A Succubus Hunts Ch. 06

Author's Note: Sorry that this one took so long! I've got a lot going on in my life and haven't been able to write very much. I'm trying to write more, but I still don't know how long it will be between releases going forward, I don't want to make any promises. Thanks for continuing to show support by reading despite the wait <3

By the time Kyle pulled up outside Gwen's old apartment in a limousine, a light snowfall had begun, and they were both freezing. For some reason Gwen hadn't brought a coat, so Laura held her arms around her mistress, who clung to her tightly. One horn was tucked under her chin, and Gwen's tail was wrapped snugly around her waist. If it weren't so cold Laura would be over the moon. Instead it was all she could do to keep her teeth from chattering.

The front window rolled down and Kyle unceremoniously called, "Get in."

"You're late!" Gwen snapped, as they shuffled forward, still tangled together.

Laura opened the door and Gwen leapt inside. Biting cold filled the space where her mistress had been, but she ignored it, doing her best to enter gracefully. Tonight was important, and she would do everything in her power not to embarrass Gwen. Beneath the coat she'd worn her very best dress, a satin gown originally intended for the Aqua Eco ball at the end of the month. After the retailoring it was, hopefully, revealing and sheer enough to impress even a group of succubi.

It exposed both shoulders, clung tightly to her petite waist, and the long, flowing skirt had a slit on one side that ran far enough to reveal a thin black string of her lingerie, resting high on her hip. It was a masterful blend of elegance and eroticism that she would have been mortified to wear in her old life. Laura placed a silk gloved hand just below her navel, atop her brand. Whatever she claimed, Gwen needed a companion, not just a pet. She would do everything in her power to prove herself worthy of the position. That she wasn't disposable.

Laura ducked through the door to find Gwen frozen in place, hunched forward and gripping the seat beside her hard enough for her claws to puncture the leather. Her entire body was tense. Ready to pounce. Laura followed her mistress' gaze to the back of the limo where Remy and Emily sat curled up together like a married couple -as though her real husband wasn't in the driver's seat- but it wasn't them that had Gwen on edge.

On Remy's other side sat a tall, hauntingly beautiful woman with cheekbones like knives, and shining tresses of platinum hair thrown over one shoulder. The woman turned her attention from Gwen to Laura and flashed a chilling smile. Air rippled, and the woman's eyes began to glow as the glamour faded. It never stood a chance. More than anyone Laura had laid eyes on, this woman was, without a doubt, a succubus.

Rather than following Gwen's S shaped curvature, the other succubus' horns were mostly straight, only curving back slightly at their tips, adding to her already considerable height. Like Gwen's, however, they were larger than Remy's, and her tail was thick and powerful. That confirmed her suspicion that Gwen and the incubus' differences were secondary sex characteristics, but the similarities ended there.

Gwen was beyond beautiful, of course, with a fae cuteness that perfectly suited her capricious attitude. This woman's beauty was something else. Elegance personified. She had the body made for high fashion: long slender legs, a delicate waist, and sharp, broad shoulders. Where Gwen rarely bothered with makeup, this new succubus wore bold winged eyeliner, and a bright red lipstick that lit up the night. Coupled with her designer dress, stiletto heels, and the gold necklace sparkling between her breasts, the effect was stunning.

Careful to maintain her composure, Laura took a seat beside her mistress and closed the door behind her. Remy knocked twice on the divider behind him, and the limo set off. Without taking her eyes off the other succubus, Gwen reached out and took her hand. Laura's heart soared at the display of affection, though she wondered if Gwen even realized she'd done it.

Her mistress' posture remained defensive. Apprehension and adrenaline flooded through her. Laura suppressed her urge to squirm. She wanted to run, or to fight. To do something. The feeling was bleeding over from Gwen, she knew, and wasn't her own. If this came to blows, there was nothing she could do anyway. Instead, her effort was better spent sizing up this new opponent.

On the surface, the other succubus appeared completely relaxed, but the way she absently opened and closed a clawed hand, and the twitching tail beside her gave her away. She was better at hiding it, but she was just as wary as Gwen. Laura couldn't help but picture two cats meeting for the first time, sizing one another up. It might have been funny if these particular cats didn't possess superhuman strength, and she wasn't trapped in an enclosed space with them.

"Camille, meet Gwen and Laura." Remy gestured to them in turn. "Girls, meet Camille and... Gavin?"

Only now did Laura realize that a man sat alone on the long seat that ran the length of the cabin. Somehow, he was so dull that he seemed to blend into his surroundings. As obviously as Camille was a succubus, this man was a thrall. He might have been handsome once, but his best years were behind him, and judging from the dark circles under his eyes, he'd clearly been drained half to death. Laura placed him at around 40, with sandy blonde hair that had begun to recede, and a build that was neither skinny nor fat. He wrung his hands and nervously glanced up at them, eyes darting to Gwen's horns, before staring at the ground again.

"Simon," Camille corrected with a subtle French accent. "Gavin was the last one." The man flinched as she spoke his name, but her attention was on Laura. "She's gorgeous. Your first?"

"Yes," Gwen answered robotically.

"I envy you. Nothing compares to breaking the first one." A smile followed that didn't quite reach her eyes. Laura decided that she didn't like Camille, and gave silent thanks that Gwen shielded her from the other succubus' power.

Gwen replied, "She's quite broken, thanks."

"Oh?" Camille pointedly glanced at their hands. "I think you've been setting a bad example, Remy." Camille pressed herself into the incubus, her hands roaming freely. "Thralls are meant to suffer, not to be coddled."

Remy only shrugged, and allowed Camille to pull him into a deep kiss. Safely obscured by her master between them, Emily shot Camille a look of pure contempt. A quiet growl escaped from Gwen, and her grip tightened painfully. Laura began to worry that her hand might break.

Laura did her best not to shrink back as Camille broke the kiss and returned her attention to her. "She may be tamed, but it's obvious that she still has so much further to fall." There was fire in Camille's eyes now, as if she was picturing all the things she might do to her. The piercing gaze flicked to Gwen and Laura let out a breath as the succubus crooned, "I can teach you, sister."

Camille lingered on the word sister. A reminder that Gwen was one of them. Remy watched silently, doing nothing to ease the tension. Emily rested her head on his shoulder, and clung tightly, as though reclaiming him. She gave Laura a sympathetic smile.

"No thanks. I like to take my time." Gwen finally said.

Camille laughed, and sank into a lazy slouch. No sign of her earlier anxiousness now that she held the initiative. "Why wait?"

"She's useful."

Camille drew in a breath and stood, slinking forward to slide into the seat beside her thrall. Simon shivered as she cupped his chin, and turned him to face her. She began to speak and his eyes glazed over.

"I know what it's like. My first thrall was my high school boyfriend. I tried so hard not to hurt him." Simon's hands were knit together, knuckles white. "But in the end I couldn't resist."

Simon's legs began to tremble. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak Camille shushed him. When Simon gave a quick nod, desperation carved into his face, Camille kissed him on the cheek and resumed speaking, "He served me well. Satisfied me. I had other prey, bien sûr, but he was my constant. Loyal. Reliable." Her smile dropped away, leaving only disgust. "Insufferably Boring."

Simon began to gasp breaths, desperately trying to obey his mistress' order despite whatever torment she was wrecking across their connection. She continued, "I thought that was all there was. Until, one night, I decided to see what would happen if I didn't stop. If I exposed him to the full extent of my powers."

Laura's stomach dropped as Gwen's hand left hers, but she didn't dare look at her mistress. She was too afraid to see what effect the succubus' words were having. Instead she focused on the couple in the back. Remy's face was unreadable. Emily was openly frowning, no longer bothering to hide her loathing.

"P-please," Simon whispered before Camille clamped his mouth shut with a clawed hand. Her tail swayed as he wriggled in her grip.

"So I spent an entire day feeding. Over and over. I let him struggle, and beg, and bargain. But I didn't let him stop. Not until I'd brought him to the brink." Simon's body had nearly gone limp. Laura suspected that Camille's hold on his jaw was the only thing holding him upright. She reluctantly shoved away the image of Gwen doing the same to her.

"I could feel it all, through him. We walked the road to madness together. Until we stood at the precipice, hand in hand." The limo was silent, save Simon's quiet gasping. Camille watched her thrall, lost in thought. Laura gulped, daring to glance beside her. Gwen watched transfixed, biting one thumb. Finally, Camille spoke again, with a voice like ice. "Then I pushed him over the edge."

Simon seized up as he succumbed to the pleasure. Camille let go and he slumped down to the floor, shuddering. Laura bit her lip as she watched the thrall with equal parts contempt and jealousy. Surely Gwen hadn't been holding back, had she? How much of a succubus' power could she withstand before it drove her insane? She squeezed her legs together, acutely aware that Gwen could feel whatever she did.

Simon grew still below them. For a moment Laura feared he was dead, but no, he was still breathing. Slowly. If Remy had trouble keeping up with Camille's thralls though, it was only a matter of time.

"Feeding had always been enjoyable, but that was the moment I realized that it was more than just sustenance. Truthfully, I'd resented my awakening. Until then I'd wasted my time wallowing and mourning the human I'd been, but that night I was reborn. When I felt my thrall shatter, my humanity died with him. It was the greatest moment of my life. As I said before," Camille wiped her palm on the lapel of Simon's suit, leaving behind a smear of saliva where he'd drooled into her hand, "nothing compares."

Suddenly, Camille faced her, eyes blazing with a feral hunger. She was across the limo in an instant. A blur of black fabric and platinum hair, as she closed the distance before Laura could react. A slap echoed through the cabin as Gwen snatched Camille's wrist from the air, inches from Laura's neck. Camille smelled like jasmine, Laura thought in a daze as she cowered beneath the succubus.

"Don't. Touch. Her." Gwen snarled.

Camille turned her attention to Gwen, casually reversing her grip, and pinning her against the seat. Gwen struggled, but Camille was stronger. She leaned closer and purred, "We can do it together. Don't you want to see it? Feel it? The moment her sanity leaves her?"

Gwen growled, but abandoned her attempts to get free. She was the youngest succubus here, and the weakest, Laura realized. Remy was still watching with his legs crossed and his stupid mouth quirked up in a smirk, one foot swaying as he enjoyed the show. He wasn't going to do anything to stop this. Laura shifted away from the grappling demons, playing the scared little human. It didn't take much imagination.

Camille leaned in, until her lips were brushing against Gwen's as she spoke. "Leave your humanity behind, and join us in truth, sister."

Something changed, and Gwen's resistance faded entirely. She began to lean into the kiss, eyes glued to the older succubus, but Camille pulled away, grinning. Silent fury built within her as Laura watched the display of dominance. Who did this bitch think she was? Laura found the switch, rolled down the window, and a storm of frigid air filled the cabin.

Caught directly in the blast, Camille swore as she let go of Gwen to pull her coat against the wind. In the back, Remy and Emily were also shouting, but Laura could barely hear them over the gale.

Momentarily free, Gwen pushed herself back and brought a leg up high enough to slam her boot against Camille's chest. Camille's horns tore a gash through the upholstered ceiling as Gwen's kick sent her flying backward.

Laura began to roll the window up, cutting off the noise. Camille had tumbled to the floor beside her thrall. She shot up, doing her best to gather herself and glaring at Laura with withering hatred. Laura felt herself tense as animalistic fear took hold of her. Her only goal had been to distract the succubus pinning her mistress. She hadn't fully considered what would happen afterward.

Gwen took her arm and yanked her close, placing herself protectively in front as Camille prepared to pounce. But before she could, a peal of mocking laughter filled the cabin. Camille whirled to face Emily, still pointing as she laughed. Camille snapped, and charged.

Unlike Gwen, however, Remy had the strength to overpower Camille. He caught her by the neck and slammed her against the screen dividing the driver's seat from the main cabin hard enough to crack the glass.

"Enough!" He growled.

The car went silent. Gwen cleared her throat and began to fix her hair, while Laura attempted to regain her composure. Emily sipped from a flute of champagne, smiling at Camille from behind her master. The divider lowered enough for Kyle to survey the scene in the rearview mirror.

"No more," Remy said, releasing Camille running a hand through his feathered hair.

Camille gave an indignant hmph, and fell into a seat with a frustrating amount of grace, propping her feet up on her thrall who still lay crumpled on the floor. Remy turned his attention to Gwen and said, "Control your thrall. No outbursts in front of Juniper."

Laura didn't dare to point out that she was blameless. Instead, she turned to look out the window to escape Remy's glare. It was the first time she'd ever seen the incubus truly angry, and if he'd subdued Camille so easily, then he'd obviously been holding back with Gwen during their play. She knew he was stronger than Gwen, but apparently she'd underestimated the difference. Juniper was supposed to be older. Did that mean they would be stronger still? She'd known they were walking into a den of lions, but perhaps she'd still underestimated Gwen's peers.

"No more squabbling once we arrive," Remy chastised the succubi.

Gwen grunted, and Camille gave a sarcastic "Yes sir."

He ignored the remark, focusing his attention on Gwen. "Show Juniper respect, and don't do anything to risk your entry into the coven. Life as a lone succubus is..." His voice softened. "difficult."

She watched the lights of the city flying past as awkward silence settled over the limo. They'd exited the highway downtown, and were approaching SoMa, the same district that Rapture was in. She wondered if it was their territory. Remy had alluded to the threat of other demons before. Perhaps sticking close together offered more protection? If so, then they'd driven all the way to Berkley only to drive straight back. To make an impression, she realized.

Laura had been raised in high society, and knew overcompensation when she saw it. Remy had a habit of being theatrical, and if Camille's wardrobe was any indication, she simply wore the most expensive clothing she could find. Their power over humans allowed them to indulge in a lifestyle that would otherwise be above their means. Would Juniper be the same? Would Gwen fall for it?

She'd spent the school year looking down on Gwen. Not bothering to consider her as anything but Amy Chen's dutiful sidekick, but In their time together she'd come to realize that Amy was an exception. Gwen cared little for the opinions of anyone else. It was something she admired, but she couldn't help but worry that these demons might win her mistress over. If not with their preening ostentation, then with the promise of guidance, if Camille's unhinged proselytizing could be called such a thing.

Laura reached out, fumbling for Gwen's hand, and though her mistress allowed it, there was no love in her grip. Laura turned to find Gwen staring at nothing in particular, lost in thought. Across the limo, Emily was stroking Remy's hair, letting a finger drift along the edge of his horns. He made no move to stop her.

Loath that she was to admit it, Laura understood why Remy thought Gwen and Camille were similar. Camille's cruel delight at tormenting her thrall was all too familiar, but the older succubus had none of Gwen's playfulness. None of her restraint. She looked from the unconscious man splayed on the floor, to the smartly dressed woman caressing her master. Laura knew which kind of thrall she'd rather be, but her fate depended entirely on Gwen. What kind of succubus would her mistress be, now that she was ready to leave humanity behind?

Laura resolved to ask Emily for advice, though she would need to be careful. She still didn't trust Remy, and anything said to his thrall would surely get back to him. As things were though, Laura couldn't shake the feeling that Gwen was balanced on a knife's edge, buffeted this way and that by the forces of her changing circumstances.

Her misguided love for Amy, and her desire to be free of it. Camille's promise of unparalleled pleasure if she gave in to instinct, and Remy's example of stability and companionship. In which direction would Juniper's influence tip the scales? Laura knew there was a way forward for her, if she was clever. One where she might usurp Amy Chen's place in Gwen's heart, and stand beside her mistress as she cast off the fetters of humanity and carved out a place for them. Ironically, in submitting, Laura might surpass her wildest ambitions, but she would have to walk a dangerous path.

Laura squeezed Gwen's hand and smiled to herself. She felt Gwen turn for a moment, curious why her thrall was suddenly giddy. Laura would gladly risk her mistress' ire. She would gamble her sanity, her free will, and even her life for a future where she would stand above normal humans. Where Amy Chen would be nothing but a footnote.

Gwen's tail found its way into her coat, and through the slit in her skirt. She adjusted her position to provide easier access as it nestled into her, pressing into her in a slow, delightful rhythm. A reward, she realized, sucking in a breath. She basked in her mistress' gratitude, hoping to convey her thanks. Come what may, she would find a way to guide Gwen to the place where she belonged. Where they both belonged.