Chapter Six
751 Words
Kael did not slow down as he walked through the clearing. Nyra followed a few steps behind him, keeping her pace steady and her eyes open. She could still feel the attention from the others, even after they moved past the center of the pack.
The space ahead opened into a more settled part of the territory. The ground was even, the paths worn in from use. The buildings were simple but solid, arranged with purpose rather than decoration. This was not a temporary place. It was established.
People moved between the structures, some carrying items, others talking in low voices. A few of them stopped when they saw Kael. Most of them noticed Nyra.
She noticed that too.
No one greeted him. No one questioned him. They simply moved out of his way or watched him pass. That told her enough about his position here.
Nyra kept her expression neutral and her shoulders squared. She was aware of how she looked—damp clothes, dirt on her skin, blade still in her hand—but she did not try to hide it. If they were going to judge her, they would do it regardless.
A woman stepped into their path.
Nyra stopped.
The woman’s eyes moved over her, taking in everything from her face to the blade in her hand.
“She’s human,” the woman said.
Kael did not stop walking. “Move.”
The woman stayed where she was. “You brought her here.”
“Yes.”
The answer was simple.
The woman’s expression hardened. “Why?”
Kael stopped and turned toward her. “She crossed into the territory.”
“That doesn’t make her ours.”
“It means she doesn’t leave.”
The woman glanced at Nyra again, then back at Kael. “You made that decision on your own.”
“Yes.”
There was no hesitation in his voice.
The woman held his gaze for a moment, then stepped aside. She did not agree, but she chose not to push further.
Kael continued walking.
Nyra followed.
They moved deeper into the settlement until they reached a larger structure set slightly apart from the others. Kael walked inside without pausing.
Nyra hesitated at the entrance for a second before stepping in after him.
The inside was simple. The space was open, with solid wooden walls and minimal furniture. Everything looked used, not decorative.
Kael stopped near the center of the room.
Nyra remained near the doorway.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Kael turned to face her.
“Sit.”
Nyra shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not.”
“I said I’m fine.”
Kael walked toward her.
Nyra did not step back, but she tightened her grip on the blade.
He stopped in front of her. “You’re injured.”
“I’ve been worse.”
“That doesn’t make this nothing.”
Nyra exhaled slowly. “I don’t need your help.”
“I’m not asking.”
His tone did not change.
Nyra held his gaze. “You don’t get to decide that for me.”
“You crossed into my territory,” he said. “You were followed. You were attacked. You would have died.”
Nyra did not respond.
“Now you’re here,” he continued. “That means you stay.”
Nyra shook her head. “No.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not part of this.”
“You are now.”
The words settled between them.
Nyra looked away for a moment, then back at him. “What happens if I try to leave?”
“You won’t get far.”
She almost smiled. “I’ve heard that before.”
“And you still made it here.”
He said it like it proved something.
Nyra lowered the blade slightly, not completely, but enough to show she was not about to strike again.
She felt the weight in her body now. The ache in her arm, the pull in her side, the exhaustion she had been ignoring since she woke up.
Kael noticed.
“Sit,” he said again.
This time, Nyra didn’t argue.
She walked over to the nearest chair and sat down, her movements slower now that she had stopped running.
Kael stepped back, giving her space.
Nyra watched him carefully.
She did not trust him.
She did not understand him.
But she knew one thing clearly.
He was not going to let her leave.
At least not tonight.
- Writer
