Elena circled Noah like a predator admiring its prey, her eyes roaming over his muscular form. She took her time, savoring every detail, a smile of satisfaction tugging at the corners of her lips.
Her gaze lingered on his chiseled jawline, the way his obsidian horns curved elegantly back, and the deep amethyst hue of his eyes. It was clear that she was pleased with what she saw.
"I must say, Zeph," she purred, addressing him by the name of the original owner of the body, "I made the right choice with you. It seems this event has only made you more… intriguing."
Noah's heart skipped a beat at the name. 'Zeph… so that was his name,' he thought. He quickly reminded himself to act the part, to not betray any sign that he was not who she thought he was.
He needed information from her, and more importantly, he needed to escape this looping prison.
Elena's gaze was steady and captivating, her allure pulling at his senses like an invisible thread. As he opened his mouth to speak, he felt a sudden change within himself, a wave of mental clarity that severed the charm she had unconsciously cast over him.
Ding!
[You have found another of your race! Reward: Mental Fortress!]
[Mental Fortress: You cannot be mentally manipulated by anyone from the same race or rank as you. No one can read your thoughts unless they possess five times your total mana attribute.]
A smile threatened to curl Noah's lips, but he suppressed it. The timing of the system's reward was perfect, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it. He had to maintain the act. He lowered his eyes respectfully and spoke in a tone of submission. "Mistress Elena," he began, "the lair was attacked by armored individuals—powerful warriors who left none alive. They were the ones who set up the loop to trap any survivors."
Elena's expression darkened, her playful demeanor shifting to something more calculating. "The ones in armor… yes, I suspected as much," she murmured. "They've been a nuisance for some time now. So, you're saying you were near death, and then suddenly revived?"
"Yes," Noah continued, "I was stabbed and left for dead. When I regained consciousness, I found myself healed completely. Everyone else was gone. I was the only one left."
"Interesting…" Elena's lips twisted into a knowing smirk. "And then?"
"I tried to escape, but…" Noah hesitated, his cheeks flushing slightly. "The rats chased me, Mistress."
At this, Elena threw her head back and laughed, the sound melodic and almost cruel. "Hahaha... Rats! How delightful," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I never would have thought that my lovely Zeph would be brought low by mere rats."
She took a step closer, her hand reaching out to lift his chin so that his eyes met hers. "Oh, my dear Zeph, how I have missed you."
As Noah spoke, more of Zeph's memories surfaced, unbidden and vivid. The complicated relationship with Mistress Elena became clearer. She was playful and charming, but beneath the surface lay a calculating mind.
She was manipulative and measured every decision, weighing the pros and cons before committing to any course of action. If the benefits outweighed the risks significantly, then, and only then, would she proceed. Even then, the probability of failure had to be almost negligible.
Her possessiveness extended beyond mere affection—she valued her possessions as trophies, and Zeph had been one of her most prized. It was evident that she had sent him here to flaunt her ownership of one of the last seven Incubi, but the event had ended in disaster.
It wasn't lost on Noah that this entire situation could have been a result of her own hubris. Yet, he kept these thoughts buried deep, his expression one of servitude.
Elena stepped closer still, and before he could react, she pulled him against her. His face was suddenly buried in her soft, ample cleavage, her arms wrapped tightly around him.
His breath hitched, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe altogether. 'So soft and warm.' Noah thought.
Her intoxicating scent overwhelmed his senses, and he felt his instincts as an Incubus stirring to life, an unfamiliar heat coursing through his veins.
"There, there," she murmured, patting his head like a mother would a child. "I'm so sorry, my dear. I nearly let my most cherished possession be taken from me. I promise you, that will never happen again."
Noah struggled to keep his composure, the feel of her body against his making his pulse quicken. He gritted his teeth, fighting the rising tide of lust that threatened to cloud his mind.
'Stay focused. Remember who you are,' he reminded himself, forcing himself to see past the allure and the warmth that pressed against his face. He couldn't allow his emotions to betray him.
Elena finally released him, stepping back with a satisfied smile on her face. Her fingers lingered on his cheek for a moment before she dropped her hand. "You've endured much, my dear Zeph," she said gently. "But I'm here now. I will take you back with me, where you belong." She reached for his hand, her touch sending a shiver through him.
"I… thank you, Mistress," Noah replied, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging beneath the surface. "I will not fail you again."
"See that you don't," she said, a glint of amusement in her eyes. With a firm but gentle tug, she turned and pulled him toward the shimmering portal. "Come, my precious Incubus. We have much to discuss, and I've already wasted enough time here."
The light of the portal engulfed them both as they stepped through. Noah felt a strange sensation wash over him, as though his body were being pulled in multiple directions at once. His vision blurred, and the air seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy.
When the world solidified again, they stood in a grand, opulent chamber adorned with rich fabrics and gleaming gold accents. The scent of incense hung in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of something sweet and intoxicating.
Large tapestries depicting scenes of demonic revelry decorated the walls, and plush carpets covered the marble floors.
Noah took a steadying breath as he absorbed the lavish surroundings. He couldn't afford to let his guard down. Mistress Elena's demeanor was calm and almost affectionate, but he knew better than to mistake that for genuine care.
If the memories were anything to go by, her interest in him was purely selfish—she saw him as an asset, a prized possession that she wasn't willing to lose.
"Now, my dear," Elena said, turning to face him, her smile a mixture of warmth and veiled intent. "Let's get you settled. There is much to do, and many questions to answer."
Her eyes sparkled as she added, "And don't worry, we'll make sure you're stronger than ever… after all, you're the last of your kind. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you."
The words hung in the air like a promise and a threat.
'We? What we?'
Noah clenched his jaw subtly, keeping his expression respectful. For now, he would play the role of the devoted Incubus. But in his heart, the fire of defiance burned stronger than ever.
'I will escape this web you've spun, Mistress. One way or another.'