Merchants of Death

Chapter 11



The Phoenix was still standing in the room where the Wolfram & Hart scholars, scientists, and technicians had attempted to fix her mystical prison. Jean Grey had not bothered to dress her self and stood naked and unashamed, apparently unaware of or simply indifferent to all the security cameras and sensors observing her every move.



The redhead stared at the reinforced walls in fascination, showing no interest in the ashes that were all that remained of those that she had just killed. Using all of her vast power to scan the area in front of her down to the molecular level, trying to remember the proper relationship between matter and energy after months of existing as a non-corporeal being.



Jean Grey had to make sure she got it right, for as The Phoenix thoughts (even stray ones) could all too easily become reality.



*****



“WHAT is she doing?” administrator Safi asked no one in particular as he stared at the image of Jean Grey on his video screen.



“Sir…she appears to be…I think she is…playing” one of the lich’s subordinates answered doubtfully.



Everyone in the administrator’s office had their eyes on the screen, staring at the image of The Phoenix playing in the ashes of her fallen captors with childlike glee, an expression of happiness on her beautiful face.



The lich was staring at the image of Jean Grey with particular intensity. Wondering if there was a good way to have his people react to this latest development.



In truth, the undead wizard was surprised to even be ‘alive,’ for he had assumed that The Phoenix would immediately destroy everything around her if she escaped. Safi supposed this less destructive behavior was an improvement, but he still found the actions of the host of the Phoenix Force…creepy.



~Get a grip on yourself…you are supposed to inspire fear…at her core she’s just a human…regardless of how great her power source is~ Safi told himself, trying to reassure himself that things were not as bad as his intuition was telling him.



But as much as he tried to deny it, Safi was still afraid of The Phoenix, and he found her weird behavior disturbing.



The lich might have stared at the video screen for hours, suppressing his growing fears and puzzling over The Phoenix’s odd behavior, if the voice of one of chief subordinates had not intruded on his thoughts.



“We need to send someone in there to investigate and to see how that super powered bitch reacts…but what poor sucker are we going to send in there?” one of the few humans in the room said irritably.



The speaker noticed that everyone else in the office was staring at him, and then he realized that he was the lowest ranking person in the room.



~GODSDAMNIT~ the human mentally swore just before the lich gave him the unwanted assignment.



*****



Josef Sandusky was unable to conceal his fear as he approached the room where The Phoenix was. Supervisor Sandusky had known most of the people that Jean Grey had just killed during her escape from the Containment Cube, and two of them he had considered friends.



He tried to focus on his anger, imagining what he would like to do to the murderous redhead. But Josef couldn’t help thinking of just how easily and violently she had destroyed everyone around her.



Knowing that he was about to expose himself directly to that awesome power.



~Maybe I could just go back~ the frightened human thought as he reached the door to The Phoenix’s current resting place. But even as Sandusky framed the thought he found himself rejecting it as unworkable.



Safi was actually a fairly laidback boss compared to most of the managers at Wolfram & Hart, but the lich would still kill any subordinate who defied him on a matter as urgent as this.



Seeing no other option, Josef Sandusky opened the door.



The Phoenix was sitting down on the floor, running the ashes through her slender fingers. As soon as Josef opened the door the woman looked up at him and then seemed to simply disappear.



Instantly reappearing in front of the nervous supervisor.



Sandusky got his first good look at The Phoenix, noticing how firm and shapely her limbs were, taking in the sight of her feminine curves, and getting an especially good look at the woman’s large breasts and pink nipples, for Josef’s head was at the same height as Jean’s bosom.



The short and somewhat stout man might have been aroused if he had not been so terrified.



Because Josef was more focused on Jean Grey’s less human features, such as the way that her skin seemed to glow with an inner radiance, the Phoenix fire that filled her eyes, and her almost tangible aura of power, that was all too obvious even to a relatively normal man like Josef Sandusky.



The man and the woman simply stared at each other for a long moment. Sandusky feeling very much like a deer caught in the headlights.



~I should probably say something reassuring~ the frightened man thought. Trying desperately to cling to rationality and what remained of his professionalism.



“Is there anything you need Miss?...anything you would like me to get for you?” Josef asked, doing an admirable job of sounding calm under the circumstances.



“Yes.”



Despite her appearance, Jean Grey’s voice sounded reassuringly normal.



“What is this place?...and who…am I?” The Phoenix asked in honest puzzlement, her mind still trying to recover from months of intense sensory deprivation.



*****



Adara the Halfling’s time with the Crimson Legion had been surprisingly pleasant so far. The little thief had not been treated with any particular kindness or generosity by the vampires and their Mistress, but they had not tortured or killed her, which is what Adara had more than half expected when she was captured.



The wounded vampire Marian Casta had fed off the Halfling numerous times since her capture, and while the first time had been both painful and traumatic, the necromancer Chrissy Lera had used her magic to make the process painless for Adara the following times. Lera’s spells also prevented the Halfling thief from leaving or attacking anyone, and except for when Marian fed off her Adara had been virtually ignored by Chrissy and her followers.



Now the small thief was standing in the room Marian had claimed as her own, watching as the dark elf and her favorite vampire made love on Marian’s improvised bed. Completely ignoring her as they passionately kissed and fondled each other.



Adara’s whole body felt pleasantly numb, and she was somewhat lightheaded due to blood loss. Nevertheless the Halfling was thinking quickly as she watched the body of the light skinned vampire rub against the form of the black elf.



The Halfling knew that she had to get into the good graces of the necromancer somehow. Otherwise Adara would remain a useful but despised prisoner at best, and be tortured or killed at worst.



Adara also knew that Chrissy was attracted to her, and the Halfling was not above using her sexuality to get what she wanted. Adara had even briefly worked in a brothel for food and shelter at a particularly low point in her life.



Nevertheless, Adara felt no attraction to females, and the exotic looks and strange powers of Chrissy Lera frightened her.



~Can I really embrace this final perversion just to make nice with some crazy drow bitch?~ the Halfling asked herself.



Then Adara noticed that several of the Legion’s other vampires were standing just outside the doorway to the bedroom. Watching her with hungry eyes, held back only by the command of their Mistress.



That made up Adara’s mind.



The naked Halfling carefully crept to the bed where Marian and Chrissy were making love. Being careful not to startle the dangerous vampire or necromancer, then when Chrissy pulled away from Marian to see what her prisoner was doing, Adara kissed the dark elf firmly on the lips.



*****



The surprise on Chrissy’s Lera’s face was so obvious that Adara was tempted to laugh. But the manipulative Halfling knew that would give the game away and just kissed the dark skinned elf again.



When the kiss ended Chrissy said in an unusually doubtful voice

“I thought that you didn’t…like girls.”



“So did I but…watching you and Marian made me curious” Adara said with just the right amount of eagerness and doubt. Using the tone that previous companions had called her ‘con artist voice.’



Adara reached down and gently grasped and fondled Lera’s large breasts. Mentally comparing Chrissy’s soft feminine form to the bodies of all the male lovers she had had in the past.



Marian watched as the little thief made Chrissy moan by taking one of the elf woman’s thick nipples into her mouth and firmly suckling. Feeling uncharacteristically neglected and unwanted as she observed Chrissy focus all her attention on her new lover.



The Halfling grinned as she saw the jealousy in the vampire’s eyes, and kissed the black elf more passionately than ever before. Sending her tongue inside Chrissy’s mouth to explore and staring at the female elf’s pretty features from only inches away.



~This is going to be even easier than I thought~ Adara mentally congratulated herself as she felt the dark elf firmly embrace her.



*****



For over half a year Jean Grey had existed without sound, without sight, without smell, without outside stimulation of any kind. Jean had even been deprived of shape.



Existing as little more than thoughts, energy, and of course power, trapped alone in the dark.



The Phoenix had not spent her entire time inside the Containment Cube trying to escape because that was all that she wanted to do. She had devoted all her time to attempting to escape because that was all that she could do.



During that time of incredible helplessness and sensory deprivation The Phoenix had forgotten who she was, she had even forgotten what she was.



But Jean’s memories were quickly returning.



*****



Administrator Safi was not a courageous being. The undead wizard was cautious, methodical, and somewhat inept in social situations.



He actually had a lot in common personality wise with the late Doron. Though neither the lich nor the demonic wizard had seen as much.



Moreover, like the dead demon Safi’s natural cautiousness could often be overcome by his scientific curiosity, which was why he was going to meet The Phoenix personally now that she no longer seemed in danger of immediately going on a destructive rampage.

Finding himself unable to resist the mysteries of The Phoenix despite his initial fear of the god-woman.



His security people pointed out the obvious danger, and strongly advised Safi not to meet The Phoenix face to face. But while the lich listened to their concerns he did not give them the weight they deserved. Safi had been undead for a long time, and had gotten used to the idea that most things could not really hurt him.



Nevertheless Safi was far too wise not to be aware of the dangers he was exposing himself to, and felt an unusual spike of fear as he entered The Phoenix’s room. Wondering how much good his numerous wards, protective spells, and magical items would really do if the host of The Phoenix Force became hostile.



As he entered the room Safi saw that Jean Grey was still naked.

~I wonder if I would have found her sexy when I was still alive?~ the lich thought in an abstract sort of way as he observed the beautiful redhead.



Safi was covered in illusions both technological and magical in nature to give him a normal human appearance. The lich was even wearing a tunic and pants instead of his usual robes beneath the illusions. But despite all these precautions Safi had the horrible feeling that The Phoenix could see right through him as she stared in his direction.



Still, that was no reason to be a poor host, and he considered diplomacy the most realistic method of dealing with the apparently indomitable Jean Grey at this point anyway.



“Miss Summers I apologize for our poor hospitality thus far…we did not expect any guests today and I fear you caught us at a bad time…if there is anything you need please just ask” Safi said graciously. His spells making his voice come out as a pleasant baritone.



The Phoenix did not respond to the lich’s words, and an expression of distaste crossed Jean’s face as she stared at Safi.



“You’re sick.”



Jean’s voice came out inhumanly deep, and her words were filled with a power that Safi could feel in his bones.



“I assure you madam I am in perfect health…you need not worry about me” Safi replied with a touch of nervousness. Watching with growing dread as The Phoenix walked over to him and gently touched his torso.



~I should have brought my guards~ Safi thought as he resisted the urge to violently push the woman away. Even though the lich knew that his bodyguards could probably do little against something like The Phoenix.



“I can heal you” Jean Grey answered in that same powerful inhuman voice, as she stared deeply into Safi’s eye sockets, her own eyes flaring even more intensely with yellow fire.



The power of The Phoenix reached out to envelope Safi, and all of his spells, magic items, and undead durability were no protection at all. The awesome power ran over and into the undead wizard unchecked.



For the first time since he had become a lich Safi found himself screaming.



*****



Safi regained awareness slowly, the wizard’s body responding to his will with an imprecision and lack of speed that he was not used to. When he became aware of his surroundings again the administrator realized that he was on the floor and surrounded by his personal security detail, the armored humans forming a circle around their fallen leader.



“What…what happened?...what did she do?” the lich asked in a strangely hoarse voice, although a horrible answer was already forming in his mind.



The security guards exchanged nervous glances, none of them wanting to give their boss the news. Finally the highest ranking guard present said stiffly “after The Phoenix…attacked you sir she left the room and has been wandering the halls of the base since…using her power to IMPROVE anything else she comes across and doesn’t like…several vampires on staff have already been affected as you were.”



“Affected?” Safi said blankly as he held his hands up to his face. Which looked so soft, so fleshy, and so very human.



“Sir…how are you feeling?” the lead guard asked gently.



Safi felt…different, in fact the wizard was feeling more intensely than he had for a long time, and not just emotionally. For the first time in decades the wizard who had willingly embraced un-death felt…hungry.



“By all the damn gods…how could that bitch do this to me!” Safi swore as he realized that The Phoenix had ‘resurrected’ him and restored his humanity. Condemning him to mortality again and taking away all the power and abilities he had gained by becoming a lich.



It was something that the former lich had not believed possible, and under the circumstances it was entirely understandable that one of Safi’s first acts as a mortal man (again) was to piss himself.



*****



Adara had been making love to Chrissy Lera for a long time and found herself getting aroused by the whole thing. Primarily because of the way it fed her ego to have this kind of erotic power over another woman.



The thief and the necromancer were on Marian Casta’s bed, but the vampire was not there. Having angrily left the room shortly after Chrissy turned her attention to the Halfling, Chrissy and Adara had spent all the time since exploring each other’s bodies.



The dark elf was seemingly fascinated by Adara’s tattoos and the deep cleft between her relatively large buttocks, running her black hands gently over the symbols and caressing the area between Adara’s legs with subtle force, touching the Halfling with all the attentiveness and skill of a dedicated lover of women. So that the sexy little thief did not have to fake all her moans and gasps of pleasure.



Chrissy Lera did not have to fake any of her reactions, and Adara treasured all of her cries of pleasure, convinced that it was proof of her growing power over the necromancer. Already imagining all the wealth and luxuries she might be able to get via someone like the powerful dark elf.



Adara was particularly drawn to Chrissy’s large breasts, loving the way that the elf woman moaned as she lightly bit the stiff nipples. Looking so soft and cuddly, a far cry from the fearsome sight she had been when Adara had first encountered the necromancer.



~You’re the bitch now drow~ the Halfling thought maliciously as she positioned herself between Lera’s legs, gently fingering Chrissy’s vaginal lips with her left hand, wondering what the inside of an elf would feel like.



Then she decided to find out, pushing her small hand into the feminine portal, grinning as she found Chrissy warm and moist within. Thinking that the mistress of vampires was truly hers as Chrissy Lera cried out in orgasm.



*****



Safi was feeling very disoriented, the old wizard had been undead for a long time, and was no longer used to sensations like hunger, lust, physical weariness, or even a human sense of touch. But Safi found himself experiencing all those feelings and more as he stood alone in his office, fingering the object that had once been his phylactery.



It appeared to be nothing more than a small black spell book, and that was originally all it had been. But under the influence of Safi it had become a mystic artifact with a magical and spiritual connection to him. An object to both contain and safeguard his soul, with more protective spells cast upon it than many wizards’ towers.



But now it was nothing more than a book of minors spells again, with barely a trace of the tremendous mystical power it had long contained remaining.



The usually mild mannered Safi threw the book across the room in a fit of rage, its old pages ripping as it struck the wall of the administrator’s office.



The former lich angrily paced the room for a few moments, and then he turned to the large mirror in his office. Safi had never paid much attention to the mirror before, it had come with the room, and he had not been that concerned with his appearance even before he became an undead lich.



But now Safi found himself intently gazing into the mirror, studying his restored flesh with a fascination that he usually reserved for scientific and magical curiosities.



The wizard was a tall man, with a slender figure, pale skin, and a large nose, his light brown eyes gazing at the world with a seemingly permanent expression of benign interest. His clothes were a simple black tunic and pants, and he worn sensible boots.



On the surface Safi appeared to be an ordinary and not very threatening man.



Safi found himself remembering how it had often been difficult for him to pressure or intimidate people before becoming a lich. His seemingly frail appearance and mild manner leaving him ill equipped for such things.



~That bitch did this to me~ Safi thought as he gazed at his now all too mortal body, thinking of the woman who had altered him so profoundly in such a careless manner.



As the now living wizard concentrated on The Phoenix he found the nature of his thoughts drifting. Remembering the feminine curves and pleasant voice of the crimson haired woman.



“I forgot it did that” Safi muttered as he stared down at his growing erection. Gazing at his stiffening clothe covered penis with almost scientific curiosity.



“SIR YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS” the leader of Safi’s security detail said as he burst into the former lich’s office. Making the wizard look up guiltily from his lap.



“What is it?” the administrator asked irritably, afraid that the man was going to inform him of some new catastrophe.



The large human male looked uncharacteristically nervous and uncertain, trying to think of a good way to deliver the news. Finally the man simply said “its The Phoenix sir…I’m not sure I can explain…it would be easier just to show you.”



The wizard Safi trusted the man’s judgment and allowed himself to be led from his office. Wondering what new disaster had fallen on his domain.



*****



Both Chrissy Lera and Marian Casta had taken other lovers during the course of their long relationship. But the vampire was too much of a hedonist to feel jealous of Chrissy’s other lovers most of the time. In fact, when Marian had unexpectedly found Chrissy in the arms of another woman she had usually tried to join in.



But things were different now.



Marian knew that her injuries had disfigured her and was feeling insecure about her appearance and sex appeal. It felt like Chrissy had rejected her for a smaller, younger, and prettier companion. She wanted reassurance that her lesbian lover still found her desirable.



But the high born woman was far too proud and vain to simply ask for it.



“Chrissy that little bitch is just trying to manipulate you…she just became your lover because she thinks that it gives her influence over you” Marian said jealously.



The necromancer and the vampire were standing next to Marian’s bed, where Adara was peacefully sleeping. Chrissy stood nude and unashamed, her beautiful black body glistening with sweat, while Marian was dressed with unusual modesty, virtually all her scars hidden beneath thick red robes.



“I know” Chrissy replied calmly.



“You know…but...” Marian said in surprise then trailed off.



“Did you really think that I would trust someone like Adara?...I am far too intelligent for that” Chrissy replied with a bit of heat.



“You trusted Archon” Marian burst out without thinking.



“That was DIFFERENT…Archon may have been a brain eating parasite but he came when I needed someone like him and gave me years of loyal service before he betrayed me…besides unlike the illithid Adara cannot shield her thoughts from me” Chrissy replied, ending her words with a wicked smile.



~How could I have forgotten about Chrissy’s magic~ Marian thought, realizing that her insecurity and jealousy had blinded her to the obvious.



“So what DOES Adara really think of you?”



“The backstabbing little whore sees me as an opportunity…she thinks that her touch has turned me into a love struck fool…I will admit that she is unexpectedly skilled for a virgin at the art of feminine love…but she isn’t THAT good in bed” Chrissy replied venomously.



~Besides soon you’re wounds will heal and you will be far more beautiful and sexy than a whore like Adara again…and even if they did not I would still love you~ Chrissy telepathically told Marian. Knowing the words would embarrass her proud lover even more if spoken aloud.



For a moment it looked like the vampire was going to cry or move to embrace Chrissy, and then Marian got a grip on herself and said shakily “so what should we do with Adara?”



“Why should we DO anything?...let the sexy little fool do her best to manipulate and please us…it will be an amusing diversion…and when we get tired of her we can simply send her away or get rid of her some other way” Chrissy replied to the woman who had mentored her in the arts of sensual pleasure and vice.



“I taught you well” the hedonist vampire said with a touch of pride, realizing that she had underestimated Chrissy.



“I was your best pupil” the ONCE innocent elf replied, giving Marian a wicked smile as she moved to the sleeping Halfling’s side. Happy to see a look of anticipation in the vampire’s eyes as she shook Adara awake.



Chrissy already had a number of erotic and twisted games involving the Halfling in mind that she thought would cheer up her friend and help get Marian’s mind off her troubles, intent on making sure that Marian enjoyed every one.



After all, Chrissy Lera’s mother had taught her daughter to share her toys.



*****



The Silverymoon branch of Wolfram & Hart was mainly a research facility, chosen for its relative isolation and the fact that it was so removed from all the firm’s major enemies and rivals. Silverymoon was just big enough to provide many of the materials that the laboratory needed without being noticed (for the most part) by the authorities or the general population of the city.



A place for the inter-dimensional company to study technologies, examine artifacts, and even develop weapons that had come into its possession, all in relative peace and quiet.



The room that The Phoenix had most recently wandered into was a bio-lab used for examining and testing biological weapons that the firm had gotten its hands on, a necessary testing ground for such products before the company traded or sold them.



The scientists and medical doctors working in the bio-lab had been very angry and surprised when a naked redhead had burst into their clean and sterile environment. But that was nothing compared to the shock and outrage they had felt when she began to transform the virus, bacteria, and poison samples there into things she found more pleasing.



The details were being explained to administrator Safi as he stood among the angry, frightened, and most of all confused scientists and doctors, holding a sleeping puppy in his arms that someone had just handed him.



“So this dog was the super anthrax you were examining?” Safi asked, wanting to make sure that he had all the details of this strange story straight.



“Yes sir…she just looked at it and it…changed” the scientist said inadequately, unable to find the proper words to explain what had happened.



The wizard looked around the lab, staring at the many puppies, kittens, and other cute furry animals that had once been weapons of mass destruction. Wondering how he was going to explain the loss to his own superiors.



Then Safi looked at the author of his troubles.



The Phoenix was wearing a white lab coat, brown pants, and the other clothes that she had taken from one of the scientists. Safi found himself almost afraid to ask what had become of the woman Jean Grey had taken the clothes from.



But handling such things was part of his job, so the administrator asked her colleagues “what happened to Doctor Lindsay?”



Doctor Lindsay’s colleagues exchanged nervous glances, then one of them said hesitantly “Doctor Lindsay reacted very badly to what Jean Grey Summers did to her modified H.I.V. virus…she made some rather nasty accusations regarding the woman’s sexual practices and…and appearance…Summers REACTED by taking Lindsay’s clothes and turned her into the…cat.”



For the first time Safi noticed that there was a purring kitten in The Phoenix’s arms, as he stared at the little feline it occurred to the former lich that that was probably the happiest he had ever seen the bad tempered Lindsay.



“What should we do sir?” one of the administrator’s security guards asked, hoping that his superior could provide answers.



Safi was not by nature a violent person. By the standards of wizards who consorted with the forces of darkness and searched for knowledge Man Was Not Meant To Know he was downright nice. But Safi had been pushed beyond his normal limits today and the first thing that leapt to mind when he was asked the question was ‘SHOOT HER DOWN.’



But Safi repressed the violent and stupid impulse, for he knew it wouldn’t work, and might provoke a devastating response from The Phoenix. That was why he had already ordered all his personnel not to attack The Phoenix under any circumstances.



But the formerly undead wizard could not help thinking ~if only there were some way…ANY WAY…to get rid of this impossible woman~ instead of concentrating on more practical solutions to the present situation.



Then, almost as though the universe itself were responding to Safi’s thoughts, another one of his subordinates ran up to the administrator, a look of fright upon his weathered features.



“Sir…a large group of Knights in Silver and Spellguard have surrounded the Hart Brothers Jewelry Shop upstairs…they appear to be led by Lady Alustriel herself and are demanding that we turn over The Phoenix.”



The man’s voice carried and everyone stopped talking to stare at the messenger in silent shock.



Safi was usually calm and mild mannered, but he found himself laughing helplessly. Overcome by the absurdity of it all.



Everyone was so focused on the strange and disturbing sight of their administrator laughing madly that no one noticed The Phoenix get a look of recognition on her face as she whispered “Scott?”



*****



Shortly after the universal travelers had reached an understanding with Lady Alustriel, the telepaths in the group had begun to feel the presence of The Phoenix even more strongly.



The Lady of Silverymoon had responded quickly to help her new allies, assembling a force of Knights in Silver and Spellguard to help the outsiders search through the city for their old comrade.

But no search was necessary.



By now the ‘signal’ the telepaths were receiving from The Phoenix was so strong Sage and the Frost family were able to lead Mystique, Cyclops, She-Hulk, Storm, Sage’s robotic servants and their new allies to the very building that Jean Grey resided in.



The Hart Brothers jewelry shop, a business that many of Silverymoon’s elite frequented and that city authorities had been watching for some time due to suspicious activity.



But even those city officials who were investigating the jewelry shop never imagined the full extent of what it concealed, and a few of them gazed in surprise as a large group of soldiers and wizards surrounded the unassuming building that housed the Hart Brothers business.



Lady Alustriel herself was with the city forces and demanded that the business owners turn over the one known as The Phoenix, her magic and divinely inspired intuition telling her that those within the jewelry shop were far from innocent.



Most of the universal travelers were preparing for combat in their own ways. Assuming, based on bitter experience, that battle was immanent.



But not Cyclops.



“Jean?” Scott Summers whispered as he felt the presence of his wife.