claimed by darkness

Chapter 19: Jealousy Burns Differently and Chapter 20: The First Strike

The sound came from below.

A shift.

Movement.

Lyra reacted instantly, stepping forward—

But Kael moved first.

Faster.

Blocking her path.

“Stay here.”

“I’m not staying anywhere.”

Before he could stop her—

She moved.

Leaping from the tower’s edge, flames catching her fall as she descended toward the source.

Kael followed immediately.

Of course he did.

Lyra landed in the clearing below—

And froze.

Because she wasn’t alone.

A figure stood there.

Cloaked.

Unfamiliar.

Watching her.

Not attacking.

Not moving.

Just… waiting.

“You’re finally alone,” the figure said.

Lyra’s fire ignited instantly along her hands.

“I was never alone.”

Kael landed behind her, his presence immediate.

Protective.

The figure’s gaze flicked between them.

And something in their posture shifted.

Interest.

Understanding.

“So that’s what it is,” they murmured.

Lyra’s eyes narrowed.

“What is?”

The figure tilted their head slightly.

“Your weakness.”

Kael stepped forward.

“Leave.”

The figure didn’t move.

Instead—

They smiled.

And Lyra felt it.

That shift again.

This wasn’t just observation anymore.

This was intent.

It happened fast.

Too fast.

The figure moved—

And suddenly the air itself twisted.

Magic.

Dark.

Sharp.

Lyra reacted on instinct, flames bursting outward in a defensive surge—

But something was wrong.

Her fire hesitated.

Just for a second.

And that was enough.

The attack hit.

Not directly—

But close enough to throw her off balance.

Kael was there instantly.

Pulling her back.

Shielding her.

His wings spread wide, blocking the next strike as stone met force with a cracking impact.

“Stay behind me,” he said.

Lyra’s jaw tightened.

“I am not hiding.”

“Then don’t hesitate.”

That—

That hit deeper than the attack.

Because he wasn’t wrong.

Her fire surged again—

Stronger this time.

Focused.

Controlled.

The ground beneath her feet scorched as she stepped forward beside him.

Not behind.

Together.

The figure paused.

Studying them.

Reassessing.

“Good,” they said softly.

“Now you’re interesting.”

Lyra’s flames burned brighter.

“Now you’re leaving.”

A beat.

Then—

The figure vanished.

Gone.

Just like that.

The clearing fell silent again.

But the feeling didn’t.

The danger didn’t.

And neither did the truth.

This—

Was only the beginning.