You don't understand what will happen if you say my name. Don't do it.

"Isn't that what I should expect a demon to say?"

Zira... His voice in my head was chiding. You won't like the result.

"And I should trust you now, should I?"

Yes... He purred from within my mind. You said you loved me.

I rounded to shout in accusation. "I said it because you made me! That's the only reason."

I returned to my path. Stomping angrily.

But I didn't, Zira. I did nothing to force it from you. You gave yourself to me. He said in that low velvety voice. Moaning in his aroused way in my mind. The sound that always accompanied his hard shaft.

It was somewhat gratifying to realize he was hard right now but could do nothing about it as long as I was fully alert.

That's rather cruel, Zira. Heartless...

"You're heartless!"

Am I? Then how am I coming to care for you.

"You only care for your satisfaction!"

I was stomping around trees. My feet somehow finding me a path. I intended to get to market. My skirt was heavy with coin now.

He is paying me for every time he takes me.

I'm not paying you. He objected. I'm tending you. I can't have the vessel of such great pleasures starve, now can I?

"What if I do?" I rounded. My eyes brightening. "What if I do? What if I refuse to eat ever again rather than continue as your plaything for my entire existence?"

I wouldn't recommend it.

"Of course, you wouldn't!"

I wouldn't let you starve.

"You can't force me to do anything but accept your body into mine." I'd learned that much, at least.

Yes. And I can inject enough sustenance into you, to keep you healthy.

I frowned as I considered what he was saying. "How..."

In your mouth. He said flatly.

He's telling me he could keep me sustained by the consuming his seed? The thought was horrifying. I couldn't imagine how many times he'd have to overtake my face to manage that.

Every time. He answered.

"Get out of my head!" I pushed on my temples.

Let me in the rest of you.

"Why do you torment me when you're not having your pleasures with my flesh? Why bother?" I was furious.

Because I'm lonely. He admitted. I've been lonely a long time, Zira.

"You've tortured others, I know you have. You've never been alone!"

He clucked in his cheek. Zira...Even I know there's a far cry between pleasures of the flesh and true companionship.

"I am not your companion! I never will be."

We'll see about that. He said derisively.

After a moment he added aloud. "Don't say my name, Zira. You won't like the result. I've never lied to you."

He thinks I won't like being without him. I knew his arrogance knew no limits. I'd never met such a self-satisfied creature.

***

The hour was drawing late and I had a decision to make.

I was tired. More tired than I could ever remember being.

Go to sleep. He urged. Let me have my way with you.

I could hear the pleased smile in his voice.

"You're deplorable."

In the most absolute way. He conceded.

"Leave me alone."

Take your clothes off, open your pretty thighs, let yourself moisten at the sound of my voice. Offer yourself to me. I'll give you pleasure. I can promise it.

"I'm going to say your name." I lay back on the leaves. Fully dressed and with my cloak. An eager light in my eyes as I came to the decision. Despite his warnings.

No...

"I'm going to."

Zira. Be sensible. Don't think with your anger. I'm a demon. Everything I do has purpose. I'd not have given you my name if any good would come of it for you.

"But I think you would've. I was persuasive. I gave you everything you wanted."

You deceive yourself. I taught you how to give yourself what you wanted. How to surrender yourself to the pleasure and let it consume you.

"No. It was what you wanted." I argued. Expression hard in the dancing firelight of my campfire. The flames rising and falling.

I knew he was always nearby as far as invading my mind. But I could feel his presence now like an encroaching storm. Hiding just beyond the shadows, waiting like the predator he was to attack at the moment I was too weak to resist.

As he always does...

It wasn't what I wanted. He returned to the previous subject.

"No?" I challenged. Looking up at a beautiful starry sky. "Then what would you want?"

Your absolute surrender. Turning your body over to me in absolute trust. I could set you free and in turn, you'd free me. I could reside in your body with your willingness for an eternity. You'd never find a man more faithful.

I lurched up on my elbow. The very concept was utterly astonishing. "You lie! You're insane."

I never lie. I've told you nothing but truths.

"Well, take this truth, Van-"

He materialized from beyond the fire. His face forming and then his hand as it made contact with my face. Covering my mouth as I saw the haze of him crouched before me.

"Last warning, Zira." He lifted his hands in surrender and backed up. Rounding the fire without looking and fading back into the night.

I stared at the light of the fire. Somehow worried that I should believe him. But knowing him well enough to assume that he was implying I'd be lost after I sent him away.

I'll be fine.

"Vandiel..." I whispered into the night.

He materialized next to the fire, near me. His whole body visible. Shrouded in dark shining skin. He walked quickly predatorily toward me. All previous coercing and slow caresses gone.

This creature was something else...