Caged By the Lich

3. Astrid

3

ASTRID

I feel the blood drain from my face as Olvaar's words echo through the suddenly silent hall. My heart pounds against my ribcage, a mix of shock and fury coursing through my veins. No. This can't be happening.

I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. The pain grounds me, snapping me out of my momentary stupor. This demon is sorely mistaken if he thinks I'm going to let an arrogant bastard treat me like a piece of property.

"Excuse me?" My voice cuts through the tense silence, sharp as a blade. I step forward, chin raised high, meeting Olvaar's gaze head-on. "An adventure? I don't recall agreeing to be part of any deal."

Olvaar's eyes narrow, a dangerous glint flickering in their depths. Does the color respond to his emotion too? Dammit- Why am I getting caught up in him? He might be gorgeous — like really fucking good looking, especially in that fitted black outfit — but I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.

So none.

And I refuse to back down. I've spent my entire life proving myself in this world of demons. I'm not about to let this asshole undo everything with a few words.

"What right do you have to claim me?" I demand, my voice ringing out clear and strong. The crowd around us shifts uneasily, but I ignore them. My focus is solely on Olvaar. "I'm not a possession to be bartered or traded. I am a person, and I make my own choices."

A low murmur ripples through the crowd. I can feel their eyes on me - some shocked, others admiring, most fearful. But I don't care. I've never backed down from a fight before, and I'm not about to start now.

Olvaar's lips curl into a cruel smile. "Feisty little human, aren't you?" He takes a step closer, towering over me. "Your father's debt is mine to collect. And I choose you as payment."

"I am not currency," I spit back, standing my ground despite the way my heart races. "Find another way to settle your pathetic squabble. I won't be a pawn in your games."

The tension in the room is palpable. I can see Athena from the corner of my eye, her face a mask of worry. But I can't back down now. I won't let Olvaar think he can just waltz in here and claim me like some sort of prize.

"You speak bravely for a human in a demon's world," Olvaar sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. "Perhaps you need a reminder of your place."

This is not going well. I scan the room frantically, my mind racing. The walls seem to close in, the air thick with tension. I need to get out of here. Now.

Without a second thought, I turn on my heel, yanking fast enough that I manage to slip out of Olvaar's grasp, and shove my way through the crowd. Startled gasps and indignant cries follow in my wake, but I don't care. My heart pounds in my ears as I push past demon nobles, their faces blurring into a sea of shocked expressions.

I spot a small, unassuming door hidden behind a tapestry - the servants' exit. My salvation. I've used it countless times to escape tedious social gatherings. Now, it might just save me from a fate worse than boredom.

My fingers brush the cool metal of the doorknob. Just a few more steps and I'll be free. I can hide, regroup, figure out a way to-

A massive hand clamps down on my shoulder, yanking me backward. I stumble, my back slamming against a wall of muscle. A stench fills my nostrils as I look up into the grotesque face of one of Olvaar's henchmen.

"Going somewhere, little human?" he growls, yellowed fangs bared in a mockery of a smile.

I try to duck under his arm, but another demon blocks my path. They're closing in, cutting off any chance of escape. My chest tightens, panic clawing at my throat.

"Back off," I snarl, trying to keep the fear from my voice. But my bravado rings hollow even to my own ears.

They laugh, a guttural sound that sends chills down my spine. I press my back against the wall, feeling the cold stone through the thin fabric of my gown. My eyes dart around, searching for any opening, any chance to slip away.

There's none.

Olvaar's henchmen form a semicircle around me, their massive bodies blocking out the light from the chandeliers. I'm trapped, cornered like prey.

My heart races, blood rushing in my ears. I can feel the panic rising, threatening to overwhelm me. But I force it down. I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"Touch me, and you'll regret it," I hiss, glaring at each of them in turn. My voice doesn't waver, even as fear churns in my gut.

They chuckle, clearly amused by my defiance. But I see a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes. Good. Let them wonder what tricks this human might have up her sleeve.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. I might be cornered, but I'm far from defeated. Whatever happens next, I'll face it head-on. Just like I always have.

"Father!" Athena snaps across the room. "Put a stop to this."

I watch in disbelief as Father's shoulders slump, his usual confident demeanor crumbling before my eyes. He takes a shaky step towards Olvaar, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Please, there must be another way." Father's words tremble in the air. "I can offer you something else. Anything else."

Olvaar's eyes narrow, a predatory gleam flickering in their depths. "Oh? And what could you possibly offer that would equal the value of your precious daughter?"

Father's gaze darts around the room, desperation etched into every line of his face. I've never seen him like this - so vulnerable, so exposed. My stomach churns as I realize just how dire our situation must be.

"The eastern territories," Father blurts out. "I'll give you full control of the mining operations there."

Olvaar scoffs. "Those mines are barely producing anymore. Try again, Ilreth."

Father's hands shake as he runs them through his hair. "Then... then the arcane scrolls. The ones from the ancient library. They're yours."

My eyes widen. Those scrolls are priceless, containing spells and knowledge that Father has guarded jealously for centuries. To offer them up so easily...

Olvaar leans in menacingly. "And how many of those scrolls have you already traded away to cover your other debts, Ilreth? Don't think I don't know about your dealings with the Crimson Claw syndicate."

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. The Crimson Claw? Father's been dealing with them? They're notorious for their brutality, even by demon standards.

Father's face pales. "I... I can explain-"

"Save it," V snarls. "Your web of lies is unraveling, Ilreth. How many more creditors are you juggling? How deep does this go?"

With each accusation, Father seems to shrink. The proud, powerful demon I've known all my life is crumbling before my eyes, replaced by a desperate, cornered creature.

"The expansion at the coast," Father says, his voice hollow. "The shipping contracts. My seat on the High Council. It's all yours. Just... just leave Astrid out of this."

My mind reels. The extent of Father's debt is staggering. How long has this been going on? How much has he risked - how much has he lost - without Athena and me knowing?

Olvaar's cruel laughter cuts through my thoughts. "Oh, Ilreth. You and I both know there is no other way. And to think, all this time you've been playing the part of the benevolent lord, raising your little human pets while your empire crumbles around you."

I clench my fists, anger and betrayal warring inside me. All those years of struggling to prove myself, of fighting to carve out a place in this world - and Father's been watching it fall all away behind our backs.

It was only a matter of time before he was going to have to sell us to save himself.

"You're a fool," Olvaar hisses. "You've left yourself with nothing to bargain with. Nothing except..."

His gaze slides back to me, and I feel a chill run down my spine. In that moment, I realize that this isn't just about a debt. It's about humiliation. It's about Olvaar breaking Father completely.

And I'm the key to making that happen.

With that, Olvaar looks at the demons just behind me, giving a nod that makes my stomach lurch. I don't make it more than a step before I'm in the grasp of one of the beasts behind me.

I thrash against the iron grip of Olvaar's henchmen, my heart pounding in my ears. "Let go of me, you bastards!" I snarl, kicking out wildly. My heel connects with something solid, and I hear a grunt of pain. Good.

"Father!" I scream, twisting my head to look back at Ilreth. His face is ashen, eyes wide with horror. "Don't let them do this!"

But he just stands there, frozen, as the demons drag me towards the door. Fury and betrayal surge through me. After everything, he's just going to watch them take me?

"Astrid!" Athena's voice cuts through the chaos. She's pushing through the crowd, tears streaming down her face. "No, please! You can't take her!"

I reach out for her, but one of the henchmen yanks my arm back roughly. Pain shoots through my shoulder, and I bite back a cry.

"Enough of this spectacle," Olvaar's cold voice cuts through the air. He strides forward, his presence parting the crowd like a knife. "Take her to the carriage. Now."

The demons redouble their efforts, practically lifting me off my feet as they haul me towards the exit. I kick and writhe, my gown tearing in the process. I don't care. I won't make this easy for them.

"You won't get away with this!" I yell, my voice raw with anger and fear. "I'm not some object you can just claim!"

Olvaar's cruel laugh echoes through the hall. "Oh, but I already have, little rebel."

As we near the door, panic claws at my throat. This can't be happening. This can't be real. But the rough hands gripping my arms, the shocked faces of the party guests, the cool night air hitting my face as we step outside – it's all terrifyingly real.

I catch one last glimpse of the mansion – my home, my life – before I'm shoved unceremoniously into a waiting carriage. The door slams shut, plunging me into darkness.

I throw myself against the door, pounding my fists against the wood. "Let me out!" I scream, my voice breaking. But it's useless. I can hear the sounds of horses neighing, of wheels beginning to turn.

As the carriage lurches into motion, I slump against the seat, my chest heaving. Tears burn in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I won't give any of them the satisfaction of seeing me broken.

I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. This isn't over. I've survived in the demon world this long. I'll find a way out of this, too. Somehow.

But as the carriage rumbles away from everything I've ever known, a cold fear settles in my gut. What horrors await me in Olvaar's world? And will I be strong enough to face them?