Innocent Devil’s Harem Ch. 127 (Patreon)

July 8, 2023

NOTE: I need to do some plotting for Combat Healer, so it's an IDH chapter this week.

<< Chapter 126 | Ch 1 (Book 1) | Ch 16 (Book 2) | Ch 31 (Book 3) | Ch 46 (Book 4) | Ch 61 (Book 5) | Ch 76 (Book 6) | Ch 91 (Book 7) | Ch 106 (Book 8) | Ch 121 (Book 9)

- CHAPTER 127 -

I had promised Gabriella that she could wake me up with sex if she wanted, so I wasn’t too surprised when I realized I was on my back and someone was trying to mount my cock. However, I was a little surprised when I realized it was Serenity, who was trying to be quiet in order to avoid waking everyone else up.

I had Elizabeth and Natalie on one side, and then Avery and Gabriella on the other.

Serenity now on her knees as she fully sank down on my throbbing shaft and sat fully mounted on me. Fully impaled on my now leaking member.

She took a shaky breath as she smiled at me in the darkness, both of us being able to see just fine, with her leaning down to quietly rest her lips on mine.

She then spoke quietly, her tone endearing. “It’s like I had a sleepover with my girlfriends, and I’m being naughty by sneaking in a quick fuck with you. In the same room, no less.”

I grinned at her, the idea reminding me of when I fucked her in the recliner while everyone pretended to watch a movie. I reached down to feel her hips as she sat impaled on me, her lips pressing into mine again, while my mind wandered briefly to check on everyone else.

Miriam and Delilah were asleep, and I could sense that Gwen was with them.

I could detect Rosa’s presence across the hallway in the next bedroom, and I could also sense that Rebecca was in the same place where I felt Michelle’s mind. I had no idea if my redhead MILF was asleep, but I suspected she was, because I could tell that Michelle was partially awake, her thoughts registering the time on her phone, Rebecca not seeming to react at all from the movement, the two of them sharing a bed in Rebecca’s old bedroom.

I directed my words to her without thinking. ‘Michelle.’

The fog in her mind cleared up some. ‘Oh, good morning, honey. How…’ She finally registered what was going on in my head. Registered that Serenity was sitting on my cock right now. All of which aroused her.

‘Want to join?’ I wondered.

‘Oh sweetie, I would love to. May I?’

I grinned. ‘Please do.’

Serenity mashed her lips into mine again, this time much more passionately, the heat coming from her face feeling intense, her tongue slipping into my mouth, even as I sensed Michelle carefully get out of bed, head to the bedroom door, and then sneak down the hall.

When she got into the room, the bed was creaking just slightly, as Serenity tried to keep her movements quiet while beginning to slowly ride my cock.

I directed my thoughts to Michelle again. ‘Want to wake Gabriella up?’

‘I would be happy to,’ she mused in her thoughts, knowing what I had in mind.

Carefully climbing onto that side of the bed, trying to avoid waking up Avery, my blonde MILF eased on top of Gabriella and leaned down to begin planting soft kisses on her cheeks, forehead, and lips.

It didn’t take long at all for the busty redhead’s eyes to flutter open, knowing immediately from their telepathic bond who it was. And quickly realizing from both our heads what was going on. After all, while Gabriella was interested in dating Avery, and while the two had snuggled all night -- the same as how Rebecca and Michelle had snuggled all night -- now that the busty blonde MILF was horny, it was time for them to fuck each other.

At least, until it was their turn to ride me.

Gabriella moaned quietly as they mashed their lips together, carefully scooting away from the busty redhead’s sleeping girlfriend to give them a little more room to get worked up while I fucked Serenity. Of course, I was sure that Gabriella would love to kiss Avery too if she ended up rousing, but for now at least, if it wasn’t me or Natalie fucking my blonde classmate, then I wanted Rebecca to take care of Avery’s sexual needs.

Not because I needed to have control, but instead because them playing this game with me, one that involved them abiding by my current preferences, and thus having restrictions on who they did, or didn’t, get sexually involved with, actually turned all of them on -- not just me.

Gabriella probably wouldn’t have normally gotten sexually involved with Michelle, but the fact that I found it arousing, and wanted her to have sex with my blonde MILF while Avery had sex with my redhead MILF, turned her on way more than simply being involved with Avery. But I knew that restriction wouldn’t last forever. Because eventually, I would likely be having a foursome with Serenity, Gabriella, and Avery together.

Really, Serenity and Gabriella hadn’t even been involved yet, and that was something I wanted to see. Hopefully soon.

But for now, this was what I wanted.

To fuck Serenity, while Gabriella and Michelle warmed each other up.

Serenity didn’t take long though.

She was very quiet when she got there, but the relief she felt was intense. Burying her face underneath my chin as she tried to control her breathing. Enjoying the warmth of my body beneath hers.

But Gabriella was ready for her turn.

Once Serenity got off me and had scooted away to give room, my busty redhead decided to go down on me first, greedily sucking on my cock, before carefully climbing on top of me, her hands firmly on my chest as she started rocking on me.

Smirking contently up at her, watching as her heavy tits bounced, I crossed my arms behind my head, just to enjoy the show, as she rode me.

Michelle decided to get between my legs too, beginning to plant gentle kisses on Gabriella’s upper back, reaching around to hold up her tits and pinch her nipples, as my sexy fiancé got closer and closer.

I was already worked up from Serenity riding me, and pretty turned on by the current sight, so I got there first.

Pumped Gabriella’s swollen folds full of my thick hot cum.

She could barely stifle her moan this time.

Michelle reached up to clasp her hand over Gabriella’s mouth, making her even more aroused, her half-lidded eyes looking drugged with passion as she focused down at me, her emerald eyes longing as Michelle kept her mouth covered, only for her to unexpectedly jut her chin upward as she got there too.

The whole thing was very passionate, but also very quiet.

It seemed no one else woke up.

I could sense Gwen coming out of Miriam’s suite just down the hall, seeing in her mind that she was coming to get me up at the time I’d requested. Gabriella climbed off then, slipping past Michelle, prompting the blonde MILF to lean over to clean my cock up with her mouth, her aura full of affection and warmth.

She was fine with not getting there right now herself, and just wanted to service me a little before it was time for me to truly get up.

I reached down to pet her blonde hair as she licked and kissed me.

Gwen cracked open the bedroom door, not at all surprised by the sight before her.

It was only then that I realized we really needed to wake Elizabeth up, since she actually had a four-hour drive just to get to work. Meaning, at this point she was already going to be late, which hopefully wouldn’t cause any suspicion.

I supposed maybe it wasn’t entirely odd for her to not ‘show up at the office’ at a certain time every day, since it was clear my father sent her on errands. So then, maybe it would be fine.

Giving Michelle one last pat on the head as she pulled off and began climbing out of bed, I turned over toward Elizabeth to gently wake her up.

It was obvious she was still groggy when her green eyes began opening, some of her rich brown hair lying across her perfectly smooth cheek.

Her mossy eyes were unfocused briefly, but then a small smile slowly started to blossom onto her lips as she fully registered my face. I decided to lean down to gently rest my lips to hers, causing her smile to fully blossom.

But then she sighed heavily, frowning. “What time is it?” she whispered.

“Almost six in the morning. Sorry if we made you late.”

Thankfully, she didn’t react negatively, only taking a deep breath. “It’s not ideal, but won’t be a problem. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

I nodded. “Mind if I ask you a question?”

She closed her eyes and sighed. “Go for it.”

“Am I talking to Liz or Bethel right now?”

Her eyes popped open again, and she focused on me in surprise. She then sighed again and closed her eyes. “Both. Always both. But if you’re asking who is controlling my body right now, it’s still me. Liz. Although, it’s very clear that Bethel has developed the ability to take control in certain circumstances. At least, if last night is any indication.”

I frowned at that, not knowing exactly what she was referring to, since I felt like her transforming was a unique circumstance. “Which part?” I wondered.

She sighed. “While you were sleeping.”

Now I was really surprised. “What did she do?”

Elizabeth groaned. “Pretty much stared at you all night. Touched you a little too. Nothing too major, but definitely left my eyes feeling dry this morning.” She scoffed. “Clearly, she needs to learn to blink more.”

I was honestly surprised that I hadn’t noticed, especially since my mind had been vaguely aware of the sounds outside all night. But then again, if Bethel didn’t sleep, and could be in control of Liz’s body while she was unconscious, then that was kind of a benefit for both of them, since it meant they’d never be taken off guard.

Even if Liz was asleep, Bethel would always be ready to defend them if danger struck.

I didn’t point it out, figuring she already realized that.

Instead, I tried making a joke about it. “Well, I hope you won’t be upset if you wake up super sore sometime.”

Her brow furrowed briefly, only for her to roll her eyes and groan. “Ugh, horny boy. I might be a deep sleeper, but I don’t think I’d sleep through that. At least, not normally.”

I smirked. “Wouldn’t want you to miss it anyway.”

She smiled at that as she rolled her eyes, only to sigh as she carefully pushed herself up. “Guess I should get ready.”

“Yep, me too.”

Elizabeth focused on me with an almost surprised, and then very hesitant, look. Not because I was going to get ready too, but instead it was almost as if she was stunned that I wasn’t going to bring up our semi-argument last night. But a good night’s sleep had changed my outlook on the situation a little, even if it was only a handful hours of rest.

Certainly, I needed Liz to tell me everything about this other apex werewolf situation, the one that had once been her alpha, but I felt like it would be the respectable thing to do, to at least give her at least a day to sort her thoughts out. And ultimately, what mattered most was whether or not I felt like I could trust her. In this case, it seemed her biggest concern was actually my safety, rather than wanting to keep secrets from me.

So I figured I wouldn’t pressure her right away.

However, I did decide I would clarify what my expectations were.

“But I do want to talk about things soon,” I added. “Specifically about our discussion last night. Doesn’t have to be right now, but soon.”

She simply nodded, still averting her gaze as she moved to get up.

Without thinking, I reached out to stop her, causing her to gasp as I tugged her into my arms again, grabbing her chin with one hand as I gave her an intense kiss.

She sucked in a sharp breath through her nose…

And then melted into my arms.

I let her go after a few long seconds, helping her to support her own weight again as I continued. “I might not get to see you off, so I’ll say goodbye for now.”

Her cheeks were flushed. “Oh?” she said in confusion. “Is someone else taking you home?”

I hadn’t expected her to be planning on that, but I supposed it made sense.

Also meant that part of the reason why she was okay with sleeping in was due to assuming I would need the sleep too. Which sort of changed my entire perception of how she thought this morning was going to go.

“Umm, yeah. I’ll probably ask Michelle or Rebecca to take me home. So you can pretty much leave whenever.”

She nodded. “Okay. And I assume you would like me to keep you updated.”

“Would that be safe to do?” I wondered seriously.

She frowned as she thought about that. “Do you have your phone on you?”

“Umm yeah. It’s…”

Serenity spoke up. “It’s in the other room. I plugged it in last night before we all got in the shower. I’ll go grab it.”

As Serenity hurried out the room, Elizabeth finished scooting off the bed, followed by holding out her hand when Ren returned only a handful of seconds later. “Here you go. What are you planning on doing?” she then wondered.

Elizabeth brought up the apps, and then looked like she was browsing for a new one. She finally responded after a second, once something was downloading. “There’s an app I use that encrypts your phone calls. It has a monthly subscription service, but I feel like it’s reliable. Obviously, if your house or vehicle is bugged, like my car apparently was, then it’s not going to help, but it at least should prevent anyone from intercepting the call directly.”

“And magic can’t be used to intercept it?” I wondered.

She frowned at that. “Not that I’m aware of. Magic and technology don’t exactly mesh well. Like, if I were to talk on the phone right now, you wouldn’t be able to hear the person on the other end because there’s a spell on my phone, but that’s only because it affects the sound waves. Not the actual device itself.”

My eyebrows raised at that. “And how do you know that spell isn’t somehow recording the conversation?”

She shook her head. “Because I’m the one who cast the spell, of course. I’d never let someone else put a spell on my stuff.”

“Oh. Makes sense.”

She nodded, handing me back my phone. “So I assume the subscription part won’t be a problem for you. I just put my number in your phone too, so just make sure you’ve activated the service before you call me.”

I nodded. “Should I wait for you to call me instead?” I wondered, only to shift my gaze to Serenity when she held out her hand.

I realized she was just going to take care of it for me, so I didn’t have to worry about it.

Elizabeth responded as I handed the phone to Serenity. “It’s up to you. I’m on the phone fairly often, so no one would find it weird if I got a phone call. And again, I have the eavesdropping spell that I myself put on my own phone. If I was around other people, then I’d either say I’ll call you back later, or at least keep the conversation extremely vague. You can ask specific questions, but I might only give simple yes or no answers.”

“Sure, that works,” I agreed.

“Great. Then I’ll go get changed and leave right away. Just need to make sure Delilah is getting ready too.”

I nodded, knowing Miriam was waking her up right now, with Delilah playfully pretending to be struggling to wake up. Something that wasn’t really working on the redhead succubus when she could see directly into her friend’s mind.

Yet, Delilah was still pretending anyway.

“She’ll be ready soon,” I reassured Liz, not feeling entirely confident of that despite my words.

Elizabeth nodded, just holding my gaze for a few seconds, a slight longing in her green eyes. “I guess, bye for now.”

“Bye for now,” I echoed, watching as she inclined her chin again in acknowledgement, followed by turning to head into the hallway and back down to the room she’d been using. No doubt to change back into her formal business suit from Saturday. Possibly also planning on brushing through her thick dark hair and maybe applying some cosmetics too, so that she was presentable for work.

A woman like her, I was sure she had some in her purse, in the event she ever needed to touch up her make-up at a moment’s notice.

I decided to just hop into the bathroom shower in this double-bedroom, the same bathroom where I broke Rosa’s curse, since everyone else needed to be waking up soon anyway. In the meantime, Serenity picked out some clothing for me, just jeans and a dark green polo shirt, delivering it to the bathroom only to go get dressed herself.

She certainly had time to take a shower too, but was opting to just clean up in the bathroom a little after the sex, specifically not wanting to wash off my scent. A scent only her sensitive nose would be able to detect, not at all something her coworkers would be able to smell.

By the time I was dressed and walking back into the hall, only Natalie and Avery were still asleep at this point, my bond with them completely silent as they both slept deeply. Even Rosa was awake, dressed, and standing at the entrance of the bedroom directly across the hall, silently waiting, since she knew I wanted her to be involved with this. More than that, it was what she wanted too.

Miriam was likewise ready, coming down the hallway to meet me.

Wearing normal jeans and a nice but simple dress-shirt, she looked as sexy as ever.

Even without being able to see into her head, her intentions were obvious, given that she had a couple of blood bags in her grasp.

My eyebrows raised at the sight. “You had some in your room?”

She smirked at me, her voice taking on an almost innocent note, that would have sounded sarcastic otherwise. “I have a small fridge in my mini-kitchen, yes. And I figured that, with blood-drinkers being in the house and all, that having some close by might be a wise decision, yes.”

I smiled at her adorable tone.

I knew her suite had a mini-kitchen directly off her actual bedroom, but had never taken the time to explore it.

“I guess shall we get to it then?” I wondered.

She gave me a mischievous smirk. “Only if you hold my hand.”

I rolled my eyes, reaching out to intertwine our fingers when she eagerly held her hand up, the two of us beginning to make our way to the stairs, Rosa silently following. Honestly, I was a little surprised that Delilah wasn’t trying to intrude in my thoughts, or otherwise trying to get my attention before she left.

Miriam responded verbally to my thoughts as we headed down to the grand foyer.

“I had a talk with her. Just told her to not overwhelm you, and to hold back being so needy. It’s only short-term though. I got her to at least promise to let you graduate high school before she starts annoying you.”

I smirked at that, my smile widening when I focused on Delilah’s thoughts.

Her mental tone was pouty. ‘I’ll be good until then, but afterward you’re all mine!’

‘Still have to share,’ Miriam chastised in her thoughts.

‘Oh I love sharing!’ Delilah retorted mischievously.

Miriam just rolled her eyes with an adorable smirk.

Elizabeth had still been in her room right next to the stairs, the door only cracked open when we passed, but I’d already said my goodbye, and knew I was potentially going to be pressed for time with this elite vampire situation.

Going into the hallway underneath the twin staircases, I opened the closet door where I knew the secret entrance was to her ‘dungeon-like’ basement, and she pushed the button to open the back wall. The space was too tight to walk side-by-side, so I let her take the lead, Rosa still right behind me.

Miriam turned on the lights on her way down, rounding the sharp corner, and then led the way to the room where the old man was being kept in that wooden crate.

It was a little odd being down here again, not only because one of these rooms was where I’d met Miriam for the first time, but also because this was where I’d slaughtered that four-armed archdemon. There was literally no sign of its demise now, all the black soot having long since been cleaned up, all the walls freshly repaired and newly warded.

There wasn’t even a lingering aura of death, since apparently the monstrosity had been dead from the beginning. Even as lethal as it had been, I’d technically killed an animated corpse, rather than a living foe.

The room Miriam led us to was close to the one where Rosa had been staying previously, just on the other side of the hallway and a little way further down, with the metal door of her room still dented from when she’d grown into a monster and hit it. I glanced over my shoulder briefly, just in time to see her crimson eyes focused on it, before she shifted her gaze to me and gave me an almost bashful smile. Specifically, a look resulting from her having her ‘crush’ focused on her.

It made me smile as I returned my gaze forward, stopping briefly as Miriam pulled open the heavy metal door.

Rosa kind of reminded me of Avery in some ways, but in other ways they were completely different. For one, Rosa was extremely skinny to the point of being bony, whereas Avery was very athletic and well-endowed like her mother. Very much like the typical volleyball player, or even female basketball or soccer player, except that her preferred sport was running in track. The two blondes were also different in their overall personality, with it being obvious to me at this point that Rosa was naturally extremely shy and soft-spoken, while Avery was normally very outgoing at school.

Really, the only major similarity between them was how they felt about and acted toward me.

When it specifically dealt with interacting with me, they were both really shy.

Still, Rosa was far more shy.

Avery had at least attempted to interact with me, with my own lack of engagement being the reason why she’d failed to get anywhere. As in, it had been me ignoring her that had been the problem. If things had been different, and I had been willing to continue interacting with her, then she probably wouldn't have maintained her normal confidence, her shy side resurfacing.

Even just that fateful Saturday, when we accidentally bumped into each other at the bank, was proof of that. Avery didn’t hesitate to wave at me and loudly greet me.

Something that Rosa would have never done.

Unlike Avery’s situation, Rosa was well aware that I would give her attention if she requested it, and well aware I would be happy to talk to her, if she spoke to me, and yet she just silently and timidly stuck to my side, wanting to be close, but too shy to speak up.

I found it really attractive.

I kind of liked how she was hardcore silently crushing on me.

But I also knew that I needed to take the initiative to give her some attention.

She wouldn’t be so bold as to demand it like the others did.

Once the three of us were in the room, the light on, and Miriam had lifted off the lid to the crate, she turned to me to make sure I was ready for her to pull out the dagger. Noticing a folding metal chair in the corner, I gave her a nod and then went to go grab it, bringing it over to sit down next to the crate.

The older man, Dante, came back to life even faster than I was expecting.

However, his reaction was much less violent than Rosa’s initial response had been. He was still in really bad shape, both his legs broken, his left arm completely missing after using that death ray spell, and his head bashed in on the side, making one of his eyes unusable.

But unlike Rosa, rather than jolting awake, gasping for breath, and freaking out…

He simply opened his one good eye.

Just like that, not even taking a breath, he opened his single undamaged crimson eye to ‘take stock’ of the situation, his gaze immediately focusing on Miriam who was right above him with her arms crossed, dagger still in hand, blood bags in the other.

She spoke up right away. “You’ve been asleep for about a week. The princess is still safe and well. I apologize for sealing you, especially after you helped saved us, but you should view it as a compliment to just how formidable you are, were you to be a foe. We would like to discuss an arrangement that you may find very favorable.”

For the first time, he finally sucked in a slow breath, closing his red eye briefly, as he spoke in his rich deep voice. “Mio Dio, for a moment I thought I somehow ended up in heaven. Your beauty, your youth, and your unequivocal allure are breathtaking. Even your voice is that of an angel.”

Miriam frowned. “I’m guessing it took you a few seconds to remember that I’m the one who sealed you.”

He sighed, his eye still closed. “I suspect there are few men who could deny you anything you wished, even a knife in the heart.”

Miriam’s lips twitched into a tiny smirk at that, before she composed herself.

He of course didn’t notice.

She continued, her tone firm. “Well, the deal you’re making isn’t directly with me, so flattery won’t get you anywhere.”

“I speak only the truth,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Either way,” she said simply, nodding toward me and then handing Rosa the blood bags as she turned to leave the room. She continued speaking in her thoughts to me. ‘I wish I wasn’t such a distraction, but I can’t help it. I’ll wait in the hall, so that he can focus on what you have to say.’

Honestly, I felt like Miriam had her charm bottled up pretty tightly, but I had also gotten used to it in the last week. More than that, I felt like everyone had gotten used to it, especially since everyone at this point had received a dose of my blood, minus Miriam herself.

However, as she left the room, I decided to tease her a little. ‘That the kind of smooth-talking you like?’ I wondered playfully. ‘That there are few men who could even deny you wanting to stab them in the heart?’

She groaned loud enough for me to hear from the hallway, not responding at all.

‘Duly noted,’ I teased again as I scooted my chair closer.

I heard her scoff, her mental tone actually sounding a bit frustrated and annoyed. ‘It’s a reflex, okay? Flirting is a reflex. I’ve been seducing people for thousands of years, and it’s hard to just turn that off. To not react when someone tries to flirt with me. It’s a curse. Creating ‘impossible to ignore’ chemistry with people is what my body itself naturally wants to do. It’s literally what my natural charm does, and giving into it is a reflex.’

I frowned. ‘I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad.’

She sighed. ‘No, I’m sorry. I’m just irritated at myself. It’s a struggle for me not to flirt because it’s so second-nature, so please don’t tease me about it.’

‘I won’t anymore,’ I promised.

‘Thank you,’ she thought simply.

Dante finally opened his red eye again, focusing warily on me, only for his gaze to shift to Rosa with the blood bags in her hand.

“Principessa,” he whispered in visible relief.

“Signore Dante,” she replied affectionately. “I am well. Very well. Please listen to what my lord has to say.”

His eye widened at that, only for him to focus on me again.

I finally spoke up. “First, please let me introduce myself fully. My name is Kai, but I am not just an eighteen-year-old like I appear. I know this may be hard to believe, but I am actually thousands of years old, and I was cursed for a very long time. The body I’m currently in is one I designed for myself in order to break my curse. And this is the reason why I am very powerful. As you have seen for yourself, it is nearly impossible for me to be killed. You saw my heart ripped out for yourself, and the anger that ensued, upon my resurrection.”

He grimaced at that. “Yes,” he said simply.

I hesitated briefly, a little surprised he accepted that story so easily, but then decided it didn’t matter if he truly believed it or not. Either way, he’d seen my power for himself.

“Second, I need to forewarn you about your current condition. When we tried to give Rosa some blood, she began bleeding everywhere, and also began vomiting blood.” I paused when he focused on her in alarm, sincere concern tainting his muted aura. “It was something called Alukah’s Exorcism, and it is very possible that you have been inflicted too.”

He closed his red eye at that, grimacing as he spoke. “Then, perhaps it is already too late for me. I shall not drink the blood of a virgin maiden to save myself.”

I was surprised by that response.

Partially because he knew the supposed cure in the first place, but also because he apparently did have some form of ethics he abided by. Perhaps going as far as to refuse to drink the blood of women and children, which might be the reason why he himself hadn’t tried drinking Gwen’s blood when he had the opportunity.

I cleared my throat. “Well, as I said, this body I’m currently residing in was one of my own design. And my blood is therefore special. It breaks curses. All curses.”

His red eye popped open again at that as he assessed me. “And what is the price for you breaking this curse?”

I hesitated briefly before responding.

He of course was speaking of the bleeding curse, which could be broken by drinking some of my blood, having zero idea that me injecting blood into his system would actually break the curse of his vampire existence as well. However, before setting my ‘price,’ I realized I had a few questions I wanted him to answer.

“Before we get to that, let me ask you something. Why did you save Rosa? And please give me an honest answer. The most honest answer.”

He hesitated at that, probably because of my clarification, seeming to think on it for a long minute, before responding with a small sigh. “She reminds me of my daughter, who has passed.”

I was surprised to hear that. “Something bad happened to her?” I assumed.

He gave another small sigh, closing his eye again. “No. She died of old age a very long time ago.”

Now I was really shocked. “She was human. Someone not cursed.”

“Yes,” he said simply.

I had no reason not to believe him, but his aura was very sincere. There wasn’t much sadness present, as if he’d long since come to terms with reality, but I could sense a hint of it. A deep grief that would never go away no matter how much time passed. But most importantly, this truth implied that he’d intentionally ensured she was never made to be immortal like him. Likely not wishing this existence on her.

“She lived a happy life?” I wondered.

His voice was even more quiet, his eye still closed. “Yes. A good man as her husband. Many children and grandchildren.”

I took a deep breath. “Well, you asked what the price is, for breaking your curse, but this bleeding curse isn’t actually what I want to cure you of.”

His red eye popped open in confusion.

Rosa took a step forward. “Signore Dante, I have eaten real food. And I have bathed in God’s light without harm.”

Now his eye really widened in just absolute disbelief and shock. “Impossibile,” he whispered.

“It is the truth,” she said sincerely. “I swear it.”

“As I said,” I interjected, grabbing his attention again. “My blood cures all curses. You’ll still be a vampire, but not a cursed one. And you’ll become more powerful too.” I glanced up at Rosa. “Would you be kind enough to show him?”

She looked embarrassed at that. “Umm, okay. Umm, but my clothing?”

I wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t tried transforming a second time.

“You should be able to transform without growing larger. And if you do grow larger, then you should be able to stop before you tear your clothes.”

She nodded, setting the blood bags down on the floor. “Very well. I will try. For you, my lord.”

Needless to say, his crimson gaze was trained intently on her now as her skin began rapidly darkening, as her hair became stark white, and as she began growing slightly taller, with her stopping far below her maximum height. Yet plenty of enough to make it clear that she was something far more than what she’d been before.

Dante’s reaction said enough.

“Mio Dio,” he whispered in disbelief.

Rosa was still just as attractive as she’d been before, her body only more lanky, her arms, legs, and torso much longer, her skin an extremely dark brown, but there was a big difference now that she was well fed.

Mainly, it was the power that exuded from her.

There was almost an ethereal air about her.

One of raw supremacy.

Something that was different than anyone else.

Well, everyone except Natalie, when she was transformed.

The two of them both had this almost ‘heat’ about them, the air itself condensing into a steam in response to their hot breath, yet for Rosa it was like her entire body radiated cascading waves of ‘impending death.’ Not in the sense that she reeked of death, but in the sense that her power was the harbinger of the unavoidable death that would ensue, should she choose to unleash her wrath upon her foes.

I’d never actually seen Rosa move in this form…not really move, from one place to another…

But I felt like she might be even faster than me.

I mean, both vampires already seemed to appear out of nowhere, but now it was like that speed was far more pronounced.

Felt like, if I blinked, she would be gone.

Behind me, death already unavoidable, were I her enemy.

Yet the sensation didn’t scare me, instead exciting me.

Because she was mine.

And I found her power beautiful.

Rosa’s glowing crimson gaze shifted to me then, giving me an almost bashful yet breathtaking smile, before she began to shrink back down to her normal size.

Dante was completely speechless now, just staring blankly at her.

It wasn’t until I cleared my throat that he finally shifted his gaze back to me.

“So, the real question is, what is the price for me to break your vampire curse, and also make you unimaginably powerful?” I shrugged. “Well, as you can imagine, I would expect for you to at least be my ally. To have my back no matter what.”

His response was immediate, his tone firm.

Very clearly, it hadn’t taken him long…

To make a decision.

“On my honor,” he said with force. “I swear it. My lord.”

FEEDBACK: Thoughts?

Next chapter, Avery and Kai will be heading to classes again finally. I have some interesting stuff planned.

As I mentioned at the top, I need to do some plotting on Combat Healer before I continue on with Ch 43, so next week may be another chapter of IDH (or it may be the next chapter of CH). Not sure yet.

Chapter 128 >>

LIST OF STORIES >>

LIST OF ARTWORK >>