Vessel of the Demon God by Madelene Martin Page A

help us, your
people." The priestess ended.
    The gathered women repeated the words.
    The priestess waved a hand and two acolytes stepped forward. They
locked heavy manacles to each of Idara's wrists, chaining each to a corner of
the altar behind her. The girl tried to stay stoic, not wishing to cry in front
of them and shame herself.
    They all turned to leave. No one could watch the sacrifice. Ashak-ves
would not appear to people save those on the brink of death.
    Hours passed. Idara stood before the altar, eventually growing tired
and swaying on her feet, but refusing to sit down. She had some room to move
her arms, but of course she could not flee.
    She tried to pray. Idara had no family, so she prayed for herself and
her people. That the god would accept her sacrifice and would find her worthy.
She prayed that he would deliver them, that with his help they would win their
war and be free. Mostly, she prayed that he would make it quick.
    After a time, she lifted her head in a haze of exhaustion. She noticed
the dim light and the pink rays of sun shining through the windows. Her heart
began to pound, hammering in her chest, and she caught her breath. She stared
ahead at the huge stone effigy of the monstrous jaguar-face of Ashak-ves,
carved into the stone on the opposite temple wall.
    As if on cue, there was an ear-splitting crash. Idara cringed,
squeezing her eyes shut as a searing light flared. A moment later, when the
light had faded to a glow, she peeked through her half-cracked eyelids.
    Standing before the giant stone god's face, was a massive black cat – a
jaguar. She realized that the glowing light was emanating from the beast
itself. On its dark fur were the faint indications of darker spots. It was far
bigger than a regular panther, and stared at her with intelligence in its eyes.
Idara gasped, her lips falling open in astonishment.
    The jaguar stared at her for a moment, then turned its body toward her
and roared, showing long white teeth. It began to casually walk toward her, its
head down and its mouth open, as though it were stalking her.
    Idara had never seen such a magnificent beast. As she stared, tears
came to her eyes, and any shred of doubt she had that their god existed was
wiped away. The cat began to change shape, shifting before her eyes. It
lengthened and stood tall, the light flashing off its body.
    By the time it reached her, the apparition was man-shaped. The glow
faded and Ashak-ves stood before her - before his altar - in all his glory.
    His skin was dark, with the shadows of spotted markings on his lower
legs and arms. His fingers and toes were tipped with long claws. He had long,
wild black hair which fell over his shoulders, with stray strands in front of
his face. And his eyes were yellow with slitted cats' pupils.
    He was naked, of course. Idara had never seen a man completely naked
before, and couldn't help staring. Though of course, he was more than a man.
    His body was perfectly formed - all lithe and lean, with strong arms
and thighs. He stood about two heads taller than a regular man, and radiated
power. She couldn't help but notice his huge member, rising out of a patch of
black hair, fully erect.
    She drank in the sight, eyes wide in astonishment.
    "Idara," Ashak-ves growled, baring his sharp teeth. His voice
was powerful and resonant... and dangerous. She was suddenly afraid again.
    "My Lord!" She breathed, trembling, staring into the
demon-god's eyes.
    He reached out a hand, and she couldn't help flinching as he raised it
to her chin. He ignored her reaction, and with one upturned claw, gently tilted
her head. He looked at her carefully, taking in her face - her large dark eyes
and quivering lips.
    The girl spread her arms, her chained wrists pulling at their
restraints. She closed her eyes, and waited for those claws to strike – to rend
her flesh and spill her blood. Her sacrifice would soon be done.
    The
man who was Ashak-ves made a low, rumbling sound, and Idara opened her