Page 24 of Caged By the Lich

Growling in frustration, I snatch a crystal decanter from my desk and hurl it against the wall. The shattering glass does nothing to quiet the turmoil in my head.

I've built my empire on blood and fear. I am the most respected demon lord on this continent. I don't get... attached. I don't care.

And yet.

The memory of Astrid's defiant gaze, the curve of her smile, the fire in her words – it all haunts me. I find myself wanting to see more of that fire, to bask in its warmth.

Disgusted with my own weakness, I make a decision. I'll increase her privileges within the fortress. Let her roam more freely, access the libraries, maybe even the gardens. It's a calculated move, I tell myself.

Keep her compliant, make her let her guard down. I'll be less tempted to go see her, and she'll be less starved for someone to talk to and might come to hate me again. I need to do something to put distance between us, and distracting her with something that isn't me is the best option I have.

But deep down, in a place I refuse to acknowledge, I know the truth. I simply want to see her at ease here. In my domain. With me.

11

ASTRID

Imight be confused and angry — more at myself than anything else — but when V offers me the opportunity to go to a large demon lord council meeting, I have to jump at the chance.

It's not something I even thought I'd be interested in. My father didn't necessarily exclude me In a way that made me feel like I was missing out. But I like the challenges that V and I throw back and forth, and I want to know how the other lords act.

A part of me wants to see them all shrink back from V's power. I guess I'm a little bit of a masochist, wanting to revel in the power this demon has that refused to touch me.

I'm so fucked.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself as I follow V into the cavernous council chamber. My heart pounds against my ribs, a frantic rhythm that betrays my outward calm.

The room is a massive study with obsidian walls etched with pulsing demonic runes, a massive table hewn from what looks like polished bone, and ornate chairs that are already mostly occupied.

V's hand on the small of my back guides me to a seat slightly behind his own. The touch sends an unwelcome shiver through me, and I clench my jaw, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. I'm here as his "assistant," but we both know I'm really a glorified prisoner on display. An object meant to gloat his power.

As more demon lords file in, I keep my eyes lowered, observing through my lashes. The air crackles with tension and barely contained power. Lord Kravos, a hulking brute with curved horns, shoots V a look of pure venom before taking his seat. Interesting. There's clearly no love lost between those two after the other night.

To my left, I notice Lady Naevia, her silver hair cascading over scaled shoulders, leaning in to whisper something to the willowy Lord Vexus. Their heads are close, too close for mere pleasantries. They must be allies, and publicly with the way they are behaving.

The meeting begins, and I force myself to breathe evenly as I take mental notes. Lord Baaleth, his voice like gravel, argues passionately for pushing for more land, the xaphan be damned. It's a short lived debate, since it would start a war, but it still makes my stomach churn, even if I keep my face impassive. V's fingers drum a steady rhythm on the table, and I recognize it as a sign of his growing irritation.

"And what of the southern territories?" Lady Naevia's melodic voice cuts through the tension. "Surely we cannot ignore the rumors of-"

V's voice lashes out, silencing her. "The south is not up for discussion."

I risk a glance up, catching the flash of fear in Naevia's eyes before she masks it. But it's Lord Vexus' reaction that truly intrigues me - a barely perceptible smirk, there and gone in an instant. Does he know something about the southern territories that V wants kept quiet?

As the meeting progresses, I find myself unconsciously leaning forward, drawn into the intricate dance of demon politics. It's a game of shadows and half-truths, where a misplaced word could mean death. And despite myself, despite everything, I feel a thrill of excitement coursing through my veins.

I sit quietly, absorbing every word and gesture as the demon lords debate. The tension in the room is palpable, a living thing that seems to writhe between them. I've never seen anything quite like it - the raw power, the barely contained violence simmering beneath polite veneers.

Suddenly, Lord Kravos slams his fist on the table, making me jump. "We cannot continue to ignore the human problem," he snarls. "They breed like vermin and soon they will want to overstep their purpose. I say we cull their numbers before they become a true threat."

A chorus of agreeing murmurs ripples through the room. My blood runs cold, but I force myself to remain still, to not betray my horror.

V leans back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "And what do you propose, Kravos? Mass slaughter? That would only incite rebellion and draw the attention of other continents. Humans are one of the few across most."

Before I can stop myself, words tumble from my lips. "If I may, my lords..."

All eyes snap to me. I feel V stiffen beside me, but I press on, my heart thundering in my chest.

"Humans aren't the threat you believe them to be. They're adaptable, yes, but also easily manipulated. Instead of culling, why not use them? Offer protection in exchange for labor. Create a system of indenture that benefits both sides so they will feel they can earn freedom instead of fighting for it."

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