5. Annette

The demon snarls as the mystical flames spring up, encircling him in a cage of fire… but I did it! In theory, at least. Relief and pride wells up within me as he hisses against the warding spell. “Perhaps I am not so powerless after all.”

Yet as I gaze upon the captured demon, he does not cower or rage against the bars. Instead, he prowls the circumference of the flaming prison, studying it with an intensity… No, an interest. He looks more amused than afraid.

His otherworldly curiosity sends a chill down my spine. He does not seem like a creature that considers himself bested.

The fire illuminates the cords of muscle rippling as he tests the magical boundaries. As I gaze upon the encaged creature, Im taken aback by his sheer size and presence. His torso ripples with muscular power, arms thick as a sjyak trunk. His red eyes glow menacingly, so alien and otherworldly.

He slowly, languidly appraises me and suddenly I feel much less the captor than the prey. Hes like a wild beast pacing before me, taking his sweet time, noticing the slit up my skirt. The curve of my hip. No doubt the meat on my thighs. “I’m not a piece of meat!”

“But aren’t you?” He grins, baring rows of sharp jagged fangs, fangs for devouring flesh. Yet he seems endlessly amused by it all. Hes toying with me.

I steel my nerves. Surrender, and promise to leave! I shout, desperate to keep my voice from shaking. Ive defeated you!

The demonic hell beast throws back his head with a grating, bassy booming laugh that chills my blood. Defeated me? His voice rumbles deeply. You prolong the inevitable, witch. He grips the flaming bars, ignoring the sizzling burns.

I gesture, tightening the mystic bounds, but still, he stands tall.

Sweat drips down my temple as I strain to maintain the spell. The demon meets my eyes, grinning wickedly. Release me now, and Ill go easy on you. His hands continue to sizzle.

Impossible!

But I refuse to show fear. I am here as a protector of the innocent. People have died at his hands, of that I am sure. I will never set you free, monster!

Yet even as I boldly defy him, doubt gnaws within me. What happens if my power fails me? You are now under my control!

Under your control, little witch? He grins at me, all sharp fangs and menace. You amuse me with your audacity. But my patience will wear thin far before your jokes.

I sweep my hands to reinforce the enchantment, but the demon remains unfazed, a smug smirk on his face. Release me now, he rumbles. “Or you have no idea of the world of punishment you will receive...”

I will never set you free! I answer back, my defiance sounding hollow even to my own ears. The demons red eyes spark with something more like intrigue than anger. “You are under my control, foul demon!”

I shall enjoy making your death slow and agonizing. He grips the flaming bars harder, the scent of scorched flesh wafting as he easily withstands the pain.

I suppress a shudder.

“Tell me, little one, what exactly do you know of my kind?” His claws trail tauntingly down the crackling mystical wall of the cage.

“I, um…”

My heart hammers, but I stand firm, desperately pouring all my magic into maintaining my spell, hoping it will hold this beast at bay.

“Do you know what I could do to a little piece of meat like you?” With a demonic roar, he flexes his muscular frame and the fiery cage surrounding him explodes into wisps of smoke. Im blasted back by a shockwave of energy, all my magic extinguished in an instant. I hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of me. Dazed, I look up to see the massive demon looming over me, eyes ablaze.

He extends a clawed hand as mystic energy crackles around it. I scream as lightning-like tendrils envelop me, and I writhe helplessly in the clutches of his demonic power.

It feels like an eternity before he withdraws the energy, leaving me panting at his feet. I look up to see his fanged grin as he towers over my battered form.

This is the end.

I clench my eyes shut and await the final agonizing blow, accepting it with as much honor as I can muster.

But the expected blow never comes.

Instead, clawed hands close around my arms and yank me roughly to my feet. I cry out in fear and humiliation as he easily lifts me, struggling uselessly in his granite grip.

Powerless, I meet the demons burning gaze. His fiery eyes seem to pierce my very soul, peering through flesh and bone. I shiver as a grating chuckle escapes his fanged maw. You are no witch, he rumbles. Merely a human playing with powers beyond her meager comprehension.

He brings his face closer to mine, sniffing at my hair and skin. I shudder, avoiding his intense demonic stare. Will he torment me further before finally killing me?

Please, I whisper hoarsely. Let me go . . . I trail off as his red eyes narrow, seeming to judge my spirit.

Perhaps I will let you live, little witch, the demon muses, dangling me effortlessly before him as if I weigh nothing. If you tell me what a frail little thing like you is doing all alone out here. And what foolish thoughts led you to attack me.

I dangle helplessly in his iron grip, trembling at his claws so close to my vulnerable flesh. I had no choice, I stammer. My village exiled me, accused me of witchcraft. I fled here, to the forest. Then the killings started. I thought it was you. I hang my head, ashamed of my reckless arrogance.

The demon tilts his head, contemplating my words. And so you tracked me down, thinking you could be the hero?” He chuckles. “Foolish girl.

He brings me nearer, again sniffing at my hair. I shudder as his nose trails up my neck.

Please… I whimper, hating my weakness.

“Hmm, perhaps I was mistaken about you, he muses. You are not wholly without warrant.

To my shock, he sets me down gently. I stand trembling before him, not daring to run. Tell me, little cockroach, about your magical abilities, he commands. Where did you learn the forbidden arts?

“Don’t call me that,” I bristle, swallowing nervously, my tongue once again getting ahead of my thoughts. Ive always had some magic for as long as I can remember. When my emotions run high, it grows stronger, but I can’t control it very well. The demon nods contemplatively as I try to hide the burns going up my arm.

“If you do not like cockroach, what should I call you?”

“My name is Annette.”

Annette. The name is unassuming but charming. It suits her.

“What is your name?” she asks uneasily, as if she is not sure she wants an answer.

“Rukh,” I tell her simply. “Raw talent alone does not grant such skills. You must have received some training.

Well… I may have found some spellbooks hidden away in the village archives. I taught myself what I could in secret.

The demon throws back his head with a grating laugh. Resourceful of you. Dangerous and foolish. But resourceful, nonetheless. Though clearly, your training remains … lacking.

I blush furiously. He gestures at the scorched ground where my fiery cage had been. The incantations. Where did you learn them?

I told you, from the forbidden books, I admit. Ive always had a knack for remembering spells. I demonstrate by whispering an incantation and conjuring a swirl of mist in my palms.

The demon peers closer, seemingly impressed. Strong potential, but little discipline. Should you live, which I highly doubt you will, I would very much like to see more.”

“So you’re going to kill me?” I try to keep my voice calm as I ask the question.

He pulls back, and his red eyes almost look surprised. “Kill you? Do you think you deserve to die? No, I don’t intend to kill you. I just don’t think the whims of nature will be as merciful as me, and you seem a bit too reckless to manage them successfully.”

I hmph, crossing my arms. Then, with as much dignity as I can muster, I set about collecting my belongings scattered around the area, keeping one wary eye on the demon. He makes no move to stop me. He just keeps that same burning and curious look as if weighing everything about me.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I turn and walk steadily into the woods without looking back. My heart pounds, expecting an attack at any moment.

But it never comes.

Once Im a safe distance away, I finally stop and lean against a tree, breathing hard. I made it. But next time, I will be better prepared before facing that arrogant beast again.

As I make my way back through the dim forest, my thoughts keep returning to the strange demon who spared my life. He was nothing like the vicious, bloodthirsty monsters from childhood stories and warnings. Smug and full of himself, yes, but he restrained his hand against the human who attacked him.

And for what?

There’s more complexity to him than I expected.

Perhaps beneath the layers of predatory instincts, cruel amusement, and haughty pride, there lay some glimmer of conscious thought, even principles.

I find myself wondering what existence is like for one such as him, feared and condemned for his very nature.

In a small way, it mirrors my own banishment for having powers I did not ask for.

Could there be some capacity for empathy or compassion lurking within the demon? Or do I only see what I wish to – a kindred spirit?

For now, he remains a dangerous enigma.

But perhaps not an irredeemable one.