12

~Aspen

Kastriv helped me tend to Kaia wounds, before allowing her to rest upstairs while we came down to talk.

I barely get to sit down before Kastriv starts speaking. "You can't go back."

"I don't want to make this difficult for everyone...What if he seriously pursues this?" I question.

Would Oliver kill me? Absolutely, and he would get away with it as well, once he exposed me for being a Demon.

Or worse, he could hurt Kaia again...

Kastriv settles into the couch next to me. "He likely will, but that doesn't mean you can go back to him. He was abusive."

"I don't want to go back. But what about Kaia?" I sigh, trying to press down the fear rolling around my stomach, although it's impossible. I have to face this, not run away.

"I'll protect her," Kastriv assures me. "Just like I'll protect you."

I turn toward him, feeling the power flowing off him, a consequence of his risking anger. How many spirits are around us now, whispering in his ear? I wonder how they feel about me, if they are t