Luxuria by James Fuller Page A

see you to the city gates and explain more to you on the way.”
    “What of my task?” Josh asked, confused as his friend disappeared down a flight of stairs.
    Kassandra placed her arm in his. “Come with me and I shall prepare you for the task you shall see through.”
     
    They walked through the silent, ghostly city to the western gateway, building turmoil building with each step.
    “What dangers am I really to expect in doing this?” Mark asked as they neared the edge of the city. “Pitfalls, snakes...falling debris?”
    “I shall not lie to you. The long dead ruler of our sisterhood remains within the bowels of the temple. She defied Senhor Escuro and her soul was never accepted into his care in the afterlife.”
    Mark furrowed his brow. “So you are saying it is haunted?” He wanted to laugh, but didn’t want to offend her.
    “No, it is not merely haunted. Navia has become a powerful wraith and no longer favors the sisterhood, or life of any kind. She will try and stop you from retrieving the diamond at all costs.” Callisto warned him.
    “So how am I to get the jewel, if it is protected by her?”
    They stopped at the crumbled gateway that led to the cliff-side temple. Callisto took a leather pouch from one of the eroded stones of the once great wall. “Within this bladder is the water from our sacred fountain, at its last full strength.” She handed it to him carefully. “When you reach the temple, drink half for it will help protect you from her powers, though her strength is impressive and the longer you face her, the less likely you will return.”
    He felt his skin prickle. “And the other half?”
    “It will be your only weapon against her. The water will not vanquish her, but it will subdue her enough for you to be able to escape with the diamond. Upon your return, you will be freed from your promise…and generously rewarded if it pleases you.” Her eyes glowed enticingly as she ran a hand down his chest.
    He couldn’t help but grin at the thought and had to quickly shake the thought from his mind. He looked down the ingrown pathway he was to walk. “Before I do this and potentially risk my life, why do you need this diamond so badly?”
    Callisto’s hand graced his stubble-shadowed face and pulled his dark eyes back to hers. “The diamond is the soul of our sister before us trapped at the hand of Navia and her betrayal. With the coming of the full moon we are granted the ability to free her in ritual, so her soul may once again know peace.”
    “A noble cause I guess.” The thought eased his mind only a little.
    She leaned in and rested a soft kiss upon his lips. “May you return quickly and safely.”
     
    Josh followed the enticing sway of Kassandra’s flawless curves into the awaiting candlelit room within the towering building. The room itself seemed to grow brighter as they entered, revealing the lavish comforts within. Cotton tapestries lined the walls - their images were of dark and sexual scenes of lustful orgies. Gold, silver, and jade sculpted beasts and creatures from worlds forgotten lined the walls and were carved into the pillars and stonework.
    She filled a gem-studded goblet with water and turned to face Josh as he walked the draped room, curiously eyeing each wondrous piece.
    He could feel her emerald eyes upon him and turned to regard her. “So what task am I to see to, to repay what the beautiful and ever so talented Alcina has done for me?” He slapped his leg and grinned, remembering the woman’s form of treatment.
    Kassandra moved closer with a leer matching his own. “Alcina does have a rare and great aptitude, does she not?” She sipped at the drink, stopping before him.
    “I would hurt myself a lot more to receive that kind of healing.”
    “You need not be wounded to receive such favorable ‘comforts’ here.” She mused. “Nor to bathe in the riches we possess.”
    Josh stepped closer to her. “And what must one do, to receive such comforts and