Succubi. Numerous, scantly clad and with the depth of a puddle. I'd exorcised a great deal of them, usually to their chagrin. They were always eager for more, but I couldn't help thinking they were only trying to get under my skin—and maybe into it.
I'd received yet another summons from the church to visit a demon. I didn't want to do it, but I had no choice. My faith required it, but so did my conscience. The demon in question was something of an enigma. She'd been described as an older woman yet lacked the guile of any seasoned succubus I'd ever the displeasure of banishing. In fact, not a single soul had been drained by this demon; the demoness simply seemed to be offering comfort and companionship to those who sought it. Nevertheless, faith—and duty, called.
***
The walk into the demon's domain was short and uneventful, lacking the usual demonic taint. I'd learned over the years that most demons preferred to live underground, where they could be free to do whatever they pleased without being bothered by humans. This demon was no exception.
What was an exception was the openness of the demon's dwelling place. Demons are normally housed in dark, dank caves or abandoned ruins, places of gloom and despair. There are exceptions, of course, but they're few and far between. Instead of sulfur, I smelled the sweet scent of roses and heard the gentle tinkling of bells. I found myself wondering if I'd wandered into a church instead of a demon's lair.
"Oh, a visitor!" A warm voice called from the shadows, a hint of surprise caught in its pitch. "Come closer, dear. I can see you clearly."
I walked forward, drawn by the sound of the bubbly voice. The succubus was sitting on a plush sofa, legs crossed and hands resting atop her knees. The ample nature of her features was...unusual, to say the least. Succubi often mimicked the form of a humanoid female in her prime, utilizing the spiritual energy of their victims to retain a youthful figure. Not her. Her breasts were heavy and full, typical of someone past their childbearing years, and her hips and thighs were thick; a frilly apron clung to her features.
Her face was pretty, though: round and cherubic, framed by hair that fell in soft, dark curls to her shoulders. She was smiling, but it wasn't the kind of smile that one might expect from a succubus. It was a genuine smile, one that suggested warmth and happiness. She looked like she'd just come home from a long day at work.
"Hello," I said, keeping my tone even and professional. "You must know why I'm here, given the getup."
She laughed. "It's not every day I get a visit from a clergyman. And I have never seen a priest look so disheveled. You must be exhausted after your journey."
"Yes, well, it was rather taxing. But I've come prepared." This encounter lacked the 'tempo' of a typical exorcism. I was at a loss.
She smiled again, this time showing off her dimples. "Of course. Please, make yourself comfortable."
I sat across from the succubus, looking around the room. She hadn't gone overboard with decorating, but the walls were lined with shelves filled with books, vases and figurines, and paintings hung on the wall. A fire burned in the hearth, filling the room with a pleasant aroma; was this place some sort of shrine?
"So, what brings you here?" she asked, leaning back against the sofa and crossing her arms. "Have you been having trouble with your congregation? Are they all ill? Oh I hate when people are ill."
I frowned. "No, nothing of the sort. I came here to...banish a succubus; you, in fact."
"A succubus?" She cocked her head to the side. "Why would you want to do such a thing? Don't they bring joy and comfort to their victims?" She spoke as though she were entirely unaware to her own nature. Then again, what was this peculiar succubus's nature?"
"That's true," I added, "but they also drain their victims dry. They're not above using force or trickery to do so, either. I banish all demonic entities that manifest in the material plane. I just wasn't expecting a demoness like you."
"Oh, I'm not a demoness." She pouted, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm a demon. Just a little old one, really. I'm hardly as bad as the others."
"Well, you are certainly different than any demon I've ever encountered before. That's for certain. You seem...honest."
"Honest?" She chuckled, nodding. "Yes, I suppose I am. I don't lie, cheat, steal or kill. I don't need to. I have no reason to. Why would I want to take away someone else's joy? If I can help it, I prefer to keep them happy." A shade of crimson filled her cheeks, and she dropped her gaze to the floor. "Besides, I'm very old, and I think I've earned a little peace and quiet. I don't want to be constantly surrounded by young men who are looking for fun."
"Young men?" I raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean..."
"Yes, I mean them. Young, strong men. Men who know how to treat a woman right." She sighed, shaking her head. "They're all so...young. All of them need guidance but...using my body to comfort them could lead to dire consequences. It's all so terrible."
What a perplexing situation. This demoness, a spawn of the darkest depths, appeared to be measures kinder than most nuns I'd met in my service to the church. Sincerity oozed from her every pore, yet fundamentally, it was my duty to banish if not outright destroy such entities. I had to consider the greater good.
"I understand," I said, nodding. "But I still must ask: don't you have cravings? Aren't you starved for sexual energy?"
"Ah, yes, well..." She looked up, a small frown marring her otherwise flawless features. "It's difficult, I suppose. Without the nourishment of sexual energies," the demoness playfully squeezed at the droopy pouch of flesh that was her abdomen, akin to a 'mommy-pouch', "I'm not exactly a spring chicken." Her awkward laugh was melodic, "I haven't had a lover in so long, and I miss it, but if it means keeping people safe then so be it! I'll offer them my company and comfort, and that's enough. Besides, I don't mind. I enjoy being alone, really. I've been around for quite some time now...You get used to it."
I felt pitiful. "I know what you mean...about the loneliness, that is." I'd dedicated my life to God and had no qualms about it, but in the demoness's isolation I saw my own.