CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Livius and I relaxed in the apartment all day. Asmodeus had left to scope around for a new place for us to stay in now that our location is compromised.

Fuck. Asmodeus had really messed up my head yesterday. I can't stop thinking about him, about the kiss. It was so intoxicating and sweet. I could feel a blush creep to my cheeks anytime I thought about it, and a smile would start to form on my face, too. Every time he looked at me, I felt nervous and my heart rate would speed up. I wanted another kiss, maybe even more than that, but I didn't want to admit it both to him and to myself.

I decided that I should distract myself and make conversation with Livius.

"Hey, Livius?" I asked from where I lay on the couch in the living room. Livius looked up from whatever he had been doing in the kitchen.

"Yeah?" He responded.

"Even when we do find a place, how are we going to get there without being followed or me being recognized?" I was worried. Asmodeus and I were found quite easily the last time I went outside.

His gaze became a bit more serious, "I'm going to have to try to teach you something, but I don't know if you're able to do it."

"You doubt my capabilities?" I questioned, raising a brow.

"No, but it is a fairly difficult technique to get the hang of. It took me several years." He stated as he went back to focusing on his current task, which seemed to be cutting vegetables.

"Well, what is it? What's this supposedly difficult technique?" I asked, sitting up on the couch, now more interested in the subject.

Livius sighed, "Can you wait until Asmodeus gets back?"

"Why? Can't you just tell me now?" I pouted.

"No." He stated.

I huffed, "Fine." I leaned back against the couch with my arms folded across my chest.

"You know, you shouldn't do that." Livius remarked, still focused on what he was doing.

I was confused, "Do what?"

"Squish your chest like that. It makes it even more obvious than it already is."

I quickly moved my arms to cover my chest. My face felt hot. "How about not looking?" I retorted, completely flustered.

He shrugged as he grabbed a cucumber from in front of him on the counter and began cutting it up. "Why wouldn't I?"

I felt even more embarrassed and balled myself up in an attempt to cover as much as possible. "Stop!" I whined.

Livius chuckled, "I'm just bugging you. I'm not Asmodeus."

"Whatever." I mumbled, not completely convinced.

After some time, Asmodeus arrived back at the apartment. He explained that he found a small, old cottage in the forest at the outskirts of town that he thought would be ideal. Livius agreed.

"Before we leave, we need to teach Nyx how to perform a transformation. We can't go outside looking like ourselves." Livius said.

"Right. Good idea." Asmodeus nodded.

"Transformation?" I questioned.

"It's the difficult technique I was talking about earlier." Livius stated.

"So you expect me to learn and perfect this technique right now?" I was a bit annoyed. He had all day where he could have taught me, but no! We had to wait for Asmodeus!

Livius shrugged, "More or less. I waited for Asmodeus to be here because he needs to perfect it as well. He can do it, but he can't hold it for long."

Asmodeus looked away in embarrassment. "Yeah..." He chuckled slightly.

"Alright, then let's do it." I said, suddenly gaining confidence.

Livius nodded. The three of us then pushed all of the living room and dining room furniture to the far sides of the room. After, Asmodeus and I stood in front of Livius, waiting for his directions.

"Okay. The first thing you need to do is have an image in your head of who or what you are going to look like." Livius instructed. We both nodded.

It sounds simple, but it's difficult to imagine a new identity for myself. I began to stress that I wouldn't be able to attempt this technique, let alone actually be able to do it.

"If you need to, start with something simple such as changing your hair colour." Livius said to me.

Okay, I can do that. I'll make it all black. That would be a good start.

"Good. Now I need you to only focus on the appearance you have created in your head. Every detail. When you've done that, gather your energy and direct it towards making that idea become reality." Livius explained, then changed his appearance to that of an elderly man as an example, "I make it look easy, but it really isn't."

I inhaled deeply as I closed my eyes, then slowly released the breath. I can do this. Focus on the hair. Make it black. I began to feel a large amount of energy surge through me and wind me. Then it disappeared.

I slowly peaked open my eyes. Both men were looking at me. "Did I do it?" I asked tentatively.

"No, but it was a good attempt. Your energy and aura were definitely very strong, but you lost your focus. Keep going." Livius replied.

I nodded and kept trying. I don't know how many times I tried and failed, but it felt like I was never going to be able to do this technique. The more I did it, the more physically and mentally drained I felt.

Asmodeus seemed to have improved not long after the training began, while I still couldn't even do a simple transformation. I became frustrated and annoyed.

Why can't I do it? Why I am I so weak and incapable? Why can't I just turn my fucking hair black?

"This is fucking stupid!" I shouted in anger, "I can't fucking do it!"

"You'll get it. You just need to keep practicing." Livius assured.

"I have been practicing! For hours! And I can't do shit!"

Livius just sighed, "You will be able to. You just need to try harder."

"Try harder? Fucking try harder? Really?" I snarled. Now I was furious. Fine. He wants me to try harder? Then I will. I decided to change my transformation goal. I was going to make sure to prove myself.

I focused. I felt the power surge, and then it dissipate, but this time felt different. Opening my eyes, the two men looked impressed. I looked down at myself and realized that I had actually done it. I had transformed myself into Livius out of spite; however, I was not able to hold it for long and I soon returned to my normal self.

"Not bad." Livius said with a smirk on his face, "Now keep practicing until you can hold it for longer."

I groaned in exasperation. When will this torture end?