The hair on my neck stood on edge. I opened my mouth, my throat bobbing under his fingers, but the words just wouldn’t come. Sitrilaughed, the deep, raspy sound sending chills to my core.
“I’ve had fun with this little dance of yours, but I think it’s time we ended it. I can’t risk you trying that again.”
With one hand still wrapped around my neck, he moved to collect my wrists. His arm brushed mine. An emerald flicker crossed his face.
Sitri froze. His breath caught. His hand tightened. I couldn’t breathe. The world spun as I gasped for air, my will to fight fading fast. The Prince’s fingers gripped my sleeve. He pulled it back, and a faint green light bathed our faces. There, exposed to his gaze, was the sigil that had burned into my flesh hours ago.
“How interesting. You’ve got a history, don’t you, darling?”
As suddenly as he’d caught me, Sitri released his hold and sent me crashing to the floor. I landed on my hands and knees. My chest heaved to draw the air Sitri denied me, and my entire body trembled with fear. I wanted to stand, wanted to run, but my muscles would not respond.
The Prince’s footsteps thundered through the hall as he came to face me. He took one knee. With the use of only a single finger, he tilted my head upwards until my gaze met his. That cruel smile of his was nowhere to be seen.
“Where, pray tell, did you get a mark like that?”
“I don’t know. It appeared on me, right after I…” My voice cracked, unable to utter the final word. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. To say more would risk them overflowing and exposing a weakness I couldn’t afford.
“Right after you died,” Sitri said, finishing the sentence I hadn’t.
I nodded. Hearing him recognize the life I’d lost nearly broke me. I hadn’t had the time to dwell on that unwanted truth. I didn’t want to either—not here. I needed to hold my composure for just a few minutes longer, and if I was going to shatter, it would have to be in solitude.
“What is your name, human?” Sitri asked, breaking the silence.
I hesitated, unsure whether I should offer an honest answer. He letout a sigh of annoyance.
“For Hell’s sake, I must know if I am to protect you. A name is a dangerous thing. I need some collateral, something to make involving myself in your affairs worthwhile.”
“It’s Lillia. Lillia Sparre.”
“Now, will you kindly tell me just how many demons you’ve spoken to since your demise?”
“Three,” I answered, settling on the half-truth that might keep me safe. “You, your maid, and a demon called Zaleos. He’s a Duke, and presides over peace and love… at least, that’s what he told me.”
Sitri glanced at the wreckage of the lantern, then fixed his gaze back on me. His expression grew deathly serious. Dim candlelight flickered in his silver eyes and across his stoic face.
“How perfectly like him to drop an enigma at my door,” Sitri muttered as he stood. “You want my protection? Very well. Let us strike a deal. I swear I will protect you, house you, and treat you as one of my own. In exchange, you must not harm me, my kingdom, or any demon in my legions. Sound fair?”
“That’s all? You don’t expect anything in return?” I asked.
Sitri’s jaw tightened. “I named my terms. It would be unwise of you to turn them down.”
The Prince extended his hand, beckoning me to take it. I flinched backward as he did. This was the bargain I’d hoped to strike. Now that I had it on the table, I’d sooner run than accept it.
His ominous offer, his sudden change of tune, the secrets he kept… There was something he wasn’t telling me. Sitri held dominion over lies. Could I even trust him to keep his word? What was a bargain with a lust demon worth?
I glanced behind Sitri at the pitch-black hallway. It wasn’t too late to run. If I followed his lead long enough, I’d get a head start. The sigil on my arm might barely cast enough light to guide me. I’d be out the door,out of his manor, and back on the streets of Lantyca in under a minute if I trusted my navigational abilities.
And then what?
Even if I somehow managed to give Sitri the slip, ravenous demons lay in wait just beyond the manor’s gates. They hadn’t attacked me earlier, but I had no doubts that the moment Sitri gave the order, every one of those demons would search for me high and low. There was no reason for me to push my luck. His terms as stated were fair. Generous, even. I bit my lip and took his hand.
I winced, expecting a show of fire and pain, but none came. No agonizing magic, no twist in my mind or intrusion of my soul. Instead, he held me tight and pulled me back to my feet. I stumbled from the sudden momentum. He scrutinized me as I found my footing. The mischievous glimmer had returned to his eyes, but he no longer looked like a lion on the prowl. He was more like a house cat toying with its prey. Lethal in its boredom, and tame only when entertained.
If I wanted to survive under his watch, I would have to learn to placate him. This time, I’d lucked into a solution. Next time, the same fortune might not bless me.
Sitri ducked back into his chancery, and when he emerged, he held the candle he’d lit earlier. He stepped over the remains of the lantern and waved for me to follow.
“Come now, Lillia,” he called over his shoulder as he sauntered down a hall to the left. I had to sprint to catch up with him.
