Chapter 10 - We Meet Again

A tiny whimper, followed by a little louder whimper reached Echo's ears. 'What is… is that a tiger cub. Oh gosh! How did it get stuck there?'

Dropping her sword aside, she reached forward and tried to put her hands in the small space of the boulder. She kept telling herself to be careful, or the poor thing would get crushed beneath the boulders. The thought of that happening made her feel like she was going to be sick.

"Hey! Stop wiggling around, you'll get hurt," Echo couldn't help but talk to the little cub, as it whined.

The cub slowly crept towards her, and its head popped out from the space in the boulders. Echo reached her hands around the cub, almost taking the weight of the boulders, as the little one crawled out. It rushed to move away from the boulders.

Echo slowly moved away from the boulders, and scooped the scared little cub in her arms. It was freezing, she took off her cloak, and wrapped the cute, white tiger cub in it. The little one closed its blue eyes, as soon as it was warm again.

"Your safe little guy. You're alright!" Echo snuggled the cub closer to her, as she walked back to the group.

She smiled as the others looked at her, "Look what I found. It was trapped beneath the boulders… or it crept through them." Echo looked at the cub and asked, "Where's your mom, little guy?"

The cub did not bat an eye as it was fast asleep.

Sebastian gave a small scornful laugh, "Can't you at least let a cub sleep in peace?"

Echo glanced at Sebastian, and sat on the ground, leaning on the wall behind her with the cub in her hands. She looked at Jane and Jasmine who were shivering from the cold. Sighing she leaned her head back.

'There's no way out of here. Will they die here? If they do, it'll be my fault. I need to find a way out of here… and where did this little guy come from. So many questions, and no answers. Ugh! It's so cold' Echo closed her eyes contemplating.

The commander turned to Echo, he stared at her for a while before speaking to her, "That cub might be your familiar."

Echo's gaze fell on the cub, "Or it could be lost. It's mother might be around here."

"I doubt it," Sebastian blurted.

More time passed, as the group was still trapped.

—

Damon and Kaia had come to the same lair. They were just outside the cave.

Damon looked around the cave, and turned to Kaia, "Stay here. I'll check inside."

"Damon, what if it's a trap? The Protectors could have seen the trap, and triggered it on purpose. I should come with you."

Damon glared at Kaia, replying in a cold tone, "That was an order!" He turned around, and walked into the cave. He continued on very confidently.

He was worried if Echo would be trapped in the boulders, and if she was, the only way for him to send her away safely would be if he was alone. If Kaia came along, she'd start questioning his judgement, given that this would be the second time he'd let Echo go unharmed. He calmly walked deep into the cave, until he stopped in front of the boulders.

Damon stretched his hand out to push the boulders with his powers, but a thought stopped him. What if someone was right behind the boulders? And what if that someone was Echo? Damon pulled his hand back.

'Why is she stuck in my head?' Damon gritted his teeth, and clenched his fists. 'Ugh! Why did you have to be alive?'

Damon used his power, turning into a black mist that seeped through the small space in between the boulders. The mist materialised back to him, as he silently stepped forward.

Sebastian was the first to see Damon. He stood up, and drew his sword, "A demon!"

Echo swiftly stood up, she was the closest to Damon, drawing her sword she pointed it at him. "Damon."

Damon gave her a small smirk, the whites of his eyes were black. His eyes changed back to normal in seconds. The commander had drawn his sword too.

Jane and Jasmine moved back, leaving the fighting to the soldiers. Echo was staring at Damon's eyes, too caught up in the trance-like state he had put her in. But he had not used any magic on her, he just looked like a model dressed for the theme of the prince of hell.

There was a small dark strand of his hair falling on his face, and his tight fitting t-shirt enhanced his muscular body. The leather jacket was the final touch that left Echo breathless. She felt like she was drowning by just looking at him.

"What are you doing here?" his voice snapped Echo out of her dream land.

"Uh… I… We…" Echo stuttered, staring at him.

The commander and Sebastian glanced at Echo, before the commander replied, "We're doing what we've always been doing."

"Protecting the humans from demons like you," Sebastian added.

Damon gave out a short stifled laugh that made Echo forget to breathe. "How is a lair in the Protector's Realm supposed to disturb the humans?"

Sebastian gripped his sword, as he charged towards Damon. Damon flicked his hand like he was chasing a fly, and before there was any physical contact, Sebastian flew back into the wall.

'How is he so powerful?' Echo asked herself. She shivered when Damon turned to her, his eyes were pure black, and dark mist surrounded him.

"Get out of here… all of you," Damon stared at Echo. He did not want her to get hurt. He could see in her eyes, she was the same girl he used to know. She might be dressed in a warriors outfit… What's that bundle in her hand?

Damon stepped towards Echo, who swallowed hard. He stepped closer until he was a few inches away from her.

Echo stared at Damon, who was staring back at her. He was so close to her. Her mind was blank, while she couldn't take her eyes off him.