4.

  Joseph Cosgrove neglected the bus trip back after the Raid. He met with the other hunters who were sure he was dead. He hesitated but mentioned that he had taken too great a wound from the hound, so he made a strategic retreat to get healed. He said he had some business to tie up in Oklahoma, Bruce and the other Hunters believed him, mostly because they were idiots. With the Hunter’s gone, Joseph returned to the motel and smiled. The beautiful demoness was lying in the bed he slept in alone just a night ago, “You told me you could repay me, for freeing you, but what kind of price am I going to pay for this?” he asked.

  “I didn’t promise you anything,” she got off the bed and approached him, running her hand up his chest, “I just told you that I needed your help, what with you being a hero I knew you couldn’t resist helping a maiden in distress,” she smiled.

  “You’re no maiden, you’re a demon, and even knowing that I still helped you,” Joseph said, shaking his head and wanting to push the Demon’s hand away even though he knew he couldn’t, “What are you? And why can’t I resist you,” he said, dropping his spear at the corner of the room.

  “I’m a demon,” she said, “But I’m a bit wiser than others of my breed,” she smiled, “I want no part of the below and the above’s wars, that’s why I needed your help,” she said, “As to why you can’t resist me, I’m what a man of your profession would call a Succubus, which means I tempt men, I tempt men like you,” she grinned.

  Joseph held his hand up, wanted to summon his spear, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it, “So you’re seducing me? You’re going to bend me to your will?” he put his hand down, unable to summon his weapon as he looked on her.

  “I’m not using my power on you,” she said, going back to the bed and leaning back on it, “You don’t have to worry, I know my powers wouldn’t work on a hunter as noble as you are,” she smiled, “Or would they?” she raised her eyebrows.

  “You’re a real tease, you know that right,” Joseph said, “So, whether or not you’re using your power on me, I take it you want something, so what is it, what are you after?” he asked.

  “I just wanted to get out of the below,” she brought her knees to her chest and pouted, “I’m really not that powerful, those mean demons wouldn’t let me go out and do what I can do, I figured a raid was as good an opportunity as any to escape,” she looked up at Joseph, “But now that I’m out, and I do like being out so I thank you, now that I’m out I want to help get my father free,” she said.

  “So, you used me to get out of hell, and now you want me to help you get another demon out, are you sure you’re not seducing me?” Joseph said, “Because if you are, it's working, I’ll help you,” he said.

  “I swear, I’m not seducing you, not with my powers at least,” she smiled as she got off the bed and walked up to Joseph, “My father is like me, you would be surprised how many Demons down there don’t agree with the war, how many of us are tired of all this fighting,” she put a hand up to his chest, “So many of us want peace, we just want to live in the world the creator made. We were tricked, the Morning Star deceived us, told those who fell with him countless generations ago that we could rule this world, some of us have come around to know he was a liar,” Xisira looked up, and truth was in her eyes, “There is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of them” she said, quoting the holy scripture. A demon was said to be unable to say the words of that old tome. If a demon could say those words they must be speaking true.

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  “How am I supposed to free your father?” Joseph asked, “We raided hell, I got you out. Would you have me go back there, alone, and try to find him? Gates are sealed after raids. Whenever man finds a way into that darkness, that way gets sealed, there’s no going back,” he said.

  Xisira rolled her eyes, “We’re demons, there are ways to bring our kind out of the below, there are rituals you can do, we can do a ritual,” she said.

  “Are you, a demon, telling a demon hunter, to perform a satanic ritual to bring forth a demon into this world?” Joseph asked.

  “I’m not telling you,” Xisira laughed, “I’m asking you, as a favor,” she said, “You know, I do think you’re really cute,” she smiled and sat back on the bed, crossing her legs, and leaning back in this sexy kind of demure and nonthreatening pose.

  “So go ahead and tell me your real name,” he said, “If you’re not seducing me, then you should tell me your name,” he said

  “I’m Xisira, that’s my name, are you happy? You’re really cute you know. I mean, not cute enough to make me think I need to use my powers, but cute,” she blushed and gave a bashful laugh.

  “Don’t try to seduce me,” he said, then thought for a moment, “Your dad really wants out, out of the war, out of this?” he asked, “There are Demons who don’t want a part of this?” he looked to Xisira.

  “I swear,” she said, “I’m not seducing you, and my father doesn’t want any part of this war,” she said, “I don’t either, there are Demons already in this world, using their powers to better it,” she said.

  “That’s the tallest tale you’ve told,” Joseph said, “I’ve never heard of a demon doing any good.”

  “For the same reason the Mortal World has never heard of a demon doing any bad, it’s been hidden, I’ve heard word that there’s a demon who found work as a surgeon, for a children’s hospital, and another using the wealth he took from the below to donate to charities, the demons who want out are doing good works in this world, trying to atone,” she pouted her lips and looked up to him with those irresistible bright white eyes.

  “Demons did that?” Joseph asked.

  Xisira rolled her eyes, “I know it sounds crazy, but I swear to you, some of us want to do good, redeem ourselves, some of us really do want to end the war,” she said, holding her shoulders high, “If you help me, help us, we can bring a world where the demons can be redeemed, where we can be touched by the Divine again, take our place back at the Creator’s side,” she looked to Joseph with her wild pure white eyes, and he found he couldn’t resist them.

  “I’ll help,” Joseph said, “To end this war, I’ll help,” he felt overcome, felt like he could stare into those eyes until the end of time. He reached forward and put his hands on her hips, “You swear you’re not seducing me?” he asked.

  “I swear,” Xisira said as he leaned up and kissed his lips, “I swear I’m not using my power on you, you’re just seeing me,” she smiled.