Mesmerized

her of the days when life was easy, when she didn’t have to think about what she was—a  time that she wished she could go back to. 
    “That’s a pretty necklace,” Hannah commented.
    Lily’s hand flew up to the delicate silver necklace around her neck. A large purple amethyst crystal dangled from it. “Thank you.” 
    Her parents had given her the necklace almost four years ago, on her thirteenth birthday—when her world had come crashing down. She remembered the conversation like it was yesterday. 
    Her parents sat her down in the living room and handed her the box. “It’s so pretty,” Lily said with a gasp. 
    “It is beautiful, but it’s much more than that. Now that you’re thirteen, you need to know about your family history,” her mother said.
    Lily looked at them curiously and tried to lighten the mood. “Am I adopted?”
    Her parents didn’t laugh. They looked serious. Her mom spoke again, “I know this will be hard to believe. But, there is no easy way to tell you. Lily, you’re a succubus.” 
    “A what?”
    "A succubus." Her mom took her hand. "I know this sounds scary, but it's really not that bad."
    Lily racked her brain trying to remember what a succubus was. "Mom, you’re freaking me out. Is this some kind of a joke? What the hell is a succubus? Isn't it some kind of demon? I'm not a demon!" 
    "Honey, demons have gotten such a bad rap. Not all demons are bad. Just hear me out. Like most things in mythology, what you read or see on TV is only a sliver of the truth. Succubi are not evil. We do not try to kill men in their sleep."
    Lily jerked her hand back from her mom’s and shook her head vigorously. No way. This is freaking insane. "So what exactly does a succubus do?" 
    "Your desires are amplified. Men will be unable to resist you, and you can drain their life force from them through sex if you are not careful. Even kissing can be dangerous. It's best if you don't have any relationships until you learn to control your powers." 
    “I can’t ever have a boyfriend?”
    “Just for a while.” Her mom nodded her head towards the box. "The necklace will help you. It will help keep you calm and reduce anger. It's also a dream stone, so it will help you sleep.” Her mother had paused and looked over at Lily’s father for support. “You do have the ability to visit others in your dreams, however the stone should dampen it. Don't worry you cannot kill anyone in your dreams, I promise. No idea how that rumor got started." She shrugged.
    Lily shook her head. Her mind was racing. "I don't understand any of this. How does it work? I'm not any more attractive than half the girls in my school. Why would men not be able to resist me?"
    "I'm sure you've learned of pheromones in school? It's sort of like that but a thousand times stronger. Succubi excrete a hormone that instantly attracts males. Our body fluids are poisonous to humans."
    Lily looked at her father, a very handsome man. He had brown hair that had mostly turned grey and bright blue eyes that crinkled when he smiled. 
    "Are you human?"
    "Yes, I'm human." He laughed.
    "Well, why doesn't mom drain the life out of you?" She paused. "If this is all true."
    "Why do you think I take so many business trips? Distance helps. We love each other, so we make it work. There are also some herbal remedies that I take before we..." His face flushed and he looked at Lily’s mom for help.
    "Gross! I get it, Dad." 
    A voice startled Lily out of her memory. She glanced at her roommate. 
    Hannah was staring at her. “Earth to Lily. Is everything okay?”
    “Sorry. I’m fine. I was just thinking about my parents. I still can’t believe they sent me away. They didn’t even fly out here with me.” Lily took off her shoes, so she didn’t have to look at Hannah. 
    “I know that feeling. My parents don’t visit much either. They claim they’re too busy, and yet they always find time for my brothers and sisters.”
    “That sucks.” Lily didn’t know what else to say. She moved her pillows around trying to busy herself. She wasn't used to this much personal interaction it made her uncomfortable. “What do you do for fun around here?”
    “I read a lot and play on my laptop.”
    “Oh.” Lily wasn’t a big reader.
    “There’s an ice skating rink close by.”
    Now that might be interesting , Lily thought. She didn’t know how to ice skate, but she’d like to learn.
    “Dinner starts in a few minutes,” Hannah said. “Do