The Demon's Game

Chapter 6

The Demon's Game

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Cater stared at his aunt, his breath caught in his throat. For a long moment, he couldn't find the words. She stood there, her presence as cold and menacing as the memories he thought he'd buried.

Finally, his voice came, quiet but trembling with shock. "What are you doing here, Aunt? How are you alive? I… I saw you die. I was there."

Her smirk widened, curling cruelly at the corners of her lips. The soft click of her heels echoed in the hall as she moved closer, her every step deliberate. She reached out, brushing her icy fingers across his cheek with an almost mocking tenderness.

"You should be glad to see me, Cater," she said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. Her fingers tilted his chin upward, forcing him to meet her piercing crimson gaze. "But I see you're not excited. What a shame."

Her hand dropped, and her expression hardened. "This is no place for the son of the Dark Lord. What are you even doing here? Playing house with humans? Does your father know you're wasting your time saving one of them? And not just any human—an enemy of our kind."

Her words cut deep, but Cater stood firm, his fists clenched at his sides.

"You're not human, Cater," she continued, her tone sharper now, slicing into him like a blade. "So why don't you listen to your dear aunt? Leave this pathetic life behind. Return to the underworld where you belong. You know it's the only place for you."

"No," Cater said firmly, his voice steady despite the storm rising inside him.

She paused, her back still turned to him, before turning slowly to face him. Her expression was equal parts amused and dangerous. "You won't… or you can't?"

Cater took a step forward, resolve burning in his blood-red eyes. "I won't go back to the underworld. I won't go back to him. I have one purpose here—to protect Prince Alric. And I intend to fulfill it."

His aunt laughed, a low, mocking sound that echoed off the stone walls. She moved closer, her smile growing sinister.

"Oh, I see now," she said mockingly, tilting her head. "My dear nephew is in love. You care for that prince, don't you?"

Her voice dropped, every word laced with venom. "How pitiful. But it's too bad for you, really. I'll marry him soon enough, and you'll watch him fall before your very eyes."

Cater's blood boiled, his demon side clawing at his control. He clenched his fists tighter, his nails digging into his palms as he fought to remain calm.

"You'll never marry him," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'll make sure of that."

Her laughter faded, replaced by a calculating coldness. She stepped closer, her crimson gaze boring into him.

"And what will you do, Cater?" she asked. "Kill me? Destroy your own family? Do you think Alric will still want you when he knows what you are? That you're not just a servant, but a half-demon, half-vampire freak?"

Her words hit like daggers, but Cater stood his ground. His glare never wavered, though the pain in her words lingered.

She smirked and stepped back, the triumph in her expression unmistakable. "You should know better, nephew. If Alric finds out the truth, he'll despise you. And then you'll lose him forever."

She turned on her heel, tossing her final words over her shoulder. "Now, be a good boy and get out of my way."

As she moved to leave, Cater's hand shot out, gripping her arm tightly. "I don't care if you're my aunt or not," he said through gritted teeth. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Alric. Even if that means killing you."

Her expression darkened, her eyes flashing crimson as fur and claws began to sprout from her hands. With one swift motion, she struck him hard across the chest, sending him crashing into the stone wall.

"You dare threaten me?" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. She stalked toward him, grabbing his shirt and pinning him against the wall. "Did I not teach you to respect your family? You think you can stop me, Cater? Your powers are nothing compared to mine."

She released him with a shove, letting him fall to the floor. Cater winced but pushed himself up, his glowing eyes locking on her as fury burned through his veins.

"What have you done with the real Princess Ava?" he demanded, his voice sharp and filled with anger.

Her wicked smile returned, triumphant and cruel. She leaned in close, her voice a chilling whisper. "Oh, Cater," she purred. "She's long gone. I am the only Princess Ava now."

Before Cater could react, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. He turned to see Jane running toward him, her face pale and drawn.

"Cater!" she called, her voice filled with urgency. "Thank goodness I found you. Do you know how angry Prince Alric gets when—"

She froze mid-sentence, her gaze landing on Ava. Confusion flickered across her face as she tried to process the scene.

"Oh… Princess," Jane said cautiously, forcing a nervous smile. "I didn't realize you were here. I was just looking for Cater."

Ava tilted her head, her smile sweet but laced with venom. "Why don't we shake hands, Jane? After all, we'll be working together soon enough. Once I marry the prince, you'll serve me just as faithfully as Cater serves him."

Jane hesitated, her hand twitching at her side as unease washed over her.

"Well… how could I say no to a princess?" Jane said finally, her tone forced. She reached forward hesitantly.

Before their hands could meet, Cater stepped between them, grabbing Jane's arm and pulling her back.

"That's enough," Cater said sharply, his voice filled with authority. His crimson eyes stayed fixed on Ava. "Jane, step away from her. You're right—she's not Princess Ava at all."

Jane's breath caught, her confusion deepening. "I told you, Cater. She's a witch."

Cater shook his head, his expression grim. "No, Jane. She's not a witch. She's worse."

Jane's voice dropped to a whisper, her heart pounding. "Then who is she?"

Cater turned to her, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "She's my aunt. And she's a demon shifter."

Jane's eyes widened, the words hitting her like a blow. "A demon shifter?" she repeated, her voice trembling.

Ava smirked, watching the two with an air of triumph. "How touching," she said mockingly. "But let's see how long your loyalty lasts, dear nephew."

Her laughter echoed down the hallway as she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Cater and Jane standing in tense silence.

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