Katie Jones was in a bit of a rush

The Adventures of Autumn

Autumn Meets Shadowcloud

L’Espion with Melissa Gallant

Chapter 8 Shadowcloud’s Deceit

Katie hung forgotten while Darkstorm tried out his newfound powers the way a child plays with a new toy. He hovered a few feet off the floor while he experimented with the power of flight. Then swooping clumsily over to the metal stand holding the fluid he had dripped into Katie’s veins, he took it in his hands and bent it like a pretzel.

“Incredible,” exclaimed the villain. “What tremendous power. I can feel it flowing through me like an electric current. I’m going to have to try this outside.” Dropping to the floor he headed out the door.

Shadowcloud watched the ecstatic villain run from the room. She was both pleased and annoyed at Darkstorm’s success. She was glad the process had worked because that meant she could use it on herself, but she wasn’t sure she liked the evil scientist possessing superhuman powers. It might make him difficult to deal with and he was already dangerous enough.

She turned to the heroine who was now hanging quite limply, all of her weight supported by the suction cups that were clamped to her breasts. “That must hurt like hell, Shadowcloud mused. I’m glad it’s not me. A few more minutes of that and her tits will hang down past her knees.” She moved closer. The heroine made no sound other than her breathing.

“Out like a light,” Shadowcloud mused. “Is that because of the pain she went through or when her powers were transferred did she lose all of her strength?” She studied the maze of wires and tubes connected to the heroine’s body. It was far too confusing a mess for her to duplicate. She knew, however, that a large number of the devices attached to the heroine’s body were there simply to create pain. If she could eliminate those then the matter might be simplified. She studied the wires and tubes more carefully. Then she noted that there was a pattern. “Colour coding,” she thought. “The key attachments are colour coded.”

She picked up a pad and paper. By the time Darkstorm returned she had a fairly comprehensive diagram of the key attachments.

The villain was in a jubilant mood. “I have the powers of a heroine – I mean hero,” he exulted. “Do you have any idea what it is like to be able to fly?”

He looked at the unconscious heroine. “Cut her down. Make sure she’s safe. I need to study her.”

“I’m not a servant,” thought Shadowcloud. Nevertheless, she did as Darkstorm instructed, removing each of the attachments that tormented Autumn’s body. It helped her to remember where each of the key elements went.

Autumn’s naked body dropped limply to the floor as Shadowcloud released the last of the restraints. It landed with an audible thud.

“Careful you fool,” Darkstorm said. “I don’t want her damaged.”

“You could have fooled me,” Shadowcloud snarled. “If you didn’t want her damaged then why did you stick her full of pins?”

Darkstorm glared at her, his eyes radiating rage from behind his black mask. He was not used to underlings talking back to him, but he held his tongue. He might yet need the services of this extremely dangerous woman. “I’ll have the guards attend to her,” he said finally. “I should not have troubled you with her.”

“No trouble,” Shadowcloud replied. She too reined in her emotions. She had little or no use for Darkstorm even if he had saved her from jail, but she did have plans for Autumn and did not want them disturbed. “I should be more appreciative of what you did for me. I will make sure that the heroine is properly cared for. It is better that she has a woman’s care rather than that of one of your goons.”

Darkstorm hadn’t noticed that Shadowcloud’s ‘woman’s touch’ was particularly gentle, however, he decided not to argue the point with her. If she wanted to care for the heroine he was willing to let her.

Picking up the unconscious heroine as if she was a bag of oats, Shadowcloud carried her from the room. She took her directly to her own suite, ignoring the surprised stares of the guards as she passed.

Once there she lay Autumn on the bed and went into the bathroom. She emerged a few seconds later with a number of towels, several of which she had dipped in water. For the next few minutes she cleaned the unconscious girl’s wounds. As she finished Autumn stirred.

“Excellent,” said Shadowcloud. “Time to give you a proper bath.”

Lifting Autumn effortlessly she carried her toward the bathroom. “What…?” Autumn murmured. She gasped as she saw who was carrying her and struggled feebly.

“Take it easy, heroine,” Shadowcloud growled. “I’m the one in charge here. Don’t fight it and you won’t get hurt.” She set the girl on the floor near the toilet. “You might want to use that while I draw the tub. Give me a call if you need help.” She moved toward the part of the bathroom containing the tub. It was a large enough room that Autumn could attend to her needs without Shadowcloud seeing her.

With a groan Autumn heaved herself to the feet. She felt awful, but Shadowcloud was right. She hadn’t had a chance to use the facilities for hours. As the sound of running water came from the next room she made her own private waterfall.

“Smart girl,” Shadowcloud said as Autumn finished. “Now it’s bath time.” Taking Autumn’s arm she led her to the small pool that served as a bathtub. The tub was equipped with steps so it was easy to help Autumn into it. As the heroine sank into the bubbly water Shadowcloud began to strip off her own clothing.

“You didn’t think you were going to get that huge tub all to yourself did you?” Shadowcloud laughed as she noted the look of shock and dismay on Autumn’s face. Tossing her costume onto the floor, she stepped into the warm water and moved over to the heroine.

Autumn began to back away and then stopped. Where could she go? The villainess had already shown that without her heroine powers Autumn was no match for her strength. She stood waiting, her heart beating in trepidation. “You need a good scrubbing,” the cat-woman said picking up a loofah. “Turn around.”

Shadowcloud started with her back, running the coarse sponge over her body and then ordering her to turn around. The first part of the cleansing had been pleasant as the accumulated sweat and grime was removed from Autumn’s body, but this part of it hurt as the sponge came into contact with the various parts of the heroine’s anatomy that had been pierced and penetrated. Only partially healed, each stroke of the sponge caused a good deal of pain and discomfort, however, Autumn steeled herself and endured the cleansing. She didn’t have much choice. Protesting would probably only have given Shadowcloud greater pleasure.

Finally finished the villainess handed Autumn the sponge. “Now you do me,” she ordered, turning her back so that Autumn could begin.

Tentatively, Autumn began to work the sponge down Shadowcloud’s back. She was still quite weak, although her powers of healing were steadily increasing her strength. The villainess was not nearly as subdued as Autumn had been about her bath. “Aaaah! That’s it. A little lower. Lower still. Now softly, work it back and forth.”

Autumn could not refrain from blushing. The area of Shadowcloud’s anatomy she was sponging was one that she would normally have considered very private, but the villainess was very obviously enjoying the sensation as Autumn worked with the sponge, arching her back and extending her claws like some great cat. Finally the villainess seemed satisfied. “That’s fine, sweetie,” she said. “It’s time to towel off.”

Shadowcloud stepped from the tub, her lithe body glistening in the bathroom lights. “Come,” she said to Autumn who was still modestly immersed in the water of the bath. “I’ll help you dry off.”

Reluctantly autumn climbed out of the tub. Shadowcloud frightened her. One minute the villainess was torturing her brutally and the next she was giving her a bath. Her inconsistency was most disconcerting. This time the cat-woman seemed to be in kindness mode. She carefully toweled Autumn off and then sat her down and combed out her hair.

“There, that should make you feel better,” Shadowcloud said. “I always feel better with my hair combed.” Taking Autumn’s arm she guided her into the bedroom. “Time for you to get some rest.” Leading her to the bed she had the girl lie down and gently tucked her in. “There,” she said soothingly. “Just close your eyes and relax.” Picking up a remote by the bed she dimmed the lights. “You sleep now. I have to make myself presentable.”

Autumn closed her eyes. After what she had been through the bed was deliciously warm and cozy. A sense of well-being flooded over her and she slept.

She awoke a short time later to the sensation of a soft warm body beside her and the flicking of a tongue in her ear. “Mmmm, sweetie. Your body is so strong and supple. It almost makes me want to change my sexual orientation.”

Autumn’s eyes opened wide. The villainess was running her hands over the contours of her body and touching her in the most intimate of places. She stiffened and protested. “No,” she gasped. “I don’t want to do this.”

“Oh come on,” Shadowcloud said. “Don’t be so old fashioned. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what you want. It’s what I want. I’m going to fuck you and then you’re going to fuck me. And you better do a damned good job.” She emphasized her threat, by digging the needle points of her claws into Autumn’s left breast.

Autumn stiffened, she wanted desperately to fight back, but she could feel the tremendous strength of Shadowcloud’s body. The woman could bend her like a pretzel if she chose. “Relax,” Shadowcloud said softly, running her fingers over Autumn’s nose and then tracing a line down over her lips, over her chin and down her throat.

Autumn’s lips parted. The sensation was both indescribably sensual and frightening. Shadowcloud’s fingers now traced a slow line over Autumn’s collarbone to her right breast. Gently her gingers circled the swell of Autumn’s breast, moving in concentric circles closer and closer to the nipple.

Autumn bit back a moan. The sensation was unbelievably pleasant, and she could not control her treacherous body. Blood flooded into her breasts, engorging her nipples. “Oh, you are so beautiful,” Shadowcloud murmured, enjoying what she was doing to the superheroine’s body. She bent her head and took Autumn’s swollen nipple between her teeth.

This time Autumn groaned as Shadowcloud’s tongue swirled over her taut rosebud. Her back arched very slightly, a movement the villainess instantly detected. As her mouth continued to tease Autumn’s nipples her fingers caressed the heroine’s belly and then moved lower. “Oh no,” Autumn thought. “Please don’t let this happen.” But she was helpless in the skilled hands of the villainess. Shadowcloud’s fingers touched every part of her body and her lips and tongue set her on fire. She gave in with a cry that was part passion and part despair.

“Ooohhh!” Shadowcloud cried. “That’s it! Just a little harder! Harder! Deeper!” Autumn rode the plunging villainess like a pony. The woman’s sexual energy was enormous. Autumn had been pounding her for an hour and still she was demanding more. The heroine was getting very near the end of her strength. Shadowcloud had made love to her for a good ninety minutes before demanding the favour be returned. Her body slippery with sweat, and her vagina throbbing from the going over it had received; Autumn was close to physical collapse.

“Aaaaahhaa! Oh, that’s fantastic sweetie,” Shadowcloud cried. She rolled onto her side and stroked Autumn’s face. “You really are very good you know, and your body is so strong and supple. If I was a man I’d fuck you all night. But right now I think we both need another bath.”

Autumn awoke to the ringing of the phone. Shadowcloud reached out sleepily and picked it up. She listened intently for a minute and then turned it off. “That was Darkstorm. Apparently he is a little upset. It seems that the powers you transferred to him have worn off and he wants a recharge.” She grinned. “If you’re good, and you have been, I’ll tell him that you’re still too weak. He’s coming down to check, so act sick.” As she finished speaking the villainess rolled out of bed and began to pull on her costume.

Autumn didn’t have to pretend very hard. Her session with Shadowcloud had left her exhausted. She hardly had the strength to stand. “You took too much out of her,” Shadowcloud chided. “You can’t suck all the energy out of someone and expect her to recover in just a few hours.”

“Are you trying to tell me my business?” Darkstorm returned angrily. “How many science degrees do you hold?”

“None, but I’m not insane either.”

Darkstorm’s face could not be seen, but Autumn suspected that it must be bright red in anger. His entire body went rigid. Then he relaxed. “If you were not so useful I’d have you killed for that,” he said.

“You are welcome to try,” Shadowcloud replied calmly. She flexed her hands allowing her inch-long claws to snap into place.

Darkstorm suddenly seemed to realize that he had not brought any of his men with him. “I’ll be back in six hours,” he said, his voice trembling in anger. “See if you can get her ready by then.”

“As you wish, my lord,” Shadowcloud replied mockingly.

Darkstorm stalked from the room. As the door closed behind him Autumn spoke up. “You shouldn’t so that,” she said. “If you make him angry he’ll turn on you.”

Shadowcloud raised one eyebrow in surprise. “You care about me? How sweet.” She didn’t bother to add that she had absolutely no feeling for the heroine outside of lust.

Autumn coloured. She hadn’t meant to show any concern for the villainess, but the words had just popped out. She was letting her natural instincts get in the way of her common sense.

Shadowcloud waited a few minutes. She thought of passing the time in the bed again, but there would be plenty of time to do that later. It was obvious that it was going to take Autumn quite awhile to recover if left without her powers. But there was a faster way. She was surprised that the dark scientist had not thought of it himself. First, however, there was something else she had to do.

“Stay here, honey,” Shadowcloud said as she left the room. “Don’t get any ideas. Just remember that there are a lot of men outside this room that might want to do nasty things to you. Stay here and you are safe.”

Shadowcloud darted into the corridor. She knew that she was now on camera, but with any luck the villain would not be watching, and most of Darkstorm’s men were so afraid of her that she knew that they would stay out of the way. She entered the main control room. It was here that Darkstorm ran everything in his headquarters. It was guarded of course, and electronically shielded against attack, but neither of those was a problem.

“Darkstorm wants you to bring him the female cop,” she said. “I’ll take over here.”

The man monitoring the security system looked at her, but only for a second. Getting to his feet he headed out of the room. As he walked past her she hit him smartly on the back of the neck, knocking him halfway to the door. “Sweet dreams, idiot,” she sneered.

“Amateurish,” Shadowcloud murmured as she looked at the locks on the security system. It took her only moments to dismantle them. Then she made a few changes. “That should give me a little time.” Now to deal with the heroine.

She headed out of the control room closing the door behind her. She smiled as she heard the locking mechanism click into place. If Darkstorm wanted back in the room he was going to have one hell of a time getting through the door. She hurried back to her room. She had exactly five minutes. Opening the door she saw to her satisfaction that the heroine had taken her advice and was still in bed. Quickly she crossed the room, taking something out of her utility belt as she did so.

“What’s wrong?” Autumn said, noting the change in Shadowcloud’s body language and the speed at which she moved.

“Not a thing, honey,” Shadowcloud replied. She took out the bottle of chloroform and poured a generous dose onto a handkerchief.

“What are you going to do with that?” asked Autumn, scooting across the bed.

Shadowcloud smiled. “You might as well let me do this. I’m going to do it anyway.”

“But why?” asked the heroine. “I’ve not done anything. I’ve been cooperating with you.”

“Yes you have,” Shadowcloud grinned, remembering the hours she and Autumn had spent in the bed. “But in one minute, Darkstorm’s electromagnetic field is going to be turned off, and I would prefer that you be unconscious when that happens.” Autumn had slipped off the bed and retreated into a corner of the room, but Shadowcloud cut her off.

“No, mmmmpphh!” Shadowcloud clamped the chloroform soaked handkerchief over Autumn’s mouth. The heroine struggled wildly for a few seconds, but slowly her struggles weakened and she went limp.

“Now to get down to business,” Shadowcloud muttered. Picking up the heroine she tossed her over her shoulder and headed toward Darkstorm’s lab. Unconscious, the heroine was completely helpless, but with the electromagnetic field turned off she would recover her powers almost instantly and with it her superhuman strength.

Entering the lab, Shadowcloud carried the unconscious heroine over to the maze of tubes and wires. She know that it was not necessary to duplicate everything that Darkstorm had done the first time, but decided that it looked like too much fun to ignore. Setting Autumn down she began to hook her up to the complicated apparatus.

Autumn moaned as Shadowcloud attached the breast clamps and hoisted her off her feet. “Small wonder,” the villainess thought. “I’d moan too if it was me.”

The heroine made even more noise when the dildos were inserted into her vagina and anus. “It’s really going to be something when she wakes up,” mused Shadowcloud. She inserted the probe deep into the heroine’s mouth. “There, that should stop her from screaming too much.”

The heroine started to writhe in pain as Shadowcloud began to insert the needles and attach the clamps. But there was no danger. She had set the electromagnetic field to switch on half an hour after she had disabled Autumn. The heroine was quite helpless.

“Mmmmppphh!” Autumn’s muffled scream of agony told Shadowcloud that she was now awake. She watched with a half-smile on her face as the heroine twisted in anguish. Then she turned on the power.

“Mmmmppphhhh!” Katie could not believe the pain. She thought she knew what to expect after her first experience, but there was no adjusting to such excruciating agony. She knew what Shadowcloud had done. The brutal villainess had used her like a sexual toy, actually treating her with kindness, knowing full well how much greater the pain and humiliation would be when she betrayed Autumn as she had always intended. Twisting her magnificent body she fought to escape, but she was held fast and the more she struggled the greater the pain.

Shadowcloud watched in satisfaction. It was almost time. Now if only Darkstorm didn’t interrupt. She flicked the last switch and watched the liquid drip into Autumn’s veins. She could hear the heroine’s cries of pain clearly despite the fact that a hose was rammed halfway down her throat. Positioning herself in the chair under the lamp she turned the dials the way she had seen Darkstorm do it and waited.

“Aaaahhhh!” The sensation as Autumn’s powers flowed into her body was almost sexual. She was most surprised that Darkstorm had not made more of a fuss than he had. The man must have ice flowing through his veins. Then she felt something else, a euphoric rush and a tremendous increase in strength. She felt as if she could lift a building, and perhaps she could now. Sweat burst from every pore on her body, and she arched her back as the incredible sensation continued, and then Autumn went limp. She was completely drained of her powers. Shadowcloud was now a supervillainess, combing her own great strength with those of the heroine. She would be invincible.

Darkstorm charged into the room just as Shadowcloud turned off the machine draining Autumn of her powers. “What the hell have you done, you God-dammed cat-eyed bitch?” Darkstorm shouted.

“What have I done?” Shadowcloud purred. “I’ve just taken over your organization. From now on you serve me instead of the other way around.”

“Like hell,” Darkstorm replied. “Kill her.”

Several men had accompanied Darkstorm. They leveled their submachine guns and pulled the triggers, but they might as well not have wasted their time. Shadowcloud killed every one of them before they even realized she had moved. Shadowcloud’s speed and powers were startling. She could even see the bullets as they left the muzzles of the guns.

Darkstorm stood stunned. One second he was in control, and the next his men were lying on the floor, their throats ripped open and he hadn’t even seen it happen. The tall dark-suited villainess stood in front of him. “Now let’s have no more of that shall we?” she purred.

Darkstorm shook his head. Something strange was happening to him. He was being drawn into those hypnotic yellow-green eyes. Desperately her tried to fight it, but the harder he tried, the deeper he came under the spell of the villainess.

“That’s right,” Shadowcloud said as Darkstorm went to his knees. “Worship me. I’m now your mistress and you will do anything I ask.” The power of her allure was now increased immensely. She merely had to look at Darkstorm to bring him under her spell. “Too bad I killed the guards, but it was good practice I suppose.”

“Take off that mask,” she ordered. “I would like to see the face of the mad scientist.”

“Yes mistress,” Darkstorm replied without rising. He seemed totally subjugated. Slowly he raised his hands to his face and fumbled with the fastenings.

“I know you!” Shadowcloud exclaimed. “You’re one of the members of the Police Commission. Commissioner Skeld, the law and order freak.” She laughed. “I wonder if revealing this to the public might affect your chance of re-election.”

Darkstorm looked so shocked that Shadowcloud could not help but laugh again. “Don’t worry; your precious political career is safe with me. I can certainly see what an asset that would be to your criminal career.”

Darkstorm hid his humiliation. How could he have been so stupid as to think he could trust this crowing bitch? Exposed for who he really was, he could only thank his lucky stars that no one else was in the room to see his subjugation.

“Now,” Shadowcloud continued. “I think you’ve got a little announcement to make haven’t you? It’s time to let you men know that I am now the one running the organization.”

Gritting his teeth in rage, Darkstorm walked to the intercom. He pressed the button and spoke. “This is Darkstorm. I have some exciting news for you. Shadowcloud and I have decided to join forces. From now on she is in charge of operations. Treat her orders as you would mine.”

“Excellent,” Shadowcloud purred. “That will do for a start. Eventually you can announce that you are retiring and turning over the entire organization to me. In the meantime, I think we have some planning to do. With an organization like this I should be able to hit Grande Capital with a crime wave the like of which has never been rivaled.” She grinned broadly. She could hardly wait to start.

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