KaizerWolf

Innocent Devil’s Harem Ch. 72

Added 2022-01-23 02:16:10 +0000 UTC

January 22, 2022

NOTE: I sent everyone an email, so check your spam folder if you didn't see it.

(Obviously, if you got it, then no need to be concerned with that note.)

ARTWORK: A couple of pictures of Serenity are posted now (Latex Police Girl Outfit and then one of her Devil form). The Gabriella in Silver Bikini picture is now available to the Demigod tier. The artist is working on Gwen right now.

STORY INFO: Okay, so we are maybe 2 chapters away from Kai leaving Miriam's mansion, and then we'll get some focus on a few of the other characters. Can you guess who? :-)

- CHAPTER 72: Eavesdropping -

Thanks to the short redhead succubus holding onto me and comforting me, I was managing to keep it together and remain calm as we waited for Gwen to return with the moonstone crown that should allow her to assess Natalie and ensure she was alright. After beginning to have a seizure, like Michelle had done back at the hospital, I was sure I’d accidentally killed the blue-haired vixen with my blood, but it appeared that once her tremors had died down, she was still breathing and still had a pulse.

In the meantime, I remained sitting on the bed, with Miriam standing between my legs, her arms wrapped around my head while my cheek rested against her small soft tits.

However, she finally pulled away when Gwen came back down the stairs and ran down the hallway, with Miriam accepting the moonstone crown once she entered the room and focused on the blue-haired vixen again.

It only took her a few seconds to make her assessment.

“The curse is gone.”

“That fast?” I said in disbelief.

She nodded. “If I had to guess, I’d say the seizure and her overall reaction were in response to your blood eliminating the curse. Probably happened within a handful of heartbeats.” She clicked her tongue then. “Kind of wish I’d chosen to be here when you injected your blood, so I could see it happen. But at the very least, she appears to be stable, so I think she’ll be okay.”

“Can you tell if her body is changing?” I wondered.

She shook her head. “No, unfortunately that’s not something I can detect. But now that the curse itself is broken, I assume that your blood will transform her much like it’s done the others.”

“So, she won’t be a werewolf anymore?” I asked, uncertain if that was what she meant.

She frowned at that. “Hard to say. The curse obviously gave her DNA the capacity to shift, and the removal of the curse doesn’t mean her DNA will go back to normal. She might end up completely like you, or she might result in some kind of hybrid between a werewolf and whatever you are.”

I smirked at that, because it almost sounded like she was insulting me. My tone was playful. “Whatever I am, huh?”

She stuck her tongue out at me. “You know what I mean,” she teased.

I grinned, only to sigh again. “So, now I guess we just wait.”

She nodded. “We wait. And in the meantime, I need to show you how to seal this room to keep her inside, and if you don’t mind, I’d also like to talk a little.”

“Sure,” I agreed. “About what?”

She gave me a small smile. “About you and me. About what it’ll mean for both of us to really be together.”

“Oh,” I said simply.

It had already occurred to me that we hadn’t really talked about this subject much, and I was pretty sure I had an idea of what we needed to discuss, such as the protection of the dimensional gate, but I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about it now.

I cleared my throat, realizing she was waiting for a response. “Okay,” I added simply.

“We don’t have to talk a ton right now,” she clarified. “I’m pretty tired, and after I show you how to seal the room, I’m sure you might want to get a little bit of sleep too. But since you’re going to leave in the morning, I wanted to at least bring up the big things.”

“And what are the big things?” I wondered.

“The gate,” she said right away. “If I can’t fuck whomever I want, then it means I’m going to be limited on where I can get energy to keep the carnelian crystals full. Obviously, that shouldn’t be a problem since your capacity to produce lust doesn’t appear to fatigue, but I need you to be aware that this basically makes it your responsibility to ensure I have enough stored magic to keep up with it.”

I nodded. “I assumed as much.”

Her expression dropped. “And, should the worst happen, and something happens to you, or you just can’t give me energy for some reason, the gate has to come first. No matter what, I can’t allow the barrier to fail.”

“And how likely do you think that is?” I wondered.

She sighed. “As long as we remain together, then it’ll never happen,” she said seriously. “And I hope we do always remain together, but if some other obligation takes you away from me for too long, then the gate has to come first. The literal end of the world isn’t worth it.”

“And does the energy have to come from men?”

“No,” she said simply. “It’s just easier and more abundant with men. I get less from women, even when they’re lesbian. Not that women can’t theoretically produce the same amount of lust, but it’s kind of like my charms as a succubus weren’t designed to seduce women, even if I undoubtedly can.”

“Okay, and are you willing to get it from only women if something like that happens?”

“Yes,” she said with a nod. “Are you alright with that? Me fucking a woman who isn’t with you? Possibly someone you may never even meet?”

I paused to think it over. “Do you mean, in general, or only if I can’t give you the energy you need?”

“Not in general,” she clarified. “I don’t want to fuck anyone not associated with you. It would only be as a last resort.”

I shrugged. “Then yeah, that would be fine.”

She nodded again. “I was hoping as much, but wanted to make sure.” She took a deep breath. “Then, the next thing has to do with you.”

“What do you mean?” I wondered. “A limit to who I have sex with?” I guessed.

She shook her head. “No, I don’t really mind who you sleep with, and feel it would be unfair to even expect you to restrain yourself when I’ve done nothing but live in pure debauchery for thousands of years. Obviously, the others might not feel the same way, but that’s at least my stance on it.” She sighed. “No, it’s about what it means for me to be with you, in terms of safety. Kai, I think you need to understand that those who associate with you, including Serenity and Gabriella, might be in danger.” She paused when I grimaced. “And I personally am okay with accepting that risk,” she quickly added. “As someone who has lived without true love, without a real relationship, for more time than you can even comprehend, I am more than willing to accept that risk. As I’m sure everyone else is too. But I need you to understand the implications of your existence. The implications of how unique you are, and what that might mean.”

I felt kind of down now. “And you’re really willing to take that risk?” I asked somberly. “You won’t change your mind?”

She shook her head, her tone affectionate. “I can’t even express with words how I feel about you, baby. So yes, I am willing to take any risk to be with you. Any risk to finally have what I’ve always wanted. However, as a part of that risk, it means we need to start taking everything else more seriously.”

Now I was confused. “What do you mean?”

She frowned, her emerald eyes pensive, her red eyebrows slightly furrowed. “Well, obviously what happened tonight was not your fault in any way, but it only reinforced the fact that the best way for me to defend myself, and the others, is for us to go all in. Specifically, you and me. The two of us must go all in.” Her tone became more firm. “I need to train you, educate you, support you, and overall help you become the strongest you can be. And if it turns out that Serenity, Gabriella, and anyone else with your blood can gain a similar level of strength, then I need to train and educate them too. I believe there might truly be a threat looming at the edge of your life, and we need to be ready to deal with it. Just like it would be best for us to be ready to handle a literal army of monsters knocking on my door, much like just happened tonight, even if such an event is unlikely to reoccur.”

I nodded slowly as I considered that, knowing I’d already talked to most of my women about learning how to fight, something that Serenity had volunteered to help with, since she had self-defense training as a detective.

I cleared my throat. “So, should we go as far as to just have me skip the rest of school and focus solely on me getting stronger?”

She shook her head. “No, I think maintaining a level of normalcy is important. Because, if you’re being monitored closely, then we might only have a few days before that threat is tipped off and becomes a problem. Worst case, and changing things up might make the threat happen right away. Alternatively, if you continue your normal life as much as possible, then that might give us months, or even years, of time to prepare. And plenty of time to figure out what the message is on your stone.”

“And what do you think we are preparing against?” I wondered seriously, unsure if she had an idea, or was just thinking in general terms.

She grimaced. “Someone created you, Kai. They did an experiment and succeeded. You are everything people have wanted to create for millennia. However, it’s doubtful such a person designed you for your own benefit. They no doubt want what you have, and if what they want is ultimately power, then it’s unlikely they want to share it. Especially not with you.”

“Think it’s my father then? Would he have any reason to create something like me?”

She took a deep breath. “I think it would be foolish to rule him out completely, but a man like your father should already have plenty of power. I can’t imagine him pursuing a slightly better existence when he’s already immortal, and likely has everything a man could want. It’s kind of the same reason why I, personally, would never consider doing such experiments, and why I’m hesitant even now to become like you. The allure of your rapid healing isn’t alone enough to make it a no-brainer, so to speak.”

“And what about my mother?”

She shrugged. “Depends on if she was fully human or not. Honestly, if I had to place a bet, I’d say there was a third party involved. Someone who truly has reason to be unsatisfied with their existence in life, and who would have the incentive and motivation to pursue becoming something greater.”

I hesitated as I considered that. “If the experiment worked once, then do they even need me? Or could they just do it again?”

She shrugged. “It honestly depends on how they created you in the first place. Obviously, the safest way for them to become like you would to be exposed to some of your blood, unless…” She paused, her brow suddenly furrowed.

“Unless what?” I prompted after a few seconds.

She sighed. “Unless they aren’t aware of what you’re truly capable of. It’s possible they don’t know you can turn others into creatures like you. But that just means you need to be careful to avoid exposure, and otherwise act normally, because if they realize the others are different too, then they might strike before we’re ready.”

I nodded. “And I assume you believe they might be stronger than me?”

She shrugged, her hands on her bony leather-clad hips. “I don’t know, baby. The first werewolf to ever exist was far stronger than its creator -- that was the entire reason for the creator to pursue experimentation in the first place, because becoming stronger was the goal. He died, of course, slaughtered by his creation, but left notes behind that others have used. However, if my sources are accurate, and I believe they are, then the first ‘true’ elite vampire was also the creator. And he always kept his creations well controlled and contained until the day he finally experimented on himself.” She paused to let that sink in. “Alternatively, you were released into the world to live a normal life, for whatever reason I cannot imagine, leaving the responsibility of keeping this secret solely in the hands of a child. That alone is a conundrum worth considering. I mean, it’s possible your father is the reason why you were protected. Possibly he was unaware of the experiment, but had the power to ensure you remained out of the hands of whoever did this to you.”

I nodded, uncertain of how to respond, knowing all this was speculation at this point.

Miriam finally took a deep breath, glancing at Natalie one last time and then reaching up to take off her tiara. “Anyway, it’s late, and we could talk for hours. Let me show you how to seal the room.”

I inclined my chin again, ready to learn.

Surprisingly, learning how to seal the room was fairly simple now that I’d already had the experience of perceiving Miriam’s fortification of the normal barriers to prevent all passage in either direction. Similarly, it was just a matter of creating a new temporary barrier, which would pretty much exist wherever she placed it, and then preventing others from passing through it, so that even an open door wouldn’t allow someone other than me or Miriam to leave or enter the room.

I hadn’t noticed it before, but Miriam’s suite actually had a barrier around it, in addition to the magical wards that protected it from most types of supernatural damage, separating it from the rest of the house. It was apparently the reason why she’d avoided being chosen as a target when the old man and blonde vampire were seeking out some blood.

According to Rosa, who explained more earlier, they’d found themselves trapped inside her house, able to move within its walls, but because of the other barrier around her suite, they couldn’t enter that portion of the house on the second floor.

Of course, Miriam had never put a barrier around Gwen’s room, because it was kind of overkill to begin with, since usually no one supernatural would even be able to enter the house without permission. Really, the purpose of the extra barrier was to keep invited guests, those allowed into the house, out of her quarters even though they were welcome inside the rest of the mansion, and had nothing to do with having an extra layer of protection to keep the succubus safe.

Miriam also admitted that she’d placed a barrier around the basement room I’d been kept in, when I first visited, which would have prevented me from leaving if I’d somehow broken out of the handcuffs and been able to get through the door. Again, that was in addition to the magical wards that were supposed to protect the place from being damaged by magic.

I jokingly commented that it was good we spoke civilly then, since it would have really freaked me out if I found myself sincerely trapped…and I wasn’t sure what I would have done. But she was much more serious when admitting that she wouldn’t have done anything different, if given a second chance, especially since she didn’t know I could be trusted at that point, but apologized for the stress it caused me.

Of course, I understood, and ultimately everything worked out fine.

Better than fine.

I couldn’t be happier with my situation with her.

Miriam also had my phone with her, which I’d given her earlier before the fight, having placed it in her back pocket recently, since she already planned on coming down to talk to me even before I freaked out at Natalie’s mini-seizure and called out for her help.

After accepting the device and deciding to turn it off, since the battery was pretty low, I stuffed it in my gym shorts pocket and exchanged a tender kiss with Miriam for the night, her small warm hands feeling my bare chest. She then went back upstairs after that, closing the door behind her, prompting me to sigh heavily as I mentally checked the barrier around the room to ensure it was fine, and then decided to lay down next to Natalie.

Surprisingly, Natalie’s skin was already pretty dry, with the only signs that she’d been sweating earlier coming from some of her rich blue hair being a little damp still, but even her sheer dress didn’t feel wet to the touch.

Kind of felt like it was a little strange, but I didn’t focus on it much, instead recalling that Natalie wanted me to hold her while she slept. Thus, I carefully got my arm underneath her head, providing her with a makeshift pillow and slowly scooted closer while also pulling her unconscious body into my arms.

She felt good.

Really good.

I wasn’t sure how to define why that was though. It wasn’t that she was overly warm, like how it felt to touch Gwen, nor was it related to her being fluffy like how it felt to hold Gabriella, Rebecca, or Michelle. Instead, it was simply the act of ‘touching her’ felt really comforting, and almost pleasurable, but not necessarily in a sexual sense.

Honestly, it kind of reminded me of when Miriam first used her charm on me, making me feel so hot and bothered that even the sensation of my shirt on my skin was making me aroused. But in this case, it was touching specifically Natalie that felt so amazing, like the physical contact was a source of pure pleasure.

Just minus the sexual tension, the sensation being more like the combination of a physical comfort and mental satisfaction.

Or at least, I assumed.

I was far too tired at this point to feel aroused either way, with it definitely being after 3 AM at this point, and my cock wasn’t even remotely hard as I held her, but still…I couldn’t help but almost feel relieved with the comforting feel-good sensation that was bombarding me, as I held this blue-haired vixen in my arms.

I didn’t remember falling asleep.

What I did remember was finally beginning to relax, feeling extra secure behind a whopping four barriers that basically secluded me from the rest of the world, the one around the room making me feel like I was truly in my own space.

That didn’t stop me from noticing the twigs snapping outside far in the distance, the low grunts telling me it was likely a couple of deer on the other side of Miriam’s property from where I’d attacked the previous group.

Not surprising, since something close to two thousand acres was a shit ton of land.

Like, that was enough land to build probably fifty entirely separate subdivisions, hundreds of houses each, with roads and stoplights between. Not that Miriam would ever want to do something like that, probably not in a million years, but the property she owned truly was enormous.

Being asleep also didn’t prevent me from hearing the owl hooting by the mansion’s front gate for a little while before flying away, or from hearing any of the other little noises from foxes, a bobcat, possibly a coyote, and maybe even an opossum.

All within the realm of normal noises I might expect at night, never mind all the tree frogs and crickets, along with the occasional bat squeaks.

I also remembered something else too…

I saw Avery.

‘Kai?’she asked me groggily, glancing back over her shoulder as if I was spooning her.

I didn’t respond, and she definitely wasn’t in the room with us, but I felt her relax in my arms, nevertheless. Felt her relax between me and Natalie, nevertheless.

‘I…I love you,’ she whispered almost inaudibly, sounding like she was falling asleep again.

I was sure it was a dream, but not for a second did I stop hearing the sounds outside.

Not for a second did I lose track of Serenity and Gabriella’s breathing upstairs, the two of them sharing a bed. Or Miriam’s rhythmic heartbeat in her suite.

I could even vaguely recall hearing whispers coming from Gwen and Rosa, though truly I must have been tired, because not a thing alarmed me or startled me awake.

In fact, I must not have even considered Natalie rousing to be threatening, because I slept right through it, only vaguely being aware when she stiffened in my arms.

Suddenly, clawed hands were on my bare chest, her scent becoming panicked as I felt her grow slightly larger. Her tone was also panicked.

“No, no, no, no, NO,” she hissed urgently, her breathing frantic. “Please no. Please stop. Stop, stop, stop, stop.”

I might have roused if she grew a bit larger, or possibly if she spoke louder, but she didn’t continue to change.

And even if she had continued, I felt as if she was no threat to me.

Not when I was her alpha.

However, her breathing became more forceful as she sucked in ragged breaths and blew them in my face, her hands still tense on my bare chest, until she was slowly decreasing to her normal size. Not that she had really gotten much bigger to begin with. But her hands on my chest began to relax too, until she finally took one last deep breath and again blew it in my face, the scent sweet like honey…

Honey…like how I apparently smelled to everyone else.

Natalie’s hands began moving incrementally then, seeming calm now as she gently explored my toned chest, feeling the shape of my muscles, one hand moving to my shoulder and then slipping underneath my arm to feel my side, all before both hands returned to my chest. She then inched her head closer on my arm, her soft lips pressing gently into mine and remaining there for what felt like a long time, before her body finally relaxed enough that her lips naturally fell mere millimeters away, the two of us now breathing softly, exchanging breaths as we both slept soundly.

It was then quiet.

But then, I even noticed when Serenity woke up, and heard when Gwen checked on her just as she was waking Gabriella up. I heard Serenity’s surprise that Gwen seemed like she’d never gone to sleep, and the affection in both of their tones as the two of them quietly moved on to other lighthearted topics after asking if she knew how I was doing.

The maid simply said that she could sense I was very tired and resting.

Gwen eventually checked on Miriam, but when she seemed out of it, similarly drained from the effort she exerted the previous evening, including the lightning attack, among other things, the sexy maid let her be.

Eventually, Serenity and Gabriella exchanged goodbyes with Gwen, and even Rosa, before climbing in my car and heading home.

Not long after, another vehicle arrived, my heart feeling warmed when I recognized Mrs. Rebecca’s concerned voice. The sexy maid explained who Rosa was, and also shared a more detailed explanation of what transpired last night. Gwen also explained where I was and what I was doing, when prompted.

Needless to say, Mrs. Rebecca was pretty overwhelmed.

And, unlike Gwen, she was much less reserved about waking up Miriam, the two succubi soon finding themselves alone together in her bedroom, sounding like they hugged for a long time while the shorter minx reassured the bustier woman. There was actually a part of me that was a little surprised when Mrs. Rebecca asked Miriam if she felt like I shared any of the responsibility for so much danger appearing in their lives.

And that surprise must have caused me to begin waking up, because I paid much closer attention to their conversation.

However, before answering herself, the redhead minx turned the question on Mrs. Rebecca.

“And what do you think?” Miriam wondered.

Mrs. Rebecca sounded surprised. “Well, no, I don’t think so. I mean, I’m sure he had no way of knowing that bringing that girl here would result in such an attack, and it sounds like he’s inadvertently eliminated a huge nearby threat. Who knows what they were planning, and even if it wasn’t something too crazy, I’m sure they were involved in criminal activity.” She paused. “Plus, he risked his life to protect everyone. But I know how you can be,” she added. “That’s why I asked.”

Miriam’s tone was casual. “I agree with your assessment.” She paused to yawn. “And I’ve decided to go all in with him, both for safety, as well as for companionship. He can give me all the lust I need, and then some, so I’m giving up my promiscuous lifestyle, and plan on devoting all my energy to guiding him and ensuring he’s the strongest and best he can be.”

Mrs. Rebecca seemed stunned. “I…I know you’re not one to exaggerate…but are you serious? You’re changing your whole life for him?”

“Does that surprise you?”

There was a pause. “I mean, I’m doing the same, but it’s not really a big deal for me to make such a dramatic change. I’ve not lived the same way for thousands of years.”

Miriam sighed. “And how are you handling your husband?” she wondered. “I may be making a more dramatic change to my life, but at least it mostly only affects me.”

Mrs. Rebecca sighed as well. “I suppose I never told you about our arrangement.”

“Arrangement?” Miriam repeated, only to sound like she was clarifying, as if she understood what Mrs. Rebecca was inherently speaking about. “Of course, I always hoped you’d have the appropriate conversations with him, but I didn’t want to pry and wasn’t aware you’d come to any formal agreement.”

“Yeah, he’s always known I’d outlive him by a lot, so before we got married, we decided to take it ten years at a time. Reevaluate every decade, and decide if we’d do another ten years, or separate.”

“And you’re getting close to thirty years now, aren’t you?” Miriam commented.

“Yes, it’s been twenty-eight years, and we have two wonderful daughters to show for it. However, we’d already begun talking about separating about six months ago. Discussing if maybe we should separate before our thirty-year anniversary.”

“How come?” Miriam asked seriously, sounding concerned now.

Rebecca sighed heavily. “He’s only forty-six, but he already looks a decade older than he is, and has started to show other signs of premature aging. I know it’s not uncommon for men to gray in their forties, but he’s fit as a horse and still looks like he’s nearly sixty.” She sighed heavily a second time. “I’m concerned that his time with me is starting to really take its toll. Honestly, I’m pretty sure it already has taken its toll. He’s biologically ten years older than he should be. I’ve aged his capacity to produce lifeforce.”

Surprisingly, Miriam didn’t disagree. “I’m so sorry, honey.”

Mrs. Rebecca took a shaky breath. “Don’t be. We both knew the risks, and we’ve been very happy for the last twenty-eight years. If we separate now, then he should be alright. Time away from me should help him regain a handful of years worth of youth.” She sighed again. “But honestly, I’m thankful for my baby boy coming into my life when he did. It was that extra push I needed to break it off a couple of years early. And Jonathan of course understands.”

Miriam’s tone was playful. “Excuse me. Our baby boy, thank you,” she retorted.

Surprisingly, the busty woman laughed at that. “Of course, of course. I’m just so happy we can share him. It’s a miracle, really. A blessing from God. Who would have thought that such a man might exist? And for us to meet him when he’s so young, no less, thanks to my pup. I feel like we’ve won it big. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”

“Me too,” Miriam agreed somberly, sounding unexpectedly sad.

“You don’t mind sharing, correct?” Rebecca asked sincerely.

“No, of course I don’t mind. I just…” She sighed. “I guess I’ve just been forced to be alone for so long, to keep all of my romantic relationships shallow, that I almost feel sad now. Like, I’m so happy that it’s making me sad.”

“I think I understand,” she replied. “The fact that you couldn’t have him sooner, right? That you went through so much to get to this point?”

Miriam sounded surprised. “Yeah, I guess that’s kind of it. I wish he could have existed thousands of years ago, and been with me all this time.”

Mrs. Rebecca didn’t respond right away.

“What is it?” Miriam wondered.

She hesitated. “Well, I’m just wondering…when you say that you wished he could have been around thousands of years ago, is that with the assumption that he’d still be alive now?”

“Oh,” Miriam replied. “Yeah, normally I’d assume that he’d only live half a millennium, being half incubus, but he has traits that imply he might be immortal like I am. Not only does his ability to produce lust seem incapable of fatiguing, but he heals so fast. Never mind the fact that he came back from the dead. If he turned out to not be immortal, I’d be truly shocked at this point.”

“Make sense,” she agreed. “I wasn’t sure how confident you were about that.”

“As you know,” Miriam replied. “I tend to be paranoid and skeptical. Normally I’d be afraid to hope for such a thing, but like I said, I’d be truly shocked if he didn’t end up being immortal. Whoever was involved in changing him, into what he is now, truly succeeded in the most literal and miraculous sense possible.”

“And what about him changing others?” Mrs. Rebecca unexpectedly wondered.

All at once, they had my attention.

My eyes immediately flew open, focusing on Natalie’s peaceful expression so close to my face, her soft lips nearly touching mine, her scent filling my nose. Her complexion was completely normal, her eyes framed in that tasteful cosmetic tattoo, her blue hair slightly disheveled as she slept.

But I didn’t focus on her for long as I listened for Miriam’s response, just surprised that Mrs. Rebecca knew that I could change others, wondering when she’d been told. Or if maybe she’d somehow figured it out herself, since I hadn’t had the chance to tell her myself yet.

I had wanted to share it with Miriam first, and didn’t want to put Mrs. Rebecca in a position where she’d have to keep a secret from the woman she respected so much.

The short redhead sighed. “Normally, it would worry me, but it appears his blood is able to bring out the supernatural traits of regular people. Serenity has clearly gained the ability to shift into an inferno imp, like Gwen, and Gabriella appears to be able to change from a sixteenth succubus to almost a full-blooded one.” She paused. “Honestly, the only thing your Gabby is missing is the deformed body that most of us were cursed with. But take away my wings and tail, and I’m not sure if I’m any more succubus than she is when she’s transformed.”

“And do you think they’ll also live forever?” Mrs. Rebecca wondered. “Gabby and anyone else who shares in his blood?”

Miriam hesitated. “I do not know at this point. My gut tells me a strong ‘maybe,’ but I have no real basis for verifying that at this time.”

Mrs. Rebecca’s tone was suddenly quiet and somber. “I may have to reject the offer, if he decides to ask me.”

Miriam sounded surprised. “How come?”

She took a long deep breath. “For one, because I don’t want him to feel ‘used.’ If he finds out that he might also be giving people immortality, and if he especially discovers I knew that ahead of time, then he might doubt my feelings for him.”

“Oh my sweet little Rebecca,” Miriam sighed. “You never change. Always worried about your intentions being misunderstood.”

“Don’t you?” she replied seriously.

There was a long pause.

Miriam took a deep breath. “I suppose you’re right. My situation is different. I’m not sure his blood would offer much benefit to me, aside from possibly allowing me to heal faster, the price of which is feeding on blood, so there’s no reason for him to think that I was using him if I did accept his offer.”

“Exactly,” she replied. “But it’s different for me. I’m going to die one day, and I’d almost rather live a normal happy life with him, and die as nature intended, rather than live forever and have him wonder if the only reason I loved him was because I wanted the benefits associated with it.”

“You worry too much,” Miriam sighed. “Just relax and take things one step at a time. Don’t ask him for his blood. If he offers, he offers. And if you still feel that way, then tell him how you feel. It doesn’t have to be that complicated.”

Mrs. Rebecca scoffed playfully. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re an expert at relationships, but you still stun me sometimes. It just seems so simple when you say it.”

Miriam scoffed in kind. “I’ve just seen enough relationships succeed and fail to understand what works and what doesn’t. Openness, honesty, communication, and most importantly, respect, are what allow any type of relationship to flourish. So if you feel this way, then just tell him. It’s that simple.”

Rebecca sighed heavily. “Well, not anytime soon. He’s got enough to worry about, without me burdening him with my personal drama.”

“You’ll be telling him about the situation with your husband though, right?”

“Oh, of course. I hope…” Her voice trailed off. “I mean, I think he should be happy.”

“You might have to make it clear that you were going to have to separate from your husband to begin with. That you are good friends who decided to start a family, but knew it wouldn’t be forever.”

Mrs. Rebecca made an amused noise. “Well, my little Anna and I were sort of a family before I met him.”

Miriam scoffed playfully. “You know what I mean. Annabella had no father in the picture before that.”

“I know,” she agreed quietly. “And Anna is aware that Jonathan and I wouldn’t be together forever, so it’ll be easier for her to accept the news, but I am a little worried about Gabriella. We had a lot of fun the other day when I played with her man, but I’m not sure if she is ready to accept her father and I getting a divorce.”

“Just be open and honest,” Miriam repeated. “That’s all you can do. Might also need to prepare Kai mentally to meet him, since it’s not like he’s just going to disappear from your lives. He’s still the man who raised your daughters. And still the man who fathered one of them.”

She sighed. “Of course. I know that. Might need to wait until Jonathan finds someone else though, before I make that introduction. That way my baby boy can see that my ex-husband has moved on and is happy.”

“Weren’t you going to find him someone, or something like that?”

“He wants to try the dating game on his own first. I mean, he is quite handsome still, and he certainly hasn’t lost his charm. He’ll probably do just fine without my intervention. But if he does end up needing help, then I’ll jump right in and use my gifts to find him his flavor of kink.”

Taking a deep breath, a little more relaxed now after listening to the conversation between the two succubi, I forced the air out slowly, realizing I was actually pretty hungry and wanted to go ahead and get up for now.

However, I wanted to be careful not to wake Natalie up, recalling that she had already woken up once, probably at least an hour ago once she’d finished transitioning, only to fall back asleep shortly later. Thus, I carefully pulled my arm out from underneath her head and scooted away to sit on the edge of the bed, trying to collect my thoughts.

And to remember all that had transpired while I’d been asleep.

To recall what I’d been aware of while unconscious, something that had only begun happening since I died and came back to life, as if there was a part of me that was always aware, even when asleep. I felt like I’d heard about cows sleeping like that, with part of their brains always on, basically taking turns which half of their brain was asleep at a time, but had no idea if what I was experiencing was similar or not.

Nevertheless, a part of me seemed to always remain awake, no matter what.

Bizarre.

But useful.

My attention abruptly shifted to upstairs when it sounded like Gwen was heading my way, the sound of something rattling in her hands.

NOTE: You guys are going to love the next chapter.

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