Playing with his skirts, Mouse wandered through the hallways. C’mon. Head to Felix. You can do it.

He pursed his lips. Ugh. It’s so hard. I don’t want to. It’s too embarrassing.

No, c’mon. I got this. I have to talk to Felix eventually. And it wasn’t that bad. It’s not like he saw me naked…

He put his head in his hands. Urgh. Yesterday was the worst.

Around the corner. A purple shape filled up his vision. Mouse tried to back away, but too late. He slammed into a firm chest and bounced off.

Ow! Dammit, that’s not supposed to hurt. He rubbed his chest and glared at the attacker.

A tall purple demon with thick, gnarled horns that swept back over his head looked back at Mouse. He paused just a second. “Lilith?”

The demon smiled, his lips curling up in the same dangerous way Lilith’s did, except this time, there was something more… malicious about it. “Pretty Mouse. Fancy seeing you here.”

“Uh, hi,” Mouse said.

Lilith put her hand on the wall, blocking him in. “In a hurry?”

“Not really,” Mouse muttered. He raised an eyebrow at her. What is this?

“Have you been to see him, now that your eyes are opened?” Lilith purred, putting a hand on Mouse’s chin.

Mouse swatted her hand away. “Been to see… who?”

Lilith’s eyes flashed. “Him whom we wish to find.”

“Uh… Xenozar?” Mouse guessed. He’s the only one who’s acted different since I was blighted, and I was guided there by the blight, and I guess he’s hidden, but I’ve never had a hard time finding him… “Wait, you can’t find him? I can take you there.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Only his chosen are permitted near,” Lilith replied.

“His chosen are… me, Felix, and the guy who brings him lunch?” Mouse tipped his head thoughtfully. I mean, I guess I understand letting the guy who feeds you near you, but on the other hand, that’s not… exactly what I would call a chosen.

“He moves in mysterious ways,” Lilith whispered.

I don’t think it’s that mysterious to let someone feed you. Mouse nodded slowly. “Right. Uh, I’ve got to go see Felix…”

“You’ve seen, haven’t you? You’ve dreamed of him.”

Mouse hesitated at that. “I… have.” That weird dream, where I was a child, and he… formed something out of blight? And Zalazar was there too, I think? I just thought it was weird, but…

Lilith ran a hand down Mouse’s cheek, toying with a strand of his hair. “You have seen. You have dreamed. You are our oracle.”

“Ooookay…” Mouse tried to escape, but Lilith put her other hand down. She smiled down at him. Suddenly trapped, Mouse grimaced. Hey, this isn’t cool.

“You smell sweet today. Is there something different about your perfume?” Lilith murmured in his ear.

Mouse’s ears flinched. “Hey!”

Lilith slid a hand down his arm. “We’re opposite sex now. Would you like to… take a—”

“Hey! You filthy incubus, leave her alone!”

Lilith’s head snapped to the side. A pale-skinned man kicked her away and glared. “Fucking border races.”

“Toni? Thanks,” Mouse said, stepping away from Lilith.

Toni twisted her lip. “Don’t thank me. I didn’t do it for you. You’re just as filthy as she is.”

Mouse frowned. You didn’t save me for my sake?

“I only did it out of duty. I wouldn’t have bothered to save a lowly border race from another border race if it wasn’t for my righteousness. Your filth deserves each other.” She tossed her pale hair, fluttered her pure-white wings, and sashayed away.

“What,” Mouse muttered to himself.

Lilith shook her head and blinked, then slapped her cheeks. “My apologies, Mouse. I know it’s no excuse, but the incubus’ desires are so much more constant than I’m used to. Sometimes I let down my guard, and…”

“Just don’t do it again,” Mouse said. “And don’t be so cryptic. What did you mean, anyways?”

“That is a mystery you must discover for yourself,” Lilith said, eyes bright.

Not going to tell me, huh? Mouse rolled his eyes internally. “Keep an eye on those desires. And stay away from Sabelyn. She’s bad news.”

Lilith smiled silently.

That’s a no, then. Mouse shook his head and hurried away, off toward Felix’s rooms.

“You can’t play both sides forever,” Lilith called after him.

“I’m not playing both sides!” Mouse replied, annoyed. You refuse to tell me anything and give me bad advice and blight without any explanation. If that’s considered ‘playing your side,’ then I want to play another game.