Page 18 of Her Immortal Protector

Christos nods. "You can't tell anyone about us. About what you've seen here. It would put our entire species at risk."

I process this, realizing what it means. If I leave, I'll never see Christos again. The thought sends an unexpected pang throughmy chest. Despite everything, despite what he is, I've grown to care for him.

"And if I stay?" The words slip out before I can stop them.

Christos's gaze intensifies, a mix of hope and fear flickering in his eyes. "If you stay..." He trails off, then squares his shoulders. "Aria, we're running out of time either way. At some point, someone will find out about you. And when they do, they'll want to Change you."

The weight of his words settles over me. Change me. Make me like them. The thought is terrifying, yet a small part of me is intrigued.

"So those are my options?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "Leave and never see you again, or stay and become... like you?"

Christos nods grimly. "I'm sorry, Aria. I wish there was another way."

I take a deep breath, my mind racing. "Christos, I'll be in danger either way. There are people hunting me after what I uncovered at that facility — on that island where you found me. I can't just go back to my old life like nothing happened."

Suddenly, a horrifying realization hits me. I leap to my feet, the sheet falling away. "Oh god, the people on that island! We have to help them!"

Christos is at my side in an instant, his cool hands cupping my face. His touch is gentle, a stark contrast to the strength I know he possesses. "Aria, calm down. I already took care of it."

I blink, confused. "What do you mean?"

"After I brought you here, I went back," he explains, his green eyes intense. "I could smell something was off…and then I found the experiments. It was... horrific." A shadow passes over his face. "I killed all the guards and called the authorities anonymously. They'll get help."

"But... why didn't you tell me sooner?" I ask, my heart racing.

Christos's thumbs stroke my cheeks softly. "I didn't want to overwhelm you. And honestly, I wasn't sure how you'd react to knowing I'd killed people."

Relief washes over me, so powerful it makes my knees weak. Christos steadies me, concern etched on his features. In that moment, looking into his eyes, I realize something that both thrills and terrifies me.

I'm falling for him. Hard.

Despite everything he is, everything I've learned about the vrakken, I can't deny the connection between us. He saved those people, risked exposure to do the right thing. And he did it for me.

"Thank you," I whisper, leaning into his touch. "For going back, for helping them."

11

CHRISTOS

Istand at the edge of the clearing, my wings twitching with nervous energy. The fledglings mill about, their pale faces a stark reminder of the changes we've all undergone. My thoughts drift to Aria, safely hidden in the cabin. The pull I feel towards her is unlike anything I've experienced before.

A hush falls over the crowd. Nyx glides into view, her presence commanding instant attention. Her dark eyes sweep over us, and I feel a chill run down my spine.

"I told you that our god sent me to make more vrakken," she announces, her voice carrying effortlessly across the clearing. "But I never told you why." Her black eyes sweep over us. "He is taking us to our new home — a planet called Protheka, filled with magic."

My breath catches in my throat. Protheka? A new planet? I look around, seeing the shock on everyone else's faces.

Nyx's black eyes gleam with excitement. "Akeldama has promised us a world of our own. A place where we can thrive without hiding, without fear of the sun or humans hunting us."

The concept should fill me with joy, but all I feel is a cold dread settling in my chest. Aria's face flashes in my mind, her warm smile, her curious eyes. How can I leave her behind?

"Within days, we will leave this realm behind," Nyx continues. "Akeldama will return on winter solstice to take us home. "We have until then to gather as many of our kind as possible. It's why we've been pushing so hard for new Changes."

I think of the humans I've turned, the lives I've ended in failed attempts. Was this the reason? To populate a new world?

Questions flood my mind. How will we travel? What awaits us on the other side? And Aria... what about Aria?

Nyx's gaze locks onto mine, as if sensing my turmoil. "Christos. A word."

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