Page 29 of Demon's Dark Love

The other demon grumbles, clearly displeased. "Fine. But once the ball is over, she's ours."

"Yes," Griselda agrees, a sinister edge to her tone. "We'll make sure she regrets ever being born."

Their footsteps fade away, leaving me in the oppressive silence of my cell. My mind races with questions. What kind of chaos is happening upstairs? Is Enoch safe? The thought of him in danger sends a pang of fear through me.

I close my eyes, trying to block out the cold and the pain. Instead, I focus on the memory of Enoch's touch, the way his presence ignites something within me. I imagine that spark growing, becoming a flame that can protect us both.

In my mind, I see myself standing tall, unbound by the ropes that currently restrict me. Power surges through my veins, a new kind of magic that feels both foreign and familiar. With a flick of my wrist, the ropes fall away, and I stride out of the cell with purpose.

I find Enoch amidst the chaos of the ball, his eyes lighting up with relief and something deeper as he sees me. Together, we face the demons that stand in our way, our combined strength an unstoppable force.

But it's not just physical power I dream of. It's the power to change minds, to bridge the gap between humans and demons. To create a world where love, not fear, rules.

The dream is vivid, almost tangible, and it gives me strength. I know the reality is far more complicated, but holding onto this vision helps me endure the darkness.

Reality returns in waves, each one more intense than the last. I lie still, feeling the cold stone beneath me and the rough ropebiting into my wrists. My mind latches onto one thing: Enoch. His touch, his presence, the way his eyes soften when he looks at me. I focus on that, and something within me stirs.

A sudden warmth blooms in my chest, spreading outwards until it fills every part of me. I think of Enoch's love, the promise we made to each other, and a burst of energy erupts from me. The ropes disintegrate, and the shadowy figure melts away under the intensity of my gaze.

I take a moment to pinch myself, to make sure I haven't lapsed back into my dream again.

But it's real. I'm free.

I stagger to my feet, my body still trembling from the rush of magic. The torture chamber's oppressive atmosphere fades as I step out into the dimly lit corridor.

Demons rush past, oblivious to my presence as they hurry to calm the chaos upstairs. The sounds of shouting and clattering dishes echo through the stone walls.

"Focus, Lily," I whisper to myself. "You have to find Enoch."

But something else also occurs to me. There's the artifact. If I can find that, maybe I can use it to our benefit.

I navigate the castle's secret passages, the layout etched into my mind from countless hours of cleaning and servitude. My steps are quick but careful, avoiding detection. The demons are too preoccupied to notice a lone human slipping through the shadows.

As I pass a group of demons, their conversation catches my ear.

"Bethana's losing it," one of them says, a note of glee in his voice. "She's got no control."

"Serves her right," another replies. "She's been a tyrant for too long."

I press on, my heart pounding. Enoch must be in the thick of it, dealing with his mother's wrath and the chaos of the ball. I have to believe he's okay.

The castle seems to go on forever. Every turn is calculated, every shadow a potential hiding place. Demons rush by, their urgency palpable as they try to calm the chaos upstairs. The air buzzes with tension, making my skin prickle. I can't afford to be caught now.

"Just stay hidden, Lily," I mutter to myself, ducking into an alcove as a pair of demons race past. Their conversation continues to reach my ears, boosting my courage.

Maybe change is possible after all?

"Did you see the look on Bethana's face?"

"Serves her right. Remember what she did to your cousin?"

I suppress a grim smile. Good. The more chaos, the better my chances. But Enoch—my heart clenches at the thought of him.

I slip through another passage, my mind racing. I need to find that artifact. Somehow, I know now that it's vital to Bethana's power, and if it were ours instead …

A small, ordinary door catches my eye. It looks unassuming, almost blending into the wall, but something about it feels right. I close my eyes, letting the strange new magic within me guide my thoughts. This is it.

I put a hand on the door and feel the power radiating out of it. I am about to push on the door when running footsteps begin to approach, coming quickly down the corridor.

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