Chapter 3

03

Before I could find an answer, Silas snuck down into the basement.

He stood before me, looking me over with a smug grin.

He had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a fit body.

He was exactly the type Madeline liked.

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, my heart twinged with pain.

It seemed the love that failed to reach one hundred percent was being given to him.

"I guess monsters aren't that special after all," Silas mocked.

"You're just a bit better looking, but so what?"

"All your fame and fortune belong to me now. People are terrified of your name."

"Some scientists even want to take you away for experiments."

He stepped closer, staring at me through the bars.

His provocation was blatant, and his words grew more disgusting.

"You should just go to the lab. Madeline doesn't need you anymore."

"Do you know about that little red mole on Madeline's waist?"

"She loves it when I touch her there during our heated moments."

"She intentionally put your cage right beneath our bedroom."

"Sometimes, hearing your muffled screams actually makes me more excited."

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white.

So the thumping sounds I heard every night weren't my imagination.

I never thought Madeline would accept someone else.

She was always so proud, so picky about her partners.

The agony and emotional turmoil triggered a violent reaction in my body.

My tail thrashed uncontrollably.

I could no longer maintain my human form.

Silas's eyes widened with greedy excitement.

"So it's true... the legends are real!"

He reached out and grabbed my tail, pulling it toward the bars.

The runes flared up instantly.

I smelled the scent of burning flesh the moment they touched me.

"Agh!" My cry of pain only made him happier.

The runes suppressed my demonic power, leaving me helpless.

He toyed with me like a ragdoll.

My skin repeatedly burned and healed, over and over again.

My body began to crack, and the dormant, violent instincts within me woke up.

My eyes turned blood red, and I lost sight of my humanity.

"Get back!" I screamed, trying to control myself.

But in the next second, I saw the silver dagger in his hand.

It was the one I gave to Madeline.

As a demonic token, it caused physical, permanent damage when held by another.

He drove the blade into my abdomen, creating a gaping hole of blood.

I lost my mind. With a roar of agony, I lunged at him.

The runes on the cage shattered under the force of my rage.

In the reflection of his terrified eyes, I saw what I had become.

Horns protruded from my head, scales covered my skin, and my tail trembled with fury.

I was hideous.

And I wanted to kill him!

I gripped his throat, slowly tightening my hold.

His face turned a sickly shade of purple as he struggled for air.

Suddenly, a sharp female voice echoed from the doorway.

"Stop it!" Madeline screamed.