The sky above the village darkened unnaturally, thunder rumbling through the clouds though no storm had been forecast. Within the shadows of her crumbling shed, Jayden's eyes snapped open—only they weren't hers anymore.
A slow, cruel smile curved her lips.
The demon was awake.
Sage, the demon of destruction, surged forward, taking control of Jayden's body as if slipping into a familiar cloak. Her silver eye turned obsidian black, and sharp horns jutted from her temples. Veins darkened across her pale skin like spiderwebs of ink.
Without warning, she stormed into the village.
Panic erupted. Windows shattered from the pulse of dark energy radiating off her. Houses groaned and splintered, roofs caved in, and people scattered in terror as fire sparked from her fingertips.
Jayden screamed from within, begging her to stop, her voice a hollow echo inside her own mind.
> *"Please, stop! Don't hurt them!"*
But Sage only laughed, drunk on destruction.
Within moments, royal guards appeared. The captain barked orders, and magic wards lit up around the village square. A powerful force slammed into Sage's chest, sending her hurtling backward. The Royal Mage emerged, ancient staff in hand, chanting words lost to common tongues.
With an agonized roar, Sage was bound in glowing chains. Her body twitched and convulsed before collapsing, unconscious.
---
Jayden awoke in darkness.
Cold stone pressed against her back. Shackles clamped her wrists. She was in a dungeon—clean, reinforced with ancient spells. The royal palace.
She struggled weakly, but it was no use. Her body was drained.
Outside the bars, nobles whispered.
"She has horns."
"Did you see her veins? Black as death."
"One of her eyes... silver. Unnatural."
"She's not human."
"Keep her sedated. Study her."
Jayden curled into herself, trying to hide her face.
Then the room grew colder.
Silence stretched, thick and heavy.
She felt him before she saw him.
Azrael.
He didn't walk through the door. He was just *there*—standing in the corner, his dark cloak merging with the shadows. His golden eyes locked onto her.
But when Jayden looked up—it wasn't her. Sage stared through her eyes.
> "You again," Sage purred. "Who are you supposed to be?"
Azrael's voice was calm, but laced with power. "Where is Jayden?"
Sage laughed. "Buried beneath me. Where she belongs."
He stepped forward slowly, unfazed. "You're the demon of destruction."
Sage grinned wider. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"I should kill you."
Sage leaned closer to the bars, taunting. "Then kill me. See what happens to your precious girl."
Azrael's gaze turned lethal. His saithe appeared in his hand, and he raised it—blade inches from Sage's throat.
The demon's eyes widened slightly. "You... you're not human."
"No." His voice dropped. "I'm death."
Sage hissed and recoiled.
Then, she vanished—receding into Jayden's consciousness like a shadow at sunrise. Jayden blinked rapidly, regaining control, her eyes wide and frightened.
"Y-you again," she whispered. "You're real... it wasn't a dream."
Azrael didn't answer. He simply stared.
She touched the spot on her chest where her heart raced. "You saved me... from the river. Why?"
Silence.
"I thought you came to kill me."
Still, he said nothing.
"Why do you keep... showing up?"
He stepped forward. Slowly. Measured.
> "Because you are mine to watch. Mine to decide."
Jayden's breath hitched. "To kill?"
He raised a hand, his fingers brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. His touch was freezing, yet gentle.
> "To protect. To punish. To understand."
Then his eyes darkened, glowing brighter.
> "Because you belong to me."
Jayden's heart pounded wildly.
Azrael watched her for a moment longer. Then he waved a hand, and the magical bindings snapped open. Before she could speak, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms, cradling her like something precious.
In a blink, they vanished from the dungeon.
When they reappeared, it was in the forest near the broken bridge.
He set her down gently.
She stared at him, dazed. "Why are you doing this?"
Azrael's hood slipped slightly, revealing his true form—angular cheekbones, gold death-eyes, sharp ears, and a terrifying, ethereal beauty. Not quite human. Not quite god.
Jayden found herself staring. "You're... beautiful."
Azrael blinked, as though startled.
She smiled softly. "Thank you... no one's ever helped me before."
He said nothing. Simply turned away, replacing his hood.
"Foolish child."
But she heard the faintest tremble in his voice.
And that night, from a high cliff beneath the moon, Azrael watched over her again.