I turned to stare back at Thyrian. He was my key to survival right now. Mermen only loved one person for life: they are devoted, unbreakable. Winning his heart would be easier than the others. I had to play this smart if I wanted all of them to trust me for now.
"You're all better now," I murmured, ready to climb out.
But Thyrian's arms circled my waist. I froze. His cheeks burned bright red, soft and flushed. A calm washed over me too, until I felt the others' stares drilling in.
"So this is how you use us," Azrael muttered. "Act like you care, then act like you don't. Well played, master."
I turned to him, my eyes darkened. "I don't hurt my beast-men."
"But you hurt us!" Ryker stepped forward, my brows narrowed. "I healed you earlier!"
"It was a trick. You always do this, lower our guards so you can strike."
My lips parted. "I won't hurt you guys anymore."
The three burst into low, bitter chuckles. "Master, we would rather end you than listen to your lies."
"Sure. End me. I'll take you with me, trust me. Or you'll end up with someone who'll skin you alive worse than I ever did." I muttered back.
Thyrian's grip tightened. "You wouldn't do that to me…right?" His voice was low, almost pleading. It softened something in my chest. I wanted to give in.
"Don't worry. You're okay…" I paused, gently caressing his wet hair. "It's your companions who don't want to learn." I shot them a glare.
"Lies! Don't fall for it, Thyrian!" Veyra stepped closer.
Suddenly water splashed up, halting them mid-step.
"Wait," Thyrian said, his eyes or maybe his mind reaching out to them. "She healed me. She healed you both. We should trust her this time."
They exchanged glances, the tension hung thick in the air.
"If you hurt any of us," Veyra finally said, "we'll end you instantly."
Thyrian snuggled closer. My face brightened a little. That's why I chose him first. In the original story, they cared about Thyrian deeply, he was the weakest, the one the villainess tortured most. They hated seeing him suffer, so they let him finish her to quiet his madness. He was the only one who could sway them. That's why I promised not to hurt him, especially since he was so fragile. If he gave me his heart and I stopped loving him… he would die.
I didn't notice Veyra had moved until he scooped me out of the water in one pull, draping me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He grunted. "The banquet's in a few minutes. You don't want to be late."
I sighed, but I felt the others' gazes burning into us into him.
"You actually touch our enemy like that?" Ryker growled. Something else flickered in his eyes, jealousy? Hurt?
I couldn't let their anger derail my plan. I wiggled free, landing on my feet, they all stared.
My chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, my soaked gown was soaked, clinging onto my body. The slit parted higher, exposing more thigh. Their eyes tracked it, Azrael scoffed.
"Seduction. Let me guess, all for Darian."
I watched their fangs snap in anger, I scoffed back. "I have no time to waste. Let's leave for the palace."
I paused mid-step. "I'll send servants to escort you to my room."
The three tensed. They exchanged glances, they still didn't trust me. I knew it.
I took another step. Azrael, the demon opened his hands and green-black flames roared to life in his palms.
"I really don't trust her," he muttered.
Of course it was him. In the original story, he was the stubborn one, always opposing her, frustrating her plans, making her death slow and painful.
His pet serpents coiled around my neck, tongues hissing.
"Cat, help me here," I whispered inwardly. He had hurt me, he was the best at it among them.
"Trust me, she'll bait us at the banquet," he said. Flames danced higher, everyone's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you actually believe her. She tortured all of us, and suddenly she's good? She's planning something. We should end her here, no one will know."
Their faces twisted with anger, and disgust. Even Thyrian showed doubt, I clenched my fist. I had almost had them. A few more seconds and I could've left, he ruined it.
"Cat!" I screamed.
Their gazes hardened and everything went black.
I inhaled and exhaled calmly. "Solution?"
The cat rolled her eyes, cat-walked over. I picked her up.
[DEMON CONTROL 70%]
The world snapped back. They watched as I stroked the cat, ignoring them completely.
"Sure. Kill me then."
Azrael's eyes darkened. He moved fast, with a whoosh, my body flew toward him. I slammed into his chest. His hand clamped around my throat.
My face turned purple, I closed my eyes. Then my hands shot to his wrist, my eyes flashed bright red, locking onto his.
He let go. Shock shifted across his face. "You can control me?"
"Of course. I'm your master." My eyes returned to normal, I flashed a small smile and turned to the others.
"If anything happens to you during or after the banquet today, I'll take responsibility." They stared, unbelieving. My lips twitched. "I'll die by your hands if you get injured because of me."
Relief flickered in their eyes.
"You better keep your word, master," Azrael said, he walked out and the others followed.
I heaved a sigh, my hands dropping to my head, I felt exhausted already.
"You didn't have to say that," Thyrian's voice came from behind; cold, yet a little down.
I walked back to him and crouched. My hand reached for his hair, he pulled away slightly… then leaned in, staring into my eyes.
"I won't hurt you or the others. I promise. I, Raven, daughter of the Duke, swear it."
I bit my finger, the blood dripped to the floor and red mist swirled around me.
His eyes widened.
And the oath was sealed
[You swore. You must never go back on your words or die.]
The ancient voice echoed. Thyrian heard it too, the terror filled his eyes. "Stop! Cancel it!"
I smiled and cupped his cheeks. "I'll protect you guys now."
I knew the three others were outside, listening to every word.
"Why did you do that?" the cat asked inwardly.
A smile curved my lips. "It's the only way they'll trust me. It's called being smart, Cat. Plus, I wouldn't dare break my word. I want to live too."
The cat smugly purred.
[Congrats! Veyra, Thyrian, and Ryker's hatred reduced to one percent.]