“Who’s this new person that you work for?” Tori asked, as we were heading through the streets of Ortas to the house that Sage had pointed out.

  “You’ll meet them soon,” I replied.

  “Are you sure that’s safe? Maybe it’s a trap?” Tori asked.

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “Where did you even meet them?”

  I forced myself not to react, but when I realized my fists were clenched, I knew I wasn’t doing a good job. Her pretending to be worried about safety just to get more information was really getting on my nerves.

  “As you can guess, we found the boratory.” I nodded toward Hannah and her daughters. “They were watching it too.”

  “And offered you a job?” Tori asked, frowning.

  “They were impressed that I had found it,” I lied.

  “And what are you gonna do for them?” Tori asked.

  I was starting to regret not getting rid of her when I had the chance. Previously, she had at least tried to pretend she didn’t care, but apparently something had changed. Could she have realized that something was wrong? Was she afraid I was leading her into a trap?

  “Is that a woman?” Amber chimed in.

  I shifted my gaze to the elf, wondering if she was just jealous, or changing the topic on purpose to save me from questions. Should I punish her? Or maybe reward? From her expression, I couldn't tell what her intentions were.

  “Yes,” I replied, with a smirk.

  She scoffed and turned away from me, quickening her pace to walk in front of me. But at the same time, she couldn’t stop herself from swaying her hips, catching my attention with her firm ass and long legs.

  “It’s here,” I said when we reached a house with a bnk sign, exactly where Sage had pointed out on the map. It had brown walls, clean windows, and… nothing to set it apart, it blended seamlessly into the row of other houses.

  I reached the door first, and as Sage had promised, they were unlocked. I held them open for all the women, letting them go in first, only realizing afterward that if it had been a trap, I’d just put them at risk. On the other hand, Mari was the first to step inside, and she was the best person to deal with any danger waiting for us there.

  Once all eight of them were inside, I followed and locked the door behind me. The room was almost empty, with only a few cupboards, a staircase at the far end, and doors on both sides.

  “Finally, you’re here,” Sage said, walking down the stairs.

  If I wasn’t watching Tori carefully, I wouldn’t have caught the frown that crossed her face, because she quickly returned to her normal expression - watching Sage cautiously.

  “There aren’t enough rooms here for everyone,” Sage said. “But I assume some of you won’t mind sharing a room. Or a bed,” she added, looking at me. “Hannah, there’s a room with two double beds,” Sage said, pointing at the door on our left.

  “You can sleep with your daughters there,” she added. “A kitchen is there,” she pointed at the opposite door. “Bathroom, and something like a living room,” she expined, gesturing at the two remaining doors.

  “The rest of you would get rooms upstairs. Come, I’ll show you.” Sage moved up the stairs, not really waiting for any answer.

  Hannah and her two smaller daughters split into their room as we followed Sage. On the first floor, there were four additional rooms. “Here’s a second bathroom, Zelda’s room, Mari’s, and a new friend could be there,” she expined, pointing at the doors in order. Then she turned toward Tori, “Sage,” she introduced herself.

  “Tori.” She seemed tense, looking from Sage to me, and then quickly to her new room.

  “Go put your things in there,” I said, gncing between Mari and Tori.

  “Actually, Mari should go upstairs with us too,” Sage said when the kitsune moved toward her door.

  Mari frowned but went with us to the second and st floor, with only two rooms, one on each side.

  “And here’s the Floor of Screams,” Sage said, spreading her hands, turning toward us.

  “Floor of Screams?” I asked, frowning.

  “There’s your room.” Sage gestured at the door on the left. “I heard stories about your talents,” she added, smirking. “And there, Mari would be healed.” She pointed at the other door. “I was thinking about calling it the Floor of Pain and Pleasure, but it’s quite long, and I like the screams more. It’s more enigmatic.”

  “Will the healing be painful?” I asked, realizing what she meant by those names.

  “Zelda will give her something to ease the pain, but Mari is gonna regrow bones and nerves. Your room is not the only one from which screaming would come.”

  I wondered if Mari could take that kind of pain, but then again, after everything she’d already endured, this would just be another bad day - one that would lead to something much better.

  “And where’s your room?” Amber asked, gring at Sage.

  “Oh, we didn't have a chance to get to know each other, but I heard a lot about you, Amber Tzal’aenith,” Sage replied.

  Amber gnced at me with her brows furrowed and her lips pressed together.

  “Not from me,” I said. “Apparently you’re quite famous.”

  “I’ll sleep with whoever would accept me in their bed,” Sage said. “But also, I don't really sleep, so I don't need a bed.”

  “You don't sleep?” I asked. Was it a skill effect? Or maybe she wasn’t human, but a demon. A vampire? She didn't look like one. But did every vampire need to be pale?

  “Well… I do,” Sage replied. “But also not. It's complicated. Don't bother your handsome head with that now.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Go check your room.” She turned toward the kitsune. “Mari, come with me to talk with Zelda.”

  After they moved down the stairs, I opened the door to our new room and let Zoe, Azura, and Amber inside first, but this time taking a look first to make sure it was safe.

  “Are you fucking her?!” Amber gasped, before I could even close the door.

  I looked around the room. It had the impersonal feel of a cheap hotel - a double bed wide enough for four if we cuddled together, a wardrobe, a couple of nightstands, and nothing else. Nothing to suggest anyone had ever lived here. Sunlight streamed through a small window, leaving the room in muted shadow.

  “I asked you something!” Amber hissed, after I sat down on the bed to check it.

  Zoe jumped onto it too and bounced a few times before she y down on her back, with her legs and arms spread wide like a starfish.

  “Not yet,” I replied, smiling. Then I quickly stepped in front of Amber, looking into her pale blue eyes from up close. “We’ve talked about this. You’re not going to be my one and only. Never. And if you want to stay, if you want a chance to feel what you did this morning again, you’ll have to accept that.”

  “But you don't need to fuck everyone around!” Amber growled.

  “You’re cute when you get angry.” I leaned toward her and pecked her pink lips.

  She scoffed, and it seemed like she was going to say something, but instead hissed, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “We both know you will stay, so stop pouting,” I said. “And if you’ll be good, I’ll fuck you hard tonight.”

  Amber licked her lips as she smiled softly. But then she shook her head, sending me an angry look. “I hate you,” she murmured, sitting down on the bed, checking it.

  I snorted, then turned toward the wolf shapeshifter, wanting to take care of a new problem that occurred. “Azura, I think your mother might not have the best first impression of me,” I said.

  Azura frowned, looking at me like she was surprised and had no clue what I was talking about.

  “I think we should talk with her and expin things. Are you okay if we tell her about what happened to you after running away from the b? And meeting me?” I asked.

  After Azura hummed yes immediately, I continued, “Can you find and bring her here?”

  Another hum of agreement, and Azura left the room.

  “What happened to her?” Amber asked.

  “She was living as a wolf in a wolf pack for many years,” I replied. Amber looked with a small frown toward the door, where Azura had just left.

  “Master, we should christen a new bed,” Zoe said, still lying on the bed with her legs spread and her tail trailing over her body. Fortunately, she was clothed, otherwise, I could have a hard time resisting her offer.

  “After I talk with Hannah,” I said. “And use your skill when she comes,” I added, just in case something important would be said.

  Zoe nodded, pouting, before she turned on her stomach and pretended she was stretching, while in truth bending her body in a sexy way, pressing her ass toward me. Her skirt raised high, showing me her pale cheeks and the ck of her panties, as her pussy peeked at me from between her thighs.

  “Be careful with the teasing,” I warned. “You might end up as Amber did this morning.”

  “Do you promise?” Zoe asked, turning her head, looking at me with a cute smile.

  I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Amber, do you need a pce to make your potions?” I asked, trying to distract myself. The swelling in my pants was something that I needed to stop before the talk with Azura’s mother.

  The elf stared at me for a moment in silence, making me wonder what she was thinking about, but then she spoke, “Yeah, I’ll check the kitchen ter, but it should be enough.”

  “Would that be safe?” I asked. “To make potions where the food would be prepared?” I realized that without the tavern's food, someone would actually need to cook in that kitchen. Or we would need to find a new tavern close by.

  “Yes,” Amber replied. “You better expin why this Sage let you live here,” she asked, gesturing around the room.

  “She knows about my talents and wants to make use of them,” I replied with a smirk.

  Amber frowned, clearly wondering what I meant, but before she could speak again, Azura opened the door and came inside with her mother.

  I didn't even need to look toward Zoe, as the air around us shimmered immediately. “That’s a silent dome, making sure that no one is eavesdropping,” I expined, as Hannah’s gaze focused on it.

  She shifted her gaze slowly back to me but didn't say anything.

  “I want to talk and expin a few things to avoid misunderstandings,” I said. As Hannah remained silent, watching me carefully, I continued, “I have the impression you don't exactly like me.”

  “You’re not wrong,” Hannah replied firmly.

  “Mom,” Azura gasped in surprise, standing at my side.

  “Azura, baby, he’s not good for you,” Hannah said.

  “And that is because…?” I trailed off, wanting to know exactly what her problem was.

  Hannah huffed. “You really want to know? Sure! You ensved her, made a pet out of her. We’re not fucking pets for your entertainment!”

  “Azura is not my pet. She’s my girlfriend,” I replied firmly.

  “Yeah? So who are they?” She waved at Zoe and Amber.

  “Zoe is my girlfriend too, and Amber…” I looked at the elf, seeing the challenge in her gaze. “A new friend, with whom things might develop into something.”

  “So it’s normal nowadays to ensve your girlfriend?!” Hannah gasped. “Sorry - girlfriends. Oh, I must have missed a lot!”

  “I didn’t do it against anyone’s will,” I said. “Azura asked me to.”

  “Of course!” Hannah snorted.

  “I did, Mom,” Azura murmured. “I wanted to be part of his pack.”

  “A pack?!” Hannah gasped. “A pack?! He’s a human! That’s not a pack!”

  “Is that the real problem? That I’m a human?” I asked, surprised to realize what this was really about.

  “Yes, it is!” Hannah replied without hesitation.

  I let out a slow breath, stopping myself from saying something that would only make things worse. The problem wasn’t just that Azura was my sve, or the strange retionship between me, her, and Zoe. It was my race. And that meant I might never convince Azura’s mother to accept me - not in this conversation, maybe not ever. The best I could hope for was to make things at least… neutral.

  “I see…” I said, thinking over my words.

  “As I said,” I began, “Azura wanted this.” I gestured at her neck. “And she has the option to be free whenever she wants. She just has to ask, and we can take care of it immediately. Even today.”

  Azura whimpered, grabbing her neck as if to hold the tattoo in pce, her eyes fixed on me with worry.

  “I don’t want to do it,” I said, pulling her closer and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I want you in my pack,” I said slowly. “And as my girlfriend. But I want your mother to know you have this choice, so maybe she’ll understand you really want it.”

  Azura hummed a soft yes, rexing, pressed against my arm.

  “You’re just maniputing her,” Hannah said.

  “I want the best for your daughter,” I replied. “Do you know what happened to her after she ran away from the b?”

  For the first time, Hannah’s expression shifted. Instead of gring at me, she gnced at her daughter with worry.

  “For over ten years she lived with wolves that never fully accepted her into their pack. It was hard for her. Only a week ago, I helped her leave the forest and gave her a better life. Then I helped get her family - you - out of the boratory. You might not like me because I’m human, but I want to make her happy. I believe I do make her happy. And I believe she wants to stay with me.”

  Hannah pressed her lips into a thin line, frowning but not answering.

  “I hope you’ll understand that I want the best for Azura. And I hope you want the same for her. She wants her family close, so it would be good if you could get rid of your prejudice, so we could at least live together in peace. For her happiness.”

  “We’ll see,” Hannah murmured, turning toward the door, clearly ending the conversation. But she stopped with her hand on the handle and looked back at me. “And stay away from my daughters!” she growled before opening the door.

  On the other side was Tori, leaning slightly forward. She quickly straightened, her gaze jumping to Hannah, and then to me.

  The bitch was snooping at the door, trying to hear what we were talking about, when her skill failed her from a long distance.

  Hannah moved past her and down the stairs.

  “I wanted to talk about Sage,” Tori said quickly. I knew it was just an excuse. Fucking bitch lying straight to my face.

  I moved toward her, into the corridor, to leave the silent dome so she could hear me. “Yeah? What about her?” I asked, not really hiding my frustration or anger after the unsuccessful talk with Azura’s mother, and with Tori getting more and more brazen.

  “I don't think you should trust her,” Tori replied.

  I snorted, not believing what I was hearing. “You want to tell me something about trust?” I gasped.

  As Tori frowned, I realized what I had said without thinking. Watching her face, I could tell the moment when she realized that I knew about her betrayal.

  “Seriously, was I supposed to believe that she just stumbled upon me at the boratory? Nice story, but I know that you work for her, and you were telling her everything about me. How much did she pay you for that?! How long were you pying me?!”

  “What did you even expect?! Going around, telling everyone about your css like an idiot!” Tori gasped. “Someone would do it sooner or ter!”

  “That doesn't mean you needed to do it! Lying all the time to my face!”

  “Please,” Tori said. “I didn't need to lie. I didn't need to do anything. You’re so fucking stupid that you told me everything I wanted without me asking a question!”

  “Treacherous bitch!”

  “Fuck you,” Tori replied. “You cry about it now, but it didn't seem to end badly for you, did it? You got yourself a job and a pace to live in. You should actually thank me for telling Sage about you!”

  “Are you kidding me?! You had no idea what Sage would do with that knowledge. She might have decided to kill me. Don't pretend you were doing me a favour now!”

  “But I did!” Tori hissed. “I helped you travel and earn money. Without me, you would be lost. And it’s thanks to me that you have this bitch to fuck.” She waved at Azura standing behind me in the room.

  “Leave her out of that!” I growled, stepping toward her.

  “Or what, coward?”

  “Fucking whore! Spreading your legs for money!”

  Her body tensed, shoulder pulling back. When the sp came, I was ready and blocked it. Then immediately after, I shoved her in the chest, sending her stumbling into the wall behind her.

  “Fucking asshole, thinking he’s God knows who!” Tori hissed as her face began to change, bones shifting beneath her skin, nails lengthening into cws.

  I stepped back into the room, gncing at Zoe and reaching for my weapon, but before I could act, the door at the other end of the corridor swung open. Sage stepped out, smiling.

  “Easy, easy, my cute little bees,” Sage said with a grin. “You both work for me now, and as much as I love a little drama, I can’t let you kill each other.”

  “You told him about me?!” Tori growled accusingly, still half-shifted.

  “Watch your tone when you speak to me,” Sage replied, her voice suddenly low and cold - a clear threat. Something in it made me realize I really didn’t want to end up on Sage’s bad side.

  Tori must have felt the same, because she stepped back and shifted fully into her human form.

  “I didn’t tell him,” Sage said. “But I’m gd he figured it out on his own. Maybe he’s not the idiot you cimed he was. He might actually be useful to me.” She looked me up and down.

  “Fuck you,” I murmured.

  “Later, handsome.” She winked at me. “Tori, let’s talk without him,” she said, moving toward the stairs, stopping there, and waiting for the shapeshifter tigress.

  Tori gred at me, but then moved after Sage and down the stairs. As Sage followed, she flicked her hand in the air just before she vanished from my sight.

  Above the stairs, letters made out of purple mana appeared.

  I will take care of thatYou owe meHandsome

  “You really like insulting women, don’t you?” Mari asked, stepping out of the room Sage had just left. She didn’t wait for my answer, heading down the stairs with Zelda following moments ter. Zelda only gave me a soft smile before vanishing from sight as well.

  Fucking bitch. I was gd to be rid of her. Fuck her and her betraying ass. Now I wouldn’t have to worry about someone gathering information or watching every word I said in my own house.

  Snooping behind doors… fucking slut. Had she done it before? Was that why she sometimes disappeared? Was she contacting Sage, or just lurking close, hoping I’d say something when she wasn’t around?

  Bitch.

  At least she was out of my life. I hoped Sage would send her far away. Somewhere so cold she’d freeze her treacherous ass off.

  Without her, I had new problems, but I decided not to think about them at that moment. I went back into my room, where three hot demonesses were waiting for me.