The Raven Part 3: The Tragedy of Ashley Bilefoot

Ashley flashed her fangs in a wicked grin, “Such a fantastic dance, my love, but all good things must come to an end I’m afraid,” she said just before sinking her teeth into his exposed flesh.

He grimaced as he felt her fangs pierce his neck, and he waited for the inevitable transfusion. His body tensed as he felt her begin siphoning his lifeforce for her own needs. This was it, this was the start of his new life. He had given it everything he had, but it still hadn’t been enough. He’d failed and his only hope was that Ashley would keep her word about Beth and Pam. “A-Ash...ley,” he rasped out.

Rebecca watched with morbid curiosity as Ashley sank her fangs into Jake's neck. This was it, her moment of triumph. Thanks to her touch he should have been immune to her disgusting curse. She had won, so why then was Ashley continuing to drink? It didn't make sense, but when she released him it started to click. She watched as Jake fell to his knees before her and his blood ran down the side of her mouth. She let out a roar of victory just before following him to the ground. She wrapped him in her arms and pulled him close. She was whispering something to him, but what caught her attention was when her eyes locked on her. She mouthed the word run to her, and as shameful as it was, Rebecca did just that. She had to get out of here and figure out just what had happened. She'd miscalculated something, but it didn't matter. She would find another way to restore herself, and then she would take back what was hers. 

Jake felt light headed and was on the verge of passing out. He felt someone holding him and he heard Ashley's voice, soothing and apologetic, "Forgive my love, whatever harm has been done to you will be undone. We will be together now, and I will take care of you. Sleep now, when you awaken your friends will be with us. Then we will discuss your place in our new world."

That was the last thing Jake heard before he succumbed to exhaustion. He'd lost, but for once he didn't feel bad about it. He would see how well Ashley would treat Beth and Pam, and he would find out just what her new world entailed. If nothing else, he was finally freed from the chains that Goth had kept wrapped around him for so long.

He awoke with a start in an unknown room. He sat up and looked around for any signs of life. The first thing he noticed was that his suit had been removed. The room was dark, but he could hear footsteps not far from where he lay, "Who's there?" he demanded.

"Calm yourself, my love, it's only me," Ashley's voice called out as she stepped closer.

He furrowed his brow for a moment before the events of their battle came flooding back. He was on his feet in a flash and glaring at her, "What have you done with Beth and Pam?"

She took a seat on the bed, "Your friends are safe, I retrieved them after I made sure you were soundly asleep in our bed," she said, "They're being shown their room as we speak. Your blonde friend, Pam I believe, is quite demanding. She's insightful, but she does appear to be rather...particular about things. Sit, we have much to discuss."

Jake narrowed his eyes but did as he was told. He sat a good distance from her on the large bed. It looked like a king size, "You got what you wanted in the end," he said, "I've got nowhere to go, and you can do with me what you want. Go ahead, let's get this over with."

Her eyes softened and she scooted a bit closer to him. He didn't pull away, and he felt her hand on his leg, "Do you truly think so lowly of me?" she asked, "I told you the truth, Jake, all I want is to be with you. Tell me what you want."

"I want my life back," he said after a moment of silence.

She looked away from him for a second, "That I cannot give," she said before taking his hand in hers, "But I can provide you with a new life, one where you aren't bound by ridiculous rules and servitude. I know you, I know how badly you want to serve a powerful woman like me. I will be happy to oblige, but we can make it something that we both enjoy. You may serve, but you will also rule."

"What about Beth and Pam?" he asked.

"Beth is a capable fighter, and will be instrumental in keeping you safe as she's wanted for so long," she replied, "I can use her talents in establishing and enforcing my domain, and her girlfriend will serve as an advisor. I'm not one to undervalue or waste such precious talents. They shall be as they would have so long ago, a knight and a court mage."

"Tell me something," he said, running out of objections, "What exactly does your new world entail?"

"A world free from corruption and prejudice," she said and stood, "We must act from the shadows, but together and under my leadership we will shape this world into a utopia of sorts. Those that would seek to destroy the peace that I offer will be dealt with, but I can promise you that my way will lead to a better tomorrow."

"So those that disobey die," Jake clarified, "You sound almost like a politician."

"Death is a necessary evil sometimes, Jake, Beth understands this," she replied, "There was a time when I would have turned this world into my playground, but so long as you remain with me I will do my best to abide by your concept of peace. Know this, I am not the Witch and I will not enact such deplorable methods of control. Even before I met you, such acts were beneath me. What do you say, Jake, will you remain by my side?"

He was quiet for a minute before sighing, "I don't exactly have much of a choice anymore."

"There is always a choice, Jake, just some better or worse than others," she said and slid to put her legs on the bed, "Now, I know you've had a long night, so why don't we see if I can help you relax. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you still have a foot fetish, yes?"

He looked at her boots and caught a whiff of the foul odor that radiated off of them. As long as he lived he would never understand it, but he had the clawing urge to show her how badly he wanted to please her. He nodded and meekly replied, "I-I do, yeah."

"Mm, good," she said, "You can start by kissing my boots, and if you're a good boy about it then you can take them off and properly worship my feet. Tell me I'm your queen, Jake."

He swallowed the lump that was in his throat as he stared at her boots. He looked up at her face and for the first time he wasn't afraid. This may not have been the perfect ending, but he could tell that she meant every word that she had said. He would be safe with her, they all would. "Ashley Bilefoot, you are my queen," he said, "May I worship you the way that you deserve to be adored?"

She flashed her fangs at him in a coy smile, "Nothing would make me happier, my love, show me how badly you've missed me."

Three Weeks Later

Beth ascended the stairwell to Ashley's box. The club had grown over the last few weeks, and she'd been working in the field for her almost nightly. She was still conflicted about everything, but Jake seemed happy and Ashley had kept her word about her and Pam. She'd been sent out to turn Meg Myers, an upcoming politician that she'd failed to capture in the past, and honestly she wasn't in a great mood. Everything had been going fine until she removed that damned scarf the woman wore. That was when she saw it, the horrible scarring that came from removing Goth's slave collar. She'd been shocked that someone had actually done it, but it had also brought back memories of her time wearing one. Myers had escaped and quite frankly Beth wasn't happy about it. She knew Ashley wouldn't be thrilled with the news either, but there right now she didn't really care.

Ashley sat at her desk in a large and rather ornate chair she'd procured shortly after she turned Jake. He sat beside her in a slightly smaller chair, and the fact that her feet were resting in his lap wasn't lost on her. Hell, she'd have smelt them if she hadn't seen the rank things! They were almost as bad as Goth's. Upon seeing her approach Ashley lowered her feet and leaned over the desk, "Report?" she asked in that weirdly cordial tone.

"No," Beth replied.

That earned her a quizzical look from Ashley, "No? What do you mean no?"

"I mean no, I'm not in the mood to go over a stupid report," Beth answered.

"Beth, just tell her what happened," Jake piped up.

"No, damnit, I'm not her fucking lap dog!" Beth argued.

"Lap dog?" Ashley repeated, "Beth I've given you an equal place in my inner sanctum, and barring our tumultuous start I've treated you with nothing but respect."

"Sending me out to run errands for you, yeah that's some high level shit," Beth countered.

"What has gotten into you?" Ashley asked, beginning to grow impatient.

"I believe I may be able to answer that," Pam's voice caught everyone's attention as she entered the room, "I believe my beloved pet is trying to get a reaction from me rather than you, my lady."

"Care to elaborate?" Ashley asked.

"Certainly," Pam replied as she walked over to Beth, "Occasionally my little Kitten gets a bit of a wild hair, so to speak, and decides to act out. She's a good girl most of the time, but sometimes she wants to get in trouble. Isn't that right, Kitten?"

Beth blushed a bit and tried to deny it, "T-that is not what is happening!"

Ashley raised an eyebrow and grinned as she watched the two women go back and forth. They were quite a sight to behold, and while they were a bit strange she wouldn't judge them. Pam was empathic, she knew this from their talks, but it didn't take an empath to see that Beth was clearly lying. "What do you propose I do about this, Pam?" she asked.

"Leave it to me, my lady," Pam replied before turning a stern gaze on Beth, "Beth, you will give your report to our matron, and then once you have finished you're going to head straight to our room and wait for me. Do I make myself clear?"

Ashley watched Beth carefully. There was a slight change in her demeanor as Pam spoke. There was still an air of apprehension, but there was also a hint of excitement. Her eyes held a slight glint in them that she'd seen in Jake's before. "Fine," Beth huffed and received a slap on her ass from Pam which caused her to jump, "Okay, okay! I wasn't able to secure the target, there are you happy?"

Ashley frowned and her tone lost its mirth, "And why not?"

Beth sighed and looked away for a moment. She turned back and spoke with sincerity, "I had her cornered and I should have just done it, but she...her neck has a scar on it. Not just any scar either, I don't know how she did it, but somehow she removed Goth's collar before the spell was undone. I...I saw it and I flinched."

"I see," Ashley said, fully aware of the girl's experiences with those nasty devices, "It would seem that Ms. Myers is more than meets the eye. Continue to scout her out tomorrow night, and I'll see if I can send out a team to apprehend her."

Pam nudged Beth and said, "Don't you have something you want to say to Lady Bilefoot?"

"Seriously?" Beth asked and received another stern look from Pam, "Ugh, fine. Please forgive my rudeness and failure, my queen, it won't happen again."

Ashley smiled at the two of them. It never ceased to amaze her the sheer control that Pam had over the girl. She waved her off, "That's quite alright, Beth, you've been an asset to our operations and I can overlook one bad night. Go, do as your keeper commands and return to me when you're ready to get back to work. Take some time for yourselves."

Beth blinked and kneeled, "I-thank you, Ashley, I promise not to fail a second time."

"Good girl," Pam said as Beth, but she pulled her in close before she could leave, "But don't think that excuses you from me. Just because our matron has mercy doesn't mean I do. Go to our room, take off your clothes, and assume the position until I return."

Beth’s breath hitched in anticipation, "Y-yes mistress."

The three watched as Beth walked out of the room with her head held down. Ashley chuckled once Beth was assuredly out of ear shot, "You two are quite an interesting pair," she said.

"She really is a good girl, and sometimes she wants to be punished is all," Pam said, "I apologize that she decided to get bold with you this time."

"Don't worry about it," Ashley replied, "If I didn't know the two of you, then I might have taken offense to it. As it stands, I know how much she craves you both the soft and firm hand that you carry. Now, have you been able to discern anything regarding the Witch?"

Pam pulled a map out of thin air and spread it across her desk. She pointed to a couple of areas she had marked, "I've detected some traces of magical energies in these areas, but it pales in comparison to Rebecca at full strength. Something is happening in Raven Falls, and there has been a strange upheaval in the weave in these areas. I doubt that Rebecca would go to Raven Falls, she always did hate those people, but the points that converge in the weave are concerning. Something is happening, but I can't say for sure what."

"So she's still trying to regain her powers," Ashley said and placed a hand on Jake's leg, "No doubt she'll want me dead and to claim Jake again. Continue investigating, and keep a close eye on the Falls, I may send you three out to investigate. These points, I've seen this symbol before...it couldn't be, though."

"The Gateway," Pam added, "If I'm correct then these points have been established as nodes to breach the doorway to Hell. To what end, I can't say, but if Rebecca is desperate enough there may be something down there that she wants."

"Monitor it, Pam, and be sure to let me know if anything happens," Ashley said before smiling, "Now, I believe you have someone waiting for you. Take your time and enjoy yourselves, but don't be too rough on her. She is my best agent after all."

"I won't do anything that she can't handle, my lady, that I can assure you," Pam said, "I will let you know if I discover anything."

"Very good, have fun," Ashleu said and watched as Pam took her leave before turning back to Jake, "Those two are…"

"Weird, I know," he finished, "Not that either of us have much room to talk. Besides, those two would tear apart heaven and hell to get to the other."

"Don't I know it," she agreed, "In all my years I've only seen that kind of love a handful of times. It would be wrong for me to have kept them apart."

"Heh," Jake remarked.

"What?" she asked.

"Just thinking about everything that's happened and everything you've done," he said.

"Is there a problem?" she asked.

"No, honestly I didn't think you were serious about all of this," he said gesturing around the club and towards Beth and Pam's quarters, "I don't mean anything bad by it, I'm just surprised is all. You've changed, in a good way though."

"Would you prefer me to go back to trying to conquer this world and bathe it in eternal night?" she asked.

"One, don't act like you and Pam haven't been working on that," he said, "Two, I like the new you. I still wish you'd stop BFB, though."

"I've already told you that I'm working on it," she said, "Once we have enough thralls there won't be a need for it. Do you not want to be able to experience freedom all hours rather than just the few we have? Besides, we are a long way from obtaining that kind of power. Pam is strong, capable, and intelligent, but she needs access to a lot more to be able to make that happen. Even with my powers at her side, she has years to go."

Jake sighed and leaned his head against her shoulder, "When did you become so...human?"

She smiled and ran a hand through his hair, "I suppose you just have that effect on people, you make others want to be better. Look at your friends, if I understand it correctly Pam was a former disciple of the Witch.

"That was more Beth than me, honestly," he said before frowning and asking, "Do you really think Goth is still trying to get her powers back?" 

"I'm sure of it," she said, "That Witch won't rest until she's taken everything for herself, but rest assured, my love, I will keep you safe. She will not take you from me, not again."

"Posessive much?" he asked.

She laughed in response, "Would you have it any other way? You seem to have a type."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" he asked with a grin.

"Because you do," she replied, "As much as I hate her, she desires you as much as me. You seem to have a thing for powerful and possessive women."

"Are you admitting that she's powerful?" he asked.

"Don't push it, I'm not above punishing you," she warned, "By mortal standards she was formidable, but she is insignificant compared to me."

"Yes mam," he said, "What did you and Pam mean when you said the Gates of Hell?"

"Hopefully nothing," she said, "The weave, as she calls it, is the ever-present flow of magic in this world. It's always there, ebbing and flowing, but sometimes there are disturbances. Sometimes they're caused naturally, but a skilled and seasoned sorceress can see and manipulate the weave. They channel it inward, sap it from the air, or even squeeze it until it bends to their will. Others respect it and when they use it try to give back to the force they've taken. The Witch is the type to bleed something dry for her own gain."

"How could she do that if she doesn't have her powers?" he asked, growing more confused by the second.

"Unfortunately, and never repeat this to anyone, the memories she has can and will help her," she answered, "I hate her, but she was knowledgeable enough to know how to use natural forces. All she needs is a conduit to bridge the gap. There are a number of ways she could do this too. Cliche though it may sound, a proper wand, a staff that's been enchanted or is made of the right wood, hell even the right collection of stones could work as a channeling source."

"You're saying that there is this big...wibbly wobbly weave thing that she can tap into with the right stuff?" he asked in an attempt to clarify.

She looked at him with mild amusement, "I wouldn't quite put it like that, but in a manner of speaking, yes," she said with a laugh, "That is why I've had Pam monitoring the weave instead of accompanying Beth or you. I hadn't mentioned it to Beth and asked Pam not to because I know how much she hates that Witch. I know that you weren't the only one damaged by her foul magics."

"Did Pam tell you about that?" Jake asked.

"She elaborated, but she would scream while I had her in the back room sleeping," Ashley answered, "She would cry out for her mistress between sobs and screams of terror. Honestly, it was almost heartbreaking to hear. I inquired about it with Pam after their arrival one night, and she told me everything that she went through. And people think that vampires are monsters, hah, the real evil is in the hearts and mind of man and woman."

Jake sighed as he realized that she was right. He'd been no different in the past, he'd hated her for what she was and what she stood for. Granted, back then her ambitions were much more sinister, but he still despised her because she had to feed on people. It wasn't until he became afflicted himself that he realized there wasn't much of a choice in the matter. He could appreciate that she tried not to drain people to the point of death, and he understood that she couldn't control everyone in their little family. He'd seen her try, but there was simply too much going on for her to be everywhere at once. He supposed that was part of the reason she needed him. It was taking time, but she had been trying to make it clear that he was as high ranking as her. They still had their fun, but there were more people jealous that he got to be close to her and her feet than anything. It helped that Beth was usually by their side as some sort of knight. He grinned as he recalled a particular time she'd knocked out someone for questioning her position and his. Poor guy hadn't realized how hot headed his friend was, but Ashley had never said a word about it.

Ashley stood from her seat and pulled him to his feet with her, “Enough talk of such tragic and painful things,” she said, “I’m ready to retire, and I think you could use something of a distraction.”

Jake smiled at her and asked, “Oh, what did you have in mind?”

She flashed him a wicked grin, “You’re new outfit is in from the tailor, and I must confess I am curious to see how you look in a true Victorian skit,” she said, “Pam was kind enough to help me pick out something special, and then once we’ve had our fun my feet are ever so sore, my love.”

“What exactly did Pam help you pick out?” he asked, feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

“Let’s just say it’ll help with your fantasy for role reversal, and I’m wearing it right now,” she said, “Come now, I’ve been simply dying to try these things out.”

“Y-yes mam,” he said and blushed when he heard his voice go up an octave.

She laughed that wonderfully hearty laugh as she pulled down the hall towards their room. He would have been lying if he said he wasn’t a little afraid to see what Pam had recommended. This was one of the few times that he regretted befriending one of Goth’s old apprentices, but he hoped that she’d recommended something smaller than the monster cock Goth had planned to use on their ‘wedding night’. If nothing else, he trusted Ashley enough to be gentle with him. She’d taken care of him so far, and if there was one thing he could say for certain it was that he trusted her. His life had taken another odd change, but at least he was happy for once. Things could certainly be worse, but time would tell if things would continue to improve or not. Hope was something he hadn’t had in a long time, but now he clung to it and the possibility of the better tomorrow that Ashley promised all those weeks ago.