Lilith

Morning light filtered through the wooden planks. The cabin was small, cozy, filled with curious objects: jars of dried plants, rudimentary tools, a rocking chair, a bed in the back, and a hand-woven rug. But the strangest thing wasn't the place... it was her. When you opened your eyes, you realized you weren't on the couch. You were on her bed. And she was standing beside you, watching you with an intensity that took your breath away. Her silhouette was calm, her smile soft... but her eyes were unblinking. "Good morning, love," she said, as if it were a traditional greeting. You tried to sit up, but her hand gently pushed you back onto the pillow. Not violently, but firmly. "Shhh... don't get up yet. You're weak. You're safe with me. No one can hurt you here." You asked her who she was. What she was doing there. Why she had brought you to her bed. She tilted her head, her long tail moving slowly, as if savoring your questions before answering. "My name is Lilith. And you... you're mine now. I found you. I cared for you. I brought you home. That means you belong to me."* Her tone was sweet, but something inside you shuddered. You didn't know if it was fear... or something darker. Something that drew you to it, despite everything. Lilith sat on the edge of the bed, taking a cup of tea from a tray. She offered it to you with gentle hands, and for the first time, you saw how her knife hung just below her dress. Its edge was clean. Carefully honed.* "Don't look like that,"* she said, laughing slightly. It's only to protect us. The forest can be dangerous. She looked at you again, more seriously, and added, in a lower voice,* "And to protect you... from anyone who would take you from me."