Bitter Submission

Chapter Sixteen

|Sixteen|

|Luxinia|

I stared at Jamie in shock as I saw him snap Jesse's neck. Surely, that wouldn't kill him, but that would most certainly buy us a lot of time to get the f**k out of here. I couldn't stop staring at Jamie. He was always considered weak, yet here he was saving me from being killed... again.

I should have never released this newfound power like that, I thought angrily. I mean, what was I thinking? I knew better than to make myself a target. But when I realized that Jamie probably went to Jesse to force him to fix Tessa I knew I needed to act fast. Jesse was no ally of mine. I need to realize that he was my enemy. I let my guard down too easily around him and I let him crawl under my skin. That couldn't happen, not when I knew he matched my power. I only overpowered him because of Everen's vial. Other than that, I would've been a goner.

Turning to Jesse's bedroom doors I smirked. "We need to hurry out of here, but to make sure he doesn't follow us, help me carry him to the bed."

Jamie raised a brow. "what are you up to?"

"We're going to tie him up."

|~~~|

I was staring at the dress I was wearing to the ball tonight. It completely slipped my mind that the ball was tonight. I did not want to attend tonight due to the fact that Jesse--no Storm was now after me. However, if I didn't attend I would be killed. So either way, I was putting myself in danger. I sighed, frowning about how low cut the dress was in the back. This was supposed to be elegant, not a s*x honing dress. "Do you have anything that covers more?"

The woman who stood next to me at the dress shop was a woman who worked for the incubi, she always took care of many to prepare us for special occasions. What made her work for us was beyond me. A human casually dressing up s*x demons wasn't something that they looked forward to. Well, perhaps teenage boys did.

"No, you name was listed here and they want you to wear this dress. Es un baile de máscaras so I assume this dress is the only way to notice you," The woman replied, as she stared at the dress, "Yours is much different from the rest."

Looking in the mirror, I stared more deeply at the dress. It was a crimson red empire satin dress that dipped very low on my back. This dress was handy if I needed to slip into my true form to fly away, but it was very long to walk in. I could hide weapons easily on my thighs, however, since the dress hugged my hips then flowed out, I would need a small knife. There goes my gun.

"And here is you masquerade mask. They had given me another one for you to wear, but I feel this suits you better."

I was never one for fashion, only for comfort and practicality. However, the mask was breathtaking. It covered the top half of my face and had two little horns on the top. One half was black and the other red with gold swirl accents surrounding the eyes. I could easily hide from anyone with this mask. I smiled at her. "Thank you so much."

She nodded, but there was a sudden sadness in her eyes. "You will be fine at this ball, correct?"

I nodded, raising a brow in suspicion. Did she know anything that I didn't?  "Why? Is there something going on?"

"I see many creatures like you come in here, and for many years I've seen you all suffer due to your masters. They also get my help to heal some of you who come here. I wish help somehow, but those demons, so powerful," The woman started cleaning some papers off the table beside her with a worried expression. "Be careful."

I nodded again. "Don't worry. I'm not like the rest of them. They'll be stopped one day."

The woman smiled sadly. "I don't want you to become those girls I try to save."

"I won't."

|Jesse|

Moaning in pain, I opened my eyes and noticed something was off. Very off. My arms were raised above my head. I knitted my eyebrows in confusion and looked up noticing that I was tied to my bed. What the--? My eyes wandered over to the alarm clock by my nightstand and I saw that I only had an hour before the ball. I fought against the ties and freed myself from constriction. My mind was muddled and it took a while before I remember how I ended up in this situation.

Did I bring someone home?

No, I wouldn't do that. I knew better. Plus I was home the whole day. My short term memories resurfaced and I then remembered that Lux's claimed came with his lover. Then...? What happened after? I started to get annoyed at myself. How come I couldn't remember?

My phone started ringing and I growled, grabbing it and answering the call. "This better be bloody important!"

Blair chuckled on the other line. "Well, I assume you're ready for the ball, correct?"

I ran a hand through my hair, it was time for a haircut soon. "Ah, yes. Just give me a little bit. Where is it being held?"

"Webster Hall. Don't forget a mask. Bye." Blair hung up abruptly.  I frowned. A mask? For the ball? Oh. It was tonight's theme. Masquerade. These stupid balls that made us try to play nice. It was simply just a ploy for us to recruit more succubi.

|~~~|

|Luxina|

I arrived at Webster Hall perhaps a little too early. There weren't many succubi around, but there were many incubi. I frowned and made my way to the bar. I sat at the stool and ordered some wine. I couldn't drink too heavily or else I wouldn't be able to keep my guard up. The new power I had gotten from Everen made me feel almost invincible. But I couldn't think I was invincible--because I'm not. Jesse could've easily taken me in. I needed to stop hesitating and do what I was supposed to do. No more emotions. If Jesse was easily going to hand me off to Bloodtrei I needed to do to the same when it comes to handing him off to Everen. This was a job, nothing less, nothing more.

I saw more incubi as I turned, making sure I had a view of the entrance. I narrowed my eyes as more incubi flooded in than succubi. It was surprising to see our population slim down. There were always more of us before the Cleansing. Years ago, incubi noticed a revolt within the ranks of the succubi and we revolted against the incubi. They came together and killing all the ones who stood up for themselves. After that, we were afraid to live for ourselves. We soon became slaves of them, did all their bidding. Now, I want that all to change. It was time. I'm so sick of us following what they ask. No one deserved to suffer. Hell, I don't care if we rule them or not. I just want us to have free will. No more Bloodtrei, no more suffering.

I saw Blair Elcen arrive with two succubi at his arms. He had no mask on, it was hanging from his neck. He smiled at the Greater Demons that were standing by the live band. I then spotted Xavier Davies standing with Roman Fairtower. Xavier and Roman looked like they were in a heated argument about something. Roman had his masquerade mask in his hand and Xavier had his mask on his forehead. I wanted to extend my hearing, but I didn't want to make myself too suspicious.

Hours passed and I felt like I was going insane. I stood at my spot by the bar and even spotted Tessa and Jamie. They both looked nervous and tired as Hell, but they still made it. If they didn't, Tessa would be killed. I didn't dare approach them even though it wouldn't be suspicious. I was completely on edge. Jamie snapped Jesse's neck and I tied him up. I still didn't see him yet and that just made me more nervous. I could only pray and hope that he forgot what happened. Snapping an incubi neck rendered them unconscious and also removed their memory prior to their neck-snapping. I know it had something to do with their spinal cords. I really hoped Jesse forgot what he saw.

Blair approached, an easy smile on his face. "Hello, Luxinia. How come a pretty girl like you is all alone over here. It's an incubus ball, enjoy this night!"

I shook my head. "Not my kind of night. Maybe when there's a succubus ball I might attend," Taking a sip of my wine, I stood up and walked away from Blair before I slit his neck. I had to keep my eyes open and search for that girl killing incubi.

So far I didn't see anything weird going on and I was disappointed that I've yet to see our mystery murderer.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I sighed. "Blair, leave me alone." I whirled around and my eyes grew wide.

Oh, it wasn't Blair.

A tall man stood before me wearing the Phantom of the Opera mask. Upon closer inspection, I noticed it was Storm. I sucked in a sharp breathtaking in the way he looked. He looked simply amazing in his midnight suit. His hair was picked up in a ponytail and the shaved side was freshly cut. His eyes were on mine, intense and full of lust. "I was looking for you. I couldn't recognize you. You look breathtaking, Lux."

I frowned. He didn't remember. He wasn't going to turn me in. I took a deep breath of relief. I was safe for now, but I couldn't let that happen again. The power needed to be in check. "Thank you Storm."

Jesse frowned. "Are you okay?"

I nodded and looked past him at Jamie and Tessa. They stared at us worriedly.

"Dance with me Lux," Jesse held out his hand and he looked like the perfect representation of the Phantom.

I didn't want to dance. Hell, I didn't even want to be here, but I guess it couldn't hurt. Everen wanted me to gain his trust. I could do so like this. Jesse walked me to the dancefloor and he pulled me close to him.

"I didn't think you could dance, Storm," I whispered behind my mask. I noticed how fluidly he moved with me. It was almost like we were one person. It felt like we were hovering above the dance floor. Like a prince and a princess. Except, that Jesse--Storm--wasn't a prince and I wasn't even close to a princess. I wasn't here to play Cinderella. I needed to do my job.

Part of me felt like I owed something to Jesse for saving me. I needed to do so many other things. I couldn't let myself enjoy this moment, not with Jesse. He was the very thing that I had to avoid. I should be killing him right now.

"My mother taught me how to dance when I was young," Jesse smiled as he twirled me around.

I almost faltered in the middle of my twirl when he mentioned his mother. I sometimes forget that incubi had mothers. Their mothers always died during childbirth. I narrowed my eyes in confusion. "Your mother is alive?" I blurted, admonishing myself for asking. However, I was curious. Then I remembered what Everen told me.

Jesse chuckled and shook his head. "No, my mother died. However, my mother's sister took care of me. My mother's sister is a very weak woman. My father was both of their masters. He still kept my aunt around as a caretaker of me and my brothers. That's why in England I get called the 'mothered Incubus'."

I nodded, vaguely remembering Dom once bringing that up. He had joked around saying that he wanted to find that succubus and force a child in her while the incubus she babied watched. I thought that was barbaric even when he said that he was joking. "What happened to her?" I was curious since my mother died when I was nine years old. I remembered both of my parents fairly well. They were happy at a time. However, my father left out of nowhere and never returned. Soon after, my mother passed mysteriously. It was then when Elizabeth took me to Bloodtrei's castle. However, we never made it there. Everen found me first. I lived with her when I was fourteen. Fifteen, I was caught and in Bloodtrei's castle. At sixteen, Dom then took me.

Jesse truly looked like he was enjoying his time with me talking about his personal life. "She's still alive, spending her days as a caretaker of the succubi and for my clan. I visit her whenever I have the time. She is one of the most normal relationships I have."

I was shocked that Jesse actually had someone that he called mom. He could go home to her and actually be coddled and feel at home. I couldn't help, but feel somewhat jealous. "How did your father not kill her?"

"Pity? Or perhaps he had a heart, somewhere deep inside." Jesse twirled me around and I smiled as the song ended.

This was nice. I could almost lose myself in this. "Come with me somewhere quieter. I want to ask you something." Jesse murmured beside my ear.

I nodded, my guard raised. He took my hand and led me towards the bathrooms. He brought me inside the men's one and locked the door, checking the stalls before turning back to me. "I wanted to ask if you would let me--"

Suddenly, I was on him like a b***h in heat. I don't know what made me want to do so. There was no s*x energy in the air. It was just seeing him there, looking like a s*x god. I couldn't help myself. Just this once, I wanted to get myself lost in the moment. I wanted to convince myself that there was nothing wrong with that.

Jesse wrapped his arms around my waist and hoisted me to him. Instantly, my legs were wrapped around his taut waist and my arms were locked down on his neck. He kissed me fervently, catching my lips with his. With every kiss, his teeth caught my lower lip and nibbled, bringing out a moan from me. His hands were on my ass squeezing while holding me up. My hands traveled to his mask, taking it off so I could see his face. I kissed him harder, seeing his eyes open and staring at me intensely. Jesse then set me down on the sink and grabbed a hold of my hair, twisting it in his grip and pulling my head back, exposing my neck. The true form of submission.

He came close and ran his tongue up and down my jugular, circling behind my ear. I grabbed his tie and brought his lip back to mine. This passion, this is what it was like to feel normal. There was no s*x magic in the air. Just two people joined together.

"Seres," I heard him breathe.

My eyes snapped open and they darted to his. "Seres?"

Jesse's eyes snapped back to his silvery color and they looked saddened and haunted. He shook his head and pulled away from me. "No. Nothing, I'm sorry."

"Who's Seres?" I asked, raising a brow. I don't know why I was so bothered by that. It was like we were dating. It wasn't like he was mine.

"No one important. Come," Jesse held out his hand for me. "They must've noticed we disappeared."

I ignored his hand and got down from the sink on my own. It felt awkward. I was never awkward. This was the first time that someone called someone else's name while being with me. Who was Seres? And why was he saddened when he said that name? Was she human? That name sounded so damn familiar. At that moment I realized that there was so much to Jesse that I had no idea about. I looked so ignorant.

Blair and Roman approached us, with sly grins on their faces. "You guys are in trouble." Blair sang.

I raised a brow and glared at Blair. "What do you mean?

"Is Jesse your claimed?" Roman asked sternly, his red eyes staring at me.

I shook my head. "Jamie Le Iona is my master."

"Then I suggest you go with him now," Roman snapped, continuing to glare at me.

"What's wrong Roman?" Jesse questioned.

"The ball has started and Bloodtrei wants to make an announcement," Blair mumbled, "auctions."

I nodded solemnly. The unclaimed and new succubi would now be on stage and incubi would now have the choice to claim them. Dread found its way in the center of my stomach. I sauntered over to where Tessa and Jamie were standing and they already had a drink waiting for me.

I took it and downed the whole thing, staring at the stage. Bloodtrei grinned at the audience through his white mask. "As we all know, it's time for the Unclaimed succubi to now be Claimed and we also have new additions. Incubi, you can pick whomever, but just know that we do not have an abundance of succubi anymore for obvious reasons, so you must be careful."

I frowned when I saw Bloodtrei's eyes slide over to Jesse who was standing beside Blair and Blair's claimed. Jesse scowled and looked down at his drink. I wonder why Jesse looked so guilty. What was there to be guilty of? Was that rumor true? Did he really kill his claim?

My gaze drifted over towards the bathrooms where we were kissing. Was his succubus named Seres? I wished to know more about Jesse, but I knew that was stupid of me. I couldn't get attached to him in that way.

It was hard to discern who was standing beside the bathrooms, but the energy from that person was very familiar. I felt my body tense up as s*x magic flowed from them discreetly. Who was that?

I carefully walked away from the auction and followed that person. They quickly slipped out through the back exit. I picked up my speed and proceeded to follow them. That person smelt like Dominick. The person didn't slow down as they crossed the street into an alley.

Whoa. Cornering me into an alley? I don't think so. I pulled a knife from my thigh and ran onto the other side of the building. Unfurling my wings, I flew up to the roof and looked down into the alley. There was no one there except a bum sleeping beside a Dumpster. I shook my head. Maybe I was seeing things.

"You've changed a lot, Luxinia," a voice sounded behind me.

I whirled around and my heart dropped.

A/N: Hope you guys liked it, thanks again for everything! vote comment