Page 67 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx
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Sygnosis radiated with an unnerving, erotic charisma. Her very movements were
entrancing.
But GoGo quickly reminded herself to remain present and aware of her dire mission.
Sygnosis used her nails to clip off the poppy pod and burst the bulb. The potent botanical
pus dripped down her fingers. She squeezed the pod in her hands and pumped her palms to create
heat as she rolled the milky mesh between them. When she opened her hands the poppy had
transformed into thin layers of fleshy pulp. She placed it into the hot incense bowl, then dribbled
her saliva onto the pulp. Poof! A black cloud billowed up from the basin.
Sygnosis inhaled deeply then blew out a column of thick narcotic smoke. She extended her
hand of invitation to GoGo. The queen walked cautiously over to her. Sygnosis took another deep
breath of the poppy smoke. She gently cupped GoGo’s cheeks in her hands, leaned in, and blew
the opiate cloud into GoGo’s nose and mouth. The queen inhaled deeply. The opium filled her
lungs. She moaned and collapsed. Sygnosis caught her in her arms. GoGo struggled to regain her
balance, to remain royal and perfected, but the ground beneath her quaked, toppling her defenses
like a tilting tower. She felt transparent, exposed to the lurid beauty before her. GoGo surrendered
to the wash of deep, warm intoxication.
Sygnosis stared at the vicious scar on GoGo’s face.
“How did you get that scar? Did you displease your king?”
“I displeased myself, when I was a girl. I wanted to be beautiful. I hated my face.”
Sygnosis held GoGo’s face in her hands and dug her long thumbnail down the length of
the scar, slicing it open. Thick blood oozed.
GoGo surrendered an anguished moan.
Sygnosis licked the blood and caressed the wound with her tongue, soothing the pain.
After a moment, she led GoGo over to the mirror. The queen looked at her reflection. She gasped
as the scar slowly faded away before her eyes. She gazed at herself in awe. For the first time in
years, her skin was smooth and youthful.
“My scar! Where did it go?”
