The next few days, Iris lived like she was prey being hunted. She darted from class to class, slipping out of the lectures before Lilith could corner her. Lunches were spent in bathroom stalls; hunger was nothing new, and skipping a meal was better than sitting under Lilith’s watchful eyes. Even at home, she hid, locking herself in her room using schoolwork as an excuse. This wasn’t technically a lie; her professors had piled on more make-up work than she could keep up with—but it gave her a reason to shut her door and lock the rest of the world out. Dinner was the only time she couldn’t avoid Lilith, and even then, she ate quickly, retreating upstairs the moment her plate was empty.
When she wasn’t working on schoolwork, she called Ray. At first, he was a little surprised at how much free time she suddenly had, but when her asked, she told him she’d gotten a new, better-paying job. When he pressed for details, she changed the subject. The lies pressed down on her, making it harder to talk to him by the day. She hated keeping him in the dark.
When he asked if she was still free to see him that weekend, her chest tightened. She lied again—told him her new job required her to work weekends. The thought of asking Lilith for permission made her stomach knot. What if just mentioning Ray put him in danger?
Lilith, meanwhile, had been patient. She let Iris run. She gave her space, gave her the freedom that she craved. Though she and Iris both knew that freedom was only an illusion. The deal tied them together, and as a result, Lilith always knew where her pet had gone. An invisible chain remained tightly around Iris’s throat.
So she waited. Tuesday passed. Then Wednesday, Thursday. By Friday, Lilith snapped. She gave Iris her space, allowing her time to accept her place. But Iris did belong to her, and Lilith had not chosen to keep her so she could be ignored. She wanted someone at her side—someone to give her attention, warmth, if nothing else, their company. Yet now that she had Iris, the house felt emptier than ever. Having her so close, yet still being left alone, only made the pit of loneliness grow deeper. She knew she could have what she wanted, and her pet was withholding it.
She wouldn’t let this go on any longer
Lilith stood outside Iris’s second class, five minutes before the lecture let out. As soon as the door opened, Iris bolted, backpack slung over her shoulder, unzipped, books nearly spilling out. Just as she had done every day before. But this time, Lilith was ready. She wouldn’t let her escape.
Not this time.
“Iris!” Lilith’s voice carried down the hall as she gave chase. Iris’s short frame moved fast, but Lilith was faster.
Iris didn’t glance back. She turned sharply into the stairwell, taking steps two at a time. Lilith’s honey-brown eyes flickered, flashing their natural icy blue. Her emotions made it hard to manipulate her appearance. She had been patient. She was sure Iris would eventually get lonely, that she’d eventually crawl back. Instead, Iris hid and ran. As if Lilith wasn’t all she had left.
This had to be because of the boy she spoke to on the phone day and night. The thought hung in Lilith’s mind and twisted in her chest. Was Iris choosing that human boy over her? Would she have to take him away from her?
She shook her head. It hadn’t even been a week yet. Iris would learn to accept her in due time. She just had to be patient. But patience never came easily. Lilith usually got what she wanted when she wanted it.
“Iris, babe, slow down.” Her voice was smooth, almost gentle, but carried a razor edge.
“I …I really have to use the bathroom,” Iris stammered, breathless from running. “It might take a while. Go to lunch without me.” The same excuse as yesterday.
Lilith didn’t let it slide this time; her patience had thinned. Just as Iris was about to turn the corner to exit the stairwell, her hand shot out, clamping around Iris’s wrist tightly and yanking her back. Iris stumbled, gasping, but Lilith’s hand pressed between her shoulder blades, steadying her before she could fall.
“How long did you think I’d let you run and hide?” Lilith’s voice was low, dangerous. Her grip slid from Iris’s wrist to the back of her neck, nails biting into Iris’s soft skin. Iris winced. To an onlooker, the touch might have looked affectionate. But Iris knew better. This was part of her punishment, a silent reminder she was in trouble.
“Up,” Lilith ordered, nodding towards the top of the stairs. The word cracked in Iris’ ears like a whip.
Her stomach sank. Lilith wanted her on the roof. She had spent many lunch hours camped up there. The privacy was welcome back then, but now the thought of it made her sick. She hesitated, but Lilith's nails dug deeper into her flesh. “Would you prefer me to drag you up there, darling?”
Iris knew she had no choice but to obey.
At the top, Lilith shoved Iris, and she fell hard, knees scraping against the concrete. Behind her, the heavy door slammed shut and the lock clicked. The sound echoed in Iris’s ears, and her chest tightened. She was trapped.
As Iris scrambled to her feet, Lilith’s glare pinned her down. She sank again, her already scraped knees striking the rough cement once more.
“Do you think I’m stupid?” Lilith asked, cold and steady.
Iris shook her head quickly, eyes wide.
“Then why have you been avoiding me?” Lilith crouched low until her face was level with Iris’s. Her ice-blue eyes made Iris shudder. She wanted to shrink back, but she couldn’t move.
“I… I don’t know.” The words slipped out broken, empty. Excuses had run dry. Lilith hadn’t believed them anyway.
Her eyes flashed with anger. He grabbed a fistful of Iris’s hair and yanked her forward. “You don’t?” she hissed. Iris’s knees hovered off the ground, a sharp pain pulsing through her scalp. Her hands shot up, wrapping around Lilith’s wrists in vain.
“Then you’d better figure it out fast.”
“I…I’m sorry.” Tears beaded in her eyes.
Lilith released her, and she fell back hard onto her butt, scraping her palms as she caught herself before her head hit the ground.
“I didn’t ask for an apology.” Lilith said coldly, “I asked for an explanation.”
Iris’s lips trembled. The lump in her throat swelled until she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. The truth—that she hated Lilith, that being near her suffocated her—would only dig the hole deeper.
Lilith straightened, her shadow stretching over her like a cage. “You know, I’ve been thinking. You belong to me, yet you spend more time talking to that boy than you do with me.”
“I…” Iris began, but the words died before they could come out. What could she say?
Lilith sank down, straddling her lap and pinning her wrists to the ground. “His name was Ray, right?” She murmured, leaning in until her forehead brushed Iris’s. “Did you think I didn’t know? I hear everything.”
Iris’s eyes widened. Fear tightened around her heart. What if she got the wrong Idea? “he’s just my friend…” Her voice was barely audible
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Your friend, sure. But the problem is that he’s stealing your time. Your attention. Those things belong to me now. You sold yourself to me, remember?”
Her hand curled into Iris’s hair, soft this time—too gentle, almost like a lover.
Iris looked away. “I…I remember.”
Lilith’s hand tightened as the softness from seconds ago crumbled away like sand. How dare she look away from her? She couldn’t hold back her temper. Before she even realized it, her fist drove hard into Iris’s midriff. The air tore Iris’s lungs in a ragged gasp as she doubled over, forehead collapsing against Lilith’s shoulder. Pain flared under her thin cotton shirt, and she could already feel the hot bloom of a bruise forming. Iris knew the placement was calculated. The mark would easily stay hidden,
“Good girl,” Lilith murmured, her thumb brushing Iris’s damp cheek as though the blow had been an act of love. “We’ll have problems if you forget.”
Iris didn’t say anything. Silence was safer.
Satisfied, Lilith smiled softly and pressed her lips on the top of her head before standing and offering her hand. “We’re going home. Forget about the rest of your classes.”
Iris took her hand and let herself be pulled to her feet. She wasn’t sure she would’ve been able to stand on her own with how sharp the blow was. She knew there was no use in disobeying. Her little game was over. The bruise beneath her shirt was just more proof of her place. She couldn’t avoid Lilith anymore; the leash had gotten shorter.
Lilith seemed pleased as she unlocked the door and pulled it open. Although her mood had softened, her grip tightened as Iris tried to pull her hand away. The change in her voice after what had just happened made Iris’s stomach twist. She shouldn’t sound so gentle now.
Lilith pulled her pet closer. Iris didn’t have the right to act like she didn’t belong to anyone. She agreed to the terms of their deal after all.
On the way to the car, Lilith's grip didn’t loosen. Even as Iris sat in the passenger seat, Lilith’s hand rested firmly on her thigh. It was almost as if she was afraid that Iris would disappear if she let go. Iris saw it then—a little flicker of something she didn’t expect. Fear. It was as if Lilith was scared to let go. But Iris didn’t understand why. They hadn’t known each other very long, so why would Lilith already be this attached? The look on her face made Iris uncomfortable, so she turned her eyes toward the window and told herself it was just her imagination.
She’d just hit Iris a few minutes ago. Why did she look so afraid now?
When they arrived home, Iris wanted to retreat to her room and hide, but as if she could read her mind, Lilith took her hand again, not giving Iris the chance to run. Not that she would have. Especially not after what had happened earlier. She knew there was no escape. She was trapped in the middle of Lilith’s web, and the only reason she ever got an ounce of freedom was because Lilith allowed it.
An uneasy feeling grew in Iris’s stomach as Lilith guided her up the stairs. Was she planning something worse? Iris couldn’t tell what was going through her head. The sudden calm made things worse. When her uncle had gone quiet like that, a storm always followed. It wasn’t until they were halfway down the hall that Iris gathered the courage to break the silence.
“I… um… still have quite a bit of makeup work to do,” Iris said, her voice small. It was an excuse—an attempt at distance. Her muscles ached from hitting the concrete earlier, and the bruise on her stomach throbbed, making it hard to breathe. The pain only made being near Lilith worse, a constant reminder of what she was capable of if Iris made the wrong move.
Lilith’s grip on her hand tightened briefly. For a moment, Iris could’ve sworn she saw panic flash across her face. This unsettled her more. What was Lilith so afraid of? There’s no way she cared about Iris that much.
“That can wait. You have all weekend.” Lilith’s voice was even again, perfectly composed, making Iris wonder if the panic she saw was her mind playing tricks on her. She stopped at the door beside Iris’s room and opened it. “Go on,” she said, motioning for Iris to enter first.
Iris hesitated, but Lilith gently pushed her forward, leaving her no choice but to obey. The last thing she wanted was to cause more trouble. Lilith finally released her hand, and Iris exhaled quietly in relief.
As the door shut behind them, Iris took in the room. It was more extravagant than her own. The color scheme was red and black, like most of the house. The bed was enormous, framed in black lace curtains, and the air smelled faintly of rose petals and smoke—Lilith’s scent. It was the kind of room made for a queen. Iris couldn’t even imagine how she was supposed to get used to living in a place like this
The food had been nice—two full meals a day, something she wasn’t used to. If she hadn’t been skipping lunch to avoid Lilith, she would’ve had three. Being full was a luxury, and she’d be lying if she said the idea of never going hungry again didn’t excite her. Plus, she had a feeling she could get used to the bed. It was softer than any one she’d ever slept in. At the end of the day, though, all these luxuries did not make this place feel less like a cage.
Lilith’s hand on her back drew her out of her thoughts. “Let’s get changed and lie down for a bit, doll. I’m exhausted.” She paused, eyeing Iris’s dirt-streaked clothes. “You’ll have to shower first. You’re filthy.”
The casual affection in her voice made Iris shudder. The anger from earlier was gone. It was as if the outburst had never happened. That calm, careful tone put Iris more on edge than the violence had. The soft kindness scared her more.
Iris swallowed hard. Like, all this was normal? She didn’t belong in a place like this.
Her gaze drifted over the room again. The heavy curtains, the polished floor, the perfect bed—it all felt like part of some elaborate stage set. The longer she stared, the more the large room seemed to close in on her. The scent of roses and smoke filled her nostrils, making it hard to breathe. Realistically, she knew the deal bound her here, but some part of her still clung to the idea that it would end eventually—that Lilith would grow tired of her, move on, set her free.
As Iris stood there, lost in thought again, Lilith had already sat on the edge of the bed, watching her closely. The way Iris shifted uncomfortably gave her away—her every thought written across her face. Lilith could see that her little pet wanted to run. She could see reality settling in. And that, more than anything, made her smile. Iris was finally beginning to understand her place. She might be uncomfortable now, but Lilith was certain she’d grow used to it—with time, she’d stop resisting
“You seem…distracted,” Lilith commented as she removed her shoes. “Don’t just stand there. Come sit.”
“Sorry,” Iris said softly, walking over and taking a seat on the far edge of the bed. “Your room is nice.”
Lilith nodded. “Take off your shoes.”
Iris didn’t protest this time. She just unzipped her boots and pulled them off one by one, moving slowly. It was obvious she was stalling, but Lilith let it go this time. She was finally getting the obedience she expected, though she hated that she’d lost her temper earlier. Losing control wasn’t like her. She wasn’t against using violence to get her way, but she usually did it more… gracefully. Iris had a way of dragging the worst out of her.
Lilith’s gaze drifted over a small tear in Iris’s shorts and the faint bloodstain on her shirt. She sighed. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” She said, her voice was softer than earlier—too soft. “I’ll find you something else to wear. Throw the ones you’re in away—they’re ruined now.”
Iris perked up at that. “I’ll go shower then.” She was grateful for the chance to be alone, even for a moment.
Lilith smiled softly. “Sure, you can get started without me. I’ll be in in a second.”
Iris’s face flushed. “You’ll be in…?” she echoed.
“Are you embarrassed?” Lilith’s tone was amused. “I’ll see it all eventually.” She reached over and brushed Iris’s hair off her shoulder, causing her to flinch away from the gentle touch. Lilith laughed softly and lowered her hand.
“I’ll allow you to shower alone this time. But you’d better be quick. Or I’ll have to come help you.”
Iris didn’t need to be told twice. She got up and hurried into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. It wasn’t much, but it was something—a few precious minutes to herself. Time where she can think clearly without the fear of saying the wrong thing or making a wrong move
Lilith watched her scurry away. Just like a little rabbit. The thought made her laugh softly under her breath. She’d better go find Iris some clothes and get changed herself. They could wear pajamas for the rest of the day and relax, tomorrow will be busy.
She stood and looked toward the closet as a small smile tugged at her lips. A quiet day with Iris all to herself, the idea relaxed her.
As she opened the closet and sifted through the hangers, the image of Iris in one of her oversized shirts flashed through her mind—bare legs, flushed cheeks, eyes turned shyly away. A habit of hers when embarrassed. The thought lingered longer than it should have. Her heart quickened slightly, and she caught herself smiling like a fool again
Her hand paused over one of the shirts.
No. There was no way she was growing attached to Iris. She’d just been alone for far too long. Any pretty girl could have filled the silence—Iris had only been unlucky enough to fall into her trap.
She pulled the shirt from the hanger and laid carefully on the bed. The motion was gentle, and the image of Iris wearing it sent a pang of excitement through her chest—one she refused to acknowledge.
“Iris is just a plaything,” she told herself as if saying it aloud might make the statement true. “A means to entertain myself.”
The words hung in the air like smoke.
And yet, the thought of anyone else seeing her like that—bare legs tangled in silk sheets, wearing her clothes, sleeping in her bed—made Lilith’s jaw tighten. A faint possessiveness clawed its way up her chest, hot and unwelcome.
Still, the soft patter of running water drifted from the bathroom, steady and delicate. The sound calmed her—a quiet reminder that Iris was still near. Still hers.Lilith exhaled slowly, a faint smile curving her lips. “Just a plaything,” she repeated, this time softer, almost tender. But even she didn’t quite believe it anymore.
