Page 40 of Demon's Prey

I see the moment Narina finds her courage. Her eyes soften, and she takes a shaky step towards her sister.

"Claudia," she calls out, her voice barely above a whisper.

It's all the invitation Claudia needs. In an instant, the sisters are in each other's arms, clinging tightly as if afraid the other might disappear. Their tears mingle as they hold each other, years of separation melting away in a single embrace.

19

DAZIRUS

Iwatch in awe as Claudia begins to cast her spell. Her eyes blaze with infernal flame, the air around her crackling with raw power. Even I, a demon noble, feel a shiver run down my spine at the sheer magnitude of the magic she's wielding.

Narina stands transfixed beside me, her mouth agape as she witnesses her sister's true strength for the first time. I can't help but feel a twinge of pride - this is the family my beloved comes from.

Claudia's chanting grows louder, her voice taking on an otherworldly quality that seems to resonate with the very fabric of reality. Suddenly, she rises into the air, her body wreathed in eldritch energy. The sound of her voice splits the heavens, and I watch in stunned silence as fire streaks across the night sky, leaving a burning scar among the stars.

A massive meteor, birthed from Claudia's spell, hurtles towards the auction house. It strikes with earth-shattering force, obliterating the building in a spectacular explosion of flame and debris. The shockwave nearly knocks me off my feet, and I instinctively pull Narina close, shielding her from the rain of flaming splinters.

As the dust settles, Claudia descends, her eyes still glowing with residual power. Her voice rings out, filled with righteous fury: "Never again will humans suffer within those walls."

I'm about to congratulate her on such an impressive display of magic when I hear a familiar whistle. My battle-honed instincts kick in, and I barely manage to pull Narina down as an arrow whizzes past where her head had been moments before.

I growl, scanning our surroundings. The dark elves have regrouped, and they're coming for us in force. We're under attack.

The dark elves swarm us, their blades glinting in the firelight. I bare my fangs, relishing the thrill of battle. My claws extend, and I leap into the fray, tearing through our attackers with demonic glee. Blood splatters across my face, hot and metallic. I lick my lips, savoring the taste.

Claudia fights beside me, her magic decimating swaths of enemies. But my eyes keep darting to Narina. She's holding her own, but barely. Three swordsmen converge on her, their blades a whirlwind of steel. She parries desperately, her movements growing frantic.

I need to help her, but I'm surrounded by my own opponents. Then I remember - our Contract. The bond we share. I reach out through that ethereal connection, feeling her fear, her determination.

"Narina,"I push the thought into her mind."Let go. Embrace the power within you. It's there, waiting."

I feel her hesitation, then her acceptance. Suddenly, a blinding flash erupts from where she stands. I shield my eyes, grinning as I hear the pained cries of the dark elves around her.

When the light fades, I see Narina standing amidst a circle of fallen foes. Her eyes glow with newfound power, her blade dripping with blood. She moves like lightning, cutting down the blinded elves before they can recover.

Pride swells in my chest. I knew she had potential, but this... this is beyond my wildest expectations. She's magnificent, a perfect blend of human tenacity and demonic power. My mate, my equal.

I turn back to my own fight, dispatching the remaining elves with renewed vigor. Narina has proven herself worthy of standing by my side. Together, we'll be unstoppable.

I feel the infernal power surge through my veins, concentrating between my palms. A sphere of hellfire materializes, pulsing with malevolent energy. The air around me shimmers with heat, and I bare my fangs in a wicked grin as the nearest dark elves drop their swords, the metal too hot to hold.

"Let's turn up the heat, shall we?" I growl, my eyes blazing with demonic glee.

With a flick of my wrists, I unleash the fireball. It streaks through the air, leaving a trail of scorched earth in its wake. The dark elves' screams are music to my ears as the inferno engulfs them. Their flesh blackens and peels away, revealing charred bone beneath. The stench of burning meat fills the air, intoxicating in its brutality.

I throw my head back and laugh, reveling in the carnage. This is what it means to be a demon - pure, unadulterated destruction. My blood sings with the thrill of battle, every nerve alight with savage joy.

Through our bond, I feel Narina's emotions mirror my own. Her eyes gleam with fierce satisfaction as she cuts down another elf, her blade slick with blood. She's magnificent in her fury, a vengeful goddess come to life.

"That's it, my love," I call out to her. "Make them pay for everything they've done!"

Narina responds with a feral cry, plunging her sword into an elf's chest. As she yanks it free, arterial spray paints her face crimson. She licks her lips, savoring the taste of revenge.

The dark elves' ranks are thinning now, their screams of agony filling the night air. I generate another fireball, eager to continue the slaughter. Narina and I move as one, cutting a bloody swath through our enemies. With each life we take, I feel her thirst for vengeance being slaked, her soul singing in harmony with my own.

I stand amidst the carnage, my chest heaving with exertion and triumph. The dark elves lie scattered around us, their broken bodies a testament to our power. Narina catches my eye, her face splattered with blood but her eyes shining with fierce satisfaction. I can't help but grin - she's truly embraced her demonic side.

We make our way back to Claudia, who's looking at her sister with a mix of pride and concern. I'm about to speak when a puff of smoke and brimstone erupts beside us. The acrid scent fills my nostrils as a tall, imposing demon materializes.

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