Page 8 of Caged By the Lich

As the carriage lurches into motion, I slump against the seat, my chest heaving. Tears burn in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I won't give any of them the satisfaction of seeing me broken.

I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. This isn't over. I've survived in the demon world this long. I'll find a way out of this, too. Somehow.

But as the carriage rumbles away from everything I've ever known, a cold fear settles in my gut. What horrors await me in Olvaar's world? And will I be strong enough to face them?

4

OLVAAR

Istride through the halls of my fortress, my grip firm on Astrid's arm as she continues to struggle against me. Her defiance amuses me, a spark of life in this desolate realm I call home. The walls of black obsidian reflect our distorted images as we pass, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows that dance around us.

"Let me go, you bastard!" Astrid snarls, her voice echoing off the stone walls.

I tighten my grip and pull her along faster, relishing the way she stumbles to keep up with my longer strides.

I tsk. "If you're going to call me names, I have a perfectly good nickname picked out."

"V?" she snarls. I raise a brow and she only scoffs, muttering, "Fucking vain."

I pull her in front of me. "What was that?"

"I said V should stand for vain. For vapid. Vile, villainous?—"

I jerk her forward, my body reacting to the proximity as I lean over her. "Vicious," I growl out.

This seems to give her pauses, her eyes widening and lips parting as she stares up at me. And fuck me, all I can think is thiswould be how she looks on her knees, sucking my cock. Wide eyes, angry expression, all while she takes whatever I force upon her.

When the fucking thing twitches at the thought, I turn away from her, storming down the hallways and practically dragging her with me.

We reach a heavy iron door, intricately carved with demonic runes. I wave my hand, and it swings open silently. I shove Astrid inside, following close behind.

The room is a stark contrast to the rest of my fortress. Plush carpets cover the floor, and rich tapestries adorn the walls. A four-poster bed dominates one corner, draped in silks of deep crimson. A writing desk, a bookshelf filled with various tomes, and a comfortable armchair complete the furnishings.

Astrid whirls to face me, her eyes blazing with fury. "What is this? Some kind of sick joke?"

I smirk, leaning against the doorframe. "This, little rebel, is your new home. I trust you'll find it... adequate."

Her gaze darts around the room, taking in every detail. I can see the wheels turning in her head, already looking for ways to escape. It's almost cute.

"You can't keep me here," she spits, fists clenched at her sides.

I push off from the doorframe, towering over her. "I can, and I will. Your father's debt is mine to collect, and I've chosen my payment."

Astrid takes a step back, her bravado faltering for just a moment. But then that fire returns to her eyes, and she lifts her chin defiantly. "I'm not some object to be traded or won. I won't play your game."

I chuckle, the sound low and menacing. "Oh, but you will. You don't have a choice."

With that, I turn and exit the room. As the door swings shut behind me, I hear Astrid's frustrated scream, followed by the sound of something shattering against the door.

I nod to the two burly demons standing guard. "No one enters or leaves without my express permission. Understood?"

They nod, their faces impassive. I know they'll follow my orders to the letter. After all, they know the price of failure.

As I walk away, I can't help but smile. Astrid may be a prisoner, but she's far from broken. And I like to be the one that breaks in my new toys. This game has only just begun, and I intend to savor every moment of it.

I stride into my war room, the heavy doors slamming shut behind me. My top advisors are already seated around the obsidian table, their faces a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Good. They should be on edge.

"Gentlemen," I growl, taking my seat at the head of the table. "We have a new asset."

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