Damsel to the Demon

6. Azaruk

6

AZARUK

T he shock in her eyes is exquisite. Fear, awe, and a hint of... curiosity? Delicious. I can't help but grin, my sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. The forest around us seems to hold its breath, the night air heavy with possibility.

"What... what are you?" she whispers, her voice trembling.

I take a step closer, relishing how she tenses. Her scent fills my nostrils - a heady mix of fear, desperation, and something uniquely her. It's intoxicating.

"I am Azaruk, a demon of the highest order. And you, my dear, have the most captivating eyes I've ever seen."

Her brow furrows, confusion mixing with the fear. "My... eyes?"

"Indeed." I circle her slowly, drinking in every detail. The tattered remains of her dress, the dirt and blood smeared across her skin, the way her chest rises and falls with each rapid breath. But it's those eyes that truly captivate me. "They're like deep wells of emotion. I've never seen anything quite like them."

She swallows hard, her gaze darting between me and the cliff edge. The moonlight catches in her eyes, making them shine like liquid gold. "Are you... are you going to kill me?"

I laugh, the sound echoing through the trees. A nearby owl takes flight, startled by the sudden noise. "Kill you? Oh no, my dear. I have a much better proposition for you."

Her eyes narrow, a spark of defiance cutting through the fear. It's beautiful to behold, that flicker of strength in the face of overwhelming odds. "What kind of proposition?"

"I couldn't help but overhear your... predicament." I stop in front of her, towering over her small frame. The difference in our sizes is stark, yet she doesn't cower. Impressive. "You want revenge, don't you? Against those who wronged you?"

Her breath catches, and I see it - that flicker of rage, buried beneath layers of grief and terror. It's like watching a flame ignite in the darkness, small but fierce. My own excitement grows in response. This human is proving to be far more interesting than I'd anticipated.

"I..." she starts, then stops, conflict warring in those mesmerizing eyes.

I lean in close, my voice a low purr. The scent of her fear spikes, but she doesn't back away. "I can make it happen, Mercedes. I can give you the power to destroy those who took everything from you. To make them suffer as you have suffered."

Her eyes widen, a mix of hope and wariness. The forest seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us in this moment of possibility. "You... you can do that?"

"I'm a demon, darling. I can do anything." The words drip from my lips like honey, sweet and tempting.

Mercedes's curiosity is palpable, her eyes searching mine for answers. I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind, weighing her options, considering the implications of dealing with a creature like me. "How... how can you do what you say?"

A wicked grin spreads across my face. This is the moment I've been waiting for. With a flick of my wrist, I conjure what I need - a gruesome trophy from a recent hunt.

An elf's head materializes in my hand, its lifeless eyes staring blankly. The skin is pale, almost translucent, with intricate tattoos etched across the forehead. Long, pointed ears droop lifelessly. The air around us grows colder, as if the very atmosphere recoils from this grisly display.

Mercedes gasps, her eyes widening in shock and horror. The scent of her fear spikes, intoxicating. I can't help but savor it, letting it wash over me like a fine wine. Yet beneath the fear, I sense something else - a morbid fascination, perhaps even a hint of satisfaction at seeing her tormentor's kind brought low.

"This, my dear, is but a taste of what I can do," I purr, turning the head this way and that. "Imagine what we could accomplish together."

She stares at the severed head, then back at me. I watch as a myriad of emotions flicker across her face - disgust, fear, and then... something else. A hardening in her eyes, a set to her jaw. It's like watching a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis, but instead of beauty, it's vengeance that's being born.

She swallows hard. The sound is audible in the stillness of the night. Her shoulders straighten, and I can see the resolve settling over her like a cloak.

"What..." she pauses, licks her lips. "What do I need to do?"

My grin widens, revealing more of my sharp teeth. Oh, how delightful this is turning out to be. I extend my hand, claws retracted. "It's quite simple, really. All you need to do is make a deal with me."

I lean in closer, my voice a low, seductive purr. "Your soul, Mercedes. I want your soul. Your everything. In exchange, I'll give you power beyond your wildest dreams. Power to crush those who wronged you."

Her eyes widen, a mix of fear and... is that intrigue? "My soul?"

"Yes, darling. You'll be mine. My slave, to do with as I please." I trace a claw along her jawline, relishing her shiver. The warmth of her skin contrasts sharply with the cool night air. "But think of what you'll gain. The ability to make them suffer as you have suffered."

She swallows hard, her gaze flickering between my eyes and my extended hand. I can see the war raging within her - the last vestiges of her humanity fighting against the overwhelming desire for vengeance. It's a beautiful struggle to witness, like watching a star collapse in on itself before exploding into a supernova.

"I..." she starts, then stops. Her eyes harden, something cold and deadly settling in their depths. It's like watching ice form over a raging river - the surface may be still, but beneath, the current runs swift and deadly. "I have nothing left to lose."

My grin widens, anticipation coiling in my gut. This is it - the moment of her transformation, the birth of something new and terrible. "Is that a yes, my dear?"

She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. The tattered remains of her dress flutter in the night breeze, a stark reminder of all she's lost. "Yes. I'll do it. I'll give you my soul, my everything. Just... just make them pay."

I can barely contain my glee as I grasp her hand as a symbol of our agreement. Her skin is soft against my rough palm, warm and alive. "Oh, we'll make them pay, my little slave. We'll paint this world red with their blood."

The sweet taste of victory lingers on my tongue when shouts pierce the night air. Dark elves. Closing in fast. The hunt is not over, it seems.

Mercedes pales, her jaw clenching. Those captivating eyes of hers dart towards the sounds, then back to me. Fear and determination war within her gaze, each making those eyes shine brighter. "Get me out of here first," she hisses through gritted teeth.

My lips curl into a wicked grin.

Oh, how delightful she is. I can't resist the urge to claim her, to mark this moment of her transformation.

I grab her, pulling her flush against me. Her gasp of surprise is swallowed as I crash my lips onto hers. The kiss is hungry, possessive. I savor every sensation – the softness of her lips, the heat of her breath, the thundering of her pulse beneath my fingers. She tastes of fear and hope, of despair and determination. It's intoxicating.

When I finally release her, she's breathless, eyes wide and dazed. Perfect. She looks thoroughly claimed, marked as mine in a way that goes beyond the physical.

"Follow them back," I order, my voice low and commanding. The sounds of pursuit grow closer, branches snapping and voices calling out in the darkness. "I'll see you again tonight. And I'll make all your wishes come true."

She tries to argue, but before she can respond, I vanish into the shadows, leaving her alone on the cliff's edge. The shouts of the dark elves grow closer, but I know she'll do as I've commanded. Her despair from loss and the desperation to have revenge guarantees it. And it guarantees that she'll be mine.

As I melt into the night, I can't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. Mercedes is more than just another soul to claim, more than just a pair of beautiful eyes to add to my collection. She's a spark of chaos in this dreary world, a chance to create something truly magnificent.

Oh, the fun we'll have together. The dark elves won't know what hit them.