I arrived at the library early the next morning, determined to get some studying done before my afternoon classes. The vast space was nearly empty—as usual. Most succubi preferred more... active pursuits than sitting quietly among dusty tomes. Their loss, really.

  Meridia, the perpetually exhausted librarian, slouched behind her desk, eyelids drooping despite it being barely past breakfast. She gave me a half-hearted nod as I passed, which counted as an enthusiastic greeting by her standards.

  I settled at the table near the ancient demonology section, spreading out my notes for Professor Tiamatha's upcoming test on cross-species reproductive compatibility. As I flipped through the textbook, I caught myself smiling at a particularly explicit diagram of centaur anatomy.

  It struck me then how much I'd changed. Five months ago, when I first arrived at the Academy, I would have blushed furiously at these illustrations. Now I was casually studying what essentially amounted to pornographic biology texts without batting an eye.

  "Interesting," I murmured, examining a detailed cross-section of harpy reproductive organs. The similarities and differences between species were genuinely fascinating from an academic perspective, once you looked past the obvious erotic content. The evolutionary adaptations for interspecies mating were actually quite ingenious.

  I'd tried to convince Aria to join me for this study session, but she'd laughed and rolled over in bed, mumbling something about "beauty sleep being more important than boring books." I couldn't really blame her. Aria was the type who could coast by on B's and C's just by remembering what she heard in class. Her intelligence wasn't the issue—her attention span was.

  I could have skipped studying too. It wasn't like I absolutely needed to ace Professor Tiamatha's class. But something in me refused to do things halfway, even when the subject matter was as... questionable... as this.

  I paused, pencil hovering over my notes. Why did I care so much about my grades? It wasn't like anyone was checking my transcript. Yet here I was, determined to excel even in classes that increasingly involved practical applications of a carnal nature. Classes that left me in such a state that I'd need Bellas's assistance later to clear the haze of arousal that inevitably followed.

  My contemplation was interrupted when someone cleared their throat softly across from me. I looked up to see Nyx Shadowveil, her midnight-blue hair pulled back in a practical bun, glasses perched on her nose despite succubi having perfect vision.

  "Do you mind if I join you?" she asked quietly, already setting down a stack of books that looked heavy enough to crush a lesser demon.

  "Not at all," I replied, gesturing to the empty chair. As she settled in, I realised this might be my chance to satisfy my curiosity about yesterday's incident. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."

  Nyx raised an eyebrow, adjusting her glasses in a scholarly manner. "Oh?"

  "At the Springs yesterday," I began, keeping my voice low out of respect for the library's silence. "We saw you having some kind of... disagreement with Valentina. Did something happen between you two?"

  Nyx's expression darkened slightly, her violet eyes flickering with something that might have been concern.

  Nyx's expression tightened, her violet eyes narrowing behind her glasses. "If you think I'm the one who petrified Valentina, you're mistaken." Her voice dropped even lower, barely audible. "And nothing happened at the springs."

  "What? No!" I shook my head quickly. "That's not what I meant at all. I was just curious because, well..." I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "Valentina usually reserves her nastiness for me and my friends. It was surprising to see her targeting someone else."

  Nyx studied me for a moment, then her shoulders relaxed slightly. "Oh. Well, it was nothing I couldn't handle." She shrugged, her midnight-blue hair catching the light. "Valentina is just Valentina. You have to approach her in a certain way."

  The subtle curve of her lips suggested there was more to the story, but she clearly didn't want to elaborate. Instead, she gestured toward my open textbook.

  "What are you studying for?" she asked, smoothly changing the subject.

  "Professor Tiamatha's biology test tomorrow," I replied, tapping my pencil against the diagram. "Cross-species reproductive compatibility."

  Nyx's eyes lit up with unexpected enthusiasm. "Oh! That's one of my favourite subjects." She leaned forward, all academic intensity. "You know, the textbook is woefully incomplete. During my studies, I've documented at least seventeen additional compatible species not mentioned in the standard curriculum."

  I maintained a neutral expression as Nyx launched into what could only be described as scholarly pornography.

  "The amphibious Merloc of Neridia for instance," she continued, her tone completely serious despite the subject matter. "Their reproductive organs secrete a mild hallucinogen that creates the most fascinating feedback loop of pleasure. I spent three weeks documenting the effects." She adjusted her glasses. "And the crystalline entities of the Quartz Dimension—they don't have physical bodies as we understand them, but they can form temporary appendages that resonate at frequencies that stimulate specific nerve clusters."

  I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing as Nyx, with her perfectly composed academic demeanour, described increasingly outlandish sexual encounters.

  "The curriculum really should be overhauled," she concluded, tapping the textbook dismissively. "These species are becoming increasingly common in interdimensional travel zones. Proper education would prevent unfortunate misunderstandings." She looked up at me expectantly. "What about you? Any insights from your own experiences that might contribute to the academic discourse?"

  I coughed awkwardly. My sexual experiences were limited to Aria, Isabella, Bellas, and a small handful of men—all human. Not that I was complaining; I actually preferred to keep it that way. I might have become a succubus, but that didn't mean I had to sleep with everyone and everything I encountered.

  "I, um, haven't really deviated much from the textbook," I finally mumbled, avoiding Nyx's gaze.

  Nyx sighed, looking genuinely disappointed. "Such a shame. The knowledge gained from diverse experiences is invaluable." She returned to her books, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Perhaps someday you'll broaden your horizons."

  I smiled politely at Nyx, grateful for the opening to change the subject. "My academic interests lie elsewhere, to be honest. What are you studying for today?"

  Nyx glanced down at her stack of books, running a slender finger along the spine of the topmost volume. "Theory of Pleasure with Professor Nyara. The midterm is next week, and I want to ensure I understand the neurological response patterns across different species."

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  "Ah, Theory of Pleasure," I said, suppressing a shudder. Professor Nyara's class was infamous throughout the Academy—not for its difficulty, but for its intensely practical approach to education.

  "I'm actually enjoying the class immensely," Nyx continued, her eyes brightening behind her glasses. "The professor's methodology is quite thorough."

  "Thorough" was certainly one word for it. Professor Nyara had a habit of selecting students at random for her demonstrations. As she'd explained on our first day: "Let's be honest, most of you would always volunteer, forcing me to choose at random anyway. This way we'll saving everyone's time."

  That random selection process meant I was perpetually at risk of being called up. While I'd accepted my identity as Lily Morningstar, some aspects of this life were still difficult to embrace. Public sexual demonstrations ranked high on that list.

  "Fortunately, I haven't been picked yet," I muttered, more to myself than to Nyx.

  Nyx tilted her head, genuine confusion crossing her features. "Fortunately?" The concept that someone might not want to participate seemed utterly foreign to her. After a moment, understanding dawned in her eyes. "Oh, right. Professor Nyara leaves the most fun stuff for later in the semester. She only selects students she believes can handle the advanced techniques."

  I gulped, a wave of horror washing over me. If Nyara was saving me for "advanced techniques," I didn't want to know what those might entail. Last week, she'd selected Aria for a demonstration with a minotaur—a creature literally three times her size.

  I still had nightmares about it, Even knowing that succubi could handle such extremes, and despite Aria's insistence that it felt "absolutely amazing," the sight had been disturbing on a fundamental level.

  Nyx set her books aside and leaned forward, her scholarly demeanour shifting to something more direct. "Actually, I had another reason for joining you this morning." Her violet eyes fixed on mine with unsettling intensity. "Are you a pureblood, Lily?"

  The question hit me like a bucket of ice water. I almost revealed myself out of sheer surprise, but years of engineering training had taught me to remain calm under pressure. I kept my expression neutral, though my tail twitched involuntarily beneath the table.

  "I'm not going to ask how you reached that conclusion," I said carefully, neither confirming nor denying.

  Nyx nodded, accepting my non-answer as its own kind of response. "Several factors led me to this hypothesis. Your magical aptitude exceeds typical first-year levels. Your aura has a distinctive resonance pattern I've only observed in certain bloodlines." She gestured toward my head. "And then there's your hair colour—pure white. While technically possible for common succubi, it rarely occurs outside pureblood lineages."

  I maintained my poker face, my mother's warning about keeping a low profile echoed in my mind. I'd have to be smart about this.

  * * *

  I shook my head firmly, deciding a direct denial was the safest approach. "I'm not a pureblood, Nyx. I'm just a regular succubus from a merchant family."

  Nyx's shoulders slumped slightly, her scholarly enthusiasm dimming. "That's... a shame. I was so certain my analysis was correct." She adjusted her glasses with a sigh. "My apologies for the presumption."

  "It's fine," I replied, curious about her sudden deflation. "Why were you so interested in whether I'm a pureblood? Do you need one for something?"

  Nyx hesitated, glancing around the library before leaning closer. "Yes, actually. I've been researching certain... locations that only purebloods and their invited guests can access."

  The pieces clicked together in my mind. "Is that what you and Valentina were arguing about at the hot springs? You wanted her to take you somewhere?"

  After a moment's pause, Nyx nodded. "Yes. I approached her because House Morgenstern, despite their diminished status, still maintains certain privileges. But Valentina was..." She trailed off, searching for a diplomatic word.

  "A complete bitch?" I offered helpfully.

  A small smile cracked Nyx's serious demeanor. "I was going to say 'unreceptive to academic pursuits,' but your assessment is more accurate."

  I tapped my finger against my textbook, considering the situation. "You know, I'm actually close friends with Isabella Lilitu. She's a pureblood from one of the most prominent houses in Hell."

  Nyx's eyes widened, a spark of excitement returning. "Isabella Lilitu? House Lilitu has existed since the earliest days of the Fall!" She leaned forward eagerly. "Do you think you could convince her to help me? I would be eternally grateful."

  "It depends," I said carefully. "What exactly is this place you're trying to visit, and why?"

  Nyx's expression grew reverent, almost dreamy. "The Ninth Circle of Hell. Chaos itself."

  I nearly choked, barely stopping myself from spitting out the words. The Ninth Circle? That was where my parents ruled—where our palace stood at the centre of reality-warping chaos. It was literally my home now.

  "The Ninth Circle?" I managed to keep my voice steady. "That's... ambitious."

  "Isn't it fascinating?" Nyx continued, oblivious to my internal panic. "A place where the laws of physics themselves break down, where time flows differently in adjacent spaces, where matter can exist in multiple states simultaneously!" Her words tumbled out faster as her excitement grew. "The mathematical implications alone are staggering. The theoretical applications for magic are virtually unlimited!"

  "So this is for... research?" I asked cautiously.

  "Of course!" Nyx looked almost offended that I might suggest otherwise. "I've been studying interdimensional physics and reality manipulation. The Ninth Circle represents the perfect natural laboratory—a place where reality itself is malleable." She pulled a notebook from her stack, flipping it open to reveal pages of complex equations and diagrams. "I've developed several theoretical models, but I need empirical observations to refine them."

  I stared at her notes, recognising elements of advanced calculus and quantum mechanics that even Liam would have found challenging. Whatever Nyx's other qualities, her intellectual capabilities were undeniable.

  "The Academy library has frustratingly little information about the Ninth Circle's actual properties," she continued. "Most texts focus on the political structures or historical events rather than the physical phenomena."

  I studied Nyx's passionate expression, her eyes gleaming with academic fervor behind those unnecessary glasses. Her dedication was impressive, if somewhat concerning given the destination she sought.

  "Is that it?" I asked. "Is that the only reason you want to visit the Ninth Circle?"

  Nyx's expression shifted from excitement to indignation, her spine straightening as if I'd insulted her life's work.

  "Only reason?" She repeated, voice rising slightly. "As if scholarly pursuit isn't—" She stopped abruptly, blinking rapidly as she reassessed my question. Her shoulders relaxed. "Oh. You're asking if I have additional motives beyond research. I misunderstood."

  I nodded, relieved she'd caught herself. The last thing I needed was an offended intellectual succubus storming away before I could figure out how to handle this situation.

  "Yes," she continued more calmly, adjusting her glasses. "It's purely for scholarly pursuits. The mathematical principles alone could revolutionise our understanding of reality manipulation spells." She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "So... do you think you could convince Isabella to at least talk to me about it? I wouldn't ask if there were any other way to access the Ninth Circle."

  I nearly laughed at the irony. I could probably secure her an invitation myself—being the daughter of the realm's rulers had its perks—but that would expose my carefully guarded identity. The mental image of casually mentioning to my parents that I'd invited a classmate home for research purposes was almost comical.

  Instead, I just chuckled and said, "I'll talk to Isabella. She might be interested in your research too."

  Nyx's entire demeanour transformed. The reserved, scholarly succubus suddenly beamed with such intensity I half-expected her to levitate from sheer joy.

  "You will? That would be..." She seemed to search for an appropriately dignified response before abandoning the attempt. "That would be amazing! Thank you!"

  Before I could react, Nyx leaned across the table and pulled me into what started as a normal hug but quickly took on the distinctive quality of succubus intimacy. Her fingers traced delicate patterns along my spine, her cheek brushing against mine with deliberate slowness as she whispered, "I'm truly grateful, Lily."

  The touch sent a small shiver of pleasure through me—nothing overwhelming, but a reminder of how even casual physical contact between succubi carried undertones that would make most mortals blush. It was a gesture of genuine appreciation expressed in the language of

  She pulled back, composure mostly restored though her eyes still sparkled with excitement. "Just let me know what Isabella says. I can provide a detailed research proposal if she requires one."

  "I'll talk to her soon," I promised, gathering my books as I prepared to leave. The conversation had given me plenty to think about—not least how I might convince Isabella to "arrange" a visit to my own home without revealing that particular detail.