The night air was thick with tension as Lilith and Essety slipped through the brothel's back corridors. Lilith's heart thundered in her chest, each step accompanied by the fear of discovery.
"Keep quiet," Essety whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lilith nodded, clutching the cloak Essety had thrown over her shoulders. She didn't ask how the woman had bypassed the guards or unlocked her door. Questions could wait. Right now, survival was all that mattered.
As they neared the exit, a low growl stopped them in their tracks. A guard dog, its teeth bared and eyes gleaming in the moonlight, blocked their path.
Essety didn't hesitate. She extended a hand, murmuring words in a language Lilith didn't recognize. The dog's growl softened, its body relaxing as if under a spell. It turned and padded away.
"How did you—?"
"Later," Essety cut her off. "Move."
---
The Streets of Totum
The alleys were a labyrinth of shadows and whispers. Totum at night was no less alive than during the day—merchants unloading goods, drunks stumbling home, and thieves lurking in the corners.
Essety led with confidence, her movements swift and deliberate. Lilith followed, glancing over her shoulder every few steps.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere safe."
"Safe? In this city?" Lilith scoffed.
Essety smirked. "Trust me. I've survived here longer than most."
They rounded a corner and came face-to-face with a group of Marcellus's enforcers.
"There she is!" one of them shouted, pointing at Lilith.
Essety stepped forward, her presence commanding. "I suggest you step aside."
The men laughed. "And why would we do that, lady?"
Essety raised a hand, and the air around her seemed to hum. A ripple of energy surged outward, and the enforcers froze, their laughter dying on their lips. One by one, they crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Lilith stared, her mouth dry. "What… what are you?"
"Efficient," Essety replied, taking her arm. "Now come."
---
They arrived at a hidden entrance carved into the side of a crumbling building. Inside, the lair was a stark contrast to the grime of Totum's streets. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books that glowed faintly. Strange artifacts rested on tables, and the air buzzed with an unseen energy.
"Welcome to my sanctuary," Essety said, lighting a lamp with a snap of her fingers.
Lilith took it all in, equal parts awed and wary. "This is… yours?"
"Every inch," Essety replied, pouring two glasses of a shimmering liquid. She handed one to Lilith. "Drink. It'll calm your nerves."
Lilith hesitated but eventually took a sip. Warmth spread through her, easing the tension in her body.
---
Essety sat across from her, studying her with those sharp eyes. "Do you know what you are, Lilith?"
"A mistake," Lilith said bitterly. "A curse."
Essety's lips quirked into a smile. "That's what they want you to believe. But the truth is far more interesting."
She leaned forward. "You are a succubus. Or rather, you wield the magic of one. It's rare, feared, and incredibly powerful."
Lilith's stomach churned. "Powerful? I killed a man."
"You drained him," Essety corrected. "Unintentionally, yes, but that's only because you don't know how to control it yet."
"And you do?"
"I've spent my life studying magic like yours," Essety said. "Most would call it taboo, but I see it for what it is—a tool. One that can be used to destroy… or to conquer."
---
Essety stood and gestured for Lilith to follow. She led her to a small chamber with a single, ornate mirror at its center.
"Your first lesson," Essety said, "is to see yourself for what you truly are."
Lilith frowned. "What does that mean?"
"Look into the mirror," Essety instructed. "Let it show you."
Lilith approached cautiously. As her reflection came into focus, the image began to shift. Her eyes glowed brighter, her posture straightened, and an aura of undeniable power surrounded her.
"This… this isn't me," she whispered.
"It is," Essety said firmly. "The you that the world fears. The you that can change everything."
Lilith tore her gaze away. "I don't want this."
"Lies," Essety said, her tone cutting. "You've tasted power, Lilith. You want it. You're just too afraid to admit it."
Lilith's jaw tightened. "And if I am? What then?"
"Then we begin," Essety said, her smile returning.
---
As the night wore on, Essety shared her vision.
"Totum is rotting from the inside," she said. "Its people oppressed, its systems corrupt. But we can change that. Your magic, combined with mine, can reshape this kingdom."
Lilith frowned. "You want to use… seduction? As a weapon?"
Essety nodded. "Not just a weapon—a foundation. Imagine an industry of desire, where people like you and me thrive instead of being cast aside. Imagine a world where no one can tell us we're cursed or evil. We'll make them see our power."
Lilith stared into the fire, her thoughts swirling.
"Think about it," Essety said, rising. "For now, rest. Tomorrow, the real work begins."
As Essety left the room, Lilith sat alone, her mind a whirlwind of doubt and curiosity. For the first time in years, she felt a spark of something she thought she'd lost.
Hope.