Speaking of demons - chapter 53

I always come back home drained and tired, it's basically like a ritual for me now ! Go to school come back drained ! And fall on the couch like an orange tree -

" I see you are back !" I squeal jumping up from the couch , landing butt first on the ground

" Sweet eve Kaerith !!! Why would you do that ?"

" Greet you ?" His head cocks to the side in question

" No you demon ! Scare me !" .

" That - was most certainly not my intention" I grumble running a hand through my hair as I sit back down glaring daggers at him ,hopefully one pokes him " how was school ?"

" Why do you want to know how school how was ? "

" Why won't I want to know ?"

" That's very mature of you , using a question to answer a question " he shrugs carelessly " it was fine ! We have a new professor "

" Really now ? ! ..." He drawls placing a leg on the center table

" Yup ! Killian " he scoffs mumbling something beneath his breath " What's wrong ?" Sucking in a breath he stands up

" I just Wanted to see you , I'll be on my way now darling "

" Why did you not just jump into my mind ?"

" I don't jump into your mind Diana , our minds are linked " .

" But I didn't feel you today "

" So you missed me ?" I narrow my eyes in warning earning a light chuckle from him

" You didn't feel me but I was there , I just shielded my mind "

" So you could feel me but I couldn't feel you ?"

" Exactly!"

" That's not fair "

Life isn't fair, Diana." His voice is low, unreadable — like he's speaking through the cracks in his heart.

"But next time," he leans in, fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from my face, "if you want to see me so badly… just call me. And I'll come."

Before I can reply — before I can even breathe — he's already fading, the edges of his body blurring like smoke on glass, fazing away like he was never here.

And yet, the space he left behind aches like a fragment of myself just fazed away with him .

Umbryss - Three days ago (Kaerith)

Even the superior-minded can be pushed over the edge. It takes just one sentence to—

"I thought you should hear it from me first. Your brother is back."

Rock.

Your.

World.

I blink once. Just once. But something splits inside me — quiet and clean, like glass beneath silk.

"I have no brother, Ma."

Her voice doesn't flinch. "But I recall having two sons."

"We can't all recall what you do, Mother."

That earns me a pause. A silence thick enough to wrap around my throat. She stands there for a beat too long — regal, untouchable, and yet… painfully mortal in the way she tries to fix things too late.

"He's in his chambers, Kaerith."

She smooths her gown like the weight of this conversation is nothing. "You are not children. Settle your differences."

And with that, she leaves — gliding down the hall like a queen with no kingdom, back straight, heart sealed.

I remain still. The fire crackles behind me, a mockery of the one that once lived in my chest.

My brother.

The word tastes like ash. It shouldn't. It should've been home once. But now it's just rot dressed in family ties.

I turn slowly toward the corridor that leads to his chambers. My boots are silent on the stone, but the rage isn't. It simmers. Low and cruel.

The guards at his door glance up, recognizing me instantly. One opens his mouth to speak—

"Don't."

He wisely swallows his words.

I push the door open.

And there he is.

Sitting like nothing ever happened. Like time hadn't carved canyons between us.

He looks up.

"Kaerith."

I smile. Not out of warmth.

Out of memory.

"Brother."