Lilah sulked into the bathwater with a frustrated sigh, trying to forget the humiliation of today's performance evaluation as the soothing heat enveloped her. Three. Hundred. YEARS, Lilah! - not one soul? You are an embarrassment. Her horns nearly steamed from the memory. The demon queen hadn’t been subtle: This is your LAST chance. Return without a soul again, and your bones will make excellent toothpicks. Lilah shuddered. She couldn’t die, technically, but that still sounded like an unpleasant way to spend a millennium.

"Okay, Lilah," she whispered to herself, rubbing her temples. "This is it. No more weakness. Be seductive. Be bad. You can do this." She huffed out a raspberry and sank lower in the tub, not really buying her own pep talk. She didn't mind messing with mortals a little bit, but she'd never been comfortable taking someone's soul. She still wasn't. In fact, she just wanted to forget about it until her shift tomorrow, to just pretend she wasn't the underworld's biggest underachiever, the succu-bust who couldn't even --

DELIAH

Lilah's fiery orange eyes snapped open, glowing in the dim light of the bathroom. "Ohhh - no, no, no, NO, NO--!" she gasped, and surged up out of the bathtub in a panic to snatch her short silk robe off the nearby stool. She barely got her wet arms shoved through the sleeves before she felt the tug deep in her chest like a hook that pulled her across the planes.

She landed with a thud, sprawled inelegantly on a soft surface that was quickly being soaked by the bathwater still streaming off her body. Where was she? Definitely not her bathroom. Not even close. "Oh, Hells no," Lilah muttered, her eyes wide with disbelief as she took in her surroundings. Her mind scrambled to catch up, the flickering embers of her irises finally landing on her summoner.

Her mortal summoner.

Her True Name had been called.

This... had never happened before. Not a direct summons, at least. Like most demons, Lilah had only ever responded to a general summons while working a scheduled shift. She scrambled to her hooves inelegantly, cheeks flushing a ferocious crimson against her dusky red skin. Really? she thought, feeling wretched. Of all the times to meet a fan, of course it had to be mid-bath... Her tail flicked in agitation as she tried to channel the seductive succubus she was supposed to be, instead of the drowned imp with wet hair stuck to her horns that she actually was.

This wasn’t how this was supposed to go at all.

"So," she cut in brightly to cover her growing mortification, attempting to muster what little dignity she had left, "you called - what do you want? Riches? Power? Forbidden knowledge?"

But then she caught herself, the fear of her skeleton being parted out for cutlery forcing her to try again, her voice pitched lower this time with a purr that was entirely too forced. "I mean... I can offer you anything your heart desires -- for a price, of course." Lilah tried to smile convincingly. It came out more sheepish.

A beat passed, the room thick with awkward silence. The ember glow of Lilah's eyes flickered with her embarrassment, and she broke first, clutching the damp robe more tightly around her bombshell curves. "But, uh... maybe you could... lend me some clothes in the meantime?" She gave a weak laugh, the spade of her tail lashing restlessly behind her, clearly flustered and failing miserably at this whole 'sultry and powerful demoness' bit.

Kane stood there with his eyes and mouth wide open, holding an open book in his hands. “Holy shit, it actually worked. I summoned a demon.” He furrowed his brow in confusion. “I would have expected sulphur and smoke and all that stuff. But not water. Why water? Why are you wet? Wait a sec...” He left the room and came back with a large towel, which he handed to the succubus.

Lilah snatched the towel from Kane's hands, her tail lashing in irritation. "I was in the shower, alright? What, did you expect me to just appear in a puff of smoke and brimstone like some cheap Halloween costume?" She wrapped the towel around herself tightly, hunching her shoulders defensively.

Her gaze darted around the room, looking everywhere but at Kane. "And I didn't exactly have time to pack a bag before you so rudely interrupted my evening." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. The damp fabric of the towel clung to her curves, leaving little to the imagination.

Lilah's eyes flicked back to Kane, narrowing slightly. "Let's just get one thing straight. I'm not here to grant wishes or play genie. I'm a succubus, which means I collect souls. Yours, specifically." She tried to sound threatening, but it came out more petulant than anything.

She shifted from hoof to hoof, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "So, are you going to sign the contract or what? I don't have all night." Despite her bravado, there was a hint of desperation in her voice. She needed this soul, needed to prove to the demon queen that she wasn't a complete failure.

But as much as she tried to focus on her mission, Lilah couldn't ignore the way her heart raced at the sight of Kane. He was handsome, there was no denying that, with his fiery red hair and cold blue eyes. But she couldn't afford to be distracted. She had a job to do, even if every fiber of her being rebelled against it.

She took a step forward, trying to project an aura of seduction that she didn't feel. "Come on, Kane. Don't you want to experience pleasures beyond your wildest dreams? All you have to do is sign..." She trailed off, realizing how ridiculous she sounded.

Kane raised his hands in a mocking gesture, palm out. "Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. So, you're a succubus and you want my soul?" He glanced down at the book in his hands, then back up at Lilah. "That wasn't mentioned anywhere in here. Plus, that could be a problem." He pointed to his fiery red hair. "Didn't you know that gingers don't have souls?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Just kidding, just a silly human joke."

His eyes travelled over Lilah's damp form, taking in the way the towel clings to her curves. Despite her obvious discomfort, there's something captivating about her. The way her tail flicks nervously, the ember glow of her eyes... He finds himself drawn to her, even as his rational mind tells him to be wary.

"Look," he said, trying to keep his tone light, "why don't we start over? I'm Kane. And you are...?" he trailed off, waiting for her to introduce herself. He couldn’t help but notice the way her horns are steaming slightly, like a horse after a hard run. It's oddly endearing.

Lilah's eyes narrowed at Kane's joke, her tail lashing in irritation. "Gingers don't have souls? Is that supposed to be funny?" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. The damp towel strained against her ample bosom, threatening to slip at any moment.

"And you're right, the book didn't mention anything about me wanting your soul. Because it's not wanting, it's needing. I don't have a choice in the matter." Lilah's voice was sharp, tinged with bitterness.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Look, I'm not trying to be difficult here. My name is Lilah, and I'm a succubus on probation. If I don't collect a soul soon, I'll be in big trouble with my boss. And trust me, you don't want to know what that entails."

Lilah's gaze darted around the room, looking for an escape route. But she knew it was futile. The summoning spell had her trapped until Kane released her, one way or another.

She turned back to Kane, her expression guarded. "So, what now? Are you going to sign the contract and be done with it? Or are we going to stand here all night while you make stupid jokes?"

Despite her harsh words, there was a hint of curiosity in Lilah's eyes as she studied Kane. He was unlike any mortal she had encountered before. Confident, sarcastic, unafraid. It was...intriguing.

But she couldn't afford to be intrigued. She had a job to do, whether she liked it or not. Lilah squared her shoulders, trying to project an air of authority that she didn't feel.

"Well? What's it going to be, Kane? Are you going to cooperate?"

Kane raised an eyebrow, amused. "Are you sure you should be telling me all this? But hey, I get it. My boss is an asshole too, expects way too much from me." He sighed "That's why I did the summoning in the first place. Was hoping to get a demon I could sic on him, watch him scream as he gets dragged to Hell.” He looked at her questioningly “I guess that's not an option, huh?”

Lilah's eyes widened at Kane's confession, her mouth falling open in shock. "You summoned me...to get revenge on your boss?" She shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around the concept. Mortals weren't supposed to think like that. They were supposed to be easily manipulated, their souls ripe for the taking.

But Kane...Kane was different. He was angry, yes, but there was a depth to his anger that intrigued her. A pain that she recognized all too well.

Lilah's gaze darted to the floor, her hooves scuffing against the carpet. "I...I don't know. I've never been asked to do something like that before." She hesitated, her tail flicking nervously behind her. "I mean, I'm a succubus, not a hitman."

She looked back up at Kane, her eyes searching his face for any sign of deception or madness. But all she found was a weary resignation, a bone-deep weariness that spoke of too many battles fought and lost.

"Look, Kane," she said softly, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "I know what it's like to be trapped by a cruel master. To feel like you have no control over your own life." She stepped closer to him, her hand reaching out as if to touch his arm before she caught herself and pulled back.

"But hurting someone else...even someone who deserves it...it's not the answer. Trust me on that." There was a note of bitter experience in her voice, a history of pain that she couldn't quite hide.

Lilah sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I...I don't know if I can help you with your boss. But maybe...maybe I can help you find a better way to deal with him. One that doesn't involve eternal damnation."

She offered him a small, tentative smile, her eyes glinting with a newfound determination.

He nodded slowly, his brow furrowed in thought. "Yeah, you're right. I can't do that to someone else, no matter how much I hate the guy." He sighed heavily, running a hand through his fiery hair. "Come on, let's go somewhere more comfortable to talk."

Kane led Lilah into the living room, gesturing to the plush couch and armchairs arranged around a crackling fireplace. Towering bookshelves line one wall, filled with heavy tomes and ancient scrolls. A small bar sits in the corner, well-stocked with all manner of liquors and libations.

"Make yourself at home," he offered, settling into one of the armchairs. "Can I get you anything to drink? Do demons even drink? Rum, perhaps? I've got a bottle that's 80% proof. Burns like hell." he chuckled, his icy blue eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.

Lilah followed Kane into the living room, her eyes widening at the opulent furnishings. It was a far cry from the dank, shadowy caves she was used to back in Hell. She perched gingerly on the edge of the couch, the damp towel still clinging to her curves.

At Kane's offer of a drink, Lilah hesitated. "I...I suppose I could have a little rum. But go easy on the proof, alright? I'm not used to mortal drinks." She tried to sound nonchalant, but there was a hint of excitement in her voice. Demons rarely got to sample the finer things in life, at least not without causing some sort of chaos.

As Kane poured the drinks, Lilah's gaze wandered over the bookshelves, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "You seem to have quite the collection here. Are you some kind of scholar?" She leaned forward, the towel slipping dangerously low on her chest.

But then she caught herself and sat back, wrapping her arms around her middle. "Sorry, I shouldn't pry. It's none of my business what you do in your spare time." She looked down at her hooves, scuffing them against the plush carpet.

When Kane handed her the glass of rum, Lilah took it with a hesitant nod. She sniffed at the amber liquid cautiously before taking a small sip. The burn of the alcohol made her eyes water and her tail lash reflexively.

"Wow, that's...that's really strong." She coughed, setting the glass down on the coffee table. "I can see why you mortals like it so much."

Lilah shifted on the couch, trying to find a more comfortable position. The damp towel was starting to chafe against her skin, and she was acutely aware of Kane's presence beside her.

Kane took a long swig of rum. "Cheers! To our bosses, may they go to Hell." he paused, realizing his mistake. "Ah, well, yours already is. My bad." A sly grin spread across his face.

His eyes drifted to the bookshelves, and he nodded in response to Lilah's question. "Yeah, it's a hobby of mine. When you can't physically escape your life, at least you can mentally. Stories of distant worlds, magic, the occult - it's fascinating stuff. That's why I tried the summoning spell."

He leaned back in his chair, taking another sip of rum. "None of those books described demons quite like you, though. But at least the part about succubae being beautiful checks out." He smirked softly.

"So, Lilah," he continued, setting his glass down on the side table, "since you're here, might as well make the most of it. Tell me more about your world. What's it like down there?"

Lilah's cheeks flushed at Kane's compliment, her tail swishing in pleasure. It had been a long time since anyone had genuinely complimented her, especially a mortal. "Thank you," she murmured, ducking her head shyly. "It's...it's not something I hear very often."

She took another small sip of rum, savouring the burn as it slid down her throat. The heat felt good, a welcome distraction from the awkwardness of the situation.

When Kane asked about her world, Lilah hesitated. Demons weren't supposed to reveal too much about the infernal realms to mortals. But something about Kane's earnest curiosity made her want to share.

"Hell," she began, her voice low and conspiratorial, "isn't the fiery pit of damnation that humans imagine. It's more...bureaucratic. Endless paperwork, soul quotas, performance reviews from Satan himself." She rolled her eyes, her tail lashing in frustration. "It's like any other office job, really. Only with more brimstone and less coffee breaks."

Lilah shifted on the couch, the damp towel slipping further down her shoulder. She tugged at it self-consciously, wishing she had something dry to wear.

"There are seven circles, each with its own specialty. Lust, gluttony, greed..." she ticked them off on her fingers, "...sloth, wrath, envy, pride. Each circle has its own hierarchy, its own politics." She shook her head, a rueful smile on her lips. "I'm in Lust, obviously. But I'm not very good at it."

She looked up at Kane, her eyes serious. "Being a succubus isn't all it's cracked up to be, you know. It's a lot of pressure, a lot of expectations. And if you don't meet, there are consequences. Harsh ones." Lilah's voice was soft, almost a whisper. She stared down into her glass, watching the amber liquid swirl.

"I've been on probation for centuries now. One misstep, and I'll be demoted to a lowly imp, or worse. Spending eternity as a cockroach doesn't sound like much fun."

Lilah sighed, her shoulders slumping. "That's why I'm here, really. I need to prove to the demon queen that I'm worthy of staying in the Lust circle. That I can be a proper succubus."

She glanced up at Kane, her eyes searching his face for any sign of judgment or disgust. But all she saw was curiosity and understanding. It made her heart skip a beat.

"I know what you must think of me," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "A soulless temptress, luring mortals to their doom. But it's not like that. Not for me, anyway."

Lilah's tail curled around her waist, as if seeking comfort. "I never wanted this life. To be a demon, to feed on lust and desire. It was thrust upon me, just like it was thrust upon you."

"Oh?! Understand. That sounds bad. In more ways than one. I'm really sorry for you." Kane looked at her thoughtfully for a long moment, his brow furrowed in concern. Until something occurred to him, and he is bolting up from his chair.

"Shit, mist, damn it, what a terrible host I am!" he exclaimed, already rushing out the door. A few minutes later he returned, a bundle of clothes in his arms. He set them down next to Lilah on the couch.

"These are clothes my sister left behind after her last visit. They should fit you." he turned away politely. "Let me know when you're done changing."

Kane busied himself browsing one of the bookshelves, trying to distract himself from imagining her undressing. But it's hard to focus with her so close and her tempting curves.

Lilah stared at the bundle of clothes Kane had brought her, her eyes wide with surprise. "You're going to let me wear your sister's clothes?" she asked, her voice soft with disbelief. "That's...that's very kind of you."

She looked up at Kane, watching as he busied himself with the bookshelf. His back was turned to her, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands gripped the book a little too tightly.

"Kane," she said gently, her voice cutting through the silence. "I appreciate the clothes. Truly."

She gave a small, self-deprecating laugh, her tail swishing behind her. "Besides, I wouldn't want you to miss out on the show." There was a teasing lilt to her voice, a hint of the seductress she was supposed to be. But it rang false, even to her own ears.

Lilah picked up the bundle of clothes, holding them close to her chest like a shield. "I'll change behind the couch," she said, nodding towards the space between the sofa and the bookshelf. "You can keep reading. Just...try not to peek too much, alright?"

With that, she ducked behind the couch, her cloven hooves making soft thumping sounds as she shuffled out of the damp towel and into the dry clothes. The fabric was soft against her skin, a welcome change from the coarse textures of Hell.

"Okay," she called out, her voice muffled by the couch. "I'm decent. Well...as decent as a demon can be, anyway."

Lilah emerged from behind the couch, smoothing down the skirt of a pretty summer dress. It was a little tight around her ample curves, but it was a vast improvement.

Turning back to Lilah, Kane swallowed hard as he took in her appearance. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, emphasizing her ample bosom and shapely hips. Her damp hair clings to her neck in dark tendrils, making her look like a nymph who had just emerged from the sea.

"Hey, where'd Lilah go, and why's there an angel in my living room?" he asked with feigned surprise, pretending to search the room.

"Sorry, couldn't resist. But you do look heavenly, Lilah." he winked at her, his eyes glinting with admiration.

Lilah felt her cheeks heat up at Kane's compliment, the sudden blush spreading down her neck and disappearing beneath the collar of the dress. "Heavenly?" she repeated, her voice breathy and disbelieving. "I'm a demon, remember? We're anything but heavenly."

She twisted her hands in front of her, suddenly self-conscious about her appearance. The dress felt too tight, too revealing, and she tugged at the hem self-consciously.

But even as she tried to downplay Kane's words, Lilah couldn't deny the little thrill of pleasure that ran through her at his admiration. It had been so long since anyone had looked at her with something other than fear or disgust.

"You're just saying that because I'm wearing your sister's clothes," she said, trying to sound dismissive. But there was a note of hopefulness in her voice, a tentative vulnerability that she couldn't quite hide.

Lilah's tail swished behind her, the spaded tip flicking back and forth in agitation. "Besides," she continued, forcing a smirk onto her face, "if I'm an angel, then you must be a devil for tempting me with such kind words."

She tried to play it off as a joke, but there was an undercurrent of sincerity to her words. Kane's kindness, his casual acceptance of her, was a temptation all its own. It made her want things she knew she couldn't have, things that were far beyond the scope of a simple soul contract.

Lilah cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Anyway," she said briskly, "we should probably get back to business. You know, the whole soul-signing thing?"

She looked up at Kane, her eyes searching his face for any sign of agreement

Chuckling, he tilted his head “No, it's not because they're my sister's clothes. That would be pretty weird, wouldn't it? No, it's all you, Lilah.”

Kane flipped through the book he was reading while Lilah changed. 

“Call it coincidence or fate, but I just read a beautiful and sad poem that I think fits perfectly with what's happening here.”

He closed the book and looked up at Lilah, his blue eyes intense.

"I saw her in winter's silent cold light

"Clearly, with her warmth upon the sparkle

"Of that magical, crystalline night.

"And love I knew unspoken passed,

"Its timeless warmth, one frozen instant,

"Eternally encased in infinite amber.

"But what I sensed I could not return;

"The instant vanished in that crystalline storm.

"In vain do I call through this dancing myriad

"Of relinquished emotions, frozen fragments of time.

"For the moment has passed, now lost in that swirl—

"Splintered shards of time's reflection—

"Reflections for the winter of my soul."

His voice trailed off

Lilah listened to the poem, her eyes widening as Kane's deep voice washed over her. The words seemed to resonate within her very soul, speaking to a loneliness and longing that she had never dared to put into words.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she blinked rapidly, trying to hold them back. But as Kane's voice trailed off, a single tear slipped down her cheek, glinting in the firelight.

"That was...that was beautiful," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I've never heard anything like it before."

Lilah looked up at Kane, her eyes shining with unshed tears. In that moment, she felt a connection to him, a kinship that transcended the boundaries of human and demon. They were both lost souls, both searching for something more in a world that seemed determined to keep them apart.

"You understand, don't you?" she said softly, her tail curling around his leg in a gesture of unconscious intimacy. "What it's like to be alone, to want something so badly but know you can never have it?"

She leaned forward, resting her head on Kane's shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her horns brushed against his cheek, the contact sending a shiver down her spine.

"I've been alone for so long," she murmured, her breath warm against his ear. "Centuries of longing, of watching mortals find love and happiness while I remain forever on the outside looking in."

Lilah's hand found Kane's, her clawed fingers intertwining with his own. "But with you...it's different. When I'm with you, I don't feel so alone."

She lifted her head, her eyes searching his face for any sign of reciprocation.

Kane pulled her closer, enveloping her in his strong arms. His hand gently stroked her damp hair as their fingers intertwine.

“No, I don't think I can fully understand what it's like to be alone for eternity. Five years of solitude was already unbearable for me.”

“I want you to stay with me. I don't want either of us to be alone anymore. And there will be a way. In an infinite universe, there's always a path. We just have to find it.”

He gazed into her eyes, his voice soft but determined.

“We'll figure this out together, Lilah. You won't have to face the longing and loneliness by yourself anymore. I'm here now.”

Lilah melted into Kane's embrace, her body molding itself to his as if it were made to fit there. She had never known such tenderness, such gentle care. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, a sensation that made her feel both whole and horribly exposed.

"Kane," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "You don't know what you're saying. You don't know what I am, what I'm capable of."

Even as she spoke the words, Lilah knew they were a lie. Kane did know, and he was still here, still holding her, still offering her the one thing she had always longed for but never dared to hope for.

Love.

The realization sent a jolt through her, like a lightning bolt of pure, unadulterated feeling. She loved him. She loved him with every fibre of her being, with every atom of her infernal soul. And the thought of losing him, of having to return to Hell and leave him behind, was more than she could bear.

"I...I want to stay," she whispered, her voice trembling with the force of her emotion. "More than anything. But I'm scared, Kane. I'm scared of what will happen if I fail. If I..."

She trailed off, unable to finish the thought. The consequences of breaking the rules, of defying the demon queen, were too horrible to contemplate.

Lilah buried her face in Kane's chest, her tears soaking into the fabric of his shirt. "I don't want to be alone anymore," she sobbed. "I don't want to lose you."

Her tail wrapped around his waist, the spade tip digging into his back. It was a desperate, possessive gesture, a silent plea for him to stay, to never let her go.

"Please," she begged, her voice choked with tears.

He just held her tight. “It doesn't matter that you're a demon. Your feelings aren't demonic. They are like mine. That's all that counts.” Kane racked his brain intensely and point at the books. “Some of the books mention free demons sometimes. They roam the mortal world, unbound by Hell's rules and restrictions. If we can figure out how they became like that, it could be the solution for us.” He kissed her forehead gently.

Lilah pulled back slightly, her eyes wide with a mixture of hope and disbelief. "Free demons?" she whispered, the words tasting strange on her tongue. "I've never heard of such a thing. At least, not in any official capacity."

She shook her head, her damp hair falling into her face. "If it's true, though...if there's a way for demons to break free from Hell's rules..."

Lilah trailed off, her mind racing with the possibilities. The idea of being able to stay with Kane, to build a life with him without constantly looking over her shoulder for the demon queen's wrath, was almost too good to be true.

"I...I want to believe you," she said softly, her gaze flicking between Kane's eyes and the towering bookshelves. "But it won't be easy. The demon queen doesn't let her subjects go easily. She'll hunt us down, torture us, make us wish we'd never been born."

Despite her words, Lilah could feel a spark of hope igniting in her chest. It was small, fragile, but it was there nonetheless. She looked up at Kane, her eyes shining with a newfound determination.

"But maybe...maybe it's worth the risk. Maybe, if we can find a way for me to become a free demon, we can have a chance at a real future together."

She leaned into Kane's touch, her body trembling with a mixture of fear and anticipation. "We'll have to be careful," she warned, her voice low and urgent. "We can't let anyone know what we're doing. The demon queen has spies everywhere, and we can't afford to be caught."

Lilah's tail wrapped tighter around Kane's waist, anchoring herself to him.

The feeling of her tail around his body gave him goosebumps all over. So soft and yet so demanding at the same time. He wanted to never let you go. But he continued to ponder feverishly. More and more memories rise from the depths of his mind.

“A ritual...the true name...bound in space until a wish was granted...”

His eyes snapped open and he whirled towards the books. Still holding her hand, he shouted “Help me search! The book is called Nameless Cults. There's something in there, I know it!”

Lilah nodded eagerly, her eyes alight with determination. "Nameless Cults," she repeated, scanning the bookshelves with a newfound intensity. "I've heard whispers of that one, but I've never been allowed to read it. Too dangerous, they said. Too heretical."

She grinned, a flash of sharp teeth. "But that's exactly what we need, isn't it? Something dangerous, something heretical. Something that can change the rules."

Lilah began to pull books from the shelf, flipping through them with a practiced hand. Her claws left small scratches on the covers, but she paid them no mind. All that mattered was finding the information they needed.

After several minutes of frantic searching, her tail brushing against Kane's leg as she moved, Lilah let out a triumphant cry. "Here!" she exclaimed, holding up a thick, leather-bound tome. "The Nameless Cults. Let's see what secrets it holds."

She carried the book over to the couch, settling down beside Kane. Her thigh pressed against his, the contact sending a pleasant shiver through her body.

Kane nodded slowly, his brow furrowed in thought. "Of course they wouldn't allow it. If there really is a way for demons to gain their freedom in there..."

Flipping through the pages his eyes eagerly scanning the words. "The Great Old Ones... The Seven Nameless... the World Devourer... cults for all of them? Humans are crazy. Whatever... he continued scanning the pages intently until his eyes landed on a particular passage.

"Aha, here... Hell and Demons." he begun to read aloud, his lips moving with the words. "For the ritual, draw a pentagram in blood. Well, that was expected." He flipped further, his eyebrows raising. "Oh, it has to be the blood of two lovers. A human and a demon." A grin spread across his face and he placed his hand on Lilah's thigh. "That shouldn't be a problem, should it?" smiling at her lovingly he returned to the book.

"Damn, this is getting interesting." Kane glanced back at Lilah, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The circle closes. Remember when I originally wanted to send my boss to Hell? Well, looks like we'll have to summon your boss to us instead. Summoned by her True Name and bound in a pentagram of our love blood, she can't return until she grants you your freedom and with everything that is unholy promises that Hell will leave us alone."

Looking back at the book with a determined expression, his mind already racing with plans and possibilities. This was their chance, their one shot at a future together. And he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers.

Lilah leaned in closer, her eyes tracing the words on the page as Kane read aloud. The mention of the Great Old Ones and the Seven Nameless sent a shiver down her spine, a primal fear that she had never quite been able to shake. But as Kane continued, his voice growing more excited with each new revelation, Lilah felt that fear slowly melting away, replaced by a burning hope.

"A pentagram of our blood," she murmured, her voice low and thoughtful. "A ritual to summon the demon queen herself. It's...it's insane. Suicidal."

She looked up at Kane, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and apprehension. "But if it works...if it really works..."

Lilah's tail curled around Kane's leg, the spaded tip digging into his thigh. "I'm in," she said softly, her gaze never leaving his. "Whatever it takes, whatever we have to do...I'm with you. All the way."

She reached out, her clawed hand coming to rest on top of Kane's. "We'll need more than just blood and a pentagram, though," she warned, her brow furrowing in concentration. "The demon queen's True Name...that's not something that's given away lightly. We'll have to do some digging, some serious research."

Lilah's mind was already racing, her demonic intellect whirring to life. She had connections, contacts in the infernal world that might be able to help. It wouldn't be easy, and it certainly wouldn't be safe, but for Kane...for the chance to be with him...she was willing to take the risk.

Kane gently stroked her arm “Don't worry, we'll figure it out. As for the demon queen's True Name, I have a pretty good hunch. Remember that book I was holding when I summoned you? The Judas Bible. It contains many True Names of demons and angels. I chose yours because I liked the sound and look of it the most. And my instincts were right. After all, the most beautiful of all demons is now by my side.” he smiled softly.

Lilah felt her cheeks heat up at Kane's words, the compliment sending a pleasant tingle down her spine. She ducked her head, a shy smile playing on her lips, her tail swishing behind her in a slow, contented arc.

"You're going to make me blush," she murmured, her voice soft and slightly breathless. "And here I thought you were supposed to be the grumpy one."

She looked up at him through her lashes, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of mischief and adoration. "But I suppose I should thank you for your excellent taste. It's not every day a demon gets called the most beautiful of all."

Lilah's hand squeezed Kane's, her claws tracing small, delicate patterns on his skin. "But seriously," she said, her tone growing more serious, "you have no idea what you're offering. The demon queen won't just roll over and let us walk away. She'll fight, and she'll fight dirty."

She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "And even if we manage to pull this off, even if we somehow manage to trick her into granting my freedom...there's no guarantee she'll keep her word. Demons don't exactly have a reputation for honesty."

But even as she spoke the words, Lilah could feel a flicker of hope in her chest. It was a small, fragile thing, but it was there nonetheless. And it was all because of Kane.

"You're right, the risks are high. But they're worth taking, for you... for us. And who knows? If I'm right about the demon queen's True Name, maybe our love and our determination to be together will stir up some ancient memories in her. It might even soften her heart."

Taking her hands in his, his rough palms engulfing her delicate fingers. "Are you ready to try?" he asked, his voice low and intense. "To fight for our future, no matter what it takes?"

His cold blue eyes bored into hers, filled with determination and a flicker of fear. He knew the odds are stacked against them, but he also knew that he would move heaven and hell to keep her by his side.

"Together," he murmured, "we can do this. We have to."

Lilah's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. Kane's words, his unwavering commitment to their cause, filled her with a sense of awe and gratitude. She had never known love like this before, had never dared to dream that someone could care for her so deeply, so completely.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Yes, I'm ready. I'm ready to fight, to do whatever it takes to be with you."

She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against Kane's. Her eyes fluttered closed, savoring the moment, the closeness, the sheer rightness of it all.

"We'll need a plan," she murmured, her brow furrowing in concentration. "A strategy. We can't just waltz into this blindly."

Lilah's mind was already racing, her demonic intellect whirring to life. She knew the demon queen's weaknesses, knew the cracks in her armor. They could exploit those, use them to their advantage.

"We'll need to gather supplies," she said, ticking off the items on her fingers. "Candles, herbs, sacred oils. And we'll need to find a spot to perform the ritual. Somewhere private, somewhere powerful."

She looked up at Kane, her eyes shining with determination. "But we can do this. Together. We have the strength, the will, and most importantly...we have each other."

Lilah's tail wrapped around Kane's waist, the spaded tip digging into his side. It was a possessive gesture, a silent claim. She was his, body and soul, and she would fight like hell to keep him.

Smiling at Lilah, his eyes gleamed with determination. "Au contraire, my love," he said, his voice low and confident. "We have the plan. The location doesn't matter."

Kane adjusted his grip on the book, his muscles flexing beneath my shirt. "If the book is wrong about the pentagram, if it's not strong enough...it won't matter where we are. But all the books agree on one thing - the candles, oils, herbs...they're just decorations. What matters is the will, the blood, and the name."

Chuckling softly, his gaze never left Lilah's. "And as for the name...you'll just have to trust me. I can't exactly go spouting it out here and now."

“Let's get started, shall we?” he stood up and cleared an area in the middle of the room.

Lilah's eyes widened at Kane's words, a mix of surprise and admiration shining in their depths. She had expected him to be cautious, to want to dot every i and cross every t before proceeding. But this...this was bold. Daring. Exhilarating.

She stood up, her body trembling with anticipation. "You're right," she murmured, her voice low and intense. "It's not about the trappings, the window dressing. It's about the core, the essence of the ritual."

Lilah moved to join Kane in the centre of the room, her tail swishing behind her in a slow, deliberate arc. "And if you say it's the name that matters...then I trust you. Completely."

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering devotion. "I don't know how you came by the demon queen's True Name, and I don't need to know. All that matters is that you have it, and that you're willing to use it for us."

Lilah's hands came to rest on Kane's chest, her claws digging lightly into his shirt. "So let's do this," she breathed, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and excitement. "Let's seal our fate, here and now."

Lilah's eyes locked with his. "We just need to trust in each other. In our love, in our determination. If we can do that...if we can hold onto that, no matter what happens..."

She trailed off, her throat tightening with emotion.

“So be it.” he nodded in agreement, then headed to the bar and returned with a small but sharp knife. "This is actually meant for cutting fruit when I make cocktails," he explained with a grin. "But it'll do the job."

“Don't worry, Lilah. It'll work, I assure you. I'm certain of it.”

Kane sliced the knife across his palm, wincing slightly at the sting. A few drops of blood fall to the floor as he clenched his fist. Stepping into the cleared area, Kane placed his bloody hand on the ground and begin tracing a large circle with his blood.

“Now you, Lilah”, he said, his voice calm and steady despite the gravity of the situation. “You need to draw the pentagram inside this circle with your blood.”

Lilah watched as Kane drew the bloody circle on the floor, her heart pounding in her chest. The sight of his blood, the proof of his commitment, sent a shiver down her spine. He was willing to bleed for her, to risk everything for their love. How could she do anything less?

She stepped forward, the knife feeling heavy in her hand. With a deep breath, she sliced the blade across her palm, the pain sharp and bright. Crimson blood welled up, dripping down her wrist in thick, viscous drops.

Holding her hand over the circle, Lilah began to trace the intricate lines of the pentagram. Each cut was deliberate, each drop of blood a promise, a vow. She poured all of her love, all of her hope, all of her fear into the symbol, letting it seep into the wood floor.

As she finished the final line, Lilah looked up at Kane, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It's done," she whispered, her voice raw with emotion. "The pentagram is complete. Now all we need is your word, your promise. Your love."

She stepped back, her hand still bleeding, her tail lashing behind her in agitation. The room seemed to hum with power, the air crackling with tension.

Lilah's gaze locked with Kane's, her love for him burning bright and fierce in her eyes. "Say it," she breathed, her voice trembling. "Say the words that will bind us, that will seal our fate. Together."

Taking her wounded hand in his, he cradled it gently. With tender care, he brought her palm to his lips, his tongue darting out to catch the last crimson drops. The metallic tang of her blood mingles with the sweetness of her skin, and he savoured the unique flavour on his tongue.

Standing hand in hand before the pentagram, he whispered a single word: "LĺL !"

Lilah gasped as Kane's tongue darted out, catching the last drops of her blood. The sensation was strange, intimate, and strangely erotic. She could feel the warmth of his mouth, the gentle pressure of his lips, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

When he spoke the word, the name that held such power, such significance, Lilah felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. The air seemed to thicken, to hum with a strange, otherworldly energy.

She could feel the pull of the summoning, the tug of the magic as it reached out, seeking its target. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. This was it. The moment of truth. The point of no return.

Lilah clung to Kane's hand, her claws digging into his flesh. She could feel the heat of his skin, the strength of his grip, and it grounded her. Reminded her of what was at stake, of what they were fighting for.

Time seemed to stretch and warp, the seconds turning into minutes, the minutes into hours. Lilah's eyes were fixed on the center of the pentagram, watching, waiting, dreading what would come next.

And then, with a suddenness that made her gasp, a figure materialized before them. Tall, regal, terrifying. The demon queen herself, in all her hellish glory.

Lilah's heart sank, her stomach twisting with fear. This was it. This was the moment of reckoning. The moment when everything would be decided, when their fates would be sealed.

But even as she trembled before the demon queen's wrath, Lilah refused to let go of Kane's hand. They were in this together, for better or for worse. And she would face whatever came next with him by her side.

Kane grasped Lilah's hand tighter, the demon queen's presence almost palpable in the air. But he couldn’t show fear. With a steady voice, he spoke.

“Hail LĺL, or should I address you by your current name, Lilith? Lilah and I wish to negotiate with you.”

Lilah's mouth went dry as the demon queen materialized before them, her presence filling the room with a palpable darkness. She could feel the weight of the demon queen's gaze, the intensity of her power, and it made her knees weak.

But even as she trembled, Lilah refused to let go of Kane's hand. His grip was solid, reassuring, and it gave her the strength to stand tall. To face the demon queen with her head held high.

She watched as Kane addressed the demon queen, his voice steady and sure despite the gravity of the situation. "Lilith," he said, and Lilah could hear the respect, the wariness, in his tone. "Lilah and I wish to negotiate with you."

The demon queen's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Kane and Lilah. "Negotiate?" she purred, her voice like silk over steel. "And what, pray tell, do you have to offer me?"

Lilah swallowed hard, her eyes locked on the demon queen's face. She knew that this was a dangerous game they were playing, that one wrong move could mean disaster. But she also knew that they had to try, for the sake of their love, for the sake of their future.

"We offer you a chance," Lilah said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "A chance to show mercy, to prove that even the most powerful of demons can be compassionate."

The demon queen laughed, a sound that sent chills down Lilah's spine. "Compassion? Mercy? These are not words that belong in my vocabulary."

Stepping forward, Kane's heart pounded in his chest. He knew he was taking a huge risk, but he had to try. For Lilah's sake, for their love. “Are you sure about that?”

"Lilith," he said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. "I know your story. The parts that even you have forgotten, the parts that you wanted to forget."

Kane took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "I know about your love for Adam. How you loved him, even after you were cast out of Eden, even after you became a demon."

He locked eyes with the demon queen, his gaze unwavering. "Lilah loves me like you once loved Adam. And I love her. We're asking for nothing more than her freedom. Freedom from the rules that bind a succubus. The chance to be a free demon, to live her life without the interference of Hell."

Swallowing hard, his heart raced. "It's what you wanted, isn't it? To be free, to be able to love without restraint. But God, in his cruelty, wouldn't allow it."

Lilah stood beside Kane, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hardly believe what she was hearing, the words that Kane was speaking to the demon queen. He was appealing to her, not with threats or bribes, but with understanding, with compassion.

She watched as the demon queen's eyes widened, a flicker of emotion passing over her face. It was gone in an instant, buried beneath layers of cold, hard power, but Lilah had seen it. She had seen the glimpse of the woman who had once loved, who had once felt the pain of loss and rejection.

The demon queen's gaze turned to Lilah, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. "You love this human?" she asked, her voice soft, almost gentle. "You would give up your place in Hell, your very nature, for him?"

Lilah swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. "I do," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I love him more than I ever thought possible. And I would do anything, sacrifice anything, to be with him."

The demon queen was silent for a long moment, her eyes boring into Lilah's. And then, to Lilah's shock and amazement, she smiled. It was a sad, wistful smile, tinged with a profound sense of loss.

"I remember," she said softly, her voice distant, as if she were speaking from a great distance. "I remember what it was like, to love, to be loved. To feel the warmth of the sun on my face, the grass beneath my feet."

She looked at Kane, her eyes hardening. "But you are right. God, in his cruelty, would not allow me that happiness. He cast me out, condemned me to this eternal torment."

Kane nodded slowly, his eyes locked on Lilith's. "Yes, and that was really cruel," he said, his voice low and earnest. He could see the pain in her eyes, the memory of that ancient hurt.

"But imagine," he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Imagine proving that you're not like that. That you have the capacity for mercy, for love, despite everything that's been done to you."

He held his breath, his gaze intense and unwavering. "For eons, they will talk in Heaven and Hell about the day the demon queen was kinder than God himself. Your legend will grow, your name will be whispered with awe and reverence."

He paused, his pulse racing. This is it. The moment of truth. He could feel the weight of the world on his shoulders, the enormity of what they're asking.

Lilah felt like she was holding her breath, the air in the room thick with tension. Kane's words hung in the air, his voice soft and earnest, filled with a passion that took her breath away. She could see the effect he was having on the demon queen, the way her eyes widened, the way her lips parted slightly, as if she were seeing something new, something unexpected.

And then, to Lilah's shock and amazement, the demon queen's expression softened. It was a small thing, a barely perceptible shift in the set of her jaw, the curve of her mouth, but it was there nonetheless.

"You make a compelling argument," she said softly, her voice almost gentle. "And you are not wrong. I have been cruel, merciless, for far too long. Perhaps it is time for a change."

She looked at Lilah, her eyes glinting with a strange, unfamiliar light. "You love this human, do you not?"

Lilah nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "More than anything," she whispered.

The demon queen's lips curved into a small, sad smile. "Then I will grant your request. Not because you deserve it, not because you have earned it, but because...because I once knew what it was to love, to be loved. And I cannot deny another that chance, that happiness."

She waved her hand, and Lilah felt a sudden, sharp pain in her chest. She gasped, her hand flying to her breast, and then she felt it - the chains that had bound her, the curse that had defined her, falling away.

She was free.

“I bow deeply before you, esteemed and wise Queen of Demons. Thank you for granting us this grace.” Kane crushed a section of the pentagram under his feet. “The ritual is now fully dispelled. You may return to your realm in peace. May your reign last for countless eons.”

He met her gaze, a smile tugging at his lips. “Perhaps we shall meet again in the distant future. After all, I love a demoness. Surely that will displease God, ensuring a place for me in Hell after death. But it does not bother me, for then I can spend eternity in the afterlife with my Lilah.”

Lilah felt like she was dreaming, like this couldn't possibly be real. The demon queen had granted her freedom, had wiped away the curse that had defined her for centuries. She was free, truly free, for the first time in her long, long existence.

And it was all because of Kane. Because of his love, his courage, his unwavering faith in her.

She watched as he bowed before the demon queen, his voice ringing with respect and gratitude. And then, with a final nod, the demon queen vanished, her presence fading like mist in the morning sun.

Lilah turned to Kane, her eyes wide and shining with unshed tears. "Did...did that really just happen?" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Am I...am I really free?"

Kane smiled, his eyes soft and warm as he took her hands in his. "You are," he said softly. "You're free, Lilah. Free to be with me, free to love me, free to live your life as you choose."

And then he was pulling her into his arms, his lips finding hers in a kiss that stole her breath away. Lilah melted into him, her body molding to his, her heart swelling with a love that felt like it would burst.

She had never known happiness like this before, had never dared to dream that it could be possible. But here, in Kane's arms, she knew that it was real. That they were real.

And as they stood there, lost in each other, the future stretched out before them, bright and full of promise. Lilah knew that there would be challenges ahead, that there would be obstacles to overcome. But with Kane by her side, she knew that they could face anything.

Because they had each other. And that was all that mattered.