Chapter 16

  COFFEE UNDER A DECEPTIVE SUN

  The sun fell with a deceptive gentleness over the faces of Raían and Cristina, as if the world insisted on pretending everything was normal. Sitting across from each other in a small café, they laughed softly—a fragile laughter, almost borrowed. Somehow, Raían managed to make Cristina forget, if only for moments, the chaos tearing reality apart. She took a sip of coffee and let the warm illusion of humanity wrap around her, like a refuge she knew was fleeting.

  —Sometimes I envy them… —Cristina murmured, letting her gaze drift among the people—. They live without thinking about monsters, demons, or unhinged witches… they simply live.

  —In my world —Raían replied in a deep voice— ignorance is a death sentence.

  Cristina opened her mouth, hesitated.

  —Did you ever want to be…?

  —I once wanted to belong —he interrupted—. To one of the two worlds. But you can’t run from what you are —his eyes reflected an undefinable emotion, a blend of melancholy and acceptance—. I learned that I belong to both… and, at the same time, to neither.

  Silence settled between them like ancient dust.

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  —How is the demon underworld? —Cristina asked, forcing a change of subject.

  —Tense —Raían said after taking a sip of his tea—. Since Sabine revealed herself to the world, everything has become unstable. The demons of this realm don’t like the idea of a psychopathic witch trying to destroy it —he paused briefly—. I tried to speak with the leaders of some clans, but they don’t trust you. And I can’t blame them… witches judge with death or exile, without words or trial.

  Raían’s gaze was an open wound. Cristina felt it burn.

  —They’re right —she admitted—. Maybe we can no longer be what we once were —her voice trembled—. Sabine wears the crown of thorns. Our magic was left behind, rusted by time. We need the demons… even though it terrifies me to say it. If we don’t forge an alliance, she will reduce our home to ashes.

  A faint blue glow seeped from her eyes, like an emotion she couldn’t contain. A child passing near the table suddenly stopped and burst into tears, without knowing why.

  —Hey… —Raían gently took Cristina’s hand—. Everything will be fine. We’ll make it.

  —I’m sorry —she whispered—. My emotions make the magic unstable.

  —I know —he replied softly—. Losing control is more common than you think.

  Raían took out some tissues and offered them to the child, who accepted them before walking away, confused.

  —I’m afraid they’ll notice —Cristina continued—. I need them to believe we’re strong, that we’re not broken —she looked through the café window—. Everything still feels strange, but it’s slowly getting better. If they saw my instability, they’d look at me differently… and I can’t allow that.

  —Don’t you ever get tired? —Raían asked.

  —Of what?

  —Of pretending to be strong —he replied—. I understand doing it in front of strangers, but they’re your friends. Maybe what you need most is to stop hiding from those who are still by your side.

  Raían left the money on the table and stood up.

  —I have to get back to work —he said—. Just think about what I told you. See you.

  He kissed her softly on the cheek and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

  Cristina remained alone, the coffee cooling between her hands. She took the final sip and let her thoughts pass through her—heavy and silent, like a night approaching without stars.