Page 37 of Taken to the Shadow Realm

Skimped on payment? That soul thingy she paid with? I saw it with my own two eyes. I might not have understood what it meant back then, but I had an idea now.

“We all saw the orb,” I said, my hands gripping the cloud-like comforter around me. “She paid you.”

The demon tsked and stood, her large wings brushing the tops of the ceiling.

“And when one tried to consume the orb, it turned out to be fake,” she growled. “Not that you would understand anything about it.”

“Yien wouldn’t do that,” I said quickly. The need to defend her honor even if it cost me my life was so foreign to me, but so strong in that moment. “It must have been a misunderstanding.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Little pathetic human thinks she spent enough time with demons that she understands us?” In a flash, she was across the room, her clawed hand gripping my chin and forcing me to look into her bloodred eyes.

“You think that she’s honorable just because she showed you kindness? That she wouldn’t cheat my auction for even the chance to get something she was salivating for?”

I swallowed thickly. Tears burned my eyes.

I was angry. I was scared. I didn’t know what to do.

“It’s a misunderstand?—”

“A misunderstanding is you thinking that Yien was nothing but a thief. She thieved to get you, and she will continue to thieve until she faces the consequences of her actions. Now tell me, are you going to be a good little human and stop this attitude until it’s your time to be called, or do I need to call in reinforcements?”

She was trying to scare me. I could see it in her aura. She was playful. She loved seeing how I reacted to her games.

So even through my fear, I forced my lips to break into a shaky smile.

“And ruin your precious merchandise?” I asked, letting a laugh thread through my words. “You put me here in this comfy room. Feed me. Clothe me. Keep me locked away. I think that’s for my safety because you and I both know the demons you employ would take advantage of your wares. So no, I don’t think you’ll call them. You’ll leave me in this room—alone—until it’s time.”

Her eyes searched my face before she all but pushed me back into the bed, her laugh echoing throughout the room.

“Oh, I wish I could take you as a pet for myself,” she said and wiped fake tears from her eyes.

“But you’re a businesswoman.” I leaned forward. “And selling me is a lost opportunity.”

She let out another laugh as she retreated, not at all fazed by my words.

“I’m serious,” I continued. “I’m sure you can strike a deal with Yien. I mean, come on, that power of hers has to be good for somethin?—”

She yanked open the door and sent me a wicked smirk.

“A businesswoman knows when she’s being played,” she said and slammed the door behind her, leaving me alone in the room.

Fuck this.

I wasn’t going to stand around waiting for Yien to come save me. This time, I would have to do it myself.

I knew the demons now, knew how they worked. I could at least try my hand at this.

So I waited. Hours passed until the room plunged into darkness. I noticed that no food was sent. She was punishing me.

But no matter.

I closed my eyes, putting my back against the door, and waited.

I tried to focus on the auras of the demons just beyond the door. The back of my eyelids lit up whenever someone passed.

It took a lot of concentration, but as soon as there was a lull, I tried the door.

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