Grey found himself in an office with two women of importance. There was an already familiar clerk standing by the side of the desk and smiling at Grey knowingly. The other one was sitting behind said desk. Both as Grey now knew were succubi, yet the one behind the desk was slightly different. She was scantily clad like the rest of her kind, proudly displaying her shapely assets, but unlike the others, she had four horns and a pair of wings. The woman radiated the aura of regality and importance.

“How did you like it? Wonderful wasn’t it?” the winged succubus purred at grey in a mewing voice.

“She drained me empty.” Grey complained.

“Ha, ha. Isn't, that good?”

“I want my mana back!” this was not a laughing matter.

“Oh, so you are a caster.” She bit her finger and nibbled at it playfully. “How interesting.”

Grey glared at the offensive woman.

The air slowly filled with a sickly sweet scent. A very familiar scent, and also infused with magic which Grey now recognised.

“Nothing one or two mana potions wouldn’t fix, no?” She pulled a vial from one of her drawers.

Grey lunged reaching out for the accursed item to smash it to bits. At the same time, a familiar fog invaded his mind. However, the same trick will not work twice on him. He resisted the charm this time knowing what this was and slammed the desk with his palm.

The vial dropped on the floor and the foul liquid spilled out staining the fine shaggy carpet in blue.

The winged woman gasped. “What’s wrong?”

Grey growled at her rudeness. “Drop the spell!”

“Oh, you can…” there was an alarming reaction on her face but it lasted only a second.

“I didn’t mean to. This is only a misunderstanding.” She smiled at him mischievously.

“I want my mana back,” Grey repeated with less hostility this time. After all, he was surrounded by powerful mages, it wasn’t good to let the anger get to him.

“Oh, so you didn’t enjoy my girl? That’s a first.” She asked with concern.

“Well…” He did like the experience but. “My mana is gone, that’s the issue.”

“But that’s how it works. You didn't have to stick your thing in her. No one forced you, no?”

She was pissing him off and just before Grey slammed his fist on her desk again she added. “I was sure you will like my girls. How can I make it up to you - our dear peacekeeper?”

Grey picked up on the irony, he was anything but peaceful now. He took a deep calming breath.

“Is there a way you can teach me this drain magic?”

“Ha, ha, ha.” She laughed heartily until noticing the stern stare. “Wait, you are serious?”

Grey nodded.

“I don’t think you have the equipment if you know what I mean? Need to be a female and all that.” She looked at him meaningfully and added “Also, magic spells are very valuable, as you obviously know. Moreover, I don’t think our predicament allows me to disclose our closest guarded secrets. I’m sure you understand that.” She looked at him in a peculiar look, the look Grey knew too well.

She was thinking he was an idiot.

“I understand.” Grey nodded again to pretend to agree with her reasoning.

“That, doesn't mean that you are closed to some…” she dragged the last word and then whispered “lesser secrets.”

“What do you mean?”

“A lot of people visit this brothel. Important people too. We know how to loosen their tongues. Is the information of any value to you?”

It all depended on the information. “Perhaps.”

She smiled at him. “Also, I remember why you came here, so really, there is no need to try to find an issue with what we do here. Or pretend that you didn’t like the free service you just received so that you can justify yourself fleecing us with a horrid tax bill.”

In all honesty, Grey had forgotten about the very reason he came here. Good thing she reminded him.

The winged succubus clasped her hands together. “Let's work together. Even better, let us have a friendly relationship.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the bloody tax. Can we avoid it?”

That would mean he had failed his first assignment. Grey shook his head. “No.”

The succubus gave him a disappointed look.

Grey responded quickly “They will get their tax one way or the other. But I do want to work with you.” He wanted their magic.

“Is that so?”

“The only thing I can do now is not to overtax you. Say ten per cent?”

“Can’t you go any lower? We will offer you and your friends free service.”

“No. This is the bare minimum, ten per cent” Grey realised that he should have opened with a higher bid. All too late.

“Ten per cent and throw in your goodwill. Otherwise, I will increase it as I should.”

“Are you threatening us?” She raised her eyebrow.

“No, the opposite. I am being friendly. This is a generous offer. What do you think will happen if you refuse?”

The succubus sighted. “They will have an excuse to run us out of here. I know that and I don’t want trouble. Ten per cent is acceptable.”

“It is better than acceptable.” Grey protested. This meant he will lose his cut. “So is this a deal?”

“It’s a deal.” She stretched her arm to shake.

Grey shook it.

“Well, where are your records? Let’s see how much you owe the city.” Grey needed to get the coins back to the nobles.

The receptionist gave him a defiant look but nevertheless produced a thick book upon the table. Ten per cent worked out to be a substantial sum of money. It turns out this place was extremely popular. Knowing what sort of service they provided this didn’t surprise Grey. Even he had fallen upon their cursed charms.

…

Grey carried two large chests under his armpits. He was right at the Von Bratwurst’s mansion where a large beastkin blocked the gate.

“State your business.”

“I’m here to deliver these.”

“The Lord isn’t waiting for any deliveries.”

Grey waived his peacekeeper badge at the guard.

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“You should have shown this from the start!”

The guard parted his way letting Grey in. There was a large courtyard where a servant met him and ushered him inside the mansion to the guest’s room. There were drinks and food on the table, but neither was to Grey’s refined taste. He tapped the table with his fingers waiting for the noble.

A luxuriously dressed man entered the room. He was short and plump bordering on obesity, his red hair was neatly trimmed and he carried multiple rings on his fingers.

“Von…” Grey tried to remember the name “Von Bratwurst, I have finished my assignment.” Grey patted the large chest.

“Really? That was quick. What is in the chests?” He asked the obvious and proceeded to open the lid.

Naturally, it was filled to the brim with coins. The Lord whistled.

“Unbelievable! There is just too much. Did you rob them empty?”

“This is exactly what they owe the city, ten per cent.”

“But this… This means they are rich! And how did you convince them to part with such a large sum? I was expecting small instalments throughout the year.”

“I got a lump sum. Is there a problem?”

“No, not at all. I am just thinking maybe we should have taxed them more.”

“Would that really be wise? They are mages, after all.”

“Hmm… Are they now?” The Lord feigned ignorance. “But you clearly have a way to circumvent their charms.”

“Charms? I am thinking about more destructive spells.”

“Can they even cast those?”

Grey shrugged. “They are powerful mages, I don’t see why not.”

The noble ran his fingers past the shiny coins. “Anyways, well done. You passed with flying colours. Initially, we just wanted to test you. To see how you would deal with the House of Pleasure. I didn’t even expect you to bring a single coin back to me.”

Grey shrugged again.

“So what did you take for your cut?” The Lord asked.

“I made a deal with them, but I rather keep that private. You have your coins, isn’t that what matters?”

“I am just curious, but as we said before, we will leave you to run this as you see fit. As long as you complete the assignment we don’t care about the details. ”

“Then, I will be on my leave.”

The noble began to count the coins greedily without even glancing at Grey.

As he was walking in the courtyard a familiar shrimpy mage caught up to him.

“Hey, Grey!”

Grey looked at the loud and annoying runt then chose to ignore her.

“Hey, what have you been up to?”

“Shoo.” he waved at the annoying girl. She was useless to him since he no longer could eat her.

“What did my dad want? What was in the chests?”

Grey hurried towards the gates.

“I know you work for him and it is me who recommended you. No need to thank me!” She raised her chin proudly.

He wasn’t going to thank her anyway.

“You should join my party, I will make an opening for you.” She offered.

“Do you have mages?” Grey asked slightly curious.

“Besides me, no. But I am all we need.”

“Then I’m not interested.”

“You’re missing out. Just think about it, okay?”

Grey nodded just to make her to shut up. He wasn’t in the mood and he was still feeling the frustration of hunger. His core was empty and he needed to find a mage to devour.

The shrimpy redhead didn’t pursue him further and he was able to return back to his lair. He was under serious consideration of eating the useless elf. Unfortunately, she was appearing less tasty as the days went on. Grey wondered why it was so. There were some obvious reasons such as that she lost a considerable amount of weight and now was looking gaunt and famished. Her hair had lost its lustre and there were often bags under her eyes.

Grey looked at the elf with sadness, his pristine dessert now spoiled. Sometimes too much suffering did that to his food, it was not unlike oversalting one's dinner. It was a failure on his part.

“What?” the half-elf questioned Grey noticing the unfamiliar expression on his face.

“I am hungry.” He said defeated.

“I… I am done setting up the mage.”

“Really? My dinner is finally ready?” He brightened up.

“Yes, but…”

There was always something.

The elf continued. “but it will be at her place. With her party present and all.”

“How many people?”

“Six in total. And unfortunately five humans.”

“Unfortunately?” Grey asked puzzled because humans were tasty.

“Remember what I said about killing humans? If we do this the city will investigate and there will likely be a huge investigation. This is very dangerous. Do you still want to do it?”

“I am hungry!” Grey didn’t feel like he had many options.

“Okay then, I will set everything up and we’ll come to their place at dusk.”

Grey groaned at the realisation that he will need to wait all the way right until the dusk. But wait he did and finally the she-devil was there to get him.

They strolled deeper into the city where the human neighbourhoods were. The building was nothing out of the ordinary, just a boring wooden house.

“Follow my lead.” She whispered to Grey. “Get a read on them and strike then you are ready. I will support you.”

Grey didn’t need her advice but she continued to whisper.

“Take the mage first, she is their leader and very capable.”

“Wait!” Grey just realised something.

If this was the case he won’t be able to flavour the mage’s blood with the spice of terror and despair.

“Can’t we incapacitate her first?”

“How? She will be surrounded by her party… If you have an idea you will have to be quick.”

Grey hesitated realising just how many unknowns there was. Normally he would stalk his victim and strike when they were at their weakest, but now he knew nothing about his prey.

The she-devil had knocked at the door; it was too late to reconsider.

The door opened and the hand motioned for them to come inside.

“Hello.” A wide smile greeted the two.

There were only five of them. A robed woman was sitting on a small stool by a desk with two well-built males; cards were scattered on it. There was a lithe woman clothed like a rogue would, in tight leathers. She was the one who just let them in remaining by the doors to watch the Grey’s back with suspicion. The final fifth was a beastkin woman, she was napping on a couch, her bow propped on a wall nearby.

“Hello.” The elf greeted. “Do you have the goods?”

“I do if you have yours.” She smiled.

Grey observed the room, the party didn't seem overly alert or suspicious; aside from the rogue ogling Grey’s spear. Meanwhile, Aerith put a small chest on the table.

The mage leaned in and opened the chests.

“Empty?” She looked at the half-elf questioningly.

The she-devil gave Grey one of her iconic looks. It was now or never.

The idiots didn’t bother disarming him so he threw his spear piercing the warrior right through his chest and then hurriedly lunged at the mage before she could waste the precious mana on her spells. A prickling pain came from his back but Grey ignored it and slugged the still-confused mage right on her face. The mage collapsed backwards unconscious. A fireball hit the other warrior's head bursting into a small explosion and setting the nearby furniture on fire. He collapsed dead or unconscious, his head charred black and smouldering. There was swearing coming from behind, likely the rogue.

The sleeping beauty jumped in alarm from the couch. Grey casually kicked at the nearby bow snapping it in two. The ranger seemed shocked to find herself in the middle of the murder, but she picked her bearings up quickly and unsheathed the dagger. She was of no danger to Grey, he looked at there the rogue once was but she was gone; she did a runner.

“Go, catch her!” He instructed the half-elf.

She-elf pulled two daggers from under her sleeves and began chasing after the rogue.

The ranger was staring at Grey with rage on her face but wasn’t making the first move. Her wariness was understandable. Grey touched his aching back, there was a dagger stuck in it. He pulled it out inspecting the light blade. The blood slid off it revealing an unusual shiny metallic surface – mithril.

“Come.” He taunted the ranger waving the dagger at her.

Obviously, she didn’t do that. Her eyes darted looking for an escape. Her eyes locked upon the nearby window and she jumped towards it. Grey lunged after the rogue and caught her by the leg, barely in time. She screamed for help while stuck halfway out the window. Grey pulled her in. The ranger stabbed her dagger deep into his arm. Grey roared and stabbed his dagger in revenge, right to her ass.

“Stop screaming.” He hit her on the back of her head rendering the beastkin ranger unconscious.

The fire was picking up and already licking at the wooden ceiling. Grey hurried to retrieve his spear before scooping up his double dinner, one better than the other. Then he decided this to be the high time to leave; right before neighbours had a chance to investigate what was happening.

Grey ran using the narrow alleys, away from the rising pillar of smoke.

…

There he was back in the private inn room with two morsels back in the corner. The half-elf was right, this place was ill-suited for his needs; there were no cages to store his food. He had room only for one meal in his stomach so he had bound and gagged the other snack using the rope.

The scent of blood tickled his nose and his stomach rumbled begging for food. Grey grabbed the unconscious mage and dragged her to his dining area in the middle of the room. She smelled so good, a mixture of lilac and citrus. Grey licked his lips in anticipation.

He moved her long raven hair away from her face, It was unfortunate he had done a number on her. The nose was broken and it was covered in rust-tinted blood. Her breathing was heavy and irregular. Grey shook her delicate body trying to rouse her to alertness to no avail; she was out cold.

The mage stayed limp in his hands, and his stomach growled. Grey sliced her blue robes in half using his clawed finger revealing her pale skin. She wore no undergarments. Her petite breasts moved as she breathed, her mind unaware of what was about to happen.

Grey tasted her skin on her cleavage. “Delicious.” He groaned pleased.

Her neck was just as tasty.

The ranger wiggled in the corner, ever so slightly. Grey smiled, their eyes met. The ranger knew something very bad was about to happen; fear filled her eyes.

“I’ve bound you tight, there is no escape… Watch and enjoy the sight, ha!” He laughed. “You will be next.”

He bit into the neck of the mage. The pain was enough to wake her, she gasped startled but no sound escaped. The magic flowed to her hands, but it was too late. Grey bit harder ripping a fat chunk of meat. Just like that her life was extinguished. He raised her body upside down just so that the torrent of blood could flow directly into his maw. He drank it greedily. The power of mana returned to his body.

Revelling in the terror of the ranger he began to devour the flesh of the mage. By the time he finished, ranger was reduced to a trembling mess. The smell of her fear was tantalising his desires. Maybe he could find some room for a desert after all.

The door to the room swung open. Grey moved his head sharply to look at the intruder.

“We have to go!” She-devil frowned at the sight of blood and bones. “But clean up first.”

“Why? Did you get the assassin as I told you so?”

“Yes. We need to hurry, what if you have been seen?”

She had a point. Grey grabbed the ranger under his arm.

“Wrap her up, we can't go like this.” The elf gave Grey a sheet. “Oh and take the valuables, we are leaving for good.”

“But where?”

“To the hideout, where else.”

He didn’t know they had one. The sneaky she-devil must have prepared one for herself.