Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!

Chapter 134 - 134: Junior Sorceress Melisa Blackflame, Part Twenty

{Raven}

Raven stood before the mirror, adjusting her dark cloak one final time. Her grey eyes, sharp and alert, scanned her reflection critically.

Perfect. Not a hair out of place.

Her gaze drifted to Melisa's empty bed, on its own. The sheets were still rumpled and there was a single forgotten book lying open on the pillow.

[One more week,] Raven thought. Her chest tightened unexpectedly. [You do not miss her. You are fine. You can do this.]

One more week before Melisa's training with the court sorceress was complete. One more week before she'd be back and things wouldn't be so damn quiet around here.

Raven's lips twitched in what might have been a smile.

She shook her head, banishing the thoughts. No time for that now.

With one last glance at her reflection, Raven stepped out into the hallway.

Javir was there, leaning against the wall. Her sunlight-colored hair gleamed in the dim light.

"Ready?" Javir asked, straightening up.

Raven nodded. "Let's go."

They made their way through the academy's winding corridors, their footsteps echoing in the silence until they emerged at the gates. The night air was crisp against Raven's skin as they stepped outside.

Syux's streets were eerily quiet. Spirit crystal lampposts cast pools of soft blue light, barely penetrating the thick darkness between them.

A pair of guards passed by, nodding respectfully to Javir. She returned the gesture with a tight smile.

"Beautiful night," Javir commented, her voice low.

"Mhm." Raven grunted in response.

Javir chuckled.

"Still not much for conversation, I see."

They walked in silence for a while. Raven's eyes constantly scanned their surroundings, old habits dying hard.

"So," Javir said, breaking the quiet. "Looking forward to having Melisa back?"

Raven's step faltered for a microsecond. If Javir noticed, she didn't comment. Quickly, Raven regained her composure, though, if it was even evident that she'd lost it.

"It's... been quiet," Raven admitted.

Javir's knowing smile made Raven's skin prickle.

"I'm sure it has. Hah, hard to get that girl to stop talking when she's spotted something she's interested in. But, once she leaves the room, I feel you tend to realize you didn't mind it actually, you know?"

"... Yeah."

They rounded a corner, approaching a dilapidated building. Paint peeled from its walls, windows boarded up haphazardly. Raven looked around.

[As usual, no guards in this part of town. Some have no doubt been paid to mind their own business, some just don't patrol this area as much.]

"This is it?" Javir asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raven nodded.

"According to my intel, yes."

Javir's eyes darted around, ensuring no guards were nearby.

"Let's move."

They slipped inside, the door creaking ominously behind them.

Raven's hand went to the dagger at her hip, muscles coiled and ready for action. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the gloom.

Empty.

No furniture. No signs of life. Just bare walls and dust-covered floors.

"What the hell?" Javir muttered, moving further into the room.

Raven's brow furrowed.

"This doesn't make sense." In an instant, Raven recalled the maps she'd been given, highlighting various Shadow Mage hideouts throughout the city. This place was among them. "I was certain..."

She trailed off, moving to examine the far wall. Her fingers traced the rough surface,

Margaret's brow furrowed. How long had the poor dear been out there?

Concerned mom mode activated.

Margaret whipped up another coffee, adding cream and sugar. Just how Jaylin liked it, though she'd rather eat dirt than admit it. Javir had ratted her out.

Margaret stepped outside, dewy grass tickling her toes.

"Jaylin?" she called, voice soft.

The girl stiffened like she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She turned, eyes narrowing.

"What do you want?" Jaylin snapped. But her gaze betrayed her, dropping to Margaret's cleavage before darting away, cheeks aflame.

Margaret, bless her oblivious heart, held out the mug.

"Thought you could use this. Been out here a while, hm?"

Jaylin's jaw clenched. For a moment, Margaret thought she might hiss and scurry away.

But then, sighing like Margaret had asked her to give up her firstborn, Jaylin took the coffee.

"Thanks," she mumbled, suddenly fascinated by the grass.

Margaret beamed.

"You're welcome, sweetie. Don't work too hard, okay?"

Jaylin grunted, already turning back to her practice.

As Margaret sashayed away, she felt Jaylin's eyes on her.

[Hopefully, she appreciated that. Such a diligent student,] Margaret thought, smiling. [Always so focused!]

She paused at the door, glancing back.

"There's more inside if you want. You're always welcome, Jaylin. Our home is your home... Literally!"

The girl's face turned redder than a tomato's wet dream. But she nodded, a tiny dip of her head.

It was progress. Slow as molasses, but progress nonetheless.

Margaret re-entered the house, warmth hugging her like an old friend. Upstairs, someone stirred. Melistair or Javir, no doubt summoned by coffee's siren call.

As she poured two more mugs, Margaret's mind wandered. To Melistair's strong hands. Javir's clever tongue. The way Jaylin's eyes had lingered, probably admiring her motherly charm.

Obviously.