h4Chapter 343: The Helper/h4

strongVincent/Vaelthor~/strong

strongi"Porta aperire, umbrae fugere!"/i/strong

The world spun out from under me. Colors, shadows, and light twisted together until my stomach flipped and the alley was just—gone. In the blink of an eye, I was standing somewherepletely different.

Wooden walls glowed in the soft light of candles. The air was thick with the smell of herbs and spice, so different from the reek of trash and rot we’d gotten used to. Rugs muffled the floor beneath my boots, shelves sagged under the weight of dusty books and ss vials that shimmered faintly, and a fire snapped in the hearth like it had been waiting for us.

It should’ve felt safe. Warm. Nice. But I couldn’t let myself sink into it. Not for a second.

I pushed up fast, ignoring the dull ache in my arm. The shadows had already done their work—the wound sealed over, leaving a raw scar that pulsed like it still remembered the pain. I wasn’t helpless, not anymore.

Winter was at my side, and in an instant I shoved him behind me. The darkness answered my call, curling around my fists, sharp and alive.

My voice shattered the quiet, hard and demanding. "Who the hell are you—and what do you want with us?"

The woman turned, her lips curving into a serene smile that didn’t quite reach her dark piercing eyes. She was beautiful in a haunting way—pale skin, sharp features, dressed in flowing robes that whispered against the floor. "Easy there, demon boy. I’m not your enemy. Name’s Nancy. Part witch, part demon—best of both worlds, or worst, depending on who you ask." She gestured casually to the room, as if teleporting strangers was an everyday affair. "I’ve been watching you two all day. Wandering like lost pups, mours flickering like bad illusions. You don’t belong here, do you? Not in this realm."

Winter peeked out from behind me, her grip on my shirt loosening slightly, but her voice was wary. "Watching us? Why? And how did you... do that? Teleport us?"

Nancy let out a chuckle—low, smooth, the kind of sound that took the edge off the air without really erasing the danger. She crossed the room like she belonged to it, reaching a wooden table where a kettle steamed gently. With practiced ease, she poured the liquid into three mismatched mugs, the rising scent sweet at first, but grounded with something earthy, almost wild. Against my better judgment, it calmed me.

"Magic, sweetheart," she said, ncing over her shoulder with a sly grin. "The witch in me knows her tricks. But the demon side? That’s where things get fun." She set the mugs down, steam curling between us like smoke. "Most people don’t realize it, but demons can teleport. Takes practice, but it’s in the blood."

Her gaze flicked to Winter, sharp and knowing. "As for why I pulled you out of that mess... call it curiosity. Or maybe pity. You stink of the underworld—brimstone, shadows. You can hide your face, your voice, whatever mask you want to wear. But that scent? Anyone who knows what to look for can smell it a mile away."

My eyes widened, mirroring Winter’s as she gasped softly beside me. Of course. The Wardens—they hadn’t seen through our disguises; they’d smelled us. Like hounds on a trail. "That’s how they found us," I muttered, the pieces clicking into ce with a sickening snap. "Our scents gave us away."

"Exactly," Nancy said, handing us each a mug. The tea was hot, fragrant, and I took a cautious sip, the warmth spreading through my chest like a balm. Winter clutched hers tightly, blowing on it with wide eyes. "Smart kids. But being demons in the mortal realm? Not a walk in the park. The Wardens are just the start—fanatical hunters, trained to purge anything with a whiff of the infernal. Then you’ve got vampires, werewolves... they’ll rip you apart for sport or territory. This world’s not kind to outsiders like us."

Winter’s face paled, her fingers digging into my good arm like ws. She pressed closer, her voice a whisperced with fear. "Vincent... vampires? Werewolves? We came here for just four of them. Not all. What if theye for us too? I don’t want to fight forever..."

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her tight, my heart aching at her vulnerability. "Hey, hey, don’t be afraid. I won’t let any harme to you. Not the Wardens, not some bloodsucker or furball. We’re in this together, remember? I’ll protect you just as you protect me, always." My words were fierce, a vow etched in my soul, even as doubt gnawed at me. This realm was a minefield, and we were stepping blind.

Nancy watched us with a knowing smile, sipping her tea as she leaned against the table. "Touching. Sibling bond and all that. But survival takes more than promises. So, spill—what are you two doing here, anyway? Not sightseeing, I bet."

I hesitated, ncing at Winter before answering vaguely, my tone guarded. "We have... business with the Lycan royals. The king and queen, to be precise. Zane and Natalie. Just need someone to point us in the right direction. A map, a whisper—anything to find them."

Nancy threw her head back andughed, a rich, rolling sound that filled the room like music. It went on for a moment, her eyes sparkling with amusement, before she wiped a tear from her cheek. "Oh, you sweet, clueless demons. Business with the Lycan king and queen? That’s bold. Suicidal, even. But hey, you’re in luck—I can solve two of your problems right now."

Winter tilted her head, curiosity overriding her fear. "Two? How?"

"First," Nancy said, ticking off on her fingers, "I can help you ditch those demonic scents. Scrub ’em clean andyer on something new. Werewolf scent to blend with the packs, vampire to slink in the shadows, human for everyday invisibility, fae for a touch of whimsy, or even witch like me. Your pick. No more Wardens on your tail."

My pulse quickened, a spark of hope igniting despite my wariness. "And the second?"

She grinned wider, leaning in conspiratorially. "I can get you into the Lycan kingdom. The hidden paths, the wards—I’ve got ways around them. It’ll put you on the road straight to your ’business’ with the royals."

I felt a rush of pleasure at the prospect—revenge within reach, our disguises perfected. But I wasn’t a fool; nothing came free, especially from a half-demon witch. "That’s generous. Too generous. What do you want in return?"

Winter nodded vigorously, her voice small but firm. "We have no valuables. Nothing to give. We’re... we’re just us."

Nancy’s smile turned sly, her violet eyes gleaming as she set down her mug. "Oh, I don’t need gold or trinkets. All I ask is a promise. Simple, really. Once you two start having children—settle down, build your little demon families—I want one from each of you. As payment."

The room fell silent, the crackle of the fire suddenly deafening. Winter’s grip tightened again, her breath hitching, and I stared at Nancy, the weight of her words sinking in like a stone. A child? Our future offspring as coteral? The thought twisted in my gut—thrilling opportunityced with dark bargain.

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