Free Good Intentions by Elliott Kay

already damned, right?” “Well ,” the succubus grinned playful y, tracing a finger down his chest, “in the past tense, yes. Not now.” “But you’re so incredible. I guess what I don’t understand is that if someone is so awful, why’s he get to die while in bed with you? Shouldn’t it be a rougher end?” “Ah. Unfortunately, this gets to those issues that mortals are not entirely meant to understand. But I suppose I could make at least some sense of this for you,” Lorelei mused thoughtful y, considering her words. “For most mortals, sin and virtue come and go. Very few people are entirely good or entirely bad. Even you. Yet redemption can be found even for the gravely wicked, given opportunity and motivation. The mortals that I am set upon are already several steps along the way to hell for their various misdeeds. There is enough chance that they might turn from that path, though, that hell would prefer to adjust the odds in its favor. I lay with mortals to ensure that
    they meet that final punishment. Some deaths are simply a matter of nature—disease, accidents. Other deaths are something of a statement on who a person truly is. Dying with me typically states nothing but selfishness. “I should also note that there is far less pleasure than desperation in the end. They al have the moment to regret their choices. Not that you will have to worry about that, master,” Lorelei smiled disarmingly. “So I’m not gonna wind up like them?” Alex asked. “I have no interest in al owing that,” Lorelei shook her head, her smile becoming sweet. “You have expressly wished against it. And corrupting you would rather ruin your flavor.” “Did you enjoy it?” he asked quietly. The question surprised her, and left her face darkened. “I should be reluctant to answer that,” Lorelei murmured. “There is so much, Alex, that you would find deeply troubling. I fear a wedge might be driven between us. But no. I have not enjoyed my purpose for a long time. I found pleasure in the act. Satisfaction. I learned to lose myself in the sensations that my body enjoyed, but to say that I liked what I was…no. I have not. Not in nine hundred years.” “Sounds kind of specific. What happened?” “His name was Malik. I was his fourth wife. He might have saved Antioch from the Crusaders, even at the very end. He was a warrior of great ability and charisma. Yet he died in bed with me.” Lorelei’s gaze seemed very far away for a long moment. “He was a cruel man. Very cruel. Greedy, cal ous, vain. Not a king or a lord, but the truly important people rarely are. Had he gotten out of bed, he might have ral ied defenders and fought back even as the city fell .” She shrugged. “Instead, he could not resist me. You ask if he deserved to die in my bed, but I would say that he didn’t deserve to die on his feet.” Alex watched her face quietly. There was more to be said there, but he realized the conversation was starting to bring down the mood. He wanted to know more, but… “Not really a very romantic topic, huh?” “No,” Lorelei said, shaking her head and smiling self-consciously. “It reminds me of an important issue, though. I am
    bound to protect you, but in this state I would not be very capable in a physical confrontation. I am ordinarily stronger than any mortal, and far more durable, but as I said, I am diminished. We will have to work hard before I am recovered enough for that.” “Can’t say I get into a lot of fights.” “Good. But be aware that once such beings as I enter a mortal’s life, there is often a tendency for others to appear. You may well be in for a life far from ordinary.” “We’l just have to keep a low profile, then.” “Agreed.” “So, any other abilities that you’d like to tel me about?” “I need very little in the way of sleep, and food is a simple indulgence. As long as we are bound, I can share some degree of this. You will need very little rest tonight. In