Chapter 3: The realm of Wrath

The world spun around me, and the vodka coursing through my body only intensified the disorientation. Sam's grip on me remained tight, and due to the dizziness, I allowed his touch. Stepping out of his hold during our journey to another realm seemed something stupid to do, so I reluctantly held on.

My forehead touched his hard shoulder and his fingers dug into my skin more. I just had to overcome this dizziness.

When my feet touched the ground, I immediately stepped back, away from the demon king holding me. "Welcome back." Samael said in a mocking tone.

Welcome back.

I opened my eyes to a pitch-black world devoid of any sound or signs of life. Glancing to my left, my heart skipped a beat. There stood an enormous, black castle, emanating a gothic and gloomy aura. Its towering spires reached for the sky, with bats swirling around the highest points. It was the epitome of a haunted house, a place one would expect to find in Satan's realm. A perpetual mist seemed to envelop the surroundings, adding to the eerie and terrifying atmosphere.

"I want to go home." I stated firmly. "Tough luck. You are here, and here to stay. I have a present for you." Sam retorted as he threw something at me.

My eyes locked onto the knife I had once gifted him—a basic black kitchen knife, visibly used. "Aren't you afraid I'll attack you?" I asked, gripping the knife tightly in my hand.

Sam laughed. Actually laughed. "Scared? Scared?! My Fay, you can try to attack me. See where it will get you. Whatever you try to do to me, I will do back to you. Or maybe your dear friend Elyse."

"Don't bring my friends into this." I warned. Sam looked at me as if I just offered him a challenge.

"The king has returned!"

The two of us looked to the side to see a male shouting around with his attention fixed on us. He immediately bowed upon noticing Samael's attention. "Slave." Samael snapped, making me look at him mad.

Slave? He had actual slaves here?

"Summon everyone. I have an announcement to make."

"Yes, my King." The male instantly replied before he turned around and ran off. Literally ran off.

"Slave? That's how you call your people here?" I snapped at the demon King, who had his eyes on his castle. Samael redirected his gaze towards me. "I only refer to those who are slaves as slaves, which is what you are now."

"What?" I asked with shock. "I am not a slave." I bit at him. "Well, Fay, what are you then? A mere human? In my eyes, that's lower than a slave. So, look at you. Already made a promotion." Sam replied sweetly.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me along with him to his castle.

"Say that to my human friend, who happens to be a demon queen." I said to him as I tried to snatch my arm back, which was futile. His hold on me was like concrete. "Yes, your dear friend Gabrielle. I wonder what her reaction will be like, when she finds out I have you captive. That is going to be fucking fun." Samael's hold on me got tighter and I cursed myself for wearing the skimpiest dress that I owned.

The male who had shouted when we arrived came running, halting right in front of us. "My King," he bowed deeply, "Everyone is waiting for you."

Samael paid no attention to the male's presence and simply walked past him without acknowledgment. "Thank you!" I called out, glancing back at the male.

Sam growled angrily at me.

"Do you know what I FUCKING hate?" he snapped as we reached the enormous doors of his castle. "Everything?" I sarcastically replied, though my remark was definitely serious.

"Almost everything, yes. But you know what I hate most of all, Fay?" he sneered. "It's when something I own is touched or spoken to."

A sarcastic response lingered on my tongue, but when I noticed the massive crowd awaiting us inside the castle, I swallowed my retort.

I really, really cursed myself for my outfit choice now.

"Everyone!" Samael's voice boomed. The entire crowd bowed their heads in reply, enveloping us in silence. I felt their intense gazes upon me.

"This is Fay." Samael declared.

If I thought their gazes were intense before, it was nothing compared to now. Every head turned in my direction. Samael had one hand gripping my arm just above my elbow, while his other hand rested on my waist, as if marking me his possession.

"Some of you may have seen her before in my brother's realm. She is Queen Gabrielle's best friend." Samael announced.

I observed the demons exchanging glances.

"Yes, we have a very powerful human in our midst. Imagine all the things we could do with her. Lust would fall right beneath us." Samael announced to the patient crowd.

Some demons bore traces of blood on their skin, and others were barely clothed, but each one wore a weapon. Except for the slaves, who looked like they were cut often. Some were missing limbs, or eyeballs, or hair.

"But," Samael snarled loudly, "She is my slave. Mine." He warned, his tone final.

"Nobody fucking talk to her, look at her, or think about her. To you, she's invisible. If I hear of any contact with her, or see it myself, you can expect a meeting with me downstairs." Samael threatened, his voice dripping with menace.

Every single head went down again. As I looked over the crowd, not a single demon would meet my gaze.

I had a feeling I didn't want to know what happened downstairs.

"Fay will service me in my bedroom."

I snapped my head to the side but any words I was about to speak were lost when Sam's hand on my waist tightened immensely, hurting me instantly. His other hand on my arm pulled me closer, leaving me no choice but to take a tiny step toward him.

I stayed silent and hated I couldn't go against his ridiculous words at once. I will service no one.

"Her human skin is mine to touch, and mine alone. Do not even consider laying a finger on her. I know her innocence may drive some of you mad, but if you act upon your instincts, I'll give you a reason to go mad." Samael declared.

My heart started beating faster.

The realization that I was trapped in the demon realm, with no means of escape, slowly sank in. Elyse had no idea of my whereabouts. My family would assume I had run away. My only hope was my best friend, who lived in another kingdom. And she had no idea I was here, either.

Sam thought I was going to service him in the bedroom. He was wrong. I wasn't going to have sex with the devil.