How to Raise Incubus Twins

In the black market, I fell for twin male incubi but could afford only one. I chose the younger brother, who had the better build.

He hated meresisted in bed, kept running back to the market to complain to his twin.

Brother, I cant stand her. Shes plain, poor, and life with her is misery.

His brother, collared and chained in a steel cage, would soothe him gently:

She is kind. She wont hurt you. Go backdont worry her.

I stood listening silently. When my eyes met his gentle gaze, my heart jumped.

I sold my house and bought the older brother too.

We moved into a basement with one bedroom. The older brother, Caelus, offered to sleep in the closet.

Master, this is fine. I was only bought because of my brother.

I stopped him, pulled out a contract, and handed it to the one who despised me.

Its crowded here, I said. Why dont you leave? Then you wont suffer with me anymore.

He stared, eyes slowly reddening.

You you only want my brother now? Not me?

The incubus I had taken in was disobedient. He had bitten me again.

This morning, as I was getting ready, I saw the bite mark on my neck had turned a deep, angry purple. It hurt to the touch.

I tried to tell myself it was nothing, that it would fade in a few days.

But as I looked at my plain, ordinary face in the bathroom mirror, I couldnt stop the tears from welling up.

Kael, he despised me.

He despised everything about me.

My looks, my voice.

Even the old house I lived in, he found it utterly repulsive.

We had argued last night.

In his rage, the truth had come out.

Seraphina, he had spat, you were the one who spent all your savings to buy me. I didnt choose to come with you. If I had a choice, I would never have chosen you as my master, to be crammed into this shithole!

So in the year youve been with me, I had asked, a desperate hope clinging to my voice, have you felt nothing for me at all?

Nothing, he had answered, his voice firm, his gaze sharp and unwavering, even as he was tied to the headboard. Not a single thing.

The last sliver of hope I had been holding onto shattered.

I splashed my face with water, took a deep breath, and wiped away the tears that threatened to fall. Then I took the foundation from the counter and carefully dabbed it over the mark on my neck.

Kael was still tied up in the bedroom.

I had planned to untie him before I left for work.

When I opened the door, he was curled up on the rug, his head down, long lashes trembling. He was probably pretending to be asleep.

I knelt beside him and began to loosen the knot around his wrists.

Kael.

My voice was soft.

He didnt respond, his eyes still tightly shut.

Im leaving for work. Ill untie you, but can you promise me youll stay here and wait for me to come home?

Heh. If you dont want to untie me, just say so.

Kael finally opened his eyes, his expression impatient.

I managed a weary smile and untied him.

He seemed surprised, his sharp, almond-shaped eyes staring at me in disbelief.

Youre really letting me go? I didnt promise to wait for you.

He used to run away all the time. But with his contract in my possession, he could never get far. It was just a hassle to track him down every time, which was why I had started tying him up.

I nodded, too tired to argue.

I know. Just remember to take the keys.

I had bought Kael at the black market last winter.

There was no special reason.

I just thought he was beautiful. Tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. A perfect body.

At the time, I had also been interested in his brother, Caelus. They were twins, and they looked almost identical.

The only difference was that Kael was perfectly healthy, while Caelus had a slight limp.

But my savings were only enough for one of them.

I had thought, an incubus is a companion for life, so I didnt try to save a few bucks. I bought the most expensive one.

But a year later, my quiet life was anything but happy. In fact, it was filled with more trouble than ever.

Looking back, I regretted it.

Would things have been different if I had chosen Caelus?

But that shady shop had a strict no-returns policy.

I sat at my desk, staring into space for a long time, then I checked my bank account on my phone.

Only a few thousand left.

I sighed. It was pointless to think about it.

Hey, Sera, the boss is taking us out for dinner tonight. You in?

As the workday was ending, my colleague, Lena, came over and tapped me on the shoulder.

I shook my head.

She let out a knowing oh. Right, she said with a grin, I forgot. Youve got that handsome pet at home. Hes probably already made you dinner.

Kael, make me dinner?

Id be lucky if he hadnt torn the place apart.

I forced a smile, about to explain, but Lena was already off on another tangent.

Its so great! Now Im even more motivated to make money. Im going to buy myself a beautiful man to take care of me, too.

I couldn't bring myself to say anything more, just a word of caution.

When you do, make sure you buy from a reputable place that allows returns. Dont ever go to the black market.

Got it!

Usually, I was the first one out the door.

But today, half an hour after closing time, I was still at my desk, tidying up, scrolling through my phone, checking the security camera feed from my apartment.

Of course. Kael was gone again.

Frustrated, I decided not to rush home. I walked down the street, turned into an alley, and after a few more turns, I found myself, almost unconsciously, back at the black market.

This place was a chaotic mix of the desperate and the depraved.

It was filthy and disorganized.

Small-time vendors selling beast-kin were everywhere.

Some, sickly and weak, were crammed into small iron cages by the side of the road, their horns sawed in half. It was a pitiful sight.

Hey, miss! Take a look! A rare male deer-kin! Name your price!

I had only glanced at him for a second, but a burly merchant was already calling out to me. I was broke, and as much as my heart ached for the poor creature, I could do nothing but hurry on.

Following the faint trail of memory, I found the shady shop from last year.

It was still in business.

The owner was dozing in a chair by the entrance and didn't stir as I walked in.

I slowed my steps and tiptoed to the back courtyard.

Just as I stepped inside, I heard a familiar voice.

Brother, has anyone tried to buy you recently?

It was Kael.

So this was where he ran off to. To see his brother.

I stayed hidden behind the door, listening.

A customer came last week. Looked at me twice, but he never paid. Im a cripple. No one wants me.

Brother, if it wasnt for you saving me when we were kids, your leg wouldnt have been injured by the traders. I was the one who was playing around and ran off. Im the one who got you into this mess.

Brother, Im so sorry.

Its okay, Kael. Its not your fault.

Caelus was locked in a large iron cage, a metal collar around his neck. He gripped the bars, and even though it was a struggle to breathe, he still managed a gentle, reassuring smile for his brother.

Ive never blamed you. I just want you to be happy. Youre free now, not a piece of merchandise. Forget about the past.

Kael squatted outside the cage, his arms resting on his knees. He let out a frustrated sigh.

Im not really free. The woman who bought me is so paranoid Ill run away, shes always watching me.

Hearing him mention me, my hand clenched into a fist, my heart pounding in my chest.

Shes so annoying. Id rather be here than with her.

Kaels brow furrowed.

Shes not pretty, and shes poor. The clothes she buys me are cheap rags. Theyre so uncomfortable.

Its only been a year. I cant imagine spending the rest of my life with her. Its going to be miserable

Before he could finish, Caelus cut him off.

It wont be. Its normal for things to be a little tight at the beginning. The woman who bought you, she seems like a kind person. She wont mistreat you in the future.

Kind? Whats kind about her? She ties me up all the time. Look, I still have marks on my wrists.

Kael pulled up his sleeve to show the faint red lines around his wrist.

Ive had enough. You dont know what my life is like. If I could, Id trade places with you. You can deal with that ugly woman.

Shes your master. Its her right to discipline you. And shes not ugly. Dont talk nonsense.

Its the truth. Im not talking nonsense.

His words were like daggers, piercing my ears and lodging in my throat, a painful, bitter lump.

I couldn't listen anymore. I turned to leave.

My foot hit an empty can, and it clattered across the pavement.

Their heads snapped in my direction.

Caelus saw me first. A small smile touched his lips, a gentle, almost submissive gesture.

Kaels face paled. He stood up, looking awkward and flustered.

You what are you doing here?

I tried to keep my voice steady. I came to take you home.

But before he could answer, I turned and fled.

Hey, Seraphina.

Kael caught up to me, grabbing the corner of my shirt.

Whats the rush?

I ignored him, prying his fingers off my shirt and continuing to walk.

But my mind was filled with the image of Caeluss small, placating smile.

He was different from Kael, after all.

He had a small beauty mark under his left eye, and when he smiled, it would dance upwards.

Were you standing there the whole time?

Did you hear what I said to my brother?

And Caeluss leg he wasnt born with it. It was an injury he had gotten while saving his brother.

My heart ached for him.

He was so much more pitiful than Kael.

Hey, Im talking to you! Are you deaf?

The mans voice behind me rose in pitch, shattering my thoughts.

I couldn't help but frown. Yes, I heard. I heard everything.

Kaels breath hitched. A flicker of unease crossed his face, and his voice dropped. I was telling the truth you do tie me up all the time.

Yes, its the truth. Im ugly, Im poor, I abuse you. In your eyes, Im a monster.

For once, I didnt argue. I just agreed with him.

Kael fell silent. Maybe he was angry. He lowered his eyes and didnt speak again.

On the way home, I kept glancing up at the tall, young man beside me.

He had handsome features, sharp and well-defined. Even among the incubi, a race known for their beauty, he was stunning.

But the black hoodie he was wearing was cheap and worn, just like mine, pilling from too many washes.

It was true. If he hadn't been bought by a poor woman like me, his life would have been much better.

If he resented me for it, then so be it.

Back at the old, dilapidated house, I didnt tie Kael up as I usually did, or lecture him about running away. I just took a quick shower and locked myself in my bedroom.

My mind was a mess.

But not because of Kael.

Knock, knock, knock.

In the middle of the night, someone knocked on my door.

Seraphina, are you still awake?

It was Kael, his voice muffled by the door.

What is it?

Open the door, and Ill tell you.

I stayed in bed, my eyes closed.

When I woke up again, a shadow was looming over me.

Kael had found the spare key and let himself in.

He was just standing there, by my bed, watching me.

I dont know how long he had been there.

I sat up, pulling the covers with me, and huddled against the wall.

What do you want?

His throat moved. His lips parted. His tail twitched nervously behind him.

Um

Im sorry.

The words came out in a rush, as if they were burning his tongue.

I yawned and waved a hand. Its fine. I forgive you. Now get out.

He didnt move.

I patted the pillow beside me. You want to sleep here?

For the past year, even though he hated physical contact with me, we had always slept in the same room. We had never slept apart, not even when we fought.

Maybe my sudden coldness had thrown him off.

As I said it, Kael lifted the corner of the covers and took off his pajama top.

Then, a firm pressure on my waist.

He wrapped himself around me, his tail pressing against me in a placating gesture.

Im tired. Just lie still and sleep.

I shifted away from him.

Kael immediately got annoyed. Fine. Its not like I wanted to touch you anyway.

I scooted closer to the edge of the bed, putting more distance between us.

He got even more agitated. And youre so fake.

He tugged at the covers and turned his back to me.

10

On Saturday morning, I went to a real estate agency.

The old house was in a good location. It was run-down, but it was convenient for commuting and close to a school. It was probably worth a lot of money now.

Last year, my plan had been to use all my savings to buy the most beautiful incubus I could find, then sell the old house and get a smaller, nicer apartment.

A comfortable life.

But Kael was so disobedient, so restless, and I was so busy with work, that I had put it off.

Ms. Lin, your house is in a prime school district. We estimate its worth around six hundred thousand. Are you looking to sell quickly?

The agent greeted me with a warm smile.

I shook my head. Im not in a hurry. Im still thinking about it.

Of course. Take your time. Were always here if you need us.

I took the hot tea she offered and sat on a nearby bench.

Just then, a young woman walked in, a handsome beast-kin boy trailing behind her.

She was looking to rent.

The woman had a loud, boisterous voice and was haggling with the agent.

Her beast-kin companion stood quietly by her side, occasionally tugging on her sleeve and whispering.

Sister, the rent here is so expensive. Lets not.

The place we have now is fine, really. Im strong. I can walk a little further after work. Its good exercise.

He was so considerate.

I was filled with a mixture of envy and a familiar, bitter ache.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It was a text from Kael.

[Hey, where are you? Im hungry.]

No greeting, no concern. Just a demand.

[If youre hungry, eat some ramen. Im out taking care of something.]

I had no expectations of him anymore.

[Thats not the kind of hungry I mean Its a physical hunger. You ignored me last night! Did you forget?]

[Im really busy. Cant you just hold on for a bit?]

[Why should I have to hold on? What did you buy me for, then?]

His tone was sharp and accusatory.

I hesitated for a moment, then swiped to turn on do not disturb.