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