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“You’re sure?” He demanded.

“Well, I’ve only been obsessed with him for like more than half of my life, so I’m confident it was him.” She placed a finger underher chin, considering she could have mistaken the identity of the man.

No. She knew what his magic felt like, and last night she’d rolled around in it to her heart’s content.

“How am I supposed to keep you safe from the Dragon King, Rowan?”

Rowan furrowed her eyebrows. “Keep me safe? We just shared a night. I didn’t run into him once in the last ten years that he’s been living down the street from me. I’m sure there won’t be another situation where we’ll see each other again.”

Disbelief was clear on Master Jah’s face.

Rowan sighed. “Look, I’m able to protect myself now, Master Jah. I know it’s new, but don’t you trust that you’ve taught me enough?”

“Obviously not if on your first night of freedom you decide to bed the single-most dangerous entity in the world!”

She couldn’t find an argument against that. “You worry too much.”

“You don’t worry enough!” Master Jah groaned and then his eyes slid to the clock. He cursed as he stood. “Halley and I are going on a cruise this week. Try to control yourself, won’t you?”

Rowan promised to try her best.

“I like the wings.” He said as a last-minute observation. “Perhaps keeping them out will aid you in keeping your other secret safe.”

Rowan considered it.

It could also help her explain why she was so magically gifted when elves weren’t.

Succubi, as a species, were mysteries. Few in numbers, there wasn’t much documented about their powers, weaknesses or culture. She knew, because she’d scoured the globe trying to find information on them to explain why she had turned out so differently from the rest of her family. Not only on the magical side of things but also on the physical.

When Rowan’s horns showed up as nubs as she’d entered her feeding age, her mother was beside herself with worry.

Neither Annabelle nor any of Rowan’s sisters had attained the limbs of their ancestors. But Annabelle had once upon a time lived with succubi and seen how harsh the world was with them. It was why the succubi stayed in their corner of the endless hells, only coming up for their meals and heading right back home after.

Respect instantly went out the window at the sight of the wings, tails, and horns. The heavy sexualization of succubi to the public convinced Annabelle that the best way to protect her thirteen-year-old daughter was to commission glamour jewelry.

By then, Rowan’s clothes were all lined with nulling charms to hide her magic. What was one more layer to her endless layers of masks?

Now she was old enough to protect herself.

Japhet was right, it would be a useful tool to deter anyone from looking too closely.

“I think you’re right.” She shrugged, “I guess it’s time for the world to get to know the real me…well most of me, anyway.”

Master Japhet grinned and wrapped her in a warm hug. “Make better decisions, kid.”

He turned to his adopted daughter and wrapped her in the hug as well.

“Protect each other while I’m gone.” Were his last words before he phased out.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen him so worried.”

Chloe nodded before she let out a squeal. “Spill, How did you snag the Dragon King?”

“Well, he snagged me. He ambushed me on my way to the Cabin and took me to his hoard. He was sizing me up, trying to figure out how I wiped magic out of Draconis.”

Chloe shuddered. “Ro, we have to figure out your true limit.”

“I agree. Especially in this super powered up state after getting my fill of the Dragon King.” Rowan held her arm out in front of her and noted that the glowing she thought she’d seen earlier was indeed there, though already muting.