. Though a part of her was relieved. Smiling, she shook her head and waved it off.

"It's all right," Carys said. " I'm rather flattered that anyone would find me desirable."

Back in Sanctuary, the elementalist had no suitors. Every man had been terrified of her power, the potential brewing just beneath the surface. Yes, they'd held respect for what she was. But they never saw the woman behind the magic. Perhaps they lacked trust in her or her abilities. It was hard to say. But it hurt that no man would ever look her way, not once. It was strange being something that was coveted for once. Strange and quite pleasing. Though the worry that even with all her gifts of magic, she still might not be enough...

It was too much to bear.

Sensing Carys' sudden unease, Lili walked over and beside her friend. "You've impeccable taste," she stated with a smile causing Carys to scowl and then smile. Lilias just giggled.

Feeling a little better and trying not to worry over Brick, Carys thought the idea of a bath sounded heavenly. It felt like ages since she and Lili had washed and the notion of washing the last remnants of Crane away once and for all was more than appealing.

"I'd love a bath," Carys stated. Lili nodded in agreement. "And...it's fine if you join us." Lili grinned as Carys extended the invitation. "We three are like sisters now." She blushed then, her arms moving to cover her bared breasts. "Even if you like to peek at me." Her eyes averted to the floor, but then found Ivana's once more. "It's all right," she then said. "If you peek."

Lili giggled, her hand moving to cover her mouth.

"I don't mind it." Carys admitted with a smile. She and Lili moved toward the door, waiting for Ivana to lead the way to the baths so that they could clean up and ready themselves for their new owners.

Ivana's face lit up like a little girl who just got a pony for her birthday. Well, an evil, undead, bald, pale, razor toothed monster child anyway. Despite their awful circumstances and the way they'd met, these women were willing to see some worth in Ivana as a person, not just a deft set of claws or a nice ass. She wanted very much to rush forward and hug both of them, but managed to hold back since she was covered in entrails.

"You really mean it? I can...you know...look at you?" There was so much more she wanted to do besides look, curves and tips and secret places she desperately wished to explore. But looking, being allowed to ogle her, that would be enough for now. Her hand went to her scalp in a motion that would have seen her fingers run nervously through her hair, if she'd had any. "Oh! I almost forgot, I promised you clothes. Wait just a second."

Wiping her hands on a small towel, she opened a wardrobe and carefully picked through an extensive collection of surprisingly fashionable dresses. These were her loot of choice when she raided the outlying villages, and she had quite a collection on hand. After some careful deliberation and a few glances at their respective figures, she picked out a stunning purple silk number for Carys and a virginal white gown for Lilias, not unlike a wedding dress without so many frills.

"Here, take these before I get blood on them." She handed the clothes to Carys and Lili, then pulled some panties from a drawer for them as well. For herself, she only took another set of black trousers and a short top to match, then grabbed a small case full of soaps and such for the bath before leading the way out of her room. Upon their departure, one of the guards ducked inside to tend to the mess left by the feeder while the other blank faced ghoul fell in behind their little group.

"I'm sorry I don't have anything for, you know, support," Ivana said as they walked, gesturing to her chest. "I don't really need one on account of how small mine are. Little tits are great for sneaking and fighting, not so much for self esteem." She stole a quick sideways glance at Carys's bare upper body, the supple bosoms far more impressive than hers and made even more luscious by the patina of sweat and dirt from their time in the wastes. Gods, she would lick the girl's body clean if only she were given the chance.

Ivana blushed at the thought, her cheeks going dark as black blood filled them, and as they made their way down a spiral of narrow stone steps toward the caverns, she tried to take her mind off the sexual need that was building in her.

"Lili, you know, it might sound really scary but as long as you always take your medicine, I think you're gonna like being with the prince. I saw one of his vassals recently, and he'd made some really neat patterns on her by taking off strips of her skin. She had the biggest smile all the time, like must have just felt so good she couldn't stop."

Carys blushed and nodded. She could see Lilias smiling as she stood beside her, the healer clearly impressed with the proposition. Though Carys was well aware it wasn't the sort of relationship Ivana wanted from her, it was the least she could offer the ghoul. And she had to admit it was nice to be genuinely admired by someone. Lilias slipped her hand into hers and gave it a squeeze. Carys squeezed back, their fingers interlacing.

"Of course, I mean it," Carys said plainly, her cheeks still rather warm. The magic from the treatment was flowing through her and she decided to blame the heat she felt crawling along her flesh due to its effects. Though, deep down, she was just truly flattered and hoping that Brick would look upon her with the same sort of hungry gaze once he returned. But a part of her worried that she'd never fully satisfy his cravings. Just how deep did they run? She supposed she'd find out soon enough. In the mean time, she'd occupy her mind with their bath.

Lilias let go of Carys' hand as Ivana got up and moved to retrieve clothes for them both. She was rather pleased with the ghoul's choices. Already she was proving to know their tastes well and wanting to do her utmost at accentuating their finer features. It was little things like that the healer noticed. Glimpsing back over at Ivana's bed, she saw the Feeder, seemingly lifeless and messy. Was she to be revived or...

A shiver ran down Lilias' spine. What exactly was the purpose of a Feeder? Were they bred to die? So many questions...

As Carys and Lilias exited Ivana's room, they followed their new friend along the many twisting corridors that led through the caves. Though before Ivana's room was out of sight, Lili glanced over her shoulder and watched a guard enter it, more than likely he was going to clean things up. But, what about the Feeder? She couldn't get it out of her head. Her thoughts began to run wild, thinking the worst as Ivana began to talk about the prince and his vassals.

"What?" Lilias squeaked, her face turning ghostly white. The prince had...others? She wasn't sure how to feel about that and she hadn't even met this prince. And why was that the first thought in her head when Ivana had mentioned the artistry he'd performed using her...skin! Just what was wrong with her? Perhaps it was all the stress from their travels. It wasn't every day a healer was whisked from her home and forced to witness her friend being brutally raped and devoured by a ghoul only to be revived and devoured again to save a life! And now, here they both were walking through a maze of caves to a hot spring so that they could prepare themselves for their owners. It was every sort of wrong, every sort of...

Confusing.

"Vassals?" Lilias asked, testing the word as if it was foreign. "If he has others, why does he want me?" Her voice was quiet and Carys sensed her unease. She understood it well feeling a similar worry that she'd be unable to satisfy Brick's urges when they hit him full force. But she had to trust that somehow she could, that she would.

Carys placed one of her hands on Lilias' shoulder. "Shh," she whispered, trying to soothe.

"I'm sorry, it's just..." Lilias shook her head and tried to hold back the tears as her tiny body trembled. "Never mind." The healer went silent, swallowing hard as she tried to compose herself. "Are we near the spring yet?" she then asked. "I really need a bath."

Carys pursed her lips. If only she could make her friend feel better. But they were in a strange place and she didn't know what to do or what to expect. Though she did know she longed to wash away the last bit of Crane. Turning toward Ivana, Carys smiled. "I suppose that is why Brick said he was an artist. He takes pride in his craft." She paused and gave Lili's shoulder a squeeze. "Admirable quality. I'm sure he'll be quite taken with our Lili."

Lili just sighed feeling suddenly miserable.

"Are...are the baths close, Ivana?" Carys then asked. "I really don't want to smell like Crane any longer." She bit down on her lower lip and looked toward the ground. "A memory best forgotten."

"Oh! I'm so sorry," Ivana said, turning to Lilias. She hesitated in putting a hand on her shoulder to reassure her, not knowing if she was comfortable being touched with clawed fingers. "I didn't mean...I shouldn't have said that. Listen, I know it's scary, but as awful as that sounds, just try to realize that it'll be the exact opposite of that awful feeling when it happens for real. It's very rare for the treatment to not work, so all you have to do is get used to the idea of all this and the physical pleasure will take you the rest of the way." She smiled, doing her best to make it a friendly gesture and not to bare her fangs. "And you know these royal types. They always want more; he's got two other girls but I don't know much about them. Vassal is, I guess that's technically what you're both called now. Listen, if you need me, I'm here for you. Come on, the baths are just through here."

Ivana led the two girls through a passage into a large underground cavern lit with occasional torches that cast a dim glow over the expansive space. Numerous natural pools dotted the ground, varying in size from a few feet to many yards across, and all with a milky white water that bubbled from below. Steam hung in the air and formed a thick haze, the clouds around the pools offering a semblance of privacy to those within. Only vague humanoid shapes could be made out in the clouds, no details, but it seemed that there were quite a number of patrons cleansing themselves in the humid little paradise. The guard followed closely behind them as Ivana led them to a secluded pool nestled in a rocky alcove.

"Here we are," she said, dropping her soap caddy by the pool's edge and draping her fresh clothes on a tiny spar of rock. Ivana wasted no time stripping off her shredded clothes and kicking them off to the side in a bloody heap, though she realized at the last second that the other girls could see her and her entire body blushed black. Suddenly feeling shy, she dove into the steaming pool head first and stayed mostly submerged, poking her bald head halfway out like an undead submarine hiding from the enemy. "Um...careful. It's pretty hot in here. Oh, wait, shit. When was the last time you two ate anything?"

Lilias frowned as she nodded. She knew that she could trust Ivana. If the magic was going to work and allow her to feel pleasure once she was presented to the prince...she knew that would certainly be the case. But a vassal? One of...many? She wasn't so sure she liked the idea of that. A greedy owner couldn't be a good thing. The very thought made her body tremble. She looked over at Carys' whose eyes were fixed on the ground. It was clear her friend had her own worries, her thoughts elsewhere. She envied her friend, her insides twisted nervously. She glanced Ivana's way. How the ghoulish girl could act so carefree like it didn't matter who she belonged to, that she held no special meaning...nothing...

It stung.

It hurt.

Lilias decided to push the feelings down. There wasn't much she could do in the moment. All she could do was hope.

Carys' thoughts were spinning as she listened to Ivana speak to Lili. She knew the ghoul meant well, but she could feel Lilias' pain, her fear and worry. Deep down, she held them as well. A part of her was terrified that she wouldn't be enough. Could they be? And she wasn't sure how to handle that. As it was, she was having a difficult time knowing Brick was somewhere else in the maze of caves doing who knew what with some Feeder. Even if she was a shell, disposable, it hardly mattered. Her confidence was beginning to falter terribly and she was sure that Lilias' was as well, possibly more so. And she wasn't sure what to do.

No doubt they'd both be the laughing stock of these creatures and maybe even those they kept around for when their appetites were especially strong. Carys was trying to understand how things worked, what people actually meant to the ghouls who inhabited the Dead Zone. Why did they revive some and dispose of others? It was enough to make her head ache, her tummy go into knots.

Just then, Carys realized that they'd reached the hot spring. Lilias still looked ill, like she'd had her heart ripped out of her chest. But all they could do was press on. Both of them. Looking over at Ivana, she tried her best to smile. Setting down her chosen dress—Lili following suit and doing the same—she peeled off the remains of her tattered and dirty clothes and eyed the caddy of soaps. Ivana had already jumped into the steaming pool of water only allowing them the tiniest of glimpses before hiding herself beneath the milky water. Her actions did manage to make them smile, something they needed given the sudden panic they were both feeling, the inadequacy and worry.

Lili tested the water first, the heat making her shudder. But Carys just walked in at a steady pace, her eyes fluttering shut as she made her way into the water. Yes, the water was hot, but it felt nice to finally be able to get clean. The moment Carys was submerged, she began to caress her sex with her hand, washing away the black ooze that had dried there thanks to Crane's earlier assault. She wanted every bit of that gone.

"I haven't eaten since about an hour before you and your party raided my home," Lilias said softly. She'd stepped further into the water, her arms wrapped about her middle. Despite the heat, goose bumps had formed all over her skin.

"I haven't eaten since well before that," Carys admitted. But it was hard to think of food when so many other things occupied her mind. "I'd been on patrol," she said sheepishly and then slunk underneath the water to get her hair wet. When she came back up, she slicked her hands over her dampened locks, pushing it back and blinking.

Lilias just walked in further, her body fully submerged up to her shoulders.

With her eyes glued to Carys, Ivana couldn't help noticing the attention she was paying to her privates. Though she couldn't see below the waterline, she could imagine the traumatized pussy folds parting as Carys tried to rid herself of the unwanted semen within her. If only she had the courage, she'd have offered to help, though no doubt she'd only be rejected again. Ivana grunted at the guard and made a pretty universal "om nom nom" gesture towards her mouth, then pointed at the others. The guard, little more than an automaton with claws, vacantly fumbled with a pouch on his waist and produced a pair of odd looking rations made of shaped rice. Ivana took these, each about the size of her palm, and gave one to each of her bath mates. As she reared up out of the water, the briefest glimpse of her naked body spoke volumes about the trauma of being undead. While she still retained a pleasant, feminine shape, the deathly pallor of her skin made it almost transparent, veins and scars creating a morbid tapestry across her form.

"Here, these are called onigiri. They're way better than they look, it's sweet rice wrapped in seaweed. We have to make do without a lot of crops, but some things grow well." Ivana turned and opened her soap caddy, fetching forth a couple of wash cloths and scented soap. She turned around in time to see Carys splash up out of the water, her naked breasts glistening in the torchlight and her wet blonde hair looking slick and sultry. A deep pang of longing sounded in her chest. If only this woman had chosen her. She'd have been good to Carys, would have done her very best to love her. Some vassals were little more than pleasant food, but she'd held out hope for a companion. Not much good that did, not with someone as impressive as Brick just off to one side.

Pushing her shameful thoughts aside, Ivana moved behind Lilias, carefully washing the healer's back for her while keeping her claws as far away from the skin as possible. "The water here is white because of all the minerals," she said, hoping small talk would take her mind off of Carys. "It's great for the skin and...wow, Lili, you smell way too good." The healer's aroma had gotten in Ivana's nose again, teasing the perfect flavor of her flesh. Her mind flashed back to the healer's home, where she'd licked every crease and crevice she could find. The thought made her ashamed now that Lili wanted to be her friend, but at the same time it was just so fucking hot. There was this burning need in her to fuck, kill and eat the both of them, and it was nearly impossible to hold back. She kept scrubbing away the dirt and blood from Lili's body, but her desire overrode her ability to think straight. She found one hand creeping around the healer's waist to rest on her soft tummy, and the ghoul couldn't help imagining her claws slicing open the succulent flesh and spilling her insides. But instead of slashing inwards, her fingers climbed slowly upwards until at last she seized one supple breast in her clawed hand. The act itself was tinged with guilt, regretted immediately.

"I...I'm sorry," she whispered, her mind and body conflicted. "Is this...is this okay, can I...?" She couldn't finish the thought because it wanted to come out so many different ways. Can I kiss you, can I hold you, can I fuck you, can I kill you; Ivana's desire was equal parts tender lust and sadistic murder.

Both Carys and Lilias smiled when Ivana offered up the food she called 'onigiri'. The word was strange, but it was nice to finally eat something. Neither had realized just how long it had been since they'd filled their bellies with something nourishing. So much had been going on and now they were having to learn about a new world, a new culture. But they'd need their energy for what was surely to come in the not too distant future for surely being eaten—among other things—and then healed would take its toll. Carys remembered how she felt both times after each time she'd been devoured. Though she refused to let her thoughts linger too long on when Crane had brutalized and violated her body. He was dead and gone and better left as a distant memory...no, forgotten all together!

"Thank you," both Carys and Lilias said as they graciously took the offered food and began nibbling on it. It tasted good and felt nice as it moved down their throats and into their bellies.

When both women finished, they resumed washing themselves once more. But the earlier worries that had troubled them both were still very much present in both of their minds. Carys tried not to dwell on things. Hopefully she was worrying for nothing. She was a strong mage, powerful in her magic. Her abilities could grow over time and she'd be plenty strong to handle the heartiest of appetites. She was sure of it...she had to be. Though Lilias still felt uneasy. Royalty was always a wildcard, unpredictable at best. Her luck seemed to have turned the moment her home had been invaded...but could it truly not be as it seemed? Oh, she hoped with all her heart.

Trying to make herself feel better, Lilias focused on the task at hand—making herself clean and presentable. As it was, Carys seemed to be doing the same. She scrubbed her body with the scented soaps and listened as Ivana explained the special properties of the mineral water they were bathing in. The ghoul had turned away from Carys in that moment, her eyes suddenly fixed on her. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. Just why was she staring and...moving closer?

Lili remembered how Ivana had reacted when Crane had violated Carys, raped and devoured her, trying to claim her as his own. She'd nearly lost control, had humped her leg, shredded her dress to gaze on her, lick her flesh and smell her. Healers were especially coveted by them and it was why their prince wanted her so badly, but...suddenly, Ivana was behind her, her arms around he waist while one of her hands grabbed her breasts. The act was so sudden and it took her by surprise.

"I..." Lilias stammered, her cheeks turning red. She glanced over her shoulder as her nipple hardened against Ivana's palm. "I am for the prince," she said softly, embarrassment washing over her. She felt badly, not wanting to hurt Ivana's feelings. But she feared for her friend's life. Any accidental mark and who knew what that might bring. She wasn't about to test that just to be nice to a friend. Plus, as it was, she was having a hard enough time dealing with the fact that the prince wouldn't be satisfied with only her. "I'm so sorry. I don't want you in any trouble on my account." She bit down on her lower lip, her cheeks going a deeper shade of crimson.

Carys frowned. Poor Ivana. She wished their friend had a human to lay full claim to. She was a good person. They both saw that. Life truly was unfair...