Page 17 of Demon's Prey

I approach the water's edge, hesitating. Normally, I'd toss a partner in without a second thought. But Narina... she feels different. Fragile. I lower her slowly, easing her into the soothing liquid.

She gasps as the water envelops her, eyes widening in wonder.

"It's... warm,” she says. “And it tingles."

I nod, watching as the glow intensifies around her wounds.

"Good,” I reply. “That’s how you know it’s working. Let it work its magic."

My hands linger on her waist, steadying her. I'm acutely aware of how small she feels beneath my palms. How breakable. A strange protectiveness surges through me, catching me off guard.

What's happening to me? I've bedded countless beings, demon and mortal alike. Never have I worried about being too rough, about destroying my partner. Yet with Narina, the thought of unleashing my full demonic nature sends a spike of... is that fear?

I study her face, relaxing as the pain etches away. She's exquisite, even in her battered state. But can she truly handle what I am? The darkness that lurks beneath this carefully controlled exterior?

"Thank you," she whispers, breaking my reverie. Her fingers brush mine beneath the water, igniting something primal within me.

I swallow hard, fighting the urge to claim her right here, right now.

"Don't thank me yet, little human,” I reply. “Our contract has only just begun."

I stare at Narina, her small form still submerged in the healing waters. She's so fragile, so human. The realization hits me like a blow to the chest - I have to transform into my true demonic form to sign the contract. Fuck.

My jaw clenches. What if the sheer power of my demonic presence is too much for her? Humans have been known to go mad at the mere sight of a demon's true form. And Narina, in her weakened state...

I close my eyes, letting the carefully constructed human facade fall away. My skin ripples as scales emerge, obsidian black with a faint red sheen. Horns sprout from my forehead,curling back over my skull. Wings unfurl from my back, leathery and imposing.

When I open my eyes, they glow with hellfire. The air around me crackles with demonic energy, making the runes on the floor pulse erratically.

I turn to Narina, half-expecting to see her cowering in terror or worse, driven mad by the sight. Instead, I find her staring at me, eyes wide with... awe?

"You're... magnificent," she breathes.

Relief floods through me, followed quickly by a surge of possessiveness I've never felt before. This human, this fragile creature, sees my true form and calls it magnificent?

I extend a clawed hand towards her, my voice a low rumble.

“Well,” I say, "shall we sign our contract, little one?"

I conjure a jar of blood ink and a paintbrush with a flick of my wrist, the items materializing in my hand. Narina watches, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.

"Where's the paper for the contract?" she asks, looking around as if expecting a scroll to appear.

I chuckle, a low rumble in my chest.

"Paper?” I say. “You humans are so precious. So Quaint."

Her brows furrow, confusion written all over her face.

"What do you mean? How else are we supposed to write the contract?"

I step closer, my voice dropping to a low murmur. "You, my dear, are the canvas."

Her eyes widen in realization, a soft gasp escaping her lips. I wave my hand, a gentle breeze wrapping around her, drying her skin. She shivers slightly, her arms wrapping around herself.

"Now, hold still," I instruct, dipping the paintbrush into the blood ink. The runes flow from the brush, each one glowing faintly as it touches her skin. I start at her collarbone, the brush strokes slow and deliberate.

Her breath hitches as the brush trails down her chest, between her breasts, and over her stomach. I can see the rise and fall of her chest growing more pronounced, her breaths coming in heavy pants. Her eyes meet mine, a glaze of lust shining in their depths.

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