Page 17 of Demon's Claim

His words settle over me, and I feel a mixture of fear and wonder. This bond between us, it’s more than just a shield—it’s a part of me, a thread woven into my very being. “Then… does that mean you feel what I feel?”

“To an extent,” he admits, his gaze softening. “It’s not a complete merger, but there are moments when… our essences overlap. It’s part of why I can sense when you’re in danger. The pact pulls me to you.”

I look away, trying to process the weight of his words. “So… this connection, it’s permanent?”

“Not necessarily,” he replies, though there’s a hint of reluctance in his tone. “The pact could be broken, in theory. But doing so would weaken us both, leave us vulnerable.”

A shiver runs through me, and I meet his gaze. “What if… what if we strengthened it instead?”

His eyes flash with something I can’t quite decipher—caution, perhaps, or concern. “Strengthening the pact would bind us even more deeply, Elara. It would link our fates, our very lives. Are you sure that’s what you want?”

I hesitate, the enormity of his question settling over me. But I know, deep down, that I don’t have a choice. The threats we face are relentless, and if this bond gives me a better chance of survival, I have to take it. “Yes,” I say, my voice steady. “I’m sure.”

For a moment, he’s silent, as if considering my resolve. Then he nods, stepping closer. “Very well. But understand—this ritual will not be easy. It will demand… vulnerability.”

I swallow, nodding. “I understand.”

He places his hands on my shoulders, his touch surprisingly gentle, and I feel the warmth of his presence wash over me, a current of strength and calm. “Close your eyes,” he says softly, and I obey, letting my mind drift into the darkness, feeling the faint pulse of his essence, steady and strong.

The ritual begins, and I feel our energies intertwine, a merging of strength and spirit. His essence flows into me, a dark, powerful force that fills me with both fear and awe. I sense his past, the years of solitude, the weight of his curse, the strength he’s cultivated through centuries of struggle.

And then, I feel my own essence pour into him, my memories, my fears, my determination. It’s a strange, intimate connection, one that leaves me feeling exposed, vulnerable, but also… whole.

As the ritual concludes, I open my eyes, meeting his gaze. There’s something different between us now, a bond that feels unbreakable, a thread of understanding that goes beyond words. He looks at me, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen, and fora brief moment, I see the pain he hides, the burden of his own existence.

“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling the weight of our connection settle over me.

He nods, his gaze lingering on me. “Be careful, Elara,” he says quietly. “This bond… it’s both a gift and a curse. If one of us falls, the other will feel it.”

I nod, a fierce determination filling me. “Then I won’t let you fall.”

He gives me a faint smile, though there’s a sadness in his eyes. “The Underworld doesn’t forgive weakness, Elara. It will test you, push you to your limits. But remember—you’re not alone in this.”

As he steps back, I feel the bond pulsing within me, a thread that ties us together, a promise of strength and resilience. I know that whatever challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together. And as much as I fear this world, I know that with Lucian by my side, I have a fighting chance.

The Underworld may come for us, but we’re ready.

16

LUCIAN

The bond pulses between us, stronger than I ever anticipated. It’s like a tether that I can’t ignore, a thread connecting me to Elara even when she’s not in my presence. I can feel her emotions, faint echoes of her thoughts, her fears, her resolve. And though I tell myself this is simply the result of the pact, a means of protection, I know it’s more than that.

She’s in me now, intertwined in ways I can’t unravel, and it leaves me both restless and… something else. Something I refuse to name.

The Underworld, too, seems to sense the disturbance. Shadows stretch further, twisting in unnatural shapes. I feel an unease in the air, a tension that thrums through the very fabric of this realm. The balance has shifted, and every dark creature that lurks in the depths can feel it. They know something has changed, something that may weaken the boundaries that have held this realm together.

I make my way through the keep, each step heavy with the awareness of the bond. It’s as if the Underworld itself is watching, waiting, like a beast held on a fragile leash. Mycontrol, once absolute, now feels tenuous, slipping through my grasp with every beat of the pact.

As I reach Elara’s chamber, I find her standing by the window, gazing out into the shadows. She turns when she hears me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. I can feel her anxiety, a faint pulse of unease that mirrors my own.

“There’s a storm gathering,” I say, my voice low. “The Underworld is responding to our pact, sensing the disruption it’s caused. You need to be vigilant.”

She nods, her gaze steady. “I understand. But why? Why does it matter if we’re… connected?”

I sigh, feeling the weight of centuries pressing down on me. “The Underworld is a realm of balance, Elara. Power here is not given freely. Any shift, any disturbance, is seen as a threat. Our bond—strong as it is—may be seen as a challenge, an imbalance that could attract those who wish to restore that balance by force.”

Her expression hardens, and I feel a surge of determination in her that nearly matches my own. “Then let them come,” she says softly. “I won’t run from this.”

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