Sebastian and Dandelion stood in the shadow of the haunted house, then Seb held up a hand. "Wait. I'll prepare something quick."
He reached into his belt pouch and pulled out a small vial of clear liquid, which he pressed into Dandelion's hand. "In the meantime, take this small bottle of alcohol."
Dandelion stared at the vial. "I'm not in the mood to drink."
Sebastian shook his head. "No, that's pure alcohol. Just empty it on yourself, I need the smell of alcohol to stay on you."
Dandelion's face twisted with confusion, but he uncorked the vial and dutifully poured the contents over his fine doublet. The sharp, pungent scent of spirits filled the air around him, he wrinkled his nose. "Is she into alcoholics?"
Sebastian was already crouching on the ground, mixing something. "I did smell it in there, so I can't really tell. It's only natural that she lures in drunk men. Combine that with her magic, and they won't even remember what happened to them in a million years."
Dandelion's expression was one of profound discomfort. "Very reassuring that I won't be able to remember this."
Sebastian glanced up with a thin smile on his face. "Relax."
He continued mixing, the substance was thick and dark, its smell sharp and musky.
"This will do..." Sebastian murmured.
Dandelion peered at the concoction. "What's that ugly-looking paste?"
Sebastian stood, holding the bowl. "This is for you as well. Succubus bait, the smell draws their attention, though it's not very effective. I could make a much stronger one, but I don't have the right ingredients with me." He paused, studying Dandelion. "This will do, on top of the alcohol and a handsome womanizer."
Dandelion's jaw dropped. "Very funny, Seb. My ghost will haunt you if something happens to me."
Sebastian's smile widened. "Relax. Now, go and remain by that door. Act drunk, do whatever you want. If you hear a sound calling you in there, do it." He gestured toward the shadows. "In the meantime, I'll stay clear of the area and monitor you from a distance. My signal to help is you entering the house. But only do that if you hear her calling. That's how they do it sometimes, it's irresistible to some." He paused. "I don't see how it won't work on you."
Dandelion's eyes narrowed. "You really have no faith in me..."
Sebastian's expression softened. "I do. That's why I'm allowing you to be my monster-hunting partner. You have some experience with Geralt, after all."
Dandelion opened his mouth to retort, then closed it. He shook his head. "That's not what I meant by..." He stopped. "Never mind."
He took a long breath, squaring his shoulders. His usual bravado was returning.
"Here goes nothing," Dandelion said.
Sebastian walked away, melting into the shadows. He found a position where he could observe the house without being seen, his yellow eyes fixed on the lone figure standing by the door.
Dandelion began his act.
He staggered slightly, letting his body sway. He raised his voice, loud enough to carry through the street.
"I would love me some wench!" Dandelion declared, his words slurred. "A fine, fair lass with curves in all the right places!"
He stumbled against the door, catching himself with a hand against the wood. He laughed loudly.
"Where are all the pretty ladies tonight?!" he called out. "I've got coin! I've got charm! I've got.." he patted his doublet, then frowned, "...I've got alcohol all over myself, apparently! No matter! The drinks were worth it.."
Sebastian watched from the shadows.
"Truly an artist," he said with a smile.
Dandelion continued his performance, weaving slightly, his voice carrying through the night.
A voice drifted from the house. Soft, melodic, impossibly seductive, only for Dandelion to hear.
"I've been waiting for you..."
Dandelion's breath caught. His eyes, which had been playing their role, widened with genuine surprise.
"Don't make me wait any longer," the voice continued, a purr that seemed to vibrate in his very bones. "Come to me... Lay down your fear.. Lay down your doubts.. Come to me..."
Dandelion swallowed hard. His heart was pounding, his palms slick with sweat.
"Oh my..." he breathed, barely audible."What a lovely voice."
He shook his head violently, trying to clear the fog that was already beginning to settle over his thoughts.
'Focus, damn it,' he told himself. 'Focus!'
"Fuck," he muttered. "Fuck, fuck, I won't forgive you for this, Seb!"
He took a breath. He steadied himself. And then, in a voice that carried just the right note of drunken enthusiasm, he called out,
"Oh, what a lovely voice.. you don't have to tell me twice..."
He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Sebastian tensed, his hand moving to his sword hilt. He waited, counting the seconds, his senses straining for any sign of trouble.
The door swung shut behind Dandelion with a soft click that seemed to echo through the silent street. Sebastian counted to three, his yellow eyes fixed on the dark windows of the house. Then he moved.
"That was rather quick," Sebastian said to himself, his voice low.
He broke into a sprint, his boots pounding against the cobblestones, his hand already reaching for the hilt of his silver sword. The blade slid free.
He reached the door and pushed it open, stepping into the darkness beyond. The house was still, silent. But the smell hit him immediately, that same floral perfume he had smelled earlier, but stronger now, thick and cloying, filling the air.
Sebastian moved through the house with silence, his sword held low, his senses stretched to their limits. The perfume grew stronger as he approached the back of the house.
Then he heard it.
Giggles. Soft, melodic, utterly feminine. And beneath them, a deeper sound, Dandelion's voice, low and breathless, saying things that made Sebastian's ears burn.
"Oh my," Dandelion's voice drifted through the walls, "you are simply divine! Have I died and gone to heaven? No, no, don't answer that. I don't want to wake up."
More giggles. More whispers. The sound of movement, of fabric rustling, of someone enjoying itself immensely.
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
"Oh boy," he murmured to himself. "Her magic really worked quite well on him."
He reached the door at the end of the hall. The room beyond was the same one he had found earlier, the messy room, the bed, the clothes, the cosmetics. But now it was alive with sound and light.
Sebastian took a breath. Then he bashed the door open with his shoulder.
The scene before him was... unexpected.
Dandelion was sprawled on the bed, his doublet undone, his hair disheveled, his face flushed. Kneeling beside him was a woman, if she could be called a woman. Her skin was pale, her hair dark as shadow, her eyes burning with a deep crimson. Two small horns curved from her head, hooves for legs, and a long, sinuous tail curled behind her, twitching with amusement.
The succubus turned to face Sebastian.
"Well, well," she said, her voice a purr. "Another guest? How delightful. I wasn't expecting company tonight."
Sebastian's sword did not waver. "You were hiding from me, also you should let him go."
The succubus laughed. "Let him go? But he came to me willingly. Didn't you, darling?"
Dandelion nodded enthusiastically, his eyes glazed with enchantment. "Yes, yes, willingly! She's lovely, Seb! Simply lovely! You should join us!"
Sebastian's expression did not change. "Dandelion, shut up."
The succubus rose from the bed, her movements fluid and graceful. She wore a simple silk robe that did little to conceal her body, and she moved toward Sebastian.
"Your friend is quite charming," she said, "So eager. So... enthusiastic. It's been a long time since I've had such delightful company, as for you, have you come to kill me?"
Sebastian's sword remained steady. "I'm not here to hurt you," he said. "I'm here to talk first."
The succubus's eyebrow rose. "Talk? A witcher, wanting to talk? That's a first."
"I've seen no evidence of violence... well the other type of violence... Actual violence." Sebastian said. "No blood, no bodies. You've been... selective with your victims, and didn't draw energy from the men to the point of exhaustion and death, that's unusual for your kind, some of you don't even care."
The succubus tilted her head, looking at him with interest. "You're perceptive, I like that." She gestured toward the bed. "Come, sit. We can talk. I promise I won't bite."
Sebastian did not move. "Let the idiot go. Then we'll talk, undo your spell."
The succubus sighed dramatically. "Very well. If it makes you feel better."
She snapped her fingers, and Dandelion blinked. His glazed expression cleared, replaced by confusion, then dawning horror.
"What...where the..." he looked at the succubus, then at Sebastian, then back at the succubus. "What happened?! Did I... did she..."
Sebastian's voice was flat. "You've done your part Dandelion, now you can go."
Dandelion scrambled off the bed, his face pale, his hands shaking. "I need a drink.. A very, very strong drink."
"Later," Sebastian said while unsheathing his silver sword.
The succubus settled onto the edge of the bed, crossing her legs.
"So," she said. "You want to talk. Talk."
/-\
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