Ishana's wings failed her after gliding only a few kilometers. She held Lilith tightly in her arms as they crashed into the forest canopy, branches breaking, leaves scraping against their skin.
The sound of splintering wood followed them until they finally hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Dirt and leaves clung to their bodies. Ishana forced herself up immediately, ignoring the pain coursing through her body, and checked on the girl in her arms.
Lilith was dizzy and pale, her emerald eyes glassy, but alive. Relief washed over Ishana's face for just a moment.
Lilith blinked, her small lips trembling. Tears welled in her eyes as she whimpered.
"Isha… Isha…"
Ishana bit her lip and lowered her head.
Her wings were bent and bleeding, their membranes torn, one of the bones jutting out grotesquely. Her expression carried emotions far too heavy for the young girl to understand. In her mind she already knew the truth.
No one would ever accept a demon.
