Page 10 of Demon's Dark Love

"Be careful," she says quietly. "You show a sense of humor and you're the one who may end up in the oil."

I nod. "I'm going to assume you're not going to report me."

She shakes her head and focuses on the pot in front of her. "And eliminate the one positive in my life right now? Not a chance."

Again, I feel an intense draw toward her, and an ache in my chest. She finds me positive.

We work in silence for a moment, our movements synchronized as if we’ve done this a thousand times before. Thescent of herbs and simmering broth fills the air, the boiling cauldron mimicking the tension between us.

"Lily," I begin hesitantly, "what was your life like before... this?"

She pauses, wiping her hands on her apron. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because I want to understand."

Her eyes soften slightly. "It was simple but good. We had freedom, even if it was just a small village. We had each other."

"And now?" I ask quietly.

"Now," she says, meeting my gaze with fierce determination, "I have nothing but hope for change."

Her words hit me harder than any blow ever could. This life of cruelty and dominance—it's all I've known. For the first time I realize there is something else out there.

That evening I stride into the grand dining hall, the scent of roasted meat and herbs that I have helped prepare mingling in the smoke of the air. The room is dimly lit, dark shadows dancing across the stone walls that have nothing to do with the light.

As I approach the table, I notice a kitchen servant bent low, whispering into my mother's ear.

I hear the words "helping the human" and feel slightly sick.

Bethana’s eyes flash golden, narrowing with barely contained fury. She dismisses the servant with a flick of her wrist and turns to me as I take my seat across from her.

The silence between us is thick, palpable. I can almost taste her anger in the air, metallic and sharp.

I pick up my fork, examining it as if it's the most fascinating thing in the world. "And how was your day, mother?"

She glares at me over her goblet of wine. "Fine."

"Good." I spear a piece of meat. "I'm finding my study of human behavior fascinating. Thank you for getting me that slave."

Her fingers tighten around her goblet until I fear it might shatter.

We eat in silence. I try not to panic and feel like it's only a matter of time before she takes her anger out on Lily.

The next day I hear Lily is cleaning windows high above the courtyard.

I go, feeling something is amiss.

I can’t help but marvel at Lily's tenacity and skill, but the situation is a set up for disaster, a death trap. The wind whips around us, and I find myself willing the scaffolding steady, my eyes fixed on her every move.

"Where are the safety ropes?" I ask a passing demon. He glances up and shrugs.“Humans can’t fly.”

"They weren't around today and Mistress Bethana said to go ahead with the project."

"This is a waste of our slaves," I say with as much contempt in my voice as I can muster to cover my anxiety. "We can't just fling them to their deaths when they cost so much."

I use this excuse to openly use my gaze to shield Lily from the wind and she steadies as she inches across the roof.

Bethana’s icy presence floods the courtyard before her words reach us.

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