Chapter 196

Everyone was speaking quietly when I walked down the stairs with Morrigan, Torien, and Mimi following behind me. Morrigan hadn't let go of my hand even after reassuring her for a while. The two of them were still acting meek but they had managed to stop crying at least. They haven't spoken much yet and I was still worried about them, but the night was still only getting started.

Lorriene didn't think this place was safe anymore and I kind of agree. With the King dead, all sorts of different things could happen and with the way sentiment toward beastfolk was in this city, it would only be a matter of time before the Tamin church, the guards, or both decided to raze this part of town. Hopefully not literally. Killing a king would obviously introduce quite a power vacuum and considering that Sorsette had told me that only 'ending the King's bloodline' would release the cursed collars, that didn't leave much room for misinterpretation. It implied a lack of any potential heirs or even bastards.

The kingdom had been cut off at the head and there would probably be some kind of fight over succession or reorganization of the government. That would probably run concurrent with some sort of scapegoat being decided on however. Best case scenario they go hunting for demon cultists and find them quickly, worst case scenario they burn down all of the slums looking for them. Either way, it would probably be safer to relocate away from here regardless of what happens.

"If we're hiding out with the elves should I abandon the plan of pretending we weren't involved tonight and showing up at the guard's office tomorrow?" I interrupted their current discussion as I finished coming down the stairs.

Lorriene sighed and looked over at Cecilia who suddenly looked lost in thought. "If you're asking if you would be allowed to come and go from the embassy, that would depend on whoever's in charge there. It would probably still be wise to pretend as if you were nowhere near where the King died."

"Are you sure they would be willing to put all of us up in the embassy?" I asked, waving at the large number of people sitting on the first floor of the inn. Two more people had joined, I recognized them as people who had also been working as staff for the inn.

"If we were only trying to take shelter because of the riots and the unstable situation in the city, then no," Cecilia replied. "But considering they were told to coordinate with me while I kept an eye on you, they will be willing to shelter everyone there until things calm down or we leave. It will just require a little bit of explanation and a few meetings with Tarklin when he eventually returns to the capital. Considering what you told me I could tell him, that shouldn't be any more than you were already planning on doing. Your connection as a target of interest to him and my connection as his cousin should give us plenty of reason to stay, even with the large group."

"Lilith..." I turned to see Torien looking at me. "Were... you involved in killing the King?" she asked quietly.

I frowned. "Yes and no. We unexpectedly had a meeting with the king... and Silva killed him using magic before they could react to it."

Torien's face turned to shock and turned to Silva who was sitting near Lorriene at a table. Then her eyes trailed down Silva's neck and stopped there. The look must have reminded Silva of the difference in weight on her neck because she started rubbing the freshly healed spot.

"Silva ripped off her collar using lightning magic, activated a hidden ritual circle on her leg, and killed the Guard Captain and the King in a matter of moments. She says she's been an assassin for 'The Order of Lilith' this entire time." I told them.

Torien subtly stepped closer to me and partially behind me. The action made me sad even against my better judgement. I didn't know what to make of Silva either frankly but the idea that Torien felt this wary of someone she had been so close to was a little sad to witness.

"The four of us are members of the Order too," Lorriene suddenly said, pointing out the woman who smuggled out the pantharians and the two staff members. "—which is why I'm a little confused and concerned that someone sharing the name of my order walked in with my nieces in tow. Especially with Silva swearing up and down that you're not just a Lilith, you're the Lilith."

"Don't worry," I replied. "I'm just as concerned a group of people are running around using my name. I had heard you were another demon worshipping cult." I knew a little more about it now but it was probably best to air my concerns first.

"Well, I thought we were," Lorriene said with a barking laugh. "Which is why I'm confused why a [Demon Hunter] is calling herself by our namesake." Her eyes looked at the twins for a moment before focusing back on me. "If you're not the real Lilith then I'm afraid that you might know too much about us. I love my nieces but I won't allow that insult to go unchallenged." The mirth from her demeanor was gone. It was clear to everyone in the room that she was saying she would kill me for it. She was a completely different person from the one who was doting on her nieces just last night.

"We can prove it," Silva said. She glanced at Torien and frowned before looking back at me. "Make me a Succubus. Now that this is out in the open let me earn back some trust, that way I'll be unable to work against you. Truthfully I had been waiting for this the moment I found out about you, but I wasn't ready to reveal myself until now."

I shook my head and sighed. "Why now? Why let me follow pointless leads in Goldenhearth? I've been looking into The Order of Lilith since we heard about them from that Tamin priestess."

"What was I supposed to say?" Silva asked. "We had just fought demon cultists that entire night, you had just killed your first sapient and had been rattled by it. The Order doesn't summon demons but it does worship someone all the prophecies say was supposed to be a demon. You didn't even tell us why you wanted to know about them, other than the obvious. I needed to know more about what you wanted first. If you would be hostile, if the order that had pulled me out of the muck and gave me a purpose was going to be shunned by you. And so I followed you, took your measure, protected you, and finally settled on what I would do after you transformed Cecilia and forgave her for spying on us. I trust you. I have believed you were the Lilith since the Ruby Vixen but I wasn't ready yet. But now, everything is out in the open, let me prove who you are to Lorriene and the others by doing something I've wanted to do since I found out about it. Lilith, let me serve you. Let me be the bridge between you and the Order of Lilith." Silva stood up from her chair before moving to the center of the room and kneeling there.

"W-what about me?" Torien's soft voice said from behind me.

Silva looked over at Torien with a sad smile. "I'm sorry, Torien. I'm sorry I had to lie to you too. But this is what I want. I know part of you was holding back for me and I'm sorry. We've talked about it a lot and I know you're still unsure. You still have time to make up your mind but I've already made up mine. I promise all the affection and love I've shown you has been real. It wasn't just a cover if that is something you're fearing right now." Silva turned back to me. "Please, Lilith." She rested her hands on her knees and stared up at me. "I want this, allow me to become a succubus."

I sighed and scratched the base of my horn. Fuck. I still hadn't had time to fully process the sense of betrayal that I felt over this. At the same time... She had never hurt me, she often protected me... But she lied to me. I had panicked when I first found out about the prophecy and she just... let me continue to panic.

However...

If I didn't turn her right now... would I ever be able to trust her again? The oath... kind of enforces that she'll be on my side even despite any of her allegiances. If she had to choose, she would be forced to choose me, or at least stay out of my way. The Order of Lilith now had two people that were very important to my friends, both Silva and Lorriene. If we were at odds with each other the twins would have to choose sides, it would be best if the Order of Lilith were allies. I would have to find out more about them but at least I would still have Silva on my side.

I realized what I would do once those words went through my mind. I still wanted Silva on my side. I still wanted to be able to trust her. She still felt like my friend, even if she had been lying to me. I was still somewhat upset about it, but I could get over it. As for the transformation... she's heard the speech a hundred times by now. If she wants to become a succubus, then I can honor that.

Opening my eyes, I stepped closer to her. "Okay. I'll accept you then. Repeat the oath."

Before I even began to relay it to her she started speaking, "I swear not to knowingly work against you, Lilith, and serve you faithfully. I wish to become a succubus and join your family."

My eyebrows raised at the slightly modified oath, delivered directly to me instead of in third person and with an additional piece that put herself under me. Despite the modifications to the oath, the changes started immediately, kicked off by a moan.

"Gods, why does it feel so good," Silva gasped out.

Her brown hair lightened to be bright white and her snow white rabbit fur darkened into a deep black. Her rough and scarred skin smoothed out and became free of her many scars and blemishes. Her skin lightened slightly but kept its tawny hue, maintaining her sunkissed look. Her light yellow eyes deepened into a rich gold color that shimmered in dim light as the hard angles of her face softened and became a bit more traditionally beautiful. It was also as if ten years had vanished from her face, she now looked like she was in her early twenties rather than approaching her mid-thirties.

"Oh fuck," Silva moaned out. "Mimi, take my clothes please..." Without a word, Mimi stepped a few paces closer and Silva's entire outfit vanished to the newer onlooker's surprise.

The black fur of her legs crept up her body a bit more but settled at the crest of her hip bones. The fur followed the lines of it and dipped between her legs but avoided spreading to her crotch, leaving her with a perfectly smooth vulva between her two furred legs. Those hip bones began to widen slightly and her breasts began to grow to the size of cantaloupes, giving her a curvier but still very muscular look. To cap her transformation off, a new cute and fluffy black tail grew from the base of her spine, twitching and wiggling behind her.

Silva cried out in pleasure as she came a considerable amount onto the floor while everyone watched. Her new pretty black ears drooped a little as she panted in pleasure and caught her breath. The room had gone completely silent as everyone watched the transformation. The onlookers who hadn't seen anyone transform before looked on in awe. Torien's tail was swishing back and forth behind her while she laser focused on the show.

The Rabbit demi-beastfolk woman shakily got to her feet, completely unashamed of her nudity in front of all the other people. It was the first time I'd seen her completely naked outside of a couple accidental encounters. She had always looked rather attractive but now she was absolutely stunning. Before her muscularity detracted a bit from her femininity but now the two worked together to make her look exotic and beautiful.

She smiled at Torien but fingers gripped my shirt for support. Even Morrigan had perked up a little, curious to watch the show. Over on the other side of the room Raya and Sibyl were whispering things to each other and I even caught Cecilia sneakily removing her hands from her panties, unaware that most of the people in the room could see better in the dark than she could.

Silva looked right into my eyes and bowed a little. "Thank you for your gift. Mother."