Chapter 548: Shadows of the Past
The night was young, the first stars just beginning to peek through the twilight sky. The small fire burned bright and cozy, casting flickering shadows over Fyren’s approaching figure. A small smile graced his features, but I was drawn to the man beside him.
"L-Luke!" I sat bolt upright, my cheeks burning with a sudden blush. I quickly brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes, flustered by his unexpected appearance.
He smiled gently. "Please, there’s no need for alarm," he reassured me. "Do you mind if we join you?"
I nodded, my tail coiling anxiously in my lap. I had avoided the Apostle for the entire journey, not that we had many opportunities to cross paths, but seeing him now sent my heart racing.
Fyren, in his human form, settled across from us, leaning back to rest on his calloused hands. "To think there would be three young, beautiful girls napping so peacefully in the middle of a demon camp," he chuckled. "I’ve never seen anything like it, not in this or a thousand other worlds."
"You shouldn’t be so careless," Luke said, frowning as he sat beside Fyren. "Lowering your guard like that can be dangerous."
Though he addressed all three of us, his eyes lingered on me. The firelight danced in his dark eyes, and I was caught in their depths, unable to look away. He was dark yet striking, and I felt helpless whenever he was around, unable to think clearly. It was probably the lingering remnants of our entangled souls.
"S-sorry," I stammered, "I didn’t mean to be so... it’s just..."
I trailed off, staring down at my nervously twitching tail. His gaze remained fixed on me, and my blush deepened.
"It’s fine," he chuckled, finally looking away and glancing at my friends. "Even I’d be tempted to cuddle with that beast if it were mine. I’m just surprised you got the Life Hero to join you. She’s normally so reserved, and seeing her like this..."
I followed his gaze to find R’lissea sleeping peacefully despite their intrusion, her face relaxed and childlike. She was usually on edge around strangers, especially Luke, whom she viewed as our captor. I wasn’t entirely sure I disagreed with her assessment, but I still didn’t understand our place in this camp, or my connection with Luke.