CHAPTER 42: A CALM WEEK

After that day, things between them shifted. Subtly, but enough for Caelen to notice.

Lucy’s sharp edges had dulled — she’d forgiven him, even if her pride wouldn’t let her say it again outright. He hoped he could help her more from here on.

Emma was still Emma, steady, caring, almost unchanged. Evelyn... she had a spark now, where before there’d been nothing but quiet resignation that we did not notice.

Caelen found himself hoping the demon seed would work on her, that it could strip the curse away completely.

The week that followed was... calm. Almost strangely so. No fights, no weird out of nowhere surprises. Just a stretch of normal days that felt almost like a vacation.

With the skill cooldown nearly up, they decided to spend more time with Evelyn. Caelen even decided not to sleep with Emma that week — it didn’t feel right to go straight from that to Evelyn.

But he had 6 points he got from Lucy, who gave him a mouth service.

Evelyn didn’t seem bothered. In fact, she’d been the one to casually mention she wasn’t a virgin, she’d been married once. That stopped everyone in their tracks.

"Where’s your husband now?" Emma had asked. "Did he pass away?"

It wasn’t Evelyn who answered, but Silver."He’s gone," she said simply. "And never coming back."

No one asked her to explain.

Later, Caelen and Emma went back to the place they’d originally rented. Lucy stayed behind, too many eyes would notice she wasn’t exactly human anymore due to the pale skin and eyes.

Rebecca greeted them at the door."Where have you been?" she asked.

"Lucy took us in. We’re staying with her now," Caelen said.

Rebecca’s relief was genuine. She’d always struck him as kind-hearted.

They explained they were there to collect their belongings and Lucy’s clothes and other stuff she left behind. Rebecca agreed, but asked for proof. Caelen did not blame her and just called Lucy, who confirmed it. That was all she needed.

As they were about to leave, Wayne, the other tenant who’d always had an eye on Emma, showed up. He stepped in front of her."Hey, can we talk?"

"I’m in a rush," Emma said, already moving past him. "Bye."

"They’re leaving or something?"Wayne glanced at Rebecca.

"I think so," Rebecca replied.

Wayne’s gaze dropped and admired not just her face, but lower as he saw the hourglass figure, and he muttered, "Damn," as they walked out. Caelen said nothing and ignored him as he left with the transport they came with.

Once they brought everything back, the atmosphere lightened. Lucy and Caelen started playing games, both too competitive to go easy on each other.

Eventually, the others joined in, even Silver, who’d shown no interest until Evelyn coaxed her into it.

They made the week as entertaining as possible for Evelyn. Movies, TV, and even the tragic dramas she liked — though she’d glance away, embarrassed, during the more emotional scenes.

By the end of the week, it was decided she and Caelen would share a bed on the day the cooldown ended. Not for anything too crazy if she does not want to.

Caelen noticed Lucy’s subtle reactions to all of this. The way her gaze lingered when Evelyn got an easier time than she ever had. The quiet stiffness in her shoulders.

So, he pulled the others aside and suggested they split up that day. They’d each go do something, leaving Evelyn to rest. The girls agreed.

He ended up paired with Lucy. Evelyn handed him a gold card before they left."There’s enough on this to buy five houses," she said casually.

Caelen didn’t let himself think too much about that. Today was about making Lucy’s day good, not dwelling on numbers.

Lucy didn’t suspect anything. He’d told her they were going out to buy clothes together, and to help her get more comfortable being outside.

She ended up in a long black leather jacket that covered her arms completely, gloves to hide her hands, and a black mask and sunglasses.

"Looks good," Caelen said honestly.

She blushed faintly. "Let’s just go."

At the mall, she caught the attention immediately. The tight black jeans hugged her figure, and the way her face was completely obscured gave her an air of mystery. But the slight unnatural hue of her skin showing at certain points would make most people keep their distance, which is why they avoid them.

They walked in shaded areas, away from crowds. Lucy didn’t complain."For some reason, I don’t feel cold or hot anymore," she said.

"Lucky," Caelen replied to help her out. "I wish I could walk around in demon form without worrying about that stuff."

Instead of going straight for clothes, Caelen suggested a movie first."There’s an action one showing — supposed to be good."

Lucy smirked. "Fine. I want to see it too."

The theater was dim, the only light coming from the glow of the screen. The seats were deep enough to sink into, muffling the outside world until it was just the two of them.

Lucy had her arms folded at first, pretending to focus on the movie. But every time the screen flickered, her eyes shifted toward him, then back again like nothing happened.

Caelen leaned back, one arm resting over the seat. "Are you good?"

"A little," she said, almost too quiet to hear.

He shifted the cup of ice toward her. "Here."

Her brow raised. "That’s not helping."

"It might." He pushed one toward her. She hesitated, then plucked a cube out, the tips of her fingers brushing his.

They crunched the ice in unison, and for a moment, the movie was just background noise.

"You’re supposed to be watching," Lucy said.

"I am." His gaze didn’t move from her. "It’s more interesting this way."

Her lips twitched, like she wanted to argue but couldn’t find a reason. She turned forward again, though the corners of her mouth stayed curved.

Later, during a slow part of the film, Caelen pulled a small container from the bag at his feet. Strawberries. Fresh. Sweet enough to cut through the chill of the ice.

Lucy glanced over. "You’re eating in a theater?"

He broke one in half, offered it to her. "Try it."

She took it, biting down with deliberate slowness. Her eyes closed just a fraction. "...Okay. That’s good."

"Told you." He ate the other half, the taste lingering between them more than the movie itself.

They didn’t speak much after that—just the occasional comment, a soft laugh, the unspoken ease that comes from being close enough to forget the world exists.

After they left, they grabbed some food from the mall’s stalls afterward, and tried out a few games. Neither of them said it, but the day felt... easy.

They stayed out until evening before deciding it was time to head back.

After they returned, the evening passed in quiet tension. Evelyn was holding it together during dinner, mostly.

She spoke when spoken to, smiled when she had to, but Caelen could see her fingers tapping against her thigh under the table.

Nobody blamed her. Not for this.

Even Lucy, of all people, made an effort."It’s not as bad as it sounds," she’d said, calm for once. Emma nodded, adding, "I remember it being a quick thing. You’ll be fine."

It seemed to help.

Until the two of them were alone.

Caelen’s room was dim, the only light from the wall lamp casting a warm, soft glow. Evelyn stepped in, closing the door behind her. She wore a maroon nightgown, light, short, the fabric brushing high against her thighs.

He didn’t comment on the length.

But his eyes lingered.

"You look good in that," he said, his tone easy.

She gave a small laugh, brushing her black hair behind her ear. "You think so? I’m not exactly a young woman anymore."

"There’s nothing wrong with that," Caelen replied, his voice steady enough to make her glance at him twice.

She exhaled, sat down on the edge of the bed, and smoothed her gown over her knees. Caelen sat beside her, close but not pressing in."Don’t worry," he told her. "This is going to work. Just have faith, okay?"

She nodded, and for a moment her breathing evened out.

Then the room shifted.

A faint red glow spread across the walls, drawing her attention.

Caelen had extended his arm, and a unique type of aura was gathering in his palm. A liquid deep crimson rose from his skin and hung in the air, trembling like it had weight it couldn’t decide to keep.

It spun, condensed, and darkened until it became a smooth black seed.

"So that’s what it looks like outside that... space," Caelen murmured, watching it float.

The energy pulsed against his palm, something he’d never felt before. Must be the intelligence boost. Must be the control.

"Wow," Evelyn whispered, unable to look away. "Why didn’t it do that last time? When I locked you up?"

"Maybe because it was a reward," he said. His eyes shifted to her, his body leaning in just enough for her to feel his presence.

"This is it."

He held out the seed. It wasn’t heavy, but she felt the weight of it all the same. Not in her hands—only in her chest.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes."

No hesitation. She took it, raised it to her lips, and swallowed.

-

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