The quiet darkness of the Teas 'n Tomes was interrupted only by the faint tumble of raindrops across the windows, feeding the hollow interior with a melody of dulcet chaos. The faint glow of sparse candlelight cast tawny radiance throughout, bathing inky corners and hidden alcoves with a touch of autumn hue. Even the smell of breads and pastries had begun to dwindle with the stowing of the ovens for the night - though in a few early hours those fires would be lit again, and yeast would be set to rise. Doors had been closed. Drapes had been drawn. Space had been abandoned...
...almost.
Comfortably perched cross-legged upon a long study-table, the Incubus sat with bucolic reverence toward the book that laid before him, his hands folded in his lap, talented fingers laced together. Milky, pupiless, eyes caressed the framework of the tome with inspiration and awe, though the countenance of his empyrean visage displayed nothing but a slight hint of fiendish mirth in recognition of what the volume truly was.
It was not a book, but a link. A link between darkness and light, corruption and purity, dominance and submission, control and surrender. It was a bridge, connecting the Carnal Prince to his beloved Chosen, as well as a pathway, transcending the turbulent chaos of malfeasance to seek out his sanctuary of sin. Each tome held power, but more than that, they held a bond; connecting Aukai to whomever be darkly blessed with their name upon the cover.
"Parisa."
The name rolled off his tongue as though having been tasted a thousand times and was carried upon the torrid moan of a whisper.
He had found the Elyria-born school teacher just outside the Teas 'n Tomes on a rainy day a few weeks ago. She stood just on the corner of the intersection awaiting the mid-day trolley, frustration mounting in her pale eyes as she struggled with her stubborn umbrella, unable to open it. Perhaps stubborn was the wrong word. Sabotaged would be more fitting, thanks to the Incubus. He had noticed the initial malfunction from his vantage point through the front window, and with a dash of arcane devilry kept the instrument closed.
He opened the door and beckoned her in, with tales of the Trolley's tardiness during such a storm. Persuasive words, delivered with the warmth of his melodic inflection, were compelling, and in she came.
For hours they sat talking. Fiendish charm prevailed, and with his consumption of emotion he could feel the growing desire that swelled within and emanated from her. It was a shallow potency, enclosed by layers of reservation, but still there, brimming in wait of erupting through the cover of its shelter. Aukai could sense the apostasy lingering behind the veil of obedience, and with his infernal power reached out to stroke this need for abandon, to groom it, to love it.
He spoke of departure far sooner than cordial, and even when she pleaded for him to stay he refused, that overdue Trolley arriving right on cue.
He watched from the upper level of the shop as she made her way outside, her umbrella springing to life one step beyond the threshold, deflecting the heavy rain that crashed to the cobblestone walkway. She reached the trolley and stopped, one small hand on the door, and looked back at the book store. It was there, in those young eyes that he saw the first flicker of wistful attention.
He drew in a deep breath, filling the chiseled span of his chest, swelling his rounded shoulders. Slowly crimson lids ascended, revealing the vanilla depths beyond that stared at the idle tome, and unhurriedly he released that trapped inhale.
"It is time, Miss Reese." He declared as succulent claret lips cambered into the most sinful of smiles, "Time for the teacher to become the student."
...almost.
Comfortably perched cross-legged upon a long study-table, the Incubus sat with bucolic reverence toward the book that laid before him, his hands folded in his lap, talented fingers laced together. Milky, pupiless, eyes caressed the framework of the tome with inspiration and awe, though the countenance of his empyrean visage displayed nothing but a slight hint of fiendish mirth in recognition of what the volume truly was.
It was not a book, but a link. A link between darkness and light, corruption and purity, dominance and submission, control and surrender. It was a bridge, connecting the Carnal Prince to his beloved Chosen, as well as a pathway, transcending the turbulent chaos of malfeasance to seek out his sanctuary of sin. Each tome held power, but more than that, they held a bond; connecting Aukai to whomever be darkly blessed with their name upon the cover.
"Parisa."
The name rolled off his tongue as though having been tasted a thousand times and was carried upon the torrid moan of a whisper.
He had found the Elyria-born school teacher just outside the Teas 'n Tomes on a rainy day a few weeks ago. She stood just on the corner of the intersection awaiting the mid-day trolley, frustration mounting in her pale eyes as she struggled with her stubborn umbrella, unable to open it. Perhaps stubborn was the wrong word. Sabotaged would be more fitting, thanks to the Incubus. He had noticed the initial malfunction from his vantage point through the front window, and with a dash of arcane devilry kept the instrument closed.
He opened the door and beckoned her in, with tales of the Trolley's tardiness during such a storm. Persuasive words, delivered with the warmth of his melodic inflection, were compelling, and in she came.
For hours they sat talking. Fiendish charm prevailed, and with his consumption of emotion he could feel the growing desire that swelled within and emanated from her. It was a shallow potency, enclosed by layers of reservation, but still there, brimming in wait of erupting through the cover of its shelter. Aukai could sense the apostasy lingering behind the veil of obedience, and with his infernal power reached out to stroke this need for abandon, to groom it, to love it.
He spoke of departure far sooner than cordial, and even when she pleaded for him to stay he refused, that overdue Trolley arriving right on cue.
He watched from the upper level of the shop as she made her way outside, her umbrella springing to life one step beyond the threshold, deflecting the heavy rain that crashed to the cobblestone walkway. She reached the trolley and stopped, one small hand on the door, and looked back at the book store. It was there, in those young eyes that he saw the first flicker of wistful attention.
He drew in a deep breath, filling the chiseled span of his chest, swelling his rounded shoulders. Slowly crimson lids ascended, revealing the vanilla depths beyond that stared at the idle tome, and unhurriedly he released that trapped inhale.
"It is time, Miss Reese." He declared as succulent claret lips cambered into the most sinful of smiles, "Time for the teacher to become the student."