The Succubus's Plaything

Chapter 39: Factions

Reluctantly I tell her about Inesa and my story, beginning at the train station, and ending at the current time. I do make sure however to play down a few of the more "intense" details.

Hina acts completely glued for most of my telling, but when I come to the end she bursts out in an uncontrollable laughter.

"Oh my- You-" She tries to say something but can't help but cut herself off. Finally however, she calms down and wipes away her tears, which I don't mention, but come out as small crystals rather than drops.

"You're fucked. Like literally! At this time you have been gone for a week.. Unless she's gonna cheat on you, there's no way you're getting out of this unscathed."

"Thanks captain obvious. You don't have to point out what's already clear." I just look at her unamused.

"You think she can hold out for this long?" Hina's expression switches to match mine. "I mean, from what I've heard about succubi during their development phase, she's facing a near-impossible task without replenishing her life force. You know her better than me though, what do you think?"

"Well.. The longest she's gone without is a full day in-between, although last time it seemed as if she could've held it in a little longer. A week.. I have my doubts." I shift my gaze to my feet. "Actually, if she somehow does hold it in for the entire week, I'll be surprised."

"Jealous hmm?" Hina smiles softly, and reaches out to put her hand on mine assuringly. "You said her mom will find a way. So for now, how about not worrying about it? You stressing over the unchangeable won't help anyone."

I mean.. She's not wrong.. I once more look out over the calm city. Suddenly my eyes go wide. "Wait, you said that you've heard about succubi before, how much do you know?" This could be an opportunity to learn more, which I can't miss.

"Just general knowledge. We non-humans are usually taught a bit about each other even if we don't commonly interact. But there are quite a bit of specifics that I don't know. For example, since Inesa is a hybrid, things could work slightly differently, but I don't know for sure."

"Hybrid?" I tilt my head.

"She's a half-breed, part of her is something other than succubus, probably human. That's why her hair is pink rather than red like her mother's."

Makes sense.. I did wonder about that.

"But I don't know if that affects anything other than her children not inheriting her powers. I would've assumed that her "puberty" would be less aggressive, but that's obviously not the case." Hina puts her hand against her chin and once again leans against the railing in thought.

Then she turns towards me and grins maliciously. "So it seems as though you'll end up getting devoured nonetheless."

"That aside." I ignore her comment and instead pursue a thought of my own. "What are the implications of you being a yuki-onna?"

"Not much. I can stare into someone's soul and terrify them, I both cry and sweat ice, as well as being able to create a freezing cold mist. I'm also sensitive to heat, so being outside during summer is hell. I live just like a human for the most part, and I'm not forced to do anything weird like succubi."

"Being a snow woman is basically just a hassle in day-to-day life." Hina sighs. "I also can't really have any romantic relationships because extended body contact would reveal my secret."

Sounds lonely. I understand why she'd want to talk to someone about it.

"One thing confuses me though." I wrinkle my brow trying to formulate my question correctly. "Time and time again I've been told what a big secret being non-human is, and I'm bound to secrecy under threats, but why is it like that? I mean, historically I get, but in modern society, it isn't as if it'll start a witch hunt?"

"You're partially right. In my case, I'm a relatively harmless non-human, but for the sake of those who aren't, we keep ours a secret."

"What do you mean?"

"Snow women I believe could be accepted pretty ok, but take for example vampires, sirens or even succubi and incubi for that matter. Those who need to feed off of humans in order to live, even if they don't need to kill, will be exposed along with us demi-humans who don't, and that will cause significant trouble." Hina looks sad. "The only humans allowed to know are the ones sworn to secrecy. You are one of the very few."

I try to continue as casually as possible, noticing Hina's mood dropping, but because of how much I'm learning right now I don't want to stop. "If there are rules, that means that you're organized?"

"Yes, for the most part. Most of us belong to some faction or other, but there are a few outcasts, rogues, who don't like how the rules are set up and choose to give up on the offered support and work alone."

Before I'm able to ask what she means by "offered support" and what rules there are, she answers it for me.

"Usually the faction will help those who need it get a cover-up, this is especially important for the members who might lash out on humans. But most are in because of the community and the ability to meet others like themselves. My parents met thanks to the faction that we're in." Hina looks cheerful for a second, but then drops again. "The rules are pretty restrictive though. For example, if you want to tell a human about your nature, you have to propose it through the faction council and then hope for the best. Also even in the case that the proposal gets accepted, you aren't allowed to tell the human anything about either the faction, or of any members within."

Hina laughs nervously. "Truth is, what I'm doing right now is a clear violation, so I'll be in some substantial trouble if anyone finds out. So even if I might not be able to bring myself to carry out my threat on your life, you'd really better not tell anyone."

"Don't worry. I won't, I promise."

She smiles weakly in response and nods.

"But you aaare allowed to reveal yourself to me because I'm already sworn to secrecy to another? Just you aren't allowed to tell me too much?.." I think I'm taking in all this information, but I'm still in the midst of organizing it.

"No.. Yes if you were actually approved, but based on your story.. Valorie is definitely a rogue. She doesn't belong to any faction.. So her approval isn't recognized as valid.." 

Ah.. Complications. With my luck, I really should've seen that coming. 

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A/N

Btw, random question, what time do you guys usually like to read? Personally when I read on Wattpad it's the final thirty minutes to an hour before bed, is it the same for you guys or is it randomly throughout the day?

(Also, if you've enjoyed this book, why not vote/follow? I have a modest long-term goal of 100k reads on a book, but also 1k followers and also to become a Wattpad creator) :)