CH 15 - Making Amends

Despite everything, Logan thought today felt like a victory, especially it seemed, for Karen. No one had expected such a fierce response from her, least of all Karen herself.

He was happy for her and very damned grateful. Without her surprising intervention, the plan, his plan, might have ended on a far more tragic note, and there was no one to blame for that except himself. Had he been more concerned about making certain the prisoner was secure and less about getting information out of her, the escape attempt could have been prevented.

I have to do better, Logan thought as he returned to the cavern after disposing of the body. There is no margin for error in this place. Another mistake like that could get someone killed.

He made an effort to shake off grim thoughts and smile for Karen’s benefit. He owed her that much. This was her moment of triumph, and he was not going to ruin that.

“So, Karen the slayer...” Logan winked at her.

Karen looked at her feet and blushed like a schoolgirl, but she also grinned. She had a nice smile. Hopefully, they would see a lot more of it from here on out.

“We should celebrate,” Logan went on. “Let us feast! Let’s see...” He tapped thoughtfully at his lower lip. “We have cooked bristle pig, smoke strips of bristle pig, and ... oh yes, burnt bristle pig.”

Beauty smiled. Karen giggled.

“It doesn’t matter,” Karen replied. “You do recall that I did not even remember the taste of meat before meeting you, don’t you?” She looked up at Logan. “I’m beginning to remember a lot about me, thanks to you.”

She turned and smiled at Beauty. “And to you. Logan and I would both be reduced to mist or worse if not for your quick response. This is the second time you have saved me from a demon and I have yet to thank you for it. So, thank you very much, Beauty.”

“Welcome.” Beauty replied.

He looked at his demon companion, seeing her in a new way, or perhaps just in the old way. Karen’s assessment of the fight with Seralla was entirely correct. She might have landed the killing blow but Beauty has saved all their asses.

Before that, she had tried to pull him aside and express her obvious concerns about his interest in working with the other Succubus. She could not have known he was faking that interest to pry information out of Seralla. From Beauty’s perspective, it must have looked as if he was considering Seralla as a replacement for her with all the talk of alliance and political maneuvering.

Yet, Beauty had supported him anyway. She had remained loyal and trusted that he would do what needed to be done. Two characteristics he had thought her incapable of.

I have been an idiot.

“I suppose we have a lot to talk about,” he said to Beauty.

“Talk. Yes.”

“I’m going to get cleaned up,” he said to his demon lover. “Care to join me?”

Beauty simply nodded and walked toward the hot springs.

Logan look at Karen. “I need to have a serious, long overdue chat with Beauty. Will you be alright on your own for a while?”

“Of course,” she smiled. “Go.”

Man and Succubus undressed and climbed into the steaming water. Both occupied themselves with the task of washing away accumulated grime and dust. Logan sighed and finally spoke up after a few minutes of silence. “I have you to thank, as much as Karen, for saving my ass out there. Your quick tackle made the difference. Beauty, you are quick and strong, and damned effective, all without any training. With you, it’s all instincts.”

She cocked her head. “Instincts?”

He nodded. “It is ... a part of who you are. What you are. Just like how you feed.” Logan heaved a great sigh. “Which we probably need to talk about and clear the air between us.”

Beauty sniffed. “Clear the air?”

“Oh, right,” he replied. “It is a human way of saying that there is a topic that needs to be discussed. So, speaking of which ... Beauty, you know that I was angry with you, yes?”

“Logan angry,” she agreed. “Beauty not know why.”

“Yeah, I guessed as much.” He splashed water on his face and blinked at her. “Shit. How do I explain this so you will understand? As a Succubus, you need sex to feed. Humans need sex too but not to feed. We have different needs. It can be to show affection to someone we care about, or just for fun, just to name two out of many reasons we like to do it. Regardless, it is for pleasure. Giving pleasure and receiving it in return. No one gets hurt.”

He frowned and settled deeper into the water. “It’s not like that with your kind. You feed off of sex, quite literally eating a part of me every time you bring me to orgasm. And not just sexual fluids. I saw it with that poor soul caught between the two Incubi and did not realize it at the time. Somehow it is the energy, or spirit, that you consume. Perhaps even a part of my soul.”