Page 28 of The Demon's Tongue

I suck in a shaky breath, unsure of what to do next. My fists open and close, wanting to reach into my pocket and grab the crystals, but Sylas has his grip on me. With every movement, he subdues me with his strength.

I fucking hate him, I think bitterly to myself.He's the reason why I'm in this horrible situation.

"If your customer from last night was willing to pay that much and left so satisfied…" Sylas says, his voice a low purr. "I want to know what I'm missing."

15

CALIX

Sylas's fingers curl around the hem of Geneva's dress, and he pulls it away with the casualness of someone unwrapping a gift. My blood simmers, the sight of his dark fingers on her pale skin igniting a surge of anger that threatens to boil over. She stiffens, but doesn't back down.

"I'm not yours to play with," she says, her voice steady despite the fear in her wide eyes. She shudders every time his hand grazes across her skin, each touch making my rage more difficult to contain.

Who does he think he is, touching her like this? That'smyproperty. She'smine.

Sylas's laughter is cold and sharp, cutting through the room like a blade. "Oh, but you are. I bought you for a reason, girl. Now, show me your talents."

She recoils as his hand moves down to her waist, her eyes narrowing with a defiance that ignites something primal within me. "No." Her voice is firm, despite the trembling of her frame.

The room's atmosphere thickens, tension coiling around us. I can feel my own power stirring, a dark energy that responds toher resistance. Sylas's smug grin widens, his fingers tightening on her waist.

Sylas raises his arm and strikes her on the cheek. The slap echoes through the chamber, and she stumbles, a red mark blooming on her skin. I grip the edge of my hidden perch, nails digging into the wood, an urge to intervene surging within me.

But I can't, I remind myself. There's nothing I can do to help her.

"You'll learn your place," he growls, his tone dripping with malice. He grabs her wrist, yanking her closer with a force that makes my blood boil, the dark energy within me churning.

Geneva struggles against him, pushing at his chest with every ounce of her strength. "I said no!" Her voice trembles but carries a fierce determination that ignites a flicker of admiration in me.

His eyes flash with fury once more, and he yanks her arm harder, causing her to cry out. "You're nothing but a possession, stupid human. Mine to command. The sooner you learn that, the better."

She grits her teeth, tears welling up but refusing to fall. "I'd rather die."

Sylas smirks, leaning in close. "That can be arranged."

Despite my instincts urging me to intervene, I force myself to stay put. Geneva must handle this on her own to prove her strength. The challenge is hers to face, even if every fiber of my being wants to rip Sylas's arm off for touching her.

Sylas’s fingers linger on Geneva’s skin, exposing her breasts with deliberate slowness. A pang of something unfamiliar hits me—concern for a mortal. It's unsettling, and I tighten my grip on the railing, watching intently.

Fight him off, little human. I know you have it in you.

“You have fire, I’ll give you that,” Sylas says, his voice dripping with condescension. “But fire can be tamed. Dark elveshave a lot of power, girl. I could crush you with my magic until you're nothing more than a speck on the ground.”

"So what? I'd rather that fate than to give in to you." Geneva’s eyes flash with defiance as she lifts her chin up a little higher. “I won’t be tamed.”

Sylas’s laughter fills the room, dark and cruel. “We’ll see about that.” His hands forcefully trail lower, gripping at her waist and pulling her close to his body.

I grit my teeth, my jaw clenching. It takes significant self-control to resist stepping in. This is a crucial test for her. She needs to show she’s not just another frightened girl.

Geneva's eyes flash with fear, but there's a world of fury in those green depths, too. She struggles against his hold, her movements sharp and determined. The defiance in her stance is palpable, a spark of resistance that refuses to be quenched. Her breath comes in short, angry bursts, and I can see the resolve harden in her eyes.

Geneva suddenly jerks back, her eyes narrowing. She pushes at his chest, all while he laughs at her. “Don’t touch me!”

Sylas’s expression hardens. He shoves Geneva back until her body hits the edge of his desk. The sight surprises me. He's struggling against the tiny human. And here I thought dark elves were the superior beings?

“Who do you think you are, human? You don’t get to dictate terms here.”

“I’m not your property!” she snaps, her voice firm despite the tremor I can see in her hands. "I never was! I don't care how much money you spent on me. I amnotyours!"

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