Page 6 of Hazel’s Choice (A Monstrous World: Next Gen)

Chapter Five

Annex

H azel is an enigma.

A mystery wrapped up in a beautiful package with more secrets than I can count. Perhaps I’m a simple demon, but knowing there are a multitude of skeletons hiding in her closet only makes me more intrigued.

I’d like to spend some time unraveling each and every mystery from her soft little body.

Fine.

She’s technically not short for a witch at five-eight or five-nine, but even when I’m glamoured to look human, I still loom over her.

In full demon form, I’m nearly seven feet tall, while this shell is closer to six-five.

That means I tower over most humans, witches, and warlocks, so I have no idea why I find it so adorable that she barely comes up to my shoulder.

It probably ties back to the fact that Hazel is the most dangerous being in Black Cove.

I can sense it. Maybe I find the entire situation cute because, looking at her outer package, you’d never suspect how deadly she is.

I’ve never been afraid of a powerful woman. I might be a High Lord of Hell, but there’s no doubt in my mind, Hazel could put my power level to shame, and I find that charming.

The first time I sensed her, I assumed she must be ancient. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that she’s not even a quarter century old. The universe sure does love to play games. Giving something so young such immeasurable power is either utterly brilliant or a goddamn recipe for disaster.

And I can’t wait to find out which.

Either way, I’m sure it’ll be an exciting ride.

I moved my belongings into the house today while Hazel was tied up at Spellbound. Not that I brought much with me to Black Cove. Mostly just the necessities, but that’s because I have my own perfectly nice home in Starlight Springs.

Black Cove may be slightly smaller than Starlight Springs due to the limitations of the sanctuary ward, but it’s still spacious for a sanctuary town. When you’re in the downtown area, it’s easy enough to walk where you need to go, but it’s a bit of a hike to the neighborhood we’re now staying in.

“Do you not own a car?” I ask, studying Hazel as she keeps pace at my side.

Her long dark hair falls around her shoulders as her head shakes. “I don’t even know how to drive.”

My head tilts. “You must get quite the workout in walking to and from Spellbound twice a day.”

“Um, yeah. I mean, it’s not too bad.”

I chuckle, wondering if she’s this awkward with everyone. Either way, I find it far too captivating.

“Well, allow me to save your feet, at least for this evening,” I say, instructing my wings to explode from their confines.

The strange shiver that always slides down my spine as they settle in place travels through my system.

I’m old enough to remember when the fae were stingy with their magic and refused to use it to help my kind. Luckily, times have changed, and I have a lovely fae tailor who does spell work on all my clothing. It allows my tail and wings to remain accessible without damaging the fabric.

My tail follows next, and my clothing becomes uncomfortably constrictive as I transform fully. I wonder if she likes the additional set of horns? I have two, but I can choose to show one or both while partially shifted. Although they can’t be hidden when I’m in full monster form.

The second set gives away my age and station in Hell, but I don’t think she’s the type of woman to be swayed by social status.

Hazel’s head whips to the side, and her mouth falls. “Wow, your wings are massive when you stretch them.”

Hmm.

Maybe she is easy to impress. Or perhaps her system aches for me in the same way I do for her? That would be a delightful surprise.

“Seriously, I’ve never seen bone-tipped claws as long as yours are,” she whispers, sounding awed as she studies them.

She means the nodules lining the tops of my wings. The bones at the creases start as tiny nubs, but grow into full sharp talons as the centuries pass. While they look interesting, they’re basically just for aesthetics. There’s no actual way to use them to my advantage in battle.

My cock has an unhealthy obsession with the “O” shape her lips make as she examines my full monster form.

Gods.

This little vixen is going to get me in trouble.

I can feel it.

I clear my throat. “Have you flown before?”

“No.”

“Allow me to give you your first flight?” I ask, extending a hand and bowing low. “I promise not to drop you.”

“It’s really not that far of a walk, but okay.” Her cold hand comes to rest in mine, and I grin, fluttering my lashes as I tilt my head up until I can see her beautiful face.

I expected her to put up much more of a fight, but I enjoy being surprised. In fact, there’s very little in life that I love more than it.

Life gets monotonous when you always know what to expect.

Standing to my full height, I tug her to my chest. My tail pops out, slithering over the top of my jeans and around her lower back.

“Step on my boots,” I say, extending my wings.

Hazel complies, making her tits press against my stomach. I would call it my chest, but she’s quite short in comparison to me, which is only made more noticeable by the fact I’m fully transformed.

“You’ll want to bend your knees a bit.” I plant a hand on her arse and wait for her to heed my instruction. As soon as she acts, I do the same, flapping my wings and pushing off.

Using the roofs of nearby buildings as reference helps me keep from going too high. I’d like her to enjoy this experience so she’d like to try again sometime.

Her hands dig into my lower back, and I grin. I quite enjoy feeling her clutch onto me.

The cool night air slaps my face as I fly toward the house.

She tilts her head, examining everything as we glide through the air. “Wow, Black Cove looks different from up here.”

I chuckle. “I’ll bet it does.”

Now I just need to get her to trust me enough that she’s willing to open up and share whatever secrets she’s keeping.

Our flight comes to an end all too soon, and I follow her inside the front door while trying to find some way to extend our time together.

“Would you like to see my room?” I offer and cringe.

Gods.

I’m smoother than this.

That probably sounded sexual, which is universally a curse of my kind.

Everything we do is sexualized. The nature of our magic and how we draw in others doesn’t help with that stereotype.

Normally, I’m not afraid to lean into the perks of being an incubus, but Hazel seems innocent.

I don’t want to scare her off or come on too strongly.

“You already moved in? I was going to give you a tour,” she says, smiling over her shoulder as she makes her way up the stairs. “But yeah, I’d love to see which one you picked. Then I need to tackle dinner and take a shower.”

I frown, following her up the stairs. “We could have grabbed dinner instead of coffee.”

She’s going to have slim pickings.

The cabinets and fridge are bare.

Does she not have enough money left over after paying rent to purchase groceries? Hmm, maybe I’ll stop by the store on my way home from work tomorrow morning. No one should have to choose between affording a place to live and eating.

Witches eat the same foods humans do.

I’m sure I can select a few options that she’ll like. Then, I’ll keep an eye on the refrigerator and pantry to see which items go missing. That will tell me what she likes so I can hone in on her preferences.

“That’s okay.” Hazel reaches the top of the landing and steps aside to allow me to go first down the hallway. “I’m a picky eater, and you don’t eat at all. I’m sure the waitress would have hated to see us coming.”

She laughs awkwardly, and my head tilts.

Oh yeah, that topic made her uncomfortable, but that’s okay. I’ll make sure the cabinets are so stuffed with food that she never has to go hungry again.

I’ve been there.

Starving is no fucking fun.