casspurrjoybell-22

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 26 - Part 1

•Keon Lynch (Dragonborn Descendant)

•Tate Solomon (Warlock)

*Warning Adult Content*

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 25 - Part 3

•Noir Laurent (Dark Elf & Sun Elf)

Stepping back into hustle and bustle of the market, we passed numerous stalls and tents, occasionally stopping.

We ended up buying some spicy caramelized lizard meat kabobs that we ate as we walked.

There were a few stalls that stuck out.

'Sandman' which sold 'sleepy time sand' that you sprinkled on your eyes to fall asleep and T'he Handy Man' which sold hands.

Just hands.

The owner boasted that he had every type of hand.

I had no idea why and it seemed most others didn't either.

Nikoli had personally looked unnerved which made me chuckle, giving him an innocent expression which he eyed me suspiciously.

'Needle Work' was run by a retired adventurer.

She was apart of a race of feline-humanoids called Tabaxi which resembled humanoid leopards.

Her name was Iris and she sold magic-infused yarn and knitted works that depicted local legends and maps of all kinds.

A customer near us had said that she was famous at the market for having pinned a thief to the wall with one 'well-placed knitting needle'.

She also sold piles of intricate lace doilies.

It was said that sleeping with the magic-infused lace over your face was a sure chance of waking up well rested no matter where you decide to sleep.

What intrigued me the most was 'The Shinies'.

It was a wooden barrel full of stones and other shiny objects, some rare, others semi-precious and some that were just plain shiny.

At first, it looked to be unguarded, only a flock of crows near it but it turned out the crows were the owners, one of which apparently has good business sense.

There was a skull nearby as a reminder of what happens if you try to take anything without leaving 'a shiny' of greater or equal value.

We quickly headed to 'Glem's Gold Exchange' which turned out to be a goblin carrying a bag of holding who will convert any currency to any other for a fee.

Nikoli exchanged cash for silver coins which he then gave to me to trade for a geode that I caught myself staring at.

There were a lot of other objects that I found interesting but none more so than the abundant crystals and geodes.

Unfortunately, we didn't have much to exchange for them.

I made Nikoli promise that we'd come back to get more geodes.

I also wanted to snag a few crystals the next time as well, making a mental note to go searching for 'shinies' to trade when we get home.

I was starting to get tired as another hour ticked by.

Noticing, Nikoli smiled at me, leading us through the crowd to the side next to a small tent labeled 'Totally Legit Goods'.

"Are you ready to go home?" he asked, a warm expression taking over as I yawned as I nodded.

He glanced at his watch.

"It's almost time for us to meet up with Ire at the entrance anyway. Would you like to get a bite to eat before we leave?"

I nodded again.

We merged back into the flow of people, looking for a place that appealed to us.

We went quite a ways, the entrance of the market appearing in the distance, when a smell hit me, making my stomach rumble.

I blushed as Nikoli chuckled, gesturing for me to lead the way to whatever my stomach demanded.

I was surprised when we opened a flap to a tent called 'Slurp'.

It was a dimly lit cafe of sorts, cozy sitting arrangements scattered around.

What was surprising, however, was what was behind the counter.

Units of sleek, slim refrigerators held bags of blood.

I turned to Nikoli in a panic.

"I um, well..."

"Shh, shh. It's alright Winter."

Nikoli enveloped me in a hug, stroking my hair.

I began to relax, leaning into him, my arms coming up to hug him back.

"But, w-why?"

Nikoli pulled back just enough to look down at me, meeting my eyes.

"Well," he started.

"I had wondered if this would be the case after you've developed your new abilities."

My mouth formed an 'Oh' realizing what he meant.

He pulled away, his hand coming up to caress my cheek as he looked at me reassuringly.

"Vampires need blood to survive but we don't have to drink it often. Many only feel the need to after they use their powers, the act diminishing the amount of blood they've previously consumed."

It made sense.

It sounded like the vampire version of how my people replenish our energy, just with far fewer options.

Settled down, I nodded, releasing Nikoli and glancing towards the counter where a petite girl worked, wiping down the counter.

Luckily, it seemed no one in the cafe noticed my almost-meltdown.

"So how do I?"

I gestured toward the blood, unsure on how to even order it.

There seemed to be a lot of different type of blood.

Nikoli cleared his throat.

"Well, places like this are like a normal cafe in a way. You can ask for the blood to be mixed or infused with drinks. Blood doesn't all taste the same. Different types of blood, add in different species and you'll end up taking a long time to establish a preference. Especially if you don't need to drink often."

I nodded, allowing him to lead me over to the counter.

The girl, whose eyes were the same red that invaded my own, stopped what she was doing as we approached.

"My name's Jasmina. What can I do for you?" she had a nice voice, smooth a rich.

Nikoli smiled at her, pulling me closer.

"This is his first time. Could I ask for your assistance?"

Jasmina perked up instantly, her eyes meeting mine.

"Ah, I remember my first time. Gorgon blood. It'd sounded cool but I couldn't have made a worse choice. I'm not of fan of anything with a trace of serpent blood."

She tapped a finger on the counter, thinking.

I glanced at Nikoli again, a bit nervous.

"Well, I guess we can start with the basics. Unless you want to try something crazy first? Newbies get a discount."

She grinned.

"So it'll be fine even if you choose a bad one like me."

I thought about it, ignoring the blood part. I liked the idea of trying something 'crazy' as she put it.

I didn't know what my options were, though.

"What kinds do you have?"

Excited, Jessie started listing off a bunch of blood, giving her personal input.

I tried to keep up, nodding along as she spoke.

Nikoli also gave suggestions occasionally.

It was a little overwhelming.

"... and then there's gremlin, hellhound, orc, dryad, kelpie and merfolk, plus a ton of were-blood. Anything sound interesting so far?"

I thought for a moment.

"Maybe merfolk?"

"Oh, nice choice. We've only got tropical in stock right now. I'll get you an infusion size bag just in case you don't like it."

Jasmina walked over to one of the fridges, searching for a moment before opening it and taking out a blood bag, one about the size of a juice box.

She came back, handing it to me.

"The first time should be pure blood. It's, like, tradition."

Nikoli snorted, causing Jasmina to roll her eyes.

"Okay, so maybe not a tradition but I personally think it's the easiest way to get over drinking blood. If you start out with the blended stuff then you probably won't be able to stomach it pure and, like, what's going to happen if you're in a situation where that's all you have, y'know?"

Accepting her answer, I took the bag, looking at it then to Nikoli.

I wasn't sure how to drink from it.

A bag that small might pop if I just tried to bite down on it.

"Here," he repositioned it in my hands, the part with what looked like some sort of cap closest to my mouth.

"They make them so that you can drink it from the top. Sort of like a straw."

I nodded, carefully unscrewing the cap and setting it on the counter.

My lips thinned as I looked at the blood inside, struggling with the idea now that it was before me.

Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly, repeating a few more times before placing it in my mouth.

I glanced at Nikoli, seeing him give me a smile, before closing my eyes and sucking, the blood hitting my tongue and flowing into my mouth.

It tasted... good.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 25 - Part 2

•Bain López (Werewolf)

•Noir Laurent (Dark Elf & Sun Elf)

*Warning Adult Content*

'Despite that, there was one set of eyes I felt.'

Seeking it out, I found the person in a large opening of a tent, a sign reading Witchy Wonders beside it.

She looked to be getting on in her years, wrinkles starting to make their way on her face.

I made eye contact with her.

She had a set of twinkling ocean eyes complimented by the sandy hair that fell from her clip.

She smiled warmly at me, turning to speak into the tent, two women, one with a mop of unruly amber curls and the other with a series of beautiful and complex lavender braids adorned with various feathers, came to join her.

All three were quite alluring.

They then turned to look at me before glancing at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation.

I was surprised the one with the braids suddenly curled her finger at me, beckoning me over with a lovely smile.

Sending a look at Nikoli, I saw he was as curious as I was.

He shrugged and gestured for me to lead the way, keeping close.

The flow of people automatically parted around us.

I was thankful for Nikoli's presence, I'd probably get caught up in the current of people if I was by myself.

As we finally reached the three I found I couldn't look away.

They were even more beautiful than I'd originally thought.

They were quite elegant, their postures were close to perfect.

All three were dressed unlike the other two, as if from completely different parts of the world.

The one who originally caught my eye was the tallest, a long black dress hugging her slim body.

The dress itself appeared to be simple at first, but on closer inspection, there were intricate designs in a slightly lighter black.

It looked as if a story was told within the designs, one that revolved around a crow.

The one with lavender hair wore a long-sleeved lace shirt that hung off her shoulders and a strange collection of fabrics sewn together to make a skirt with tattered ends, the tatters knotted in random places.

She was barefoot, an anklet with jingling bells on her right foot.

Between them was the shortest of the three, even shorter than me.

Amber curls rested on what Keon calls a Lolita dress.

The cream-colored long-sleeved ruffled school dress, a corset accentuating her curves.

The ruffled ends of the dress ended just halfway down her thighs.

We entered the tent with them.

The tent, like the main one it was located in, was much smaller than the shop, the entrance opening to reveal a huge room.

On one side were bottles of all sizes, housing various colored liquids, simply floating in the air.

Actually, almost everything was floating.

In between the potions we trinkets, jewelry, ingredients and more.

The only thing that wasn't was a stand that held a book.

The cover read 'Wonders'.

I assumed it held a list of goods they sold.

Realizing I'd been staring in wonder for a tad too long, I quickly turned my attention to the three ladies whose faces were of amusement.

Even Nikoli chuckled.

I felt my cheeks heating immediately.

"Hello, little lovely. My name's Lela," the one who originally caught my attention said.

She gestured to the one with the curls and then to the lavender-haired one, introducing them.

"This is Calle and Ori."

"I-I'm Winter."

I hated that I stuttered but they didn't seem to mind, not giving any indication they'd caught it.

Nikoli, who was beside me, rested his hand on my lower back, reassuring me before speaking.

"And I'm Lord Nikoli Ravenwall."

"Ah, yes, yes. The Master Vampire around these parts. We've seen you and your boys quite a few times throughout the years."

Calle smiled as she directed her attention to me.

"But you're a new one, yes? At least, I don't remember seeing you before."

"We've seen all the boys, you see," Lela explained.

"I suppose I'm, um, new?"

It came out as a question.

I was happy that Nikoli helped me out.

"This is only his second time coming here."

Nikoli smiled.

"We're taking our time and enjoying ourselves this trip."

Ori still hadn't spoken.

She was following the conversation, occasionally looking at me.

It was only after a few minutes that she finally spoke, the others falling quiet.

"You've been through a lot of pain, haven't you. All those boys have, but you? It's a miracle you're alive."

Ori seemed to realize what she said, letting out a gasp and covering her mouth.

"Oh my. I'm so sorry Winter."

She looked genuine.

Lela sighed, giving us an apologetic smile.

"Don't mind her too much you two, Ori's got a bit of a gift or a curse of feeling people's pain."

Nikoli seemed to understand.

"You're an empath?" Ori nodded, blushing.

"Oh," Ori suddenly reached into her pocket, pulling out a small card,

"As an apology, I'll give you my information. Feel free to ask for my services in the future. I'll even give you a discount," she whispered a small incantation and place a small kiss on the card before offering it to me.

I hesitated before reaching for it, noticing that it was made of stone. Examining it, I saw an inscription:

'Ori Venlla.

Co-owner of Witchy Wonders.

Specialties: dealings with fair folk, herbalism and fate.'

I looked at Nikoli, smiling, before giving my thanks to Ori.

She apologized again but I waved my hand, telling her it was okay.

We looked around the shop a bit more before heading out, giving the three our goodbyes.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 25 - Part 1

•Noir Laurent (Dark Elf & Sun Elf)

•Bain López (Werewolf)

*Warning Adult Content*

"So Winter, would you like to do some shopping while we're here?"

I glanced up at Nikoli, surprised.

He smiled down at me, waiting for an answer.

The thought of walking around excited me.

I didn't get to see or buy anything the last time we were here.

It'd be a great time to relax.

Plus, I'd get to spend time with Nikoli alone.

Not that I didn't love the others but I wanted to get to know everyone one on one.

I beamed.

"Yes."

His face lit up.

He started to turn, me at his side.

A voice stopped us.

"Wait."

I turned around, tense.

My eyes widened as I saw the flower merchant jogging from his stall to us.

I was nervous, hoping I hadn't somehow offended him before but he didn't look angry.

He smiled as he stopped.

"Hey. Um, I know this is a bit sudden but can I see your phone?"

His smile faltered a little as I hesitated, his cheeks turning a bit pink.

I didn't know why he wanted to see it.

Or if I was allowed to give it to him.

I looked to Nikoli, the question written on my face.

He smiled reassuringly at me, tilting his head slightly in the man's direction.

I relaxed, fishing out the device, almost dropping it.

"Here."

I watched as he tapped on the screen, grinning as he unlocked it.

"I love you wallpaper," he said, glancing at me.

I remembered Keon showing me how to use the cell-phone's camera.

I'd taken a photo of the field of flowers, the manor in the background.

He'd helped me set it as my wallpaper.

It filled me with pride.

I was happy that he liked Tate's work.

He was probably an expert on flowers, seeing as he raised and sold such huge ones.

"My name's Kia. Here's my number if you ever would like to do something sometime."

He smiled, glancing at me.

"Or just talk."

I watched as he tapped again.

Almost immediately a slightly muffled jingle sounded.

Giving mine back and reaching into the pocket of his apron to pull out his own vibrating phone, he tapped it, stopping the cute jingle.

He gave my phone back and tapped his a few more times before looking at me.

"This is awkward but what's your name?"

I found myself let out a small laugh.

"Winter."

He tapped on his phone again.

"Winter. Fits a cute guy like you."

He grinned, winking at me and making me turn red.

"Well, I've got to get back to my stall. If you ever want to go out or chat, hit me up."

With that, he waved goodbye and jogged back to his stall, apologizing to the customers waiting.

It was then that I remembered Nikoli.

I whipped my head to looked at him, beet red and about to apologize but stopped.

Nikoli was shaking, his hand covering his mouth as he tried to contain himself.

I narrowed my eyes, suddenly on the defense as I tried to figure out what was so funny.

He looked at me, wiping a tear from his eye as he calmed down.

"I'm sorry, Winter. I'm not making fun of you. You two were just too cute, I could help myself. I loved watching your reactions, how pure you are."

"What do you mean?"

Now I was really confused.

Pure?

I was the farthest from it.

He smiled at me, more serious now, maybe even a little sad.

"I mean how you responded to him hitting on you. It was adorable. I honestly found it hard not to hug you."

"He was hitting on me?"

My mouth fell open.

He chuckled before leaning down and pecking my cheek.

"Of course he was. Who could resist such a cute thing as yourself?"

If I could blush any hard I would.

I went through the exchange, my eyes widening as I realized what he meant.

I didn't want to get full of myself but I think he was right.

I frowned.

"Wait. Aren't you mad?"

Nikoli cocked an eyebrow.

"Why would I be?"

My shoes became very interesting in the seconds before I finally glanced back at him.

"Well because he was hitting on me. You don't mind? You're not angry?"

Chuckling again, he turned me to face him, his eyes soft.

"Winter, you're free to talk to and date anyone you want. Open relationships, polyamorous ones like ours, are pretty common. I and no one else in our family would prevent you."

He grinned.

"We might get a bit jealous from time to time but we wouldn't get possessive or angry."

We gazed into each other's eyes, I felt Nikoli as his consciousness brushed against my own, inviting me in.

He let me feel what he felt, assuring me he wasn't angry.

I relaxed, letting a smile form.

Satisfied, Nikoli reached for my hand, slipping it into his own and intertwining our fingers.

Lifting our hands up, he softly kissed mine, smiling sweetly.

I glanced at them blushing, a shy smile appearing.

I liked this type of affection.

"Ready?"

I nodded, letting him lead me away.

I looked back once, to Kia's stall, seeing him handing over a smaller sunflower, a fifth of the size of the original I saw.

My cheeks warmed as I turn back.

I was still surprised that he was interested in me, even if he just wanted to be friends in the end.

It made me happy.

I was able to talk to people, people outside of my family.

My confidence increased, even if only a bit.

Maybe I'd be able to make friends, friends who I would talk to and hang out with, friends who would invite me to their house and I'd invite them to mine.

Maybe I could live a somewhat normal life?

Or, at the very least, the one I wanted, one I didn't realize I wanted until that moment.

I leaned into Nikoli, surprising him.

He gave me a confused but warm look.

"I'm happy."

"Yeah?" he asked as we made our way through the crowd.

"Yeah."

I smiled into his arm, breathing deep

"I'm able to meet new people. I can come to places like this despite what happened and I can be with you."

His step faltered at that.

Stopping completely, he turned towards me, his eyes glowing ever so slightly.

The look on his face was full of love.

I chewed at my bottom lip, feeling embarrassment slowly rise.

He didn't miss that action, his hand raising to caress my cheek before connecting our lips.

My hands worked their way up to his chest, clutching his shirt.

I forgot all about the crowd but luckily Nikoli didn't.

As passionate as the kiss was, it ended quickly.

We were both breathless.

I felt his chest rise and fall as I rested my forehead against him.

I let go of his shirt when I felt the stares, stepping back.

They were definitely staring, some outright and others trying to be discreet.

They quickly dissipated, the flow of the market not allowing loitering, moving around us.

No one had the gall to demand Nikoli to move, seeing that he was a powerful vampire.

'Despite that, there was one set of eyes I felt.'

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 24 - Part 2

•Winter Azraethe (Incubus)

*Warning Adult Content*

Blue and Xyrin looked at me blankly before turning their attention to my pocket.

I pulled my cell-phone out, almost dropping it as I fumbled to answer, still not used to the touch screen.

"U-um, h-hello..?" I squeaked, my face growing hot as Blue snorted and Xyrin smirked.

Both seemed to forget their previous hostilities as they watched, amused, as I answered the cell-phone for the first time.

"Hello, Winter," Nikoli's voice came from the phone, his chuckle sending shivers down my body as the phone was pressed against my ear.

"H-hi Nikoli."

My blush deepened and I was glad Nikoli wasn't there to see it.

It was embarrassing to react just from a voice. 

"Are you ready, love?"

At my hesitation, he continued.

"Don't stress yourself out to get it perfect. Take your time. I'll be here to help if you need it."

I took a deep breath, cradling the phone a bit.

"I know you will be. I'm just a bit worried I'll end up somewhere I don't know."

I still had Oberous's experiences in my memories.

It terrified me to think I'd somehow end up in one of the places in them.

Nikoli seemed to understand where I was getting at, having consoled me multiple times in the beginning, patient as I learned how to control this. 

"I know, love, I know. I can't promise it will go smoothly but I can promise that, if anything does happen, I'll get to you no matter what but more importantly, I know that you have it in you to master this, even if it takes awhile. I have absolute faith in you, love."

Trust.

The absolute trust he had in me, in my ability to succeed, brought me to tears.

My heart swelled as his faith in me become my own.

I could do this.

I felt like I was too emotional lately but maybe that was a good thing.

Nikoli was beyond happy with the change.

I was numb before, felt that I didn't have anything to live for.

I might not have my emotions under control but at least I was feeling something, I was healing.

Even as embarrassing as it was for Xyrin and Blu to see me close to crying, I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, Nikoli."

"Of course, love," his voice was warm.

I knew he was smiling.

"Are you ready?"

I took a deep breath, nodding even though he couldn't see it.

"Yes."

"Alright. Make sure to keep your cell-phone on you. Call me as soon as you teleport, okay?"

I smiled and agreed before hanging up.

The other two were looking at me, excited. 

"So are you gonna, like, poof?" Xyrin sounded serious as he asked the question, his tail swishing back and forth slowly.

"It's more like he just disappears. One minute he's there and the next he's gone," Blu answered.

I smiled, more to reassure myself than them and took evened my breath, relaxing.

I could do this.

I have done this.

All that's changed is the distance. 

I closed my eyes.

The image of the tent appearing, of the market inside.

I tried to remember everything there.

All the different people, the vendors, the performers.

My mind, unsurprisingly, went to the place I killed my former client. 

When I opened my eyes I wasn't in the dark like I predicted.

I was behind a group of smaller tents, probably the same as this one, bigger on the inside.

I could smell a very faint hint of blood, just enough to conclude that it was the same place, the market had changed since the last time we were here.

Maybe it was wishful thinking but I was willing to believe it.

The bustling of people came from in front of the tents.

As I got closer, the sound got louder.

Unconsciously, my pace quickened, excitement flowing through me as I emerged from between them.

It was just like I remembered.

People of all sorts walked around.

There were many carrying a variety of things bought from the merchants.

They called out to them from stalls and tents, trying to draw in more customers. 

I whipped out my cell-phone, struggling for a second as I found Nikoli's number and put the ear to my phone.

He picked up before the first ring ended.

"Winter? Did it work? Are you okay?" I could hear the worry in his voice, failing to completely mask it. 

I smiled.

"I'm okay. Nikoli it worked. I'm at the market."

"I knew you could do it," his pride was obvious, warming my heart.

"What do you see? I'll come and find you."

"Umm..." I looked around, trying to find anything that could be used to tell my location.

I didn't know how the market worked but I was sure they changed the layout.

I looked around again, noticing a stall that was selling large flowers that towered over the other stalls.

It was about halfway between me and the juggler.

"There's someone selling huge flowers. They're really tall. There's a sunflower that's the biggest I think. I'm walking towards it now."

Nikoli went silent for a moment, probably trying to spot it.

"Okay, I see it. I'm headed that way now."

We hung up and I reached the stall pretty quickly despite all the foot traffic.

The merchant grinned as I walked up, a few feet away from the sunflower I had spotted.

"Anything in particular you lookin' for, cutie?" 

I blushed a bit, looking down as he winked.

"I-I don't really know much about flowers, I'm just, um, meeting someone here."

He chuckled.

"That's alright. It's a great place to meet, easy to spot. That might even work out in my favor and draw in more customers. Hopefully more cuties like you."

I could tell he liked my reaction by his continued laughter, the deepening of my blush as I stared directly at tulip the was as tall as me.

Luckily, another person grabbed his attention, asking about the care of a certain group of marigolds.

"Winter."

I spotted Nikoli instantly as the seas of people parted before him, their eyes lingering on him as he approached.

They looked on, jealous, as he ran up to me and drew me in for a hug.

"I'm so proud of you."

He swung me around, almost hitting the stall.

Letting go, he ruffled my hair, his smile growing wider as he caught my own beaming expression.

He was right.

I did it.

I really did it.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 24 - Part 1

•Winter Azraethe (Incubus)

•Lord Nikoli Ravenwell (Vampire Lord)

*Warning Adult Content*

'I was excited but also nervous but mostly excited.'

I was going to try teleporting farther than I ever have before.

It was later in the afternoon and everyone taking time to adjust to Xyrin's new loud and proud presence in the house.

Well, sort of.

Nikoli almost immediately went to ready himself for my try at teleportation, grabbing a few things in case something went wrong before getting in the car.

Ire was going along with him, impatient to get his 'exotic produce' on the way. 

Keon had quickly escaped Xyrin for his video games while Bain led Lycus away to have some alone time.

Those two had been very affectionate as of late, always finding an excuse to touch.

I'd found out that, most of the time, they cuddled, sticking to platonic affection than anything sexual.

Bain was a deviant but apparently not with Lycus.

Tate and Noir stayed for a bit to get to know Xyrin but eventually, left too, his boisterous and fast-talking nature becoming a little too much for the timider of the group.

Blue just glared at him the whole time but he didn't seem to notice or if he did, pay it any attention.

"So..." I drew out as we were waiting around for Nikoli to call, a grumpy Blue making the atmosphere a bit awkward,

"We've just been calling you Xyrin but is that your actual name?"

It occurred to me earlier.

I didn't have a clear memory of when that was decided. 

We'd just ended up calling him Xyrin one day.

"Yup," he said with a cheeky grin.

"I planted the name in your dreams."

"You can do that?" 

I was more curious than uneasy at that, I could sense any ill intent from him.

He was a trickster, a mischievous demon but not malicious.

At the very least, I knew Nikoli wouldn't have let him anywhere near us if that was the case. 

Xyrin smiled, relaxing a bit at my reaction.

"Yeah, I guess you could call me a type of dream demon but, like, way more powerful than most.

At least, powerful in dreams."

He gestured around.

"Outside the dream realms, I'm pretty low level."

"Is that why vampires wanted you? To use your powers against others?"

"Sort of," he thought for a moment,

"It was mainly for themselves, though. You know the myth that vampires don't ever sleep, right?"

I nodded.

"Well, it started because vampires tried to not sleep. They used to be monsters, like mass murderers, in the beginning."

He glared.

"They didn't care or at least, they thought they didn't. It was in their dreams that all that shit got back to them. Like, some sort of cosmic karma," he said, a satisfied smirk appearing.

"I don't know if they even had a conscience or developed one but eventually, it all became too much and they decided something needed to change. The deaths began to decrease. The vampire population stopped growing while humans slowly started to pick themselves up from the bloodbath that lasted centuries. The dreams still haunted the vampires, though. Which is where my kind came in."

His grin turned into a frown, his eyes going a bit dull as he remembered.

"When they learned that the dreams could be altered, they tried to persuade us but vampires were even more terrifying back then. They only brought trouble. Everyone knew to drop everything and run and when they realized we wouldn't help, they came at us in swarms. I was just a small thing back then, just left my littermates. Practically a kid."

He huffed, shaking his head as if to get rid of the memories and turning back to me with a genuine smile.

"Luckily Nikoli was the one to get me. Even back in the day when shit was more bloody and chaotic, he was a pretty decent guy. Didn't give in to the bloodlust most vampires did. If it wasn't for him I'd be somebody's pet or slave or given the mouth on me, probably dead. He's the only one I'd trust like this. Well, him and..."  he stopped, a sour look crossing his face that quickly gave into a sad, longing expression and my gaze turned soft. 

"And your lover?" 

He tensed, covering his mouth with a hand and letting out a heartless chuckle.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked, glancing at me.

I hesitated before nodding slightly.

"You mentioned them.. um, wanting to 'rip out your guts... again.'

He snorted, rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, well... that part's true. He did try. Though I deserved it."

Anger at himself swirled in his eyes, his tails flicking.

"I really fucked up. Got scared and ran when shit hit the fan. After everything he's done for me, I left him and forced him to clean up the mess."

He looked me in the eyes, his cold.

"I'm a real piece of shit, y'know?"

I didn't know how to respond.

I didn't want to give him empty words about a situation I didn't know anything about. 

The silence stretched, both of us going back to our internal thoughts.

I didn't like to see anyone so obviously in pain.

Self-reflection seemed to be something he avoided like the plague and, now that he couldn't, he looked like he felt worthless.

His eyes screamed frustration and regret.

They carried a self-hate that made me ache.

"Why don't you just apologize?"

Both of us jumped, having forgotten about Blue.

Looking at him, I saw that his annoyed expression was gone and in its place was a blank one.

Xyrin took a minute before answering, his jaw clenched.

I saw a layer of unshed tears as he struggled to answer.

"Because he'd take me back and I don't deserve for it to be that easy." 

"So instead he gets to suffer more all alone?" Blu glared at him,

"Why? Because you are scared of commitment? Because, instead of overcoming a rocky part in your relationship, you'd rather run away with your tail between your legs?"

Eyes drilled holes into Xyrin.

He shook with barely contained rage as Blue continued to insult him.

Things were getting heated.

I could see the part of Xyrin, the one behind the anger, accepted those words thrown at him, believed them, agreed.

What Blue was saying was sure to be what he said to himself a thousand times.

I was just about to try and calm them down or better yet, get one of the others to do it, when a ringing sounded, startling all three of us.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 23 - Part 2

•Winter Azraethe (Incubus)

*Warning Adult Content*

"Dammit, Xyrin. We agreed you'd lay low," Nikoli glared at the new arrival.

"And I thought it would be obvious that that included not revealing yourself."

"Wait, so you knew?" Noir frowned, followed by the rest of us suspiciously looking between the two.

So much for the tension being gone.

Nikoli's secrets just seem to keep getting uncovered.

"Er, well, yes. He's an old acquaintance you could say and he was in a bind."

"I'm hiding out from my lover," Xyrin practically boasted, grinning madly and waving his hand dramatically.

"Although we're madly in love, he'll rip out my guts again if he catches me."

I caught the word 'again' and looked at Xyrin, concerned.

I wonder what happened between the two.

"Don't tell me you're here because of a fling," Nikoli groaned.

"I thought you were in actual trouble."

"I am in trouble," Xyrin replied, looking offended.

"You don't know what this guy is capable and he's not just some fling. He's..." he snapped his mouth shut, a slight tint to his cheeks.

He quickly laughed off.

"Anyway," he said, moving the conversation in a different direction,

"This is the only place he'd never think to look. I mean, seriously, me? Staying at a vampire's home? And that vampire being Nikoli? No one would think I'm that crazy."

I was confused, as were a few of the others.

"Why does being a vampire matter?" I hesitantly asked.

"Um, well," Tate began, obviously having figured out what type of creature he was looking at.

"His particular breed of demon was almost completely wiped out by vampires and the rest were..."

"Enslaved and kept as pets," Xyrin finished, not even batting an eyelash as he looked at Nikoli, sending him a wink. 

Nikoli nodded, an uncomfortable expression on his face/

"Xyrin, at one point, had been owned by me."

He quickly raised his hands in defense at our shocked faces, talking fast.

"However, I took him away and released him when it was safe so that no one else could capture him." 

He hesitantly glanced at me, worry clear in his eyes as he analyzed my reaction.

"I did not and still don't ever want to own another person."

Although I knew this, the fact that Nikoli was trying to dispel any misconceptions for our sake calmed me.

He wasn't that type of person who would own someone else, I wouldn't be who I am now if he was.

"Yes, yes," Xyrin waved his hand, taking an empty seat and piling food on a plate, ignoring the judging stares at his lack of manners not to mention lack of clothes.

"Nikoli was a great 'owner.' Honestly, my life is less easy-going than it was when I was his pet. Makes a guy miss being pampered," he laughed.

"So, for now, I'm just gonna crash here till the coast is clear."

With that, he dug into the food.

We all turned to look at Nikoli, speechless.

He mirrored our expression, shrugging helplessly.

"I did say if he ever needed anything."

Awkwardly, we all went back to our food.

When it looked like everyone was almost done I cleared my throat.

"Um, Nikoli?"

He, as well as the others, looked at me, Xyrin having a piece of sausage hanging from his mouth.

"Um, well, I was wondering if it'd be alright to test the extent of my teleportation ability? I've gotten pretty good at using it here and wanted to see if I could try to go where we went shopping?"

Everyone but Xyrin frowned, concern written all over their faces.

Although the memory of my former, now dead, client remained, it was one of the few places I and Nikoli knew the location of.

I didn't want to chance the forest that surrounded the manor, especially after Tate nonchalantly informed me of some of the creatures that roamed it.

I had to suppress a shudder at the memory, grateful I hadn't run into them despite Tate telling me they didn't venture near the manor.

Nikoli hesitated before nodding.

"If you think you're ready."

I smiled, relieved and he continued.

"Though, to be safe, keep your phone on you. I'll also drive to the city just in case you don't end up where you want to."

"I'll go with you," Ire practically shouted before blushing, realizing how loud it came out.

"What? There's supposed to be a three-day sale of exotic... produce." 

"More exotic than what we already see?" Noir asked with a chuckle and Ire grinned mischievously.

"More exotic as in unless you know the right people you won't know of the sale's existence."

"Hmm well, as long as the food tastes good, I don't care if it's exotic."

We all laughed at Lycus's response.

"As expected, he doesn't think outside of filling his stomach."

"Hey. Shut it, Bain."

Lycus couldn't seem to keep an angry face as Bain stuck out his tongue and playfully flicked him before shoving the last bit of food into his mouth.

I was excited.

I figured Nikoli wouldn't deny my request.

Though, in all honesty, I could've done it regardless of what he said... if I really wanted to that is but there was a part of me that wanted that approval.

I'd never cared for praise but I wanted to get these powers under control to show Nikoli and everyone else I could handle it.

More than that, I wanted to prove it to myself. I might have been broken once but I was mending.

Even if it was one step at a time.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 23 - Part 1

•Ire Byakko (Kitsune)

*Warning Adult Content*

"I usually have a few toys or something to spice things up but damn. Last night was, wow."

I smirked to myself as I sat at the table with the others, breakfast laid out before us.

The rest chuckled at Bain's comment, quite aware of his 'usual' sexual experiences.

I've accidentally stumbled upon those scenes in his mind a few times.

The ones that were more, violent were the ones I disliked, making me take more caution as to not wander in his mind lightly.

Definitely, something I preferred not to experience regardless of how fond I was of Bain.

The thoughts of last night lingered in everyone's minds. 

When I get excited I release a pheromone that makes everything feel more... well, more.

It enhances all the senses but at the same time help you lose yourself in mind-numbing pleasure.

Simple touches made you tremble, kisses scorched your skin with need.

It was something I couldn't help but release at times but it didn't seem like anyone minded.

In fact, the lingering tension felt like it had finally dissolved. 

I was happy, really happy.

It wasn't because we had sex, that was a bonus but I felt more relaxed sitting at the table than I had in a very long time.

Oberous was finally being put in the past where he belonged.

Although the powers taken from him remained, I was beginning to feel like they were becoming mine.

They were my powers, it was my body.

I was in tune with myself, more so than I ever felt, even in my homeland.

I hadn't thought much about it.

Long ago there was a time I hated it.

Hated being an incubus.

Hated our culture but I was long past it.

I actually felt myself missing it, if only for the land and not the people themselves. 

I didn't care for the remainder of my family, my mother in particular but I wouldn't mind visiting my father if I could have.

He had always tried to be understanding of me regardless, even going as far as trying to persuade my mother to show mercy when Connor came into my life, my bringing a human to our land leading to my brother's death and my banishment. 

I was grateful for my new family and their acceptance, more than I think they realized.

We'd ended up sleeping in later than usual, having breakfast for lunch.

There were content smiles to be found on just about everyone's faces.

Even Keon, who doesn't show many expressions, had a ghost of a smile as he passed bacon to Noir. 

'I want bacon.'

My head whipped down to see Xyrin by my feet.

His two tails flicking as his cat eyes reflected his impatience.

Confused, I handed over two strips.

"Since when could you talk?" I asked, staring down at him, curious as to why it was discovered.

"Since who could talk?"

I glanced at Ire who looked at me, just as confused as I felt.

"Xyrin."

When I replied, I cocked my head, curious as to when we'd named him that.

"Yeah, him."

"And," Bain drew out.

"You're saying he talked, just now?"

I nodded, glancing back at Xyrin as he asked for another strip, mutely handing him another.

"Well, what did he say then?"

"That he wanted bacon."

They laughed.

I knew they didn't believe me.

I looked back down at Xyrin.

"You can talk, right?" I asked, determined to prove I wasn't making it up.

'Oh, I can do more than that.'

Suddenly Nikoli stood, panic written all over his face, apparently having heard him too.

"Xyrin don't you dare..." he was stopped midsentence as a puff of black smoke appeared, a naked man stepping out only seconds later, a frightening scar that looked more like a brand on his ribs drawing eyes instantly.

He was walking confidence, body sleek and toned and full of cocky attitude. 

Attitude directed right at Nikoli.

I was aware of the surprise and shock in the room, not to mention the sudden defensive stance Bain, Lycus, and Keon took immediately.

Even Tate and, to my surprise, Noir tensed and looked ready to fight if the situation called for it.

Everyone was determined to put up a good fight, especially after Oberous.

Well, everyone but Blu who just sat there looking dumbfounded and weirdly enough, slightly betrayed. 

Long black hair, matching the pitch fur his other form had, stopped midway down his back, parting around his set of horns.

The man-like Xyrin put a clawed hand on his hip, smirking at Nikoli in full defiance and his tails whipped back and forth, dispelling the smoke.

The seconds ticked by as they held eye contact. 

I found myself in awe of the man's boldness.

Although I felt Nikoli was pissed, there wasn't any intent to harm him and Xyrin knew it. 

"Sup, Nikoli," he said, tilting his head in greeting and then looked at us, his eyes lingering on Blue for just a moment longer than the rest.

"Boys."

Seeing that he wasn't a threat, we sat back down, speechless and staring at him before turning to Nikoli, expecting an explanation. 

He settled down in his chair looking utterly done with everything.

With a sigh, his eyebrows furrowed and he rubbed his forehead, breathing deeply to calm himself a bit, trying to accept that chaos was now his life.

"Dammit, Xyrin. We agreed you'd lay low,"

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 22 - Part 2

•Ire Byakko (Kitsune)

*Warning Adult Content*

"I think I'm going to go up to the bedroom,"

I stretched, causally rubbing the back of my neck, before bending over tortuously slow to pick up my discarded clothes.

I felt Nikoli's cum drip down my thighs and looked over to see his eyes were a bright red, filled with lust but also amusement.

He knew exactly what I was doing.

His gazed lingered on my ass as I stood up and turned to walk away. 

As I left, I heard the others practically fall over themselves trying to be the first out the door, Nikoli's breathless chuckles echoing in my mind as I stayed ten paces ahead of them.

No one wanted to catch up just yet, happy enough to watch as my hips swayed in front of them.

When I reached Nikoli's room, I discretely wiped off the visible cum, reaching the bed right as the door swung open.

My heart was hammering with excitement as they all filed in, each giving me a lot of their attention but some of them playing with the others too.

I felt myself get harder as Bain groped Lycus from behind, the boy's hand on Bain's wrist and maneuvering it at times.

Ire saw where I was looking and grinned, reaching over to play with Lycus's nipple through the thin fabric of his shirt.

The other's were quick to look at the action too, all the attention making Lycus flush, his breath hitching as he used Bain as support.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Noir pressed back against Nikoli's chest, looking away with bright red cheeks as he held back soft moans, Nikoli giving attention to Noir's neck and reaching up to play with his nipples.

Tate was already straddling Keon on the bed, both taking it slow and just making out.

It was starting to turn into the beginnings of a full blown orgy, the air sizzling with lust and making me feel drunk with power. 

I was suddenly pushed onto the bed, landing on my back and staring up at a mischievously grinning Blue.

His cat eyes ranked down my body, filled with confidence.

He moved in between my legs, reaching for my cock and stroking it slowly. 

I moaned as his head bent down, his lips parting to take me in.

I had to bite my lip as his hot mouth covered my tip, his tongue swirling around as his hand continued to stroke the rest of my shaft.

I felt his smirk as he moved to lick and kiss what he couldn't fit into his small mouth.

Before I could cum, I easily changed our position, Blue now spread eagle with me reaching for his cock, meaning to give him the same amount of attention and more. 

"What? W-wait, I never get to top. Shit," his whine cut off as I took him completely in my mouth, my hand fondling his balls. 

His fingers wound their way in my hair, gripping tightly as he trembled and moaned.

His mewls of pleasure were adorable, making me want to push him further and further.

Soon he was arching, shooting his load down my throat and panting heavily.

I gave him no chance to recover and moved my mouth to his twitching hole. 

He shivered as I rimmed him with my tongue, the muscles slow to relax.

Once I was able, I slowly inserted a finger, my other hand slowly stroking his once again hard cock.

I watched him as he lost himself, reaching to play with his own nipples and panting as he watched me watch him.

He looked so docile and lustful at the same time and I was rock hard.

Three fingers in, he was moaning and begging like crazy, my fingers curling as I repeatedly his his prostate. 

"Put it in, Winter."

He was breathless, his face flush and his eyes droopy with need as he watched me.

"What's the magic word?"

I wanted to tease him, he was just so sexy with the way his lip quivered when my fingers thrusted in and out of his now sloppy hole.

"Please. Please fuck me."

That was all I needed.

I quickly lined myself up, barely holding myself back from slamming into him.

As much as I wanted to be inside him, I didn't want to hurt Blue.

It was my surprise when he huffed, his legs wrapping around me and pulling me into the hilt, not satisfied with me taking the slow way.

I moaned, not moving as my cock was encased with his heat.

I hadn't topped in so long, I forgot how it felt. 

My thrusts started long and slow but with a plea form Blue, they got rougher, my tongue dominating his as I kissed him.

He broke away with a cry as I hit his prostate over and over, moving him on his side with his leg up so I could go deeper.

I drenched him with my cum a moment later, his own hitting the bed.

Panting, I lay on my side next to him.

He reached between us to fondle me, lust still in his eyes. 

When I was ready to go again, he pushed me onto my back, crouched above me.

Blue's jaw dropped in a silent moan as he slid me all the way in in one go, his body trembling as he came again.

He began moving, slowly sliding up before roughly slamming down.

Soon, my own thrusts had him bouncing on top of me. 

He'd already cum for a third time when Ire, Bain and Lycus moved to join us.

I was barely able to process them before Bain's own cock was in my mouth.

I was quick to relax, not minding him deep-throating me immediately. 

"Blue," Ire's voice was playful as Blu looked at him, his own cock in Lycus's mouth.

"You wanted to top right? Here's your chance."

Excitement crossed his face as he process what he said.

Blue immediately, slid off me, my cock standing tall.

My moan as he entered me caused vibrations in my throat and Bain cursed lowly, his cock twitching before he thrusted deep and came, forcing me to swallow.

He was already hardening as he pulled out.

He moved me off of Blue, who pouted and set me on his lap, basically supporting all my weight.

He slid inside me and motioned for Blue.

"Stick it in too."

"Wait, what?"

He thrusted once, cutting me off as I moaned.

Before I knew it, I felt Blue sliding into my already filled hole, careful to go slow until I loosened up.

I held on the best I could in this position as their speed picked up, Blue cumming inside me twice already and making them slide in and out with ease. 

I couldn't tell how long they went at it or how many times I came.

I couldn't tell how many positions we changed.

I couldn't tell how many times they switched with others, who was inside me and who rode me. 

I couldn't tell how much cum was in me and whose it was and finally, when I was covered in sweat and semen, I lay there panting.

The others were all on the bed, some still going at it, other's taking a break, and even other's fast asleep.

I had a smile on my face as I let the darkness take me, my body thoroughly satisfied.

Orgies really were amazing.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 22 - Part 1

•Ire Byakko (Kitsune)

*Warning Adult Content*

If I had to describe love, I would equate it to a river.

Sometimes it flows with force, gushing past anything and everything, carrying whatever falls in and becoming a home for various specimens.

Sometimes, though, there can be a drought.

Low levels of water that babbled more than rushed.

Sometimes dams would appear, slowing or even stopping the river's cycle.

Love is a river, never the same twice.

At the moment that I was connected with Nikoli, I felt like my blood was that river, every cell full of love, feeling like they were about to burst, like the river was going to flood the lands that were my life. 

I knew it was naive of me to feel this strongly for him, for everyone, so soon but I'd lived so long without the warmth of others.

I was tired of it.

Sometimes you just have to leap and, for once, I was doing it for the right reasons and oh how I was alive, my body erupt with pleasure, roaring through me like flames on a mission and wrecking pleasurable chaos.

I couldn't help but tremble when he began to move.

My arms wrapped around him, my nails digging in.

They scratched from his shoulders down to his ass where I gripped, pulling him into me with more force.

He liked the dose of pain, his cock hardening inside me.

I didn't know whether it was due to being an incubus or just how much I wanted this but my body adjusted to him quickly, easily taking him in as deep as I could.

Nikoli echoed my moan as he, too, got swept up in it, thrusting into me faster.

I began to jerk myself off, the tip of my cock leaking as I watched him above me.

The overhead lights creating a halo around him.

I almost laughed.

He may look like an angel but this man was filled with unending lust.

No one could be pure and drill into me like that, leaving me panting for more, begging.

"Please, Nikoli.." I whimpered.

'Me. Whimpering.'

"What do you want my love?" his voice was deep and gravely, his breath against my ear before I felt his tongue taking my lobe into his mouth. 

"M-more. I need more."

There were tears streaming down my face as I felt my body numbing, my toes curling as I felt the nearing climax. 

My back arched beneath him as he took my nipple into his mouth, nibbling and sucking.

I felt myself spasm and I clutched him close as my cum shot out, leaving me a mess in more ways than one.

Nikoli didn't stop, a smirk so sinful in place my cock stood up instantly. 

A loud cry of pleasure escaped as he switched positions, my legs straddling him as he repeatedly hit my prostate.

I scattered kisses on his shoulder and neck before nipping his earlobe as he drilled into me.

My tongue swept over it, loving the way I felt him shiver in response.

I continued my assault of his skin, doing what I could to stay sane as I greedily moved my hips in tune with his thrusts, my doubts filtering through my mind and disappearing as I felt only him.

'His cock. His embrace. His love.'

Although I was sure I was fine mentally and physically after the Oberous incident, I knew there was a small part of me somewhere that asked...

'What if? What if I was just repressing trauma? What if making love was something I was incapable of now?' 

And it infuriated me that I couldn't fully move past it.

I was strong, I knew that for a fact that my skin was thicker than most.

Oberous could only truly scar me by harming my family but I stopped that.

I'd spent too many years to count having meaningless sex, painful sex, degrading sex, sex that would horrify others and make them sick but I did it and usually without complaint.

That was the old me but parts of my past self were still here. 

There were parts of myself I didn't even want to acknowledge.

Parts I hid with false confidence.

Parts like how I craved sex even after all that became of my life.

How it made me feel dirty.

How I didn't feel like I could call myself a victim of the abuse I was given but there were also things I liked. 

I liked that I could not breakdown by thinking about Oberous and all the ones that came before.

I liked the memories of my homeland, the beauty and nature.

I liked being able to seduce people, to feel in charge, even as Nikoli fucked me I felt like I was in charge. 

I liked how confident I felt around him and the others.

How I knew they wanted me even after all the shit that happened. 

I liked myself, even if it wasn't completely.

I couldn't change so drastically in such a short time.

There were things that I needed to work on, things I had to discuss with everyone.

I needed to communicate better, to even correct them and help change their perspectives just as they've done mine. 

I wanted to change for me but that it would take time, time I now had with people who loved me.

I had decided that enough was enough and I wouldn't let myself fall into despair.

What happened with Oberous wasn't meaningless and his face was one I didn't think I would ever forget but I refused to let myself get swept up in negativity.

It was for my family and that wasn't something I would regret.

I didn't feel like being broken anymore and I admit, I was scared, somewhere deep down as cheesy as that sounded, that I would breakdown.

That I had unconsciously tricked myself into thinking I was okay with what happened.

That the floodgates would bust open when I got to embrace my family but they didn't.

I was ecstatic.

Making love with Nikoli was the best sex I'd ever had and I felt such a relief in that thought washing over me.

Everything seemed to stop as Nikoli gripped me, his fingers sure to leave marks but marks I knew I would smile at.

His cock twitched after giving a last thrust,  drenching my insides in cum.

The feeling of my ass being filled made my own cum spurt out, sticking to both of our chests as we held the other close. 

We sat there panting, staring at each other.

I could see it, that he had heard my last thought, part of the relief I'd felt had been from him.

There were no words between us but I knew exactly what he felt, like clouds of pure emotion was flowing back and forth.

Nikoli leaned down, capturing my lips with his in a gentle kiss.

It was almost innocent.

His eyes shined with love and acceptance but there was also a bit of nervousness.

After hesitating, he opened his mouth, voice rough with emotion.

"Winter, I promise you to become someone you can rely on. To learn and cherish your likes and dislikes. To protect what you hold dear. I strive to become a man to satisfy you in any aspect I can and act with reason when I can't. I will not chain you to me nor will I control who else you share your life with. All I ask is that you honor me with a portion of your heart to call my own, to allow me the chance to become a better man and learn from the mistakes I've made, and to never lie when we exchange words of love. I'd like for you to be in my life"

His gaze was strong and sincere, patiently waiting for any response I would give. 

I knew my decision.

I'd barely uttered a soft but joyous yes when I was crushed in a hug.

He whispered thank you's repeatedly, peppering me in kisses as I felt myself relax and a smile break out on my face. 

Nikoli paused, looking at me.

"What is it?" 

He coughed uncomfortably.

"I just well, I hadn't planned to take you in the training room of all places. At least, not the first time."

There was a slight blush to his cheeks and I burst out laughing.

"I've imagined you 'taking' me in every single room I've been in and let me tell you, none of it compared to this."

My smirk drew out a chuckle, his fingers lightly brushing along my cheek.

He smiled, giving me a slow kiss that turned more heated.

I felt his cock harden, reminding me he was still inside me.

Nikoli pulled back suddenly, this time with a smirk of his own.

"As much as I'd like to continue this here, I feel like I might need to watch my back if we leave them hanging while I hog all your attention."

He tilted his head towards the others, all flushed with visible tents.

None of them could tear their eyes away from our show, not even to pleasure themselves.

I'd completely forgotten we had an audience.

I wasn't fazed and instead licked my lips, watching how they focused on the action.

Nikoli was fully erect inside me but I slowly slid off, hiding a smirk at his low groan. 

I was completely naked, my own cock standing at attention.

My expression was nonchalant as I pretended to absentmindedly rub my finger in the cum sticking to my body.

They watched intensely as my finger trailed lower to stroke my myself.

I had to stifle a moan, my body feeling like it'd burst from the pleasure, from the lust I was absorbing  from everybody.

The room was full of pheromones but I still wanted more.

"I think I'm going to go up to the bedroom," I said huskily, glancing at them with eyes telling them exactly what I was going to do once I got there.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 21 - Part 2

•Blu Nekozuka (Neko)

*Warning Adult Content*

"Well, I think that's enough for today." 

His actions would seem embarrassed but I could see the fire in his eyes, smell how turned on he was.

The others, too, were starting to be affected.

That may have been because of the pheromones I was no doubt releasing but I couldn't help it.

I was horny as fuck and couldn't control it.

Without thinking, I let my eyes tear up. 

"Do you not like me Nikoli?"

I was playing dirty, I knew I was but he was just so stubborn.

I almost regretted it went I saw the panic and guilt in his eyes.

Almost.

He was also really cute when he wasn't in control. 

"It's not that."

"Is it because of Oberous? Because I was a prostitute?"

Wait, why did that come out? That was a bit too truthful.

"No, no, Winter. Of course it isn't..."

"Then do you not like that I'm an incubus? Or whatever I am now..."

I needed to stop talking.

Nikoli was panicking, I was panicking.

Hell, even everyone else in the room was wide-eyed and fidgeting.

This wasn't hot.

This was deep and gross.

"You know I don't care about that..."

"Then why?"

There were real tears threatening to spill over now.

I looked up at him, trying to keep the sobs back,

"I love you. I love all of you. I just want to become closer. I don't need to have sex. I can live off you guys having it or kisses or whatever but it hurts that you guys don't want me..."

His lips were on mine.

It wasn't gentle.

It was rough, full of emotion.

His frustration, his panic, his love was clear.

He kissed me to shut me up but then he just kept kissing.

Somehow I ended up straddling him, my arms clutching at the front of his shirt, both of us damp with sweat.

He tasted amazing even after the hours we spent training.

It was weird, childish even, to say there were sparks but I could almost swear there were. 

My hands found their way underneath his shirt.

I felt perfection.

He was rock solid underneath.

I was trying to memorize everything but it wasn't enough just to blindly feel.

I broke away from the kiss, panting lightly as I rested my forehead on his shoulder.

Nikoli showered my neck with kisses, nibbling from time to time.

I drew in a shuddered breath as he took my lobe between his teeth. 

"Nikoli..."

He hummed in response, his own hands wandering below my clothes. 

"I want more."

Almost instantly I was on the floor, Nikoli above me, his hands roaming me with unabashed passion that he's held back for far too long. 

His thigh was between my legs, his hard cock rubbing against me through his pants.

His fingers inched my shirt further and further up, tugging it fully off between kisses.

I reached to do the same just as his hand reached into my sweats, his fingers wrapping around me.

My body responded immediately, my back arching as I broke our kiss and clung to him, moaning as I forgot about my intentions of stripping him. 

Was my first time with him going to be in a giant room in front of a bunch of other people?

Yup.

Was I going to enjoy it?

Hell yeah.

I wanted them to watch me make love to Nikoli but that might just be the pervert in me.

"Fuck."

I knew he read my thoughts as his husky voice uttered out the curse.

The intensity of his touches jumping up a few notches.  

I gathered the strength to raise off the floor and began to kiss and nibble any exposed skin I could get to, the taste amazing regardless of the workout.

He shivered under my onslaught of attention.

My hands returning to exploring his body, lowering until I reached the waistband of his shorts and then venturing inside to find his length.

I'd only started to show it the same attention mine was getting, enjoying the badly stifled moans and groans coming from Nikoli.

After a few minutes, he huffed and moved away, practically ripping off my clothes.

My brain was barely processing it when his mouth descended, kissing and sucking.

It felt amazing but it wasn't enough. I wanted to pleasure him.

To pleasure all of them.

Not as a client but as my lovers. 

I made a sound of frustration.

When Nikoli looked up with a smirk, I took my chance.

Reversing the positions as fast as possible.

I wasn't quick enough, however and somehow ended up with my knees on either side of his head, dangling before him as he stood alert and ready in front of me.

He was more than happy, instantly resuming as his fingers gripped my thighs.

We both fought for control, aiming to make the other the bigger mess.

I couldn't take him all the way in my mouth but I made up for it, drawing out sounds I never thought would come from his amazing mouth. 

I felt my body go almost numb, trembling as I came with a moan, the vibrations causing his grip to tighten.

He thrusted, his hot cum shooting a moment after.

Sagging slightly, I panted.

Nikoli wasn't done, however.

He was already starting to get hard again but that wasn't what surprised me.

His tongue prodded at my hole, making me jump in surprise.

My body continued to shiver with pleasure as he patiently loosened me.

Satisfied, he gently moved us so that I was under him, taking off his shirt.

I was looking up as his sculpted body as he positioned himself, excited and nervous all at the same time.

This was it.

The moment I'd literally dreamt about for so long. 

"I love you, Winter," he whispered, his eyes full of warmth as he caressed my cheek, the trails of his touch sending even more shivers throughout my body.

"I love you too, Nikoli."

My response ended with a loud moan as he entered me torturously slow, going deeper until he was fully in.

Neither of us moved, both panting as we experienced the feeling.

We were finally one.

Emotionally, spiritually, and physically. 

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 21 - Part 1

•Lycus Tupou (Phooka)

•Blu Nekozuka (Neko)

*Warning Adult Content*

The cold rubber of the floor was, surprisingly, my only comfort as my chest heaved, the oxygen never seemed enough.

I felt like I was suffocating.

Like my lungs were being squeezed, torn and burned all at the same time.

The high ceiling only seemed to grow farther, my eyes never adjusting enough to actually tell the difference. 

The room was actually pretty impressive, though I suppose it'd be more accurate to say rooms.

The one that we were in was huge but there were other rooms for specific training for both magic and non-magic needs.

It was all thanks to the grey door of everything good and wonderful.

I wish they'd have a list of rooms on the wall outside, though.

I feel like there's a lot I'm missing out on.

I half wished I was missing out on this activity.

It's been three minutes since I fell to the ground exhausted and panting like a dog, five hours since we've started this training straight from hell, two weeks days since I naively asked to be trained and one month and four days since Oberous attacked.

Things were starting to get to normal, even better than normal actually.

The negativity between everyone and Nikoli was practically nonexistent.

We were all getting along, having fun.

Hell, I was even getting closer and closer to getting into Nikoli's pants.

It was still a struggle though. 

I was pretty sure everyone was avoiding anything 'indecent' since Oberous.

I guess they thought I was traumatized which, I guess, given all the horrible experiences I've had with sex over the years, what happened with Oberous wasn't anywhere near my top ten bad times.

I was doing it for the people I loved, I didn't regret it in the least.

They thought I was fragile, which was cute but I was fine.

Now I was in the type of situation where I needed to push Nikoli down, ravish him until he can hold back and let him mount me or something like that.

Honestly speaking, part of the reason I asked Nikoli to help me learn my new abilities was to get close to him but it was also because well, I've run into too many things to count, have teleported into some awkward situations,and a ton of other things I need to get under control.

It was a constant reminder that I wasn't the same, that I couldn't actually forget Oberous like everyone wanted me to do.

The attack seemed so far away but weirdly enough like it just happened.

I think I was still partially in shock, even given how calm I seemed.

Though it currently felt like I was dying.

I was vaguely aware of the others in the room.

They were all watching as I gasped like a fish out of water.

Not for the first time.

They were also laughing.

Also not for the first time.

Not that I minded, I would too.

Don't get me wrong, it bugged me at first what with my wanting to get my abilities under control as fast as possible after my own attempts failed but now I was used to it.

It's all part of the routine: 'wake up, shower, get dressed, eat a very light breakfast, come down to die, finish dying, shower, lunch, help around the house, dinner, go to sleep, repeat'. 

"If you do not wish to continue then no one will force you."

I glanced at Nikoli's easy-going smile, a common appearance lately.

He said all the tension has left since the threat was dealt with and everyone was free to be a family again, which I partially believe but I also think he's just happy to have an excuse to touch me.

Though I've made it quite clear how much I want him, he likes to keep me waiting.

Which is exactly why getting into his pants has been a surprising struggle. 

That 'oh it'd be wrong to touch you' is an act.

He's got a perverted mind.

I'd know since I've accidentally peeked in there which never ceased to annoy him.

He never had to guard his thoughts so carefully before.

I didn't really mean to at first.

I just can't help that I sometimes catch the scenes that play in his head.

"Sneak attack," I whispered before launching myself at him, a feat I might add, in my current situation.

Though he's shocked, he easily catches my fist, wrapping his hand around my wrist before using his whole body to keep me still as easy as if I was a child.

I was engulfed in a nice heat then, the blood rushing to more than just my face.

"You know, you shouldn't yell 'sneak attack' if you really want to do one," he chuckled, the vibrations from his chest running through me. I pouted, nuzzling against his neck.

The shivers running through his body along with the tightening of his arms made me smirk.

"I didn't yell..."

"You might as well have yelled, it would have been the same with my hearing."

I squirmed a bit, stilling as I pressed against something hard.

A wicked grin spread on my face as Nikolai pulled away, clearing his throat.

"Well, I think that's enough for today." 

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 20 - Part 2

•Blue Nekozuka (Neko)

•Lycus Tupou (Phooka)

*Warning Adult Content*

"How can you see his memories?" Bain asked, his brows furrowed.

The others had similar expressions of confusion. 

My heart began to speed up as I readied myself to reveal my people's secrets, something that would spell my death if they ever caught wind of it but they wouldn't.

They cast me out a long long time ago.

Plus, we don't like to mix with anyone but our own unless for business.

I haven't ever seen another of my kind since I was shunned and probably wouldn't for the rest of my life. 

Maybe it was the high of having so much power at my disposal but I wasn't worried about the consequences.

I doubted anyone would come looking for me on the off chance I ran into someone and if they did, I didn't fear them anymore.

They could do nothing.

They wouldn't break me again.

I took a moment to relax, exhaling slowly.

"It's something my people can do. There have been only a handful of successes in all of our history, the rest ending in death so it's forbidden but it's the most dangerous ability we have. It allows us to steal someone's soul? Lifeforce?" I took a deep breath, my hand coming up to touch my chest.

"Everything Oberous was, his power, his memories, it's all inside me. It's a part of me. It's the reason I disappeared from the room, I teleported just like Oberous could. It's the reason my eyes are like this."

I looked up, glancing at Nikolai before facing them full on.

"That's why I can tell you, with one hundred percent confidence, this was not Nikoli's fault. Oberous had back up plans of back up plans. There wasn't anything Nikoli could do to stop him. Nothing."

The silence stretched out with them just staring at me.

"Are you telling me that you did that knowing the chances of you surviving were slim?"

My gaze snapped to the suddenly angry eyes of Ire.

Before I could get a word in they began to talk over one another, each focusing on the same detail.

They all looked at me with a mixture of distress, disappointment and relief that I was okay.

Even Nikoli was angry, his eyes simmering a deep crimson. 

Part of me was amused.

How quickly they switch emotions, going from resentment towards Nikolai to extreme concern for my safety.

It was endearing, to say the least.

I felt, at that moment, that this was exactly what a family should be.

Not something perfect but one where people bicker and fight and then makeup.

I could do without the death threats and insane Vampires though.

"I just wanted to protect you all," I muttered, pouting.

"I didn't want Oberous to take away the people I love."

They fell silent, their eyes widening in shock.

Slowly, a smile began to tug on everyone's faces.

My brows furrowed in confusion as they looked at me with such happiness. It was almost creepy.

"What?"

"Winter, you just said you loved us," Lycus laughed.

My mouth fell open as I turned red, burying my face in my hands, a smile escaping against my will. 

"Well, y-yeah. I do, um, l-love you guys," I mumbled.

"I thought that was kind of obvious since I almost died for you and all..."

I heard them laugh.

Lycus and Ire kept poking fun at me and cooing at my blush.

I felt like I die from embarrassment.

It was nice though.

The atmosphere was lifting.

They weren't yelling or glaring at Nikoli and after a bit Noir even went to hug him, tears in his eyes as he apologized.

I knew they still blamed him, a small part of them deep down, Nikoli blamed himself more than anyone but it was better.

I didn't think pointing fingers would do anything and they knew that.

We were all here, all alive.

That was all that mattered.

I wasn't used to this but I wanted to be.

I was sick of the pain, sick of the way I lived for years, sick of the, self-hatred.

I wanted to be happy, truly happy and I knew that I could be with them.

They may do similar things my biological family did but it wasn't the same.

Nothing they did was.

I felt loved living with them, protected.

I felt safe.

"I want to stay here."

"Of course you can stay Winter. You're part of the family."

Family.

Gods that sounded so good to my ears.

I felt my lips twitch and I let the small smile rest on my face, my eyes misting a bit.

I can't believe I took them for liars in the beginning.

Oh, how wrong I was.

"You guys are the best thing to happen to me."

It was barely a whisper but every one of them heard it.

Their eyes shined with unshed tears. 

I meant it.

Really. 

Years of forced sex, years of letting myself be a silent victim, were over.

I fought and killed a damn master class Vampire for Gods' sake.

I wasn't going to let my own insecurities stop me from being happy and I was going to trust them and start to open up.

It would take a lot of work, being easier said than done but I was willing to try.

I knew they were.

They'd been waiting from the moment Nikolai brought me here. 

I swallowed loudly as I felt my eyes tear up. 

"Thank you, all of you. I don't even want to imagine where I'd be if you hadn't saved me."

They smiled in response.

Wiping at the tears, I sent them one last sheepish smile to their loving ones.

I've left them waiting long enough.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 20 - Part 1

•Keon Lynch (Dragon Descendant)

*Warning Adult Content*

I couldn't help but fidget as I sat on a loveseat in the library next to Ire, occasionally glancing at the others.

On the couch a few feet away sat Noir and Tate, each finding their laps more interesting than Nikoli who sat in the chair opposite of me.

Blue was lounging on the other side of the couch, conflict in his eyes as they passed over Nikoli.

Keon leaned against the wall and Bain rested on the arm of the chair Lycus sat in, his pinkie wrapped loosely around Lycus's.

At a glance, we seemed fine but the atmosphere was tense.

When we had walked back to the mansion, the others kept glancing or outright staring at Nikoli, sometimes their expressions turning dark.

It was obvious that things were not alright.

Every time I was about to say something, Nikoli would hush me, saying we'd all sit down and discuss it when we got home.

I knew he wanted to explain himself, so I just nodded and did as he said. 

The silence stretched as we all sat in one room, the seconds ticking away as we all waited for someone, anyone, to break it.

I could barely stand it myself, my skin crawling as I fidgeted in my seat.

To everyone's surprise, it was Noir who spoke up first.

"Why?"

We all stared at him as he whispered the question on everyone's mind.

Their gazes quickly shot to Nikoli, renewed animosity in their eyes as they waited for a response.

I felt a stab of pain as they turned on him.

Such a loving family had become this because of Oberous.

Full of anger and mistrust.

It made me want to cry.

"I did it to protect you," Nikoli started, his voice calm but his eyes flashing with self-loathing, betraying the reasoning of his words. 

"From what?"

Noir jumped up, making Blue and Tate flinch.

"From Oberous?" 

I'd never seen such anger from Noir.

It scared me.

He was so full of love, love for Nikoli, love for his family.

Now it was coated in something close to hatred, putting a nasty taste in my mouth as I took in the heated look he wore, an expression of resentment and disgust and hurt.

It turned my stomach as a few of the other had the same anger.

He continued, pointing a trembling finger at me.

"Winter protected us. Not you. Do you even realize, do you know what he... what he had to do?" he choked out the last words.

There were tears in his eyes, in everyone's eyes, as they remembered and Nikoli knew.

I saw it in the way his fingers clenched the arms of his chair and his red eyes flared.

He knew exactly what I'd done.

I felt my cheeks heat up as shame rolled through my body.

Unconsciously, I lifted my knees, wrapping my arms around them, trying to make myself as small as possible.

The images, both from mine and Oberous' perspective, playing through my head.

I felt disgusted by his happiness, his lust, invading my horror of the event.

To make it worse, it felt like I was viewing it in the present.

His hands were on me, touching me as he pleasured himself with my pain.

I couldn't cry out, couldn't ask him to stop.

A part of me felt like I deserved it, just like I felt all the years my body had been sold.

My chest began to restrict as the scene took over my mind, my heartbeat quickening, playing like a drum in my ears.

I couldn't breathe, I couldn't remember how.

All I could think of was Oberous. 

All I could focus on was him inside me, dominating me, filling me with the pain he so enjoyed inflicting on countless others.

It was disgusting, I was disgusting.

"Winter, please look up."

At the feeling of a hand touch my shoulder, I jerked, snapping my gaze to Nikoli's who knelt before me.

He stared into my red, puffy eyes.

I found myself unable to look away from the red orbs I've grown to love.

So different from Oberous' so different than my own newly reddened ones.

"Please don't think that way. You are not disgusting. You did what you thought you needed to protect everyone but..."

He brushed a stray tear from my cheek.

"In no way, no way, did you deserve it."

I stared at him, looking for any trace of a lie and found nothing.

After a moment I nodded, sniffling as I glanced at the others, my cheeks tinted red.

Noir looked ashamed for bringing it up but I didn't blame him.

I sent him a weak smile as Nikoli stood to face them.

"I regret what I did, what I didn't do. If I'd stayed, you would not have gone through that. Winter wouldn't have had to do what he did. I thought that I could handle Oberous, that I could lead him away but I didn't realize that it wasn't me he had targeted."

"So how was it that you didn't notice Oberous wasn't following you on your goose chase?" Keon spoke up, a calm expression on his face as he surveyed Nikoli, not blaming him but also not letting it go.

He just wanted to know how Nikoli, a great master class Vampire who we all looked up to, could make such a mistake.  

"He teleported."

Their eyes snapped to me but I wasn't paying attention.

I stared blankly as I scrolled through Oberous' memories, looking for the right one.

"He did a favor for a witch to get the ability."

My face screwed up in disgust.

"And you don't want to know what the favor was."

There was silence before Blue raised his hand as he spoke.

"How do you know that?" I cocked my head, my mouth forming an 'Oh' as I remembered they didn't know.

"I can see it, his memories. It wasn't Nikoli's fault. Oberous followed Nikoli long enough that when he teleported there wouldn't be enough time. Nikoli would have made it had Oberous not had that ability."

They looked shocked.

"How can you see his memories?"

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 19 - Part 2

•Keon Lynch (Dragonborn Descendant)

•Tate Solomon (Warlock)

*Warning Adult Content*

Nodding my head and wincing as pain stabbed me because of the action, I turned around, surveying my surroundings.

The forest, previously silent, had begun to settle once more, the natural sounds once again being heard.

I knew that my hearing had increased since I could pick out even the mice in their burrows. 

My head was starting to pound again with all the noise. 

Concentrating, I was eventually able to tune all the unnecessary sounds out.

Sighing in relief, I went back to the task at hand, figuring out where I was and getting back home.

Though I felt guilty about it, the hole I created in the forest would help. 

Hesitantly, I stretched my wings, taking it slow.

My muscles were sore but it was manageable.

Slowly, I began to flap my wings, rising into the air and above the trees.

I cupped my eyes, squinting as I searched for anything familiar.

The forest ran for miles upon miles in every direction but I could see a speck of color in the far distance.

"Tate's flowers," I grinned, relief flooding my veins.

That grin slipped when my ears picked up a sound.

My gaze automatically went to the treetops that were only twenty feet below me.

I felt uneasy with the way the leaves shook as if the trees themselves were moving.

An eerie groan made my heartbeat spike and suddenly I felt very exposed.

Meaning to fly higher, my wings went to catch air in one big flap.

I only climbed a few feet when something whipped out from the trees to wrap around my leg. 

A hiss of pain escaped me as I was yanked down.

My tail stabbed at what I discovered to be a thick, thorny vine.

By the time I cut through it, it had dragged me down ten feet and before I could try to escape, more vines came at me, this time going for my wings. 

Crying out as I was pulled in multiple directions, I tried my best to stay in one piece.

The thorns ripped through me, completely destroying the layers of skin that were my wings.

Without anything to catch the air, I dropped into the forest, bouncing off branches with a grunt. 

Battered and bloody, I finally hit the forest floor, the vines finally unwrapping themselves from my body.

I glared at them as they slithered away, probably going to their trees to hide away till the next unsuspecting flyer wandered near. 

"Well, I did kind of destroy their brothers," I sighed, guilt eating at me. 

Brushing myself off, I examined my wings, wincing at the sting.

Luckily, they were already starting to heal.

I didn't know whether it was my own healing abilities Oberous' or a mixture of both but I was grateful.

It didn't seem like I'd be able to use them to fly out of here though. 

Letting my wings and everything disappear, I looked up at the sky, visualizing the direction I was sure the mansion was in.

Confident I knew which direction to go to, I started walking.

Hopefully, I wasn't going in the wrong way.

It wouldn't be smart to rely on anyone finding me, I wasn't a damsel in distress anyway, so I couldn't just sit around.

I wasn't even sure if they were actually looking for me.

The thought made me sad but I couldn't hope for something so naive.

They had no idea where I was.

I just randomly landed in that spot.

They wouldn't know where to look. 

I walked for almost two hours before something occurred to me, 'Vampires' had enhanced speed.

I already had more strength and better senses because of Oberous so it's possible I'd have that too.

A grin slipped on my face at the possibility.

If I could figure this out, it'd save me a lot of time.

I was sure Nikoli and the others were worried.

Plus, if I figured out how to control these things now, there'll be less of a chance I'll hurt them.

With a goal in mind, I started at a jog, gaining speed until I was sprinting. It took me a moment to notice but soon everything was slipping past faster and faster. 

And then I was on my back gasping for air, blood gushing from my nose after hitting a tree.

Trying to stop the bleeding, I tore a strip of cloth from my shirt.

I muttered a curse under my breath and got up, sending the tree I ran into a glare as I started walking again.

He was probably laughing at me.

"Wow, Winter. Giving personas to trees now, are we?" I stopped walking, tilting my head in amusement.

"And talking to yourself I see," I chuckled, surprisingly in high spirits.

I didn't know whether it was because I felt stronger than ever or the fact that I was getting closer.

Somehow, I felt them.

They were in the direction I was going and getting closer every step I took. 

I wanted to see them so bad.

I wanted to hug them close to me, to tell them how much I cared, how grateful I was that my plan had worked.

I wanted to hear their voices, to hear my name on their lips.

"Winter."

I stopped, my heart pounding.

I thought I'd heard someone yelling.

Straining my ears, I waited for it again.

Minutes passed before my shoulders slumped in defeat.

No, it must have just been my imagination.

I was still hours away from the manor, there was no way they'd be all the way out here looking for me.

"Winter?"

My head whipped towards the direction it was coming from, my legs moving before my mind could process it.

That was Noir's voice.

"Hey, Winter. Can you hear me?"

Tears streamed down my face as Ire joined in.

"Winter. Where are you?" Bain yelled.

"I'M HERE..." I tripped just as I opened my mouth to yell, landing roughly on the ground.

I was up and moving a moment later, only letting loose a small whimper as I half limped, half ran towards them.

"WINTER?" the ever quiet Keon was the loudest of them all.

"HERE," I yelled, tearing my way through a thorn bush, ignoring the sting as its thorns bit into me.

"Winter. Guys, I hear him," Lycus was here too.

"Winter, yell again."

I did as Blue commanded.

"Here. I'm over here," I rammed into something, crying out as I became unbalanced and fell again.

Before I could hit the ground, a hand grabbed my wrist.

In an instant I was pulled against someone's chest, their arms circling me protectively.

Automatically, my fingers twisted into the back of his shirt.

My heart hammered in my chest but I knew who it was. 

"Nikoli," it came out as a sob of relief.

"I'm here."

"Yes, my love and we'll never lose you again."

He squeezed me to him.

"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault."

I pulled back slightly, about to tell him it wasn't, when Tate burst through the trees.

"NIKOLI FOUND HIM. GUYS, HE'S OVER HERE," he screeched, practically deafening us.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing, catching sight of Nikoli's pained look, the same one I wore. 

The rest of my family came to where we were, some crying but all looking relieved.

At that moment nothing could bring me down.

They found me.

They actually looked for me.

We had overcome everything thrown at us and, for the first time in my life, I was completely and utterly at peace.

I looked forward to what the future held in store for us.

Nothing else could go wrong.

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 19 - Part 1

•Tate Solomon (Warlock)

•Keon Lynch (Dragonborn Descendant)

*Warning Adult Content*

"Nikoli."

I pressed myself against him as I drew in his scent, his strength.

I realized instantly that I was clothed, leaving me to wonder what day it was.

When had he come back?

It didn't matter at that moment.

We were all here.

They were safe and I was alive. 

I sensed the others standing behind him, watching and itching to join in and looked over his shoulder to see them, to reassure myself that this was real. 

They looked so relieved but there was a difference in their eyes when they looked at Nikoli.

It was distrust, resentment.

I didn't fully understand why.

It wasn't Nikolai's fault that Oberous came.

The man was insane.

He was obsessed.

I saw exactly what he'd done and knew I needed to tell them.

Everything went according to his plan.

It was his fault Nikoli was gone so long, that he couldn't protect us.

I had to clear it up.

I opened my mouth to tell them but stopped when I saw their expressions.

"Your eyes," whispered Blu.

Nikoli's arms tightened around me but he didn't say anything.

At my confused look, Tate waved his hand in the air, a mirror appearing instantly and landing in his hands.

He brought it over and it was then that I saw what they were focusing on.

It was horrifying and beautiful all at the same time.

My eyes, originally blue, had changed.

It looked as if blood was invading, tendrils of red probing into the ice that was my irises, creating a small ring at the very edges as the thread-thin color moved inwards.

I looked like I was infected with something.

It looked as if I was transitioning into something and that's when it started.

I froze as the pain hit me all at once, my body going rigid in Nikoli's arms.

I gasped out something incoherent when he asked what was wrong.

He pulled back to study me, a panicked expression on his face but I couldn't find the ability to speak.

My eyes squeezed shut painfully as beads of sweat started to appear on my forehead.

It felt as if my insides were on fire.

A pressure began to increase inside my head, my brain pounding against my skull.

Why was this happening?

I survived, a feat I didn't even believe was possible, so why?

"You need to get away," even as I said that I clung to Nikoli, my fingers digging into his arms as I struggled to breathe.

I knew something was going to happen and if they were near me they would get hurt.

I didn't want that.

I fought too hard to save them for them to be harmed by my own hands.

They started talking all at once, refusing to leave and demanding to know what was happening.

They looked to Nikoli, their eyes begging for an answer and also blaming him for this, whatever this was.

He didn't deserve that.

It wasn't his fault, it was mine.

I knew, somehow, that I'd brought this on myself.

I wanted to tell them but the pain was increasing.

"I don't know what's happening," he stopped when the air in the room started picking up speed.

Without my consent, my body started to transform, my tail whipping out as my claws pierced Nikoli's skin, letting the blood it held spill to the floor.

I felt as my horns and teeth elongate, sending a wave of pain through my head.

The whole time, my body grew hotter.

"Do as he says." 

There was a commanding tone in his voice as Nikoli looked at the others, not leaving room for argument.

They wanted to stay but when I started to cry out, the pain becoming too much, they stumbled out, tears in their eyes as they gave me one last look. 

Nikoli hugged me close, ignoring as I cut into him.

He whispered reassurance, petting my head to try and comfort me.

I screamed into his chest, my wings ripping out of my back.

Blinking past the tears, I tried to push away from him.

Something was going to happen.

I was going to hurt him.

"Stop. Let go."

"Shh, Winter. Please..."

"No. Something bad, I feel it. Go AWAY," I screeched the last word, terrified because I could feel something building.

It was as if I was going to explode.

Finally, I wrenched myself out of his grasp, looking into his wide eyes right before falling off the bed and onto leaves?

I whipped around, my eyes darting wildly.

There was no Nikoli, no mansion.

I was alone and surrounded by trees, their huge trunks reaching skyward and their leaves creating a canopy the light struggled to break through, causing the area to be cast in darkness.

I began to panic and the pain, subsiding for only a moment, came back in full force. 

I cried out, dropping to the ground.

My claws dug into the earth as I felt my body convulse.

The pressure was still building.

My heart hammered in my ears at an almost deafening volume.

I couldn't make sense of anything.

There was no me.

There was no Nikolai.

There was no mansion or forest.

There was only pain.

Oh, there was so much pain. 

Pressing my forehead to the dirt, I let out a blood-curdling scream as the pain climaxed.

It felt like every cell in my body was being electrocuted and set aflame all at once.

Suddenly, it sounded as if a bomb went off.

The ground shook and my ears rang.

I felt lighter than air and as heavy as lead all at the same time. 

Minutes passed before I realized my breathing was turning back to normal, the pain lessening till it was just a dull pounding in my skull.

My vision blurry, I tried multiple times to bring myself to my knees and then to my feet.

I almost tripped over my own feet as I looked around, shielding my eyes from the sunlight that breached the previous darkness.

"Holy-fuck."

A circle at least twenty feet wide was clear of everything.

There were no trees, no plants, just holes everywhere as if giants had come and pulled up all the trees from the roots, tossing them where they lay destroyed around the perimeter of this unnatural clearing. 

Walking to the edge of the circle, I saw that the devastation didn't stop.

Almost all the trees I could see were affected somehow.

Some were completely snapped in half while others only had branches broken off. 

I felt sick when I noticed a fallen nest.

Falling to my knees, I hesitated to pick it up, my hands shaking as I caught sight of blood.

Lifting it up, three tiny, featherless hatchlings were revealed.

Their tiny eyes were closed.

My eyes stung as I held back my tears, noticing other dead creatures scattered throughout the ruin. 

'This was all my fault.'

I stumbled away, leaning against a tree trunk and falling when a chunk of it snapped off, leaving my arms to flail as I crashed to the ground.

I stared at the trunk in shock.

It wasn't that I normally wasn't capable of such a feat but I'd applied so little pressure this time.

It shouldn't have happened.

Standing up, I slowly brought my hand up, pressing a single finger against the tree.

My mouth dropped in part horror and part awe when I heard the sound of cracking.

"What's happened to me?" 

It barely left my mouth when it hit me.

Oberous.

When I absorbed his life force, I took his powers.

The surge of power I'd released, what had caused this, must have been because I couldn't handle so much power.

My body wasn't strong enough.

I didn't know whether this would fade away.

It was rare for incubi and succubi to survive doing such a thing much less with a 'Master Vampire's' soul.

There wasn't much information on the subject due to that very reason.

In all honesty, we were taught to never attempt stealing someone's life force.

We were told we would die.

It's why I was shocked I was alive now.

I needed to be careful.

I needed to learn to control this.

If I didn't, I would undoubtingly bring harm to those around me and who knew what other abilities I had?

I needed to discover and master them as soon as possible.

I needed Nikoli. 

[casspurrjoybell-22]

The Art of Sin - Chapter 18 - Part 2

•Bain López (Werewolf)

*Warning Adult Content*

A human, in his early fifties, struggled against Nikoli as he fed.

Oberous moved around to get a better vantage point and that's when I saw.

It was Connor, an older version of himself but Connor nonetheless.

I would never forget the face of the man who tricked me into loving him and then sold me.

Even as he cried for his life, I didn't feel anything for him.

I had thought I loved him but really, I didn't know what love was.

I was young, blind to the dangers.

My naivety cost me everything. 

Connor fell to the ground, cold and dead.

Lord Nikoli, who I had never seen angry before, was terrifying.

He glared at his body with such hatred and disgust that it scared me to my core.

As he reached down, digging into the pocket of Connor's corpse, his hands shook.

I was surprised when he pulled out my amulet, the one representing my people.

I had given it to Connor the day before he sold me.

Until my former master had given it to me to wear I had thought I'd never see it again.

"You disgusting creature. He loved you. He loved you and you betrayed him like that?"

I was stunned as Lord Nikoli yelled at Connor's body, his voice trembling with unconcealed rage.

Tears ran down his face as he gazed at my amulet, clenching it in his hands before looking at the sky and whispering an oath.

"I will find you, little Winter. I will find you and I will give you the love you truly deserve. You will be happy again, I swear it."

Lord Nikoli and Connor faded away, being replaced with the calmer version of  Lord Nikoli that I was used to.

I watched as he tracked down my former masters, usually ending in their death after finding out who'd I'd been sold to.

He didn't stop, It took a long time, my masters the kind to cover their tracks and disappear but even then, he never gave up.

Even the others helped him.

I was stunned how they all worked to find where I was.

They didn't even know me.

I heard them speak of different ways that they could make me feel welcome, to show me that not everyone was bad.

I could see how bad they wanted to find me, especially after seeing where I had been.

I felt unbelievably happy but at the same time, I felt ashamed.

I was ashamed that I had refused to trust them.

Here they worked so hard to find me and how do I repay them?

I called their love fake.

I didn't allow myself to trust them for the longest time but now I know what they feel, what I feel.

The memories finally stopped on one of Lord Nikoli and my last master.

He spoke with him in soft tones before handing over a suitcase which I assumed held money.

As my former Master went to leave, a delighted smile on his face, Nikoli stopped him, holding the amulet.

"Give this to him, if you would."

"Certainly, sir. I'll even make sure he's presentable for you."

He took the amulet, walking towards the car that was waiting.

Just as he reached for the handle, Nikoli called out.

"Oh and don't think of taking off with the money without giving me the boy. I'll find you and you will not like what happens."

I didn't miss how my former master's hand trembled or how he swallowed loudly before nodding and getting in the car.

Nikoli looked towards the sky as the car disappeared.

"I've finally found you, my lovely Winter."

*********

He disappeared, leaving me in the darkness.

Oberous was oddly quiet.

I didn't know whether he meant to show me all that or not.

"Why couldn't he show me that kind of love?" his voice was hoarse and at the same time quiet, as if it was further away.

"Even when I disappeared, he never once looked for me."

"So you stalk him and then attack us?" 

He hesitated before answering.

"It wasn't meant to be like that. It took me so long to find the manor. I was so happy when I did but then he got a heads up that I was close and... HE RAN OFF. HE TRIED TO LEAD ME AWAY FROM YOU ALL."

His outburst, though not as powerful as last time, still startled me.

He calmed down as quickly as he got angry.

"I felt betrayed. He could feel so strongly for you all but never paid me any mind. I didn't get a single ounce of his affection. Oh, but you all have him wrapped around your little fucking fingers," his voice got quieter and quieter until I had to strain to listen.

"You know what? I don't care anymore. I'm tired of it all."

He was slipping away, I realized.

His life force, the power of a 'Master Class Vampire' was settling inside me.

It was becoming one with my own power, mixing and blending until you couldn't tell which was which.

I began to feel my body though it was heavy with the amount of energy being contained in it.

I knew that, no matter what was to come, I wouldn't be the same physically and mentally.

I've learned things that I could never forget, things that made my emotions ignite like fireworks on a dark summer night.

Physically... well, this amount of power would change anyone.

My abilities would be different.

I don't know what I would gain from Oberous but it would take awhile to get control over it.

Lord Nikoli came to mind, the idea that he could help me with these vampiric powers.

The others would probably laugh at my attempts to learn but they would do what they could so that I got control over them.

It was then that I heard it, the voices.

"Winter..."

"Please don't die, Winter..."

"We're so sorry..."

"You did it..."

"You saved us, Winter..."

"We love you..."

"Please..."

And lastly, a voice that I'd heard from so many of Oberous's memories, a voice that he was obsessed with, that he loved.

A voice that I too, loved.

"My love, please wake..."

My eyes snapped open, looking into the red ones I knew so well.

The eyes that held warmth and love.

The eyes that filled with relief before I launched myself into their owner's arms.

I was instantly engulfed in his embrace.

Burying my nose in the crook of his neck, I breathed in his scent.

I didn't pay any mind to how my body screamed at me to not move, to lay back down.

I didn't do anything but clench the back of his shirt, letting out a breathless whisper that held all my emotions, saying only one word, one name.

"Nikoli."