Foxfire and The Demon's Heart

Orion's POV

The night sky stretched endlessly above, stars glimmering like distant memories of a time before this struggle, before this impossible situation. I stood on the rooftop of a building across the street, my gaze locked onto Selene as she walked beside Zane, unaware of the danger that lurked in every step she took with him.

My fists clenched at my sides.

This was wrong.

Every step she took closer to him sent a ripple of unease through me. I had been watching over her for years, protecting her from the unseen threats that lurked in the dark. And now, she was willingly spending time with the very thing I was meant to shield her from.

Zane walked beside her with his usual air of confidence, lazy smirk, smooth words, and a gaze that held too much interest. Too much focus. I knew the way demons worked. Their patience. Their manipulation.

He wasn't here by coincidence.

Selene laughed at something he said, and the sound sent a sharp pang through my chest.

She shouldn't be laughing with him.

She shouldn't be looking at him with that curious spark in her eyes.

I knew her well enough to understand what was happening—Zane intrigued her, fascinated her in a way that she didn't yet understand. And that was dangerous.

I could see it in the way she glanced at him, her curiosity growing. She didn't realize the danger she was in.

I exhaled slowly, struggling against the urge to intervene.

The celestial laws bound me. I was a Protector, a guardian of balance, not a force meant to interfere with free will. Selene had the right to make her own choices.

Even if they led her toward the dark.

But what if she didn't know she was walking into danger?

What if—

No.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to stay where I was. To not cross that fragile line between guidance and interference.

Below, Selene and Zane came to a stop in front of a small café. She leaned against the brick wall, her arms crossed, her expression thoughtful as she spoke.

I wanted to hear.

With a thought, I extended my awareness, allowing the air itself to carry their conversation to me.

"You know, you're not as terrible as I thought you'd be," Selene said, folding her arms as she looked at Zane.

Zane chuckled. "Oh? I'm flattered. What did you think I was? A villain?"

If only she knew.

Selene shrugged. "A little."

Zane chuckled and leaned closer to her. "Guilty as charged. And now?"

"Still figuring it out."

A growl rumbled in my chest.

She was playing with fire, and she didn't even realize it.

I wanted to step in. To pull her away from him. To shake her and tell her who and what he really was.

But I couldn't

I Instead, I remained in the shadows, bound by duty and my own warring emotions.

Zane leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I think you like a bit of mystery, Selene."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."

I bit the inside of my cheek. If only she could see what I saw—the way Zane watched her, the way he studied her like she was a puzzle he was trying to solve.

He wasn't interested in her for the reasons she thought.

No, there was something else. Something he was after.

And I couldn't let him have it.

Selene glanced up at the sky, her expression softening. "I should get going."

"I'll walk you," Zane offered immediately.

I straightened, my muscles tensing.

Selene hesitated. "I… I don't think that's necessary."

Zane gave her a lazy grin. "Come on, what kind of guy would I be if I let a lady walk home alone?"

I took a step forward, prepared to intervene, but then—

Selene shook her head. "I'll be fine. I've been taking care of myself for a long time."

A flicker of something crossed Zane's face, something unreadable. But then he smirked again, stepping back. "Suit yourself."

Selene turned to leave, and for a moment, I thought she was finally free of him.

But then Zane's voice dropped lower. "Sweet dreams, Selene."

She paused. Just for a second.

Then she walked away.

I waited until she had turned the corner, disappearing from view, before shifting my focus back to Zane.

He remained where he was for a moment, watching the spot where she had stood. His expression was unreadable, but I could feel his thoughts churning. He was intrigued by her, drawn to her in a way even he didn't fully understand yet.

And that made him even more dangerous.

With a sigh, Zane finally turned and walked in the opposite direction, vanishing into the night.

Only when I was certain he was gone did I allow myself to breathe.

I should have been relieved.

But I wasn't.

Selene was safe for now, but that wouldn't last. Zane wasn't the kind to give up easily.

And worse, Selene wanted to know more about him.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration gnawing at me.

I had two choices.

I could reveal myself, tell her everything and warn her about Zane and the danger he posed. But if I did that, what would she think? A stranger appearing out of nowhere, claiming to be her protector? She would see me as nothing more than a madman. She wouldn't even believe me. Not yet.

Or I could wait. Let her come to the truth on her own. Let her realize the darkness surrounding Zane before it was too late.

The thought of doing nothing made my stomach twist, but I knew what I had to do.

I had to trust her.

Even if it killed me.

With one last glance at the empty street, I turned away, disappearing into the night.