Choosing my Loyal Guard: The Dead Ends

Silas(Part 3)

"... I'm sorry. Phoenix is my personal guard and keeps me safe. He's only doing his job." I say while Angelica's eye twitches. "I doubt there is any danger in the palace, but you can never be too careful." Phoenix looks down at me and nods offering an arm for me to take. As I do I feel how tense his muscles are and look up at him. "Sir Phoenix?" His jaw looks clenched.

"... I'm merely here to protect my queen. I apologize if I frighten you." He dips his head at Angelica. She lets out a sigh and puts her fan away. "Fine... let's go then. I'll tolerate his presence." She mutters and walks on ahead. How rude! She seems in a sour mood as we walk around but the dialogue is the same.

"It's beautiful out here." She says sounding like she's in awe. Giggling I say, "Of course! It used to be in bad shape but once I got some funding, I was able to make it beautiful. It was neglected for a long time... I wanted to make it beautiful... in memory of my first best friend." I feel Phoenix's arm tense but we continue to talk like he's not even here.

"Oh? Did you lose a good friend then?" Angelica asks and I nod. "Yes... my silly boy. I miss him every day... we met when we were young children." I murmur and hold myself. "You sound like you loved him." She points out in a rather rude tone.

"Oh... maybe I did. I haven't seen him in so long... I lost track of him when I was twelve. Since he never came back... and he was being heavily abused... he has to be dead." I smile sadly while Phoenix just remains tense. What's wrong with him? "Oh... well maybe you should go and find him then," Angelica says dismissively. I made her mad it seems. She's not as nice and polite as I thought.

When I look up I'm ready to face the assassins. My face pales as I see all the masked men, but then time Phoenix pushes me behind him taking out his dual swords. Angelica jumps and stares at him with wide eyes. "H-hey! What's the big idea...!" When she turns to look her face is pale. "N-no! Don't kill me! Save me please!" She stammers and tries to jump being him. I feel her push me away but Phoenix grabs me keeping me close.

He glares at the frightened Angelica. "Don't touch her." He growls low his eyes blood red. She looks even more frightened, but then chaos starts. Our shadows suddenly move on their own making Angelica screech. I'm scared at first but... Anna is calm with them. This must be Phoenix's doing which is why she doesn't react at all. "Be careful," I whisper. Phoenix looks back at me and gives a curt nod. "Always." He then takes off.

Several of the masked men flee but those who are stupid enough to stay all attack Phoenix at once. I've never seen him in action before myself but I'm amazed. He does get minor cuts here and there but otherwise, he's perfect. Being trained by the demon king's general makes everyone a bit wary of him and now I can see why. All I hear is the sound of swords clanging and the grunts of men as Phoenix takes them down.

Hearing footsteps coming behind us I tense up and spin around. I see a few palace guards and Silas races up. They all stop and watch in stunned silence as Phoenix finishes off the last remaining assassin. He isn't even panting as he stares down at the men. He cleans his blades and puts them away before turning to face us. His eyes are red but the whites of them are black. He walks forward and stops in front of me. "... Are you alright?" There's a growl in his tone.

"Y-your guard is a vampire demon?" I hear Silas stammer out and turn to face him. Vampire demon? They're supposed to be very strong but have zero self-control. "That's right," I say startled that Anna knows this information. "Sir Phoenix is a great man and guard. That is part of the reason he can even beat Sal." I look up at him. "We should get you cleaned up..." I reach out and Phoenix moves back.

"Don't... I'll make you dirty," Phoenix says. He is covered in blood but Anna doesn't seem to care. "We need to make sure you're badly injured. Come on..." I take his hand and pull him along. I pause and look up at Silas who is staring at my guard with a pale look on his face. Is he that caught off guard? "I'm alright though, Silas... thanks for running out here." I smile then walk off.