Page 27 of Demon's Prey

I've lived for centuries, confident in my understanding of the world, of myself. Now? Now I'm adrift, caught between what I've always known and these new, unsettling feelings.

My fingers absently trace patterns on Narina's skin. She sighs in her sleep, nestling closer. The simple action sends a jolt through me, equal parts comfort and confusion.

As sleep begins to claim me, one last thought echoes: What have I gotten myself into?

13

NARINA

Eerie shapes loom in the half-shadows shrouding my path as I flee through the forest. Dark Elf arrows whizz past, missing me by a hair's breadth. Mariel's cries of agony linger in my ears long after I can no longer hear them.

I have to find Claudia. She's the only one who can help me. As I race through the dense trees, everything twists and deforms. All of the sudden it's not verdant green, but the onyx black of Dazirus' castle that I flee through.

Dazirus stands, implacable, looking out into the distance. I come up and clutch at his shoulder, begging him to show me Claudia.

"Certainly,” Dazirus says. “How do your people say it? A deal's a deal. You gave me your soul, and now you can have your sister."

He points to the end of the hallway. Framed in sunlight, I see Claudia. I can't see her face, but I know it's her. I race up and grab her by the shoulder.

"Claudia,” I say. “I've found you at last…"

My voice trails off when Claudia turns to me, only it's not Claudia. Not anymore. Hideous scales bump and bubble up from her once smooth skin, and her eyes glow a sickly, sinister yellow.

Her hand grabs my throat, and I cry out in anguish. Sitting bolt upright, I realize that I'm alone, in Dazirus' bed. I was dreaming, or more aptly, having a nightmare.

My fingers grope at my neck, searching for the familiar weight of the necklace. It's gone. Panic floods my chest as I bolt upright, heart pounding.

"No, no, no," I mutter, frantically patting the sheets around me. Nothing. I leap out of bed, shaking out my clothes from yesterday. Still nothing.

Shit. That necklace was my only link to this realm, to Claudia. Without it... No. I can't think about that now. I force myself to take a deep breath, pushing down the rising tide of fear.

Focus, Narina. One problem at a time.

I glance around the opulent bedroom, my prison and sanctuary in this demon's lair. Dazirus is nowhere to be seen. Good. I need to think without his distracting presence.

The necklace matters, yes, but finding Claudia is more important. She's the reason I'm here, the driving force behind every decision I've made. Even... even signing that contract with Dazirus.

I shudder, remembering the feeling of his lips on mine, the strange mix of desire and revulsion that courses through me whenever he's near. But he's my ticket to Claudia, to answers, to revenge.

I'll deal with the missing necklace later. Right now, I need to corner Dazirus and make him fulfill his end of the bargain. No more delays, no more excuses.

I throw on my clothes, jaw clenched with determination. Time to find my demonic "partner" and get some real answers.

I march through the winding corridors of Dazirus' mansion, my determination fueling each step. A demon servant materializes before me, all sharp angles and glowing eyes.

"Take me to Dazirus," I demand, surprised by the steel in my own voice.

The servant bows, leading me through a labyrinth of dark halls until we emerge into the crisp air of the stables. The scent of hay and something distinctly otherworldly fills my nostrils.

There he stands, Dazirus, his silver hair gleaming in the strange light of this realm. He's fussing over a coach unlike anything I've ever seen. It's a behemoth of black metal, intricate silver flames dancing across its surface. But it's the horses that steal my breath away.

Six of them, each as dark as a moonless night, with manes of living fire. Their hooves strike the ground, leaving brief, burning imprints. A week ago, I'd have run screaming. Now, I can't look away.

Dazirus notices me, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Care to pet one?" He asks.

I hesitate, eyeing the flames warily.

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