- 34 minutes ago
When Dreams Wake HD
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00One week before the wedding, Camila flew from New York to Los Angeles to help me get everything ready.
00:05That night, while she was still in the shower, her phone rang.
00:08Water hissed behind the half-open bathroom door.
00:11Steam drifted into the room.
00:12The damp heat made me uneasy.
00:14And the succubus mark beneath my collarbone began to warm,
00:17warning me that someone's desire was getting close.
00:19Vivian, check who it is for me.
00:21I smiled and picked up her phone.
00:22Mailed and afraid I'll find some hidden man on here?
00:24Even as I said it, I thought it was ridiculous.
00:27After all, Camila hated men more than anyone I knew.
00:29She had been my friend since childhood, and like me,
00:32she was a half-blood succubus living quietly among humans.
00:35Half-blood succubi could smell desire, enter dreams,
00:38and when hunger or emotion pushed us too far,
00:41draw a little energy from a kiss, a touch,
00:43or the warmth left behind in someone's dream.
00:45Camila was proud, cold, and openly hostile toward men.
00:49She looked down on flirting with men.
00:50She looked down even more on feeding through intimacy,
00:53so I never guarded myself against her.
00:55I showed her photos from my wedding dress fittings,
00:57drafts of my vows, even the private dream boundaries
01:00between Luca and me that I had never told anyone else.
01:02I thought she was the last person in the world
01:04who would ever use my weaknesses against me.
01:06But when I unlocked her phone,
01:08I saw a message from the contact pinned
01:10at the top of her list.
01:11Baby, want to come into my dream and fuck me tonight?
01:13I'm all ready.
01:14Below it was a photo, black bunny ears,
01:17a velvet corset, pink handcuffs,
01:19a thin chain engraved with succubus contract marks.
01:22In one corner of the photo,
01:23I could just make out a hotel keycard.
01:25My fingers tightened around the phone,
01:27but Luca, impossible.
01:28He's my fiance.
01:30How could he possibly be in contact
01:31with my misogynistic best friend?
01:34Then the man sent a voice message.
01:37I've missed you, Camila.
01:38His voice was low,
01:40rough with the rasp of a man
01:41who had barely dragged himself back
01:43from the edge of desire.
01:44Don't torture me only in dreams tonight.
01:46You know I can't handle that tail of yours
01:48wrapped around my wrist.
01:49I froze.
01:50That voice was too familiar.
01:52So familiar that every drop of blood
01:54in my body went cold.
01:56It was not some stranger.
01:58It was my fiance Luca.
01:59It really was him.
02:01Los Angeles was cool on winter nights,
02:03but the hotel room was too warm.
02:05The sound of water from the bathroom
02:07hit my nerves again and again,
02:08wearing down the last of my reason.
02:10I stared at the private account on Camila's phone,
02:13an account I had never seen before.
02:15I read the chat between her and Luca,
02:17all those bold, intimate messages hinting at dreambinding.
02:21And all I could think was how absurd it was.
02:23Luca, my fiance.
02:25The man who knew I was a half-blood succubus
02:27and still held my hand and told me he loved me.
02:30I even tried to make excuses for them.
02:33Maybe the voice only sounded like his.
02:35Maybe it was a cruel prank.
02:37Maybe some low-level glamour
02:39had stolen Luca's voice to sabotage our wedding.
02:43But now his profile picture and Camila's
02:46were a matching pair.
02:47In the chat, he called her baby.
02:50Tonight I bought a brand new clitoral ring.
02:53I thought you hated being controlled.
02:55If it's you, I'm willing.
02:57I can't wait to be fucked by you.
02:59Tears welled up in my eyes
03:01and my hands trembled uncontrollably.
03:04The man who was supposed to marry me in a week
03:06actually cheated on me with my best friend.
03:11I stood there, stiff from head to toe.
03:14Some numb instinct made me scroll upward.
03:16She never enters your dreams, does she?
03:18She's too clean.
03:19Too boring.
03:21Who can do it as well as you?
03:22It's unforgettable.
03:24In that moment,
03:25what chilled me more than the flirting
03:27was that every line.
03:28Camila used to tempt him
03:30stepped directly on secrets I had told her myself.
03:32I had told her I refused to cry
03:34into my lover's dreams.
03:35I had told her Luca was terrified
03:37of abandonment.
03:38I also had told her
03:40that I wanted to save my virginity
03:42for our wedding night.
03:43She had taken all of it
03:45and turned it into a knife.
03:46When Camila first met Luca,
03:49disgust was written all over her face.
03:51She looked him up and down,
03:53a dark red glint flashing in her eyes,
03:55the kind only half-blood succubi had.
03:58So you're the human who wants to marry Vivian?
04:00Luca smiled and offered his hand.
04:02I'm at Luca.
04:03Camila did not shake it.
04:04She only stared at him,
04:05her mouth cold.
04:06Human men's promises are worthless.
04:09If you ever hurt her,
04:11I'll make sure you dream every night
04:12of being torn apart by your own desire.
04:14Later, Luca complained to me about it.
04:17I only held back because she's your friend.
04:19Otherwise, I would have thrown her out of my club.
04:22Every time he mentioned Camila,
04:24his dislike sounded so real.
04:26So real, I never doubted it.
04:28Back in the hotel room,
04:30I stared at the words
04:31until my fingers started shaking.
04:32Half-blood succubi could smell desire.
04:35Even through a scream,
04:37I could smell it now.
04:38Desire leaked from those messages.
04:40Hot and sticky and burning.
04:42This was not a misunderstanding.
04:44This was Luca's real desire for Camila.
04:46An impatient sexual desire.
04:49The shower stopped
04:51as if the phone had burned me.
04:52I locked it at once.
04:53Then I picked up my own phone
04:55and video called Luca.v.
04:56A few seconds later,
04:58the screen lit up.
04:59Baby.
05:00Luca's familiar face appeared.
05:01He was in Chicago,
05:02or so he had told me,
05:03meeting investors for a new private club.
05:05The camera shifted,
05:06and several partners sat behind him,
05:08raising their glasses at me.
05:10Surprise call from the bride-a-bee.
05:12Don't worry, at Vivian.
05:14We're watching him for you.
05:17Jackson's friends mentioned you
05:18about 800 times tonight.
05:19If he keeps going,
05:20we'll be forced to hear
05:21the entire wedding vow speech.
05:23I looked at the man
05:24smiling gently on the screen.
05:25His eyes were clear.
05:27His voice was soft.
05:28He looked like nothing had happened.
05:30Sweetheart, did you miss me?
05:32He leaned closer to the camera
05:34and lowered his voice.
05:36I'm almost done here.
05:37I'll be back with you
05:38before the wedding.
05:39I promise.
05:41My heart felt like
05:42something had seized it.
05:43It hurt,
05:44but some desperate part of me
05:45still refused to give up.
05:47I paused,
05:48then asked like it was nothing.
05:50Luca,
05:51what do you think of Camila?
05:54On the screen.
05:55His expression froze
05:57for the briefest second,
05:59only one second.
06:00Then he was natural again.
06:02That crazy man-hating snob?
06:04He gave a short laugh,
06:05his tone full of disgust.
06:07If it weren't for you,
06:08I wouldn't even want to hear her name.
06:10But I was staring into his eyes.
06:12For one second,
06:14Luca's pupils darkened.
06:15That was what happened to humans
06:16after a succubus dream
06:18had wrapped around them.
06:19He thought of Camila.
06:20He thought of the feel
06:21of her tail around his wrist.
06:22He thought about the pleasure
06:23of having sex with her.
06:25And even his breathing
06:26became a little heavy.
06:27Luca looked away.
06:29Baby.
06:30Babe,
06:30I have to go.
06:32I'll call you later.
06:33I'll bring you a gift
06:34when I come home.
06:35The video ended.
06:36The lie was gentle.
06:38That made it hurt more.
06:39The wedding I'm looking forward to
06:41may never happen.
06:44I sat beside the window,
06:45staring out at the damp night.
06:47My chest sank inch by inch.
06:49Behind me,
06:50the bathroom door opened.
06:51Vivian?
06:52Camila had already changed.
06:54She usually wore black suits
06:55and ankle boots.
06:56And most days
06:57she could not even be bothered
06:58with lipstick.
06:59Tonight,
06:59she was in a fitted
07:00dark red velvet dress.
07:01Her long hair lay wet
07:03over her shoulders.
07:04Her lips were the color of blood.
07:06A thin black tail
07:07flashed beneath the hem
07:08of her dress.
07:09Then disappeared
07:09almost at once.
07:10I saw it.
07:11She knew I saw it.
07:12Succubi only lost control
07:13of their tails
07:14when they were starving,
07:15aroused,
07:15or about to hunt.
07:16But Camila only walked toward me
07:18as if nothing had happened.
07:19She looked almost like a stranger.
07:21Do you have someone you like?
07:22Her hand paused
07:23in the towel drying her hair.
07:24I wanted to warn her.
07:25I wanted to tell her
07:26the man was unreliable.
07:27But before I could speak,
07:28her face went cold.
07:30Out, Vivian.
07:31We're friends, sure.
07:32But you don't get to
07:32forbid me from having desire
07:34just because you're getting married.
07:36That's not what I meant.
07:37Then what did you mean?
07:39Her eyes slowly flushed red,
07:40not hurt,
07:41but the dark red
07:42of an angered succubus.
07:44Do you think you're
07:45the only one worthy
07:46of being loved?
07:47The only one men should worship?
07:51I'm worried about you.
07:53Camila laughed.
07:54Worried about me?
07:54She stepped closer.
07:55The scent of black roses
07:57and absinthe rose in the air.
07:58You were never worried about me.
08:00She lowered her head to my ear,
08:01her voice low and cruel.
08:02You just can't stand the idea
08:04that one day
08:05I could take something from you.
08:08Then she grabbed her bag.
08:10Vivian, you disappoint me.
08:12I chased after her.
08:15Camila!
08:17As the elevator doors slid shut,
08:19the look she gave me
08:20was cold,
08:20cold enough
08:21that I finally understood.
08:22This was not only betrayal.
08:23This was hatred.
08:26I stood in the hotel hallway,
08:28my mind a mess.
08:29Camila was a succubus.
08:31She would not be fooled
08:32easily by a human man.
08:34But what if that man was Luca?
08:36The image from her phone
08:37still burned in my mind.
08:38Black bunny ears,
08:39pink handcuffs,
08:41succubus contract sigils.
08:43Then I remembered
08:43the hotel location Luca
08:44had sent in the chat.
08:46I grabbed my car keys
08:47and rushed downstairs
08:48without even taking a coat.
08:50The streets of Los Angeles
08:52were empty
08:52and cooled deep into the night.
08:54I drove all the way
08:55to a private hotel
08:56in West Hollywood.
08:58The moment I parked,
08:59I saw Camila's car.
09:02Then my whole body went rigid.
09:05Luca,
09:05who was supposed to be
09:06in Chicago on business,
09:07walked out through
09:08the hotel's revolving doors.
09:10He was wearing the black coat
09:11I had chosen for him.
09:13Camila stepped out of the shadows
09:15and walked toward him.
09:16She did not throw herself
09:17into his arms
09:18like an ordinary lover.
09:19She only stood in front of him,
09:21lifted her eyes,
09:22and looked at him coldly.
09:24Luca's throat moved.
09:25The next second,
09:27he reached out,
09:28caught her by the waist,
09:29and pulled her close.
09:31Camila laughed softly.
09:33Her black tail slipped
09:34from under her dress
09:35and slowly wrapped
09:36around his wrist.
09:37Luca looked down at it,
09:39and his breath deepened.
09:40He did not pull away.
09:42Then they kissed
09:43in front of the hotel.
09:45Not a misunderstanding,
09:47not glamour.
09:47Not a similar voice.
09:50It was Luca.
09:51It was Camila.
09:53Cold?
09:55Not with you here.
09:58How did you explain
09:59leaving to Vivi?
10:00She depends on you so much.
10:01How did she let you go?
10:03I threw a little tantrum.
10:05That was all.
10:06She rose on her toes
10:08and bit his throat.
10:09You still don't know
10:10how much she cares about me,
10:12do you?
10:13I left just now.
10:15She's probably still scared
10:17I'm angry,
10:18scared I'll ignore her.
10:19She gave me the spare key
10:21to your wedding house.
10:22She even asked me
10:24to keep your wedding ring safe.
10:27She trusts me
10:29more than she trusts you.
10:31That was when I heard
10:32something inside me crack.
10:34The person I trusted most
10:36had just used my trust
10:37as a trophy
10:38in front of the man
10:39I was supposed to marry.
10:43Camila's tail was still
10:44wrapped around Luca's wrist
10:45for a succubus.
10:46That was an act of possession.
10:48It was also a silent hunt.
10:50She said she hated men.
10:51She said their desire
10:53was cheap and filthy.
10:54But now she had her tail
10:55wrapped around my fiancé's wrist
10:57in a possessive loop.
10:58Luca could have pulled free.
11:00He did not.
11:01His thumb even stroked
11:02her tail once.
11:03Camila narrowed her eyes slightly.
11:05Didn't you say
11:06you hated me most?
11:07Luca looked down at her.
11:08I do hate you.
11:09Then why do you keep
11:11coming into my dreams?
11:12Luca did not answer.
11:13Her tail nimbly slipped
11:14into his crotch.
11:16Caressing his already
11:17erect penis,
11:18Luca reached out his hand
11:19and I thought he would
11:20push her away.
11:21But to my surprise,
11:22he reached under her skirt
11:23and inserted his fingers
11:25into her vagina.
11:26Camila squeezed his fingers
11:27together in unbearable discomfort.
11:30Then collapsed
11:31limply against him.
11:33Good boy you've put on
11:34a penis locking ring
11:36so early.
11:36Admit it at Luca.
11:38You like that I look down
11:39not you.
11:40You like that I hate men
11:41but I only let you close.
11:43You like that this is stolen,
11:45dirty,
11:46and impossible
11:47to show in daylight.
11:48Luca caught the back
11:49of her neck.
11:50Shut up.
11:51Camila lifted her face.
11:53And make me.
11:55The next second,
11:56Luca kissed her.
11:57The kiss was urgent
11:58and rough.
11:59His hands expertly
12:00kneaded her breasts
12:00and Camila's face
12:01was full of enjoyment.
12:02Your penis hard.
12:03It's hitting me
12:04you little slut.
12:06Luca smiled happily
12:07and reached her hand
12:08under her skirt.
12:10You're not even
12:11wearing underwear.
12:12Be careful the water
12:13doesn't drip onto the floor.
12:14I sat there.
12:15Fingers clenched
12:17around the steering wheel.
12:19Half-blood succubi
12:20could smell desire.
12:22So I knew better
12:23than anyone.
12:23Luca was not
12:24fully controlled.
12:25He was sinking in
12:27with his eyes open.
12:28He picked her up
12:29and carried her
12:30into the hotel.
12:31Hurry up.
12:32Vivian will be
12:33looking for me soon.
12:36I remembered
12:37the first time
12:38I confessed
12:38my identity to him.
12:40It had been
12:41another wet,
12:42rainy night.
12:43I told him
12:44I was not
12:44entirely human.
12:46I dreamed differently.
12:48I could sense desire.
12:50If I was too hungry,
12:52I could draw
12:53a little life
12:53from someone's dream.
12:55I thought
12:56he would be afraid.
12:57Instead,
12:58he held my hand.
13:00So you've been
13:00forcing yourself
13:01to endure it
13:01all this time?
13:02I nodded
13:03and his eyes
13:04turned red.
13:05Vivian,
13:06you don't have
13:06to pretend
13:06to be normal
13:07with me.
13:09If you're hungry,
13:10take it from me.
13:11I almost cried.
13:12Luca,
13:13a donor gets weak.
13:15Then I'm willing.
13:17He had sounded
13:18so serious.
13:19Serious enough
13:20that I thought
13:21the world
13:21had finally
13:22held me gently.
13:23Later,
13:24he pursued me
13:25so openly
13:26that all of
13:26West Hollywood
13:27knew about it.
13:28I mentioned
13:29once that I
13:30liked jazz,
13:31and he booked
13:32out Midnight Bar
13:33that same night.
13:34I said church
13:35bells frightened me
13:37and when we
13:37passed the cathedral
13:39of St. Viviana,
13:40he covered my ears.
13:42When my first
13:43business failed
13:44and I hid
13:44in the attic
13:44of the old house
13:45refusing to see anyone,
13:47he stood outside
13:48in the rain all night.
13:49He pulled me
13:49out of my shame
13:50as a half-blood succubus
13:52and told me
13:52again and again,
13:53you are not
13:54a monster.
13:57Vivian,
13:58you just haven't
13:59learned how
13:59to love yourself
14:00yet.
14:01Back in the car,
14:02those memories
14:02were too heavy.
14:04Now those memories
14:05hurt more than
14:05the betrayal itself.
14:07The man who
14:07once told me
14:08I was not a monster
14:09was now proving
14:10that monsters
14:10could wear
14:11the face of love.
14:14I remembered
14:15the first time
14:16I confessed
14:16my identity
14:17to him.
14:18It had been
14:19another wet,
14:20rainy night.
14:21I told him
14:22I was not
14:23entirely human.
14:24I dreamed
14:25differently.
14:26I could sense
14:27desire.
14:28If I was
14:29too hungry,
14:30I could draw
14:31a little life
14:32from someone's
14:32dream.
14:33I thought
14:34he would be
14:34afraid.
14:36Instead,
14:36he held my hand.
14:38So you've been
14:38forcing yourself
14:39to endure it
14:40all this time?
14:40I nodded
14:41a dot.
14:42His eyes
14:42turned red.
14:43Vivian,
14:44you don't have
14:44to pretend
14:45to be normal
14:45with me.
14:47If you're hungry,
14:48take it from me.
14:49I almost cried.
14:50Luca,
14:51a donor
14:52gets weak.
14:54Then I'm
14:54willing.
14:55He had
14:56sounded so
14:57serious,
14:58serious enough
14:58that I thought
14:59the world
14:59had finally
15:00held me gently.
15:01Later,
15:02he pursued
15:03me so openly
15:04that all of
15:04West Hollywood
15:05knew about it.
15:06I mentioned
15:07once that
15:08I liked
15:08jazz,
15:09and he booked
15:10out Midnight Bar
15:11that same night.
15:12I said church
15:14bells frightened me,
15:15and when we
15:16passed the
15:16Cathedral of
15:17St. Viviana,
15:18he covered
15:19my ears.
15:20When my
15:21first business
15:21failed and I
15:22hid in the
15:22attic of the
15:23old house
15:23refusing to
15:24see anyone,
15:25he stood
15:25outside in
15:26the rain
15:26all night.
15:27He pulled
15:28me out
15:28of my
15:28shame
15:28as a
15:29half-blood
15:29succubus
15:30and told
15:30me again
15:30and again,
15:31You are
15:32not a
15:32monster.
15:35Vivian,
15:36you just
15:37haven't learned
15:37how to love
15:38yourself yet.
15:39Back in the
15:39car,
15:40those memories
15:41were too
15:41heavy.
15:42Now those
15:42memories hurt
15:43more than the
15:44betrayal itself.
15:45The man who
15:46once told me I
15:46was not a
15:47monster was now
15:47proving that
15:48monsters could
15:49wear the face
15:49of love.
15:52I looked up
15:53and saw Luca
15:54having sex with
15:54Camila through
15:55the floor-to-ceiling
15:56window upstairs
15:56in the hotel.
15:58Camila's face
15:58was flushed,
15:59her red dress
16:00was lying at
16:01the feet,
16:01and she was
16:02only wearing
16:02sexy lingerie.
16:03I picked up
16:04my phone and
16:05called Luca.
16:06When the phone
16:07rang, Camila saw
16:08my name and her
16:09face cooled at
16:10once.
16:10She reached for
16:11it.
16:11Luca lifted the
16:12phone out of
16:13her reach.
16:13Told you,
16:14I don't ignore
16:15Vivian's calls.
16:16Jealousy flashed
16:17through.
16:17Camila's eyes,
16:19the call connected.
16:20Baby, miss me?
16:22I bit my lip
16:23hard enough to
16:24keep the sob
16:24from escaping.
16:26He was right
16:26in front of me.
16:27He was answering
16:28my call while
16:29playing with
16:30Camila's tail
16:30with his fingers.
16:32Even the penis
16:33was still inside
16:34her.
16:35Camila stared at
16:36my name on the
16:37screen and
16:38suddenly smiled.
16:39She tiptoed and
16:40kissed Luca's
16:41sensitive Erlo.
16:43Deliberately moaning.
16:45Luca's fingers
16:45paused, her tail
16:46hooked around his
16:47buttocks and
16:48slowly rubbed
16:48against them.
16:49Through the phone,
16:50I heard his breath
16:51turn heavier.
16:52I'll be back
16:53tomorrow.
16:54I bought you a
16:55gift.
16:56You'll like it.
16:57I looked at him
16:58for the first time.
17:00I understood that
17:00tenderness could be
17:01a blade.
17:04Luca, do you
17:06love me?
17:07He stopped
17:07moving for a
17:08second.
17:08Of course.
17:10Then would
17:10you betray me?
17:12Silence fell
17:13on the other
17:13end, right
17:14in front of me.
17:15Camila suddenly
17:16dripped the wax
17:17from a nearby
17:18low-temperature
17:19candle onto
17:20Luca's lower
17:21abdomen.
17:22Luca let out
17:23an excited
17:24groan.
17:27It was quiet,
17:28but I heard
17:29it clearly.
17:31Vivian,
17:32don't overthink.
17:35I'll be back
17:36by your side
17:36before the wedding.
17:37Camila's tail
17:38wrapped tighter.
17:39She held a
17:40candle dripping
17:40wax onto Luca's
17:42body little by
17:42little, from his
17:43collarbone, chest
17:44muscles, abdominal
17:46muscles, and
17:47finally onto his
17:47lower abdomen near
17:48his penis.
17:49Be good.
17:50I have something
17:51to handle.
17:53I'll call you
17:54later.
17:54The call ended.
17:56He had just lied
17:57to me with the
17:57same voice he used
17:58to promise me
17:59forever.
18:00After the call
18:01ended, Luca
18:02caught Camila by
18:03the waist and
18:04leaned down to
18:05her ear.
18:06You did that on
18:07purpose.
18:08Camila laughed.
18:09Of course.
18:10Isn't that
18:11exactly what
18:12you like?
18:15Luca gripped
18:16her chin.
18:17Camila, you're
18:19gonna drive me
18:19insane.
18:20She placed her
18:21finger in Luca's
18:22mouth and stirred
18:22it gently, red
18:23light in her eyes,
18:25teasing and cruel.
18:26Then go insane
18:27for me.
18:28He fucked her
18:28hard with a
18:30frenzied excitement.
18:31The semen was
18:32ejaculated on her
18:34body, some of it
18:35staining the glass
18:36window, making it
18:38particularly noticeable.
18:40I sat in the car
18:41until dawn.
18:42When the first
18:43light fell, Camila
18:45came out of the
18:45hotel, her mouth
18:46bright as if she
18:47had just drunk
18:48from a dream.
18:49Luca followed
18:49behind her.
18:50A few partners
18:51walked with them,
18:52laughing and
18:52talking.
18:54Camila acts so
18:55untouchable, but
18:57put her in a dress
18:58and she's not that
18:58far behind Vivian.
19:00Camila laughed and
19:01smacked his arm.
19:03Don't compare me
19:04to Vivian.
19:05A delicate little
19:06princess like her?
19:07What can she do
19:08except be spoiled?
19:10Luca did not
19:11argue.
19:12He only smiled.
19:14That smile was
19:15the last straw.
19:16Camila opened the
19:17passenger door.
19:18That was my seat.
19:19Every time, Luca
19:20had opened that
19:21door for me and
19:22said it was reserved
19:22for his fiancée.
19:24Now Camila was
19:25about to sit there.
19:26I suddenly did not
19:27want to endure
19:27another second.
19:28I pushed my car
19:29door open and
19:30walked toward them.
19:31Luca saw me
19:31first.
19:32His face went
19:33white.
19:33At Vivian?
19:35Camila's smile
19:35froze.
19:37I took off my
19:38engagement ring.
19:39Inside the band
19:40was the vow Luca
19:41had written by hand.
19:42I will never
19:43betray you.
19:44I threw the ring
19:44into his face.
19:45We're done.
19:47Luca.
19:49I don't want you
19:50anymore.
19:50As soon as the
19:51words left my
19:51mouth, heat
19:52surged through
19:53my chest.
19:54A dark red
19:54contract mark
19:55slowly surfaced
19:56beneath my
19:56collarbone.
19:57My skin felt
19:58as if fire had
19:59kissed it.
19:59I froze.
20:00Luca saw it
20:00too.
20:01His pupils shrank.
20:02Vivian, your
20:03mark.
20:03Camila's face
20:04changed.
20:05I looked down
20:06at the succubus
20:07blood mark that
20:07had never appeared
20:08before.
20:09The next second,
20:10I smelled the
20:11desire of everyone
20:12around me.
20:13Shock, fear,
20:14jealousy, greed,
20:16guilt.
20:16And on Luca,
20:18regret so strong
20:19it was almost bitter.
20:20So betrayal could
20:21awaken a half-blood
20:22succubus.
20:23So when pain
20:24reached its limit,
20:25blood would tear
20:26away the final layer
20:27of disguise for me.
20:29Camila stared at my
20:30collarbone.
20:30Her shock turned
20:31into envy.
20:32How did you
20:32awaken?
20:33Why you?
20:35She had always
20:36thought I was a
20:36weak half-blood
20:37succubus.
20:38Too scared to
20:39feed.
20:39Too scared to
20:40cast glamour.
20:41Too scared to
20:42enter someone
20:42else's dreams.
20:43That was why she
20:44dared take my
20:45fiance.
20:46That was why she
20:46dared step on my
20:47feelings to prove
20:48herself.
20:49I smiled.
20:50Because you pushed
20:51me this far.
20:52I turned to leave.
20:53Luca grabbed my
20:54wrist.
20:54Vivian!
20:55The moment his
20:56palm touched
20:56my skin, the
20:57contract mark
20:58burned.
20:59I saw his
20:59desire.
21:00It was not
21:01lust, it was
21:02fear.
21:02He was afraid I
21:03did not want him
21:04anymore, but this
21:05time, I did not
21:06soften.
21:07Don't touch me.
21:09The color drained
21:10from Luca's face.
21:11Vivian, listen to
21:12me.
21:13His hand was
21:14still shaking.
21:15It wasn't me who
21:16started it.
21:17It was Camila.
21:20She entered my
21:21dreams.
21:22She amplified
21:23what I already
21:23felt.
21:25She said, it
21:26would only happen
21:27once and you
21:28would never know.
21:28Camila snapped
21:29her head toward
21:30him.
21:30Luca!
21:31But he had
21:31finally found an
21:32excuse, and he
21:33shoved all the
21:33blame onto her.
21:34Vivian, I really
21:36love you.
21:36I was influenced
21:37by her.
21:38I looked at him.
21:39Once, I had
21:40thought Luca
21:40understood betrayal
21:41better than anyone.
21:42He had told me his
21:43mother betrayed her
21:44marriage and left
21:45with his father's
21:46best friend.
21:47His father did
21:47not want him.
21:48His mother did
21:49not want him
21:49either.
21:50He said he felt
21:51like an old
21:51suitcase kicked from
21:52one door to
21:53another.
21:54Back then, my
21:55heart ached for
21:55him.
21:56I stayed with
21:57him through one
21:57nightmare after
21:58another.
21:59When he dreamed of
22:00being abandoned, I
22:01took his hand and
22:02led him out.
22:02I never took more
22:03life from him than
22:04I needed.
22:05Even when hunger
22:06left me cold all
22:07over, I only kissed
22:08his forehead while
22:09he slept, and took a
22:10little harmless warmth
22:11from the edge of
22:12his dream.
22:13Now he was telling
22:14me he cheated
22:15because someone
22:16tempted him.
22:16I suddenly laughed.
22:19At Luca, you're
22:22pathetic.
22:24You don't even have
22:25the courage to admit
22:26you're rotten.
22:27Camila suddenly
22:28laughed too.
22:29Half hate, half
22:30madness.
22:31Now you're blaming
22:32me?
22:32She walked toward
22:33Luca.
22:34Who was the one
22:35holding my tail last
22:36night and refusing to
22:37let go?
22:38Shut up.
22:39Who said At Vivian
22:40was too clean and you
22:42couldn't bear to use
22:43those thoughts on her?
22:44At Luca, do you want
22:46me to repeat every
22:47word you said in my
22:48bed?
22:48Shame flashed through
22:49Luca's eyes.
22:51The last warmth in my
22:52heart finally died.
22:55So she had not led
22:56him astray.
22:57He had not been
22:58controlled.
22:59They had shut me out
23:00of those dreams a long
23:01time ago.
23:02One of them enjoyed
23:03being tamed by a proud
23:05succubus.
23:06The other enjoyed
23:07dragging the man I
23:08loved down from his
23:09pedestal.
23:09I got into my car to
23:11leave.
23:11Luca rushed in front of
23:13it like he had lost
23:13his mind.
23:14Vivian, you can't go!
23:16You said you would
23:17never leave me!
23:18Camila ran after him,
23:19grabbing his arm, her
23:20voice sharp.
23:21She doesn't want you
23:22anymore!
23:24Why are you chasing
23:25her?
23:27Luca, look at me!
23:29I'm the only one who
23:30can accept the real you!
23:32I looked coldly at the
23:33two of them tangled in
23:34front of my car.
23:35One betrayed me, one
23:36used me.
23:37Perfect match.
23:38I stepped on the gas.
23:40The car lurched forward.
23:42Luca's face went white.
23:43Camila screamed and
23:45dragged him out of the
23:45way.
23:46They fell hard onto the
23:47ground, both of them a
23:48mess.
23:49The engine roared as I
23:50drove out of the
23:51parking lot, leaving their
23:52voices behind.
23:53In the rearview mirror,
23:55they looked ugly and
23:56helpless, still trying to
23:58drag each other down.
23:59I did not stop.
24:00I did not look back
24:01again.
24:02The city was waking up
24:03around me, but something
24:04in me had already gone
24:05cold and quiet.
24:08I returned to the
24:09wedding house.
24:10It was the house Luca and
24:11I had bought together.
24:12Only my name was on the
24:14deed.
24:14At the time, Luca had
24:16held me and said,
24:17What's mine is yours.
24:19What's yours is still
24:20yours.
24:21Vivian, the greatest
24:22achievement of my life is
24:24making you happy.
24:25Now, everything in the
24:26house seemed to laugh at
24:27me.
24:28The matching keychains by
24:29the door.
24:30The jazz playlist we had
24:31tested for the wedding in
24:33the living room.
24:33The wedding dress hanging in
24:35the bedroom.
24:36And in the mirror, the
24:37dark red mark under my
24:38collarbone, growing clearer
24:40and clearer.
24:41I did not take much.
24:43Only the black pearl
24:44necklace my mother had
24:45left me.
24:45And an old book recording
24:47the taboos surrounding
24:48Succubus' true names.
24:49I had just reached the
24:50door when Luca caught up.
24:52The mark from my slap was
24:53still on his face.
24:54His eyes were terrifyingly
24:56red.
24:56Vivian, where are you
24:59going?
24:59He blocked the doorway, his
25:01voice shaking.
25:03This is our home.
25:05You said you would stay
25:07with me forever.
25:08I looked at him and found
25:10it almost funny.
25:12You also said you would
25:13never betray me.
25:15His face turned pale.
25:17I walked around him, but he
25:19suddenly dropped to his
25:20knees, grabbed my hand, and
25:22pressed my palm to his face.
25:24Hit me.
25:25Curse me.
25:26Do anything you want.
25:27Just don't go.
25:29Please.
25:30If this had been before, I
25:32would have softened.
25:33But now, all I smelled in his
25:35regret was selfishness.
25:36It was not that he could not
25:37lose me.
25:38It was that he could not
25:39accept being abandoned.
25:40I pulled my hand free.
25:42Luca.
25:43You lost me with your own
25:45hands.
25:47I opened the door and saw
25:48Camila standing outside.
25:50Her eyes were red.
25:51Her makeup was ruined.
25:53Compared to Luca, the pain
25:54Camila brought was duller.
25:56And much deeper, Camila raised
25:57her hand and slapped me across
25:59the face.
25:59Pain burst open.
26:01Luca froze.
26:02So did I.
26:03Camila looked as if she had
26:04finally torn off years of
26:06disguise.
26:06Her voice was sharp and
26:08shaking.
26:09Vivian, why is everything
26:12always better for you?
26:13Why does everyone circle
26:15around you?
26:16Why did the sucker for a
26:18blood choose you too?
26:19The red in her eyes grew
26:20darker.
26:21Her black tail lashed
26:22restlessly behind her.
26:24Do you know how much I
26:25hate men?
26:26The way they look at me
26:28makes me sick.
26:29Their desire sticks to me
26:31like mud.
26:32Camila looked at Luca and
26:33laughed while crying, wild
26:35and broken.
26:36But Luca was different.
26:38He loved you.
26:40The more he loved you, the
26:42more I wanted to take him.
26:44I didn't like him.
26:45I just wanted to prove that
26:46you could lose to me too.
26:48Camila stared at me, tears in
26:49her eyes and no softness in
26:51her face.
26:52Do you know the funniest
26:53part?
26:54The first time I entered
26:56Luca's dream, it wasn't
26:57because I wanted him so
26:58badly.
26:59It was because you, you
27:01sent me the playlist for
27:03your first dance and asked
27:06which song fit the wedding
27:07better.
27:08I looked at that message and
27:09suddenly wanted to know
27:10what would happen if I stole
27:12your groom from inside his
27:13own dreams.
27:15At Vivian, the more you
27:17trusted me, the more I wanted
27:18to destroy that trust with my
27:20own hands.
27:20My heart sank slowly.
27:22So that was it.
27:24Camila had not suddenly fallen
27:26in love with Luca.
27:28She hated me.
27:32I remembered the year we
27:33applied to college.
27:34She had hugged me and cried,
27:36saying she did not want us to
27:37separate.
27:38Back then, I had already
27:39received an acceptance letter
27:41from a top school on the
27:42East Coast.
27:43My admissions counselor said it
27:44was the best opportunity of my
27:46life.
27:46But Camila cried and asked me,
27:49Vivi, will we grow apart?
27:51If you go to New York, what
27:52will happen to me?
27:54At that time, I truly believed
27:55we would always be the most
27:57important people in each
27:58other's lives.
27:58So I turned down the
28:00acceptance.
28:00I stayed in Los Angeles and
28:02went to the same local
28:03university as her.
28:04It was the first time my
28:05parents were disappointed in
28:07me.
28:07My counselor also talked with
28:09me for a long time, but I
28:10had thought it was worth it
28:11because Camila had said,
28:14Vivian, let's never be apart.
28:15Back in front of the wedding
28:16house, looking at her face
28:18twisted by jealousy, I finally
28:20understood.
28:21Maybe the sacrifices I had
28:23thought were precious had only
28:24given her another reason to
28:25hate me.
28:26Camila, my voice was very
28:28quiet.
28:29I never tried to compete with
28:30you, but you treated me like
28:33your enemy the whole time.
28:35Camila laughed even more
28:36bitterly.
28:37Because you never have to
28:38compete.
28:40People hand everything to you.
28:43She raised her hand to hit me
28:44again.
28:44This time, I caught her wrist.
28:46The succubus mark under my
28:48collarbone burned.
28:49For the first time, I did not
28:51suppress my power.
28:52If she wanted to tear open
28:54every old wound, then I would
28:56finally look directly into hers.
28:59I saw the deepest desire inside
29:01Camila's heart.
29:02She wanted to become me.
29:04She wanted to be accepted by a
29:06family like mine.
29:07She wanted to be praised by
29:08counselors.
29:09She wanted to be seen by
29:11friends.
29:12She wanted, when Luca looked at
29:13me, to tear my face out of his
29:15eyes.
29:16I saw more.
29:17I saw her sitting beside my
29:19wedding dress.
29:21Fixing my veil while leaving the
29:23scent of black roses in Luca's
29:24dreams.
29:25I saw her helping me choose
29:27wedding vows while secretly
29:28texting Luca.
29:29She said never betray.
29:31Did that make you laugh?
29:32I saw that every time she hugged
29:34me, comforted me.
29:35Or said she would stay with me
29:37until the wedding was over.
29:38There was a vicious thought
29:40hidden underneath.
29:41She wanted to watch me put on
29:43the dress, then push me down
29:44herself.
29:45So her so-called hatred of men,
29:48her pride, her cold disdain, had
29:50only been armor.
29:52Under that armor was jealousy
29:53rotting for years.
29:54I let go of her wrist.
29:58My palm came down hard.
30:00Her face turned with the blow.
30:02She staggered back, covering her
30:05cheek, staring at me in
30:06disbelief.
30:07My tears finally fell.
30:10Not because of Luca.
30:12Because I had buried years of
30:13friendship with my own hands.
30:16Camila, from today on, we are not
30:19friends anymore.
30:20The red light in her eyes
30:22trembled.
30:23I turned to Luca.
30:25He stood there, looking as if he
30:27wanted to come closer but did not
30:29dare.
30:30I smiled faintly.
30:32You two really are a good match.
30:35One uses love as an excuse.
30:37The other uses jealousy as a reason.
30:41People like you should stay tied together.
30:44Don't let either of you escape.
30:48When I walked out of the wedding house, my parents had already arrived.
30:52My father stood outside.
30:54He saw the slap mark on my face and the succubus mark beneath my collarbone.
30:58He asked nothing.
30:59He only opened his arms.
31:01Vivian, dad's taking you home.
31:03I ran into his arms and finally broke down.
31:06Dad, I'm not getting married.
31:10I don't want Luca anymore.
31:12I don't want Camila anymore.
31:13I don't want any of it.
31:15My father patted my back gently.
31:16Then don't.
31:18You will always have a home.
31:20Behind us, Luca tried to step forward.
31:23Vivian, please.
31:25Let me talk to you one more time.
31:27My father looked at him, his voice cold.
31:31You've said enough.
31:33Camila stood behind Luca, one hand pressed to her cheek.
31:36For once, she had no clever words.
31:39I did not turn back.
31:40I let my father lead me into the car.
31:42The wedding house, the dress, the rings, the dream boundaries I had once protected for love.
31:47All of it stayed behind me.
31:48Through the car window, I saw Luca standing in the driveway,
31:51finally realizing that begging at the door was not the same as being allowed back into my life.
31:55The car pulled away.
31:57This time, I was not running.
31:59I was leaving.
32:01The day after I went home, Luca came to the house.
32:05I did not see him.
32:07I only heard my father's furious voice downstairs.
32:11Get out.
32:12She doesn't want to see you.
32:14The door slammed shut.
32:16My mother brought hot cocoa to my room and sat beside my bed.
32:21The wedding is canceled.
32:24Your father has contacted the planner, the venue, and the lawyers.
32:28The cancellation and the end of the engagement are being handled.
32:33The engagement gifts, the deposits, and the expenses both families prepared have all been settled.
32:39My mother gently held my hand.
32:42As for Luca, he refuses to accept it.
32:46He keeps saying the wedding will go on as planned.
32:50But that has nothing to do with you anymore.
32:53I leaned against her, my chest tight and sore.
32:57Mom, Luca isn't even the one I hate most.
33:00I just can't understand why it had to be Camilla.
33:04Why it had to be the person I trusted most.
33:06My mother stroked my hair.
33:09Some people hate you not because you hurt them,
33:13but because you make them see what they don't have.
33:16I held the mug with both hands.
33:19The heat did not erase the pain, but it reminded me I was still alive.
33:23Outside my room, Luca kept calling.
33:26Inside, I finally stopped answering.
33:30The day before the wedding, Vivian did not answer a single call from Luca.
33:35Luca sat alone in the empty church.
33:37Staring at the wedding scene, Vivian had spent three months preparing.
33:41From dusk until deep into the night, white roses covered the pews.
33:45The jazz band was still rehearsing.
33:48Every time the bells of the Cathedral of St. Viviana rang, his face grew paler.
33:53Church bells weakened the dream glamour left by Succubi.
33:56That meant every ring made him a little more sober.
33:58He finally began to understand.
34:00Vivian truly was not coming.
34:02Camilla went to him.
34:03She wore a white dress.
34:05Looking like a poor imitation, she stood in the candlelight.
34:08Her black tail held tight, though red still lingered in her eyes.
34:11Luca, even if Vivian doesn't come, you still have me.
34:16Luca looked at her dot, the face that had once seemed exciting, fresh, and dangerous now only made him tired.
34:21You?
34:22He laughed once, his voice cold.
34:24What do you have that could compare with her?
34:27Camilla's face went white.
34:31You wanted me to.
34:33Luca stood, his eyes full of self-loathing.
34:36Yes.
34:37I wanted you because you made me feel like I didn't have to be responsible.
34:40Because you said you didn't care.
34:43Because you made me feel like I could briefly become a piece of trash.
34:47And pay no price for it.
34:49He moved toward her step by step.
34:51But you will never be Vivian.
34:55Luca's voice echoed through the empty church.
34:58She could be shaking from hunger.
35:00And still refuse to take one extra bit of life from my dreams.
35:07She knew I was afraid of being abandoned.
35:10So she stayed with me through every nightmare until I woke up.
35:13And you?
35:14You only amplified my desire.
35:17And watched while I destroyed her with my own hands.
35:20Mila's eyes wettinged.
35:22That was still your choice.
35:23The words pierced Luca's last excuse.
35:26He stumbled back.
35:27Yes.
35:28It was my choice.
35:30It was my choice.
35:35So the person who deserves to die most is me.
35:38Camila reached for him.
35:40Luca, I can stay with you too.
35:42He threw off her hand.
35:43Don't touch me.
35:44Every time I touch you I feel a little dirtier.
35:48That sentence drove Camila completely over the edge.
35:51Red light flared in her eyes.
35:52The candles in the church flickered hard.
35:55She lunged forward.
35:56Grabbed Luca by the collar.
35:58And kissed him.
35:59It was not love.
36:00It was one last hunt to prove she was still desired.
36:03Luca froze against his mouth.
36:04She said viciously.
36:06That's not what you said last night.
36:09When you were holding on to me and refusing to let go.
36:12You didn't sound so disgusted.
36:14Luca shoved her away.
36:15Camila staggered back.
36:16Her eyes red enough to bleed.
36:18Luca ran out of the church.
36:20Wanting to find Vivian.
36:21Camila chased him into the rain.
36:25The rain before dawn came down hard.
36:28Luca ran toward his car.
36:29Soaked through.
36:30His hands shaking as he tried to call Vivian again.
36:33Pick up.
36:33Please, Vivian.
36:35Pick up.
36:35Only the cold, busy tone answered him.
36:38Camila got into the passenger seat before he could lock the door.
36:42You can chase her all night.
36:45But she won't come back.
36:47Get out.
36:49No.
36:50Look at me.
36:52Red light filled her eyes.
36:53Luca gripped the steering wheel.
36:55Trying not to look at her, Samela tried to trap him with succubus glamour.
36:59In the illusion, Luca saw Vivian walking toward him in her wedding dress.
37:03Her veil was soft.
37:05Her eyes were gentle.
37:06The church behind her was filled with white roses.
37:09Luca.
37:09For one second, Luca forgot how to breathe.
37:12But when that version of Vivian came closer, he suddenly woke from it.
37:16No.
37:18She will never look at me like that again.
37:21Camila screamed and grabbed his arm.
37:23Why her?
37:25Why is it always her?
37:27Because she loved me and I destroyed her.
37:29The car swerved.
37:31He yanked the steering wheel.
37:33The car crashed into the iron railing beside the road.
37:37In the distance, the bells of St. Viviana rang.
37:40Camila's illusion shattered.
37:42Blood, rain, and broken glass spread across the road where a wedding should have begun.
37:48Before my flight took off, I received a video call from a friend.
37:53I did not want to answer.
37:55But the call came again and again.
37:58So I finally swiped the screen.
38:01In the frame, Luca lay in a hospital bed.
38:04His face was ashen.
38:06Gauze wrapped his forehead.
38:07The moment he saw me, his eyes reddened.
38:11Vivian.
38:13He started crying as soon as he said my name.
38:16I know I was wrong.
38:18I really know I was wrong.
38:20His voice broke, like the little boy who had once been trapped in nightmares.
38:25It wasn't that I didn't love you.
38:28I was greedy.
38:30I thought that as long as I hid it well, I wouldn't lose you.
38:34I thought you would always forgive me.
38:38But I was wrong.
38:40He cried until he could not continue.
38:43The friend beside him sighed.
38:46Vivian, he was trying to go find you.
38:48Camellia stopped him.
38:49They fought over the steering wheel.
38:50And the car crashed.
38:53Camellia still hasn't woken up.
38:55Luca keeps calling your name.
38:58Could you maybe-
38:59No.
38:59I cut him off.
39:00The other side went quiet.
39:02I looked at Luca.
39:03It was not that my heart did not hurt.
39:05But pain did not mean going back.
39:08Luca.
39:09You and I are over.
39:10I have him after any of you for helping him hide this from me.
39:14Because I still remember our past friendship.
39:17But that does not give you the right to speak for him.
39:20From today on, we are no longer friends either.
39:24Luca fell apart on the screen and called my name.
39:27Vivian!
39:28Don't hang up!
39:31I really can't live without you!
39:33I looked at him.
39:34For the first time, I did not soften.
39:36You can.
39:38You just aren't used to living with the consequences of losing me.
39:42I ended the call.
39:43Then I blocked everyone connected to him.
39:45When the plane rose into the clouds, the cold rainy night of Los Angeles was left far behind.
39:51My mother held my hand.
39:52My father sat on my other side, pretending to read a travel guide, though his eyes were red.
39:59Vivian, if you want to sleep, lean on me.
40:02Or on me.
40:03I'm not really reading this thing anyway.
40:05I smiled.
40:07I'm okay.
40:08This time, I was not pretending to be strong.
40:11I had been badly hurt.
40:13But I had not died in that betrayal.
40:15I had my parents.
40:17I had a home.
40:18And I had the courage to keep walking forward.
40:20The city below grew smaller and smaller, until Luca, Camila, and the wedding that never happened became a cluster of
40:28lights behind the clouds.
40:30I pressed my palm over the mark beneath my collarbone.
40:33It was still warm.
40:35But it no longer felt like a warning.
40:37It felt like proof that I could keep moving forward.
40:42Over the next two months, we went many places.
40:45From the white sands of New Mexico, to the red rocks of Arizona, from the neon of Las Vegas, to
40:54sunsets along the Pacific, my succubus mark grew steadier.
40:59I stopped being afraid of my bloodline.
41:02I learned how to build boundaries in dreams.
41:05I learned to read desire.
41:07I learned not to make myself responsible for the emptiness inside other people.
41:13One night in Arizona, my father found me sitting outside the motel alone.
41:19Nightmare again?
41:21Not exactly.
41:22Then what is it?
41:24I think I'm scared that if I accept this part of myself, I'll become like Camila.
41:30My father sat beside me.
41:33Power doesn't make you like her.
41:35What you choose to do with it does.
41:38The first time my black wings fully unfolded was in a motel outside Las Vegas.
41:43That night, the moonlight was cold.
41:45I woke from a nightmare and felt a faint tearing sensation behind my back.
41:50In the mirror, I saw a pair of black wings slowly open.
41:54Not evil, not a curse.
41:56Only proof that I had finally stopped denying myself.
41:59My mother knocked softly at the door.
42:01Vivian?
42:02Are you alright?
42:03I looked at the reflection in the mirror.
42:06For the first time, I did not hate what I saw.
42:09Yes, mom.
42:10I think I am.
42:11I finally understood.
42:13I was not a monster.
42:15The monsters were the people who used love and desire as excuses to hurt others.
42:22Two months later, I returned to Los Angeles.
42:25As soon as I reached the house, I saw Camila.
42:28She had lost a lot of weight.
42:30She stood outside the fence looking in again and again.
42:33She was not wearing heavy makeup.
42:34And she was not in one of those bright, eye-catching dresses.
42:38Her tail was gone.
42:40Or rather, she was forcing it to stay hidden.
42:42Too afraid to let it appear in front of me.
42:44My mother's face turned cold immediately.
42:48What are you doing here?
42:49Camila looked startled.
42:51When she turned and saw me, her eyes reddened at once.
42:54Vivian, can I talk to you?
42:56I did not want to go.
42:58But I knew some old wounds had to be stitched by my own hands.
43:02Or they would keep rotting under the skin.
43:05You don't owe her anything.
43:08I know.
43:09I looked at Camila through the fence.
43:11The girl who once walked into my room without knocking.
43:15Now stood outside like a stranger asking permission.
43:19Ten minutes.
43:20Camila nodded quickly.
43:22As if afraid I would take the words back.
43:27We walked to a corner cafe.
43:29We had come here all the time.
43:30She ordered an iced latte.
43:32I ordered hot cocoa.
43:34She used to laugh at me and say I was still a child.
43:37Now she sat across from me.
43:39Stirring her cup again and again.
43:44Camila looked at me across the table.
43:46Have you been okay these past two months?
43:48I did not answer.
43:49She lowered her head.
43:51I haven't.
43:52The people from our old circle won't talk to me anymore.
43:55Even the counselor from our college application year called me.
43:59Her voice shook.
44:00She said,
44:00Camila, losing at Vivian is something you'll regret for the rest of your life.
44:05I didn't understand at first.
44:08Then she told me that the year we applied to college, you could have gone to that top school on
44:12the east coast, but you turned down the offer for me.
44:15She said everyone knew.
44:17I was the only one who kept pretending I didn't.
44:19Camila cried.
44:21Vivian, I was so jealous of you.
44:25You had a good family.
44:27Parents who loved you.
44:29Great grades.
44:30Beauty.
44:31And even succubus blood that felt cleaner than mine.
44:35You didn't have to take anything.
44:37People loved you anyway.
44:38And no matter how hard I tried, I felt like your shadow.
44:42She looked up at me.
44:43So I wanted to steal from you once.
44:45Her voice sank.
44:48Actually, that night, when I asked you to check my phone, it wasn't because I trusted you completely.
44:53I knew Luca might message me.
44:55I should have taken the phone, but I didn't.
44:58For one second, I even wanted you to see it.
45:01I wanted to know what your face would look like when you realized I could make the man you loved
45:07lose control to.
45:08So even the beginning of my heartbreak had been staged by her own hand.
45:14Camila could not quite meet my eyes.
45:17I wanted to see you lose to me once.
45:20But now I know what I stole wasn't Luca.
45:24What I destroyed was the best thing you ever gave me.
45:28She cried so hard she almost could not breathe.
45:30I'm sorry.
45:32Vivian, I'm sorry.
45:33If this had been before, I would have felt sorry for her.
45:37I would have handed her tissues.
45:39I would have held her.
45:40I would have said it was okay.
45:42But now, I only looked at her calmly.
45:46Some apologies came too late.
45:48Too late did not undo the damage.
45:51Too late did not erase betrayal from memory.
45:54Camila, I stood.
45:57Don't come looking for me again.
45:58Her face went white.
46:00Vivian, I regret it.
46:02I looked at her.
46:03Then live with what you did.
46:06Don't make me digest it for you.
46:08I turned and left.
46:09Behind me, she sobbed my name.
46:13Vivian!
46:13Please, I don't have anyone else!
46:15I stopped for only one second.
46:17Then I kept walking.
46:19Once, those words would have chained me to her guilt.
46:22Now, they only proved I had been right to leave.
46:25I did not look back.
46:28Later, people said Luca sold his private club in Los Angeles.
46:32He went to Chicago and left their shared circle completely.
46:35Some people said he was trapped by nightmares every night, in those dreams.
46:40Vivian walked toward him again and again, only to turn into black smoke before he could touch her.
46:46Vivian, wait!
46:47But the dream Vivian never stopped.
46:50Every night, he woke with his hands stretched into empty air.
46:54He stopped attending parties.
46:56He stopped answering old friends.
46:57The man who once knew exactly how to smile for every room now sat alone until dawn.
47:03Afraid to sleep and more afraid to wake.
47:05Others said he found a succubus contract lowyer and tried to trade half his life for Vivian's return.
47:10The lowyer looked through the old contract book, then closed it.
47:14Succifiber contracts can trade in desire, memory, dreams, pain, and time.
47:21Then take it!
47:23That is not the problem.
47:24Luca's face was pale.
47:26Then what is?
47:28They cannot trade in another person's free will.
47:32I don't need her forced.
47:35I just need a chance to see her.
47:37If she does not want to return, no contract can bring her back.
47:41Luca lowered his head.
47:42For the first time, there was no one left for him to blame.
47:46Because Vivian did not return for one simple reason.
47:49She did not want to.
47:52Half a year later, I opened a dream counseling studio.
47:56I specialized in helping people trapped by desire, nightmares, and low-level succubus contracts.
48:02I no longer denied my succubus blood.
48:04I no longer treated my ability like a curse.
48:07I could see desire.
48:08And because of that, I could also see sincerity.
48:11That rainy night, my last client sat across from me, fingers twisting together.
48:16Will this contract make me a bad person?
48:19No.
48:20But letting someone else use it to control you will hurt you.
48:24How do I know if what I feel is mine?
48:26I looked at the faint contract shadow around their wrist.
48:30Real desire leaves you with a choice.
48:33Control takes the choice away.
48:35The client slowly nodded.
48:37Did you learn that from books?
48:38I smiled faintly.
48:40No.
48:40From losing something I once thought I couldn't live without.
48:43After the client left, the bells of the Cathedral of St. Vibiana rang.
48:49Once, those bells had made me weak.
48:53Now I only stood by the window and watched rain fall through the streetlight.
48:58The succubus mark under my collarbone warmed faintly.
49:02This time, it was not warning me of a contract, hunger, or someone else's desire.
49:08It was only reminding me that I finally belonged completely to myself.
49:13My father called.
49:15Coming home for dinner?
49:16I smiled.
49:18I am.
49:19I live a real life.
49:21And my parents' love is real too.
49:25After I hung up, I turned off the lights in the counseling studio.
49:29The glass door reflected my shadow.
49:31Black hair, red lips.
49:33A faint dark gold light in my eyes.
49:35Behind me, a pair of black wings opened softly in the reflection, then folded away.
49:41For a moment, I stood still and looked at myself.
49:44I remembered the girl who used to hide every sign of hunger.
49:48I remembered the girl who refused to enter the dreams of the man she loved.
49:53Because she thought love should never become control.
49:57I remembered the girl who trusted her best friend with wedding dress photos, vow drafts,
50:04keys, rings, and every soft place in her heart.
50:08That girl had been hurt.
50:10But she had not been foolish for loving sincerely.
50:13The foolish ones were the people who mistook her trust for weakness.
50:17The phone buzzed again.
50:19For one second, an old reflex made me glance at it.
50:22It was not Luca.
50:23It was not Camila.
50:24It was only my father sending a picture of dinner.
50:27Your mother says if you don't come soon, I'll eat your portion.
50:30I laughed for the first time that night.
50:33Don't you dare.
50:34The ordinary warmth of that message was worth more than every dramatic vow Luca had ever made.
50:40I pushed the door open and walked into the rain.
50:44This city was still bright, intimate, and dangerous.
50:49Desire was everywhere.
50:51But I would never lose myself in someone else's desire again.
50:57Luca, Camila, all the love that had vanished in midnight dreams.
51:02It was all behind me now.
51:04My life did not need me to look back.
51:06Even if betrayal had made me stumble once, I would keep walking forward.
51:12Luca's voice once told me,
51:15Vivian, you are not a monster.
51:17Camila once asked me,
51:18Vivian, we'll never be apart, right?
51:21Back then, I had believed both of them.
51:24Now, I no longer hated myself for believing.
51:27Love had been real on my side.
51:29Betrayal had been real on theirs.
51:31And I did not have to carry both.
51:33The rain softened the city lights.
51:36The succubus mark beneath my collarbone glowed once, calm and steady.
51:40I looked up at the sky.
51:42I belong to myself.
51:43No one answered, because no one needed to.
51:46The answer was already in the way I kept walking.
51:49Behind me, a pair of black wings opened softly in the rain, then folded away.
51:55I was not running from desire anymore.
51:57I was not starving myself to prove I was good.
52:00I was not waiting for someone else to tell me I was safe to love.
52:04I was alive.
52:05I was free.
52:06And I would never again mistake someone else's hunger for my home.
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