First date - 11. Stalling for time

To Alchemica it seemed she had barely closed her eyes when Sugar gently shook her awake. Her mind however was a little clearer, the few hours of sleep had been restful. As she walked between the two guards she went over her plan one more time.

So far the Bratts had done an excellent job of neutralising her powers. The question was how? Books was extremely smart but she had to have a source of information she was drawing on.

Alchemica was fairly certain the Piras crime family had provided the Bratts with the required intelligence on her. She didn’t know in exchange for what, maybe the Bratts promised to insure that Alchemica’s war against them came to an abrupt and permanent end.

It didn’t matter, what mattered now was what the Bratts didn’t know. Before she had gained the Philosopher’s Stone, before she was Alchemica, she had been quite different.

In those days she was still in college, Stacy was still alive and her one woman campaign of eradication against the Piras family was a dark dream in the future. She had run about in costume just for the thrill of it.

She hadn’t been much of a heroine when she started out if truth be told, and had ended up in a fair share of tricky situations, found herself being tied up on more than one occasion.

Back then she relied on her power of internal alchemy a lot. This power enabled her to create mystical essences within her own body and release them at will. Usually it had been acid, secreted through her skin to burn through ropes.

Since she had gained the stone, it was an ability she rarely used. The Piras hadn’t seen it, which meant the Bratts didn’t know she had it.

Sugar had expressed a wish to remove her gag, Alchemica was going to make sure that Sugar did exactly that tonight. She was preparing an essence of pure passion, of pure lust that would drive Sugar wild enough to throw caution to the wind. She would use Sugar’s own weapons against her, it seemed only fair.

Once the gag was removed, her magic would be restored to her and she should be able to overpower Sugar while they were alone and escape.

She just needed a few hours where her concentration was not taxed too severely and the opportunity to deliver the essence into Sugar’s system. Given Sugar’s plan for tonight, she didn’t think that last part would prove difficult.

They arrived back at the lab to find Dimples waiting, sitting by the rack, munching a toaster pastry. Her face lit up with a strange combination of wickedness and childlike glee as Alchemica was brought in.

“Morning Alchy...hopez you had a good time with Sugar. I have planned so much fun time for us today, we’re gna be really busy” Dimples said cheerfully. “Ok boys, strap her in” Dimples pointed at the rack.

Alchemica looked around for Books but she was nowhere to be seen. This wasn’t going according to plan, she needed concentration to create the essence. She couldn’t do it if Dimples was busy trying to pull her arms from her sockets. She struggled as the guards tried to tie her down. Dimples scowled.

“Looks like a little reminder of who is in charge here is in order missy” Dimples said, clenching her fists.

“Dimples, would you care to explain what’s going on?”

Everyone turned to the door, Alchemica sighed in relief. It was Books, thank god. Dimples looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

“She was resisting, I was just...y’know, getting preppedz” Dimples said innocently

Books raised one eyebrow. “Really, how thoughtful of you. And I assume you asked our guest if she was ready to talk before you decided to strap her to the rack?”

“Uhm...I was getting to it?”

“Dimples! Alchemica, please forgive my sister, she tends to get a little over enthusiastic. Are you ready to co-operate or should I let her proceed?”

Alchemica gave what she hoped was a convincingly reluctant nod. Books blinked in surprise, and Dimples scowled at the heroine.

“Seriously?” Dimples asked in a disappointed voice.

Alchemica nodded again, emphatically so there could be no mistake.

“Well, it seems Sugar has done some excellent work. Very well Alchemica I will hear what you have to say. Dimples bring a chair for our guest please” Dimples flounced off to get a chair, looking quite annoyed.

Books scrutinized Alchemica’s face closely, trying to divine what the sorceress was thinking. Dimples returned carrying a heavy steel chair easily and dropped it practically on top of Alchemica forcing the sorceress to jump backward or have her toes crushed.

She waved the guards out, then sat Alchemica down none too gently, quickly untied her arms, pulled them through the bars at the back of the chair and tied them again far tighter than Sugar had.

Books pulled up a chair in front of the sorceress, Dimples stood behind and to one side.

“I am going to remove your gag to facilitate easier communication” Books told her, “But before I do Dimples, would you care to show Alchemica your special bullets?”

Dimples leaned forward and held a bullet up for Alchemica’s inspection. Alchemica shifted uncomfortably in the chair. The casing was metal, but the round was plastic.

“That’s right, I made these just for you. Your magic stone won’t stop these bullets Alchy” Dimples informed her with a tight smile.

Books gave Alchemica a meaningful look, the reached behind her and undid the gag. Alchemica stretched her mouth to ease the stiffness. Books held up a glass of water for her, which Alchemica gulped down. It was the first food or drink she had received since her captivity began.

“Before we start, let me make one thing crystal clear. Do not fuck with me, do not try to lie to me. I will know if you do. Dimples is quite put out and if you lie I will leave you alone with her for the rest of the day.”

“As for your magic, well let’s just say this. One word of a spell and Dimples will put a bullet through your brain, do we understand each other” Books asked.

Dimples leaned close again. “Ye...and fyi... Ego loquemur Latine.”*

Alchemica eyed the gun Dimples was waving in her face.“Perfectly” she answered unhappily.

“I will waste neither my time nor yours by asking you to remove either your mask or your choker. I sense those two things are non-negotiable in your mind at least. Besides I took samples of the substance you use to keep them in place. In a matter of days I will have synthesised a counter agent.” Books said smugly.

That was unwelcome news to Alchemica, the thought that her stone could be taken from her by anyone was unsettling, as was the threat to her identity.

“So, which of your secrets are you willing to part with?” Books asked her manner now all business like.

“You expressed an interest in my potions, the night we ...met. I can tell you the ingredients required, how to brew them. It is pretty complex stuff, it will take some time to get through it all”

“Very good, yes, very nice indeed. They would be a welcome addition to our arsenal. In your own time, begin. Don’t worry I have a perfect memory, I will remember every word you say” Books said.

And so, for the next few hours Alchemica gave up some of the secrets of potion making. She tried to limit what she shared, but Books was sharp, and her intellect and intuition enabled her to ask very penetrating questions forcing Alchemica to disclose more information than she had hoped.

Meanwhile, within her, the essence of passion was beginning to take shape. It would be ready for her next encounter with Sugar, the outcome of which would see her either saved or damned.

* I speak Latin

Art by the uncrowned king
Alchemcia, Sugar, Books and Dimples Bratt are OC's of mine and may not be used without permission 

Previous Image: fav.me/d67ngce
Next Image: fav.me/d68pjou