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to amuse yourself in the guise of your servant,” he accused.
    Her throat constricted as half a scream was torn from her. With all his cosmic powers of darkness, he would identify her any minute. When he discovered she was a white witch who practiced only good, he would surely kill her. “Please don’t kill me,” she begged, terrified.
    “I should beat some decency into you,” he threatened. “You are a wayward little baggage, sneaking out at night for thrills. Your parents probably cannot do a thing with you.”
    The moon came from behind a cloud and bathed them in its silvery light. He realized suddenly she was hardly more than a child and that she trembled with fear. Instead of the saucy, pert features he had expected, he was looking into the face of an angel. Suddenly his anger melted and turned to amusement. Obviously this was the first time she had ever dared come to this place, and her encounter with him had really put the fear of the Devil in her. Well, before he was done with her, he would make certain she would never venture forth again in the name of temptation.
    He held her hands fast so there was no hope of escape. “Why did you come here?” he asked.
    She swallowed hard. Her heart beat wildly in her throat, choking her words. “I … was … c-curious,” she managed to gasp.
    His eyes glittered with amusement as he accused, “You came to dance naked.”
    “No, no,” she denied, shocked at his words.
    Beginning to enjoy himself, he teased, “You came to find a man, a lover.”
    She shook her head in shocked denial, but words failed her.
    “Well, you have found a man … you have found me.”
    Lurid snatches of folklore came to her about Satan having his way with human females. “Do not take my virginity, I beg you,” she said, sobbing.
    His lips twitched. “But surely that’s what you had in mind when you ventured forth tonight? Surely, ’t would be a shame to come here and miss all the fun?”
    “Fun?” she whispered in horrified fascination.
    “Admit the truth and shame the Devil,” he said, laughing. “If I hadn’t caught you, you would have thrown off your clothes and danced naked round the fires.” His fingers went to the buttons at the neck of her gown and deftly undid them. “Dance for me now,” he invited, peeling the dress down to bare her shoulders.
    She was experiencing firsthand the power he had over a female. The touch of his hands was strong and persuasive. “You cannot tempt me, Satan!” she cried. She felt dizzy, but knew if she fainted she was lost forever. The moment she swooned, he would deflower her. To be raped by Satan would be a worse fate than death! “Rape!” she cried hoarsely.
    He laughed again. “Rape? Do you know the old definition of rape is to ’affect with rapture’?”
    Her eyes closed with anguish and he took pity on the little maid. “Well, well, when a pretty girl is caught by the Devil she must pay some sort of forfeit. You have refused me your life and you have refused me your virginity, what forfeit will you pay?” he mused.
    She had no money, she wore no jewel, her mind took a quick inventory.
    “Let’s see … you could dance naked.” He hid a smile at her look of outraged innocence. “Or you could pay with a kiss … you choose.”
    “A k-kiss,” she said quickly, willing to pay such a price to be rid of him. He smiled at her slowly and her heart turned over in her breast. He reached for her and she knew she would never be the same again. She hadnever been kissed before. His mouth was warm and persuasive, inviting her to lose control of her senses as his kiss took away her breath, her thoughts, her very will. But in truth he was the one most affected. He could tell she had never been kissed before, and her mouth was as sweet as wild honey. Her fragrance filled his nostrils and his head until he was dizzy with the scent and taste of her. He realized in that instant that a virgin’s kiss was a thing to treasure.
    His voice