Page 13 of Demon's Claim

He nods, his gaze dark. “Your power is like a beacon, a spark of light in a world that was never meant to know warmth. They can sense it, and they’ll come for it. They’ll come for you.”

I swallow, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest. “So what am I supposed to do? Just wait for them to find me?”

He hesitates, and I see the faintest flicker of something—reluctance, maybe, or frustration. “I can protect you, to an extent,” he says finally. “But the Underworld is relentless. I can’t be everywhere at once.”

“Then let’s make a pact,” I say, surprising even myself with the boldness of my words. “If you’re willing to protect me, then let’s make it binding. You don’t trust me, and I sure as hell don’t trust you, but maybe this will give us both some peace of mind.”

His eyes narrow, a mix of amusement and caution crossing his face. “A pact? You’re proposing that I willingly bind myself to your survival?”

I lift my chin, meeting his gaze with defiance. “If you’re serious about keeping me safe, then prove it. Make it official.”

He regards me for a long moment, his gaze sharp, calculating. Then he nods, his expression unreadable. “Very well,” he says, his voice cold but steady. “But know this, Elara—a pact in the Underworld is not a mere promise. It’s a bond. It will tie us together, whether we want it or not.”

I swallow, feeling the gravity of his words settle over me, but I don’t back down. “I understand. Just… tell me what to do.”

He extends his hand, his expression serious. “Take my hand. The pact will link our lives, bind our fates temporarily. It will be… uncomfortable.”

I hesitate, but there’s no turning back now. I reach out, my fingers brushing his, and the moment our hands meet, a surge of energy courses through me, fierce and electric. It’s like a spark igniting, and I feel a rush of sensations—his strength, his darkness, his centuries of solitude, all pouring into me.

Our surroundings blur, fading into shadows as the pact takes hold. I feel his presence within me, a steady, dark current that’s both terrifying and oddly comforting. For a moment, I catch a glimpse of his own vulnerability, a flicker of something raw and unguarded that surprises me. But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, unyielding force that is Lucian.

As the ritual ends, I release his hand, breathing hard, feeling the faint echo of his presence lingering in my mind. The bond is temporary, but it’s powerful, a connection that leaves me feeling both strengthened and unsettled.

He watches me, his expression unreadable. “This pact binds us, but it does not guarantee your survival,” he warns. “It will keep them at bay… for now. But in the end, your survival depends on your ability to control your power.”

I nod, the weight of his words settling heavily over me. “I understand. I’ll find a way to control it.”

He smirks, though there’s no warmth in it. “You’ll have to, or this pact will mean nothing.”

As he turns to leave, I feel a strange sense of both relief and dread. This bond, this pact, is a lifeline, but it’s also a reminder of the darkness that surrounds me, the threats that lie in wait. And yet… I feel stronger, more resolute. I won’t let this world break me.

Before he disappears into the shadows, he glances back at me, his expression hard. “Remember, Elara—this realm does not forgive weakness. It will test you, and if you’re not careful, it will consume you.”

I hold his gaze, feeling a surge of determination. “Then I’ll make sure it doesn’t.”

He nods, a hint of approval flickering in his eyes before he turns away, leaving me alone in the silence. As I watch him go, I feel the weight of the pact between us, a thread of connection that’s as unsettling as it is empowering.

I don’t know what lies ahead, but one thing is certain: I won’t let this world claim me. Not as long as I have this fire within me, this spark that refuses to be snuffed out.

The Underworld may be relentless, but so am I.

12

LUCIAN

The air has shifted, thickening with a dark energy I haven’t felt in centuries. Something prowls at the edges of my domain, a presence older than time, ancient and malicious. I feel it pulling, drawn to the spark of power in this keep, to the bond I share with Elara. It’s as though our pact has become a beacon, calling to forces that should have remained buried.

I grit my teeth, feeling the weight of the pact settle heavily in my chest. This was meant to be a temporary solution, a way to keep her safe while she learned to control her power. But now, it’s more than that. It’s a link, binding me to her fate in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

I make my way to the armory, where dark relics and weapons rest, each one imbued with magic and memories of past battles. As I gather what I need, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in a cracked mirror. The face staring back at me is hardened, resolute. But there’s something else in my eyes—a hint of something I thought I’d purged centuries ago. Attachment.

Damn her. She’s only been here a short while, and already she’s become more than just a nuisance. There’s a part ofme—small, buried deep—that wants to protect her, not just out of duty, but out of something… dangerous. I shake my head, forcing the thought away. This is about my realm, my responsibility. Nothing more.

A low growl echoes through the keep, and I turn, sensing the creature drawing closer. It’s prowling on the edge of my territory, testing the boundaries, as though waiting for an invitation. I tighten my grip on the weapon in my hand, my magic simmering just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed.

I step outside, the shadows bending around me as I prepare to face whatever dares challenge me. The darkness thickens, and then, like a shadow given life, the creature emerges. Its form is twisted, monstrous, with glowing eyes that burn like embers. It’s ancient, powerful, and radiates an energy that makes the air vibrate with malice.

“Well, well,” it hisses, its voice like gravel scraping over stone. “The mighty Lucian, bound to a mortal. How the mighty have fallen.”

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