14. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

T he second everyone stepped into the house, Aya eased the door closed. Lingered, palms flat against the wood, her mind a brewing tempest. She still tasted blood on her lips, felt it dried and cracking. The words, so carefully bound within her chest the whole way back, bubbled up. Found that thin opening between her lips, and out they came, a soft question.

"Who was the demon, Sabra?"

A hush fell upon the room. Even the house, so full of life, stilled at the question. Her hand curled into a fist as she turned, barely containing the anger simmering within. Aya recalled Sabra in the fight, the way she was with that demon.

Sabra stared back, eyes shuttered. Tension ratcheted through her body as she stood apart from the others, half-cloaked in shadows. The distance between them stretched wider with every second crawling past, a lake becoming ocean.

Aya took a step forward. "Who was she?"

Elaine moved to intercept, but Aya cut a warning look. Stay back. This is between Sabra and I.

A tiny, weary sound cracked out of Sabra. " They were my friend. Someone I knew from the demon realm." Sabra's face crumpled. "They were the one I had told you about."

Pieces slid into place. The fight bled away, leaving Aya swaying, thoughts twirling like tangled ribbons. She strode forward and yanked Sabra into her arms. Sabra braced, shoulders locked, a warrior ready for a fight, but eased after a pause. The fight died in her, too.

Aya leaned in, rubbing small circles in Sabra's back. "It's okay."

To break, to breathe, to scream, she wanted to say .

At those two words, Sabra shattered in her arms.

She held her, firm as the foundations of their home, as sobs shuddered through. The awful, rasping sound cleaved Aya's soul to ribbons. But she held on. For Sabra. For the demon she called sister, friend, family. She did not let go until Sabra's cries tapered away and she pulled away first. It was then Aya realized the others had left.

Seen the need without command or plea for privacy.

Sabra raked a hand through her hair as a sound of pure, aching frustration threaded between their words. "They looked at me with such hatred —why? I was their friend, we…"

Aya waited a moment before she spoke. "Sit. I'll make some of the tea you like."

She headed into the kitchen. As she readied up the tray with the pot and cups, Sabra sat by the cold fireplace. She set the tray down on the coffee table and got the fire going. As the flames crackled to life, she hung the pot over the flames and sat back on her haunches. It took a little prodding with the fire, adding a few extra pieces of wood, before she was happy with it.

"Their name was— is —Zari."

"I assume they're not he or she given by your words for them."

"Some demons aren't. They simply are. "

The tea was ready, so she pulled it off the fire and poured the steaming hot tea into the cups. Sabra reached for it with trembling hands, silent as she sipped. Aya's heart ached at the confusion tearing Sabra apart, at the questions she had no answers for. She didn't know what to do or say, nor how to take the pain away.

She sat down beside Sabra, letting the silence sink between them, burrowing roots into the floor, to the very soil beneath their home. The ocean between them shrank to a bubbling stream.

"What do you want?" Aya whispered.

"Answers." Sabra glanced up from the flames. "I want to know what happened, why they…and, and I want to explain."

"Explain what?"

"What I did wrong."

Aya waited for more but when none came, she realized this story, these words, were not meant for her—not yet. Another needed them first.

Another question claimed her lips, one she had been dreading since they got back. "What if they come for you like that again?"

"If they kill me, you can just bring me back," Sabra replied with a wry smile. It was a forced smile, scarcely touching her eyes, as though it was all she could to do to stop herself from breaking completely.

Ice slid down Aya's spine. Her gaze slid to the deep shadows at the edge of the room, her comfort in the darkness, in the way she sometimes imagined it might swallow her whole.

"What if I can't do it again?"

Sabra glanced at her, sensing the unsaid fears thrumming through their bond. "Can't your family teach you know? You can…"

Aya set her cup down and pushed up to her feet. Sabra made no move to stop her as Aya moved to the fire, facing it with arms folded across her chest. A small shield against the world, against the shame and guilt gnawing at her mind.

"You can't, can you?"

A broken sound escaped Aya. "They remember me as their child, young and innocent. That part of me died long ago."

Sabra's gaze narrowed. "You did what you had to do to survive. If they can't come to accept that, then they don't deserve you." Aya went to argue but Sabra was up on her feet. "No, they don't get to judge. You were a child in a world that wanted you dead, that hunted you. Then you came here, and you had to hide to survive. That made you isolated, unsure of who you could trust. And this place isn't exactly kind to those of us who walk alone."

"They may not want to train a monster."

"And if you went back knowing what you do now, would it make a difference? Would you suddenly become this version you think they would accept?"

She pulled away, her thoughts darkening. All that she'd done flashed through her mind. All the blood and rage and darkness, all part of her, entangled deep within her soul. Sabra was right. She wouldn't change any of it. Not for the approval of a family she scarcely held any deep memories of anymore.

Sabra's hand touched her upper arm, forcing her to look upon her friend. "You will never know unless you see them and if they do turn their backs, then that's their loss. But you know, there is every chance they will embrace you, just as you are." Sabra's touch lifted to her cheek. "You need to sleep. We all do."

"But we need to—"

"There is nothing more to talk about with Zari. Nothing that will tell us why they're here." Sabra stepped back, squaring her shoulders. "We'll find them, and we will get answers. Now, go, before that witch of yours comes down here and drags you to bed . "

Sleep was fitful at best. She tossed and turned, even after downing a tonic left by her bed. A gift from Tobias, the damn wolf knowing full well the mind she was in and that she needed it. Elaine woke twice, the second time asking if she wanted to talk. Aya shook her head and climbed out of bed.

"I'll be alright. I might just go for a walk." Elaine started to rise but Aya gently pushed her back into bed. "Rest. You need it."

"So do you."

"And I will. I won't be long."

Elaine finally relented, sinking back into the blankets. Aya dug out a shirt, scowling at the piles of ones she couldn't use until they were changed. Having wings really did put a thorn in the wardrobe department, one she'd have to figure out sooner rather than later.

Once dressed, she headed downstairs and out the front door. Dawn was a few hours off, leaving the forest in a slumbering silence. Even the birds were quiet, the air still. She left barefoot, padding out among the leaf litter and patches of grass. The deep shadows welcomed her, calming a little of the fear and wild emotions churning in her gut.

Just one foot in front of the other, without any direction in mind. The further she moved from the house, the louder the inescapable fate grew in her mind. She knew she had to reach out to her people. They were the only ones who could train her…and who might just break her if they turned her away.

Her foot caught on a rock and suddenly she was stumbling forward. The ground rushed to meet her before she could catch herself. Knees struck another pile of rocks. Curses spilled free of her lips, pain blooming hot along her legs. She rolled to the side and stared up through the gap in the trees. The sky glittered resplendently, thousands of gems hung in the dark, making her wish she held even a scrap of talent for painting. Anything to capture it, clear and bright as it was, cleaved by a glowing crack in the sky.

Aya closed her eyes. Sabra was right. She couldn't avoid them forever, no matter how much she yearned to do so. A little part of her whispered to ask Akaria but that idea was worse. She didn't trust the goddess, couldn't ignore the instinct warning her to be cautious.

Hands clamped suddenly around her throat.

Aya's eyes snapped open, hands shooting up to fight off—

Pain exploded through both wrists. A scream ripped from her lips as both hands were slammed back down, a dagger plunged through each wrist, pinning them into the ground. The fiery burn tore up her limbs.

Her gaze locked on her attacker.

Zari.

Eyes black, cold, staring down at her.

The grip on her throat tightened. Aya tried to call her power, but no answer came. She tried to buck her hips, but the grip tightened. Her strength was fading—and fast. Panic set in like icy water dumped over her. Death whispered at the edge of her mind, beckoning her with an outstretched hand. Akaria's song filled her mind.

No, no, no!

She tried to lift her hands, but the daggers didn't move. Tears burned her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

Darkness nudged her vision, blood roaring in her ears. Her pulse started to slow, fading with every second.

Aya reached for her bond with Sabra, screaming with every bit of strength she had left.

HELP!

She tried to scream, make any kind of sound but the pressure tightened. No sound escaped, save for the strangled gasps. Her lungs burned, crying out for air. The fire rippled outwards, every muscle on fire.

Aya started to slip away, the song of Akaria too strong—

Elaine's face bloomed in her mind, warm and smiling, and she could've screamed in agony. She didn't want to leave her. She didn't want to go. It wasn't time.

Fight! Her inner voice howled.

A final flash of strength surged her limbs. She tried to raise her hands again.

The daggers began to lift.

Zari pressed down harder.

Strength flooded out of her body. Aya's lips parted once more.

"Zari…"

The demon's eyes widened.

She tried once more to push the name to her lips. Zari's face hardened as they leaned in.

"No more chains!"

Claws bit into skin, drawing blood. Aya slumped onto the ground, eyes fluttering shut. The pressure surged in her chest, turning her vision dark.

The grip on her throat stopped, hands ripped away.

Air flooded into Aya's lungs. Her eyes flew wide, the world rushing back into her senses. Desperate breaths poured over her lips as she gulped them down, trying to look at who saved her. She couldn't sense Sabra close, nor the others. Who—

A shimmering figure loomed over her.

Aya froze, a single name breaking from her mouth. "Marisol?"

Relief flooded those eyes she loved once long ago, the panic softening into a smile. Marisol reached down with a ghostly hand, her touch icy against Aya's cheek. A shiver rippled through her body.

"Watch your back, Aya. The gods see you."

Aya tried to speak but the words became a feeble hiss.

Shouts sounded off nearby.

Marisol's gaze snapped up to the source and suddenly she was off, melting away into the shadows. Aya stared at her retreating figure when someone knelt before her, blocking the view. She blinked several times, Elaine's voice sharpening into view. Her lips were moving but Aya couldn't hear her, could barely focus anymore.

Stars splashed across her vision, the world started to spin. She started to sway back. Elaine's hand shot out, catching her before she hit the ground. A second later warm hands closed around her stinging wrists. The pain quickly faded, the warmth slowly trickling through her veins.

The world started to clear, steadying around her.

"Can you stand?" Elaine asked.

Aya managed a jerky nod and leaned in as Elaine helped her up. Her legs wobbled a bit, but she kept upright, focusing hard on the others as they came closer. Sabra approached, pale, wide-eyed.

"I sensed…"

"Zari was here," Aya forced out, gritting her teeth. The pain was gone but the feeling of hands closed around her throat. She swallowed, wincing a little. "How did they get through the ward?"

Sabra stilled, her eyes widening further. "Oh fuck. I-I didn't…I should've known."

"Should've known what?" Elaine asked.

"The wards were forged of my demon magic and Zari was the one who taught me." Sabra took a step forward but stopped herself from coming any closer. "I should've known. I'm sorry. Gods, I'm sorry. "

Aya's heart clenched, not in anger, but for the horror and shame burning through the bond. All the dark thoughts whispering through Sabra's mind bled into hers. She gently peeled out of Elaine's arms and closed the distance, staggering a little, until she hauled Sabra into her arms.

"I'm alive. I'm okay." She pulled back just enough to force Sabra to look at her. "Do you hear me? I'm okay."