There was a dull sound, heavy and final, like sothing had fallen from the heavens. Perhaps because sothing had—or in this case, soone.
Renata’s body struck the ground, her breath leaving her lungs in a sharp gasp. Pain flared through her arms, her back, her very bones. She had been high in the sky when the command ca, and though she had fallen willingly, her body had not been spared the punishnt.
Fall.
It had not been her will. Not entirely. That voice had reached into her being, pulling strings deeper than flesh or thought. This was not re ntal domination—it was her very demon blood obeying. For Renata Malcrist was not simply human. She was demon kin, and to one who bore the mantle of domination, her nature bent instinctively.
She tried to push herself upright, breath ragged, arms trembling as she forced her body into a sitting position. That was when the sharp whistle in the air caught her attention.
Her head lifted—just in ti to see the broken edge of a sword stop before her eyes. A jagged half-blade, its aura thick with malice, radiating the cold certainty of sothing that had tasted thousands of lives. The weapon hung there, a silent promise of death. Her death.
The sound of footsteps followed, echoing with steady weight across the jagged stones. Out of the void ca Lilith Astranova, erald eyes sharp, and beside her walked Damon Grey, his presence darker than the steel aid at Renata’s life.
Lilith’s lips moved—she said sothing—but Renata hardly heard her.
Her gaze was fixed upon Damon, drinking in every subtle shift, every faint gesture of his hand, every line of his posture. Her heart pounded as if her soul itself was trying to burn his image into mory.
Lilith broke the silence, her tone edged with impatience.
"I see no reason to kill her. Renata is useful."
Damon did not imdiately lower his blade. His voice was calm, detached, carrying the weight of a simple truth.
"Yeah? And you want us to trust a demon kin? That’s an uncontrollable variable—better off dead."
Lilith bit her lip, torn. He wasn’t wrong. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to accept it. Rivalry or not, she did not want to end Renata Malcrist’s life. She rembered their clashes, their competitions, and the strange monts where, despite annoyance, she had leaned on her.
The incident with the dark spirit had proven it—Renata was soone she could rely on when the stakes were dire.
"Your rcurial violence is one of the reasons people find it difficult to deal with you," she muttered under her breath.
Damon sighed, his shoulders easing with mock nonchalance.
"There I thought it was one of my charms."
But his expression shifted as his eyes fell upon Renata. Sothing about her look—wide, dazed, almost fanatical—made him hesitate.
Her lips trembled, and then a whisper escaped her.
"Lord Ashcroft... you have finally returned."
Damon froze. He shot Lilith a glance; she only shrugged, her brow furrowed.
For a heartbeat, he wondered if Demon Dominate had broken her mind. But no, this was sothing else.
He leaned into it.
Renata’s tear-filled eyes glistened as her voice grew steadier.
"My glorious king, you have finally returned..."
Her words faltered at his silence, doubt creeping into her tone.
"Yo... you are Lord Ashcroft, aren’t you?"
Damon’s mind turned quickly. Ashcroft was arrogant—as he recalled—then hesitation would not do. He raised his hand with dismissive authority, his voice heavy with disdainful grandeur.
"It is I."
Lilith almost gasped. His tone had changed entirely. Where Damon Grey’s usual voice carried dry wit and cold bluntness, this voice dripped arrogance, as though the sky itself hung only because he willed it so.
Renata’s eyes widened, and she forced herself from her broken stance into a kneel, bowing her head low before him.
"My lord, you humble with your eminent presence."
Damon looked down at her with a carefully crafted air of detached superiority.
"Enough with the pointless drivel."
Lilith’s expression flattened. Wasn’t he just about to kill her? What was he even doing?
She stepped closer, whispering sharply.
"We can’t be sure she’s not acting. Be careful—"
"Silence. Speak only when spoken to."
His voice cracked like a whip.
Lilith gasped, stunned by his domineering tone, while Renata nodded eagerly. This, after all, was exactly as Lord Ashcroft should act. None were his equal.
Lilith’s hand twitched—this bastard gains a taste of power and suddenly his personality warps entirely.
Damon, sensing her glare, coughed and waved lazily.
"Ahem... you have permission to speak."
Lilith clenched her fists, restraining herself from planting one firmly into his face.
"Nothing, great Lord Ashcroft," she said through gritted teeth. "I was rely wondering what you intend to do with Renata Malcrist, since we cannot determine her loyalty."
Damon’s gaze fell on Renata, his lips curling in a faint sneer.
"Right. Guess I’ll just kill her then."
Renata’s face paled, but she did not flee. Her voice quivered, yet her words rang with conviction.
"My lord, I do not question your wisdom regarding my worth. I am but a pawn to serve your greatness..."
Her head lifted slowly, violet eyes burning with desperate resolve.
"However, surely even one as lowly as is more useful alive than dead. I possess many skills and talents which I will gladly lay before you. I will sign the most diabolical oath scroll, bind my soul to your will. Please—use as the pawn I am."
Damon chuckled darkly.
"That’s the most eloquent way I’ve ever heard soone beg for their life. Suppose that’s one of your so-called skills?"
Lilith’s brow furrowed. She had said before that Renata was a master of administration, a woman who had raised her territory single-handedly. If anyone could beg with eloquence, it was her.
Damon exhaled slowly.
"Fine."
He lifted his hand, power swirling in his voice.
"Demon Dominate."
Renata’s body slackened, her eyes dulling as the spell sank into her very core.
"Is everything you said true?"
"Yes, my lord. I would never lie to you."
"Are you under any form of ntal protection to bypass Demon Dominate?"
"I am not, my lord."
Damon continued, probing with question after question, paranoia driving him until he was satisfied. Finally, he released her. Renata remained kneeling, waiting, her breath trembling.
Damon sighed.
"From this day forth, you put your faith in ."
Renata’s expression brightened instantly, joy spilling over her face. She rose with eagerness, her eyes flickering toward Lilith. A question burned in her mind until it spilled free.
"My lord... if I may be bold, what role does this woman play in your grand plans for world domination?"
Damon almost choked.
World domination? Who gave her that idea?
He forced a smile, turning to Lilith.
"Why, isn’t it obvious? This one is my concubine."
Lilith’s hand twitched again—and this ti she didn’t resist. Her palm smacked the back of his head.
Looking at Renata, she corrected coldly.
"Isn’t it obvious? I am his consort."
Renata’s heart burned hotly at those words, a sudden sting twisting deep within her chest.
Why was she so close to Lord Ashcroft?
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