The unseen Threat

Chapter 4: The Unseen Threat

The shrill cries that cut through the air from the ballroom were muffled by the distance, but Evelina's heart was racing all the same. She hardly noticed the chill in the night air or how Kaelen had shifted his weight an inch closer. The usual hum of merriment was stilled, oppressed under the heavy silence hanging over the palace like a pall.

What's happening?" Evelina whispered, barely louder than the hard rush of her own heart. She tried to look out through the heavy drapes of the balcony, but the palace seemed eerily still from her vantage point.

Kaelen's gaze was fixed with the ballroom doors, sharp crimson eyes narrowed, suspicion etched within them. "Stay here," he commanded, devoid of the usual darkness of his voice, that hint of amusement to which Evelina had grown accustomed. His customary cool detachment seemed edged over, lending a sharpness to his voice that tied Evelina's stomach into knots of trepidation and curiosity.

"Why should I stay?" she protested, the unease rising within her. "Something is wrong, I can feel it. I should—"

"Stay." His voice was firm now, more than just a command; it was a warning. His eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "If you want to be safe, you'll stay here."

Before she could argue further, Kaelen turned on his heel, striding toward the balcony door with long, purposeful strides. His cloak billowed behind him like a dark specter in the moonlight. She watched him disappear through the doorway, her breath catching in her throat. Her body screamed to follow him, to find out what was going on, but a fear that had built inside her within the past few moments held her back. There was something dangerous about him now, something more than his intimidating presence.

She clutched the railing, her heart pounding in her ears. A part of her wanted to run—run away from all this: the palace, the ball, the kingdom… everything. The weight of the crown on her shoulders weighed heavier than ever. But then, she thought of the lives at stake, the people in the ballroom, the nobles who had come to celebrate. She couldn't ignore it any longer.

She felt it, then, like a setting resolution deep within, took a great breath and followed him inside the palace, heart pounding, heels clinking upon the stone. Inside, she found rejoicing had given way to chaos within the great hall.

The grand ballroom had now turned into a scene of pandemonium: overturned candles, shining floors littered with overturned chairs and shattered glass. A number of noblemen and women huddled near the walls, some clutching each other in fear. At the center of it all, her father, King Aldric, stood amidst the wreckage, his eyes wide with shock.

And then, Evelina saw it. Standing at the far end of the ballroom were figures-dark, indistinct shapes that seemed to flicker in and out of sight. Shadows. She blinked, trying to focus on them, but they seemed to vanish as fast as they appeared.

Demons," a voice hissed from behind her, and she turned to find Kaelen standing just a few feet away, his posture tense, his eyes scanning the room with lethal precision. "They've breached the palace."

Evelina's breath hitched in her chest. "What? How-how did they get in?

Kaelen didn't take his eyes off the shadows as he took a step closer-the fluid motion of a predator. "Doesn't matter now. They're here, and they're not going anywhere without a fight."

Evelina's heart began to jackrabbit. "My father… the king, he-

Before she could get the sentence out, one of the shadows danced into view, lunging forward with an unnatural quickness. It was a demon, yet different from the one she had seen earlier. This one was taller, its form more monstrous, with glowing red eyes that danced like fire. A twisted grin stretched across its face as it turned its gaze toward her.

The fear running in her veins threatened to choke her now. She instinctively took one step backward, but her legs seemed frozen on the spot. She was not used to being confronted with anything so. monstrous.

Kaelen moved quickly, his hand already reaching to the sword at his side. "Stay behind me," he instructed in a low, commanding tone. His presence was a barrier-thick, strong, and reassuring-she felt shielded from the terror now unfolding before them.

The demon moved closer, but Kaelen was quicker. With a flick of his wrist, his blade whirred through the air with a faint whoosh that sent Evelina's blood to ice. The demon's grin faltered as the sword found its mark, but it did not fall. Instead, snarling, its eyes flashed brighter, and heavy in the air hung the smell of sulfur.

It had all been so fast, blurred, and one-sided that the rapid beating of Evelina's heart seemed to bang against her chest. Kaelen flowed like water into each act, almost balletic-a professional at this, repeating something he did many, many times before. A force of nature-not to be swayed or contained. And still, despite Kaelen's swiftness and power in battle, this demon refused to flee.

"I thought demons only cared about their own," Evelina whispered, her voice shaking as she watched the clash before her.

Kaelen didn't take his eyes off the demon, but his lips arced into a wry, almost cruel smile. "We do. But when something-someone-interferes with what's ours, we don't hesitate to destroy it."

Her heart missed a beat when he spoke those words. He wasn't referring only to the demon; it was something deeper, more profound. It was not because of the adrenaline in this very moment that was surging through her veins, but for a moment, their eyes did meet in an odd connection.

The moment was shattered when the demon lunged forward again, and Kaelen was forced to parry, his sword flashing with deadly intent. Evelina watched, awed, as he fought-his power unmistakable. Then, as if sensing something, Kaelen paused, his red eyes flashing in her direction.

"There's more coming," he said, and his voice was filled with an eerie calm. "Get somewhere safe. Now."

Evelina opened her mouth to protest, to stay and help, but Kaelen cut her off with a sharp look. "Do not question me."

The urgency in his voice sent a shiver down her spine, but she did as she was told. She whirled and ran into the nearest hallway, her feet barely touching the ground as she fled. Behind her, the sounds of battle raged, a cacophony of chaos that echoed through the palace's marble halls.

Her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps, Evelina's mind raced as she rounded the corner and ducked into a quiet alcove. The demons were here; they had breached the palace. And Kaelen… Lord Kaelen, the demon so distant, so untouchable, had protected her.

What was it about him that terrified her and drew her to him with an equal force? What was it about Kaelen that made her want to know more, know all, though it was dangerous and taboo?

The thought was torn from her when the faintest of sounds finally reached her ears-a soft, almost indistinguishable whisper that seemed to call her name.