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“It’s not going to be like the last time,” Natchua insisted. “I’m not going to just set her loose. You’re right, that was reckless. Look, I was serious when I told Malivette I wanted to talk with her about this; she’s my likeliest chance of getting rid of Kheshiri. All that’s changed is that if it doesn’t work, I might still gain some benefit by having Kheshiri disrupt her activities…whatever those are. The beauty of it is I don’t need to deceive anyone. I can tell Malivette the truth that I’m bound by contract not to deliberately rid myself of Kheshiri, but I won’t shed a tear if somebody powerful and clever enough makes her vanish. I can tell the demon that I’m somewhat dependent on Vette’s goodwill and don’t want anything too awful to happen to her, but she’s apparently decided to be clever at my expense and it would be swell if somebody gave her something more urgent to worry about. Which is also true. Vette will probably be happier with the succubus under her eyes than mine, and Kheshiri needs something dangerous and cunning to chew on to keep her engaged. It’s perfect.”

“You’re learning fast,” Melaxyna said with a hint of approval. “The best deceptions are not lies, but truths carefully framed. You can rely on people to act toward their own interests, irrespective of yours. Control what someone knows and you control what they’ll do. Good lessons, all. But you’re still committing the very major blunder of trying to play this game against people you know are better at it than you.”

“This isn’t the final play of this game,” Natchua murmured, her eyes narrowing as her gaze turned inward in thought. “Unless… Maybe if Malivette abruptly does something extremely final to Kheshiri, but I don’t think that’s the likeliest outcome, she knows better than to kill a child of Vanislaas and there’s no reason she would know how to make a soul jar. No, there’s not really a win condition for me if I let that keep playing out, is there? Keshiri is unlikely to overthrow Vette and will only make a big mess for me if she has a serious go at it. Plus, the longer they’re in contact, the greater the chance of them mutually deciding they like each other more than they like me, and that could be no end of trouble. I suspect something awkward will happen pretty soon, but even if it doesn’t, I’ll find an excuse to draw Kheshiri back here and keep them separated. I don’t understand either of them nearly well enough, is my problem. Forcing them into contact and seeing what they do when both are off-balance will be…illuminating.”

“Ah, the potential,” Melaxyna sighed.

“You agree, then, it will work?”

“I mean you. For such a ham-fisted little galoot, you do have a mind in there. Given time, practice, and some guidance, you could become something really…” She trailed off, then shook her head. “Well, keeping our eyes on the here and now, let me illuminate something important that you haven’t figured out.”

“I’d be grateful for the advice,” Natchua said in all sincerity.

Melaxyna turned to face her directly. “You should be more open with Kheshiri.”

The wind whistled softly between them while they regarded each other in silence. The half-crumbled tower rooftop of Manor Leduc on which they stood offered several advantages in terms of privacy, not least of which was that it was inaccessible without the benefit of wings or shadow-jumping, but rising above the treetops as it did, the constant wind streaming down from the mountains made for an ever-present threat of a tumble. Not that an elf and a succubus were likely to lose their balance.

“I know what you’re doing, you know,” Natchua said at last. “A statement like that obviously requires an explanation. You’re not getting the satisfaction of hearing me beg for it.”

“You really do learn,” Melaxyna murmured. A pleased smiled bloomed on her features, but just as quickly withered. “Think in terms of motivations, not your own prejudices. Yes, it’s always wise to be wary of children of Vanislaas, but that becomes a weakness if you think of us as boogeymen who must be tiptoed around in constant terror. Believe me, we get excellent mileage out of that. You need to consider what Kheshiri is and what she wants. Right now, you’ve got her cooped up in one place with nothing to do except talk to your other followers, which is a nightmare waiting for an excuse. Natch, your mad crusade against the Dark Lady has been a hard sell to everyone so far, I know, but Kheshiri? Her entire shtick is testing her talents against the most dangerous foes she can, with no regard for her own well-being, just to see how far she can push it. And Elilial, don’t forget, is personally responsible for her being in that reliquary for a century. I respect the impulse to keep her at arm’s length, but I think it would be better to brief her fully. Odds are she will love this whole insane scheme of yours. And she can sure as hell contribute a lot to it.”

“Hm,” Natchua grunted, turning to gaze out at the stunning view their vantage gave them of Veilgrad and the Great Plains beyond.

“And more immediately,” Melaxyna continued, “that will give her something to focus on besides you. She’s tricky to read, even for the likes of me, but I have a strong sense that she’s actually quite enamored of you. If you can’t distract her with something good and juicy, well, she has nothing better to do than squirm her way into your affections.”

“I am not going to take that creature to bed,” Natchua said acidly. “I realize I’ve earned some skepticism, myself, but I’m not that stupid.”

Melaxyna gazed at her in silence for a moment before answering in a softer tone. “The only person who cannot be seduced is a person who’s perfectly content. Does that describe you, Natch? In the slightest?”

“Oh, what are you on about—”

“That really is the most elementary mistake, you know. Love and hate aren’t opposite things. They are two aspects of one phenomenon: infatuation. The emotional fixation on another person which precludes all rational thought. Their mutual opposite is apathy. Someone whom you despise can seduce you far more easily than someone in whom you have no interest at all, so long as they know the technique. I assure you, Natchua, there are few techniques Kheshiri doesn’t know.”

“I am skeptical.”

“Did you know hostages have a tendency to fall in love with their kidnappers?”

“If anything, she’s the hostage in this scenario.”

“But you’re the emotionally agitated one, and that’s what matters. A hostage has to watch an abductor closely for their own survival; they must learn their moods and methods, avoid provoking them, learn how to earn little kindnesses. Understanding someone begets empathy; empathy and an emotional charge is the recipe for passion, and what emotion specifically is used in the brew matters far less than most people think. To seduce someone, the last thing you want them to feel is safe.

“She’ll continue playing pranks like that business with the milk this morning. Anything to keep you annoyed and off-balance. She’ll gradually, the smallest bit at a time, reveal little vulnerabilities—and they’ll be real ones, things you could use to actually hurt her. She will prove this by giving you some ammunition she knows you’ll use, wittingly or not, to cause her real pain. You’ll be watching her for trouble this whole time, tense and on edge, and growing gradually more intimately acquainted. It will build, and blossom, and then all she has to do is wait till it’s built enough and then find the right moment, something that has emotions running high enough to crowd out rational thought. The aftermath of some kind of battle is perfect for that, and in a group like this, one of those is never too far off. I realize you like to think you’d never fall for it, but…so does everyone. That’s why it works. It’s not weakness on your part, Natchua, it’s just arithmetic for someone who knows all the variables.”

Natchua chewed on her bottom lip. “I…respect your insight, Melaxyna, but come on. That all sounds kind of far-fetched.”

“Oh, yeah?” The succubus tilted her head back, arching an eyebrow. “That’s pretty rich, considering Hesthri just pulled that exact routine on you. Quite successfully.”

The drow froze, then closed her eyes. “So…you know about…”

“Oh, honey, I’m an empathy demon. Of course I do.”

“Then…”

“Yes, I guarantee Kheshiri knows, too. What she’ll do with that information precisely remains to be seen.”

Natchua covered her face in both hands. “Fuck. That is exactly what she did, isn’t it? Fuck. Why am I such a horny idiot? I never was before.”

“Oh, child.” Melaxyna stepped close and wrapped an arm around Natchua’s shoulders, folding one spiny wing around her protectively. “An overactive libido has never been your problem.”

“Sure looks like it,” Natchua said dully.

“Mm. So, you hate your mother, your House, and your entire home culture. It’s not much of a stretch to guess you did not have a warm and caring childhood.”

“I don’t want to discuss that,” Natchua snapped, trying to pull away. To her surprise, Melaxyna’s grip tightened, clinging stubbornly to her.

“Then, at the University… Well, why exactly did you stop fooling around with Juniper? Even I know she’d happily open her arms to just about anyone, and I only saw her twice a year at most.”

“That…she…” Natchua swallowed, giving up on her attempted escape to concentrate on controlling the unpleasant lump of emotion trying to climb up her throat. “That was fine, it was a good thing anyway. Juniper felt I was growing too attached, and wasn’t comfortable having a close emotional… Which, I mean, it’s good that she drew the line before I got in over my head. Falling in love with a dryad would be an utter disaster.”

“Mm hm.” Melaxyna rubbed her shoulder soothingly with the hand around her. “And why was Chase Masterson your closest friend on campus?”

“I did not sleep with Chase!”

“Okay. But he’s the one you hung around with the most, am I right?”

“My fucking classmates gossip too much,” Natchua growled.

“At a guess? That surly, hostile act you were putting on to protect yourself drove everyone else away; most people will quickly get tired of being snapped at, and even born therapists like Toby Caine will eventually figure out when their help isn’t actually helping. But Chase, being the twisted little shit he was, remained undeterred by punishment and lived to have fun. He stuck by you, no matter how much of a snot you were to him about it, and always had something to do that kept you entertained. Right?”

“What the hell is your point?” Natchua snapped. She still didn’t pull away again, though.

The demon folded her wing tighter, hugging her close. “Natchua, honey, people need to be loved. It is as essential to life as food, if not as urgent. Deprive a person of all social contact and they’ll start going insane within mere days; deprive them of love, and the damage is slower to build, but still severe. It’s not weakness on your part that you melt for anyone who shows you genuine affection. As starved for it as you are? It’s like waving a sausage in front of someone who hasn’t eaten in a week.”

They were silent for several full minutes. Natchua eventually let herself lean against Melaxyna, who continued to gently rub her upper arm.

“Kheshiri will have no trouble figuring that out, will she,” Natchua finally whispered.

“And using it,” Melaxyna said, nodding.

“What am I going to do?”

“Well, first of all, I recommend you let Hesthri continue with what she’s doing.”

“Oh, gods.” Natchua squeezed her eyes shut again. “Are you barking mad? There was enough of a mess between me and Jonathan, and between her and Jonathan, before that. Now, this is a whole order of magnitude more… I don’t know what the hell she was thinking.”

“Exactly. Filling in the third line is the most stable solution to the problem of a love triangle. Unfortunately it’s not an option in most cases; most people get too jealous to carry on a relationship like that. Someone usually ends up feeling neglected and hurt. But if the option exists? Absolutely go for it.”

Natchua leaned away slightly to frown at her. “What?”

“You three aren’t just any three randos, y’know. Well, two of you aren’t. One’s a self-effacing submissive brought up and conditioned to slavery who seems to draw her only joy from satisfying the people she cares about. Trust me on this; empathy demon, remember? Then, one’s an aggressive, over-emotional young tyrant who needs, above all else, a support system. If anything, Jonathan’s the sticking point here, being the most…forgive the word…normal of the lot of you. But I rather think if you continue to let Hesthri work on it, she’ll bring him around. It really shouldn’t be all that hard. He’s busy castigating himself for loving two women; I quite think the prospect of being able to have both will be extremely persuasive.”

Natchua just stared at her. “You’re…actually suggesting…”

“I am,” Melaxyna said seriously, meeting her eyes. “Come on, who are you to get hung up on what’s conventional? I’m telling you, Natchua, as your friend, this would be the best thing for you if you can make it work. You need some comfort, and safety, and love more than almost anyone I’ve ever known. The fact that both of them are twice your age is, if anything, the best part. You can definitely use four times the maturity to help balance you out.”

“Why is it even when you’re being sweet it comes out insulting?”

“Well, be fair,” Melaxyna said, grinning. “I’m a demon, and you’re a mess. I’m serious, though. I know these things aren’t your strong suit, but Hesthri is capable of arranging such intimate details. My advice to you is to let her.”

Natchua rubbed at her eyes with both fists. Not to repress tears, as none were coming, but just because the pressure and flashing lights it caused in her vision were a welcome distraction from the roiling turbulence inside her head.

“On the other hand,” Melaxyna said solemnly, “this is all gonna be hysterically awkward if you ever do link up with Gabriel again.”

The laughter that burst out of her was a simple release of pressure. Melaxyna just held her, even as it built to near hysteria, helping balance them both against the wind and sheltering the drow within her wing for the several minutes it took her to calm herself back down somewhat.

“Remember, too,” the succubus said at last, “with Kheshiri slinking about, tending to your own happiness is a strategic necessity. Your martyr complex doesn’t change the fact that she can wreck your entire psyche unless you position yourself such that it’s too difficult for her to manage. Support system, Natchua. Let the people willing to love you do so, as long as they’re all alive to do it.”

Still hiccuping, Natchua nodded weakly, brushing tears out of her lashes. Melaxyna squeezed her again.

“I want to make sure you’re as…all right as can reasonably be arranged, before I go.”

At that, Natchua stiffened, turning to stare at her. “Wait, what? Go?”

“We had a deal,” the succubus said, quietly but implacably. “Remember? In exchange for my freedom from the Crawl, my help to set yourself up with the assets and crew you need for your campaign. But you promised I would be released once I was no longer needed, before you get too close to drawing Elilial’s ire. Look around, Natch. You have a secure base, and what amounts to a staff working to build it up. Xyraadi is a major tactical asset, a warlock close to as knowledgeable as you and able to actually do a lot of those really dicey infernal spells that you can’t without incinerating yourself. And…without any false modesty…anything I can do tactically, Kheshiri can do better. You just need to get her aimed in the right direction and be certain she’s working with rather than against you—which is more feasible, I assure you, than it may look. I told you, it’s all about providing what she really wants, which you’re uniquely positioned to do.” Melaxyna gave her a gentle shake. “You’re there, Natch. You have what you need to watch for that opening you were talking about taking against Elilial. Or, at the very least, to continue building your position and assets. The truth is, you don’t need me anymore.”

“It’s…that’s not what…” Natchua swallowed painfully, refusing to meet her eyes now. “You’re not just an asset anymore, Mel. I don’t…want to lose…a friend.”

The succubus was silent, until she could no longer bear the strain and finally raised her face to meet her gaze. Melaxyna’s expression, though, was soft, a sad smile lingering on her lips.

“Friends don’t drag friends into suicidal crusades when they’ve explicitly promised not to.”

Natchua had to lower her eyes again. But she nodded, acknowledging the point, and not trusting herself to speak.

“Hey, I’m not gonna flitter off right this minute,” Melaxyna said more lightly, giving her another affectionate little jostle. “Or this week. I do want to stick around till you resolve this thing with Hesthri and Jonathan, and help with it if I can. I’m also making some good progress with Sherwin that I don’t want to abandon; he’s got potential in him under all the…well, Sherwin-ness. Nobody’s ever encouraged him to be something more. I’m still doing stuff, is what I’m saying, and not looking to cut this too short. I just wanted you to be aware, it’s coming. I won’t be around a lot longer.”

Natchua nodded again, drawing in a succession of deep breaths to steady herself.

“Thank you, Melaxyna. For…all of this. You’re a good asset, after all. And thank you for being a friend. I know you didn’t have to.”

“Well, now, the truth is I sort of did,” the succubus replied with a rueful chuckle. “Maybe another child of Vanislaas in my position wouldn’t have to, but hell. I gotta be me.”

Natchua hesitated before speaking again. “I…have been examining Kheshiri. Not in detail, yet, though I do intend to find time to study her closely. I’m learning things about how Vanislaads are put together… Mel, if it’s possible to cure you of the itch, would you want me to?”

Melaxyna stiffened slightly. “Natchua, that’s my outlet. It’s what lets us process the infernal corruption. If you cut that off, there’s no telling what madness and decay you’d be condemning me to.”

“Possibly, yes; I know that’s what everyone believes. But I’ve been looking, Mel, and I’m really not so sure anymore. It’s easier for me to study Kheshiri, due to her being contracted to me and all the shadow magic inside her, but I can see it in you, as well. You’re a framework of infernomancy around a captive soul. But the thing is, that’s a stable framework. It’s perfectly balanced, not drawing any excess power. You can do that with infernal magic, it’s just hard. It’s not outside the skill of a creature like Vanislaas, though. I can see the mechanism of the itch, even if I don’t understand it very well yet. It’s woven through the connections between your soul and the magic that provides your body and powers, right where it’s hooked up to your emotions. And… I’m not absolutely positive yet, and I definitely won’t tamper with anything unless I am. But looking at it… I think it may not be necessary. It doesn’t seem to do anything but cause that emotional effect. It’s not siphoning off any excess power. There is no excess.”

Melaxyna was dead silent; Natchua turned to watch her for a moment, finding her face uncharacteristically lacking expression.

“It just seems to me,” the drow said quietly after a pause, “if I were going to create creatures like succubi and incubi, I’d want some mechanism of keeping them doing what I wanted them to do, rather than integrating into mortal society to build lives of their own, free from my influence.”

“Son of a bitch,” Melaxyna whispered.

“I’m not certain,” Natchua repeated hastily. “It needs more study, and I may still be wrong. I just… Well. If I have an answer by the time you’re ready to go, Mel, I… It may not be in your contract, but you are a friend. I also want to make as sure as I can that you’ll be okay out there. Whatever I can do to help you, I will.”

Now it was Melaxyna’s turn to draw in a deep, steadying breath. “Well. There’s some time yet, after all. If you learn anything more, before… Keep me posted.”

“I will,” Natchua promised.

They were quiet again after that. Just standing there, now, leaning against each other and against the wind. There wasn’t much time before the next trial would have to be faced, but there was a little.

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