But the vision shows me something else. Something I've been feeling but refusing to acknowledge.
Incubi don't exist as a separate species. They're just juvenile demons. Demons who haven't matured into their full power yet.
And I'm maturing.
The crystal shows me my future self. Tall and powerful, with permanent horns curved back from my forehead. Wings that can actually carry me in flight, massive and strong. A tail that's aweapon and a tool. Eyes that see essence directly, that read truth and lies with perfect clarity.
I see myself standing beside my mates, not as the weakest link but as an equal. As a demon who chose love instead of hunger, connection instead of consumption.
When the vision releases me, I'm gasping. My body is already changing. The horns that have been budding are growing more solid. My tail is stronger, more controlled. My hunger is deeper, more refined, demanding more than just ambient emotions.
I need to feed properly. Need to consume and transform and give back.
I open my eyes to find my five mates staring at their own crystals with expressions of wonder and shock. Their revelations happen simultaneously with mine, each one landing like a stone in still water.
"I know what I am," I say, my voice coming out deeper, more resonant. "I'm not an incubus. I'm a demon. A real demon. And it's not wrong. It's what I'm supposed to be."
Stellan reaches for me immediately, his fire warm and welcoming. "Show us."
So I do.
I stop suppressing, stop holding back, stop trying to be small and harmless and acceptable.
The transformation that's been building for days finally completes. What was partial becomes whole, and what was budding becomes permanent.
My body stretches and grows, becoming something more.
My black horns spiral fully, gleaming beneath the light. My eyes bleed completely purple, pupils vertical slits. Wings unfurl from my back, massive and real and powerful enough for sustained flight.
My tail grows longer and thicker, fully prehensile now. My fingers extend into claws and fangs descend in my mouth. Andmy skin takes on a faint purple sheen as my aura radiates outward in waves of hunger.
I am desire incarnate, hunger given a form. I am a demon, and I am magnificent.
When I open my eyes, I expect fear. But my mates stare at me with awe.
"Holy shit," Stellan breathes. "You're gorgeous."
Harlow examines me with his death-sight. "I can see your true form now. It's been there all along, just compressed."
Rumi's wings manifest in response, his demigod nature recognizing an equal. "Now that's what I'm talking about."
Ambrose smiles, something sharp and approving in his expression. "Welcome to the monster club, Jade."
And Skye walks forward until he's standing directly in front of me, reaching up to touch my horns with careful fingers. "You're beautiful. This is who you were always meant to be."
Their acceptance, love, and pride flow in to me.
The hunger that's been building since my transformation demands attention. Not the gentle feeding I've been doing with Stellan, but something deeper. Something that will cement this new form, make it permanent instead of temporary.
"I need to feed," I say, and my voice has taken on a dual quality. Like two voices speaking at once, one smooth and seductive, the other dark and commanding. "Properly this time. Not just emotions. I need essence."
Stellan steps forward without hesitation. "Take mine."
"Stellan, you don't understand what I'm asking." My wings shift behind me, restless. "This isn't gentle. This is consumption. It might hurt."
"I trust you." Stellan's orange eyes meet mine without fear. "You trusted me when I was learning to be a phoenix. Let me trust you while you're learning to be a demon."
The parallel isn't lost on me. A few days ago, I was teaching Stellan to embrace his fire. Now he's offering to help me embrace my hunger.
