Chapter thirty seven

"Dark magic," Solomon mused. "No one is going to help you, Talia. Sybil rules the minds of the dark witches and you are already on everyone's blacklist. I know you really want this but don't you think we should wait for the right time?"

Talia sighed, realizing there was one truth she hadn't told Solomon yet. "I don't need Sybil. I..."

Solomon's brows lifted. "Your divine abilities have crowned?"

"No," Talia retorted. " I am never using divine magic but neither do I need Sybil's magic or her spellbook. I have dark magic."

"What?" Solomon glared at Talia, confusion clearly inscribed in his demeanor. Talia took it as a cue to break it all to him hoping, in the end, he still helped her. It was still hard for her to handle but she wasn't going to reject it. It would make sense if Solomon freaked out. Talia knew her life was being practically fucked up as the moments passed by.

"It's a long story," She revealed, dragging him back into the dorms as she spoke. "But I'm not a green fae. I am a Succubus."

Talia felt a little giddy at his reaction. He stopped midway, pulling his hands from Talia's touch. His face slowly shifted from initial confusion to a dangerous mix between worry and puzzlement.

"And you know this because?"

"My mom sent me the family spellbook," Talia replied.

She noticed Solomon's face once again twist into concern. Maybe it was a little too much for him to handle. She understood his worry. It was all too quick and the fact that she was taking every latest development so well made it even more disturbing. But what could she do? It was what this place was doing to her. Not waiting for doubt to take over Solomon just yet, Talia put her hands into his and stared into his eyes with nothing but hope. She didn't want to this alone. Now than never, she needed a friend by her side.

"Solomon, Please don't overthink this."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Talia's heart hinged seeing a furrow of doubt clear as day in his expression. She was losing faith. Imagine the joy in her heart when he finally gave a consenting smile.

"Okay."

Relief surged through Talia and they continued to the room in silence. Talia picked the leather-bound book once she came in madly scrolling for the spell she needed. Solomon walked around the room, examining the decor and in a spare moment, taking a look at the book in Talia's hands. He wished to be patient but the very thought of it was eating him up. He thought Talia had to know. Family spell books just don't descend randomly. That wasn't how it worked.

"Talia," He called out, prompting the girl to look up.

"Yeah?"

"The spellbook... You said it came to you. Don't you find it strange?"

"Why would you think that?" Talia queried. "My mom probably sent it here to assure me she was alright."

"Maybe, But you were able to read the contents within."

"So?"

Solomon opened his mouth to speak then closed it. He weighed the cost of telling her what ran through his mind. It would be unwise if he allowed her to believe her mother was... He was still trying to grasp how Talia would be able to read a family grimoire without a blood sacrifice.

"I was just curious." He finally answered.

"Ok," Talia said with a drag, doubting his answer but not questioning it the least. Her eyes continued searching the pages before she struck gold.

"I found it." She said with a laugh. Talia read through. Strangely, the spell wasn't complicated. No complex ingredients, just one step, and a rhyme.

"What do we need?" Solomon asked.

"A...rhyme, while I feel aroused."

"Say what!"

"Don't worry, You aren't doing anything of the sort. I have my imaginations for a reason. I do need you here to wake me up if things go awry."

"There is a risk?" Solomon's eyes popped.

"Yes but it can easily be rectified with this," Talia said, reaching into her hair and retrieving a hairpin. She handed it over to Solomon. "Prick me with this if I'm taking too long."

She almost noticed his disapproval of the plan but before he could bring one of his pep talks up once again or ask any questions, Talia dropped to the bed and clamped her mind shut.

"Arousal." She told herself. What exactly could make her feel well aroused? Perhaps the cluster of men she had had a crush on growing up? She imagined his fingers touching her. Slowly and painfully driving their way upwards and sending sweet torture with every touch. A surge of cold air left her and Talia felt her skin erupt at the thought of the fictional touch. She imagined his shirt fall off and his naked body sinking into hers. Her nerves electrified. His fingers trailed her neck, chin, and slowly caressed her lips. Talia felt the world close in on her. Her breath went ragged when he bit on her earlobe and whispered into her ear, "You are perfect."

The voice... Talia opened her eyes and bright golden orbs flashed back at her. It was Denys. The shock was meant to set in. Some sort of surprise but the sight did not gaze Talia. In fact, it implored her. That swirling emotion once again but this time something was different, It wasn't against her will. Talia's hands settled against his pectorals and then slid upwards, coming to grasp his shoulders, fingers kneading and nails pressing in as he brought his lips to sear hers. Their tongues tangled and he drove his into her mouth, slowly but surely making her yield. Talia shut her eyes as arousal deepened and she began to chant.

"Counting sheep, on all twos. Open the heavenly gates. Into soul fire, an empty soul shall walk and both shall ignite. One. Two. Three."

His touch stopped. His teasing kisses vanished and at the right moment, Talia felt a strange sensation in her fingers. It was like fire spreading up her hands. She screeched, opening her eyes for the second time.

She found herself on a spiral of staircases going all the way down. Unsure of what to do, Talia tried calling out to a name. This was a new experience and this wasn't what she had been expecting.

"Mom!" She called out.

"Solomon! Can you hear me?"

Nothing. Nothing but silence and the charade of never-ending stairs. Ok, Talia was done. Perhaps this was a mistake. The spell did not work as it had said. This was not the Greenlands. This wasn't even the second realm. At least, Not a place she knew of. Talia hoped she could maybe reach out to Solomon so he could prick her and get her out of this nothingness.

"Solomon, Could you prick me?" She screamed turning around the great white nothingness. She took a brief look down at the stairs strangely noticing a door just ten steps away. Strange. It was not there a moment ago. Without much of a thought, Talia walked up to the door. It didn't look like it would lead anywhere. It was just a door standing at her descent down.

"Talia?" A small voice muttered, the doorknob seemingly rattled as the voice continued whispering her name as if soliciting for help.

"Who is there?" She asked, taking a step back.

"You do not recognize your mother's voice?"

Like magic...It was magic. The voice attuned to Talia's reasoning. It did sound like her mother. Did it work?

"Open the door, Talia." The voice pleaded, once again, the door rattled violently.

This time, She heard the voice clearly. It was her mother. Taking a deep breath, Talia slowly opened the door beyond and glanced within.