The space in Between BOOK 1

ZITHA & THE 3 REALMS

Asmodea, the demon of lust and manipulation, had always excelled at deception. Her ability to change her form and identity made her an invaluable asset to Damian. Now, with orders to infiltrate and sow discord, she took on a new persona: Zitha, a young woman who would become Ethan's new friend and confidante.

The transformation was seamless. Asmodea's crimson eyes faded to a warm hazel, her hair shifting to a soft chestnut color. Her appearance now matched that of an ordinary university student, her aura exuding a friendly, approachable vibe. She adopted the name Zitha, a fresh-faced transfer student with a seemingly unremarkable background.

On a sunny afternoon, as Ethan sat under the large oak tree on campus, lost in thought, Zitha approached him with a bright smile. "Hi, mind if I join you?"

Ethan looked up, momentarily caught off guard by the friendly intrusion. "Uh, sure, go ahead."

Zitha settled down beside him, her demeanor relaxed and open. "I'm Zitha, just transferred here. Trying to get a feel for the place. You seem like you know your way around."

Ethan smiled faintly, appreciating the distraction. "I'm Ethan. Welcome to Greenhill. It's a decent place once you get used to it."

Zitha's eyes sparkled with interest. "Thanks! I'm hoping to make some friends and get involved. What about you? What keeps you busy around here?"

Ethan shrugged, trying to play it cool despite the chaos in his life. "Just the usual—classes, projects. Sometimes it feels like there's a lot more going on, though."

Zitha leaned in slightly, her curiosity genuine. "Oh, really? Anything exciting?"

Ethan hesitated, sensing the need for caution but feeling an unexpected ease around Zitha. "Let's just say, sometimes things get...complicated."

Zitha laughed softly. "Sounds intriguing. Maybe you can show me the ropes around here? I'd love to learn more about the campus and, you know, what's really happening behind the scenes."

Ethan nodded, deciding that having a new friend might not be such a bad idea. "Sure, I'd be happy to. There's a lot more to this place than meets the eye."

Over the next few days, Zitha ingratiated herself into Ethan's life with effortless charm. She was attentive, supportive, and seemingly fascinated by everything he had to say. They studied together, shared meals, and even attended a few classes side by side. Ethan found himself lowering his guard, enjoying her company and the sense of normalcy she brought to his turbulent world.

One evening, as they sat in a quiet corner of the library, Zitha steered the conversation toward Ethan's interests. "You mentioned things getting complicated. Are you into something more than just regular studies?"

Ethan glanced around, ensuring they were alone. "Yeah, you could say that. I've been working on some...unusual research with my professor. It's kind of a secret project."

Zitha leaned closer, her eyes wide with feigned amazement. "Wow, that sounds incredible. What kind of project?"

Ethan paused, feeling the weight of secrecy but also the comfort of Zitha's presence. "It's about ancient texts and...unusual powers. We've discovered some things that could change a lot."

Zitha's smile was genuine, masking her true intentions perfectly. "That sounds like something out of a storybook. I'd love to hear more if you're comfortable sharing."

Ethan nodded, feeling a strange kinship with Zitha. "Maybe someday. For now, it's still a bit too dangerous to talk about openly."

Zitha accepted his hesitation gracefully, her mission progressing as planned. She had successfully embedded herself into Ethan's life, gaining his trust and learning more about his connection to the powerful book and the fight against Damian.