by Eric Vall
A scream of rage ripped from my body, and the temperature in the room suddenly rose twenty degrees as electricity crackled in the surrounding air. A dark wind howled through the bar, carrying with it the smell of sulfur and brimstone. Fire whipped around me as I summoned flames once more.
“I admire the enthusiasm, Mr. Ralston, but mine’s bigger,” he said as he began to summon enormous flames from his fingertips and raised an eyebrow slyly.
“Oh, I highly doubt that,” Liby called out from behind us as she stepped forward and readied her own blast of Hellfire.
“The way you say that, Libidine, makes me think you’ve forgotten your place,” Earl growled as he raised his hands to his side. “Don’t worry. You’ll be getting an object lesson on just how large I really am in a moment.”
Earl clapped his hands together, and the crimson flames rose to nearly three feet high. As the flames rose, Liby pulled back her fists to attack, but Earl unleashed his full power at us, and I flung a purple flame up in front of our group to try to halt his fireball.
As the immense blast crashed into my barrier, the red and purple fire danced together as they tried to overwhelm each other. I was able to hold out for the first blast, but the demon pimp’s second effort created a massive impact. The three of us were sent flying back across the bar, accompanied by the crash of breaking wood and the shattering of glass bottles as we bounced along the sticky floor.
“You’re stronger than I thought,” Earl’s voice boomed as he sauntered across the room like a serial killer from a slasher movie. “But soon you will burn just like everyone else who dares to challenge Azazel and his followers.”
“That’s me, Mr. Full of Surprises,” I groaned as I picked myself up off the floor. “Just imagine how surprised you’ll be when I kick your ass, take Liby and Cupi home with me, and give them a good life.”
Earl’s facial expression remained unchanged, but I could tell my words had gotten to him. His eyes simmered as they dug into me like daggers, and his fists were now tightened into a ball. He was pissed that I had taken his women. He had more than enough power to turn me into little more than a pile of ashes on the floor, but if I could keep him distracted for long enough, maybe I could figure out how to beat him.
“You know, Earl, I would have thought a demon in charge of a whole army of gorgeous naked women would be a little… more handsome?” I’d normally never insult how ugly a guy was, and Earl actually wasn’t ugly, but I was guessing that he was incredibly vain.
“Bro,” Todd coughed as he raised his hand to point at Earl. “He’s so obviously gay. My gaydar is going like beep, beep, beeeeeeep!”
“Earl is actually known for not enjoying his succubi,” Cupi said as she twisted her mouth in thought.
“I never really thought about it,” Liby said with a nod, “but doesn’t Earl have more incubi in his service than succubi? Maybe there is a--”
“Stop,” Earl interrupted as he pointed across the bar at me. “I know exactly what you are trying to do, Mr. Ralston, and it’s not going to work. I’ve killed dozens of demons and angels across the centuries. Do you really think you’re going to do what they could not?”
“I’m going to try,” I said as I braced myself for the next attack. “I’ll do anything to defend my women.”
“Just surrender,” Earl said, “and I’ll ensure that your death is--”
Todd’s heel slammed into the side of the demon’s head as my impish friend delivered a Karate Kid style crane kick that sent Earl staggering. As Todd dropped to the ground, his foot lashed out, cleanly swept the leg, and knocked Earl to the floor.
“I’m not afraid to sweep the leg, bitch!” he cried before he turned to me. “Blast this gay asshole, Jacob!”
“Innuendos!” I cried as I summoned up all my fury once more.
My flames began to glow with purple light even though I was readying an attack. That was odd, but I didn’t have time to think about it because Earl was already starting to recover. I flung my hands out and unleashed a blast of purple-tinged Hellfire that completely engulfed the demonic pimp.
“It’s going to take a lot more than that to kill the Servant of Azazel!” Earl’s voice boomed as he stepped forth from the raging inferno I’d unleashed. His clothes were singed, and his flesh looked a bit charbroiled, but as he paused to straighten his tie, I realized the wounds were already starting to heal. Before I had a chance to react, Earl flung another one of his fireballs at us.
A shot of purple flame sprang from Cupiditas and Libidine as wings sprouted from their backs.
“We have to run!” Cupi cried as she grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and hauled me out of the way. The ceiling of the bar was fairly low, but she was able to fly up out of the way of the attack. I felt the white-hot heat from the blast nearly melt my shoes as it passed beneath us.
The blonde woman’s wings beat the air as she wrapped her arms protectively around me, and I had a split second to freak out before I realized Liby had rescued Todd. It was a good thing, too. The blast ripped through the wall of the bar behind him, not only vaporizing it, but also turning the cement floor into bubbling slag.
“I’ll distract him,” Cupi told me as she sat me down on the ground while Liby dropped Todd beside me. The two women looked at each other and nodded before splitting up so they could flank their former master.
“You dare to deny me my kill?” Earl screamed, finally losing his cool. “You harlots would be nothing without my guidance!”
He unleashed a full blast of fire at Cupi, who was able to dodge it gracefully using her wings. Then the succubus swooped down toward her pimp and slugged him across the face as she passed by. Earl’s entire body spun around from the impact of the blow, but as he tried to reorient himself, Libidine hit him in the chest with one of her own fireballs, causing him to careen backward to crash into the main bar.
For half a moment, I thought we’d beaten him, but the demon stood up from the heap of rubble and cracked his neck. His suit was now covered with blackish blood and had a large burn hole in the chest, but he appeared to have taken no damage himself whatsoever.
Libidine and Cupiditas flanked the demon once more. Liby came around on his left and unleashed a flurry of flames toward his position while Cupi went in for a close-range attack. Earl dodged the fire but was caught off guard by Cupiditas as the athletic succubi thrust both her feet into his chest and sent him tumbling across the floor.
“Let’s get in there!” I yelled at Todd, and we charged back into the thick of things.
The imp lashed at Earl’s chest, sending a cloud of crimson mist into the air before he was tossed to the side by the man in the suit. As I approached, I unleashed as many blasts of Hellfire as I possibly could, but Earl simply absorbed the attacks like they were snowballs.
“You just don’t know when to give up, do you?” Earl asked as he got back to his feet. He flexed his fingers and red fire shimmered from his hands.
“Not in this lifetime,” I spat as I launched another fireball at the demon pimp.
Before my attack could reach its target, a shimmering black fire engulfed the ball of flames and dissolved it into nothing.
“That is quite enough, you two,” a higher-pitched voice called out from the doorway, and we all turned toward it.
Through the threshold of the bar stepped a beautiful, and very naked redhead. Her hair ran down her back and covered her tight ass like a skirt. Her face was heart shaped, and her purple eyes almost looked a bit too large for her small nose. Her body was petite, and her skin the color of albastar. She looked younger than either of the succubi, and her breasts were smaller, but still a perfectly round shape with erect pink nipples.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, just like Liby and Cupi.
The redhead strutted over to the demon pimp as if she was the highest paid model on the runway, stood in front of him, and then crossed her arms over her bare breasts.
Earl’s expression contorted from rage into mild annoy
ance. “Why are you here, Superbia?”
“You know why I am here, Earl,” she said with a frown. “You shouldn’t even be here on Earth Realm.”
“Superbia, this human is trying to steal away two of Azazel’s most valuable succubi,” he protested. “I’m just doing our master a favor and--”
The woman shook her head and waved her hand in front of Earl’s face to silence him. “Azazel is the one who sent me. Libidine and Cupiditas have not fulfilled their contracts with this mortal yet. Which means…”
“You are joking,” Earl sighed.
“Nope,” the redhead said.
“Wait, what does that mean?” I asked, and the two demons turned to me.
Earl crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “They get to stay on Earth until they have fulfilled all the terms.”
“That’s right!” Liby exclaimed! “I still haven’t done all the naughty stuff that Jacob put down on his list!”
“And I need to make a whole new list with him!” Cupi giggled, and then the two women hugged each other as they smiled at me.
“I am not leaving without my property,” Earl growled as he faced the petite succubus.
“Do you not understand our laws, Earl?” Superbia raised a delicate eyebrow.
“Yes, yes, I understand basic law,” he growled, “but in this case, I--”
“I’m not sure you do, Earl,” Superbia scoffed, which drew an angry grimace from the pimp.
“It’s been nearly twenty-four hours since they have entered into a commitment with this mortal.” Earl protested. “He has already expressed his desire to steal them away from the King of the Fourth Circle! I’m just getting ahead of the curve and eliminating the threat before it becomes even greater.”
“We both know that’s not how the contract works.” Superbia shook her head back and forth, and her long red hair danced tantalizingly over her pert ass. “Azazel appreciates your enthusiasm, but he has summoned you back to Hell. You may try to bargain with this mortal and amend the terms, but you must give our girls a chance to fulfill their end of the deal. What kind of succubi would they be if they left with an unsatisfied client?”
“Fine,” Earl growled as his violet eyes glowed and he turned back towards the four of us. “I’m going to give you all a second chance. Your succubi have to finish off whatever is left of their contract in the next seventy-two hours. If not, then they are going to face the consequences, and so will you, Mr. Ralston.”
“Sounds like your boss is giving you a spanking,” Todd laughed. “Better get back home before Jacob also kicks your ass.”
“This isn’t over.” Earl straightened his now-tattered suit and walked toward the door. As he exited the bar, the powerful stench of sulfur that accompanied him left too. Now it was just back to the smell of old beer, cigarette smoke, and less-than-stellar bar food.
Superbia turned to the succubi and scowled. “What the hell was that, girls? I cannot protect you from Earl and Azazel forever.”
“Who’s the anime chick?” Todd tilted his head curiously, “and why did she save gaylord from us kicking his ass.”
“This is Superbia.” Libidine broke the silence. “She is our madame.”
“And I kind of think Earl was about to kick our ass,” I sighed. “I didn’t realize how powerful he is.”
“He is,” the redhead said as she turned her purple eyes to me, “but I am somewhat surprised that you are still alive. He should have been able to destroy you in an instant.”
“Like I said, my boy here is super awesome and powerful!” Todd laughed.
“There is something about him, I agree.” She glanced down my body slowly, and then the corner of her mouth twisted up in a half smile.
“Sister Superbia,” Cupiditas addressed the naked redhead. “We want to stay here with Jacob. He is a better master to us than Earl or Azazel or Lilith has ever been.”
“This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Cupiditas…” Superbia warned. “This mortal is very handsome, but he is still a mortal. If you decide to stay with him, there is nothing I can do to protect you.”
“With all due respect, sister, we won’t need your help once Jacob has mastered his powers.” The blonde succubus shrugged.
“For your sake and his,” the redhead pointed towards me, “I hope you are correct. The contract has now been amended to give you another seventy-two hours. Be sure to use your time wisely.”
The naked succubus stepped a few feet away from our group, threw down her arms, and spread apart her legs, exposing her entire fragile body to us. As she did so, a large wave of green flames encased her body. Superbia locked eyes with me, and she shot me a sly smile before she vanished into the hazy air of the battlefield that had once been a bar.
The four of us looked at each other and started to laugh as we collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion.
“Thank God for contract loopholes, eh?” I chuckled.
“Talk about divine intervention!” Todd wheezed in amusement.
Liby twirled her black hair for a moment and stared down at the ground. “So… does this mean we have to fulfill our contracts?”
“Fuck no!” I exclaimed. “We’re not ever going to finish out your contracts. This fucker just gave us a few more days to figure out how we’re going to get out of this mess.”
“We’ll need to help you get more attuned to your powers, as well as figure out how we can work best as a team,” Cupi interrupted as the four of us groggily stumbled out of the door of the bar.
“You’re right,” I nodded as I looked down at my now-busted watch and smiled. “We have lots of time to prepare for Earl. We need to train if we want to stand any sort of chance against him when he comes back. And then maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a bit of time left to play. We have to keep growing our connection somehow.”
“You know I’m always good to play,” Liby smirked.
I looked Cupiditas dead in her purple eyes and placed both hands on her shoulders. “I want to know exactly what I am capable of. Show me everything.”
Chapter 8
Straight from the bar, the four of us boarded the subway and took it to the most run-down part of the city that we could think of. This place might have been a sprawling metropolis, but it still had its hardships. I lived in one of the more run-down parts of town, but our current location made my home look like a luxury resort. This part of the city used to be the home of dozens of factories that employed thousands of people, but once those companies began to outsource for cheaper labor, the people here were left jobless and hopeless. The sight made me appreciate what little I had even more.
A few blocks down from the subway station stood an old house that looked like it had been abandoned for decades. Pieces of its original brick exterior had fallen off and were now laying in the overgrown grass of the lawn. Several of the windows were boarded shut, and the ones that weren’t probably should have been, considering they were now broken beyond repair. As we walked through the threshold and into the interior of the house, my nose caught the whiff of mildew in the air. Probably from years and years of rainwater that had leaked in through the patchwork of a ceiling.
“I’m so giving this place a terrible Yelp review,” Todd snickered sarcastically as he stepped in a puddle of murky water on the carpet. “Zero out of five stars. Would not come again.”
“If it’s any consolation, most of this place is going to be destroyed by the end of the day.” I shrugged. “That is if my powers really are as strong as these two claim they are.”
“You’ve already got a decent handle on the ones we’ve taught you. We just need to make them stronger and get you familiar with your full potential,” Cupi reassured me. “This is as good of a place to start as any. As you already know, you have the ability to control Hellfire, at least in its flame form, but remember back in the ice cream shop? How your treat melted much faster than the rest of ours?”
“Yours didn’t really have a chance to melt.” I smiled as I thought back to
the scene. “You guys went to town on them too quickly.”
“I’m quite aware of what my tongue was doing. I always am.” The blonde giggled and shot me a wink. “Anyway, much like the flame attack, you can harness the simple heat from the Hellfire and project it into the air.”
“You mean like a human heating unit?” I questioned. “I don’t see how that’s going to help us whatsoever.”
“Just trust me on this. Reach deep down into your emotions. Think about something heartwarming, but not something that will get you riled up and angry,” she explained.
“I usually think of cute animals for this exercise.” Liby chuckled.
I closed my eyes and tried to think of something that would make my heart melt. At first, I took Libidine’s advice and focused on things that would generally be considered “cute.” I thought about the baby hippo I saw at the zoo a few months ago, and about the puppy I had back at my parent’s house. But nothing happened.
“Focus,” I heard Cupi say as she tried to help me relax.
I shook my head to try to clear out all the thoughts I was having. I started to think about the four of us sitting around the table at the bar, laughing as we clinked bottles and joked. Then I thought back to when Liby’s warm skin was wrapped around me as we slept. I thought about how I had comforted Cupi when she was in distress. I felt a dull heat throb through my hands, and my body temperature started to rise. When I finally opened my eyes, I saw all three of my friends staring back at me. Liby pointed excitedly to the ground where the puddle used to be while Cupi just smiled and nodded. The puddles in the room had completely evaporated.
“Pretty impressive,” I admitted, “but I still don’t see how that’s supposed to help us against Earl.”
“Baby steps, Jacob,” she retorted. “If you can get a better handle on your more subtle powers, it’ll be much easier to take your stronger abilities to the next level.”
“I’ve already slept with both of you. Pretty intensely, I might add.” I grinned. “Unless you’re saying we should be doing that more…”
