9. Zephyr

9

ZEPHYR

T he wind howls through my palace, echoing the restlessness in my chest. I look around into the emptiness of the palace. I no longer embrace the solitude of this place. I have grown accustomed to her presence. Selena's scent lingers, a tantalizing reminder of her absence. Fuck. I can't sit still.

I stride to the balcony, my four arms twitching with nervous energy. The storm that kept us together has long since passed, leaving behind a crisp, clear night. Perfect for what I need to do.

Closing my eyes, I extend my senses through the air currents. Miles of forest rush beneath me as I search for her unique essence. There. The faintest trace of her scent, mixed with the acrid tang of human sweat and leather.

I focus, sharpening my perception. The wind carries snippets of voices, growing clearer as I hone in on Selena's location.

"--bewitched you are!" A gruff male voice cuts through the night. "That demon's manipulating your mind!"

"You're not listening!" Selena's frustration is palpable, even from this distance. "Zephyr saved the village. He's different--"

"There is no such thing as a 'good' demon," a woman interjects, her tone dripping with disgust. "They're monsters, all of them. You know this better than anyone, Selena. Or have you forgotten what happened to Tomas?"

A sharp inhale. I can feel the pang in her heart and almost see Selena's face, the pain etched in her features at the mention of her former partner.

"I haven't forgotten," she says, her voice low and dangerous. "But I won't let that blind me to the truth. Zephyr is--"

"Enough!" The first man yells. "You're confined to the camp until we can determine the extent of this demon's influence. We'll deal with the creature ourselves."

"No!" Selena's protest is cut short by the sound of a scuffle.

My claws dig into the stone railing, leaving deep gouges. Every instinct screams at me to go to her, to tear apart anyone who dares lay a hand on my mate. But I can't. It would only prove their point, and confirm their worst fears about demons.

I force myself to breathe, to think rationally. Selena is strong. She can handle herself. And if she truly wants to return... she will find a way.

But as I listen to her continued protests fade into the distance, a growl builds in my throat. They don't understand. They can't see past their prejudice to recognize what Selena and I could build together.

Suddenly, another man shouts among the crowd. "Let her go!"

"Elder, I apologize but she is bewitched and-" The first man begins to speak, but is cut off by the elder of the tribe.

"Like or not, we need Selena. I've received word of another monster sighting near camp. We need to find this beast and end it," the elder affirms.

His voice is now closer to Selena's.

"Now, Selena. Are you with us? Then prove it. Join the hunting group and end this beast. We will discuss your demon later," the elder states.

I turn away from the balcony, four fists clenched at my sides. They're sending her out to hunt as a test and punishment. I inhale deeply to control my demon spirit.

One way or another, I will make them see the truth. She can't do this alone. I need to help her, protect her. I'll follow close behind them, protecting Selena and her tribe from any dangers. Then they will see. I stretch all four arms out to the open air, commanding the wind currents to carry me through the forest.

The scent of humans grows stronger as I glide silently through the forest canopy. Selena's tribe moves below, unaware of my presence. Their weapons gleam in the dappled sunlight, ready for any threat. If only they knew the real danger lurking in these woods.

A twig snaps. My ears prick up. The humans continue their march, oblivious.

"Did you hear that?" Selena's voice carries on the wind. That's my girl. Always on alert.

My chest tightens. Even from this distance, her scent intoxicates me. I force myself to focus.

"Probably just a deer," one of the men grumbles.

Fools. The stench of rotting flesh and sulfur fills my nostrils. This is no deer. And it's closer than they think.

A low growl reverberates through the trees. The humans freeze.

"Weapons ready!" Selena barks.

I tense, ready to spring into action. But hold back. I can't reveal myself. Not yet. They need to see. To understand.

The undergrowth explodes. A massive, three-headed hound bursts forth, jaws snapping. The humans scatter, arrows flying.

Selena stands her ground, blade flashing. "Flank it!" she shouts.

The beast lunges. I grit my teeth, fighting every instinct to protect her. She rolls, narrowly avoiding razor-sharp claws.

An idea strikes. I summon a gust of wind, subtle but precise. It lifts Selena's hair, carrying my scent. The hound's heads swivel, nostrils flaring.

With a snarl, it turns from the humans, charging in my direction. Perfect.

I lead it away, always just out of reach. The humans give chase with Selena at the lead. I guide them to a ravine which is the perfect trap.

The hound skids to a stop at the edge. I materialize behind it, the wind whipping around me. Before it can turn, I shove. The beast tumbles, howling, into the chasm below.

I vanish before the humans arrive. They gather at the cliff's edge, peering down at the creature's broken body.

"What in the hells..." one of them mutters.

Selena's eyes narrow, scanning the trees. For a moment, I swear she looks right at me. A small smile plays at the corner of her lips.

I allow myself a moment of satisfaction. It's a start. It was a small step toward proving myself worthy of Selena and maybe, just maybe, earning the trust of her people.

"We need to hunt, our supplies are getting low," one male villager says.

"The moon is rising, and we must return to the village. We will replenish our supplies tomorrow. For now, let's move," she says. "We've got a long journey ahead."

As they trudge onward, the moon begins to hang low, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. I allow the wind to drift me ahead of Selena and her tribe to ensure they are out of harm's way. After clearing the path for them, I get an idea. I use the wind to move swiftly through the landing, gathering what I need before heading towards Selena's camp.

I crouch at the edge of the humans' camp, my four arms laden with treasures. The scent of woodsmoke and unwashed bodies assaults my nostrils. How Selena stands it, I'll never know.

A sentry paces nearby. I hold my breath, willing the wind to mask my presence. One... two... three... He turns, continuing his rounds. Now's my chance.

I dart forward, silent as a shadow. My demonic eyes pierce the darkness, seeking the perfect spot. There, by the supply tent. I carefully arrange my offerings: rare mountain herbs to heal wounds, shimmering crystals that glow with otherworldly light, and strips of cured monster hide tougher than any leather.

A twig snaps beneath my foot. Shit. I freeze, every muscle is taut.

"Who's there?" The sentry's voice rings out.

I melt into the shadows, my heart pounding. Not yet. They're not ready.

Footsteps approach. I retreat further, using the wind to mask my presence. Selena and the group arrive as they greet the rest of the tribe.

"What the hell?" The sentry guard crouches, examining my gifts. His torch illuminates the crystals, casting prismatic light across his face as I watch from the shimmer of the wind.

"Elder!" he calls. "You need to see this!"

The elder turns with questioning eyes to the sentry guard as other tribe members humans emerge from their tents. My breath catches at the sight of her. Even disheveled from the hunt, she's breathtaking.

"What is it?" she demands.

The sentry guard gestures to my offerings. "These weren't here before. They just... appeared."

Selena kneels, running her fingers over the herbs. Her eyes widen in recognition. "These are snowblossom petals. They only grow near the peaks."

"So?" another human grumbles.

"So," Selena says, "they're incredibly rare. And powerful. These could save lives."

The grumbler scoffs. "It's a trick. Has to be."

"From who?" Selena challenges. "What enemy leaves gifts in the night? And gifts for healing, and strengthening gear and combat?"

The elder rubs his chin, and hesitates for a moment before he nods, accepting the gift. "Store these gifts away. They will come in handy." He stares at Selena and then nods before turning back toward his tent.

Selena smiles at the small victory which makes me smile in return, pride swelling in my chest. That's my clever mate. I drift with the wind out of sight, back to my palace. Hopefully, my actions will help to build their trust. Trust in me, trust in us.