Battle

Celene saw how the man was falling for the devil's sweet poison. He turned to her, searching for her lips with his, ready for a first passionate kiss.

“I can give you indescribable pleasure. Infinite lust awaits you. Is that what you want?” Mara purred as her fingers freed his manhood from his pants and immediately began to massage it gently.

A hoarse moan escaped him. His eyes clouded over, and he leaned willingly into her touch.

“Stop!”

Celene's cry hit like a whip lash. She stepped forward energetically, her wings spread wide. A single powerful blow sent dust and dry leaves swirling. Her bare feet stamped with such **** that the ground shook.

“Take your dirty paws off him.”

The demoness grinned at her mockingly, without letting up on what she had started.

“But he wants it. You can see for yourself, sweetie. Is his much-vaunted free will suddenly worthless?”

Holy anger flashed in Celene's eyes. She rushed forward, grabbed Elias's arm, and pulled him out of the other's grasp.

“That's not free will,” she hissed. “You're seducing him with false promises, you're numbing his clear mind with vulgar lust. I won't leave him to you.”

Mara threw her head back and laughed loudly. “Oh, you want to fight for him?”

“If I have to, yes.”

Without further warning, the deviless leaped. Her fingernails curved into claws, jet black and razor sharp.

Feathered wings fended them off. Fought back. Light against shadow. Black against white. The air crackled with energy. Lightning flashed.

Elias staggered back, stunned. He witnessed supernatural powers waging war.

And he was the prize.

It would probably be wise to take off. To run as fast and as far as he could. But he stayed. Spellbound, he watched the titanic showdown.

The battle raged for minutes without either side gaining the upper hand. Then the storm subsided. Loose feathers and sulphurous-smelling ash flakes sank to the ground.

The opponents separated. Sweat glistened on their skin. Breathing heavily, they stared at each other with contempt. Exhausted, but undefeated.

Neither had won.

Neither could win.

And both knew it.

The silence that followed was deafening. Elias stood there in a daze, looking from one to the other, unsure of what would happen next.

Then Mara slowly raised her head.

And smiled.