Wake up! You have to wake up!

Lia jolted awake. She placed a hand over the pounding in her chest and winced. Her mind was screaming like an alarm.

She slowed her breathing and scanned her surroundings. She was still inside the dorm room.

How did I get here? She was face up on the bed, lying atop the blanket and neatly stacked pillows. Her whole body seemed to be in survival mode.

“Did he move me here after I passed out?” She asked, suddenly remembering the events of yesterday evening.

Lia scanned the room once more, expecting to find the winged boy floating in the air above her or stalking her from some shady corner of the room.

“He's not here...” The notion of being alone brought with it a wave of relief.

She stood to her feet, feeling like a dry pile of sand. Her skin felt burnt and wrinkly as if she’d spent a full day on a tanning bed set to scorching hot.

She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and looked toward the two study desks pushed against the northern wall. All of a sudden, the implication clicked.

He was right... She thought. They must have decided to pair us together as roommates yesterday at some point during the tour. God... I can hardly remember any of it. My head feels like its on fire.

A strange scent wafted through the air, one Lia picked up on almost instantly. She closed her eyes and sniffed the air, following the smell to the doorway. The suitcase, Itylias mother had gifted her rested up against the wall beside it.

Lia’s heart skipped a beat. A craving she had never known before sparked inside of her mind. A curiosity that worked its way down her spine and out into her extremities.

The wound on her neck flared as she took a step towards it. Her pink irises, a gift of Itylia, turned to a watery shade of red.

Her body craved it, whatever was hidden inside the suitcase.

Lia rushed forward, crouched by the doorway and frantically pulled the zipper, accidentally snapping it off with unfamiliar strength.

No... No, no!

Her heart pulsed, and desperately, she clawed at the bag, digging her fingers between the metal teeth responsible for binding the case shut, splitting it open.

Her hurried breaths were like those of an excited animal, tossing clothes throughout the room until she reached the source of the smell.

Her mind was blank as she lifted one of the dozen small vials. Her pupils dilated as she popped off the cap, finally pouring it down her throat. There was no swallow or gulp.

As the craving dulled, Lia’s eyes lost their burning colour.

She choked on the last of the liquid as it dribbled out of the vial and into her mouth, dropping the container. She scurried back, frightened as if she had no control over what she'd just done.

Tears rolled down her cheek as she drew her knees into her chest. Small whimpers filled the silent and dark room.

“What have you done to me.” Her tears crashed against her knees. “I just want to go home... Please take me home.”

...

Lia peered over her shoulder. The room was just as empty and silent as when she woke up. That was a few hours ago now, yet the metallic taste of blood still lingered on the tip of her tongue.

Since then, she had hidden the small suitcase beneath the bed. It wasnt the best hiding spot, but in a room as barebones as this, it was all she could muster, and it was far better then just leaving it the open.

Deep down, she knew... There was going to come a time when she had to open another vial. The thought made her sick to her core.

He still isn't here...

Lia sat nervously at one of two small study desks pushed against the north wall. With no windows, it was impossible to tell the time of day.

She turned back and ran a finger down the dusty spine of a lone book, removing a trail of dust. It was an old leather book, Its cover an amalgamation of strange patterns, colours and shapes.

Delicately, she lifted the cover, shivering at its rough texture before sifting through the pages, catching glimpses of text and horrifying images until one in particular caught her eye.

A sketch depicting a devil-like creature with large wings spanning over the course of two full pages stared back at her.

It looks just like him... She thought, then turned the page. A wall of cursive ink awaited her on the other side.

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The succubus. A high-ranking demon sub-species known for their inhuman strength, speed, agility and affinity for teleportation. They are one of the only creatures capable of freely travelling between the human and monster realms.

Despite noticeable physiological features, the succubi are not easily identified. The demon's tail and wings are retractable and usually remain dormant, a strategy they originally used for tricking lonely humans. This, however, has not been the case since the human-monster treaty and the development of the academy in our search for peace between the realms.

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Peace between the realms? Lia paused.

An eerie sensation crawled up her neck. Frightfully, she turned around but found nothing.

The door’s still closed. She reassured herself, then adjusted herself in the creaky wooden chair.

“If succubi are able to freely travel between the two realms... Doesnt that mean there might be a way for me to get home?”

Lia licked the dryness from her lips. The effects of prolonged exposure to the sun were still present despite the noticeable amount of time that had passed. The blood had at least revitalised her spirit.

She leaned down and continued reading.

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Female succubi tend only to ‘reveal’ themselves in front of other trusted succubi or in times of feeding. Males, on the other hand, tend to be a bit less bashful about their wings and tail.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

As a general rule of thumb, succubi will only present their additional appendages in moments of pleasure or if they feel intimidated. In either case, you should run. A succubi’s ‘kiss’ has been known to cause weeks' worth of fatigue. Or, in severe cases, dating all the way back to the dark ages when monsters ran rampant, reduced lifespan.

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“Doing some reading up on your own species?” Cyris whispered.

Lia slammed the book closed. Her face was burning up as if she’d been reading some sort of erotic novel.

The boy leaned in so close that Lia could feel his warm breath against her ear.

“I didn't know that you were interested in succubi anatomy. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Lia squealed and pushed herself up and out of the desk chair, quickly backing away from the boy smiling at her.

“W-w-when did you get there?”

“Just now.” He answered plainly. “You're not very aware of your surroundings, are you?”

The door leading into the main corridor was wide open.

“Shut up.” She said, feeling irritated that she hadn't noticed his arrival.

“You know I've never seen a succubus get flustered as easily as you do. Didn't you go through any training as a child?”

Training? What kind of training are you even talking about!?

“O-of course I did.” Lia folded her arms over her chest and turned away from him.

“I guess you just weren't a very good student.”

After Cyris’ sly comment, Lia risked a glimpse back. His wings and tail appeared to be dormant.

He sort of looks like a normal high schooler... At least when he isn't floating through the air like a gremlin.

“Hm?” Cyris tilted his head. “Is something wrong?”

“It's nothing. I guess im just still feeling a little dizzy.”

In a blinding flash, Cyris closed the distance between the two of them. Before Lia could react, one of his hands was resting against her forehead.

“Your temperature is still high. You should continue to rest.” He said, both eyes closed, focusing.

Lia refused to respond. She was trying desperately to keep her heart under control. She didnt dare move a muscle.

T-too close!

“Don't push yourself. If you are still feeling unwell, you need more rest. The academy can wait.”

“I-Im fine.” Lia stepped away.

Cyris smiled. “Maybe you're just hungry? How many days has been since your last meal?”

Lia thought back; she couldn't recall the last time she sat down and had a meal.

It must have been the day before I met Itylia...

“A few. I guess.”

“Want me to feed you?”

Huh?

A moment of silence passed as the cogs went to work inside Lia’s brain.

F-f-feed me!? W-w-what exactly does he mean by that?

Cyris tilted his head in confusion at Lia’s odd silence.

To him, this must have sounded like a perfectly normal question. In fact, as far as succubi go, this was probably rather polite.

Now’s not the time to be modest, Lia! You know exactly what he means! In times like this, honesty is the best policy!

“No.” She said, avoiding eye contact like her life depended on it. “I-I most certainly do not.

“Hm? Why not? If you're hungry, why don't I just-”

“I said no!” Lia said, raising her voice above his.

Cyris took a step back.

Lia met his gaze. It seemed less energetic than before, almost saddened.

“Do you... not like me?”

...

The female dorms were alive with students, all toting around in the academy uniform. Lia stood out like a sore thumb in her black frilly dress. Even her snow-white hair, reaching below her waist, was an oddity.

According to Miss Sleathers' instructions, since it was their first official day of school as first-years, classes were going to start a little later than usual. To give the newer students an adjustment period.

During this time, students were free to explore and socialise wherever and whenever they wanted. However, for first-years who had nothing to do, or perhaps just desperate for a bit of structure, a complimentary buffet was being offered inside the dining hall.

Lia was desperate to leave the dorm room and avoid being alone with Cyris. But the thought of casually roaming an academy filled with monsters was horrifying. So, for now, at least, she decided it was safer to move around together.

On their way to the dining hall, however, Lia noticed something strange about the other students as she passed them.

“Why are they all staring at us...” She whispered, sure that her dress couldn't have been the only reason.

“Who knows?” Cyris shrugged. “Do you perhaps make it your mission to go around breaking everyone's heart?”

Lia raised her lip and winced. “Don't tell me you're still upset because I said I wasn't sure if I liked you yet.”

Cyris turned his chin to the ceiling. “You said you hated me.”

“I said nothing of the sort.”

“Then you like me?”

Lia caught a glimpse of his flirtatious grin. She frowned. “I said I wasn't sure yet.”

“Yet?” Cyris repeated inquisitively. “I'll ask you again this afternoon, then.”

“Please don't...” Lia groaned.

“Ah, the cruelty of a female succubus... Mother was right.”

Lia rolled her eyes. “Can we get back to my question now, please? And answer honestly. Is it just me, or is everyone staring at us like we're criminals?”

Cyris looked around disinterested, as if he was only just now noticing their unwanted gazes.

“I think I can answer that for you.” A voice answered in the moment of silence.

Lia turned to see a tall girl standing in a doorway leading into one of the countless identical dorm rooms. Her blond hair draped around her shoulders like a blazing fire.

Along with a beautiful face and smouldering eyes, the young girl sported an unbelievably curvaceous body. Her chest seemed ready to burst out of her shirt.

She stepped forward, like a model on a stage, one hand resting on her checkered mini skirt revealing thighs that would send any male- human or otherwise- into a frenzy. Yet, Cyris refused to pay her even an inch of his attention.

“So you two are the succubus couple.” The woman said, biting one of her knuckles. “How cute.”

“I wouldn't exactly call us a couple...” Lia mumbled.

“It's okay; there's no need to be shy around me. I love a good high school romance. My name is Emily, by the way.” She said, placing a hand over her chest. “So nice to meet you.”

“Ityila,” Lia replied, the name feeling foreign to her tongue. “You said you could help answer my question?”

“Well, of course,” Emily giggled. “You two are sort of famous. I know it's the first day, but word spreads quickly around the academy.”

“Famous?” Lia asked, perplexed. “We haven't even done anything?”

“It's got nothing to do with your actions and everything to with who you are, silly.” Emily shook her head teasingly. “Succubus aren't exactly common around here.”

“They're not?”

“No.” Emily laughed. “In the decade since the academy’s construction, you two are officially the first succubus to attend.”

The first... Well, that's just great. Way to bring attention to yourself Lia!

“Not to mention you're both living together in what was originally a strictly girls-only dorm.”

Ah... Im beginning to understand the issue. Lia peered up at Cyris and scowled.

“It's not that you guys have done anything wrong. Everyone is just a little nervous around you two.”

“Nervous?” Lia laughed for what felt like the first time in days. “Your joking right? If anyone here should be nervous its me.”

“You?” Cyris opened his eyes. They were piercing yellow like a tiger. “Why would a succubus as beautiful as you feel nervous around creatures such as them?”

Emily subtly licked the corner of her lips.

Lia blushed.

“I prefer the term witch rather than creature.” Emily teased with a temptatious smile.

“You're a witch, Emily?” Lia asked, choosing to focus on that rather than Cyris’ comment.

“I am,” Emily said proudly. “I thought it was obvious.”

"It was," Cyris answered.

For some reason, Lia felt interested and wanted to know more, but before she could, Cyris took her by the shoulder.

“We should get going,” He said. “We're going to be late for the buffet.”

Lia nodded in agreement. “Sorry."

“No problem at all.” Emily waved a dismissive hand. “Go do your thing.”

“Would you like to come with us?”

Emily shook her head. “I'm pretty busy with other things. You go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”

Lia waved her goodbyes as she walked away, leaving Emily behind.

“I can't believe you would invite a witch to dine.” Cyris hissed.

Lia furrowed her brows. “Why wouldn't I? She was helpful, and she seems nice.”

She spoke these words confidently, but deep down, Lia couldn't believe she had invited her either. Perhaps it is just a polite human habit. Or perhaps their interaction was so normal that she had forgotten all about how dire her situation truly was.

...

“I can't believe it.” Emily rested against the door in her room. “It's true... There really is a male succubus here.”

She ran a hand down the length of her body, moaning as it reached the inside of her thigh. Her breath turned to a heavy mist before dispersing like a cloud.

A small rabbit with glowing blue eyes stood in the centre of the room, staring up at her.

“Do you have any idea how rare that is?” she asked the little fluffy creature. Its ears fluttered attentively. “A female is not so special. But for a male to actually arrive... There can't be more than a handful of them left.”

Her nails drew a line of blood along her upper thigh.

“I need to know... What it’s like to play with him.”

A slight whimper came from the darkness on the far end of the room, followed by a cry and a growl.

Emily stormed deeper into the room, to her own study desk and dipped her finger into the glowing contents of a small glass beaker. She raised her hand, allowing the liquid to trail down her fingernail and into her mouth.

“I have to get rid of that female first.” She said. “With her around he wont let himself be fooled by a lowly witch. Her value is too high even if her looks are average.”

Her body twitched as the liquid passed through her, travelling her nervous system in a flicker.

“If I could control him, I could make millions off of the potions I create with his blood and skin. Eternal youth... increased libido... stamina... strength... control. The world would beg me for my creations.”

Emily turned and addressed the rabbit.

“Go search the room. See if you can find a hair or drop of blood. Anything that I can use. But be careful not to get seen by anyone.”

The rabbit hopped away, ruffling its tail before disappearing into the darkness on the other side of the room.