TASCHA
I stared at Tobias, looking into his eyes. "I need something from you," I told him.
Tobias shuddered and turned away. "Take it," he whispered.
I threw my head back and laughed, cackling at the foolishness of humans. "You don't even know what I want!"
Tobias looked back at me, his hair falling over his eyes. "I think I know."
I grinned, showing my teeth. "All humans think they know what demons want."
"Yeah, my soul, right?" Tobias said. "Or, failing that, my virginity."
"Close enough." I stood up. Tobias cringed, as if he expected me to bite him or something.
I stooped down and brought my face close to his, my claws on his arms, so he could not move. "Do you have a lover?"
Tobias squirmed. "Well…no. Not really."
"Not really," I repeated. "There is someone, then. Someone who you want for a lover, but who does not care for you."
Tobias shook his head. "That isn't it. She cares for me, but we're just too young."
"There is no such thing as too young, once you have come into the world," I whispered. "There is no such thing as sexual innocence. Little girls and boys tease each other, seduce each other without knowing it."
Tobias closed his eyes. "I know. Look, please just take what you want."
I released him, standing up. "Come fly with me."
TOBIAS
Tascha had been gripping my arms pretty hard, hurting me with her talons. She stood up, and I suddenly felt as though I was floating.
She stood there in the moonlight, looking scary and beautiful. "Come fly with me," she whispered, extending one of her hands.
I got up, taking a tentative step in her direction. "What, you can morph?"
Tascha threw her head back and laughed. It was a strange laugh. "I have wings, do I not? You may morph, if you have to. I do not find it necessary."
She unfolded her wings. They were huge, rusty-red batwings.
Tascha grinned at me. "Are you coming?"
I concentrated, and morphed. While I was morphing, I could actually feel Tascha watching me with curiosity.
"Impressive," she said.
I flapped my wings a few times. Aren't I fabulous?
Tascha nodded. "That you are."
Tascha reached up and grabbed two tree branches. She hauled herself up, climbing through the trees. When she reached the top of the tree, silhouetted against the moonlight, she let go and sort of…wafted into the air. I can't really describe it, except to say that it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen and is likely to remain that way.
We flew for a long time. Tascha didn't really fly; she sort of danced in the air. She was laughing and shrieking like a child. I was getting pretty crazy myself, getting drunk on the night.