Chapter 1 Page 2 - A fateful encounter with lamia Mati and two lamias chapter 2 by The Reaper

The next afternoon, the sun filtered through the thick canopy of the oak grove, casting dancing shadows across the forest floor. Mati trekked along the winding path, his boots crunching on dried leaves and twigs. He carried a small notebook with a few scribbled questions about the utility bills, though his excitement had mostly pushed those practical concerns to the back of his mind. As the trees began to thin, the house came into view, nestled in a clearing that felt secluded from the rest of the world. It was quaint, with a weathered porch and ivy climbing up the stone chimney, looking exactly like the kind of place where he could finally build his dream setup in peace.

As he stepped onto the porch, the front door creaked open before he could even knock. Standing there was Emilia. She was breathtaking, though not in any way Mati had ever encountered. While her upper body was that of a stunning woman with long, flowing redhead hair and a warm smile, it was the lower half of her body that made him blink in surprise. A massive, vibrant red serpent's tail coiled elegantly behind her, filling a good portion of the entryway. She looked at him with striking blue eyes that seemed to shimmer with a welcoming light. "You must be Mati," she said, her voice as melodic as it had been over the phone. "I'm so glad you could make it. Please, come in!"