Malevolent ᶜᵃʳᵗᵉʳ ᴷᵃⁿᵉ ˣ ᵒᶜ

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The House of Life's dungeons were dark and cold, the air thick with the scent of ancient stone and magic. The dim torchlight flickered against the walls, casting dancing shadows over the rough-hewn floor. Carter had been down here many times, but he never got used to it. Today, he was on edge more than usual.

He stopped in front of Delilah's cage, the metal bars glowing faintly with a magical aura. She was chained in the center, her arms pulled taut above her head. Her dark hair fell around her face in tangled curls, obscuring her features. But when she lifted her head, Carter caught a glimpse of her bright, cunning eyes. They shimmered with something that looked like a mix of pain and mischief.

"You came to see me again," Delilah said, her voice soft but laced with a hint of amusement. "How sweet, Carter Kane. I didn't think you cared."

Carter shifted uncomfortably, trying to keep his expression neutral. He wasn't sure why he was here. Maybe it was pity, or maybe curiosity. There was something about Delilah that intrigued him, something he couldn't quite figure out.

"I don't know why I keep coming here," he admitted. "Maybe I'm just trying to understand you."

Delilah smiled—a slow, almost lazy smile that sent a shiver down his spine. "Understand me? What a foolish thing to say. No one can understand me. Not my father, not your precious magicians, not even you. But I like that you want to try."

Her words were playful, but there was an edge to them that Carter couldn't ignore. He wanted to leave, but something kept him rooted to the spot. He watched as Delilah shifted against her restraints, her face briefly twisting in pain. She winced, letting out a small, pitiful sound that made Carter's heart squeeze.

"They hurt, you know," she whispered. "These chains. They burn. They tear at my skin. I know I've done terrible things, but does that mean I deserve this?"

Carter looked down, guilt creeping into his chest. He knew what she was—dangerous, unpredictable, a child of Set. But seeing her like this, in so much pain, it was hard to reconcile the crimes she'd committed with the girl who was now so vulnerable before him.

"Maybe... maybe they're just being careful," he said weakly. "They don't know if they can trust you."

"Trust," Delilah scoffed, shaking her head. "Such a fragile thing. But trust goes both ways, doesn't it, Carter? Do you trust me?"

He hesitated. "I don't know."

Delilah leaned forward as much as her chains would allow, her gaze locking onto his. Her eyes were soft now, pleading. "Carter, I swear to you, I never wanted this. I was forced into it, molded by my father's cruelty. All I ever wanted was a chance to live a normal life, away from gods and monsters. Can't you see that?"

Carter's resolve wavered. The raw honesty in her voice sounded genuine, pulling at his empathy. He wanted to believe her, wanted to believe that there was more to Delilah than what the House of Life had painted her to be.

"What are you saying?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm saying I need your help," Delilah replied, her voice turning soft and sweet, like a lullaby. "Just loosen these chains, even just a little. Give me a chance to prove that I can be different, that I can change. You're the only one who can help me, Carter. The only one who believes in me."

Her words were like a melody, wrapping around him, clouding his judgment. He felt a strange pull toward her, a magnetic force that made him want to trust her, to believe her every word. He could feel his heart beating faster, his mind spinning as he considered her request.