DemiDemonDarla

Chapter 21: Family Under Siege

>>>>> The evening air felt heavy with tension as Darla's phone buzzed, breaking the monotony of her shift. She glanced at the screen. It was Zion.

"Darla," Zion's voice came through in a hurried whisper. "It's your family. Martin, Eloisa, Elyse... They were attacked."

Her heart dropped. For a moment, the world tilted, and everything else ceased to matter.

"What? Are they okay? Where are they?" she demanded, fear gripping her.

"They're alive but injured. Amaia and Lirien are already taking them to the hospital." Zion's voice was grim. "We found demon energy—one of King Aamon's. Or at least, that's what it looks like."

The words sent a chill down Darla's spine. King Aamon's demons? No, that couldn't be right. Her father had sworn to protect her, had promised she'd be safe. But the memory of Felonir's insidious whispers resurfaced. "Your parents fear you. They cast you away not to save you, but because they knew you could take their thrones."

Anger surged through her. What if Felonir had been right all along?

The night deepened as Darla stormed into the abandoned warehouse where Zion had intercepted the assailants. He stood among the wreckage, staring down at a demon corpse with disbelief.

"This one bore King Aamon's mark," Zion muttered, running his hand along the tattooed sigil on the demon's neck. "But why would an ally target your human family?"

"Because he's not an ally," Darla hissed, rage burning beneath her skin. Every word Felonir had spoken played like a cursed song in her mind. Aamon sent them to get rid of me. Or worse—he wants to control me by threatening the people I love.

Without thinking, Darla turned toward the portal rune Zion had used earlier. "I need to talk to my Father."

"No, Darla. Not like this," Zion said, stepping in front of her. "We don't know the whole story. This might be a setup."

"Move, Zion," Darla snapped, her fists clenching.

"No." Zion's voice was firm as steel. "I can't let you go storming into the Demon King's court in anger. That's exactly what the rebels want."

Her magic stirred, chaotic and wild. "Don't stop me, Zion."

"I won't let you ruin everything out of anger," Zion said softly, but his hands were steady as they grabbed her arms. "Please, Darla. Stay with me."

His embrace was tight but not forceful. For a brief moment, Darla fought against the tide of her rage—but Felonir's words poisoned her thoughts. "They fear you. They'll never let you become what you were meant to be."

Her power exploded outward without warning. Shadows and light surged in tandem, knocking Zion off his feet and sending him crashing into the far wall.

The sound of his body hitting stone was like a slap to Darla's face. What have I done?

Kazimir, Amaia, and Lirien stood frozen in stunned silence when they finally came. Kazimir's usual grin had slipped into concern, and even Amaia's playful demeanor had faded to quiet shock. Zion groaned, slowly pushing himself off the ground.

"Zion!" Darla gasped, rushing toward him, her anger forgotten in an instant. She knelt beside him, guilt surging in waves. "I—I didn't mean to..."

He winced but smiled weakly. "You pack a punch, you know that?"

"I'm sorry," Darla whispered, helping him sit up.

Zion's smile faded as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Listen to me, Darla. This wasn't King Aamon's doing. These demons—someone wanted you to believe that. They were posing as his soldiers to drive a wedge between you and him."

Darla stared at him, her heart torn in two. "How do you know that?"

"I know because the real King Aamon wouldn't do this." Zion's voice was steady, reassuring. "Not to you. Not like this."

The storm inside her quieted, though the doubt remained.

Hours later, Darla found herself in a sterile hospital room, the beeping of heart monitors filling the silence. Martin lay unconscious, his arm bandaged and immobilized. Eloisa stirred restlessly in the next bed, her forehead wrapped in gauze. On the smaller bed beside them, Elyse lay curled up, his cheek stitched and bruised.

Seeing her little brother like that broke Darla's heart. This was because of me.

Amaia and Lirien stood guard just outside the room, their faces masked with a seriousness Darla had rarely seen. Kazimir leaned against the wall, his playful demeanor absent for once.

"I failed them," Darla whispered, clutching Elyse's tiny hand.

Martin stirred, his eyes slowly opening. He gave her a weak smile, despite the pain etched into his features. "Darla... You're here."

"I'm sorry, Dad," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "I should've been here."

Martin squeezed her hand weakly. "This isn't your fault, kiddo. You've always done your best to protect us. That's all that matters."

But how could he say that? How could he forgive her when it was her existence—her dual nature—that had drawn the rebels to them?

Zion entered quietly, giving Darla a nod. "No sign of further threats. Kazimir and Amaia are running patrols around the building just in case."

Darla stood, brushing a hand over Elyse's hair before turning to Zion. "What if Felonir was right?" she whispered, her voice thick with uncertainty. "What if my parents—Aamon and Dianthe—sent me here because they were afraid of me?"

Zion's gaze softened. "You can't let him get in your head, Darla. That's what he wants."

"But what if it's true?" Darla asked, her voice cracking. "What if they didn't send me here to protect me, but to control me?"

Zion stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Then we'll figure it out. Together."

Darla looked at him, her heart heavy with doubt and fear. But she nodded, drawing strength from his unwavering presence.

The night passed slowly. Darla sat at her family's bedside, watching over them as they slept. Zion remained at her side, silent but steady, a quiet reminder that she wasn't alone.

But even with Zion's reassurance, the weight of her existence pressed down on her. Half-demon, half-fairy—caught between two worlds, never fully belonging to either.

The rebels had come after her family, and they would come again. She knew that now. But no matter what, she would protect them. Even if it meant standing against her own blood.

Because in the end, family wasn't just about blood. It was about love. And she would fight for that love with everything she had.

As dawn began to break, Darla made a silent vow. She would find the truth—about Aamon, Dianthe, and herself. And no matter what that truth revealed, she would protect those she loved.

Even if it meant standing alone.

>>>>>