Page 6 of Sins of the Succubus

"The new guy. Looks like a dark elf, but there's something... off about him." The naga's eyes dart around, as if afraid of being overheard.

I try not to eavesdrop, but their words pique my interest. My gaze darts around the room, searching for this mysteriousnewcomer. The usual crowd of drunks and lowlifes fills the bar, but I don't spot anyone who stands out as particularly unusual.

"I heard he's actually a demon," another patron chimes in, his voice barely above a whisper. He leans in closer, his breath reeking of cheap spirits. "From the Abyss itself."

A chill runs down my spine, raising goosebumps on my arms. A demon? Here? I shake my head, trying to focus on my work. It's probably just drunken gossip, I tell myself. But I can't shake the feeling of unease that settles over me like a heavy cloak. In a place like this, even the wildest rumors sometimes turn out to be true.

But as I move between tables, I can't shake the feeling of being watched. It's different from the usual leers and hungry stares I'm accustomed to. This gaze feels... heavier. More intense.

I chance a glance towards the bar and freeze. There, among the crowd, sits a dark elf I've never seen before. His eyes, pitch black and bottomless, are fixed on me. A smirk plays at the corners of his mouth, and I swear I see a flash of something inhuman in his features.

My heart races. Could the rumors be true?

"Neela!" My husband's sharp voice cuts through my thoughts. "Stop gawking and get back to work!"

I jump, nearly dropping my tray. "Sorry, I was just?—"

"I don't care what you were 'just' doing," he snaps. "There are customers to serve. And don't forget about the private rooms later."

I nod meekly, my momentary fascination giving way to familiar dread. As I turn to head back into the crowd, I catch the dark elf—or demon?—still watching me. His gaze feels like a physical touch, sending shivers across my skin.

With all the different beings who desire me, it makes a twisted kind of sense that a demon from another plane wouldwant me too. But there's something different about this one. Something that makes me both terrified and... curious.

I weave through the crowded bar, balancing a tray of drinks. The air is thick with smoke and the stench of cheap ale. My skin crawls as hands grab at me, but I've learned to dodge them without spilling a drop. It's a skill I wish I'd never had to learn.

As I set down the last mug, a familiar voice cuts through the din. "Neela, a word."

My stomach drops. It's my husband, and he doesn't sound pleased. I turn to face him, forcing a neutral expression. "Yes?"

He grabs my arm, his fingers digging into my flesh. "In the back. Now."

I follow him to the storeroom, my heart pounding. The door slams shut behind us, and he rounds on me.

"You've caught someone's eye," he says, his voice low and dangerous. "Someone important."

I swallow hard. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb," he snaps. "The demon. He's been asking about you."

My blood runs cold. "Demon? I don't?—"

"Save it," he cuts me off. "Word of your... talents... must have spread further than we thought." A cruel smile twists his lips. "Congratulations, wife. You're moving up in the world."

I feel sick. "I don't want?—"

"What you want doesn't matter," he hisses, grabbing my chin. "You'll do whatever he asks, understand? Whatever it takes to keep him happy."

Memories flood my mind—countless nights of degradation, of being used and discarded. Things no loving husband would ever demand. I try to speak, but my voice fails me.

"This could be big for us," he continues, his eyes gleaming with greed. "A demon client? Think of the connections, the power."

"Us?" I finally manage to choke out. "There is no 'us'. There's you, and there's the property you married."

His hand cracks across my face, the sound echoing in the small room. "Watch your tongue," he growls. "Remember your place."

I taste blood, but I don't back down. "My place? You mean on my knees? Or bent over a table?"

Another slap, harder this time. "That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one day," he snarls. "Now get back out there and make sure our new friend is well taken care of. And Neela?" His grip on my arm tightens painfully. "Don't disappoint me."