"It's a simple question, sis." Damon fixed his gaze on both of them. "Would you?"
"Of course not," they chorused in unison.
"Sure, but I doubt a human would have a choice." Damon pulled out a dining chair and sat.
A heavy silence settled over the table. More than anyone present, Damon understood the brutal lengths humans endured just to survive in this unfair world.
Suzan moved to set the table for breakfast; eggs and crisp bacon.
"That reminds me." Damon bit into a slice of bacon, chewing slowly. "I'd prefer my return stays quiet. If anyone asks, I'm Dad's nephew, Jake. I'm visiting from Sidra."
They turned to him with identical confused expressions.
"Why? Are you in some sort of trouble?" Malory asked, her voice laced with concern and a hint of suspicion.
"I wasn't the best kid before I left. Now I'm back, I was hoping for a fresh start," Damon explained between bites.
It was obvious something about him felt off, but none of the ladies pressed. Suzan knew her cooking was exceptional, yet the way he'd devoured her spaghetti the night before, and now this breakfast, bordered on feral.
'Don't they feed the slaves?' She thought and instantly felt wave of guilt crashing over her.
The girls chose to believe his time away had changed him. They were willing to grant him space to adjust. They couldn't imagine what he had been through.
Damon didn't tell anyone what he had been through for the past 8 years.
"If that's what you want, my lips are sealed, cuz." Valery mimed zipping her mouth shut with her fingers.
"Your secret is safe with me, Jake." Malory smiled and gently squeezed his wrist across the table. Her long tail wagged a little during the contact.
"Great. But only outside the house. When it's just us, I'm Damon."
Breakfast passed without anything significant happening. The twins soon finished and headed out, leaving Damon and Suzan alone.
He retreated to the living room and flicked through television channels, using the distraction to mull over a snag in his plans. Stepping back like this helped him think.
Once she'd finished the laundry, Suzan joined him, kneeling beside the couch.
"I'm really sorry for letting them take you, Damon. If there's anything I can do to make you happy, just say the word." Suzan sounded genuinely sorry.
Not that Damon cared.
"Not now, slut. I have shit to do." His eyes stayed glued to the screen. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"
Suzan didn't know what else to say, so she just stood up and left. Her tail fell still.
Shortly after, Damon shut off the TV and stepped outside. The instant sunlight struck his skin, a searing jolt ripped through him. A holographic screen materialized in his vision.
{WARNING: As a creature of the night, direct exposure to sunlight will cause you severe pain}
{You can escape the pain by temporarily transferring it to any of your sex partners. The selected target must willingly recite the transfer spell under the sun three times.}
{Transfer Spell: Hyrok elufax warq neil zugmetalis}
{Once selected, the target is cursed for life to feel severe pain whenever Host is exposed to sunlight. The spell also prevents the target from shouting, screaming, or any aggressive vocal expression of pain without Host's consent}
Damon needed to move freely outdoors. Fortunately, he had the perfect partner for the transfer. He turned back inside and found Suzan vacuuming his room.
"You said you'd do anything to make me happy, right?" A devious smile curved his lips.
"Of course, darling." Relief brightened her face at the chance to atone for her wrongdoings to Damon.
"I have a condition that keeps me from going outside. When I do, my feet hurt. I know a spell to fix it, but I can't wield magic myself." His tone dripped with feigned sadness.
Suzan nodded, understanding all too well. Humans generally couldn't wield mana. That was precisely why they suffered at the bottom of the racial hierarchy.
"I don't mind casting it," she replied without hesitation.
"Good. We'll do it outside. You'll need to be under direct sunlight." He led her out like a lamb to slaughter.
Any seasoned practitioner knew magic always had a price, but ignorant Suzan, desperate to please Damon, never paused to consider the danger of what she was about to do.
"Repeat after me." Damon glanced at the glowing blue screen. "Hyrok elufax warq neil zugmetalis."
"Hyrok elufax warq neil zugmetalis," Suzan said in a low voice.
She stood by the fence, bathed in harsh sunlight. Damon remained beside her, but under the shelter of an umbrella. She recited the incantation three times.
"That's all. You can head back inside." He lowered the umbrella.
Damon watched her reaction, barely suppressing a laugh as agony began to twist her actions.
Suzan gasped sharply as her body stiffened. Her hands flew to her temples, knuckles whitening as she doubled over in silent torment. Her mouth opened in a soundless scream, eyes squeezing shut while silent tears streamed down her cheeks.
Every muscle trembled with suppressed agony, but no cry escaped, only ragged, desperate breaths.
"Hurts, doesn't it?" Damon teased, pressing the umbrella into her shaking hands. "Better get used to it. It's never going to end."
Those were his parting words as he left her there.
As he strolled through the familiar neighborhood, he noted most of the old neighbors remained. But only two truly interested him.
He stopped at the first porch and rang the doorbell. Moments later, the door opened. Mrs. Lora Adams stood before him.
She was an obvious MILF with sun-kissed skin, full breasts straining against a low-cut silk blouse, a narrow waist flaring into generous hips, and long toned legs showcased by a short designer skirt that hugged her curves.
I took my time to describe her so you can be sure that she is somewhat important.
She was more beautiful than Damon remembered. Her long-edged ears and white-dominant hair gave her away as an Elf.
"Human, If you're here for the trash, it's out back," she said, snapping him from his thoughts.
Her expression made it clear she didn't recognize him. Perfect.
"I'm not here for that. I—"
"Oh, did Bertha send you for the massage? I waited yesterday, but you never showed." Annoyance edged her voice.
Damon connected the dots and played along smoothly.
"Yes. She sends her apologies. Is now a good time, or should I come back later?" He half-turned. "I think I forgot my massage kit."
"Later? Heck no. My back is killing me. Come on in." Lora swung the door wider. "You'll have to use my kit."
"Alright." Damon followed her inside.
The house oozed of luxury: gleaming marble floors, soaring ceilings with crystal chandeliers and plush imported rugs. Expensive art adorned the walls.
One thought materialized in Damon's mind.
"Are you alone?"