“The little demon is correct.”
Shadow grinned over at Muan. Muan couldn’t help but look proud of himself but he turned his back to Shadow and Azazel once again to hide it.
Nessus continued.
“I have a head but I never weep. I have a bed but I never sleep. I have a mouth but I never talk. I run but I never walk. What am I?”
Muan continued to look away from Azazel and Shadow. Shadow guessed he probably couldn’t trick Muan into answering the riddle this time even if he knew the answer. Azazel was muttering about combining the scythes again so Shadow figured he was on his own. Shadow realized Azazel didn’t really care because if the centaurs attacked him, he could kill them. He couldn’t let that happen because they were stuck on this side of the river without the guidance of Nessus. As Shadow looked at the centaurs guarding the Phlegethon, he found the answer.
“The answer is a river.”
“You are correct, Shadow. Just one more. I am the part of the bird that’s not in the sky. I can swim in the ocean and always stay dry. I flee from the light but owe a debt to the sun. For without the sun’s rays, I would be undone. What am I?”
Muan continued to say nothing but Shadow saw him raise his hands to grip his bone daggers. He was ready to fight if it came to it and he clearly didn’t know the answer. Azazel pulled the sword from his belt.
“If I kill them, can you find us another way across?”
“Wait, Azazel. Give me some time to think about it.”
Nessus signaled for his centaurs to ready their weapons.
“Your fallen angel threatens us. I don’t appreciate that. Give us your answer, Shadow.”
Centaurs began to surround Azazel, clearly ready to strike the moment the signal was given. Shadow continued to think but Azazel finally looked like he realized something they had missed.
“Shadow.”
“What?”
“No. A shadow. It’s the answer to his riddle.”
Shadow thought about Nessus’s riddle and realized that Azazel was right. He was mildly embarrassed that he hadn’t thought of the answer himself. Nessus looked like he wasn’t very happy with the outcome. He had obviously wanted to toss Azazel into the river.
“The outcast is correct. I will guide the three of you across.”
The centaurs made an opening in their circle to allow Azazel to leave but they followed close behind. Nessus led them along the banks of the river of boiling blood until they reached a small span of the river that was only ankle deep. He pointed across the river.
“This is where I led the poet and his guide when they crossed the river of violence. As more and more sinners are delivered here, I fear it will one day become impassable. Cross here and ignore the tormented souls in the river. If you interfere with out sworn duty to punish them, we will kill you.”
Shadow nodded at Nessus and the three of them stepped into the boiling river of blood.
CHAPTER 13
When the small group finally stopped to catch their breath, Murmur had to ask Tannin what he was thinking.
“So Shadow tries to get me traded away from the shitty situation I was in and you try to pull it off with twenty demons? With all due respect, Lord Tannin, I have to wonder if you’re slightly nuts or ridiculously overconfident.”
“Are those my only two options?”
“I understand that you couldn’t spare an entire army with the war we’re fighting, but was General Leviathan really willing to send a middle demon and twenty demons out on a suicide mission? I really think we only got away because of dumb luck and…”
“Let me stop you right there, Murmur. You’re a smart, strong warrior and you’ll definitely have a chance to move up but you’re already treading fairly close to blasphemy in your new department. When General Leviathan wants something, he sends one of two middle demons to take care of it. I’m the warrior and Lord Belial is the sorcerer. We’ve both seen thousands of battles and we are tasked with getting General Leviathan whatever he wants. He wanted you after rumors of Shadow’s death started to spread. He flipped a coin, I called it correctly, and he sent me instead of Belial.”
“What if Nightmare had refused your request and attacked you with his army?”
“Not a problem. While I’m glad we got in and out without any of my twenty dying in the process, I would have killed Nightmare to render his army leaderless. I don’t imagine they would want to fight me after they watched me behead the son of Lucian.”
“You’re that confident that you would have killed Nightmare?”
Tannin laughed.
“I watched Lord Shadow do it in less than thirty seconds in the trials. I understand he’s respected as a great warrior but he’s not even in the same league as a demon like me.”
“I fought Nightmare in the trials and I got a good hit in. Are you saying that you could kill me without any injury whatsoever?”
“Of course.”
“Hand me some middle demon weapons and let’s test your theory. I’ve injured Nightmare before and I’ve injured Lord Shadow. I strongly doubt you’re as good as you’re claiming.”
Tannin looked mildly amused. He turned to his twenty demons.
“The demon-in-training thinks he can hurt me.”
Tannin’s remark was met with laughter. He snapped his fingers and one of his conjurers summoned a table. Another demon spread out all of his middle demon weapons on the table.
“Not only will I let you pick whatever weapons you want to use, Murmur, but you can pick my weapon as well. Go ahead.”
Murmur surveyed the weapons spread in front of him on the table. Knives, guns, swords, axes, and even a crossbow. A pair of sturdy looking mallets caught his eye. The mallet heads were a shiny black and Murmur had never seen that kind of stone before. The handles featured black and white leather that crisscrossed its way down the weapon. Murmur picked them up and felt the weight. Heavier than he was used to, but then again, he was used to wielding weapons from the reject pile of other demons. He swung them through the air and realized that he could easily adapt and get used to the increased weight.
Tannin watched him with amusement.
“Sticking with what you know, huh? Clubs and mallets? That’s fine. Now select my weapon. Anything on the table.”
Murmur scanned the table again. One item caught his eye. There was a sword attached to the inside handholds of a shield. Murmur removed the sword and handed the shield to Tannin. Tannin laughed.
“So you get my mallets and I get a shield?”
“You said anything on the table. The shield was on the table. I can pick something else if you want to go back on your word.”
Tannin’s demons gasped. The grin that Tannin wore since Murmur issued the challenge finally left his face.
“Never question my honor. If you had said air was on the table and told me I had to kill you with nothing, I would have done it. Now choose some armor. I don’t want you complaining that you didn’t have the clear and obvious advantage after I kick your ass. I’ll be waiting over there with my shield when you’re ready.”
Murmur found the largest armor set that Tannin had and put it on. Before he went to fight Tannin, he grabbed an extra dagger from the table and hid it in his boot.
“Go ahead, Murmur. Take your best shot.”
Murmur charged. He was ready to strike when he saw that Tannin was no longer where he was standing a few seconds earlier. Suddenly, Murmur felt something hit him in the back of his head. He stumbled forward a few steps but didn’t fall over. Once he regained his footing, he spun and threw one of his mallets. It sailed through the air and came to rest on the ground. Tannin was once again out of sight.
Murmur felt something strike his leg and then his other leg was kicked out from under him seconds later. The edge of the shield was placed against his neck and then Tannin’s foot appeared on top of the shield. If he stepped down hard enough, the shield would cut through Murmur’s neck.
“Do you yield?”
“Yes. You
win.”
Tannin removed the shield from Murmur’s neck and then reached down to help him up. Murmur got back on his feet and dusted himself off.
“You’re as good as you say. I never got a hit in. Just one question: are you really that fast or were you using magic?”
“I’m really that fast. The best warriors never give their opponent a target. If I can be seen, I can be slain. That’s why I prefer light weapons. They’re easier to carry and strike with as I stay out of sight. I’m still quick enough to kick your ass with a bulky shield though.”
Murmur put the mallets back on the table. He went to return his armor set as well, but Tannin stopped him.
“Keep it. I’m pretty sure you’re going to need it for the mission General Leviathan has planned for you. It can also serve as a reminder for what you learned today.”
Murmur accepted the armor but it reminded him of something other than what Tannin thought he had taught him that day. Murmur took it as a reminder that he owed Tannin a good ass-kicking.
When they finally made it to Leviathan’s camp, Tannin raised his hand to signal to his demons that they should wait. He took Murmur into Leviathan’s tent to meet him. Seated on a large pile of gold, gems, and skulls was a demon with sharp claws, fang-like teeth, and clutching a scythe in his hands. His armor looked exactly the same as General Cain’s and Murmur wondered if he had taken it from Cain’s corpse.
Standing on his left with his arms crossed was a demon that Murmur couldn’t see very well. He could see his eyes, but the rest of him was shrouded in smoke. Tannin bowed to Leviathan and Murmur got down on one knee and did the same.
“General Leviathan, I have returned with the demon you wanted. This is Lord Shadow’s old sparring buddy, Murmur.”
“Did you lose anyone to Nightmare?”
“No. Murmur nearly killed his conjurer, Andras, as well.”
“A perfect acquisition, Tannin. Well done.”
Leviathan looked down at Murmur.
“Stand, young demon.”
Murmur stood and crossed his arms. He wanted to look impressive as he knew his first impression with Leviathan was going to last. He was pretty sure that Leviathan was looking at him like a shiny new item for his collection or a brand new toy.
“You are a strong one. Shadow suggested that the department of lies was mistreating you. I think it would be unfortunate to see talent go to waste like that. I’m going to give you a chance. If you complete the mission for me, you can select an open minor demon position in Tannin’s army or in Belial’s.”
Leviathan pointed to his left as he said Belial’s name. Belial remained hidden in the smoke that surrounded him. Murmur felt an instant dislike for Belial and he didn’t think he was going to get over it. Maybe it had to do something with the fact that he wouldn’t reveal himself.
“I am here to serve, General Leviathan. Give me a command and I will obey it.”
“Our armies are running low on food and other supplies. Astaroth has demons gathering human souls and other things on Earth right now. I’m sending you with two other demons-in-training to Earth. I need you to kill Astaroth’s demons and steal what they have. The more souls you bring, the greater your reward will be.”
“It will be done, General Leviathan. I’m ready to leave as soon as the other demons-in-training are ready. I won’t let you down.”
CHAPTER 14
Leech made his way over to the injured Lilith and picked her up in his arms. He took her to the tent that his demons had pitched for him and placed her on the bed. He heard a noise at the entrance of the tent and immediately drew one of his pistols.
“Don’t shoot! It’s Raven. I just wanted to check on my sister.”
Raven slowly made her way into the tent with her hands up in the air. Leech holstered his gun. Raven looked down at the unconscious Lilith.
“Do you think she’s prettier than me?”
Leech continued to keep his gaze fixated on Lilith.
“Yes.”
Raven got in his line of sight and looked directly into his eyes.
“How about now?”
She slowly moved her lips toward his. When she made it within a few inches, she heard a clicking noise and felt something press against the side of her head. It was one of Leech’s guns.
“Get the fuck out of this tent. Now.”
Raven made it to the entrance of the tent and turned back around.
“I can’t help but do things like that. It’s in my nature. You’re the one who’s twisted, Leech. Both of you are. You could have dozens of concubines and demonesses attending to you all the time. Why don’t you?”
“Because I love her. I don’t expect you to understand. You had better learn to control your ‘nature’ though because if you come on to me again, I will kill you. One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“It’s Lord Leech. I didn’t get to where I am so demons-in-training could refer to me as just Leech. The next time you slip up, I’m going to remind you who commands this army and it won’t be a pleasant experience. You are dismissed.”
Raven looked like she wanted to yell at him but she turned and left the tent without another word. Shortly after she left, Lilith opened her eyes. Leech realized that she was probably listening in on most of his conversation with Raven.
“Lily, you may think I was a little too hard on her but she can’t just go around doing whatever the hell…”
Lilith leaned up and kissed him. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him onto the bed with her.
Gangrene stopped the three demons that approached Leech’s tent on horseback.
“Someone is in there attacking Lord Leech. Let us pass, Gangrene.”
Gangrene grinned up at them.
“He’s fine. I’m pretty sure he is being attacked but I’m sure he doesn’t mind.”
“We’re going in there to kill his attacker.”
“He’ll kill you the second you enter that tent.”
“Move, Gangrene. This doesn’t concern you.”
“He’s in there with Lilith, dumbasses. Do I need to connect all the dots for you?”
“Uh… no. Sorry. We’ll just um… make sure everyone stays back from this area for the next little while.”
“You do that.”
As the demons on horseback left, a demon-in-training approached Gangrene and bowed. Gangrene recognized the recruit he had taken when he murdered his sister’s killer.
“Remind me of your name again.”
“Vomit, sir.”
“Right. What message do you have for me?”
“All of Agrat’s army that wouldn’t swear allegiance to Lord Leech was put to death. A few hundred of them fought back and we put them down. The remainder, around two hundred, have joined Lord Leech’s army.”
“Well done. Tell both armies to be ready to march in…”
Gangrene looked back at Leech’s tent and grinned.
“…uh… let’s just say within the next few hours or so.”
Leech smiled wide as he left his tent. He stretched his arms and then adjusted his belt. Gangrene approached him but was able to maintain a serious expression.
“Lord Leech, I didn’t realize you were that injured by your fight with Agrat. You have some pretty deep scratches and some… other marks… all over your face and neck. Shall I get one of the sorcerers to take a look and see if…”
“Shut the hell up, Gangrene. You know as well as I do that these didn’t come from Agrat. How many new recruits did we gain?”
“We lost a few hundred from those that fought back. Around two hundred swore the oath and joined your army. There’s something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you guys about but it’s um… I’m not really sure how to…”
“Say what you need to say.”
“I think we may need to make arrangements in case Lord Shadow doesn’t come back. We haven’t heard anything from him, Muan, or the army that went with him. Rumors are spreading that he’s dead. If
that’s the case, I would like to formally relinquish command of my army to you. It’s just too weird having our armies remain separate and the chain-of-command right now is a little… awkward…”
“Let me correct you about a few things. Shadow isn’t dead. Muan might be dead and the other half of Shadow’s army could be dead but Shadow isn’t. He’s the toughest demon I’ve ever met. I will, however, take command of both armies for now and I want you to be my temporary second-in-command. We can discuss making it permanent when Shadow gets back, since I think he’ll likely be a major demon when he returns.”
“I’ll accept the temporary position, Lord Leech, but on the condition that I rejoin Lord Shadow if he returns and Muan was slain. I can’t leave him without a suitable backup for me in his department. Muan isn’t exactly on the same level that I am, but he’s probably as close as they come.”
Leech laughed.
“I accept your terms, Gangrene. Let’s just hope that the little guy is alive. If he’s with Shadow, I’ll bet that he’s still breathing. I’ll work it out with old Shady when they get back.”
“What would you like me to do with the power rings and gear we retrieved from the slain?”
“You can distribute it. Demons with nothing get first pick. Some of them are still running around without proper weapons and it’s kind of embarrassing.”
“Didn’t you start off with a sharpened femur bone, Lord Leech?”
“I’m an exception. I kicked ass with a sharpened femur bone. There was nothing embarrassing about it.”
“Right. I’ll go distribute the loot to the um… less exceptional demons of the army.”
Gangrene bowed and left. Lilith came out of the tent and grabbed Leech’s arm. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“So thanks for all of that. That was really fun.”
Lilith giggled.
“Oh I was holding back, Leechy. I didn’t want to hurt you. Maybe someday we can try it out full-strength.”
Lilith winked at him.
“Deal. Now let’s go kill another one of your sisters.”
Middle Demons (Angels and Demons Book 2) Page 7