Chapter 4
863 Words
The box was slowly opened by Bailey. She placed a crystal-like stone inside it, its bright glow filling the room for a moment.
The Demon she spent the night with, was nowhere to be found, but those weren't her thoughts exactly, she stared at her new piece for a while, then she heard movements at the doorway, she quickly hid the box inside her clothes.
Jess walked in and immediately dropped to one knee.
"All requirements have already been met, my Eminence."
"I will be there," Bailey said.
Bailey struggled to get off the bed, her body far from steady.
"Didn't you absorb his power, my Eminence?"
Bailey's eyes landed on her as though searching for something, not cold, not warming either
"I'm sorry, my Eminence. It's not my place to ask," Jess said, slowly lifting her head. "But... you can't fight the demons in your condition."
"Make sure the preparations are ready," Bailey replied, her knees shaky beneath her.
"Yes, my Eminence."
"Jess, what did you do with him" Bailey asked, a question she shouldn't have
"I have given the demon to the people, as he doesn't pose a treat anymore"
"Okay" Bailey said, in a tone expected to end the conversation
Jess bowed and turned to leave, but a question from Bailey made her stop mid-step and look back.
"How are you doing, Jess?"
"I am good, my Eminence. We will be waiting for you."
Jess quickly lowered her head but before that a tear had escaped the corner of her eyes as she turned away. They were not tears of sorrow, but of happiness. For years she served Bailey expecting nothing in return and the question had been far from what she ever expected, and shaken her more than any reward could
The sky became cloudy, and darkness spread across the land despite how sunny it had been earlier. The animals in the forest dispersed to their hideouts.
Likewise, Lucas and Jade sat in the cave, discussing heartily, their lips spread smiles.
"So, Lucas, you're still bent on finding him?"
"Of course. Why did you ask? Are you tired of helping me already?" Lucas asked. It didn't sound like a question but a confirmation.
Jade let out a chuckle as he watched Lucas munch on an apple.
"That isn't really what I thought. It's your attitude toward the demon hunter."
"You mean Bailey?"
"Hmm. Someone tends to remember names pretty well now," Jade said, lifting his eyes upward, his hands resting on his waist and his lips curling into a sly smile.
"Don't tell me you're jealous. You should be happy I have someone else's name other than yours to remember," Lucas said, his lips widening into a smile.
"What do you want from her?"
"I just..."
Lucas couldn't complete his words before Jade caught an arrow flying toward him.
Jade quickly placed a finger on his lips, signaling Lucas to stay quiet.
But more arrows kept firing into the cave.
Lucas immediately turned into a cat, which was all the message Jade needed. The wolf dashed toward the crowd before changing direction and heading deeper into the forest.
The soldiers chased after them, releasing arrows fiercely.
Jade ran with Lucas in his grip but came to a sudden halt when another crowd appeared in front of them.
"Well, well, well. Who do we have here?"
Bailey stood before them, her arms folded and her posture dominating.
Jade observed carefully, his wolf eyes scanning the path.
"There's actually nowhere to run. Seize them," Bailey said in a mocking tone.
"Please, let him go. You can take me. It's me you want," Lucas said as he willingly turned back into a human to be captured.
Jade shook his head, but Lucas didn't give in.
"No problem. Fair enough," Bailey said.
But, her eyes had already signaled Jess.
So when Lucas willingly gave in to the chains, Jade was captured as well.
"You said you would let him go!" Lucas shouted as he struggled against the chains.
"What can I do? I need him too," Bailey replied, staring at him.
Her eyes flashed red, and her voice carried a mocking edge.
She turned her back on him, and the soldiers dragged the cages forward. The two demons looked at each other painfully.
As they rode along, a sudden figure descended from the sky toward Bailey.
A snake hung around the creature's neck, its tongue flicking dangerously close to Bailey.
The soldiers panicked, but surprisingly, Bailey remained calm.
"Are they your friends?" she asked in a casual tone.
"No," Jorman replied. "But you are."
Bailey scoffed.
The next moment, she brought out the box containing the crystal-like stone.
Immediately, Jorman crashed onto the ground.
"Seize him too," she ordered.
The soldiers quickly moved to capture him.
Did Bailey think it was that easy to capture Jorman? Or did Jorman simply want to be caught?
The thought never crossed her mind.
Jorman's eyes, which should have remained closed after being struck by the demon core, slowly opened.
A smile spread across his lips as he was dragged away.
“Silly girl. Always naive” he thought inwardly, a cunning smile lingering on his face.
- Writer
