Oasis

The Beauty and the Beasts

Lilith sprinted around the villa, leaving smouldering wounds and anguished cries in her wake. Her main objective was crowd control, misery being a close second. Standing around knee height, it was easy to sever muscle and ligaments, reducing movement to hobbling or crawling. Being so small and agile also made Lilith one nightmare of a target for Michael. With every strobe of the light, she would vanish and then reappear in a flash of white several feet away. Her indirect path made it impossible to lead the shot. The mercenary chose to start with removing sensory distractions. As long as the creature was preoccupied with moving targets, Michael didn’t have to worry about it intervening. He used an entire magazine shooting out lights and speakers while Lilith made her way to DJ PILL5 and the two women who made it out to the backyard.

Michael wasted no time making his way to the kitchen, flipping a table on its side and making a small barricade with it and the kitchen island. He then reloaded and waited in the now dark villa. He had no doubt the monster would be back for the screaming bodies it had left in here. One man began crawling to the bodyguard, begging for assistance. Michael silenced the man to keep his location hidden and then trained his eyes on the back entrance once more. He could see a couple lights pop up from the corner of his eye as people used their phones to seek help but he didn’t bother looking at the illuminated faces. They weren’t part of his objective.

As Lilith turned back to the house, she noticed the pulsing light was gone. She was thankful but that also meant she couldn’t use it to hide from that damned man. Or at least, that was probably his plan. Her features briefly contorted into a beastly grin before she darted towards the door. The air around her began to ripple and distort as if in extreme heat before an illusionary double materialized and passed through in front of her.

Within seconds, a shot was fired, the bullet passing through the mirage without disruption. Michael cursed, thinking he had missed the shot until he saw a second fox enter the room. Whatever this thing was, it was completely unpredictable. Either it had called in a friend, or his bullet had uncovered some sort of trick. Which seemed more believable? Him missing a shot or magic?

As if to answer his question, the house began… breathing? With a steady rhythm that made the structure creak, everything seemed to swell and relax like a diaphragm. Michael tried shaking his head but the sight remained. It made no sense, he hadn’t taken anything tonight, not even water, so no one could have slipped him anything. Was it something in the air? Everyone else was in a panic, so it was hard to tell if they were seeing the same thing as him but now the mercenary was certain, there was no way he missed that shot. This day had started out so normal, how had it gotten to this point? Michael needed a raise after this.

The Beauty and the Beasts

Michael's attention was fully on Viktor, so he noticed the shadowy figure that appeared before the young man did. Had her intent been to kill, the bodyguard would have soon been without a job but fortunately (or not) for him, Lilith was in a rare moment of mental clarity. Instead of shoving her arm through Viktor's chest, she grabbed him by the back of the neck, her claws sinking in to secure a firm grip. Struggling would only insure pain, ripped muscle, and traumatic blood loss. The foolish boy was free to scream, however, and scream he did.

The music was so loud, the beat was reverberating through the structure of the building and deep into Lilith's skull. It seemed to stave off most of the room's attention but the kumiho was close enough that the shrill cries of desperation made her vision go fuzzy. The strobing lights made it hard to get her footing on the stairs, already a struggle thanks to blood-slicked heels. Using Victor as a crutch, she pushed him forward and down the stairs, her free hand gripping a fistful of fabric at his shoulder.

By now, Michael's gun was drawn but he kept it low to his side, trying not to draw attention from those who still hadn't caught on to the situation. Of course his beneficiary would manage to find himself as a meat shield the moment trouble arose, Viktor was the only attendee Michael couldn't just shoot through to stop the threat where she stood. Rerouting slightly, the hired guard continued to move in closer but attempted to force an angle that would allow a clear shot.

Back at the staircase, Lilith was attempting to trance Viktor once more. It was more difficult because he was afraid and in pain but it was doable with direct access to his nervous system and energy flow. She leaned in to give orders but quickly realized sultry suggestions would fall on deaf ears with all this damned noise. Snarling in frustration, the fox spirit gestured to one of the main speakers causing it to erupt in blue flames. There was sparking and then a loud pop before the music volume dropped suddenly. Everyone stopped what they were doing now.

At the landing halfway down the staircase, the pair now stood side by side. The raven haired woman had an arm draped across Viktor’s shoulders, his return embrace taking shape of a hand on her hip. Lilith’s puppet called out to the crowd, “Greetings, friends! Now that I have your attention, my esteemed guest and I would like to start a game. Participation is mandatory, so make sure you listen to the rules. It’s simple: no running, no whining, and no calling for help. As soon as you all make your way upstairs, we can get started.” Lilith let out a gentle smirk and tilted her head in to lick one of the wounds in Viktor’s neck.

Dread began to break out in the villa. Those who had paid attention before were confused, hadn’t the couple just been in a confrontation? Wasn’t there screaming? Those just checking in worried this whole party was a setup for Vikor’s initiation into the Bratva. Was he expected to cut ties with everyone from his past life? Was all of this just some weird joke they were too far gone to get? Why did no one seem to recognize the woman? Surely she was the sort Viktor would have shown off to everyone, he didn’t tend to keep his ‘friends’ a secret.

Not surprisingly, people began to move in almost every direction but the staircase. Clenching her fist so tight it drew blood, Lilith was done with insubordination. It was time for these humans to cower in awe and fear.

“ENOUGH!” A grand sweep of her arm directed her fox flames to create a wall of blue fire, blocking off the front entrance of the building. She didn’t have enough to block off the entire building but now most of the guests would have to pass Lilith to try and get outside. Finally, the strobing light played in her favor, helping with the chaos as people began to push each other to try and find a way out.

“I was prepared to end this in a civilized fashion but I suppose that was too much to expect of your kind. Very well, if it's chaos you want, then-” The arrogant fox was interrupted by a sharp hiss of pain. Glancing down, she saw the bloom of a new wound burst from her collarbone. All of Lilith’s magic focus wavered, Viktor wasting no time in sprinting towards his guard while white ears and tails unfurled from the mysterious woman’s body, “Miha! Get me to the cellar, now!”

With an infuriated roar, Lilith revealed her true form. Holding the human facade split her focus too much and her anger would only allow her sights to hone in on one thing: forced submission. Leaping for the nearest target, the kumiho’s shining fangs found their mark in the arm of a red haired woman. The wound immediately began to sizzle and burn, eliciting a shrill cry as the flames began to spread.

The Beauty and the Beasts

The thousand year old fox spirit froze in her tracks, completely dumbfounded by the boy in front of her. Was she supposed to know him? Why did he know her? Was he really expecting an embrace from Lilith? She continued to stare, unblinking, as he shifted his focus to the fey girl.

Seriously, who was this clown?

The atmosphere grew awkward as both humans directed their attention to Lilith, who had yet to respond. Masha decided to break the silence first, “W-well actually, she was helping me find Tanya. But I can look for her myself.” The young woman began to pull away and make her way around Viktor, finally pulling Lilith from her stupor. This fool didn't matter, Masha couldn't be left to find the bodies. The kumiho lay a not-so-gentle hand on Viktor’s outstretched arm to push it out of the way in an unintentional, but very clear, rebuke. The charming host was no longer smiling.

“Awfully bold of a whore to ignore her new master.” Sharp eyed collided and a low growl slipped from Lilith's ruby lips.

“Oh, didn't you know? The whole reason you're here is to be my bitch.” Viktor grabbed Lilith’s chin and pulled her face closer, “so be a good little slut and greet me properly in front of my guest.” Masha stopped, clearly afraid. She had hoped to slip away and not be a part of this confrontation but Viktor’s words made it clear she was not meant to walk away. Biting her lip, she hoped the mysterious woman would obey before things got worse for everyone involved.

Lilith, however, was not prone to indulging the wishes of humans. A more refined part of her mind probably knew how one was supposed to act at this moment but the fox spirit was not known for humility or submission. Her hubris would never allow someone to speak to her in such a manner; grabbing her was completely crossing the line. Having been hunting for hours, Lilith's bloodlust and baser instincts overrode almost all rational thought. She knew the bodyguard was watching, and that was the only reason Viktor was still alive in this moment. Even a novice predator knows not to hunt in front of others, it's the surest way to lose your kill.

Golden orbs flashed in a sudden release of magic and the mohawked host began to relax his posture. It was generally easier to hypnotize women and it was always easier to seduce someone who wasn't angry with you but Lilith had years of practice. Pulling his hand from her face, the kumiho leaned in closer to murmur words only he could hear, “Don't worry, boy, I'm going to give you everything you deserve. Now, let's go upstairs and have a little privacy.”

Masha was once again confused by the dynamic change but still found herself wanting to distance herself as much as possible from the pair. Not waiting for permission, she began running up the steps.

“Tch. Looks like the little one is insisting on being first. Very well, let's go, my esteemed host.” Lilith let out a soft chuckle and began to saunter up the steps, fingering over her shoulder for Vikor to follow. Sluggishly, he obliged.

Once upstairs, the same routine began. Lilith guided them into a darkened room but this time, Masha wouldn't enter.

“There's no way Tanya is in there… what is going on?” Rolling her eyes, Lilith was over this charade.

“She's dead, little one. Just like you.” Before the pixie haired girl could respond, the kumiho was on her. Pinned to the floor in the hallway, she let out a short scream before Lilith but down on her throat, the sound suddenly tapering off to a gurgle. There was no need to finish her off so the kumiho stood and turned to her next victim but the trance had been broken and Viktor was already at the top of the staircase.

The Beauty and the Beasts

It didn't take long for Lilith to dispose of the trio. It took considerably longer to clean the blood off her dress. Once satisfactorily wiped down, Lilith moved the bodies to one corner of the room and then removed all light bulbs. With a deep, slow breath the kumiho stepped out of the room, locked the door behind her, and went to rejoin the party downstairs.

It wasn't long before another proposal came her way; seemed this gathering was full of generous souls who hated to see a woman alone. And so, that is how Lilith’s night progressed, taking group after group to her darkened den. It wasn't until leaving the fourth set of bodies, she was finally confronted by a couple wanting their turn in the room. Gritting her teeth into a smile, the raven-haired woman unlocked and swung open the door for them.

As they began to enter, the woman commented on the strange smell and the man tried flipping the lightswitch with no result. They both turned as if to ask Lilith what was going on but she was on them before they could do so. A carefully aimed shove pushed the man into the woman and both landed on the floor, giving Lilith space to enter and close the door behind her. Shocked and disoriented in the dark room, it was easy for the fox to gut them and add their bodies to the pile. Growling with displeasure, she began the process of wiping herself clean once more. There was no point in trying to save the dress, an even coating of blood had painted the gold and coral colored chrysanthemums a deep, wine red. This was passable with the strobing lights of the party but Lilith couldn't leave blood smeared on her skin without drawing unwanted attention. She had long ago given up on her hair, opting to tie it in a bun to keep it out of the way. She looked like less of a party-goer but thankfully, everyone was so far gone at this point, it hardly mattered. There were, however, other complications.

With a third of the attendees piled in a room upstairs, the crowd was noticeably sparse and people were beginning to pay more attention to their surroundings. One man in particular seemed far too aware of everything, including Lilith. He was obviously hired muscle but he seemed hesitant to initiate anything, especially without knowing for certain that what going on. Best not to ruin your boss's party over a misunderstanding. Still, his eyes lingered on the mysterious woman who was so often seen alone despite her obvious popularity. As if on cue, she was approached once more.

“Hey, have you seen my friend, Tanya? I saw you talking with her a few hours ago but I haven’t seen her since. I’m starting to get a little worried…” Lilith’s jaw tightened as she tried to hide her displeasure. Still, her eyes narrowed slightly, giving her cold gaze an even more intimidating air as she analyzed the woman before her. Dark hair cut into a flirty bob and a delicate, almost fairy-like powder blue dress. She was far too adorable for a party like this and the kumiho had no idea who the friend was. She could feign ignorance but the little fey seemed so certain Lilith was one of the last people to be seen with Tanya. The girl didn’t seemed tipsy but not drunk or high enough to be talked into it being a mistake. Suddenly, her golden eyes widened, “Oh, Tanya. Of course, my dear, I know where she is. She’s in one of the rooms upstairs, let me show you.” Placing her hand at the small of the fey’s back, she guided the naive creature to the staircase. A cautious glance over her shoulder allowed Lilith one last look at the bodyguard, his eyes staring right back. Damn… no way to avoid him seeing me come back alone. I hope Aleks is ready, this is where the night gets messy.

The Beauty and the Beasts

Ha ha ha Oh man, I didn't realize it had been THAT long

The Beauty and the Beasts

Lilith froze for just a moment but it was long enough to let the young girl’s anticipation swell. The dark haired fox could feel it in the way Alyona held her breath- what could possibly come next except a kiss? Smiling faintly, Lilith pressed her lips against Alyona’s trembling mouth, breathing in the gasp that escaped. It was a small kiss, almost chaste had it occurred under different circumstances, but it had done the trick. The young woman visibly relaxed in Lilith’s grip, practically leaning against the kumiho for support. When she opened her eyes, however, Alyona was greeted with a cold stare. The mysterious guest had not moved her gaze but was acutely aware that her companion had walked off. Her displeasure was hard to miss.

“Ah…” Alyona opened her mouth, perhaps to say something comforting, but she could think of no appropriate comment. A small part of her wondered if she had done something wrong. A larger part of her worried she had just been used. Scoffing quietly, Lilith began to pull away and Alyona’s heart sank.

“W-wait! Miss…” The girl’s voice petered out. Unsure of the woman’s name or what to say, “Miss Lazarevska?” In a moment of uncharacteristic kindness, Lilith paused and turned back to Alyona, “Don’t worry, my dear, I’ll come back for you later. I’m just looking for someone at the moment.” With a simple dismissive wave of her fingers, Lilith made it clear the conversation was over, not even allowing the young girl to offer her assistance.

With confident, leisurely strides, the kitsune began stalking the perimeter, taking note of hiding places and escape routes. The villa was a nightmare. The odds of successfully killing so many people with no escapees grew smaller and smaller with every clack of her heels. What the hell was Aleks thinking? Even with his assistance, which the fox knew better than to hope for, there were too many routes to cover. Two of the walls were made entirely of glass bifold doors, easily broken even if she locked them. Then there was the front entrance and, although she had only reached the kitchen, she assumed there was a door that led to the carport she saw on the way in. Directing everyone upstairs would make things easier but odds are there would still be jumpers. And before even addressing that issue- how to manage it? Biting her lip in thought, Lilith knew she’d have to find a way to thin the crowd before casting any spells. Getting partygoers alone wouldn’t be too difficult, silencing screams and hiding bodies was doable, but eventually, the group would grow so small it’d be impossible for them not to notice people were missing. The scowl on Lilith’s face deepened as her head began to throb from all the lights and sounds these humans called “music.”

Suddenly, a somewhat well-meaning gentleman grabbed the disgruntled kumiho by the shoulder. He turned her to face him and pulled her slightly closer, “Well now, what has such a pretty thing like you looking so sour?” Golden orbs flashed to the man, revealing pupils constricted into animalistic slits. Teeth clenched, she snarled at him to release her. Stumbling back against the kitchen counter, the man immediately complied, letting go of her so he could hold his arms in front of himself defensively.

“What the hell are you?” Lilith stepped towards him, ready to rip out his throat when a shrill voice cut through the cacophonous air, “NO WAY-!” The kumiho’s claws stopped just centimeters from their mark, her attention momentarily pulled away by the offensive creature making its way towards Aleks. Aleks… With a heavy sigh, Lilith looked back to the man before her and dropped her hand.

“I’m here for someone else, don’t touch me again.” Fortunately, the man was either too drunk, too bewildered, or a combination of the two and didn’t object. He watched the raven haired woman for a moment as she walked away before shrugging his shoulders and calling out to the next closest female.

Sighing yet again, Lilith glanced over at her partner. Despite his composure, her keen senses could detect his discomfort from across the room. At least she wasn’t the only one bothered by the filth attending this party. Aleks suddenly seemed to lock onto a man across the room, drawing the curious fox’s attention as well. It didn’t take long for Lilith to pick up on the subject of interest, he stood out like a sore thumb if you knew what to look for. He was focused, calm, trained, and entirely too sober. He was trouble. Pursing her lips slightly, Lilith immediately began plotting how to get that one alone. She didn’t have time to delve too far into her thoughts, however, before she was interrupted once more.

“Well you see, ladies, the problem with a threesome is that someone is always left out. That's why we need to find someone else willing to play with us.” Geoff was no one remarkable in the Bratva but in social circles, he had a way with charming women. With sandy, slicked back hair and a crooked grin, he almost resembled a car salesman. He went with a more casual look tonight, a white button up under a gray suit but no tie. Or perhaps the tie had been removed by one of the women clinging to each of his arms. To the right was a brunette with soft curls and a strapless red dress. To the left was a blonde in a ruched, mock wrap dress.

“Ooh, why not her? Tanya, why don't you invite that lovely maiden over there to join us, she looks so lonely.” The brunette obeyed and confidently walked up to Lilith.

“Hey, hun. Wanna join us in having some fun with Geoff? We've heard he can do some amazing things with his tongue.” Tanya motioned to the other two and winked, “Crystal is hesitant about having too many people but Geoff says it's more fun with four.”

At first, Lilith stared blankly, confused by the sudden proposition. What on earth made them think she'd want to participate in an orgy with complete strangers? She cast her gaze over to Geoff, only to find him crudely mimicking his supposed ‘talent’ by flicking his tongue between his fingers held up in a ‘v.’ Rage welled up inside the kumiho but she fought to put a smile on her face instead. Might as well take the opportunity to have some alone time and get started on the main event. Licking her lips seductively, Lilith wrapped her arm around Tanya’s waist and sauntered over to Geoff and Crystal.

“Ladies, why don't we go see for ourselves if Geoff here is all talk or if he's truly everything his reputation sets him up to be?” Lilith lifted her chin and smirked condescendingly at the man, silently challenging his dominance within their little group. Tanya giggled but he huffed in retort, pulling the brunette out of Lilith's embrace and back to his side.

“Please, even with three of you I doubt you'll be able to handle me. C’mon, there's a room upstairs we can use.” Lilith nodded in compliance and motioned for him to lead the way before flashing a toothy grin. Let it begin.

The Beauty and the Beasts

Um... excuse me. Why is the unknown man so attractive?

@_@

The Beauty and the Beasts

Here's the baby CS for the NPC I introduced

Alyona
19 years old
Hazel eyes
Light brown hair
Always a pretty girl, Alyona quickly learned she didn’t have to work very hard to get nice things. Men were more than willing to give her whatever she wanted for, in her opinion, a minimal cost. She was only 15 the first time she ran into the Bratva and saw it as an opportunity for an easy lifestyle. Just one year later, she dropped out of school to join them. Life in the Russian mafia ended up being very different that she was originally led to believe. Too late to back out, Alyona became meek and obedient, trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible, hoping one day she could slip away unnoticed.

The Beauty and the Beasts

“I.. Uh.. Y-yes. Thank you…” Roza stumbled over her words, clearly dumbfounded by Aleks’ kindness. The old hotel owner hadn’t expected the handsome suitor to be so friendly to her, if his companion’s behavior was anything to go off of. True, the patron was stunning but Lilith seemed to have a heart made of ice, if she had one at all. Roza quickly found herself favoring the young man, deeming him too good for such a hollow beauty. Pursing her lips slightly, the overinvolved hotel owner watched in silence, curious to see how this interaction would go. From the looks of it, the young beauty was none too pleased. Would Aleks try to placate her? Ignore it? Or perhaps… Even be so daring as to call her on it?

Lilith was on a similar train of thought until Aleks turned to face her. In that moment, all frustration washed away. The dilation of his pupils, the brief hitch in his breath, nothing escaped her keen senses. It was the first time the fox had ever elicited such a carnal reaction out of the man, no matter how slight. Lilith felt a warm tingle run from her neck down her spine, every inch of her tense like a predator watching prey just barely out of reach. He had done well to resist her this long but like every human, it was only a matter of time before he submitted.

Ironically, it was his compliment that brought the harsh edge back to Lilith’s gaze. Reminded of her appearance, the vixen couldn’t help but think about how her hair would have looked better with a little left loose to frame her face and how her shoes were a little too plain for the dress. Still, Lilith must have been doing something right to illicit a compliment like that before he’d even seen the dress. Delighted anticipation caused her pale pink lips to curl into a dangerous looking smile.

“Oh, Aleks, you’re bound to spoil a girl, flattering her like that.” There was a teasing tone to her voice but Aleks either didn’t notice or didn’t care. Pouting slightly, Lilith let it go for now and quietly exited the hotel with him.

Still at her desk, Roza tsked quietly to herself at how things had played out. From her point of view, the gentleman had folded like a house of cards the moment he laid eyes on the frigid beauty. It was disappointing for the old woman to watch such a well-rounded gentleman fall prey to a pretty face like that. Truly, how had such a man found himself tangled up with a vixen like that? Roza couldn’t fathom it. With a disappointed sigh, she clicked on the TV, the primetime shows barely able to grab her attention, let alone stir her enthusiasm.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The villa was already bustling with activity when the duo arrived, much to their dissatisfaction. Aleks let out a quiet explicative, which Lilith internally seconded. The place was overrun with young women, who served no benefit to the kitsune. Growling softly, Lilith realized she never told Aleks only male hearts would work. What a splendid night this is turning out to be…

The dark haired kitsune busied herself with scouting the place, trusting Aleks to guide her by the hand she had hooked on his left arm. She didn’t notice the bouncer inspecting her but was quickly pulled into the moment by the authority she heard in her companion’s voice. Well… that’s certainly new…. Lilith found herself gazing at Aleks in approval when the man foolishly interrupted him. How rude. Now I don’t know my surname. She chuckled internally but Aleks was clearly not amused. Just the sight of him made Lilith lick her lips; she had done well to strike a deal with this one. Perhaps this was why she had so much trouble with him. He was obviously someone who had earned considerable respect and he now expected others to follow suit. Respect was not a commodity Aleks gave out for free, though the fox seriously doubted there was anything the young man was truly charitable with. It was this newfound understanding of the Bratva member that caused Lilith to be uncharacteristically obedient. She moved to the door as commanded, pausing only briefly to watch the rest of the exchange. As she lingered, a woman clearly working for the host approached, “Excuse me ma’am, may I take your coat?”

“Yes, please.” Lilith smiled gently at the girl, who was probably no more than 20. Alyona was, in fact, only 19 years old. A pretty girl with hazel eyes and soft brown hair, she had gotten mixed in with the Bratva far too young to understand the life she was setting up for herself. Years in prostitution and servitude had been hard on the girl, giving her a small, meek presence in such a flashy crowd. Lilith did not have such a problem.

Aleks was just making his way over, so the gold-eyed vixen took her time with the buttons, sliding the heavy coat off her shoulders when he was only a couple meters away. Lilith had always been a fan of luxurious items and as such, this was not Aleks’ first time seeing the fox in expensive clothing. However, this silver and rose gold dress was in a class of its own. The garment cost well over twice the amount of anything she’d worn thus far and it was evident in the details. A diamond studded brassiere, open midriff, and a skirt modeled to look like gold and silver filigree chrysanthemums- she looked both provocative and ethereal. Between the intricacies of the dress and the wealth of exposed porcelain skin, it was nearly impossible to look away from her perfect frame. Even Alyona stared for quite some time, forgetting she was supposed to be doing something with the coat in her arms. Turning to Aleks at last, Lilith let out a seductive smile, unable to hide just how pleased she was with herself. Sometimes, it was just too easy.

“Thank you again for inviting me, Mr. Titov. I believe this young woman is waiting to collect your coat.” Lilith put extra emphasis on his name and the girl suddenly snapped back to reality, blushing furiously when Lilith winked at her, letting Alyona know she’d been caught staring. Dropping her gaze to stare at the ground instead, Alyona was clearly eager to get Aleks’ coat and run but the kumiho wasn’t about to let her go so easily. Tonight was all but guaranteed to be a disappointment in regards to the number of hearts she was promised, might as well have some fun to make up for it. Gently cupping the girl’s chin, Lilith forced pale hazel eyes to stare into hers, the golden orbs smoldering behind thick, dark lashes.

“It’s alright, darling, I don’t mind you looking.” Leaning in close so her breath tickled the girl’s skin she murmured, “Your attraction to me is perfectly natural. But I wonder…” Lilith placed her free hand on Alyona’s thigh, sliding it up and over the girl’s silhouette to rest on her ribcage, just beside her breast, “Is this your first time?” Tightening her grip slightly, Lilith stroked her thumb back and forth just enough to push against the supple flesh teasingly, only to pull away and repeat. The girl’s breath hitched and she was practically trembling in fear but a different emotion was clearly displayed on Alyona’s face. She was hypnotized, though not by any use of magic on Lilith’s end. The young girl could tell she was in the presence of something vast and unknown- was consumed by the mysterious creature before her. It was both frightening and tantalizing. All Lilith had to do was tilt her head to come in for a kiss and the girl relented, closing her eyes and parting her lips slightly. It was always so easy…

The Beauty and the Beasts

It was quite some time before Aleks responded but Lilith could only guess as to why. Normally, it would be safe to assume he was contemplating her question. Possibly having doubts about witnessing the gruesome murder of a house full of people. However, Aleks was far from common and he seemed at peace with the moment. Finally, he responded, “I am.” His voice was resolute and the vixen before him knew better than to doubt his sincerity. Still, Lilith was hopeful she could catch him off guard. She had a wealth of tricks at her disposal and the prideful kumiho was eager to squeeze some fearful respect out of Aleks.

“Of course I’m ready.” The fox let out a condescending chuckle, “One doesn’t turn down a free meal.” The young man seemed satisfied and prepared to leave. Lilith merely shook her head at the mention of him staying, occupying herself once more with the bracelet. It’d been awhile since she’d been gifted something so expensive.

“I’m glad you’re alright.” Lilith’s head shot up in surprise but Aleks was already shutting the door, giving her no opportunity to respond. Not that she would have, the raven-haired woman was still frozen, trying to decipher the hidden meaning. The young Bratva member was many things, caring did not seem to be one of them. After several moments, Lilith’s brow unfurrowed and she finally pulled her gaze from the door. He’s just glad I’m still able to help him. She finally decided, content with her reasoning. Sighing softly, she shook the issue from her mind and got ready for bed. It had been quite a long day.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next evening, Lilith found herself poised in front of the mirror for well over an hour, trying to make sure every centimeter of her frame was immaculate. She’d spent a decent portion of the day shopping yet somehow seemed unsatisfied with every outfit she tried on. Then came the decision of what to do with her hair. By the time 9 0’clock rolled around, Lilith was in a sour mood from all the effort. She still wasn’t completely satisfied but the fox was out of time and with a huff, she took once last glance at her reflection and walked out the door. It was silly, really, Lilith looked stunning as ever and the reality was both hair and outfit were guaranteed to be ruined by night’s end. However, none of that mattered to the centuries old fox; this was a matter of pride. Lilith wanted every person who saw her that night to know she was better than them, wanted them to feel it in her presence. Masquerading as someone’s companion was demeaning to the kumiho and she was desperate to keep her ego unchecked.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Downstairs, Roza could barely contain her excitement. The handsome young man had not only returned, he was speaking to her! With a warm and wide grin, she was ready to tell him everything she knew.

“Oh, she checked in about nine days ago. I’m not sure what she’s in town for or how long but she sure spends long hours out in the city. Usually, she doesn’t return until after midnight. She doesn’t talk much either, I assumed she didn’t know anyone local. You’re the only person I’ve seen her with. How long have you known her? And…. Do you know how long she’s likely to be staying?” The old woman’s voice reached a hopeful tone. A long-term guest was good business and, in this case, a good source of entertainment.

“I don’t imagine I’ll be here for much longer, a week at most.” Roza nearly fell out of her chair at the sound of Lilith’s voice, gripping the desk with one hand and clutching her chest with the other.

“Oh heavens me, child! You nearly stopped the old ticker.” Roza attempted to laugh of her embarrassment, “But it is a shame to hear you’ll be leaving so soon…” Lilith didn’t so much as glance at the woman, her focus solely on the man before her, “Aleks.” Her tone was calm but the kumiho’s golden eyes burned with clear displeasure, “Shall we head out?” Roza looked on in fascination, taking note of Lilith's appearance. The kumiho's inky hair was pulled to the right side, trained into loose curls that cascaded over her shoulder, a few gems pinned throughout. Her navy blue wool coat went almost to her ankles, hiding her dress from view but if her hair was any indication, it had to be elegant and very formal.