A Succubus' love Story

Dress Shopping

"I haven't a clue what you are talking about," Branwenn pleaded with a straight face.

Hands on her hips Chloe twirled from the blue dress she had been admiring and glared, "Don't give me that missy. I can tell by the glow in your cheeks and twinkle in your eyes that something happened," she grumbled.

Rolling her eyes Branwenn sighed, "Okay, maybe there was a teeny, tiny, little...kiss," she spoke as a blush flamed her cheeks and Chloe squealed in delight.

Her friend's excitement had the shop attendant glaring at them as she passed, a silver glint in her opal eyes. Her fair hair and feathered dress proclaimed her a member of the Harpie race and Branwenn knew too well It wouldn't do to offend them. They were some of the fiercest and sometimes sadistic when it came to punishments.

Taking Chloe by the hand she quickly grabbed the red floor length gown and headed for the register.

Frowning Chloe tugged on her arm, "Wait, I wanted the blue one," she whined.

Smiling she assured her, "If I've learned anything from my sister's it's dresses and this ruby number will go amazingly with your gorgeous silver locks," playfully she tugged on one long strand and was rewarded with a blush from Chloe.

Reaching a hand up to her hair tentatively Chloe's once exuberant voice was now unsure, "You think so?"

Smiling she gave Chloe a quick hug, "I know so," she whispered. Finishing up the transaction before they irked the Harpie any further both girls made their way onto the street and burst into fits of giggles.

"I thought she was going to eat me alive," Chloe laughed holding her side with one hand and clutching the dress in the other.

Branwenn shook her head, "No way, that would be too easy. You really know how to push people's buttons though."

"Ha, you haven't seen anything yet," the bright look had returned to Chloe's eyes. It had worried her to see the look of uncertainty on her face, but it seemed the moment had passed.

"So, about that tiny kiss," Chloe grinned.

Huffing, Branwenn rolled her eyes, "Has anyone ever told you that you have a one-track mind?"

Chloe merely raised an eyebrow waiting as they stopped at a corner near the park.

Branwenn shuffled nervously, "You know this is so not fair, where's your secret love so I can tease you all day?"

Chloe's grinned widened, "So you love him, eh?"

Realizing what she had just said had her freezing to the spot. Did she love him? She couldn't...she barely knew him, but her heart beat out a frantic rhythm calling her a liar. The thought frightened her. There were things he didn't know. Her feeding for example. How would he react when he realized she fed on men for sustenance, had fed on him before. Accidental or not she couldn't see him reacting well to that knowledge. Why should he?

Biting her lip, she felt as if her heart was in her throat. She cared deeply for Liam and for a Succubus that was dangerous. What would she do if he couldn't accept her true nature. Of course, she had been working to control her urges and it seemed to be working, but even she knew it was only a temporary reprieve. It wouldn't last forever.

"Branwenn...are you okay?"

Chloe's tentative voice pulled her out of her depressing thoughts, "I'm sorry I was just lost in my thoughts for a moment. Thinking of that kiss," she smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Chloe gave her a speculative look, but before she could comment a loud crash sounded from the park.

Sharing a worried glance both girls rushed into the park. It covered a large area in the center of the city and was kept lush and green by the many nymphs that cared for it. The park was filled with seating and a track that ran in a circle around the perimeter, but in the center, was a large field where games of all kinds could be held. Normally the park was normally popular on the weekends, but was now empty save for a group of dark haired boys in the field.

"Traitor, how dare you show your face in our territory," A venomous snarl rose from a particularly tall boy as he pushed another young man against a tree. The poor boy's friend came up and growled a warning as they were surrounded by the bullies two friends.

"We're sick of seeing your face you, filthy traitor. Fraternizing with those stinking Yuki Onna and then daring to come around here like nothing's wrong," The leader nodded to his friends and they grabbed the boy's friend and held him back.

Branwenn sucked in a breath when she noticed the color of their uniforms, red and white. These were Incubi. Her heartbeat quickened in fear as she saw the scene before her. Frozen in indecision she was unable to stop Chloe as she shouted in outrage.

"Hey, what the hell do you have against Yuki Onna!"

Her friend marched up to the group of stunned Incubi with a look of pure fury in her eyes.

Snapping out of her stupor, Branwenn followed despite her fear. She couldn't allow her friend to be hurt by them.

As they neared the group, the leader sneered, "Oh look a Yuki bitch, why don't you kiss her since we know how much you love them," he laughed viciously and shoved the boy he had been holding to the ground.

Landing with a thud near their feet the boy shook his head and glared back at him with the glowing gold eyes of their kind. Branwenn gasped as she noticed his sharp features and the small scar on his cheek. She knew this Incubus.

"Malachi," the whispered word caught his attention immediately and he stared at her in shock and something else she couldn't name.

Her body began to shake as memories flooded in. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she stared down at the boy of her nightmares.

"Well, look here boys. It's Little virgin Branny," the leader chuckled darkly drawing their attention once more.

His friends chuckled as they held the other boy struggling in their grasp.

Advancing the leader grinned widely revealing sharp fangs, "Remember me Branny, it's Zacharias. You and I had so much fun back in the day."

She shivered, but gritted her teeth. She remembered him well almost as much as Malachi. What were the odds she would be defending her worst enemy from the boy she once thought was her savior?

"Leave them alone, Zach. There's no need to start up trouble. I'm sure your father wouldn't like to hear about any more incidents," she scolded in her most haughty voice, but inside she thought she might throw up from nerves.

He growled low in his throat, "You little...," Rearing back he aimed is fist for her and she flinched instinctively.

When no impact came she opened her eyes blinkingly to see Malachi holding Zach's fist in his palm and a grim set to his mouth.

"You bastard," Chloe shouted from beside her, but she couldn't take her eyes off Malachi.

She had never seen him look so furious. Something in his eyes almost reminded her of Liam...,but that couldn't be right.

"Stay the hell away from Branwenn," his golden eyes glowed intensely as he stared into Zach's narrowed eyes.

Gritting his teeth, Zach cursed and pulled his hand away, "Just stay out of my way, traitor." For a moment it looked as though he backed off, but a sudden grin broke out on his face and he aimed for Malachi this time.

Heart leaping into her throat, Branwenn grabbed hold of Malachi's hand and dragged him away just in time.

She barely knew what she was doing, but adrenaline began pumping in her system and she just kept running. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Zach stumble as he missed his target and his friends let go of the other boy in an attempt to help him.

"Keep running Branwenn," Chloe screamed, but it was a useless command as running was the only thing she could do. She didn't know what had possessed her to grab Malachi's hand. Maybe it was the small part of him that reminded her of Liam. Or maybe she just couldn't stand to see anyone else hurt like she was...even if it was him, but her choice was made. She was running away with the boy of her nightmares and there was no turning back.