Page 11 of Demon Lord's Proposal

Istand at my usual spot, overlooking the chaotic symphony that is my life’s work. The bar thrums with energy, a pulsing heartbeat of the underworld. My eyes scan the room, taking in every detail, every interaction. Nothing escapes my notice.

My gaze settles on Sage, she's fumbling with an unfamiliar bottle, her brow furrowed in concentration. As she attempts to pour, the liquid sloshes over the rim of the glass. I suppress a smirk as she mutters a curse under her breath. There's something about her...

My black heart is drawn to her for reasons beyond me.

"Damn it," she hisses, quickly grabbing a rag to mop up the spill.

I nod to myself, approving of her quick recovery. In this bar, adaptability is key. The patrons of Slim's Last Chance are a volatile mix of demons, lost souls, and otherworldly entities. One misstep could lead to chaos – or worse.

A gruff voice cuts through the din. "Hey, newbie! Where's my Hellfire Highball?"

I watch as Sage takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before turning to face the impatient demon. "Coming right up, sir," she says, her voice steady despite the slight tremor in her hands.

As she reaches for the bottles, I notice her hesitation. Without a word, I slide the correct ingredients her way. Our eyes meet for a brief moment, and I give her a curt nod. She blinks in surprise but quickly recovers, grabbing the bottles and setting to work.

I continue my rounds, keeping one eye on Sage as I move through the crowd. A group of shadow wraiths are getting rowdy in the corner, their ethereal forms flickering dangerously.

"Gentlemen," I growl, approaching their table. "Is there a problem?"

The wraiths shrink back, their forms solidifying slightly. "No, Lord Deus," one of them whispers. "Just enjoying our drinks."

"See that it stays that way," I warn, my eyes flashing crimson. They nod hastily, and I move on, satisfied.

As I pass the bar again, I overhear a patron exclaiming over one of Sage's concoctions. "By the nine hells, what is this? It's... it's incredible!"

I pause, my interest piqued. Sage is beaming, a flush of pride coloring her cheeks. "It's a new blend I'm experimenting with," she explains. "I call it the Ethereal Elixir."

I move closer, observing as she creates another of these drinks. Her movements are becoming more fluid, more confident. She's grasping the basics of magical mixology far quicker than I anticipated. It must be her alchemical background... It's... impressive.

"Let me see that," I grunt, holding out my hand for the finished drink.

Sage hesitates for a moment before handing it over. I examine the swirling, iridescent liquid closely. The aroma is intoxicating, a perfect blend of otherworldly scents. I take a small sip, letting the flavors dance across my tongue.

"Hmm," I mutter, fighting to keep my expression neutral. "Not bad. What's in it?"

Sage's eyes light up. "Well, I started with a base of distilled moonwater, then added a touch of powdered phoenix feather for heat. The shimmer comes from crushed starlight, and I finished it with a splash of siren's tears for depth."

I raise an eyebrow, genuinely impressed by her innovative combination. "Interesting choice, using siren's tears. Most wouldn't think to balance the heat of a phoenix feather that way."

She nods eagerly. "I noticed that the phoenix feather tends to overpower subtler flavors, but the siren's tears have just enough bitterness to cut through it without clashing."

As I hand the glass back to her, my mind races with possibilities. Hexeblood alchemy combined with demonic mixology... the potential is staggering. We could create drinks that not only intoxicate but transform, heal, or even grant temporary powers.

"Keep experimenting," I tell her gruffly. "But don't neglect your other duties."

"Yes, sir," she responds, her smile widening.

As I move away, I notice some of my other staff eyeing Sage with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Brix, my head bartender, is scowling as he aggressively shakes a cocktail.

"Problem, Brix?" I ask, sidling up to him.

He jumps slightly, nearly dropping the shaker. "No, sir. Just... adjusting to the new dynamic."

I narrow my eyes. "Sage is an asset to this bar. I expect everyone to treat her as such."

Brix nods quickly. "Of course, Lord Deus. It's just... she's different, you know? A hexeblood..."

"We're all different here," I growl. "That's what makes Slim's Last Chance work. Remember that."

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