Seth kept a firm grip on Benji's hand, not wanting him to suddenly dart off. But the fallen angel made no attempt to escape and followed meekly, which surprised Seth a little. Angels weren't usually this submissive. And they certainly never put their trust in a demon. Though, of course, Benji didn't exactly have a choice here.

When the Lord of Lust opened the iron and stained glass doors of his two-story mansion, he felt Benji freeze. Seth turned to see the angel's wide eyes and dumbstruck expression. It was quite an amusing sight.

"Well, don't just stand there gawking, tweety bird. Come in."

Benji's eyes took in the splendid grandeur as he crossed the threshold. Seth had forgotten the effect his home could have on people. Maybe he had gone a little overboard with the decor. It wasn't like he needed the three crystal diamond-layered chandeliers per room. Nor the great mahogany dining table that could fit eighteen demons. Nor the dark carmine velvet drapes at the windows matching the clear scarlet walls adorning harrowing pictures of some of history's most perfect settings of debauchery. Nor the circular ballroom where he entertained some of the most fabulous parties (and some exquisite orgies). And he most certainly didn't need every door framed in purest gold. But what was life without a little luxury?

"Your home is amazing," said Benji as they walked up the main staircase. "I've never seen anything like this."

"Ever been to Paris? You might have seen some of my work there as well."

"Some years ago, I..." The angel's words fell away, and he met Seth's expectant gaze. "Are you talking about... the cabarets?"

Seth smirked at Benji. The most subtle and yet obvious method to corrupt souls. A night at the Moulin Rouge, for example, could bring out the worst (and best) sins. Give the humans something that's just out of reach, and they will act on every lustful thought out of sheer desperation for it.

The pair continued in silence through the gallery and dim-lit hallways of the top floor until they got to Seth's private chamber. The demon considered the best course of action for a moment. He could very easily torture the angel until he gave up his remaining grace. Fallen angels were weaklings. He doubted Benji would be able to put up much of a fight.
Seth suddenly noticed the angel had lingered back, leaving some distance between them. The panic and fright in Benji's expression made Seth second-guess the torture. Damn it, why was Weiko's 'you catch more flies with honey'-speech suddenly making so much sense?

"You take that room." Seth pointed to a room on his right. "You can draw a bath and rest if you like. I'll have the servants bring you some food. Make sure not to make a mess."

"I'm... I'm not staying with you?" asked Benji.

"I have business to attend to. Stay inside and away from the windows. I don't want some demon barging in here and destroying my interior to claim you."

He reached for the door handle, indicating that the conversation was now over, when he suddenly felt fingers grasping at his wings. An inexplicable rush rippled through Seth, and he spun around to look right into Benji's vibrant blue eyes. How had he gotten so close to him?

"Please don't leave me," whispered Benji. "I've lost everything; my home, my family... I... I don't want to be alone. Please... Let me stay with you."

Seth wanted to push him away. He wanted to force Benji into the other room and lock him inside until he knew what to do with him. But instead, and without really knowing why, he said,

"Fine, get in."

"Thank you, ah... I'm sorry, but what do I call you?"

"Seth."

"Seth? Really? Doesn't sound like a demon name."

"And Benjamine doesn't sound like an angel name; what's your point?"

"Nothing! Sorry. It's... pretty."

Seth rolled his eyes and pinched his lips. He was already regretting this.

*****

Seth's private chamber was remarkably sober, unlike the rest of the mansion. Sure, he had satin sheets, adorning lusters, and rich tapestries, but the walls were devoid of any paintings or decorations, and there was only a bare minimum on his desk. Seth didn't allow anyone else in, not even the servants. If he wanted to have a more intimate moment with someone, he would go to any of the twenty other rooms, each designed specifically for wild activities. So having a fallen angel in his inner sanctum was huge. And very annoying.

"Huh... Well, this is... different."

"I hear one more peep out of you, and you're out, do I make myself clear?" snapped Seth.

Benji recoiled and nodded vehemently. Seth huffed. He drew in his wings to sit comfortably at his desk and conjured two books from his library. He was certain that one of them held a ritual to extract an angel's grace in such a way that he could use it against Loredana. If he found that, all his problems would be over.

Seth did indeed find what he was looking for rather quickly, but his triumph didn't last. The ritual took days to prepare. And it had to be performed during an eclipse. There wouldn't be another one of those for three months. Seth sat back in his seat, groaning and dragging his hands over his face in frustration. What was he supposed to do now?

"Is everything all right?"

The demon nearly jumped out of his chair. He'd completely forgotten he allowed Benji in the room with him.

"Didn't I tell you t-...?"

Seth froze mid-turn. The sight before him completely took his breath away. Benji lay across his bed, with his wings retracted and one knee bent as his other leg lay stretched. His chest, bare of the ragged and torn shirt Seth found him in, was strong and muscular, almost flawless. He twirled a lock of hair around his finger in a quaint feminine way. And those eyes... enchanting.
Seth got up from his desk and slowly approached Benji. The angel kept perfectly still, his eyes following Seth's movements. The demon sat beside him and dared to caress Benji's warm cheek. So very soft... He wondered...

"This isn't your true form, is it?"

"No. But it's the form I'm most comfortable with. I guess it's why history can't properly record an angel's gender when we reveal ourselves. Some of us like to change every couple of weeks. Keeps things interesting in certain situations, I suppose."

The hair-twirling stopped.

"Would you like me to change for you?"

Seth hadn't even noticed he had been leaning in until he drew back. Change for him, what...? Benji suddenly sat up. His face was mere inches away from Seth's. The angel brushed away Seth's dark-red hair from his eyes, and before Seth realized what was happening, the angel cupped his face and kissed him. The demon's eyes widened at first, but surprisingly, he didn't pull away. In fact, when Benji drew back, Seth felt sorry the kiss only lasted a few seconds. The only thought running through his mind was how much he'd liked it.

"I know you want something from me, Seth." Benji brushed his thumb against Seth's lower lip. "Why else would you take me in? Certainly not because of demonic charity. Now, I have only two things left to give; my body and a slight sliver of grace. So which is it?"

When Seth averted himself from Benji's gaze, he silently answered the question.

"I see."

Seth suddenly found himself lying flat on his back, with Benji straddled on top of him. How had he moved so fast? He stared up at the angel, who put his hands on his shoulders to keep him down.

"If you want my grace, I need to keep this form."

"You mean..."

"Angels can pass on their grace in their male form through intercourse. With humans, this would result in the conception of a Nephilim. With demons, and a male one at that, it results in the transformation of a hybrid. Just consider this a thank you for helping me."

A hybrid... He had never heard of such a creature. Could it be true? If it was... Loredana was finished!

"I don't care what form you're in," said Seth. "I've been with more demons and humans than I can count, male and female alike. But I do care for a change in position, so if you don't mind?"

"No, I need to stay on top for this."

Hell no!

"The Lord of Lust isn't a bottom." Seth glared viciously at the angel.

"Then you don't get my grace. This isn't just casual sex, Seth. I need to be in complete control. I may not have my full powers anymore, but the little grace I have could still destroy you if this goes wrong."

Seth groaned, wishing once again he had just left the fallen angel to fend for himself. But... he had to admit; he was intrigued. How many demons could say they had bedded an angel? And this one seemed very willing. 

Oh, to hell with it! 

Seth ignored the warning voice in his head and pulled Benji in, welcoming his lips to his own. He tasted amazingly sweet, like honeyed wine. The demon forced Benji to part his lips, and their tongues met. The kiss deepened, growing more intense and passionate than Seth had intended it to be.

Sun-kissed hands trailed Seth's red skin from his shoulders down to his chest and abdomen. He felt Benji caressing the scar on his side. A present from the last angel he had encountered, which again begged the question of why the hell he was doing this.
When Seth became aware of Benji fumbling clumsily with his belt and pants, he snapped his fingers. Both of their black leather pants disappeared, leaving them completely naked. Benji drew away from their kiss and grinned at Seth.

"Impatient, are we?"

"Just be grateful I helped you," reacted the demon, a bit piqued.

"You know, this cold attitude is a real turn-on." Benji snickered.

"Whatever."

"Oof, so hot."

Benji brushed his lips against Seth's one more time before he moved away from him. He pushed Seth's legs open, making him bend his knees a little, and positioned himself in between them. Seth shivered when their shafts brushed against one another. It had been some time since he'd been with another man, and he'd almost forgotten what it could be like.

Between locks of black hair, Seth saw calculating eyes. He knew what Benji was doing; he'd done it himself often enough - he was taking in Seth's reactions. But Seth had no intention of making it easy on the angel. He was the Lord of Lust, after all. This was his game.

Seth sprang up and wrapped his arms around Benji. His fingers dug into his thick hair, and he pulled him down to him. Their mouths crashed against each other, and their intricate wild dance commenced anew.
Benji placed one hand at Seth's hip as the other reached down between them. When his fingers closed around his member, Seth gasped in their kiss. He hardened at that first touch, feeling an unusual wave of pleasure wash over him. He had never felt anything like this before.
The angel began to stroke Seth, slowly but forcefully. It made his arousal grow, and Seth shut his eyes firmly as an intense heat pooled inside him. He leaned against Benji's forehead and bit his lip to keep himself from moaning.

"Don't hold back, Seth. This'll go easier if you just give in."

Seth had to summon all his strength to swallow his pride. The nerve of this angel to tell him to give in! He was the one who made others give in! He was the one who had invented the very notion of lasciviousness! If he didn't need that grace, he would show Benji a thing or two abou- he stopped. Why did he stop?

"Don't worry, lover. I promise you'll enjoy this."

Seth's eyes shot open when Benji forced him back onto the mattress and pushed inside him. The demon threw his head back, groaning from the pain and pleasure seizing his body. Benji held off for a second, hovering over Seth, allowing him to grow accustomed to him, and then started to rock his hips as he kept himself propped up. He held a steady rhythm, and the initial shock that paralyzed Seth slowly dissipated. He could focus better now. He could feel him now. And he felt wonderful.

Seth bent his knees a little more and tilted his pelvic. He grunted as he felt Benji go deeper. He moved one hand over the angel's back, roughly caressing the hot skin where his wings were hidden while he raked the other through his hair.
Benji moved faster, pushed on by Seth's handling and quiet moans, and the fierce buzz coursing through the demon's body intensified. It seemed surreal that an angel, of all creatures, could make Seth feel the way he felt now. 

The pair kissed each other again, driven by the passion that sprouted from their union. Seth bit Benji's lower lip, overcome by an unexplainable urge to taste that luscious angelic blood. The sweet ambrosia fueled Seth's desire even more, and he started to meet Benji's thrusts. He cried out as the angel relentlessly pounded in on him, giving in to the overwhelming ecstasy, and then... it happened.

Benji's hips jerked violently as he came. Seth clutched Benji's body when he felt the angel's warmth spilling into him, and he kissed him ardently, begging for more. A radiant light emanated from Benji's core and wrapped Seth up in all that was good and holy. The Lord of Lust fell back, holding Benji tightly, unwilling to let him or this awesome feeling go.
He'd done it. He possessed divine grace. Now nothing would stop him from...

Thump.

What?

Thump-thump.

What was that?

Thump-thump.

Seth nudged Benji away, wincing as the angel slid out of him and pushed himself up.

"Seth? Are you okay?" 

"I'm not sure." 

Thump-thump.

It couldn't be... He put his hand over his chest.

Thump-thump.

It was! His heart... it was beating! 

"Oh my. A demon with a heart. Whatever will you do now, Seth?"

Seth spun his head aside. That voice... It was...
Loredana.