Page 4 of The Demon's Tongue

She gasps, recoiling. "What? No, I... I can't..."

"Can't you?" I ask, arching an eyebrow. "Even if it means your freedom? Even if it means escaping a life of degradation and slavery?"

Her resolve wavers, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. It's delicious.

"How?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I tap the amulet hanging around my neck. "Whoever wears this will command those souls. They'll be bound to serve, to obey every whim and desire."

"And... and you'll give me that? If I do this?"

I laugh, the sound echoing through the library. "Oh no, little one. This stays with me. But perhaps, if you prove yourself worthy, I might consider... other arrangements."

She bites her lip, clearly torn. "I... I don't know if I can..."

"Then enjoy your new life as a plaything for the dark elves," I say dismissively, turning away. My hands closes around the crystals. "I'm sure they'll be gentle. For the first hour or two, at least."

"Wait!" she cries out, grabbing my arm. The touch sends a jolt through me, and I turn back slowly, my eyes narrowing. The human girl has a lot of boldness, reaching out and touching me in such a way.

However, I'm starting to like it.

"I'll do it," she says, her voice shaking but determined. "I'll... I'll trap the souls. Just tell me how."

I smile, a predatory gleam in my eyes. "Excellent choice, my dear. Humans aren't usually eager to partake in such nefarious deeds, but you… You're different. You're much more audacious than the rest."

I watch as the girl's eyes widen, her desperation palpable..

"Please," she begs, her voice cracking. Tears glisten in her eyes. "Tell me what to do. This is my only chance at freedom. I can't mess this up."

I can't help but smirk, impressed by her resolve. It's rare to see such determination in one so young. "Eager, aren't we? But tell me, little one, where's the fun in simply handing you all the answers?"

Her brow furrows, frustration evident in the set of her jaw. "Fun? This isn't a game! My life is at stake here."

I chuckle, the sound low and dark. "Oh, but it is a game. Everything's a game when you've lived as long as I have. And you, my dear, are proving to be a most intriguing player."

She shakes her head, her long dark hair swaying with the movement. "I don't understand. Why won't you just tell me how to trap the souls?"

I lean in close, the warmth of her skin radiating off of her body. And her scent… her delicious scent reaches my nostrils. "Because, sweet human, the journey is half the fun. If I simply handed you the solution, where would be the challenge? The growth?"

She pulls back, her green eyes flashing with anger. "Challenge? Growth? I'm trying to save myself from a life of slavery and you're trying to play games with me!"

"Precisely," I purr, running a finger along her jawline. "And what better motivation could there be? If you can't manage, then you know what your fate will be. But don't worry. You'll figure it out, I have no doubt. After all, you managed to summon me, didn't you?"

Geneva steps back, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "That's different. I had instructions for that. This... this is impossible!"

I raise an eyebrow, amused by her outburst. "Impossible? You're standing in a room with a demon you summoned. I'd say you've already redefined what's possible."

She opens her mouth to argue, then closes it again, clearly at a loss for words. I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind, the desperation warring with her growing frustration.

"Fine," she finally spits out. "I'll figure it out on my own. But when I do, you better hold up your end of the bargain."

I can't help but laugh at her audacity. I reach out, depositing the crystals into her weak palm. "Oh, I always keep my word, little one. That's the beauty of deals with demons. We're bound by them just as surely as you are."

3

GENEVA

Ijolt awake, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged bird. Sunlight streams through the small window, painting patterns on the worn floorboards. For a moment, I'm disoriented, the remnants of a vivid dream clinging to my consciousness.

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