Page 9 of The Demon Who Loved Me

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."

7

EVELYN

The building is nearly leveled with the force of another explosion, dust and debris raining down on us as we race through the crumbling hallways. Malakai is a blur of motion ahead of me, his claws flashing in the dim light as he cuts down any mercenary foolish enough to stand in our way.

I follow close behind, my own blade at the ready, my heart pounding in my chest. The air is thick with the stench of blood and brimstone, the walls reverberating with the howls and shrieks of our demonic foes.

I'm struck by the sheer number of the mercenaries coming after us.

But even in the midst of the mayhem, Malakai is a force to be reckoned with. He moves like a liquid shadow, his blade a whirlwind of death and destruction. I watch in awe as he takes on multiple foes at once, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly rage.

Together, we fight our way through the horde, our movements perfectly synchronized. It's as if we've been fighting side by side for years, not mere weeks. I parry a blow from a snarling demon, my blade finding the chink in its armor and sinking deep. Beside me, Malakai decapitates a mercenary with a single, brutal stroke.

But as the battle rages on, I begin to notice a change in Malakai's demeanor. His strikes become more vicious, more unhinged. He seems to revel in the carnage, his face contorted in a mask of savagery.

"Malakai!" I shout over the din of battle. "What are you doing? You're losing control!"

He whirls to face me, his eyes blazing with an infernal light. "Losing control? No, Evelyn. I'm finally embracing my true nature. This is what I was born to do!"

I watch in horror as he tears into a group of mercenaries, his teeth and claws a whirlwind of destruction. He laughs as he slaughters them, their screams of agony only seeming to fuel his bloodlust.

One after one, he rips them apart.

This man, this monster, who I am bound to is dangerous.

Finally, the last of our enemies fall, and an eerie silence descends over the temple. Malakai stands amid the carnage, his chest heaving, his clawed hands and visage dripping with gore.

I approach him cautiously, my heart in my throat. "Malakai, talk to me. What's going on with you?"

He turns to face me, his expression unreadable. "Nothing's going on with me, Evelyn. I'm just doing what needs to be done to protect you and stop this madness."

I shake my head, unwilling to accept his answer. "No, there's more to it than that. I saw the way you were fighting, the look in your eyes. It's like you were enjoying it."

Malakai's jaw clenches, his gaze dropping to the blood-soaked floor. "You don't understand, Evelyn. I'm a demon. Violence and bloodshed are in my nature. Embracing that power is the only way we stand a chance."

I take a step closer, my hand coming to rest on his arm. "But at what cost, Malakai? I don't want you to lose yourself in the process of saving the world, then you’ll just be another one of those monsters."

He looks up at me, his eyes softening for a moment. "Foolish. I know what I'm doing. I won't let my demon side control me."

I nod, not entirely convinced but willing to let the matter drop for now. We have more pressing concerns, like figuring out how to stop the apocalypse.

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