Chapter 8
397words
A vulnerability beyond the contract's absolute power that I could exploit.
I abandoned all impractical fantasies.
I no longer craved his nonexistent love or tested his boundaries like a child.
I began to calmly, deliberately use him.
Use his demonic power, use this golden cage of unlimited resources.
I became compliant, obedient, perfectly behaved.
"Carlos, I'm fascinated by ancient civilizations. Could you find me books on Egyptian hieroglyphics?"
"Carlos, I heard the Vatican's secret archives hold medieval manuscripts never made public. Could you acquire them?"
"Carlos, I want to learn extinct Sumerian. Please find me the best teacher."
He seemed pleased with my sudden intellectual pursuits.
In his view, an offering buried in arcane knowledge posed less risk than one yearning for freedom.
He thought I was merely cultivating aristocratic hobbies to pass the time.
But he didn't know.
In those ancient texts, those forbidden manuscripts, I frantically devoured everything about Demonology.
The essence of contracts, the composition of power, the transformation of souls...
And methods to resist during sacrifice.
That faint emotion he'd shown changed nothing; I had to save myself.
Before my time ran out, I needed to find even the slimmest chance of survival.
Lilith returned.
This time, she came to see me alone while Carlos attended an international conference.
She wore that pristine white dress, sitting across from me, elegantly sipping coffee the butler had prepared.
"Miss Evelyn, you're an intelligent girl. You understand your destiny, don't you?"
Her tone was gentle as poetry yet carried unmistakable menace.
"Carlos has sacrificed much for you. To perfectly play human, he constantly suppresses his demonic nature. Caring for you day after day like a mortal would is an exhausting drain."
She set down her cup and fixed me with false compassion in those azure eyes.
"You've fallen in love with him, haven't you?"
She hit the mark, leaving me no room to deny it.
I didn't answer, just stared back silently.
She smiled—a smile both angelic and cruel, like a white lotus blooming in hell.
"If you truly love him, you should do what's best for him."
"Give up these futile struggles. Accept your fate and willingly offer your soul, becoming part of his power. That's how you repay him for nurturing you all these years."
She weaponized "love" against my most basic desire—to simply stay alive.
