The castle seemed to breathe.
Its walls pulsed with echoes of distant voices, and the wind slipping through its corridors whispered like the sighs of ancient souls.
Lucy climbed a narrow stone staircase, each step marked by the metallic tap of her wet boots.
At the top, the room opened into a chamber draped in violet curtains swaying gently, concealing the center of a mist-filled hall bathed in lilac light.
She took a few cautious steps, Dracallion already in hand.
The air thickened.
Bats materialized, dozens, then hundreds of them, spiraling behind her in a dark vortex.
Lucy turned just as the swarm twisted and fused, flesh and shadow writhing until they shaped the figure of a nakedwoman, skin pale as moonlit bone, hair dyed a bruised shade of purple.
She released a low, inviting laugh.
The woman walked toward Lucy, violet eyes shimmering.
"Welcome, darling," she said, voice soft and perilous.
Lucy arched a brow.
"That's the greeting around here? I like the effort."
The woman stopped before her, lips curled in a teasing smile.
"Is this your first time here?"
Lucy rested the sword on her shoulder, relaxed.
"Yeah. And so far… I'm enjoying myself."
The woman laughed, a sound like tiny bells trembling in the air.
"Ah… I do appreciate enthusiastic guests."
Lucy looked her up and down, smirking.
"Let me guess, you're a succubus, right? Funny. Shouldn't an incubus show up to greet me? Since I'm a woman."
The succubus began to circle her, trailing her fingertips along Lucy's torn coat.
"You're not wrong," she whispered, leaning close enough that her breath grazed Lucy's ear.
"But you… you're different. I can sense your tastes. Men and women stir your blood the same, don't they?"
Lucy answered with a crooked, teasing grin.
"Ah, I see… So tell me, are you going to be good to me?"
The woman slid her fingers under Lucy's chin.
"Of course. As long as you're a good girl for me too."
A soft, wicked giggle.
"I'll treat you so well you'll never want to leave."
Lucy looked her over, amused.
"Seems like things are heating up."
The woman took Lucy's hand and pressed it to her bare chest, guiding it slowly.
"Do you like that?" she whispered.
Lucy didn't answer, only offered a feline, enigmatic stare.
The succubus traced down her abdomen, her fingers curious.
"Even with immortal blood, your skin is warm like a human's. Fascinating."
Lucy smiled.
"One of my many charms."
The woman pressed her body against hers, heat washing over cold night air.
Their lips met.
A slow, hungry kiss, tongues entwining with no shame, no restraint.
Lucy knew it was a trap…
but for a heartbeat, she wanted to believe in the warmth.
She kissed down the woman's neck, licking, tasting, while the succubus moaned softly, biting Lucy's lips before returning the kisses with playful nips at her throat.
They kissed again, deep, breathless, until Lucy felt the pull.
A vacuum.
Her life force draining, her body growing heavier, weaker.
Her vision doubled.
With a harsh jerk, she kicked the succubus in the stomach, sending her crashing into a pillar.
The demoness laughed, licking her lips.
"Ah… you're delightful."
She swept a hand through the air and a tight, black outfit formed around her, the fabric clinging like living flame. Violet fire erupted into a staff crackling with purple heat.
"You have delicious energy. Come, my pretty thing. Let's dance."
Lucy wiped her mouth and twirled Dracallion.
"Dance? Fine. But I tend to step on my partners' feet."
The woman laughed and unfurled her demon wings.
They rushed at one another.
The succubus hurled bolts of violet fire; Lucy spun, slicing through them mid-air.
Their strikes clashed like music, steel ringing, breaths cutting through mist, footsteps echoing like drums.
Lucy ducked low, swept sideways, and severed one of the woman's wings.
The demon screamed, firing a scorching blast that shattered the floor.
The duel raged, the Sucubus conjuring flames and tornados of bats, Lucy searching for the smallest breach in her defense.
Then Lucy vaulted upward and drove Dracallion into the woman's shoulder.
The succubus collapsed into her arms, purple blood spilling down her body, moaning, somehow smiling through pain.
"Gods… you're strong."
A flash of violet flame gathered in her palm, another spell ready.
But Lucy drew a pistol and shot her clean in the stomach.
The blast echoed through the hall.
The succubus arched, coughing blood, half pleasure, half agony.
Lucy sighed.
"Don't you think that's enough?"
The demoness smiled faintly, eyes half-closed.
"Very well… you win."
She took a shaky breath, her fingers brushing Lucy's hair.
"Your father was a pretty werewolf, you know. He subdued countless monsters to protect this castle. And you… you're not far behind.
Your sister too… even with that cold, emotionless demeanor of hers. I must admit it's… charming."
Her body began to dissolve into violet fire, her face still wearing a teasing smile.
"My name is Velmorah… and now I shall aid you."
The flames twisted and condensed into a black-and-violet staff, fire blooming at both ends, the metal humming with demonic power.
Lucy seized it, giving it a few experimental spins.
Then she extended it to the chamber's ceiling, lifted herself with a fiery grin, and began dancing, pole-dancing, imagining a cheering crowd, music pounding, lights flashing.
Her movements were sensual, confident, taunting.
Bats and violet sparks swirled around her as she spun.
When she slipped down the staff, a satisfied smirk spread across her lips.
"I love it."
She kissed the weapon.
The flames crackled in response.
"Welcome to the team, Velmorah."
Outside…
On the balcony, Tory still fought.
Her twin Uzis roared, showering the night with golden sparks.
Wendigos collapsed one after another, until the last was decapitated by a clean, controlled burst.
She exhaled, breath turning to mist in the cold air.
Holstering the weapons, she stared toward the castle's entrance, toward where Lucy had vanished.
"Let's see where that vampire wandered off to…"
Her footsteps echoed down the dark corridor, fading into the castle's living, pulsing hunger.
To be continued…