Page 7 of Demon's Claim

ELARA

The air is thick with shadows as Lucian leads me to a desolate clearing, a strange, dark expanse surrounded by twisted, looming trees. There’s no light here, just a faint, eerie glow that seems to pulse from the ground itself. It’s like stepping into a nightmare—silent, suffocating, filled with hidden dangers lurking just beyond my sight.

Lucian stops and turns to face me, his gaze sharp and unreadable. “If you’re going to survive here, you’ll need more than defiance. You’ll need strength. Adaptability. And a willingness to face the darkness.”

I swallow, my heart pounding, but I refuse to look away. “Fine. I’m here, aren’t I? Teach me.”

A hint of a smile flickers across his face, dark and unsettling. “Very well,” he says, his voice soft but laced with menace. “Let’s see what you’re made of.”

Without another word, he gestures toward the shadows, and, as if on command, the darkness shifts, shapes emerging from the gloom. They’re shadowy creatures, their forms twisted and insubstantial, like living smoke with sharp, glinting eyes. They move with a predatory grace, circling me, watching.

“Defend yourself,” Lucian says, stepping back, arms crossed as he watches. “If you fail, they’ll tear you apart.”

I stare at him, feeling a surge of panic. “Are you serious? You’re just going to… stand there?”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “This isn’t your world, Elara. There are no second chances here.”

The creatures close in, their eyes gleaming with malevolence. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to focus. I don’t know how to fight—not like this—but I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me cower.

One of the creatures lunges, and I barely dodge, feeling a cold rush of air as it slices past me. My heart races, my hands trembling as I look around, desperately trying to find something, anything to use as a weapon. But there’s nothing, just empty shadows and Lucian’s cold, indifferent gaze.

“Pathetic,” he mutters, his voice echoing through the darkness. “You won’t last long if you can’t even defend yourself.”

Anger flares within me, pushing back the fear. “Maybe if you actually helped—” I start, but my words are cut off as another creature lunges. I dodge again, but this time, its claws catch my arm, leaving a burning sting. I gasp, clutching my arm, the pain sharp and all too real.

They’re toying with me, circling, waiting for me to make a mistake. I glance at Lucian, who watches in silence, his expression unreadable. He’s testing me, pushing me to see if I’ll break.

But I won’t give him the satisfaction.

With a surge of determination, I lunge at one of the creatures, striking out with my fists. It recoils, hissing, but the impact is weak, barely affecting it. Frustration builds, a burning need to survive, to prove him wrong. I close my eyes, searching within myself, desperate for some hidden strength.

And then, suddenly, I feel it—a spark, deep within, like a pulse of warmth amid the cold. It rises, surging through me, and when I open my eyes, the creatures hesitate, sensing the change. I don’t know what I’ve tapped into, but I don’t question it. I let the energy flow, guiding me.

I reach out, and a tendril of light—dim but fierce—flares from my hand, striking the nearest creature. It shrieks, dissolving into smoke, and the others recoil, wary.

For a moment, I stand there, breathing hard, staring at my hand. The light fades quickly, leaving me exhausted, but the creatures retreat, slinking back into the shadows. I’m left standing alone, my heart pounding, adrenaline surging through my veins.

Lucian steps forward, his expression unreadable. “Interesting,” he murmurs, his gaze sharp. “I didn’t expect that.”

I glare at him, anger flaring. “What… what was that? What did you do to me?”

He smirks, clearly amused. “I did nothing. That power came from you, Elara. Perhaps there’s more to you than meets the eye.”

His words only fuel my frustration. “You threw me to the wolves—literally! And for what? Some sick game?”

He crosses his arms, unfazed by my anger. “This isn’t a game, Elara. If you’re to survive here, you need to learn to rely on yourself. No one will protect you in this realm. Not even me.”

I stare at him, chest heaving, a mix of exhaustion and anger churning within me. “You could have helped,” I mutter, feeling the sting of betrayal. “But you just stood there, watching.”

He steps closer, his gaze intense. “Help you?” His voice is low, almost a whisper. “In this world, help is a weakness. The only thing that matters is strength. If you’re too weak to survive, then perhaps you don’t belong here.”

I clench my fists, refusing to let him see the doubt creeping in. “Fine. If that’s how it is, I’ll find a way to survive. But don’t think for a second that I need you.”

He chuckles, a dark, hollow sound. “Good. I’d hate for you to become dependent on me.” His gaze softens, just a fraction, but it’s gone before I can question it. “But know this—if you continue to defy me, you’ll face challenges far greater than shadows.”

I hold his gaze, my anger simmering beneath the surface. “I’ll face whatever I have to,” I say, my voice steady. “I’m not afraid of you, Lucian.”

He smirks, turning away. “You should be.”

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