by Jaye Shields
“Zahra?” Strands of pink hair falling across Zahra’s shoulder shifted as the young woman stirred.
“Did my attempt to carry your heavy ass across town wake you?”
“I’m not heavy.” The words were raspy and pained by the obvious come down of whatever she was on.
“We’re almost home, can you walk now?”
“No.” But Zahra heard remnants of her sister’s playful side buried within her drug-induced fog and set her down.
“Do I need to tie you down with my bondage chains to get you to stay sober?”
Sephina stumbled along beside her, but caught herself. “You mean you could stop using them long enough to do that?”
Zahra glared at the pink-haired, tiger-eyed girl, but couldn’t help the smile that came with her sister’s playful jibe. Teasing meant she was alive.
“There are plenty of things for my kinkier clients to tie me up with. I’ll make a note to save the chains just for you.”
Sephina took Zahra’s hand as they neared the home they shared. By the pained storm flickering in Sephina’s gaze, Zahra knew the young succubus took her palm not for balance, but in gratitude.
“I’m going to get clean, I promise.”
Zahra squeezed her hand before releasing it to unlock the front door. “We’ll find another way to make the bad memories go away, okay?”
“I don’t want you to have to do this anymore.”
“Hey, I’m a succubus. Life could be worse than getting paid for sex.”
“I know you. You want more. Just like you wanted more for me.”
Silence hung in the air as they entered the dark home. It was true, Zahra wanted more. But for now she couldn’t have it. The only thing she could hope for now was getting her sister clean and paying off the enormous debt hanging over their heads.
She rubbed her hand down Sephina’s back. “Go upstairs and shower and don’t come down for a while. I have a customer due in a couple hours. I’m going to head into town real quick and bring back some food.”
Sephina made her way up the wooden staircase, her tiny body fragile and weak from the drug use, not the typical curvy stature of the sex demon she’d once been. Sephina was right; Zahra desperately wanted more for her. And Zahra would do anything to make that happen.
Chapter 3
Lennox eyed the vixen as she lingered at his table. Her presence unnerved him.
“This is a beautiful blade.”
The succubus purred the words like the well-practiced seductress she was. Instead of taking the statement as a compliment, Lennox folded his arms across his chest. He didn’t acknowledge her, probably the first man ever to pass on conversing with a sex demon.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught her tracing her way down the steel of the dagger. A long, slender finger lingered on the jewels dotting the hilt. Her nails were painted a bright purple, a stark contrast against her porcelain skin.
“How much?” The words rolled off her tongue like silk. Lennox faced her and saw her full crimson lips parted in anticipation as she held the dagger in the palm of her hands.
Never before had the weapon looked so beautiful. The silver hilt melted into the paleness of her grip as if it never wanted to leave. Her hands created a gentle frame for the sharp blade decorated by tiny amethyst, emerald, and ruby stones. This dagger was one of the few pieces that would fetch him a good living.
“More than you could afford, succubus.”
“Is my devious nature so obvious, or does gossip travel that fast?” Her golden eyes locked on his, challenging a response. She wasn’t affected by his insult. Pity.
“Your kind may think they can hide, but a sex demon often gives themselves away. It’s the look of perpetual vanity and lust that never departs their expression.”
She didn’t miss a beat. “Strange, that so beautiful a blade could be crafted by such bitter hands.”
Her words stung. If anything she could have said would be true, it was that he was a bitter man. But he hadn’t always been. The dagger clattered to the table he’d set up next to Edetta.
“I hope that his magnanimous charm doesn’t rub off on you.” The succubus leaned across the stall next to him, her ample cleavage revealed by her plunging corset as she kissed the old woman on the cheek. A heat wave of spicy cinnamon intoxicated his senses and his dick became instantly hard.
“He’s not always so sour.” Edetta chuckled as she pulled a scarf against her cheeks. Sweaters added extra inches to the woman’s dainty frame, a blaring contrast to the voluptuous, skin-baring succubus.
“Let me have some gingerbread for Sephina. It’s her favorite.” The sex demon smiled, causing Lennox to recoil. A creature so vile should not look so angelic. His insults completely forgotten by the succubus, her eyes glittered with giddy anticipation, lightness dancing across her cheeks. She looked more like an angel than a vixen as Edetta handed over a dark loaf of bread.
“Take some as a gift. Wish her well for me, will you?”
“Of course I will, and I’ll give her your best wishes. Your hard work should be compensated though.”
Lennox watched the sex demon insist upon paying for the bread. He wasn’t surprised she’d have extra cash lying around. She was beautiful enough; she probably had plenty of customers to keep her wealthy. He’d melt his dagger down before seeing it in the hands of a harlot.
The succubus called Zahra walked away and Lennox did his best not to stare at the curves departing through the crowd. Sex demons were a crude race; he abhorred them. Like a cruel traitor, his mouth watered as she disappeared from sight, the last remains of her cinnamon scent lingering in his space. He stepped back as the sultry scent crowded him, overwhelming him with need. The damn woman probably constantly emitted pheromones.
“You must have some story to arrive in a new town with such hatred.” Edetta broke off a piece of soda bread. “Here, chew on this. Maybe it will keep you from insulting possible customers.”
Lennox ignored the chunk of bread being thrust at him by wrinkled hands. “You mentioned that there is another sex demon family in this village. Are they also in the fornication trade?”
Edetta glared in response. “You shouldn’t judge Zahra so fast, there’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s very loyal to her family.”
His suspicions were confirmed. “She has a brother named Reza?”
“Oh yes, she does. Dashing young man. He moved to a city a month’s travel from here.”
“Yes. I’ve met him.”
With that, Lennox sharpened his favorite dagger. He would have his revenge soon, but not using steel. He had a very unique arsenal of torture devices just waiting for his victim.
* * * *
Music blared through the walls of Zahra’s tiny apartment. Sephina often blasted the tunes to drown out any noise from the clientele. Zahra was glad for it, and now she waited for her next appointment, a first-time customer.
The door swung open, announcing Zahra’s well-paying sexcapade, but his face didn’t match the voice she’d heard on the phone. He looked young. So young.
“You’re not here for—”
He nodded. “Yes. May I come in?”
Her manners bested by a minor, she motioned him in. As he walked past her, she caught his gaze linger on the cleavage exposed by her low corset. Okay, so maybe his conduct wasn’t so perfect after all.
“How old are you?” Zahra eyed the tall, lanky boy.
“I’m seventeen, but I’ve been working for my family long enough to afford your services. There is no law in this realm against it.”
She nodded. He was right, and she wasn’t too much older than him. But in her extra seven years as a succubus, she’d probably been through a hell of a lot more.
“My name is Eron. I’ve already lain with a woman once before, but…but it wasn’t good.”
Her cheeks yielded to an unfamiliar sensation, a smile. “So—”
“I’d be honored if you would help me become better in the a
rts of the bed chamber.” Eron stepped forward and gently placed a roll of cash in Zahra’s hand.
Taking the currency, she placed it in a small box on the mantle. “You’re very convincing. This will come in handy in the art of seduction.”
Eron approached her and placed his hands on her chest. His fingers squeezed down on the soft cleavage spilling over her top. His brown eyes reflected the creamy expanse of her exposed skin.
“First things first. Slow down.” She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “You need to make her crave you.”
Taking one of his hands from her cleavage, she moved it to the back of her neck. In turn, she pulled his head down so that his lips rested by her ear. “Kiss me gently, just beneath my earlobe. When you hear her gasp, push your kiss deeper behind her, exploring the hidden skin.”
When he did as Zahra instructed, she moaned. “The skin there will be sensitive. She’ll know just how deep you’re willing to explore her body. Most men miss that spot. When you find it, she’ll know there is no inch of her body that you’ll leave unturned. And that very thought will make her wet.”
Now it was Eron’s turn to moan. He hardened against her body. He wasn’t packing much, but it would be enough.
“I want to teach you the art of love making, so that when you meet your soul mate, you’ll not only win her heart and mind, but her body as well. She’ll feel like the luckiest woman in the world.” After all, if Zahra couldn’t have that, she hoped someone else could.
Eron continued kissing the skin along her neck and unwinding the corset as Zahra instructed. The garment fell to the ground and the air kissed her skin. “Touch my body, but keep in mind that every caress should be a massage.”
He did as she asked and his hands glided down her back with just enough force to make her muscles ache for his touch once more.
“Perfect. Now remove my pants. Get on your knees as you do, so your woman will know exactly who is about to worship her body.”
The next minutes passed in uncomfortable ecstasy. This was her job. It felt good, but her heart ached for something more meaningful. As she instructed, he massaged her ass while probing into her folds with his tongue. When he found her bud, wetness flooded the region between her legs. As a succubus, she was already aching for release. Her health required it.
“That’s good, but don’t try to make her come just yet.” Zahra stepped away and led him to the back room where her bed was. When they arrived, Eron pushed her down on the mattress and knelt between her legs, immediately pressing his tongue against her bud. Tiny explosions of pleasure powered through her body.
“She’ll never come like this. Start slow and build to ecstasy. What you’re doing feels so good, but it feels too good. The area will become too sensitive to relax enough to climax. Just when you can tell she can’t take it any longer, drag your tongue away. Bring your fingers to her and dizzy her with new sensations.”
Eron needed no further prodding. His tongue left her swollen clit just long enough for his fingers to dive into her core. He was doing well and Zahra neared climax. The young man brought his lips to her bud once more, sucking as his fingers slipped back and forth inside of her.“It’s time, Eron. Come inside of me now that you have my body wet and aching for you.”
Zahra’s hands went to Eron’s fly as he stood. The pants slid down easily and she heard his breath catch. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down until their chests met.
“Your skin is hot.” He broke the silence for the first time.
“I’m a sex demon. We run hot.”
Without further ado, Eron entered her. His shaft wasn’t overly large, but still it stretched her, filling her up. He immediately thrust hard and fast enough that her breasts bounced rapidly against her own skin.
Business as usual on a Friday night.
Chapter 4
Leaning against the cold stone wall, the shadows hid Lennox’s form while another guest departed Zahra’s dwelling. She may not be the only concubine in town, but she was the only working succubus in the village, and probably the most beautiful woman at that. He’d once preferred blondes, but now he knew it was just a disgusting angelic façade. Women were no angels and succubae were even worse. To hell with all of them.
“Fancy yourself a date with the whore?”
“Thinking on it.” Lennox turned to face Bane. He noticed the handsome shell had changed, but only a little. Powerful magick still held the cloaking spell in place.
“She works for me. I can arrange a meeting if you desire. She leaves no man unsatisfied.”
“From terrorizing the morning market to organizing the sex trade in your city, you are a man of all means.”
“I’m a powerful wizard, it’s my duty to care for the city.” Bane sneered at Lennox, folding his arms across his chest. The man thought himself a badass.
“So, what do you really look like?”
Bane grew taller as he glared down at Lennox. At a sturdy six-feet himself, Lennox wasn’t overly impressed by the wizard’s mystically-enhanced manhood.
“This is my image, human.”
Lennox noticed a pink-haired girl tiptoe out of the apartment. Finally, Zahra was alone.
“Not so fast. First, I’ll have payment.”
Lennox slammed his fist into Bane’s face sending the arrogant wizard to the ground. Now there was nothing standing between him and the filthy succubus.
* * * *
Returning to her room, Zahra shoved the money into a hole she’d carved into her mattress. One of these days, she’d have enough to take Sephina away and start fresh. Maybe they’d find Reza. She missed her brother.
“Sephina, I thought I told you to—”
But as the door opened wider, she saw it was not her sister. The human called Lennox entered into her home without invitation. He shut the door firmly behind him, clicking the lock in place. In her time spent as a concubine, she’d been cornered by hungry men before, but she’d never felt like prey. Until now.
“I’m closed.” She watched his dark blue eyes glint like steel, slicing into her with raw intimidation.
His body filled the room and, from the way his long muscular arms hung by his sides, he was ready to spring toward her at any moment. Strong fists clenched at his sides and in the dim room, Zahra could make out scars covering every inch of his hands. From his battered hands, her gaze moved upward. She saw the blacksmith in a chilling new light. The muscles carved into his lean body were tight with tension. Her stomach flip-flopped. He was a gorgeous man, but a frightening one.
“A succubus is never done.” He stepped toward her, power coming off the man in waves, causing her awe of his prowess to quickly turn into white hot fear. Never before had she seen such innocent baby blues twisted by such malice.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Kidnapping a succubus.”
He lunged toward her. Zahra grasped the yellow lamp and launched it at his head. She didn’t wait for it to connect, instead she hauled ass toward the door. The shriek of glass shattering against the floor filled the room as Lennox’s strong arms wrapped around her. His iron grip heaved her off the ground.
“Get your hands off me,” she screamed, but he didn’t obey, so she bit down on his bare skin until she tasted blood.
“I’m a blacksmith. My hands have had worse.” With that, he slammed her against the wall, freeing her mouth from its clench on his wrist. She squirmed, but to no avail. The man was damn strong.
“How about your manhood then?” She dangled in his arms, but Zahra swung her knee hard into the man’s groin. He dropped to the floor. Success.
Zahra opened the door to flee her own home, but Lennox’s hand found her ankle and pulled her back. His force was powerful enough to send her rolling across the room. She landed hard and coughed through the pain of impact.
“I thought a sex demon would be quicker, what with getting caught in sticky situations, like fucking someone’s husband.” He spit on the ground
beside her. Murder glinted in his blue eyes, an icy quality glazing over his stare.
“Sounds like someone hasn’t gotten laid in a while. I’ll make you an appointment for Tuesday.” Zahra hawked saliva back at his feet before strong arms yanked her up from the ground.
“I would rather die than fill a whore like you.”
Despite the psychopathic quality of his glare, and the tight grip of his hands on her wrists, his words were what cut her the deepest.
“Well, it may be a short list, but guess what? You’re one of two people on my list of losers never to screw.”
Lennox spun her around and yanked her hard against his body. His biceps molded around her. As she was pressed closer against his body, she felt the subtle outlines of the muscles carved into his torso. The scent of steel came next, a clean, metallic smell that mixed well with the warmth of his skin. The aroma was much better than the usual odor of liquor permeating her typical customers.
“You smell good, Lenny.” His momentary confusion was long enough for Zahra to swing her elbow back in his stomach. He choked for air, but didn’t let go. One of his hands left her, but a strong arm still held her inescapably close. A sharp point prodded her back, nearly piercing flesh.
Of course the blacksmith would have a dagger.
“You’re going to come with me. You’re going to be quiet or I’ll knock you unconscious. The only reason I haven’t is because you look heavy as hell.” His gruff voice assaulted her and she realized he was very serious.
She’d love to give him hell and make him carry her. But she already knew he was strong. Better to be aware of his plans. Yes, she definitely needed to be conscious.
“Fine. Where to, Lenny?”
The dagger nudged into her back and a hot drop of blood formed on her skin. “My name is Lennox. You should know the name of the man who’s going to kill you.”
And then she felt a cloth cover her mouth. An intoxicating twang filled her nostrils before gray fuzz spread across her vision. Hysteria. Then darkness.