Back in our room at the Academy, we finished discussing our cave adventure. The reality of what we'd discovered - both about the undead situation and my identity - hung in the air.

"I should inform Mother about this," Isabella said, rising from her perch on my bed. "If some demon caused that magma breach, House Lilitu needs to know."

"You really think someone did it on purpose?" Aria hugged her knees to her chest.

Isabella smoothed her silver hair. "Better to investigate and be wrong than ignore a potential threat." She paused at the door. "Get some rest, both of you. We've had quite enough excitement for one day."

After Isabella left, Aria flopped back onto her bed. Even Bellas's presence by the window didn't spark her usual playful mood.

"I'm actually tired," she yawned. "No fun time tonight, Bellas. Sorry."

I crawled under my covers, exhaustion settling into my bones. The day's events swirled in my mind - the chase through the caves, the Lich's revelation, my friends' acceptance of my secret identity. Sleep came quickly.

For the first time since arriving in Hell, I didn't dream of being Liam. Instead, I was Lily. The dream felt natural, comfortable, like slipping into a favourite outfit. There was no disconnect between body and mind, no yearning for my old form.

I woke with a start, immediately aware of the significance. In every previous dream, I'd been Liam, looking through those familiar blue eyes. But tonight, I'd been Lily - and it had felt right.

Aria's soft snores filled our room. Dawn's light hadn't yet reached our windows. I slipped out of bed and headed for the shower, my mind racing.

The hot water cascaded over my shoulders as I processed the dream. The ease with which I'd inhabited this form in my unconscious state unsettled me. Was I losing myself? Or was this body becoming more "me" than my old one ever was?

I pressed my forehead against the cool tile, letting the steam swirl around me. The dream hadn't felt wrong or frightening. That's what scared me most of all.

I felt Aria's arms wrap around me from behind, her warm body pressing against mine under the shower spray. Her breath tickled my ear as she leaned close.

"Having deep thoughts this early?" Her hands traced lazy circles on my stomach. "Or just enjoying the hot water?"

"Both," I admitted, relaxing into her embrace. The physical contact helped ground my racing thoughts.

"Well, I have a better idea." Her lips brushed my ear. "Bellas is looking particularly delicious this morning. Want to have some fun before we start our day?"

I turned in her arms, meeting her violet eyes. The playful hunger in her gaze sparked an answering heat in my core. My earlier existential crisis faded as more immediate desires took hold.

"Yes," I breathed, pulling her closer. "Let's wake him up properly."

Aria's eyes lit up with delight. She pressed a quick kiss to my lips before pulling back.

"I'll get him ready. Don't take too long finishing up in here." She slipped out of the shower, leaving me with tingling skin and rising anticipation.

I watched water droplets chase down her curves as she grabbed a towel. My body hummed with supernatural hunger, pushing aside my previous concerns. Right now, I had other matters to attend to.

Aria's fingers traced lazy patterns on my back as we lay in bed, Bellas dozing nearby after our morning activities.

"So, did the Princess enjoy herself?" She nuzzled my neck, her voice teasing.

I rolled my eyes. "You're not going to let that go, are you?"

"Never." She grinned against my skin. "It's too delicious knowing-"

A soft pop interrupted her, followed by a puff of smoke above my nightstand. A letter materialized, sealed with Lilith's distinctive red wax emblem.

"Speaking of being a princess," I muttered, reaching for the envelope.

Breaking the seal, I unfolded the letter, recognizing Mother's elegant handwriting:

My dearest Lily,

Word reached me about your little adventure in the Northern Caves. While I admire your bravery - you certainly inherited my adventurous spirit - I must express my disappointment that you didn't inform me beforehand.

Your father nearly stormed the Academy when he learned you were anywhere near those undead-infested tunnels. It took considerable effort to convince him not to bring you back to the palace immediately.

I understand you're growing into your own person, but please, at least tell me when you're planning something dangerous. I won't stop you, but I need to know you're safe.

With love,

Mother

"What's that about?" Aria propped herself up on an elbow, peering at the letter.

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I folded the letter carefully. "It's from my mother. She found out about our cave adventure." I sighed. "She's not exactly angry, just worried. Apparently, I should have told her I was going."

"Your mom is pretty protective." Aria tilted her head. "Most succubi don't care what their daughters do."

"Isn't that common?" I traced the edges of Mother's letter. "Having parents who care?"

Aria shook her head, her violet eyes serious for once. "No, quite the opposite. Most succubi view their daughters as assets to expand their influence." She stretched, her tail rustling against the silk sheets. "We're tools for them - ways to forge alliances, gain power, or infiltrate rival houses."

"Even purebloods?"

"Especially purebloods. Those who birth their own daughters see them as investments, nothing more." Aria's usual playful demeanour vanished. "There are some parents who care for their children, of course, but they're the exception, not the rule."

She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. "I doubt even Isabella's mother truly cares about her. Pyrrha's reputation for being calculating is well-earned. Every decision she makes serves House Lilitu first."

Aria turned to face me, her expression soft. "You're lucky, you know. Having parents who think of you as more than just a pawn."

The weight of her words hit me. Mother's letter crinkled in my grip as memories of the orphanage flooded back - empty holidays, watching other children leave with their new families, growing up without anyone to truly call my own.

Even if Lilith wasn't my real mother, even if Lucifer wasn't my real father... they were the only parents I'd ever known. In just these few months, they'd shown more genuine concern for my wellbeing than anyone in my previous life.

I pressed the letter to my chest, feeling the phantom warmth of Lilith's embrace, remembering Lucifer's poorly hidden worry when I was leaving for the academy. They might not be my birth parents, but they were the closest thing to family I'd ever had.

I clutched Mother's letter one last time before tucking it away in my ring. The tender feelings of family warmed my chest, but they also scared me. I was getting too attached, too comfortable in this life that wasn't mine. Somewhere out there, my real body - Liam's body - was walking around. I needed answers.

A weekend wouldn't cut it. I needed more time, and Aria had mentioned something about an upcoming vacation. Three weeks should give me enough time to track down my original body and figure out what happened.

I slipped out of bed, summoning a clean uniform from my ring.

"Where are you going?" Aria rolled onto her stomach, her tail swishing with curiosity. Her eyes sparkled with that familiar mischievous glint. "Ooh, are we going shopping? Or maybe back to Isabella's?"

"Library," I said, pulling on my skirt.

Aria's face fell instantly. "Ugh, never mind then." She flopped back onto the pillows. "You go ahead and be boring. I'll stay here where it's fun."

"Suit yourself." I fastened the last button on my blouse. The library would give me space to research without questions - especially tracking spells. There had to be something stronger than that scrying spell I'd tried before.

"Just don't stay too long with those dusty books." Aria yawned, curling around my pillow. "You're starting to turn into a Belphegor."

I settled into my usual corner of the library, surrounded by towering shelves of ancient tomes. Meridia floated books to my table without comment. Her goat-like horns bobbed as she arranged the volumes with practiced precision.

The library's crystal lights cast a soft glow over the leather-bound books. Their spines bore titles like "Advanced Tracking Methodologies" and "Cross-Dimensional Scrying." The familiar scent of old parchment filled my nose as I opened the first tome.

"My, my. What could a common succubus possibly want with such complex magical texts?"

I didn't need to look up to recognize that haughty voice. Valentina's shadow fell across my books, her platinum blonde hair catching the crystalline light.

I kept reading, hoping she'd take the hint and leave. She didn't.

"Really now, still ignoring me?" Valentina's perfectly manicured nail tapped on the page I was trying to read. "How... pedestrian."

The constant interruption grated on my nerves. Each tap of her nail sent tiny ripples of irritation through me. After the fifth tap, I finally looked up.

"What do you want, Valentina?"

Her red eyes narrowed, a practiced smirk playing across her lips. "Oh, now you acknowledge my presence? How generous of you."

I closed my book with deliberate care. "You clearly want something. What is it?"

The smirk faltered for a moment. Valentina glanced at the books spread across my table, her usual confidence wavering. "These texts... they're far beyond what a common succubus should be interested in."

"And?"

"And you shouldn't be able to understand them at all." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Yet here you are, reading about dimensional magic like it's some romance novel. Why?"

I raised an eyebrow at Valentina. "Why do you care what I read?"

"I don't." She crossed her arms, her posture stiff and rigid.

"Then why bother me? Surely you have better things to do with your time?"

Her lips curled into a sneer. "I'm being magnanimous here. Giving you the opportunity to admit your mistakes." She placed both hands on the table, leaning forward. "To know your place."

A thought struck me - a perfect way to get under her skin. I tilted my head, letting a small smirk play across my face. "Is this some weird way to get my attention, Valentina? You can't seem to stop approaching me." I tapped my chin in mock contemplation. "Come to think of it, you only target Aria when I'm around. Almost like... you're interested in me."

The effect was immediate. A deep crimson flush spread across Valentina's pale cheeks, her composed facade cracking.

"How- how DARE you!" She straightened up, fists clenched at her sides. "You filthy commoner! The absolute audacity to suggest-" Her voice rose with each word, drawing disapproving looks from nearby students. "To even imply that I would- that someone of my standing would-"

Spittle flew from her mouth as she continued her tirade, face growing redder by the second. I had to bite back a smile - she'd completely lost her carefully maintained poise.

"You disgusting, presumptuous piece of gutter trash!" She jabbed a finger in my direction, her whole body trembling with rage. "I would NEVER lower myself to- to-"

"Silence." Meridia's monotone voice cut through Valentina's rant like a blade. "This is a library."

Valentina whirled around, her face still flushed with anger. "Do you know who I am? I am-"

"A noisy student disturbing others." Meridia didn't even look up from her desk. "If you cannot maintain proper library etiquette, you will need to leave."

"How dare you! I am from House Morgenstern! You can't just-"

Meridia raised one pale hand. A soft blue glow enveloped Valentina, lifting her feet off the ground.

"What- put me down this instant!" Valentina's legs kicked uselessly in the air.

Without a word, Meridia guided Valentina's floating form toward the exit. The massive doors swung open on their own, and with a gentle push of magic, Valentina sailed through them. The doors closed behind her with a soft thud.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Meridia turned her tired eyes toward me.

"Keep your lover quarrels out of my library."

My smile vanished. "What? No, she's not my-"

But Meridia had already floated back to her desk, clearly done with the conversation.

I stared down at my books, my mind wandering from the text. Did Valentina actually like me? Her reaction seemed too extreme for simple anger at the suggestion. The way she kept seeking me out, always finding excuses to confront me...

I shook my head. No, I was overthinking this. Valentina was just an entitled pureblood who couldn't stand being dismissed by someone she considered beneath her.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I returned to my research. These spells weren't going to learn themselves.