All she had wanted was to get to the tavern to get Avelyn potatoes. That was it. She could be there and back before it got too dark. Demi ran past the guards, heading in the direction of the famous outskirts tavern. Only the best for her princess. But just as she got within 100 feet of the tavern, she was suddenly pulled away and dragged into an alley. Someone slammed her against the side of the building.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing, runt?"
The voice was rough and filled with threat.
Demina looked around after she pulled hood tighter over her head. There were three boys, all rough-looking and dangerous. All three of them had a tattoo of a phoenix on their right bicep. Great. Lord Ean had warned her about this part of the outskirts and told her to stay away.
"Listen, no one gets near this place without a pass. This is Phoenix territory. Even Lord Ean pays us. I have some good ideas on how you could pay us though."
Demina growled. This was not okay with her.
"Here is your pass!"
Demina kicked him and ran only to be grabbed and thrown again.
"Think you can escape, huh?!"
She sat up immediately and rubbed her head. Her hood slipped.
“Ooh, boys. Look at this. We have a lady in our midst. What should we do with you?” the leader asked, grabbing her chin and grinning maliciously, “We could keep you for ransom. How do you like that, pretty lady?”
Demi glared at him and spat in his face.
“Well, if you are going to hold her for ransom,” a new voice interrupted, “she wouldn’t be a very good candidate. She’s very...impudent.”
The three men turned and shouted with surprise, drawing their sword. Her rescuer was already in the air, using his cloak as a shield, his foot outstretched. His foot connected with the first man’s face. Blood spurted out of his nose with a satisfying crack. The man slammed his elbow into the back of the villain’s head and he crumbled. Her hero jumped over the second guy, unclasping his cloak with one movement. He smirked as he wrapped around the third guy, making him drop his sword and spinning him around. The second man’s shot connected with the third guard’s shoulder. He gave a cry of pain and her rescuer shoved him into the other guard. They both collapsed.
“Get lost!” the man growled. The men ran away without looking back. Demi looked into his face. Well sorta. It was so dark, she could barely see it. He was looking at her like she was weak and she hated it. Demina’s defenses rose.
“Hey, pretty lady. Are you okay?”
“I was doing fine by myself, I didn’t need you interfering,” she snapped, frustrated. Was she so weak, she needed a man to save her all the time? First Chase, then Jaxon, and now this man.
“Fine! Next time, I’ll let you get yourself beat to a pulp!” he answered.
“Fine! What are you doing here?” she asked, shakily walking out of the alley.
“Saw you in trouble. I always stop to help a damsel in distress. Especially one with beauty like yours,” her rescuer said. Demina rolled her eyes.
“I’m no damsel, trust me. And what is the name of my knight in shining armor?” she asked sarcastically.
“May I ask what you were doing at night with no guards and no way to call for help? That was a stupid move, Demina.”
“How...? Castiel?”
“At your service, my lady.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I’m looking for you and Avelyn.”
“Why?”
“I just saved your life. Usually that warrants a kiss? Or even a thank you?” he asked.
“I told you I was handling it. I didn’t need you interfering.”
