Page 15 of The Demon's Secret Baby

"It doesn't matter." He looks to June as he says it. "We came here to escape him. His return makes no difference."

"We need to-" I start, but I'm cut off by a shout from down the beach.

"Ship! There's a ship approaching!"

We all turn to look. Sure enough, a vessel is visible on the horizon, growing larger by the moment. It's not one I recognize.

"Is it one of ours?" June asks.

"It's the one from last night," Laiman answers and June visibly relaxes.

"Thank the gods," she whispers. "I was wondering what happened."

I follow Lamain and June to the makeshift docks, my mind still reeling from the news of Asmodeus's return. But as we wait for the ship to dock, a new worry takes hold.

"Where's Zylpha?" I ask, scanning the beach. "I assumed she'd be here to greet the new arrivals." How can I miss her already? My Sunshine…I’ve been feeling a heavy cloud over me without her.

June turns to me, her eyes widening. "Oh, Volezimir... I thought you knew. Zylpha's on that ship."

"What?" I growl, my fists clenching at my sides. "What the fuck do you mean she's on that ship?"

Lamain steps between us, his voice low and calm. "Easy, Volezimir. It was a rescue mission. Zylpha volunteered."

"And you let her?" I snarl, my anger rising. "She's barely been here a month. She's not ready for something like that!"

"She insisted," June says softly. "She wanted to help others escape, like she did."

I turn away, trying to control my rage. They should've told me. I should've been there to protect her.

The ship drops anchor, and small boats begin ferrying people to shore. I watch each one intently, searching for Zylpha's familiar face. But as more and more people disembark, my worry grows.

"Where is she?" I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.

The rescued captives stumble onto the beach, looking tired and shell-shocked. But soon, the ship is empty, the volunteers stepping off, too.

And Zylpha isn't among them.

I turn to Lamain and June, my heart pounding. "She's not here. Where the fuck is she?"

Lamain's brow furrows as he scans the crowd. "I don't understand. She should be with them."

June's face pales. "Something must have gone wrong."

Panic claws at my chest. I grab the nearest rescuer, a young man with haunted eyes. "Where's Zylpha? The woman who helped free you?"

He shakes his head, fear flickering across his face. "I-I don't know. There was a commotion. Someone grabbed her. We didn't see what happened after that."

I release him, my mind racing. Grabbed her? Who? What happened to her?

"We need to go back," I growl, already moving towards the ship. "Now."

Lamain catches my arm. "Volezimir, wait. We need a plan."

I whirl on him, barely containing my rage. "Every second we waste is another second she's in danger. I'm going after her, with or without you."

I can't fucking believe this. My hands shake as I clench them into fists, rage and fear battling inside me. Zylpha's gone. She's in danger, and I wasn't there to protect her.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" I roar, rounding on Lamain and June. "Sending her on a mission like that? She's not trained for this shit!"

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