Editor's note: this story contains scenes of non-consensual or reluctant sex.
*****
Author's Notes:
This chapter includes no sex.
Yes - I know that you've come here to read smut, but I'm also trying to deliver a good story. I promise the last two chapters of the series will have sex. I want to thank my wife for editing, her guidance, insight, and suggestions. I also want to thank my friend, Ann, for her support of this project.
Caliban and Lilith sat across from three people in a darkened room. Ciacco, a Prince of the Third Circle and owner of The Hot Spot, sat on the right. He was overweight with receding gray hair that was slicked back, a style that still somehow worked with his well-tailored tuxedo. Belphegor, Duchess of the Fourth Circle of Hell and Caliban's financier, sat on the table's left-hand side. She was fit-looking, in her late forties, with salt-and-pepper hair cut in a bob. Her silk evening dress clung to her body, highlighting her curves. She wore gold rings on every finger, and an ornate diamond-studded necklace hung between her breasts. Salpsan, Knight of the First Circle, sat in the center. Knights of the First Circle were charged with protecting and policing those demons who escaped. He looked like a man in his mid-twenties with coffee brown skin and was the only one to wear casual clothing - a Henley shirt and jeans.
"We didn't say you could bring one of your thralls to this meeting, Caliban," Salpsan said as Caliban and Lilith sat down.
"I trust her. She's my right hand and the most knowledgeable human I know regarding all things demonic. I'd rather her be here than have to repeat everything later on." Caliban stared down at the younger demon. "What are you doing heading up this meeting, Salpsan? You're lower ranked than any of us."
"It's my area of expertise that we're discussing," Salpsan explained. He kept glancing at Lilith. "Isn't that the woman you asked my men to keep an eye on?"
"And they did such an excellent job of it, too," Caliban said with a sardonic grin. "Get on with it."
"As you know, we have reason to believe there's a hunter in the city," Salpsan continued, "we've been tracking his or her activities, and we have reason to believe they're after you."
"Oh? Why me?" Caliban asked with a smirk. "You'd think a hunter would be more interested in taking down a demon that's destructive or has been back on Earth for a longer period."
"It's because you're not bound by a contract," Ciacco said. "The hunters see that as a challenge to their authority. And because you're a prince, you represent a significant prize for their efforts."
"Are you saying one of the Archangels is here on Earth?" Lilith asked.
"No," Salpsan said. "I'm saying the hunter is after Caliban."
"But I thought only a Prince of the Ninth Circle of Hell could bring him down..."
"That's not necessarily true, Lilith." Caliban looked over at her. "They could threaten something I hold dear as ransom. I've seen it done before."
"I suggest that we place one of my guards on your residence," Salpsan suggested.
"No," Caliban growled. "Those fools you have working for you are incompetent and lazy. I'd feel more secure if a kindergarten class was guarding my pets, comparatively speaking.
You
will guard my residence, Salpsan."
"I have better things to do," Salpsan smirked.
"I can find a Baron, Count, Duke, or Prince of the First to decide for you. It can't be that hard," he threatened.
Salpsan sighed. "Fine. I'll stand guard over your penthouse. I expect amenities, though; room, food, and one of your women for my pleasure."
"You'll get room, food, and my pets will entertain you in all ways short of sex or physical harm," Caliban said. "I'll expect that you treat them with respect."
"WHAT?! Since when have you ever been stingy with your pets, Caliban?" Ciacco chuckled.
"Since they told me that they don't like it," he answered.
"If it's sex he wants, I'll do it," Lilith said.
"She's too old," Salpsan said.
"Age has very little to do with sexual prowess," Caliban growled. "But I wouldn't allow her to do that anyway. You have my offer."
"You know," Belphegor chimed in, "I had heard of the great Caliban becoming soft from other Incubi. To be honest, I didn't believe it."
"You can't cut me off from my own money, Belphegor," Caliban warned.
"Oh, I didn't intend that as a threat. I've been accused of the same thing by other demons of the Fourth Circle." Belphegor smiled. "I find that happy humans generate more profit than those who are overworked and underpaid. I'm sure your pets, as you call them, are happier to serve you knowing you have their best interests at heart."
"Well, at least one of you understands," Caliban said with a smile. "Unless there's more to discuss?"
"There
is
one issue; you paid for a surgical procedure for a human. Alexandra Romanov, I believe her name is?" Belphegor asked with a frown.
"Yes. What of her?"
"She knows that you're a demon and isn't marked by you. Not only could she expose demons to the world, but she's also a weakness that the hunter will exploit." Belphegor leaned in and growled, "Take care of her, or we will."
Caliban clenched his jaw. "I take it King Moloch holds this view?"
"No. If Moloch knew about this, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I'm doing you a courtesy." Belphegor leaned back. "Don't make me regret it."
Caliban shot a glance at Lilith, who looked horrified. He sighed. "She's still recovering from the surgery. The moment she's well enough to leave the hospital, I'll have her moved to my penthouse and take the necessary precautions. Is that satisfactory?"
"For now," she said with a frown.
"Salpsan - please come with me," Caliban said as he stood up. "You might as well start right away."
Salpsan grinned wickedly as he excused himself from the table to follow Caliban. As they made their way out of earshot of the others, Salpsan said, "Seeing as I have no choice in the matter, at least I can console myself with having a front-row seat to your downfall of an arrogant prick like you."
"And you're an insufferable ass," Caliban said as they exited the nondescript office building. "I will not have you undermining my authority or harassing my pets. For the time being, Lilith is the Matron of my harem. When I'm not around, anything she says in regards to my pets goes. If she doesn't like what you have them doing, she can put an end to it. If she doesn't like how you're treating them, she has the right to tell my pets to no longer serve you."
"For the time being?" Salpsan asked as they reached Caliban's Range Rover.
"The head slave of an incubus or succubus harem is chosen by subconscious consensus of all the members of the harem," Lilith explained. "This hasn't happened yet, so Caliban has placed me in charge. I'm the most experienced, and I was the Matron of his previous harem, so it makes sense that he leans on me to fulfill that role."
Lilith entered on the passenger's side while Caliban sat in the driver's seat and Salpsan sat behind them. "So she's a seat warmer?" Salpsan asked as Caliban started the car.
"Until I say otherwise, she's the one you listen to. Period. Don't make me involve a demon of the First above you; it won't end well. Behave yourself, do a good job, and I'll reward you handsomely."
"Fair enough. Where are we off to?" Salpsan asked.
"The hospital," Caliban grumbled.
