"He's insane."
"He and Gardevik attempted to attack Corinnelar and Li'Neruh Rath. Rather than kill them for the attempt, Corinnelar relocated both to the Southern Continent and left them confused long enough to get other things accomplished in Veshtul."
"Is there a reason not to Change What Was now?"
"Li'Neruh has requested a stay in the matter. Corinnelar agreed."
"It's his call," I nodded. "High Demons are his concern, as hard a job as that's proven to be."
* * *
Mother Rose
My family took up the entire length of an extended table at a small restaurant in Melbourne, not far from the ship's dock. Remnants of food lay on mostly empty plates in front of them.
To me, they looked very much like a sated bunch of owls, so tired from the previous evening they'd not bother to lift their wings if they fell off a branch.
We'd flown on another world. I struggled to convince myself of that reality. The trees we'd landed on—some of them hadn't been trees, but creatures who'd become trees under the full moon.
None minded our presence, opening their branches when we chose to alight there. I felt sheltered while with them.
Safe.
I seldom felt safe—even before Morwin's enemies arrived in Australia.
Not far away, Klancy, Ilya and Tamp ate and talked at another table. They were our guards this day, to ensure our safety.
Of all my brood, only Morwin was still wide awake and asking for a refill of tea. Chloe leaned on his shoulder and was likely asleep. He kept that arm still and accepted tea with the other hand.
I wished for mindspeech, then, so I could tell him he was welcome in the family. He felt right to me, and that was unusual. Most of my granddaughters' dates failed to meet my standards.
With a sigh, I pulled my purse off the chair back and hefted it over a shoulder before grabbing my cane. Time to wake the brood and travel back to the ship.
* * *
Morwin
While Chloe and her family were gone the night before, I chose to do research. One of the possible locations for the Metal Library was beneath Uluru, a huge, sandstone monolith, sacred to indigenous Australians.
I hoped we'd not get near it; its importance to the first Australians could not be measured by human means. The damage a Ra'Ak and two powerful Karathians could cause to Uluru weighed on my mind.
Please be somewhere else, I begged the Metal Library.
* * *
Morgett Blackmantle
"You're sure of this? That there are only two?" The Prince's eyes narrowed as he gazed upon me.
"I can't confirm that," I confessed. "There could be others."
"This has been building for a while," the Prince said. He and I stood beside a very tall window in his current home—one stolen on a world now occupied only by Ra'Ak. The humanoid population had been devoured long ago.
For now, B'Eradonn was a place to stay until it fell further into ruin. After that, a new world would be taken and other homes and buildings occupied until they, too, fell into disrepair. Ra'Ak do not build, they take. It was one of the Prince's favorite phrases.
"I will not have the High Demons taking any part of the Library," the Prince came to a swift decision. "It is for us—it was foretold. Take several with you to search and to battle these High Demons should it become necessary. If you find you need more, send mindspeech. I will provide an army if needed."
"As you will it, my Prince." I bowed respectfully while hiding my smile. Everything was falling into my hands. The interference by two High Demons had become a gift rather than a curse.
With enough Ra'Ak under my command, it would be easy to overthrow the Prince.
How ignorant he was.
"Choose your soldiers and inform me of their number," the Prince dismissed me. "Soon, the Library will be ours."
"It will, I swear it," I said and folded space.
* * *
Lexsi
Kory and I slept late and went to a small sandwich shop near the pool for an early afternoon meal. "Is there anything to see in Melbourne?" Kory asked as we searched for a small table to eat our food.
"I'm sure there's plenty to see; I just haven't read the stuff they left for us in the cabin," I replied. "This tuna sandwich is pretty good," I mumbled after taking a bite. It was—they hadn't drowned it in mayo, thank goodness.
"We could skip in and out," he suggested while a quarter of his roast beef sandwich disappeared in a single bite. He was hungry after flying with his brothers the night before. His mother and I had spent that time talking.
I was beginning to love the High Demon who'd brought Kory into the world. "Did you have fun last night?" I asked.
"Yeah. I haven't done that in years—we could seldom all get together like that. Flying with Pap was a treat, too. He usually goes out by himself. He says he thinks while he flies."
"Some High Demons just stalk around and don't bother flying," I said, thinking of my own father.
"Pap always said 'why have wings if you're not going to use them?'" Kory grinned at me.
"Yeah. I need more practice with mine."
"When we get done with all this, we'll take time to fly," he said. "I'll teach you how to do barrel rolls and land on targets."
"That sounds like fun."
"I had a blast doing it when I was younger—it's nice to get your feet off the ground."
"I agree," Mother Rose walked up to our table. Kory rose quickly and pulled a chair up for her. "If it weren't so dangerous for me and my brood these days, we'd certainly fly more often. Now, what do you turn into so you can fly?"
She said we'd talk later, Kory looked shame-faced. Looks like it caught up with me, huh?
"We could show you," I offered. "But you'll have to go with us for a few."
"Where?" Mother Rose didn't trust easily; I knew that already.
"Want to meet Kory's parents?" I asked brightly. "I'll show you what we can turn into then, because it's a safe place."
"Just bear in mind that Lexsi hasn't had much experience flying," Kory grinned.
"Why is that?" Mother Rose demanded. "My fledglings learned when they were twelve."
"Long story," I said.
"I have time," Mother Rose leaned her cane against the table.
"Well, it isn't often that the females of our race actually turn," Kory said, reaching for my fries. I pushed my plate toward him, so he could get to them easier.
"That sounds wrong," Mother Rose said.
"Well, it isn't often needed," Kory said. "I think you'll understand when you see Lexsi. She's less frightening than I am."
"You're frightening?" One of Rose's eyebrows lifted in speculation.
"Some would think so," Kory grabbed several fries and stuffed them in his mouth.
"He's starving," I said. "He was out all night."
"Sounds like my bunch. They're either eating or asleep the day after a full moon."
"My mother may have something else to eat if we go now," Kory suggested.
"Then let's go."
We found a quiet, deserted corner of the deck and skipped Mother Rose to the cattle station that now housed the majority of Kory's family.
* * *
Mother Rose
Both ended up changing after I demanded it. They were right, too—Lexsi was much less frightening. Kory looked as if he could cause real damage. Both wore scales, but his were the blackest black and he wore horns that curved like a ram's around pointed ears.
"Lexsi can be more powerful at times," Zaria appeared at my side as I watched Kory give Lexsi a quick flying lesson.
"They're huge," I mumbled.
"It's how their race was made," Zaria replied. "In the beginning, they were created to protect the dark races and keep them from killing one another. Eventually, that didn't work out so well with some of their ancestors."
"I wondered who was here," someone joined us. He held a cup of tea in his hands as he watched the flights of Lexsi
and Kory.
"Lord Nedevik Weth, this is Rose Hiboux," Zaria introduced us.
Nedevik went to one knee and shook my hand with a smile. "An owl?" he asked. "Owls are associated with wisdom on my world."
"As they are here," I agreed. "Although that doesn't keep them from shooting at us from time to time. There aren't many guns allowed in Australia nowadays, but that doesn't mean some won't have weapons."
"I understand that being a shapeshifter in this day and time can be more than dangerous," Nedevik nodded and sipped his tea. "Most unfortunate. Would you like tea?" He asked. "We'd be happy to sit at the table with you and Zaria. We'll leave Kordevik and Lexsirok to their flying lesson."
"Sounds good," I admitted. "I'm still a bit addled after the full moon flight last evening."
"I'll get us there," Zaria offered and we disappeared, only to reappear in a huge kitchen that only an enormous cattle ranch could boast.
I discovered that the large kitchen was needed; Kory's mother was there, sitting with several others around a heavy, wooden table.
"This is Verarok, my wife," Nedevik introduced us. "Vera, this is Rose Hiboux, an owl shapeshifter."
"I'm so pleased to meet you," Vera stood to greet me. "Please, take a seat and I'll find a cup of tea for you and Zaria."
For the next hour or so, I talked and laughed with a family of High Demons. They were people, just like any other. Any fears I had were laid to rest during that conversation, although I already trusted Kory and Lexsi. They'd saved friends, after all, and seemed to have my family's best interests at heart.
* * *
Zaria
"I like your parents," Rose poked Kory with her cane after I set us down on the ship. I'd taken us to Rose's cabin, where Jim, Sarah and Tim waited.
"I like them too," Kory grinned at her. "It doesn't matter how old he gets; Pap always says that every day has something new."
"How old is he?" Rose asked.
"I'm not for sure. I'm one of his younger sons, and I'm over a thousand years old."
Rose drew in a breath. His race is immortal, I informed her.
"I had no idea immortals actually existed," Rose released her breath.
"Larentii are also immortal," Valegar arrived in his smaller form. "I am taking Zaria away for more rest," he said and pulled me away.
* * *
Lexsi
I was nicely tired after flying with Kory. Mother Rose was content to plan dinner with her son and grandchildren, so Kory and I said good-bye and skipped to our cabin.
"Want to clean up and find dinner?" Kory grinned at me.
"Like your mother didn't just stuff you with an enormous sandwich?" I asked.
"Oh, right. Well, we could fool around, then clean up and find dinner."
Dinner had to be put off; Morgett's bunch attacked another family while I was in the shower.
* * *
Kordevik
Six Ra'Ak, none of them Morgett, had arrived with Deris Blackmantle to threaten another family. Those images swept through my brain seconds before I skipped Lexsi toward the sheep station home where the endangered family lived.
Pap, send five, I shouted in mindspeech while giving him images of the location. I sent the images I'd received of Ra'Ak, too.
Five of my brothers, already Thifilathi, landed on dry dirt with a thump outside the house just as Lexsi and I arrived.
I'll get the family out, Lexsi turned to mist immediately.
Be careful, I sent. Nodding to my brothers, I waited for the Ra'Ak to discover our presence.
* * *
Lexsi
I have them, I sent, although mindspeech wasn't necessary. The moment four family members disappeared in front of their eyes, Deris ran until he could fold space; behind him, humanoid Ra'Ak became giant serpents.
I fled with the family while enormous, fanged and spiked heads burst through the roof of the farmhouse.
Morgett had upped the ante.
* * *
Zaria
Valegar and I went, although we weren't needed. I'd never seen High Demons fighting Ra'Ak, which is what they were created to do.
While Ra'Ak poison will kill almost anything else, High Demons are immune to it.
Kory squeezed the life out of one of those horrible serpents while I held my breath. The giant tail whipped about, knocking down what was left of a farmhouse while the serpent struggled to get away.
"Are you shielded, honey?" I turned to Valegar, who smiled at me. Both of us looked humanoid—no need to taunt V'ili in case he was watching.
"Very well, dearest," he smiled at me.
Kory's opponent grew weaker, then stilled. Half a breath later, that Ra'Ak dusted, blasting dark chunks in all directions. Some of them hit Kory and his brothers, along with two remaining Ra'Ak.
Six High Demons roared and attacked the live Ra'Ak with renewed effort. Lexsi appeared at our side.
"I took the family to the nearest farmhouse," she explained. "They're calling the authorities. They still don't know who attacked them—I pulled them out before anybody changed. Deris, the asshole, was disguised when we got here, but that dropped away fast. The minute he discovered his power was nullified, he ran until he was far enough away from my influence to fold space."
"He's nothing but a coward—both of the twins are," I agreed. That's when the next to last Ra'Ak dusted. Lexsi ducked, although it wasn't necessary. Val's shield covered all of us.
Still, it was frightening to see those chunks heading right for you, only to bounce away, leaving you unharmed.
"What does this mean?" Lexsi blinked at me.
"It means that Morgett knows about you and Kory, so he's attempting to even the odds. He now knows there are seven of you here. He'll call in more reinforcements, unless I'm badly mistaken."
"That doesn't sound good," Lexsi frowned.
"I'm thinking of a plan," I said.
"What's that?"
"A trap," I said. "To catch Ra'Ak. If we're lucky, Morgett will fall into it, too."
"Good."
The three of us watched as one of Kory's brothers dispatched the last Ra'Ak, and barely blinked when he dusted.
"Dearest, we should get rid of any evidence," Val turned to me.
"Okay."
Every chunk of every Ra'Ak disappeared around us. "We'll have to get rid of anything inside the farmhouse that may indicate giant serpents and High Demons," I said.
"I can blow it up," Lexsi offered.
"Do it. A blast will clear away any footprints or snake prints in the yard."
"All right. I hope the family has insurance," Lexsi mumbled before turning to mist.
Val and I Pulled the High Demons inside our shield while Lexsi went to work.
* * *
Australian Waters
Opal
"Fort Largs has some underground rooms and such, but it's near the water," I pointed to the location on a map. "Too close to houses, too, I think."
"What about the Apostles Tunnel?" Zaria asked.
"That's not on any map, and most of it is half-filled with water," I said. "That's what it was built for in the beginning—to get water to the city. Officials don't want it publicized, to keep explorers and the curious away. Because it's dangerous."
"Dangerous is good, and what I'd choose if I were the Library. It's last known location was a volcano, remember? Plus, we can dry the tunnels out," Zaria offered. "It wouldn't be difficult."
"You realize we'll have to set up an elaborate defense system for it, if we continue with this plan?"
"I know. But it's not impossible."
We were discussing laying our trap for Morgett in Adelaide, which was our next stop. We could explore our options there, lay the trap carefully, then tempt Morgett with a fake library's discovery after we were many miles away.
"What about creating a large room off these tunnels—one that is drier and more difficult to approach?" Val offered. "That would be simple to achieve and provide a space suitably large e
nough to hold the entire Library."
"And we'll need a system of advanced warning, for when Morgett arrives," Zaria said. "I sure don't want to deal with the violent tantrum he'll throw when he discovers it isn't the real library."
"We need to take him out fast, that's for sure," I agreed. "We have three big concerns, however. What if he brings the twins and V'ili with him? We can't go in with all guns blazing if that's the case."
"I know. Look—lay your plans, but give me a little time to work out that big kink," Zaria said. "I'll let you know whether I figure out a way around that event, should it happen."
"Don't take too long—the cruise is winding down and the window is closing. I'm surprised that Morgett hasn't figured out the owl family is aboard the boat, yet."
"I know." Zaria's shoulders sagged. "There's only so many things we can do about that."
"We've seen one ship destroyed in the past," I reminded her.
"Yeah. We lost friends that day. Let's hope we don't see a repeat."
* * *
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
Jayd, Garde and their army of High Demons were sealed off from coming to my planet.
That didn't interfere with their mindspeech, however. At first, the messages went to Glinda and the girls. Connegar agreed to stop them from receiving those messages, as they were filled with threats and warnings.
Jayd and Garde had truly gone off the deep end. More than anything, I wanted Zaria or Bree to Change What Was, but Li'Neruh was adamant that we wait.
There had to be some reason, but I didn't know what it could be.
That's when those two started sending mindspeech to me.
Yes, I could block them, but in all honesty, the threats were ramping up. Kooper was already on high alert, and several squads of RAA troops had been dispatched, but what good might that do against an army of crazed High Demons?
Their last threat was the worst, and it terrified me.
If you won't send Glinda and our daughters back, Jayd's voice hissed in my mind, I will see Harifa Edus destroyed.
Try, I'd hissed back.
I'll give you two eight-days to think it over. If they're returned to Kifirin, I'll hold my High Demons back.
A Demon's Due: Latter Day Demons, Book 3 Page 12