Zarek and I stared in horror as the wraith materialized in front of us. My knees weakened, threatening to buckle. The spectral being morphed from a blurry, undefined shape into a solid, skeletal mass of limbs. Just as my body was about to give up hope, my demon companion grabbed hold of me and pulled us both into a frantic sprint.

We weaved in and out of the line of sight, using the rock formations in the cavern. "What the hell are you doing?" 

The question slipped through my lips before I stopped its momentum. Why are we running? With a dawning realization, I stopped my erratic thoughts as the stupidity of my questions sunk deep. I might as well remain quiet and avoid any senseless banter.

One thing became clear: I stood clueless in the face of adversity.

"We need to find cover before it finishes its transformation. While it assumes its true form, it's unable to sense us, giving us the much-needed time to plan. Once the wraith transforms, its vision will improve. It'll locate us even if we hide behind objects." Zarek's breathing came in labored puffs as he moved around with ease. "You met this thing out in the desert?" 

The faster I ran, the harder it became to utter a response. "Yes! The fucking thing told me it knew everything about me."

His grip tightened around my wrist. The patterns on his skin switched between red and intense green. "Shit! I get it now." 

"What is it you that you get? Also, why are you mad at me?"

"Let me make this clear between us first. I'm not mad at you. By the looks of it, you have been through literal hell. Second, that wraith doesn't give a crap about you and your previous life. It's silly you believe that."

My chest burned with both embarrassment and anger. "I'm going to stop you and your sermon. I didn't believe a single word that came out of its shit-hole mouth."

"Well..." The handsome demon hesitated, his markings turning green and flickering on and off. "It senses something special about you. These things are always hungry and mark their victims. You have something, and it wants it." 

"Ok! Two things. It seems something important about, but what?" I whispered as we wiggled into a cramped nook.

"What the fuck do I know?! I just met you, remember..." His response, although bitter, oozed with unmistakable truth.

"Fair! Now you mentioned it's hungry. Can you explain what you mean by that?" I stared at him dead in the eyes, willing him to be honest.

"I'll not sugarcoat it for you. Something is telling me it'll piss you off. The wraith wants to eat your flesh and consume your soul. You're its next 'spiritual' meal. Something about you attracts it, and until it consumes you, it'll not stop haunting you."

Dread slapped my senses as reality sank in. A ringing in my ears made reality hazy. "How do we stop it, then?"

"We need to fight it, but we can't use our weapons." Zarek patted his vest as if looking for something. "Those will not work with demon wraiths. Normal swords do nothing to stop them. But it annoys them—fun to watch, I admit."

Does he think this is fun?! Well! His attitude is not fucking funny. I'm not here to amuse anyone. I gaped at Zarek and his offhanded observation.

"What can we do then?" I lowered my voice as a shriek came from the distance.

"You're in luck. I learned a few spells. They can help us fight these things, but you must follow my instructions. But Kayla, remember that I'm not dying for you. If you fuck this up, I'll kill you and let the wraith feast on you. I'm not sacrificing myself for a stranger. Am I clear?" 

Nervousness and anger seethed through my body, leaving a nervous tingling behind. I let out an angry puff of air and pursed my lips in frustration. "After dealing with this 'thing,' I'm kicking your ass, you fucking cabron." 

"That's the attitude. I don't know what cabron means, but based on your colorful vocabulary, it's not good. Look at you, blooming before my eyes! Now, let's get to work." 

Zarek guided me through the narrow cavity. We maneuvered around the tight sections for a few minutes before emerging on the other side. 

This section of the cavern glowed with the sun's brilliance. The heat became unbearable, like a suffocating blanket tangled around my limbs. While I ventured further in, my skin beaded with droplets of sweat to curve the heat. But a curious development shocked me.

I stayed unaffected despite being in the blazing sun with little water all day. All this time, I thought I would pass out from the heat and exhaustion, but nothing happened. "Strange!"

"What is?!" Zarek's hushed question was an afterthought as we moved behind a boulder. 

"Nothing! What can I do to help?"

The demon whispered a blur of incomprehensible words as a barrier that enveloped him from head to toe. A light green shimmer covered his body. I stood there, my mouth agape, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene. 

"Come here!" Zarek beckoned as I ordered my legs to move without a second thought. "Do you know any magic?" 

"Magic?! Dude, I just landed here, remember!" In a moment of danger, it seemed sass was my default setting. "Fuck, not the right moment to be bitchy. I'm sorry! Now, what can I do?" 

My concerns grew stronger as I locked eyes with my companion. My nerve endings buzzed with energy, sending a delicious tingle between my legs. I was ready to fight.

"You're fine! You had a rough day, but don't turn it into a habit." With a smile, the male resumed his plan with a deep sigh as relief calmed my troubled mind. "But I must warn you, I'm using you as bait. I need to study this thing's capabilities. So you better not die."

The cleansing inhale cemented my focus. "I promise." The quiet vow resonated stronger than the monster's shriek.

"Alright, let me teach you something. Close your eyes and repeat after me, 'Klaatu Barada Nikto.' The spell is difficult, and you must concentrate. Center your mind." For some odd reason, Zarek wore a proud expression.

"I don't have a good feeling about this! That spell seems off to me." I said as I closed my eyes. I'm getting the impression he's playing me?! But I didn't care what I thought as I concentrated, whispering word for word. "Klaatu Barada Nikto." 

My body filled with a rhythmic humming that vibrated through me. The base of my back tingled with a peculiar vibration. Something in my bag interacted with the spell as it hummed with life. The gentle vibration grew into a comforting thrill before the battle.

It fucking works. That bastard is not full of shit. I paid no heed to my surroundings. I needed to concentrate as the official wraith bait. 

A warm yet cool sensation started in my head and spread over my body. A sense of love and arousal flooded my senses as a warlike determination filled me with confidence. I opened my eyes and noticed Zarek's pupils dilated, swallowing the green of his eyes as he stared back at me.

"Who are you?" The demand came with a powerful intensity, leaving no room for doubt.

Puzzled by his sudden change in behavior, I put some distance between us. "What do you mean?" 

Zarek reached to stop me. His hand applied a reassuring pressure that I didn't expect. "Your scent is not of a normal mortal!" 

"The wraith said the same thing earlier." My voice trailed off as I remembered the encounter with the creature.

As if clearing an ominous trance, Zarek shook his head. "Never mind. We need to hurry and move..." He stared at me for a moment, making me uncomfortable. 

"What's wrong?" 

"You're glowing pink and blue. It looks hypnotic. Like... a queen's aura." 

I slapped my companion. "What the fuck are you talking about? Get your shit together, Zarek. What do I need to do now?" 

His reaction was that of shock and embarrassment. "Sorry, I'm ready! Move in and out of its view. Change your direction and be unpredictable. Throw it off by being spontaneous. I need to gauge its power." I attempt to do as he instructed, but he reaches for my arm, stopping me from moving away. "Don't die! You're here for a reason, and I intend to find out why."

"You and me, buddy! I want to understand why I came here."

Zarek produced a ring from his vest and reluctantly gave it to me. "This ring will protect you from that wraith's range spells. Don't let it come close to you. Its claws are poisonous, and I don't have the antidote for those." 

"Thanks! I'll keep my distance," I said as I slipped the ring on my thumb. "I'm ready!"

My last words hung heavy in the air before dashing toward the shrieking noise. I became filled with determination and ready to face whatever gave chase to me. Finally, I came face-to-face with my rival. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I readied for what was to come. My stomach dropped as I was about to deal with the terror for the time being—until Zarek developed his plan.

"I fucking hope he doesn't leave me." A chuckle escaped my lips as I considered the possibility. "I would look rather stupid running around waiting for his help."

The fear coursing through my veins stunned me in place. Its empty, beady eyes met mine as my heart beat uncontrollably. The empty light emanating from its eye sockets glowed with malice. With oppressive purpose, the wrath's sinister eyes illuminated its surroundings. 

The dark silhouette flickered in and out of exiting as tendrils of smoke billowed in an unfelt breeze. An unsettling chill that seeped deep into my bones, giving me goosebumps. But with the terror, a sense of awareness settled within, electrifying my entire body.

"We meet again! But this time, I'll take what I desire. I'm strong..."

I reached the limit of my patience. My body rebelled, rebuffing its ramblings. "You'll fucking die a second time, pendejo."

I turned and sprinted toward a labyrinthine section of the chamber to bait the wraith.

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