Page 23 of Demon's Prey

The mention of Claudia sends a jolt through me. I look up, meeting his eyes for the first time since sitting down.

"When are we going to start looking for her?" I demand.

He takes a sip from his goblet, the dark liquid inside swirling ominously.

"Soon” Dazirus replies calmly. “But first, you need to learn to control your new abilities."

"I don't need-"

"You do," he cuts me off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "What happened with those dark elves earlier? That was just a taste of what you're capable of now. Imagine what you could do with proper training."

I bite my lip, remembering the rush of power, the satisfaction of hearing their screams. It scares me how much I enjoyed it.

"Fine," I concede, picking up my fork. "But don't think this changes anything between us. I'm here for one reason only - to find my sister and get my revenge."

Dazirus smirks, raising his glass in a mock toast.

"Of course."

I push the food around on my plate, the weight of Mariel's memory crushing my appetite. Every second I spend here, safe and comfortable, feels like a betrayal. My chest tightens, guilt and anger warring inside me.

I can't take it anymore. The fork clatters against the plate as I set it down.

"I need to find my sister," I blurt out, my voice sharp enough to cut. "I can't wait any longer."

Dazirus doesn't even flinch at my outburst. He leans back, those unnerving crimson eyes studying me like I'm some fascinating specimen.

"It's not that simple," he says, infuriatingly calm. "Saturus lives in a remote part of Glacies. You can't just walk there."

"I don't care how far it is," I snap, my hands clenching into fists. "I need to go now. I can't stay here while Mariel's killers are still out there."

The words tumble out, raw and desperate.

"After I finish my business with my sister, you have to help me exact my revenge. My sister can help, too."

I expect him to argue, to remind me of our contract or my weakness. Instead, his expression softens, just a fraction.

"We'll go tomorrow," he says, his voice steady and sure. "I promise."

His words should comfort me, but they only fuel my impatience. Tomorrow feels like an eternity away. How many more innocent people will suffer while I sit here, feasting in a demon's lair?

Dazirus's words wash over me, soothing yet frustrating. I nod, biting my lip. The desire for revenge still burns deep inside, an unquenchable fire.

After dinner, he leads me to a secluded part of the mansion grounds.

The scent of exotic plants assaults my senses as we step into a secluded part of the mansion grounds. My breath catches in my throat as we come across a field bathed in silver moonlight. Red fireflies dance through the air, their gentle glow casting an otherworldly ambiance over the scene.

I can't help but stare, mesmerized by the beauty before me. It's unlike anything I've ever seen in Protheka. The fireflies pulse with an ethereal rhythm, their light reflecting off dew-covered leaves and creating a shimmering tapestry of crimson and silver.

One of the little nimbuses of light drifts closer, hovering just inches from my face. Without thinking, I hold out my hand. The firefly lands gently on my palm, its delicate wings stirring ever so slightly. Its glow pulses in a soothing pattern, warming my skin with each gentle flare.

For a fleeting moment, all my fears and worries melt away. The weight of my past, the urgency of my quest, the uncertainty of my future – it all fades into the background. There's onlythis moment, this tiny creature, and the awe-inspiring beauty surrounding us.

I forget about Dazirus standing beside me, about the contract binding us together. I forget about the dark elves, about my lost sister, even about Mariel. In this instant, I'm not a prisoner or a weapon or a victim. I'm just... me. A girl standing in a field of wonder, marveling at the simple magic of nature. Their soft light flickers around us, painting the night in surreal hues.

For a moment, I forget my anger, my grief. The beauty of the scene leaves me breathless.

"Why are you showing me this?" I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from the dancing lights.

---