Chapter III: Bruja Pt.I

"The role sex and passion in spirituality has been an uneasy one. Sex is one of the most primal drives for the human-animal and its gateway to life's greatest ecstasies as well as its deepest pains and poisons. So powerful is this drive that most spiritual paths attempt to marginalize, bind, or vilify it as a force that is at best a distraction from a spiritual life and at worst a force of evil and bondage. There has, however, been a small minority of cults and individuals operating at the margins of every religion and culture on earth that seeks to harness the potency of these passions. Through special sexual techniques, passion becomes the fuel for both spiritual realization and practical sorcery."

-Jason Miller, 'Sex, Sorcery, and Spirit: The Secrets of Erotic Magic'-

~~~~

Goodbye (With Soap & Skin) by Apparat was playing as the wee hours of the morning passed while Aiden and Cleo danced close and sensual. When the song was over and an even slower tone played, Aiden switched and became Thea's partner, then Violca's.

The Party was coming to an end. The humans were making their way out, be it to another party or home. When only the supernatural remained. Aiden took the stage and wished Cleo a happy birthday, and tossed to their new partnership.

He then gave her the deed to an Oceanside house and the keys to a Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet as a birthday present.

Cleo hugged him as he whispered, "This is me choosing you. Don't fuck up, Cleo."

Cleo gave him a firm nodded when they parted, and the two came to a silent understanding.

After the party, Thea and Aiden went to his Gold Coast house. They sat outside on the couch next to a blazing fire pit.

"That Cleo is cute. Are you trying to get into her panties?" Thea asked.

"She is cute, but no. I want her to manage Gold Coast after I leave. If we happen into an entanglement, so be it." Aiden replied.

"Ahh, so serious." Thea groaned, " Since you want to be serious. Calliope is off traveling the world. Can I have my man back? I miss you."

Aiden looked down at Thea, whose head was resting in his lap.

"I've missed you too," Aiden replied as he looked into her steel greyish hazel eyes. "They've changed again."

Aiden caressed her cheek and marveled at her changing eyes.

"You always say that." Thea gushed, " They will always change colors. You always look so awestruck when you notice. It's adorable."

Aiden chuckled as he combed her hair with his fingers.

"Love me," she said.

"What?" Aiden asked.

"Like we used to. It's been forever." Thea grasped his hand and kissed it softly as she maintained eye contact with him. Aiden smiled then walked Thea down to the beach. Aiden began to strip along the way, and Thea followed his led, all the way out to the middle of the ocean, where Thea discovered the sensational effects of sex submerged in the dark abyss.

Around dawn, the two lovers walked out of the ocean hand and hand, bare as the day they were born. Waiting on them was Pavlina with her spear stabbed into the sand.

"I found them. They arrived last night," Said Pavlina.

"Are they a threat?" Aiden asked.

Pavlina stared at him without expression. "We should end them."

Aiden held out his hand, palm facing the sky, and his broken sword manifested from water. The broken sword then fell to his hand.

"Then we end them. I've already picked a replacement." Said Aiden.

"Our sisters are waiting, but it won't be easy...." Pavlina suddenly paused.

"What is it?"

"Lanseria is here." said Pavlina.

"Who?" He asked.

"One bad bitch. If we don't take her together, we might not win. She's the daughter of Nereus and my sister Doris. No different than you, except she's had countless years to mature. Even with the impression of power, she's still dangerous." Pavlina explained.

"Nereid... Are there more?" Aiden asked.

"Not that I can sense," Pavlina replied.

"Alright," Aiden waved his hand, and clothing was conjured for him. "Pavlina, lead the way."

Pavlina launched off the beach into the water, and Aiden followed. To missiles approached Apeni Island, and fifty more joined them. A magic barrier was immediately erected around Apeni Island. Pavlina and Aiden led the charge and shattered the barrier as the Sirens shot out of the water, landing on the Apeni Beach.

Aiden flexed his power, and the island rumbled. A moment later, fifteen people appeared as humanoid water figures. When they fully materialized, Cleo appeared with the 13 councilwomen of the mermaid council and Lanseria.

"Aunt Pavlina..." Lanseria spoke. She had long white hair that touched the back of her calves, well-manicured sharp fingernails, sharp eyes, an elegant figure, full peach lips, and lilac eyes.

"Lanseria...Why are here?" Pavlina asked.

"I wanted to meet my cousin," Lanseria replied as she eyed Aiden. "Oh, Grandfather has done it now."

Pavlina frowned. "Little girl, don't you know what's happening?"

Lanseria looked confused.

Pavlina sighed. "It's that damn old man's fault. You Nereids are to aloof. Pontus has killed Poseidon, and Triton is in prison. The Sea Realm belongs to our family. Your father is on the run, and your Traitorus mother, dead."

"I never cared for the bitch." Lanseria spoke nonchalantly, referring to her mother.

"We'll kill Nereus soon enough. How about you?" Aiden stepped in.

Lanseria frowned. "Honestly, I was here to kill you too. If Posideon is dead, then only my father commands us. I could care less about that little shit Triton."

"So be it." Aiden growled, "Cleo, what say you?"

Cleo frowned, and a wind storm rolled in along with an army of storm clouds to blot out the dawning sun.

"I-impossible." Beatrice gasped, "You shouldn't be able to this on your own."

Cleo smiled as she pointed at Aiden. "I don't mind killing a few more Siren Whores!"

The sky cracked, and a bolt of lighting was hurled from the heavens. Aiden shook his head as he held up his broken sword to block the attack, then the bolt arced and struck Beatrice in the chest, killing her.

"I never liked that bitch." Cleo sighed. "I want Australia."

"Done," Aiden replied without hesitation.

"Traitorous Whore!" Judith realized a stream of fire at Cleo as the mermaids scattered and the Sirens engaged them. Cleo lept back, but she didn't cower from the angry flames. Instead, she pulled the water from the surrounding vegetation leaving death in her wake as a wall of water took on the flames.

Cleo was good. Talent fit to become councilwoman, but Judith had two centuries on her. Cleo never expected her water wall would be turned to ice. An ice sickle was then launched and buried itself in Cleo's chest. Cleo collapsed, and Judith turned to help her sisters.

On the surface of the sea, Pavlina and Aiden faced off against Lanseria. Each of their wills collided, forming a raging cyclone the surrounded them. Aiden shot off first. He and Lanseria exchanged blows as her sword met his. Every clash disturbed the ocean.

Pavlina finally struck. Lanseria is adept at using her power in combination with her combat skills, Successfully fending off both attackers.

Aiden's grip tightens on his sword, and water swirled around it, forming the missing section of the broken sword as it shined with an aquamarine and silver hue. Aiden quickly slips a water tentacle that lashed out to crush him as Pavlina was skewered.

The cyclone stopped, and the waves of the sea were suspended in time. "I'm the prince of the Divine Sea Realm, and I will be king on Earth. In the water, I am supreme."

Lanseria sneered, and water tendrils fire at Aiden, but none ever touched him as he walked towards with shimmering her and glowing eyes. His word turned, and Lanseria's own tendrils ran her through. She looked at Aiden with fear and confusion.

The tendrils held Lanseria in the air crucifixion style. Aiden's hand slowly form a fist as all of the blood in Lanseria's blood flowed to her heart, formed a blood sphere, and burst from her chest. With the swing of a sword, he decapitated Lanseria, and the water Tendrils ripped her body to pieces.

Suddenly, Apeni Island shook as an earthquake had hit. A large surge of magic gushed out, and Aiden felt a similar disturbance up north at L'Attente. He quickly dissipated the cyclone and looked towards Apeni Island, where Cleo stood with blood leaky from her mouth, and a hole in her chest was actively healing.

Judith, who was slaughtering Sirens, was put on a water pike and bisected across the waist. Then a storm formed, and thunder rolled. In the distance, Aiden could see Poseidon's trident flying towards the Island.

Gripping his sword, he vanished and reappeared near Cleo, who held her hand out while radiating the same power that fueled the moon pools provided by the trident. Aiden couldn't allow such a connection to exist.

His sword arced, and Cleo lost an Arm, and finally split in half from ass to head. The trident fell from the sky and stabbed into the sand just at the waterline. Looking around, Aiden saw the battlefield, thirteen mermaid corpses, and twenty Sirens.

"Kaitok, take your sisters home and fetch Pavlina at sea. She's heavily injured." Aiden spoke out.

"Yes, my lord." Kaitok motioned to her sisters, and the dead were collected before they left the island."

Aiden looked at the mermaid council and at Cleo. He quickly created blood apples with their hearts as the core. Along with the blood apple from Lanseria that appeared lavender in color, Aiden them one by one. He then collapsed, and information rushed to his mind. Every secret, memory, parcel of knowledge through their lives was consumed by Aiden, and he knew everything.

The mermaid race no longer had any secrets. Rising to his feet, Aiden's cosmic mind eased his pain and organized the plethora of knowledge. In the sea, the Gold Coast pod had arrived, led by Bella, Rikki, and Emma.

They looked horrified as the council lay dead on the beach without a drop of blood near their bodies.

"Cleo is dead. The Mermaid council is dead. Who is in charge?" Aiden asked.

The mermaids were still in shock. Though Bella swam ashore and asked, "Would you mind?"

Aiden pulled the water from her body, and her feet returned. She walked over to Cleo and cried over her body. Emma and Rikki soon followed.

"Cleo betrayed the council, and they killed her, so I killed them." Aiden lied.

"Good," Bella growled.

"She would never," Rikki spoke out.

"Really? Allow me to show you the truth." Aiden palmed Rikki's face, and visions of the battle replied in her mind with a few modified events.

Rikki panted when the vision was over.

"Emma will be your next leader. Bury your dead, then seek me out." Aiden commanded.

"Who are you to--"

"I am the sea!" Aiden roared, and the land shook as the sky crack, and the sea lashed out. "I am your King, and if you wish to meet the same fate as your councilwomen, then you will obey."

Trident flew to his hand, and he vanished.

Days passed after the Battle of Apeni. Aiden had sent out the sirens to every pod location and travel route that the mermaids took. They were all to convene at Lanseria's castle. Hundreds of mermaids arrived, and much to their surprise, the remaining mermen, had also appeared. There were barely fifty mermen.

Aiden declared his rule, and the mermen quickly submitted as they were tired of being hunted. And the mermaids that proved unruly were captured by sirens and put in cells to await the next full moon. Their tails were to be stripped.

Aiden then explained the situation of the higher realms to the merfolk and gave them orders about the smuggling business they would now be a part of. He then assigned guards to every Moon Pool around the world. But he had to drain the magic, so he implemented a recruiting program to find candidates to be turned in the moon pools until Poseidon's residual magic was no more.

Speak of Poseidon, his trident was given to Bijou. Aiden wanted her to form a connection in case any other mermaid managed to connect with a Moon Pool as Cleo did. The Mermen were then assigned as her royal guard, never to take wives or have children. They belonged to Bijou.

After the assembly was adjourned, Aiden spoke to Emma, who adamantly asked to give away the leadership position. She told him and herself that she wasn't made like Cleo.

Aiden laughed at her, then said, "I know what Cleo did for you."

The color drained from Emma's face." You are just like us. Embrace your power. After all, only a very sick human or non-human could kill her husband and his eight-month pregnant lover."

Aiden spoke with a devious smirk, and Emma nearly fainted, but Aiden caught her. "You can do this. I know it's in you. You just need to tap into that potential. Cleo's house and car are yours. But I need you to send your husband back to America. He owns clubs, and I need him to expand. I will invest in everything. Understand?"

"Yes, Lord," Emma replied.

"Em, cheer up. You're more important than you ever were when Cleo was alive. Everything she had is no yours. Taste the power, and I promise you'll be thanking me." Aiden whispered as he put a book in her hand.

"From Lanseria's library. Magic has only been given to the council. Now I'm giving you a chance to become as strong as they were. Don't waste this."

"Yes, Lord."

Aiden then sent Emma on her way. After she left, He met with the other Pod leaders and gave each something a little different, with the promise of more, if they behaved and performed like steller subjects.

In the weeks that followed, Aiden personally oversaw the operations. His systems were full proof, and he was now moving tons of product. Colombian shipments were taken and stored in Moon pools around the world. Bolivian product was stolen from distributors and mixed in with his product to increase profit.

71 percent of the surface of the world is water. Aiden was using it to conquer, and no one could stop him or even thought what he was doing was possible.

Weeks turned into a month, and the Bolivians finally called Aiden as he was one of the few distributors that could hold onto the product. During this time, Aiden made his take over known to the world, as Bolivians actually called for Adrielle.

When Aiden arrived, Bolivians were surprised. He explained that he had taken over the L'Attente Cartel and Stolins Business. The boss of the Espinoza Family was flabbergasted. But in this business, people only cared about money and security. Aiden had both and had been providing it for months.

With a deal struck and more product was given to Aiden, he began to expand. Augie handled Australia, and Aiden finally took his trip to Culiacan with Crumberland.

~~~~~~~~

Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Crumberland and Aiden had arrived by plane at the first stroke of midnight. Crumberland had everything arranged as they walked off the plane into armored cars with a prearranged guard.

"Boss, I trust you read the file on the Trevino family."

"I did. There are three other Cartels in Sinaloa. They are small but efficient compared to the other three. Besides the twins, there's a shady uncle, Joselito, and his daughter, Belinda Trevino, who goes to school in Mexico City." Said Aiden.

"For the most part, they're a close-knit family, big on Loyalty."

"Where are we with their infestation problem?" Aiden asked.

"Turns out that the infestation is smaller than we thought. But the rats are just in critical positions." Crumberland replied.

"Gives the kill orders." Aiden commanded, "Wake me when we've arrived."

Sometime later, Aiden arrived at a beautiful Villa armed to the teeth with guards. Aiden was escorted to a guest room, where he rested until morning.

An hour after dawn, Aiden joined the Trevino Family for breakfast.

"Buenos días," Aiden greeted the family.

Roquelle Trevino sat at the head of the table and returned his greeting as she gestured to a chair.

"So, Mr. Crumberland has informed you like to be addressed as King."

"Like? King is my title. What I like has nothing to do with it." he replied as he spooned papas onto his plate.

"And you are the king of?"

Aiden chuckled. "Everything. The world just hasn't realized it yet. But I don't like talking business of breakfast, Seniora Trevino. I would like to know a bit about life in Culiacan."

"Is that not business?" a man asked.

Aiden recognized him from the picture in the Trevino file.

"Adrian Trevino, right?" Aiden asked, and Adrian nodded.

"No. It is not business. It's strictly pleasure. I wish to tour the city and party after nightfall." Aiden explained.

Adrian and his uncle chuckled.

"Men always think of women. That is why Cartels fall." Belinda muttered, and Roquelle kicked her.

"You mean your Narcos fuck toys?" Aiden laughed, and the table stared at him. "I would cut my dick off before I put I stick where any of your lackeys have been."

"You speak as if you aren't a Narco?" Joselito spoke.

"I am a King of Narcos, and I don't share with my subjects. If you can't understand that, then it's obvious why your father chose your sister to succeed him and run the business."

Joselito smacked the table, stood up, and drew his gun. At the same time, a knife was splitting air until it split his hand opens, causing him to drop his pistol.

"He even behaves like a commoner. I care about money and power. Violence is a tactic, not a response. So, we were talking about Culiacan."

After Roquelle sent Joselito away. They talked about the city's hot spots, safe spots, territories, and places to go for uninhibited fun until breakfast was over.

"Well, your highness." Belinda spoke sarcastically, "It was a pleasure, really. But I have to go."

She held out her hand, and Aiden took it. He felt a small surge of magic, and Belinda quickly pulled her hand away before rushing off.

"Forgive her. She's very odd." Said Roquelle.

"Odd is a fucking understatement. Anyway, business." Said, Adrian.

"Yes, do you have a place for us to speak?" Aiden asked.

"Poolside."

A moment later, the trio sat at the poolside, and the twins had a lot to say.

"King Aiden. Our mother just died, and the entire world knows it. We are weak, and that's just fact—no need to hide it. During a time like this, we should be suring up alliances, not breaking them. However, we also need to protect the family and take the path of least resistance to protect the lives of our people." Said Roquelle.

"Is there a point to be made?" Aiden asked.

"Every cartel in Sinaloa gets their cocaine from the Colombians. We are at peace because of mutual profit. Breaking the deal with them and siding with you would put our family in the crosshairs. The east coast of the united states is all but lost to us. But we are willing to deal with you to regain what we've lost as long as we can retain our deal with the Colombians."

"No," Aiden replied. "I'm going to tell you both this once and only once. I want all of your distributors. You are my foothold in Mexico. When everyone sees the money that you are making. They'll seek me out. I want to grind the Colombians to dust, then blow them out of Mexico. Look, you say you want to do what's best for your family? Partner with me, and you'll never have to push a product on the streets of Sinaloa ever again."

Adrian laughed. "You think it's that easy?"

"I know it is. Let's become family, you and I. Your enemies become mine. The East Coast will be under control by the end of the week. I have Australia in my pocket. You're worried about the problems here, I'll assist. Even if we have to wipe out every cartel here."

"Confidence is good. But you are aware that we are the smallest cartel in Sinaloa. We will be squashed." Said Aiden.

"I can guarantee that you won't. Let's take this slow. Move your Colombian product to your other territories, and I'll handle the east coast for a month. When everything is running smoothly and the business is strong again, You pay the Colombians then break their deal. By that time, we will have everything in place to protect you."

The twins sighed, and Aiden was wondering what was keeping them from agreeing.

"Just tell him," Adrian spoke to his sister in Spanish.

"Aiden, tell me. Do you believe in the supernatural?" Roquelle asked.

"I don't understand." Said Aiden. "Like witches, and ghouls, and goblins?"

"Like Bruja, and Lobos, and Culebras?" Roquelle corrected him.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Aiden asked.

"Sinaloa is run by three other Cartels." She spoke in a tone that guided Aiden to her meaning.

Aiden laughed and internally chided himself for being naive. "Of course, monsters will be the criminals of the world. I should have known better. Worry not, I literally just finished killing fourteen mermaids on a beach. That's like fighting a dragon in the sky. So?"

The twins looked at each other.

"You will stay here in Sinaloa for a month?" Adrian asked.

"As promised."

Adrian shrugged at his sister.

"And you will handle the rats in America?" Roquelle asked.

"As Promised."

"Bring in your men, and we have a deal." Said, Adrian.

"Fantastic. This is the beginning of a new era. When the dark days come, you have no idea how well off you are going to be." Aiden spoke in Spanish with a fluency that shocked the twins.

"I didn't know you could speak Spanish." Roquelle continued to speak in Spanish.

"I can speak many languages. But now, I have to go handle a business. When I return, we can go party, eh?"

"Hell, yes. Belinda actually has this thing going on tonight. You'll love it, bitches everywhere. " Aiden spoke up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Aug, how's Calliope doing?" Aiden asked.

"Great, she just left for Greece two days ago," Audie replied.

"Good. How is everything going there?"

"Great. Your girls are making their delivery times, and your other girls have swept the competition in Adelaide and Brisbane. The product is selling well. But, we have a problem in Afghanistan. Our poppy farmer has just been ended by some terrorist group. My contact says they're something called, Cacodemons."

"Fuck!" Aiden shouted. "The gun trade?"

"Perfect, no hiccups. But we need to get the opium trade going, Ancient opium is a good idea, but we need our own fields to do something like that." Augie explained.

"Allow the Cacodemon to keep it. Right now, I need you to send you best shooters, fifty men. I want them here by tonight."

"Brother, we both know you don't need bodyguards. What's going on?" Augie asked.

"The art of deception. Just send them." Aiden ordered.

When the phone call ended, Aiden called Emma then sent Crumberland to America.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-Evening-

"I thought we were going to party." said Adrian, "What is this?"

"A show of ability," Aiden replied.

"Boss, we're here."

Aiden nodded the stepped out of the SUV. The Trevino Twins followed him, and a moment later, a line of four SUVs and a truck pulled up.

Emma and her team then stepped out of the vehicles to meet Aiden. Each giving their greetings to the King.

"Women? That's your backup team?" Adrian asked as he laughed.

"King Aiden, you could have had them come to the Villa. Why did you bring us all the way out to the middle of nowhere?" Roquelle asked.

Aiden simply pointed to the sky, and small glimmers of light could be seen. A few moments later, fifty fighters parachuted to the ground. The fighters were packed up and in the truck in less than five minutes.

"Seventy new arrivals, and thirty already here. One hundred bodies, and my operation is hurt in the slightest. If the other cartels want war? They will die." Said Aiden, "Come, we have a party to get to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After most of Aiden's force was sent to the Trevino Villa. He and the Trevino's went to a grand club filled with Narcos, politicians, federals, and commoners looking to join one of the three businesses or just looking for a fun time.

"Espadas y tacones de aguja. Un grupo de mujeres que crecen para hacer grandes cosas en el mundo." Said Adrian.

"Nadie sabe lo que hacen realmente. Es difícil ser aceptado, pero nuestra Belinda es la primera Treviño en ser aceptada desde nuestra bisabuela." Roquelle added.

"What are they saying?" Emma asked Aiden.

"Their cousin has been accepted into a high-class sorority called Swords and Stilletos. She's the first of the family since their Great-grandmother." Aiden translated. "Now, just focus on security. And relax a bit. What they're saying doesn't concern you."

"You have many women bodyguards. Is that your fetish?" Roquelle asked in Spanish.

"Haha, women are more dangerous than men. The key is finding the woman's specialty and honing it. Some women are just good at seducing and poisoning, others are shooters, some are fighters stronger than men. But first, they have to be given the opportunity. I am a fair man that has no tolerance for sexism. After all, my mother is a mass murder of men." Aiden replied.

The color drain from Adrian's face. "Surely you're just fucking with us."

"No, my father is the only man that she hasn't killed," Aiden replied.

Roquelle giggled. "He must have been a King too," she said.

" Oh, you're a sharp woman. " Aiden cooed.

"I try to be," she replied.

A few moments later, the group entered the club, and Roquelle took Aiden around to introduce him to some people. The duo was walking arm and arm, and many thought Aiden was Roquelle's new bitch boy, so they didn't pay him any mind beyond a Hello.

When the evening event had finally started. A woman dressed in a 100,000 dollar dress appeared on stage red bottom Stilletos, holding out a great sword in front of her like a cane.

"That woman is Lucinda Garcia. She is the Great Aunt of the Boss Lady of the Garcia Family. They are Brujas." Roquelle whispered.

"Welcome to initiation night. Each of the ladies that will join me on the stage were chosen from hundreds. They were put in a group of fifty. Now there are only nine." Lucinda spoke.

The room began to rumble with mutters.

"I know!" said Lucinda, "Less than last year. Without further ado. Allow me to introduce the newest ladies of Swords and Stilettos."

One by one, the ladies came out in masks. As they were introduced, they pulled off their mask, and Belinda Trevino was revealed to be the last of them. Aiden watched as bosses from every faction kissed the Trevinos' asses. He then became inquisitive about what made this sorority of women so special.

His eyes then locked onto Belinda Trevino. Belinda is medium height and build, with long, wavy black hair with a red streak. She has light brown doe eyes and full pink lips with caramel skin.

"What now?" Aiden asked Roquelle.

"The men or women will try to court the girls. But for the most part, we just party. Everything is paid for. But of course, it isn't free. We will be making donations to Swords and Sillettos, and hopefully, they have no request of us."

"What are the donations for?" Aiden asked.

"A connection. When things can't be handle with our resources. The donations get us a direct line to petition help. Sometimes they can help, and other times they can not." Said Roquelle.

"Hmm, What about the families that have people in the organization?"

"It does not matter. Swords and Stilettos is atunomus. Anyone caught using them for the personal gain of a family will be killed. The last girl that pulled resources to help her family without proper payment and permission was last seen hanging from a bridge."

"Come on, we have to congratulate them. I'll show you how everything works." Roquelle held out her hand, then led Aiden to meet Lucinda Garcia before walking down the line to congradulate the nine new members.