My thanks to Melissa for being the inspiration behind this tale. I pray it finds favor in your eyes M'lady.
In addition thank you to both dannythebaltimoron and Acacia for answering my call for help in editing the piece.
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The succubus is a demon from legend that supposedly preys on mortal men while he sleeps; a sexual vampire of sorts. The actual name has its origins from late Latin- succuba meaning prostitute, which in turn comes from medieval Latin sub cubaire meaning 'that which lies beneath'. The male version is the incubus (from Latin- 'that which lies above'). There are some sources who claim that the succubus and the incubus are one and the same creature who can change form at will to prey on mortals. In medieval times, the succubus was seen as a fearsome creature who killed her victims by drinking their breath. This is interesting in that, at the time, the breath was seen as a part of the person's spirit, and in doing so, the succubus was thought to be stealing the victim's soul. Later, the habits of the succubus were deemed to of a more sexual than vampiric nature, and this notion probably arose from the change in social climate that saw sexual deviancy as a mortal sin, and so, those who committed such a sin against God, were deserving of their fate in some way.
And so...it begins.
I walked the halls of the estate, my thoughts as dark as the night outside. The lightening the only illumination alongside the candles that sent flickering images forth. I had inherited Samuels manor due to the untimely death of my parents, a tragedy which though not recent still haunted my dreams and my thoughts.
It had only been days before that I had turned twenty two years of age. My studies no longer fulfilling, life seeming to cease to exist without the two figures who had filled it and me with happiness from the day I was born. I was wealthy now beyond my wildest dreams. Money however could not buy the one thing which I desired above all things and felt my life empty without. Love.
There had been many who during these past few months would try and tempt me. Daughters of prominent businessmen, some of them beautiful. Though I desired more than an ornament on my arm. Mothers who would parade their offspring like prized mares, the possibility of my coffers and their inheritance the sole driving force behind their motives. I was no fool, it was easy to see.
As a flash of lightening lit up the night, I saw my reflection in the window pane. Blue eyes which bore little luster, long auburn hair, a body a bit thin from my own lack of attention. Not through the fault of the cook or my staff, people who had been faithful to my parents. Not merely just workers but many friends I called my own. They not only worried but also cared about me though I seemed to not care for myself.
Sleep for far too many evenings no longer was an escape. The long nights I spent walking the corridors found silence as my only companion and I in turn kept my conversation to a minimum as well. Tonight though as the hour drew late and the moon had risen full in the night sky I found myself back in my parents bedroom. Nothing having changed since that fateful day a little over a year ago.
I sat down on the end of the bed, looking toward the dressing table where my mother would sit. Her smile playing in my mind, as I closed my eyes. I wanted that vision to carry me away but it was not to be. My head finally nodding, my body succumbing to the need for rest, exhaustion finally having claimed me. This time though, I dreamed a dream. A harbinger of things to come and the possibilities to be found.
The succubus who hunted this night was a unique creature. Capable of capturing the essence, the appearance of both men and women with but a single thought. Able to look inside any human and be that which in their wildest dreams or most decadent fantasies would enable the demon to steal not only their breath, but their very existence as well.
It needed it to sustain its own life though it had found during its long existence that it required more now. The traits of its victims having left it feeling empty. Unlike most of its brothers and sisters who lived for only death, it craved life.
For many of the creatures they preyed on lust, knowing it would make those simple souls easily susceptible to give in to their basic needs. For the one who even now drew nearer to the castle, it was the pain and suffering of the man which called like a siren's song. Such a melody, filled with loss and the crying out of a life slowly withering away.
As I dreamed, my nightmares usually forced me to relive that night when the carriage carrying my parents had been attacked by thieves. My fathers pleas for the vandals to take their belongings falling on deaf ears. They took not only the physical possessions they desired but also the lives of the two people who mattered most to me.
This night though would be different, though I knew not why. I saw a vision, a woman whose body seemed almost translucent, her skin as lovely as any maidens my eyes had seen. She hung from the branches of a tree in the forest, her gown diaphanous, her body ripe with the prospect of pleasure, her long flowing hair a dark brown, the color rich. It was however in her eyes that I saw my reflection shine forth. Eyes which seemed to look deep inside a man, their colors matching her tresses.
The bonds which held her captive were strong though she seemed to not look to be in peril. Instead the look she gave me was one which embraced her predicament, not cursing it. Her voice giving me pause for thought, the sound melodic, almost hypnotic as I listened.
"Life is a precious gift Jonathan Samuels. To squander such is a loss to not only yourself but to those who created you. Their memories should sustain you, not bring you despair. You have taken the pain of such happenings and have allowed it to consume you. Like a brief spark which would turn into a roaring flame, destined to snuff out your very existence. I can take that pain away, I can ease your mind and body."
With that in my dream I walked behind the woman, my eyes growing wide to see her cream colored skin, the marks, the lashes having cut deep though she showed no sign of discomfort. Her smile kind as I drew even closer, her eyes calling to me. Her lips almost blood red, the kiss I desired with the rapid beating of my heart filling my senses. While in real life my body literally was lifted off the bed, my eyes rolling back in my head as my seed spilled forth and I awoke, gasping for air.
I sat up, my body soaked in sweat, my body having betrayed me as I hurried back to my own room to strip, to cleanse my body. My mind tried desperately to remember her face, her body, her words. The dream though slowly dissipating like the fog as the morning drew nigh. I bathed unaware that I was still under watch. The succubus having found the source of the song and who she would next claim.
That next night found me in the town proper. A tavern which echoed forth with laughter. The sound seemingly foreign to me but one I hoped might lift my spirits. I entered, having dressed for the occasion, the clothing I wore unlike a man of my standing. Only wishing to fit in, not to stand out. It was not a crowded establishment as I found a spot near the darkness, away from the fire. More voyeur than spectator as a pint was delivered by the owner, his smile wide at the sight of my money.
I drank of the ale, enjoying the taste as I took in the other inhabitants, all men, some who were partaking in a game of chance. The sound of the laughter I had heard echoing forth coming from where they stood. It was from that area that I saw a glimpse, a quick flicker which brought forth a reminder, though of what I could not remember.
One of those men, his face ruddy with the amount of the alcoholic beverage he had consumed who laughed the hardest, his hand around the waist of a woman, a serving wench who seemed not to welcome his attention. His voice loudly proclaiming, "Now dear girl, give us a kiss. Lips like yours deserve only the finest A man like me."
The other men roared with laughter though the look on her face showed no such mirth. I watched as he roughly manhandled her, his grip tight, his other free hand taking liberties that no man should without his partner being willing. It was when she turned her head away from his probably foul stench that the kiss would offer that I saw her fully.
I shook my head, the vision so real, so striking I couldn't help myself. I strode quickly over to the man's side, my voice calmly saying, "I do not believe the Lady seeks your favor good Sir. She only wishes to fulfill her duties and be left to her work. I suggest you release her and get on with your friends. Perhaps your luck will be better with them."
He turned slowly, his size impressive, the fight surely not to be fair but it mattered not. His voice was cold as he said, "I suggest you take those fancy words back to your table boy. This is man's work and your no suitor for a woman as fine as this. Now run along like a good dog with your tail between your legs back to your Master...whelp."
I simply smiled, nodding my head as I said softly, "As you wish Sir." I turned but only long enough to pull the blade, the dagger I had hidden before wheeling. My hand finding purchase in his greasy hair, the razor sharp instrument against his throat as the woman gasped. It was not only his hand which fell from around the brown haired beauties waist but also the two pitchers she carried. The glass shattering, the smell of the beverages far superior to the smell of the piss from the man who even now whimpered like the pup he had called me.
The smile remained on my face, though it did not reach my eyes as I leaned in close, smelling not only his bodily odor but also his pheromones, his sweat now ripe with fear. My voice did not raise, my tone remained calm as I allowed the edge of the blade to nick his skin, a long slow trickle of his very life dripping to the floor to stain it dark red as he listened. "Might I suggest in the future that you keep your hands off those who don't desire your touch. They are better suited for holding a tankard or a pair of dice."
He couldn't reply, couldn't even nod as the knife was still held taut against his skin as I slowly walked him toward the exit. "I think you've partaken of your limit for this night Sir. Perhaps it is time you found your rest unless you care to pursue this matter any further?" His eyes were wide, the answer obvious as I smiled, nodding and with a gentle push sent him out into the night air.
