“Alex, are you all right with this?" The young man nodded soberly.

“Sarah?”

The young woman started and tensed. Her fingers were Laced tightly together. "Mom, you're the only woman on the planet who I wouldn't slap for asking me that question. I don't...being with a woman..." she made awry face. "Urk. But for you and Althea, I'll do it."

“Thank you, sweetheart." She turned to Jeremy.

“I would like you and

Maria to be at Althea's breasts. And anywhere else you think you might be useful. One thing, though. Stay away from her vagina and her mouth.

A succubus’ secretions are powerful. Sometimes even dangerous. Until

Althea is aware and able to control them, we should be careful.

“Yasna, I would Like you to monitor Althea's body. If you see any sign she is in danger, make us stop."

“But what about me?" Josh said piteously.

“You? I have a better use for you," she said, climbing onto the platform. She lay down, at first toe-to-toe with Althea's recumbent form, propped up on the cushions someone had thoughtfully placed on the platform. She wiggled forward, until her calves lay across Althea's shins. "I thought about having you screw me, but that would make things awfully awkward for Alex and Sarah." The children Looked at each other and nodded mutual agreement.

“Then I thought about oral. But then you would be squashing our poor succubus. So the best solution is for you to let your fingers do the walking." She spread her legs suggestively as she Laid back.

"So that's it?" Sarah asked at her side. "No candles, no spells?”

She grinned at her daughter, unbelting the Loose nightgown she had worn downstairs and spreading it open.

“That's how this whole mess started, dear. ALl we need is love. And desire."

She closed her eyes, diving deep into her mind. Althea was waiting for her in her glade. She shivered to look at her. When they first met,

Althea had been gorgeous. But fed by the power they had created, she was now terrifyingly beautiful, a bonfire roaring in her soul. She thought about the poor boy who had summoned her, and in so doing, had brought her into his mind, and spared a moment's pity for the sad little fool.

“Are you going to miss this?" she asked.

Althea smiled. "No. Not really."

“I'LL miss you," Rachel said. "This whole experience. I wouldn't have traded it for the world. Thank you."

"No," the succubus replied. "Thank you." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, centering herself.

"Begin."

It started awkwardly, all of them casting sideways glances at each other, waiting for someone else to make the first move.

“Oh, for heaven's sake," Sarah snapped. She took her place at Rachel's side and knelt, her brown hair shining in the dim Light.

“Mom, you are so totally going to owe me one when this is over," she said. She could see Alex kneeling down opposite her. At her side, her father was a gentle, solid presence.