Hi everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting for this chapter. I was not going to continue writing this book. I was going to put it on hold because when I started this book, my dad and my uncle passed away. It became hard for me to think about this story after that. But I decided to push through because I knew that my dad would not want me to give up. 

Thanks to all of you who stuck around and for staying to give this book a chance. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I know it's a bit slow, but the story gets interesting. 

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Syrene's P.O.V

Syrene could not believe what just happened. Not only did she almost die, but a demon saved her life. She tried to understand why he would do such a thing. It was out of character for a demon. Her thoughts bothered her, but she pushed them behind her, refusing to dwell on them further. It would do her no good to let her head be consumed with thoughts of a demon. She was never going to see him again, so thinking about why he did what he did was pointless, anyway.

Instead of worrying about the actions of a demon, she had to figure out how she was going to get the pitmaster off her hind. She had more fights booked with him but would be unable to do them because he would surely kill her, or turn her over to the guards if she showed up.

She sighed in utter frustration. This would put a dent in her progress. She was so close to making enough money to get herself and her friends out of Isesadour. However, she didn't regret what she had done. He tried to rob her of the money she almost died earning and wanted her to bed him in return for it. Had she not been a witch, he would have never thought to do such a thing. All the more reason for her to escape Isesadour. She long to live a life where she was free to practice what little magic she had. A life where she could speak without fear of being killed or sold for the pleasures of demons. Her dream was almost at her fingertip, and she was determined to achieve it, no matter the cost.

With all thoughts of the demon forgotten, she paced around the small hut that was barely held together by boards that had become snacks for the wood mites. The boards beneath her feet creaked loudly under her weight, threatening to give way at a moment's notice. She avoided the small hole in the middle of the room where the flooring had shattered when Kailani had slipped and fallen, whiles attempting to decorate. She would have to fix that later, but it wasn't a priority. She needed to first figure out where her next fight was going to be.

So lost in thought, she didn't realise that it had started getting dark. Walking over to peer outside the window that was made out of stacks of cardboard, dipped in mud to form a solid mould. she saw that the sun had already crept behind the horizon. It was far gone noon, and her friends had yet to return. They might not be witches, but they were born from witches, so the guards would capture them and imprison them for dishonouring the curfew law.

She had no way of contacting them and didn't want to risk venturing out again. It was already hard enough getting back to the hut without being seen by the guards that were patrolling. She had never seen so many of them out at one time, making her wonder what had caused them to come out. And besides, darkness was not her domain.

"Syrene, thank goddess you made it back without being seen!"

The voice of her best friend drifted to her. Turning from the window, letting the tattered fabric that they used as drapery fall back into place, she smiled brightly at Kailani.

"The goddess is good! I was in such a fright thinking that you two would not make it back."

Lani ran over to embrace her, her feet barely missing the hole. Syrene hugged her friend, feeling relief washed over her for the younger girl safety.

"We almost didn't make it. There are more guards than usual out today. We heard rumours of the prince being out hunting. But you know how the people can gossip. And besides, no one has ever seen the prince. If you ask me, I'd say the royals just made him up."

She turned to face Braith who was resting the food that he had managed to steal from the marketplace where he worked. She knew that they did not give it to him even though they usually have leftovers at the end of the day. No, they would rather dispose of it than give it to the spawn of a witch.

"I trust you didn't get caught?" The question was a silly one, but she asked it anyway.

"I'm skilled at what I do, Syrene."

The proud look on his face put her at ease. He smiled, his face coming alive from the simple gesture. Braith always wore a look of a man that had the weight of the world on his back. Rarely would you find him smiling, but when he did, his brown eyes would soften into liquid gold. His lips would kick up more on the left side, revealing straight white teeth. His smile always looked crooked, but genuine. It wasn't unusual for shifters to get manual labour jobs, because, without the marking that all witches possessed, they could pass as human.

"Still, you must be careful."

He nodded. "I will."

She drifted over to the food that he brought, rummaging through the content to see what she could put together for dinner. Most of what she found were meat, rabbit, and bird. There were a few carrots, peas, and leafy greens. As she took the meat out, getting ready to cook them, her mind drifted to the demon again.

Inwardly she cursed. Forget the demon! It would do you no good to linger on thoughts of him. She thought to herself.

"Are you going to make your famous stew rabbit? I haven't had that in quite a while."

Braith looked up from the book that he was looking at. It wasn't one that she'd seen before. It must be new. He was always bringing new books into the house, at least twice a month. He couldn't read it, none of them could, but he still brought them, hoping to teach himself one day.

"I was thinking maybe we would try something new. Bird and rabbit stew."

His right eye narrowed, unsure of what the combination would taste like. However, he didn't say anything because he trusted her ability.

"It's always nice to try new things."

Lani said from the makeshift chair opposite him. She was holding the other book that he brought, but her eyes were on him instead of the pages. Syrene chuckled. Lani would always peek at him whenever she thought he wasn't looking. It was clear for anyone who had eyes to see that she fancied him. However, despite all the signs she was throwing out, Braith was none the wiser.

She always thought that they would make a good couple, and maybe after they were all out of Isesadour, Braith might start to notice the younger woman. However, for now, none of them had the privilege to think about relationships or starting a family. Their top priority was making enough money to escape to Balzard.

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"You are mine, little witch. I shall taste every inch of your flesh tonight and by the devil, I will not stop until I have my fill."

His tantalising words washed over her, bathing her in lust that was born from the fires of the seven-level of hell. She wanted this demon! She had no idea who he was, but her body was emitting heat for him. The thought should have shocked and repulse her, but it did the opposite.

"I am yours, always."

The words were said in her voice, and she could tell that she meant it. How was that possible? She would never lay with a demon. It was forbidden. A witch should never dirty herself by allowing herself to be bedded by a demon. Witches were pure, and demons were unholy. A witch that lay with a demon would corrupt her magic. She would no longer be pure. Her magic would become dark, like that of the demon's soul.

"And I, yours, even after the world stop spinning."

She felt the smile, and the painfully sweet tug of the heart of the witch lying under the demon. She loved this demon, and he loved her. Impossible! Such union should never be allowed. They had to be stopped.

She couldn't stay and watch anymore. She had to break free of the dream. Sweat glistened her brow as she broke herself out of the dream world. The feeling of the witch still lingering in her heart.

Sitting, she tried to compose herself. The feelings disappearing quickly with every passing second. What had she just witnessed? Could it be another one of her powers manifesting, or was it just simply a dream? She hoped it was the latter, but knew it was the former.

"Why are you not sleeping, sister?"

She turned to her twin sister, who was looking at her with eyes filled with sleep and concern. They were twins but looked nothing like each other. They were born a day apart from each other. She was born on a moonless night, and her sister was born when the sun was at its highest. Their features reflected that. Where she was dark-toned in complexion, with midnight blue hair and onyx eyes, her sister was golden tan, with rich straw colour hair and eyes the colour of the sky. Their personality also reflected that of night and day, but they were the best of friends.

"I had the strangest dream. Did I wake you?"

Her sister shifted closer to her. Sleep slowly leaving her blue eyes that seemed to sparkle in the night.

"I was already on the verge of waking anyway. What was your dream about?"

She nodded, smiling at her younger sister. However, it slipped from her face as she recalled the dream.

"I dreamt of a witch and a demon in the act of sinful lust."

Her sister's eyes widened, but not in disgust, but in awe. She smiled as her sister told her the details of her dream, a hazy look in her eyes.

"That's so romantic, I wish I had dreams like that."

"No!" she commanded. "It is blasphemous! One should never entertain such thoughts."

The look of delight left her sister's face, but the glint was still in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I just—"

"Someone is watching." She cut her sister off. Turning her head sharply to the left, she narrowed her eyes.

"Begone!" She shouted.