"Do you really think that this is the best way to go about it?" Megan asked nervously as I put on my coat, "We have no idea who or what this woman is, or what she wants. What if something happens?"
"I don't think it will come down to that," I said reassuringly. "She didn't try anything with Pacfica once her mind tricks failed, so she's not outright hostile. Also, I have a feeling that she's somewhat expecting me. If she really is demonic in nature, then I have a feeling she knows what happened."
Patty let out a nervous groan, "But what if charming the mortal of a fellow demon is some type of grave sin in your culture? Maybe she's expecting you to turn up and challenge her to a fight."
Megan glanced at Patty with an unimpressed look, "Just how many of those crappy romance novels have you been reading lately?"
"J-just five," Patty admitted as a faint blush spread across her cheeks, "But I still think it's a valid point."
"It might be, but it also may be completely false," I replied as I adjusted my collar. "That's the thing, I don't have the slightest bit of knowledge about my demonic side beyond the very basics. This woman might have all the answers I needed, including how to advance my life stage so I can have more thralls bonded to me."
Megan stared at me for a second before replying, "You're doing this so you can bond with Summer and Tricia."
I grimaced for a second before sighing, "Yes, I can't lie and say it's not a major motivation. It feels wrong that I'm keeping this part of me hidden around them for so long, and the more time passes, the harder it's going to be for them once I do finally reveal my true nature."
"Ugh, why do you always have such a noble justification for all the things you do?" Megean groaned as she pouted playfully, but I could see the real concern in her eyes.
"I'll be safe, I promise," I assured her before walking over and placing a kiss on Megan's lips before doing the same with Patty, "Besides, it's not like I'm completely defenseless."
Megan huffed, "Just be careful and come back here in one piece!"
"I'll be back before the sun's up," I promised before stepping into the elevator and giving Patty and Megan one last smile before the doors closed, breaking our line of sight.
---
Putting my car in park and killing the engine, I glanced across the street at the red neon sign that spelled out the shop's name, 'Desire, how fitting.'
Stepping out of my car, I closed the door behind me and made my way across the street. Reaching the front doors, I went for the handle, only to feel a charge pass through the air, and a second later, the door opened by itself, inviting me inside.
'Definitely expecting me.'
I contemplated my next move for a second before ultimately stepping inside the store and letting the door close behind me.
"Hmmm, I can see why that human girl was so smitten with you."
A melodic voice drifted through the store, and my eyes were drawn to the silk curtains behind the front counter.
"She absolutely reeked of submissiveness, so many pent-up desires ready to be feasted on. I'm surprised that you've shown so much restraint in cultivating her, though I imagine the payoff will be…delectable."
I watched as an hourglass silhouette appeared behind the curtains before a slender hand reached out and pushed them aside. My eyes narrowed as my gaze fell upon the hauntingly beautiful woman who emerged, 'Like a black-haired Jessica Rabbit.'
Noticing my gaze, the woman smiled, "Have I caught your interest? I'll admit I'm not normally one to engage with others of our kind, but for you…I think an exception can be made."
"So you are a demon," I clarified and watched a flicker of confusion cross the woman's face, "Of course I am…can't you feel it?"
The woman spread her arms, and suddenly I could feel a weight in the air around her, an irresistible pull that naturally drew everything toward her.
Resisting the unnatural allure, I forced my gaze to focus on the woman's eyes rather than her more tantalizing features, "Then I guess that means you were the one trying to charm that human who came in here earlier."
The woman dropped her arms, as an apologetic smile crossed her lips, "Yes, and for that you have my sincerest apologies. Had I known she was your prey, I wouldn't have attempted anything; I wasn't even aware that I was sharing my hunting grounds with another."
"Hunting grounds?" I repeated without even thinking, making the woman pause as she regarded me in a new light, "Yes, hunting for your next meal. Is that not what you plan to do with the girl?"
For a moment, I didn't respond as I inferred several things at once.
'She doesn't know about bonding; from everything she's said, it sounds far more likely that she's more of a traditional succubus who actually feeds off of the sexual desires of others for sustenance.'
Part of me felt disappointed that I could ask the question I wanted, while another felt increasingly cautious as I wondered how much I should reveal about just how different we were.
"I wasn't aware either, but I don't see us needing to fight with each other when there's plenty to go around," I replied in what I hoped was a confident tone.
The woman stared at me for a moment longer before her smile returned in full, "I'm glad we can both be reasonable about this. My name is Albedo, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Ramon and likewise," I replied with a small dip of my head, "And sorry for showing up at your place unannounced. I just got a little overprotective, that's all."
"It would have been stranger if you hadn't," Albedo replied with a small smile, "Though I'm glad that you turned out to be such a reasonable individual. I'm not one who's eager to fight, especially when our supply is so bountiful."
"My thoughts exactly I don't see any reason that we should come into conflict," I said, reflecting Albedo's sentiments as we continued to stare at each other from across the store.
"Well then, unless you're looking to buy anything, I think our business is concluded, for now," Albedo stated politely with a playful tone at the end.
I nodded once, "It was nice meeting you, hopefully, if there is a next time, it'll be under better circumstances."
---
Albedo watched as Ramon turned and walked out of her store with the same abruptness as he had entered. Watching him go Albeo was tempted to simply call Ramon out and end the little charade that they had been playing.
Albedo had sensed it the moment Ramon had stepped into her store, the raw tantric energy that he exuded, the unbridled lust hiding beneath his skin. A power that Ramon seemingly had no idea about.
'A newly incarnated Patriarch, such a novel experience and it seems like I'm the first one to discover him.' A broad smile crossed Albedo's lips as she suddenly imagined all the mischief she could get up to by getting in the good graces of a Patriarch who still didn't realize the power they held, 'It'll only be a matter of time before he realizes that he can't just keep wandering around without knowing his true nature. And when that happens, I'll make sure my services are readily available.'
Albedo's smile gained an almost sadistic quality to it as she imagined just how much things could change for her if she played her cards right, 'Oh Ramon, we'll definitely be seeing each other again.'