Page 3 of Demon's Dark Love

I assume it won't be long before I'm forced to participate in whatever diabolical work they require. I should get some rest.

Outside the window I can hear footsteps, rasping voices of guards as they go by. “...artifact hidden...powerful...”

I open my eyes.

“...Bethana’s prized possession… could change everything…”

The voices fade away with the footsteps, but the words linger in my mind. Had I been asleep? Or had I heard that correctly?

I wrap myself in the straw and try to block everything out, but the words stay in my mind as I drift off.

The castle transforms. The stone walls crumble, revealing lush forests and open skies. The shadows fade away.

I walk out, powerful and unencumbered. The beautiful forest waits and a figure stands waiting on its edge—Enoch.

He’s different. Softer somehow. Perhaps it's the friendly sunlight illuminating his skin, a beautiful gold.His crimson eyes hold no contempt, only a guarded curiosity.

“Lily,” he says, his voice carrying on the fresh breeze.

I approach cautiously. “What's happening? What's happened to the castle?”

He shrugs, a small smile playing at his lips. “You've created something beautiful. You've created change.”

As he reaches for my face, I suddenly know it's a dream. And yet I find I trust him. Somehow, I know he is an ally. And even more surprising, I find I want his touch.

2

ENOCH

Iwake, the cold stone of my chamber pressing into my back. Shadows dance across the walls, flickering from the torchlight.

I stretch my body and sit up, pulling a robe around me.

My mind goes to the new human servant, that little creature named Lily.

It annoys me that she is the first thing I think about after I wake up. She shouldn’t matter enough to even warrant thought.

I scoff at the idea of a human having any sort of worth and rub a hand over my jaw.

The human’s just another toy for my mother to play with, an opportunity for her to encourage me to flex my power and gain knowledge about how we can fully utilize the human species.

I push myself up and stride through the dim corridors of the castle, intent on finding the new human and seeing her worthlessness so that she will leave my mind.

The castle’s chill stimulates me and I enjoy it cooling my naturally warm skin.I round corners and descend into the bowels of the castle. With every step, my claws protract slightly, anticipating the fun I’ll have tormenting her.

The lower levels are dank, filled with an earthy scent that makes my skin crawl.

Humans.

She must be here somewhere, tucked away in those miserable cells my mother keeps for her human playthings. A smile creeps onto my lips at the thought of scaring this one. She had been so spooked by the wraith guards.

As I reach her quarters, I shove open the heavy door with a swift kick.

“Wake up, human,” I growl, feigning amusement as I lean against the doorframe.

Something shifts in me when I see her sitting cross-legged on the damp floor, hair falling around her face like a wild halo. She meets my gaze head-on, green eyes glimmering with something that cuts through my bravado.

It's defiance.

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