Simon took a visible step back at the statement.

  ‘How does it know? Is this a scheme? Did it figure out what I am?’

  ‘Coincidence. This is a very shady part of town where demons make their home, easier prey.’

  ‘Why does it even matter? A succubus just wants to spend a lot of time on its knees; if we give it to them, they are happy. Hell, we might even get a supporter in the exchange.’

  Power welled up, creating a sense of urgency as all motor functions started to accelerate.

  The demon also took a step back, except that its arms were in the air in a gesture of non-aggression. It also gave him a very clear view of the succubi’s form. Its outfit left very little to the imagination: a micro-skirt that barely covered the black thong underneath, and a reflective black jacket that covered only the back, shoulders, and upper arm.

  Its body was made to sin, from wide hips to a chest large enough to make one question the integrity of its spine. The middle was left open, showing soft, smooth skin with the barest hint of fat to round out the bombastic look. It was not even slightly pudgy anywhere that would make it look overweight by any standard, yet there was healthy fat in places that would catch the eye, like the lips, back, and thighs.

  The succubus had no wings, only horns that fit on her face like perfect accessories, and a whip-like tail with a spaded end. The face was obviously a perfect heart shape, with even those alien eyes perfectly framed against everything else.

  Whatever made this monster gave it a perfect vessel to carry out the sin of lust.

  There was an awkward pause as he waited for the infernal to do something, anything. But expectation did not meet reality. His target just stood there with arms raised, letting the world marvel at its tempting display.

  ‘It is not a threat.’

  ‘It is an opportunity.’

  ‘Caution is always wise.’

  “Answer this honestly, on the power of Magic itself. Was this planned in any way?”

  That smile on the terrifyingly alluring face was hypnotically understanding.

  “I swear that the initial meeting was by pure happenstance; you were very intriguing, and so I had to try. To see if it went anywhere. Can you blame a girl for trying?”

  There was a physical weight to those words, except it did not feel oppressive, just a reassuring comfort.

  There were ways to figure out if magical beings were lying. Simon knew some of them. This was one.

  While worry still circled, Simon’s fight or flight left him.

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  To bring levity to the situation, and mostly to ground his thoughts, he said.

  “I meet a stranger in the dead of the night, and not only is it a demon, but they are also a neighbour.”

  The succubus shrugged and finally lowered its arms, looking slightly sheepish.

  “Look, this took a weird turn, and things were already looking rough for about. How about we postpone this meeting to some other time? I will even pay for the meal I promised.”

  Simon did not think twice and jumped on the opportunity.

  “Would that be okay?”

  His pride was not strong enough to turn down free food.

  The smile he got in reply was radiant and full of warmth.

  “Of course, we are neighbours and bringing food to eat is a very neighbourly thing to do. In fact, I will do you one better, instead of the shitty fast food and leave it at your door, what do you say?”

  Home-cooked meals? After so long. Keeping his body in shape was possible but arduous, especially when meals were primarily magical rations or fast food. It would have been impossible without the help from his true spell.

  Before Simon could second-guess himself, he answered.

  “Yes, Wonderful, I will get right on it.”

  The demon turned and started for the entrance, only to stop after five seconds.

  Simon raised an eyebrow when it turned back.

  “Umm… What is your floor and apartment number? It is going to be hard to give you the food if I don’t know your complex.”

  On trained instinct, Simon answered.

  “Fourth floor, apartment H.”

  There was a nod.

  “Perfect, I will bring it to the door, ring the bell, and leave. Make sure to pick it up while it is still hot. Warm food tastes the best.”

  That was one of the most motherly statements Simon had heard in his life. And it came from a demon known to make men fall into debauchery. The grip on reality was waning in real time.

  Without another word, the demon sashayed through the heavily reinforced glass doors, leaving Simon to look at the extremely generous rear along with a swaying tail.

  After it was finally gone, Simon admitted to himself: Succubi were very arousing, and he needed to get laid.

  Preferably by a Succubus in a professional setting. While very hard to register for, there were licensed Succubi for safety. But unlike the average Succubus whore he would need to pay for the company.

  Simon knew it would be worth it, but he was perpetually low in cash.

  After his next ascension, he would find a safe Succubus to sleep with; it was a promise the adult made to himself. Just not this one, free agents of the demon variety were very dangerous and would corrupt you even if they really wanted to help.

  With thoughts of power and sex, Simon finally made it into his magical lab of an apartment, and the culprit for being perpetually broke.

  In the center of the living room was a massive, intricately crafted circle, painted entirely in his blood. Despite how old some parts of the circle were, there was not even a hint of an iron smell.

  All of the blood looked fresh and slightly glowing with bits and pieces of various materials, both organic and inorganic, that looked haphazardly scattered about. Only Simon knew the purpose of each material and its placement.

  “Only a little more…”

  He whispered to himself as he marveled at his creation while patting the stack that was still in his pockets.

  “Almost there…”