by Patti Larsen
Damn my conscience anyway.
Instead, Ahbi's power punishing me with jabbing pains to my gut, I turned and willingly went with the group now leading me out of the populated library and to the back of the room where I was funneled through a small door and into a private study chamber.
Empty, naturally. Perfect. Since I didn't for a second consider any of these demons innocent, I could act with impunity.
“We've been looking for you.” Fenukamadi glared at me, gesturing to his people to guard the room.
“How lovely you found me then,” I said. “But if you don't mind, I have a sociopathic murderer to hunt down, and now that you've let her go, I'll have to chase her again.” I closed the distance between us in two quick strides before anyone could stop me, my anger snapping on like a light switch as I jabbed him in the chest with my index finger. “Nice going.”
Hands tried to grab me, pull me away, but Ahbi was pissed. Did I say pissed? She was so flipping mad, the moment the Grabby McGrabbers latched on, they were flung back, a giant shock of discharged energy sending them flying.
Fenukamadi vibrated with a mix of anger and terror, holding his ground.
“Ameline is one of us,” he said.
“Oh, because she knew your stupid secret handshake?” I made a rude gesture with my middle finger. “How's that? Work for you?”
His mouth opened and closed once before he stepped back. “You're wanted by the Guards for the murder of Ruler,” he snapped, the distance giving him backbone. “And by Leader for the same reason.”
“You can tell this Leader of yours my grandmother was murdered, all right, but the one who did the murdering just walked out dragging a little girl behind her. And you let her go.” I wanted to slam him with magic, my demon and Ahbi offering up the power to do it, but shoved them both back. “How much of a moron are you? Didn't you think it rather convenient? Question? Second-guess?” He blanched as I went on, magic cutting through my words to slice the air. “Did you even for a second stop to ask yourself why a strange demon you'd never seen before offered me on a silver platter with no desire to take the credit for herself?”
“Colleague Ameline is on an important mission for Leader.” Weak, so weak, his words, his tone. And even he winced when he was done.
“What mission is that?” I prodded him with two sharp points of energy, making him flinch. “Mind telling me?”
He stared, mute a moment. “She said it was secret,” he whispered.
Idiot. Holy.
His shoulders squared as he drew a breath, clearly making up his mind to stand his ground. Double idiot. “We'll let Leader sort it out,” Fenukamadi said with a measure of authority. “Bring her.”
No one moved to touch me, the previously affected demons just regaining their feet.
I smirked, thinking of Ram. “You need an army,” I said. “Got one?”
I had no idea what he was about to say, but it was the last real prod I managed to dig in. The door behind me whispered open, closing again quickly as the demon before me paled and bowed his head.
“Leader Culectorion,” he said. “We've captured the fugitive.”
I spun and glared at the new arrival, only to find Ram glaring back.
“I thought I told you to stay with the transport.” His words spit out through gritted teeth.
“The last I checked, I'm the boss of me,” I snarled back. Met the eyes of the demon beside him. No way this was big-shot Leader, at least not from his look. He seemed troubled, short and portly, reminding me a bit of Sassy's dad, Theridialis, though not aggressive at all.
“Your Highness,” he bowed his head. “I'm afraid there's been a terrible misunderstanding. I've spoken to Rameranselot and believe we have a great deal to discuss.”
I couldn't help shooting Ram a tight smile of disdain as I followed the small rebel leader, leaving the rest of them to trail in my wake like a procession.
I'd show them “Princess”.
We wound our way through the building, down a steep flight of stairs and underground into a narrow tunnel. I didn't bother to talk to Ram who marched beside me, still seething, his magic pulsing in anger. Too bad for him. I had a job to do and if he didn't like it, he could suck it the hell up.
When we finally passed through a thick metal door and into what felt like an underground warehouse, I relented a little and reached for him.
Ameline was looking for something. His head turned just a little, a flicker of interest punctuating his anger. I have to find out what it is.
Ram shrugged, more to loosen the knots in his shoulders I was sure, because they settled more naturally as he nodded.
And then, there was nothing, nothing at all, but the heavenly smell of food. Hot and inviting, leading me by the nose to a low table with a cushioned bench where I collapsed and began to stuff my face while the demons around me watched in amazement.
I paused with my mouth full and met Culectorion's eyes. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “Starving.”
One of the demons lifted a steaming pitcher, hovering it over my cup, the scent of nectar so strong I felt the old addiction rise. But Ram covered my glass before the demon could pour and shook his head.
Outer plane nectar is stronger than what you're used to, he sent. Trust me. Pause. A sigh. Why do I bother?
Instead of shooting back a response, I reached for a second pitcher, this one gleaming with condensation, relieved to find it was water. Four big gulps emptied my first glass before I dove into the delicious food again.
Demoniconian cuisine had flavorings unrivaled on my plane, spices and sweetness I dreamed about. And while the spread before me had nothing on the banquets I'd enjoyed at the Seat, I thoroughly enjoyed every bite, even pausing to savor a few as my stomach expanded to uncomfortable.
Sighing in relief, sitting back with another glass of fresh water, I covered a little belch with one fist, blushing. I wasn't normally such a pig, but the combination of my demon's dominance and my absolute ravaging hunger had shoved me over the edge.
“Delicious,” I said. “Thank you.”
It made me feel a little better to notice Ram was helping himself pretty aggressively, too.
“It's our honor to have you here, Princess Sydlynhamitra.” Culectorion sipped a cup of nectar while his people fell silent, eyes locked on him. While he didn't look like much, the impression was they respected and admired him. And since he was the first demon in this group of rebels to trust me—outside of Ram, I had to grudgingly admit—I leaned toward a bit of admiration myself.
“The honor is mine.” I set my mug down, rubbing my fingers together to dry the moisture clinging to them. “I take it Ram has told you what he knows?”
“He has.” Culectorion nodded slowly. “Might you fill in the rest?”
Encouraged by his attitude, I held nothing back, including Ameline's involvement and how she tricked my grandmother into opening the veil. The rebel leader didn't comment, though his people muttered occasionally as I went on. I finished with my encounter with Ameline and her subsequent trickery of his people.
“What could she have been looking for?” As much as the demon who'd collared me was still on my crap list, I felt bad for him, knowing how manipulative Ameline could be.
Culectorion shook his head, gaze far away. “I don't know, Your Highness,” he said. “But if what you say is true, if this human disguised as a demon is a threat, we will find out.”
“We're to meet with Leader,” Ram spoke up. “We missed him in Milanseme because of our accident.” Nice of him not to blame me, though I knew he implied it. Just knew it. “Is he in Bilhaeder?”
Culectorion shook his head, setting down his own glass, waving off the demon who tried to refill his cup. When his eyes met mine, they glowed amber, the nectar working its way through his system. “No,” he said. “He's moved on to the next rally point in Ilogabon.”
Ram swore softly, hands fisting on the tabletop. “I seem to be chasing his tail,” he said.
C
ulectorion laughed, turning to Ram. “Leader is nothing if not elusive. And always on the move.” He caught my eyes again, speculation in his gaze. “But he'll be most happy to meet you, Princess.”
Culectorion swept to his feet, everyone else rising with him. I grabbed a handful of nutty clusters tasting vaguely like chicken curry for the road as the rebel leader came forward to grip Ram's hand then bow to me.
“I will send a message ahead to Leader,” he said, “to alert him you're on your way. In the meantime, I expect a bath and some fresh clothing will make you feel more comfortable?”
Oh boy, would it.
“Thank you,” I said. “But I have one thing to do first.”
***
Chapter Fifteen
Ram, now dressed as I was in a black robe, led me, a pair of rebel guards flanking us, back the way we came to the library and the table where Ameline had stood. The busybody colleagues already cleared the book she'd read from away, but after letting my demon sniff the spot, I followed her guidance to a nearby shelf and retrieved the tome in question.
It stank of Ameline, so much Ahbi's power jerked inside me.
Look, I sent, not knowing if what was left of her could understand me or not. I'm doing my damned best. But if you keep doing crap like this, we won't get anywhere. Got me?
The power fluttered, shot me one last jab and subsided.
Okay then.
Ram had already flipped the book open by the time I finished my little internal argument and from the pale look on his face, it wasn't good news. Since I couldn't read what was written there, I had to impatiently poke him in the ribs to catch his attention. He was so concerned he didn't even frown at me.
“What?” I looked down at the sketch of what looked like a giant teardrop hovering in a cave. “What's that?”
“That,” Ram said ever so softly, “is the Node, Sydlynhamitra.”
The two rebels gasped, stepped away, also concerned. Not good, then.
“What's the Node?” I hated feeling stupid, but Ram didn't seem to find it strange I had no clue.
“You know our history?” He slid a chair out, sat down, hands shaking and I joined him, impulsively taking them in mine. “How we used to be multiple planes, all pulled together into one world?”
I nodded. “Thousands of years ago,” I said. “Yeah, I know that part.”
“Well,” he said, “the Node is the core of demonic energy holding everything together.”
Giant power source. Ameline. Yeah, this would end well.
“Ancient scientists created the Node as a focal point,” Ram said. “Like balancing a plate on a pin. It keeps us spinning, linked. If the Node were to fail...” He shook his head, hands tightening around mine. “This Ameline of yours. Would she be so ambitious?”
Uh, hell yeah. And yet, no. If she was after demon power, why the center of all of it? Surely it would be easier to just take what she needed from other demons. Attacking a whole world? I didn’t realize her goals had grown so big. “How hard would it be to disrupt the Node?” I had to find her. This could be a disaster. I couldn't even imagine the wreckage a collapse would cause, all the planes separating again.
“Not hard.” He released my hands, color returning to his cheeks. “But she has no way of reaching it, Syd.” I noted the lack of “Princess” and attitude. “It's impossible.”
“Why, where is it?” I glanced at the picture again. “Underground?”
Ram closed the book with a thud. “No one knows,” he said. “At least, no one but the monitors. And unless she can somehow find and coerce a monitor, she'll never find it.”
“Don't look relieved,” I said. “Ameline will find a way, trust me.”
Ram's eyes locked on the book but he was far away. “This is terrible news,” he said. “We're talking about the utter destruction of our race, Syd. If the planes separate...” He finally met my eyes. “The force of the destruction would wipe out most of the demon population.”
“I’m not sure that’s her aim.” I chewed my bottom lip a moment. “The Ameline I know is evil personified, yes. But she claims she wants more power so she can fight who we both agree is a bigger enemy. And I’m not convinced destroying Demonicon is on her agenda.” I sighed then and sat back, rubbing my aching temples. “Still, there’s no question we have to stop her. Before she can get close enough to do any damage.” Damn her, she was after more power, her insane need to become maji driving her still. Didn't she know by now stealing magic wasn't giving her what she needed?
“Hang on a sec,” I said, confusion rising. “She already has demon power. She has to. Otherwise, how did she cross over?”
Ram didn't comment, watching me as my mind tried to wrap around the evil witch's motivations.
“Like I said, it makes no sense for her to destroy Demonicon.” I tapped my fingertips on the table top. “So maybe she's just after a part of it.” So many questions and no answers, not really.
“The Node is under delicate balance,” Ram said. “Any shift in its output could mean the end. But it is constantly supervised. Demon monitors give up their entire existence to protect it and keep it stable, using their own power to do so, tied in to the Node so they don't disrupt anything.”
“Would they be able to protect it from her if she did manage to reach the Node?” It made sense the teardrop-shaped center of everything would have some kind of defense system. But would it be enough to keep Ameline in check?
Ram’s shrug didn’t make me feel any better. “The monitors themselves are the only ones who can access it,” he said. “That’s always been protection enough.”
“All that power,” I said. “And no demon has ever tried to steal it?”
He met my eyes with his brimming horror. “It would mean the deaths of all of us,” he said in a shivering whisper. “Would you risk so much?”
I wouldn’t. “Sorry,” I said, not really meaning it. After all, this was Demonicon we were talking about. Power was the middle of every single driving emotion in the entire race.
Ram’s fear didn’t ease as much as he hid it behind a stubborn frown. “We need to warn Leader,” he said. “And the monitors, if we can.”
“And my Dad.” Nice of him to leave my father out of the equation.
Ram didn’t comment. “Regardless, if this Ameline wants to destroy us or if she only wants a fraction of the power for herself, the Node is just too fragile to tamper with. If someone were to tap into it, push it past their ability to keep things level, my world will be destroyed.”
Right. Priorities.
And happy thoughts.
***
Chapter Sixteen
Ram filled Culectorion in while I was led to a private room and allowed to collapse into a sunken tub carved from stone and soak the filth of the desert I'd walked through and the sweat of anxiety from my body. I knew I didn't have much time, but it was hard to drag myself from the water, now scrubbed clean and smelling of some kind of Demoniconian flower, toweling off with a soft sheet, dressing in boots—thank the elements. Boots!—flowing black pants and a tightly belted red tunic, tossing my poor t-shirt and what remained of my pajama bottoms in the corner. It felt weird to go without a bra, but I didn't have much choice, hoping my demon's larger chest, though perky, wouldn't bounce too much.
Making me blush. Because I thought of Ram and if he'd notice.
Aw, hell.
A metal ring with an elastic substance on the inside held my hair back and a warm black jacket hemmed at my knees finished the ensemble. Much more wearable than most of the clothes I'd been forced to choose from in Ostrogotho. If I saw one more spiked collar or platform shoe with blades and sparkles I'd kill someone with them.
By the time I emerged from my bath, Ram was on his own way out, almost colliding with me in the narrow, stone hallway. His eyes traveled down the front of my tunic, the open collar exposing a little more flesh than I was comfortable with, the barest smile on his lips.
“You clean up well,” he said
.
“Comments like that will get you a punch in the guts,” I said, any flicker of attraction killed by his snark. I spun and stomped off in a huff, grateful for the heavy boots as I imagined grinding him under them with every step.
Culectorion waited for us at the end of the hallway, just inside the large, open area.
“Rameranselot has told me of his fears for the Node,” he said, falling into step beside me as I crossed to the table and helped myself to slice of heavy, sweet bread, my hunger returning yet again. “And while I'm concerned, I believe this is something Leader needs to deal with personally.” He snapped his fingers, a small force of rebels stepping forward and saluting by tapping two fingers to their left shoulders. “I've been in touch with him directly and he awaits you both in Ilogabon.”
Finally. “Thank you, Culectorion,” I said. “I appreciate the help.”
“For now, we need to get the two of you out of here.” A young demon handed me a sack with two straps and I could tell from the smell it was full of food. I winked at him as he giggled behind his hands and retreated before turning to follow Culectorion and Ram, our protection trailing behind us, to a far door. “A large group of Guards has just entered the city,” the rebel leader said, hands clasped tightly behind him, “and I have my hands full protecting and hiding my own people. My soldiers will escort you directly to Leader and I ask you trust them as you would me.”
I turned, caught Fenukamadi in the crowd and shrugged. “As long as they don't get in my way,” I said.
Culectorion smiled as we paused by the door. “From the impression you've made, Your Highness, I doubt any of my people will cross you.”
I hugged him impulsively, the bag of food hanging from one shoulder. “Thank you for everything,” I said as I pulled away.
He stammered a moment before beaming at me. “Demonicon would be lucky to have you in Second Seat, Your Highness,” he said. “Travel well and safely. Until we meet again.”