29. Indestructible, Demon

twenty-nine

Indestructible, Demon

Alessia

M y mind spins, struggling to process the whirlwind of events.

Rainer obliterated those men. They stood no chance against him as he effortlessly tore them down, showcasing his superior strength and skill. In the past, it would’ve terrified me. Now, it only deepens my sense of security around him. He was wholly in control the whole time.

It’s evidence of how much he’s been in control—even when he feared he wasn’t.

Like when he bit Eoin, that wasn’t a gory or lethal attack. It was precise and vengeful but nothing like what just happened.

And when he bites me? He’s deliberate and gentle, which reflects his careful nature.

The Rainer who bites me is hard to reconcile with the one who ruthlessly took down those men.

As we walk, I steal glimpses of him, and my heart warms at the sight of his striking profile. Before we packed up and left our resting spot, he meticulously scrubbed away every trace of blood. The black leathers he wears show no trace of blood—the material is seemingly impervious to stains. Convenient for a vampyr.

His wet hair, slicked back and out of his face, accentuates the intensity of his gaze, framed by furrowed brows. He glances my way, and when he catches me staring, the harsh edges of his features soften.

He’s your thorns, and you’re his petals, my shadow says.

It’s not wrong. That’s something Rainer once said to me, too. And the other thing my brain is struggling to process is how— why —my shadow responds the way it does. Those arrows didn’t hurt it or me. So why am I injured when I attack it?

Am I the only one capable of causing damage?

I also noticed that my shadow was quieter and more stable, even in the higher adrenaline situation. It wasn’t as vicious as it has been. It’s significantly tamer. Instead of lashing out, it saved Seraphina’s life—and mine. Then it pulled away when Rainer got there instead of taking control like it usually does. It let Rainer save me. They both spared me the guilt and pain of having to defend myself.

Something changed between us in that moment—between me and my shadow and between me and Rainer.

Shaking away the thoughts, I use my remaining energy to travel onward with the group.

We arrive at the edge of Wyrville shortly after sundown, exhausted and on edge, ready to slumber in a safe bed. Even though the past few hours were mostly silent, I still haven’t had time to process everything that happened.

“We should stop here,” Rainer instructs the group. We pause at the forest’s edge before it gives way to the curved main street ahead.

I gaze at him longingly, admiring the way he confidently assumes control. I’m exhausted, but he excels in anticipating my needs. He instinctively knows when to follow my lead and when to take charge.

My shadow-self was wrong, just like I said from the beginning. Love doesn’t make me weak. It makes me stronger because I’m a better version of myself with Rainer by my side. He brings out my strength and protects my softness.

Loving him makes you stronger, my shadow-self confirms.

I blink, stunned at the change of heart. It snickers from somewhere deep inside of me.

It’s not my change of heart , it says. We are one .

I brush it off, not wanting to get into conversation with it right now with everyone around.

The lights of the town shine brightly, with flickering shades of orange and yellow dancing in the various windows. Shops and residential buildings line the main dirt-packed street stretching out before us.

Despite its southern location, the village resembles Lyson, featuring old stone and wood cottages. Unlike Lyson, this village is much more expansive, scaling the hills. To the north side of the town, I catch a glimpse of the cornfields. Wyrville is known for its agricultural production, another place Tradelings commonly get sent for work.

“Where are we staying?” Tynan grumbles.

“The inn is that building there—at the edge of town.” Zephyr points. “The one with the smoking chimney.”

My gaze fixates on the building in question, with its steepled roof and windows adorned with flower-boxes. Oil lampposts illuminate the exterior, creating an inviting atmosphere .

It’s a cute town, but it does little to ease my anxieties about staying the night here.

“My cousin’s shop is three doors down,” Zephyr says. “The red door with the broken sign overhanging it. We can head there in the morning for proper attire.”

“Think we can trust him?” Ken strokes his beard, looking to Rainer for an answer.

Tynan smirks. “We can if I glamour him into obeying.”

“Please,” Zephyr begs. “You don’t have to do that.”

Rainer sighs, his eyes swinging to me and then back to his brother. “You shouldn’t waste energy glamouring the boy.”

Tynan presses his lips together and narrows his eyes. “I’m freshly fed. Plus, if I—”

“No,” Rainer says, his features hardening. “Not an option.”

“What’s not an option?” I ask, picking up on an unspoken conversation between the brothers.

Tynan holds Rainer’s stare, but he answers me. “If I feed on the subject I intend to glamour, the effect is much more powerful. Even a sip of their blood makes my glamour stronger.”

I frown. “So it’d be easier and less work to control him?”

“Yes,” Tynan says. “We could ensure he upholds his promises without betraying us. And it would barely cost me any effort.” He squeezes the boy’s bicep. “Easy prey.”

“I’m—I’m not prey,” Zephyr stutters. His wide eyes flit between us. Dark, sleepless bruises underline them. It makes the Tradeling tattoo stand out with an even starker contrast, the dark lightning bolt connecting us.

He meets my eyes, his expression morphing into a plead that physically pains my heart .

“No,” I say. “We’re not doing that.”

Tynan sighs. “But he—”

“He won’t betray us,” I say.

“But—”

“You’re not biting or glamouring him against his will, Tynan,” I say adamantly.

Tynan opens his mouth to argue, but Rainer cuts him off. “You heard your princess.” He shrugs a shoulder, smirking at me with a flicker of pride.

The word princess sends a flurry of mixed emotions through me.

Tynan’s mouth snaps shut. Annoyance flares in his features, but he sighs again and runs a hand over his face. “Fine. You fixed Shyga, and you’ve demonstrated your strength, so you’ve earned my loyalty, but if this shite goes wrong…” He shakes his head. “I advise against it.”

“It’ll be fine,” I say. His sister Sheila is a good girl, and it’s not too bold of an assumption that her brother is, too. But if he’s not… I meet Zephyr’s eyes, forcing the following words out. “If you want to see your sister again, you won’t betray us.”

The man’s eyes flare in shock as if he didn’t expect that from me. “I—I don’t intend to.”

I nod. “Good.”

Rainer clears his throat, and all eyes swing to him. “We’ll pose as soldiers from the north—stationed in Lyson—who are traveling for the queen’s event. We’ll stay the night and not a second longer. In the morning, we’ll retrieve the clothing for the fête and head straight to Ryalle. Understood?”

Tynan and Ken nod.

“That will explain Zephyr’s presence, should anyone recognize him,” Rainer says. “Tynan, you’ll glamour our clothing to blend in with Zephyr’s armor. Keep it simple.”

Tynan pats his stomach dramatically. “Like I said—freshly fed. Let’s get shite done.”

“One problem,” I interrupt. All eyes swing to me. “There aren’t any female soldiers in Dovenak.”

Rainer sets his jaw, taking me in as he contemplates the issue.

“I have an idea,” I say, squirming under everyone’s scrutiny. “But it’s not… great.”

My fingers skim the Tradeling marking on my cheek. It’s a role I’ve held much of my life, so I’m familiar with how to act. I can certainly pretend.

Plus, I’m not that little girl anymore.

No, you’re not , my shadow-self confirms with pride. You are indestructible, demon.