Page 32 of Demon's Prey

My mind replays memories of Claudia and me, huddled together in our tiny village home, whispering secrets and dreams in the dark. We were all each other had, two sisters against the world.

"I'll always protect you," I'd promised her. But now...

I stumble, catching myself on a gnarled tree trunk. Its rough bark bites into my palm, grounding me in this harsh reality. Claudia doesn't need my protection anymore. She's found a new family, a new life.

For two years, I've clung to the hope of our reunion. I imagined tears, laughter, long embraces. I pictured us picking up right where we left off, as if no time had passed. How naive I've been.

Of course she moved on. What did I expect? That she'd put her life on hold, waiting for me? The guilt gnaws at my insides. Shouldn't I be happy for her? She looks content, loved. Isn't that what I've always wanted for her?

But a selfish part of me aches. I wanted to be the one to give her that happiness. I wanted to be irreplaceable.

My legs give out, and I sink to the cold ground. Would it really have been better if she'd suffered these past two years, longing for me as I longed for her? The thought makes me sick with shame.

I press my forehead to my knees, squeezing my eyes shut against the tears that threaten to fall. My heart feels hollow, a cavern echoing with loss and regret.

A sob escapes my throat, raw and painful. I'd imagined our reunion a thousand times—tears, hugs, explanations. Not... this. Not her happiness without me.

My steps quicken, as if I could outrun the ache in my chest. But it follows, relentless.

And then there's Dazirus. His kindness, his gentle touches—they confuse me. He's a demon. I should fear him, hate him even. So why does my heart race when he's near? Why do I crave his presence?

I shake my head, trying to clear it. "Focus, Narina," I mutter. But on what? My sister doesn't need me. My revenge feels hollow now. And Dazirus...

I stop, realizing I've wandered farther than intended. The estate looms in the distance, a dark silhouette against the night sky. I should go back, but my feet refuse to move.

What am I doing here? In this realm of demons and darkness? I'm lost, more alone than ever.

I blink, suddenly aware of my surroundings. The familiar path has vanished, replaced by uneven ground and twistedroots. My heart pounds against my ribs. How long have I been walking? Where am I?

"Dazirus?" I call out, my voice small and uncertain in the oppressive silence. No answer comes.

I spin around, trying to retrace my steps, but every direction looks the same - a maze of gnarled trees and shadows. The estate is nowhere in sight. Panic claws at my throat.

"I'm lost," I whisper, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

The trees seem to close in, their branches reaching for me like grasping fingers. The air grows thick and heavy, pressing down on my chest. Each breath comes faster, shallower.

What should I do? Run? Stay put? Call for help? But who would hear me in this forsaken place?

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill that seeps into my bones. This isn't the Glacies I've come to know. This feels... wrong. Dangerous.

My eyes dart from shadow to shadow, imagining threats lurking just out of sight. Are there creatures in these woods? Demons that would prey on a lost human?

I take a tentative step forward, then another. My foot catches on an exposed root, and I stumble, barely catching myself. The ground beneath me feels treacherous, ready to trip me at any moment.

"Think, Narina," I mutter, forcing myself to take a deep breath. "You've survived worse than this."

But have I? At least in Protheka, I knew the terrain, the dangers. Here, in this alien realm, I'm truly alone and vulnerable.

The weight of my situation crashes down on me. No sister to rely on. No Mariel to watch my back. Even Dazirus, with all his confusing kindness, is beyond my reach now.

I'm utterly, terrifyingly alone.

Suddenly, a low growl cuts through the silence. I freeze, my blood turning cold. Three demons emerge from the shadows, their forms twisted and grotesque, nothing like Dazirus. These demons are evil incarnate—their eyes glowing with malice, their mouths curled into twisted grins.

They surround me, their voices a chilling mix of laughter and growls. One lunges at me, and I react on instinct—fending it off with a well-placed kick.

A shower of red sparks fly from my feet where I impact the demon's testicles. The demon reacts in pain, stumbling over itself to escape my wrath.

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