Page 6 of Her Guardian Demon

Wariness fills her eyes. "What kind of skill?"

I circle her slowly like a predator sizing up its prey. "You're going to summon a fetch – a perfect copy of yourself to take your place in the mortal world."

Her eyes widen in shock. "But... why? I don't understand."

"To sever your ties completely, my dear," I explain, my voice a low purr. "Your fetch will have all your memories, believing itself to be you. It will live your life, freeing you to fully embrace your destiny here. A mercy if you think about it. Don’t be so selfish. Now come."

I can see the conflict in her eyes – fear warring with a deep, unacknowledged desire for the power I'm offering.

"I don't know if I can-" she begins, her voice trembling.

"You can, and you will," I interrupt, my tone brooking no argument.

I guide her through the complex incantation, watching as shadows coalesce before us, taking Aria's form. The doppelganger opens its eyes, a perfect mirror of confusion and fear. "Who... What am I?" it asks, its voice identical to Aria's.

Aria stares, horrified and fascinated. "It's me," she whispers.

"Indeed," I confirm, satisfaction coursing through me. "Your fetch will return to your world, living your life, never knowing it's not the real you. And you, my dear Aria, are now truly mine."

As the fetch disappears, transported to the mortal realm, I see the weight of finality settle on Aria's shoulders. She's burned her last bridge to her old life.

"Come," I say, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We have much work to do."

As we leave my study, I allow myself a small smile. Aria's journey has truly begun, and I find myself eager to see where it leads us both. The power within her is intoxicating, a siren call to my own dark magic.

But I must be cautious. My growing obsession with her progress is dangerous, a potential weakness that my enemies would exploit without hesitation. I must remember that she is a tool, a means to an end – no matter how fascinating I find her.

And yet... as I watch her walk ahead of me, her posture straight despite the burden of all she's endured, I feel an unfamiliar twinge in my chest. Pride? Possessiveness? Or something more troubling?

I push the thought aside. There will be time to analyze these... complications later. For now, we have a gauntlet of challenges ahead. Aria must be forged in the fires of adversity, tempered by pain and fear until she emerges as the weapon I need her to be.

The Winter Court awaits, and with Aria by my side, I will reshape the very foundations of power in the Fae realms. As we reach the grand doors leading to the main hall of Ravencrest, I lean close to Aria's ear. "Remember, my dear. In this world, power is everything. And you have only begun to taste yours."

She shivers at my words, but I see a flicker of excitement in her eyes. Good. The seeds of ambition are taking root.

The doors swing open, and we step into the crowded hall. All eyes turn to us, a mix of fear, curiosity, and barely disguised hostility. Aria straightens under their gaze, chin held high.

I smile inwardly.

Yes, she'll do nicely.

Let the games begin.

5

ARIA

Ijolt awake, a scream dying in my throat. The shadows in my room seem to writhe, and for a moment, I'm not sure if I'm truly awake or still trapped in the nightmare. My heart pounds as I try to shake off the lingering terror.

It's the same dream, night after night. I'm back home, living my normal life, when suddenly everything starts to unravel. My skin peels away, revealing shadows underneath. My friends and family turn into grotesque monsters.

And always, always, I hear Kieran's laughter echoing in the background.

I stumble out of bed, my legs shaky. The cold stone floor of my Ravencrest dormitory room grounds me in reality – or what passes for reality in this nightmare realm. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and barely recognize the gaunt, haunted face staring back at me.

"Pull yourself together, Aria," I mutter, splashing cold water on my face. "You have classes to survive."

As I dress in the dark robes of a Ravencrest student, I can't help but glance at the empty bed on the other side of the room. Lyra, my roommate, disappeared three days before I arrived.The official story is that she's on a special assignment, but the whispers in the halls tell a different tale.

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