I woke up to the soft glow of the base used for "morning."
Next to me, the violet-haired succubus from last night was still sprawled out, thighs glossy, breathing slow and satisfied.
She cracked one golden eye open, licked her lips.
"Round four, handsome?"
I shook my head with a lazy grin. "Tempting, but I need coffee more than another orgasm right now."
She pouted, snapped her fingers to dissolve the lingering scent of sex, and sauntered out naked and unbothered.
Shower. Black hoodie. Jeans. Done.
I knocked once on Kai's door and pushed it open without waiting.
Classic Kai: still in bed, crimson-haired succubus folded beneath him in missionary, wet rhythmic slaps echoing off the walls. Her legs were locked around his waist, nails digging into his back, both of them moaning like they were trying to wake the entire Pacific Rim.
"Bro, topside run?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Kai didn't even slow down, just grinned over his shoulder while driving deeper. "Nah, I'm good right here."
I snorted. "Suit yourself. Just don't fracture anything. Riven sent me a horror story, some rookie demanded cowgirl from a pro and literally snapped his—"
The succubus under Kai burst out laughing mid-thrust. Kai froze, then started laughing too.
"Wait, wait, actual fracture?!" he wheezed.
"Orthopedic surgeon and everything," I confirmed. "Kid's mom is currently having the worst day of her life."
The succubus propped herself up on her elbows, eyes sparkling with wicked curiosity. "Details, human. We need details."
I waved my phone. "Ask Riven. I'm out."
I left them cackling and kissing like lunatics and kept walking.
Passed Lilith's private office. Door cracked open two inches.
Bad idea, Ace.
Through the gap: Lilith in her chair, skirt rucked up to her hips, fingers working furiously between her thighs, head thrown back, lips parted in a silent scream as she watched last night's footage on the big screen. A soft gush hit the floor. She didn't even notice me.
I quietly pulled the door shut and kept walking, humming an innocent little tune like I'd seen nothing.
Two corridors later I reached the Succubus Therapy Wing.
The hallway was soundproofed, but the door to Observation Room 3 was ajar.
Inside: the two new hellfire awakeners, Vincent and Richard, strapped gently to recliners, eyes glazed, expensive suits long gone.
Four succubi in lingerie worked in perfect sync, slow rolls of hips, soothing whispers, wet sounds that could melt steel.
One leaned down, kissed Vincent's forehead. "Just let it all go, sweetheart… you're safe now…"
I checked the chart on the wall: Estimated full recruitment & memory rewrite: 58 hours.
Succubus therapy is brutal, efficient, and zero percent survivable for the ego.
I whistled the same cheerful tune, hands in pockets, and headed for the elevator.
Today was going to be a very entertaining day.
Lilith was still riding the aftershocks, thighs trembling, when her private phone buzzed on the desk.
She wiped her fingers on a silk handkerchief, took a steadying breath, and answered.
"Mom!"
A cheerful male voice, accompanied by unmistakable wet slaps and breathy feminine moans in the background.
"Hey, sweetie," Lilith answered, voice perfectly calm, like she wasn't sitting in a puddle of her own making thirty seconds ago. "Work's fine. You?"
"Great! Listen, when you come home can you grab those chocolate-cookie snacks I like? Oh, and a large pepperoni pizza. And the new iPhone. That's it. Love you, bye!"
"Love you too, honey."
She hung up just as the boy on the other end groaned and the succubus beneath him cried out in perfect unison.
Lilith smiled softly. Kids these days.
Then the air in the office shimmered.
A glowing crimson-gold teleportation circle ignited in the middle of the rug.
Out stepped a vision that could stop hearts.
Nine luxurious fox tails swayed behind her like living silk. Silver-white hair cascaded to her waist, golden slit-pupil eyes, crimson traditional robes that somehow looked both regal and sinful. Twenty years old, same age as Ace and Kai, but the aura rolling off her was ancient and royal.
Her name: Tamamo Veylith Lusteria, ninth princess of the House of Lust, one of the seven great demonic clans.
Tamamo flicked an ear, sniffed once, and smirked at Lilith's disheveled state.
"Interrupting something fun, Auntie Lilith?"
Lilith immediately dropped to one knee, composure instantly perfect.
"Young Miss. Welcome back to the mortal branch."
Tamamo waved her up. "Where are my brothers and sister?
"Ace is wandering the halls, Kai is… occupied, Seraphine is in her room, Riven is topside."
Tamamo nodded. "Round them up. Vacation's over."
Minutes later the office doors burst open.
Ace arrived first, took one look at Tamamo, and his whole face lit up.
"TAMA-NEE!"
"ACE!"
They high-fived like kids who'd grown up terrorizing palaces together.
Kai strolled in a minute later, hair messy, lipstick on his neck, still zipping his fly. "Yo, big sis!" Another high-five.
Seraphine and Riven appeared last, hand in hand, both freshly showered.
"Tama-nee," they greeted in unison, bowing with genuine respect.
Tamamo clapped once. "Good. Everyone's here. Time to go home."
Ace blinked. "Home…?"
Tamamo's nine tails flared dramatically flared. A massive circular gate ripped open in the conference hall, revealing a crimson sky and floating obsidian spires.
Beyond the gate: two thousand figures already kneeling in perfect rows.
One thousand newly converted hellfire demons (the broken billionaires and their bodyguards).
One thousand succubi in elegant combat uniforms.
Ace's jaw dropped. "Wait… all the targets we ruined… they're your personal army now?"
Tamamo grinned, sharp and proud.
"Correct. Father only allowed me to bring one thousand males and one thousand females to the Demonic Royal Academy this semester. You five have been my starter battalion. You're welcome."
Riven raised a hand. "Quick question, why did the Angel Council try to block the portal last time?"
"Because," Tamamo said sweetly, "I may have 'borrowed' a few celestial artifacts to speed up the conversions. They were salty. Anyway—vacation's over, babies. Pack your toothbrushes."
She glanced at the frozen footage still playing on Lilith's screen and winked.
"I watched the highlight reels, by the way. Very artistic work. Ten out of ten."
Ace groaned. Kai laughed. Seraphine face-palmed. Riven just looked mildly traumatized.
Tamamo spun on her heel, tails swishing.
"Move out! Next stop: Infernal Crown Academy. Try not to break too many princes and princesses on the first day."
The five of them exchanged one last look, half thrilled, half terrified, then stepped through the gate together.
Behind them, Lilith bowed deeply as the portal sealed.
The mortal world would never know it had just lost its five most dangerous twenty-year-olds…
and gained an entire academy's worth of new nightmares.
A flash of crimson light deposited us in front of a sprawling obsidian-and-gold mansion that made mortal billionaires look like peasants.
Tamamo stepped out of the portal first, nine tails swishing like a victory flag.
"Lilith, take the two thousand servants ahead to the academy. Full preparation protocol. I want everything perfect when we arrive next week."
Lilith bowed low. "Yes, Young Miss."
With a snap of her fingers, she and the entire army of newly converted hellfire demons and succubi vanished in columns of smoke.
Tamamo turned to Seraphine, eyes sparkling.
"Girl time! One full week before orientation. Shopping, spa, cocktails, gossip. The capital's night markets are calling our names."
Seraphine's usual ice-queen mask cracked into a genuine grin. "Finally."
The two linked arms and disappeared in a swirl of frost and foxfire, giggling like teenagers.
Which left the three of us—Kai, Riven, and me—standing in the marble courtyard like abandoned puppies.
I scratched my head. "So… now what?"
Kai didn't even hesitate. "Bang some chicks."
Riven rolled his eyes. "Or we could hunt something that tries to kill us first. More fun."
I smirked. "Why not both?"
All three of us nodded at the universal male nod of perfect understanding.
The head butler—an ancient demon who'd served the House of Lust for six centuries—appeared with a carriage already waiting. Six nightmare horses pawed the ground, snorting violet flames.
"Where to, young masters?"
I leaned back against the velvet seat. "Crimson Hollow Forest. The big one."
Riven whistled. "Twelve-hour ride. Endless territory. Mid-tier demons, rogue dungeons, hidden ruins, the works."
Kai grinned like a shark. "And if we're really lucky, we'll stumble across some noble lady running from a wyvern. Instant gratitude sex."
The butler didn't bat an eye. "Very good, sirs. Allow me to prepare suitable… entertainment and supplies."
Ten minutes later the carriage was loaded:
- Three ridiculously beautiful succubus attendants (all over a thousand years old, all looking like curvy 28-year-old models in skimpy travel silks).
- Crates of demon-forged weapons, healing potions, and enough luxury snacks to survive a siege.
- One succubus per boy, seated very cozily beside us.
The violet-haired one next to me traced a nail down my forearm. "I'm Liora. I'll be keeping you… hydrated for the journey, young master."
The crimson-haired one was already in Kai's lap.
The emerald-eyed one winked at Riven and whispered something that made even the water dragon blush.
The butler closed the door with a respectful bow. "We depart now. Estimated arrival at the edge of Crimson Hollow Forest: dawn tomorrow. Enjoy the ride, young masters."
The carriage lurched forward, nightmare horses galloping across a sky-bridge of pure flame.
Inside, silk curtains drawn, the temperature was already rising.
Kai raised an imaginary glass. "To epic hunts…"
Riven smirked. "…and legendary rewards."
I laughed and pulled Liora closer. "Let the road trip begin."
Twelve hours.
Three succubi.
Endless forest waiting.
We were definitely going to be late for orientation.