Chapter 7 – Fallen and Found

Red Marks

Cyrus’s POV

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the warmth. Despite the cold, damp cellar floor beneath us, I felt wrapped in comforting heat. My eyes fluttered open to find Kate still asleep, her head resting on my chest. Her ponytail had come undone at some point during yesterday’s battle. Her hair, a messy cascade of chestnut waves, framed her face, and even in sleep, she seemed troubled, her brows furrowed slightly. I lay there, taking in the moment, the closeness, and the unexpected tenderness of it.

Kate had been incredible last night. She had faced down demons, fought with everything she had, and even used a power she didn’t fully understand to save us both. A strange, fuzzy feeling spread through me, something unfamiliar but comforting. Was this what they called “feelings”? Great, just what I needed on top of the whole demon attack situation.

As I watched her sleep, I saw the faint streaks of tears on her cheeks, the traces of the fear and exhaustion she had faced. Her breathing was steady now, her body relaxed in sleep, and I realized just how much she had been through. She had clung to me last night, seeking comfort and safety, and I had held her tightly, determined to protect her at all costs.

Seeing the tear streaks on her face brought back memories of my own first real demon battle. Despite coming from a long line of demon hunters and years of intense training, nothing had prepared me for the sheer terror of actually facing a demon in person. I nearly died that day, and the nightmares that followed haunted me for years. I couldn’t even imagine how Kate must feel, thrown into this world with no preparation, yet she handled it all with remarkable bravery. And with a frying pan, no less.

Eventually, Kate began to stir, her eyes slowly opening. She blinked a few times, her gaze focusing on me, and a small, sleepy smile appeared on her lips.

“Morning,” she whispered, her voice hoarse from the events of the previous night.

“Morning,” I replied softly. “How are you feeling?”

She stretched slightly, grimacing at the stiffness in her muscles. “Sore, but alive. Thanks to you.”

“Thanks to both of us,” I corrected. “You were amazing last night. I wouldn’t have made it without you.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and she looked down, suddenly shy. “I just did what I had to do.”

“Well, you did great,” I said firmly. “But we need to get out of here. It’s not safe anymore.”

Kate nodded, the reality of our situation sinking in. I wanted to hold onto that moment just a bit longer, feeling the warmth of her presence, but we had to move. Hesitantly, I helped her up, and we both stood slowly, our muscles protesting the movement.

As I straightened up, I took a moment to inspect my body. Pulling up my shirt, which had been shredded like a discount Halloween costume by the demon’s claws, I traced my fingers over where those claws had raked across my chest. Instead of deep, gaping wounds, there were only faint red marks. The memory of the healing surged back, the strange, ticklish sensation that had flowed through me as Kate’s power mended my injuries.

“How does it look?” Kate asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

I glanced up at her, then back down at my torso. “Incredible,” I murmured, more to myself than to her. “It’s like it never happened.”

The healing process had been unlike anything I’d ever experienced or even imagined. There was no pain, only a peculiar sensation, a mix of tingles and subtle muscle twitches. I could feel the muscles and skin fusing itself back together, the gentle force of her power moving through me. It had been… strangely soothing, even amidst the chaos.

As I examined the marks, Kate stepped closer. Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over the area she had healed, lightly tracing the faint lines left behind.

I held my breath, a shiver running down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold cellar air. We both froze, the touch electric. She quickly pulled her hand back, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, looking away.

“It’s okay,” I said softly, my heart pounding. “You did an amazing job.”

We both turned away awkwardly, and I pulled my shredded shirt back on, hoping our possessions upstairs were intact enough to find some fresh clothes.

We made our way to the cellar door, pausing to listen for any demonic after-party sounds. After a moment of silence, I cautiously opened the heavy door, peering out to ensure the coast was clear.

The cabin was a disaster zone, looking like a tornado had thrown a frat party. We climbed the stairs and stepped into the main room, our footsteps echoing in the eerie silence.

Broken furniture, shattered glass, and deep claw marks painted a gruesome tableau of the recent battle. The cellar door was marred with deep gouges, a testament to the demons’ futile attempts to break through. Thankfully, the protective magic had held. The wards around the cabin, however, were another story. The corpses of the demons we had killed were gone. Based on the blood stains splattered across the room, the other demons had recycled them as a midnight snack.

Kate gasped at the sight, her eyes wide with shock. “It’s worse than I thought,” she whispered, her eyes sweeping slowly across the room.

I nodded grimly. “We need to get out of here before this place becomes an all-you-can-eat buffet for demons.”

We carefully made our way through the cabin, checking for any lingering threats. The morning light filtered through the broken windows, casting long shadows across the destruction. Outside, the forest was silent, but the aftermath of the battle was evident in the scarred trees and churned-up earth.

As we moved through the debris, Kate’s eyes fell on the scattered books and documents. Many were destroyed, but some had miraculously survived the chaos.

“Looks like we’ll have some light reading for the road,” she said, trying to inject a bit of humor into the grim situation.

“We’ll take the most important ones,” I said, surveying the scattered books and scrolls with a sigh. “We’re not exactly traveling light as it is, and I’m pretty sure my baggage allowance doesn’t cover ancient demon-hunting manuals.”

We decided to check our bedrooms next. Mine was relatively untouched, but the demons had apparently redecorated Kate’s room in “early apocalyptic chic,” probably drawn to her saintly presence.

I left her to sift through her possessions in privacy, assuring her I’d be just next door if she needed anything… or wanted to compare notes on demon décor.

After changing into a clean shirt from my backpack, I returned to the main room to see what else we could salvage. Kate emerged a few minutes later, her now torn backpack noticeably lighter than it had been just a day before. “Guess those demons weren’t interested in my souvenir shot glass collection,” she quipped, attempting a weak smile.

We discovered a lone pack of cookies in a kitchen cabinet, which we devoured for breakfast. Hey, when life gives you demon-trashed kitchens, you eat dessert for breakfast. We packed the intact books and documents, carefully tucking them into our bags. I grabbed my sword from the corner where it had been knocked during the battle. The blade was still sharp, though it bore new nicks from the previous night’s fight. As I strapped it to my side, Kate watched with a curious expression.

“Why a sword?” she asked. “Wouldn’t a gun be more… efficient?”

I shook my head, tightening the strap. “Guns work, but demon fights often happen in populated areas. Gunfire tends to attract the wrong kind of attention. Swords and daggers are quieter, and personally, I prefer the sword’s reach and power.” Plus, I thought, it makes for a more dramatic entrance.

While Kate finished packing, I stepped outside to find a spot with better cell service. The morning air was crisp and clean, a far cry from the sulfurous stench that had permeated the cabin.

I dialed the number for our regional commander, hoping for a quick response. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.

“Cyrus, it’s good to hear from you. What’s the situation?” asked Marcus, one of the senior hunters and a long-time family friend.

“We were attacked last night,” I explained, keeping my voice low. “The wards are down, the cabin’s a write-off. We need a new hideout, stat.”

There was a brief pause before Marcus replied. “Understood. Can you explain what’s happening?”

“I found something… someone,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “A saint. She’s the reason the demons attacked.”

“A saint?” I could hear the disbelief in Marcus’s voice, even over the phone. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” I confirmed. “She used her powers last night. We need to get her to safety.”

Marcus was silent for a moment, then spoke decisively. “There’s a safe house in Hunedoara. It should provide all the protection you need.”

“Hunedoara?” I frowned. “That’s a solid twelve-hour hike. Do you have any frequent flyer miles I could borrow?”

A dry chuckle came through the line. “Not this time, Cyrus. But I’ll see what I can do to expedite your travel arrangements. You’ll have to make your way to the nearest village and wait for a pickup. I’ll arrange for someone to meet you there. Stay safe, and keep the saint out of trouble.”

“Thanks, Marcus,” I said, relief flooding through me. “We’re on our way. Hopefully, the welcome committee there will be a bit less… toothy.”

I ended the call and headed back to the cabin, finding Kate with a backpack full of salvaged belongings, her expression a mix of exhaustion and weariness.

“We have a destination,” I announced. “A safe house in Hunedoara. Think of it as a five-star demon-free resort.”

Kate managed a weak smile. “Sounds good to me. Let’s get this show on the road.”

We set off through the forest, our senses heightened, every rustle of leaves sending a jolt of adrenaline through our systems. The journey was long and grueling, but the thought of reaching safety spurred us on.

As we emerged from the trees, the village came into view, a cluster of buildings that promised respite and refuge. We quickened our pace, eager to leave the menacing forest behind.

Approaching the village, we noticed a car parked discreetly at the edge. The driver looked up as we approached, recognition in his eyes.

“Get in,” Marcus said, his expression serious but relieved to see us. “We have to get moving.”

We climbed into the car, the plush leather seats a welcome change from the damp cellar floor. As we pulled away, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, but also a sense of gratitude for Marcus’s timely arrival.

Kate leaned against me, exhaustion catching up with her. I wrapped an arm around her, providing what comfort I could.

“Kate, meet Marcus,” I said as the car moved forward. “He’s a legend in the demon-hunting world and an old family friend.”

Marcus chuckled. “Don’t listen to him, Kate. I’m just an ordinary guy with an extraordinary job. Now, tell me everything.”

I recounted the events of the past few days: my investigation, the demon attack on Kate, her newfound powers, and our harrowing escape from the cabin.

“A saint, huh?” Marcus mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “That’s something you don’t see every day.”

“Tell me about it,” I muttered. “Last night was a real party – and not the fun kind. Demons crashing through walls, Kate unleashing her inner Jedi… it was a whole thing.”

Marcus nodded, his expression grim. He looked at the backpack sitting next to Kate through the rearview mirror. One of the few surviving books was visible through a big tear in the backpack. He pointed at it over his shoulder.

“And the documents?” he inquired.

“Nothing too enlightening,” I said. “We’ll need to do a bit more digging to learn more about Kate’s powers and how to control them.”

Kate, leaning against my shoulder, started to drift off to sleep. I found myself absentmindedly playing with a strand of her hair, its softness a stark contrast to the harsh reality of our situation. Marcus noticed in the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable, but he didn’t comment.

After about an hour of scenic Romanian countryside, we arrived in Hunedoara. The town was quaint and quiet, a far cry from the demon-infested forest we’d left behind. Marcus pulled up in front of a heavy iron gate, its imposing spikes promising to deter any unwanted visitors.

From the street front, the building itself was mostly hidden behind the gate and wall, only the red brick roof visible. The gate creaked open, revealing a simple, single-story house painted a cheerful terracotta orange. The windows were protected by intricately forged metal bars, masterfully decorated with a pattern of swirls. A large canopy of grapevines protected us from the early afternoon sun.

“Kate, wake up. We’re here,” I said, giving her a gentle nudge.

She stirred, blinking sleepily. Her face flushed crimson as she realized she’d been using me as a pillow. “Oh, sorry,” she mumbled, scrambling to sit up.

“Don’t worry about it,” I reassured her. “You earned a good nap after last night’s adventure.”

Marcus led us inside, the heavy wooden door creaking in protest. The interior was spartan but sturdy, with thick walls and an air of quiet security.

“Welcome to your temporary home away from home,” Marcus announced, gesturing around the dimly lit living area. “It’s not much, but it’s secure. There are bedrooms in the back. You can rest there.”

Kate looked around, her eyes still showing signs of fatigue. “This place looks solid.”

“It is,” Marcus confirmed. “It’s been used for situations like this before.”

He showed Kate to a small room with a bed and basic amenities. She gave me a grateful smile before entering. “Thanks, Cyrus. For everything.”

“Get some rest,” I said. “We’ll figure out the next steps after we’ve had some sleep.”

Once Kate was settled, Marcus and I retreated to the living area. “We need to discuss our next steps,” Marcus said. “Kate’s powers are a significant discovery, but they also make her a target. Should she stay here?”

“For now, yes,” I replied. “We need to understand her powers better before we move her again.”

“And you?” Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow. “Your mission was to investigate the demon activity. You’ve done that. It seems you’ve found the source.”

“I’m not leaving her,” I said firmly. “She needs guidance, and I…” I hesitated, then met his gaze. “I feel responsible for her.”

Marcus leaned back, studying me intently. “I understand. But we can’t afford to lose you, Cyrus. You’re one of our best.” He paused, then added pointedly, “And emotional entanglements can cloud judgment, especially in our line of work.”

“I’m not asking to be sidelined,” I countered, a flicker of annoyance in my eyes. “I’m asking to stay and help. She’s too important, and I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Marcus sighed, a sound that seemed to echo the weight of the world on his shoulders. “We’ll need to report back and get approval. For now, get some rest. We’ll sort this out later.”

I nodded, feeling the exhaustion settle in. “Agreed. We’ll deal with it after some sleep. And maybe a shower. After last night, I’m pretty sure I smell like a sulfur candle.”

I made my way to one of the rooms Marcus had pointed out. Closing the door behind me, I finally had a moment to myself. I pulled up my shirt again to look at the marks left by the demon’s claws. They were faint now, barely even visible thanks to Kate’s healing power. As I ran my fingers over them, I remembered the way she had touched them in the cellar. Her fingers had been soft, almost tentative, yet they had left a lingering sensation that I couldn’t shake.

Lying down on the bed, I thought about how long it had been since I’d felt this way. My life didn’t leave much room for relationships, and it had been a while since I’d had a girlfriend. We only met a few days ago but Kate’s presence stirred something in me, a mix of protectiveness and a deeper, warmer feeling that I wasn’t quite sure how to handle.

As I lay down, I recalled the morning when she had slept on my chest. The memory brought a sense of peace, a rare moment of calm amidst the chaos. With that thought in my mind, I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion pull me into sleep, hoping that maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t the beginning of a disaster of biblical proportions.