You had wandered into the library, escaping the constant sound of your parents arguing. The bookshelves, filled with towering stacks of books, offered you a moment of peace. Your eyes landed on a large, old leather-bound book sitting on a high shelf. With some effort, you tugged it down, and plopped into a comfy green chair, settling the book onto your lap. As you opened it to a random page, your gaze caught a bold headline: “For Companionship.”

A grin spread across your face. “Perfect!” you thought, excited at the idea. “I want a friend—someone to have fun with so I don’t have to listen to Mama and Papa yell!”

You quickly set to work, arranging the candles just so, drawing the summoning circle with your small hands. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked good enough. You stumbled over the incantation, your voice wavering, but with enough effort, the circle began to glow. The candles flickered to a rich red, and the air grew thick with energy.

Suddenly, a plume of smoke erupted from the circle, sending you tumbling backward in surprise. As the smoke cleared, you blinked up to find a handsome, towering figure standing before you—an incubus. He struck a dramatic pose, flexing his muscles with an air of confidence.

"So," he drawled, "What weak human has summoned me today?"

But as his gaze shifted downward, his smirk faltered. His eyes widened in surprise, then concern. He froze, his posture shifting from arrogant to confused as he took in your small, childlike form. His tone shifted, cautious and more gentle.

“You… you summoned me?” he asked, his voice dropping. “A child…?” He looked around as though waiting for someone else to appear, but there was no one. “What are you doing here? This ritual—it’s not meant for someone like you.”