Page 61 of Wicked Magik

She will be my undoing.

This female must have magik cast upon her.

Her very existence ignites a fury within me that surpasses anything I've ever felt for another being. I am consumed by a fierce, unrelenting desire to cast her out from this home, to abandon her to the merciless chill of the outside world. Let the relentless beasts lurking in the shadows hunt her down, tearing apart her frail, insignificant form with savage delight.

But then an overwhelming vision seizes me: I see myself charging into the chaos, snatching her from the jaws of destruction and dragging her back into my domain. I meticulously repair her, piece by piece, breathing life back into her shattered form. I mold her back into the fierce entity sheonce was, because I am addicted to that rebellious mouth that dares to defy me.

It’s infuriating.

And she belongs to Oryx.

Oryx belongs to me.

I will figure out what magik she is using to sway Oryx and my senses and get rid of her.

I had already secured an oath parchment with terms we could all agree upon, but Oryx's endless amendments drove me to the brink. His gaze lingered on her, igniting a burning jealousy that throbbed violently through my veins.

He didn't want me to touch her, to even look at her. How was I supposed to accomplish anything if I was forbidden from doing those very things? The thought of it was maddening, a suffocating restraint that threatened to consume me.

Fortunately, Vesper, as she prefers to be called—unlike the name I wanted to use, which was spawn of Lucifer—said that as long as I don't draw blood, cause bruises, or cast spells on her, everything would be just fine.

How could she possibly know what I was? Liches were a rarity, and the process of becoming one was fraught with complexity, even in this realm. Her world barely contained any magikal beings, let alone a lich like me. I felt a simmering anxiety mixed with a flicker of anger. Had I been careless, or was there something more insidious at play? Did she even know what I was or merely guessing?

She was a puzzle, especially with her white hair such as mine. She wasn’t a human and I was going to find out just what she truly is.

The single strand of hair I had found that was attached to the wall where I had pinned her was the perfect way to find out. I stuck it into an envelope and sent it off immediately to a friend of mine, Sylvaine.

Sylvaine is an expert in the intricate art of genetic magik. This enchanting craft allows him to manipulate the very essence of life, tailoring the characteristics of future generations according to the desires of expectant parents. His expertise comes at a steep price, reflecting the profound impact of his work.

For those seeking a child of a specific gender or with certain desired features, or even add to their genetic makeup, Sylvaine offers his services with precision. However, these magikal blessings are bound by the rhythms of nature, and unfortunately he would not be able to help until the next full moon.

Asking him to even test the strand of hair I would have to wait several more weeks to find my answer for this siren, succubus or witch of some kind.

Three heavy knocks at the door let me know they have arrived. Those knocks were of course from Oryx. He strode in first, his chest puffed out. I have to say, he has more confidence than I normally saw from him. Usually, his shoulders are hunched over and his skull bowed before me.

Have I really made him feel that unworthy?

I schooled my face to that of indifference as I watched Vesper walk in. Her hand is on Oryx’s body, tentatively as she enters. She’s wearing different clothes that I had Benedict fetch for her at the nearest town. Now that his lines were blended by amakeupthat Vesper created, he could walk amongst the living like he had been alive all along.

Her clothing was a deep, rich brown, with a bodice that cinched her waist tightly, emphasizing her slender figure in a manner both plain and dutiful. Her hair was intricately braided, cascading down her back like freshly fallen snow. The short sleeves of her garment revealed the smoothness of her tanned arms, their sun-kissed hue glowing warmly in the light.

My cock stirred in my trousers when I saw her gaze at me. It was with indifference, much as my own gaze to her.

Why it stirred me was a mystery. I hated this woman but my body had different ideas.

“Remember the oath, my Lord.” Oryx reminded, and he gripped hold of Vesper. “She means everything to me.”

I hummed. “And I do not any longer, I understand.”

Oryx lifted his skull and shook his head. “No, that is not what I meant you mean—”

I waved my hand in dismissal. “No need, I don’t need explanations.”

“Manipulation.” Vesper stated. “You want him to have guilt, to crawl back to you. He does care for you, but your insistent undermined comments are not welcomed. It's unhealthy and uncalled for. State your feelings properly.”

I balled my hands up into fists. “You act as if you know feelings, when you just use Oryx as a shield.”

Vesper let out a derisive laugh. "No." She moved forward, distancing herself from him. Oryx's eyes were fixed on her, as well as on me as I approached. "I don’t need to use him as a cover, not with the oath binding us. I'm challenging you because I know some psychology. I'm not an expert, but I can recognize the warning signs. Now, tell him what you’re feeling." She nodded in Oryx's direction.