Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

Blue flame danced between Melisa's fingers, eager to reduce Sirah to ash.

"Raven," Melisa said instead. "Take my parents somewhere else. Armia, Isabella, go with them."

"But—" Isabella started.

"Now."

They looked at each other. That level of authority in Melisa's voice was rare. So, they moved, with Armia gently guiding Margaret and Melistair toward the door, both parents shooting confused looks back.

"Melisa, what's happening?" Margaret asked. "Your friend—"

"I'll explain later."

The door clicked shut.

Just them now. Melisa and the woman who'd chained her. Who'd taken her. Who'd—

"So." Sirah lounged on the couch like she owned it. "Nice family. Your mom makes excellent cookies."

"You have thirty seconds to explain before I remove your other hand. And maybe everything else you've got, too."

"Straight to threats?" Sirah examined her fingernails. "And here I thought we had something special."

The flame grew hotter.

"Make that twenty seconds."

"Fine, fine." Sirah shifted, bandaged stump resting on her knee. "A little bit after you left, my clan and I captured a human boy. I spoke with him. He told me a little bit about himself and I..." Sirah shifted. "I let him go. In exchange, he brought me here." Sirah's grin widened. "Sold out my own people for a chance to see you again. Romantic, right?"

[Romantic? She's insane.]

"Why?" Melisa stepped closer. "Why did you want to see me?"

Sirah's eyes half closed as she smirked back.

"Because you're mine."

The words hung in the air.

"Excuse me?"

"I chose you." Sirah leaned forward. "Out of all the lovers I could have in that forest, I picked you. We're linked now, Red Eyes. That's not the sort of thing you just... walk away from."

[She's completely lost it.]

"What, so you just thought I was going to pack up and leave with you? Or that you'd just pick me up and go and I wouldn't fight back? I'm not your property."

"Never said you were, never said those were my intentions," Sirah's remaining hand tapped against her thigh. "But you're still mine. My trophy. My—"

The flame shot forward, flashing past Sirah's face, an inch or two to her left.

"Careful with that word."

Sirah didn't flinch. If anything, her grin widened.

"There she is. The fighter who took my hand." She leaned back, casual despite the flame. "Been thinking about that night. How you moved. How you fought."

"How I beat you."

"You and your friend beat me." Sirah's eye twitched. "While I was distracted. Emotional. Sloppy."

[Making excuses now?]

"Give me one reason not to kill you."

"Besides the queen's protection?"

"One good reason."

Sirah stood slowly. Even missing a hand, she moved like a predator. She still moved like she owned everything around her.

"I can teach you to fight."

Melisa laughed. Actually laughed.

"You? Teach me? I beat you!"

"With magic and help." Sirah circled her slowly. "Take those away, what are you? A nim who throws pretty flames?"

"Better than a darian with just one good hand."

That hit. Sirah's jaw tightened.

"Even with one good hand I'm still better than you individually, Melisa. Your forms are shit. Your footwork's worse. That friend of yours, the quiet one? She carried that fight, and even then I could beat her too, easily." Sirah stopped directly in front of her. "Without her, you'd still be warming my bed."

Melisa's blue flame flared up.

"You're not doing a good job of convincing me not to turn you to ashes, Sirah."

"Am I not? Maybe I misread you. I mean, I assumed you would want to be better... Do you not?" Sirah continued. "Why else keep training? Why else push yourself?"

Melisa paused. Sirah, sensing Melisa's sudden hesitation, continued.

"I know that look. That hunger." Sirah's voice dropped. "We're the same in that regard, despite our different backgrounds. You want to be the best, right? Not just at magic. At everything."

Melisa's flame flickered.

"And you think you can teach me?"

"No, I know I can." No hesitation. "Give me a month. I'll make you dangerous without magic. Two months, you'll be deadly."

"Why would you do that?"

"Already told you." Sirah stepped closer. Too close. "You're mine. Can't have my trophy being weak."

Melisa gritted her teeth.

[This. Fucking. Woman.]

But...

She needed this. The magic came naturally now, the lovers practically threw themselves at her, but fighting? Real, physical combat?

She'd been lacking in this department. She couldn't deny that.

"If I say yes—"

"When."

[Oh I want to take her head off.]

"IF I say yes, there are rules."

Sirah's good hand lifted, tucking a strand of black hair behind Melisa's ear. The touch sent unwanted heat through her.

"Whatever you want, Red Eyes."

Melisa batted her hand away.

"No touching without permission."

"Boring, but fine."

"No mention of... before. Not to anyone."

"A secret, then?" Sirah's breath ghosted across her cheek. "I like secrets."

"And you teach all of us. Not just me."

That made Sirah pull back slightly.

"All?"

"My friends. They want to improve too."

"Ah... Well, I vaguely recall seeing them fight. The dragon girl's forms are decent. Quiet one's the best. Pink one..." Sirah grimaced. "No idea what she's good at."

"She's brilliant."

"At magic, I'm guessing?" Sirah shook her head. "Waste of time."

"All of us or no deal."

They stared at each other. Sirah's dark eyes searched hers, looking for weakness.

[Don't blink. Don't show—]

"Fine." Sirah stepped back. "But I teach my way. No complaints. No whining."

"Deal."

"Good." That predatory grin returned. "Of course, there are other reasons I wanted to see you again."

Her hand reached out—

Melisa caught her wrist.

"What did I just say about touching?"

"Can't blame a girl for trying." But Sirah's eyes had gone dark, hungry. "You can't tell me you haven't thought about it. Come on," she grinned. "Tell me any of these domesticated cats have what I have. Fuck like I fuck. Lie to me, Melisa, go on."

Heat flooded Melisa's cheeks.

"You're nothing special."

"Liar." Sirah retreated, though, hands raised in mock surrender. Well, hand. "Message received, however. But this isn't over, Red Eyes."

"It is for tonight." Melisa moved to the door. "You can go."

"Where? I don't exactly have lodgings."

[Of course she doesn't.]

"There's an inn two streets over. Tell them to bill the palace. And, by the way, if you get into trouble, I won't be helping."

"Cold. Sending your teacher to sleep alone?" Sirah grabbed her cloak with practiced ease. "Your mother offered me the guest room, you know."

"Out."

"Going, going." At the door, Sirah paused. "Tomorrow morning. Dawn. I'll be back."

"Dawn? Seriously?"

"Real fighters don't sleep in." That grin again. "Wear something you don't mind getting dirty."

She left before Melisa could respond.

[What have I just agreed to?]