23

"That girl inside, Lillith, she's an old acquaintance of mine. She's... bad news."

"Ohhh, so that's what this is about," Vince said as he turned to go back inside. "Afraid something 'bad' may happen to me because you and her had a falling out? I appreciate the concern, but I can take care of myself."

"Vince, I'm serious!" Cole said, grabbing Vince's arm. "Don't go near her!"

"Get off me!" Vince said, freeing his arm. "I'm not passing up a lap dance from her. Whatever your issue with her, that has nothing to do with me. So deal with it!"

Vince pushed inside. Cole trailed behind him. Vince powered his way through the crowd to the entrance of the VIP rooms where Zafira awaited him."

"Ready for your private dance?" she asked with a seductive smile.

"Yes, ma'am!" he replied.

Cole dashed after them. "Zafira! Wait!"

A bouncer of considerable size stepped in Cole's way as Vince and Zafira walked on down the narrow hallway.

"Look, buddy, these rooms are only for those the dancers invite. You'll have to wait out here for your friend. If you want to try anything, you'll get thrown out, understand?"

Cole looked over the large man's shoulder. Vince and Zafira entered the second room on the right. There was no fighting this guy; that much, Cole knew for sure. His only option was to wait.

"Got it," Cole replied to the bouncer.

Cole waited impatiently, his eyes glued to that door. He hoped that Vince would step out unharmed, smiling ear to ear, but two songs had already played. Time was running out.

"How long do those dances last?" Cole asked.

"As long as he keeps paying, sir," the bouncer replied.

"Look, I'm in a bit of a situation here. I don't have time to explain, but I need to go back there." Cole reached into his pocket, "Since money talks around here, and obviously I can't fight past you, you can have all the cash I have if I can just go back there and make sure my friend is okay. One quick peek and I'm back out here."

The bouncer considered Cole's offer. "You've got one minute, then I'm escorting you outside."

"Deal!" Cole said, handing over the wad of cash. He rushed for the room Vince and Zafira entered. As he opened the door, he saw a portal finish closing with Vince and Zafira on the other side.

"Zafira! Wait!"

He was too late. The portal closed before he could rush through it.

"Fuck!"

Cole sprinted out of the room past the bouncer and through the hormone-drenched crowd. There was still hope! He had Vince's keys. He dashed to Vince's lemon Mustang, started the engine, and then sped off in a banshee scream of squealing tires.

*****

Cole had never driven so fast in his life. He arrived at the underpass Zafira called home after more than a few near-wrecks. He dashed from the car to the familiar concrete wall and brandished the magic crystal Zafira had given him. Her lair's entrance opened. He rushed in, hoping he was not too late.

"Zafira?" he called as he anxiously surveyed her quarters. He saw her nude form across the room, straddling a naked man crying in sexual bliss. Zafira's wings and horns were extended; it would not be long before Vince's soul belonged to her.

Zafira turned her head over her shoulder. "You got here fast. I'm impressed!"

"Zafira, let him go!" Cole demanded.

"And why would I want to do that? Can't you see he's happy? I've taken special care of him because he is your friend. It's a fantastic way for him to die, isn't it? Besides, my hunger cannot wait any longer."

"Wait! He doesn't deserve this! Yeah, he killed an innocent child, but it was an accident. A mistake that he carried on his shoulders most of his life. He truly feels sorry for what he did, and he's tried to make amends."

Zafira kept up her pace, sliding her wet demonic pussy up and down Vince's mortal shaft. "Trying to make 'amends' means nothing in the end. His soul is corrupt, and there's nothing he can do to change that."

Cole raised his voice. "So that's it?! If a person makes a single mistake they're fucked? No hope for redemption?"

"You would be correct," Zafira said coldly.

"Well, that's bullshit! Travis, Gabriel, Antonio, those two thugs; all of them didn't give a shit about anyone other than themselves and their dark desires. Vince isn't like them! Maybe some people don't deserve a second chance, but he does."

Zafira moaned, reveling in her pleasure. "Who are you to decide who is worthy and who is not?"

"Nobody. But I know this: there is good in him, just like there is good in you."

Zafira stopped in mid stroke. "Wha- What did you just say?"

"This morning, after the shower, that kiss we shared. I-I feltsomething. Not just from me, but from you also."

"Are you that clueless?" Zafira laughed. "I was just trying to tempt you some more. You are nothing but a tool to me, a means to an end. At times, you're also an entertaining plaything. Nothing more."

Cole froze her with a smug look. "I call bullshit. You may be able to read minds, but I've made a career out of reading between the lines. You care about me as more than a 'plaything' and that frightens you. You seem to try to seduce me, but I wonder if you'd actually go through with it."

Zafira's eyes glowed red, glaring at Cole with Hell's fury. "Don't you dare stand there and act like you know anything about me! I am a succubus, a consumer of souls. I am incapable of kindness!"

Zafira resumed her sex with Vince, only now a much faster speed. She was angered, an emotion Cole had not seen out of her before. She slammed her pussy hard against Vince's helpless body repeatedly.

"Vince! You have to resist her!" Cole shouted.

It was of no use. Vince was completely entranced, focusing only in driving his cock deep into Zafira's hungry nethers.

Cole had to do something! He knew he could not physically stop her. He had to bargain.

"Zafira, stop! I couldn't save Maria, but I can save Vince."

Zafira once again glared at him. "What makes you think so?"

Cole took a deep breath. "I'll take his place."

Zafira stopped her merciless fucking. "You, a pure soul, want to take the place of one of the corrupt? I don't find you palatable."

"Then corrupt me."

Zafira was dumbfounded. She climbed off Vince's erection, then walked over to Cole. Her demonic presence was in full force. "You believe he deserves a second chance that much?"

"Yes." Cole answered.

"Are you willing to die for that belief? Your soul, your very being, damned for all eternity?"

Cole swallowed hard. By damning his soul, he would not find Maria's killer. At least he would save a life. His decision was made.

"Yes. I offer my soul in exchange for his safety."

Zafira's red glowing eyes glared, staring deep into Cole's. "Take him and get out of my lair," Zafira said through clenched teeth.

"Wha-?"

"I said, you two, get out!" she growled, "Before I change my mind and kill you both!"

Zafira was truly intimidating when angered. Cole did not waste time. He grabbed his naked friend off the bed and slung him over his shoulder.

"Um, his mind?" Cole asked.

Zafira grumbled. Her hand glowed as she put it on Vince's head.

"Done. Now go!"

Zafira opened the portal leading outside. Cole carried Vince, stepping through and out of her sight. She closed the portal, then stood motionless, collecting her thoughts. She walked to the painting with the blonde girl in the blue dress overlooking a cliff at a burning village.

"You're wrong about me Cole. There is no good in me, not after all I've done. And yet..."