v1 CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: In which a new girl emerges into a new life.

Peeking quietly around the door, Susan and Michael stared at the blonde woman curled up on the guest room bed. She was tall and statuesque, one of her long, tanned legs draped across the side, and even while snoring with her mouth open, Michael could see that his assessment from the past night was right: she had the refined, classical features of a model, faintly haughty even in the peace of sleep.

Susan made an astonished face at Michael and slapped him on the arm. “No way! Are you telling me,” she said in a stage whisper, “that this is the hunky guy I saw you with last night, slipping together into the back rooms?! I imagined you were getting your succubus on, but I didn’t think…?”

Michael held up a finger for silence, then beckoned her back to the living room. “It’s complicated… but yes. Her name is Maria and we ah… had sex, then she changed into what she looks like now.”

Susan held a finger up and grabbed a notebook. “Tell me the entire story, if you please.”

“Peter, that was her old name… he was very good to me,” started Michael, flushing. “We talked. He’s a trader on Wall Street… or he was until last night? In the back, we ended up kissing, then taking our clothes off. Fucking like horny teenagers in a basement.”

Michael laughed nervously and shook his head. “It wasn’t bad at all. In fact, it was far too nice. I enjoyed feeling powerful, taking him inside me, the experience of him… worshipping me. It was a little addictive, and I shudder to think about it, but… I can understand the succubus mindset a little more.”

Susan clucked her tongue. “Well, I guess that’s what we were hoping for, sort of. As long as you don’t lose control? But on that note… did you mean to grow a tail, or transform him?”

“Well, no. At first… I think I focused on his desire more than my intention. As we were having sex, my tail sprouted. I think maybe… because Peter wanted to be penetrated by something?”

Susan’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? That’s not too surprising given the crowd SUBMISSION attracts. But uh… did you, um… give it to him?”

Michael nodded hesitantly, and the expression on Susan’s face was both delighted and salacious.

“It was instinctual, and… well, you’ve seen how this thing has a mind of its own.” The tail, as if it realizing it was a subject of discussion, bobbed curiously over Michael’s shoulder. He did his best to ignore it and continued. “When we were having sex—it felt like being eaten alive by an animal; it was so intense—my tail grew longer and more engorged than any erection I’ve ever had. At some point, it was like having a stiff cock, but on the end of a limb. Maybe like a tentacle?”

Michael held up his hand and waggled his fingers at different angles to illustrate. The tail bobbed in sympathetic motion. “But after fucking Peter with my tail and milking his cock with my… my pussy… he came for the second time, more quickly than I thought possible. And I absorbed his energy. I asked him what he wanted, what his deepest desire was. It was as if I had to know, as badly as needing sex or food. You saw for yourself what his answer was.”

“I still can’t believe you turned a stockbroker into a supermodel. Some would say you’ve done humanity a great service?” Susan was smirking, but Michael could sense concern lurking underneath.

“I didn’t mean to,” he said in a quiet voice. I’m responsible for completely altering the course of someone’s life, he thought, and reddened with shame. Isn’t that what Yael did to me?

“There are stories of succubae transforming others besides their hosts,” said Susan. “Even with Yael, remember? She supposedly turned people’s sexual organs into snakes and made their tongues grow. But I’ve never run across a story like this, transforming someone’s whole body without possessing them.” Susan was pacing around the apartment now, pulling books off her shelves, scribbling notes.

Michael felt miserable. “I was in control, but I wasn’t,” he said. “It just felt so right. I knew he wanted something, and I just had to give it to him somehow. First, he expressed a hope, a desire that I still had a cock. When I felt the power enter me… I grew a tail in response. The second time, I knew he wanted something deeper, and it was this change.” He gestured towards the guest bedroom. “It was like some kind of instinctive reaction to him. Like it was the best thing for both of us. Susan… am I a demon now? With these powers… controlling me?”

Susan clucked her tongue. “As long as you remember who you are and care about people, I don’t think I’d call you a demon. If I asked you right now about your spirituality, your devotion to Church teachings, what would you say?”

Michael considered her question, then replied honestly: “I believe in God, the Father. I believe in Jesus Christ, who was his only son. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church as part of God’s plan, the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of the body. I know how to pray; when I feel lost or afraid or confused or lonely—when everything seems hopeless—I ask for strength from my Lord and Savior. And if there’s no answer, no immediate sign of hope? I accept the trial, remind myself that He is always with us, and move on.” Michael sighed and stretched his arms. “That’s where my faith lies today, anyway.”

Susan looked impressed. “You look more like a succubus every day, but your core is rock-solid Catholic. You won’t end up losing your identity, even if half the city wants to suck on your tail and get transformed into hot blondes. Pardon the turn of phrase.” She sat down and shook her head.

“What’s wild is how powerful you are! Succubae can certainly sense human desire, so that makes sense. But you altered another human fully, and yourself as well… it’s like something out of myth, not recorded demonology. Maybe all of this has something to do with the fact that your transformation is still underway?” Michael just shrugged.

“Whatever the case,” he said, “I suppose we ought to get dressed and figure out how to help our house guest.” They were both still wearing nothing but underwear and last night’s sweat. Susan gave him a hug, and the softness of their skin as she slid against him felt… right, somehow. Two roommates, friends with benefits, lounging casually in their underwear after a wild night out? It wasn’t really his life… was it?

Michael sighed and pulled off the wig that was still slightly askew. His tail rubbed at his shoulder in a gesture that Michael could almost interpret as “comforting.” Beneath that black, bobbed hairstyle, his hair was still a mixture of gray and brown, thinning in a slide towards eventual baldness. Would hair be the next thing to change, into Yael’s bouncy curls? Before long, he might look like a woman to anyone passing him on the street, wig or not.

Susan patted him on the shoulder, needing no explanation aloud. “Why don’t you take a shower first?” she said. “I’ll make some coffee and start breakfast.”

***

In the shower, his tail was strangely helpful, parting his plump ass so that he could scrub himself clean all over, even picking up the washcloth and snaking around to lather his backside. Afterwards, Michael dried off and wrapped himself in a towel. The guest bedroom next door was empty, and he heard voices in the kitchen. Maria, the woman he’d just created, was awake.

He slipped into his bedroom and looked for some clothing. What could he possibly wear? Was he going to exist in the world as Father Michael, parish priest on a leave of absence? Or Micki, the seductress and demi-succubus who Maria had encountered? It was early on Saturday morning. Maybe he didn’t have to be either of them right now.

Michael grabbed a pair of sweat shorts—they looked comfortable and simple, stretchy enough to accommodate the ample curve of his hips—and a large t-shirt that fell loosely enough to hide most of his new body. He pulled the wig back on, feeling strangely self-conscious about his receding hairline and how incongruous it was with the rest of his appearance. Then he went out to the kitchen, where Susan and Maria were drinking coffee. Susan was now wearing a long sweater that fell to her upper thighs, but their guest was completely nude.

Maria perked up immediately, looking strangely awake and well put-together for someone who hours before had gotten drunk, had wild sex in a basement, penetrated by a tail, transformed into a woman, and was now sitting stark naked at a stranger’s kitchen table. When the two of them had gotten into a taxi the night before, Maria had only worn an ill-fitting shirt and underwear, with Micki’s coat on top.

“Hey, Micki!!” she said. “Look, it’s me! I’m still me!” She was still Maria, without a doubt: tawny hair and skin of a slightly darker shade, with amber eyes, as if everything about her was golden-brown, various shades of honey. Now that she was awake, her refined features animated with an energy that made her seem younger, warm, and approachable.

Michael smiled despite himself. “I take it you’re still happy with your change?”

Maria nodded. “You have no idea how long I’ve been thinking about this, but just… unable to get myself to go through with anything! It sucked being a guy. Hmm. I’m going to need clothes for this body, huh?”

Susan suppressed a giggle as Maria rattled on. “You’re not my size… by almost a foot? But I can find something for you; I have a box of an ex-girlfriend’s clothes.” Michael raised an eyebrow; Susan rarely mentioned any of her relationships. As Susan wandered back to her bedroom to search, Maria turned to Michael, peering at him with curious excitement.

“It’s so weird to see you in the light of day, don’t you think?” Michael managed a faint smile. “Susan said you’re… a Catholic priest, and she’s your lay assistant? Is that for real? I can’t quite wrap my head around the idea that I made it with a priest and a succubus at the same time.” Maria’s tone was light, full of curiosity. She was clearly the same person he’d got to know the night before, but without a façade, as if her transformation had stripped away a layer of paint to reveal an unknown being.

“Not even I can wrap my head around that, Maria. The truth of the matter… well, I’m not exactly either a priest or a succubus—I’m on leave from the Church as I figure everything out. My own… transformation isn’t happening quite the same way as yours is. You saw some of that last night when this arrived.” He ran a hand along his tail, which was questing with interest towards Maria. She nodded in understanding, then smiled at the tail.

“Nice to see you again too, lover,” she addressed his tail tip. “Can I…?” She reached out to touch it gently, and the tail quivered. Michael could see that her nipples had grown hard, bright pink against the ochre roundness of her areolae. “It’s funny. You don’t seem like either a priest or a succubus to me. Last night, and still this morning, you have a kind of… glow. Like a painting of an angel, or something.” Maria opened her mouth slightly, breathing more heavily, and Michael stepped back.

“I’m sorry—I’m still trying to get all of this under control.” Michael stammered, feeling flushed and hot for the third or fourth time that morning. Maria gave him a winsome smile and raised her eyebrows as Susan reappeared and took in the scene.

“Oh, my!” Susan had a mischievous grin. “As much as I’d like to sample some of that tail myself… perhaps we should deal with some practicalities first? And you might want to, ah, take a break from all your succubating before tomorrow, Michael.”

Michael slapped his forehead. “Dear Lord… I forgot. Tomorrow is Sunday. I said I’d help Father John with services.” He looked down at his casual clothes, then over at his reflection in the kitchen window. “I’m going to need some makeup remover before I say Mass.”

Maria giggled at that, while Susan held up something fuzzy and bright pink. “Sorry, this looks like the one thing I’ve got in your size, although I’m happy to donate some new underwear and a tank top that might almost fit you?” Maria accepted the garment, a jacket, and held it up in front of her chest. It was a velour tracksuit, top and pants, with the word SEXY emblazoned in tiny rhinestones on the chest.

“Oh my God, Susan! I love it.” Maria’s eyes were wide. “I mean, I’ll have to buy some shoes, but this would go great with strappy sandals. Do you mind if I shower?” Susan nodded, looking very amused as the new girl disappeared into the bathroom.

“How is she… adjusting so quickly to all of this?” wondered Michael. “Is it some part of the transformation… something I did to her?”

Susan shook her head. “I suspect it’s just who she is. She told me she’s been cross-dressing in the privacy of her home for a while, and wishing she could quit her job; you may have given her the push she needed. I mean, it’s quite a push, but… it seems like it might be good for her?”

Michael sighed and let himself feel relieved for a moment. “And damn, that girl is a bombshell,” Susan continued. “I’m more worried about her being hit on by sleazy hustlers and fly-by-night modeling agencies than anything else.”

When they were all clean, fed and clothed—the last was a relief to Michael, especially once he’d figured out how to keep his tail tucked away, wrapped around his leg—they discussed Maria’s situation.

“So, this is permanent, right?” she asked, finishing a mouthful of thick white toast. “Or like… if I had to deal with my employer, or my landlord, could you change me back for a day?” She’s talking with her mouth full, Michael thought with disapproval. And somehow, it’s still cute.

Michael shrugged helplessly. “I wouldn’t even know how. I didn’t exactly intend to transform you in the first place, and that time—that moment we had together—the change was driven by a deep inner desire. Do you have a strong feeling that you want to change back?”

Maria shook her head quickly. “Not at all. If you’re not sure about it, I don’t want to risk anything. This is too much of a gift, and I’ll be grateful to you for life! As for the details… I guess I’ll just have to figure it out?” Her slender shoulders rose and fell in a shrug; she’d left the tracksuit top open enough to see the arch of her collarbones.

“Well, you will need some kind of identification,” explained Susan, “otherwise nobody will believe you’re the person formerly known as Peter Johannsen.”

Maria smirked as Susan continued. “I know plenty of people who’ve transitioned between names and genders in this city, but they usually take it… one step at a time? The city established a department to deal with this sort of problem several years ago: the Office of Supernatural Affairs. If you tell them what happened, they can help you with the legalities.”

Maria nodded, tapping the name of the department into her phone. “But what should I tell them about… you guys?”

Michael shook his head. “Maybe you can leave our names out? I mean… as if it was a chance encounter at the party?” Maria nodded, thinking about it.

“It’s not entirely unusual,” Susan noted. “You’re technically considered what’s called a Curse-Bearer—someone changed or affected by magical energies. The state legislature even passed a bill that provides aid for people like you.”

Maria stood up and put her arms around Michael’s shoulders. “I don’t feel cursed at all, just to be clear. But am I? Susan said something about possession… like, am I going to turn into a demon now too?”

Susan shrugged. “Have you been feeling any strange sensations, seeing visions, or other changes in your body since last night? I guess we could check…” She opened a cabinet and started rummaging around.

“Nothing like that, no,” said Maria. “I just feel something like… light and happy? Does that make sense?” She squeezed her shoulders together and squinted her eyes, grinning.

“Gender euphoria,” nodded Susan. “But let’s check your aura.” She dangled a crystal on a pendant over Maria’s head and glanced over at Michael. “You figured out how to sense desire last night, right? You might detect if she has demonic energy flowing in her aura, too.”

“Hmm, and I guess I feel… a little randy?” Maria rattled on as Susan moved around her with the crystal. “Thinking about Micki’s tail makes me feel all squirmy. Hmmm, you’re pretty cute yourself, Susan. Are you guys like… you know? I mean, I know you used to be coworkers, but—”

Susan interrupted her but couldn’t repress a smile. “This crystal isn’t picking up anything strange. What about you, Michael?”

Michael had been concentrating, peering at both girls. When he tried to use that other sense he’d accessed last night, Susan seemed to be bathed in a kind of soft blue light, while Maria had a strong, amber haze around her. Those must be aura colors, he thought. I’ve heard them mentioned in passing… but who knows what they might mean?

“I’m no expert, but… she seems normal? Much more than me, at least.” When he looked down at his own aura, streaks of red, silver, and black mottled it into a swirling pattern, twining around each other, writhing. That too seemed fitting, unfortunately.

Maria stood up. “Thank you so much for breakfast. I’ll stop yammering like a horny teenager and try to… begin a new life, I guess?” Susan took her hand and squeezed it. The tall woman’s eyes were tearing up a little beneath her mane of honey-blonde hair, still damp from her shower.

“If I am still allowed a professional opinion,” Michael said, “I think you’re handling all this better than I could imagine. It’s a tremendous change; you should let Susan or I know if there’s anything we can do to help you. After all, I feel this is my responsibility too?”

Maria shook her head. “I wanted this change, and I told you. You simply… and amazingly… granted my wish. I gotta figure out how and when to quit my job, even if I don’t know what I’m doing next.”

“I can think of a few things,” said Susan in a droll tone. They both looked at her with faint incredulity. “No, not sex! I’m not always thinking about sex. With your body, face, and height, you could easily get work as a model. Just don’t take any sketchy offers, all right?”

Maria looked like the human equivalent of a freshly poured champagne glass, filling with bubbles. “You think so? Then maybe—maybe I should give it a try!” She paced around the room. “I’ve always wanted to travel, you know? I know it’s a lot of work, but anything beats day-trading and hedge funds…”

Susan laughed. “That’s the spirit!” Michael nodded gravely, still a little nervous at having turned a whole human life upside down.

Maria stopped in front of him and threw her slender arms around his neck. She was a few inches taller, and it was a bit like being pounced upon by a lioness. “Don’t look so worried about me, Micki! I keep telling you, I wanted this more than anything.”

“Yes,” agreed Michael. “But I’m not just concerned about you; I have new powers I don’t understand. And I’m very hesitant to expose other people to these powers until I’m not so likely to… to just give in to their desires, or mine. What if the next person I affect has… less healthy impulses for themselves? Or what if I lose control?”

“What does it feel like when you’re in control?” asked Susan.

“That’s just the thing.” explained Michael. “I felt very much in control with you last night, Maria. But it was an intoxicating feeling, to give you what you wanted, to have that power. I’m not sure I should just… go there again without thinking it through.”

Maria stepped back, put a hand on her collarbone, and looked up, thinking. It certainly was the pose of a model, but the woman’s eyes shone with keen insight as well. “You’re sweet to be so concerned about the welfare of others. It cuts the other way too, though—this was like a dream come true. A chance to be free. To become who I’m supposed to be. Why would you hesitate to let that happen again if it’s a choice freely made?”

Michael thought hard, looking at his new friend. Someone else who knew about his situation, who’d been through strangeness with him, and who seemed happy about it.

He sighed. “If only I could be as sure that everyone, anyone, knew what they were getting into.”

Maria laughed, a joyful bubbling sound. “There’s a word for that problem, Micki: life.”