I never thought I'd see her like that.

Not because she wasn’t beautiful — she always been beautiful. But I mean... raw. Exposed. Terrified. Like she couldn’t breathe inside her own skin.

It started like any other night. We were at the studio, both bands. Saja Boys had just finished a small set for fun, and Huntrix was up next.

Mira was checking her shoes, Zoey was warming up her voice with Baby beatboxing beside her, and Rumi... Rumi looked tired, but she always does. Carrying all that anger around wears you down.

But she looked fine. Better than fine. She stood in the middle of them with a soft smile, eyes half-closed as the beat dropped and her voice filled the room.

Gods, her voice. I’ve heard her sing a hundred times, and it still makes me want to forget I’m a demon.

I stood near the back with Mistery and Romance, arms crossed, watching her.

Watching my girl.

Then something strange happened.

The lights flickered.

Not like the usual glitch. It was like something pulsed in the room. Something old.

I felt it in my chest first. A hum under my skin. Familiar. Ancient. A demon’s presence... but not mine. Not Mistery's. Not any of the boys.

It was coming from her.

And I wasn’t the only one who felt it.

Rumi froze mid-note. Zoey’s rap faltered. Mira stumbled back a step like the air turned heavy.

Then I saw it.

Glowing patters, barely hidden under her shirt. Pink lines curling over her collarbone like fire made into words.

Her demon side. Showing.

She hadn’t meant to let it slip. I knew that. She didn’t even realize it at first.

But Rumi saw.

Mira saw.

Zoey’s mouth dropped open.

And—when she looked down and noticed—she looked like the world had ended.

“No”

Rumi whispered.

“No way.”

Mira took a shaky breath.

“She’s one of them...?”

“Wait”

Zoey said, stepping forward, voice trembling.

“is that—?”

She didn’t speak.

She just looked at them.

Then at me.

Like I was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.

I moved toward her slowly.

“Princess—”

“Don’t”

she said softly, shaking her head.

“Don’t call me that right now.”

Everyone was quiet. Even Mistery, even Baby. No jokes. No noise. Just the sound of her breathing too fast.

“I didn’t know”

Mira said, her voice sharp now.

“You didn’t tell us.”

“I was going to”

She whispered.

“When?”

Rumi snapped.

“After we found out mid-battle? After we stabbed you by mistake?!”

Zoey stepped between them.

“Stop! Rumi, that’s enough!”

“She lied”

Mira muttered, crossing her arms.

“She’s like them.”

“She’s like us.”

I said, stepping in.

“You think we chose this? You think she did?”

“She’s a hunter.”

Mira said.

“And a demon? You expect us to trust that?”

She looked down at her hands. They were glowing slightly. She clenched them into fists.

“I never wanted this.”

she said, her voice shaking.

“I tried to hide it. I didn’t ask to be born this way.”

Zoey placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You're still our friend. That doesn’t change.”

“But it does”

Mira whispered.

“Everything changes now.”

I reached her then. Took her hand gently.

Her skin was hot. She was afraid. Not of us—but of herself.

“You’re not alone”

I said softly.

“You never were.”

She looked at me like I was the only calm in the storm.

Then Rumi laughed—sharp, bitter.

“So that’s it? You’ve been protecting her this whole time?”

“I’ve been loving her"

I said.

“And if you ever felt half the pain she carries every day trying to be both hunter and demon, you’d understand.”

Mira turned away, biting her lip. Zoey still had tears in her eyes. Rumi didn’t speak again.

She squeezed my hand. Just once. Just enough.

“I'm sorry,” she whispered to the girls. “I was scared you'd hate me.”

They didn’t answer. Not yet.

But they didn’t leave either.

Sometimes, silence means maybe.

Maybe they’ll stay.

Maybe they’ll forgive.

And I’ll be right here—holding her hand through it all.