The Lurking Dangers

Evelyne had trouble sleeping that night.

The events of the day replayed in her mind—the confrontation with Xyros, Azrael allowing her to speak, and the way the rebels had reluctantly agreed to stand down. Every part of it felt like a fragile victory, one that could shatter with the slightest misstep.

But something else unsettled her.

A feeling.

A presence.

She turned over in bed, staring at the dark ceiling of her chambers. The silken sheets were cool against her skin, but no matter how many times she shifted, rest would not come.

Then she heard it.

A whisper.

Faint. Almost nonexistent.

She sat up instantly, heart hammering.

The room was empty.

Or so it seemed.

Evelyne slowly slid out of bed, bare feet touching the cold stone floor. She strained her ears, waiting.

Then—there it was again.

A whisper, distant yet impossibly close.

Her pulse quickened as she stepped toward the window, her fingers grazing the glass. Beyond it, the Demon King's realm stretched far and wide, bathed in an eerie red glow. The rivers of lava pulsed like molten veins, the forests of twisted black trees swaying with an unseen wind.

But nothing was out of place.

She turned back toward her room—

And froze.

A shadow moved in the corner.

A chill ran down her spine. The room had been empty. She was sure of it.

Yet now, a figure stood near the door.

Tall. Cloaked in darkness. Watching.

Evelyne's breath caught in her throat. Her first instinct was to call for the guards—no, for Azrael. But something told her that would be useless. Whoever this was… they had come here knowing they wouldn't be seen.

"Who's there?" she demanded, forcing steel into her voice.

A low chuckle echoed through the room.

Then, the figure spoke.

"You are bolder than I expected, little princess."

The voice was smooth, silken, yet laced with something… wrong.

Evelyne stepped back, her body tensed. "Who are you?"

The figure took a slow step forward, and the dim blue glow of the enchanted lanterns barely illuminated his face.

It was a demon.

Not like the ones she had seen before. Not like Azrael, Lyria, or even Xyros.

This one was different.

His skin was pale as moonlight, his hair a curtain of midnight strands cascading past his shoulders. His eyes—glowing violet—pierced through the darkness, filled with amusement and something far more dangerous.

"I have many names," he murmured. "But you may call me Vael."

Evelyne swallowed hard. "What do you want?"

Vael smiled, slow and deliberate. "To talk."

"I don't think demons break into people's chambers just to talk."

His chuckle sent a shiver through her. "Smart girl."

In the blink of an eye, he moved. One moment he was near the door— the next, he stood barely a foot away from her.

Evelyne's breath hitched, but she didn't back down.

Vael tilted his head. "You're not afraid of me."

"I've had enough demons try to intimidate me. It's getting old."

He grinned, sharp teeth glinting. "Then I'll have to be more creative."

Her fists clenched. "Azrael will kill you if he finds you here."

At that, Vael let out a dark, amused laugh. "Oh, little princess. You think your precious king doesn't already know?"

Evelyne's stomach twisted.

"What are you talking about?"

Vael leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "The shadows in this palace have eyes and ears. Whispers travel faster than you think."

She hated how her pulse quickened. "Whispers of what?"

His expression darkened, the amusement in his eyes turning sharp. "Of war. Of betrayal. Of a queen who might not live long enough to see her reign."

Evelyne's blood ran cold.

Was this a threat?

She forced herself to remain still, refusing to show fear. "If you came here to kill me, you would have done it already."

Vael's grin widened. "Smart and brave. No, I didn't come here to kill you."

His gaze flickered toward the window, as if checking for something.

"I came to warn you."

Evelyne stiffened. "About what?"

Vael's violet eyes met hers, the amusement gone. "You're in the middle of a game you don't understand, little princess. The rebellion isn't over. Xyros may have bent the knee, but others will not."

Her heart pounded. "Who?"

A slow smile returned to his lips. "What fun would it be if I told you everything?"

Evelyne's patience snapped. "If you don't want to help me, then why are you here?"

For the first time, Vael's expression shifted—something unreadable passing through his gaze.

"Because," he murmured, "I'm not quite sure which side I'm on yet."

Before she could react, the shadows around him twisted.

Then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Vanished as if he had never been there at all.

Silence filled the room once more.

Evelyne stood frozen, heart hammering. Her mind raced.

Who was Vael? What did he want? And more importantly—

Who else in this palace was waiting to betray them?

She needed to find Azrael.

Now.

Deep in the heart of the palace, Azrael sat in his private chambers, his fingers steepled in thought.

A presence flickered in the corner of the room.

He didn't look up. "I assume you enjoyed your little visit."

Vael's chuckle drifted through the shadows. "She's interesting."

Azrael's golden eyes darkened. "Stay away from her."

"Oh?" Vael leaned against the wall, smirking. "Since when do you care what I do?"

Azrael's jaw clenched. "This is not a game, Vael."

"Isn't it?" Vael tilted his head. "The pieces are already moving. The rebellion isn't as dead as you claim. And your little queen…"

He grinned.

"She's in more danger than she realizes."

Azrael's fingers tightened into a fist. "If anything happens to her—"

Vael laughed, pushing off the wall. "Relax, King. I only came to deliver a warning."

Azrael's eyes burned with golden fire. "Then consider this mine."

The room trembled with his power.

"If you ever set foot in her chambers again, I will personally rip the shadows from your bones."

Vael's smirk didn't waver, but something in his gaze flickered.

Then, without another word, he vanished.

Azrael exhaled slowly, his grip loosening.

Evelyne was stronger than he had anticipated.

But strength alone wouldn't protect her from what was coming.

And for the first time in centuries, the Demon King felt something unsettling in his chest.

Something dangerously close to fear.