Page 6 of Illicit Bargain

Before she can respond, he lunges. Catandria dodges clumsily, the dagger slicing through the air but missing its mark. The guard's laughter echoes through the dungeon, a sound that grates on my nerves.

"Come now, little human," I drawl, leaning back against the cold stone wall and watching the scene unfold with a smirk. "Is that the best you can do?"

Catandria's eyes dart to me, wide and desperate, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The desperation etched in every line of her face is almost palpable. "Please! I'll do anything. I'll pay any price!" she begs, her voice trembling but laced with a resolve that piques my interest.

Her plea hangs in the air, and for a moment, everything slows. The guards advance, their initial amusement turning to deadly annoyance. Catandria stumbles, her back hitting the cold stone wall.

"Pathetic," one of the guards spits, raising his sword. "Let's end this. She isn't worth the trouble."

I can almost taste the fear radiating off her, mingling with the dank, musty air of the dungeon. Her knuckles whiten around the dagger, but it’s clear she’s no match for these brutes. They're too fast, too powerful for anything the human woman can do. My fingers twitch, the temptation to intervene growing stronger.

After all, a little chaos might just be the thrill I've been craving.

A grin forms on my lips, watching the foolish dark elves close in on the even more foolish human. These creatures are beneath me in every single way.

With a flick of my wrist, the air thickens with power. The guard's eyes widen in shock as he drops to his knees, clawing at his throat. The other follows suit, their faces contorting in agony. Horrifying screams escape their throats as they convulse on the ground, their souls leaving their bodies with ease. I lick my lips, savoring their fear.

"Impressive, isn't it?" I muse, watching them writhe. "Such fragile creatures."

Catandria collapses to the ground, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The guards' bodies go still, lifeless on the cold stone floor. She turns to me, eyes wide with horror.

"How...?" she begins, voice barely a whisper.

I beckon her over with a chained hand. "Come inside the cell," I command, my words teeming with danger.

Is this human audacious enough to obey a demon?

"Prove yourself to me."

5

CATANDRIA

Ican’t believe I’m actually doing this.

The metallic tang of blood hangs heavy in the dank air as I kneel beside one of the fallen guards, my fingers brushing against the iciness of the key ring. My heart thrums a frantic rhythm against my ribcage, a drumbeat to the chaos unfolding around me. The keys feel like a lifeline, a tangible promise of the power I so desperately crave.

With trembling hands, I find the correct key, the one that will unlock the cell before me. The demons eyes, a swirl of infernal flames, watch my every move with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.

"Don't worry about the chains," he says, his voice a low rumble that seems to resonate within the very marrow of my bones. "I have a... particular fondness for restraints."

I nod slowly. My attention is drawn to the heavy chains that bind him, each link glowing with an otherworldly light. His form is both terrifying and mesmerizing, a study in contrasts—scarred, yet flawless; monstrous, yet captivating.

"Touch me," he orders, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Show me how badly you want your freedom."

"…Okay."

Hesitantly, I reach out, pulling down the fabric that covers his penis. My fingertips grazing the heated flesh of his manhood. A gasp escapes my lips as a jolt of energy courses through me, a sensation both unfamiliar and exhilarating. His body arches into my touch, a guttural moan echoing off the stone walls.

"You're not what I expected," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckles, the sound rich and deep. "And what did you expect, little one?"

I blush, realizing the absurdity of my situation. "I... I don't know."

"I will give you the power you seek," he purrs, hissing in a breath as my hand clenches around his penis and moves at a quick pace. "But it comes at a price."

I steel myself, prepared to agree to any terms. "Name it."

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