I can't move.
The hairs on Tom's neck rose as the young boy stared at him from the far side of the room.
The surrounding space faded out of focus as Tom's world was reduced to the size of two vertically slit pupils.
The boy was silent. He neither moved, nor did he blink.
What… what is happening to me?
"Tell me… Tom, was it?" A smooth voice rose against the quiet of the empty lobby. "What is it that you're feeling right now?"
The boy shifted from his position and stalked toward him.
Tom wet his lips.
"I feel… confused, and scared," he whispered.
"Scared?" The boy halted his advance a dozen meters away from the front desk Tom was hiding behind. "What is it that scares you?"
His mouth opened involuntary.
"You."
Silence stretched between.
Eventually, the boy took another step forward.
"And what are you going to do about that? How will you deal with that feeling?"
Tom recoiled. "I want… I want…"
"Go on."
"I want to make you happy… so that you don't hurt me."
The boy stepped forward again. Steadily closing the distance between them. "You desire to please me?"
Tom blinked rapidly and quickly put his hands over his ears.
Something is wrong. I… I need to leave.
"I asked you a question, Tom."
The boy's voice reached him as clearly as it did before. His red eyes pinning him down.
"Do. you. desire. to please me?"
"Yes."
Sharp fangs reflected the light of the ceiling lamps.
"What else do you desire?"
The words came without conscious input. "I desire riches. I desire to stop working. I desire to thoroughly enjoy my life."
"Those are good desires to have, Tom. Very fitting for a mortal." The boy nodded. "How far are you willing to go to achieve them?"
"I would lie for them, I would cheat, I would kill." Tom's shoulders squared. "All of it, I would do gladly."
A chuckle resounded through the empty room. "Is that so? Well, there is no need to go quite that far."
The air turned thin.
"Instead, I offer you a Deal." The boy smiled as he raised a hand. "In return for granting you your most ardent desires, you will consent to the application of a… tattoo on your chest."
The lobby grew quiet.
"If you agree to my terms, get out from behind that desk and come to me."
Tom ripped open the top buttons of his work uniform and crossed the space between them with hurried steps.
After coming within arm's distance from the child, he fell down to his knees.
He met the boy's crimson eyes. Eyes that were shining with amusement.
He swallowed as a small hand connected with the left side of his chest.
Tom winced at the burning feeling.
Red light filled the lobby.
The pain faded when the boy retracted his arm. Where there had previously been unmarked skin, now loomed a crimson dragon.
"Very good. You did your part, Tom. Now, I will do mine."
The boy beckoned, and a man dressed in all black strode forward.
He carried a grey suitcase.
Tom straightened back up and followed the stranger's movements with his gaze.
His eyes bulged when the man unloaded the burden on the front desk and revealed its contents. The suitcase was filled with polished gold bars.
"It was good meeting you, Tom. Should this be the last time we see each other… do remember not to waste my boon."
Tom's mind turned foggy.
He watched motionlessly as a green-haired boy left the hotel lobby and stepped into a jade-colored luxury car.
What a cute child. Did he get lost?
——————
Mortals really are too easy… I wonder what he saw when I pulled the gold out of the Boosted Gear and teleported away.
I did not make a sound when I appeared next to my favorite bench. My fists clenched as I searched the green expanse of the Central Park.
There were no humans to be found. Nor any golden flashes.
The high-strung tension left my muscles as I exhaled deeply.
Looks like I was right. The Fates don't count my Dragon Aura as mind magic. After all, I am not forcing the mortals to do anything they don't want to do… or is this a loophole they failed to consider?
My mind drifted as I enjoyed the weather.
Unlike the humans of the famous city, I knew how to appreciate the clouds blocking the sun.
This was my natural habitat as a devil.
My head twitched slightly when a piercing gaze settle on me.
It was the same one that would find me without fail every time I passed through the Central Park.
The right corner of my lips curled up.
I let the moment drag on a while longer and then activated the Eyes of the Dragon.
My second original spell.
As soon as the magic took hold, my vision expanded until I could see everything around me in a perfect circle.
Peeking at me from behind was a beautiful woman with striking green eyes. Her brown hair was elaborately decorated with an assortment of multicolored flowers.
I think this game between us has gone on for long enough.
"I know you're up there. Truly, you could not be any more obvious if you tried." I called out.
"By the way, I really like how you did your hair today." My lips curved into a smile. "It's very pretty."
The woman fell down from the treetop and landed without making a sound. The grass below her bare feet did not bend as she stepped on it.
Her leaf skirt swayed from side to side as she sauntered towards me. "Thank you for noticing! It took me ages to get it right without hurting the flowers!"
I angled my head and studied her. "Please forgive my presumption, but I truly expected you to at least be a little startled after I finally called you out."
My brows rose. "Are you not afraid of me?"
The striking woman's laugh tinkled like church bells.
She finished her approach and halted just a breath away from my bench. "Afraid of you? Why would I be? My sisters and I are protected by the Great Huntress herself! There are none in these lands who would dare harm us."
I peered up at her from my seated position.
Living under the aegis of an Olympian sure has made this one confident.
The Dryad did not wait for my response.
"You should leave," she said urgently. "Now! It is not safe here for people like you."
"People like me?" I stared into her green eyes. "And who would that be?"
She blinked.
"Outsiders, of course! Not so much in recent times, but we used to receive many visitors from different pantheons." Her head tilted to the side. "Though I have never seen anyone quite like you before."
My expression softened.
"Is that so?" I leaned toward her. "Still, why should I leave? Why is it not safe here?"
The woman stumbled backward. "I... I cannot tell you!"
My gaze followed her retreating form.
"I really can't!" she added.
I kept quiet and watched with a raised eyebrow as she squirmed in place.
"There might be a civil war amongst the Olympians!"
Her hands shot up and crossed over her mouth.
She spun in a circle and scanned the park. Once her eyes locked onto mine again, she leaned in close.
"The Master Bolt has been stolen, and the king accuses his brother! Word is that war will be declared in no less than a month! Nobody will be safe then… least of all Outsiders."
I offered her a smile and rose from the wooden bench. "You don't need to worry about me. I am exactly where I want to be."
I moved toward her and came within arm's distance of the beautiful woman. Despite her older appearance, we were the same height.
"What is your name?"
The Dryad's head pulled back slightly. "My name is Tilia!" She beamed at me.
I smiled back and extended my right hand. "It is nice to meet you, Tilia. My name is Ladora Buné. I want you to know that, while unnecessary, I appreciate the spirit in which your warning was given."
Tilia shook the offered limb and tilted her head to the side when a piece of durable parchment appeared in my other hand with a jade flash.
"Let it be known that I never leave a debt unpaid." I handed her the marked object. "Should the protection of your patron ever fail you, do not hesitate to clutch this close to your chest and call out my name… I will come."
Tilia stared at me with wide eyes.
I gave her one last smile and then vanished from the clearing.
—————
The sound of running water filled the air as I reached the room where I'd laid the stray demigoddess to rest.
She finally woke up.
I altered my course toward my own chambers. Once there, I took my time to change into something more appropriate.
Soon after, I entered the kitchen and put my culinary skills to the test in preparation for the girls' arrival.
She must be starving right now.
Muffled footsteps padded across the floor around an hour into my cooking. I lowered the heat of the stove and smiled.
"You know I can hear you, Audrey. There is no need for you to sneak around. I told you that nothing will harm you in this place."
The footsteps came to an abrupt halt and then continued more audibly. Soon, their source arrived behind me at the kitchen entrance.
"For how long was I unconscious?"
I kept my eyes fixed on the food in front of me. "You passed out shortly after I brought you here. It has been just under a day."
I glanced at her over my shoulder.
She had discarded her own ruined clothing and was now dressed in the outfit I had personally prepared for her while she was asleep.
"You've been through a lot since we first met."
The girl averted her eyes. "… it wasn't so bad."
As expected of a demigoddess.
I turned my gaze back forward and made the last finishing touches to the meal. "I see you found the closet. I trust the clothes I picked are to your liking?"
"Yeah, I found it." she said. "The orders you left on the note were pretty clear."
I snorted and put the food on two plates.
'Orders', she says. As if I forced her to take a shower and put on clean clothes.
"That is good to hear." I turned to the door. "Come, let's eat first. We'll have plenty of time to talk later."
Audrey's eager strides followed closely behind me as I stepped out of the kitchen.
———
Jade light illuminated the dining room as the empty dishes disappeared in a flash.
I lifted my gaze and locked it with the blonde on the opposite side of the table. She had finished eating the exact same moment I did.
I palmed my face and sighed.
"Audrey… I would like to think we've reached past the point where you need to feel this hesitant when talking to me. Ask your questions."
She leaned forward. "What do you want from me? I agreed to your conditions, but you never said what exactly it was that I now owe you."
"You're right, I did not tell you." I leaned back against the leather chair. "Usually, I would simply ask for a favor to be cashed in at a later time."
Audrey's hand twitched. "Usually?"
"Yes, usually." I nodded.
"You see, I am a very greedy person. I cannot help it, it is in my nature." I tapped the table in a rhythmic pattern.
"And as such, I'm finding myself feeling… dissatisfied with a mere favor." My gaze sharpened. "I want you to join me, fully. Someone like you is wasted in this corner of the world."
"What does any of that even mean?" She let out a deep breath. "Join you… where? And what do you mean by 'this corner of the world'"?"
I raised a brow. "Do you mean to tell me you fought monsters for years while knowing nothing about your true heritage?"
Audrey's gaze fell to the table. "I… lived alone with my father before he…died. He never told me anything except that monsters exist and how to fight them."
A mortal man did that? How curious… I suppose they can be impressive on occasions.
"Then let me be the first to tell you." My arms spread out on both sides.
"The Greek pantheon is as real as can be, and you are a part of it. Your father was a mortal, but your mother is a goddess. An Olympian, no less."
I inclined my head. "Can you guess which one?"
Audrey's eyes widened. "So it really is everyone, not just the monsters. My mother..."
She paused.
"My mother is Athena… the goddess of wisdom. That is why—"
Her speech halted.
"There is something you're not telling me. You called yourself a dragon, not a drakon."
Her stormy eyes sharpened. "You're not Greek. Who are you? What are you?"
This girl…
"Honestly…" I shook my head. "I've barely begun explaining things, and you're already reaching for the end. Be patient. Whether I tell you about my own origins depends entirely on the choices you make after I am done."
The tension in Audrey's shoulders loosened as she sank into her chair.
"The most important thing you need to understand is that the Greek gods do not care about their children the same way humans do."
I stifled a scoff.
"Nor even like most other supernaturals. Let's just say… your people have a very unique interpretation of the word family."
Audrey's brows furrowed.
"Half-bloods like you all emit a certain scent that monsters born of your pantheon can detect. That is how they keep finding you… I am told that scent intensifies when you learn of your heritage."
I hummed as I studied her. "The fact you attracted so much attention while unaware of your origins… it does you credit. It's a sign that your divine blood runs thick."
The girl's lips pursed in response to my words.
"If you formally join your pantheon, you will be able to live in a place that is a safe haven for demigods."
I grimaced slightly. "Well… safe comparatively. There, you can live out the rest of your days surrounded by your own kind. You will never have to fight again unless your gods order it directly."
I met her gaze evenly. "If that is what you desire, then I won't stop you. In return for my aid, all I will ask is a single favor."
Audrey frowned. "I do not desire such a future."
She did not hesitate for a second.
My pupils narrowed as I tapped into the dragon's eyes. "Then what do you desire?"
"I desire a life where I don't have to move houses every few months. I desire to see the world without having to live in fear of my own shadow. I… I want to go to school."
I let the silence linger for a moment longer.
"As long as you remain within these lands, those desires will forever be out of reach."
The demigoddess rolled her eyes.
"And let me guess… they will be fulfilled if I join you? You will fulfil my wildest desires at the low price of… my soul?"
I snorted.
So snarky… I wonder how she'd react if she knew that I'm a devil?
"Yes."
I stood up from the leather chair and rested my hand on the headrest.
"That is exactly what I will do. However, you are mistaken about one thing… I do not want just your soul."
My eyes gleamed. "I want you. All of you."
A smile tugged at my lips.
"There is a crossroad in front of you, Audrey Sinclair. You have until the end of the night to make your decision… I recommend you choose wisely this time."
I pivoted and left the dining room without looking back.
——————
The demigoddess found me an hour later, lounging on my bed with a notebook and pen in hand.
"What did you decide?"
I set my tools aside and gave her my full attention.
The girl remained silent as she approached me.
She came to a stop a few feet away from my bed.
"What does joining you entail? Will you mark me with one of those symbols you engraved everywhere?"
I let out a snort.
Ruin her skin with the mark? What… like she's an object? Where did she get such a ridiculous idea from?
"No. Of course not. I would never do that to someone like you… You're not a toy for me to claim"
I leaned forward.
"My stay in this country is under a strict time constraint. I will not be here forever and when I leave, I want you to come with me. I want you to become a part of my household. My family."
"Your… family?" She stared at me for a moment.
"Alright…" She nodded. "I agree… As long as you keep your part of the deal, I will join you."
"Good." The corners of my lips lifted up as I propped my chin on my fist. "Now, you can go ahead and ask those questions that have been eating at you. I can see you're just dying to get them out."
Audrey crossed the last step and took a seat at the foot of my bed. Her steely grey eyes burned into mine.
"Tell me what else is out there."