Habit is a scary thing…

I remember that, in the first hours after meeting Akasha, I was scared out of my mind.

Then, I calmed down a bit, and for the next few days, while I resolved to maintain a certain distance between us, we managed to cooperate and communicate rather effectively.

But then, I started flirting with her more and more blatantly.Continue reading

The monster – no, Akasha – has fallen silent, seemingly lost deep in thought, head down, looking absently at the ground.

I’m not sure if it’s safe to interrupt her. She doesn’t seem to be as temperamental as I would have expected from a devil – if devil she is – but I still prefer not to take any chances. She’s sitting too close to me. If she suddenly decides to attack, I won’t be able to react at all.

Of course, even if she were sitting 50 meters away from me, I wouldn’t be able to react, but it’s the principle of the thing. I would prefer to keep a proper distance between us.

Also, the air around her is chilly, like she’s a small pocket of winter in this late-spring forest.Continue reading

When the symbols flash, all the dead leaves that were scattered over the surface of the teleport formation are instantly disintegrated. So are the nearest overhanging branches from the surrounding trees.

Everything that was inside the radius of that circular platform at that moment suddenly disappears.

Which includes the oni.

Half of him, that is.Continue reading

The waitress leans down – not enough to give me the view down her neckline I’d been hoping for, unfortunately – and refills my glass.

In lieu of thanks, I let out a short, ill-tempered grunt, then turn my gaze to the window again, thoroughly ignoring the attractive young woman in favor of looking at the city gates standing forbiddingly shut, down at the end of the street.

I went through those gates and entered Rayyan Fortress two days ago.

Once I was in, I shapeshifted again, for safety, into my current appearance, that of a grim old woman, who, after a little investigation, appeared not to have any friends nor even, for that matter, anyone she ever talked to. She also happened to frequently patronize this bar, with a very good view of the city gates. That suited my purposes just fine, so I killed her in her home and took her place.Continue reading

Rayyan Fortress.

It’s quite a lot bigger than Hardron Fortress. I can see the great gates, standing tall and forbiddingly shut, and the high, thick walls, guards patrolling atop them, all armed and armored. Assaulting the fortress by my lonesome would be little more than suicide, obviously.

So how am I supposed to get inside?

There is a squad of guards in front of the door itself, to regulate passage, and from what I’ve seen in the past few hours, visitors need to show some form of identification to be allowed through.Continue reading

“I have a visual. She just reached floor 52. And I’ve regained control over floor 51.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, it’s like the tension that hung in the air for the past few weeks is suddenly gone. All the researchers sitting around the conference table visibly relax. Hershey even sags in his chair, like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

How undignified…

But I have to admit that I didn’t exactly feel relieved for a while, there, either.Continue reading

Things went much smoother than I’d feared.

That little girl – Akasha – is a bit taciturn, but she’s more amenable than her demonhood might suggest. Submissive, even.

It’s actually quite a surprise. I expected to have to fight tooth and nail and negotiate and debate and convince in order to earn my place inside her dantian. But I guess being the one to free her from her loneliness played in my favor.

And so, I got settled in.Continue reading

“Eyalen! I came to visit!”

Someone screams my name and starts banging on the door, the sound carrying all the way from downstairs.

I break the kiss with an irritated sigh.

Selma is panting, trying to catch her breath. Her cheeks are flushed red and her gaze has trouble focusing on me. I’d almost think she was drunk, if I wasn’t the one responsible for her current condition.Continue reading

“Forward.”

One of the apostles pushes me, sending me stumbling along the hallway.

Annoying…

I already was going forward. It’s not like there is any branching path, either, so I’m not going to need directions any time soon, thanks. And if I wasn’t walking fast enough, just tell me so. No need for such unpleasantness…Continue reading