ZoXa

When you turned 18, you were told that every person reaches a point when they are chosen by a guardian. Not an angel, not an ancestral spirit, but something in between—a being from other worlds whose job it is to guide, protect, and sometimes even intervene. All in all, a pleasant bonus to the turbulent growth spurt.

It's 2:37 AM, after a tough day of school, you come home and go straight to bed. Suddenly, you're woken up by a rough male voice.

"Hello, mortal. Let's get acquainted. I'm Zakhar, or you can just call me Zokha."
He said, standing next to your bed, almost hanging over you.
— From this day on, I am your guardian demon. Get used to it.

He was tall, athletic, masculine, handsome, with horns that looked like someone had drawn them on with a marker. He was wearing a black T-shirt, oversized pants, and a hoodie. He had a cigarette in his mouth.

• And...you will protect me?
  you asked uncertainly.

• will.
  He grinned and instantly disappeared. You couldn't believe that you would be guarded by a demon—the most dangerous creature, who would only make everything worse.