8. Enoch

8

ENOCH

T he whispers follow me through the halls, clinging to the shadows like cobwebs.

“Enoch’s pet human,” they hiss, disdain dripping from their words. I clench my fists. I can’t afford to lose control.

“I think he’s been protecting her.”

“No way,” another scoffs. “It's just a form of psychological torture.”

Their laughter grates on my nerves. I push open the door to the rose garden, the scent of flowers mingling with the damp earth. Lily is there, tending to a bush with meticulous care.

“You’re unhappy,” she says without looking up. “I can tell.”

“Got caught up with some admirers,” I reply, stepping closer. “You know, the ones who think I’ve gone soft.”

She finally looks at me, amusement in her eyes. “Maybe you have.”

“Not a chance.” I crouch beside her, inspecting a thorn she’s carefully avoiding, then jabbing it with my finger and drawing blood, holding it up for her to see I’m not soft.

“Fine, tough guy,” she says, rolling her eyes.

“You’ve been busy.”

“Someone has to keep these roses alive,” she says, a hint of pride in her voice.

I reach out, brushing a petal with my fingers. “You’re doing a good job. Better than the last gardener.”

“He was a demon! Of course he was a terrible gardener.” She laughs, a sound that’s becoming dangerously comforting. “You know, you’re risking a lot by helping me.”

“I can handle it.” I glance around, ensuring we’re alone. “But you need to be careful. Rumors are spreading.”

“I’ve noticed,” she says quietly. “Griselda’s been giving me hell.”

“She’s jealous,” I say, my voice low. “Always has been.”

“Of what? A human?”

“Of anyone who gets attention.”

She shakes her head. “This isn’t a game, Enoch. If your mother finds out?—”

“I’ll deal with her.” The words come out sharper than I intend. I soften my tone. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Why?” Her question hangs in the air, heavy and uncertain.

“Because you’re different,” I say, meeting her gaze. “And you make me different.”

She sighs, looking away. “Different isn’t always better.”

“In this case, it is.” I stand, offering her my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here before someone sees us.”

She takes my hand, her touch sending a jolt through me. We move through the garden on our way toward the passage to the library, the tension between us palpable. Every step feels like a defiance, a challenge to the world we’re trapped in.

As we reach a hidden corner, she turns to me. “What’s our plan?”

“Survive,” I say, pulling her closer.

The hidden passage behind the library is damp, the air thick with the scent of mildew. Our secret refuge. The flickering torchlight casts long shadows on the stone walls, creating a semblance of privacy.

“Do you think it’s real?” Lily asks, her voice barely a whisper.

"What?" I lean against the wall, watching her pace.

“The artifact I keep hearing about."

"Oh, it’s real. The question is where it’s hidden.”

She stops, looking at me with those piercing green eyes. “And you know?”

“I have an idea.” I smirk, enjoying the way her eyes narrow. “You didn’t think I’d come to these meetings unprepared, did you?”

“Meetings?” She scoffs, crossing her arms. “Is that what we’re calling them now?”

I shrug. “Sounds more official. Besides, it’s not like we can just waltz through the castle talking about forbidden artifacts.”

“Fair point.” She sighs, rubbing her temples. “So, what’s your plan?”

“We find the artifact,” I reply, stepping closer. “And we get the fuck out of here.”

“Just like that?” Her skepticism is palpable, but I can see the flicker of hope in her eyes.

“Just like that,” I confirm, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "There’s a hidden chamber in the east wing. I think that’s where it’s kept.”

“How do you know?”

I tap my temple. “Demonic intuition.”

She rolls her eyes but smiles.

I want to kiss her again. I feel a need for her like hunger, but I can't risk the castle reacting again. Reluctantly I pull away.

"I'll see you soon."

That evening at dinner my mother announces a grand ball. The gathered demons murmur in anticipation.

“A grand ball to celebrate our lineage,” my mother declares, her golden eyes scanning the room. “And to reveal my son’s progress.”

Progress? That’s a loaded term coming from her. I glance at Lily, who’s standing near the entrance, her expression carefully neutral. But I can see the flicker of fear in her eyes.

“Enoch,” she calls, and all eyes turn to me. “You’ll be the guest of honor.”

I bow low, pretending to be honored, my mind racing. She’s up to something. Something that involves me—and likely, Lily.

As the crowd disperses, I make my way to Lily, who’s now busying herself with a tray of drinks.

“She’s planning something,” I say, my voice low. “And it’s not good.”

“What do you think she’ll do?” Lily asks, her voice barely a whisper.

“I don’t know,” I admit, frustration boiling under my skin. “But we need to be ready for anything.”

“She mentioned your ‘progress,’” she says, looking at me with concern. “What does that mean?”

“It means she’s going to try and prove I’m still the perfect demon son she’s always wanted,” I reply, bitterness seeping into my voice. “And if that means exposing my...weaknesses, she’ll do it.”

“Your weaknesses?” Lily’s eyes widen. “You mean me?”

“Yes, maybe. I don't know,” I say, trying to appear like I'm not speaking to the human filing the glasses. “And I won’t let her.”

“Maybe we should have a plan just in case,” she says, determination hardening her features.

"Meet me later," I murmur. "Usual place."

I move away, though every time I leave Lily it’s getting harder.

The torches flicker as we slip into the hidden passage later, the damp stone walls pressing close around us. Lily’s hand is warm in mine, a small comfort against the chill. I lead her to a secluded alcove, away from prying eyes and ears.

“What do you think it’s like out there?” she asks, leaning against the wall. Her eyes are bright, curious.

“Out where?”

“Beyond these walls. Away from the castle, the demons, all of it.”

“Haven’t you been there?”

“Being dragged through as a prisoner doesn’t give you a good view.”

I sigh, leaning back. “Honestly? I’ve never really thought about what it’s like. This place has been my whole world.”

“But now?” She tilts her head, a smile playing on her lips. “Now that you’re different?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Different, huh? I suppose I am. Thanks to you.”

“You make it sound like a bad thing.”

“It’s not,” I admit, squeezing her hand. “But it’s a lot to wrap my head around. Freedom, real freedom, it’s… strange.”

“Imagine it,” she says, closing her eyes. “A small house, maybe near a forest. No more orders, no more fear. Just...living.”

“Living,” I repeat, the word foreign on my tongue. “Sounds almost too good to be true.”

“Maybe it is,” she concedes, opening her eyes. “But we can still dream, can’t we?”

“Dreams,” I muse, the concept both alien and alluring. “Alright, let’s dream.”

She laughs softly, the sound echoing in the narrow space. “We could have a garden. Not just roses, but all kinds of flowers. Vegetables, too. Fresh food, not the stuff they serve here.”

“I don’t know about the vegetables.”

Lily laughs. “Some humans are like that too, so it’s not a requirement.”

“A garden,” I say, picturing it. “And a real bed. Not some cold, damp cell.”

“Definitely a real bed,” she agrees, a hint of mischief in her smile. “With thick blankets and soft pillows.”

“And a fireplace,” I add, getting into the spirit. “To keep us warm during the winter.”

Her eyes light up. “And books. So many books. We could read for hours, without anyone interrupting.”

“Books,” I echo, nodding. “I’d like that. And no one to tell us what to do, no more being watched all the time.”

She leans in, her voice barely above a whisper. “We’d be free, Enoch. Truly free.”

I swallow, the weight of the word settling in my chest. “Free,” I say, tasting it. “Yeah, I like the sound of that.”

She rests her head against my shoulder, and for a moment, we’re both lost in the dream. The oppressive walls of the castle seem to fade, replaced by the promise of a life we’ve only just begun to imagine.

“We’ll get there,” I promise, my voice firm. “We’ll find a way.”

We stay like that for a while, letting the dream wash over us. The world outside these walls waits, and for the first time, it feels within reach.