Zaira’s flight had led her to the nearby Gate. Each Gate led to the Underworld and was guarded to keep unwelcome visitors out. This one was near pitch black, but with a single point of light where it ended. Zaira suspected it was one of those gates that would haunt you with terrible visions if it wanted to keep you out. She had no trouble going through it. As long as you did not wish harm on the denizens or wanted to see your dead relatives, you were usually let through. From there you could visit the Underworld gods, or you could take another Gate.

She and her whimpering child emerged to a quieter Underworld than she was used to. She saw a few souls floating by, but the workers who cared for them were nowhere to be seen. She had heard rumors from the angels that they had been slowly going missing over the past millennium so only the busy locations were actually manned nowadays. Rushka had once explained to her that the workers had been dying off faster than they were being replaced, then came the portal shutdowns 600 years ago and well, now the idiom ‘silent as the dead’ had its place even here.

She watched the lunar landscape for a moment. This place felt sad, yes, but the overwhelming sensation was peace. She let it wash over her. She took deep deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Callie had stopped whimpering; the baby hiccupped and joined her mother in watching the few glowing, shapeless, spirits make their way through the barren land. Zaira wondered if this place looked familiar to her.

They couldn’t stay there forever. Zaira turned and made her way to one of the other Gates. The one which led to her old home. On the way, she passed by what looked to be a portal hub. There was a small gathering of Underworld workers nearby, and unexpectedly, a familiar face was among them. Ime turned to watch them go by. Their eyes connected and Zaira bowed her head to the god. She could feel the Preeminent’s gaze on her as she left the area.

Finally, she reached a familiar Gate. This one was cavern-like, on its ceiling, large bat-like creatures were sleeping. She had never seen them up close, thankfully. She couldn’t imagine what would happen if they decided to keep her from passing. They stayed deep in their slumber even as Callie squeaked loudly, pointing at the new discovery on the ceiling.

They emerged in the province of Karvouna. Controlled by vampires and hidden from the human eye, it was home to the largest population of non-humans on the planet, as far as she knew. That is, except for its massive seaside cliffs near their western border. They were a vertical drop into the sea below and only inhabited by nesting sea birds. You could only get to the cave she had adopted as her own by flying, given the lack of flighted creatures on this planet, it was ideal.

She landed next to the cave’s opening, she had to crawl into it a few feet before being able to stand. The main chamber was decently spacious and comfortable, it branched off, but she had never bothered to explore.

She brushed the ashen remains of Callie’s clothes away and set the child on the ground. The baby was still red-faced from the ordeal and was rubbing her eyes. Zaira took off her shirt, the flames had burnt a hole through it. She didn’t put one back on knowing that her baby could spontaneously burst into flames. She would have to go get some Hell-made clothes later on, they were less flammable overall.

She set up the crib and then pulled out her nursing pillow. As soon as she put it on the floor Callie crawled to it. She pulled her daughter into her arms and went through the now familiar motions of nursing her girl. When she was done Zaira threw a blanket over them both and settled in to watch her daughter sleep on her chest.

She combed through the girl’s hair. That had gone much better than the last time, they were both alive and unhurt. Yet she still found herself shedding tears. The people she had come to care for were gone now. And Callie? Not even a few months in her new home and they were hiding like animals. And perhaps Zaira was one, but this wouldn’t do for her little witch. She needed a stable environment to grow up and become the best she could possibly be.

Zaira cried.

She was brought back to reality sometime later by the beginning of Callie’s cries. She changed and fed the girl. As she played with the baby something flipped in her. She kissed Callie’s forehead. They would move to the outskirts of Refuge; she would stop hiding. Being a Yulmuth was fine, the Preeminent did not recognize her, so why would anyone else?

Or was that wishful thinking? She had just spotted Ime in the Underworld? What if she knew now?

“I had hoped to find you here.”

“Where else would we be?” Despite her decision seconds earlier, her voice came out bitter and a lot weaker than she was expecting.

Rushka flew through the rock instead of crawling through the small entrance. She saw their face and tension returned to her body.

“You are angry.” They said.

“I shouldn’t be. I should be used to this. But the way you had spoken about that land and about the Rosses… it led me to believe I would be safe.”

“You aren’t angry at the Rosses.”

Zaira shrugged. “They are human.” And she shouldn’t have let her guard down.

“They may surprise you still. I spoke with them.”

“Forgive me, but if the only word they would believe is that of an angel, then I do not have much hope for a relationship with them.”

“Hannah trusts you. Ryan did – but let fear get in the way. He is willing to give it another go though, especially since his wife thinks of you as their child.” They snorted. “I guess you didn’t tell them your age.”

“My age is starting to get hard to understand even for non-humans. Plus, she’d probably treat me the same way.”

“Exactly, she’d treat you the same way. Zaira, as your friend, I truly believe you and the little one may return home safely.”

“But you aren’t really my friend are you?” She could’ve sworn she saw their eyes downturn before meeting hers again. “I believe you anyway. Thank you for looking out for me. For us.” Zaira looked down at Callie, still sleeping, on her chest.

“What are you so afraid of?”

Zaira’s head snapped up to meet the angel’s eyes. Innocence, she saw a childlike innocence behind the question which had likely not meant to be asked. She gave him a tight smile.

“Another day perhaps.” They nodded. “Now go home.”

The angel turned to leave.

“Rushka!”

Zaira patted the floor next to her. The angel’s eyebrows shot up, but they joined her on the floor nonetheless. They sat close enough that she could feel their soft feathers. Zaira scootched in closer and laid her head on their shoulder. She would take as much comfort as she could get. They allowed it.

“When were you born?” She asked.

“About 400,000 years ago.”

A date, Zaira noted, which fell three-quarters of the way into this, the fourth, era.

“I was born in the early first era.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“On Solum. Its hemispheres were still divided between the three gods back then. In fact, I remember Death having to move her kingdom onto another planet because Alathea’s and Our Ruler’s kingdoms had grown too large.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Rushka waited in anticipation as Zaira took a break to reminisce, their eyes as wide as saucers. The angel was worried that if they so much moved a muscle the Yulmuth’s sharing mood would dissipate.

“My kind – they would flit about the kingdoms. It didn’t matter whom they belonged to or what species were there. They would wreak havoc on everyone.”

“Yulmuths don’t tend to be aggressive.”

“No, they never have been. But I’m a Borim.”

She felt the angel stiffen.

“I assume you’ve heard of them?”

“Yes. The only species so cruel that the gods organized their extinction.”

“A reputation well-deserved.”

“I was told there were none left.”

Zaira took a deep breath. “I’m here. And if my pathetic self made it, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are others.”

“But –” Rushka shifted to look at Zaira.

She felt their energy attempt to explore hers. And for once, she let her magical barriers down to allow them to sense her energy signature. She knew it didn’t quite feel like a Yulmuth’s. Rushka’s brow furrowed, and they pulled their energy back into themselves. Zaira did the same.

“Even so,” They said, “the Borim are all but forgotten by all but the gods. Even in the schooling for my kind, the Borim are but a footnote. I would hazard to guess that any Borim could easily live unbothered nowadays if they didn’t cause trouble.”

“It's not that simple. There are gods everywhere. It's not that easy to hide.”

“Zaira. Look me in the eye and speak the truth. Have you ever done anything to warrant a death sentence?”

“No!” Zaira scratched her forearm with her claws. “At least, I don’t think so.” Zaira turned to Rushka. “I’ve only ever killed in self-defense and… and I’ve never hurt anyone on purpose.”

“Then I see no reason for you to live your life in fear.”

“Not everyone thinks that way. I’ve run into many individuals who would just strike me down for being a Borim.”

“And when was the last time that happened. This era? Third era?”

Zaira had to think about the question. The years blended together. There were too many memories crammed inside the brain of a species only meant to live a few millennia. “Early 2nd, I think… But now I have to deal with people who don’t like demons.”

“So it has been literal millions of years. Why not move to a planet where demonic residents are common?”

Zaira’s logic had been backed into a corner. Her face flushed with embarrassment; she wiped the few tears trailing down her cheek. She had known all of this for a while. Yet she had let her fears win every time. Her claws drew blood on her thigh. Rushka took her hand in theirs to keep her from more harm.

“I’m scared of demons.” She whispered.

The words hung in the air.

Zaira was well aware that the rumor in the Overworld, that demons were evil, was just a consequence of criminals escaping their own Hell planet to continue their crimes in a different territory. She knew the gods had made sure there would never be a species as cruel as the Borim again. The demonic species were no more prone to crime than any other.

“Why?” Ruska prodded.

“Because I see my family.”

“You are going to have to give me more context than that.”

Zaira felt her tense muscles start to cramp. She set the sleeping Callie gently on the floor and jumped up. She paced the length of the cave.

“Alathea had not quite figured out this whole ‘genetics’ thing yet. The Borim, much like many of the early species, were… experimental. To make a so-called ‘purebread’ Borim, a Borim parent must have a child with another species, and then make them go through a special ritual. The child will always take on the traits of the other species, and two Borim cannot have a child together. My family were fond of demons.”

“So, your family members…”

“All looked like demons, yes.” Zaira went quiet. Her parents' and siblings' faces all rose from her buried memories back to the front of her mind. She could still smell their foul breath and feel the spittle land on her face as they yelled at her. She felt her father’s hands on her shoulders. Trying to shake the good out of her, yet all that did was give her a sore neck.

“So, all Borim have one parent that isn’t a Borim?”

“Genetically, yes. But family units are… a bit different.”

“How so?”

“The evilest species there ever was? The genetic parent is always only a donor, and many would not survive long enough to tell their family they had been raped by a Borim.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah… I’ll spare you the details.”

“So, I take it your parents were not kind?”

Zaira snorted. “No weakness was tolerated. Every Borim child was supposed to be able to take a beating and give it right back. We were supposed to – participate – in the adults’ activities.”

“And those that couldn’t?”

“Died.”

“And you?”

“I got lucky.” An old homeless witch had taken a shine to her. Every time the going got rough, the elder allowed Zaira to hide in her cloak as she begged for food on the streets. She would always share her meager earnings with the underfed Zaira at the end of the day.

“Well.” Rushka watched her pace back and forth a few more times. “I guess you have more than enough material for those therapy sessions I wanted you to take. Which, may I remind you, you haven’t even started and that was part of the agreement for adopting Callie.”

“Pfft… Where would I even go? I’m not trusting just any therapist with this.”

“I’ll look into it for you. But once I find one, you better show up or I will drag you there.”

Zaira sighed. “Deal.” She sat back down between Rushka and Callie. Zaira brushed some hair out of the baby’s face. “Wouldn’t the Underworld know that I’m a Borim? Why would they approve of this resurrection? Let alone this adoption?”

Rushka smiled. “You finally touch on why I haven’t panicked. And why you shouldn’t either.”

“What?”

“Death knows. Death, goddess of souls, knows. Yet she has not sent anyone to find you and hunt you. Not only that, she allowed Callie to come back to you, and you only. I was told that if you didn’t accept her, she would be sent off for her time in Heaven. Oh, and the One would not have allowed you to work alongside the angels all of these years.”

“Isn’t it a bad thing that she was resurrected instead of going to Heaven?”

“You know as well as I do that Heaven is only respite before the soul is resurrected again. She just gets to finish off this life before moving on to the next.”

Zaira watched Callie as she slept. “Why was the resurrection granted?” She whispered as she wiped fresh tears from her cheeks.

Rushka understood that she no longer meant why was Callie given to a Borim. They shrugged their shoulders. “The gods’ reasoning behind which resurrection request to approve is -mysterious. Why do you ask?”

“I feel guilty.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I know what it's like to lose a child. Its life-shattering. The Underworld could bring back any child, why Callie? She has no family.”

“Well, for starters, they can’t bring every child back. Even if Death may be inclined to do so. I’m sure there are guidelines… So, I would say, consider it a blessing and make the most of it.”

“How often do they bring someone back?”

“The long dead? Rarely. Though, from what I understand, Death returns every soul she can, and she doesn’t wait for them to be in the ground. I would attribute most if not all miraculous revivals by the hand of medical workers as an approved resurrection.”

“Oh.” Zaira took the time to absorb the information. She wasn’t sure if she felt the newly revealed information made things better or worse. “It still feels unfair.”

“It probably is from our point of view. That’s where faith in the One’s plans comes in.”

Zaira nodded. “Did they tell you anything about Callie’s first life?”

“They mentioned that that entity was originally Callie’s father.”

“Oh, shit. Really?”

“Yeah. So, my best guess is that her father dabbled in some dark magic, which caused him to turn into, whatever that was. And I assume Callie was, collateral, in some way shape, or form. I don’t know anything about any other possible family.”

“How did they end up at my place?”

“Oh, now that I know.” They tapped her thigh. The same one she had scratched. Their hand came back up sticky. They grimaced, “Sorry.”

Zaira hadn’t even flinched. She shrugged, “I’m used to it.”

“Anyway. The mirror had been used for her father’s spells and ended up trapping them. Then someone hid that mirror at your place to get rid of them.”

The gears spun in Zaira’s head. Assuming that vanity was new at the time of their deaths, then Callie must be at maximum a couple hundred years old. Witches could live anywhere from 500 to 2000 years old. Which meant Callie could still very much have living relatives. “Did they mention if she had any living family?”

Rushka shook their head. “I would assume they would be easy to track down if there were. Male witches are few and far between, and this one must have attracted some attention with his dealings.”

“Mmm.” Zaira lay her head back down on Rushka’s shoulder. Mind both empty and swirling with memories. Her eyes were burning so she closed them. She started to feel her nightmares claw to the surface as her consciousness drifted. She was grateful when Rushka shifted, bringing her back to the darkness of the cave. She moved her weight off them to allow them to rise.

Rushka shook and stretched their wings out while their arms rose above their head.

“Do you have to go?”

“Yes.”

“Can you come visit from time to time?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It's my turn to get too attached. I meant it when I called you sister. I need to part with you if I want to keep working for the One.”

“I understand.” Zaira felt tears creep up on her.

“Thank you”

“Rushka?”

“Mmm?”

“Thank you, for listening.”

“Of course. Now go home.” Rushka smiled at her and took off.

Zaira believed in the angel’s word, that the Rosses would be more amiable when she returned. But she didn’t feel up to returning that night, or the next day.