Forest floor wet, damp, cold. She was trapped in this forest because she thought she could summon something from her spell book. The book lay flat on the ground while she hid, unsure of what—or who—she had actually called forth.

A heavy thud echoed behind her, freezing her in place. She didn’t breathe, didn’t even dare to move. The beast was getting closer. She didn’t know how she could feel it, but she knew.

The book was out of reach, leaving her defenseless. Her backpack still clung to her shoulders, but she had lost her light while running. Desperate, she shoved herself into the hollow of a tree, small enough to fit inside. A crash sounded outside, and she pressed herself deeper into the darkness.

Then—silence. Until, in the next instant, a horned creature leaned down, peering through the opening straight at her. It didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just stared.

Fear rooted her in place. She wanted to ask if it could talk, but terror sealed her lips.

And then, at last, a raspy voice—like it hadn’t been used in years—broke the silence.

“I could smell you from a mile away, but I let you feel safe.”

“I didn’t want you thinking I was going to hurt you, so I stayed close. But I’m not letting you go.”

Her breath caught. Not letting me go? She didn’t understand what that meant.

“You can come out of the tree,” the creature continued, tone edged with impatience. “Or I’ll pull you out myself. I’m not afraid to do so.”

She clutched her bag tighter, watching his face for any sign of danger. Neutral, yet restless. Slowly, she crawled out of the hollow.

Standing before her, the beast towered tall and broad. Then, in a flash, it morphed—horns gone, body reshaping—until a human stood in its place. Still tall, but easier to face.

“Before you ask,” he said, “yes, I can take human form—just like you.”

She nodded, studying him. He was nearly 6’9, with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. His clothes looked natural, ordinary, like any other man.

Finally, she found her voice.

“What are you, if I may ask?”

He tilted his head, amused by her boldness.

“Well, if you looked at your little spell book, you’d know what you summoned. My kind are called Zerathiel. We’re not usually easy to see—but you’re different.”

Her eyes widened. Different? What did that mean?

“Okay… and what do you want with me? If you’re not going to hurt me, I should head home soon.”

His expression hardened.

“You’re not leaving me now. You own me—which you should’ve thought about before summoning something you didn’t understand.”

“I don’t own you! I can just… unsummon you, or something,” she snapped.

He gave a small smile.

“You absolutely do own me now. I have to do anything you say. We’re tied together.”

Confusion and fear tangled inside her.

“How can I own you if I don’t even know you? Do you even want me to?”

His tone turned sharp, almost bitter.

“No, I don’t want you to own me. If I could, I would own you—all of you. Claim you as mine. But I can’t. I’m not a normal human creature like you.”

She stumbled back, tightening her grip on her bag, heart racing. He stepped forward, closing the distance. Panic surged, and she darted away—running as fast as she could.

She convinced herself he wouldn’t catch her. She just had to make it home. But she forgot—he was no normal creature. Bound to her. Stronger, faster, silent. He followed without sound, shadowing her every step.

Finally, she burst into a small house tucked deep in the woods. He hadn’t expected her to live somewhere so secluded. Smirking, he lingered outside, deciding not to teleport straight to her. The chase was more entertaining.

Inside, she leaned against the wall, lungs burning. Safe. At least, she thought so. No one ever found her home—it was too hidden. Calming herself, she ran a hot shower, desperate to wash the fear away. She skipped dinner, still shaken, and prepared for bed.

When the water turned on, he slipped inside unnoticed. Her scent filled the space, confirming what he already knew—this was her home. He crept upstairs, each step silent, and slipped into her bedroom. Her presence was strongest here, overwhelming. Frustration twisted in him. Why her? Why had she summoned him? Why was he reacting this way toward a human?

The water stopped. He shifted, blending into shadow, and waited.

She entered in pajamas, hair wrapped in a towel, looking exhausted but calm. Crawling into bed, she pulled the covers tight and reached for her spell book. Flipping it open, she began to read.

He watched, smirking. With a flick of power, he brushed her mind, making her feel a phantom touch on her head. She gasped, clutching at the spot. Then her hand—he caressed it without lifting a finger. She yanked it to her chest, fear returning.

Finally, he stepped forward, making himself seen. Teleporting beside her on the bed, he pinned her down before she could scream again.

“You thought I wouldn’t find you, didn’t you?” His voice rumbled low. “But I told you—I’ll always be by you. You own me.”

Her eyes widened with terror. He leaned closer, unflinching.

“I can do anything I want to you, but you still own me. That’s the sad part. So stop fighting me. You have an important role with me being here.”

Confusion mixed with fear in her chest.

“What role?”

“You have a power that can save your life. Your energy attracts unwanted things. Without me, you’d already be dead.”

She glared at him, voice trembling but firm.

“Then stop trying to intimidate me! If I have a power, tell me how to use it so you can leave me alone.”

He shook his head.

“I can’t just hand it to you. You have to learn. Haven’t you ever felt something off about yourself? You carry a gift most creatures would kill for.”

Finally, he released her, settling back casually on her bed like it was his own.

“I’ve felt… something,” she admitted quietly. “But why do you think you can just get comfortable in my bed?”

He smirked, unbothered.

“Because I need a place to stay. And because you have the power of spirits and death itself. They follow you—your power draws them. That’s why creatures like me want you. You’re an unknown.”

She thought to herself for a moment before speaking up.

" I'm an unknown creature like you, what are you talking about I was born human."

He looks over at her before continuing explaining.

"You are not human and