Page 22 of Illicit Bargain

I hold her aloft, her body suspended in the air by the force of our combined power. The blood coils around her, wrapping her in a cocoon of crimson energy. She is a vision of beauty and horror, her transformation from human to demon almost complete.

“You’re almost there, Catandria.”

A portal rips open in the fabric of reality, a swirling vortex of darkness that beckons her straight into Glacies. With a final, shuddering breath, she is pulled into the abyss, her formdissolving into a stream of light that disappears into the portal's maw.

I wait, my heart pounding in my chest, a sensation I haven't felt in countless centuries. Time stretches on, each second an eternity. And then, she emerges, her body floating out of the portal, her eyes snapping open to reveal irises that mirror my own—a testament to her newfound power.

A laugh bubbles up from deep within me, a sound of pure, unadulterated joy. "Welcome, my lady," I say, my voice echoing across the field.

She looks at me, her gaze piercing and fierce. Her hair flows around her like a golden halo, her skin shimmering with an ethereal glow. She is no longer the fragile human I met in the dungeons of Orthani. She is a demon, powerful and alluring, her beauty a deadly blade that will cut down anyone who dares to stand against us.

I approach her, my movements deliberate and reverent. "You are as beautiful as I imagined," I tell her, my voice barely above a whisper.

She smiles, her lips parting to reveal sharp, pointed teeth. "And you, my love, are everything I hoped for," she replies, her voice a sultry purr that sends a shiver down my spine.

17

CATANDRIA

The power surges through me, intoxicating and raw. I feel alive in a way I never have before. My skin hums with energy, each pulse reminding me that I am no longer the frail girl who once cowered in the shadows.

"My lord," I say, my voice reverberating with newfound strength.

His lips curl into a satisfied smirk. "My lady," he replies, amusement dancing in his eyes. "How does it feel to be reborn?"

"Glorious," I laugh, a sound that echoes with madness and delight. "I can finally have my revenge."

"Good," he says, his voice a low growl. "But first, there's a venue I have in mind for our... celebration."

I saunter towards him, every movement graceful and predatory. "What's wrong with here?" I ask, running a finger down his chest. My eyes trail towards the withered dead bodies nearby, but that's not an issue. That's our solemn audience.

He catches my hand, his grip firm but not painful. "Patience," he says, leaning in close. "I promise, it will be worth the wait."

"Patience was never my strong suit," I mutter, but I can't help the excitement that builds within me.

"That's why I like you," he says, pulling me into a fierce kiss. His lips are demanding, and I meet him with equal fervor. The taste of him is electric, a promise of the power and pleasure to come.

When he finally pulls back, I'm breathless. "Where are we going?" I ask, my voice husky.

"You're going to love this, I'm sure."

The world warps around us, and I feel a rush of cold wind against my skin. My vision blurs, and then suddenly, we’re standing outside the general’s mansion. My eyes widen in happiness, like a child seeing a festival for the first time.

“Finally,” I breathe, my voice trembling with excitement. “Finally!”

Javan grins, his sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. “Excited, are we?”

“More than you know,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. “This is it. This is where it all ends.”

“Or begins,” he corrects, his tone dark and promising. “You ready to make them pay?”

I nod, feeling a surge of power ripple through me. “More than ready.”

Javan’s hand tightens around mine, his eyes blazing with anticipation. “This is your baptism, my lady. Show them your power.”

I nod, feeling the energy pulse through my veins. The dark elf general’s mansion looms before us, its stone walls a monument to my suffering. I step forward, the power within me begging to be unleashed.

As I push open the grand doors, the soldiers inside turn to look at me, their expressions quickly shifting from confusion to fear. I smile, a wicked, triumphant grin. "Surprise," I say, my voice dripping with malice.

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