The Battered Lamp Ch. 11

His mom nodded. "I know that you love her." Then she hugged son and sobbed on his shoulder.

Later, after his mom's crying had abated, Kyle led Aaliyah out of the hospital. He still had college to attend. Shannon, Kyle's oldest concubine, the beautiful mother of Chyna, waited by her SUV with a hopeful look on her face. Kyle shook his head, and her face softened.

"I'm sorry, Master," she whispered, giving him a motherly hug and then a most unmotherly kiss.

She opened the door; the SUV had been modified heavily by Aaliyah this morning, the interior enlarged to hold all Kyle's concubines in comfort. Alexina, Carla, Toni, and Chyna were sprawled on the rear seat that was as wide as a couch, sharing kisses, and Fatima's two concubines, Kayleah and Ann, were curled on pillows on the floor.

"She's still unconscious," he told Ann and Kayleah, and their grief returned--they loved his sister greatly.

Alexina and Chyna parted, making room for Kyle to sit between them. He did and both women pressed against him instantly. Aaliyah sat on the pillows, looking up at Kyle as Shannon pulled the SUV from the hospital. The ride was smooth and still, and you could only tell the SUV was moving was by looking out the windows.

"Another attack could come at any time," Aaliyah said, her dark eyes full of worry.

Kyle nodded. "Yeah. It's too bad I can't carry Earthbones with me." The magical katana was hanging on wall in the central room of his suite, right above Fatima's yari. "I doubt the school would like that, unless..." He looked at Aaliyah.

"I'm afraid not. In my time, no one would have questioned you wearing the sword." Then she smiled. "You are bonded with the weapon. It is made by the Djinn, and doesn't obey your...rules of the universe. Is that right?"

"Do you mean Laws."

She nodded. "Yes. The Laws that govern the material world do not apply to the sword. If you concentrate on it, you should be able to summon it at a moment's heartbeat."

Kyle concentrated. "What am I supposed to be feeling."

"Remember how it felt to use the weapon."

He closed his eyes and remembered the power, the strength of the very earth he had walked on, ancient and massive. He reached out to the sword, touching it with his mind. It was tenuous, almost like the memory of the blade. His hands itched, remembering the feel of the rough grip in his hands, the weight of the blade, the balance.

It was like he could feel it--

"Wow, Master!" Alexina gasped.

He opened his eyes. Earthbones glinted in his hand, the steel blade inlaid with yellow gold, glinting in the lights of the SUV's interiors. The concubines all looked on with amazed, joyful expressions, clapping and cheering. Chyna pressed her rather nice, and large, breasts against him as she kissed his cheek over and over.

Aaliyah nodded with satisfaction. "You and the blade are joined. It is a part of you. You can return it to your room by reversing the process, imagining hanging safely, ready for you to reach out and summon it."

"This is amazing," he laughed, dismissing his blade. It vanished in a whirl of dusty-yellow smoke.

"We must tread carefully," Aaliyah cautioned. "Ms. Franklin may not be the only threat out there. Others may wish my power, and the Marid...well, they will move against you one day."

"They're the ones that have enslaved your people?"

"Not precisely. Their rule is tyrannical, but you can change that. A mortal ruling the Djinn would bring neutrality."

"But first I have to have four wives?" Kyle said. "Two have left me, one lies in the coma, I'm not sure I'll ever have that."

"There are other women, my husband. In time, your heart will grow fond of them."

"But I don't want other women," Kyle grated. "I want Fumi and Christy!"

"I can summon them."

He could see the pain in Aaliyah's eyes. She still hadn't forgiven Christy. He couldn't make Aaliyah suffer that way. And Christy and Fumi both had their path to walk. They had made their decisions and he had to respect them. Kyle wanted his wives to be with him of their own free will. "I can't take away their choices."

Chyna nodded. "They're not concubines." She didn't seem to care at all that her feelings for Kyle were caused by the dead Ms. Franklin's spell.

"As you wish, my husband," Aaliyah answered though her face was tight.

"Have faith," Carla said. "Fumi and Christy may return."

The SUV stopped, pulling up at the Rogers College. Kyle looked down at Aaliyah. "I can't change how my heart feels."

Aaliyah sighed. "I know, my love."

Kyle's classmates gawked as he piled out, receiving a kiss from his MILF driver and surrounded by a bevy of hot coeds that pressed about him as they walked inside. He gave each of his and his sister's concubines a kiss as they split off to head to their first period. Last he gave Aaliyah a kiss. "I love you," he murmured, stroking her cheek.

She smiled. "I love you."

Then he headed to Math class with Toni, the only concubine to share a class with him.

Christy's empty seat broke his heart. They had spent this semester sitting next to each other, trading looks and sometimes sneaking handholds or brushing their feet together. Anger bubbled inside him, and he found himself needing a release.

His eyes settled on his concubine Toni. She was a beautiful redhead, wearing her Rogers cheerleader uniform today, blue top and blue-and-white pleated skirt. She glanced at him, a knowing smile on her lips. She was eager to be used by him.

Aaliyah.

Yes, my love? her voice purred in his head.

I wish that no one in my math class cares that I fuck Toni.

Done. Aaliyah's voice giggled in his head. Have fun with her!

Kyle stood up, walking towards Toni's desk. "Toni."

She looked up, her face dusted with freckles and a dainty nose set between her green eyes. "Yes, Master." Color blossomed in her cheeks.

"I'm in the mood to have a cheerleader suck my cock."

The class ignored them and Professor Skinner kept lecturing.

"Right here...?" Toni's voice trailed off as her blush deepened.

Kyle nodded. "Get on your knees and suck me off, cheerleader."

"Yes, Master," she purred. "I hope Aaliyah has arranged things."

"She has," he smiled, stroking her face.

"Good," she purred. "I do love sucking your cock. It was so hot yesterday when you made suck you off in the cafeteria."

"Yes it was," Kyle grinned, grabbing a strand of her red hair, twining it about his finger. "Why haven't you started sucking my cock yet, cheerleader?"

"Sorry, Master," she squeaked, and then buckled on her gaze and slipped to the floor. Her hands trembling, she reached for the zipper on his jeans, pulling it down. His cock was hard and she sucked it quickly into her mouth.

"Oh, yeah," Kyle groaned as she sucked hard and hummed, vibrating his dick. "You are a cheerleader slut."

His concubines mouth sucked harder, bobbing up and down on his cock. He could forget all about his problems with her hot mouth wrapped around his sensitive dick. Her hands wrapped around his waist, squeezing his ass, and she pulled him deeper into her mouth. Obscene, wet noises filled the classroom, and the other students continued ignoring it.

"That's it. Love my cock, cheerleader."

Her green eyes flashed up at him and he stroked her cheek. She gave a pleased moan, and worked his cock deeper and deeper into her mouth, then she slipped him all the way down her throat, her lips touching his crotch. His balls were boiling, and he looked around the room at his classmates working away, smiling at the fun he was having.

"Get ready, cheerleader slut," he groaned, and then his balls exploded. She swallowed, a little bit of his cum leaking around her lips. He panted, standing back, that wonderful, relaxed buzz flowing through his blood.

"Did you enjoy it, Master?" she asked.

"I did."

"Good," she smiled, licking her lips. "Do you need more?"

"Is your cheerleader pussy wet?"

She nodded her head. "So wet, Master."

"Bend over the desk and pull down your panties, and I'll make you cum."

She smiled, standing up and twirling around, her skirt flaring up. She pulled off the blue bloomers and her white panties, bunching them around her ankles, then bent over the desk. Her skirt rode up, giving Kyle a glimpse of her pale asscheeks. He flipped her skirt up and found her pussy shaved, her pussy lips fat and flushed with arousal.

"What are you?" Kyle asked, rubbing his cock against her fat pussy lips, enjoying the wet, silky feeling.

"I'm a cheerleader slut," she moaned. "Your cheerleader slut, Master."

He drove into her. "Yes you are."

"Oh, yes. Take me! You're so powerful," she moaned. "I'm your little slut. Make me do whatever you want."

He pounded her tight, juicy snatch, her desk squeaking as it slid in short, inch slides every time he drove into her. Toni's fiery fair flew about as she tossed her head back and forth, throwing sultry looks over her shoulder as she moaned and panted. "Fuck me! I'm your slut. Your cheerleader slut."

"My cheerleader slut," he groaned, driving harder in to her, enjoying the way her asscheeks shook and the pleats of her skirts danced as he bottomed out in her. His balls were frothing, preparing to boil over inside her.

"Yes, yes. Oh, lord, yes!" she gasped, and her tight, little snatch convulsed about his cock.

So wonderful!

Her pussy worked his pumping cock, bringing him closer and closer to erupting inside her. He needed to cum, to lose himself in that moment of mind-numbing, earth-stopping release. He clenched his teeth, nearing that powerful moment, his hips pumping wildly.

"Fuck," he hissed through clenched teeth. His cock erupted into her cunt.

He drove into her a second time, then a third time, each thrust ejaculating another blast of cum. His breath exploded out of him. He felt drained, pulling out of her and stumbling back, trying to hold onto the endorphin rush and keep all the stress at bay.

"Did you enjoy my slutty, cheerleader's pussy, Master?" Toni asked.

"Yeah," he nodded, sitting down and patted his lap. His cheerleader concubine sat on him, throwing her arms around his shoulders. "You did just fine, slut."

He gave her a kiss, happy for the momentary distraction his concubine had provided.

Kyle cuddled Toni on his lap all through the lecture. When the class ended, Aleah paused at his desk. She was dressed in an identical cheerleader's outfit and Kyle noticed her aura wasn't as pink today as it had been yesterday. Tight about her neck was a choker with "Corey's Girl" written on it.

Kyle grinned. Yesterday, his friend Corey had asked him to be hooked up with a submissive girl of his own and Kyle had pointed out Aleah. Looks like Corey had claimed the girl's affections.

"Hey, Aleah," Toni smiled. "Are you a concubine?"

The young woman flushed. "Yeah," she admitted, then glanced at Christy's seat and her face fell. "Have you heard from Christy? They say she's missing."

"Yeah, she left me," Kyle answered, shifting. Her mother had called last night. Christy hadn't called for two days and she was frantic. "I think she's heading home to California."

"You don't think she's...dead?"

Kyle shook his head.

"Well, it was on the news this morning that Ms. Franklin and Karrie," Aleah glanced at Karrie's empty seat, "and a few other girls were killed. They're all the girls in Christy's book club." She chewed her lips. "And Phillipa's missing, too. What do you think happened?"

Kyle's insides went cold and he tried to sound as casual as possible. "I'm sure she's fine. She...she left me a note and..." Some of the pain Christy had caused bubbled up and he pushed it back down.

"It's okay, Master," Toni whispered. "She'll come back."

"Well, I hope so," Aleah said. "I need to get to class. I hope she comes home fine."

"Me, too."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Ms. Gore" Detective Donnar said as he sat down across from her. They were in the sterile waiting room of the Pierce County Medical Examiner's office, sitting on black, plastic, and very uncomfortable chairs.

Ms. Gore stared at her hands, her face expressionless.

"If you have a few minutes, I would like--"

"What happened to her?" she asked, looking up. Her voice was small, quiet, almost childish. Her shoulders slumped, beaten down. "Who did this to her?"

"That's what I'm going to find out," Detective Donnar said.

"Was she stabbed?" Ms. Gore's eyes were dark pools in a pale face. "That wound in her throat..." she shuddered.

"I'm sorry you had to see her like that." He gave her a moment. It was never easy seeing a loved-one's body splayed out on the table, but it was the fastest way to identify their victims. She was the last of the victim's guardians he had to speak to.

"Do you know what your daughter was doing last night?"

"Book club, I think," Ms. Gore answered. "At least, that's what she told me when I called her yesterday."

The friends of Karrie Robertson and Rashawn Underhill had said the same. "And did they regularly meet in a cabin in Graham?"

"I don't know." Ms. Gore sniffed. "I never even heard of Graham until today."

"Where did the club meet at?"

"Ms. Franklin's house, I think," she answered. "They usually meet on Saturday nights. Ms. Franklin, her biology professor, really turned her grades around with this book club. She was going to graduate with honors..." Her face fell, stricken by horror.

"And did you think there was anything unusual about your daughter visiting a professor's house?"

"No." Her eyes widened. "Did Ms. Franklin do something to her?"

He didn't answer her; it was best to give as little information as possible so he didn't pollute her statement. "And what exactly did they do at their meetings?"

"Talked about books. What else would they do?"

That's a good question. After identifying Michelle Franklin from her 's license found in her car at the scene, they had searched her house. They found sex toys, BDSM gear, pictures of six different young women, including the three victims, all engaging in sex acts with the professor and each other, and various occult paraphernalia in the basement.

"Do you know who else was in the group?" Neither Rashawn's or Karrie's parents had known the answer. They had three other girls in those photos to identify.

"Um, let me think. I met them all just a few weeks ago when I drove down for a visit." She wiped her eyes. "There was a black girl, her named started with an R. Another Black girl named Karrie. Um, Sable Purcell, I think. Christy. And Karrie's best friend, Phillipa Stoddard."

Donnar wrote their names down. Six girls in total, three dead.

"Did your daughter have a boyfriend or girlfriend?"

"No. I don't think so. But, you know college kids these days."

"No one's ever stalked her or sent her threatening messages?"

She shook her head.

"And who were her friends? Besides the girls you named."

"She's never had a lot of friends. She had been close to Phillipa since her Freshman year, and she seemed close to the other girls in the book club."

"And did all the girls attend Rogers College?"

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure they did. They all had Ms. Franklin for a professor at one point."

Detective Donnar pulled out his card from his jacket pocket. "If you think of anything else, don't hesitate to call me. And...there's a number for a grief counselor on the back. Call him, or someone else. Trust me. They're very helpful."

He stood up and headed back into the Medical Examiner's office. He was eager to run the new names through the system and see what he could come up with. Phillipa Stoddard reported missing this morning by her parents. Same with Sable Purcell. The name Christy generated a few hits, but another missing person report had been filed for a Christy Leonardson, age eighteen, Freshman at Rogers College.

He called the parents number, a California area code, listed on the file. "Hello?" a woman answered, hope burning in her voice. "Christy?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Oh." All the energy fell out of her voice.

"I'm Detective Donnar, Pierce County Sheriffs, are you Shantel Leonardson?"

"Yes." Her voice was tight with fear.

"I'm calling because your daughter's name may have come up in a case I'm working. Was she part of a book club?"

"I think so. Arranged by her biology professor." She swallowed. "I saw the news. Ms. Franklin and three other students from her college were murdered. Is she...?"

"As far as I know, she's fine," I told her. "Is your husband there?"

"No."

"Ms. Franklin and three of the girls in your daughter's book club were found dead early this morning. Your daughter and two of the other girls in the club are missing."

"Oh, Lord," she gasped. "But you didn't find her dead?" Desperate hope filled her voice.

"No, ma'am. Do you know where your daughter was supposed to be last night?"

"She was married," she answered. "And lived off-campus. But her husband told me she left him last night. She left a note but he doesn't know where she is."

"What's her husband's name and phone number?" Donnar asked.

"Kyle."

His heart beat faster. "Last name?"

Could it be the same Kyle's whose stolen car was at the same crime scene?

"Unmei."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fumi... the wind whispered.

The Japanese Yuki-onna opened her eyes. The snow swirled around above her, whipped by a wind, and outlining the figure of a woman. The woman hovered over her, two blue eyes glowing with compassion.

Fumi...

"Yes," Fumi struggled to say. The cold had almost stolen all the energy out of her.

Love...

"Yes. I need to love Kyle, only..."

Death...

Fumi nodded. "How can I be with him?"

Yukishojou-no-onsen...

To be continued...