6. Malakai

6

MALAKAI

I lunge forward, my sword a blur of silver as it clashes against Evelyn's blade. She parries the blow, her movements quick and precise, a far cry from the clumsy human I first encountered. But she's still no match for me.

"Is that the best you can do, little mouse?" I taunt, a smirk playing at the corners of my mouth. "I thought you wanted to learn how to fight demons, not dance with them."

In truth, she's grown decent at fighting. We train like this most days, and I'm surprised by how quickly she's picked it up.

Not that I'll let it show.

Evelyn's eyes flash with annoyance, her cheeks flushed with exertion. "I'm doing my best!"

I chuckle, pressing my advantage with a series of rapid strikes that force her back. "Use your brain. Anticipate my moves, look for patterns, find my weaknesses."

She grits her teeth, her brow furrowed in concentration as she tries to keep up with my onslaught. I have to admit, she's a quick study. In just a few short days, she's already progressing faster than most of the demonic recruits I've trained.

But she's still human, still fragile and breakable compared to my kind. And with the demon king's return looming on the horizon, she needs to be ready for anything.

"You know what's at stake here, don't you?" I ask, my voice low and serious. "Even once our binding is broken, they will likely hunt you until the end of your days."

Evelyn's eyes widen, a flicker of fear passing over her face. "What? You never told me that."

I nod, a grim smile tugging at my lips. "Good. Now you are sensing the gravity of the situation. Then let's see if you can put that determination to use and put a little effort into it."

"Put a little effort into it? I have been going non-stop for days."

I launch myself at her again, my sword a whirlwind of deadly strikes. Evelyn meets me blow for blow, her blade singing through the air as it clashes against mine. But as we fight, I find myself distracted by the way her body moves, the lithe grace of her limbs, and the fierce determination in her eyes.

It's a weakness, I know. A demon Lord should never allow himself to be swayed by human emotions, by the soft curves and warm flesh of a mortal woman. But even as I try to push those thoughts aside, I can feel them taking root, spreading through me like a poison.

And then, in a moment of carelessness, my blade slips past Evelyn's guard, slicing a thin line of red across her forearm. She cries out in pain, her sword clattering to the ground as she clutches at the wound.

Instantly, I'm at her side, my own blade forgotten as I take her arm in my hands. "Evelyn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

She looks up at me, her eyes wide with surprise. "It's okay. It's just a scratch. I've had worse."

But as I look at the blood welling up from the cut, I feel a surge of guilt and shame. I'm supposed to be protecting her, not causing her harm.

"No, it's not okay," I say, my voice rough with emotion. "I'm your teacher, your protector. I should have been more careful."

Evelyn puts her hand on my arm, her touch gentle and reassuring. "Malakai, it was an accident. These things happen in training. You can't beat yourself up over it."

I shake my head, unable to meet her gaze. "You don't understand. In my world, weakness is not tolerated. As a demon Lord, I'm expected to be perfect, invulnerable. If my enemies saw me now, they'd laugh in my face."

Evelyn's fingers tighten on my arm, her eyes searching mine. "But I'm not your enemy, Malakai. And I don't think showing compassion is a weakness. If anything, it's a strength."

"I think you have that backward. That can't be right."

I stare at her, my heart pounding in my chest. How can this human woman, so small and fragile compared to me, be so wise? So understanding of the demons that plague me?

Without thinking, I reach out and cup her cheek, my thumb brushing over the soft skin. Evelyn's breath catches in her throat, her eyes widening at the sudden intimacy.

"Evelyn," I murmur, my voice low and rough. "I..."

But before I can say more, a sudden explosion rocks our moment, sending dust and debris raining down on us. Instantly, I'm on my feet, my sword back in my hand as I scan for threats.

"What was that?" Evelyn asks, her own weapon at the ready.

I growl, my senses on high alert. "Trouble. We need to move, now."

Evelyn nods, her face set with determination. "Lead the way."