Page 4 of Caged By the Lich

He straightens, attempting to maintain his composure. Pathetic. "V, this is hardly the time or place-"

I cut him off with a harsh laugh. "Oh, I think it's the perfect time and place. In front of all your sycophants and boot-lickers."

Murmurs ripple through the crowd. Good. Let them see their precious lord for what he truly is.

"You owe me," I snarl, taking another step closer. "Or have you conveniently forgotten our deal?"

Ilreth's eyes narrow. "I've paid you what was agreed upon."

"That's shit," I snap, my magic flaring. The chandelier above us flickers ominously. "You think you can shortchange me? Me?"

"Our business is our own," Ilreth says, his voice low and warning. "This isn't the place-"

I grab him by the front of his expensive robes, pulling him close. "I don't give a fuck about your soirée or your reputation. You'll pay me what you owe, or I'll take it out of your hide."

Gasps echo through the room. No one touches a lord like this, especially not Ilreth. But I'm not just anyone.

"You're making a scene," Ilreth hisses, trying to pry my hands off.

I laugh in his face. "A scene? Oh, I'll show you a scene."

With a flick of my wrist, I send a burst of magic through the room. Glasses shatter, tables overturn, and demons scramble to get out of the way. Chaos erupts, and I revel in it.

"Stop this madness!" Ilreth shouts, his own magic flaring to life.

But I'm not done. Not by a long shot. "Pay up, Ilreth," I growl. "Or next time, I won't be so gentle."

He tries to compose himself, but I see the fear in his eyes. Good. He should be afraid.

"I will! I will, but not right—" he starts, but I cut him off, sliding my hand up from his robes to grip his throat. The ballroom has gone completely silent as everyone watches.

"I decide when and where," I snarl. "And I want my payment here and now."

Ilreth struggles against my grip, his face turning an interesting shade of blue. "I-I need more time," he chokes out. "We can work this out."

I laugh, a cold, harsh sound that sends shivers through the crowd. "Time? You've had plenty of that." I release him, watching with satisfaction as he stumbles back, gasping for air.

"Perhaps you've forgotten who I am," I say, my voice dangerously low. The air crackles with energy, and several nearby glasses shatter. "They call me V — and some say it stands for vengeance for a reason, Ilreth. Would you like a demonstration?"

I raise my hand, dark energy swirling around my fingers. The other demons press themselves against the walls, desperate to avoid my wrath. Ilreth's eyes widen in terror.

"No! Please, I'll get you your payment. Just... Tomorrow. Come back tomorrow," he pleads, his earlier composure completely shattered.

The tension in the room is palpable, every demon holding their breath. I straighten up, casting a contemptuous glance around the room. I can tell that he’s hoping I’m contemplating his request.

I’m not.

"Quite the party you've thrown, Ilreth," I mock. "Shame if something were to... happen to it."

"Now, just wait one second—" He starts, drawing himself up to his full height — three inches shorter than me. I shoot him a glare that has him shrinking back. "Like I said, we can handle this later. Maybe we could…"

As Ilreth stammers out pathetic excuses, my gaze sweeps the room. These weak-willed demons disgust me, cowering in fear. But then my eyes land on something... interesting.

A human. No, two of them. Standing apart from the crowd, defiant. One catches my attention more, standing protectively near the other, chin raised in challenge.

I freeze, my gaze locked on the human woman. The world around me fades away - Ilreth's stammering, the cowering demons, even my own anger - all of it disappears.

She's... magnificent. Tall and proud, with raven hair pinned half up and the other half cascading down her back and stunning green-gold eyes that burn with defiance. My breath catches in my throat, a sudden, primal hunger clawing at my insides.

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