Chapter 35
The forest light faded little by little, dyeing the treetops in a deep, burnt orange. The air grew colder and heavier with each step.
"Night will fall soon," Kiran murmured, glancing at the sky through the branches. "It's not safe to move after dark."
Arisha followed him in silence until they reached a clearing where the grass was dry. Kiran crouched down, set his pack aside, and began gathering branches and thin logs. The dry clack of stones striking echoed softly with the whisper of the wind. A spark leapt, and the fire came to life, growing with a crackle that lit his bare torso.
He lay back on a large leaf he had spread on the ground."It's better if you sleep, Arisha," he said, closing his eyes.
She sat close to the fire, resting her head on her folded arms, restless. The orange light danced across her face.
Kiran spoke without opening his eyes."The gates of the place where the superficial vampire was… the vain blond one… He didn't plan to sacrifice you, but he took you to that wing. I suppose he wants your blood."
Arisha lifted her gaze to the flames."Mikhael wasn't always like this. There was a time when we were inseparable. He took care of me since we were children… but now we're perfect strangers. All he seeks is my blood… obsessed with something I don't want."
Both fell silent. Above them, the sky was covered in stars.
"So… this is your first time camping outside, far from the City of Gold," Kiran said.
Arisha nodded, though her eyelids were heavy. She tried to force herself to sleep, curling closer to the fire.
Kiran sighed, and the night swallowed them.
At dawn, Arisha rose quietly and walked to a nearby lake. The water was cold and crystal clear. She slipped in, leaving her clean clothes on a stone. As she emerged, she checked the mark on her arm… but then felt something on the back of her neck.
Her fingers brushed her skin: a new mark. Three curved lines, intertwined. A triskel.
"A triskel…" Kiran murmured, standing by the shore, a book in his hand.
Arisha sank beneath the water at the sound of his voice, but before disappearing, she shouted:"Get out, Kiran!"
He lifted the book between his fingers."If you want more answers… you should read it yourself."
Turning away, he leaned against a tree, hidden among the shrubs, with the weary air of someone taking a rare moment of rest. His eyes followed the slow, delicate flight of a butterfly —blue, white, and streaked with purple— as it danced in the soft morning light.
Arisha retrieved her clothes from the stone, covering her chest with her arms. Her wet, bare body glistened under the daylight. She dressed slowly in the dry garments. Among the rocks was Kiran's jacket; in one of its pockets, she found the feather Baco had given her.
As she put on her last piece of clothing, she noticed him sleeping."Kiran!" she called, tossing his jacket at his face.
He caught her arm in a swift motion. The brush of his hand sent a shiver down her spine before he spoke:"Take the book."
Arisha accepted it and moved to sit on a nearby rock. She opened its pages and found strange symbols… and among them, a single photograph of her father and mother. Tears slid slowly down her cheeks.
"Mother… Father…" she whispered, tracing their faces with her fingertips.
The Nevri symbol was engraved on one page; the rest were blank, except for one that held the image of a man who looked strikingly like Baco.
Kiran rose, shaking the hair from his face. He removed the bands from his wrists, pulled on his shirt, and walked toward Arisha under the morning sun, his gaze locked on hers.
"That is Baco's father," he said, pointing at the image.
Their eyes met."You and that ineffable creature cannot be together. A vampire never mixes with a Nevri… and his father was the one responsible for your parents' deaths. Do you understand?"
Kiran took the book from her hands and closed it.
"Baco is half-human…" she said.
"You're wrong. He is the son of a demon. The cycle continues because he lives. He should have died. And you, Arisha, are the queen in this game of chess… you will crown the king."
She swallowed hard."Then it won't be just anyone."
Kiran released her hand."Don't get excited, Arisha. I'm not seeking to be crowned king… yet. I am simply the last original descendant of the Nevri… and so are you."
His fingers brushed along the bridge of her nose, stopping at her lips."That's something you feel instantly, just like I do. But I am no second choice. There's a reason for my training, Miss Arisha."
The touch lingered, its warmth searing into her skin. Arisha wanted to step back, yet her legs refused to obey. A pulse—strong and unfamiliar—thundered in her ears, and she couldn't tell if it was hers… or his.
Then, a sharp crack broke the air.Both turned toward the trees.Something—or someone—was watching them.