15. Narina

15

NARINA

T he night air bites my skin as I stumble through the shadows of Glacies. My feet carry me forward, but my mind remains trapped in that moment—Claudia's smile, her contentment, the family she's built without me.

I clutch my arms, trying to hold myself together. The image of her braiding that demon child's hair burns behind my eyelids. How could she forget me so easily? Replace me?

My mind replays memories of Claudia and me, huddled together in our tiny village home, whispering secrets and dreams in the dark. We were all each other had, two sisters against the world.

"I'll always protect you," I'd promised her. But now...

I stumble, catching myself on a gnarled tree trunk. Its rough bark bites into my palm, grounding me in this harsh reality. Claudia doesn't need my protection anymore. She's found a new family, a new life.

For two years, I've clung to the hope of our reunion. I imagined tears, laughter, long embraces. I pictured us picking up right where we left off, as if no time had passed. How naive I've been.

Of course she moved on. What did I expect? That she'd put her life on hold, waiting for me? The guilt gnaws at my insides. Shouldn't I be happy for her? She looks content, loved. Isn't that what I've always wanted for her?

But a selfish part of me aches. I wanted to be the one to give her that happiness. I wanted to be irreplaceable.

My legs give out, and I sink to the cold ground. Would it really have been better if she'd suffered these past two years, longing for me as I longed for her? The thought makes me sick with shame.

I press my forehead to my knees, squeezing my eyes shut against the tears that threaten to fall. My heart feels hollow, a cavern echoing with loss and regret.

A sob escapes my throat, raw and painful. I'd imagined our reunion a thousand times—tears, hugs, explanations. Not... this. Not her happiness without me.

My steps quicken, as if I could outrun the ache in my chest. But it follows, relentless.

And then there's Dazirus. His kindness, his gentle touches—they confuse me. He's a demon. I should fear him, hate him even. So why does my heart race when he's near? Why do I crave his presence?

I shake my head, trying to clear it. "Focus, Narina," I mutter. But on what? My sister doesn't need me. My revenge feels hollow now. And Dazirus...

I stop, realizing I've wandered farther than intended. The estate looms in the distance, a dark silhouette against the night sky. I should go back, but my feet refuse to move.

What am I doing here? In this realm of demons and darkness? I'm lost, more alone than ever.

I blink, suddenly aware of my surroundings. The familiar path has vanished, replaced by uneven ground and twisted roots. My heart pounds against my ribs. How long have I been walking? Where am I?

"Dazirus?" I call out, my voice small and uncertain in the oppressive silence. No answer comes.

I spin around, trying to retrace my steps, but every direction looks the same - a maze of gnarled trees and shadows. The estate is nowhere in sight. Panic claws at my throat.

"I'm lost," I whisper, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

The trees seem to close in, their branches reaching for me like grasping fingers. The air grows thick and heavy, pressing down on my chest. Each breath comes faster, shallower.

What should I do? Run? Stay put? Call for help? But who would hear me in this forsaken place?

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill that seeps into my bones. This isn't the Glacies I've come to know. This feels... wrong. Dangerous.

My eyes dart from shadow to shadow, imagining threats lurking just out of sight. Are there creatures in these woods? Demons that would prey on a lost human?

I take a tentative step forward, then another. My foot catches on an exposed root, and I stumble, barely catching myself. The ground beneath me feels treacherous, ready to trip me at any moment.

"Think, Narina," I mutter, forcing myself to take a deep breath. "You've survived worse than this."

But have I? At least in Protheka, I knew the terrain, the dangers. Here, in this alien realm, I'm truly alone and vulnerable.

The weight of my situation crashes down on me. No sister to rely on. No Mariel to watch my back. Even Dazirus, with all his confusing kindness, is beyond my reach now.

I'm utterly, terrifyingly alone.

Suddenly, a low growl cuts through the silence. I freeze, my blood turning cold. Three demons emerge from the shadows, their forms twisted and grotesque, nothing like Dazirus. These demons are evil incarnate—their eyes glowing with malice, their mouths curled into twisted grins.

They surround me, their voices a chilling mix of laughter and growls. One lunges at me, and I react on instinct—fending it off with a well-placed kick.

A shower of red sparks fly from my feet where I impact the demon's testicles. The demon reacts in pain, stumbling over itself to escape my wrath.

The other demons grow wary and cautious. I've never been able to fight back before. I've only been able to run away.

"I can do this," I tell myself, my newfound strength from the contract coursing through me.

My heart pounds in my chest, but it's not just fear anymore. There's something else—a thrill, an excitement I've never felt before. The power thrums through my veins, electric and intoxicating.

I clench my fists, feeling the energy crackling at my fingertips. The demons circle me, their eyes narrowed, reassessing their prey. But I'm not prey anymore.

One demon, bolder than the rest, bares its fangs and charges. Time seems to slow. I see its claws reaching for me, but my body moves with a fluid grace I never knew I possessed. I sidestep, grabbing its arm and using its momentum to slam it into a nearby tree.

The impact shakes the ground, and I stare at my hands in disbelief. Did I really just do that?

The remaining two demons snarl, their earlier confidence replaced by uncertainty. They exchange glances, as if debating whether to continue this fight.

I stand tall, my stance wide and ready. The fear is still there, a cold knot in my stomach, but it's overshadowed by something new—determination. Power. For the first time in my life, I'm not helpless.

I manage to strike one of the demons in the throat, a gurgled cry escaping its lips as it collapses. But the other two still circle me, their numbers advantage evident. One grabs me by the hair, yanking me back. I scream, my body twisting as I try to break free. Another grabs my arm, pulling me in the opposite direction. They’re dragging me away, their claws digging into my skin.

I struggle with everything I have, my mind spinning.

“I can’t let this happen,” I scream. “I won’t let them take me." I kick and claw at them, but they’re too strong

One of the demons slams me into a tree, and my vision blurs. Pain explodes in my skull, and for a moment, I feel like I’m slipping away.

"Darizus…" I cry weakly.

The thought of him aches inside me—I want to see him. I need him.

Dazirus's name echoes in my mind, igniting something deep within me. A surge of strength courses through my body, and I lash out with newfound vigor. My fist connects with the demon's face, its grip on me loosening. I stumble forward, my heart pounding in my ears.

"I have to get away!"

My legs burn as I run, each breath a ragged gasp. The demons' feral growls chase me, spurring me on. The uneven ground betrays me, and I trip, tumbling down a small hill. Pain shoots through my body, but I force myself up, refusing to give in.

Fear grips me as I hear the demons closing in. I brace myself for their attack, but instead, I slam into something solid —someone. My heart nearly stops as I look up, expecting to see another threat. But then, relief washes over me like a tidal wave.

Dazirus stands before me, his crimson eyes blazing with fury. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me close against his chest. I cling to him, my body trembling uncontrollably.

"I've got you," he says, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

The demons snarl, their twisted forms emerging from the shadows. But Dazirus's voice cuts through the air, low and dangerous.

"I'll take care of everything." Dazirus says.

I press my face into his chest, inhaling his scent—smoke and spice. My fingers clutch at his shirt, afraid to let go. Despite the danger surrounding us, I feel safe in his arms. Protected.

Wanted.