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Leaving the bodyguards behind, we entered the building. We took the stairs to the second floor and stopped in front of a dark wooden door at the end of a long wide hallway. You could probably ride a horse right through it. Having said that, I don't think anyone would dare ride a horse on this polished parquet run with red carpets. The hallway's walls were lined with bronze sculptures on pedestals. I'd never seen anything so opulent in my entire life. Cesar's luxurious apartment paled into insignificance compared to all this wealth. And once we entered the office...

You could easily hold a gala dance in it. And if they did have a ball room, you could probably play football in it. Or stage Lady Gaga gigs. I hadn't noticed the owner of the office at first. He was so far away from us, sitting at his desk by the window on the opposite side of the room.

You could probably have played golf on his desk. It was green, too.

Cesar gave me a light push. Mechanically I took a few more steps. Cesar walked past me toward the desk.

"Hi Robert," he said casually. "This is my girlfriend you wanted to meet. We were actually on our way to Brooklyn to do a few clubs so we decided to pop by for a drink."

He turned to me, waiting for me to corroborate his story. Shaking off my stupor, I managed rather nicely, "Hi Robert, nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you from Cesar."

I immediately regretted saying it. It looked like I'd put my foot in it: the man's face, barely visible in the shadows of the desk lamp, had turned to stone.

"Pleased to meet you," he said in a stiff voice. Was he really? He actually sounded quite prepared to strangle me. Apparently, my casualness was of the wrong kind. Yeah, right, Cesar must have been his longtime family friend while I was only pretending to be his girlfriend. And this Robert, or whatever his name was, seemed to know it. Ah, dammit. I could just as well continue with my little act. They were asking for it.

Amazed at my own nerve, I walked over to one of the soft chairs next to the enormous desk and slumped into it, sinking into the soft cushions until my knees were at the same level as my head. I slung my legs over the armrest, crossing them. "I'll have a whisky and soda," I said from the depths of the chair.

"I'd love to meet your girlfriend too, Cesar," I heard a high boyish voice. A young man rose from the chair next to mine. I very nearly screamed. Damn this furniture, you couldn't see anyone in it!

A young man, tall and blond, stepped toward me and studied me openly. I felt like covering up my legs, so uncomfortably he made me feel under that undressing stare. Was he a sex freak or something?

Oh yes, it had to be him, I thought and gave him a second look.

"I very nearly thought you'd brought another troll to meet me. Well done, Cesar! Where did you unearth this little gem? May I?" he offered me his hand.

I laid my fingers in his palm, not quite understanding what he was driving at. The billionaire son (it had to be him if I understood the lay of the land correctly) pulled my hand, forcing me out of the chair. I was back on my feet, feeling naked under his hot gaze, sensing it like you would a touch, so greedily carnal it was. So that's what a succubus' victim was supposed to feel! An incubus' victim, rather. Or... I tried to shield myself from his gaze, sensing my breasts heave faster.

"Do introduce me to your friend, Cesar," the sultry young man said.

His father shook off his initial stupor, seemingly having warmed up to me after my initial blunder. He exchanged glances with Cesar. "Would you be so kind as to offer our guests a drink, Arthur," he said. "I'd appreciate it if you could entertain Miss... mmm... while I discuss a few things with Cesar. I count on you."

Ah, so that was the client's name, then. Arthur. I tried to keep a safe mental distance while thinking about him. He was quite cute. Not as tall and fit as Cesar — the boy was slim but his handsome face bore the stamp of aristocratic intelligence. He was about my age — possibly, slightly older.

"Absolutely, Father," Arthur replied. "Trust me, she won't get bored."

I had a funny feeling things were moving too fast. Way too fast. Not according to plan. What was I supposed to do? Were they going to leave us alone? Were they raving mad? Didn't they realize that this Arthur was only waiting for his chance to lay me right there and then on that golf course of a desk?

Luckily, they stayed. I breathed a sigh of relief. While Arthur was pouring a whisky and tonic, I studied him. What stood out immediately was the stark contrast between his demure business clothes, his refined and equally demure face — and his overbold manners. It was as if a vulgar bully had taken over the body of a mild-mannered young man. But what was I saying? That's exactly what it was!

His father reminded me of a snake hypnotizing its quarry. He'd taken Cesar to the window but I could still sense his intense stare. What was he afraid of, really? His sleek gray hair was swept back in a neat helmet, looking as if it were one with his head — as if it didn't dare move without its owner's express orders. How could Cesar even talk to that serpent of a man? The only feeling he aroused in me was the strong desire to talk back and object. This was an authoritarian type who liked everyone to dance to his own tune.

He was busy discussing something with Cesar. In the meantime, Arthur kept chatting away, his stare devouring me. At some point he casually laid his hand on my back. I moved my shoulder blades, shaking it off, with the vague promise of a swift kick to its owner's balls in case of repeat offense. It took all of my strength to say it: the incubus' sex appeal was squashing my brain like a vice, bringing forth the most provocative memories and fantasies. And while I could just about resist by keeping him at a distance, the moment he touched me the remaining shreds of my willpower seemed to disappear. I remembered how it had felt when I was possessed by the succubus; I remembered the men's will being crushed under my pressure: first the teacher, then Gordon... But still Mr. Wagner had managed to resist me! Not entirely on his own though: it was his briefcase that'd done most of the job. I didn't think he'd have managed without it.

Laughing, Arthur emptied his glass, then reached for a refill. "Are you going out? I think I might go with you. Where were you going, Brooklyn? I suggest Soho. I've just discovered a great new club there. Cesar, what d'you think?"

"Out of the question. Allison can't dance," he glared at my indignant face. It was a good job Arthur had turned away, otherwise he'd have known immediately it was a lie. A blatant lie at that! I could dance and Cesar knew it! We'd met in a club, after all.

But by the time Arthur turned to me, I'd already pulled myself together and gave a rueful shrug: like, it's not my fault I can't dance, sorry.

The father, looking like the snake of temptation he was, stood by the window, immobile and stern with his arms crossed on his chest. Cesar, on the contrary, walked over to us and stood between me and Arthur. "We'd better go now."

But it's so nice and warm here! I felt like I wanted to cry. Won't they even offer us something to eat? I was hungry as hell as I'd had no chance to even grab a quick snack before Cesar had kidnapped me from work.

"Sorry, we shouldn't make our friends wait," Cesar draped his arms around my shoulders and gave me a meaningful look, whispering, "We can't. The incubus might smell a rat. You should make him wait... warm him up... make him crave you."

Arthur, however, didn't look that interested. He probably didn't like me that much after all. "Okay," he said lightly. "Me, I'm off to the Pyramid."

His father and Cesar exchanged worried glances. Was it my imagination or did the billionaire give a barely noticeable nod? What were they conspiring about?

"Thanks for the drinks," Cesar laid his hand over my fingers still clutching the almost-empty tumbler. "Finish it, darling, and let's go."

My body was still shaking after the incubus' touch, betraying my arousal. And still Cesar's every touch sent warm waves running over my body. It was only thanks to his support I was still comfortable in this rather weird situation.

I clung to him. I just couldn't help it.

"Allison? Are you all right?" he sounded anxious. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," I said. "Why would there be something wrong-"

I panicked, sensing something that felt like a lizard stirring in my stomach, cold and slimy. I doubled with pain.

"You're as white as a sheet," Cesar fussed around me. Arthur's father walked over to me, his face unfathomable even if not exactly pleased.

I noticed Arthur stare at us in surprise. I think he went pale, too.

"Have you ever had whisky before?" he asked me.

"No," I managed. "No, I haven't."

My insides were in a knot. I very nearly collapsed but Cesar caught me just in time. My forehead was dripping with sweat. Catching the father's glare, I croaked, "I'm so sorry. I've no idea what it is. I'm sure it'll pass in a minute. Cesar, would you please-"

Talk about bad timing! I'd never had problems with alcohol before. My first whisky, big deal. We had to leave those two as soon as possible. Not a good idea for a customer to see me doubled up like that.

Sincere concern on his face, Arthur was already supporting me from the other side. He was indeed pale and moving his shoulders as if trying to push something — or someone — away. Even his eyes were now different, as if the incubus had lost control of him for a brief moment. What was it? Was it possible the demon inside him could sense my pain and respond to it?

"Father, we can't let Allison go the way she is. Ask someone to take her to one of the guest rooms."

"It's all right, no worry," I protested. "We really need to go."

But no one seemed to be listening. Arthur's father must have pressed a button on his golf course of a desk as two girls appeared, wearing chambermaids' little white aprons. The men handed my unyielding body over to them.

"You can still go when your friend feels a bit better," I heard the father's voice behind my back. "If not, you can always stay the night and I'll ask our family Doc to have a look at her in the morning."

Cesar looked pretty lost. He mumbled his thanks and hurried to catch up with us, "How are you feeling?" he asked, touching my hand.

Like a pile of shit. I didn't tell him that, though. "A bit better. I mean... ouch!" A new bout of pain made me double up.

As we left the room, Arthur caught up with us too. A new desire burned in his eyes. "I think I might still go to the Pyramid. Take care, Cesar. Allison... see you soon! Maybe sooner than you think."

He curved his lips in a grin that looked alien on his face, then sashayed for the exit. That's right. When I'd been possessed by the succubus I couldn't relate to other people's feelings, either.

They took me to a small room on the second floor — small enough to house a school gym. Joke. It was indeed rather small and cozy: a bed, a wardrobe, a table, a couple of chairs, and a thick soft rug on the floor. A heavy green curtain covered the window. The girls laid me on top of the bed and walked out. Cesar perched himself on the edge of the bed next to me. Arthur's father stood by the window.

I sprawled on the bed, weak with stomach ache. What a bummer!

"Will she be able to work?" Arthur's father said.

I was surprised to discover that all concern had left Cesar's eyes and his voice. He pulled a pillow from under me and shoved it under his elbow, making himself comfortable. "The potion's effect wears off after thirty minutes," he informed us. "Very soon Allison will be as good as new."

Potion? Had he spiked my whisky with... you don't mean it! So it was all a setup?

"You'd better put her in the picture, then," the old man said, looking even more like the snake of temptation he was. The prospect of me handling his son didn't seem to please him in the slightest. "If anything happens, Cesar, it's your responsibility."

I heard a growing threat in his voice. His glare was boring a hole in me, trying to reach my brain. Despite the fact that I was still wriggling in pain, I sensed I was falling into some kind of stupor.

"It's all under control," Cesar answered cheerfully. "I'll be nearby."

With one last will-suppressing glare my way, the billionaire snake walked out. I reflected this glare and forwarded it to Cesar hoping it hadn't lost any of its intensity. Most likely, it looked miserable: I was too wasted.

"A potion," I hissed. "I'm supposed to work tonight. What the hell is going on in here?"

That was about all I could manage, but at least I hoped that I'd succeeded in conveying my indignation. They had laced my drink with enough poison to knock me off my feet, and now they expected me to work? What did they think they were doing?

"Take it easy, babe. I'm gonna tell you everything in a minute," Cesar laid his hand on my shoulder, then jerked it back as I hissed in rage. "Just try to relax. It'll soon go, I promise. It's true I slipped something into your whisky but it's perfectly harmless, trust me. We had to be believable. The incubus was reading your aura. D'you remember how pale he went? And how quickly he pissed off afterward?"

I snortled weakly.

Cesar jumped off the bed and began pacing the room, rubbing his hands. "But he did bite! We're in luck!"

"Are you sure I'll get better soon?" I wheezed, cringing. I didn't appreciate his excitement. Okay, this was supposed to be my job, and still he could have shown his disappointment with my being kissed by someone else. Even though I was his girlfriend in name only, but you never know...

I felt so hurt I very nearly pulled the plug on it all. "What if we reschedule the whole thing for tomorrow? Don't I need to get myself ready? I know nothing about this sort of thing. I've never done it before."

"Ah yes," Cesar suddenly remembered. "When is your birthday? We might just as well set up the scene while the incubus is away chasing skirts."

Still unsure, I gave him the date. Cesar pulled out his smartphone and typed away a message. "Danny will send us the herbs we need. I've seen a few braziers here. Now I want you to listen."

Very nice. He was already all businesslike as if I wasn't even there. Never mind my needs, let alone my feelings. "I'm hungry," I said.

He stared at me in surprise. "You what? Ah yes, of course. Well, if you really are-"

"Of course I am!" true, I already felt much better. The pain seemed to be going. "You've kidnapped me from work. I didn't have anything since lunchtime, and it's ten p.m. now, in case you haven't noticed. And I have quite a few questions to ask you."

"Okay, but first I need to explain..."

"Food first," I demanded. "And then you're going to tell me why this friend of yours seems so unhappy about my being here."

Cesar stepped into the hallway and exchanged a few words with someone. "They'll bring you something to eat in a minute," he said, returning to my bedside. I'd already scooped up all the pillows and sat up, leaning against them. My head was perfectly clear. Nothing hurt. My stomach ache was gone.

"You see," he began, "you have no experience. Robert is worried about his son."

"So he is, is he?" I mumbled. "It doesn't look as if he's capable of worrying about anyone."

"An incubus feeds on his prey's sexual energy. That's the only food he needs. He couldn't care less about his host's need for nutrition. So if it takes over his host's body for long enough, the host risks death by starvation. Did you eat a whole lot when you were possessed?"

"I can't even remember."

"And that's the second of the dangers I've already told you about. The succubi and incubi suppress their host's personality, causing irreversible changes. When we finally manage to exorcise them, sometimes there's no personality left at all. A lot of unlucky hosts end up as driveling idiots in a mental hospital. And if a demon moves on promptly, all it leaves behind are various personality disorders, almost always accompanied by certain degrees of amnesia. You've been extremely lucky you got rid of your own so soon. Do you understand now why Robert is in a hurry?"

"Okay. Suppose I believe you. But why me? And how am I supposed to do it?"

Cesar glanced at his watch. A chambermaid walked in, carrying a tray which she placed in front of me.

"I need to have a word with someone while you eat," he said just as his cell buzzed. Phone in hand, Cesar walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a plateful of steak and French fries. Without hesitation, I tucked in.

Cesar walked back in, cheerful beyond belief, his eyes gleaming with energy.

"We're in luck," he announced. "Danny was just coming back from the greenhouse when I texted him. So it's all gonna happen much sooner than I thought."

"A greenhouse?" I pushed away the empty plate. "Do you want to say your little business is of industrial proportions?"

I heard a knock at the door.

"What, already?" Cesar looked surprised.

The door opened, letting in Arthur in a shimmering gray suit and an acid-blue shirt.

"You still here?" Cesar sat bolt upright. It looked as if we weren't the only ones who loved surprises.

Arthur walked in, his casual manner bordering on loose. "I've changed my mind," he announced. "Are you better, Allison?"

"Much better," I admitted for want of a better thing to say.

"Excellent," he glanced over me with a predatory expression. I felt the urge to cover myself. But at the same time, my breasts felt hot and heavy, I felt like undoing my bra or even removing my T-shirt. Dammit, that couldn't be me! I'm not that kind of girl! Jeez, those demons really could manipulate you, couldn't they?

"We were just talking about it," Cesar said. "Seeing as Allison is much better, we might be hitting the road in a minute."

"You shouldn't disturb her," Arthur bared his excellent teeth in a smile. "She needs some rest." The tip of his tongue traced his lower lip. I felt myself shaking. "I just wanted to make sure if she needed anything."

"So kind of you," Cesar said through clenched teeth.

"I think so too. Oh, Cesar, I had the impression on my way here that Father called you."

"Tell him I'll be with him in a moment."

"It's probably better if you tell him yourself."

Standing by my bedside, the two kept this exchange going: Arthur with a beaming smile, Cesar barely suppressing a scowl. Neither of them was going to leave the room first. Finally, a tense silence hung in the air.

"My father's waiting," Arthur reminded.

"After you," Cesar was adamant.

"Very well, then, "Arthur suddenly gave in. "Allison? I'll pop by to wish you good night later, if you don't mind."

"Sure you will," I said without thinking. "I mean, sure I don't mind."

Should I maybe flirt with him for real? That would make Cesar quit his pimping act and start paying attention. Didn't he realize I was a woman too and I had my needs?

As the billionaire's son walked out, his final stare literally burned a hole in me. Whew.

"Hey hey," Cesar shook my shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"Don't. The time hasn't come yet. We need to hurry. Feeling better?"

"I suppose so."

"Get out of bed, then," he waited for me to vacate it and pushed the bed to the window, then lifted the rug from the floor. "We've got a job to do."

I shook my head free of the obsession. Had I really behaved like Arthur just had? God forbid!

Cesar was busy drawing something on the floor. I took a better look. A pentagram.

Someone knocked. With a growl, Cesar sprang to the door, yanking it open. The person who stood in the doorway was Arthur's father.

"Didn't he tell you I wanted to see you?" he grumbled as he walked in. He was followed by a bespectacled guy not a day older than twenty-five, wearing a lab coat. He was staggering under the weight of a big canvas bag. What's that for a nerd?

"Hi, I'm Danny," he said with a quick furtive glance in my direction. The boy looked embarrassed. He mounted his bag on the table and began unloading thick red candles in glass candlesticks, bronze braziers and bunches of dried herbs.

"Aura element?" he asked me.

"Pardon me?"

"What's your aura element?" he repeated. I shrugged. What the hell did he mean? My life lately had been generous on nutcases. They all seemed slightly gaga here.

"She's Fire, I suppose," Cesar walked over to the table and scooped up the braziers. "Allison, we need your help. Get up and help us place the candles all the way around the pentagram. Danny, have you made her horoscope?"

"A rough draft, yeah, sort of," the kid hurried to explain. He produced a cellphone and poked at the screen. "You gave me no time to do a proper one. Here, look-"

Arthur's father at the window cut him short, "We have little time. Just do your herb thing."

Danny's face fell. He put the cell away and turned to his herbs. I admittedly liked him and hated to think he had to work for bullying types like Cesar or that billionaire control freak. Danny might be a very interesting person.

I walked over to the table. Immediately I recognized many of the herbs from my Gran's collection. She always had garlands of bunches drying in her kitchen.

I stood next to Danny watching him work. His face went pink — he was blushing like a young girl! Cesar joined us. Arthur's father watched us from the window with his arms crossed on his chest, impassive like an Indian. Actually... he didn't look as if he was new to it. You could tell it wasn't the first time he'd watched the procedure. He didn't even ask any questions. Who was he, then?

"You can't kill an incubus but you can disembody it," Cesar commented on Danny's quick work as he sorted the herbs into several piles. The scents of a summer meadow filled the room. "Do you remember what I did to the succubus that possessed you?"

"You had some kind of noose..." I remembered.

"Exactly. Now Danny here is about to make a similar one specially for you, based on your horoscope. You will use it to-"

"I can't guarantee the result, though," the kid complained as he perched on a chair. "The herbs haven't been properly dried."

His hands moved quickly as he added various herbs to the growing garland, braiding them gently and efficiently like a mother braiding her little girl's hair. He definitely seemed to enjoy it. As for me, I always had had a penchant for people who loved what they did for a living. I moved closer, looking over his hands. Danny turned red but didn't lose momentum. A water lily, a liverwort, milkwort, ribwort, hog bean... Obeying a sudden impulse, I rummaged through the pile of herbs for some wild garlic and handed it to Danny,

"You'll need this, too."

"Stay away!" the billionaire snapped from his window. I nearly jumped.

Cesar raised his hands in a gesture of conciliation. "Robert, wait," he looked at Danny who fiddled with the garlic's strong-smelling stalk. "What do you think, expert?"

"Well," he mumbled as if listening to some voice inside him. "If the hunter is indeed a Fire, the garlic might improve the rope's disembodying properties," he gave me a second look. "Are you a herbalist?"

"Not at all. I just thought that it might fit," I was already surprised at my unwanted gesture.

The billionaire shook his head in disapproval.

"What do you need my horoscope for?" I asked Danny.

He didn't play hard to get. "There're lots of herbs one can use to exorcise a demon. If you use all of them, the noose will be thicker than a ship's rope. You'd have to be very fit to use it. And as there're some fair ladies among us..." he cast a shy glance my way. "Also, it was noticed a long time ago that different herbs work differently with different hunters. We did a lot of experimenting, trying all sorts of combinations — apparently, lots of things can influence the rope's properties: the hunter's element, the hue of his or her aura, etc. etc. We discovered that a noose works much better if you tailor-make it not just for a particular demon but also for his hunter. Those that suit the hunter's character type. In your case," he gave me another furtive glance and handed me the noose, still moist to touch, "here. It should work well. I've done my best with it. So, er, good luck."

"Cut it short," the billionaire snapped. "It's nearly midnight. Allison, are you ready?"

"No, I'm not!" I protested. "I've no idea what to do!"

But no one seemed to be listening. Danny scooped up his herbal collection and left, stooping and casting weird glances my way. Cesar pushed the bed back in its place, now encircled by a row of candles and braziers. Arthur's father lit them all up personally, setting each on fire with his gold lighter.

Cesar switched off the lights, submerging the room in the crimson glimmer of warm romantic flames. A faint scent swirled in the air.

"Let it spread around the room a bit," Cesar explained. "Now go back to bed and I'll explain what you need to do. Don't worry, I'll never be too far away," he opened the door to the en suite and closed it. Was he going to spy on us?

The billionaire stuck out his fat finger, pointing at me. "And if anything happens to Arthur..."

He wasn't trying to be funny. His voice was filled with a very real, palpable threat. I shivered under the covers. Things were getting real serious.

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