Ashes of Forever

Rein's pulse hammered in his chest, but he couldn't look away. There was something in her voice, in the way she stood, that was drawing him in despite every instinct screaming for him to pull away.

"I've been waiting for you," the figure said, her tone almost playful now, as if the distance between them was a game. Her silhouette was sharp against the darkened street, and as she stepped forward, the shadows seemed to cling to her like a second skin.

Rein's breath hitched. He didn't know what to do, what to say. His mind was racing, trying to remember the briefings, the plans—they all seemed so distant now, as if none of it mattered in this moment. Ciena had warned him, but nothing could have prepared him for this.

"Who are you?" he managed to repeat, his voice barely a whisper, his throat dry.

The figure's smile widened, but her eyes—violet and impossibly deep—never left his.

"Does it matter?" Her voice was like a caress, soft yet sharp with intent. "You're exactly what I've been searching for."

Rein's gaze shifted nervously, his heart thudding in his chest. He knew she wasn't talking about any of the things he wanted her to. The innocence, the purity. He couldn't hide from it—he was the prey, and she knew it.

But something about her felt... different. There was a power in her, something ancient, pulling at him in ways he couldn't understand.

"Come down," she coaxed, stepping closer to the base of the house. "We need to talk."

Rein didn't move. He just stared at her, trying to sort through the swirl of emotions. Fear, yes—but also something else, something darker, something he didn't know how to label. Desire, maybe. Or was it curiosity? No. It was more than that. It was like his very soul was responding to hers.

"I..." He tried to speak, but his voice faltered. Why was he even still standing here, speaking to her? Wasn't this exactly what they wanted? Ciena's plan to lure her out, to make him the bait...

"Come down," she repeated, her voice suddenly colder, the words laced with an almost predatory edge. "You're not afraid of me, are you, Rein?"

The use of his name sent a jolt through him, as though something deep inside him had been triggered, something old and buried. It was like a thread, pulling him, weaving him toward her.

He should've felt afraid, but instead, there was only an overwhelming pull in his chest. Every fiber of his being was telling him to do something—anything—to get closer to her.

"I'm not afraid of you," he said before he could stop himself.

The figure smiled again, and this time, it wasn't kind. There was something wicked in it, something that made his skin crawl. "Good. Then come down."

But just as he was about to take a step forward, something stirred in the corner of his vision. A shadow moving against the wind. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he turned, heart leaping into his throat.

Ciena, Kael, and Diana were all standing there, hidden behind the corner of the house, watching silently. Rein had never felt so exposed. His mind raced, but the succubus's voice brought him back, smooth and insistent.

"I'm here, Rein. Don't keep me waiting."

The desire to comply was overwhelming, but a part of him—just the faintest flicker—felt the presence of his companions nearby, the sense of their protection still lingering in the air. He couldn't do this. Not like this. Not alone.

He took a breath, steadying himself, his hand gripping the windowsill tightly. His voice, quieter now, steadied. "What do you want from me?"

The succubus tilted her head, her smile broadening, almost affectionate. "I want what all creatures like me want: to feed, to take, to drain the purity and innocence from a soul like yours."

She took another step forward, her form melting deeper into the shadows.

"And you are just... perfect."

Rein's heart skipped. His breath quickened, and a strange warmth spread through him, his body betraying him in ways he couldn't control. Was it real? Was this really happening? Was it all just a test, some cruel game?

Then, before he could think further, Ciena's voice rang out sharply, breaking the heavy silence.

"Rein, don't!"

In an instant, the succubus froze, her smile faltering as she turned toward Ciena, Kael, and Diana emerging from the shadows.

"Did you really think I wouldn't know you were here?" the succubus purred, her voice cutting through the air. The darkness around her seemed to gather and pulse, radiating an unnatural, almost suffocating presence.

Rein's pulse slowed, the momentary tension easing. But the succubus's gaze never left him, as if she could feel the conflict raging inside him.

"You have others to protect you," she said, almost mockingly. "How sweet."

Ciena stepped forward, her expression hard. "We don't need your tricks. You'll leave this town, or we'll make you."

The succubus laughed, the sound echoing eerily through the street. "You think you can stop me?"

Kael drew his sword, its tip gleaming in the faint moonlight. "We'll see about that."

The succubus's eyes glinted as her lips curled into an unreadable expression. "You're more than welcome to try."