She is mine

Chapter : She is mine

Keir sat in his dimly lit room, his fingers pressed against his temples. His mind was a mess. Everything felt out of his control.

Then, a familiar rustling of wings filled the air. The black raven swooped in through the open window, landing on the table beside him.

Keir groaned. "Why do I keep allowing you in here?"

The raven tilted its head. "Because you enjoy my company, even if you won't admit it."

Keir shot the bird a glare, but the raven only chuckled, hopping closer. "You look worse than usual. What's troubling the mighty Devourer now?"

Keir leaned back against the chair, exhaling sharply. "He's back."

The amusement in the raven's eyes faded. "The other one?"

Keir nodded. His jaw tightened, and his grip on the chair's armrest turned white. "I felt him. He was with her."

The raven let out a low whistle. "And you didn't kill him?"

"He disappeared before I could," Keir muttered. "But he was close. Too close."

Silence hung between them.

Finally, the raven spoke. "You think he knows, don't you?"

Keir's eyes darkened. "I know he knows." He clenched his fists. "He's always lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to take what's mine."

The raven let out a small laugh. "So, she's yours now?"

Keir scowled. "That's not what I meant."

"Isn't it?" The bird hopped onto the back of the chair. "You're acting like she belongs to you."

Keir didn't respond. He hated this—hated the way his life had taken such a sharp turn ever since Nana arrived.

The raven watched him carefully. "What are you going to do?"

Keir exhaled through his nose. "I have to find out what he wants. And I need to make sure Nana doesn't—"

"Fall into his hands?" The raven smirked. "Or fall for him?"

Keir shot up from his chair, knocking it back with a loud thud. "That won't happen." His voice was firm, but deep inside, doubt crept in.

The other one—his enemy—was different. He wasn't a ruler or a warrior like Keir. He was something else. And that made him dangerous.

If he got close to Nana… if she believed whatever lies he told her…

Keir wasn't sure why, but the thought made his blood boil.

Keir left his room, pushing the heavy doors open with more force than necessary. The cool morning air hit his face, but it did nothing to clear his mind. His thoughts were a tangled mess—last night, the stranger, and the growing sense that something was slipping out of his control.

He needed to focus on something else. Maybe training. Maybe a walk through the village. Anything to keep himself from dwelling on things he couldn't change.

As he moved through the halls, his feet slowed when he reached Nana's door.

The barrier still shimmered faintly, an invisible wall keeping her locked inside.

For a moment, he just stood there. He knew she was awake. He could feel her frustration, the restless energy building up behind that door. She was probably pacing, testing the barrier over and over, hoping it would give way.

He had put it there to keep her safe—or at least that's what he told himself. But now, it felt... wrong.

She was just a kid.

His fingers curled into a fist. He hated how much those words echoed in his head.

With an annoyed sigh, he lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. The barrier shattered, disappearing like mist in the air.

He didn't wait. Didn't look to see what she would do.

He just turned and walked away.

She was free to leave her room now. But it wouldn't change anything.

Nana clenched her fists, her breath uneven. She was done sitting around, trapped like an animal. If she had to throw herself at the barrier a hundred times, she would.

Taking a deep breath, she ran straight at the door.

But just as she was about to hit it, she stumbled forward—right into something solid.

Or rather, someone.

The impact knocked her back, and strong hands caught her shoulders before she could hit the ground.

She blinked up, her heart still racing, only to see the guard staring down at her with an unimpressed look.

"You could've broken your nose," he said flatly. "Not that it would matter. The master already removed the barrier."

Nana stiffened. "What?"

The guard smirked. "You're free to leave, little one. But don't get too excited—Keir doesn't do anything without a reason."

She pushed away from him, her mind spinning. The barrier was gone? Just like that?

Why?

Nana stayed put, eyeing the guard warily. She didn't run—there was something about him she wanted to understand first. If Keir had truly let her go, why did it feel like another trap?

She glanced at the guard again. He wasn't as terrifying as Keir, but there was something unsettling about him, something that made her stomach twist.

"What's your name?" she asked suddenly.

The guard looked surprised. He tilted his head, then let out a low chuckle. "Why do you want to know?"

Nana shrugged. "You know mine."

He gwaked her for a moment before sighing. "Lucian."

"Lucian," she repeated, testing the name on her tongue. "How long have you worked for Keir?"

Lucian crossed his arms. "Long enough to know that people like you don't last here."

Nana flinched at his words but held her ground. "People like me?"

"Innocent ones," he said simply. "Ones who ask too many questions."

She swallowed but didn't back down. "Why did Keir lock me up? And why did he let me go?"

Lucian smirked. "You'll have to ask him yourself."

That was exactly the answer she had expected.

Nana shrugged and turned to leave, deciding that Lucian wouldn't give her any real answers. But the moment she took a step, his hand clamped around her wrist.

Before she could react, he shoved her back into her room, the door slamming shut behind her.

"What—!" She stumbled, catching herself before she hit the ground.

Lucian stood at the doorway, arms crossed. "Keir may have removed the barrier, but that doesn't mean you're free."

Her chest tightened. "So, what now? Am I still a prisoner?"

Lucian scoffed. "That depends on you." Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, locking the door behind him.

Nana glared at the closed door and let out an annoyed huff. "Jerk," she muttered under her breath.

She kicked the leg of the wooden chair in frustration before flopping onto the bed. Her fingers curled into the sheets as she stared at the ceiling. First Keir, now Lucian—everyone here seemed to enjoy controlling her life.

She turned onto her side, frowning. If Keir had removed the barrier, did that mean he was finally letting her go? Or was this just another way to keep her under his watch?

Either way, she wasn't about to sit and wait for whatever they planned next.