Page 23 of Illicit Bargain

The first dark elf soldier lunges at me, sword raised. I flick my wrist, and he's thrown against the wall with a sickening crunch. His comrades barely have time to react before I'm upon them, my movements a blur of deadly grace.

Magic crackles at my fingertips, and with a mere thought, I send a wave of dark energy crashing into a group of them, their screams echoing through the chamber. The air thrums with power, and I revel in the chaos I've unleashed. Each strike, each spell, is a symphony of vengeance, and I conduct it with ruthless precision.

Javan's voice, a dark promise in the shadows, urges me on. "Show them no mercy, my lady."

I catch the eyes of another soldier, his terror palpable, and I feel a twisted satisfaction. "Your turn," I whisper, before a bolt of energy leaves my hand, striking him down.

“Faster, Catandria,” Javan’s voice echoes in my mind. “Make them fear you.”

I laugh, a sound that sends chills down my own spine. The soldiers fall one by one, their screams of agony a symphony to my ears. Blood splatters the walls, and I can feel the life force draining from them, feeding my power.

A particularly brave soldier charges at me, his blade aimed straight for my heart. I catch it with my bare hand, feeling the metal bend and warp under my grip. “Is that all you’ve got?” I taunt, before snapping his neck with a swift twist.

“Good, my lady,” Javan’s voice rings in my mind, filled with dark pride. “Feed on their energy. Let it consume you.”

I close my eyes, feeling the raw power coursing through my veins. It’s intoxicating, overwhelming. Every scream, every drop of blood fuels me further. I can feel myself teetering on the edge of control, but I don’t care. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, the revenge I’ve craved.

The dark elf general finally appears, his eyes widening in shock as he takes in the carnage. It's him. The one who ordered my capture, who separated by family apart. Who killed men, women, and children in his lust for power.

“What is this?” he demands, his voice shaking.

“Your end,” I reply, my voice cold and merciless. I raise my hand, and he’s lifted off the ground, struggling against an invisible force. His fear is delicious, a sweet nectar that fuels my power.

“Finish him,” Javan urges, his voice a seductive whisper in my ear.

"Not yet… I want to make this one suffer," I say, narrowing my eyes at the dark elf general. "I want to make him understand what it's like to have everything taken from you. To be left with nothing."

"My, my," Javan whisper, perking a brow. "You're incredible, my lady."

"Not just that," I reply swiftly. "I'm out for blood."

18

JAVAN

The general's eyes are wide with panic as he stumbles into the throne room, the elite guards and his family rising in confusion. The youngest child bolts, but I grab the boy by the scruff and fling him to Catandria's feet.

"Deal with him," I command, a smirk tugging at my lips.

Catandria doesn't hesitate. Her blade finds the child's heart, and the boy crumples. She looks up, eyes burning with hatred, throwing a defiant glance at the general.

"Your turn," she says, her voice a low growl.

The general's scream echoes in the hall as he charges, his guards following suit. They clash with Catandria, their blades a flurry of metal. She fights fiercely, her movements graceful and deadly, but a guard's blade slices her arm. Blood stains her sleeve.

I can't have that.

With a flick of my wrist, the guards' weapons turn to molten metal. They drop them, howling in pain. I step forward, capturing their terror in one fell swoop. The guards fall, lifeless, and the general's family kneels, trembling.

Catandria takes my hand, leading me to the throne. I sit, pulling her onto my lap. She fits perfectly, like she belongs there.

"Thank you," I whisper, my lips brushing her ear. "You deserve this."

She smiles, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "All of it?"

"Every bit," I reply, my hand caressing her thigh. "And more."

The general stares at us, eyes ablaze with fury. "How dare you? How fucking dare you?!" he spits, his voice quivering with hatred. "How dare you come into my home and do this to me?!"

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