Demons & Mages (Demon Ace x Sorceress Reader)

Chapter 6: Curiosity Killed The Cat

I have not spent a lot of time being a prisoner.

Sure, there were times I was briefly captured or allowed myself to be taken prisoner on a job, but those were mostly planned, and I was free as a bird within a few hours. I also usually had some sort of support to help out.

This time I was alone, and the odds were stacked against me. The day had passed rather slowly with the same dark haired woman visiting me only twice more for meals. Surprisingly, nobody came to pry for some information, but that just left me with more time to observe my prison surroundings. My eyes were constantly drawn to the swirling dark purple smoke trapped within a summoning circle.

What was the demon doing? Was there like, a door to another dimension hidden by the smoke? Why hadn't the demon made itself known?

Demons were among the most dangerous creatures known to humans. They were pure evil, driven by bloodlust, and left chaos and destruction in their wake. IF they were unbound or bound to a dark mage. Demons are also known to be skilled manipulators. Summoners and contractors had to be on guard at all times when dealing with such a creature.

With that little bit of knowledge in mind, I had to wonder why this Demon was hiding and keeping quiet. Wouldn't a creature of darkness see me as an easy target to manipulate?

I stared at the apple on the last food tray that was delivered to me.

I must really be going off my rocker.

I cannot say what I was thinking. Perhaps it was just a moment of pure curiosity that made me throw my apple into the swirling smoke.

I waited a few beats... Nothing happened. I didn't even hear the apple thud against the floor. I glanced down at my tray. There were still some left over grapes, stale bread, and a bowl of mashed potatoes.

This probably isn't my smartest decision, but c'mon? Who wouldn't be curious about what's hidden behind the smoke? And as long as I stay out of the circle, I'm safe. So what's the worst that could happen?

I decided to throw the bread next. Again there was no sound. I felt my eyebrows scrunch together in a frown.

Is the food landing in another dimension or is it being caught? If it's being caught does that mean the demon can see me while I can't see him?

I picked nine grapes off the main, leaving six, and begin throwing them one by one, in a rapid firing style, into the summoning circle. This time I heard little 'plop' sounds as the grapes made contact.

So the demon was catching the food.

I stopped only when I ran out of grapes in my hand. After the last grape was thrown silence settled over the room again, causing me to frown. I slowly stepped closer to the circle and stared. What did I think throwing away food was going to do?

The silence was interrupted by a short, low whistling sound as one of the grapes I threw was fired back at me. I didn't even see it – indicating that it was thrown with superhuman power – until it splattered against my forehead.

I yelped.

The grape stung as if it were a paintball fired at close range. My skin felt warm were in made contact.

I skittered back to the bed, the chains around my ankles scraped against the floor as I retreated.

***Next Day***

"Breakfast!" The dark haired female sang as she walked through the door.

If it were not for the chains, you would probably think I was god-damn guest being treated to breakfast in bed by my hostess. I rolled my eyes at the thought.

She set down the tray on the side table, but instead of immediately leaving like she had previously, she took a few steps back and stared down her nose at me. I did not move, only glared back.

She came closer then and grabbed my chin, jerking me upward. I grabbed her wrist, about to attack until she pulled out a gun and directed it to my stomach.

No... she had not pulled out a gun... She transformed her hand into a gun. This woman can use some kind of weapon transformation magic.

Her cheerful face shifted to one of stoicism.

"You smell worse than some of the creatures we have in the barn outside." Her voice was just as stoic as her face with a hint of bite. "I will be returning again this afternoon to take you to the showers. It would be in your best interest to not fight against me, as I have been given permission to do whatever is necessary to ensure you do not escape, –" she nudged my stomach with her gun hand, "– including wounding you. The master does not care if it causes your price to drop. Sorceresses still fetch a decent price on the market these days."

She stroked my cheek with her other hand. I growled and snapped at her fingers. She yelped and drew back striking my temple with her gun hand. A sharp pain followed by a throbbing ache spread out from where she struck me, and my vision speckled. I could feel fresh stream of blood trickling down the side of my face and along my jaw as well.

"You best behave from now on. I can't guarantee your new owners would put up with this and treat you so nicely."

I sneered as she turned her back to me and strode out of the room. When the door was shut and locked, I huffed a sigh and leaned my head back against the rough, old headboard. My eyes closed briefly as I waited for the pain to dull some more. After a moment or two, I slanted my gaze downwards to the breakfast tray. The meal looked surprisingly nice. A plate with eggs, sausage, fruit, and bread on the side.

I picked up a sausage link and brought it to my mouth. It was cold, but I couldn't really complain.

"Not going to share with me today?" A deep voice asked me mid second bite.

I whipped my head up towards the door that was still closed. Nobody had entered.

A low whistle sounded behind me. Slowly, I turned my head towards it until my eyes locked with a pair of glowing red eyes and a dark figure.