Chapter 28: Another Contract

Implied Sexual Assault

“Hello, Zarenna,” Malich said with a wide, creepy smile.

“Third Prince Malich,” I replied as evenly as I could.

“Astrodach told me you were quite cooperative.”

Was Astrodach Spikes or Gray? My bet was on Gray.

“I’d expected more resistance given your outburst at dinner.” Malich sneered, then motioned toward Gray.

The odd demon began to draw a ritual circle underneath me. Despite my knowledge, fear rose up within me. Alongside it was rage, which I struggled to keep down.

Malich continued, heedless of my burning gaze. “Perhaps you recognize a more proper master, hmm?”

The Third Prince looked up from leering at my body through my clothing. The involuntary flinch he gave upon meeting my eyes was deeply satisfying.

“Defiant to the end then?” Malich stared off to the side. “You know, this isn’t the end. I have great plans for you and my other bound. With me, you’ll achieve far more than you ever would have under your useless former master.”

The circle under me was about halfway complete. My rune didn’t seem to want to help control my anger at the sight of the blasphemous construct. Who dares to bind me?

Barely, I managed to keep myself still, though my tail twitched and I could feel the temperature in the room rising.

Malich must have felt it too, for his confidence wavered slightly to be replaced quickly with anger. His emotion was weak, fickle. Easily generated and lacking in depth. For reasons I didn’t understand, that made me all the more disgusted by the man. He called for Astrodach to hurry the circle. Astrodach was Gray’s proper name, then.

The feeling of Malich’s anger sickened me. Behind, Spike held my tail that had started to thrash. Acting on instinct, I gathered my magic to lash out and tear his useless emotion from him. Something around me began to groan and grind.

My collar began to glow and I only barely caught myself from breaking my bond with Seyari. Quickly, Astrodach had moved from a crouch to stare directly at me. I was certain the uncanny demon could feel what I was about to do.

Whether he could block it, I didn’t know. Thankfully, I wouldn’t have to find out. With great difficulty, I forced myself to swallow my own rage and loosen my muscles.

I hadn’t even noticed I’d strained against the manacles. I’d pulled hard enough to crack the rock ceiling around the arm chain supports. The enchanted metal was bent slightly.

A rattling breath left my lungs and I tried my best to calm my gaze.

Malich, a shade paler even by the dim light of the two lantern someone had lit, darted his eyes from me to his bound demons. His fearful expression quickly gave way to more of his disgusting, cheap anger.

“I-I don’t understand how that woman could possibly have bound something like you!” Malich fumed. “How could you possibly want to reject me! You—wait!”

Malich took a breath and seemed to reach a realization as his posture shifted and his anger hardened into something more substantial.

“You just want the freedom given by your old master’s contract, don’t you?” The Third Prince stroked his slim beard. “No doubt you also realize all the loopholes in it. Why, I’d almost think your master made it up on the spot. You were close to finding a way out, weren’t you? To kill your worthless master and be free on Varra to do as you pleased?”

I glared at the Third Prince. After my outburst I felt more in-control, but only slightly. The bastard’s derisive attitude was wearing my very, very limited patience down. At least he seemed to have bought whatever bullshit Seyari fed him about our contract.

“I’m right, aren’t I? Clever little demon you are,” Malich purred, then turned on Gray. “What is taking you so long?”

“Pardon me master,” Astrodach stated in their unearthly voice. “I need to see her sigil to finish my work.”

“Of course. Do it!” Malich answered.

Astrodach nodded and moved in front of me. With surprising alacrity, they neatly opened the top of my blouse just enough to reveal my symbol above and between my breasts.

For the first time, Astrodach’s expression shifted. I had no idea what their face meant, but it returned to placid neutrality only a moment later. They returned to a crouch and resumed sketching the circle

Malich leered at my symbol. “I admit I’ve not seen a symbol quite like yours. You must have quite the interesting origin.”

Whether my earlier outburst shook him or he just wanted me to suffer in silence, Malich didn’t speak again until Gray signaled they were done with the ritual circle. I looked down and saw something vastly more complex than what Seyari had used for our binding.

My burning wrists throbbed and my mouth went dry. I would be okay, right?

I felt shaken, but some instinct told me with absolute certainty that I could not be bound.

“Now, Zarenna, we will begin.”

Malich read the terms of his contract with all the glee of a child sneaking a cookie from the jar. I kept myself calm throughout by hoping to be the one to catch him, so to speak.

The first point was that I had to follow every order given by Malich. What surprised me is that the King of Navanaea and the Second Prince were included. While I hadn’t interrupted the ritual to voice a question, to my surprise, Malich saw my unsure gaze and explained the reason.

Royal policy was why. To prevent incidents like what happened with the demon I’d met on the boat, bound demons, particularly powerful ones, were to have redundancies such that the assassination of a single binder would not free them. I noted that Malich left the First Prince out.

However, following any order was just the beginning.

Unsurprisingly, the restrictions to my actions were sweeping and extensive. I was not to speak unless spoken to, with the exception of direct communication that helped with any orders I had been given.

I began to suspect my contract was more strongly worded than Astrodach’s at least. Seyari and I hadn’t exactly put ourselves in a position to negotiate terms.

I was also to not use my magic, to restrain my strength to human levels, and to limit myself to human speed when moving. I only recently started to realize how shockingly fast I could be. My time on my island had warped my perspective for speed and reaction times.

All these restrictions could be lifted or relaxed by Malich’s order, of course.

The only part of the contract I liked was that the forbiddance of my magic extended to my human glamour. Malich clearly valued the ability and wanted to keep my glamour a secret. The contract stipulated so, and the clause overrode other orders unless stated otherwise.

Seriously, the boring minutia of the contract drove me mad. The handwriting on the papers the Third Prince read from had to be seriously tiny.

Probably not the only thing that’s tiny.

Immature and rude as the thought was, Malich was clearly insecure. Normally, I’d never make fun of someone’s insecurities, but the absolute pervert had several paragraphs covering my “bedroom duties”. He even detailed how I should reply if asked about his “performance”. Revolting.

Finally, after several more minutes covering etiquette, bound demon hierarchy, and my future status in his inner circle, Malich finished his portion of the contract. Unsurprisingly, I was the bottom of said hierarchy.

Surprisingly, I got something out of all of this.

“Now, while I do not know what your former master had bargained with, I will offer you, Zarenna, one tenth of my immortal soul. This is certainly low for a demon of your strength, but understand that your binding will transfer to my half-brother should I die, and my father should he die. In turn you will gain a tenth of my brother’s soul and one percent of my father’s.”

He sounded like I should be impressed. Unfortunately for him, I had absolutely no idea the value of this offer. My impassive look served to frustrate the petty prince.

“You must understand your position, Zarenna. I will offer you greatness through the power of the Royal Family of Navanaea. I have ambitions beyond and above Navanaea. You will help me reach them and then you will get your due.”

Clearly, Malich had rehearsed this. Probably had time when he was sitting on his ass waiting for Astrodach to find us. The monotony of the contract had dulled my fear. The burning of my limbs, my tail cramping in Spike’s grip, and the pounding headache from the Third Prince’s debauched degeneracy all combined to make me more frustrated than angry.

An impressive feat considering I was one snide comment away from breaking these chains, wringing his neck, and finding Nelys myself if I had to burn the whole damn estate down.

“Twenty percent,” I stated my counteroffer.

Malich had three demons and probably had something from a sibling’s contract. I honestly didn’t even want his stupid soul, but at this point I’d settle for being contrarian purely out of spite.

“Fifteen,” Malich replied coolly.

Five percent more of something worthless was still worthless. I tried to shrug but lacked the slack in the chains to do so.

“Fine,” I replied. “I accept the terms of the contract.”

Certainly, there was a pitfall or a way out for the Third Prince somewhere. Thankfully, I shouldn’t need to worry about that. With any luck, Malich will want to celebrate his victory and the contract wouldn’t last the night.

I barely resisted the urge to headbutt Malich when he came in close to transfer the blood contract on my collar. Soon, magic swirled around me. It was far denser than my simple contract with Seyari. The color, too, differed.

My crimson mana was clearly visible interwoven with Malich’s. The Third Prince’s mana was a sickly gold color like tarnished brass. Like last time, magic swirled around and into me as binding ritual completed.

With the final burning sensation of a new brand forming on my cheek, it was done.

I felt sick to my stomach at the sheer wrongness of being bound. The contract’s intricacies wrapped chains around my volition. I didn’t dare test my mental bonds at the moment, but my instinct’s fury burned hot and anxious. The moment I needed to; I did not doubt I could break these chains.

I just needed patience for a little while longer. I could still feel Nelys’ pendant safe and snug where I’d hidden it.

Astrodach was the first to inspect my new mark. “The contract is complete, master.”

“Wonderful!” Malich eyed me greedily. “Get her down then.”

I was surprised the Third Prince opted not to test the contract. Though, I suppose if demonic binding was prone to unexpected and subtle failure, few people would practice it. Fewer people, at any rate.

Regardless, that Spikes moved to free my arms was a relief. Letting go of my tail, the large demon moved in front of me and froze for a moment when he saw my gem and symbol.

“Hurry up! I have plans this evening,” Malich snapped.

“Yes, master,” Spikes replied with a deep rumble.

I was released from my shackles. Rubbing my many wrists, I could feel the burns had gone deep. I worried if they’d heal, but I doubted Malich would injure me enough to permanently harm my usefulness to him.

I thought to ask after Seyari now that she’d completed her end of the bargain. I doubted Malich would hold up his. In fact, I was counting on him gloating.

My contract caught the words in my mouth. Quickly, I stopped myself before I risked annulling the contract. The brief glow my collar emitted caught the Third Prince’s attention as he led the procession out of my dungeon cell.

“You may speak, Zarenna,” Malich gave the order.

“What will happen to my former master? Will you—”

“Stop.”

The simple word caught my tongue in an instant. The Third Prince smiled. Bastard was enjoying this. Of course, he was enjoying this. Probably got off on it, too.

Malich grinned wickedly. “I’ll let her go tomorrow.”

My eyebrows arched in surprise, which turned out to be short-lived as the petty man continued.

“In fact, I believe the people who will take her should be in the city already,” Malich laughed.

Fucker actually laughed. I’d read stories like this in my teenage years, but I’d hardly suspected a person so cartoonishly evil could actually exist.

I wanted desperately to ask who he intended to give Seyari too, but had to hold my tongue. Malich could clearly see I wanted to speak. However, he just turned and continued on enjoying the sound of his own voice while walking us back down the hall.

“Nelys, however, I can keep. Honestly, I’ve not seen one of her, or his, kind before. I’d ask where you found it, but, well, I’m enjoying the silence right now.”

I could feel the smile through the back of Malich’s head. In front and behind me, the other two demons walked quietly.

We reached an intersection.

“Verrux, you may return to your duties,” Malich said.

Spikes, Verrux, apparently, nodded and turned away from the group back toward the direction I seemed to remember led out. He gave me one last look before leaving. To my surprise, his expression did not seem unfriendly.

I didn’t know how to respond, but before I could, Verrux had turned away again.

Malich continued on down the hall. After a few doorways, most of which were closed, the Third Prince stopped at an unassuming door. Taking a key from ring produced from his pocket, the Third Prince opened the door and entered. Astrodach and I followed.

The room inside was full of gaudy furniture and cushions. Certainly, an odd room to have deep in the basement, but the color scheme and nature of the furnishings made the sexual purpose of this place obvious.

I barely contained my rage. I’d sooner burn the place than sleep with Malich. And if he did something to Nelys…

Three other doors branched off from this sordid lobby. The one at the rear was where Malich headed.

“Astrodach, wait outside. If I need you, I will call,” Malich said.

The gray demon nodded and took a standing position by the exit door. I wouldn’t want to sit on any of the furniture here either.

A heavy sounding deadbolt turned with Malich’s key. The bastard looked back at me and smiled wickedly. From within the room, came a muffled cry in a familiar voice.

With trepidation, I followed Malich into the room.

Inside, a naked figure was tied to a bed. Nelys’ face was clearly recognizable, but they were assuredly not human. I believed cecaelia was the term. I’d asked Seyari after the different species Elena the tailor had told me about ages ago, and recalled that species was the aquatic one with tentacles instead of legs.

Their body was androgynous. Gold with blue rings, and tendrils for hair. More important than anything was their current state. Nelys looked at me with fear and confusion, panic visible in their eyes.

My rage boiled over in an instant.

Malich turned to me with an evil smile. He started to speak. I didn’t let him.

I dove at him fast as I could.

A bright crimson-gold light shone from my collar as it burst into shards. Malich’s face had hardly an instant to register surprise before I was on him.

I grabbed his arms with two hands and his head with my other two. Some sort of magic flared around him, but my rage pushed through and the spell shattered. Malich tried to call on his own magic, but I didn’t give him the chance.

I pulled on Malich’s skull, hard. With a tearing, cracking sound the Third Prince’s head separated from his body. I smashed his skull between my upper hands, brain and viscera flying everywhere.

I whipped around and, with a lower arm, threw his body back through the door. Astrodach, faster than any human could move, dodged the Prince’s headless corpse.

The gray demon looked at me with an unreadable face. I moved between them and Nelys, aura sight flaring.

Astrodach’s aura was black and indistinct. It flared outward toward me. I could feel myself drawn to the demon’s eyes.

My vision started to blur when the gem on my symbol burned crimson, flashing across the bottom of my vision. How dare they!

Black spots dotted the edges of my vision and my movements slowed massively, but I could still feel my rage. From Astrodach, I felt nothing.

Drawing on my magic, I willed a gout of flames toward the gray demon. They barely dodged in time, singing their robes. Astrodach turned toward me, a wide-eyed expression I recognized as surprise on their face.

I flared my mana through my body, burning away the fog in the process. Astrodach didn’t even try to put me under again. They turned toward the door and their form distorted and blinked out before appearing in the hall, sprinting away.

I moved to chase, but a whimper behind me gave me pause. I came here for Nelys.

And.

And…oh gods what have I done!?

Malich deserved to die, but I splattered him all over the room. Nelys’ eyes were wide with fear and they froze on the bed when I looked at them. What the hell could I even say?

Flecks of the Third Prince’s blood dotted their lower body.

Hesitantly, I reached out. Nelys didn’t flinch, but they were clearly panicking. I cut their bindings, but they just curled into a ball, shuddering. They started to sob.

Wait! Nelys’ pendant!

I quickly burned the blood off my hands before cooling them and carefully lifted out the blue coral piece. Slowly, I sat beside them on the bed. They didn’t respond.

I took the pendant and, careful not to touch them, draped it over their head.

Looking now, I could see the pendant resonated with a magic not unlike Nelys’ aura. Once on them, the two auras seemed to merge and the pendant became the bright spot I had seen the last time I observed my small friend’s aura.

Their form shifted quickly, back to their familiar human appearance.

“Nelys, I…” I wanted to say anything to comfort them, but came up with nothing.

The small human said nothing, but they looked up at me with eyes full of tears.

Hesitantly, I reached out with open arms; inviting them but not pushing.

Slowly, they leaned forward until, with a whimper, they let themselves fall the rest of the way, head on my chest.

Carefully and slowly, I embraced them. Astrodach was somewhere and I doubted we’d be able to stay like this for long. I’d stay as long as I could.

“I *hic* was so scared,” Nelys voice was hoarse and barely a whisper.

“I’m so, so sorry,” I whispered back. “Did he…”

I let the question hang. After a few moments Nelys softly shook their head ‘No’. Cold comfort, but the tightness in my chest lessened slightly.

Rocking the both of us slowly, I hummed a lullaby my mother used to sing for me. Tears of my own soon joined Nelys’. At least demons could still cry.