We hurried through the darkened streets back toward the Golden Chalice. My body hummed with borrowed energy, Arthur's essence still coursing through my veins. The cobblestones seemed to float beneath my feet.

"Did you see how eager they were?" Aria practically bounced beside me. "Nothing like our trained pets back home. Sure, they know all the right moves, but these wild mortals..." She sighed dreamily. "There's just something special about them."

Isabella's pale features gleamed in the gaslight. "Indeed. Training polishes away that primal edge. These mortals still have that raw passion, that desperate need."

A week ago, this type of conversation would have horrified me. Now I found myself listening with bemused acceptance. Was it the lingering pleasure making everything seem more palatable? Or had I simply grown accustomed to demons and their casual attitude toward humans?

"What about you, Lily?" Aria nudged me with her elbow. "You certainly seemed to enjoy your mailman. Not that I blame you - watching you work was quite the show. I almost jumped in for seconds."

I nearly tripped over my own feet. Heat rushed to my face as I scrambled for a response.

"The... untrained ones feel more genuine," I managed finally. "There's something appealing about reactions that aren't rehearsed or mechanical."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Isabella agreed. "Their spontaneity often surpasses trained perfection."

As we approached the Golden Chalice, my heart nearly stopped. Professor Auriel stood at the entrance, her golden hair gleaming under the gas lamps. We didn’t do anything wrong, did we?

"Good evening, ladies. I trust your night activities went well?"

Beside me, Aria stiffened. I felt my face flush as Auriel's knowing gaze settled on me.

Isabella stepped forward smoothly. "Just some harmless fun with the mortals, Professor. Nothing unexpected."

Aria's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates at Isabella's casual admission. I leaned close to her ear.

"She never said we couldn't leave, remember?" I whispered. "Just no feeding inside the hotel."

The tension drained from Aria's shoulders as understanding dawned.

"Very well." Auriel gestured toward the entrance. "You should head in. I'm waiting for another group that completed their assignment."

We slipped past her into the hotel's opulent lobby. Once we were safely out of earshot, Aria practically vibrated with excitement.

"Did you see this place earlier? Those crystal chandeliers, the mechanical fountains!" She spun around, taking in the brass and mahogany details. "I can't wait to try whatever amenities they have here. What do you think they offer?"

"Let's find out," Isabella said, heading toward the stairs.

I melted into the massage table as skilled hands worked out knots I didn't even know existed. The scent of lavender and jasmine oils filled the private chamber, mixing with the mechanical hum of brass heating lamps.

"This is divine," Aria purred from the table next to mine. "I've had massages before, but nothing like this."

"The Golden Chalice employs only the finest practitioners," Isabella said, her voice smooth and relaxed. "Though I must say, their technique is quite unique."

My masseur's fingers found a particularly tense spot between my shoulder blades, and I couldn't hold back a soft moan. The sensation was entirely different from Bellas's attempts - these hands knew exactly where to apply pressure, how to coax each muscle into submission.

"Someone's enjoying themselves," Aria teased.

"You're one to talk." I turned my head to see her practically purring under her masseur's ministrations.

As the expert hands continued their work, I found my thoughts drifting to earlier events. The night with Arthur should have left me conflicted, should have triggered that familiar internal struggle. Instead, I felt... peaceful. Complete, even. That constant fear of losing myself had vanished like morning mist.

I'd been so afraid of change, of becoming something else entirely. But now I understood - I wasn't losing anything. I was still me, still had my memories, my core values. The new experiences, the different sensations and desires - they were additions, not replacements.

"Your shoulders were quite tense, miss," my masseur commented, working on a particularly stubborn knot. "You must carry a lot of stress."

"You have no idea," I murmured.

"Oh, look at those arms," Aria sighed dreamily, eyeing her masseur. "I wonder if-"

Isabella's pointed cough cut her off. "Remember the hotel rules, dear."

"I was just appreciating the view," Aria pouted.

"Of course you were." Isabella's tone dripped with amusement. "Speaking of views, did you see the mechanical gardens on our way in? The automatons tending the flowers were quite remarkable."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"The engineering is fascinating," I said, grateful for the change in subject. "The way they've integrated steam power with precision mechanics..."

"Trust you to turn a pleasure garden into a technical discussion," Aria laughed. "Though I must admit, those brass butterflies were beautiful."

The conversation drifted to lighter topics - the latest fashion trends in New London, the curious steam-powered carriages, the differences between local and continental cuisine. I found myself joining in naturally, no longer second-guessing every word.

"We should do this again sometime," Aria suggested as our session wound down. "Though I doubt we'll find anything quite like this back home."

"There are some excellent establishments in- in the capital," Isabella caught herself smoothly. "Though they lack this particular... ambiance."

I closed my eyes, savouring the last moments of the massage. Tomorrow we'd return to our regular lives, but for now, I could simply exist in this moment of perfect contentment.

"Ladies," our head masseur announced, "your treatment is complete. Would you like to proceed to the steam room?"

"Yes, please," we answered in unison, then broke into quiet laughter.

As we wrapped ourselves in plush robes, I caught my reflection in one of the brass-framed mirrors. The face looking back at me was familiar now - still different from what I'd known before, but no longer foreign. No longer frightening.

"Coming?" Aria called from the doorway.

I smiled, turning away from the mirror. "Right behind you."

The morning air carried a metallic tang as we gathered at the designated meeting spot outside New London. My muscles felt wonderfully relaxed after yesterday's spa treatment, a stark contrast to some of the other students stumbling in with dark circles under their eyes.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Isabella remarked as Valentina's group approached, their clothes wrinkled, and hair dishevelled.

"Poor planning indeed," I agreed, watching them shuffle towards Professor Auriel with barely-concealed exhaustion.

"At least they managed to gather everything," Aria whispered. "Though I doubt they got any rest."

More groups trickled in, some looking fresh and others appearing as if they'd spent the night digging through factory ruins - which, given some of the ingredients required, they probably had.

Professor Auriel clasped her hands together, drawing everyone's attention. "All present? Excellent. Follow me, and remember to maintain your glamours until we're back."

We retraced our steps through the city streets to the abandoned warehouse. The heavy doors creaked open to reveal the familiar staircase leading underground. The pleasure cult's chamber remained unchanged - bodies writhing in the dim light, incense thick in the air.

A robed figure emerged from the shadows to greet us. Professor Auriel leaned in close, exchanging quiet words with them before approaching the transport gate.

"Single file, please," she instructed, activating the gate with practiced movements. "Mind your step."

One by one, we passed through the shimmering portal. The familiar heat of Igneus washed over me as we emerged on the other side. Around me, students began dropping their glamours - horns sprouting, tails unfurling, skin shifting to various inhuman hues.

Isabella manifested her wings with a satisfied sigh. "Much better. I hate keeping them hidden."

I kept my own wings concealed, watching Aria stretch her newly-visible tail. The urge to release my wings tugged at me, but I pushed it down. Better to maintain the cover of being a common succubus than exposing my heritage.

"Home sweet home," Aria declared, breathing in the sulphurous air. "Though I must admit that hotel bed was something special."

"You're all dismissed for today," Professor Auriel announced. "Remember to review the properties of your gathered ingredients before next class."

As students began dispersing, chattering about their adventures in New London, something caught my eye. A familiar figure stood near one of the ornate pillars. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized her.

It was the same disguise Lilith had worn when escorting me to the Academy. Though less striking than her true form, I'd never mistake that particular glamour. She wasn't trying to hide, positioned where I'd easily spot her.

A warm feeling spread through my chest despite myself. Here was the Queen of Hell, one of the most powerful and feared beings in existence, checking up on her daughter in disguise. Even though I wasn't really Lily, wasn't really her child, the gesture touched something in me.

"Lily? What's wrong?" Aria asked, noticing my distraction.

I kept my eyes on Lilith's disguised form. Though I knew her reputation for cruelty and manipulation, this small act of maternal concern seemed genuine. It was... oddly comforting.

"I just spotted someone I know," I said carefully. "Would you mind coming with me to say hello?"

I approached Lilith, hearing Aria and Isabella's footsteps behind me. My heart raced - part nerves, part something else I couldn't quite name.

"Mother," I called out softly.

Lilith's face lit up with a smile that transformed her glamoured features. She swept me into a tight embrace, her familiar rose-and-brimstone scent wrapping around me.

"My darling girl," she breathed, pulling back to examine my face. "How was your trip to the mortal realm? Did everything go smoothly?"

"Everything went well," I assured her. "We gathered all the required ingredients without any trouble."

Her hands stayed on my shoulders as she studied me. "And the Academy? Are you adapting well after your... sheltered upbringing?"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "It was overwhelming at first," I admitted. "But I'm adjusting better now."

"And you're feeding properly?" Her tone carried both maternal concern and a hint of knowing amusement.

My face burned hotter as memories of Arthur flooded back. "Yes, mother. I... I am."

"You haven't written to me yet," she said, her voice carrying a note of gentle reproach that made my stomach twist with unexpected guilt.

"I'm sorry," I found myself saying, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "I'll write soon, I promise."

Her gaze shifted past me to where Aria and Isabella stood. "And who are these lovely young ladies?"

"These are my friends," I said, gesturing to them. "Aria, my roommate, and Isabella."

Lilith's eyes lingered on Isabella for a moment longer, a flash of recognition crossing her features. She gave them both an appraising look before nodding with approval.

"From house Lilitu, aren't you dear?" she asked Isabella directly.

Isabella executed a perfect curtsy. "Yes, ma'am."

"And you're Lily's roommate?" Lilith turned to Aria. "I trust you're helping my daughter settle in?"

"Of course!" Aria beamed. "Lily's wonderful company. We've been exploring Igneus together, and she's been helping me with mathematics."

"Good, good." Lilith's smile warmed further. "It's so important to have reliable friends." She turned back to me. "Now, I must be going. Don't forget to write, darling. I want to hear all about your studies."

"I will, mother," I promised again, that same inexplicable twist in my chest when she pulled me in for another quick embrace.

"Ladies," she nodded to Aria and Isabella. "Take care of each other." With that, she turned and walked away, her glamoured form disappearing into the crowd.

"Your mother seems nice," Aria said, linking her arm through mine. "Though I didn't expect her to look so... normal."

I almost laughed at that. If only she knew.

"She must be quite influential," Isabella observed carefully. "The way she carried herself..."

"She's a very influential merchant," I quickly replied, sticking to my cover story. "Shall we head back to the Academy? I'm exhausted."

As we walked back, I found myself thinking about Lilith's visit. The way my chest had tightened when she hugged me, how naturally the word "mother" had fallen from my lips. I pushed the thoughts away, focusing instead on Aria's chatter about our upcoming classes.