Race with a Devil

Your instinct is to charge in, figure things out as you go. This demon-blooded lady is certainly laying on the pressure, but the voice of reason still rings out.

"Nope" You shake your head and hold your hands outward as a plea to stop "I need my friends. They're both the reason I'm in this mess, and the reason I got this far to begin with." These words feel as a revelation as they depart your mouth. For as much as they constantly tempt you betray your monogamy, they are still reliable allies anyway, and have helped you in every way you've needed them to. "Come with me, help me find them, and we can put a plan together."

"I can't" She replies meekly, looking back at the estate "I'm not supposed to leave this place"

"This doesn't seem to be the day for following rules for either of us. Please, if we hurry, we can figure this out, I'm sure."

She takes another short look at the estate. Taking a few steps back, she makes a dead sprint towards the gate, clearing the bars with an unnaturally high leap.

"How did?" You begin to ask

"That's not important" She replied, somewhat defensively, "Let's get going"

You lead the way, racing through the streets, largely empty now that the sun has set. Both your kind and hers can excel in environments such as this, where humans often struggle to see the hands before their faces.

"Silve, by the way" You add to the silence as you head back to your friends "Thanks in advance"

"Lita" She responds quickly, "Don't thank me just yet."

It takes two or three stops for you to reorient yourself in order to find The Good Knight's Rest, but getting through the door, you are pleasantly surprised to find Joan and Clodagh inside; chatting up a Giant while sharing food together. Seeing you, Drow nods Clodagh away from their impromptu date, and walk to you quickly.

"I wouldn't think you were the type to find a rebound girl so fast Silve" Joan quipped. Clodagh, being more sympathetic, slugs her hard with an angry fist to the side

"Sorry about her, she can't help herself. And sorry about earlier. How'd things go?"

"Well, there's good news and bad news. I know where Trevolia is. Bad news, it sounds like she's in danger, and Lita here is going to help us get in, but we need a plan"

"Right" Joan speaks up, having air returned to her "The noble arc returns to commoners to do his dirty work. Silve, it's been fun, but I think this is where it all ends for you. For us. Why should I get involved in rescuing your dear princess for you, again?"

"None of this would have happened if you would just keep your hands to yourself and leave me the fuck alone!"

"Bullshit!" Joan snaps back "I never twisted your arms to get you. For fuck's sake Silve, I barely had to say please."

"Because" Lita speaks up as she stands between the two of you "Right now you are the only thing that can stand in the way of a fate no living being should be **** to endure."

"Pretty words from a cushy house servant. What would you know about cruel fate?"

The question seems odd given the demonic bloodline would be enough of a giveaway, but Lita passes by the obvious. Loosening her robe, she lets it drop enough to show her back. An endless array of horizontal scars, the telltale sign of whips, mixed with burns and other horrendous scars "I know enough. I know what evil can hide behind a kind face. The same one lured me as a servant has lured this orc's true love. I've stood and watched, and even been abeited it, but I can't anymore." Lita's voice became more emotional with each word. Clodagh, intentionally or not, shifted the conversation to a more nuetral point.

"This has happened before? What's going on?"

"My Master is a demonologist, the cause of his initial infatuation with me, I think. He will fog her mind and distract her with a night of song and decadence. When he and his band of depraved nobles have had their fill, a demon will summoned. The demon will **** her in front of everyone, and than she will be ritualistically sacrificed to the demon and to the infernal Gods of the Ten Hells."

The three of you stare uncontrollably at Lita's words. Even the spectators in the room have grown quiet.

"Well," Joan replies first "standing around here won't solve anything. We have to get in there and stop all of this, before it's too late"

"Well, what's the plan when we get there?"

"This is just a thought" Clodagh speaks up "I'm not a strategic thinker of anything, but why don't we just kill everyone?"