One day, once upon a time, a girl had to make a very difficult decision.

The voice of Quetzalcoatl interrupted the dream. What is this? Why are we seeing this?

When Kalli and I failed to respond, Byakko answered. Stop talking and watch in silence. This is a dream brought on by my bond’s greatness. Think of it as a play.

The girl, which had frozen during the inner monologue, resumed her thoughts once the two guardians settled down. It began with a mistake. She had taken a life. While she had flawless control over blood and was careful never to extract too much, she underestimated the fragility of life.

The man had twitched which was an odd sensation under her fangs. Carmilla had developed a better method of drawing blood. Rather than wearing sharpened jewelry or attempting to smuggle other weapons into town, she had transformed her own body into the tool she required.

From the bite, she had options. She could collect the blood into her vials or, if the blood was worthy, the fledgling vampire could assimilate the blood directly into herself. This method would both revitalize her as well as siphon off any useful skills or traits.

The man had been one of many that she met at the tavern. He wanted something and had approached her directly to make his request. The ask was terribly inappropriate but none of the other patrons paid them any mind. She was a regular for that type of activity after all.

He wasn’t unattractive, not that Carmilla had a type yet. She wasn’t interested in romance. The man wasted no time taking the young woman to a nearby alley. Once again, she didn’t complain. She wasn’t there for that in any case.

A little necking was just what she needed to gain control over her prey. Access to a drop of his blood enabled Carmilla to paralyze the man.

Another twitch. They usually didn’t do that. Carmilla paused to look into the man’s face. Was he always this pale?

She flicked her tongue across the puncture marks, sealing the wound without so much as a blemish. The twitching continued. She gentle lowered him to the ground behind a discarded crate and turned to leave.

A slapping sound made her turn back where she discovered the man convulsing on the floor. Panicking even though her blood magic might have been able to fix him, she did the only thing she could think of. She ran.

She fled all the way home, running faster than a normal human could manage. Without a sound, she snuck back into her house and buried herself under the covers of her bed.

Carmilla didn’t sleep at all that night. She shuddered when she heard the knock on the door, her hearing acute enough to hear a pin drop in the forest outside.

Muffled voices that she didn’t want to understand spoke in the foyer. When the door slammed shut, angry footsteps made their way to her room. Without bothering to knock, her father burst into the room, “What did you do?”

She peeked out from her sanctuary beneath the covers to discover the balding old man glaring at her with her mother partially hidden behind his imposing form.

Carmilla had a difficult decision to make.

Kalliphae jerked beside me, waking me up instantly. She twisted in my arms and suddenly I found myself face to face with the girl. We gazed into each other’s eyes before being interrupted by Quetzalcoatl. That dream was mildly entertaining. Do you think she kills the parents? I know I would devour them.

Byakko chuffed at his rival. I do not think humans eat their own. Perhaps she imprisons them. Seems more likely.

Kalli rolled her eyes and flared at the two voices in our heads. Hush you two. No more commentary on our dreams.

Watching her huff for a few seconds while she made sure that my spirit creatures quieted down, I decided to lean in for a kiss. My advances were met with her palm gently applied to my face, pushing me back. Down boy. Bathing first. One of my favorite things about your world is hot water.

She smiled and pulled herself to her feet, walking in the direction of my room. As I began to follow her, she stopped and raised an eyebrow. What do you think you’re doing?

You said we need a bath.

Kalliphae stared at me for a moment. When she laughed, it wasn’t cruel. It seemed playful in a way. Don’t even think about it. You can go after me.

I grinned at her and made my way back to the couch. Byakko decided that it was safe to come out and appeared in front of me, “Nice try, bond. She hesitated.”

Quetzalcoatl appeared next to him, using the mana he lent me to manifest himself, “I would have bedded her by now.”

Kalli’s anger flared inside of me. Please inform those two that I can hear them.

I obeyed and told the two, “She can hear you both.”

Byakko looked down with his tail between his legs. Quetzalcoatl, on the other hand, flicked his tongue at me and suggested, “Perhaps now is a good time to work on your quest.”

Reaching into my fanny pack, I pulled out the golden book and turned it over in my hand.

Item:

Codex Chimalpopocoa

Components

Cursed Mana, Ink, Parchment

Item Rank:

S

Item Level:

1

Item Owner:

Quetzalcoatl

I knew from experience that I couldn’t delete the book. Perhaps it could be edited. I attempted to change the ingredients by removing the curse from the mana.

ERROR: CURSED ITEMS CANNOT BE EDITED

Quetzalcoatl gave me a knowing smile when he heard me sigh dejectedly as my plan failed, “I would have destroyed it long ago were it possible.”

The problem was if I couldn’t get rid of the codex or find a way to alter it, then I was going to have to find a place to hide it. Turning to the serpent, I asked, “So Quetzy, are there any rules about the kind of place I can hide your shame?”

The snake coiled around my legs, nearly causing me to fall over. His face was right next to mine as he hissed, “Don’t call me that. You will address me by my full godly name. Also, do not refer to the codex as my shame. You are implying that which you couldn’t possibly know. As for where to hide it, I suggest a spot that mortals have no access to.”

The serpent dragon yowled and I looked down to see Byakko biting his tail. Quetzalcoatl uncoiled from my legs and began to square off with Byakko right when Kalli emerged from my bedroom wearing shorts and a t-shirt that said ‘The Academy’.

Both froze, looking up at the girl who seemed to have some kind of leverage over the two guardians. She took a seat and casually crossed her legs before asking, “Okay, which one of you started this?”

They each pointed at the other and shouted, “He did!”

They continued to squabble quietly but I was so impressed that I had to ask Kalli a question.

How are you doing that? These two are very powerful but they seem to listen to everything you say.

Kalli gave me a coy smile and winked. Seiryu explained it to me. The lesser gods are made up of pure mana, summoned and sustained by the belief of their followers. They spend the majority of their time watching over humanity from the realm above. If you were to banish them, they would have to go back to that isolation. They may talk big but they rely on you for their freedom.

Nodding at the lesson Kalli was giving me, I noticed she didn’t answer my question.

How does that give you power over them?

She giggled and motioned for me to sit next to her. Some of your authority over them transfers to me as your girlfriend.

Her comment led me to believe that it was tied to mate chat, considering that was where they all communicated. As I sat next to the girl, I realized that she had said something interesting.

Wait a second. Did you speak to Seiryu?

Kalliphae nodded at me and took my hand in hers. I was intoxicated by the smell of bath soap and Kalli’s personal brand of spicy flames. She had obviously used her magic in her bathing. He doesn’t speak as the others do. Not really. He communicates with thoughts and I just know. Part of that was understanding where he came from in the first place. He may have been born to us this time but he tells me he lived many lives, reborn over and over again when summoned by the people.

He was born to us?

She nodded again, turning her focus to the two guardians who seemed to begrudgingly be getting along. It took both of our mana combined for him to manifest in this world. He already told you, you’re his daddy.

I went to kiss her and she pushed me away again. Nuh-uh. Go take your bath.

After taking the quickest bath of all time where I basically rinsed off and gargled mouthwash, I rushed back to the common room to see two startled guardians staring back at me.

I gaped at them and stammered, “Where did she go?”

Not waiting for them to answer, I blinked and looked at my map. Kalliphae had somehow made her way into The Academy. Byakko chuffed at me, “I am not her guardian. She said nothing and left.”

It didn’t matter who I asked because Kalli was listening. She sounded out of breath when her voice echoed in my ears. Just wait there, Mel. I’m on my way back. Do you remember the other day when I promised you a surprise? You know before…ahem. Well, I got it. I’ll be right there.

I settled back into the couch to wait. Quetzalcoatl and Byakko sat in front of me, staring at me expectantly. The serpent spoke first, “If you were waiting for the ideal time to make your move, that time was last night when she slept in your arms. Do you not wish to mate with your…mate?”

The blood rose to my face as the snake asked personal questions. Somehow, I found myself compelled to answer, “Just sleeping next to her was amazing. It doesn’t always have to be about sex, does it? Wait, do you think she wanted to do that?”

Once again, I had forgotten that Kalli heard everything. Melvin Murphy. Don’t talk about that with a snake. What’s wrong with you? To answer your question, no, I’m not ready for that yet. I’m nervous enough that the Hellquists might make me do it with an old man.

Kalli must have felt my embarrassment because she continued. Look, Mel. I like sleeping with you too. I’ve never been this close to anyone. Ever. I love what we have. Please let that be enough.

I felt her affection through our connection. It matched mine.

It’s more than enough.

Kalli returned a short while later holding a box that smelled delicious. She sat next to me and planted a kiss on my lips that made me see stars. When I managed to focus again, I saw her with a sloppy grin on her face, arranging slices of cake on two plates. This is the most delicious thing ever. I wanted to share it with you.

A smile creased my lips when I saw that the surprise she was so excited about was a strawberry shortcake. We both took a bite and I pretended that it was my first time tasting the treat.

Wow, this is so good.

She beamed at me. I know, right?

Traveling home presented some logistical challenges. It turned out that Quetzalcoatl could fly. To make matters worse, he wanted me to ride on his back.

Kalliphae and I exchanged a nervous glance and I tried to reason with the snake, “I was actually hoping to ride with Kalli.”

The serpent flicked his tongue out of his mouth and said, “Don’t be scared. This is part of the service that I offer to you while you work on my quest. It is disrespectful to turn down an offer from a god.”

Sighing dramatically, I looked at Kalli.

I really wanted to ride with you.

She smiled and clutched my hand. Don’t worry. You can ride with me.

How. Are you going to tell Quetzy that I won’t ride him?

It was Byakko that explained things to me. She intends to ride the snake with you.

She giggled at the guardian. Who’s a smart tiger?

Byakko chuffed happily. I am. Wait just a second mortal. Are you treating me like a common house dog?

The giggles evolved into outright laughter. Perhaps.

A short while later we took to the sky astride a ten-foot-long serpent.Riding the snake was difficult because he didn’t fly the same way birds did.Quetzalcoatl’s tail swirled under us like a corkscrew as he wiggled his way through the sky.

This caused the two of us to bob up and down. I was enjoying the ride because the motion forced Kalliphae to grip me tightly from behind, holding on for all she was worth.

We decided to visit my mom first. Because it was still early, and the woman worked three jobs, she was still at work. We landed behind the grocery store where she worked her first job. I found her easily as she was in a checkout stand at the front of the store.

She cried out for joy when she saw us and spoke to her supervisor who let her take a break. When she got us alone outside, she asked, “Are you two hungry? Can I get you anything?”

Kalli smiled politely, “No. We ate. Thank you though.”

I grinned and hugged my mom, “Yep. We ate strawberry shortcake.”

Mom hugged me back and gave me a stern look, “That isn’t a healthy meal. Are you sure you’re eating right over there?”

We assured her that we were. I spent the next 20 minutes telling my mom all about school life and the different classes I was in. She was excited about all of it. We talked about my mana phone call to her house and how she wanted me to do it again. I promised that I would.

When she was getting ready to return from her break, she pulled me aside and whispered a little loudly, “So, did you ask her out yet?”

Kalliphae heard and answered for me, “Yes. He did. I’m his girlfriend.”

My mom cried out excitedly and rushed over to hug the girl. After they embraced, my mom had a weird look on her face. Just before she turned to head back to work, she asked, “Is it too early to talk about grandbabies?”

“Mom”, I screamed after her as she laughed that she was joking while she walked away.

I turned to a very red Kalli.

Don’t worry. She was just kidding.

Kalliphae shook her head as I offered her my hand to mount Quetzalcoatl. I don’t think she was.

We found Mrs. Hodgins at the guild. It felt like high school when I walked into the library and found her waiting for me behind the counter. Her face lit up when she saw us and she rushed over to ask us how The Academy was.

“It’s a lot of fun”, Kalli announced as she hugged the old librarian.

Mrs. Hodgins hugged me next and whispered, “Check my level. I hit level 6.”

I confirmed that she had indeed been leveling up. Her eyes bulged when she saw my level, but she didn’t ask me about it. When we told her about our adventures, she wanted to meet the guardians. We were forced to go to a special meeting room before we could bring them out.

Byakko, Seiryu, and Quetzalcoatl sat before the old scholar who bowed deeply before them, “I have read stories about all of you. It is my great honor to make your acquaintances.”

Byakko chuffed, “Finally, the respect I deserve. I demand skritches now.”

Mrs. Hodgins, who happened to be a cat lady, happily obliged the tiger cub. She looked down at Seiryu and smiled, “Not much for words, are you little one?”

Seiryu turned and walked over to Kalliphae, “Mother.”

“Indeed”, Mrs. Hodgins said, before turning to the serpent, “And Quetzalcoatl. I am well aware of your exploits.”

The serpent flicked his tongue at her, “As you said, Indeed. My greatness precedes me.”

Kalli and I explained our quest to the old woman. I asked her, “Do you know of a place where we can hide his book that no mortal can access?”

She rubbed her chin, deep in thought, “Well, as a mortal, you can’t go any places where mortals can’t go. Might I suggest the library? We have an excellent restricted section. Only the most influential mages would have access to…”

Quetzalcoatl cut her off, “Nope. Nobody is allowed to read it. The last place I’ll allow you to put it is in a library.”

Mrs. Hodgins didn’t say anything for a long while before standing up, “Melvin. I need to speak with you in private. I might have an answer.”