The hallway vibrated with power.
Kael's aura burned red-hot, fire swirling around his fists.
His brother's aura was the opposite—cold, sharp, silver like frostbite.
Aria stood trapped between two storms.
Kael's brother slowly circled them, gaze lingering on Aria like she was an unsolved puzzle.
"So this is the girl destiny chose?" he murmured.
"She looks… fragile."
Aria flinched.
Kael stepped in front of her instantly, blocking his brother's view completely.
"Ezren," Kael growled, "if you value your life, don't take another step."
So that was his name.
Ezren.
Kael's elder brother.
The one demons feared more than the council.
Ezren smirked.
"You sound defensive, brother. I'm only saying she doesn't look like someone who can rip the realms apart."
Aria's heart dropped.
Rip the realms… apart?
Kael's voice turned deadly soft.
"You know nothing about her."
Ezren raised a brow. "Oh? Then enlighten me. What makes this human so important?"
Kael didn't answer.
He couldn't.
Because even he didn't know the whole truth.
Ezren's cold eyes shifted past Kael's shoulder—directly at Aria.
She froze.
Ezren's voice lowered.
"Show me the mark, girl."
Aria stepped back in panic. "N-no!"
Kael erupted.
Fire roared around him, cracking the floor.
"You will NOT touch her."
Ezren sighed dramatically.
"Always so emotional, little brother."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly—
and Aria felt a prickling sensation on her skin.
Ezren wasn't touching her…
but he was sensing her.
She gasped as something icy brushed across her mind.
Kael reacted instantly.
He lunged.
"ENOUGH!"
Flames burst from his body.
Ezren dodged smoothly, laughing.
"So she DOES react. Interesting."
Aria clutched Kael's cloak.
"Kael… he sensed something. I felt it."
Kael looked furious.
"Ezren," he growled, "if you invade her mind again, I'll rip your soul out."
Ezren's amused expression faded.
He stepped closer—
and for the first time, his voice wasn't mocking.
"…What did you feel, human?"
Aria swallowed.
Her voice trembled.
"I felt… cold. Like something was trying to pull memories out of me."
Ezren went silent.
Kael's flames dimmed slightly.
Ezren studied Aria again, this time more seriously.
"No human should feel that from me," he said quietly.
"You should have fainted. Or screamed."
A pause.
Ezren's eyes widened slightly.
"Unless…"
Kael clenched his jaw. "Don't say it."
Ezren ignored him.
"Unless the Blood Mark has bonded deeper than we realized."
Aria blinked. "Bonded…?"
Ezren lifted a finger, pointing at her collarbone.
"That mark is not just a symbol. It is alive. It is responding to Kael's aura… and protecting itself from mine."
Kael stiffened.
Aria whispered, "Protecting… me?"
Ezren nodded slowly.
"No, girl. Not protecting you."
He smirked.
"Protecting the bond between you and Kael."
Aria felt the blood drain from her face.
Kael looked away, breathing heavily.
Ezren clasped his hands behind his back.
"This is… troublesome. The council will not allow her to live."
Aria's legs wobbled.
Kael stepped closer to her instantly.
"I won't let them touch her."
Ezren tilted his head.
"You can't protect one human girl from an entire realm, Kael."
Kael's eyes blazed.
"Watch me."
Ezren sighed.
"Very well. I came to warn you—because the council sent assassins to kill her."
Aria gasped. "What?!"
Kael's fury exploded like a volcano.
"When?"
"Tonight," Ezren said.
Kael grabbed Aria's wrist.
"Aria, we're leaving. Now."
Ezren raised a hand.
"Running won't help. They've already entered the inner palace."
Aria's heart hammered. "Then what do we do?"
Ezren looked at her, then at Kael.
His voice dropped dangerously low.
"You hide her in the one place even the council cannot enter."
Kael froze.
"You don't mean—"
Ezren nodded.
"The Forbidden Wing."
A cold wind blew down the hall.
Aria whispered, "What… what is the Forbidden Wing?"
Both brothers looked at her.
Kael's voice was grim.
"It is where demons go to disappear. A place of ancient magic… and ancient monsters."
Ezren smirked.
"But it's also the only place in this realm where she won't be found."
Aria trembled.
Kael turned to her, voice soft but urgent.
"Aria… do you trust me?"
She looked into his eyes—burning, fierce, terrified of losing her.
Her heart made the choice before her mind did.
"…Yes."
Kael exhaled shakily.
"Then stay close to me. And don't let go."
He lifted her into his arms.
Ezren stepped aside.
"Go, brother. The assassins won't wait."
Kael nodded once.
And with Aria pressed close to his heart—
he ran into the darkness.
Toward the Forbidden Wing.