CHAPTER 98: UGLY CREATURE

Viktor climbed down from the carriage, his eyes narrowing as he scanned their surroundings. But nothing unusual caught his attention. Letting out a sigh, he turned to the prince. "What’s going on? Is someone trailing us?" he asked.

"No. Something is," Hades replied after a brief pause. "I can feel its presence."

He took a few steps behind the carriage, his eyes sweeping the trees with caution.

Another moment of silence passed before Viktor spoke again. "I don’t think—"

Suddenly, Hades threw a powerful punch into the air, sending an unseen force flying into a nearby tree with such impact that the trunk nearly snapped in two.

"What the fuck is that?" Viktor exclaimed, eyes wide as he stared at the creature now slumped against the tree. Thick black smoke poured from its form, concealing its body in shadows. The only thing clearly visible were its crimson eyes, glowing like furious flames.

Hades hissed, pulling off his gloves and tucking them into his coat pocket. "A fucking demon," he muttered, stepping closer to the tree.

The creature stirred, regaining consciousness and slowly rising to its feet. Then it let out a guttural, ear-piercing scream that echoed across the clearing. Its sharp, jagged teeth glistened with black liquid drooling from the corners of its thin lips. Its large eyes dominated its twisted face, and its thin, bony frame was hunched unnaturally, preventing it from standing fully upright.

It had four arms, each ending in long, razor-sharp black claws. Its two legs ended in oversized toes that looked grotesquely disproportionate.

The demon screamed again before charging at Hades, swinging all four arms with inhuman speed. But the prince dodged with ease, provoking the creature’s fury even further.

With a snarl, the demon conjured a long whip made of ancient, brittle bones and lashed it toward Hades. The whip wrapped around his wrist, and the creature yanked, trying to pull him forward. But Hades didn’t budge.

Instead, with a swift, powerful motion, Hades pulled back, catching the demon off guard. It lost its grip, and the whip snapped into Hades’ hand. Without hesitation, Hades flung it back at the creature. The whip coiled around its torso, binding it tightly before it could react.

With a sharp tug, Hades pulled the demon toward him and caught it by the throat mid-air. The creature thrashed and shrieked, kicking wildly, its claws digging into Hades’ forearm.

In response, Hades tightened his grip, fingers digging deep into its neck. His eyes began to glow, and black blood oozed from the creature’s throat. Its screams turned to wheezes of terror and agony as the life drained from its eyes. Within moments, it hung limp in his grasp, lifeless.

Hades released it, letting the corpse fall with a heavy thud. Almost instantly, the body shriveled and disintegrated into dust.

The wounds left on Hades’ arm by the demon’s claws began to heal rapidly, the torn flesh mending until his skin was once again flawless—untouched, as though he had never been injured.

"It was at the farmhouse, waiting," Hades said as he pulled his gloves back on. "We should continue the journey." He headed back to the carriage, and Viktor followed shortly after.

"I didn’t know demons could be killed," Viktor said as the carriage began to move again.

"They’re incredibly hard to kill," Hades replied. "But I managed it because Zal is a high-level demon and a superior."

Viktor’s gaze flicked from the prince’s face to his hand. "I saw it rip your skin pretty badly. Are you alright?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"I barely felt it. Besides, it’s already healed." Hades waved off his worry. "Are you alright?"

"I am. Just a little shaken by the whole thing. I have never seen a demon before. I didn’t know what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t... that."

Hades chuckled. "I try to avoid demons whenever possible. They’re horrid to look at, ugly creatures. And they smell awful, like decaying corpses." He scrunched his nose in disgust.

Viktor laughed. "I almost feel bad for them. Lucifer clearly didn’t care enough to make them even slightly presentable—to the eyes or the nose. Quite the contrast to you."

"Me? I refuse to give Lucifer any credit for my looks. That’s all my mother. She passed down her good looks to me," Hades replied with a smirk.

"I mean, that’s true. But you have to admit your father did contribute at least something."

"That’s probably the only good thing he ever did," Hades said with a sigh, prompting a small smile from Viktor. A quiet pause settled between them.

"Do you think you’ll ever forgive him? Try to fix your relationship someday?" Viktor asked, breaking the silence.

It took Hades a moment to respond. "I don’t hate him, he hates me. He always has, and he probably always will. He made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me from the day I was conceived. Whatever relationship we could have had is beyond repair. I accepted that a long time ago."

He paused, then continued, "I don’t want anything from him, and I have nothing to give. Azazel is a high-level demon created from pure malice and a stone heart. My mother was the exception. All he has to offer is pain, suffering, and sorrow and I’ve had more than enough of that to last a lifetime. I don’t need him. I never will."

Viktor studied him for a while before speaking again. "You’re changing, Hades. And I’m not sure if it’s for better or worse."

Hades arched an eyebrow. "Care to explain that? My views on my father haven’t changed, I have always felt the same about him for a very long time now."

"I’m not talking about your father," Viktor said. "I’m talking about Lilith."

Hades leaned back in his seat, resting his head against the cushion, silent once more.

"What about her?" he asked, voice low, eyes closing as if to block out the weight of the conversation.

"Everything about her," Viktor replied. "I’ve known you a long time, Hades. And I’ve never seen you like this with anyone. She’s making her way into that cold, stone heart of yours and you’re not pushing her away. You’re guiding her in."

"You’re overthinking it," Hades said, tone quieter now. "It’s not that serious. My cock is probably interfering with my rational thoughts. It has nothing to do with her."

Viktor leaned back into his seat, studying him. "I saw Isabel on her way out. She didn’t look pleased. She seemed... annoyed."

"I had something important to deal with, so I sent her home," Hades replied flatly.

"Or maybe," Viktor mused, "you couldn’t bring yourself to fuck her. You had a chance to ease your tension, but you didn’t take it."

Hades’ jaw tightened. "What exactly are you getting at? Don’t read too much into it. If I wanted Isabel, I would’ve had her. I didn’t because I had business to attend to."

"So you feel nothing for Lilith? No attraction at all?" Viktor pressed.

"No," Hades answered sharply.

"So it wouldn’t bother you if another man came along—made her laugh, touched her hand, kissed her, took her to bed?"

"She can do as she pleases. I don’t care," he replied, voice clipped.

"And you—"

"Can you stop talking, Viktor?" Hades cut in, voice low and tired. "I’m getting a headache from your voice. I’m exhausted."

Viktor’s lips curved into a knowing smile. He didn’t say anything further. Hades might deny it to the end of the world, but Viktor could see the truth clear as day. The prince wasn’t ready to admit it—maybe even to himself—but Lilith was already under his skin.

Eventually, the carriage rolled to a halt at the front of the castle. Hades stepped down and turned to Viktor.

"I’m heading to my chambers," he said simply.

He was already undoing the buttons of his coat as he walked. His body ached with fatigue, the weight of the day sinking into his bones. He entered his room and paused, the coat slipping from his fingers.

There she was.

Lilith. Lying in his bed.

The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a soft golden glow around the room, and the windows had been shut tight to trap the warmth inside. She lay on her side, one hand resting on her stomach, the other curled loosely near the pillow. Her white nightdress clung delicately to her frame, the neckline slipped down one shoulder, baring a sliver of pale skin that seemed to glow in the firelight. Her chest rose and fell in the rhythm of peaceful sleep, her lips—deep red from the cold—slightly parted. Strands of her hair fanned across the pillow like silk.

Hades didn’t move for a moment. He simply stood there, staring at her.

Then, slowly, he placed his coat on the nearby chair and walked around the bed. His gaze lingered on the soft curve of her lips, the flutter of her lashes against her cheeks, the delicate skin of her shoulder.