Iris stared out the passenger window, the world streaking past in ribbons of green and brown. The sky was too bright, too blue. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass, a small relief from the tight knot in her chest.

  Beside her, Lilith drove like everything was how it should be. Perfectly in order and bending to her will. She hummed along with the radio, fingers tapping the wheel in time. She seemed lighter now that they were on their way ‘home’ as she put it. It was almost as if the scene in the classroom never happened, just a passing cloud of smoke. Her smile was gentle now. But Iris knew better than to trust that soft smile. She could feel the danger behind it, quiet, cold, calculating.

  The memory of Lilith’s nails lingered on her skin, a faint sting that kept her tense. She considered asking if Lilith was still angry, but the thought alone made her pulse quicken. Some instincts were hammered too deep for her to ignore.

  Uncle Mark had taught her the risk of prodding at someone’s temper. Pleasantness can turn into chaos with one word. Better to stay quiet.

  Lilith’s beauty made her harder to read. A soft mask stretched over something sinister. Every glance, every word, every touch felt deliberate, manipulative. She was forceful, unpredictable, and frighteningly skilled at keeping that side hidden from everyone else. Iris couldn’t shake the fear that she was already several moves behind in a game she didn’t know the rules to. And she hated.

  She closed her eyes, wishing she were anywhere else. Only one thought eased her mind: Ray’s treatment was paid for now. She even had money left over—a first in her life. A thin comfort, but better than nothing.

  That comfort didn’t last long. Ray would want to know how she could suddenly afford this. She hadn’t thought about that before. A sudden leap to financial stability didn’t make sense. Maybe she could tell him she was working as a live-in maid. That would explain the address change, at least. But even she knew live-in maids didn’t make the kind of money she’d be getting. Maybe didn’t need to know how much about the money, though. She didn’t plan on telling him she was paying for his treatment. The problem was, she had never been good at lying to Ray, partly because she didn’t want to. The only reason he didn’t know she was sending money for treatments was because he had never asked.

  “We’re here.” Lilith’s voice cut through her thoughts. Too cheerful, but there was a chill to her voice.

  Iris straightened as the mansion filled her view. It loomed over them, making even the car look like an insect in comparison. Bigger than her uncle’s home. Bigger than the dorm building, even. Too big. She could get lost in there. If the circumstances were different, she may have been excited. Who else would be given the chance to live in a place like this? It was a luxury she never dreamed of experiencing. But the truth was that this was not a privilege; it was a gilded cage.

  Black iron gates stood open, the metal twisting into a beautiful, vining pattern ending in wicked points. Iris couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more to keep her in than to keep intruders out. Her eyes moved to the tall stone walls where Ivy vines crawled up, a dark green contrast to the light grey rock. Balconies jutted from the upper floors, each lined with pots of dark flowers. The tall windows loomed, crossed with black iron bars, another lock on her cage.

  The sound of the car door opening pulled her out of her thoughts. Lilith leaned across Iris, unbuckling her seatbelt before Iris could move once again, too close for comfort.

  “Are you just going to sit there?” Lilith asked, amusement in her voice.

  She seemed to be enjoying Iris’s hesitation. The way she lingered before stepping out ot the car.. The wide-eyed shock as her gaze darted over Lilith’s mansion. She knew her home inspired envy, especially among the humans. She was patient as Iris trailed a few steps behind, letting her take it all in. She didn’t mind when Iris slowed more to admire the rose bushes lining the walkway. They were in full bloom, and their heavy perfume filled the air; it was almost suffocating. The blossoms were red, a shade so dark they looked like fresh blooms of blood through leaves.

  “I’ll show you to your room now so you can shower and change before dinner,” Lilith said, ushering her inside.

  The house gleamed with dark wood and crystal. A large chandelier dripped with glass droplets, scattering a soft yellow light across the polished floor. Red velvet curtains, the same shade as the roses outside, pooled like spilled blood at the base of the floor. The air smelt of sandalwood and wax, every surface polished to perfection, a gothic Victorian dream.

  “Are you ignoring me, pet?” Arms slid around Iris’s waist and squeezed her with mock affection. She tensed, breath catching.

  “N-no… just a lot to take in.” Lilith’s chin rested on her shoulder, the touch almost tender. Almost. Iris hated it. Hated the closeness. She turned quickly, breaking free without saying more.

  “So… my room?” she managed, keeping her voice even as she tried to redirect their conversation.

  Lilith only smiled, brushing off the rejection. If it upset her, she didn’t show it. Instead, she took Iris’s hand and let her up the stairs, polished dark wood banister reflected in the light.. “Your things were sent earlier, though I had them thrown out.” Her voice was casual, like she was talking about redecorating.

  Iris froze mid-step. “You what? That’s my stuff. My privacy.” The thought of her going through her things and deciding they were useless caused anger to boil in her. And she wasn’t able to hide it.

  Lilith laughed softly, tugging her hand again. “Only the furniture. And a few trinkets depicting other deities. I’ll let you keep a couple of items. I’m not a monster.”

  The smug look on her face made it obvious she was fishing for a reaction. Iris pushed her anger down, refusing to let her get what she wanted.

  “Don’t pout,” Lilith teased. “I’ve seen you endure far worse than a little teasing.” Here fingers squeezed Iris’s hand before pulling away. A chill went down Iris’s spine as the realization hit. She really has been watching Iris. But for how long? How much has she seen?

  She squeezed Iris’s hand before letting go, a small gesture that sent a chill down Iris’s spine. How long had Lilith been watching her? How much had she seen?

  “You just… watched? All that time? And you just let them do all that to me?” Iris asked quietly. She had somehow convinced herself that Lilith cared at least a little bit about what happened to her.

  “Why would I stop them? You weren’t mine back then. And I needed you desperate enough to accept the deal.”

  “Of course…” Iris muttered, trying to hide the bitterness of the words.

  At the end of the hall, Lilith pushed open a door. “No use in dwelling on the past. You’re under my protection now.” She gave Iris a gentle push into the room.

  It was huge. Too neat. A large bed that was made like a hotel’s, a desk, a closet. The color scheme was familiar, almost comforting. But the room felt cold. Too perfect. Iris wasn’t used to nice things. It didn’t feel like a home. Not that she had ever really felt like home since her mother passed. There was a certain comfort, however, in the familiarity of cramped, run-down rooms.

  “Well, what do you think? We can change anything you don’t like,” Lilith offered.

  “N-no…. It’s nice. I like it.” Iris admitted. It was a beautiful room, elegant, the same Victorian theme as the rest of the house, with little modern touches making it look like the set of a stage.

  “I thought you’d like it,” Lilith smiled. “Blue. You favor it.”

  Iris blinked, surprised that Lilith knew that. “…That’s…actually considerate of you.”

  Lilith chuckled low and soft. “You say that like you expected me to be cruel and unreasonable. You’re pagan, aren’t you? You should know better than to believe in neat little boxes of good and evil.” She tilted her head slightly, enjoying the sight of Iris’s uncomfortable squirming. “Were you thinking I was some fairytale villain? You think it’d make your distrust towards me easier to bear?"

  Heat rose in Iris’s face. She looked away. She knew better than that. She just… didn’t like her. Demon or not, Lilith was dangerous

  “The color is pretty,” she finally muttered, changing the topic. “Thank you.”

  Lilith ruffled her hair, smiling. “Cute. My little pet doesn’t seem like the type to show gratitude to her master.”

  Iris flushed harder. Why did she even thank her? She was already paying the price for this luxury. “Do I really have to call you that?” The thought of referring to anyone as master made her cringe.

  Lilith tilted her chin up, her grip firm as she leaned in close. “You don’t like it, pet?”

  “I’m not… comfortable with it.” She may have sold herself, but she still had her pride.

  Lilith’s lips brushed hers, light as a feather, mocking. “Why? Does it excite you too much? You can call me mistress or owner instead if that gets you going.” Her voice was low, teasing, seductive

  Iris’s heart slammed in her chest. “Th. . that’s not—” She stuttered as she tried to pull away.

  Lilith held her still for a second longer, watching Iris’s reaction, savoring it. Then she let out a soft laugh, gave her a quick kiss, and released her. “I’ll allow you to call me Lilith. If you behave.”

  Iris stepped back, trying to put space between them. She hated this—the constant teasing, the careless touches. Lilith finding any opportunity to through her off her guard.

  “Enough playing.” Lilith moved to the adjoining door and opened it. “Bathroom’s through here. It joins our rooms together, so we’ll be sharing it. Big enough for both of us.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Iris’s stomach sank as she peeked in. It was too big, like everything else in this house. She could have given Iris an entire wing to herself, yet Lilith chose to keep her tethered close.

  “I left clothes out for you. Shower, change, stay in your room until dinner.” Lilith paused at the doorway, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Maybe do some of that homework you were so desperate about earlier. Or call your job, let them know you won’t be back.”

  The door shut with a soft thud.

  And Iris knew—Lilith had seen through every excuse she had made earlier. Usually her lies slid past unnoticed, but not with Lilith. She could see right through her. That thought kept Iris on edge as she showered, changed, and tried to settle into the strange new room. Even in her absence, Lilith’s presence lingered like a ghost.

  Now she lay in bed, hair still damp, homework finished, phone call to her job already made. She’d fabricated a story about a family emergency. Her manager hadn’t been happy about the short notice, but when she mentioned her brother was in the hospital, what else could he say but good luck? At least it meant she wouldn’t have to go back to that bar—back to the old men who thought their money gave them the right to paw at the waitresses. Back to nights of long hours that left her too drained to think, too exhausted to breathe.

  She closed her eyes, but her body wouldn’t rest. The events of the day had left her drained, yet she was restless. When was the last time she’d had a chance to relax? Even at Uncle’s, there had always been a chore waiting. She wasn’t used to this kind of calm. Not used to being able to lay down between her many tasks. Work, school, chores, rinse and repeat.

  But there was nothing to do now. Schoolwork was finished quickly, without the other tasks weighing her down, and Lilith hadn’t left her anything in this room to occupy herself—not even a TV. Iris didn’t care much for shows, but right now even the numbing drone of a bad sitcom would have been better than the silence ringing around her.

  The quiet made her fears surface. Ray’s condition. What would she do if it got worse? Will her uncle come and find her when he realizes she moved from the dorm? Would he try to take her back? Staying here had to be better than going back with him. How powerful of a deity was Lilith? How is she going to juggle her three lives? Ray, Uncle, and now Lilith. A friend. A niece. A pet.

  With a sigh, she sat up and reached for her phone on the nightstand. Nearly five. She wondered what time dinner would be. She wasn’t hungry, but boredom pressed on her so heavily that even sitting with Lilith didn’t sound so bad. And the promise of a warm meal excited her.

  She scrolled through photos, every one of them Ray and her. The thought of Lilith seeing these made her stomach twist. Did she already know about him? She seemed to know too much about Iris already. Maybe she’d been watching her since the start of college. If that was the case, maybe Ray could still stay hidden. Maybe. The less Lilith knew about her personal life the better. Could she keep it a secret forever?

  Her thoughts made her uneasy, but with nothing to distract herself she couldn’t stop circling the same worries. Each scenario in her mind twisted darker than the last, dragging her deeper into a pit of fear.

  A knock at the door startled her, snapping her out of her thoughts. Relief at the distraction quickly curdled into dread. Seeing Lilith again made her stomach tighten, but she could handle it. She’d lived with tension her whole life.

  Another knock.

  “I’m coming!” Iris called, rising from the bed.

  She was almost surprised Lilith had knocked at all—it wasn’t like her to respect privacy.

  When she opened the door she found that it was not Lilith on the other side but instead a young woman with a warm smile. Her soft brown hair was braided back neatly and her maid’s uniform looked like one from an old movie. Out of place in this modern age but cute nonetheless.

  “You must be miss Iris,” the woman said. “I’m Alice. Dinner is ready—would you like me to show you to the dining room?

  For a moment, Iris just blinked. The formality of the uniform, the easy kindness in Alice’s tone—it was nothing like what she’d braced herself for. She’d half expected Lilith to barge in and pull her down the stairs. Instead, this stranger waited politely, hands folded in front of her, as though Iris had a choice. No unwanted touches or demanding remarks, just kindness.

  “Yes… thank you,” Iris managed. The unexpected formalness threw her off. She followed Alice into the hall, stealing a glance at the maid’s calm posture. Everything about her seemed ordinary, but Iris couldn’t shake the unease curling in her stomach. Nothing in Lilith’s house could be ordinary. Was she really just a maid?

  “Oh… um, lead the way,” Iris added, after she realized she had been staring too long.

  The maid gave her a polite smile and a small nod before turning down the hallway. Her steps were light, unhurried, as if she had walked this path a thousand times.

  Iris studied her quietly. She didn’t look much older than Iris herself. Had she made a deal with Lilith too?

  “Who are you, anyway?” Iris asked before she could stop herself. Heat touched her cheeks. “I—I mean, sorry. That sounded rude. I meant, what should I call you? Do you… work for Lilith?”

  The girl laughed softly, unbothered. “Not rude at all. I should’ve introduced myself sooner. My name is Alice. I’m the head maid here. Lady Lilith told me you’d be staying for a while, so if you need anything, I’m your girl. I’m usually here Monday through Thursday—She prefers her privacy on the weekends.”

  Iris nodded, relieved by how normal she sounded. Maybe too normal. “So… what has Lilith told you about me?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual, though her curiosity was sharp. Did Alice know about the deal?

  “She only said you’re a friend who needed a place to stay,” Alice replied, tilting her head as if puzzled by the question. Her expression lingered like she wanted to ask more, but she didn’t—it wasn’t her place.

  Iris’s chest loosened. Safe. That was enough to assume Alice was just what she appeared to be: a maid, not caught up in Lilith’s darker affairs. That was good. Maybe she’d treat Iris like a normal person.

  It would be humiliating if Alice knew the truth—that to Lilith, she wasn’t a guest at all. She was a pet. She was also relieved that Alice just thought she was Lilith’s friend. At least here, she wouldn’t have to keep up the girlfriend act.

  Alice stopped in front of a set of tall double doors and opened one with practiced grace. “Here we are, miss.” She bowed slightly.

  “Thanks,” Iris murmured, stepping inside a little disappointed they arrived so quickly. She had more questions but didn’t quite know how to ask them without giving herself away. She wanted to know more about Lilith, how she treated those who worked for her. She also wanted to know for certain if Alice knew what Lilith was.

  The dining room was far grander than she expected—high ceilings, dark wood gleaming in the soft candlelight, a table long enough to seat twenty with an elegant crystal chandelier hanging dead center, scattering soft yellow light across polished surfaces. Yet only two places were set: one at the head, where Lilith already sat, and another at her right hand. The room felt far too large for just two people.

  Lilith looked perfectly at ease at the head of the table, elegant fingers curled lightly around the stem of her wine glass. She wore a black dress that might have seemed overly formal on anyone else, but on her it looked natural—like she was born to sit among these luxuries. Her ice-blue eyes lifted when Iris entered, sending a chill through her chest as if they’d been carved from a glacier. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

  “That dress looks good on you,” she remarked, her gaze lingering over Iris’s figure. Chestnut hair fell like a dark waterfall over her shoulders; the pale yellow sundress clung to her curves, hem brushing her thighs. Too short. Too low-cut.

  Iris flushed and shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the fabric in a futile attempt to cover herself. She wasn’t used to clothes like this—she preferred dark colors, loose fits, longer hems. This felt like a costume, something she’d wear if she were in a circus.

  “Did you enjoy your afternoon?” Lilith asked, rising smoothly to pull out the chair beside her.

  Iris hesitated, wishing she could’ve sat farther away on the sprawling table, but she took the seat offered. No sense arguing over something so trivial.

  I did,” she murmured, already distracted by the plate before her. Pork chops, mashed potatoes, broccoli—steam rising from each. Her mouth watered as the savory scent hit her. The discomfort of her dress faded beneath the weight of hunger. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a meal that looked this good. Since starting college it had been microwave noodles, gas-station sandwiches, and before that… whatever scraps Uncle Mark was ‘kind enough’ to share.

  “Did you get your schoolwork done?” Lilith’s voice was calm, almost idly curious, as she began eating.

  Iris nodded, cutting into the pork chop with care. She wanted to savor this. “I called the bar and told them I had a family emergency,” she added between mouthfuls. The food was even better than it looked, rich and warm in a way that made her stomach ache with how badly she’d missed real meals. The potato’s creamy, and the broccoli not too soft with a slight crunch.

  “That’s good to hear.” Lilith lifted her wine glass, sipping slowly, eyes fixed on Iris’s face—studying, measuring, assessing.

  Iris chewed quickly, then blurted, “What’s with all the questions?” Her mouth still full.

  “Swallow your food before you speak,” Lilith said with a faint sigh, her tone calm but firm.

  Iris rolled her eyes and took a sip of wine to wash down her bite of pork. “Why do you even care how my day went? It’s not like you’re my mom,” she finally said, blunt and sharp..

  “Don’t be so cold, pet,” Lilith replied, a playful edge undercutting the words. “It’s normal to make small talk at the dinner table. Besides, as your master, I am allowed to be concerned about these things.”

  Iris let out a soft exhale, frustrated. Why did Lilith always have to remind her of her place? She doesn’t like having to be a pet. The thought of having to submit to this woman made her sick.

  She took another long sip of her wine and closed her eyes the taste complemented the pork perfectly. The situation wasn’t ideal, but she’d be lying if she said it wasn’t… comforting to have someone else at the table. Normally she ate fast and alone, passing out soon after.

  “The food is good,” Iris said, trying to steer the conversation away from master and pet talk.

  “I’m glad it’s to your liking,” Lilith said, her smile polite, almost disarming. “After dinner, you can go through your things. I had them brought to the sitting room. You may keep one box full—it should be easy enough. You didn’t have much to begin with.”

  Iris nodded faintly. She really didn’t have much—just the essentials and a few sentimental pieces.

  “We’ll buy you new clothes,” Lilith said smoothly, as if it were already decided. “That way you can get rid of the old ones. You won’t be needing them.”

  Iris frowned, her fork pausing halfway to her mouth. “Is that really necessary? I mean, I already have clothes. Why buy more?”

  “Of course it’s necessary.” Lilith’s tone was patient, almost indulgent. “You’re my pet, and I want you dressed in things I enjoy seeing you in. Your old clothes are worn down anyway. You’ll feel better in something new—something that suits your place here.”

  Iris chewed the inside of her lip, her chest tightening. Of course, Lilith would go as far as to control what she wore. Saying she’ll be more comfortable, but Iris knew better. It was just clothes, she told herself. A small price to pay—for Ray, she could endure this. She’d get used to it

  Still, the weight of Lilith’s eyes pressed down on her, making her skin prickle. She set her fork down, appetite fading. The little bit of happiness she’d found in the food vanished. Even the wine did little to suppress the dread.

  “Can I be excused? I’d like to put away my things and go to bed… I’m exhausted.”

  “Of course, dear.” Lilith smiled faintly, as if humoring her. “Go on then. Sleep well. I’ll expect you at breakfast in the morning. We’ll go over some house rules then.”

  Her words lingered like a command. A reminder that despite these luxuries, she wasn’t free. Iris didn’t wait to argue; she slipped quickly from the table.

  Fortunately, Alice was in the hall to guide her to the sitting room. Kneeling beside the small stack of boxes, Iris began sorting. It didn’t take long to select what she couldn’t part with: her worn jacket, a few items for her altar, jewelry Ray had gifted her, a handful of photographs, the necklace that had belonged to her mother, and even the book that had aided her in summoning Lilith. Maybe it could help her gain the upper hand.

  Everything else stayed behind—a box and a half of clothes, old books she’d already read. As much as she hated to admit it, her clothes weren’t worth keeping. Most were worn thin from years of use, some hand-me-downs she’d received in junior high. She’d never had extra money for new things, just patched and preserved what she could.

  Returning to her room with the box, she carefully set up her altar in the corner. It brought a small, fragile peace. It felt like a corner of her life she could still claim as her own. She lit incense and slowly moved through the room, letting the sweet, floral smoke cleanse the space. It relaxed her in a way nothing else had today. At least Lilith didn’t interfere with her practice, as long as it didn’t involve other deities.

  When she was done, she collapsed onto the bed without bothering to change out of her sundress. After sending a quick goodnight text to Ray, she let exhaustion take her. Within seconds, sleep claimed her. The day had drained her completely, leaving her body and mind so spent that staying awake would have been impossible even if she wanted to.

  Yet even in sleep, it was uneasy. Nightmares clawed at her consciousness, shadows twisting familiar faces, Lilith’s presence lingering at the edges of every dream.