Page 19 of Demon's Dark Love

I feel a surge of gratitude, surface once more and dive for it, grabbing it in my hand. As I do I feel the spot on my arm tingle like the ring is responding to it. I suddenly have more energy, feel more physical power.

I look at the ring in surprise. Am I somehow harnessing the powers of the owner of the ring? I shake my head and swim to the surface.

I walk through the water to the shore, the water dripping from my hair.

I hold the ring aloft. It glimmers in the dim light, catching the eyes of the gathered demons. For a moment, there's a hush, and then a few begrudging murmurs of respect ripple through the crowd.

“Looks like the stories about humans swimming are correct,” one of the lesser demons says, crossing his arms. "I wonder what else they can do?"

“Don't let Bethana hear you ask that,” another scoffs, but I catch the glint of admiration in his eye.

Enoch strides toward me, his expression unreadable. But when he meets my gaze there’s a spark of something before he masks it with a practiced sneer.

“Not bad for a human,” he mutters, a small smile flickering at the corner of his mouth.

He takes the ring and tosses it up into the air.

It flashes like fire and streaks toward Bethana who catches it.

Then, just like that, he turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving me feeling both elated and hollow.

Bethana stands near on the balcony, her hand out, still grasping the ring. I can't see her expression from this distance but I can feel it. She is like a storm cloud ready to unleash.

She flounces inside and I watch her retreat, the tingling of the spot on my arm reminding me of the unexpected power I just tasted.

The other demons begin to murmur and move back inside, some giving me covert nods or looking at me curiously.

As I walk up the shore, I ponder the dynamics swirling within this castle. It’s not just a den of evil, as I once thought. Sure, they thrive on fear, but there’s a hierarchy, a balance of power, and even among them, fear and respect coexist.

“Looks like you’ve impressed some of the old guard,” Griselda sneers.

I feel the power starting to leave me and I shiver in the wind.

Her lips twist into a mocking smile. “Don’t let this go to your head. They’ll turn on you faster than you can blink.”

“Is that concern, Griselda?" I ask, genuinely surprised.

"As if I'd care about a human," she says, but there's something else there.

I walk back to the castle alone, but my arm suddenly warms and I look up.

Enoch is a shadow against the castle's stone walls, but I can tell he's there. There’s something about him that pulls at me now both in my body and my mind.

He’s not just a cruel demon. He’s trapped in this world. Just like me.

8

ENOCH

The whispers follow me through the halls, clinging to the shadows like cobwebs.

“Enoch’s pet human,” they hiss, disdain dripping from their words. I clench my fists. I can’t afford to lose control.

“I think he’s been protecting her.”

“No way,” another scoffs. “It's just a form of psychological torture.”

Their laughter grates on my nerves. I push open the door to the rose garden, the scent of flowers mingling with the damp earth. Lily is there, tending to a bush with meticulous care.

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