Page 3 of Caged By the Lich

I exchange a worried glance with Athena, her golden-green eyes wide with concern. Something's wrong. Very wrong.

We push through the throng of demons, their usual disdain for us forgotten in the face of whatever has captured their attention. The crowd parts, and I finally see what's caused the disturbance.

It's a soz'garoth demon standing in the center of the room, a dark and magnetic presence that commands attention. His pale blue skin seems to glow in the dim light, a stark contrast to the dark black of his outfit. His spiky hair crackles with barely contained magical energy, casting eerie shadows across his sharp features.

But it's his eyes that truly captivate me. They shift and swirl, a kaleidoscope of colors that seem to be reminiscent of his power. At least, that’s what it looks like, magic flickering in the depth. Right now, they're a stormy gray, flecked with bolts of electric blue – dangerous, unpredictable.

I know this demon. He's been my father's long time rival.

Olvaar.

Olvaar's gaze sweeps the room, and for a heart-stopping moment, it seems to land on me. But maybe that’s just my fear of him noticing me. A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth, and I should look away, should get away from the room. But for some reason, I can't.

I've heard stories about Father's rival, whispered rumors of his cruelty and ambition, but nothing could have prepared me for the raw power emanating from him.

The crowd seems to hold its breath, waiting to see what Olvaar will do next. Even the most powerful demons in the room look uneasy, their usual arrogance replaced by wary respect – or is it fear?

I grip Athena's hand tightly, my other hand inching towards the hidden dagger beneath my skirts. Whatever Olvaar's doing here, it can't be good. My eyes dart around the room, searching for Father.

We need to find him. Now.

2

OLVAAR

Istride into Ilreth's mansion, my black armor adorned with pulsing demonic runes. It helps channel my magic so it’s not so potent as it builds in me – and scares people around me. The crowd parts like a sea before me, their fear a palpable thing. Good. Let them cower.

My eyes sweep the room, taking in the opulent decor and the trembling forms of lesser demons. Pathetic. They call this a soirée? More like a gathering of sniveling preslen.

"V," someone whispers, and the name ripples through the crowd. "He shouldn't be here." I feel their gazes on me, a mix of awe and terror. It's intoxicating.

I flex my fingers, feeling the crackle of destructive magic at my fingertips. The air around me shimmers with barely contained power. A nearby vase shatters, and several demons flinch. Weak.

"Where's Ilreth?" I demand, my voice a low growl that carries across the now-silent room.

No one dares answer. Smart. I doubt I can even trust their worthless tongues if they do.

I take another step forward, and the crowd retreats further. The fear in their eyes is delicious. They know what I'm capable of, the devastation I can unleash with a mere thought.

"I asked a question," I snarl, my eyes flashing with irritation. The temperature in the room drops, frost creeping across the windows. "Don't make me ask twice."

A zonak demon, trembling so hard he can barely stand, points towards the far end of the hall. I dismiss him with a contemptuous glance and stalk forward.

Let Ilreth hide. Let him cower like the rest of these insects. I'll find him, and when I do...

My lips curl into a cruel smile. This night is about to get interesting.

It doesn't take me long to hunt him down, though. He just so happens to stride into the ballroom, talking with another noble and noticing a beat too late that the ballroom is tense.

He lifts his head, his eyes widening as he takes in the scene. Fool. Did he think he could avoid me forever?

I’ve grown tired of our back and forth so I decided to confront him where he can’t lie or hide. There’s one thing more important to Ilreth than his money – his pride.

Without hesitation, I stride towards him, my footsteps echoing in the deathly quiet room. The other noble with Ilreth scurries away like the coward he is. Smart move.

I close the distance between us, my eyes locked on Ilreth's face. The air crackles with tension, and I can practically taste his unease.

"Ilreth," I drawl, my voice dripping with venom. "Trying to avoid me?"

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