12. Naia

12

NAIA

I stare at the inscriptions, my heart pounding. This is it. The gateway to another world—to countless worlds, if Kairos is right. The thought both thrills and terrifies me.

"Little one?" Kairos's deep voice breaks through my trance. "What troubles you?"

I turn to face him, taking in his obsidian skin and those piercing silver eyes. How did I end up here? A few days ago, I was a slave in the Dark Market. Now I'm standing at the edge of everything I've ever known, with a demon who's turned my world upside down.

"I—" My voice catches. "This is all so much. Another world? I've barely seen Protheka."

Kairos steps closer, his presence both intimidating and comforting. "Change can be frightening, but it can also lead to great things."

I nod, unable to tear my gaze from him. "I know. It's just... are you leaving?"

His eyes narrow. "You're worried about being apart?"

Heat rushes to my cheeks. "I mean, you're the only one who understands what's happening to me. These powers, this... connection we have."

A smirk plays at the corners of his mouth. "Is that all?"

I want to smack that smug look off his face, but instead, I find myself moving closer. "You're infuriating, you know that?"

"And yet, here you are." His hand cups my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Here I am," I whisper. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. I don't want to leave him. This demon who kidnapped me, bound me to him, and then... showed me a world I never knew existed. Both literally and figuratively.

I bite my lip. "So, what now? Are you just going to... jump in?"

Kairos frowns, his silver eyes narrowing. "It's not that simple, little one. We don't know what's on the other side."

"But isn't that the whole point?" I challenge, crossing my arms. "To explore, to find new worlds?"

He sighs, running a hand through his ethereal white hair. "Yes, but we must be cautious. This portal could lead anywhere—to paradise or peril."

I can't help but roll my eyes. "Oh, now you're worried about danger? Mister 'I'll kidnap a human and drag her across the continent'?"

"That was different," he growls, stepping closer. "I knew the risks then."

My heart races at his proximity, but I stand my ground. "And you don't now? The great demon, afraid of the unknown?"

His eyes flash dangerously. "I'm not afraid. I'm being pragmatic."

"Pragmatic?" I scoff. "Then why am I still here, Kairos? You don't need me anymore. You found your portal."

He stiffens, and I know I've hit a nerve. "You're still bound to me," he says, but his voice lacks conviction.

"Please," I snort. "We both know you could break that binding in a heartbeat if you wanted to."

Kairos's jaw clenches, and for a moment, I think he might lash out. Instead, he turns away. "I need your magic," he mutters, and I don't believe him.

"You don't want to leave me behind," I press, my voice softer now. "Admit it."

He whirls back, his eyes blazing. "And what if I don't? What then, little one? You think you're ready for what's out there?"

I step closer, my breath catching as I look up at him. "I think I'm ready for anything, as long as?—"

I stop myself, but it's too late. Kairos's expression shifts, a mix of triumph and something else—something almost tender.

"As long as what?" he asks, his voice low and dangerous.

I open my mouth to respond, but the words die in my throat as the ground beneath us shudders. A deep rumble echoes through the cavern, and my heart leaps into my throat.

"Kairos—" I start, but he's already on high alert, his silver eyes darting around the chamber.

The tremor intensifies, and loose rocks clatter down from the ceiling. I stumble, grabbing Kairos's arm to steady myself.

"The volcano," Kairos growls, his voice tight with tension. "It's awakening."

Another violent shake sends me sprawling to the ground. The cave floor cracks beneath us, and a wave of searing heat rushes up from the fissures. I scramble to my feet, choking on the acrid smell of sulfur.

"We need to get out of here!" I shout over the deafening roar of the mountain.

Kairos grabs my hand, pulling me towards the cave entrance. But as we reach the tunnel, a massive boulder crashes down, blocking our path. I scream, more out of frustration than fear.

"Dammit!" Kairos snarls. He raises his hands, blue runes glowing along his arms as he summons his magic. The boulder trembles but doesn't budge.

The chamber shakes violently again. I watch in horror as cracks spider-web across the ceiling, showering us with debris. The heat is becoming unbearable, sweat pouring down my face and back.

I close my eyes, trying to focus through the chaos. My newfound magic pulses beneath my skin, raw and untamed. I've barely begun to understand it, but now it might be our only chance.

"Kairos!" I shout over the rumbling. "I think I can help!"

He turns to me, silver eyes wide with surprise. "What are you planning, little one?"

I don't answer. Instead, I place my palms against the trembling cave wall. The stone feels alive beneath my touch, thrumming with energy. I take a deep breath and reach out with my mind, searching for the threads of magic I've only just begun to sense.

There. A web of energy, crisscrossing through the rock. I grab hold, willing it to stabilize. The effort is immense, sweat beading on my forehead as I pour everything I have into holding the cave together.

"That's it," Kairos murmurs, his voice filled with awe. "You're doing it, Naia."

I grit my teeth, straining to maintain my grip on the magic. "I can't hold it forever," I gasp.

Kairos steps up beside me, his own magic flaring to life. I feel it intertwine with mine, bolstering my efforts. The tremors begin to subside, the shower of rocks slowing to a trickle.

"Look," Kairos says, nodding towards the inscriptions "It's reacting to our magic."

I turn my head, careful not to break my concentration. The swirling energy pulses in time with our combined power, growing brighter and more defined.

"What does it mean?" I ask, my voice strained.

Kairos's eyes gleam with excitement. "It's a sign, little one. The portal is calling to us."

He lifts his hands, helping to cement my magic in place. Feeling everything click together like It belongs, I slowly lower my hands, panting.

"We have a little more time to decide," Kairos says. "But not long."

I blow a piece of hair out of my face, already knowing what my decision will be.