Page 5 of Fated to the Demon

Her eyes flash with desperation, and she pushes against my chest. "Please, I need to go. My sister?—"

"Your sister?" I raise an eyebrow, amused by her sudden burst of energy. "Sweetheart, you're not going anywhere."

"You don't understand!" She struggles harder, her voice rising. "Narina needs me. They took her?—"

I press a finger to her lips, silencing her. "Shh. Your sister isn't my concern. You, on the other hand..." I trail my finger down her chin, along her throat. "You're very much my concern right now."

She shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes. "No, please. I'll do anything. Just let me go. I have to save her!"

Her pleas fall on deaf ears. I've waited too long for a meal this enticing to let it slip away. Besides, there's still the matter of how she got here in the first place.

I grasp her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. "How about we make a deal? You tell me how you managed to stumble into my domain, and maybe—just maybe—I'll consider letting you go."

3

CLAUDIA

His breath ghosts over my skin, sending shivers down my spine. This is wrong. So wrong. But my body betrays me, responding to his touch in ways I never imagined possible.

"Who... what are you?" I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I told you, little morsel. I'm a demon. And you're trespassing." His voice rumbles against my neck, low and dangerous.

I should be terrified. I should be fighting, screaming, doing anything to get away. But instead, I find myself arching into his touch, craving more.

"Please," I whimper, not sure if I'm begging him to stop or continue. "My sister..."

"Shh," he murmurs, running a clawed hand down my side. "Let’s focus on you right now."

My eyes lock onto his otherworldly features - sharp angles, glowing eyes, wicked smile. He's beautiful in a way that defies description, and it takes my breath away.

I try to move away, but my body won't cooperate. It's as if I'm paralyzed, trapped beneath this... creature's gaze and touch. His tongue darts out, lapping at the wounds on my skin.

"Stop," I croak, hating how weak my voice sounds. The word barely escapes my lips, more of a whimper than a command.

He pauses, mismatched eyes gleaming with amusement. "My saliva heals, little one. I'm helping you."

I struggle against invisible bonds, my mind reeling. Demons? Healing saliva? This can't be real. It must be a nightmare, some twisted hallucination brought on by the fall.

"You're not real," I whisper, more to myself than to him. "Demons don't exist."

He chuckles, the sound sending vibrations through my entire body. "Oh, but we do. And you, my dear, have stumbled right into the arms of one of the most notorious ones."

I shake my head, refusing to accept it. My heart races, torn between fear and a traitorous excitement. I don't understand what's happening, but I know I can't stay. Somehow, I have to find a way out of this impossible situation.

"I need to go," I blurt out, pushing against his chest. My hands meet solid muscle, unyielding as stone. "My sister... the dark elves took her. I have to save her!"

The supposed demon throws his head back and laughs, the sound echoing off the cavernous walls. His mismatched eyes gleam with cruel amusement.

"Save her? You?" He runs a claw down my cheek, sending shivers through my body. "Look at you, little human. So fragile, so weak."

I flinch away from his touch, anger flaring in my chest. "I'm not weak!"

"Oh, but you are." His voice drops to a silky purr. "Tell me, how do you plan to face the dark elves? With your soft skin and brittle bones?"

My mouth opens, but no words come out. He's right. What chance do I have against trained soldiers?

"That's what I thought." He smirks, revealing sharp fangs. "You're useless, little one. Nothing but a tasty morsel for me to devour."

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