Liam wiped the last bit of sweat from his forehead and leaned back against the kitchen counter, still breathing hard.
Beatrix had just finished sucking him off like it was the most normal thing in the world.
And now she was standing there licking her lips, looking a little less wild-eyed than before.
He stared at her for a second, trying to make sense of it all.
As far back as he could remember, Beatrix never did anything without a reason.
She wasn’t the type to just show up and jump him for fun.
"What’s wrong with you?" he asked, voice low so he wouldn’t wake Olivia in the next room.
"You wouldn’t do that without a reason. I know you."
Beatrix wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and gave a small shrug.
Her cheeks were still flushed. "It’s the red jewel," she said quietly.
"It’s messing with me, making me so horny I can’t think straight.
But swallowing your cum helped. It calmed me down for now, at least."
Liam blinked, processing that. The red jewel again. Of course.
He opened his mouth to ask more, but she was already glancing at the clock on the wall.
"It’s late at night," she said, sounding almost normal now. "I’ll head back to my house. We can talk more later."
Before he could answer, she turned, hopped up onto the counter.
And slipped out the open kitchen window like it was nothing. Her footsteps faded into the dark yard.
Liam just shook his head slowly, staring at the empty window.
So she really just came here, sucked me dry, and left? He let out a tired breath, ran a hand through his hair.
And walked back to the bedroom. Olivia was still sleeping peacefully, curled up under the blanket.
He slid in beside her, careful not to wake her, and closed his eyes. The day had been long enough already.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains and pulled Liam awake.
He rubbed his eyes and sat up a little, only to see Olivia moving around the room in her underwear.
She kept searching through the closet. Clothes were scattered on the floor and bed.
"What are you looking for?" he asked, voice still rough from sleep.
Olivia turned with a bright smile, holding up a beautiful red dress.
It looked soft and fitted, the kind that would hug her curves just right.
"This," she said happily. "The dress I saw in that ad online. I ordered it last week."
She didn’t even wait for him to reply. She slipped it on right there in front of him.
Pulling the fabric over her hips and adjusting the straps. Liam felt his blood heat up instantly.
The dress looked even better on her than he expected, tight in all the right places, the red color making her skin glow.
He had to force himself to look away for a second so he wouldn’t get too distracted.
They got ready quickly after that and headed out for their date.
The streets were busy as they made their way downtown to the festival.
When they reached the main square, Olivia’s eyes lit up at every stall and shop.
She pointed at colorful lanterns, handmade jewelry, and street performers, grinning the whole time.
Liam watched her reactions and couldn’t help smiling himself.
Seeing her this excited made the whole day feel lighter.
He bought her a bag of sweets from one of the vendors, sticky caramel candies and chocolate-dipped fruits.
Olivia popped one in her mouth and let out a happy little sound.
"These are so good," she said, offering him one.
Liam was about to answer when something caught his eye in his peripheral vision.
Beatrix. She was hiding behind a nearby wall, peeking out just enough to watch them.
What does she need from me now? he thought, a mix of confusion and mild annoyance hitting him.
He walked over with Olivia still at his side. Beatrix straightened up fast when she saw them coming.
But she looked tense, like someone caught red-handed.
Her shoulders were stiff and her eyes darted around.
They chatted for a minute, small talk about the festival and the weather.
But somehow Beatrix managed to talk Olivia into letting her tag along.
She worded it so smoothly that even Liam was left speechless for a second.
"It’ll be more fun with three, right? We can all enjoy the day together," she’d said.
Then kept smiling like it was the most natural idea in the world.
Olivia agreed before Liam could even think of an excuse.
So their date turned into something else entirely.
They kept walking, now calling it a journey instead of a date, weaving through the crowds and stopping at different booths.
Not long after, they ran into Pyra and Cray.
The two of them had clearly been following Liam around the festival. Pyra waved first, and Cray gave a shy nod.
Naturally, they joined the group too. Now it was Liam walking with all the girls, chatting and looking at stalls.
He smiled wryly to himself. The day that was supposed to be just him and Olivia had turned into a full squad outing. Great.
Then, out of nowhere, Liam spotted Teacher Simon passing by a few stalls away.
The man moved through the crowd like he belonged there.
But something about him made Liam pause. He remembered from his past-life memories.
Simon was secretly a disguised demon. The thought sent a small chill down his back.
Liam turned to the girls. "Follow Simon," he said quietly. "Stay close and don’t make it obvious."
They all nodded without question.
The group shifted direction and started trailing Simon through the festival streets.
He led them farther and farther away, until they were in a quiet alley very far from the noise and lights.
Simon slipped into a dark corner at the end of the alley and disappeared from view.
Liam stopped and stared at the spot. What’s so special about this place?
Then it hit him, memories from his past life flooded back. This was where the underworld auction happened.
Hidden, illegal, full of shady deals. Simon must want something from there.
Liam motioned for the girls to stay quiet and followed Simon inside.
The place opened up into a whole underground living space, like a secret market.
Stalls lined the walls, selling all kinds of forbidden and illegal items, potions, weapons.
Strange artifacts that glowed with dark energy.
Liam kept his eyes on Simon while making sure the girls stayed right behind him.
They followed him until he entered a small house tucked in the back.
Liam and the girls crouched under one of the windows, careful not to make a sound. Inside.
Simon was talking to a merchant, a fat man with a thick mustache and a greedy smile.
In the corner of the room, a cage held several little girls, huddled together and looking terrified.
Liam pressed closer to the glass and listened.
The conversation made it clear: Simon wanted to buy the hearts of those girls. He planned to eat them.
Rage boiled up in Liam’s chest. His hands clenched into tight fists until his knuckles turned white.
Not now, he told himself, forcing his breathing to stay even.
Let’s watch more. I’ll attack when the time is right, when he gives me what I need.
The talk ended. Simon smiled, satisfied. Then, right in front of them, he shapeshifted.
His body twisted and grew, skin splitting into a monstrous demon form covered in tentacles and sharp blades.
In one quick motion, he tore into the merchant and devoured him.
The demon turned toward the cage of little girls and started walking closer.
This is the time! Liam thought. He jumped up.
Bursting through the window and confronting the demon head-on.
But something felt off the second he landed inside.
The creature didn’t move quite like he expected.
Liam quickly checked its level in his mind.
It was a level 40 mimicking-type demon.
Liam’s heart hammered hard in his chest. He was fucked.