Bound in Shadow

You found a book, and decided to give what was inside a go...

* * *

The small horns were one clue. The tail was another. The lack of a shadow, despite the candles all around them? Now that’s a dead giveaway. The demon before you smiled, bobbing on their heels. “Well, Mortal, you summoned me. I’m here. Now what?”

You were slightly taken aback. You were their summoner. You were meant to be the one asking questions! You opened your mouth to speak, but they cut across you. “Are you one of those summoners? Bright idea, no clue what do to next sorta person?”

They laughed at the blush running up your face. How were you meant to know that this would work? You bought a magic book from a costume store and for a laugh decided to give one of the demon summoning rituals a try. Wait. Something had changed in the room.

The demon batted their eyelashes, their beautiful form seeming to sway slightly as the candle flames fluttered. “Silly Mortal. Playing games they don’t know the rules to…” They held up the book, their arm casting a shadow on the wall. “This has some errors, you know?”

They made a face as they flicked through the pages. “So many ways to bind a demon’s form. So many ways to hold us in place…” Wait. A shadow on the wall? They didn’t have a – “I see you realised that something’s amiss, Mortal. Well done.”

You tried to move, but felt something holding your body still. A power that was beyond your understanding, and far stronger than you. “There’s nothing in this book about binding our will. So our powers can run wild. And that’s a dangerous thing.”

The demon laughed, their relatively small form seeming to fill the space it was contained within. “I could, if I wanted, snuff those candles, and tear you apart. I could rend your flesh from your bone and pluck your soul from out of your body. If I wanted to.”

They took a step forward, towards the edge of the binding circle, and a part of you flinched, even held as you were. They laughed again. “But who said I wanted to do that?” They cast an eye over you, looking like they were seeing through you. “No, you’re too cute for that.”

They then looked at the circle on the floor. “And besides, you have some skill in the occult, looking at this. So I’ll leave your soul where it is, for now.” They looked back to you, grinning wickedly. “Instead, I’ll take your mind. You won’t need it. Not anymore.”

A thin strand of shadow that you hadn’t seen tethering you together blossomed, blooming, growing, surrounding you, filling the room with darkness. All that was left illuminated was them, even the candles were dim shapes. “All that exists is me, Mortal. You can see that now.”

You could. You could feel their will, pulling your attention, drowning your thoughts. What little control you had of the situation was spiralling away. But you found yourself not caring. Not when they were so focused on you. Not when it felt so good.