The Shadows Within

I lost my mind when I saw the blade go into Finn’s wing and back.

“Don’t hurt him!” I screamed, trying to yank myself away from the man who held me but couldn’t.

His hand was like a cuff that wouldn’t let go, no matter how hard I tried. Though from up close, I got to see his pointy ears. His green orbs were staring at me as if I was insane.

Oh, right, this one’s an elf.

Their sigils were active, shining through their clothes as the darkness of the night revealed them while hiding our authentic selves.

“Woah, Jasper, is she charmed?” the shielded man questioned, stepping off the demon.

They all looked at me like I was crazy, which I was from their point of view. There wasn’t a human in this land that would protect a demon. Let alone one that was trying to eat them, but I wasn’t a misplaced villager.

“I don’t know, Ezekiel. I’m no mage. Is the beast restrained?” The elf announced, struggling to hold me.

However, hearing me scream at them vanished Finn’s aura, and his eyes shimmered wide open because of my defiance.

“I’m not charmed or a damsel in distress! Get your fucking hands off me!” I snapped, triggering shadows to erupt out of me.

The elf quickly retreated from me, instigating everyone to back away when it spread towards them. However, the moment it touched Finn and Solas, it melted the bonds that held them to melt away.

Curses left our attackers' lips when they realized I wasn’t a random village girl. No, I was the saint they sought the last time they invaded my home.

Yes… I finally have one that won’t be taken from me!

It was the only place where no one hurt me because they wanted an outlet. The only pain I felt was because I wished for it.

Because I asked for it!

After all, I ran towards a mad dragon of my own accord, and what happened in the rose field was because I decided it.

Yes, I gave myself willing to Finn, who would let me go if I had decided to walk away. For the first time, I wasn’t forced or coerced. It was all my choice. They won’t take you or Solas away from me! I refuse to leave their sides!

Shadows continued to get thicker, responding to my emotions, allowing me to run towards where the demon king was before it went dark. Something yanked me down towards the floor, only to find myself in the arms of who I wanted.

I could hear Solas and the other soldiers screaming and growling. The wolf kept them busy, which was a new side to him as I never knew he could be so fierce.

“Sparky, you're something.” Finn chuckled, holding me close to him.

Fresh blood was dripping from his shoulder where the sword went. I felt tears sting in my eyes, and even though I knew he was fine, I couldn’t stop myself from crying.

“What?! Is this the time to say that?! You stupid demon, how could you let them hurt you?!” I growled, tugging away from his embrace.

This was probably no big deal to an immortal like him, but it was terrifying. I didn’t want him to get hurt, especially after our night, but this was probably our future—constant fighting, wars, and bloodshed.

Even if it was, I couldn’t care less. All I wanted was to be with him, helping him however I could.

“Sorry to worry you, but if they knew who I was while they had you. It wouldn’t have been good for you or me. If they hurt you, I would’ve lost it.” He placed one of his palms on my cheek.

“They know who I am now!” I huffed, grabbing hold of it.

At least he was healthier than before.

“I know. I didn’t think you’d defend me so fiercely. At least you’re in my arms right now and not theirs.” He smirked.

Though he appeared more relieved than anything else, I gazed around, not being able to know if they were coming or not. Although my shadows covered us, they also blinded us.

“Shut up and feed on me already,” I grumbled, glancing back at him.

Solas was keeping the knights at bay, but for how long, I didn’t know.

Worse yet, this barrier is bad news. If it took Finn by surprise, then it must have happened recently. Serena, you know more than what you told me, don’t you? Arg... stupid gods!

This change would change everything for everyone in Fathal, including…

I hope Gael’s alright.

The incubus would go into the Traedan to feast tonight, too.

“Just… a bit.” Finn sighed, grabbing me by the back of my head.

“I don’t care if you eat me whole.” I simpered.

He shook his head. “That would be an unfortunate turn of events. Then I wouldn’t have my sparky future wife.” He whispered, closing the gap between our lips.

For a moment, I felt the warmth his kisses always gave me, but soon after, I felt a throb course through my body. All the energy I had slowly drained from me before he tugged away from me, allowing me to fall on him.

I could barely move, feeling weak in every aspect of the word. Even my eyes felt heavy.

“You, okay?” Finn murmured, holding me close.

His touch warmed my stiff body. All while his voice soothed me. I tried to nod, but all I could do was lay on him, struggling to keep my eyes open.

Is this what it feels like to have a demon feed off me? No… it could be much worse. I could be dead. Like…

Images of that man Finn drained more than a week ago came through my mind. He left nothing but a husk behind. The shadows surrounding us slowly dissipated before I knew it; I was on Solas’s soft fur when the demon king stood.

How did…

Unable to do anything, the demon king confronted the knights, bewildered by what was happening. However, they would soon situate themselves. After all, he wasn’t hiding anymore. Again, his aura was erupting from him, but it also had a hint of purple on his core, unlike the typical crimson one.

His eyes were shining blue instead of the usual red that consumed them. Unlike the day when he attacked me, he was entirely in control, but that didn’t make him more merciful. No, he was ready to murder every one of them.

“I’m in a fucking good mood. So, how about I kill only half of you and call it a night? Hm?” he smirked, already having the merchant from earlier in his hands.

After feeding on me, he wasn’t satisfied; a second later, the man in his hands was a husk. Finn’s favorite meal was a human’s vitality, which he took from me.

There were so many different types of demons, which meant there was one that consumed each part of a human. I guess the less dangerous ones were the emotional ones, but that would still be scary, much like Finn was being a terror to the humans within his grip.

A chorus of horror erupted, realizing the demon king was on human lands.

“Summon, Soren!” the elf screamed, going invisible as the shield man cast a spell to make it glow white.

“Stand behind me!” Ezekiel yelled to his comrades.

Much like the previous flower field, the surrounding forest was ablaze a second later. Solas cuddled me, protecting me from everything that was happening around us. Unable to move, I held on to the wolf, especially when more screeches erupted along with the sound of metal bending against force.

Wherever the demon touched, death soon followed. Closing my eyes, I shivered, hearing Finn laugh, enjoying the pain he was inflicting. It was almost as if he fed off it more than anything else. However, as soon as it started, it was over.

Before I knew it, he touched my cheek. “Still awake?”

A soft hum left me unable to do much less.

“You okay, baby girl?” he asked, triggering me groggily to gaze at him.

He was covered in blood. His red aura was gone, leaving behind his horns with a red hue as always. However, his eyes were still that addictive blue I was so used to seeing. Sadly, around us were the corpses of our attackers, including Ezekiel, who was impaled to a tree.

Other bodies cut his shield in half as the elf, Jasper, was nowhere to be found. He probably got away or was in pieces somewhere in the carnage. Weakly, I nodded, reaching for Finn.

“I’m so sleepy. I tried to stay awake for you.” I mumbled, struggling to keep my eyes open.

Before, the screaming kept me awake, but it was gone. Fighting the sleep that wanted to consume me was hard.

Tracing his fingers on my cheek, he simpered. “I know. You’ll be fine by tomorrow. I promise. Go to sleep. When you wake up, you’ll be back—”

“Home?” I mumbled.

“Yes, you’ll be home.” He chuckled.

Even my hands were heavy when I grabbed onto his blood-soaked shirt.

“A kiss first.” I hummed, feeling Solas’s fur comfier by the minute.

Finn’s eyes widened, and he soon shook his head with a soft smile.

“You say nothing normal, do you?” he leaned into me.

The next moment, I felt his lips on mine. I probably should’ve felt bad for all the people he ended, but in our defense, they came for us first. Even if they wanted to save me, it wasn’t their decision.

Some of us don’t want to be saved.

However, if I were on the other side, I probably wouldn’t have thought of it like that, but that didn’t matter to me as I was at Fathal’s camp. Finn even tried to leave before everything got too intense, and they were the ones who kept us there.

I didn’t mind if we were the villains in this since I had finally found my place. One where I was wanted, even if it was for a tool. The taste of blood never tasted sweeter than when it came from this demon.

Perhaps doing a deal with the devil wouldn’t be so bad, especially when it was this addictive.

I guess I was always meant to be evil. So, my father was right. I bring nothing but misfortune.

Yet I hoped I could be more for these forsaken demons like me.

Unwanted and forgotten. I won’t forget them, though. Not for a second.