Flame of the Succubus Read online

  "Master!" Allura screamed.

  Ember paused. She batted her wings into the Seeker on her left, knocking him to the ground.

  Someone shouted, and Ember froze.

  Ember was still trying to help us, even with the collar. Had she thrown me across the street on purpose? I couldn't abandon her, though.

  "Master!" Allura pointed to the distance. "Ryder!"

  The figure in white and black robes was standing on the roof of the marble building, watching silently. What the hell was he doing here?

  Allura stepped in front of me to face the Seekers, taking a guard position, her wings spread. "I don't want to die. Please, master."

  Fuck. The resignation in Allura's voice as she stood before me broke me out of my drunken rage. I couldn't risk Allura as well. We needed to regroup and figure out how to get Ember back.

  "Shattershard," I whispered. "We run."

  Allura filled the air with a thick hail of needles, using as much of her Flame as she could. I didn't wait until the needles hit their targets. That wasn't the point.

  I let my frustration flow into the needles through my infernal Flame. The hail of needles exploded, and in that instant, I pulled Allura into my arms.

  I released my infernal Flame, letting it mingle with the pure Flame already in my limbs, and I used the raw power to sprint as hard as I could.

  I raced down the street in a blur, weaving between buildings, and turning corners. After a good five minutes, Allura tapped my shoulder.

  "They're gone," she said.

  I slowed to a stop. When I released my Flame, I collapsed into a heap with Allura.

  After catching my breath and spending a minute or two cultivating, I pushed it back into its resting configuration, with my infernal Flame sheathing my pure Flame.

  "Yaeger," I said. "We need more muscle. We find him first."

  "But how will we find Ember?" Allura asked.

  I paused and closed my eyes. I pointed in a direction. "There. She's that way." I was positive I could track down Ember. Something about our bond or the Flame we shared still connected us, even at this distance.

  Allura's eyes widened. "You can sense her?"

  I shrugged. "You can tell where the Obsidian Emperor is? I don't know. Maybe it's like that. Let's go."

  We made our way to the Alchemist Row and Yaeger's pottery shop. Allura led us on a roundabout path, being extra cautious that we didn't run into any boviaries.

  I scanned the crowds on the street as well, looking for the telltale horns or hooves of the boviaries. I was also checking for something else.

  "That Seeker." I nudged Allura, indicating a Seeker wearing simple gray robes on the other side of the street. He had trim brown hair and sword strapped to his waist, not too different from me. A werewolf or humanoid dog man was crouched at his side obediently. What caught my eye was the black collar around the werewolf's neck.

  "Is that…?" I asked.

  Ember nodded. "That's his pet demon."

  I hadn't noticed the obedience collars, but now that I was more alert to their presence, I spotted a few more on demons. I didn't see any on Seekers, though.

  We passed by the Seeker and his pet, and they ignored us.

  "The Seekers that attacked us were collared. Is that common?" I asked.

  "No," Allura said. "Those were the first I've seen. Honestly, obedience collars were fairly rare until recently."

  Allura had taken a collar from the boviaries back at the Gluttonbarge. They had kept demon pets back there. Now, they were keeping Seeker pets?

  "Are boviaries known to use obedience collars?"

  "Not really. They're rumored to have been an Imperial invention."

  Ryder. He had been watching. Who would be powerful enough to enslave Seekers? Certainly not the boviaries.

  Fuck, something messed up was going on. But for now, I needed to focus on getting Ember back.

  And peel the flesh from the bones of anyone who dares to touch her.

  I grimaced as the rage roiled within me. I didn't disagree with the voice, though.

  We arrived at the pottery shop with its simple sign.

  As we approached, the door swung open. Helix's face lit up with a big smile.

  "Aidan?" She looked past me. "Hi, Allura. Where's Ember?"

  Helix's expression changed as she saw the dark look on my face.

  "Is Yaeger around?" I asked.

  "No," Helix replied in an uncertain tone. "The old beggar and him went off together a week ago in search of something. I'm not sure."

  Damn it. We were on our own, then. Just Allura and me. "Oh, thanks. I won't be bothering you." I turned to leave.

  "Wait!" Helix ran up to me. "What's the matter? Do you need help?"

  I looked at the purple girl's thin frame. She didn't look like a fighter. "It's best not to involve you."

  Allura caught my eye. "Master. There's more her to than her appearances."

  I raised an eyebrow. "You're a Seeker?" I asked Helix.

  Helix blushed. "No. My mother was a Fallen One. I can't cultivate."

  I stared at her. Her father was a great Seeker, and her mother was a Fallen One? Damn, how did that happen? They say that love knew no bounds, but it seemed like an awkward pairing.

  "Tell him," Allura said.

  Helix looked down at the ground. "I carry my father's Flame with me. In these." She reached into a pouch at her waist and pulled out a small coin-like object. It was a white ceramic disk with a black obsidian core. She handed me one.

  "Flame? Can I absorb these?" I asked.

  "No," Helix said. "These are Seeker stones. They've been tuned to only work for me."

  "What's a Seeker stone? Is that like a Flame stone?"

  Helix took back the thin disk. "Sort of. Flame stones hold Flame. Seeker stones hold Seeker techniques. Each stone is bound to a particular technique. The stone is consumed when I unleash the technique."

  So Yaeger was keeping his daughter safe in more ways than one. Even when he wasn't here, his Flame would protect her. I could see how they would be useful, even for a Seeker. If they could let you use someone else's technique…

  It didn't matter. For now, I had to focus on getting Ember.

  I looked at Helix. Was it worth the risk? To get Ember back?

  There was little debate. I had to get Ember, and I'd take any help I could get. I'd bear the consequences if things went wrong. Hell, things had already gone plenty wrong.

  "You can fight, then?" I asked. "And you aren't afraid?"

  I took a minute to explain to Helix what had happened to Ember. Afterwards, she nodded.

  "I'll come with you," Helix said. "I just need to close up the shop." She ran back to the entrance and shut the door. I sense a brief pulse of Flame. Yaeger's unassuming shop was protected by more than wood and stone, it seemed.

  The three of us started walking down the street. I sensed Ember's direction, but I couldn't tell how far away she was. I hoped they hadn't made her fly across the mountain range or anything.

  "But why?" I asked. "Why do you want to join us?"

  "Isn't it obvious?" Helix replied with a sweet smile. "I want you to owe me a favor. A big favor." She giggled, reminding me a bit of Ember.

  I shook my head. My succubi had corrupted her after meeting her just once? Damn. Yaeger wasn't going to be happy about this.

  CHAPTER 24

  That Night Fog was receding as we left the city of Duskfall. The guards barely paid any attention to us as we walked out of the city and crossed the chasm that served as a moat. It seemed they were more concerned about who they kept out, not who left.

  We walked down the mountain by foot, for the most part, ending up on the side opposite where we had started originally. There were a few tricky spots where Allura gave Helix and me a quick boost of flight. I still preferred walking on my own feet, though, in case anything happened. I just felt more in control when I had both feet firmly planted on the ground.

  I walked in front with H
elix in the middle and Allura bringing up the rear. Helix was a chatty companion, peppering me and Allura with all sorts of questions. She wanted to know about my background. I was a bit reluctant to reveal too much, but apparently Yaeger and Helix already knew about my situation, and that I was a human possibly wanted by the Obsidian Emperor. That didn't seem to faze her. If anything, that made her more excited, like a moth drawn to danger.

  I studied the purple girl as we continued. She must've had a pretty sheltered life living with Yaeger. Not that I blamed Yaeger. If I had a kid in the Abyss, I would probably end up being overprotective as well.

  "Your father wouldn't approve of you coming with us, would he?" I asked.

  Helix's bubbly demeanor immediately changed. When I looked back at her, she was sticking her chin out in a challenge. "So?"

  I shook my head. Yaeger was going to be pissed no matter what. I'd deal with him when I had to.

  "Aren't you worried about people coming for your, uh, blood?" I asked.

  "Most people don't even know I exist," Helix replied. "They don't know that my father had a daughter. Besides, I could never live my life cooped up in that little shop. A girl should go out and see the world, experience things, meet people, fall in love…" Her eyes twinkle as she spoke the last part.

  I snorted. "I suppose."

  "It's my family's heritage, and our curse. Everyone wants it…" Helix paused. "Can I see it?"

  "Excuse me?" I stopped walking and faced Helix.

  "Not that," Helix laughed. She pointed to my sword. "Is it true? My father gave you his Bloodstain?"

  "Oh. Sure." I drew the red blade and presented it to Helix with two hands. Helix swept her eyes along the length of the red blade.

  "He's never done this before. Not since I've been born."

  "So I've heard."

  "My father must think you're very important." Helix smiled at me invitingly.

  I put away the sword and began walking again. "I suppose. He made it very clear that you were off limits, though."

  Helix made an exasperated sound, and Allura laughed.

  After a while, Helix broke the silence again.

  "Is it true?" Helix asked. "Allura claims she can cultivate." She was walking next to me, now. I had wanted her to stay behind me for safety, but I supposed it wouldn't hurt.

  "Yes. Both Ember and Allura draw their Flame from me."

  "Do you think…" Helix began. "Do you think you could do the same for me?"

  "My ability's related to the fact that I'm human with demonic ancestry. But you're partially demon and partially a Fallen One? I'm not sure." I wasn't even sure if I could do the same thing with other demons or only with succubi.

  Allura spoke up from behind us. "Succubi are lesser demons, and lesser demons can't cultivate. But demons can still sense aspects of Flame. Fallen Ones can't even do that, ordinarily."

  "Can you explain Fallen Ones?" I asked. "Crowley said they're from the mortal planes. But what exactly are they?"

  Helix shrugged. "Fallen Ones are the reincarnated souls of people from the mortal planes. Only the weakest people become Fallen Ones, though. It's kind of a punishment. It's not something to be proud of."

  That sounded like a bum deal. "And now they're stuck here? Because the cycle is broken?"

  "Something like that," Helix said.

  "Because of the Emperor," I muttered.

  After a while, Helix spoke again. "My father hates the Obsidian Emperor. I think it's somehow related to my mother's death. Is that why he helped you?"

  "That would explain it," I agreed.

  I looked at Helix out of the corner of my eyes. Her face was set in a serious, determined expression. She seemed to come to a decision. "So how exactly did you put your Flame in Allura and Ember? How does it work?"

  Did she want vengeance? To make her father proud? More power? All of the above? I wouldn't blame her. It just didn't seem like the right time to go into all the gory details about my relationship with the succubi. I instead jerked my thumb behind me. "You should stay in the middle. It's safer."

  Helix pouted, then stepped back behind me. I had hoped she would give up the idea for now, but she began to pester Allura.

  "How does it work? What did Aidan do to you?"

  I glanced backward to find Allura grinning. She chuckled. "Well, he had his mouth all the way—

  "It's a trade secret," I said as loudly as I could. I made a quick cutting motion across my neck with my hands to indicate that Allura should stop immediately. Thankfully, she shut her mouth.

  Helix's eyes grew wide. "Put his mouth where? Why is his mouth involved?"

  Allura just smiled. "Master says it's a trade secret. I'm sorry, Helix. Maybe you'll find out yourself one day."

  For a second, I imagined Helix's purple lips wrapped around my cock as she knelt before me. I shook my head to send the image away. We needed to stay sharp.

  We continued walking with myself in the lead. After about two hours, the rocky mountain terrain changed to a sandy desert called the Gravelands. The tug from Ember's bond was stronger than ever. We had to be getting closer.

  The Gravelands were a mostly empty wasteland of reddish-brown dust. I had wondered at the color of the sand, and Allura remarked that the sands, according to legend, had been soaked in the blood of a million slain soldiers. I wasn't sure if she had been joking or not. It was a bit unsettling to think about walking on the dried up remains of some massive genocide.

  I surveyed our surroundings, but there was nothing to see, just sand. Lots and lots of the reddish-brown sand.

  "How big are the Gravelands?" I asked.

  The monotony of the endless desert had a mind-numbing effect, like being stuck in bad traffic. Thankfully, the Gravelands weren't scorching hot like a normal desert. The air was dry, but relatively cool.

  Allura stretched her wings. "It's a good day's journey to cross it. The city of Ashwind lies on the other side. Give me a minute to scout from above before we go on."

  She rose up into the sky with a flurry of beating wings that sent clouds of red sand into the air. I waved the dust away. Helix sneezed.

  We watched silently as Allura circled higher and higher until I couldn't tell if she was a vulture or succubus hanging in the ever-pink sky of the Abyss.

  I gazed at the empty horizon once more. "Is the Gravelands known for bandits?" I didn't see how anyone could sneak up on you in the flat, featureless place.

  Helix's expression grew more serious. She tightened the straps of belt pouches she wore on her waist and strapped across her chest. "Demons can live everywhere. And if you can find demons, you can find bandits."

  I looked back up at Allura. She was still circling in lazy wide swoops, riding the updrafts.

  Allura's form grew more compact as she drew in her wings. At the same time, I felt the gentle tug of her pulling on my Flame. She was using her own stock of Flame, and my Flame naturally surged forward into the void created by her consumption. It was only a small amount of Flame at this distance, like a puff of air as someone closed a door, but I had learned to sense it over the last few weeks.

  I cracked open my sheath of infernal Flame and let the pure inner Flame reach out to her.

  Allura dove towards us, an elongated, dark shape in the sky. Helix scrambled to get behind me as Allura landed in a loud thump. An even larger cloud of dust rose into the air, but I walked into it to find Allura. She had used her Flame to return to us in a hurry. Something was wrong.

  "What is it?" I had already drawn my sword and raised it in a ready position with both hands on my right side.

  Allura stepped out of the swirling sand. "The sand is moving. Fast. There are ripples ahead of us."

  I squinted through the dust but couldn't make out anything. I trusted Allura's warning, though.

  "I don't think we can outrun it, even if we fly," Allura said. It went without saying that she couldn't carry both me and Helix at the same time. Certainly not over long distances.

  S
o we had to fight. Or convince whoever it was that we weren't worth fighting.

  "How long until they reach us?" The dust had mostly settled from Allura's landing. I thought I could make out something moving in the distance.

  The sand shifted, and I saw the answer to my own question.

  Something was definitely moving towards us as fast as a speeding car, and we would have about thirty seconds before it arrived.

  Shit. I had no idea what we were fighting. Seekers? Demons? Some kind of creature?

  "Not long," Allura said. She held black needles between her fingers, poised to attack.

  A high-pitched keening grew louder and louder as the disturbance in the sand approached.

  "That can't be…" Helix whispered from behind.

  "You know what that sound is?" I risked a quick peek backwards at Helix. She was reaching into her pouches.

  "Sandscreamers," Helix said. "They're supposed to be extinct."

  Allura made a harsh sound. "Sandscreamers? No, that's impossible."

  "Aidan…" Helix's voice trembled.

  "Get her out of her. Fly!" I yelled to Allura.

  Helix took a few steps backward. "Too late."

  The sand in front of us erupted into a twenty-foot tall sheer wall of the reddish-brown dust, blocking our view of the surrounding area. Someone screamed. Large shadowy figures burst out of the sand, but in the middle of the chaos, I couldn't make out what we were actually fighting.

  A large shape with outstretched wings rose up in front of us, some kind of cross between an oversized sea ray and a crab, except there wasn't any water for as far as I could see. The wings ended in a pair of pincers, and the entire wingspan was at least ten feet across. The shrieking noise was near-deafening now, almost like a sonic assault.

  Allura skewered the giant creature with a hail of needles, but the sandscreamer ignored the attack and lunged with its snapping claws.

  I immediately let my infernal Flame blossom over me, then channeled it into Allura's needles embedded in the sandscreamer's body. The sharp points embedded in the creatures all burst at the same time. The sandscreamer shrieked even louder and tumbled to the ground.

  A second sandscreamer leaped through the air towards us. Then, another. And another. We were surrounded by a swarm of the creatures.