A Nation of Fools: Part I - Abduction and Seduction

“Ow... what a headache...” he thought. “What the heck happened to me?”1

He opened his eyes slowly and found himself surrounded by women dressed in the tightest of shorts and lowest of tank tops, all of them hovering over him like predators. “Oh, hell no,” he said aloud. The women giggled sinisterly at his reaction.2

The man would have darted out of the room immediately from his captors, but naturally, being a captive, was tied to a chair with endless strands of rope. He was a handsome young in his twenties, dressed in all black and a leather jacket. The man shook his head to shuffle his dark hair away from his sapphire eyes. He had no free movement of any part of his body, save for his neck and his feet. He was no average man, and these women were not ordinary – one would find an average man to be thrilled to be surrounded by sultry women clad in so little apparel, and one would not find ordinary women so evil. 3

“Oh, hell yes!” chuckled a woman across the room, the only one present not looming over the man. She spoke in a seductive, Romanian accent. “Will, what’s wrong with you? Isn’t this every man’s dream?”4

“Give me a break,” he replied, wiggling in the grip of the tight ropes. They didn’t budge. He looked over to the one who spoke to him, but the other women were in his line of sight. “Being surrounded by blood-sucking succubae isn’t exactly a fantasy, more like a nightmare.”5

The woman giggled again. “Of course. A vampire hunter doesn’t like being caught by his prey, I can imagine.” The rest of the women giggled then, sounding even more eerie than before. Will shivered involuntarily in spite of himself. “Girls, enough smelling the man’s blood. This one is special. You will have to find someone else to snack on, I’m afraid. You may leave.”6

All the succubae turned to the woman who had been speaking and bowed to her. “Yes, Mistress Lilith.” They spoke unanimously, almost rehearsed. It was creepy, but this time Will resisted the urge to shiver as they all left the room and closed the door behind them. Now he was alone with Lilith. He had a clear look around the room, no longer being surrounded. It was a dark room, brown walled all around. Everything was a dark color – dark burgundy, black, dark grey. The only light provided in the room were from various lamps throughout the room. With the other succubae out of the way, Will also now had a clear line of sight to Lilith.7

She was smoking a cigarette while sitting at a table nearby, tapping the ashes into a tray. Lilith was dressed in a one-piece black lace nightgown, the hem hovering just above her knees. It was obvious to Will she was so dressed as part of a half interrogation, half seduction ceremony. The worst thing about the business of being a vampire hunter was the constant bloodshed and danger he put himself in, but he never expected to be seduced by his prey while tied up. 8

Will appraised her appearance quickly, but his eyes did not linger long. Her skin was smooth and pale, quite contrasting to what clothing she had on, her long hair black and silky, her eyes an ocean blue. She was young and gorgeous, but to Will’s understanding, also undeniably and unquestionably evil. 9

In spite of the situation, Will began to stare at his shoes. “Talk about a near occasion of sin,” he whispered to himself. 10

“So Will, how does it feel to finally be the one in the corner? A little frightening, perhaps?” she inquired, blowing smoke from her purple-lipstick-colored lips. She stood up and walked over to Will, and whispered into his ear: “Perhaps a little... enticing?”11

“A bit of both, I guess,” he admitted, noticing a bit of dirt on his boot. “But in this line of business, it comes with the territory.”12

Lilith walked back over to her chair and seated herself, crossing her legs. “I like a man who can be honest to himself. Most men lie and say they are fearless. Men without fear can’t have courage, only recklessness. It is standing in the face of your fear that makes you courageous.” 13

“So, you are calling me a courageous man for being able to sit in a chair I am tied to? Trust me, if it weren’t for these ropes, I’d be long gone. I’d actually call that cowardice.”14

“Again with the bare honesty,” Lilith smiled excitedly, puffing a stream of smoke upwards to blow back a bit of hair that fell in front of her right eye. She shivered, quite voluntarily. “Gives me the tingles.”15

“How can a daughter of deception be attracted to the truth?” Will asked. 16

“Deception?” She rolled her eyes. “Appearances can be deceiving, but it doesn’t make me a liar.”17

“Telling men who come into your... brothel... that they will leave ‘satisfied’ isn’t lying?”18

“Posh, it’s not a lie. The ones who leave alive usually are. If they aren’t, that’s their problem.”19

“Ah, but you deliberately leave out the part that some customers may end up dyeing your ‘company’ pool red.”20

“Not really. We tell them before bringing them here that they are things that go on here we wouldn’t like the authorities to know. As for the pool, well, succubae find it convenient to bathe and drink in one shot. Again, if they assume that means we don’t want our location to be given out to the public because we are a band of prostitutes, that’s their problem.”21

“So you let them deceive themselves. Isn’t that still lying to them?”22

“So technical,” she puffed. “Call it deception if you will. If they don’t ask enough questions, they can only blame themselves for getting involved in illegal activities anyways.”23

“Fine, whatever,” Will scoffed. “So, why’d you bring me here? Didn’t you have me surrounded, have hit me on the head, and then dragged here? If not for food, then what?”24

She stuck her cigarette in the ashtray and dipped more ashes, then continued on with her dragging. Will imagined the cigarette was just a masking of the smoke that came from her demonically heated breath. “Being a vampire hunter, I assume you know some things about the succubus and the incubus. But as I understand, your primary targets have always been vampires, so your knowledge is probably limited to the bare essentials. Enlighten me... what do you know about such business?”25

“The succubus is a demonically possessed woman and the incubus a demonically possessed male. Both are corpses made animate after death, the bodily hosts provided by the recently damned.”26

“Good,” Lilith said with another puff. “Go on.”27

“A succubus goes out at night, posing as a prostitute. Her customers will either provide blood for her meal, or she will take his seed, and give it to an incubus. The incubus then uses it to impregnate a human female, after posing as a gigolo or coming across a barhopping woman looking for trouble. The incubus stays with the woman until the birth, when he adopts the child. The woman will die mysteriously and serve as a snack or be killed, damned, and made into a succubus. The incubus, and in some cases the succubus as well, raise the child as a human servant of the devil.”28

“Excellent. You’ve done your homework. Do you know anything else?”29

Will shrugged. “What else is there to know? Besides the succubus and incubus are susceptible to the same weaknesses as vampires?”30

“The deepest, darkest secrets. Succubae could not flourish just as prostitutes, or incubi as gigolos, could they?”31

“I don’t see why not. In this day and age, such professions maybe illegal, but who would rat on their favorite source of... whatever it is you all do.”32

“Wrong.” Lilith puffed out another streak of smoke from her lips. Will’s one eyebrow went up, his curiosity surfacing. She smiled in satisfaction, knowing he wanted to know more. “Being a man of high morals, I am sure you find the rampant promiscuity in our dear state of California to be repulsive. If you can’t find a prostitute or a gigolo on the street, you can almost as easily find someone to fill the position, for free.” 33

Will rolled his eyes. “I noticed.”34

“For centuries, succubae had to hide ourselves even better than even now. Jews, and further down the lines, Christians, stoned prostitutes for promoting the sin of fornication and adultery. So, they finally hatched a plan to create a world where such service was not only unprosecuted, but practically in high demand. As you can see, they’ve done a good job with the plan.”35

“Not surprising. I always knew the servants of hell were behind the sexual revolution.”36

“Naturally. You think there would be so many beautiful young women clinging to that old, shriveled Hugh Hefner if he hadn’t brokered a deal with the succubae?”37

Will’s eyebrows went up again. “You’re serious.”38

“Of course. Some of the women posing in Playboy are succubae. Same for the other pornography companies, all the way down the line. Some are also human servants, and others are just looking for easy money and celebrity life. Now, prostitutes are just the ones with the more bloody roles. The others are teachers, inspiration for the human half of our army. I am, of course, the high mistress of the Los Angeles community.”39

“Alright, Mistress Lilith -” William began.40

“Please, just call me Lily,” she smiled deviously.41

“- fine, Lily, now tell me why I’m not being served as finger food.”42

She giggled again. “I love the way you say my name, Will. It gives me the tingles.”43

“Enough with the games!” he shouted.44

“So pushy,” she shrugged. “I like that too.” 45

Will rolled his eyes again. 46

“Alright, have it your way. I suppose I can’t just sit and be eye-candy to you without telling you why.”47

Will looked at her, thoroughly annoyed. “I’m listening.” He said impatiently.48

“I want to be your bride,” she exclaimed, sounding giddy and excited.49

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” He spurt out. 50

“What? I’m not pretty enough for you?” She sounded offended.51

“No, you look gorgeous,” he admitted. His honesty cost him.52

“Again, such sheer honesty,” she blushed. “More men could profit from the bare truth than you think.”53

“But seriously, a succubus having a child? It’s not even possible. There’s a reason you need human servants, and childbearing is one of them. Demons are death itself, so they cannot bring life into the world.”54

“What makes you think I’m a succubus? I don’t have fangs.”55

“So?” He rolled his eyes again. “Succubus don’t go around with their incisors all the way out. I’m serious, what am I here for?”56

“I already told you,” Lily said evenly, taking another puff of the cigarette.57

“Right, so all the succubae of Los Angeles heed the word of a human servant. Get real.”58

“The Devil gives us human servants positions of high authority. After all, he depends on us to spread the word, win over souls for Hell. I don’t like doing it much, but I am afraid I’d become a primary target if I didn’t comply.”59

“Right,” said Will sarcastically. “The Prince of Darkness depending on humans. Go figure. I’m still not convinced.”60

“I suppose you forgot we first met in broad daylight, while true succubae cannot bear the sun.”61

“Ah well, I guess you have special suntan lotion.”62

It was Lily’s turn to roll her eyes. “Have you ever seen a demon show such emotion, such passion as me?”63

Will stared down his worthy opponent. “Appearances can be deceiving,” he quoted her.64

“True, but can a demon have the passion of a real woman?” Lily arose from her chair, leaving the cigarette in the tray, and found a new seat on Will’s lap. She slung her arms around his neck and gave him a long, passionate kiss. He didn’t return the favor, but being tied to a chair, had no choice but to endure hers. Lily stood up and confidently strutted back to her other chair. “Can a demon kiss like that, Will?”65

Will spit on the floor, revolted by the saliva left on his lips. “How would I know? I don’t make a point of exchanging tonsils with succubae before I kill them.” He started wiping his mouth on his jacket sleeve.66

“Stop wiping it off, or I’ll come over there and start licking you all over.” She puffed another stroke upwards, a playful grin forming on her face. 67

He stopped immediately and looked at her, his eyes going wide. 68

She sneered teasingly. “Oh please. If I have my way with you, you’ll be asking me not to stop.” 69

“Don’t count it. One kiss doesn’t convince me that you’re human. Even if you were...”70

Lily stuffed the cigarette back into the ashtray, snuffing it out. She got back up and seated herself in Will’s lap again. She noticed a silver crucifix hanging from his neck. The gleam stood out amongst his black clothing. “Is this pure silver? Blessed by a priest?” 71

“Yeah,” he answered.72

“Good,” she smirked. Lily began stroking it in her palm playfully. “Can demons cradle a blessed silver crucifix?”73

Will gulped. “No. Alright, I’m convinced.”74

“It’s beautiful, by the way. Don’t let the others see it.”75

“I’m still not doing anything with you. You’re not my wife, you’re a slave of Satan, and a woman that’s a philander besides.”76

“I certainly am not. I am pure. I’ve saved myself, just like you. One man, one woman, forever in the bonds of love. Just because I introduce myself as a prostitute doesn’t mean I let men have their way with me. Trust me, their throats are slit before they get that far. That’s finger food for you.”77

“Right, right.” Will was still speaking sarcastically. 78

Lily leaned in closer to him, her mouth inches from his ear. “I am a virgin. You want proof? I can show you,” she whispered.79

Will’s face went red. “No, that’s fine. I’ll take your word for it, Lily.” 80

Lily giggled. She slid her hand down his face, caressing it. She kissed his cheek, and then pressed the side of her face against his. Lily felt cozy with him, and almost fell asleep right there in his lap.81

Will felt awkward, and indeed, most uncomfortable. He broke the long silence with another question. “So, why me? Why not some other man?”82

“Oh, Will, how could I find another man like you? Since I first laid eyes on you, I knew my heart would never yearn for any other. Your beauty, your innocence, your honesty, your... devotion.” She kissed his cheek again. “My love, I will have no other man as long as I live.”83

Will begin to whisper indistinctly under breath, eyes shut tight. He was tormented inside, and he was begging for the strength to endure his current trial. No man could resist the promises of a beauty so alluring, promising to give out all her passion, not without help from the heavenly realm. Lily listened closely and caught the words. 84

“Ave Maria, gratia plena...” he was whispering.85

Lily scoffed. “A woman is in your arms, baring her heart to you, and you’re uttering Hail Marys?” 86

Will continued the prayer and did not respond until he finished. “...Amen.” He wearily looked into Lily’s eyes. “No matter what words you whisper in my ear, I will never give myself to you. It is against who I am, what you call ‘my beauty, my innocence, my honesty, my devotion.’ It is part of who I am, part of what you find enticing about me.”87

Lily smiled, this time, not so deviously. “That’s true. Don’t worry, I won’t try anything too naughty on you until we are married... yes, in the Church. Tonight, even. My heart cannot bare this loneliness much more.”88

“What Catholic priest would marry us tonight? We’d have to through classes, arrange all sorts of...”89

“A progressive Catholic priest. Those Traditionalists priests of yours are too touchy, so not them, obviously. Father Albert’s church is a few blocks down. I hear he’s fundraising for expansion of his rectory. I’d say a check for $100,000 would convince him that two random people could serve as witnesses, and that a quick but thorough run-through of the vows would count as a valid sacrament. Then, my love, you will have no excuse for this inhibition. You may then lay bare your innermost desires and passions to me, your bride.” Lily ran her fingers through Will’s hair, endearingly. “Then, my love, my heart will be yours, forever.” 90

“I can’t marry you. I’m a Catholic, you’re a Satanist. The two become one flesh, and no man can have two masters.”91

“I’m not a Satanist.”92

“You’re not?” he asked surprisingly.93

“No, Satanists worship the Devil of their free will, and mock Christ. I don’t. I’m more a victim of circumstance. Besides, my love, you have no choice. I am to be your bride, or you will be killed. You know our secrets, and you hunt us, so I cannot let you go free.”94

“So I’m to be a snack after all,” Will chuckled in spite of himself.95

“No, not that. You’d probably end up the victim of the blood sacrifice of a black mass somewhere. Ah, it’d be a shame, too. I’ll be heartbroken if the Devil does that to you. I just might turn and spill all the secrets I know to the Pope just to spite him for it. Hopefully Christ will appreciate the gesture.”96

“If it means the salvation of your soul, I would gladly suffer such a fate,” said Will, unnervingly still.97

Lily looked into his eyes and smiled, quite benevolently and sweet. Her eyes sparkled at him. “You’d die for me? To save my soul?”98

“Of course. It’s who I am.”99

“Aww. So sweet of you. I almost wish I was raised Catholic now, just so I could be with you without all this dreary succubae business. You’d come along on your sterling Harley steed and sweep me off my feet to the chapel of love, and we’d ride off into the sunset. We’d have a lovely family, and I’d cook and clean, you’d go to work at some office...”100

“So why don’t you become a Catholic?” Will asked. 101

Lily sighed. “I was raised around succubae and incubi. I can’t just run off to the Catholic Church, not without getting my blood sucked dry within the week. I was raised under poor circumstances, my love. I don’t even stand a chance of a snowball in Hell. We can’t all be born like the Virgin Mary and be magnets of God’s grace.”102

“Trust me, getting your blood sucked dry is a better fate than all eternity in Hell.”103

“Hm, well, I guess so. Serving in Heaven might be more satisfying than ruling in Hell.”104

“Bet on it,” Will smirked. 105

Lily checked the gold watch on wrist. “Alas, that’s all the time I have for you, my love. I have to go shopping.” She got off Will’s lap, much to his pleasure. “Unlike the succubae, I need real food to survive. You have until I return to make your decision – marriage or death.” She put her hand on the doorknob and turned it.106

“Wait...” said Will.107

Lily turned her head back. “What? Decided already?”108

“No, you said you were going shopping. You’re not going out in your nightgown, are you?”109

She shivered, again voluntarily, and smiled naughtily at him. “You noticed. You don’t want other men to see me like this. It gives me...”110

“The tingles, I know,” Will nodded.111

“You remembered my line. You darling thing!” Lily walked across the room, all giddy, and went into her walk-in closet. She came out in a pair of jeans, a tank top and a jean jacket – all black, just to match Will. Lily went in front of him, almost dancing in place, as if asking for approval of her choice of attire. “See? All dressed up, just for you. Not that I was going out like that, I just wanted to see if you would say something. It’s not like anyone in this city would actually protest anyway. In any case, the rest of me is for your eyes only, love. So, how do I look?”112

Will smiled. He really couldn’t help it. For a moment, he forgot she was a slave to the Devil and saw her as a young woman who was acting perky over a high school crush. “You look gorgeous,” he instinctively spat out. Almost instantly, he mentally kicked himself. “Don’t encourage her, stupid,” he thought.113

Lily’s face went red again. “I think, given time, you could come to appreciate me, my darling. Maybe even fall in love with me, too.”114

“Turn to Jesus, and you hold a chance better than the snowball in Hell.”115

“I know, I know.” She leaned forward and kissed his lips again. When she retracted, she was a bit surprised he wasn’t rubbing it off again. “What, you’re not going to get it off you?”116

“I thought you said if I did, you’d lick me all over.”117

Lily giggled. “Not until after we’re married, sweetheart. I’m not that naughty. It’s all an act I do to fit in with these dreary succubae.” She put her hand on his cheek and began rubbing it.118

“What are you doing?” he said. “This woman is beyond weird,” he thought.119

“I left some purple lipstick on your cheek. Hold on, it’s almost off.”120

Will sighed. 121

“I’ll be back soon, my beloved.” Lily ruffled his hair once affectionately and walked out the door.122

“I go out hunting vampires, and I end up catching the eye of a crazy woman entangled with the occult. What did I get myself into?” he said, shaking his head. “Oh well, may as well enjoy the peace and quiet. I don’t think I’ve prayed my rosary today. God, I hope you don’t care too much I can’t cross myself, but... in the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen. I believe in God...”123