I remember the thrilling moment of waking up.

  I kept my eyes closed for a long time, revelling in the new sensations in my body. It was no heavier than before, but it had changed. In some exciting, unfathomable way. I could feel every cell in it, the rexed movement of muscles, the pulsing of blood in hot arteries. I could feel the juiced lips and the fluttering eyelids. I felt alive. And hot. Like I was made up of a quiet, moist fme. It spilled pleasantly under my skin, making me acutely aware of my existence. And it felt incredibly good!

  I was filled with a stirring sensuality and the lingering beat of sweet desires. The very essence of an incubus. It was what made me touch Alistair with my lips before I wanted to open my eyes.

  He still held me tightly, but I was no longer a part of him. I was me, but the memory of the meld compelled me to demandingly grope his arms, his shoulders, his heated back. I kissed a soft strand of his hair and felt an answering movement. The thrill of lips meeting again. As I returned his kiss, I finally opened my eyes and saw his face. Pensive and calm.

  He looked at me with an enigmatic smile and remained silent. I figured he'd been awake for a while, watching me with amusement the whole time. I liked that.

  ‘What am I now, Alistair?’ I asked.

  ‘A Fallen,’ he said simply, ‘the most beautiful Fallen in Hell.’

  I nodded, satisfied with his answer. I repeated that simple but exciting word to myself, savouring it, and looked around. We were still lying on the bck highway in the middle of the night, wrapped in the soft leather of our jackets, and the wind was still sighing over us. Yet everything was different.

  The smells were sharper and more intense, the air clearer and sweeter, and the surface of the road more real than before. Alistair pulled away slowly, letting me sit up. I straightened up. It was night all around. Night at the peak of its intoxicating power. I could feel its voluptuous, lively breath spreading through my body. I ran my hand behind my back, trying to find the ugly wounds, but my fingers came across nothing but the velvety softness of young skin.

  I shuddered in surprise. I was shocked! My back was healed, stripped of the Heaven's test gift in the most miraculous and mysterious way. I would be lying if I say I was upset about it. I shrugged my shoulders blissfully and stretched my arms out in front of me, looking at them with interest. I felt as if I was seeing them for the first time. I felt as if my fingertips were tingling from the sparks frolicking under my skin. I suddenly thought that nothing now will stop me from adorning them with rings, bracelets, tattoos, making them as beautiful as Alistair's.

  And more! I ran my fingers hastily through my hair, a look of disappointment on my face. My hair was neither longer nor, apparently, darker. Embarrassed by my own reaction, I hastily dropped my hands and hid them behind my back. What did it matter now? The hair would grow back soon enough. When I heard Alistair's contagious ugh, I looked up at him. He smiled at me, his teeth gleaming white:

  ‘You're upset about such a small thing.’ he said. ‘And this after you survived the Fall, had your first orgasm,’ he pulled me to him and kissed my neck, ”but you're a Fallen now, Vic. You're free to indulge your every whim. And I can't wait to get you into my bed. I promise you we'll be more comfortable there. And I promise there are many more sides to love that you'll discover... I'll teach you everything, Vic. Your breathing will deepen and your body will become more daring. Trust me, I'm your father now.’

  ‘Father?’ I asked thoughtlessly, gently stroking his bare knee.

  ‘Kind of,” Alistair said slyly, ”the one who seduced an angel is considered his father here in Hell.’

  ‘Father in hell,’ I repeated. ‘I like to call you that... Where are we now?’

  ‘Not far from where I was going when I first saw you.’

  ‘Saint Ferno?’ I perked up.

  ‘We can drive there right now. It's warmer in the car,’ he added, shivering.

  So I forgot what shame was and felt the awakening of the dark, vicious greed of a young sensual incubus. Thereafter I knew no peace. I sought pleasure, and I learned to awaken love to serve my desires.

  Only death could draw me more than passion. But back then, I was far from it. I could only moan softly at the euphoria that filled me and stare into Alistair’s face with moist eyes. He stood up to get dressed. I grinned.

  ‘You could have taken me earlier, Alistair,’ I said. ‘I think I've always wanted you to....’

  ‘Don't bother,’ he said with amusement. ‘I'm going take you to a pce where the night never ends. Besides, San Ferno is expecting a party.’

  ‘What kind of party?’

  ‘In your honour, of course. The Fallen are few and far between. ‘The new arrival is always an event.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because you're awesome! You will learn your powers. Of course, I'll make a use of my right to tire you out first.’

  He lifted me in his arms, along with my jacket, and carried to the car. He made me comfortable in the seat, sat down beside me, and got out the well-known bottle. Taking a few sips, he held it out to me. I drank it cautiously, feeling his interested gaze. The familiar warm, drunken hop spread pleasantly through my body. The engine rumbled, and the car started.

  At the same time it felt to me that the road left by these wheels, scattered and disappeared in the fog. Powerless and tired, like an old man resigned to his inevitable death. And I had no intention to look back.....