Heart of a demon

er life. Something dark and dangerous was chasing her. She couldn't see it, but she could feel its murderous inten

r pumped through her veins, driving her forward. But in her panic, she stumbled over her foot and fell hard onto the cold, damp earth. Pain shot thr

errified of what she might see. Her heart pounded so loudly it drowned out

onlight and casting a shadow over her. Sharp fangs glistened with fresh blood, dripping slowly onto the ground. Blood-red horns curved menacingly from its forehead, lik

oarse voice. Each word seemed to scrape through the darkness, chilling her to the bone.

ut, its fingers long and skeletal, more like claws than anything human. She could see the sharpne

pered, her voice trem

"Hurt you? Oh, my sweet angel, you misunderstand. This is not about hu

claws grazing her ski

g her. Suddenly, she felt the creature grab her and start shaking her. Desperation surged through her,

ia quickly opened her eyes with a gasp and f

er dress. Her heart pounded in her chest like a wild drum, and she could feel the tremors of fear still

and soothing. He sat beside her, gently patting her back.

vivid—the cold, sharp claws on her skin, the breath hot against her ear, the overwhelming terror. She could stil

nd unexplainable. Each time, she awoke drenched in sweat, her body trembling with a fear she couldn't shake. T

the same unanswerable questi

amp

de

it the

shing her for all her evil dee

ng her my angel despite the f

t her back to the reality. "It's okay, Alexia" he said softly,

blinked try

, her voice trembling slightly. Who

shouldn't open the door and should always wait for you, ri

ossibly be?" Alexia wondered aloud

be Alex?'

during her many journeys. From the moment they met, there was an instant connect

as actually a man who dressed as a woman. This revelation had come one evening when Alexia accidentally walked i

m, she began dressing as a boy during her travels. It offered her freedom and s

Other times, she was Alex, the boy who wandered from village to village. She also t

rt raced as she reached for the doorknob. As soon as she opened the door, she was

tunned, her vision blurry. She touched her lips and felt the warm, sticky blood trickling fro

ace, a shiver ran down her spine. It was Scorpion. She didn't know his real na

short and unkempt, framing a rugged face that bore the marks of countless battles. Scars criss

and combat. He stood tall and intimidating, his presence filling the house with an aura of dange

emed to bore into her, assessing and calculating, as if he could see into her very so

debt, and when he passed away, Alexia was taken to his brothel. There, she was forced to work as a harlot. Unabl

to pay Scorpion fifty silver coins each month. It was a daunting task, but she had no choice. She didn't understand why but Scorpion agreed ; perhaps there was still a fli

r brother had fallen ill, and she had to flee. She n

nd without paying up? Looks like you don't give a damn abou

rotect Luke and herself from this monster. Summoning all her courage, sh

out of time. But maybe there's

rstood what he meant, but no

remember, I can have the power to expose all your illicit busi

chin brutally "Are you threatening me?" his voice low an

's gaze "I've already told my friend. If I'm gone you'll be exposed. All I'm ask

ightening on her chin. Finally,he released her with a forceful shove, stra

't have a hundred silver coins in my hand, I will start by kill

and strode away. Alexia remained on the floor, trembli

d turned to Luke, who stood nearby with wide

ch over things," she said firmly, her

uke asked anxiously, his

something to keep Scorpion off ou

e pleaded, his ey

I'll be back before you know it," she reassu

xia grabbed a set of men's garments. She hastily pulled on the oversized shirt and trousers, tucking her hair under a bl

were tall, and the path was dark, with a bit of sunlight peeping through the canopy

, she could see the tall stone walls of the Stones Kingdom, the largest ki

ople hurried by, either heading to work or shopping. Market stalls lined the cobblestone paths, overflowi

ir various jobs. Children ran by, chasing each while giggling h

ne clothes and jewelry. This would be the

the air was heavy with the scent of perfume and the murmur of voices. Customers browsed disp

ms were showcased. She kept her movements subtle, her eyes darting around to ensure no one was watching too clo

e collided with someone in her haste. She looked up and her

said sternly. "Where do you thin

embling slightly. She knew she had to come

she stammered, trying to sound innocent.

"Is that so?" he muttered skeptically, reaching out to grab

othes. Panic surged through her veins. She had to get away, but how? He

e over in pain. Seizing her chance, she sprinted towards the exit, hurring down the busy st

ollided with someone unexpectedly, nea

in unruly waves, framing a face of chiseled features and a strong jawline. His piercing silver eyes bore into hers with an

h as porcelain, his skin held no imperfection, radiating an otherwo

of effortless elegance and confidence. His pres

tuation, Alexia couldn't help

you're going?" Xavier asked coldly,

nd to wipe her drool. "Sorry, sorry," she managed to mumble, hastily averting

I need to catch him," the guard's voice ca

" Xavier or

started to protest but quickly fel

to, let's go," he commanded, striding t