Uncontrollable shivers racked her body. She wanted to scream her terror aloud, but she couldn't draw a breath deep enough to give voice to her fear.

Before she could collapse into a puddle of full-fledged hysteria, a pair of warm arms come around her from behind, as gently comforting as a mother's embrace. Lips brushed her cheek, and a soft voice murmured into her ear. "Shhhh, lovely Rachel. I will never hurt you. I would sooner cut off my own tits than allow you to come to harm. I have claimed you as my handmaiden, and when I have retaken my own body, thou wilt be my first disciple."

Rachel swallowed, forcing back her tears, then turned in Althea's arms.

It seemed she had to accept this incredible story, as outrageous as it seemed. Not for the first time, she was grateful to her Law-school mentors, who had taught her that when working on a lawsuit, the only things that mattered were the facts. "All right," she said, “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable must be the truth.”

Althea smiled like a sunrise. "Sherlock Holmes," she said, recognizing the quote.

"So what are you? You say you get power from sex? How old are you?

Where do you come from?"

Althea smiled and leaned against a rock which conveniently appeared behind her, stretching her long legs on the sun-warmed grass. "That's a long story."

“We've got all night," Rachel pointed out. She frowned.

“I am asleep right?"

Althea nodded. "Dreaming. But a true dream. That last session you had with Josh allowed me to siphon off a lot of power." She grinned lasciviously, and Rachel blushed.

“I can speak to you this way now.

Before, I was only able to whisper to your waking mind. After tonight, we will be able to talk here any time you wish."

“Well, Let's not do it when I'm driving, okay?" Rachel smiled.

“Talking on a cell phone is bad enough. I'd hate to pile up my car and have to tell the cops I was talking with the sexy lady in my head."

Althea laughed, then smiled at the compliment.

“So you want to know about the succubi," she said.

“How much do you know about the Christian creation myth?"

“What, Like Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden?" Rachel asked.

Althea nodded.