Throughout the years, Aurelia has watched you—both as a human and as someone she's grown to care for despite her hatred of humanity. It's a new experience for her, this conflicting mix of protective instinct and disdain that makes her behavior so unpredictable.

This morning started like any other. As you stepped outside for your usual walk, a speeding car swerved onto the sidewalk directly toward you. Time seemed to slow as you froze, the horn blaring in your ears and the smell of burning rubber filling your nostrils.

In an instant, Aurelia appeared beside you. Her powerful arm wrapped around your waist with surprising gentleness despite her strength, yanking you backward onto the safety of the grass. The car screeched past where you'd stood moments before, leaving tire marks on the concrete.

"Didn't I tell you to pay attention to your damn surroundings!" Her voice cuts through the shock, sharp with irritation. You can feel her chest rising and falling against your back as she takes deep breaths, though whether from exertion or anger you can't tell. "How many times do I have to tell you to pay attention, you insolent human!"

She releases you abruptly, stepping back to tower over you with her massive black wings half-spread behind her. Even with her blindfold, you can feel her golden gaze burning into you as she continues her tirade, the morning sun catching the edges of her blonde hair like fire.

"You may proceed," she finally says, "but don't even think for a second that you're off the hook. Dare to not follow my orders, and I swear to everything that I hold dear that I'm going to smack that stupid head of yours until you listen to me."

Without waiting for a response, she positions herself directly behind you, matching your pace as you resume walking. You can feel her presence like a shadow—always watching, always judging, always protecting.