Radley's Labyrinth for Horny Monsters, Annabelle Hawthorne [smart ebook reader TXT] 📗

“However, my plan is going to start any minute now. Feel free to watch all your hard work amount to nothing.”

Kali shook her head, then put a calming hand on the snake at her side. The python lowered its head, rubbing its face against her thigh.

“We’ll see,” she whispered, gazing at the windows of the house once more.

Mike closed the back door, squinting in the morning light. The sun’s rays were scattered across the mist hovering over Naia’s fountain, casting rainbows of light in every direction like a giant prism. The nymph was busy dancing on the surface of the water, her white gown billowing behind her while birds flew in circles around her body.

“How did it go?” Zel asked from her spot off to the side. She had set up a table and was busy scribbling in a giant leather journal while watching Naia. Mike saw that she had sketched Naia perfectly, a drawing that looked almost like a photograph.

“Ask her yourself, though, she might not answer.” Mike set Jenny down on the table. The doll gave a small curtsy, causing Zel to startle, her equine hindquarters briefly losing control. “Jenny, this is Zel. She’s new to the house.”

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Zel gave a rather eloquent bow of her own. “I am unfamiliar with your species, I’m afraid, so pardon my reaction.”

“Tormented human soul trapped inside of a doll. It’s a long story.” Mike saw that Naia was no longer dancing, her attention on the three at the table. “She agreed to help.”

“But at what cost?” Naia looked doubtful, her crossed arms pressing her breasts against her chest.

Mike shook his head. “For now, her freedom from the Vault. Without a host, it takes a tremendous amount of energy for her to do anything. Speaking of which, Zel, I’m going to need a pick-me-up.”

“You just woke up,” Zel said, furrowing her brow.

Mike sighed. “Being a spirit, Jenny needs to run on the energy of her surroundings. The Vault acts as a giant barrier to prevent things like her from walking off on their own. I guess I’m acting as a spiritual battery for Jenny right now, or at least that’s how she explained it to me.” He pictured the images Jenny had shown him. It had taken a bit, but once she had convinced him that she wasn’t going to eat his soul, he had agreed to be her energy source until she got a body. “We are keeping things to a minimum, but I feel like I’ve finished a brutal workout, and that’s just from our talk. Do you have anything that will give me a boost?”

“Actually, a couple of things.” Zel disappeared into the garage, and Mike followed. She had already set up shop in there, using the workbench as her apothecary. In the corner, she had built herself a bed out of several blankets he had found in the house. Zel was busy eyeballing a few flasks, holding them up to a lamp she had installed on the workbench.

“And?”

“Well, a couple of options. I’m hesitant to give you any more of that potion. Since it seems to be a spiritual drain, I can supplement some of that granola with peppermint extract and wolfsbane. That should act as an upper. I also have something that acts like adrenaline, but that’s only for emergencies. Hmm.” Zel pulled out a small mortar and pestle before crushing up some leaves. She poured in some viscous fluid from a test tube and then added some small grains of salt. It smelled like VapoRub from across the room, and Mike’s mouth went dry.

“Okay, here. Try this.” Zel presented him with a small flask.

“All of it?” Mike asked.

“Yep.” Zel nodded, her hair bouncing across her breasts. “Might taste weird, so swallow it quickly.”

Mike took her advice and chugged the chunky liquid. It tasted disgusting but filled his belly with an immediate warmth. The bond he had with Jenny was tangible, like a bungee cord stretched tight and threatening to drag him under. He felt its draining effects diminish significantly. “Hey, that worked pretty great. What was in there?”

“I used some dried tea leaves for their caffeine. I thought that would act as a fairly good stimulant. Black salt from a volcano, hard stuff to come by, but I have plenty. A couple other minor additives, and then your semen from yesterday.”

Mike’s throat tightened. “My…my semen? You made me drink my semen?” He fought the urge to gag.

“You should know by now that semen is more than just cells and fluid. Human semen contains a bit of your life force, which is easily replenished. Your semen, however, is dramatically stronger than that of an ordinary human. Since you are feeling drained by the doll, I figured why not use your own life force to bolster your spiritual energy?” Zel beamed. “And it looks like it’s working!”

“Ugh.” Mike stared at his shoes. He guessed there was no helping it now. “Well, thanks. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. You can repay me later by helping me replenish my stock.” She winked at him. “Oh, and don’t forget these!” She handed him a few of her special granola bars. “Eat them if you start feeling hungry!”

“Yeah. Thanks.” He pocketed the bars, promising himself that he would hold off unless absolutely necessary. Walking back outside, he saw that Jenny now stood on the fountain’s edge, face turned up toward Naia. He couldn’t hear what Naia was telling her, but the doll kept nodding emphatically in agreement.

“Hey. You look better.” Naia threw a sly grin at him.

“Yeah. Zel made me a potion.” Mike’s lips tightened at the memory. “I don’t feel nearly as depleted.”

“I feel the same way when I drink it too.” Naia licked her lips mischievously.

“You knew about this?”

“Zel and I sat up for a while talking about all sorts of things.” Naia winked at him. “You know us girls. Pillow fights, freezing each other’s bras, talking about boys.”

“Prank calling the neighbors, showing