16. Selena

16

SELENA

" S top right there!" I shout, my voice carrying on the wind as I plant myself firmly between Zephyr and my approaching tribesmen. Their faces contort with a mix of shock and disgust, weapons raised and ready.

"Selena, step aside," Elder Mira commands, her weathered face set in stone. "That demon is bewitching you. We're here to save you."

"Save me?" I can't help but laugh, the sound is bitter and sharp. "The only thing I need saving from was my own ignorance."

Turning slightly, I brush my hand down Zephyr's arm in an attempt to calm his surfacing demon spirit and a silent show of support. He breathes heavily to center himself.

"Look at you all," I say, sweeping my arm to encompass the gathered warriors. "Still clinging to your hatred and fear. But I've seen the truth. Zephyr isn't a monster. He's saved more lives than you can imagine."

"It's a trick," Koda, one of my tribesmen, spits. "Demons can't be trusted."

"And yet you trust me, don't you?" I challenge, meeting his gaze. "I'm the same person I've always been. The only difference is that now I see clearly."

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

"Zephyr has shown me a world beyond our narrow views. He's taught me about courage, about redemption. About love."

A ripple of murmurs passes through the crowd. I press on, desperate to make them understand.

"Remember the gifts left at our camp? The mysterious protector who kept monsters at bay from our village? That was Zephyr, risking everything to prove himself to you, to us."

Elder Mira's eyes narrow. "If what you say is true, why didn't he reveal himself?"

"Because of exactly this reaction," I retort, gesturing at their raised weapons. "He knew you'd attack first and ask questions never. But I'm asking you now, look at what's in front of you. We're not your enemies. We want to build a bridge between our peoples."

I feel Zephyr's presence behind me, solid and reassuring. His voice, when he speaks, is low and calm. "I mean you no harm. I only wish to protect Selena and the villages nearby from genuine threats."

Elder Mira steps forward, her gnarled hands gripping the shaft of her spear tightly. "This is exactly what I feared," she growls. "The demon's corruption has already taken root in your mind, Selena."

My heart sinks at her words. Is there no way to make them see reason? I open my mouth to protest, but she cuts me off with a sharp gesture.

"Silence! You've been ensnared by its foul sorcery. Who knows how far its insidious influence has spread?" Her eyes blaze as she scans the gathered warriors and the guests staring back in fear and shock. "We cannot allow this... this perversion to fester any longer. It must be excised, root and stem."

A chill runs down my spine as the meaning of her words becomes clear. She means to kill Zephyr and likely me as well for defending him. The warriors around us tense, readying their weapons. Koda's hand tightens on the hilt of his sword, the blade catching the light with a hungry glint.

Zephyr shifts minutely beside me, a subtle preparation for combat. I can sense the power thrumming beneath his skin, the elemental forces at his command. But he holds back, unwilling to be the one to escalate the violence.

"Please," I beg, turning back to Elder Mira. "Don't do this. Can't you see how much has already changed? We have a chance here, a chance to end the cycle of hatred between our kinds."

Her face is utterly devoid of mercy. "There can be no compromise with evil, child. I'm going to save you from yourself."

The warriors part ranks as she strides forward with her spear leveling directly at Zephyr's chest. My heart thunders in my ears as I brace myself, every muscle tensed for the coming onslaught.

"Wait!" I cry out, my voice cracking with desperation. "Please, just listen to me!"

To my surprise, Elder Mira hesitates, her spear still pointing at Zephyr but her eyes locked on mine. I seize the moment, knowing it might be our last chance.

"I know you're scared. I was too. But love... love changes everything." My words tumble out, raw and honest. "Zephyr isn't just some demon. He's kind, and brave, and he's risked everything to protect us. To protect me. Look around you. There are demons and humans sitting among each other, here to celebrate us. Can't you see how things have changed?"

I turn, meeting the eyes of my fellow tribesmen.

"Think about it. If there was such evil, such a threat here, do you really think you would have walked into such a peaceful moment as this?"

A murmur ripples through the crowd. I see uncertainty flicker across some faces.

"We've always been taught that demons are evil, but what if we're wrong? Just like there are humans in the world who do terrible, evil things there are demons, monsters and beasts who are just evil. But there are also those, demons and humans alike who do good deeds. If we persecute Zephyr for who he is, does that mean we persecute all humans too?" I reach back, finding Zephyr's hand and squeezing it tight. "I love him. And he loves me. Not because of some spell or trick, but because we chose each other."

Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back. "Isn't that what we all want? To be seen for who we truly are, and loved anyway? To find a partner who makes us better?"

I see Koda's grip on his sword loosen slightly. A few other tribe members lower their weapons with conflict in their eyes.

"We have a chance here," I continue, my voice growing stronger. "A chance to build something new. To protect each other, demons and humans together. Isn't that worth more than holding onto old hatreds?"

Elder Mira's face remains hard, but I notice a slight tremor in her hands. "Pretty words," she spits, "but they don't change what demons are."

"Then let us prove it to you," I plead. "Give us a chance. See the good Zephyr can do."

Some of the younger warriors are nodding now, clearly swayed. But others, the hardliners, grip their weapons tighter.

"Enough of this nonsense!" one of them shouts. "The demon's palace is right there. We should strike now, before it can summon reinforcements!"

A chorus of agreement rises from the die-hards. I feel Zephyr tense behind me, ready to defend us if needed.

"No!" I cry out, desperate to maintain the fragile peace. "You don't understand–"