The Succubus and the Young Man - Chapter 4

After two peaceful days in the attic, I began thinking about what came next.

The steward hadn’t come looking for me. Balk must have told him not to. Still, if they ran short of servants, he would have to fetch me, wouldn’t he?

Just as I expected, on the afternoon of the third day, the steward unlocked the attic’s iron door.

Apparently, Lady Betty and her son had been invited away on a trip. They wouldn’t return for about a week.

For once, the steward gave me no chores. I was happy to enjoy the respite.

But what had happened a few days earlier had made something suddenly clear. If I always remained this passive, I would never be able to live properly.

For the first time in all my years, I wanted to summon the courage to escape Vinton Manor, this enormous cage, for good.

I had tried to run before. Each time, I was caught before I even left the estate.

Lady Betty would always order the servants to beat me savagely.

She would never allow me to escape. She wanted me where she could see me, so she could torment me slowly.

Now I had only one thought. However hard the road ahead might be, even if I died, I wanted to die in the outside world. Somewhere free.

But I knew that on my own, I would never get out of the manor…

And at this moment, the only possible helper I could think of was that lofty succubus.

I knew succubi were evil incarnate.

The only thing I possessed that I could trade with her was probably my soul.

Yet now, I suddenly didn’t want to die so soon. I wanted so badly, so very badly, to see the world outside.

Then, even if I died, I would have no regrets.

I went back to the attic and took out the battered old book. When I summoned the succubus, I had only read the first part.

Now I wanted to know what the second part contained.

Steadying myself, I sat cross-legged at the little table and turned to the later pages.

What I read shook me.

If the first half explained how to summon a succubus, the second described a dangerous, audacious way to bind one in a pact.

Succeed, and you became the succubus’s master. Fail, and she would brutally crush your soul.

Before opening the book, I had only meant to summon her once more and make one final bargain.

Now I had a much bolder idea.

In the dim, gloomy room, I pressed my hands together before my chest and recited the summoning incantation again.

Within a few breaths, cold black mist filled the room.

The breathtaking succubus emerged from it, her beautiful, uncanny face as aloof as ever. “You again, weak human. I won’t give you another chance this time.”

I clenched my fists, took a deep breath, and forced myself to speak. “I’ve decided. I want to make a bargain with you.”

The proud succubus lifted her eyes slightly. “Let me hear it.”

I struggled to pull my lips into a smile. “I will sacrifice my soul for ten days of your company. In ten days, I will offer you my soul as promised.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

The little room grew quieter still.

Just when I thought she might refuse, those predatory red eyes fixed on me. She gave a cold smile. “As you wish. It’s a bargain.”

For now, the weight on my heart lifted.

The beautiful succubus looked utterly out of place in the cramped, dilapidated room.

I ventured, “Then, beginning tomorrow, please come for me every morning when the first sunlight appears, my lady.”

She studied me for several inscrutable seconds, then vanished.

That evening, I climbed onto the bed and curled up.

Many thoughts drifted through my mind, until only one remained.

Moonlight filtered through a crack outside the window. I watched it for a long time, then slowly closed my eyes. Drowsiness washed over me, and I fell asleep…

It seemed to be a dark realm shrouded in eternal night. Overhead hung an enormous crescent of blood-red moon, eerie and bewitching against the endless darkness.

Beneath it stood a vast, ancient, mysterious castle. Crimson roses grew all around it, climbing its outer walls in a blaze of exquisite blossoms.

I looked at everything curiously, even as a chill crept down my back.

Then the scene abruptly changed. I was inside the castle.

In the lavish bedchamber, a soft bed large enough for several people stood in a conspicuous place.

A fine white carpet stretched from beneath it to the doorway.

To one side stood a great mirror. On the carpet not far from it, strands of black and silver hair were entwined.

The air was thick with the scent of roses, inviting one to surrender.

Then I saw a familiar, alluring figure. I had only ever seen that distinctive silver hair on one lady.

It fell loose, veiling most of her face. Only her delicate pale chin and part of her perfectly sculpted profile were clearly visible.

The flower being drenched in dew seemed unable to bear any more. It could only tremble helplessly.

The woman reached out, as though wiping sweat from the young man’s brow.

“Remember… my name is… Astalie…”

Breathless, sultry sounds rose and fell. After a long while, they slowly gave way to soft whimpers.

I didn’t know how much time passed before she leaned down, sated, and gently kissed the young man beneath her. “Ano, do you like it?”

Whatever she murmured next was suddenly drowned out.

Another round had begun.

Then the young man turned his head to look at himself in the mirror.

The face reflected there was mine.

I pressed a hand over my heart. Fear and bewilderment at the unknown engulfed me. My breathing grew faster and faster.

I jerked upright in bed.

It had only been a dream.

A strange, sensual… dream.

I rubbed my face. It was unmistakably hot.