Scarlet’s fangs poked out, pressing against her bottom lip as Maëlle gave her a bright smile. “Isn’t it a lovely night?” She commented, her light French accent becoming stronger.

Maëlle held her hands behind her back, pink, gem-like barb at the end of her black tail swishing back and forth as she walked, swaying with her hips. It exited just above her butt, through a slit she’d made in the black strapless dress she wore; the article had a skater, flared skirt, and peplum with a pleated overlay that showed off her thighs.

The clicking of her T-strap peep-toe platform heels tapped against the concrete as they walked, drawing attention to her calves and perfect feet. Scarlet noticed she didn’t wear any jewelry to attract the eye, probably since the glowing cracks running down her legs and arms provided enough visual stimulation, and more light was visible through patches in the fabric that covered her skin.

Saeki, their DDA escort, rubbed her neck with a low groan; she wore her standard FBI-style business outfit. “I don’t know if I can handle another club night, Maëlle; I’m so drained.”

The Succubus skipped forward a few steps, thick pink hair bouncing as she turned to face them. She kept pace as they continued to their location. “Absurdité, come now, Saeki!” Her lips curled mischievously. “Didn’t Josh say he’d be here again this night?”

[i.e. Absurdité - Absurdity]

Scarlet couldn’t help latching onto her words as her French accent twisted the phrasing of every sentence. From the tone of her voice to the playful manner in which her frame swayed, everything she did was cute, and the emotion laced with each motion of her body painted the image she wished to portray.

“Ugh,” Saeki moaned, brushing back her black hair. “You can’t keep trying to hook me up when I’m on duty with you! You turn every conversation into a battleground…”

“No, no, mon amie! I’m here for you.” Maëlle protested.

[i.e. mon amie - my friend]

Scarlet was happy the Succubus’ attention wasn’t on her, but she feared the moment those captivating gradient pink eyes would change their focus. They’d just cleared the checkpoint a minute before, and Scarlet’s halo-like irises filtered out everything in her path before catching sight of Rachel, racing through the FBI building to get to her parents.

She suppressed a groan; her stomach turned with the concern on her friend’s face. Maëlle told Anthony to go down to the lobby, which means … how’d she know Rachel’s parents were there? Did I give it away when she asked if Rachel knew the people downstairs? Did I screw Rachel over? No … why’s it always turn out like this?

“Something the matter, mon petit Vampire?” Maëlle innocently asked.

[i.e., mon petit - my little]

Scarlet cleared her throat, vision shooting to Saeki as she released a short yawn, scratching the back of her neck. “N-no, why would something be wrong?” She asked, forcing a chuckle.

“Amie,” Maëlle whispered, reaching down to grab her hand with concern. “No need to hold back; this is our little night out!”

“I’m just—just a little nervous,” Scarlet admitted; all she could sense was the swirling chaos practically oozing out of the Succubus.

The woman’s warm, delicate fingers cupping her hand captured her attention; Maëlle’s pink fingernails contrasted her black nails with surprising clarity. The Succubus gave her the jitters; she was so hard to get a fix on.

Normally, she could easily read how people felt, especially if they had negative emotions; however, Maëlle’s constant emotional obscurity was entirely unique to her. It was as if the woman’s mood was shrouded in a thick mist, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t see past it.

Does she have some kind of shield that protects her from my senses? I wouldn’t put it past her.

“Oh?” Maëlle frowned, head tilting with concern as she glanced down at their nails. “No, what has you on edge, ma beauté?”

[my beauty]

Scarlet’s strained smile twitched as she reluctantly pulled her hands back, folding her arms underneath her chest. “I—umm, just haven’t had—well, been around anyone like you before, Maëlle. N-not that you’re bad!” She quickly reassured.

Maëlle’s features slowly moved to a small musing smirk. “Mmh, I see, I see, c'est très compréhensible,” she whispered, flipping around while walking slightly ahead of them. They were coming upon a street light.

[i.e., c'est très compréhensible - very understandable]

Scarlet’s focus moved to Saeki as she gave her a knowing smile; tired as she looked, it almost appeared to be a grimace, but her emotions told her everything she needed to know. The DDS agent didn’t hate or even fear Maëlle; she felt a tad exasperated about the Succubus but didn’t really consider her that dangerous at the moment.

“You know, Maëlle hasn’t used her abilities once since you guys let her know she could turn them off. At least, that’s what she tells me,” she raised her voice while giving the woman a lifted eyebrow.

“Of course, I haven’t actively used any abilities; that wouldn’t be any fun,” Maëlle mumbled, turning back to reflect her expression before returning her focus to the front.

“Yeah—I, umm, just,” Scarlet stumbled around her words, trying to say what she was thinking without sounding accusatory, “how would any of us really know if we use our powers—like at all. I mean, I’m using my emotional sensing ability all the time, and no one seems to even notice.”

Saeki’s brow came together. “Isn’t that a bit intrusive?”

“Let’s be honest,” Maëlle giggled, tail still weaving in front of them as they slowed to a stop in front of the crosswalk to wait for the light. “All—most living creatures have some form of emotional sensing. I do wonder about some people,” she mumbled with a dull expression.

Saeki moved around her to wait, and the Succubus’ attitude flipped on a dime, turning to give the agent a wink. “You were definitely feeling Josh’s rising body heat when you two danced the other night.”

The jab seemed to slide right off the agent; Scarlet knew she’d be on the ropes with a comment like that, but Saeki appeared to have already weathered worse from the woman. “Yeah, I suppose I get your point.” She leveled a smirk right back at Maëlle. “Didn’t you say you don’t like tricks involving emotional sensing?”

“I said no such thing!” Maëlle returned, closing her eyes while hugging herself. “Mmh, the thrill of the dance between individuals locked in rapturous conversation heats the blood and tightens muscle. I have extremely delicate senses to such reactions, with or without further enhanced faculties that my other skills might enable. No, the gentle tug and push the sexual game delivers wets the mouth and grips the mind.”

Scarlet swallowed, slightly intrigued and scared of the Succubus beside her. She spoke up as a motorcycle peeled out on the opposite street. “How—how do you do it?”

Maëlle’s wet lips pursed, pink eyes momentarily shifting to the sign as it turned green, and they walked across the street. “What is it, you ask?”

A small group of two girls and a boy crossing to the opposite side of the street drew Scarlet’s notice; the teenage boy couldn’t help but gawk at them, which a blonde girl definitely didn’t like. The girl’s emotions were like knives, lightening Scarlet’s mood as they transferred to her, but the three passed without saying a word; the negative feelings energized her. Maëlle all but ignored them, keeping her attention on Scarlet, but Saeki retook the stage.

“Ah, think she’s asking you about how you seduce so many guys without your powers,” she chuckled.

Scarlet’s cheeks darkened, goosebumps crawling across her skin. “I didn’t say that.”

“Mmh,” Maëlle’s eyes narrowed seductively. “What brings this question on, hmm, ma cherie? Is it Kyle caressing those thoughts?”

[i.e., ma cherie - calling a female ‘my dear’ or ‘sweetheart’; can be romantic or platonic]

Caressing? Why would she use a word like that? It’s just…

Scarlet’s cheeks heated further. “N-no. I—I just want to know how you do it. That’s all.”

“Mhm,” Saeki replied while giving her a stare.

“What? I’m just curious, is all!”

“Yeah, I’ve been around Maëlle long enough to know why women ask her that,” she mused. She gestured to the Succubus as they made it to the sidewalk. “To which, she replies…”

“It’s really quite simple!”

“Uh-huh…”

Maëlle’s full pink lips became a line as she slowed; Scarlet grew somewhat uncomfortable as she continued to stare at her for more than fifteen seconds.

“What?”

The Succubus’ voice lowered so that only she could hear. “I sense the darkness in you that threatens to swallow you whole, amie, and a hidden animosity that seeks to overwhelm you.”

Scarlet slowed to a stop, causing the agent to pause, giving her a questioning look.

“You … how.”

A compassionate smile brightened Maëlle’s cheeks. “A sensitive soul, a heart of wild, you wound up thinking you’re a cursed child. Embrace your blessing, it’s not a curse, because you’ve been kissed by the universe.”

The three of them stood on the sidewalk, a soft breeze gently moving their hair as Scarlet worked through Maëlle’s poem, mind firing on all cylinders. Somehow, she felt more empowered than she’d ever thought possible; it was as if the Succubus had seen inside her core before carefully moving a few broken pieces back into alignment.

I’m not cursed…

A hard lump dropped down Scarlet’s throat as Maëlle’s smile brightened, eyes closing before silently turning and leading the way again. Scarlet slowly followed after her, mind running Maëlle’s words on repeat.

A sensitive soul … heart of wild … I was a cursed child, but … I should embrace my blessing because it’s not a curse … I’ve been kissed by the universe.

“What—was that about?” Saeki mumbled. “No offense, but you say some random things sometimes, Maëlle.”

“The heart is often filled with contradictions and metaphors. I felt it appropriate, eh, ma choupette?” She winked at Scarlet.

[i.e., ma choupette - a female-only term of endearment meaning cabbage (although referring to a sweet and yummy puff pastry) which is usually seen as romantic, although not exclusively]

“Thanks,” Scarlet whispered, eyes downcast as she thought. “Maëlle…”

“Mmh?”

She looked up, following the curves of the Succubus’ curled gem-like ram horns. “Why do you like The Oscillation so much? I mean, do you?”

“Mhm,” Maëlle replied, looking up at the partly cloudy dark sky while eyeing the waning moon. “A difficult question,” she whispered.

Saeki brow rose. “You don’t like your change? I was sure you’d say it was the best thing since rice.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Well, I wouldn’t really compare it to rice as I’m not the biggest fan,” she giggled. “No, it’s a complicated one to ponder, though, for sure. Why the universe gave us such abilities is beyond me, and there are certain … advantages to being human that I miss, I admit.”

“Like?” Saeki pressed. “If I could have any guy I wanted fawning over me, I’d be perfectly fine with horns on my head and a tail sticking out of my butt.”

Maëlle gave her a wry grin. “If only you knew the discomfort of getting your tail stuck in a revolving door. It’s … not pleasant.”

Scarlet couldn’t help but merge the idea of such an event with the unnatural strength they’d gotten from The Oscillation. “You couldn’t just easily tug your tail out, breaking the door if needed?”

“Ciel, no,” Maëlle’s mouth opened in horror, showing perfect teeth. “This Succubus is delicate!” She protested.

[Heaven, no]

The agent lifted an eyebrow as she observed her defensive posture. “Here, I thought you could pick me up and toss me onto a roof or something.”

“No, I cannot just simply flex my tail and topple a building,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes while her tail flicked with agitation. It snaked around her side, and she began stroking it protectively. “Rachel and Scarlet may be able to do wonders with those small bodies of theirs, but I am no Serge Nubret.”

Saeki smirked, giving her a thoughtful look. “No wings to fly me around, then? I’ve been meaning to bring up the whole bat wing image.”

“I’m no angel, swooping in to swit you off to heaven.”

“No angel … that’s for sure.”

“Quite,” Maëlle agreed with a chuckle. “Although, I won’t say I couldn’t spread my wings and whist you away for my own ends,” she added with a secretive smile.

“Okay, you’re playing with me again?”

“Who can say, you have a lovely voice,” she paused, giving her a look, “like an angel.” She finished, finding her hands behind her back with a light hum.

Scarlet’s hand lifted to her mouth as she laughed; she was becoming somewhat used to the Succubus’ presence. “Rachel blows me out of the water when it comes to physical strength; she can fold steel like paper.”

“Oh, snap,” Saeki mumbled, eyes widening as she gave her a look.

“Hmm, why don’t we get off of this brutish topic of physical posturing,” Maëlle mumbled, scratching the base of her left horn before giving her an innocent smile. “Didn’t you say, you wanted to know how to seduce men, yes?”

“Not so—boldly,” Scarlet admitted, “but it would be—I mean, maybe I’m a little curious,” she shrugged. “You just make it seem so … easy.”

“Nothing in life is easy,” Maëlle quickly replied, but there was a reminiscent smile lifting her cheeks. “No, it’s real work; hard work.” She winked while extending her arms.

Scarlet’s focus moved to the glowing cracks running down her skin, releasing a sapphire light; the color made her gulp, reminding her of Kyle’s contrasting colors.

Her perfectly manicured pink fingernails traced one that started at her wrist, slowly moving up to close off just below her elbow as she twisted her arm. “If you pay close attention, you’ll see the light’s gradual motion as it breathes, brightening and fading in a slow pattern, drawing your attention to the next.”

She tilted her arm back, following a different crack that moved around her biceps. “It’s no different than jewelry; it’s meant to catch men’s eyes, guiding them to different sections of the body. You see, men have a hard time focusing on multiple things at once, but what they do center on takes their full attention; it’s biology, and so they must be directed to each curve.”

Saeki giggled softly, shaking her head while listening. “She explained this to me before; it’s really a devilish tactic.”

“No more than the perfume or cologne women and men wear to attract one another; the game of attraction is quite demanding and vicious,” she stated, demonstrating each motion as they walked.

“The twist of the hips, caress of the hand against the thigh to entice, showing them what they want, but they must work for. A flick of the hair, drawing people’s eyes to your ears or baubles you choose to decorate yourself with, why else wear earrings if not to be noticed? It’s the same with women to women; oh, how we enjoy flaunting what we have so that others may envy.”

Scarlet swallowed, clearing her throat while following the Succubus’ examination. “You enjoy it, too?”

“Comme c'est amusant!” Maëlle chuckled, fingers creasing her dress as she held her sides. “I’m a little different than most women. My abilities aren’t specialized for women, but that doesn’t mean I cannot receive sexual energy off of them. I wouldn’t say it’s equal; I get a different type of nourishment from jealousy than ecstasy, and the flavor of both men and women are different,” she explained while licking her moist, camellia pink lips.

[How funny!]

“What are horns but another curve to follow with the eye? The neck, breasts, waist, hips, fat of your butt, the round, ample shape of the thighs, leading down to the knees and calves, should I go on?” She asked, the back of her fingers tracing each part of her body as they slowed.

“Men’s eyes will naturally wander, but you don’t want them to linger in one area too long; there needs to be some mystery to pull them in, and so you must be a shepherd, carefully ushering them further into your enigmatic web.”

Saeki sucked in a sharp breath with Scarlet as she finished.

“I get it; I do,” the agent muttered, “but not every guy is into that kind of—well, don’t get me wrong, just looking at your body makes me want to blush with envy, but not everyone’s into that—look.”

“Ho, très certainement!” Maëlle nodded with a short clap of her hands. “That’s why I can alter men’s perception of me, and I can even do the same to women, to a certain extent,” she mused.

[Oh, certainly]

“Wait … you didn’t tell me this before,” she mumbled, lips tilting to the side with concern.

“Well, I haven’t had to use it,” Maëlle winked, slapping her butt while flicking her tail. “Have you met many men that could resist giving me their undivided attention?”

“Not many,” she admitted with a low growl.

“Hmm?”

“Eh … fine; no, none.”

“Anthony and Kyle!” Scarlet quickly piped up.

“Ah, bonne observation, mon amie! Indeed, Anthony has quite the willpower, and who can blame him for being so attentive to your amie Lièvre Lunaire. Kyle is in a league of his own as an Incubus … you could even say I get a little faint around him,” she whispered with a thoughtful smile. “That touch is … érotique, to put it mildly.”

[good observation, my friend; amie Lièvre Lunaire - Lunar Hare friend; erotic]

Scarlet was feeling more than a little nervous by the Succubus’ direction, and she could tell that their escort was feeling uncomfortable, too. “Umm—you said something about…”

“Teaching you the ways of seduction!” Maëlle chimed, noting more people walking around as they drew closer to the nearby shopping district. “Do you really wish to learn?”

She glanced back, scanning for Rachel, but she was sitting down with her family, talking with Anthony. How long are you going to take?

“Hmm, how long until our fine eared friend returns?”

Scarlet jumped, blue eyes returning as she scratched behind her left ear with a forced chuckle. “It seems she’s—umm, busy talking with Anthony.”

“Ah,” the Succubus’ eyes sparkled. “I suppose she will be otherwise occupied for the foreseeable future, then.”

She suppressed a groan. “I—guess so.”

“Very well, then we should get started! The lesson begins; how to be a heartbreaker. Rule number one...”

Scarlet’s jaw locked with sudden panic as Maëlle skipped forward to intercept three men in their early twenties.

“Hello,” she greeted, causing them to stop dead in their tracks, eyes wandering left and right as if wondering if she was speaking to them or someone else. “Could I see you at the club around the corner?”

A black-haired man with short hair recovered first, giving her a forced smile, focusing on her lightly shimmering horns to her pink gradient eyes before being captured. “I—umm, maybe. Eh,” he tilted his head toward the man to his left, but his vision never left the Succubus. “We were just going to get something to eat, but…”

“No, yeah, you’ll see us at—umm,” the man glanced up the street. “The Latin Night Club?”

“Mhm,” Maëlle waved back at them. “Me and my friends are heading over there to have a good time. We should be there for a bit; maybe you could stop in after eating?”

The black-haired man lifted his hand to scratch his neck. “Oh, we can…”

“No, no,” Maëlle insisted, darting back to rejoin the agent and her. “We’ll meet you there! Go eat, and come find us.”

“Oh,” he chuckled, glancing at his friends as they mirrored the laugh. “Yeah, okay; we’ll meet you there after grabbing a quick bite.”

“See you there,” Maëlle called back as they split up.

She made it a game for them. Scarlet mechanically followed after her. She just… “Did you just ask them to join us for a date?”

Saeki discharged a long puff of air. “Nothing so formal.”

“Right!” Maëlle giggled. “That was rule number one. What did you learn?”

“Umm … I don’t know, talk to guys?” Scarlet mumbled, trying not to fall as she stumbled on an uneven patch in the sidewalk while ignoring the Succubus’ expectant smile.

Her ears burned as she listened to the guys walking the opposite way.

“Dude, two Demi chicks, man, and both hot!”

“I don’t know, man. Your sister’s waiting for some grub; I was too scared to even look at them when I saw the one with elf ears and pale skin.”

“Dude, Chris, you can hang out with the Asian chick if you’re scared of the two Demi girls. Heck, that horned one, though … dang.”

“The goth was pretty cute, too.”

“Looks like we’ve got our lineup, boys!”

“Dude, your sister…”

“Will love the story! C’mon, don’t be a cockblock, bro.”

Scarlet’s attention shot back to Maëlle as she clicked her tongue. “No, no, ma bonne amie à crocs. Rule number one,” she smiled, “is that you’ve gotta have fun!” Her tongue stuck out to the side as she winked, holding up a finger, “but when you’re done, you’ve gotta be the first to run.”

[my good fanged friend]

“Eh—hey,” Scarlet mumbled as the Succubus took her hand, pulling her ahead, and after a second, took her other hand while swaying in a circle.

“We’re here to party, ma beauté; loosen up, and shake those lovely hips!”

Scarlet chuckled as Maëlle began adding a few dancing twirls into the mix. “I’ve never been to a club.”

“You’re with me; I’m the perfect wing-woman. Have you ever Salsa danced before?”

“No…”

“Oh, well, then I’ll have to teach you when we arrive; we’ll have so much fun.”

The two of them broke apart with Saeki bringing up the rear, giving them an amused grin. “Hey, I was her little charity project yesterday,” she muttered. “Just roll with it.”

“Okay, okay,” Scarlet breathed a long sigh before a real smile brightened her cheeks; they were drawing more than a few eyes, but it was becoming easier to ignore them like Maëlle. “Can you teach me how not to be so embarrassed by all this?”

Maëlle smacked her lips while giving her a dismissive gesture. “Embarrassment is easy to overcome; you just need to break through it with experience.”

“Easier said than done…”

“Not when you have support!” Maëlle protested, holding out her hand with a confident expression. “Let me show you.”

“I’m in sports clothes…” Scarlet mumbled, picking at the hem of her shirt with a deep frown.

“Mmh, not as revealing as most joggers I’ve seen around Miami,” Maëlle admitted, eyes sliding up her frame, “but that has its own appeal. It adds character; tells a story about the girl wearing them. Now, personally, I’d love to get you in a tube dress, maybe with some shoulder frill—mmh, a slit down the thigh, ankle-length … oh, a deep rouge with a smocked chest, and some suitable heels. Vous êtes une femme incroyablement belle!”

[i.e., You're such a stunningly beautiful woman!]

“I’d feel too self-conscious in something like that…”

Scarlet reluctantly took her hand, and Maëlle spun her around while breaking away. “What do you mean; you were in a wedding gown when we first met, remember? You, magnifique!”

Scarlet blushed, regaining her balance. “You keep complimenting me.” She cleared her throat, taking a deep breath before saying, “You’ll start making me think—think you’re interested in something else.”

Maëlle’s face brightened with thrilling shock. “Look at you, blooming before my eyes; oh, je dois…” Goosebumps slid up Scarlet’s arms as the Succubus darted forward to kiss her cheeks. “Vous êtes juste précieux!”

[I must … you’re just precious!]

“Umm,” Scarlet glanced back, watching the three guys turn the corner, glancing back every so often. “Are we really going to hang out with them?”

Maëlle gave her an impish grin. “Rule number two of a heartbreaker, don’t get attached to someone you could lose.”

“Wait, so … we aren’t going to that bar?”

“Oh, of course, we are!” Maëlle giggled, folding her hands behind her back while flipping around to face Scarlet. “You see, boys like a little danger; we have them falling for a stranger, a player, and if we meet again, then we can move to the next phase, but it’s just like I said, we’re just having fun!”

“A heartbreaker,” Scarlet whispered.

“Mhm, mhm! It’s not like we actually want to have a long-standing relationship with them, but we’re just testing out the ride.” She smirked, her hand lifting to direct her attention. “Rule number three, wear your heart on your cheek, and never on your sleeve unless you want to taste defeat.”

“Cheek, meaning…”

“Keep your true emotions hidden,” Saeki answered with a sad shake of her head. “Like she said, these aren’t lessons on getting a husband. Nope, Maëlle’s a heartbreaker … she’s not about settling down, but having fun.”

Maëlle’s smile dampened slightly. “Sadly, a product of my nature.” She bounced back with vigor. “But we’re out here enjoying ourselves; we’re all heartbreakers tonight!”

“W-what about Kyle?” Scarlet mumbled, fingers tightening around each other before pressing into her belly.

“Ah,” Maëlle nodded secretively. “Well, I’d say we best prepare you with some trial runs before meeting our beau diable; what do you say?”

[handsome devil]

Actually … that’s not a bad idea. Why is Maëlle making sense? I don’t feel good about this, but … it could help me break past my fear of talking to Kyle.

Taking a deep breath, she set her face. “Okay, rule four?”

Maëlle’s smile grew. “Oh, mon chéri, you’ve mastered the first part of step four,” she winked. “You gotta be looking pure, and next, kiss him goodbye at the door, and leave him wanting more.”

“A stranger…”

“Mmh, you are a player tonight, ma fille. You’ll be singing I love you … at least, I think I do,” she giggled.

[my girl]

Scarlet swallowed as they neared the place she assumed was the club. “I don’t know if I can go through with this.”

“Oh, with me as your tutor, they’ll be crawling over each other to give you anything you want,” Maëlle assured. “Now, let’s start by teaching you a little about the romance of the Salsa!”

Maëlle took her hand, pulling Scarlet toward the building’s front with their amused agent escort following behind them. Rachel … I’m getting a little scared. Please, hurry!