We emerged from the other side of the portal into a familiar place, our hotel room. I walked past both Hana and the mystery girl and laid Kira down on the bed. My thoughts were solely on her and her safety.

I stroked her hair and laid a hand on her brow. She was cold. Adrenaline surged through me. I won’t lose her. Not like I did Fenra.

“Get me a warm towel! Something, anything!” I cried out.

Hana scrambled behind me and I heard her running the tap. I felt a hand on my shoulder, an unfamiliar voice.

“Please, let me. I know you are scared. But I am a healer,” the voice said.

I turned to see the face of the newcomer, getting a good look at her for the first time. She had long red hair and coal black eyes. She repeated herself:

“Trust me, guardian. This is something I can do.”

I looked into those eyes that had first seemed dark and frightening, and saw kindness there. Finally I nodded and took a step back.

“Please,” I said. “Help her if you can.”

Just as she had done earlier with the portal, the stranger lifted her hands and a bright white light coated them. She raised them to Kira’s stomach.

“Lift up her shirt, quickly,” the woman demanded and I did so.

She pressed her glowing hands to Kira’s bare stomach. Nothing happened at first, then the cat girl began to buck and cry. The blood that stained her skin seeped towards the two glowing palms, disappearing into the light. More and more seemed to seep from her body, turning from red to black, as though the woman was drawing darkness itself from Kira

I fought to stay silent. To watch Kira in such pain hurt meon a physical and spiritual level and through our bond I felt each cry and moan. She was fighting, trying to stay with us, to discard all the evil that had been inflicted upon her.

Or had it always been there?

The thought hit me hard and took me out of the moment.

She had left, with the demons. She had come back, yes. But she had left. She abandoned me. She took the artifact.

I paused chewing on this.

But she came back, that is what is important. And now… now she needs us. To be with her.

I cast aside my judgements and my fears and took deep breaths, willing calming for Kira. Praying as I meditated. Soon the cries and moans of pain lessened and I felt the cat girl’s stillness, knowing even before I opened my eyes that it was over.

The woman stood above the bed, her hands clasped and her head bowed. I stepped forward once more. Kira was breathing. I felt her brow and her natural warmth had returned. She was okay. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“She is not fully healed, there was a great darkness in her. I helped her draw that out, but it would not have worked if she had not also wanted to be rid of it. She is resilient…” the woman turned to me, her dark eyes flashing. “And so are you, guardian. She is lucky she has you.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

I shook my head. “No, we are the lucky ones. That you saved us. Thank you.”

Hana stepped forward and laid the towel across Kira’s brow and bowed before the newcomer. “Yes, thank you so much… I’m sorry we don’t even know your name!”

“Me? That is… not important. I should be going now I…” the strange woman staggered and nearly fell.

Hana and I quickly stepped in, holding her arms and helping her into one of the hotel armchairs

“I am sorry,” the woman said between labored breaths. “Using such magic took a lot out of me. Teleportation and healing, it is a lot for one day and I am not in the practice I used to be.”

She leaned back and for the first time I saw, previously hidden beneath a hood, two small horns.

“You… you have…” I began, pointing at her.

Panic swam in her dark black eyes and she looked between Hana and myself. “Don’t look!” the woman blurted.

“Horns…” I whispered to Hana. “She’s a demon!”

I reached for my sword but it was not at my side. I raised my fists and stepped towards her, anger flaring within me.

Hana put a hand to my stomach and stopped me. “No, stop! Be at ease Ryo. I do not sense such an aura from her. And even if she was some kind of demon. She is the one who saved Kira, let's take a moment here.”

I sucked in air through my teeth and lowered my fists. “Okay,” I said carefully and slowly. As grateful as I was, I would not be fooled or trapped by demons. Not again.

“You weren’t supposed to see me, I only meant to watch…” the woman looked at the floor. “I am no demon. Of that I can promise you. But I am also nothing to be proud of.”

She sniffled and I saw a tear collect at the corner of her eye. My anger was washed away. I knew immediately that she was not evil. Her sadness was palpable.

She took a shuddering breath and continued to explain, taking only a furtive glance up at me and Hana.

“I am a disgraced spirit. I am not fit for battle or use of any kind. At least… not since my master lost his temple and gave up the art. He abandoned me, that is the truth. Although he thinks he set me free.”

She sniffled and wiped her nose. Hana handed her a tissue and she took it, blowing into it and shaking her head.

“God, I didn’t expect to be so emotional. I’m sorry. The truth is, I was lost. But then I saw you, guardian,” she said, now staring straight at me. “I knew you needed help. I am sorry, guardian. But I followed you here. I apologize for the deceit. Honestly I did not know what I shoul do, or how I should do it. I am not your companion and it is not my place to fight for you or with you. But I felt the need to do something.”

“It is a good thing you did, and you should not be sorry at all!” Hana piped up, laying a hand on the woman’s shoulders.

“I should go,” she said, looking away from me, as if embarrassed that I should even look on her.

“Are you crazy?” Hana blurted, laying another hand on her other shoulder, keeping her firmly in place in the chair. “You are weak from magic… you need to rest here!”

“More importantly, you saved us. Twice over!” I sadded. “We aren’t going to cast you out.I am not in the habit of turning down help. I truly appreciate every bit of it. Thank you.”

For the first time, I saw her smile. “Thank…you…” she said softly. Then her eyelids fluttered and in moments she was passed out, just like the cat spirit. Hana checked her pulse and shot me a grin.

“All fine, boss man. She’s just asleep.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Wow, two sleeping spirits. We really have our hands full don’t we?” I asked.

I took a closer look at the woman. She had the hints of scales upon her arms and neck, two small curled black horns protruding from her lustrous red hair. Even hidden beneath her long cloak she had a striking figure.

“What kind of spirit is she?” I asked aloud.

Hana swatted me. “It’s rude to stare at a girl while she sleeps! She can give you any answer you need once she wakes again.”

Hana pulled blankets over the newcomer.

“Now come on guardian, let's get washed up and rest ourselves.”

“Washed up? Together?” I teased.

Hana slapped my chest playfully. But she didn’t say no.