They walked up to the front door and Jared lifted a fist to knock. They waited patiently for the door to open. Ria was the one to answer with a smile. She was wearing a bright white hoodie wrapped around her chest that covered a faded pink bikini top and jean short shorts.
Her smile faded into a scowl when she saw Quinn. “Hi, Jared. Who’s this?”
Quinn offered a small wave. “This is my wife, Quinn Bertreck.”
“Pleased to meet you. You must be Ria. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Quinn added politely.
Ria’s frown didn’t fade. “Uh-huh. Come on in.” She turned and guided them into the living room. “Jessica, Jared’s here! And he brought a girl!”
“Excellent.” Miss Senguine appeared at the top of the stairs and began descending. “I trust that you have extracted a load of her essence?”
She froze the moment she made eye contact with Quinn.
Jared looked between them to see that Quinn’s mouth had dropped open. “Mrs. Scott?” Quinn whispered.
Miss Senguine recovered quickly. “I’m going by my maiden name now, child.” She turned to glare at Jared. “What is the meaning of bringing her here?”
Jared was in shock. “You guys know each other?” he spluttered. “How…?”
“She was my handler in foster care.” Quinn narrowed her eyes.
Ria appeared confused. Miss Senguine flicked her wrist at her. “Ria, dear, please excuse us. We have a lot to talk about. Come,” she added, gesturing for them to come upstairs.
More confused than ever, Jared led Quinn up the stairs behind the red-headed woman. Upon entering the study, she snapped. Immediately, the door and all of the windows slammed shut, giant metal sheets closing them off. A dull chandelier flickered on in the center of the room.
Senguine reclined into her chair and indicated for them to sit. Quinn took the couch and Jared sat down next to her.
Quinn frowned. “Explain yourself, Mrs. Scott. Miss Senguine. Jessica. Whoever you are.”
Miss Senguine didn’t seem fazed in the slightest, having recovered her cool. “All are technically correct. Miss Jessica Senguine, formerly Mrs. Jessica Scott. Like it or not, I never lied to you.”
Quinn gritted her teeth. “I don’t care. You’re a demon, right? What were you doing in an adoption agency?”
Miss Senguine smirked. “You are not dim-witted, my dear. I think you already know.”
Jared interjected. “Know what? Who?”
Quinn fell silent and placed her hands into her lap. “I want to hear it from you.”
Miss Senguine raised an eyebrow. “Very well. You, like Mr. Bertreck, are a demon. Satisfied?”
Jared coughed. “What? What do you mean?”
Quin sighed. “She’s a demon with a lot of wealth. Why would she participate in an adoption agency?” She looked up to glare at Miss Senguine. “Come to think of it, what were your reasons for doing it? Something demonic, obviously. But there are easier ways to get kids to eat. What were you doing?”
She flicked a piece of invisible lint from her flowing red cocktail dress. “That sounds like some information you are very interested in having. Provided Mr. Bertreck here has filled you, which I assume, you should know that I don’t give things away for free.”
“What can we trade you?” Jared asked. “Money?” He wasn’t sure what else he had to offer. “A favor or something? What do you even want?”
Miss Senguine stared at him. “Truly impossible to resist such offers,” she said dismissively. “But I would’ve thought I’ve made it very clear what I want.” She stood and began pacing. “I want my proteges to fulfill their highest potential.”
“You want us to make a deal with one of them,” Quinn stated bitterly. “Is that it?”
“Hardly.” Miss Senguine stopped pacing to look at them. “As a Ferronaught, Mr. Bertreck thrives from feminine essence. It required immense pressure to force him to gain a vassal in the first place.”
Jared scowled. “You want us to have sex again?”
Miss Senguine chuckled. “No. Tempting as that may be, I feel like that won’t be a problem for you.”
“So what then?” Jared’s head was starting to hurt.
Miss Senguine ignored him. “Go on, Quinn. Tell him what I want.”
Quinn sighed. “She wants you to have another girl,” she murmured.
“A WHAT?!”
“A single vassal provides you with unlimited energy, it’s true. But she only produces so much. To become powerful to any real degree, you will need an entire harem. A full squad of numerous women, each infatuated with you.”
Jared felt like throwing up. “No. I won’t do it. I’d rather die.”
Miss Senguine rolled her eyes. “Squeamish, are we? Then die, if you are so inclined. May your precious lover die with you.”
Jared clenched his eyes shut and buried his face in his hands. “No, no…”
Quinn put a hand on his shoulder. “Jared…”
“I’m not going to betray you!” Jared shouted, leaping to his feet. The flame in his chest roared to life. “I’ll kill anyone who suggests otherwise!” His voice echoed in the chamber, a low growl underlying his tone.
Miss Senguine backed up, her face frozen in fear. It was the first time he’d ever seen her so shaken.
Quinn grabbed his arm and tugged slightly. “Jared, please. I’m not asking you to. Just… hear me out.”
He sank back into the couch, letting the flame sizzle. “S-Sorry…” he muttered, though to who he wasn’t sure. Quinn, maybe. Miss Senguine? God?
Quinn leaned in to talk to him quietly. “Look, I don’t really trust her, but I don’t think she’s lying. She believes what she says.”
“We’ll find some other way,” Jared insisted. “I can’t leave you.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m not asking you to. I’m saying…” She bit her lip. “Let’s talk about this later, okay? When we’ve cooled down a bit. She can’t make us do anything we’re not comfortable with.”
Jared nodded, then took a deep breath. “Miss Senguine, you brought us here for a reason. What was it you wanted to talk about?” He was just going to avoid the topic of adultery for now.
Miss Senguine folded her arms in her lap, having regained her composure. “My reasons were twofold. First, I wanted to confirm that you had indeed followed my instructions. Second, as the start of your- Rather, as a vassal, she is your vulnerability. Ferronaughts are nearly immortal, of course, but they can easily be weakened.” She gestured to Quinn. “She can provide you with energy as well as expand the amount of energy you can expend. On the other hand, should she die, this bond would end. Furthermore, should her bond with you be stolen, it would prove crippling for a period of time, increased by the fact that you only have the one.”
Jared clenched his jaw. “So…”
“She needs somewhere safe to stay.” Miss Senguine waved her hand. “You are now on the radar, provided you weren’t before. Many demons would jump at the opportunity to cripple or slay an unrealized dragon. Here,” she gestured around, “She would be safe.”
Quinn tilted her head. “How is here much safer than out there?”
Miss Senguine pursed her lips. “To begin with, we have gold linings and crystal wards. You think they can achieve such value by merely being pretty?” She laughed. “They are expensive because demons desire them. They are good at retaining or preventing magical abilities. Within my sanctum,” she added, “We are nearly impervious from outside attacks. The only ones you must fear are those who have been granted permission to enter.”