A Charm-ing Gift

Author's note: This is the story I hoped to expand into something capable of meeting the requirements of the romance contest. But, since I couldn't manage that, I am setting it free . . .

After flubbing a powerful incantation, meant to give newly coronated Demon Queens the wisdom of their ancestors, Devilla Satanne awakens to memories of her past life as Jacob Divington, a human from Earth. Having gained a new perspective on life, she quickly comes to a rather horrifying conclusion: she's been a complete and utter brat! No wonder everyone hates her!

And then there's the fact that she's apparently been reincarnated as the villainess of Tower Conquest, a lesbian porn game with a surprisingly intricate plot. One in which the Heroine conquers Dimona Tower, turning Devilla's people against her in the process. In victory, the Heroine brings about a glorious age of peace between demons and humans for the first time in millennia. ...Which actually sounds pretty good for her people, come to think of it. Devilla knows her terrible behavior is beyond forgiveness, but maybe she can still make up for her past mistakes? She just needs to make sure the events of the game unfold correctly. Though there is one little detail she'd like to change - the part where Devilla herself is killed or enslaved!

The series cover was commissioned from https://twitter.com/HaizeUqei

Chapter 24: Fallout

The fallout from the lawsuits and the court’s decisions rippled through the town like a thunderclap, leaving residents in a state of disbelief. Initially, the community seemed paralyzed by the overwhelming revelations, the weight of the truth rendering them unable to process the gravity of what had transpired. As time passed, however, emotions began to stir, and the townspeople found themselves divided, their reactions as diverse as the patchwork of lives they led.

Author's note: I am posting these today because I will be busy for the next two weeks. There will be no posts during that time.

Chapter 22: Media Backlash

The specialized isolation ward in Doyle Medical Complex was unlike any hospital room Ethan had seen before. The walls were covered with subtle geometric patterns that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles. Various monitoring devices surrounded the hospital bed, some familiar and others clearly designed for paranormal patients.

After flubbing a powerful incantation, meant to give newly coronated Demon Queens the wisdom of their ancestors, Devilla Satanne awakens to memories of her past life as Jacob Divington, a human from Earth. Having gained a new perspective on life, she quickly comes to a rather horrifying conclusion: she's been a complete and utter brat! No wonder everyone hates her!

And then there's the fact that she's apparently been reincarnated as the villainess of Tower Conquest, a lesbian porn game with a surprisingly intricate plot. One in which the Heroine conquers Dimona Tower, turning Devilla's people against her in the process. In victory, the Heroine brings about a glorious age of peace between demons and humans for the first time in millennia. ...Which actually sounds pretty good for her people, come to think of it. Devilla knows her terrible behavior is beyond forgiveness, but maybe she can still make up for her past mistakes? She just needs to make sure the events of the game unfold correctly. Though there is one little detail she'd like to change - the part where Devilla herself is killed or enslaved!

The series cover was commissioned from https://twitter.com/HaizeUqei

Chapter 20: Addressing Systemic Failures

“I’ll need to get a new passport when we get to London”.

Lisa and I were walking around Stephen’s Green in Dublin. It was cold and dry, a pleasant enough day for the time of year.

“Why’s that? Can you not get it while you’re here?”

“No, I would need to get the local police to sign the application. In London I have more options. I’ll start working on it tomorrow; I’ll need to get some other documents first.”

After flubbing a powerful incantation, meant to give newly coronated Demon Queens the wisdom of their ancestors, Devilla Satanne awakens to memories of her past life as Jacob Divington, a human from Earth. Having gained a new perspective on life, she quickly comes to a rather horrifying conclusion: she's been a complete and utter brat! No wonder everyone hates her!

And then there's the fact that she's apparently been reincarnated as the villainess of Tower Conquest, a lesbian porn game with a surprisingly intricate plot. One in which the Heroine conquers Dimona Tower, turning Devilla's people against her in the process. In victory, the Heroine brings about a glorious age of peace between demons and humans for the first time in millennia. ...Which actually sounds pretty good for her people, come to think of it. Devilla knows her terrible behavior is beyond forgiveness, but maybe she can still make up for her past mistakes? She just needs to make sure the events of the game unfold correctly. Though there is one little detail she'd like to change - the part where Devilla herself is killed or enslaved!

The series cover was commissioned from https://twitter.com/HaizeUqei

Chapter 19: Whispers in the Halls

Elizabeth’s Quarters:
Elizabeth wakes up and feels herself being held. She could feel something soft being pressed against her back. It took her mind a few seconds to realize who was in bed with her. Her mouth had a weird taste, a taste she had never tasted before.

She was wet between her legs and hoped she wasn’t going back to how she was when she came to the vineyard. She manages to turn around in the arms to face who is holding her. A smile forms on her face as she realizes it is Carol.

Two Days Before Christmas Eve:
Charlotte finishes wrapping the Christmas gifts she bought for her brother’s. Her older brother was spending Christmas with his long-term girlfriend. His girlfriend didn’t get along with their parents and she couldn’t blame her.

As for Jamie, she barely saw her. When she was home, Jamie wasn’t and when Jamie was home, she was asleep, which was fine. Christmas was coming up and Jamie had Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after.

Chapter 18: Another Day, Another Blow
The following day, Yuqi walked into school with trepidation gnawing at her insides. Her parents had promised to handle the situation, but Yuqi wasn’t naive enough to think things would change overnight. As she approached her locker, her pulse quickened. The image of the graffiti inside her locker the day before was fresh in her mind, and she dreaded what she might find today.

Orla inserted her scuffed bronze-colored key into the lock, turned it, and opened the door. With its peeling light blue paint, it fortunately did nothing to betray the apartment's relative opulence.
It hadn't been like this when her and her grandmother, Kahri, first moved in. No, at that time, the place had been the dictionary definition of what the locals might call a "shithole," a term as unfamiliar to them as it was second nature to their new neighbors.