Chapter 20 - Who’s Kaia?

Jasmine opened the door with a smile. "Echo, you're back." She hugged Echo.

"It's good to see you too Jasmine," Echo replied, as she hugged Jasmine back, and then pulled away. "We need to talk."

Jasmine glanced at Echo's face, "What's wrong?"

"It's about Damon."

—

Echo and Jasmine arrived at the library. They sat in their usual spot, and Echo started explaining everything.

"I met Damon, and stayed the night in his house…"

"Oh! So that's where you were," Jasmine gave a broad smile, as she leaned closer to listen.

"Nothing happened," Echo blurted, continuing, "I don't really remember being taken there…"

"He carried her all the way," Hunter interrupted, as she climbed on the table. The cub had been following her master, who was too deep in thought to even notice her.

Echo glared at Hunter, who put her head down. "Like I was saying. When I woke up, he was lying on the ground. He was really nice to me, he even brought me breakfast. Then out of nowhere Kaia stepped into the room, and told us about the demons outside. There was a fight, and after everything finished, Kaia hugged Damon."

"What?" Jasmine asked in confusion, "Who's Kaia?"

Echo slowed down, and explained everything in detail to Jasmine, who kept making interesting remarks each time she got excited.

Jasmine smiled, as she asked, "Are you jealous that Kaia might be his girlfriend."

"No, Jas. This has nothing to do with my feelings… okay maybe a little, but that's not the point. I need some genuine advice from you," Echo sounded desperate, she sighed. "Will the commander hurt Damon if he could be against us?"

Jasmine sighed, "No. Why would he do that? And just because Damon is dating someone else that doesn't mean he's against us. Where are you even going with this?"

"I need to know if I can trust the commander… that he won't hurt Damon, because I could be wrong."

Jasmine looked at Echo, she took her hands in hers, "Echo! I know my husband. You just need to genuinely talk to him. If you explain to him what you are feeling, and whatever you want to tell him, he'll understand. He may look cold on the outside, but he's really a big teddy bear."

Echo giggled, "A teddy bear?... I doubt that."

"Trust me, he really is," Jasmine smiled, she stood up, "I have to go now. Just talk to him, okay. You can trust him."

Echo nodded, as Jasmine walked away.

The commander who was hiding behind the shelves emerged. Echo did not see him, so he walked to her.

"The two of you seem like best friends now," the commander spoke, standing behind Echo.

Echo turned around in surprise. "How long have you been there?"

The commander walked to the table, and sat in front of her, "I just saw you two talk, and then when Jas left, I thought I gave you enough time to think."

Echo nodded, she opened her mouth, closing it again. Her heart was thumping. The commander seemed like a nice person, and Jasmine wouldn't lie to her, so maybe she could trust the commander too.

"What do you know about Damon?" Echo asked.

The commander leaned back on his seat, "I know that he's a strong demon. But he's young, and reckless. The kid might have a calm demeanour, but he's far from that. He could take down half of us in a fight before going down."

"How is he so powerful?"

"It might have something to do with his parents, but we don't know much about them. The demons are using him as a weapon… a very dangerous one."

Echo nodded, she had several more questions, "If he's that dangerous why did he live as a human when he was younger?"

The commander stared at Echo before replying, "He hasn't caused much trouble. To be honest, he was off the grid until last year."

Echo sighed, but not with relief. The thought that he might have changed because of the accident made her more than upset. He was always a very nice person, laid back, but kind. Never had he done anything to hurt anyone intentionally.

"Commander. Will you hurt him if he's too far gone?" Echo asked.

The commander contemplated her question, "I know you care deeply about him. I noticed how your expressions changed once he hugged that other girl. If there's a chance you can make him good, I'll let you, but if things go wrong, you should be able to take him out. I'll keep him in your care, but you have to make a deal with me."

"What?"

"Promise me that you have to tell every single thing that happens with him."

"Deal!" Echo replied without thinking.

The commander watched Echo carefully, "Are you sure? This might be your undoing."

"I'm sure commander!" Echo replied. If there was a chance to bring the old Damon back, it was worth it.

The commander nodded, "Now what was it that you wanted to tell me?"

Echo sighed, leaning back, "I have a slight feeling that Damon might be using me to gain information… or he's just keeping a promise to my brother, by keeping me safe."

The commander nodded, "Don't think too much…" he stood up, and continued, while walking past her, "I doubt Kaia is even his girlfriend!"

Echo turned to look at the commander. He had moved swiftly, exiting the library. She too stood up, leaving the library.

"Can we go to sleep now?" Hunter asked, following Echo.

Echo stopped, turning her gaze to Hunter, "I'll leave you in the house, and call you if I need you, okay?"

"Okay!"

Echo took her to their house. Hunter immediately curled up on the bed, falling asleep.

After changing into something casual, Echo left the house alone. She met the commander in the briefing room.

"Good! I thought I might have needed to send someone to get you," the commander complained.

"My apologies, commander." Echo lowered her head.

The commander glanced at her, keeping his file on the table, he walked to the door. "Follow me!"