8. Saturus

8

SATURUS

T he little minx transforms before my eyes, her human form melting away into that of a dark elf female. Fascinating. I didn't expect her to take on such a specific form. The captain's daughter, no less. This should be entertaining.

I watch with growing interest as she saunters over to a young dark elf soldier, her hips swaying hypnotically. The poor fool's eyes nearly pop out of his skull. Ah, youth. So easily swayed by a pretty face.

"Lirael?" he stammers, cheeks flushing. "What are you doing here?"

Claudia's lips curl into a seductive smile. "I missed you, Thoran. Father's been keeping me locked up, but I just had to see you."

She leads him away from prying eyes, into the shadows cast by the barracks. Smart girl. I follow, curious to see how she'll handle this unexpected development.

"We shouldn't," Thoran protests weakly as Claudia presses herself against him. "If your father finds out..."

"Shh," she purrs, running a finger along his jaw. "Don't you want me?"

The boy gulps audibly. "Of course I do, but?—"

Claudia silences him with a kiss. It's almost comical how quickly he melts into her embrace, arms wrapping around her waist. Rookie mistake, kid.

I lean against a nearby tree, thoroughly amused. Who knew my little human had such acting chops? She's playing the role of lovesick noble's daughter to perfection.

"Tell me everything," Claudia murmurs between kisses. "What's father planning? Why are there so many troops here?"

Thoran's breath hitches. "I shouldn't..."

"Please?" She bats her eyelashes. "For me?"

The dark elf's resolve crumbles like sand. Pathetic. He stumbles over his words, eyes darting between Claudia's lips and the swell of her breasts. "I... we're... there's a raid planned. On the human settlement nearby."

Claudia's eyes flash with barely concealed rage. "When?"

"Tomorrow night," Thoran breathes, pressing closer. "But forget about that. I want you, Lirael."

He spins her around, pinning her against a tree. His hands roam greedily over her body, and I feel a surge of... something. Possessiveness? Ridiculous. She's just a pawn in this game.

Thoran leans in for a kiss, but Claudia turns her head at the last second. Her eyes lock with mine over the elf's shoulder.

Something inside me snaps.

How dare this insignificant worm touch what's mine? The rage that floods through me is white-hot, all-consuming. I want to tear him limb from limb, to bathe in his blood and feed his entrails to the crows.

My fangs elongate, itching to sink into flesh. My nails sharpen into claws. I take a step forward, barely containing the growl building in my throat.

I watch, transfixed, as Claudia deftly avoids Thoran's eager lips. She turns her head, bringing her mouth to his ear instead. Her voice drops to a sultry whisper, low and hypnotic. The sound sends a shiver down my spine.

"Tell me about the girl you took this morning," she breathes, her words dripping with honey.

Thoran's eyes glaze over, lost in a haze of lust. His hands still roam Claudia's body, but his movements are sluggish, uncoordinated. He's putty in her hands.

"Girl?" he mumbles, brow furrowing. "I... I don't know. Didn't see any girl."

I can't help but admire Claudia's technique. She's a natural at this, playing on the elf's desires like a master musician. But even as I appreciate her skill, I feel that possessive rage still simmering beneath the surface.

Claudia presses on, her voice a siren's call. "Think harder, darling. A human girl, taken from the outskirts. Where is she?"

Thoran shakes his head, struggling to focus. "No... no idea. Wasn't there. Don't know anything about it."

I see the moment Claudia realizes he's telling the truth. Disappointment flashes across her face, quickly masked by another seductive smile. But I caught it. That brief flicker of despair in her eyes.

It's... unsettling. I shouldn't care about her quest, her silly human attachments. And yet, seeing that look on her face stirs something within me.

Claudia's eyes lock with mine once more, a silent plea in their depths. The desperation I see there ignites something primal within me. My blood boils, a red haze descending over my vision.

I can't stop myself. I don't want to.

In an instant, I'm there. My hand plunges through Thoran's back, tearing through flesh and bone like wet parchment. He doesn't even have time to scream.

I feel his heart pulsing in my grasp, warm and slick. With a vicious twist, I yank it free.

His body crumples to the ground, a puppet with its strings cut. But I pay it no mind. My focus is solely on Claudia.

I hold the still-beating heart aloft, never breaking eye contact with her. Blood drips down my arm, staining the earth beneath our feet. The scent of copper fills the air, intoxicating.

I grin, expecting to see fear in Claudia's eyes. But what greets me instead sends a thrill through my entire being. Excitement. Pure, unadulterated excitement dances in those dark orbs, a mirror to the chaos I long to unleash.

She's perfect. A specimen crafted for my darkest desires. The way she looks at me, hungry and unafraid, speaks volumes. This little human craves the mayhem I offer, revels in the destruction I bring.

My grin widens, fangs glinting in the fading light. Oh, the fun we'll have, my dear. The havoc we'll wreak together.

But then... a nagging feeling tugs at the edges of my mind. An irritating whisper that refuses to be silenced. Who is the demon she's contracted to? The question burns, demanding answers I don't have.

How did I miss this? I, Saturus, one of the most powerful demons in existence, overlooked such a crucial detail? Impossible. And yet...

The contract is ancient, barely detectable. But it's there, a gossamer thread binding her to another. Another lust demon, no less. The audacity of it all both infuriates and intrigues me.

I open my mouth, ready to demand answers. But before I can voice the question, Claudia closes the distance between us.

Her lips crash against mine, hot and demanding. The kiss is savage, all teeth and tongue and desperation. She tastes of blood and desire, a heady combination that sets my senses ablaze.

I growl, low and feral, as her hands tangle in my hair. She pulls me closer, pressing her body flush against mine. The heat of her, the softness, it's intoxicating.

For a moment, all thoughts of contracts and other demons vanish. There's only this – Claudia's lips on mine, her nails raking down my back, the sweet scent of her arousal mingling with the copper tang of blood.