Suppressing Her Instincts

Molly's gaze fell on the television screen, and the news made her heart sink.

Five Dried Corpse Cases, all identical to Zhao Kai's death. That could not be a coincidence.

Could the Defectors be behind these cases too?

What were they making sacrifices to?

A god?

Or... an evil god?

Moyan's gaze settled on Molly. More precisely, it settled on Molly's neck and wrists.

The skin there was fair, flushed with health, and faintly suffused with vital energy.

It was the aura of someone strong, the nourishment a half-baked Monster Demon like her craved most.

"Gulp..."

Her throat moved involuntarily. Her fingers tightened, squeezing the cushion in her arms out of shape.

She pressed her legs together without thinking, her toes gripping the floor as though she were enduring terrible agony.

Molly changed her shoes and walked into the living room, turning to Moyan.

"What's wrong, little sister? You don't look well."

Moyan ducked her head like a thief whose secret had been exposed. Her long lashes fell, hiding the greed and turmoil in her eyes.

She shook her head and spoke softly.

"It's nothing. The news just scared me a little."

"Don't be afraid."

Molly walked over and stroked her head, her voice gentle.

"I'll always protect you."

Her palm was warm, carrying a reassuring strength.

But Moyan went rigid as though she had been burned.

She could clearly sense the rich, sweet vital energy flowing from Molly's palm. Its scent filled her nose and set every part of her body clamoring for it.

I'm so hungry...

I want to devour my sister...

The thought spread like wildfire. Moyan clenched her teeth, her nails nearly digging into her palms.

She balled her hands into fists and forced herself to look away from Molly.

She was afraid that if she lost control for even a moment, her fangs would show!

Lilith's voice rang out in her mind, laced with mocking amusement.

"See how delicious your sister's vital energy is? It's far better than that of those boys in your class."

"One sip and you'll regain your strength. You won't have to endure this hunger anymore."

Shut up!

Moyan snarled inwardly.

She's my sister. I will never hurt her!

"Oh? Is that so?"

Lilith gave a soft laugh.

"But if you keep this up, you'll starve to death."

"A Monster Demon that doesn't feed on vital energy is like a human who doesn't eat. In the end, all that's left is a corpse."

"If you become the first Monster Demon in history to starve to death, everyone will laugh themselves silly."

Moyan swayed, her face growing even paler.

She knew Lilith was telling the truth. The hunger gnawing at her bones was nearly driving her mad.

But she couldn't. She absolutely could not prey on her sister.

Molly did not notice anything unusual about her sister. She assumed the news had frightened her.

She turned and went into the kitchen.

"I bought some ribs. I'll make you rib soup tonight to build up your strength."

"Mm..."

Moyan sat on the sofa, trembling slightly.

She raised a hand and looked at her fingertips. Wisps of dark purple mist curled faintly around them.

It was a Monster Demon's demonic energy, the very thing she was trying so hard to hide.

What am I supposed to do?

A little later.

Dinner was subdued.

Rib soup, stir-fried greens, and tomatoes with eggs sat on the table, filling the room with their aromas.

Molly ladled a bowl of soup for Moyan and set it in front of her.

"Have plenty. You need the nourishment."

"Thank you, Sis."

Moyan took the bowl. Her fingertips brushed Molly's, and she jerked them back as though she had been shocked.

Head lowered, she sipped the soup in tiny mouthfuls. She dared not look at Molly, afraid the desire in her eyes would give her away.

Molly noticed that something was off with her sister and frowned, puzzled, but did not dwell on it.

She went on eating, her mind turning over what she needed to do next.

The Traitor Organization was growing more active. She had to get stronger as soon as possible and push her proficiency in Basic Swordsmanship higher.

After dinner, Molly returned to her bedroom and continued practicing her swordsmanship.

In the kitchen.

After clearing the table, Moyan stood before the sink and stared at the dishes piled inside without moving.

The water in the sink reflected her face. She was pale, her eyes heavy with exhaustion and inner turmoil.

Lilith's figure slowly appeared behind her.

She wore a dark purple gown and a seductive smile. Her voice was a snake's whisper.

"It hurts, doesn't it?"

"That hunger is nearly driving you mad, isn't it?"

"!!!"

Moyan shuddered. She bit her lip and said nothing.

"Look at you. Is it worth tormenting yourself like this for a human?"

Lilith came to her side and gently stroked her hair, her voice coaxing.

"Even if you took a little of her vital energy, it wouldn't hurt her much. She'd be weak for a while, at most. A few days' rest and she'd be fine."

"I won't."

Moyan's voice trembled, but her resolve was firm.

"She's my sister. I will never do that to her."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Lilith only smiled, trailing a fingertip across Moyan's cheek.

"But don't forget: you're a Monster Demon. Feeding on vital energy is your instinct, the only way you can survive."

"Suppressing your instincts like this is a slow form of suicide."

Moyan closed her eyes and shut out Lilith's coaxing.

She turned on the faucet. Cold water ran over the dishes, cooling some of the heat churning inside her.

She scrubbed the dishes hard, as though she could scrub away her inner struggle and hunger along with the grime.

Once the dishes were clean, Moyan hurried into the bathroom. She turned on the shower, and the cold water made her shiver.

Even so, Molly's image kept rising in her mind, along with the alluring scent of her vital energy.

She covered her face and slid down onto the bathroom floor. Her tears mingled with the water and fell silently.

Why?

Why did I become a Monster Demon?

Why do I want to feed on my sister's vital energy?

She hated what she had become.

After her shower, Moyan returned to her bedroom and lay down, but sleep would not come.

Hunger and the urge to feed surged through her like waves, each one stronger than the last.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Her body grew weaker, and her thoughts began to blur.

Lilith's voice sounded again, gently coaxing her.

"Keep this up and you really will die. Just a tiny sip. Only a tiny sip. Nothing bad will happen..."

Moyan gritted her teeth. Her nails sank deep into her palms, drawing blood.

She told herself over and over that she could not hurt her sister. Never.

Moyan did not sleep at all that night.

Moonlight slipped through a gap in the curtains and fell across her pale face, cold against her skin.