Luxiana SommerisWe stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, the silence between us charged with an unspoken tension. His eyes held me captive, their depth and intensity pulling me in like a force I couldn't resist. They were… utterly mesmerizing, the kind of eyes you could drown in without even realizing it.I tried to tear my gaze away, but it was as if my will had been snatched from me. Finally, with great effort, I managed to gather the scraps of my composure and gently pushed him away, breaking the spell he had unknowingly cast.“Whatever,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “Just… stay away from me for now.” The words came out like a hiss, betraying the frustration bubbling inside me—not with him, but with myself.Because deep down, I knew the truth. What happened between us last night wasn’t something I could bring myself to hate, no matter how much I tried.It lingered in my thoughts, strange and confusing, leaving me unsure of how to feel or what to do. I
Luxiana SommerisA week had passed since the day Todd borrowed a book about incubi and succubi, and I couldn’t help but be curious about what happened to him after all that time had passed.Each time the delicate chime of the wind bells at the entrance broke the stillness, my eyes instinctively darted toward the door, my heart lifting slightly with hope—only to sink back when it wasn’t that guy.There’s a part of me that wants to know how he was doing, whether he had delved into the enigmatic world of succubi, or even, perhaps, accepted one into his life. Did he manage to learn more about their kind? Was he disappointed, or scared? He is experiencing the same thing I have in my dreams at night. It’s rare for me to have someone that close, which is why I can’t stay put. I glanced at the door again when I heard it open, but it was not him again.“Who are you waiting for?”I jumped at Margaret’s voice. She had appeared at my desk with her usual energy, startling me out of my thoughts.
Luxiana SommerisI couldn’t shake Todd and Clarisse from my thoughts when I got home. Their presence lingered in my mind, consuming my attention as though they owed me some unspoken debt. It was odd, this relentless pull I felt toward them, but I couldn’t deny it. I just wanted to help. I wanted to see them at peace, to watch their troubles dissolve, because deep down, I was convinced that whatever had transpired between them was simply a colossal misunderstanding.I couldn’t help but wonder what Todd would do next. He had been so caught up in sharing his excitement, so eager to relive his experiences, that he didn’t realize the pain he’d inflicted on someone else. Words, once spoken, could never be taken back, and I knew that truth would weigh on him. Still, I clung to the hope that Clarisse might find it in herself to confront him, to speak her mind and hear his side of the story. Communication—is what everyone needs to mend a rift, or so I told myself. With a heavy sigh, I pushe
Luxiana SommerisWork had been exhausting, but I felt a quiet satisfaction at the end of the day. A steady stream of students and middle-aged readers had come to the library, eagerly searching for books to immerse themselves in.I’d always assumed that technology would take over even the simple joy of reading. With ebooks and online platforms offering instant access to stories—often for just a handful of coins—it seemed inevitable. Yet, seeing people choose the weight of a book in their hands, cherishing the earthy smell of its pages, and savoring the anticipation of flipping to the next chapter made me undeniably happy. It was as if these readers were keeping something sacred alive, and I was grateful for their quiet rebellion against the digital tide.Todd and Clarisse didn’t come by today, which was unusual. I could only hope they were working things out. I didn’t want to see their friendship end because of what had happened. They deserved to keep the bond they’d nurtured for so
Luxiana SommerisDamien’s words lingered in my mind, stirring thoughts I hadn’t considered before. I had never seen him so serious.The furrow of his brow and the sharp set of his jaw were as if he had transformed into someone I barely recognized. I didn’t even know he could make a face that carried such a heavyweight. like that“Don’t let your thoughts wander to anyone or anything connected to you when you sleep,” he said, his tone low but commanding. “Your powers are still wild, uncontrolled. If you’re not careful, you could put yourself at risk.”His words wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket, dense and inescapable. I tried to absorb what he was saying, to make sense of it, but the more I thought about it, the more muddled everything became. Deep down, I knew he was probably right, but I couldn’t help the lingering confusion that clouded my understanding.“Who would even come after me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “And how much harm could they possibly inflict?”“Morpheus
Luxiana SommerisThe sound that escaped my lips seemed to ignite something primal within him, a spark that made his actions more deliberate, more fervent. His hands on my breast felt like a mix of warmth and electricity coursing through me, leaving a trail of sensations that made my breath hitch. His touch was a paradox of tenderness and intensity, his movements slow and careful as his fingers brushed against my chest. Yet, with every small sound I involuntarily made—a gasp, a quiet whimper—his pace would shift, his touch growing more confident as if he were searching for the music my body made and craving to hear it over and over again.Damien’s lips never left mine, a connection so consuming that I couldn’t imagine wanting it to end. He did touch me before, but I don’t know why this feels so different.Each kiss was a confession, an unspoken promise that burned through me, making my skin feel alive in ways I’d never experienced before. The pleasure he gave me was raw and consumin
Luxiana Sommeris“Okay, let me get this straight,” Anton said after he sipped his coffee. “You're being visited by a demon—an incubus?”When we arrived at the coffee shop, we ordered our drinks and started talking. His almost calm look surprised me. Anton was looking at me as if trying to process the words I'd shared. It was a look that seemed hard to shake, and I could tell he had more questions racing through his mind than he knew how to ask.I nodded, my gaze steady before putting down my mug. “He's been visiting me for almost a month now.”Anton’s eyes widened, and he set his cup down a little too forcefully. “And you haven't... let him do anything? Aren’t you both suffering because of it?” His question caught me off guard, making me tilt my head in confusion.“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice uncertain. He didn’t seem shocked by what I’d said—perhaps more intrigued—but of course, I hadn't shared the more... intimate details of what Damien and I did in my dreams when he visit
Luxiana Sommeris“Oh, this?” Damien’s voice was nonchalant, but his battered appearance said otherwise. He sauntered toward me, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips despite the bruises marring his sharp features. “I had a little chat with some people in the faction. Let’s say their opinions didn’t sit well with me, so we ended up... settling things physically,” he added.His casual tone didn’t mask the fresh bruises scattered across his arms and neck, the deep hues of purples and blues stark against his pale skin. They were so vivid, so raw, that just looking at them sent a pang of discomfort straight to my chest. The sight made me uneasy—made me hate seeing him like this, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.I wanted to trust his explanation, to take his words at face value, but doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind. My earlier conversation with Anton replayed in my head, his words laced with unease. They had planted a seed of suspicion I couldn’t shake.Was Damien telling the truth?
Luxiana SommerisA lot has happened today. The weight of it pressed down on us, thick and unrelenting, even as we sought solace in the small comforts of routine. The warm water of the bath soothed aching muscles, yet my mind remained restless, submerged in the whirlpool of unspoken fears and unanswered questions.I should be thinking about them—the souls lost in their nightmares, the ones I could save if only I tried harder. But all I could think about was him.Damien.The thought of him made my chest tighten with something dangerously close to guilt. Not because I had done something wrong, but because I knew—deep down—that I was being selfish. My abilities weren’t meant for just one person. I could pull countless souls from the brink and bring light to those drowning in darkness.I had done so little for the people of this world. A few saved lives weren’t enough. Not when I had the power to do more. Not when I could be so much more. But how could I give pieces of myself away when,
Luxiana SommerisThe soft crunch of gravel beneath our shoes was the only sound accompanying us as we strolled back home, ice cream cones in hand. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of rain from earlier in the afternoon, and I found myself humming a lighthearted tune, trying to shake off the remnants of our earlier conversation. The sweetness of the vanilla on my tongue was comforting, melting slowly as I licked at it absentmindedly. Damien walked beside me, quiet but present, the way he always was when he sensed I needed space to think.Just as I turned the corner leading to my house, I caught sight of someone sitting on the porch. The dim glow of the streetlight above barely illuminated their figure, but the familiarity of it made me pause.“Someone’s there…” Damien murmured beside me, his voice low, cautious. I squinted, my steps slowing. My heart gave a small, surprised lurch when I recognized the person. “Anton?” My voice came out barely above a whisper. My grip on my
Luxiana SommerisI trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. The words felt heavy, like they didn’t belong to me. How could I say them with a straight face? Lying to Margaret had been difficult enough, but spinning an entire backstory? That was something else entirely.Margaret wasn’t just my friend—she was my second mother after my grandmother died. She was the one who had taken care of me when grief had threatened to swallow me whole. The one who made sure I ate, who listened to my worries, who reminded me that I wasn’t alone in the world. I owed her honesty. I wanted to tell her the truth. But what truth could I possibly offer?That I met Damien in a dream? That he wasn’t just a man, but an incubus, a creature of the night who existed in the space between reality and slumber?No. That would only confuse her. It would sound absurd—impossible. I pressed my lips together, my fingers tightening around my cup.“Before we knew it, we started looking forward to speaking to each other
Luxiana SommerisThe moment we reached a safe place—a dimly lit café in a quiet alleyway—I finally let out the breath I had been holding. My heart still pounded in my chest, the encounter replaying in my mind like a feverish dream. I placed a cold bottle of water in front of Damien, watching as his hands trembled slightly when he reached for it. “So that was a grim reaper?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. For a grim reaper, he looks painfully normal.Damien ran a hand through his dark, tousled hair, frantically massaging his scalp as if trying to rub away the tension building inside him. His jaw was set tight, and a crease had formed between his brows, making him look more troubled than I had ever seen him before.“Yes,” he exhaled, gripping the bottle but making no move to drink from it. “As I told you, there are risks in bringing me here.”The weight of his words pressed against my chest, but before I could speak, he continued. “We can’t bring death into the waking worl
Luxiana SommerisThe streets buzzed with life, a mixture of hurried footsteps, distant chatter, and the occasional car honk filling the air. The sun was warm against my skin, casting golden hues over the city buildings, making the windows glisten like scattered diamonds.Damien walked beside me unhurriedly, his fingers still loosely laced with mine. He didn’t seem overwhelmed by the liveliness of the city, but rather, fascinated by it. His gaze flickered from storefronts to passing pedestrians, his lips occasionally parting as if he wanted to ask something but decided against it.I watched him from the corner of my eye, curiosity gnawing at me. He looked at everything with quiet awe—that reminded me of how different we were.“What do you think about the city? Do you like it?” I finally asked, nudging him slightly with my shoulder.He hummed, a thoughtful sound. “It’s lively,” he admitted. “There’s a certain… warmth to it.”I let out a soft laugh before pulling him toward a street ve
Luxiana Sommeris“So, this is where you work?” Damien mused as we came to a stop outside the city library. His stormy blue eyes scanned the grand structure before us, his lips curving into an intrigued smile. “It’s huge.”I followed his gaze, taking in the towering stone building I had come to know so well. The carved pillars, the intricate arched windows, and the massive double doors leading inside stood proudly, a testament to the history within. The early morning light bathed the library in a golden hue, and a soft breeze rustled the trees lining the sidewalk, carrying the faint scent of old books and fresh ink.“Yeah, this is the city library,” I said, my voice laced with fondness. “We have one of the largest collections in the country—almost every book you could imagine.” I inhaled deeply, already able to picture the familiar rows of bookshelves, the worn wooden tables, and the quiet rustle of pages turning.Damien tilted his head slightly, amused. “You really love this place.”
Luxiana SommerisWhen I woke up the following day, my entire body ached in ways I had never experienced before. A deep soreness settled into my muscles, making even the simple act of shifting beneath the sheets feel challenging. It was as if every fiber of my being remembered Damien’s touch, his kisses, the way his hands had explored me so thoroughly that now, even the ghost of his touch made me shiver.I blinked a few times, my vision adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. A quiet, heavy stillness surrounded me, one that immediately told me something was missing. My eyes roamed the room, taking in the familiar details—the books stacked haphazardly on my nightstand, the thin trail of moonlight still lingering from the early hours of dawn, the faint imprint on the pillow beside me.But he was gone. A strange hollowness settled in my chest. I had known, logically, that he wouldn’t be able to stay forever. My power had limits, after all. No matter how bad
Luxiana SommerisThe first thing I felt was the cool caress of air against my skin, followed by the soft, familiar texture of sheets beneath my fingertips. My head was heavy, my limbs sluggish, as though I had been pulled from the depths of an ocean, weighed down by something unseen. My breath came slow, shallow, as the remnants of a dream clung to me like mist, refusing to let go.I forced my eyes open, my vision hazy before the world sharpened into focus. The dim glow of my bedside lamp bathed the room in warm light. My room. The waking world. I was back.For a fleeting moment, dread settled in my chest like a stone. Had I failed? Had I woken up alone, everything I had fought for slipping through my fingers like sand? My pulse pounded in my ears, an unbearable silence stretching between the seconds. But then, I heard breathing.Deep, steady, but it was not mine. My body went rigid. I turned my head, my heartbeat slamming against my ribs.And there he was. Damien lay beside me, his
Luxiana SommerisAfter our conversation, we spent what felt like hours wrapped in each other's arms, basking in the warmth of our bare skin pressed together, as if trying to memorize every inch of each other. Now, we lay entangled on the bed, fingers lazily intertwined, tracing invisible patterns against each other’s skin. It was a quiet, intimate moment, yet my mind refused to settle.Despite the lingering worries swirling inside me—the uncertainty of what lay ahead, the weight of everything we had been through—one thought anchored itself in my mind, unwavering and insistent. It had been there for days, waiting for the right moment to surface. And now, with Damien beside me, his presence as tangible as the rise and fall of my breath, I finally allowed myself to give voice to it.I swallowed, pushing past the sudden tightness in my throat. “Damien?” I murmured, my voice softer than I intended.His gaze flickered to mine immediately, the deep crimson of his eyes glowing faintly in th