Page 15 of Demon's Claim

“Begin,” he says, his voice cold. “Summon your power.”

I close my eyes, reaching for that spark within me, the faint warmth I’d felt before. It flickers, hesitant, but I focus, drawing it closer, letting it build. It’s a struggle, a constant battle between fear and control, but I refuse to give up.

“Stop hesitating,” Lucian snaps. “Power does not respond to hesitation. It demands certainty, strength. If you want to survive, you must command it.”

I grit my teeth, anger flaring as I push harder. The spark grows, a dim glow filling my hand, but it’s unstable, flickering with every pulse of doubt. “I’m trying!” I shout, frustration lacing my voice.

“Trying isn’t enough,” he replies coldly. “Power does not yield to those who ‘try.’ It bends only to those who demand it.”

His words fuel my anger, and I feel something shift within me. The spark flares brighter, a surge of heat that fills my veins, spreading through me like wildfire. My eyes snap open, and for the first time, I feel it—my power, raw and untamed, pulsing in time with my heartbeat.

The energy is overwhelming, intoxicating, but I fight to hold it, to keep it steady. It’s a force that both thrills and terrifies me, a reminder of the strength I hold within. For a moment, I feel invincible, like I could take on anything that comes my way.

Lucian watches, his expression unreadable, but I see a flicker of something in his eyes—respect, maybe, or concern. “Good,” he says quietly. “But don’t let it control you. Power like this is a double-edged sword. It will protect you, but it will also draw attention. Dark attention.”

I nod, breathing hard, feeling the power begin to fade, leaving a strange emptiness in its wake. “I understand,” I say, my voice barely a whisper. “But I’m not going to let it stop me.”

He regards me for a moment, his gaze intense, and for once, his harsh exterior softens. “You’re stronger than I thought,” he admits, his tone almost… proud. “But strength alone won’t keep you alive here. You must learn control. Without it, this power will consume you, just as it consumes everything else in this realm.”

I take a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. “Then I’ll learn. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

For a moment, we stand in silence, the tension between us palpable. There’s something unspoken in the air, a connection that goes beyond the pact, something I don’t fully understand. But I know one thing—I’m not alone in this. And as much as I hate to admit it, Lucian is more than just my captor. He’s my ally. Maybe even… more.

He steps back, his expression hardening once more, as if reminding himself of his role. “The Underworld is relentless,Elara. It won’t hesitate to exploit every weakness, every crack. If you’re going to survive, you’ll need to become more than just a spark.”

I nod, a fierce resolve settling in my chest. “I’ll be ready.”

He gives me a final, approving glance before turning to leave, his footsteps echoing through the chamber. As I watch him go, a strange mixture of fear and exhilaration fills me. I know the path ahead won’t be easy, but I’m ready to face it, to become the force I need to be.

Whatever darkness lies in this world, I’ll meet it head-on. And with Lucian at my side, I know I have a fighting chance.

The Underworld may test me, may try to break me, but I won’t give it the satisfaction. I’ll survive. And I’ll prove that even a spark can ignite an inferno.

14

LUCIAN

Iwatch her from the shadows, my gaze fixed on the figure moving through the darkness, struggling to summon control over her power. Each day, Elara pushes herself harder, the spark within her growing stronger, more intense. She’s learning, adapting. But with every step forward, I feel a pang of unease—a sense that her power is becoming something beyond even my understanding.

She’s relentless, unyielding in her defiance of this world, and I can’t help but feel a strange mixture of pride and worry. This was meant to be temporary, a pact to ensure her survival. But the more I watch her, the more I realize that she’s becoming… something else. Something that could tip the balance of this realm.

A sudden surge of energy jolts me from my thoughts, a wave of power radiating from her that makes the shadows tremble. I step forward, my gaze narrowing as I see her struggling to contain the energy spiraling out of control. She’s lost in it, her eyes wide with a mixture of terror and exhilaration.

“Elara!” I shout, but my voice barely reaches her over the hum of raw power.

The darkness around us shifts, recoiling as if in fear, and in that moment, I feel it—a presence lurking in the depths, drawn by the disturbance. It’s ancient, powerful, and hungry, a force that’s been lying dormant, waiting for a spark to reignite it.

I move quickly, reaching her side and placing a hand on her shoulder, grounding her. “Focus,” I say, my voice low and steady. “Control it. Don’t let it control you.”

Her breathing steadies, the energy around her receding, but the presence remains, watching, waiting. I turn, my gaze fixed on the shadows as a figure materializes, its form twisted and monstrous, eyes gleaming with a dark, malevolent light.

“So this is the infamous Lucian,” it hisses, its voice dripping with malice. “And here I thought the tales were exaggerated. But it seems even you are susceptible to… attachments.”

I clench my fists, stepping in front of Elara, shielding her from the creature’s gaze. “Leave,” I command, my voice cold. “You’re trespassing on my domain.”

The creature laughs, a harsh, grating sound. “Your domain? Don’t fool yourself, Lucian. You’ve allowed a mortal to infect your world, to taint your shadows with her light. You’re losing control, and you know it.”

Elara takes a step back, glancing between us, and I sense her fear, her confusion. I tighten my grip on my power, refusing to let this creature see any weakness. “She is under my protection,” I say, voice filled with menace. “If you so much as look at her, I’ll ensure you regret it.”

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