Echo saw Damon reach out, touching the cub who she was holding close to her chest. He moved the cloak a little, while glancing at Echo.
The little cub was fast asleep, Damon looked at Echo's face. Echo felt like her heart could break out of her ribs any moment. He was so close to her, and now he was checking on the little cub. She wondered if he had any clue what he was doing to her.
"Where'd you get the cub from?" Damon finally asked, in a low, warm voice.
Echo opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. She just stared at Damon like a fool.
Damon stared back at Echo. 'Why isn't she saying anything? Is she that frightened? But then she's a Protector… does she hate me? Ugh! Of course she does… I'm a demon. I'm the bad guy, and I did threaten her the last time we saw each other.'
"Get out!" Damon blurted. He glared at Echo, and turned around walking to the boulders, as he mentally yelled at himself, 'Can you be any ruder, you idiot!... Wait… Why am I mad at myself for being rude to her? What's happening to my head?'
Once they reached the boulders, Damon stretched his hand out, throwing the boulders back. He turned to the group once the path was cleared. "There's nothing here. It's just a trap. Stay here for a few minutes, and leave once the entrance is free."
Sebastian, who was in pain, asked, "And why should we trust you?"
"Do whatever you want then," Damon blurted, walking away from the group, before taking one last look at Echo.
The commander slowly walked towards the entrance contemplating what had happened. He was right, it seems like the demon does like Echo back. Maybe she'd like the good news, or maybe he'll just hold onto it a little longer before he tells her. The more evidence the better.
When the group arrived at the entrance of the cave, there was no sign of Damon, or any other demons.
The commander glanced at the team, and ordered, "Let's go back."
"I can't believe you straight up led us to a trap," Sebastian scoffed. He had a ragged breathing, and was coughing.
The commander opened his wings, "I told you I had no intel on it." He casually flapped his wings, flying away.
Everyone else followed him.
—
Damon and Kaia were going back to the human realm.
"Damon, are you sure there wasn't anything inside the trap?" Kaia asked for the fifth time.
"Yes. Now stop asking, you're annoying me." Damon walked through the snow in anger. He could not understand why he was so upset that Echo hated him. He was positive that there was no way she would be happy with him, after he threatened her. Several times he tried to think of something else, but couldn't.
—
It was soon night. Echo gave the little cub a warm bath, and cleaned it. The cub turned out to be a girl, and Echo named her Hunter.
Echo was casually dining at the table.
"I'm hungry," Echo heard a soft voice to her left. She froze, and turned to it. The little cub was seated on the ground, staring at her food.
Echo's eyes widened, "You can talk??!!"
"Yes!"
Echo stared at the cub, mumbling to herself, "I am so going crazy… Oh my gosh! This cub is talking. There's no way I've gone crazy."
The cub stared at Echo, tilting her head, "You're not crazy!"
Echo sighed. She knew about demons, and was revived, of course a talking tiger was nothing. She just needed to talk to Jasmine about it… yes Jasmine. She would help her out.
After feeding the cub, Echo went straight to bed. The next morning, she got dressed after breakfast, and set out to the Healers' room with Hunter.
Hunter was talking their whole way to the Healers' room. They eventually reached the doors, and Echo lightly tapped on them, hoping not to disturb anyone.
Echo stood at the door for a few minutes, and Jasmine opened the door.
"Hi. Are you injured? Need healing?" Jasmine asked, scanning Echo from head to toe.
Echo smiled, and politely declined, "No. We have a problem with her." She glanced down at Hunter.
"What's wrong little guy?" Jasmine asked, crouching to look at Hunter.
Hunter stepped forward and raised her head to get petted, "Nothing, Echo insisted on taking me here after she thought that I was crazy."
Jasmine paused for a few minutes and a smile appeared on her face, "She's your familiar. That's why she's able to talk."
Echo raised her eyebrow, "So I'm not crazy?"
"Absolutely not. There's some books about familiars in the library. You should check it out. If there aren't many patients in a few minutes, Jane and I will accompany you," Jasmine replied.
"Okay," Echo nodded. Jasmine smiled, and went back inside.
Echo turned around, and walked to the library. She found several books on familiars. The one thing they all had in common was that familiars are bound to whatever magical creature they choose. Familiars are able to aid they're masters in fights, and usually make their masters more powerful.
After reading several books, Echo slumped her head on the desk. Hunter nuzzled in her hair.
"I never thought I'd see you tired this soon," Echo heard the commander's voice. She raised her head up, to see him standing in front of her.
Echo stood up and lowered her head, "Commander!"
Hunter shook her head, sitting back on the table, "You woke me up… monster!"
"Be nice!" Echo whispered.
The commander smiled. Echo returned an awkward smile.
"Sit! Jasmine told me about Hunter," the commander explained, sitting in front of her.
Echo sat down, contemplating again. 'Am I a magical creature? But I don't have powers… I just use spells. Why would a familiar choose me?'
Hunter lied down, closing her eyes.
"She's a lazy one," the commander blurted.
Echo glared at the commander, "She's a kid. Cut her some slack." She sighed, and continued, "Is there anything important, commander?"
"No! Just came to check on you and Hunter."
"You don't need to check on us," Echo replied.
The commander smirked, "You sure about that? Cause Jas told me you thought you were crazy."