“We need to talk,” Gemma said, even before I was fully awake.

  “What’s up?” I asked, sitting up on the comfy bed, in a dream realm.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “You were sent to get information from someone who might be dangerous,” Gemma replied.

  “You think I can’t handle a little elf like her?” I asked, smiling.

  “So, everything went well?”

  “I’m great.”

  “And while you were handling this little elf, did you use your css?” Gemma asked, a slight grimace on her gorgeous face.

  “Yeah,” I sighed. “But I had a good reason, she wanted to hurt me.”

  Gemma let out her breath slowly. “It was supposed to be a secret.”

  “It’s hard to keep it when I have to fight for my life,” I expined.

  “I got a report today,” Gemma said. “About a man who has a css. Sound familiar?”

  “What?” I gasped. What does she mean by report? And who would give it to her? Did Mari somehow find out about my css and tell someone?

  “Wanna guess who’s selling information about you?” Gemma asked.

  I wondered how Mari could have known I had a css. But she didn’t have many opportunities to tell anyone. Someone else, though, someone who liked to vanish for a few hours from time to time had many.

  “Tori,” I murmured.

  She had been lying to me. Selling information about me. And all the while pretending she didn’t care about my css. What had I said to her? Or what she heard when she was nearby? With her enhanced hearing, she didn’t even need to be part of the conversation. How much did she know?

  “Yeah,” Gemma confirmed. “Fortunately, she works for Sage, so only she knows now, and I trust her completely. But we don’t trust Tori, so don’t tell her anything more.”

  “I’m not gonna talk to her anymore,” I said.

  “And what are you going to tell her? That I told you about her? That you work for me?” Gemma asked. “For now, just don’t share anything with her and pretend you don't know about anything. I don't want her running off and selling that info to someone else. Once I have a new pn, I’ll let you know.”

  I sighed but nodded slowly.

  “And in the meantime, don’t tell anyone else,” Gemma added.

  “It’s not like I’m going around bragging to everyone. It’s hard to hide something like that when I get attacked and need to defend myself.”

  “Yeah,” Gemma sighed. “I’ll think of some better solution so that won’t be a problem.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I have a few ideas, but I’ll tell you when they’re ready. Did you find out something about the b?”

  “I found a person who knows where it is,” I replied.

  “Where?” Gemma asked immediately.

  “She’ll take me there tomorrow.”

  “Great, good job,” Gemma said. “Anything else important?”

  “No, I don't think so.”

  “Okay, let’s finish for today. I need to catch some sleep, and tomorrow you’ll tell me about the b.”

  After a short farewell, the bckness consumed me only for a moment before I woke up in bed with Zoe and Azura pressed against me.

  With two gorgeous, naked demonesses at my sides, I really didn’t want to get out of the warm bed, but we needed to find the b, and I had no idea how far away it was. And with how bright it already was, I assumed it was te morning.

  I woke Azura and Zoe with a few soft kisses. Once we got dressed, we left the room together. On the way to the tavern’s main hall, I stopped by Mari’s door and knocked. She called out that she’d join us in a minute.

  We ordered food and were already eating when Amber entered. She stopped, her gaze falling on me. She was dressed in a bck dress that hugged her body, showing off her long legs, wide hips, and firm tits. It definitely wasn’t something you'd expect to see at breakfast, more like something you’d wear on a date.

  Amber walked toward us slowly, swaying her hips.

  “Good morning,” I said.

  “Can we talk?” Amber asked, staring at me.

  “Sure.” I shrugged.

  “Alone?” she asked.

  I watched her, curious what had been on her mind since st night. “I’ll be back in a moment,” I said, standing up to follow Amber to her room.

  Her ass swayed in front of me the whole way, until she closed the door behind us and stepped closer, turning around.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “You must break up with those girls,” Amber said, her pale blue eyes staring into mine. “I’m the real woman you deserve.”

  A grimace crossed Amber’s face as I chuckled hearing that.

  “What’s so funny?!” she hissed.

  “You think you can order me around?” I asked, taking a step toward her.

  “It’s what’s best for us,” she replied.

  “Us?” I asked.

  “We’re perfect for each other,” Amber expined.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” I said, taking another step toward her, and this time, she backed away.

  “It doesn’t matter. You must stop pying with those girls!”

  “No.”

  Amber parted her lips, still staring at me.

  “Oh, you don’t have anything else to say?” I asked, taking another step, pushing her closer to the door.

  “Break up with them!” she scoffed.

  “I’m not going to break up with them.” I took another step, and when she backed away, her back pressed against the door. Even though we were almost the same height, it felt like I was towering over her.

  “But…” Her voice trailed off.

  “You have something to say?” I asked, leaning forward, until our lips almost brushed.

  She averted her gaze, but only for a moment, before she looked back at me with defiance.

  “I won’t take you to that pce if you don’t break up with them!” Amber said.

  I cupped her chin and pulled into a kiss. Her pink lips pressed against mine as I flicked my tongue over her lower lip and pushed my chest against her. My hand brushed along her side, reaching lower until it was almost on her ass. Then I shifted to the side, grabbed the door handle, and opened it.

  “It was nice to meet you, Amber,” I said, breaking the kiss and pushing her away as I opened the door.

  “W-What?!” she gasped.

  I looked at her but didn’t say anything as I left her room.

  “Stop!” Amber shouted, coming out into the corridor after me.

  Smiling, I turned around as she stomped toward me with her brows furrowed.

  “You can’t just leave me like that!” she growled.

  I surprised her as I grabbed her and pressed against the wall, my face just inches from hers. “And what are you gonna do about it, little elf?” I asked, while summoning a tiny bit of mana and brushing it against her cheek.

  Amber swallowed hard, staring into my face with her lips slightly parted, her breath brushing against my skin as she remained silent.

  I stroked her white hair until my fingers brushed her long ear. Then she averted her gaze, trying to pull her head away from my touch.

  “I thought so,” I said, before I left the corridor. This time, she didn’t follow me.

  There was no way I’d leave Zoe and Azura for anyone. If Amber couldn’t accept that, so be it. She was attractive, sure, but I wasn’t exactly cking in beautiful women and most of them didn’t come with this much attitude.

  And if she refused to help me find the b, I had other ways. But I doubted it would come to that. This was still a game between us, a test of control. And the way I left her, refusing to bend to her whims, not letting her take charge… it made one thing clear, I was the stronger one.

  And something told me that deep down, that’s exactly what she wanted. Which meant she’d only be even more hooked.

  “Is everything okay, Master?” Zoe asked as I joined her and Azura back at the table.

  “Yeah,” I replied, leaning toward her to peck her lips shortly before I returned to my meal. But first, I leaned the other way and gave a small peck to Azura when I saw how she was looking at me expectantly.

  It didn’t take long before Amber came into the room again. She stopped, staring at me, but this time her gaze shifted to the women at my table too. I gnced at her. She had changed out of her dress into trousers and a shirt that showed off her body just as well. But I focused back on my food, ignoring her.

  Amber walked over and grabbed a chair, pulling it back. But when I raised my gaze to her, she stopped.

  “Can I sit?” she asked quietly.

  “Sure,” I replied, smiling.

  “When are we heading out?” she asked, sitting down.

  I looked at Amber, smiling. “Zoe, cover us,” I said, and the air flickered around us.

  Amber looked around before focusing on Zoe. “What’s that?” she asked.

  “It makes sure no one’s listening,” I expined.

  Amber slowly nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. “Are you trying to hide that you’re looking for that pce?” she asked.

  “Not everyone needs to know about it.” I shrugged.

  “Or are you hiding your css?” Amber asked, squinting. “Are you scared I’ll tell someone?”

  The room around us was almost empty. Only a few men were eating and talking. No one should have noticed if I used a skill, and it didn’t seem like anyone realized that Zoe had used hers.

  I summoned a bit of mana and brushed it against the tip of Amber’s ear. She gasped, grabbing it and leaning back in her chair.

  “Were you saying something?” I asked.

  “Don’t do that,” Amber murmured.

  “Don’t threaten me. And don’t tell anyone about my css,” I said. “Understand?”

  Amber looked at me. Her gaze flicked briefly to Zoe and Azura before returning to me. She nodded slightly, pouting.

  “That includes Mari,” I added, just as the woman entered the room.

  “Are you fucking her too?” Amber asked, gring at me.

  “Even if I am, so what?” I replied.

  Amber pressed her lips into a thin line and didn’t answer, as Mari walked into the dome and sat at the table. She was wrapped in a hood covering her face, but when she reached the table, she pulled it down, exposing her wounded face.

  I pushed a bowl of food toward her, and she started eating without a word.

  “Mari, this is Amber. Amber, this is Mari,” I introduced them.

  “What happened to you?” Amber asked, staring at Mari’s face.

  “None of your business,” Mari murmured while eating.

  “How far is that pce?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. A few hours,” Amber replied.

  “Do you want to eat?” I asked her.

  “I already did,” she said. “But thanks,” she added, smiling.

  “Mind if I ask what css you have?” I asked.

  “I could ask the same,” Amber said. “About Zoe’s css,” she added after a short pause, waving her hand toward the dome. The suggestion was clear, though Mari didn’t seem to catch on.

  “She’s an Illusionist,” I said, staring at Amber. “And I assume yours is somehow reted to potions?”

  “Alchemist,” Amber replied with a smile. “Much more useful than an Illusionist,” she added, gncing at Zoe.

  If Amber’s new pn was to convince me she was better than Zoe and Azura by putting them down, then she was heading in the wrong direction. That kind of attitude would only hurt her chances.

  “It’s only one of Zoe’s csses,” I said, pcing a hand on her knee, squeezing gently, looking into her pink eyes, hoping she wouldn’t get sad about Amber’s comment.

  “She has more than one?” Amber asked.

  “Can you make healing potions?” I asked, ignoring her question.

  “Yeah,” she replied, frowning. “Why?”

  “Just curious,” I replied, shrugging. She had potential to be a healer that we needed, but I still wasn’t sure if I wanted her around, so I didn't tell her about it yet.

  Mari finished her food and pushed the bowl away.

  “Okay, we’ll be leaving soon,” I said, getting up from the table. “Are you ready to go?” I asked, gncing at Amber.

  “No, I need to pack a few things, and could use your help,” she replied, smiling.

  “Sure. Zoe, pick up our things and come to Amber’s room,” I said before we split, and I followed Amber into her room.

  The moment the door closed, she threw herself at me, pressing her slim body against mine, her hands wrapping around my shoulders as our lips met in a deep kiss.

  I wrapped my arms around her and lowered them to her ass, squeezing it hard, making her moan into my mouth, but then I broke the kiss. “You need to pack,” I said.

  She stared at me, her face inches from mine, panting.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, smiling.

  “Fuck off!” she gasped, pushing me away before stomping to the table and grabbing a bag.

  I followed, stopping behind her. I pushed her forward, bending her over the table, leaning on top of her and pressing my cock against her ass, pinning her in pce with my lips by her ear.

  “Let me go!” she gasped, pushing her ass back into my crotch, but I held her firmly.

  “What’s your problem, little elf?” I asked.

  “You!” she gasped again, still trying to push back.

  “You wanted a real man, and now you can’t handle me?” I asked, my breath brushing against the tip of her ear.

  Amber grunted, squirming on the table.

  “Do you want it?” I whispered, pressing my hard cock against her ass cheeks.

  Amber moaned and nodded, her white hair brushing my face.

  “Show me where the b is and st night will be just a fun memory compared to what I’ll do to you after.”

  A shiver ran through her body beneath me. I pushed my hips forward into her one more time, then backed off, stepping to the side.

  Amber remained bent over the table, her ass perfectly outlined by the tight fabric of her pants. She turned her head, looking at me with parted lips and a dreamy expression. I wasn’t holding her anymore, but she didn’t move.

  The moment was interrupted by a knock.

  “Come in,” I said immediately even though Amber was still bent over the table.

  She quickly stood up, gring at me as she adjusted her shirt.

  Zoe opened the door and entered with Azura. “Mari’s waiting in the main room,” she said.

  “Okay. Amber, what do you need to pack?” I asked.

  Amber didn’t reply but started packing. In a moment, her bag was filled with potions and herbs.

  “I’m ready,” she said.

  “Okay. Let’s go,” I replied.

  We left Amber’s room and, with Mari joining us, headed out of the city, toward the pce where Malvic had passed the fish cargo to the people running the b.