A/N:  Sorry that this chapter is posted a couple hours late.  My husband and I went to a theater that does the whole dinner and and a show thing, and we didn't get back home until late last night so I slept in unintentionally.  It was a late anniversary date; we would have went closer to our anniversary however neither of us wanted to see Sound of Music, which was the musical playing at the time.

The food was kind of meh honestly, however the performance was pretty awesome.  We saw Newsies, and it was pretty awesome.  

Anyway, the only other thing I had to say is that I apologize but I won't be posting bonus chapters to celebrate the members birthdays this time around.  That's not because I don't want to, but because I am really far behind due to being under the weather and unintentionally sleeping in a lot lately.  (I write best really early in the morning.)

3446 words

Posted 8/27/21

"What about yourself do you know?"

Well, I'm pretty damn positive that he is not asking me to cite my life story. He is merely asking me about everything regarding the monster inside of me. I frown for a moment as I fight to keep my memories at bay. There is a part of me that simply wants to open up and share, but I really don't know any of these guys yet. It seems ludicrous to just admit everything because I feel like I can. And isn't it crazy that I feel that way? At first I thought it was just Jimin, but now I am starting to get the sense that it could very well be all of them, because each time I give one of them a moment of my time I just want to open up and share every single piece of me with them. This is six degrees of fucked up, is what this is. Or perhaps, seven since there are seven of them after all...

I take a deep breath in preparation to answer his question rationally. "I know that for me there are two types of hunger. There is the regular variety, where I simply have to eat, but there is also the one that comes from my succubus side. Chocolate can curb the cravings for some time, but after a while I at least need to feed off someone else's lust."

Taehyung nods his head. "Chocolate should be used as a snack if anything, but I wouldn't even recommend relying on that. As long as you feed from one of us regularly it should keep you from hurting innocent people unnecessarily."

I still don't want to do that even, however I can't help but reply with my amazement regarding the feeding last night. "I'm honestly surprised that just a simple kiss filled me up like that." Then I realized once again how easy it was to openly admit that to a virtual stranger. What is it about these seven men? No, seven demons. Is it because after five years I feel like I can let my guard down in general? Or is it something innate about each of them? Does it have something to do with this surprising connection I feel?

"Any supernatural humanoid is a better source to feed from than humans. Most supernaturals are immortal, and those that aren't still tend to have a longer lifespan than humans. Of course all of them have an element of magic about them." He points at the yellowing pages of the ancient book underneath his hand. "Even this book doesn't properly explain why that's the case in all honesty."

"So, what can we learn from this book then?" I can't help but ask. "You mentioned a listing of Succubi abilities?"

He looks back down at the page skimming it with his eyes. "Would you say you have the ability to read lust?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I mean it isn't difficult. Men are kind of an open book when it comes to that particular emotion." I can't help the snort that escapes me unwarranted. I cover up my mouth and nose and turn my head away in embarrassment.

"Cute."

Huh? I don't know if that was in my head, or if I imagined it.

He nods. "You aren't wrong. But, when it is specifically addressed towards you. Can you feel lustful intentions directed your way?"

I think about it for a second. It only takes me a moment to remember the first time that Carmen, one of the waitresses in Contagion, checked out the glamour I was wearing that night. I didn't see her lust filled gaze because she was behind me. I felt her desire hit me like a punch to the gut. I quickly explain the moment to Taehyung, after all there is no emotional sentiment to that moment I need to worry about. I am just sharing facts with him. "Is that what you were asking about?"

"Yes, I'd say that probably does qualify." He scrolls through his book again. "When you read their lust, does a picture pop up in your head? Are you able to read exactly what they are thinking about in their lust filled mind?"

"No, there is never a picture of what they might be thinking exactly. I can only tell that they are aroused."

"Okay, then I think we are probably going to have to start at square one. Reading lust and feeding on it are novice level at best."

"So, what other things can Succubi and Incubi do then?" I can't help but ask.

"I'm not going to sit here and rattle off every little thing. I think I would rather let you borrow the book and read up on it instead. However, there are traits that a Succubi has that you probably would have yourself and simply never realized were thanks to your Succubi half."

I arch an eyebrow, conveying my confusion and intrigue.

He clears his throat. "Last night as you entered the club I watched the way you contorted your body to navigate through the maze of people to get to the dancefloor. I'm pretty sure that was a sign of both the dexterity and flexibility that Succubi and Incubi are innately born with."

"Oh." So, my prowess at dance could stem from my Succubi side. I guess I have something to be thankful for regarding my monster side then. "If I am at novice level, what else can you teach me today?"

He frowns. "I honestly think it is better if you read the information in the book first, before we even make an attempt at proceeding further."

"So, reading is my homework?" Oh, crap. Don't start thinking of him as a teacher you want to please also. You already have one functioning teacher's pet kink running through your head. You really don't need two of them.

"I guess you can call it that, yes. We will have to see what Namjoon suggests for tomorrow though. He might want to see what other magic abilities you have access to granted from your other humanoid side."

"So, does that mean you believe that my other side isn't strictly human? You believe it is some other species of supernatural?"

His stoic expression doesn't change. "Honestly, I am not sure what to believe for certain yet. I am simply straddling the line of thinking that anything is possible."

Seokjin calls down from the stairwell. "Lunch is ready!"

I grab Taehyung's hand before he turns and heads up the stairs. "Do you think you can help me with something after lunch?"

I've always been lucky in regards to my sin. Wrath never pulsates through my system sporadically. It is only called upon when something unjustified occurs around me. Technically that's not exactly true, there's also that day-- I mentally shake my head and refocus on the situation in play at the moment. My Wrath is rearing its ugly head right now because of the way Adephagia isn't willing to let us see Dionysus directly right now. I grit my teeth together as I demand once again to see him.

I know Hoseok came with me simply in an effort to get out of the house, and away from our guest, but when he wraps his hand around my forearm the sensation of his touch starts to ground me. I am no longer stuck in the intense rage I was feeling only moments before his touch.

"Adephagia, I am only wanting to see him because I have something I would personally like to report to him. I am not insinuating that you are incapable, but this is something for his ears alone. In regards to our quota I can tell you we are already above and beyond our numbers for the month."

Finally, after thirty minutes of getting her to see the light she nods her head. "He isn't here. So, unfortunately he can't see you now. I will leave a message that you are needing to speak with him though, and I am sure he will send a message to you when he is free to see you."

Hoseok curls across the desk and cups her chin in his hand. I know for a fact that he is not, nor has he ever been, actually attracted to Adephagia, but he is an exceptionally smooth talker. "Oh? Where is he, Dephie? Are he and Ariadne on another romantic getaway?"

A very interested smile grows on her face as she leans into his touch. "I don't think so. I think Lucifer called all the Legion Commanders in for some kind of meeting."

A meeting? With the head honcho of Hell? Shit! Those meetings are never short. The last one I can recall lasted for several months before they finally came to an agreement.

"Thanks, Pet." Hoseok says before leaning over, pecking her cheek, and releasing her completely.

Hoseok and I both turn our backs on her and head toward the gateway that led us here. This one doesn't lead us to Eisodoi but simply to a room with nine separate gateway doors. The ninth leading to Eisodoi. One through eight leading to each corresponding circle, although the magic has the power to take the user back to their home within the corresponding circle gate they walk through. Lucifer's seat of course is in the first circle of Hell, The Inferno. There are only two ways to access The Inferno, well two ways for someone with demonic blood, the first way is to follow a next to impossible path through the second circle, Tartarus, and the other, almost equally impossible way, is if Lucifer sends you a gateway himself.

"I was thinking of stopping in Sheol." I don't have to ask why Hoseok is thinking of stopping at the sixth circle. A majority of the sixth circle is the demonic equivalent to the red light district run by Incubi and Succubi alike. They are never hungry since they take a little bit from each of their customers. So, there is no risk of Hoseok coming home in a weakened state similar to the one Jimin was in last night. No, that was merely a byproduct of the fact that Everleigh had been essentially starving herself.

An unexpected idea hits me all of the sudden. The red light district isn't the only thing in Sheol, and I just thought of a reason to follow Hoseok there myself. "I think I will stop there as well." I almost crack up at the look of shock that registers on Hoseok's face.

As soon as we traverse through the gate we part ways. He heads to the less savory part of the circle. I turn the opposite direction and head to the trader's market. Here we can find stalls that sell Earthside fare. The few downtimes we have we tend to purchase our toiletries and groceries here. Now that we have Everleigh with us however I doubt that we will shop at the market here too often. I bypass all the markets and head toward the plume of smoke I see in the distance.

Per normal he is bent over at his anvil working. "Hephaestus, can I have a word when you are finished tempering that piece?"

He grunts but doesn't turn my direction. "I realize this isn't your craft, but I am not tempering this piece. I'm forging it. Tempering it is when I heat the metal over the flame and then quench it with water." He finishes forging the sword and lays it aside before ever turning my direction. When he does there is a big smile across his bearded, soot covered face. "What can I do for you, Namjoon?"

"I might have a favor to ask of you, or potentially a commission?"

"Might?" Of course he picks up on that particular word first. "Let's head over to the tavern while you tell me what's up."

I glance at the tavern across the street and frown. "It's probably better if we do this inside." I indicate the front door of his stone house only ten feet away.

I can tell from his expression that he picks up that I would like to keep this situation hush hush. I've never had a reason to worry over anything that Hephaestus might say to others. His wife, Aphrodite, left him a long time before either of them ever struck a deal with Lucifer, so he lives here on his own. He loves his work though, and he is always busy. His commissions are mostly done for the footsoldiers of several Legions, including my own. Not to mention he has proved to be trustworthy several times in the past. He nods his head and replies to my suggestion. "Ah, sure sure." Before heading to the door.

Once inside I explain to him what I was considering, and I'm not in the least surprised that he is exceptionally intrigued by my tentative suggestions.

I have never, even remotely, found myself attracted to Adephagia. That's not to say the goddess wasn't beautiful. She may have been the goddess of gluttony, but her love for food and wine had done nothing to harm her curvaceously slim figure. Yet, for some reason, she had never been one to stir the emotion of lust within me for either. However, despite my lack of attraction, I have flirted with her on many occasions in an attempt to turn a situation where we had to deal with her instead of Dionysus in our favor. Never before has flirting left me feeling like there was a big ball of lead in my stomach like it had today. It almost made me nauseated, but I tolerated the sensation in order to gather the information we needed.

I decided immediately after that attempt at flirtation that I would need to test whether or not Everleigh would truly be the only woman I would ever become aroused by. The Succubi here of course knew me by name, and a few of my favorites in particular immediately flocked to my side. "Hey beautiful." I greeted them all with the same smile that many women over the years claimed made them legitimately weak in the knees.

Sharlisa, Barineth, and Rheltia all immediately swarm around me. I would say it's like I am a flower and they are bees. But they want me to pollinate them; not vice versa. I give each of them a moment of my attention but have to say when I see the succubi in question who I would not only consider to be my most favored, but also a good friend; my attention turns solely to her alone. When I bid the trio goodbye the three of them offer pouts and salacious suggestions of what they each have to offer. I literally have to pry them from my body to greet the one I specifically came here to find. Even though they don't vocalize it, their annoyance with the way I turned them away is quite obvious. I only have to turn my head and smile at Isireth before she quite literally throws herself in my arms.

"Hoseok, baby. I've missed you." She coos in my ear while gliding her fingernails down my forearm.

It's a small simple move, that under a normal circumstance would be enough to make me immediately 'rise to the occasion.' Once again my flirtations make me feel ill, and my cock is not being cooperative. I let her guide me to her private quarters before I turn to her and ask. "Issi, babe, can you do me a favor?"

She studies me closely, realizing what I need before I have to utter a word, and a pouty frown immediately forms on her lips. "You've never needed such prompting before."

I sigh. "I know, Beautiful. I'm sorry." I don't want to admit to her why I want her to do this. Not only because it's humiliating, but also because Everleigh's existence isn't something that needs to broadcasted to anyone outside of our boss right now.

All of the Succubi that I have met have the ability to read their target's ideal desired form. They all also have the ability to shapeshift, but only some of a few can shapeshift into a very specific form. I plaster on my fake ass flirtatious smile as in a puff of smoke Isirieth appears before me as a carbon copy of Everleigh. Her dark hair, vibrant green eyes, and perfect dimensions. Isirieth copied them all perfectly. That's apparently the problem though... Apparently a copy of my baseless affection doesn't do the job either. I kiss her on the cheek. "Sorry, Beautiful. Perhaps, another time." Only I know there won't be another time. Because, my experiment is about as conclusive as it can be. The only woman who will ever turn me on for the remainder of my days is the stranger staying in my home.

Aeztia, another Succubus I have also dallied with, grabs me by the hand after I exited Issi's private quarters. Truthfully, next to Issi, she is probably the second most familiar Succubus to me. I even tried to have an actual relationship with her for a brief amount of time. "Now, I know there is no way you are leaving unsatisfied, Baby. If Isirieth isn't your favored flavor tonight you could try out me instead."

"Tia, I don't think that is going to work out either, but thank you for the offer nonetheless."

Another trio I know by name, Theltyse, Xisriane, and Lynnorin, all make attempts to persuade me to try with each of them. Of course I already know the outcome, and there is no point in getting any of their hopes up. The trio takes it a lot harder than the others before them, and I even think I see a scowl on Xisriane's face before I force myself to turn away.

Just before leaving I catch sight of the only Succubus that I have never had an attractive reaction to. Vylaris. She is the great granddaughter of Aphrodite, which essentially makes her royalty. To me though she is simply a royal pain in the ass. I mentally groan when she tries to strut in my direction. I've never given her the time of day, and I never will. I immediately turn in the direction of the gate to head home, and I don't bother looking back.

Once I get home I head directly toward the downstairs room. My immediate plan is to magic up an olympic size swimming pool, only once I get to the stairwell the sound of music has me stopping in my tracks. I peer down the stairs and watch the exquisite creature below as she choreographs her body movements perfectly to the beat of the music.

The dance floor in the club was most definitely not the required stage for her to showcase her strengths. She needed room to execute each movement with utter perfection. Between her natural beauty and the dance my cock grew instantaneously hard. It's good to know I don't need Viagra I guess. Not, that I am sure it would work to begin with.

I walk further down the stairs as she draws me further in with her movements. Once I hit the landing though I find myself frowning. "Did Taehyung teach you nothing today?!? Your magical signature is aggressively painted all over this room!" Apparently I still have a chip on my shoulder about the situation, but I don't believe that's where this reaction stemmed from. I think it is more likely it stemmed from immediate concern for the beautiful creature in front of me.

I can't help but feel bad when she frowns and replies to me in obvious confusion. "I..I'm sorry?"

I quickly explain to her what a magical signature is and go through a quick tutorial of how to veil it. "Imagine a thick wool blanket constantly around yourself. Imagine how it traps your magic next to your body, and keeps others from seeing it." I wait until she closes her eyes and makes an attempt. "Better." It isn't perfect, but for a first attempt she has definitely decreased her magical signature by at least twenty-five percent. "If we go anywhere before you perfect it one of us should add our own cloak to hide some of your signature as well." I pause for a minute. "Oh! You can also incorporate a similar technique to veil your mind from others as well. Just imagine some kind of wall made up of an unbreakable substance in your head."