Juno’s pulse quickened as she followed him. Whatever was happening, it was far from the casual sightseeing she’d hoped for. Her thoughts raced, but she forced herself to focus on the present.

“Looks like we’ve got some unwanted attention,” Ain muttered.

The thought of being protected by a cat of all things felt unsettling, but Juno didn’t have time to question it. She instinctively stepped behind him, her heart pounding in her chest as her eyes flicked around. The street seemed deserted, yet an undercurrent of danger crackled in the air. The moment she took a step forward, a group of demons poured from the alley ahead.

They weren’t fully human, Juno could see that clearly. Some were grotesque, misshapen with strange limbs and jagged teeth. But one of them,  the one who stepped forward, was disturbingly close to a human. Black horns jugged from his skull, long golden hair tied low, covering pointy elven ears. But the most terrifying part about him wasn't the obvious demon features, but his golden piercing eyes locking on hers, slit pupils dilating slightly as he drank her in.

“Move, kitty,” he sneered, pushing Ain aside with ease before stepping into Juno’s personal space.

Her breath hitched, her mind racing for something, anything, to say. “What do you want?” she demanded, stepping back, but he kept closing the space between them.

The demon’s smirk deepened, revealing sharp fangs. “I could ask you the same thing, human,” he drawled, his clawed hand grabbing her face, tilting it up to meet his gaze. “What’s a little thing like you doing in Devil Town?”

Ain hissed, swiftly standing again, his tail flicking in agitation. “Back off, Sereph. She’s with me.”

Sereph laughed, a low, mocking sound that echoed in her ears. “Oh, is she now? Funny, I didn’t think you had a taste for humans, cat.” She tried to move but he twisted her face sideways, enjoying how malleable she was, his eyes narrowing as he inhaled deeply. “But it’s not just her scent that’s intriguing. She reeks of… Gin.”

There was a twitch in Ain’s tail as he heard Gin’s name.

Juno’s breath caught in her throat. Gin? What? Her gaze shot to Ain, confusion twisting inside her chest. “What do you mean?” she asked, the question slipping out before she could stop it.

Ain’s expression soured, his violet eyes flashing with irritation. He growled, his voice low. “Don’t listen to him.”

Sereph's hand let go of her cheeks, but his piercing gaze never left Juno. “Oh, you really don’t know? That man you were with, he’s not exactly popular around here. In fact, he’s got more enemies than friends. And now, you’re carrying his scent.”

Juno’s thoughts scrambled, but all she could manage to ask was, “Why does it matter?” Her voice trembled despite her attempt to sound calm, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

Sereph chuckled darkly, his voice laced with contempt. “You’re tangled up with someone dangerous, girl. And now you’re a target.”

Ain’s eyes narrowed. “I would mind your own business if I were you.”

Sereph’s eyes flashed with irritation, his grin turning more sinister. “You think you scare anyone here, kitty?” He scoffed. “I think we would like to have a word with this girl.”

The other demons around them began to move, circling slowly, their eyes never leaving her. She felt her pulse quicken, the sensation of being prey pressing down on her. She swallowed hard, fighting the rising panic in her chest.

Before Juno could react, Sereph’s hand shot out, grabbing her arm with an iron-like grip. His fingers dug into her skin, sending a jolt of panic through her chest. She tried to yank her arm away, but his hold was unyielding, like he had no intention of letting her go.

Ain lunged at Sereph, claws unsheathed, but another demon materialized out of nowhere, slamming into him and sending the cat tumbling to the ground. “Damn it!” Ain hissed, struggling to regain his footing, but the demon had already pinned him down, his weight making it impossible for Ain to escape.

Juno’s heart raced as she watched Ain squirm beneath the demon's grip. She clenched her jaw, her frustration rising. Her eyes darted back to Sereph, her mind frantic as she searched for a way out.

Sereph smirked down at her, enjoying her helplessness. “Oh, and bring the cat with us too,” he sneered, his eyes glinting with amusement. Without hesitation, he motioned for another demon to grab him, and the demon obeyed, reaching down and seizing Ain by the neck. He growled, struggling fiercely, but the demon’s grip was unrelenting, choking off his air.

“Let him go!” Juno shouted, panic creeping into her voice. She twisted in Sereph’s hold, his grip tightened, dragging her along.

The air around her felt suffocating, as if the very streets of Devil Town were closing in. Every step they took into the darkened alleys made her heart pound harder, the weight of fear and helplessness pressing down on her chest. She cursed herself inwardly. This was the last thing she wanted, being dragged through the streets, unable to defend herself or help Ain.

Her gaze shifted back to him, who was being hauled behind her. His violet eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of defiance and concern. He didn’t want her to see him like this, vulnerable and helpless.

But Juno couldn’t ignore the way his eyes burned with determination, even as the demon’s grip squeezed tighter around his neck. She couldn’t afford to let herself break down. She had to stay focused. She couldn’t let this be the end of her story, not after she had defeated death twice already.

"Where are you taking us?" Juno asked, her voice steady despite the storm of panic inside her.

Sereph didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let out a low chuckle, savoring her unease. “You’ll find out soon enough, human.”

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at a dilapidated house on the outskirts of Devil Town. The structure loomed in the darkness. Its windows were boarded up, the edges of the wood splintering, and its walls were covered in thick, creeping vines.

As the demons dragged them inside, a sense of dread slammed into Juno’s chest, settling heavily in her stomach. The interior was no better than the exterior, drenched in shadows and suffocatingly dark. Faint light from a single, flickering bulb barely illuminated the dust-filled air.

They were taken upstairs down a narrow, crooked hallway that groaned underfoot with every step. The floorboards creaked as if they were protesting the weight of the situation. Juno’s breath quickened, but she kept her posture straight, even though she felt like a small, insignificant piece in a game she didn’t understand.

Finally, they reached a room at the back of the house. The door creaked open, revealing a cold, empty space. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for a faint sliver of light filtering through a small window high up on the wall. The walls were cracked and peeling, and the air was thick with dust.

Sereph shoved her inside, sending her stumbling forward. She barely managed to catch herself, her knees threatening to buckle. Her arm throbbed where he had gripped it, but she forced herself to stay standing, ignoring the sting. She rubbed her arm gently, trying to soothe the pain, but her mind was too consumed with the bleak reality of their situation to focus on anything else. Her chest had started to hurt as well.

Sereph’s voice rang out behind her, cold and devoid of any empathy. "Stay here," he ordered, his tone as sharp as a blade. "I’ll be back for you soon enough."

The door slammed shut with a final, echoing thud, leaving her alone in the suffocating darkness. Her heart pounded in her chest, the silence amplifying every sound, the slow, steady beat of her pulse, the distant murmurs of the demons outside.

Juno took a step back, the cold air biting at her skin. What now? Her mind raced, the fear clawing at her throat. She couldn’t think of a way out. She was alone, separated from Ain, and she had no idea what they wanted with her.

She closed her eyes for a brief second, trying to center herself. I can’t break now. I need to stay strong. I need to figure this out. But the questions kept swirling, threatening to overwhelm her.

Her chest hurt slightly, a cruel reminder of how fragile her state was. She felt a cough build up but she managed to control it.

She tried to steady her breathing, but it was hard with every creak and groan of the house surrounding her.

Hours? Minutes? She couldn’t tell how long she had been sitting in that room before she heard the distinct sound of footsteps approaching. The door handle rattled softly, and Juno tensed, her back straightening instinctively.

The door creaked open, and Sereph stepped inside, his eyes gleaming with the same insidious amusement. He didn’t look as though he was in a rush. In fact, he took his time, letting the door swing open slowly as if savoring every moment.

“Ahh,” he sighed, taking a slow step toward her. “Quiet, isn’t it? Almost peaceful. But you don’t feel peaceful, do you?”

Juno said nothing. Her stare didn’t waver, but her body was tense.

Sereph’s smile widened at her silence. He moved closer, every step dragged, hands in his pants pockets. He didn’t even need to speak, his presence alone was enough to make her unconfortable.

And then, too fast for her to notice, he leaned in, too close for comfort. His breath was warm against her ear as he inhaled deeply, his sharp eyes glinting in the dim light.

“Mmm...” He murmured softly, as if savoring the scent of her. “You really are something, aren’t you?”

Juno's body stiffened, and she took a step back, but the wall was right there, blocking her retreat. He tilted his head slightly, his smile shifting into something more avaricious.

“Strange,” he said in a voice that sounded almost sweet. “I’ve smelled plenty of humans before. But yours... yours is different. Stronger.” He inhaled again. “It’s almost intoxicating, really.”

Juno couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran down her spine. Her heart pounded in her chest as his words sank in. Stronger? What did he mean?

“What are you talking about?” she demanded, her voice unsteady, but she couldn’t quite hide the tension.

Sereph’s smirk deepened. He leaned in, his face inches from hers. Juno tried to look away, but his fingers caught her jaw, holding her still. His nails, just a little too sharp, pressed against her skin. “You carry something inside you, don’t you?” he continued, tilting his head slightly. “Something hidden. Something… delicious.”

Juno tried to push him, but he didn't move. “Get off me,” she growled.

Sereph chuckled, amused by her defiance. "Oh, you’re feisty. That’s good." His thumb traced her bottom lip, slow enough to make her stomach twist. Then, like it was nothing at all, he let her go.

She exhaled sharply, heart pounding in her chest.

Sereph’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, he looked even more pleased. "Don’t worry," he cooed. "I wouldn’t ruin anything just yet. No, no... I have plans for you."

He turned, strolling toward the door. Just before leaving, he cast her one last look over his shoulder. "I’ll be back soon, little human," he purred. "Try not to miss me."

Then, with a slow creak, the door shut, locking her back in the suffocating darkness. Juno stood frozen, her skin crawling where his fingers had touched. Her breath was uneven, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Whatever this demon was planning, whatever game he was playing, she had no intention of playing it.