Once again I found myself back where the ribbons of light exploded around me pitted in dark. The atmosphere had changed. I could sense it. I wasn't sure how but the air was thickened with anger. The ribbons also reflected this not flowing through the air but darting with no real course of where they were going. "Lilith?" I called out with no reply from the void. Turning around, I found myself face to face with her, our noses almost touching and jumped back being startled by her appearance. "Hello Mia." she said. Her tone flat and if I wasn't mistaken, angry. Her flowing black hair cascading down her back onto a flowing black gown. She straightened herself and I bowed only my head being driven by an unknown force that I had began to realize was Lamia. Walking around me in a slow circle Lilith's face went through many subtle changes that I would have missed if it hadn't been for my newfound power. Bringing her hand to her chin she finally broke the silence, "You've eaten a royal Mia. How did you accomplish such a feat?". I began to feel warmer than normal and was sure I was sweating, "I..I am not sure. He attacked my friend and... and I was pulled forward and I did it." I said stuttering through my words. "Please don't kill me Lilith." was all I could produce at a whisper before staring down into the blackness. I felt a hand on my chin and Lilith started to pull my head up like a mother consoling her child. Upon looking at her face, excitement was etched within her eyes and in a soft tone she spoke, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." After a short pause she brushed the side of my face. The void quaked and Lilith retracted her hand quickly looking to the right of us. I could not see anyone there but in the distance I could see a string starting from seemingly nowhere and leading that direction. It was golden, wrapped with black, red specks floated within it, and platinum peeked out between the other colors. I looked back at Lilith and she had a panic covering her. "Mia you must go NOW.". She reached up pushing my chest and I was gone. The void bleeding down around me this time. As I reached my body, I sat up heaving trying to catch my breath. "Have a nice sleep?" I heard from the corner. Looking over, B was sitting quietly reading his phone. Still trying to catch my breath, "I think Lilith is on our side B.". That caught his attention as his head shot up and he was at the bed within seconds. I explained the conversation and what had happened and he seemed to be in a state of shock. "Well that is a turn of events" he huffed out continuing, "Let Lamia come forward please.". I did as he asked and him and Lamia went over strategies, who's string it could have been, what possibly may come next, and then moving out of the cottage. Once I came forward, I asked B, "Why are you helping us B?". He sighed, "Mia, I really thought you were human when you came through my door that night. Once you showed your marks, I knew it was big. I've been around for a long time and I've never encountered that before." "So why are you helping me?" I asked again. He put his head down, "For my own gain in power." I could feel the heat in my body start to rise before he interrupted, "At first." he said putting his finger up to stop me from almost getting up. "At first? What kind of answer is that?" I asked. Increasing impatience present in my voice. "At first Mia. When you showed your marks, I noticed the crescents last. That's something that you never see in the eyes." I folded my arms across my chest and sat back. Motioning with my hand I said, "Go on.". "When you went to sleep, I heard you crying and went to check on you. Your side was glowing and you could see it illuminating through your clothes. That's power Mia. Raw, unhinged, totally feral power. You might be a very powerful being in our world soon and I if I can help you get there to get some if these decrepit bastards out of power, I will. Regardless if your succubus or not.". Questioning our first encounter even more I asked him why he bowed. "Well when you replied Lilith, I assumed she was in the vessel before you corrected me.". I could hear Lamia start laughing and I internally asked her why. "I've never had an incubus bow before me! Who knew it was that easy!". I externally huffed and B asked what was wrong. "Lamia thinks it's hilarious." I stated. He rolled his eyes "Lamia knows every incubi created has to honor Lilith. She's our creator but on the other spectrum of politics, Lilith is the bottom of the totem pole.". "So is that why you were so shocked?". "Yes Mia. It's rare to meet a Lilith succubus. A demon really has to stand out for her to place them in a vessel." Lamia internally stated, "Told ya she was impressed by me.". My eyebrows furloughed together while I pondered my next question. "So the only unexpected thing in all of this was my soul staying put?". B turned toward me and put his hand on my shoulder saying "I don't know why you aren't in paradise or Hell Mia. That's the real question and I am beginning to think that even Lilith doesn't know why. Only Lucifer has the power to kill demons like you did and we don't even really know how he does it.". He pulled his hand back and I thought all over the events of the past two weeks. There had to be an answer somewhere but I kept coming up empty. Seeing my deep in thought, B stood up walking towards the door, "Let me know if you come up with any answers. I'll be downstairs. Gotta get packed up to leave. You should also maybe take a shower. You reek of death." He said motioning up and down at my outfit. Pulling from my thoughts, I looked down. Black droplets of blood riddled my shirt and dirt stuck to my jeans. I groaned internally. I looked rough and smelled even worse. Heading to the bathroom, Lamia decided it would be a great time to explain demon hierarchy and powers. Incubi and sucubi were on the very bottom only above cambions due to being created by a woman. Lamia said that hell had a head prince for certain regions that they tempted humanity with and that those positions have never been replaced since Lucifer began creating them. She also explained that heavenly beings could make demons of their accord if the person truly pissed them off and they felt it was warranted. She explained that most of Lucifer's demons outside of his princes were not even of his creation but the heavenlies. Enthrawed with her explanation of all this, I was only going through the motions of taking a shower. Lamia continued on saying that regardless of what kind of demon they were, if they were female, they were treated lowest of the low regardless the power they held. She continued on while I shut the shower off and brushed my hair, "It gets confusing because so many different religions have the head of their religion but what they don't get is that it all ties together. it's the same people, only with different names and duties.". The last part caught me off guard. I was an atheist and had been for a long time. "So the texts are truth?" I asked interrupting. "In more words or less. The stories got lost in translation but you can compare all of them and get the real story." she replied. Pulling my shirt over my head, I heard a light knock on the door. "Yes?" I asked. "Hey, I've called some friends over and they'll be here later. Don't freak out when you see them." B spoke from the other side of the door. "Ok!" I called and heard his footsteps getting further and further away. Lamia perked up saying "Ohhhhh he's bringing in the big guns.".