Ever since Pheleraz and his army showed up, Draghein School had become the busiest Narvari had ever seen. Vanquishers Narvari had never seen before poured into the school like a deluge. She learned from Azmel that those senior vanquishers were temporary transfers from Rahalan School and they were here to handle cases in their jurisdiction until the case of royal demon activity was resolved.

That had given junior vanquishers in Draghein School a lot of free time. Narvari didn’t have to worry about fighting demons. Honestly, all she could worry about was Pheera. Besides, Pheleraz’s presence made things worse. She hardly left Pheera’s side, fearing that Pheleraz would try something.

Thankfully, Pheera was steadily regaining vitality in her body. She was no longer thin and sickly and the doctors had removed all the bandages from her body. Her previously pale face had regained color. Unfortunately, however, she was still unconscious. The doctors said that Pheera was lucky to have survived a forceful order-up. The survival rate was only five percent — most vanquishers died immediately after a forceful order-up and for Pheera to still be alive was a good sign, the doctors said.

“I won’t let him take you away,” she said, stroking Pheera’s cheek. She looked so peaceful while unconscious. “I won’t let your family hurt you again, Pheera. You have my word.”

Someone knocked on the door and then entered immediately. Even without turning, Narvari knew it was Yanvirrak. He slumped into the couch and lay there in silence. In the past few days, Yanvirrak had spiraled into depression. Not once had he made any of those stupid jokes Narvari had grown so fond of. Yanvirrak had already been devastated by Pheera’s condition. But when he heard about Hellstorm being a wanted man and possibly a demon, Yanvirrak’s condition became even worse. The young man idolized Hellstorm after all.

“Do you believe it?” Yanvirrak finally broke the silence. He hadn’t spoken to him in a while. “Do you think he’s a demon?”

It was the first time Yanvirrak was opening up about this issue. Narvari sighed. “I don’t know, Yanvirrak. I never knew him.” Narvari paused. “But from the things I’ve heard about him, if he’s a demon now, then we’re screwed.”

Yanvirrak suddenly sat up. For a moment, Narvari thought he was going to storm out of the room in anger. But he only sighed and leaned back on the couch.

“I don’t believe what they’re saying,” he said. “The Order thinks Bezvaros is controlling him.”

“I thought he died.”

“He did,” said Yanvirrak. “But I also heard he disappeared to Bezvar when the Demon King killed him.”

“Then maybe Bezvaros turned him into a demon. Maybe he’s under the control of the Demon King.”

Yanvirrak shook his head. “If there’s anyone who can resist the control of the Demon King, it’s Hellstorm.”

Narvari titled her head. “You’ve never met Hellstorm. How can you be so sure about this?”

“I may not have met him, but I’ve heard so much about him,” he said. “He was officially classified as a class one vanquisher. But people said he was on Tehsaa level.”

Narvari’s eyes widened. “Wait really?”

The Tehsaa were a special class of vanquishers who were strong enough to vanquish fifteenth-order demons. Only a handful of vanquishers were at this level. If Hellstorm was at such a level, then it was no wonder people thought so highly of him. How could… Narvari paused when she felt a warm brush against her fingers. She quickly turned her gaze to Pheera — Pheera was still unconscious. Had Narvari imagined it then? She was sure she had felt Pheera touch her.

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“What is it?” Yanvirrak asked.

Narvari didn’t say anything. She wanted to be sure she had not imagined this.

She paused with bated breath as her eyes remained fixated on Pheera’s hands. And then Pheera’s fingers moved. Narvari’s heart raced in excitement. “She moved.”

“What?” Yanvirrak ran over to her side. “Are you sure about it?”

“I saw her fingers move.” Maybe she had so badly wanted Pheera to wake up that it became real to her. Maybe this was all in her head. Maybe — 

“Narvari look.”

Pheera’s eyes stirred slowly. Then her entire right arm moved to Narvari’s lap. Narvari exchanged glances with Yanvirrak, and he chuckled. Pheera’s eyes fluttered open. Narvari gulped when those deep blue eyes gazed at her. How she had missed those eyes.

“Narvari?” Pheera whispered.

“Pheera.” Narvari felt like she had been whisked away into a lush field of flowers. A deep sense of calm settled over her like a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

“Are you alright?” Pheera sat up. She touched Narvari’s chest, and for a moment, Narvari’s shoulders tensed. Then Pheera caressed her face and electricity coursed through her body. “Narvari, have you been crying?” Pheera gazed at her with an intensity that made her forget about all her worries. Gosh, how was someone so beautiful? “Is everything okay?”

Okay, she had to say something, thought Narvari. Pheera just woke up from a coma, yet she was the one worrying about Narvari. “I’m just so happy to see you.” This was real. It was no dream. Narvari gently pulled in Pheera for a hug. “You’re awake. Pheera, I was so scared. I thought I lost you.”

“Look at me.” Pheera lifted Narvari’s chin so that they were facing each other again. She pressed her forehead against Narvari’s. “I’m right here. You never lost me.”

Narvari lost herself in Pheera’s arms. How she had missed the warmth of her embrace.

“Yanvirrak?” Pheera suddenly said as she released Narvari.

“Nice to see you too Pheera,” said Yanvirrak.

“I missed you all so much.” Suddenly, Pheera’s stomach grumbled like an earthquake.

Narvari laughed. “It seems we’re not the only ones you missed.”

Pheera chuckled. “I’m starving.”

“I’ll go get you something to eat.” Narvari stood up, but Pheera quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.

“Please don’t leave.”

Shit. With the way Pheera was looking at her, she couldn’t say no. She glanced at Yanvirrak, her eyes seeking help. Yanvirrak must have understood her because he said, “I’ll bring you something to eat, Pheera.” Narvari mouthed a thank you to Yanvirrak as he left the room.

Pheera stared at Narvari’s chest. She was probably looking at her wound. It had completely healed by now. “Are you really okay?” asked Pheera.

Narvari nodded. She too did not understand what had happened and why her wounds had healed so quickly. But right now, all that mattered was that Pheera was awake.

Pheera rested her head on Narvari’s chest. Narvari’s chest swelled with so much happiness that she thought she would burst. “Do you feel any pain in your chest?” asked Pheera.

“I’m fine. Really.” How could she tell Pheera that her wounds had regenerated like some demon? Would Pheera want to have anything to do with her again?

“Narvari,” Pheera whispered. “I was afraid of waking up.”

“Why?”

“I thought… I would never see you again and that scared me. So much.” She sighed. “But then I kept hearing your voice over and over and felt your touch. I guess that told me that I never lost you. So I came back.” Pheera wrapped her arms around Narvari’s shoulder and held onto her tightly. Narvari reveled in the warmth of her body. She and Pheera had so much to talk about, but right now, she would only bask in the happiness.

A few minutes later, Yanvirrak returned with enough food for all three of them. When they were almost done with their meal, Trixan came in to see how Pheera was doing. She seemed relieved that Pheera was awake.

Narvari could not bring herself to look at Trixan. In her anger, she had said some things to the Elder and now wished she could take them back. But she did not know where to start. Trixan, on the other hand, didn’t bring it up.

“So what’s up with you two?” Yanvirrak asked when Trixan left.

“Huh?” Narvari asked.

“You and Trixan,” said Yanvirrak.

Narvari shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Are you sure? You didn’t even say a word while she was here. That’s unlike you.”

“Did something happen?” Pheera asked.

Looking at Pheera, Narvari knew she couldn’t hide anything from her. “I may have blamed Trixan for what happened to you.”

“Oh,” Pheera bit her lips, “Trixan has only been looking out for me all this time. What happened to me was not her fault.”

“I know.” Narvari nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“Maybe you should tell her that.”

Pheera was right. She had to apologize to Trixan. But the guilt was too strong. The creaking of the door interrupted Narvari’s thoughts.

“Zee.” Pheera’s eyes lit up as soon as Zemeron walked in.

“Pheera,” said Zemeron.

Narvari and Yanvirrak excused themselves after Zemeron asked to speak to her sister alone.