Round 40 Transcript

I study Jeane's expression—calm on the surface but her eyes are sharp, calculating my response. Halie's hand is still on my shoulder, a warm reminder of solid ground in this room full of shifting motives and phallic dolls. "You're curious about magic," I say to Jeane, not asking. "Fine." My voice is flat, businesslike despite the absurdity of negotiating with a naked succubus while Abby moans somewhere behind me. "But you don't get an apprentice tonight. You get a test run."

I step closer—not into her space, but close enough to see the flecks of color in her eyes, to smell the warm scent that's not quite human. "Show me real magic," I tell her. "Something that actually does something beyond making everyone horny and stupid." My gaze flicks briefly toward Halie, then back to Jeane. "No contracts, no binding agreements, just... a demonstration of value."

I'm not backing down—just defining terms more clearly than 'pleasure and sensation' lets on. If she's serious about wanting me around for some actual purpose beyond being another conquest, then she'll put something tangible on the table. And if it turns out to be bullshit or trickery? Well, I've got a dagger in easy reach and enough experience with two-faced liars to know when someone's running game.