“Shit.”

  Just his luck, out of everything Simon could have possibly come across in this place, it had to be one of the worst.

  He raised his hands, magic whirling up once more, staring directly into the eyes of a demon.

  “I don’t want any trouble; it was very unintentional.”

  Glowing crimson pupils set in pitch black stared back.

  A smoky chuckle escaped the lips of the entity as it rose to its full seven-foot height.

  “Oh. Why the sudden hostility? I assure you, I mean you no harm. Besides, was it not you who so unceremoniously crashed into me?”

  Every word from those full ruby red lips seemed to calm his nerves. It sent all the blood directly south; only the apprehension kept anything untoward from happening.

  Simon bristled at the feeling.

  “Ma’am, I am simply trying to get home. This was just a mistake. A simple coincidence.”

  “Why so tense?”

  Smooth purple arms crossed under a substantial chest covered in what could generously be called a bikini. Despite the action and words, the feelings of arousal were actually dying down, leaving behind a soothing sense, but Simon remained vigilant.

  “Another way to look at coincidence is fate. Both of us are here, and if you are going home, you are done for the day. Why not indulge? I’ll pay.”

  The words were smooth. Easy and worse—truthful.

  It was frighteningly easy to forget that the beautiful, feminine being in front of him was a monster— one that did not feel emotions at all.

  It was a predator on the prowl. But like any predator, they were very good at hunting prey.

  ‘Why not grab something to eat?’

  ‘A free meal is a free meal.’

  ‘A succubus cannot be trusted.’

  Simon knew full well the threat a succubus posed. It would never be a danger to his person. This infernal simply did not operate in such a fashion. When he fell, everyone, including himself, would believe it was his fault.

  But damn if today was not tiring, and some free food would be nice.

  Also, despite all the bad things ever said about Succubi, they were a cornerstone of human civilization. Almost every advance in understanding human psychology came from the influence of Succubi; they were just that good at reading human emotion. A therapist without a Succubus is not considered a serious therapist.

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  A Succubus could actually be good for him. There would be manipulation, sure, any magical being in existence would always have an agenda. Wasn’t that the case for anyone or anything? Sure, Infernals were on the evil end of the scale, but that only meant there was an extra need to be cautious to avoid doing anything stupid. Besides, he had counsel always present, so it should be fine.

  A one-off, Simon convinced himself. He needed a break, and this could be the perfect opportunity.

  Sighing to himself, he turned to the Succubus.

  “Sure, I can eat, but we are ordering in, and we are going to my house.”

  The reply was a toothy grin full of sharp fangs.

  “I might have preferred a place to have some fun, but this works just as well.”

  The demon extended a hand, smooth and feminine, its tips neatly trimmed ebony-black nails.

  This felt suspiciously like making a deal with the devil, but Simon was spent. He just went through one fight for his life. Another would just be too much, even if it were of a different kind.

  Give the demon the attention it wants and part ways amicably; a small drain on the magical reserves was a good trade for a full belly.

  Also, Succubi tended to be loaded so that tonight could be a feast.

  Simon travelled home at a more sedate pace now with a succubus in lock step. At least the demon kept a comfortable distance, taking care not to approach too closely. Also, while he would never admit it, the soothing effect of a succubi’s presence did help calm his fraying nerves.

  The Infernal also hummed a tune, a catchy song he had heard while browsing the net now and then.

  The world was very dead at this time of night, with the few stragglers carefully minding their own business. Simon could relate.

  He lived on the edge of this place, and he grew up there, and it was not a place you wanted to wander about at night. Hell, there were entire weeks where the best thing you could be doing was hunkering down in your own home.

  Being so close to the Cargo Hold meant that almost every known criminal organization wanted a piece.

  And when they disagreed…

  Simon shuddered as he thought about what had happened just a couple of months ago.

  “Penny, for your thoughts?”

  He nearly jolted at the intrusion, only to calm down at realizing who the speaker was.

  “Don’t do that!”

  The succubus gingerly took a step away from him. The gait of the action was that of a sensual dancer, drawing attention to the smooth and powerful with just the right amount of thickness in the right places.

  “Sorry. Just felt your thoughts spiraling and simply wanted to help.”

  Simon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. They were close now, just a bit further, and they would be at the apartment complex. The safety of his home would set him right, it had to.

  “I will feel better when we are off the streets.”

  The succubus gave a cursory view of the surroundings and nodded.

  “That makes sense. No one wants to be out and about, given where we are and what time it is.”

  Within minutes, they were in sight of the large building; tension left Simon’s shoulders.

  Home, the place he needed to be.

  “Huh, well, this makes it a bit awkward.”

  He turned to see the Succubus tilting its head to the side, a finger rubbing the tip of an elongated elfin ear.

  “What?”

  A sheepish smile formed with those very attractive lips.

  “I assure you that it is a coincidence, but I also happen to live here.”

  Simon repeated his words.

  “What?!”