Page 35 of The Demon's Tongue

And I was the one who delivered her sentence.

19

CALIX

Geneva stands there, staring at the crystal in her hand, satisfaction etched on her face. The foyer is silent. I materialize in front of her, unable to contain the smirk that tugs at the corners of my mouth.

"Impressive," I say, my voice a low rumble. Her eyes snap up to meet mine, a spark of defiance still burning in their green depths. "You've got a knack for this, little human."

She scoffs, but there's a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I had a good teacher," she retorts, holding out the crystal containing Miss Pickett's soul. I take it from her, my fingers brushing against hers, and I can't help but notice the shiver that runs through her at the contact.

"So, what now?" she asks, her voice steady despite the turmoil I can see swirling in her eyes.

I hold up the three crystals in my palm, a wicked grin spreading across my face. "Now, we make something beautiful," I say. I bring my hands together, the crystals clinking softly as I begin to chant under my breath. The air around us crackles with energy, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end as I call forth my power.

Geneva watches, her eyes wide with awe. The crystals begin to glow, their light casting eerie shadows on the walls of the dimly lit room. I can feel the souls within them, their essence pulsing in time with my heartbeat. I weave my magic around them, binding them together, shaping them into something new.

"What are you doing?" Geneva whispers, her voice barely audible over the hum of my magic.

The magic reaches a crescendo, the air around us thick with power. I bring my hands together with a sharp clap, the sound echoing through the room like a thunderclap. The light from the crystals flares brightly, momentarily blinding us both. When our vision clears, I'm holding a single, intricate red amulet, the three crystals now fused into one.

I hold it out to Geneva, the chain dangling from my fingers. She reaches out, her hand hesitating for a moment before she takes it, her fingers brushing against mine. I can see the questions swirling in her eyes, but she remains silent, her gaze fixed on the amulet.

"You helped me create this, little human," I purr.

Geneva stares at the amulet, her eyes wide with awe. "What does it do?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I can't help but smirk, enjoying this moment of superiority. "It can hold one incredibly powerful soul without killing the person," I say, my voice low and steady. "A handy little trick, wouldn't you say?"

Her eyes widen further, impressed. "That's... amazing," she breathes, her fingers tracing the intricate design of the amulet.

I reach out, plucking the amulet from her grasp. She frowns briefly at that, a small crease forming between her eyebrows. It's adorable, really.

"You know," I start, my voice low and measured. "There's one more step to this process."

She raises an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And what might that be?"

I take a step closer, the distance between us shrinking. I can feel the heat radiating off her, the scent of her filling my senses. "It's a bit... unorthodox," I say, my voice dropping to a husky whisper.

Geneva tilts her head, her eyes never leaving mine. "Unorthodox? You're a demon, Calix. I think we're past unorthodox."

A chuckle escapes my lips, low and rumbling. "Fair point," I concede. I reach out, my fingers brushing against her cheek. Her skin is soft, warm, and I can feel her pulse quicken under my touch. "But this is something more... intimate."

Her breath hitches, but she doesn't pull away. Instead, she leans into my touch, her eyes searching mine. "Intimate how?"

I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear. "We need to seal this pact, Geneva. Make it unbreakable." I pull back, my eyes locked onto hers. "And the only way to do that is to... consummate it."

A small gasp escapes her lips, her eyes widening slightly. But then, a slow smile spreads across her face, and she laughs—a soft, melodic sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "You're serious, aren't you?"

I nod, a smirk playing on my lips. "Deadly."

She bites her lower lip, considering my words. Then, she takes a step back, her eyes never leaving mine. "Alright," she says, her voice steady and sure. "If that's what it'll take to become like you, then I'll do it."

My hands grip at her waist. "Good choice, little human."

"I won't be human for much longer," she whispers, before I pull her into a passionate kiss.

As we pull apart, my fingers trace the neckline of her dress. Her breath hitches, but she doesn't stop me. I take that as a green light, with my hands gripping the fabric and tearing itdown the middle. She gasps, her eyes widening, but there's no fear in them. Only excitement.

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