"Never mind." Artura smirked and toyed with a strand of her hair.

"I've never been with a demon...de you bite?"

He smiled widely. His white teeth shone clear in the darkness. He was pretty sure she'd never been with an Arch Angel either, there were very few of them, and most of them were hunted and killed by Demons. No way she'd slept with one before. She was in for a suprise, Arch Angles had an impressive reputation for being notorious in bed.

"I think you're looking for a vampire."

Artura's eyes were smoldering in the dim light. They blazed brightly, glowing oddly.

"Last time I was with a Vampire...things ended badly for her. I don't like teeth... I've never been fortunate enough to experience a demon..."

He rubbed his forearm. It was sore for some reason.

"Ha! I hate vampires, they put demons to shame." Artura laughed at some private joke, not even bothering to explain.

"I know how you feel...kind of. Only been unfortunate enough to be paired with one of them once. Not fun. Poor girl...she never saw it coming." He stroked the end of his sword. Not exactly the best way to end a great night with a fantastic woman, but she'd tried to kill him...she got what she deserved.

"I'm suprised at you. Never been with an Arch Angel before?"

He was jumping to conclusions and making assumptions at the same time. Of course she hadn't been with an Arch Angel, there only about four left in the world that he kenw of. The other three were recluses, terrified of the Demonic threat. His conclusion, he figured, was also correct. He remembered something...he always got what he wanted.

"No."

Artura still had a calm expression, as if she truly didn't care.

He realized he was getting nowhere, so he gave up. She could warm up to him at her own pace. He didn't have time for this. He could go find someone in the nearest town...that would satisfy his need.

"I'm not going to go around in circles with you. I don't play games. You know what I want, I have no idea what your trying to say. Get to the point, or I'll find someone else..."

His little outburst pretty much assured him a "no".

"Fine then."

Artura leaned over and grasped the sides of his face.

"Be that way."

She kissed him ahrd, not bothering to be sweet and soft like she usually would.

He did nothing. She was rough and forceful. Not exactly what he was looking for, but it did the job. He just had to keep from dying when they were done.

Artura pulled away. "Good enough for you?"

(Have to go for a bit. My mom needs on.)

"For now...next time...be a little bit more forceful. If there is a next time."

He moved back from her, spreading his wings out. Now they were both toying with him. He was sick of it. It was time for him to be satisfied. A nice human girl in the nearest town should do fine. It would only take a few minutes for her to melt, and about an hour and a half for him to be done.

Quick and sweet relief. He needed it.

He spread his wings out and took off, kicking up dust and dead grass behind him. He saw the lights of a settlement nearbye. Perfect. He landed softly on the outskirts, and folded his wings into his back.

He had put on his armor before he left, so he looked like an impressive knight. Several women turned their heads as he strolled into town, looking tired.

"Any help I can get you sir?" A beautiful young woman, no older than seventeen, raced up to him. Perfect...she would do nicley.

"I am in need of shelter, and rest. Perhaps your could facilitate me. I've just returned from a crusade of sorts you see, I had to slay some demons for my diety."

She smiled brightly. Women loved a big strong holy knight. Hook line and sinker. He had her already.

"You are a holy knight? How brave...oh, the horrors you must see..."

"Aye", he smirked slightly, trying to look tired. "It does me good to see a fresh face such as yours. Pardon me for being so frank, but it is not often I get to behold one as beautiful as you. It does my heart good to be in your presence."

She smiled. "I can give you a place to stay..."

He laughed inside. Too easy.

"Thank you, but it would be rude of me to impose..."

"Not at all, please. You can stay with me, my parents won't mind at all."

He almost frowned. Parents...they got in the way. They were usually smart enough to see through his ruse and realize what he wanted.

"Well, It's not good of me to stay in your home, not in the same room. Why...that could imply things."

She frowned, but quickly came back. "My parents are not ever here. They are gone, so perhaps you could use their room. As for staying with me, be honest with yourself. Not a soul here cares for you, do you see how they walk past. Look at you....how dirty you are. You're a mess. I'll take you back to my house and clean you up."

He smiled weakly. "Thank you...not often is it that someone as bright as you comes along." He liked this girl. She was more eager than most, she already offered to bathe him. He would be sure to take her up on the offer.

She led him back to her house. He was still "tired & weary" when she insisted he remove his clothing and don some fresh garments. He declined, but she insisted. He made a deal with her. Upon her request, she demanded she wash his dirty robes and he bathe in the warm spring out back. He did as commanded, meekly of course. All part of his genius ruse. He couldn't get over how good he was. She was so easy to seduce. He'd had her before he'd even said a word.

He stripped, of course not noticing the stares she had given him. She was impressed no doubt, and his impressive assortment of scars only added to his attractiveness. Most woman, particularly humans, were attracted to scars. They showed a brave warrior. They were his bread and butter, but of course it wasn't his scars that drew her attention the most.

He sunk into the tub, and she bustled about the yard, cleaning his clothes. She stole glances at him when he would stand up and rinse himself.

Finally, he made his move. He hadn't even needed to wait this long.

"My dear...you look tired. Come, soak in your own spring. It would do you good. I need company."

She oblidged all to eagerly, and he made love with her. It was wonderful. She was so eager and willing. So young and fresh. No trouble at all. When they were done, they'd moved to her room, and she'd fallen asleep next to him, her hand strewn across his chest.

He reached over to his rucksack and pulled out something she would fear the rest of her life. A black rose. Soft and velvety. He always kept them on hand.

He slid it into her tender fingers and clothed himself, stepping out the door and flying back to the camp.

She would awake to a rose and a letter.

Dearest:

You understand what has happened now. Be strong now, for I am gone. This is what you think it is. I am not coming back, ever. You have served your purpose to me, but do not think I will forget you. I remember every woman I have been with, and you were the greatest of them (a lie he often told). In the future, do not play so easily into the hands of people like me.

Roy Elenver


She would cry for the next several days. She was beautiful, but he could not stay with her. He was done. As he flew back to the camp, he though hard about what he'd just done. For a fleeting second he felt remorse, then it was gone. He was satisfied. He could now go several more days without any more.

He had been gone for some time.

Artura had been threading dark purple blossoms through his hair. They clashed with her crimson irises and brought them out more. It was a trick she had learned from Lissa: her best friend.

No, not her best friends. Best friends don't trade your body for a man.

Lissa had never cared about her. Artura sighed and leaned against a tree, closing her eyes.

Roy touched down sparingly, landing with a soft jolt in the clearing to see Artura pulling herself away from a tree. Was she hiding something...he didn't care.

He came running into the clearing, before he turned around and doubled back, slowing to a halt before the fire. He took a seat and withdrew his wings into his back. He was satified now...very satisfied.

"Humans are easy targets." Artura tilted her head. "But I pictured you as a challenge type of guy."