"You're scaring me now." Erika's breath hitched, her lips trembling slightly from the cold aura radiating off Adzriel.
"Good. You should be afraid, my dear. It's about time you realized the reality of your situation. I own your soul. I can do whatever I want with you. You are mine, and I will make sure you suffer for every little insult and slander you throw at me." Adzriel's eyes gleamed with sadistic delight, relishing the fear he now saw in Erika.
"Now, will you be a good little toy, or do I need to remind you again who is in charge here?" Adzriel pressed against Erika's stomach, gradually increasing the pressure, making her wince in pain.
"No! You can't do this to me. I will escape from you!" Erika spat, struggling to free herself from the large figure looming over her.
"Escape? You think you can run from me?" Adzriel laughed, his grip on Erika's chin still firm and painful.
"There is no way out, my dear. I can find you anywhere. I can hunt you down no matter where you hide. You are mine. You will never escape me. Accept your fate, my dear." Erika turned her face away, her breathing heavy. The more she played with Adzriel, the more he toyed with her.
"I'll leave this world. I'd rather burn in Hell than be owned by you!"
"Oh, so you think going to Hell will free you from me? You're mistaken, my dear. I rule in Hell. I am the Prince of the Underworld. You will be under my control there just as you are here in the mortal realm. There is nowhere you can go where I cannot find you, where I cannot claim your soul. You are mine, my dear. Accept it."
Adzriel pressed his body closer to Erika, pinning her down as she tried to push against his rock-hard chest. He easily caught both of her hands, folding them above her head.
"Damn you!" Erika spat.
"Yes, curse me all you want, my dear. It won't change a thing. I am the Prince of Darkness, and I own your soul. You are mine, my dear. Forever." Adzriel's grip on Erika's chin tightened, his eyes blazing with merciless fire.
"You will learn to accept it, my dear. One way or another."
Erika felt something below, a rough intrusion, harsher than before. A frustrated moan escaped her lips, a sound that was music to Adzriel's ears as she writhed beneath him, caught between pain and unwilling pleasure.
That's exactly what Adzriel meant by a lowly mortal—too naive and arrogant.
"I don't have the energy to argue with you." Erika's voice weakened, sweat forming on her face and neck. She was exhausted. Ever since she returned home from work, he had been following her, demanding the fulfillment of their contract.
"A wise choice, my dear. You're just wasting your breath. I do not tolerate disobedience, my dear. And I am growing tired of your insolence."
Adzriel released her chin, but instead, his hand gripped her shoulder roughly, pulling her even closer to him.
"Now, will you behave, or do I need to teach you another lesson?" Without realizing it, Erika was now trapped in his embrace. She only focused on catching her breath.
"I will behave, as long as you answer some of my questions." Erika said.
"Ah! Stalling again. But very well. I would do anything for you, my dear." Adzriel stood, releasing Erika from his grip. He helped her sit up and draped his cloak over her once more.
"Ah, a bargain, is it? I will answer your questions if you behave."
"Alright, I accept your terms, my dear. What do you wish to know?"
Just as Erika was about to ask, a sudden flicker passed through Adzriel's eyes. He froze for a moment before opening them again.
His eyes had returned to normal.
"Is something wrong?" Erika asked.
"Yes, I must go! But I will return for you, my dear."
Adzriel turned and walked out of Erika's room through the door. Erika had expected him to vanish or fly out the window, but apparently, even demons used their legs.
Even demons had business to attend to, it seemed.
Feeling the cold presence that had been haunting her finally dissipate, Erika headed to the bathroom to cleanse herself after her struggle with the unseen entity. She sank into the bathtub filled with lavender-scented water, resting her head against the edge and closing her eyes.
Her gaze flickered toward the black cloak Adzriel had draped over her, now lying on the floor.
Why had he covered her instead of violating her like a human would with their toy, their doll?
Why hadn't he taken her soul immediately? He had full control, yet he chose to prolong the game, just as she did.
Questions swirled in Erika's mind.
Adzriel was handsome. Perhaps that was their deception—to be alluring to human eyes.
They had no flaws, but Erika knew what demons really looked like. They were terrifying, only hiding behind a temporary mask of beauty.
She closed her eyes again.
Erika was the kind of human who could be tempted—especially by worldly desires.
But why did Adzriel treat her differently from the other souls he had claimed?
Erika began to feel special, yet she feared being ensnared in the manipulative tricks of a demon.
Adzriel's touch still lingered.
Rough, yet sometimes gentle.
Two years ago, that night had been precious to Erika.
Foolishly, she had given her virginity to a demon.
Call her naive, but selling her soul for material wealth seemed like a better deal than giving her body away for "love"—a ridiculous concept.
Why had she still been a virgin at such a mature age?
Because she had never been with a man before.
She had been a village girl who came to the city to study and succeed.
But with her limitations, she had none of the advantages others had.
She wasn't fashionable, she wasn't rich, and she wasn't successful.
Everything she had ever dreamed of was out of reach—until that night.
Someone had humiliated her while she was trying to cover a news story, making her run into the forest in tears.
That was when he appeared.
Adzriel, drawn by the sound of her crying, had offered her a deal.
A deal sealed with her soul.