Covyn's laughter hangs heavy in the air. I'm trapped, helpless. Glass shatters—Marcelene and the others burst in, faces shocked.
Marcelene points at Covyn. "I warned you!"
The spirit, radiating white light, speaks. "Long time, no see."
Claudia, tears streaming, pleads, "Leave her body!"
"No," the spirit says flatly.
"Why not leave her body?" Marcelene demands.
The spirit chuckles. "She's mine now. I protect her. I leave only when she gives up the sword." So, no superpowers—just a spirit using me. She needs something.
"What do you want?" Marcelene asks.
"To protect her from that creep," the spirit says, glaring at Covyn.
Marcelene assures the spirit, "She's safe now. Leave." The spirit departs. I gasp for air, clutching my throat, before darkness claims me. My last sight: my friends' worried faces.
I woke up in bed, everyone watching. Claudia held my hand.
She checked my temperature—sweating, eyes glued to the blanket.
I looked up, pulled Claudia into a hug, startling her. My pain poured out; her hand on my back, my tears flowed.
"You're safe," she whispered.
"Can't promise no one will hurt you, but I'll protect you." She kept stroking my back.
Suddenly, a crash!
A shadowy figure lunged. Claudia reacted instantly, shoving me behind her, an intense battle erupting. Adrenaline surged. It was fast, brutal, a whirlwind of fists and shouts. She fought like a lioness, protecting me. Finally, silence. She was bruised, but victorious.
Exhausted, but safe.
She was weak; the shadowy figure vanished. The hunters were bruised from the fight.
She calmed me. Covyn approached, hand outstretched, but Claudia stopped him. He was a threat. I didn't know they lived with Marcelene.
"I'll watch over you," she promised, hugging me tight.
Covyn's eyes darkened; Zylia looked jealous, dragging him away. Demetrys and Drake hauled him downstairs. I wished they were like Marcelene—protective. Neima's eyes half-opened, her hand on my waist, creepy as an owl.
"Forget them," Marcelene said.
"Demetrys and Drake will handle it. You're safe." She stroked my hair.
I wasn't safe, but I held onto Marcelene's words. Gasping for air, Astra and Claudia calmed me.
"Demetrys and Drake will watch Covyn—he admitted wanting you," Marcelene said, her eyes lingering on me.
"We'll protect her," Astra offered.
Marcelene ran this crazy house—gangsters everywhere, especially that creep Covyn. He's disgusting! Why not change? This post-apocalyptic world is insane.
"Keep Covyn away from her. He's a player—don't fall for it," Marcelene warned, knowing Covyn's tricks.
"Got it," Claudia said.
"Scream if he gets creepy," Marcelene added.
As Marcelene left, Drake and Demetrys entered, locking the door. Seeing our fear, Demetrys put a finger to his lips. "We won't hurt you," Drake said.
"We're here to protect you from Covyn."
Demetrys guarded the door, arms crossed. Drake sat on the bed, his electric blue eyes intense. His hands trembled as he reached for mine. I flinched, but he gently covered my hand with his.
"Covyn's dangerous," Drake explained.
"Marcelene sent us."
He tried to tell us jokes, hoping to ease our fears—especially mine, after last night. His electric blue eyes were intense, sending shivers down my spine.
"I had a little sister, your age," he began, his voice heavy with sadness.
"Demons killed her." My heart ached for him.
Demetrys watched silently, listening. Drake, it turned out, had become a hunter to avenge his sister—his last family. We were in the same boat. His story, and the way his eyes shone—like stars in the dark—got to me.
"We're here to protect them, not put on a show," Demetrys said, rolling his eyes. Drake rose and joined him by the door. The demons might be quiet, but they were out there, lurking.
Demetrys scanned the room, a former soldier's instincts on high alert. "Prepare yourselves," he said abruptly.
"What's up?" I asked.
"No questions. Just be ready."
A loud knock. An evil laugh. "Darcy, open up! Let's have some fun," a creepy voice purred.
Demetrys signaled silence. "The night's cold. I need some… warmth from you," the voice added, a sickening slurp accompanying the words.
"They're not around?" Covyn asked.
"Drugs?" Claudia whispered.
Demetrys cleared his throat. "What do you want, Covyn? They're not here."
Coyvn chuckled. "Sure? Or are you two having fun in bed?"
Demetrys pinched his nose. "That's the nastiest thing I've ever heard. I don't want girls crawling into my bed like dogs!" His fists clenched. He signaled us to stay quiet, his jaw tight.
"What are you doing in her room?" Covyn sneered, like a sleazy barfly.
"What a shame," Demetrys retorted.
"Go have sex with your sex doll instead of bothering her." The doorknob jiggled.
"You'll regret this!" Drake roared.
"I'm gonna beat you up!"
"Oh, one girl, two guys," Covyn taunted.
"Interesting."
"Are you on drugs?" Demetrys asked.
"You're insane!"
The doorknob rattled. Covyn strained against the door; Drake and Demetrys struggled to hold it. Was he using some kind of power?
I squeezed my eyes shut. Any second, the door would burst open. Drake and Demetrys fought with everything they had.