Page 18 of The Succubus's Song

“I really am sorry,” Finley whispered again, moving backward to stand in the doorframe and to give Mara more space.

“I don’t understand.” Mara shook her head. “How are you not disgusted with me right now?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Finley snapped, his brow furrowing as shock blanketed his features. Mara was taken aback by the strength of his reaction, finally picking her head up and looking at Finley properly for the first time.

There was no anger or disgust on his face—he only looked confused, maybe a little angry, but she got the distinct sense that he wasn’t angry at her.

He will be as soon as you explain it to him. Mara heard her sister’s voice unhelpfully in her head.

“Finley… I… I seduced you,” Mara spoke slowly, wringing her hands together as she waited for the repulsion to settle in. Finley only continued to look at her like she’d grown a second head.

“Um, yeah? No shit. I understand that part.”

“I seduced you with magic,” Mara stressed the last word. She was getting increasingly agitated that Finley didn’t seem to fully understand what she’d done.

“I’m still not really confused about that. It was obvious when I was coming without you ever even touching my dick.” Some of Finley’s tension seemed to ease, and he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. He nearly took up the entire door frame, which was an observation that Mara couldn’t help but make.

“I used my powers on you, for fuck’s sake! Doesn’t that bother you?” Mara exploded, jumping to her feet again.

“Fuck no,” Finley scoffed. His demeanor had shifted entirely. Now Mara was confused and still full of guilt and anger, but Finley was amused. “Is that what’s bothering you? Do you think I didn’t want that to happen?”

“Yes!” Mara screamed, more in anguish than anger, tossing her hands up in the air. She was biting back tears as a wave of insecurities came rushing out of her. “Finley,” she spoke slowly, “my powers are made for seducing and killing men. I used those powers on you!”

“It was fuckin’ awesome” Finley smiled at her. “Did you not enjoy it?”

“Oh my god!” Mara screeched, running her hands through her hair. “I could have killed you!”

“But you didn’t.”

“You don’t understand how much of a fucking miracle it is that you’re alive right now,” Mara hissed, crossing the short distance between them and poking Finley in the chest. “It’s dangerous! I’m no better than my goddamn bitch of a sister–”

Mara was interrupted as Finley grabbed her face and kissed her. She froze at first, her entire body going into a mild state of shock. Finley kissed her gently, sweetly, as if they had all the time in the world—like they were a couple. There was an intimacy to it that Mara wasn’t prepared for, and she found herself leaning into the embrace without another second’s hesitation.

Finley’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer to him. His teeth bit at her lower lip, as if he was trying to swallow her doubts. He left her breathless as he pulled away, stunned but somehow calmer.

“I haven’t met your sister,” Finley smiled, running his thumb in soothing patterns over her cheek, “but I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

Mara couldn’t stop the tears from breaking free. She couldn’t handle Finley’s soft edges and gentle touches as they came up against her jagged soul. It was one of the reasons she had rejected his advances in the first place—Finley McEwan was just too good for Mara Parker.

“I could’ve killed you,” Mara repeated, shaking her head. “You don’t understand… There’s no restraint when we’re in a bloodlust. There’s no stopping. I took your blood without your permission. You were basically drunk off my magic. You didn’t know what you were agreeing to.”

“But I did.” Finley shrugged, and Mara’s eyes widened.

“What?”

“I knew what was happening. I could understand that it was your magic. I just didn’t want to fight it,” Finley chuckled as a blush appeared on his cheeks. “It felt amazing. You were amazing. I think you’ve ruined me for anyone else, and I couldn’t be less upset about it.”

Mara tried to wrap her head around what Finley was saying. “That’s not possible.” She bit her lip, deep in thought. “You shouldn’t have even recognized me. The moment I used my powers on you, you should’ve forgotten me. You’re saying you… You knew what was happening?”

“Um, yeah,” Finley stuttered. “Is that bad?”

“No, no,” Mara exhaled in relief. “I’ve just never heard of such a thing. It shouldn’t be possible.” Silence settled between them as Mara delved deep in thought, trying to rationalize what Finley was telling her. He held her there, his hand rubbing her back, waiting without complaint.

“Has that ever happened to you before?” Finley prodded after a few moments.

“No.” Mara looked pale. “I don’t think that’s ever happened…to anyone. Baobhan sith magic effectively makes our victims black out on pleasure. They don’t recognize us, so we can’t ever be caught if by some miracle, they survive.”

“They don’t usually survive?”

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