2. Calix

2

CALIX

" Y ou called. And I have answered."

I materialize in a dim library, the scent of old parchment and burning wax filling my nostrils. Furniture's been shoved aside, making room for a sloppy array of candles and familiar symbols. Summoned again. How quaint. It's almost amusing how these mortals think they can control beings like me with their pitiful rituals.

My eyes scan the room, searching for the fool who dared call upon me. Probably some pompous wizard or desperate dark elf khuzuth seeking power. But as my gaze settles on a young woman, barely more than a girl, I can't help but raise an eyebrow. Well, this is certainly unexpected.

Men are usually the ones who summon me, either in their thirst for power or reckless curiosity. A young human woman sits before me, and I find myself intrigued despite my initial irritation.

Long dark hair cascades down her shoulders, framing a slim figure that speaks of both strength and vulnerability. Her eyes are green and large, like precious stones with a gentle glimmer that seems to pierce through the shadows. Her skin is tanned, a testament to time spent under the sun, but what truly catches my attention are the scars lining her body. I wonder how those came to be? Each one tells a story, and I find myself unexpectedly curious about the tales behind them.

I can't help but smirk, my interest piqued. This little mortal might prove to be more entertaining than I initially thought.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" I drawl, crossing my arms over my chest. "Playing with fire, are you?"

The girl's eyes widen, her breath catching in her throat. She's practically trembling, but there's a spark of determination in her gaze that piques my interest.

"I... I summoned you," she stammers, her voice barely above a whisper.

I can't help but chuckle. "Did you now? And here I thought I'd just decided to pop in for a nightcap." I take a step closer, watching as she shrinks back. "Tell me, little one, do you have any idea what you've done?"

She swallows hard, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her dress. "I need help. Please, I... I don't know what else to do."

"Help?" I repeat, my smirk widening. "Oh, darling. Demons don't help. We make deals. We take what we want." I lean in, my voice dropping to a low purr. "And right now, what I want is to know why a child like you is meddling with forces beyond her comprehension."

The girl's chin lifts, a flicker of defiance in her eyes. "I'm not a child. I'm eighteen... or I will be tomorrow."

"Eighteen?" I can't help but laugh. "To me, you're practically an infant. But please, do enlighten me. What could possibly drive someone so young to summon a creature of darkness?"

She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "I need to escape. They're going to sell me, and I... I can't let that happen."

Now that's interesting. I tilt my head, studying her more closely. "Sell you? My, my. It seems the mortal realm hasn't changed as much as I'd hoped. Then again, you creatures are primitive in your traditions and your endless pursuit of power."

"Please," she says, clasping her hands together so tightly her knuckles turn white. "Please, you have to help me. I'll do anything. Absolutely anything!"

I raise a brow, suddenly filled with an incredible satisfaction to see this human girl on her knees, begging me so sweetly. It's almost... arousing, in a twisted sort of way. The power I hold over her in this moment is intoxicating.

I study the young woman before me, her desperation palpable in the air. It's incredible, really. The way she trembles, her eyes wide with fear. I can't help but savor the moment, drinking in every detail of her vulnerability. Her ragged breathing, the slight quiver of her bottom lip, the way her chest heaves with each pleading word. It's a delicious tableau of human weakness, laid out before me like a sumptuous feast.

"Anything?" I drawl, letting the word roll off my tongue. "My, my. Such a dangerous promise to make, little one. Are you sure you want to tempt a demon with such... open-ended offers?"

She swallows hard, her throat bobbing. "I mean it. Please, I'll do whatever you ask. Just... don't let them sell me."

I chuckle, the sound low and dangerous. "Such conviction. Very well, let's make a deal, shall we?"

With a flick of my wrist, three small, glittering crystals appear in my palm. Their glimmer catches in the moonlight that trickles in through the windows, throwing colorful reflections across the room.

"These," I say, holding the crystals up, "are your key to freedom. But they come with a heavy price."

Her eyes lock onto the crystals, mesmerized. "What... what do I have to do?"

I lean in close, my breath hot against her ear. "It's simple, really. You must trap three souls within this crystal. Three lives, bound for eternity."

She gasps, recoiling. "What? No, I... I can't..."

"Can't you?" I ask, arching an eyebrow. "Even if it means your freedom? Even if it means escaping a life of degradation and slavery?"

Her resolve wavers, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. It's delicious.

"How?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I tap the amulet hanging around my neck. "Whoever wears this will command those souls. They'll be bound to serve, to obey every whim and desire."

"And... and you'll give me that? If I do this?"

I laugh, the sound echoing through the library. "Oh no, little one. This stays with me. But perhaps, if you prove yourself worthy, I might consider... other arrangements."

She bites her lip, clearly torn. "I... I don't know if I can..."

"Then enjoy your new life as a plaything for the dark elves," I say dismissively, turning away. My hands closes around the crystals. "I'm sure they'll be gentle. For the first hour or two, at least."

"Wait!" she cries out, grabbing my arm. The touch sends a jolt through me, and I turn back slowly, my eyes narrowing. The human girl has a lot of boldness, reaching out and touching me in such a way.

However, I'm starting to like it.

"I'll do it," she says, her voice shaking but determined. "I'll... I'll trap the souls. Just tell me how."

I smile, a predatory gleam in my eyes. "Excellent choice, my dear. Humans aren't usually eager to partake in such nefarious deeds, but you… You're different. You're much more audacious than the rest."

I watch as the girl's eyes widen, her desperation palpable..

"Please," she begs, her voice cracking. Tears glisten in her eyes. "Tell me what to do. This is my only chance at freedom. I can't mess this up."

I can't help but smirk, impressed by her resolve. It's rare to see such determination in one so young. "Eager, aren't we? But tell me, little one, where's the fun in simply handing you all the answers?"

Her brow furrows, frustration evident in the set of her jaw. "Fun? This isn't a game! My life is at stake here."

I chuckle, the sound low and dark. "Oh, but it is a game. Everything's a game when you've lived as long as I have. And you, my dear, are proving to be a most intriguing player."

She shakes her head, her long dark hair swaying with the movement. "I don't understand. Why won't you just tell me how to trap the souls?"

I lean in close, the warmth of her skin radiating off of her body. And her scent… her delicious scent reaches my nostrils. "Because, sweet human, the journey is half the fun. If I simply handed you the solution, where would be the challenge? The growth?"

She pulls back, her green eyes flashing with anger. "Challenge? Growth? I'm trying to save myself from a life of slavery and you're trying to play games with me!"

"Precisely," I purr, running a finger along her jawline. "And what better motivation could there be? If you can't manage, then you know what your fate will be. But don't worry. You'll figure it out, I have no doubt. After all, you managed to summon me, didn't you?"

Geneva steps back, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "That's different. I had instructions for that. This... this is impossible!"

I raise an eyebrow, amused by her outburst. "Impossible? You're standing in a room with a demon you summoned. I'd say you've already redefined what's possible."

She opens her mouth to argue, then closes it again, clearly at a loss for words. I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind, the desperation warring with her growing frustration.

"Fine," she finally spits out. "I'll figure it out on my own. But when I do, you better hold up your end of the bargain."

I can't help but laugh at her audacity. I reach out, depositing the crystals into her weak palm. "Oh, I always keep my word, little one. That's the beauty of deals with demons. We're bound by them just as surely as you are."