DemiDemonDarla

Chapter 19: Additional Allies

>>>>> Darla leaned back in her chair, the weight of recent revelations pressing down on her shoulders. She still couldn't fully process the truth—Lionel, the man who had been by her side through thick and thin, was none other than Felonir, the son of Belphonia. The betrayal left her raw, her emotions a tangled mess of anger, sorrow, and confusion.

The prophecy had warned her, of course. She had known that a traitor would rise among those she trusted. But knowing had done nothing to dull the pain when the moment arrived.

It had been two days since Felonir vanished into the shadows, and the city of Celestia was teetering on the edge of chaos. Demon attacks were becoming more frequent, and Belphonia's influence spread like a virus. Even with her newly trained powers, Darla knew she couldn't face this threat alone.

A knock on the door jolted her from her thoughts. Zion stepped inside, his usually stoic expression softened with concern.

"You ready for this?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Darla shook her head. "No, but when am I ever?"

Zion gave a small smile, then motioned for her to follow him. "Captain Garcia called us in for a briefing. We've got new... allies coming."

Darla frowned. She didn't like the idea of strangers suddenly joining their team. Trust was fragile enough after what had happened with Lionel. But she knew they had no choice—they needed all the help they could get.

In the conference room, Captain Garcia stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed, his face lined with frustration. He wasn't just their boss anymore—he was an elder fairy sent by Queen Dianthe herself to guide and protect Darla, though that truth had only come to light recently. It made everything feel more complicated. She hadn't even known who he really was until now.

Zion and Amaia sat on either side of Darla, their tension palpable. They were still reeling from the Lionel-Felonir revelation, and it showed. The betrayal had hit them all hard, though Amaia, ever the optimist, kept her spirit light. She leaned over and whispered something in Zion's ear that made him roll his eyes.

Darla felt a small smile tug at her lips, though it was quickly replaced by worry. How could they move forward from this?

Captain Garcia cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "We have a situation that demands immediate attention. Both Queen Dianthe and King Aamon have been made aware of the recent... developments regarding Felonir's true identity."

A heavy silence settled over the room. Darla glanced at Zion, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"They're sending help," Garcia continued. "We've got two new guardians joining us—one from the fairy realm and one from the demon realm."

Amaia perked up at this, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "More friends?"

Zion shot her a warning look, but Garcia ignored the interruption, continuing with his report. "They'll be posing as members of the police force. We need to keep our cover intact while dealing with the growing demon threat. I expect you all to play along."

Darla's heart sank. She wasn't sure how she felt about bringing more people into this chaotic mix. Especially with everything so fragile.

Before she could voice her concerns, a knock on the door interrupted the briefing. A tall figure entered, her presence commanding yet graceful. She had long, dark hair tied back in a neat ponytail, and her piercing blue eyes immediately scanned the room.

"This is Lirien," Garcia introduced her. "She's posing as a senior detective—she'll be taking Lionel's post."

Darla stiffened at the mention of Lionel. The wound was still too fresh.