Page 5 of Demon's Dark Love

"Griselda has her on scrap duty, I hear."

"Perfect." Somehow, I don't mean it.

When Bethana leaves to attend another meeting, I linger in the dimly lit chamber, wrestling with what’s right and wrong.

My resolve snaps when I hear footsteps echoing down the hall. Another slave moves past with a heavy sack slung over his shoulder. It’s full of discarded items meant for the trash heap.

I wait an appropriate amount of time, and then, as if drawn by an invisible force, I make my way to the lower section of the castle where I'm sure she'll be working with the garbage.

The door to the dump rooms creaks open under my touch. I step inside and catch sight of Lily again, lost in sorting through the rotten food, unaware of my presence.

I watch her, the way she bends over her work, the faint flicker of determination in her green eyes. It captivates me.

I move and she looks up, her eyes fierce, ready to fight. That defiance stirs something primal within me, a hunger for more than just power or status.

“Going to attack me?” I ask, the words spilling out before I can think better of it.

“Not today, Lord Enoch.”

I am surprised and amused.

“Indeed?” I step inside.

I should enjoy the way she flinches back as I approach. Instead, it makes me hurt. I stop advancing and she relaxes.

She continues to sort through the rubbish, occasionally trying to hide a gag or dry heave.

“How's the work going?”

“Fine,” she replies dryly.

I watch as she continues sorting, deft fingers moving quickly even as she fights repulsion.

I step closer. She shrinks back when I raise my hand but then gasps when the piles she has been painfully building sort themselves out.

She looks at me, her eyes both confused and fierce.

“What game are you playing?”

"Game?"

"This looks strangely like you're helping me."

I feel compelled to cover my actions. I sneer. "And what if I am?"

"Oh, I see. This is some sort of psychological game, isn’t it?"

"Maybe."

She focuses on the piles in front of her, but then looks around, uncertain of what to do now.

"What do you think about this castle?"

"Does it matter?"

"Not really. But I'm curious."

“Curious? About what? How a human survives in a demon castle?” She scoffs softly and rolls her eyes, then begins to pick up the empty bags and roll them up.

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