Let's keep calm. Maybe I can help.

“You’ve been through a lot,” you repeated, your mind spinning. “It might be best for you to rest before going anywhere.”

“I… I feel… h-hot… Like, there’s a fire… under my skin... Do I have a fever?”

She put a hand to her forehead. You met her square in the eye.

“I think the demon who stung you was a succubus. Have you heard of them?”

“I-I… I just… want… Succubus?"

Her lips parted, and she breathed through her confusion.

"C-can they throw fire? This one could throw fire…”

“They can,” you confirmed.

She swallowed.

“Yes. I’ve heard of succubi before. They’re… temptresses?”

“They’re killers. Their methods are just… lascivious. They barter ecstasy for ****.”

“Mm-hm… Can I have more water?”

You passed her the gourd again; her fingers brushed the back of your hand. She drank, her eyes fixed on you. Water spilled down her breastplate and on her skirt. After a few good swallows, she brought her feet under her:

“Help me up?”

You suspected her seduction game had begun, even despite herself. But she was hurt, and in need. You pulled her up. She slipped and braced herself on your forearm.

“Thank you…” she said.

She held on to your arm.

“That stinger…” you pressed, trying to ignore your own lust. “I think she’s infected you with her patron’s hunger.”

Recognition flashed in her eyes. For a moment, her fevered look sobered.

“Y-yes. She must have,” she said, almost to herself. “When those… fiends… When they… took me… My head was screaming, I—”

Her jaw clenched, and so did her grip on your forearm.

“I didn’t want it,” she said.

“I know.”

“I didn’t want it…. But part of me… Something in me… enjoyed it. No… Loved it. Every second of it.”

“It’s her. The succubus...”

“All I could think of was…”

She hesitated, but her eyes found yours again, and a flush passed between you.

“Cock. Cock… in me.”

Despite yourself, you stared at her mouth in awe.

“Even now… Even though…"

"Leanne—"

You tried to pull back, but she held on—

"—I know it’s wrong… I know it’s… dangerous…”

"—Leanne, wait..."

In the space of a breath, her body closed in on you. Her breastplate pressed agaisnt your chest. Behind her arctic blue eyes, something stirred and danced like flames on a log, and the woods around you faded away.

“I-I can’t think straight,” she whispered.

She was scared. Her lips parted, and her face closed in on yours—but you jerked back and pushed against her shoulder plates, keeping her off of you.

“Listen," you said, as she gasped. "If I’m right—and it looks a whole lot like I am… lust will consume you. You'll never be satisfied. You’ll want more and more, until you lose your mind... or turn into a succubus yourself.”

She glanced at your crotch and bit her lips. You could tell she was battling the tidal lust rising inside her. She shut her eyes and swallowed, twice.

“There has to be a cure…” she said finally.

She opened her eyes again. Her cheeks reddened. Gods, she was beautiful.

“I hear there is...” you managed, “ but for that, we’ll have to get you to a cleric of the Circlets.”

“C-can I… I just need…”

And she dropped to her knees.

“Wait!” you said, swatting her hands away from your crotch.

Your heart and mind raced. Less and less certain why you were fighting this, you scrambled:

“Tell me, uhm…”—with a speed you hadn’t expected, she grabbed your buckle and undid your belt—“...what’s your name!?”

She froze, inches away from your opened trousers. She blinked at you like waking up from a dream, taking in her current state. Your question had thrown her off, as you'd hoped. She hid her face in her hands. After a few deep breaths, she said:

“I’m… Leanne. Leanne Keiser. Daughter of Captain Gorram Keiser.”

She kept her hands over her eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Leanne. I'm Colden."

“I’m sorry…” she whimpered. “I don’t think I can control it…”

“I might be able to help.”

Her hands came down, finally, almost fearfully. She glanced at your open trousers.

“You're a mage, right? Can you… cure me?”

“I can’t remove the curse," you said, and she sagged, "that’ll take someone with a direct connection to the divine. But I think… I might be able to neutralize the demon. At least, prevent it from taking over your will. For a time, while we make our way to a temple.”

She nodded feverishly. Her sigh turned into a moan that seemed to surprise her. One of her hands dipped under her skirt. She yanked it away and stared wide-eyed at you.

“Please…”