Chapter 2
Vincent stared at me for a long moment, then finally let go of me.
"Since you're clueless, you'll stay at the Arcane Sanctum and learn," he said.
I was totally stunned.
"Learn what?" I blurted out.
"Learn how to be a demon who doesn't cause chaos in the human world," Vincent replied.
' was completely dumbfounded.
"Wait, you're not going to kill me?" I blurted out.
"I've changed my mind," Vincent said coolly.
"But... why?" I stammered.
Vincent stood up, his wide sleeves draping down, his voice as calm and steady as ever.
"You're too naive. If I let you go, you'd only end up getting yourself into trouble," he said.
And just like that, Vincent kept me at the Arcane Sanctum.
Officially, it was to redeem a demon.
But in reality, he just wanted to keep me under his watch.
I was assigned to a side room right next to Vincent's quarters in the Hall of Tranquility, with just a wall separating us.
Every morning before dawn, a junior acolyte would come fetch me to recite calming chants, copy sacred scriptures, and sweep the courtyard.
Honestly, I was more exhausted than the most pitiful maid in the human world.
As I swept, I muttered curses at the Demon Realm elders under my breath.
"If I'd known the High Priest was this harsh, I'd have just starved at the bottom of the mountain." I muttered under my breath.
Frank Lane, the junior acolyte, shot me a sideways glance.
"Honestly, it's a miracle you're even still breathing. Archmaster never lets any demon make it through the night," he said.
I froze mid-sweep.
"Why'd he keep me around then?" I asked, still baffled.
Frank thought for a second, then shrugged. "Just bad luck."
Seriously?
Frank was a real pain.
Grumbling aside, life had to go on.
After all, I was starving to death.
Succubi needed a steady supply of core essence. Going too long without it, my arms and legs would turn to jelly, and my chest felt like it was burning up.
I'd been at Arcane Sanctum for three days and hadn't gotten a single drop of core essence. I was so drained that I was practically wilting away.
What made it even worse was that Vincent was constantly in my sight, making things even harder for me.
He'd burn incense and chant in the morning, then spend his nights poring over documents under the lamp, his long fingers wrapped around the brush like slender bamboo shoots.
Sometimes, after his bath, he'd step out from behind the screen, his hair still damp, his white nightrobe hanging loosely. I'd be standing there with a cup of coffee, and I was losing myself.
He was just way too irresistible.
For a succubus, his pure energy was better than any elixir out there—like a hundred-year-old tonic.
But I didn't dare touch him.
Ever since he caught me that first night, I felt like a bug he could squash any second whenever I was near him.
By the seventh night, I was so hungry I couldn't take it anymore.
The Hall of Tranquility was still glowing with light, and I crouched outside the door, staring at Vincent inside, my mouth practically watering.
Vincent was working at his desk, the candlelight flickering over his profile, while a faint golden aura glimmered from his sleeves.
Just breathing in that energy, my tail slipped out before I could even control it.
I couldn't take it anymore.
If I waited any longer, I was going to faint from hunger.
I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Vincent didn't even look up.
"What do you want?" he asked.
I walked over to him, forcing my most seductive smile.
"Mr. Owen, it's late. Aren't you tired?" I asked.
"Not tired," he replied.
"Are you thirsty?" I asked.
"Not thirsty," he replied.
"Um... so..." I trailed off.
"Get to the point," Vincent said coolly.
I was completely stumped by his replies, so in a fit of desperation, I just threw caution to the wind and lunged over, hugging his arm.
"I'm hungry," I blurted out.
His pen froze mid-stroke.
"There's food in the kitchen," he said.
"That's not the kind of hungry I mean," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked at him. "I... I just want a taste of your core essence."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Vincent finally put his pen down and turned to look at me.
His gaze was calm, but it sent chills right through my chest.
I quickly added, "Just a little bit, I swear I won't take more. I'm really about to starve. Please, just help out a poor, starving succubus. Think of it as charity."
He asked coolly, "Why should I bother saving you?"
I blinked, then whispered, "Because you're a good person?"
Vincent's face stayed completely blank.
"Do I look like a good person to you?" he asked.
"Yes." I nodded like crazy. "You're seriously the nicest High Priest ever."
He stared at me for what felt like forever, then suddenly held out his wrist.
"Suck," he said coldly.
I was stunned speechless—totally caught off guard.
Wait, seriously? That easy?
I stared at his cold, pale wrist, fireworks exploding in my brain, and without a second thought, I hurriedly pressed my lips against it.
The instant my lips touched his skin, a jolt shot through me.
It was insanely pure.
That core essence flowed in through my lips, like warm snow melting on my tongue, sending heat from my throat all the way down to my chest.
I was so overwhelmed that my legs went weak, and I couldn't help but want more.
In the next instant, Vincent clamped his hand firmly on the back of my head.
"That's enough," Vincent said.
I reluctantly let go, my eyes misty with tears as I gave him a pitiful look.
"Just one more sip," I pleaded.
"No," Vincent said.
"Just half a sip, please?" I begged.
"Connie," Vincent said.
It was the first time he'd ever said my name.
I froze, every muscle in my body going stiff.
His fingers were still pressed to the back of my head, his breath so close I could feel it, and his voice was low, thick with something I couldn't quite name.