Page 36 of The Calling of Caellaias
Maeyve's eyes locked onto mine through thick black fur. Hesitantly, she slunk forward and sat directly in front of me. She was larger than the other foxes I had encountered in the past; her head was still easily as large as mine, and her paws were still about the same size as my hands. Her shoulders were up to my hip when she stood on all fours. Her black and orange fur looked soft and fluffy. I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through it.
I raised my hand as a request to stroke her fur if she'd allow it. She bent her head toward me and bumped my hand with her wet nose. When I didn't move my hand, she licked it. The sandpaper-like texture of her tongue made me snatch my hand back. I didn't expect her tongue to have such a rough texture.
She whimpered and lay down with her head on her paws. I slowly reached out to pet her soft head and ears and gave her a small, sad smile. I couldn't believe it was all real.
We stayed silent as I stroked her fur, and after a few minutes, I sighed with regret. “We need to talk some more. Can you please change back into your human form and get dressed?”
Maeyve got up, licked my face, and stepped back over to her clothes, where she returned to her human form. The transformation was so fast I might have missed it if I were to blink. She put her clothes back on and pulled me onto the couch. When she sat beside me, she was ready to listen.
We sat silently for several moments before I began, “I don't even know where to start. I'm worried that if I confront my parents, they'll never let me out of their sight again. Or they'll find a way to force me back home. Fuck. What if the vampire is going after Eiri, too?Why does the king wantme?” All the questions continuously circling through my head had my pulse quickening, and my breathing grew ragged.
Maeyve grasped my hand, and a jolt went through my body that was different from the one I usually felt when she touched me.
Ripping my hand from her grasp, I asked, “What the fuck was that? That isnotlike the normal tingling sensation I get when we touch.”
She let out a nervous laugh before she spoke. “That was me. We're not going to get anywhere with you panicking, and one of the many benefits of being a succubus is my calming ability. Please take a deep breath. Let's tackle one thing at a time.”
“Wait a minute, did you say you're part succubus? Like ‘luring people in and attracting them' part succubus? Oh my god. Is that why I've been so attracted to you?!” My voice raised an octave with every question spewing from my mouth. Now, not only was I confused, but I was furious. “You made me like you, didn't you? You attracted me and used me, didn't you?!”
Maeyve's jaw dropped at my accusations. Her eyes darkened with anger as she lowered her voice and grasped my chin, “You listen to me right now. Luring people is an ability that succubi have, and yes, some use it for evil. I can't help what I am, but Icancontrol my abilities. I haveneveronce lured you to me since we met, and I wouldneverdo that to you. This connection between us has been genuine. I've felt the same pull you have since we met. Do not come at me with the human myths of my kind again. I'm sure you know nothing about what a true succubus is.”
The anger in her voice put me on the defensive, and I felt angry right back, but her grip on my chin was comforting. Whenever our skin touched, it felt like the world was right, and I didn't want to leave her. I was conflicted about whether to pull back from her or lean in closer. Something about her anger turned me on, which only irritated me. What if she was using this to convince me to stay? She sent the jolt only moments ago to calm me down. Finally, my brain took over, and I ripped my chin out of her grasp.
Once free, I pushed back and rose from the couch, wanting to be anywhere but there having that conversation. I didn't know what to believe besides what I had seen. I knew she was indeed a fox shifter, but I knew nothing about her succubus powers or what they could do. I needed to process everything; I could only think of doing that if she wasn't in the house with me.
“I want you to leave. Ineedyou to leave. I can't do this right now. I can't even think straight when you're around. This is all too much, and I don't even know how I feel right now.”
Panic took over Maeyve's face as she scrambled to her feet and attempted to grab my hand. I shuffled backward to stay out of her grasp. Then, the anger returned.
She stopped and screamed, “Fine! You want me to leave you alone?! I've donenothingbut try to please you these last few days. I've put myself at risk for you numerous times now, and I haven't even expected any appreciation! I just wanted to explain things to you. I wanted you to understand. I showed you my fox, which I haveneverdone foranyonebefore! I've never trusted anyone the way I trust you. I've neverfeltthis way about anyone before, but you want me to leave?Fine. Good luck figuring things out with the vampire stalking your home. You don't know anything about our world.” When she finished, she marched around the house, grabbing some of her things before she stomped out the front door.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the door. Then, the weight of what I had just done settled over me. I scrambled to the door and threw it open, but Maeyve was already gone, her things scattered on the ground. As I stood there, my mind began to race, and panic took over.
My heart pounded a million miles a minute, and my breaths became more rapid and shallow. Everything she said as she left had come at me full force. I had no clue how I would handle the vampire, and I didn't want to include my parents unless I had to. They'd kept enough about Caellaias from me, and I didn't want them fighting my battles anymore.
Slamming the door shut,I placed my back to it and willed my fear to ease, but the more I thought about going outside, even just to get away from the property and the vampire, I began to shake and feel lightheaded.Fuck. There's so much to process. I just need a minute.
As I slid down the door, I closed my eyes, covered my ears, and screamed at the top of my lungs, letting loose all of the pain, fear, and anger until my throat was raw. When I couldn't scream anymore, I went back to the couch. I'd figure everything out at some point, but at that moment, I needed my sister.
Just as I sat down, a text came in.
Are you okay?
Perfect, but strange timing,I thought to myself.
Zoning out for a few minutes, I weighed my options. I could tell her everything and have her think I was insane, or I could lie and try to handle all of this on my own. Whatever my decision, I needed to make it before Eiri got too concerned.
Pulling up her thread, I decided to lay out the truth.
I'm about to sound really crazy, but I just found out some crazy shit and that a vampire is stalking me. I'd love for you to come over, but I'm worried the vampire might attack you. I think he might be after our family.
Once I hit send, I started crying. I was scared and didn't know what to do. I also didn't want my sister to think I was crazy.
Whoa. Are you for real?!
Momma alwaysinsisted there were vampires, but Poppa said she just liked to make up things for her stories.
I'm on my way with a necklace of garlic, sis! I'll be there in a jiff!
