17. Zephyr

17

ZEPHYR

T he air crackles with tension as Selena's tribe advances. I move in front of Selena, protecting her from her tribe. My arm reaches back to place it at Selena's waist, guiding her to move behind me. The tribesmen's eyes look just as dark as mine. They want blood and so do I. My claws elongate slowly, itching to rend flesh. Sensing my rising demon spirit, Selena leans her body against my back. I force them still. For her. Always for her.

"Stand down," I growl, my voice a rumble of thunder. "This is a day of peace, not war."

Their leader, Elder Thorne as I heard them call him, a grizzled man with hate in his eyes, spits at my feet. "Peace? With a demon? Never."

"You have cast your magic upon everyone, cloaking their eyes so they won't see the truth, who you really are, a monster!"

I curl my lip, baring fangs. My eyes turn red as the beast within me roars, demanding blood. They want a monster, I can show them what a monster is!

"Remember who you are and what you have worked so hard to be," Selena whispers to me. I lower my head to inhale her scent which lingers around me.

Her scent is warm and grounding, as she presses herself against my back. She keeps me tethered. I rescind my fangs and take a deep breath to control my restless demon.

"Zephyr, please," she whispers, her hand on my arm. "They're just scared and blinded."

One of the tribesmen steps between Elder Thorne and Elder Mira, raising his arrow towards me and Selena. I can see him drawing the bow back, ready to take aim and shoot.

Selena's eyes widen as she looks at me. She tries to move in front to protect me, but I hold her firm with my hand still at her waist.

I wait until he lets go of the arrow as I hear Selena scream my name. With speed, I raise my arms. The wind responds, swirling around us in a protective cocoon. The arrow clatters to the ground as the gale picks up strength.

"What sorcery is this?" one of Selena's tribesmen shouts.

I narrow my eyes, focusing. The wind forms a barrier between us and them, solid as stone but clear as glass. They pound against it, faces contorted in fury.

"Stop!" Selena yells. "Can't you see? He's protecting us! He could have attacked and killed you all in an instant, without a second thought. But he's not attacking!"

The struggle within me intensifies as Selena argues with her tribe. How easy it would be to let the wind slice through them, to paint the ground red with their ignorance. My demon nature screams for vengeance, for domination.

But Selena's touch anchors me. Her faith in me and us is stronger than centuries of instinct. I take a deep, slow breath, forcing calm into my voice.

"She is right. If I wanted you all dead, I could do it with a snap of my finger. I mean you or anyone no harm," I say each word carefully. "Understand. I love Selena. I would never hurt her people."

The wind barrier holds firm as they continue their assault. I feel sweat beading on my brow from the effort of restraint. It would be so much easier to lash out, to let the demon take control and slaughter them all. But I can't. I won't. For Selena, I'll be more than what I am. I'll be what she believes I can be.

Suddenly, I shift my head up into the air. Smoke. The acrid scent hits my nose before I see the flames licking at the palace walls. My heart clenches, a deep growl rumbling in my chest. The demon inside me stirs, hungry for vengeance.

"They're burning it," Selena gasps, eyes wide with horror. Her hand finds mine, squeezing tight.

I glance at her, then at the advancing tribe, torches in hand. My home. My sanctuary. The place where I found peace after centuries of torment. They're destroying it. The wind around us picks up, responding to my fury. I direct the winds to blow against the growing fire in an attempt to put it out. But as quickly as one fire goes out, a tribe member makes another one in a different place. One of the curtains is set on fire and starts to rise in a blaze as the guests gasp in terror.

"Stop this madness!" I roar, my voice echoing through the halls. "You'll kill us all!"

But the leader smirks, his eyes glinting with malice. "Better dead than under demon thrall," he spits, raising his torch higher.

I could crush them. Snap their necks like twigs. The wind around me surges, eager to obey. My four arms flex, itching to unleash destruction, but Selena's hand tightens on my arm, her gaze pleading. The touch of my fated mate grounds me, reminding me of who I am, who I want to be.

"Zephyr, please. The fire is rising."

My jaw clenches. Every fiber of my being wants to defend my home, to protect what is mine. The demon inside me howls for retribution. But the palace, as grand as it is, is just stone and glass. My eyes scan the room as I see humans cowering in fear, demons trying to protect them by forming protection barriers against the tribesmen. This can't continue. Lives are at stake, and they need my protection.

I turn my head slightly towards Selena. "Go," I command, my voice raw. "Evacuate everyone."

Selena nods, sprinting towards the nearest corridor. Keeping my eyes on Selena, I watch as she gestures to the guests towards a safe exit out of the palace. I turn to face the tribe, eyes blazing. "If you value your lives, you will follow her."