Page 11 of Demon's Dark Love

“Enoch!” Her voice slices through the wind. “What is this nonsense?”

Up above us Lily flinches, nearly losing her grip on the window frame.

“Stop this!” Bethana snaps, her eyes locked onto me. “Leave the courtyard.”

“No,” I say firmly. “She will fall.”

Bethana’s eyes narrow dangerously. “You dare defy me for this... human?”

“Yes,” I say, standing my ground.

Bethana’s fury is palpable. She raises her hand, and a gust of wind slams into Lily, knocking her off balance. She scrambles to grab the ledge, her fingers slipping.

“Lily!” My heart pounds as I rush forward. “Hold on!” I cry out, as she dangles precariously.

Bethana’s laugh is cold and merciless. “I love the way their stupid legs kick right before they go down.” She glares at me. “Let her fall, Enoch. She’s nothing.”

I growl, feeling a surge of demonic power coursing through me. Lily steadies.

Bethana sneers but doesn’t back down. “You dare defy me?”

“You bought her for me,” I say again, louder this time. "I'm doing what I want with her."

The barrier strengthens around Lily and her feet reach the scaffolding. She grips the metal bars and sinks into a sitting position, her face pale. She’s not totally safe, but she’s stable for now.

Bethana's face twists in rage. “This isn’t over,” she hisses, the harrowing echo catching the wind and swirling around the courtyard. With a growl of fury she turns and disappears back into the castle.

5

LILY

The water seeps through my clothes, chilling me to the bone as I scrub the cold stone floor of the main hall. Griselda looms over me, sneering.

"Miss a spot, and you'll do it all over again," she snaps, flicking a drop of water onto my face.

I bite my tongue, focusing on the rhythm of the brush against the stone.

"Look at you, Enoch's little pet," another demon whispers as he passes, his voice dripping with mockery. "Think you're special now, human?"

I don't respond. My arms ache, my knees throb, but I keep working. The castle hums with demonic activity around me, snippets of conversation floating by.

"Did you hear? Mistress Bethana's in one of her cranky moods again."

"She gets this way every time a diplomat is coming through and she has to throw a party. Just wait, we'll have a ball or something soon."

The tension in the air is almost tangible, a constant pressure against my skull. I finish scrubbing the last tile and sit back onmy heels, wiping the sweat from my forehead. Griselda's shadow looms again.

"Don't think you're done. The kitchens need cleaning too."

I nod, standing up and stretching my stiff muscles. "I'll get right to it."

She smirks, satisfied with her small victory, and turns away. I start to gather my cleaning supplies to go toward the kitchens.

A familiar presence fills the doorway. I don't look up, but my pulse quickens.

"Lily," Enoch says, his voice low. "We need to talk."

I glance around, ensuring we're alone, then meet his eyes. "What is it?"

---