Good to know.
“Wendall!” Another demon, this one wiry and tall, entered the barn.
The demon who’d given me the bucket straightened to greet the newcomer.
“Adopting strays?” the newcomer said.
“Pah, it’s just a dog. He’ll be a beauty with a little meat on his bones.”
“Ivor won’t like it.”
“Ivor can suck my balls.” Wendell grabbed his crotch to illustrate.
“I wouldn’t tempt him.”
They both guffawed.
“How’s our sleeping beauty?” Wendell asked.
“Awake and demanding answers.”
Conah? They were talking about Conah, they had to be.
“They’re all the fucking same, these nobles,” Wendell said. “Think they’re better than us. Felt good to stick it to him.” He licked his lips.
“We’re not killing him. You know that’s not the deal.”
“So what? We let him go? He’s seen our faces.”
“If we kill him, we’ll be next. You know who we're dealing with, and—"
“What the fuck are you two doing out here?” another male voice demanded.
Wendall gave me a panicked look, shoved his friend out of the barn, and slammed the door.
He was protecting me—the poor stray dog. It wouldn’t stop me tearing out his throat when the time came, though.
“What were you doing?” the new voice demanded again.
They were just outside the barn, and with my exceptional hearing, it wasn’t hard to eavesdrop.
“Nothing, Ivor,” Wendall said. “We were just checking on the freak.”
“You best not hurt it. Clemine loves that thing, and I promised her we’d let it live.”
“She won’t offer you her cunt, Ivor. No matter what you do for her.”
The voices receded.
I needed to get out of here, scope out the place, and find Conah. I nudged the door with my nose and froze as a voice filled the room behind me.
“If you go out there, you’ll get your head blown off.” A sigh. “But when has anyone ever listened to me?”
My head whipped round, and I planted my body facing the room, scanning it for the speaker.
There was no one here.
No one except me and the drake.
Which meant... No, it couldn’t be.
I locked eyes with the creature, and it lifted its head slowly and sinuously, reminding me so much of Cyril that it was fucking uncanny.
It tilted its head to the side. “Did you hear me?”
Yes. Yes, I bloody did.
Chapter Eighteen
“There are ten of them,” the drake said. “Ten mercenaries, a demon family of four, and a new demon. Blood of Lilith.”
I’d had to shift to speak to the drake, and there were no clothes here to cover up with. My nakedness didn’t bother me as much as I’d thought it would, though. Maybe because the only living creature in the room was a reptile, or maybe because I was becoming more comfortable in my skin.
I studied the massive beast, noble and regal even confined in a barn with his own shit. “Is there a way onto the grounds other than the front gate? I need to get my companion past the guards.”
“With ten versus two, a stealth attack is best,” the creature said. Its eyes gleamed. “Yes. I know another exit.”
I waited for him to tell me more.
He sighed. “You can’t expect me to give you everything until we’ve struck a deal.”
Of course, he’d want to make a deal. “How do you know all this stuff?”
“They used to take me out once a day so Clemine could ride me.” He looked down, and I noticed the silver shackles on his front legs for the first time. No chains, just the shackles. “There is no running or flying away.” He sounded beaten and weary. “But I see things and hear things. I’ll help you if you help me.”
He looked so hopeful, and yes, that sounded ridiculous because he had no eyebrows or motile features to make a hopeful expression, but he was hopeful. I could feel it.
I sighed. “I’d help you regardless. No living creature deserves to be treated this way.”
He blinked slowly, deliberately. “You mean that.”
“Of course I do.”
“And I would help you regardless because your heart is noble, and your cause is just.”
“Thank you. But before we do anything, I need to get those shackles off you and untie your wings.”
His head dipped. “You’ll need a key. Ivor has it. To free me, you’ll have to kill him.” And was that a glint of anticipation in his eyes, the sharp edge of carefully controlled rage? “I’ll tell you how to get your companion onto the grounds if you agree to my deal.”
I opened my mouth to agree but then snapped it closed. I’d been through this with Jasper, and even though my gut told me this drake was nothing like Jasper, and even though deep down I knew I’d take his offer anyway because it was the only way to save Conah, I needed some kind of reassurance that I wasn’t making a dodgy deal again.
“What are you? I mean, you’re not a regular drake, are you? The demon mentioned the seventh circle?”
“You’re concerned I may be malicious, dangerous, and amoral.”
“Yep, that about sums it up.”
“I’m only one of those things and only to those who are ignoble, immoral, and malignant. So my deal is simple. I give you a way onto the grounds, and you bring me Ivor, free me, and then allow me my justice.”
My brain did a quick workout. “You want to kill him.”
“Yes. He deserves to die.”
This was personal. I could see it in the dark depths of this creature’s eyes as if his soul was crying out for recompense.
“What did he do to you?”
He made a low purring sound, which was clearly a warning. “Deal or no deal?”
I looked into his dark eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. I’d seen the slyness in Jasper, felt the threat, but I’d ignored it because I’d wanted the key to helping Azazel. But this creature was no Jasper.
I nodded curtly. “Deal.”
“Good. There is a door that leads to a tunnel that comes out behind the house.”
“O-okay…Where is it?”
The drake turned and looked behind him. “Right under there.”
I followed his gaze and stared at the huge pile of crap. “Oh, shit.”
Chapter Nineteen
Conah
My prison is a cage housed in a room that looks like it was once used as a parlor or receiving chamber. The furniture is dusty, and the drapes are drawn, so it’s gloomy even with two lamps lit. But my body clock tells me it’s nightfall even if my comm can’t. The damn thing got broken during the scuffle in the tavern. You’d think they’d make them more durable.
We’re hours off schedule, and why that should bother me now is a mystery. I should be focused on my predicament, not the fact that we’ll get to Imperium late. Hell, I should focus on the fact I may never get to Imperium.
I try to summon my scythe again, but there’s nothing but a tingle in my palm. The drug they’ve given me is blocking my power, and the cage that shouldn’t be able to hold me is keeping me prisoner.
There are only two drugs that can incapacitate a Dominus this way, and both are produced in Imperium for medicinal purposes, used by the royal court, and tightly monitored. I don’t want to think it, but I have no choice.
Lilith’s done this.
My queen wants me delayed. But my delay will mean war, and I know that isn’t what she wants. At least it isn’t what she purports to want.
I’m so confused and weak. I wrack my brain, recalling my lessons as a young Dominus. There was an antidote. Something simple. If I could just remember its name…
The door to the room opens, and a man shuffles in carrying a plate of food. He places it within reach of my cage and quickly steps back. He isn’t one of them. He’s afraid. A hostage like me.
Mayb
e he can help me. “What’s your name?”
“Morty, sir. I know who you are. I’m sorry. I wish I could help you.”
My heart sinks. I’ve become adept at reading people, and there is no way this man is going to let me out. “They have your family?”
“For weeks now. We’re prisoners in our own home.”
He looks like he’s about to cry, but I need him strong if he’s going to help at all. I need to get back to Fee.
They left her behind. They told me that much, and if I know Fee, she’ll try to find me, but that’s a bad idea. Even with Mal in tow, it’s a bad move. There are ten of them, armed and dangerous. They don’t want me dead, but they won’t hesitate to kill Mal and Fee if they come after me. The fact they left her alive the first time was pure luck on her part and stupidity on theirs. They have no idea how tenacious she is.
I lock gazes with the man who owns this house. I have to try. “Listen to me. I can free you if you free me. I can make sure these mercenaries are stopped.”
He shakes his head sadly. “Even if I let you out, you won’t get far before they capture you again. And then it’ll be my family at risk. My wife and daughters. No. I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”
Yeah, thought as much. I sigh. “I understand the need to protect those you love.”
“My wife and daughters are all I have. As long as I do as they ask, they let us go about our business. My daughters are permitted to ride and paint and play piano, and my wife is permitted to sew and cook, and I…They allow me to tend to my herb garden.”
An herb garden… “You grow herbs? Tell me, what herbs do you have.”
He looks surprised by my interest. “Um… hazel root and branberry leaf, camoline flower, and elder root.”
Elder root. That was it! “Listen to me. You can help me. You can help me without them ever knowing you did.”
He blinked at me.
“All I need is some elder root.”
“Elder root. That’s all?”
I nod. “Get me some elder root, and I’ll do the rest. I promise I won’t allow your family to come to harm. You have my word, and the word of a Dominus is his bond.”
The edge of fear melted from his expression. “I’ll be right back.” He glanced at the plate of food. “Don’t eat that. I saw them sprinkle something on it.”
Probably more of the drug to keep me disconnected from my power. “Thank you.”
He inclined his head and left the room.
There was nothing more to do but wait.
Chapter Twenty
Mal
It’s been too long. I need to go in, and fuck the consequences.
Nirma grabs my elbow. “It’s been an hour,” she reminds me. “Give her a chance.”
But an hour is too long for her to be alone in a building with killers even if she does have fang and claw. They have muskets, and bullets might not kill her, but they’ll wound her, badly. And if they shoot her enough, she won’t be able to heal fast enough and—
Fuck, I’m hyperventilating. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“You care about her, don’t you?” Nirma says, almost wistfully.
“My feelings are none of your fucking business,” I snap at her.
She flinches, and I don’t even feel bad. I have no room in my head to feel bad because every atom is focused on Fee.
Opening myself up to her was a bad idea because there is no longer any room to pretend, and if she’s hurt, if she’s mortally wounded, I’ll lose my shit and do something bad.
My hand tingles and flares red, and the malignant energy housed in my scythe pricks at my soul, wanting to influence and take charge. Wanting to maim and hurt. I close my eyes and breathe through it. Letting it wash over me, but not through me.
“Are you okay?” Nirma asks.
I want to wrap my hand around her throat and choke the life out of her. I want to see the light bleed from her eyes.
“Hello?”
Not my thoughts. Not my needs or wants. I push them away and open my eyes. “I’m fine.”
I really need to get to purgatory and soon. My stomach cramps and twists in fear. Focus, Malachi.
“This was a bad idea.” I take a step toward the gates, and Nirma sucks in a sharp breath, making another grab for my arm. “What the fuck is your problem?”
“Fee.” She points.
I turn to see a huge silver wolf trotting toward us, and with her comes the faint whiff of shit.
Fee yips and then runs across the street and between the houses where she shifted the first time. I hand Nirma Fee’s clothes, and she follows the Loup.
Five minutes later and Fee is back, dressed but still whiffy.
“Ten fake guards. We’re going to have to go in stealthily. I have no idea where they’re holding Conah, though. I didn’t make it into the house.”
“How do you know how many guards?”
“The creature in the barn told me.”
I open my mouth to ask more questions, but she cuts me off.
“No time for questions. Just come with me, and you can see for yourself.”
We run in a crouch along the hedge, keeping to the shadows.
God, I can smell shit. “No offense, Fee, but what did you do? Roll in crap?”
“You have no fucking idea.” She makes a face. “But you’ll see.”
I’m not sure I want to.
Chapter Twenty-One
Fee
Mal wouldn’t stop staring at the drake creature.
“You can hear him?” he asked.
“Yes. You know what he is, don’t you?”
Mal shook his head in wonder but didn’t get too close to the creature. “I think so, I just…I’ve never seen one in the flesh before. I thought they were extinct. But the fact you can hear him makes sense. He’s a seraphim.”
“Wait, what. I thought the seraphim were a class of celestials?”
“They were a long time ago. But the Beyond sent them to the Circle to watch over the souls sent here. They were forced to give up their celestial heritage and become demons in order to serve the Beyond. They were the Beyond’s eyes and ears in the Underealm. Formidable warriors. But when the contract was altered by the Beyond, they were left here to rot.”
“And Lilith ordered our execution,” the seraphim said.
I stared at Mal. “Lilith ordered them killed?”
He looked surprised. “Is that what he thinks?”
“It’s what I know.” There was a growl to his tone now. “I was there. I saw it. I lived it, but I survived. A few of us escaped, scattering and hiding. Your queen didn’t want the Beyond’s eyes in the Underealm any longer.”
“He says Lilith didn’t want the Beyond’s eyes in the Underealm.”
Mal ran a hand over his face. “Makes sense. We were told they were called back to the Beyond. I didn’t know.”
“It matters not now. Now you must focus on freeing your companion and then freeing me,” the seraphim said.
“We need to focus on getting Conah out of the house.”
“I have an idea,” Nirma said. “But I’ll need to borrow the amulet, and you’ll need to trust me.”
Mal and I exchanged glances, thinking the same thing…She could take the trinket and run.
“She won’t,” the seraphim said. “Her soul is tainted by fear and anger, but there is no treachery.”
I trusted this creature. “The seraphim says we can trust you, Nirma. What did you have in mind?”
Nirma’s eyes smiled. “I was thinking I could walk right in.”
Conah
The root is starting to take effect when the guard who stabbed me enters the room. He shuts the door and leans against it, breathing hard.
“Come to finish me off?” I can feel the power returning to my limbs. “Come on, then?”
If he comes closer, I can grab the bastard.
But he’s studying the lock on my cage from a safe distance, his brow crinkled in concentration.
&nbs
p; “Shit,” he says.
My gaze falls to his wrist, and my heart almost stops at the sight of a comm strapped to it. “Where did you get that?” I grab the bars and lunge forward. “Where the fuck did you get that?”
He looks at the comm, then his face ripples, and the Conari demon is staring at me from above her scarf.
“What the fuck?”
“I’m here to get you out, but I see that will be a problem without a key.” She taps a message into the comm.
“How are you doing this?”
“Fee loaned me her amulet.”
She knows who Fee is? She’s working with her. That’s why she has the comm. The churning in my gut ebbs. “Is Mal with her?”
“They’re both in the barn. I was supposed to get you out of here, then come back and lure the one called Ivor to the barn. But I don’t have a key.”
“Lure Ivor?”
“Fee has a deal with the seraphim in the barn.”
“Seraphim?”
“You sound like an echo. Maybe focus on how I’m going to get a key? Do you know who has it?”
My hand flares with heat, telling me the drug is fully out of my system, and my powers are back on.
I smile up at her. “No, but we’re not going to need one.”
My scythe blazes to life, and I slice through the bars like they’re made of butter.
The tavern woman staggers back, hand on her heart. “Oh. Impressive.”
I kick out the bars and step out of the cage, finally free.
“Well, that works too,” she says. “Follow me, I’ll get you out of here.”
But I can’t leave. Not without finding out who sent these guards after me. I can’t abandon this family to suffer. “I need to free the demons who own this house, and I need to question the guards. Only one needs to be kept alive for that part, though.”
She sighs. “Fee thought you might say that. The guards have muskets.”
Shit.
“Let me get you outside,” she continues. “Get to the barn and discuss it with your companions.” She taps another message into the comm. “Just letting them know we’re on our way.”
Reaper Unveiled (Deadside Reapers Book 4) Page 10