Hunger

(Mara's POV)

He's mine.
That was never in question.__

She pressed herself against him from behind, letting him feel her body. Soft and firm at the same time, exactly where it mattered. Everywhere he and she touched, the heat increased.

Under her fingers, she felt his tension, a subtle vibration like that of a tuned string. Not fear. Uncertainty. He didn't know what was coming. But he believed he was prepared for anything.

And that made him her perfect prey.

Humans were so easy to figure out. They were always hungry. Hungry for wealth. Hungry for power. Hungry for prestige. And it always boiled down to one thing: when you offered them what they craved, they couldn't resist.

Men were even simpler. Beneath all their seemingly grand desires lurked one simple truth: lust.

They wanted to satisfy their lust anytime, anywhere. If you offered it to them, they were lost. This one, Elias, was no exception.

She could already smell it. Taste it. He was ripe. He would fall for her. Soon.

Celene raised a hand as if to throw him a lifeline.

“Elias, she's not good for you. You can resist her. You just have to want to,” she pleaded.

Her voice sounded calm, still without fear. But there was something else in it. Something that put Mara in high spirits.

Celene must have understood. She was powerless against Mara's seductive arts. She would have to watch helplessly as the man fell prey to the demon.

Oh, little angels. You never understood. This free will that you in heaven are so proud of. It doesn't make humans strong. It makes them weak. Manipulable. Give them what they think they want, and they're yours.

And you, Celene, can't do anything about it.

Mara felt something unexpected. A feeling she thought she had long forgotten.

Excitement.

A real, unadulterated passion.

Yes, she would seduce this human. But she would do it while the angel watched.

It was so hot. The thought alone almost made her moan. A rare tug deep inside her.

The man wasn't important. He never had been. Seducing him was little more than a casual finger exercise.

But her?

An angel. Pure. Unspoiled. Bound by duty and morality. Untouchable.

That would be the real victory!

Mara's mouth watered.

Seducing her would be a true art.

Mara kissed Elias' neck, licked it with her tongue. Salty. Bitter.

Her hand wandered lower, groping, testing. He flinched almost imperceptibly when she reached his hardness. Yes. Not bad. He was ready.

The seductress looked up, seeking Celene's eyes.

The angel stood upright, outwardly unmoved. But her hands clenched into fists and her wings trembling as they rose betrayed her.

And she watched.

Oh, little bird, you actually think you're fighting me. Mara smiled slyly. But in truth, you're fighting yourself.