Page 19 of Fated to the Demon

He grins, all teeth and hunger. "I have a few ideas."

Panic rises in my throat as we leave the crowded room behind. My eyes dart frantically, searching for a familiar face. Where is Saturus? He wouldn't abandon me now, would he?

The captain's quarters loom ahead, a fortress of stone and dark wood. My heart pounds so hard I'm sure he must feel it.What if Saturus can't get to me in there? What if I'm truly on my own?

I crane my neck, desperately seeking those mismatched eyes in the shadows. Nothing. The demon is gone, leaving me alone with this monster of a man.

Anxiety claws at my insides as the captain kicks open his bedroom door. I'm out of time. Out of options. The heavy door slams shut behind us, sealing my fate.

12

SATURUS

The flash of demonic energy prickles my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I round the corner, fangs bared, ready to confront whatever lesser demon dares encroach on my territory. The hallway stands empty, torchlight flickering on bare stone walls, casting dancing shadows that seem to mock my search. The air is thick with the scent of brimstone and ancient magic, a heady mixture that sets my nerves on edge.

"Show yourself," I growl, my voice echoing off the cold stone.

No response. The lingering scent of brimstone tickles my nostrils, stronger now. Something was here, but vanished in an instant. Curious. And irritating. My fingers twitch, itching to wrap around the throat of this elusive intruder.

I press my palm against the wall, feeling the rough texture of the stone as I send out tendrils of power to search for any trace of the intruder. The magic pulses through the structure, seeking, probing, but finding nothing. It's as if they simply winked out of existence, leaving behind only the faintest whisper of their presence.

A low chuckle escapes my lips, the sound a mix of amusement and frustration. "Clever little pest."

This game of hide-and-seek amuses me, but I have more pressing matters to attend to. Namely, the delectable morsel I left with that lecherous dark elf captain. The thought of her in his grimy paws sets my blood boiling, a possessive rage building within me. Claudia is mine, bound to me by an ancient contract, and no one else has the right to touch her.

I turn to head back, then freeze. There it is again - that faint pulse of demonic energy. It feels... familiar somehow. Ancient. A memory tugs at the edges of my mind, but slips away before I can grasp it. It's like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands, frustrating and seemingly impossible.

"Enough of this," I mutter, my patience wearing thin.

With a flick of my wrist, I summon a crackling orb of dark energy. The hallway floods with its eerie glow, revealing every shadow and crevice. The purple-black light casts an otherworldly pallor on the stone, making the very air seem alive with malevolent potential. Still, there's no sign of the intruder.

I dissolve the orb with a frustrated snarl, the sudden darkness momentarily blinding. Whatever game this is, I refuse to be toyed with. I am Saturus, a lust demon of unparalleled power. No lesser being should be able to elude me like this. The very thought is an insult to my pride and position.

The nagging sense of familiarity gnaws at me, an itch I can't scratch. It's tied to the girl somehow, I'm certain of it. To the ancient contract that binds her to me. A contract I made... when? The details are frustratingly vague, lost in the mists of time and my long slumber.

A contract I made.

The realization hits me like a physical blow, staggering me. Memories come flooding back - the summoner, a desperate man with fire in his eyes and determination in his voice. The promise, sealed in blood and magic, to claim his first female descendant. The centuries of slumber that followed, dreamless and dark. Itall makes sense now, the pieces falling into place with a clarity that's almost painful.

I return to the party, my eyes scanning the crowd for Claudia. The pulsing music and raucous laughter grate on my nerves as I push through the throng of drunken revelers. The air is thick with the scent of sweat, alcohol, and desire - on any other night, it would be intoxicating. Now, it's merely an annoyance. No sign of her or that bastard captain.

A growl rumbles in my chest, low and dangerous. Where is she?

I reach out through our contract, feeling for her essence. The connection is like a silken thread, delicate yet unbreakable. There - a faint tug to the east, a whisper of her presence calling to me. Without hesitation, I follow it, shifting into my dark elf form as I go. The change ripples through me, a momentary discomfort as my body reshapes itself to blend in with these lesser beings.

Two guards block my path at a heavy wooden door, their armor gleaming dully in the torchlight. Their posture is alert, hands resting on the hilts of their swords. "Halt! This area is off-limits."

I straighten, adopting an air of authority. My voice is smooth, confident, brooking no argument. "There's been a change in the rotation. I'm taking over your post."

They exchange glances, a flicker of uncertainty passing between them. "Where's the rest of your group?"

"On their way," I reply smoothly. "Got held up dealing with some rowdy guests. You know how these parties can get."

The guards nod, seemingly satisfied. As they turn to leave, one pauses, his brow furrowing as he looks me over more closely. "Wait a minute. I don't recognize-"

I don't give him time to finish. My fist connects with his jaw, the satisfying crunch of bone accompanied by a spray of blood. He goes sprawling, armor clanking against the stone floor. Theother guard barely has time to draw his sword before I'm on him, fangs bared in a feral grin.

He manages to get off a wild swing, the blade whistling past my ear close enough to stir my hair. I duck under his arm, driving my elbow into his solar plexus with enough force to dent his breastplate. He doubles over, gasping for air that won't come.

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