Nora


    What am I supposed to do?!


    A top demon is on the loose, and my dad just left me to fend for myself! He is such a traitor! What if I can''t defeat this thing? What then, huh?!


    My eyes dart around the scene.


    Every person on the street is asleep. There is no one to ask for help. I''m all alone. And I''m sure I''m not powerful enough to murder one of the demon princes on my own! The ground quakes as the hideous demon screeches. It''s big enough to rival the buildings, and I don''t know how to challenge it without getting stomped like an insect. Ick offensive magic!


    Right then, an ominous wind blows past me, fanning my red hair around my face as I look around.


    "What is going on?" I ask no one but myself.


    Shudders are crawling up my spine. My seventh sense can sense the strong magic surrounding me. It feels dark, and I know something terrible is about to happen. Human bodies lift from the ground while sleeping. Cars are rattling in their ce, but only people take to the skies and explode. It sends blood sshing everywhere. It happens so quickly that I don''t get a chance to scream at the grotesque scene. I''m just standing there, blinking as the fabrics of their clothes soar down to the asphalt. This demon is scary and powerful, and I freeze as I hear its demonic voice speak over the buildings.


    LUNARIS SHOULD BE THE FIRST CITY TO FALL!!


    I squint up at the demon. It''s approaching me. I can''t stay here, but there is nothing I can do!


    Or is there?


    I try thinking of Leo and call his name inside my head.


    Nothing. Okay.


    I try thinking of ke and shut my eyes so hard that it hurts. I think his name over and over again.


    Nothing. s**t.


    "What should I do now?!"


    As I''m looking for a ce to hide, I hear a howl and turn around to find Leo in his wolf-dragon form. His white fur and wolf-like face make him appear magnificent.


    A smile spreads over my lips as hees down from the sky tond before me with his tongue hanging out. He shakes his head once, and then his glowing green eyes take me in.


    "I''m d you came when I called," I ce my hand on his fuzzy forehead, and he presses it against me. It makes me smile. "I''m not sure how to defeat the demon, but two is better than one." "Three, actually."


    I turn around and widen my eyes when theynd on ke. He silently takes me in but does not move to hug or touch me even though he has been away.


    He also looks different.


    His once iridescent fairy wings have turned into ck, feathered wings that guard his back. His skin is pale, but the ethereal fairy glow surrounding him is gone.


    In my opinion, he looks hotter now. Badder.


    His long, ck hair flows in the winds, and his long ears are sticking out at the back of his head. He reminds me of a dark version of Legs, only ke is insanely tall, shirtless, and more muscr. When I don''t say anything, ke frowns. "Or am I not allowed to join you guys? Maybe you don''t need my help..."


    I snap back from dreand. "We do!" I exim. "We need all the help we can get to defeat that demon!"


    ke tilts his head but doesn''t allow himself to smile. Something is different about him. Not just his appearance. He feels colder, but Leo doesn''t seem bothered.


    No. The colossal wolf dragon struts forward like an obedient oversized family dog and licks ke''s face. It''s quick but precise. Leo managed to get ke''s face entirely wet. I freeze.


    ke couldn''t possibly be cool with this...


    I think that and gasp in surprise when ke actually snorts. "I missed you too, buddy. I hate to admit it, but... You''re actually not that bad. Annoying, but insanely loyal."


    I smile at the two guy''s exchange but feel nervous when Leo steps back to allow ke to focus on me. He doesn''t do much. His eyes simply roam over my face, but he doesn''t speak. Disappointment settles like lead in my chest. I had hoped ke would tell me that he had missed me. Maybe there would even be a hug and some sort of romantic moment? But nope. I get nothing but an awkward nce, but once the ground rattles again, I''m reminded that we have more significant troubles on hand. The demon is still roaming freely. "Any ideas on how to defeat that thing?" I ask and turn toward the skies to eye Belphegor as he ms into a building.


    It immediately falls, but the demon doesn''t seem content. Belphegor continues to ram into other buildings while screeching to hurt more people. Spill more blood, and cause more pain. ke growls. "I''m not sure, but something needs to be done... Perhaps Leo could slow him down? He is the biggest one out of us." "Good idea," I look up at Leo. "Could you attack Belphegor first and see if you can prevent him from destroying the entire city?" Leo''s wolf dragon form can''t grimace, yet I believe it''s the expression he would make if he could.


    Belphegor is muchrger than him. Leo is at a physical disadvantage, yet he seems to understand it''s our only choice at this point.


    There is a chuff, and then Leo turns around to attack the demon, leaving me alone with ke. And while I know I should focus on the battle, I can''t help but grow nervous.


    How do you act around a person you like but who just decided to disappear on you? And am I supposed to apologize for shrinking away from him? I did it because I deemed ke dangerous...


    I swallow thickly. "Any ideas on how we should help Leo? He can''t defeat the demon on his own."


    "I know, but... I don''t know what to do," ke admits, stepping forward to stand beside me.


    I had forgotten how tall he is. In fact, he seems even taller as he nces down at me through thick eyshes. His expression is curious as if he doesn''t know how to act around me either. I give him a nervous smile. "Did you get any new abilities while you were away? Anything that could be of use?"


    He breathes augh. "Maybe, but... You''re not going to like it."


    I lift an eyebrow. "Why?"


    "Because I need your blood."