Adrik's true form

Demyan exchanged glances with Adrik. A bloody steak laid in front of him. Did she know something? She smiled at Demyan. "You see, I ordered for you a special steak, it's called "Rare", because it's still a little bit bloody, but people say, it's delicious.
And since my Highness needed something to enrich your taste buds, I chose this. I hope you are not upset and can eat it." Demyan smiled back at her. "Thank you for it! I am sure I will like it." Even, when in a small amount, it could recover at least some stamina for Demyan.
Adrik was paying now more attention towards Petrona. He should figure out, if she knew, what they were. Petrona spent the day near Demyan's bed. She didn't lose him out of her sight. Adrik sat at the window keeping eyes out for Angelika's men.
Petrona turned to Demyan. She remembered, that tomorrow they should meet up with Mirko at the capital. She needed to do some errands before. Of course, since she didn't want to let Adrik alone with Demyan, even when he felt a lot better, she proposed again for him to go with her. Adrik didn't put up a fight this time.
He expected her to be in bigger danger outside, than Demyan inside the Inn. The whole way to the shops and during the time there, everything stayed silent without an incident. Petrona wasn't really tempted for a talk with Adrik. He was just walking slightly behind her, almost like a stranger, but still, he was watching over her.
The sunset left some lovely orange and pink hues painted across the sky. Petrona stopped to admire them more. Adrik was unfazed and continued walking, since he lived for such a long time, he didn't really pay attention towards the sky. His mind was filled with more important stuff.
A presence! Adrik swiftly turned on his legs, but it was too late. A masked man managed to stab an unattentive Petrona from the front into her stomach. Adrik jumped and struck that man's back with his sword. He fell to the ground.
Another one was charging towards Petrona from behind her. Trembling and in shock, she just stood still. Adrik grabbed her into his arms and swung his sword to protect her from the second man impaling him.
A third thug tried to hurt her from a different side. Adrik paused, Petrona looked up to his face. A strange crack spread from his neck up to his jaw. It seemed to be very painful, but still he didn't stop to shield Petrona with his body.
Petrona spotted the man and was able only to shut her eyes. The thug sank his dagger into Adrik's back. The swinging of blades ceased and she finally opened her eyes. She was mortified.
That THING, what was holding her tight in its arms, wasn't a human being at all. Two dark, long and back turning horns, black sclera and red irises, were staring back at her. The huffing mouth was full of elongated sharp teeth. His whole existence emitted some kind of dark misty aura.
Petrona gasped. Adrik rested his head on her shoulder. She snapped out of it. "Are you ok? Let me see your back!" He stopped her by catching her hands and made a long exhale. "I will be fine..." He raised his head, leaving his face on the same level as hers, looking silently into each other's eyes.
Right! That crack. She slightly pushed him from her and ripped his shirt open. His body was covered in those weird cracks. She looked at his eyes, which were changing back to look human again. His horns began to evaporate and the aura disintegrated, but those cracks stayed.
She knew, what they were, but didn't dare to ask, only, if she wished for him to die on the spot. It was a side effect of a powerful spell. She could only read about it in books. The main number one rule: Never talk about that spell until it's finished!
Adrik sighed and was ready to die. Instead, she took off her scarf and wrapped it around his neck to cover it. "We should keep your true identity a secret..." Adrik was stunned and gifted her with a warm smile. Her calm voice assured him, that his identity would be safe.
Petrona's adrenaline receded and weakness came upon her. The pain flooded the lower part of her body. Adrik stressed, he placed his hand on her lower belly to cover the wound. Despite everything, she felt uncomfortable, pushed his hand away and was left flustered.
He reached to his back and took out the stupid dagger, so it wouldn't bother him anymore. Adrik took her up into his arms and carried her the whole way to the Inn. Demyan saw them approaching and at full speed ran towards them.
He snatched Petrona out of Adrik's arms and brought her to the bedroom. She lost a significant amount of blood and also lost her consciousness. It was in advantage for Demyan, because in the presence of so much blood, he lost his control and transformed to his true vampire form.
Adrik observed him silently from the other side of the room. Demyan was pissed at him, for not protecting her properly. As he was done tending to her wound, he turned to him. "What the hell happened outside?"
Adrik didn't dare to look into Demyan's gray, angry-glowing eyes. "They used a covering spell. I noticed them just, as they were too close." Demyan stared at Petrona's scarf around Adrik's neck.
Adrik noticed and fondly rubbed it with a slight smile. "She wrapped it around my neck after I shielded her with my bod. I guess, she expressed her thanks, for protecting her from the other attacks." Demyan glanced at Petrona who began to open her eyes.
He forced his human form back. She turned her head to them. Petrona heard their conversation. "Don't be too harsh on him. In the end, he protected and brought me back, didn't he?" Demyan kneeled down at her bed and told her to rest and go to sleep, they would deal with them.
She wasn't happy, about what Demyan said. "My Highness, you should lie here instead of me, you are still too weak." Demyan smiled at Petrona. "Don't worry, that meal gave me some strength. Together with Adrik's help, we will get rid of them in no time, so rest! We will be right back!"
Demyan stood up and nodded at Adrik. Both men exited the room. Adrik got a mischievous smile. "Are you hungry? Would some thugs fancy your palate?" Demyan was excited. "Sounds tasty!"