The cage felt like a cold trap, the rusted bars digging into my hands as I stared at Alaric, the massive demon sprawled on his throne-like chair just outside.
"My name is Demon Alaric," he said, his voice booming, shaking the cage floor. "And I have to kill you right here, right now." His claws gripped the armrests, splintering the wood with a faint *crack*.
"Ohh," I said, giving a flat shrug, leaning back against the bars like I wasn't fazed. Inside, my heart was racing—my black aura was gone, leaving me empty, and Lyra was huddled behind me, still shaky from waking up in this mess.
"Yes… Zero…" Alaric growled, leaning forward, his red eyes narrowing as he said my name like it was a curse, his steam-filled breath hissing out.
