The loud click of high heels was like a death clock, each step hitting Alex's nerves.
Creak. The door opened. A sweet smell, different from any succubus he'd met before, wafted in.
Alex's heart sank. This was definitely a succubus's room! But the scream he expected never came.
The person who walked in didn't seem to notice him. A second later, a cool, deep voice rang out.
"Yes, Mother, I understand," she said respectfully.
"I will be ready for the youth competition. I won't let you down or shame our people."
She paused, as if listening. Alex felt a faint magic wave in the air, a form of communication. The voice became strained:
"About... about that... way to get stronger... I... I think maybe we could..."
The person on the other end clearly cut her off.
Her voice dropped, sounding unsure.
"Humans... or elves... or even demons... Mother, I don't like it... it feels... strange. And it feels like a loss of... purity."
Hiding behind the closet, Alex held his breath, his mind blown.
This proud, cold succubus was against taking life essence? And cared about purity?
This was insane! He risked a peek through a crack.
He saw a pair of fancy black heels, then long, straight legs in smooth stockings, hidden by a beautiful, deep purple dress.
The woman stood with her back to him, facing a bookshelf.
Her back was straight and elegant. Her silver hair, like moonlight, was in a perfect bun, showing off her long, pale neck.
Just her back showed a sense of high class.
His heart jumped again as he saw what was on her bookshelf—human romance novels! Titles like The Knight and the Duchess and Moonlight Serenade.
Just then, the voice from the magic communication got louder. Even through the spell, Alex could hear a strong, queenly voice:
"Purity? Lilith! My daughter, have those human stories made you stupid? Don't forget who you are!
You are our people's most honored Saintess, with the rare Night-Succubus talent! But you are a succubus first!
Taking essence, controlling desires, and getting stronger—that is our nature and our power! What is purity? It's the dumbest chain you could have!"
The silver-haired succubus, Lilith, shook a little.
The queen's voice went on: "I don't want to hear this nonsense! I'm giving you one month, Lilith.
You must find at least one high-quality male and do the first ritual! This is an order! If not, I will find one for you!
An elf prince, an angel prisoner, or even a top-level demon from the Abyss—you have to choose one!"
Lilith's shoulders dropped a little. She was silent for a few seconds before saying, "…Yes, Mother. I… understand."
The magic wave vanished. The room was totally silent, except for Lilith's tiny sigh.
She lifted her hand and her thin fingers gently touched the gold title of a romance novel on the shelf.
"But… the power I get that way… if I ever met someone I wanted to truly be with… what would I do then…"
She mumbled, her voice almost too quiet to hear.
Just then, Alex accidentally let out a small breath. Lilith's hand froze! Her elegant back went stiff.
A cold, strong energy shot out from her, filling the whole room!
"Who's there?!" She turned fast, her voice now icy.
Her eyes, which had been lost in thought, were now sharp as a knife, and they locked on the big closet where Alex was hiding!
Alex's heart hit rock bottom. He was found!
Her eyes, sharp as ice, looked right through the crack in the closet and locked onto him.
Just as he thought he was about to be dragged out or turned to dust by magic—
Hum…
A familiar magic wave moved through the room again.
Lilith froze. A flash of panic crossed her face. She quickly pulled back her killing intent but stayed on alert, turning her attention to the communication.
"Mother?" She tried to keep her voice calm. As she spoke, she kept a careful eye on the closet.
"Lilith," the strong and bossy queen's voice said again. This time, it had a tone of doubt and a cold look.
"Your energy was messed up for a second. What happened? Did you find a good male?"
Alex held his breath in the closet, not moving. This queen was way too sharp!
Lilith's body went tense, but she was quick to answer:
"Nothing… nothing at all. I just got annoyed thinking about dealing with those disgusting males."
"Hmph, so weak!" The queen snorted.
"Good, I'm glad I called again to tell you something important. Octavia just reported a very rare problem in the lair."
"A problem?" Lilith seemed a little interested.
"A male human tribute, who was not only not drained, but… he drained a mature succubus in reverse, and then ran away."
The queen's voice had a hint of excitement.
"According to Octavia, that male has… a very special kind of energy. It even gave Violet a rare pregnancy reaction! This has never happened before!"
Alex's scalp tingled in the closet! The news traveled so fast?!
Even the succubus queen knew?! And "pregnancy reaction"?! What the hell was that?! He only did it once!
"Octavia thinks that male is not some useless tribute. He probably has some kind of SSS-rank rare talent!
It could be the key to making our bloodline stronger!" The queen's voice became hot.
"He should still be on the run in our land. I've ordered a full search. We need him alive! No, he has to be caught alive! No mistakes!"
Lilith was clearly shocked by this news, her mouth slightly open. For a moment, she forgot about the threat in the closet.
"Lilith, listen," the queen's voice got serious.
"Your Silvermoon Town is one of the ways out of the mountain lair. Check your place and the area around it right now!
That guy might be nearby. If you find anything, especially a human male with that special male energy, you must capture him yourself and tell me right away!
This is the most important mission. It's ten thousand times more important than your pointless 'purity'!"
"Yes… yes! Mother, I understand!" Lilith answered, her voice now serious.
"Remember, get him alive! I want to see for myself what kind of 'treasure' has this kind of power!"
The queen's voice was full of greed, and then the magic communication ended.
The room was silent again, but the feeling was completely different.
Lilith slowly turned to face the big closet again. The cold and careful look was still on her face, but the sharp killing intent was replaced by a more complex look.
Step by step, she slowly walked to the closet.
Alex swallowed hard.
Lilith stopped in front of the closet, silent for a few seconds.
Alex could see the pattern on her beautiful dress through the crack and smell her unique scent.
Then, a pale, long, and perfectly-manicured hand slowly reached out and grabbed the brass handle of the closet.