Captain Sarah

Walking toward Leora's office, I felt a strange heaviness settling over me. I couldn't pinpoint the cause, but it made every step feel like I was trudging through thick mud. Despite my best efforts to focus on other things, my thoughts kept drifting back to Nathaniel.

It was as if he had taken up permanent residence in my mind, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't evict him. His smile, his scent, the way he looked at me—it was all-consuming.

As I approached Leora's office, the door swung open, and out walked Ciara. Our eyes locked for a moment, and I felt a jolt of something—anxiety, curiosity, maybe both. Her intense gaze lingered on me, and for a second, I thought she might say something. But then Leora's voice called me inside, breaking the spell.

Leora greeted me with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling with that ever-present mischief. "Aeliana, come in! How are you feeling about our upcoming cooking lessons?"

I forced a smile, trying to push away the unease that still clung to me. "Excited, I guess. Though I can't promise I won't burn the kitchen down."

Leora laughed. "We'll make a chef out of you yet. Besides, we need more people who can cook around here. Too many demons think cooking is beneath them."

We chatted about the lessons for a while longer, Leora's enthusiasm infectious enough to lift my spirits somewhat. But as the conversation wound down and the end of the day approached, I found myself eager to leave.

"Before you go," Leora said, handing me a document, "can you deliver this to Captain Sarah? She's in charge of the soldiers in the north wing."

I nodded, taking the document. "Sure thing. I'll head there now."

The hallway leading to the north wing seemed to grow darker and more foreboding with each step. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and metal, the sounds of grunts and clashing weapons echoing around me. I knew this area was notorious for its rough-and-tumble soldiers, but I wasn't prepared for what came next.

A massive sword flew past my head, embedding itself in the wall with a resounding thud. I dodged just in time, my heart racing. Captain Sarah was known for her harsh training methods, and it seemed I had wandered into the middle of one of her infamous sessions.

Sighing, I quickened my pace, trying to ignore the sight of soldiers brawling in the corridors. They were like wild beasts, more interested in fighting than anything else. I finally reached Sarah's office, my nerves frayed, and knocked on the door before pushing it open.

Captain Sarah was a towering figure, her presence dominating the room. Her fiery red hair was pulled back in a tight braid, and her sharp green eyes glinted with a predatory gleam. She had the kind of muscular build that came from years of rigorous training and countless battles. Right now, those muscles were straining as she held Nathaniel in a chokehold, his face turning an alarming shade of purple.

I blinked, unsure of what to say. "Uh, here's the document Leora wanted you to have," I muttered, placing it on a nearby table and quickly backing out of the room. My mind raced as I walked away, trying to process what I had just seen.

I made it a few paces before I felt a strong hand clamp down on my arm. I spun around to find Captain Sarah glaring at me, her grip like iron.

"Leaving without saying anything, Aeliana?" she growled, a smirk playing on her lips.

I swallowed hard, my mind scrambling for a response. "Well, you seemed a bit… occupied," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "Didn't want to interrupt your… uh, training session."

Sarah's eyes narrowed, but her smirk widened. "Occupied, huh? And what did you think you saw in there?"

I shrugged, doing my best to look nonchalant. "Nothing unusual. Just a normal day in the north wing, right?"

Sarah let out a bark of laughter, releasing her grip on my arm. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But next time, try not to sneak off like a scared rabbit."

I nodded, relief washing over me. "Noted. I'll make sure to announce my presence more loudly next time."

As we stood there, an awkward silence settled over us. Just when I thought I might actually get away unscathed, Nathaniel appeared, looking slightly disheveled but otherwise unharmed.

"Aeliana," Nathaniel said, his tone warm and inviting, "would you like to go home with me?"

Before I could respond, Captain Sarah's sharp voice cut through the air. "Nathaniel! What do you think you're doing?"

Nathaniel turned to face her, his smile faltering slightly. "I was just offering to walk Aeliana home, Captain."

"You have work to do," she snapped, her green eyes flashing with anger. "This isn't the time for personal errands."

Nathaniel stood his ground, his jaw tightening. "I've finished my duties for the day, Captain. I don't see the harm in walking Aeliana home."

"You're neglecting your responsibilities," Sarah retorted, stepping closer. "And that's unacceptable."

As they argued, I couldn't help but feel like I was caught in the middle of a storm. Their voices grew louder, the tension between them palpable. I glanced around, hoping for a way to defuse the situation.

Nathaniel reached for my hand, his expression softening as he looked at me. "Aeliana, let's go."

But before he could touch me, a familiar voice rang out, cutting through the chaos. "Leave her alone."

Ciara's presence was like a sudden gust of wind, strong and undeniable. She stepped forward, her gaze locked onto Nathaniel. Her posture was tense, her eyes blazing with intensity.

Nathaniel hesitated, his hand dropping to his side. "Ciara, this doesn't concern you."

"It concerns me if you're harassing Aeliana," Ciara shot back, her tone icy. "She doesn't need you dragging her into your mess."

I looked between them, my heart pounding in my chest. The air was thick with tension, and I felt like a bystander in my own life.

Captain Sarah seized the moment of distraction, stepping between Nathaniel and me. "Nathaniel, you're dismissed. We'll discuss this later."

Nathaniel opened his mouth to argue, but Sarah's glare silenced him. With a final, frustrated glance at me, he turned and walked away, his shoulders tense.

I watched him go, a mix of relief and confusion swirling within me. Ciara's intervention had been unexpected, but I couldn't deny the sense of gratitude I felt.

Turning to Ciara, I managed a small smile. "Thanks for that."

Ciara shrugged, her expression softening slightly. "Don't mention it. Just… be careful, okay?"

I nodded, appreciating her concern. As Captain Sarah barked orders at the remaining soldiers, I couldn't help but feel like I had narrowly avoided a disaster.

Ciara's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before she turned and walked away, leaving me to process everything that had just happened. 

As I stood there, I realized that the day had taken a turn I hadn't expected. Nathaniel's interest, Captain Sarah's anger, and Ciara's unexpected protectiveness had all collided, leaving me with more questions than answers.

But one thing was clear: my life was far from simple, and the people around me were far more complicated than I had ever realized.