‘I’m the heathen?’ She turns to face him. ‘How dare you—you, who spent so much time violating my innocence.’

‘What I did, I did to exorcise the Devil.’

‘And who is the Devil to threaten a man of God, a man of virtue? Why should you fear this fallen angel, Reverend Hypocrite? Ah, maybe it’s not fear, but jealousy that drives your hatred, after all, Lucifer is the angel of pleasure.’

Quenton stares at the girl, his body quivering.

‘Would you like pleasure, Quenton?’

Saliva drools from his open mouth.

‘Answer me, Reverend Sin. Would you like to screw me?’

‘Yes!’ He lunges for her, but she raises her fists, keeping him at bay.

Quenton bites his lower lip. ‘Why do you tease me?’

‘There’s a price that comes with pleasure. What is the price of the Succubus-Lilith? Say it, Reverend Slave.’

His eyes widen, his game suddenly turning against him.

‘Say it!’

‘My will?’

‘Exactly.’ She reaches for his hand. Licks his fingertips, then sucks on a digit, getting him even more aroused. ‘Say my name.’

‘Lilith.’

‘Who am I?’

‘The … the Succubus.’

Her moistened fingers casually brush the bulge in his trousers.

He drops his paintbrush and reaches for her.

‘No!’ She pushes him away. ‘Who’s in control?’

‘You are.’

‘That’s right, slave, I am in control. No more exorcisms, no more speeches about Jesus and God. I hate God. God deserted me the night he stole my mother from me and left me with the likes of you! God sat back and watched as you raped me and let you fuck my soul. God made me your victim. Now the dark forces empower me, just as I empower you!’

Her azure eyes blaze as she raises her voice, ‘Say … my … name!’

‘Lilith.’

‘Who am I?’

Tears roll down his cheeks. ‘God help me …’

‘God cannot help you, Quenton. God is a spectator in the game of life. God watches from his golden perch while innocent children are molested by monsters like you. Only I can help you, now, because only I can give you what you need.’ She reaches for his trousers and unbuckles them, getting an immediate response.

‘Yes … please—’

‘Stop whining and lie down.’

Panting like an animal, he drops to the wooden floor, lying spread-eagle on his back.

‘These are my terms, Quenton. Tonight I will pleasure you. Tomorrow, you will go to your bank and withdraw all of your assets, every penny. Then you’ll change your will so that I am the sole beneficiary.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I wish it, and because you need to please me if you want me tomorrow night, and the next night, and the next.’ She pulls off her shirt and licks her nipples. ‘Do you want me?’

‘Yes!’

‘And how will you please me?’

‘By going to the bank!’