She headed to the bathroom, and I heard the water start. I stood in her bedroom, flexing my hands, feeling the power humming beneath my skin.
2% didn't sound like much. But for an angel, even that fraction was significant.
I focused, reaching for abilities that should have been beyond me in my weakened state. Drew on the power pooling in my partially restored core.
My hand erupted in golden light – faint, flickering, but there. Divine energy, the signature of Heaven, crackling between my fingers.
[Power Manifestation: Successful]
[Basic Divine Energy: Accessible]
I clenched my fist, extinguishing the light. This was good. This was workable. I wasn't helpless anymore.
But I was still so far from where I needed to be.
The system had indicated I needed 1000 fragments to fully restore my core. I had 81. Even at the rate Melissa was providing – and she was exceptional – I'd need dozens more sessions just with her to make a dent.
Or I needed partners with higher essence values.
The system had mentioned that more powerful women – supernatural beings, those with authority or purity – would provide more fragments per session.
Melissa was a normal human, stressed and sexually frustrated, which made her "medium" corruption potential worth about 2 fragments total.
But a demon? A supernatural hunter? A powerful witch? Those could be worth 10, 20, even 50 fragments each.
I needed to hunt bigger prey.
The water shut off, and Melissa emerged wrapped in a towel, her hair dripping.
"You coming?" she asked.
"In a minute. I wanted to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Do you know anything about the supernatural community in this city? Other beings like me?"
She froze, her expression shifting to something guarded. "Why?"
"Because I need to understand the landscape. Who's here, who's dangerous, who might notice me."
She was quiet for a long moment, then sighed. "I don't know much. But my friend Rachel – she's into weird stuff. Occult, paranormal, all that. She's dragged me to a few places. There's a bar downtown, 'The Crimson.' It's supposed to cater to... people like you."
[Location Discovered: The Crimson]
[Supernatural Hub Identified]
[Recommendation: Investigate]
[High probability of valuable targets]
"A supernatural bar," I mused. "That could be useful."
"Cain..." Melissa approached, concern written on her face. "What are you planning?"
"Survival. Recovery. Revenge, eventually." I pulled her close, breathing in her scent. "But right now, I'm planning on joining you in that shower and seeing if we can fog up the mirrors."
She laughed, tension breaking. "You're insatiable."
"I'm making up for lost time. Heaven's not exactly known for its sexual freedom."
"Poor baby." She grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the bathroom. "Let me help with that."
The shower was cramped for two people, but we made it work. Hot water cascaded over us as I pressed her against the tile wall, kissing her deeply while my hands roamed her slick body.
"I should probably tell you something," she murmured between kisses.
"Mm?"
"I haven't had a one-night stand since college. This isn't... I don't usually do this."
"Neither do I." At her skeptical look, I laughed. "I'm serious. I haven't had sex in about three hundred years."
Her jaw dropped. "Three hundred – are you kidding me?"
"Angels don't really do casual sex. And relationships in Heaven are... complicated. Political. I avoided them."
"So you're telling me you were basically celibate for three centuries, and then you just..." She gestured between us.
"Unleashed centuries of pent-up frustration on you? Yes." I nipped at her neck. "You're welcome."
"Oh my god." But she was laughing, her hands sliding down my chest. "No wonder you were so intense."
"That wasn't intensity. That was me at barely functional power." I lifted her easily – enhanced strength making her weight negligible – and positioned her against the wall.
Her legs wrapped around my waist, and I slid into her in one smooth motion. The angle was perfect, the hot water adding to the sensation, and soon the bathroom was filled with the sounds of wet skin and breathless moans.
I fucked her against the shower wall with ease, my strength allowing me to hold her up and pound into her without tiring. She clung to me, crying out every time I hit deep, her nails leaving marks on my shoulders.
"This is insane," she gasped. "You're not even – oh fuck – you're not even struggling – "
"Told you."
I felt her building toward another orgasm, her pussy starting to flutter around my length. I adjusted my angle slightly, making sure I hit that spot inside her that made her see stars.
"Come again," I commanded. "Show me how much you love being fucked by an angel"
"Fallen angel," she corrected breathlessly, then screamed as her orgasm crashed over her.
[Energy Transfer: Minimal]
[+0.5 Fragments]
[Diminishing returns from repeated sessions with same partner]
[Recommendation: Allow recovery time or seek new sources]
I came shortly after, filling her once again, then carefully set her down before her legs could give out completely.
We finished actually showering, both of us exhausted and satisfied. When we finally emerged, toweled off and semi-presentable, it was almost noon.
Melissa made coffee while I explored her apartment properly. It was small but tidy – one bedroom, one bathroom, a combined living room and kitchen area. The kind of place a young professional lived while building their career.
Books lined one shelf – mix of romance novels and business texts. Photos showed her with friends, with an older couple who were probably her parents. A normal life. Uncomplicated.
Until last night.
"What are you thinking?" she asked, handing me a mug.
"That I've complicated your life significantly."
"Maybe I needed some complication." She sipped her coffee, studying me over the rim. "So. What happens now?"
"I need to get stronger. Which means I need to hunt for more... opportunities."
"Other women."
"Yes."
She was quiet for a moment. "Are you going to tell them? What you are, what you need?"
"If I can. Some situations might require... different approaches."
"You mean seduction without disclosure."
"Sometimes." I met her eyes. "Does that bother you?"