I fought for hours, my side screaming at me to stop. I ignored it for as long as I could, before I finally collapsed on the ground, holding my side and stifling cries of pain.

Sebastian was beside me in a moment. "You shouldn't have overexerted yourself," he said, helping me sit up.

"But I have to be able to fight through this. If I can't..."

"We're not going anywhere until you've healed, Chrystal."

What? We weren't leaving? "But what about the others?"

"The man that took them has no interest in hurting them. I assure you, they will all be fine."

"But what if they're not?" I cried. All I could think about was rescuing them. If I showed up late because I was stupid enough to get shot, and one of them was...

Sebastian placed a gentle and reassuring hand on my shoulder, and I glanced up at him.

"They will be," he replied confidently. I took a deep breath and nodded. I had to believe what he was telling me, or else I wouldn't be able to help. I would just stay worried about them and useless.

I grabbed my bottle of water from the night before and took a few sips. Sebastian's word would be enough.

It had to be.

*

We sat in silence for a while. Sebastian went out to bring back some lunch for me, and I just sat gazing into the fire until he returned with a sandwich and more water. We never spoke to one another unless Sebastian asked if the pain in my side had lessened or he decided it was time to train again. I honestly doubted the pain would be going away anytime soon with all the training I was doing, but I didn't bring it up. I didn't want to fight with him.

This pattern continued for several days, and every night, Sebastian would drape his coat over me right before I fell asleep. I knew it was just his job, but I couldn't help but think that maybe he thought of me as more than just his next meal, and I smiled.

After a few days, the pain in my side did lessen, and I knew Sebastian could tell. My fighting skills had improved dramatically, and because of this, the fear of something happening to myself or any of the others began to fade away.

"You're getting much better," Sebastian had observed during one particularly intense battle.

I'd smirked. "Thanks, now quit trying to distract me!" I'd been able to come close to piercing his skin, but he stopped the blade before I could. I'd smiled. That had been the first time he'd had to stop me in the middle of a battle. Even if he healed fast, my iron swords would've done quite a bit of damage.

We hadn't trained again since then, and a part of me hoped it was because he thought I was ready. And maybe it was, but I was sure that it was just to make sure I healed properly.

After another few days, the pain in my side disappeared, and Sebastian announced that we would leave the next day. Relief washed over me. Finally, we were going to rescue the others.

But then the fear came creeping up on me the closer the sun set to the horizon. What if I didn't make it? What if one of them died? What if the others somehow found out about Sebastian? I tried to shake off the feeling of dread that was washing over me like a tidal wave as I lay down for the night.

But even with the warmth of Sebastian's jacket laying over me reassuringly, the feeling didn't go away, even with sleep.

*

We had finally made it. It looked like a small, cozy cottage from the outside, save for all the armed guards everywhere. Sebastian had already made his move, and it was time for me to make mine.

I jumped out from behind the bushes, and caught the attention of all of them.

"Chrystal Foster," a voice called.

At the sound of my name, all of the courage I'd had moments ago vanished, and I realized I was alone to protect myself from dozens of armed men.

I tried my best to look confident, but I knew it wasn't working. The men and their shadowed faces grinned evilly at me as they approached, guns raised.

I raised my swords to protect myself, but I couldn't keep my hands from shaking. "What do you want from me?"

Without answering, the men all shot at once. I deflected the first wave, but I wasn't as lucky with the second and third. I got shot multiple times, and blacked out.

*

"Chrystal."

I awoke with a start, bolting upright. I was sweating, shivering, and gasping for air.

I glanced over at the person who had woken me, and I froze. It wasn't Sebastian.

But whoever it was, they had Sebastian's same dark eyes.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked quietly, scooting away from the mysterious man beside me. "How do you know who I am?"

The man gave me a devilish smile. "My dear, we all know about you."

"'We?'"

The man stood and made his way over to the fire. He stomped it out, and I was surrounded by pitch darkness. All I could see was his glowing red eyes.

Then it finally hit me. "Demon."

The word had escaped my lips before I could stop it, and when the man spoke next, I could hear him speaking through a smirk.

"You're not as stupid as you appear."

"Why are you here? Where's Sebastian?"

I had scooted completely against the wall by now, and there was nowhere else to go from there. I was trapped.

"You mean your pet? He's around. I just came by to warn you."

He was still smirking. I had no idea if I should believe him or not, but I wouldn't be sure if I never heard him out.

"Warn me about what?" I asked cautiously.

Right after the final word was out of my mouth, the demon was beside me, his blood red eyes glowing brightly in the darkness. I gasped in surprise, but found that I couldn't make myself pull away. He leaned in close and whispered, "Falling in love with a demon will only lead you down a road of despair. We do not have the ability to love as you humans do. Be careful of the path you choose."

And with that, he was gone.