Chapter 16

She hesitantly raised her hand and approached the light source. There was no heat to be felt. And as Kyla took a closer look, she realized that nothing served as fuel either. “Really just a light source. Hmm… will you come with me if I go on?” she asked much more to herself, but as if in response, the flame began to dance. It's like the wind playing with a candle.

Kyla kept walking, the little flame always two steps ahead of her.

Kyla spotted an archway in the rock face and cautiously peeked around the corner. From here on it went on a kind of sand path. No stones and the walls were of sharp-edged rock leading down into the depths.

Should she turn right now, or should she continue straight ahead?

Before she could make up her mind, she felt someone breathe on her neck.

Startled, Kyla turned, sword half unsheathed, when she felt cold metal against her throat. "What are you doing here?" she asked a man's voice.

Kyla didn't know what to say. How had he, or it, gotten so close to her in the first place? She had neither heard nor seen anything.

"If I told you I was looking for the toilet, you wouldn't believe me, would you?" she managed to smile with a try.

The blade moved away from her neck and he took a step back. "Go away. You are not allowed here.”

"Who are you?" Kyla didn't even think about going back.

"You're not interested in that. Just get out or I'll teach you a lesson."

Kyla couldn't help but grin. She loved challenges.

"Well… I always like to learn something new."

The flame hissed past her and stopped next to her opponent's face. As the light reflected in his eyes, Kyla felt a sense of familiarity.

"Who are you?" she asked again.

The man in front of her looked surprised at the flame next to him. Was that her? He seemed to think for a moment. Finally he replied, "Darian. They call me Darian."

He stepped back further, merging a little more into the darkness. If it weren't for Devon's express orders not to harm her, this woman would already be lying dead in front of him.

Kyla cocked her head to the side. "You're human, aren't you?"

Darian said nothing.

"Hey, I asked you something."

"Go away."

"Man, how can you be in such a bad mood?" Kyla provocatively squatted down, leaning her back against the stone wall.

"If you don't leave immediately, I'll help you out. And believe me, it won't be comfortable for you.” He threatened her, his voice cold.

Kyla realized that he wasn't a normal person. At least nobody who lived here involuntarily.

"You know, I've gotten bored and curious by nature. I just wanted to know why I can't come here. If you tell me, I'll go too, okay?"

Darian let out a growl. What did his brother see in this man? And why was he so patient with her? He, Darian, certainly wouldn't have her if she didn't get out of here soon.

"Because of me," he replied, hoping she would actually leave. But Kyla got up and stopped in front of him. "Are you such a bad boy that you belong in solitary confinement?" A mocking smile played around her mouth, or was he just imagining it?

He took a step back. How he would like to sink his dagger into her flesh. He had to pull himself together. Darian could practically smell her blood.

Kyla was still standing there, staring at him steadily. "Aren't you tired of always wandering around here alone? If you like, we can meet up more often.”

Did this woman still have them all? He had to use all his self-control not to slit her throat right away and she asked him if they couldn't see each other more often?

"Save that. I'm saying this for the last time. Darian growled menacingly.

Kyla had noticed from the start that he didn't particularly enjoy company. Okay, living company, she mentally corrected. "Why so rude?", she asked with an innocent voice and added: "But I just want to play..."