The Succubus's Plaything

Chapter 47: On The Brink

Inesa POV

Last day.. Late tonight Hal is coming back..

My condition has continued to grow in severity, and I twitch and whimper at nearly every touch, and with my hormones going crazy, in order to keep me calm, mom has to be by my side 24/7 now, rubbing my back and shoulders as I lay in bed. At this point, I don't even have it in me to be embarrassed.

"The last time I had to do this to you, was that time when you broke your arm as a little girl. You were so precious."

"Why do I get the idea that you're enjoying this?" At least I still have the energy for snarky comments.

"It's always hard for a mother to watch their baby grow up. This almost feels like a glimpse at the past." Moms voice is soft and assuring, making it very hard to be upset with her. Granted, the only thing she has done is help me.

"You could go to work you know.. I could handle myself for a few hours." I lie. I have no idea how I'll do it on my own. Probably plenty of self-love in a vain attempt to hold myself together.

"No. What would happen if I come home with a man's scent still lingering on me?" She lifts her hand to gently pat the top of my head. "Or a woman for that matter. You are able to keep hold of yourself only because you are completely isolated. The moment you get the faintest whiff of foreign pheromones, your instinct will take over. Beyond a doubt."

"That bad hm?" I sigh a breathy sigh. "But it's fine if you're here? Shouldn't you have pheromones? A crazy amount at that for being a succubus?"

"True, but I said foreign pheromones. You're my daughter, so I don't count. We carry the same DNA, and thus our pheromones are basically the same."

"Gotcha." I already knew that technically, I'm just making idle chatter.

"Soo.. Should I text for Hal to come over tonight, or will you be fine until tomorrow morning?" Mom's voice takes a turn for the mischievous, and immediately at the mention of Hal I know why.

A rush of butterflies flows through my stomach, causing me to jerk my thigh muscles up. The very mention of Hal is enough to give such a powerful reaction!?

"Uhm.." I still have the slightest and ever-fading determination to tough it up, combined with not wanting to be of inconvenience to Hal. But the longer time goes on.. The higher the chance I'll do something outrageous. Not that I even have any confidence in my self-restraint left.

I turn my face in towards my pillow, muttering my reply, but the already muffled sound that comes out is further made incomprehensible by my face being buried.

"What was that?" Mom leans in while tracing her nails over my back. Both the feeling and sound of her scratching my fluffy hoodie is soothing.

"I said.." I once more turn over to face her. "That I want him here as soon as possible.."

"Okay. Then that's how it'll be. I'll be sure to call him." She smiles. "There isn't long left. Hang in there champ."

"Thanks." I puff up my cheeks a little at the nickname champ, but ultimately I'm thankful.

...

Hal POV

My phone rings, breaking the awkward silence.

While yesterday's "reveal" ended pretty awkwardly, imagine the situation where me and Hina rush off, leaving everything unresolved. Because that is exactly what happened, currently, the four of us are seated at the same table for breakfast. Gabriel and Hina are their normal and carefree selves, but neither Minoru or I are saying anything.

I know my reaction is completely childish, but what am I supposed to do about it!? Hina grabbed my hand and ran off! And I let her! Even if I argue that we aren't an item, no-one will believe me! Heck, even I barely believe myself at this point! Aaand.. Not to mention I can't get it out of my head that Inesa is going to kill me when she finds out..

So right now, even if it's a sales call, I am going to pretend it's something important.

Taking my phone out of my pocket, I realize immediately that pretending is pointless. This is definitely going to be something urgent.

The caller id is labeled "Valorie".

Getting up from the table, I excuse myself in a hurry.

This entire past week, Valorie has been surprisingly quiet, probably trying to give me some space, and the only time she texted me was in response when I asked how Inesa is doing two days ago, and even then she only typed a few short words: "Inesa is taking it like a champ!" so now that things have come down to a call.. I can only cross my fingers and hope for the best.

I press the green button with a picture of a phone on it.

"Hello, this is Hal." I mentally facepalm. Of course she knows who I am. She called.

"Hi, this is Valorie." Her voice somehow sounds both amused and serious at the same time.

"What's up? Is.. Inesa doing alright?"

"Yeah. Inesa is doing great, a little.. well you know. But it's nothing unexpected."

"Okay.." I have a feeling that Inesa's diagnosis is being just a little downplayed right now..

"That being said." Here it comes. "Would it be alright for you to come here straight away? So like.. This evening?"

"It's that serious huh?" If it is this urgent.. It sounds like my luck may have just run dry.. I hope everyone comes to my funeral..

"Ehh.. It's a little bit serious.. Just.. Well I'm sure you can handle it." That last part where she is supposed to assure me, got rushed through awfully quick.

"Sooner rather than later I guess.." I sigh. "I'll be there. I'll have to switch trains a couple times though, so I'll probably end up arriving at around eleven?"

"Would it be faster if I picked you up in my car?"

Oh.. Crap. So it's THAT urgent!?

"Yes?.. That will probably save around half an hour, give or take." If Valorie picks me up in order to save a meager half an hour, I am seriously screwed.

"Okay. Then expect me there. I drive a red Honda."

I repeat: Seriously screwed.

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Valorie: Imma get the popcorn.

Hal: Good idea. This is gonna be good.

Valorie: You mean the upcoming.. Steamy scene or the upcoming conflict?

Hal: What do you think?

Valorie: With how you are.. I'm leaning towards the latter. Your obsession with watching the world burn and all.

Hal: Could you please like.. Let go of that?.. I said that ONCE.

Valorie: You mean once on paper. I know you.

Hal: And then you should also know that giving people a hard time isn't the only thing I enjoy. Giving people a good time is also pretty fun.

Valorie: That is true. You do know how give a good time. But it sounded more fun to say what I said first though. You aren't not the only one who finds teasing people entertaining.

Hal: *sighs* Of course.