Chapter Two Hundred and Two
“I know the truth,” I said to Julia, finally speaking up.
“What truth? Don’t tell me you still fall for his falsehoods you should have learned your lessons by now.”
“He tried to protect me. He kept me safe. That’s more than you’ve ever done?”
“Protect you–you really think you are safe here with him?”
“Safer than I ever was back in the castle.”
“I taught you better than this, Aliya. I taught you about bad people who would want to taint you, but you were always the curious type; I should have known.” She said, I didn’t miss the fact that she addressed me by my name.
“I remember everything you taught me, Julia. Thanks to you, I know more languages than I’ll ever have the chance to use in my lifetime.
You spoke endlessly about good and evil–you painted yourselves as saints, but you all are far from that. I know the truth now. Your plan was to sacrifice me. That encounter–all of it–was a lie. I was nothing but a vessel to you.”
“And do you think you mean anything to him?” she asked, her gaze drifting back to Daemon, who had remained worryingly silent. A smile spread across her face before she tossed the amulet into the air.
Daemon lunged for it instantly, leaving me exposed. In that split second, she seized me in her iron grip–her strength never ceased to amaze me.
“Daemon!” I cried out. His eyes snapped to me, his hand reaching–but it was too late.
He had to make a choice, and he had made it. He could only save one–and he hadn’t chosen me.
I didn’t know how I got there or how long it had taken.
But when I opened my eyes, I was on the floor of a familiar room–a place that had once haunted me. It seemed my fear of it had never truly faded.
I was back in the castle, the very place I had escaped from. And worse, I was in Julia’s room–the place I hated
most.
A small cough broke the silence, reminding me I wasn’t alone. Julia sat on her bed, watching me.
“How…”
“How did you get here? I brought you, but the trip was too long–you blacked out on the way.”
I clasped my hands together to hide the trembling. “Why am I here, Julia?”
“Bold.” She noted, her smile still remaining on her lips. “You’re here because this is your destiny; the sooner you stop fighting it, the better.”
“You mean death? Is that what my destiny is?”
“This is a great honor, one many would give their lives to receive. You should see it as nothing less.”
“The god of light won’t want me anymore,” I said, a smile somehow finding its way to my lips, mirroring hers.” You see, I’m not very pure anymore.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter Two Hundred and Two
“I know of your harlotry. I know you’ve spread your legs for a demon.”
I chuckled. “Strange you say that, considering you did the same. Guess we’re both harlots.”
A frown tugged at her lips–I had struck a nerve. I could see the urge to slap me flash across her face, but for some reason, she held back.
“I didn’t know who he was.”
“Of course. Typical of you- ‘spreading your legs‘ for a man you don’t even know.”
“Bitch.” She snarled. I had never heard her curse before, and for a moment, I was almost proud of myself for pushing her that far. But she quickly regained her composure.
“You know, I want to be mad at you, but all I feel is pity. You were so easily deceived by him–falling for it desperately, not once, but twice. He is the Demon Overlord, and your life means nothing next to his thirst for power.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the image was clear in my mind. He had gone for the amulet, giving Julia the opening she needed to take me. He might love me, but he loved power more.
It shouldn’t have surprised me he was no angel, in fact, the complete opposite. And yet, I still felt the sting of betrayal. He had given his own life for her–Riley. But I wasn’t Riley. And I wasn’t worth his sacrifice.
“I don’t need your pity.” I countered.
