chapter 3

Ducan's p.o.v

I stood surrounded by a lot of humans who had come out of their houses to look at me like I was some rare priced jewel.

 The so-called chief stood next to the warriors and a lady facing me.

My hand was clenched in fists and I felt disgusted by them. I couldn't help but remember how their kind brutally murdered my parents.

"Judging by the rich fur and expensive kimono you are putting on, you must be a lord, right." The chief asked as I chuckled softly then cleared my throat.

"I won't beat around the bush because I see no reason to entertain you pests." I answered seriously.

"Pests!" He exclaimed.

"Yes, so listen carefully. I am The demon king and I am here to grant you rain and healing. In exchange I want your daughter as my bride." I said simply.

The man gave me a sympathetic look before whispering something to the young lady next to him.

"I'm so sorry to say this my Lord, but my husband is asking you to leave." The young lady said as I raised a brow.

Husband?.

 She was just a young maiden and yet she was already married!. How could she marry such an old man?. 

Why were humans so foolish?, I wondered. 

"He looks like a lord but in truth he is insane. I don't have a daughter but a son, insane lord." He mocked me, annoying me.

"Old man, I won't repeat myself." I said seriously.

He gritted his teeth then pointed a finger at me.

"Kick him out of my village!" He exclaimed as the warriors ran towards me with arrows and swords.

"Stupid move." I whispered then raised my left hand, freezing their bodies to ice.

"Demon!" One screamed as they all began to run away.

"Call the priest now!" The chief called out then ran into his house as his wife followed behind.

I angrily disappeared and appeared in front of him, before he could hide himself in the wardrobe.

"Come with me." I spat then grabbed him by the collar dragging him outside.

"Please let my husband go!" The lady pleaded behind me.

I ignored her and went to stand at the center of the village. As soon as the humans saw their chief in my grip they began coming back slowly.

"Let me go, you demon. Let go while I'm still asking nicely. If the priest comes here with the holy sword, he will drive it through your heart as they did back then to that demon lord who captured and forced himself on our blessed maiden." He spat and in that moment my fangs and claws came out.

I was furious and I couldn't contain myself!. How dare he, a lowly insect, say such horrible words about my father!. He did not deserve to live.

I turned in a split second sinking my teeth into his neck and drinking a mouth full of his blood as his body went pale and limp in my hand. The saliva demons spat out whenever they were angry was toxic to humans. One bite at the human's flesh resulted in an instant breakdown of the nervous system. But I was different, one bite in my angry state sucked the living soul out of their flesh, their lifespan adding to my very own.

A loud scream got my attention, I let go of his body then looked up and came face to face with the child I had met.

A clay pot of herbs was shattered on the ground and she was shaking badly in fear with her eyes widened, while her mother held her shoulder with tears rolling down her cheeks.

I looked at my hands and noticed the dark smoke coming from it. I sighed softly knowing my form wasn't human, anymore but demon. 

The little girl was nowhere to be seen at first so I thought nothing of her, but now that she was here witnessing me suck her father's life out, I felt uneasy.

I was about to take a step forward when she picked up a sharp piece of clay and pointed it at me.

"Stay where you are, you demon monster!" She screamed in a cracked voice.

The mother quickly went down to her knees and put her hands together in a pleading gesture.

"Please spare my son." She sobbed.

I looked around and noticed how everyone was looking at me in fear.

I looked at the lady then raised my hand as a cloth shaped like a page appeared. A binding spell was Written on it, in my language, so no one could read it, in human terms it was a contract.

"Your daughter shall step forward and press her hand on this piece of cloth. Failure to do so, I will wipe out your entire village and leave out your daughter to live a miserable life alone blaming herself for your deaths. But if she does as I have ordered, I will grant this village rain and healing then leave you in peace. I will then return to claim your daughter for myself once she reaches a marriageable age." I said as they began to whisper.

"Daughter, what does he mean?" One human asked.

"I can't sacrifice my only daughter, please have mercy." She sobbed.

"Ah, humans. Always selfish." I whispered then raised my hand to kill only a few as an example, when the girl took a step forward.

"Wait." She said seriously.

I looked at her, surprised at how bold she was acting.

"I'll do it." She said as her mother grabbed her hand, shaking it a few times.

"No, Eleanor you can't." The lady sobbed.

"Eleanor?. Is she truly a girl?" The other human asked loudly.

I ignored the ruckus and grabbed the cloth in my hand.

"Step forward." I ordered.

She took in a deep breath and did as I had ordered.

"Extend your arm towards me and show me your palm." I instructed.

She breathed out then did.

I went down to my knee and pressed my claw on her palm.

"Deep breath." I whispered before making a small cut.

The girl stood still without making a sound or flinching.

When her blood dripped on the cloth it vanished.

I stood up with a smirk knowing how the contract was finally sealed.

"Now that it's done, I'll fulfill part of my bargain." I whispered softly then raised both of my hands as rain clouds began to gather.

It wasn't hard healing the sick humans and making it rain. After all, all it required was weak magic.