by Patti Larsen
Grumble, snarl, sigh.
Instead of a rebel hideaway, Ram led me into what looked like a bar, the alluring scent of nectar and more delicious food in the air. I'd lost the bag of goodies I'd been given back in the ambush and my stomach was rumbling. Ram grinned, found us a seat in the corner, ordered dinner and disappeared, leaving me to pay with more of the cube coins. The server plucked a largish square from my palm with a wink and a smile, telling me immediately I'd been had, but it served Ram right for abandoning me. He rejoined me, winced when I handed him back his remaining money.
“You don't know Demonicon currency,” he said.
“My, you're brilliant today,” I answered sweetly. “Where's your friend?”
“He'll be along,” Ram said as the server delivered our food. A quick flash of magic and a grim stare and his change magically appeared before him while the young demon boy flushed and trotted off.
“Bully,” I said, helping myself to a bowl of green stew that looked horrid but smelled like turkey dinner and cranberries.
Ram just waggled his eyebrows at me, mouth full of a large chunk of pale pink bread.
We'd barely finished our meal, my body sighing in happiness as I sat back with fresh water to rinse it down when a handsome young demon slid through the growing crowd and approached our table with a wide smile. I watched him carefully, eyes scanning the low-ceilinged room as the noise grew louder with the addition of more patrons. Dim light kept the place intimate, the bar now packed with demons drinking nectar. I had a feeling we wouldn't want to be staying much past our present time, considering how quickly the gathering grew and consumed the addictive drink.
Bar fight pending, anyone?
Ram, meanwhile, embraced the arrival, slapping him heartily on the back before gesturing for him to join us. New boy had wide eyes, a jaw like a brick wall and a stocky build reminding me of a wrestler. Almost a head shorter than Ram, his friend's open, genuine smile had me smiling back.
“Syd,” Ram said, “this is Mensahammel. Mensa, this is Syd.”
Mensa bowed his head, still smiling. “Nice to meet you.” He turned to Ram, grin fading a little. “I heard you were on duty in Ostrogotho. I take it something came up?”
Ram glanced at me. “You could say that,” he said. “Can we go somewhere private?”
Mensa surged to his feet, all enthusiasm and happiness. “Come on,” he said. “Mum will be happy to see you.”
Before I could protest going home to meet his mother, Ram shook his head, though he stood as well. I copied him as Ram leaned close and whispered something in Mensa's ear. From the growing width of his eyes and the gaping expression he wore as he stared at me, skin paling, I figured Ram finally filled his friend in on who I was.
“Um, yes. Okay. Yes.” Mensa bobbed another nod to me, almost bowed, caught himself as Ram grabbed his elbow.
Are you sure this is a good idea? I watched Mensa carefully as the boy practically stumbled over himself.
Just give him a minute, Ram snapped. He's not used to this kind of thing.
Nice to drop our mess on a friend's lap, I shot back.
He's the only one I know I can trust. Ram glared and I glared and Mensa stared so long I knew we'd draw attention if we didn't smarten up.
“Let's take a walk.” I reached out and took Mensa's hand with what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “We have so much to talk about.”
With Ram on one side and myself on the other, Mensa managed to move with some confidence back through the crowd and into the street. A small transport waited outside the door, which the young demon immediately approached. He flinched a little as he gestured to it. “I know somewhere,” he whispered so loudly they would have heard him in the bar. “But we have to fly.”
Ram patted him on the back. “We make do,” he said, glowing eyes fixed on me.
Yeah. Two-seater. Just lovely.
I would have protested. Hell, left the two of them behind. But I had no choices. Ahbi's power grumbled, but the pull felt fractured, unfocused. With no way of tracking Ameline, knowing she'd done something to distort the geas, it was either trust Ram's friend or nothing.
And yet, that meant...
He'd better keep his hands to himself.
I sank into Ram's lap, turned sideways, unable to get comfortable until I wound my arm around his neck. Mensa took the controls in his nervous hands, the bubble of shielding popping in and out of stability a few times before he pulled himself together.
Is he safe to fly? My nerves had enough for one disaster, thanks.
He's the best pilot I know, Ram sent. Just give him a break, all right? He's had a rough night.
He's had a rough night. I kicked him solidly in the leg with the heel of my boot as Ram's left arm wound around my waist, his right hand settling in between my thighs. Yours is about to get worse if you don't watch it, buddy.
Ram's mental voice laughed. We'll see about that, he sent.
A short trip later and we were soaring out of Ilogabon, heading for the grasslands beyond. The transport dipped low as, good to his word, Ram's friend expertly flew us close to the ground, skimming the tall stalks as we fled to the east and the darkening horizon.
“Not far now,” Mensa said, cheery again.
“The pits, I take it?” Ram's arm tightened.
“Our regional leader decided to take advantage,” Mensa said. “It's the perfect hiding place.”
He's taking us to rebels? My whole body tensed.
I have to check in, Ram sent. Don't worry.
Right. I kicked him again with a scowl on my face, meeting his eyes with my own vision flaring amber as my demon rumbled her unhappiness. So when the Guards show up, you'll still be telling me not to worry?
For all we know, the traitor was in Culectorion’s group, Ram sent, though he didn't sound completely convinced.
Comforting, I sent. What are the pits, anyway?
Old mining colony, he sent. Abandoned for centuries. A maze only the miners understood. It's a great place to hide.
But?
It's also a great place to get trapped.
Just. Lovely.
Too late to protest further, the little transport dipped suddenly, forcing me to grasp Ram's neck and hold on as we dove straight down. Mensa hummed a happy tune while we plunged into darkness.
In a sudden course change, the ship lurched, nose up, turning to the right, my body following, but my stomach slower to catch up. I gulped against my nausea as we took another fast turn in the pitch black, this time up and left.
“Here we go!” Mensa sounded so joyful I almost smacked him on the back of the head. I would have if I wasn't terrified hitting him would get us killed. One more solid plunge sent us plummeting toward dim, flickering lights. The transport's drop halted as the tail of it plunged to meet the nose, the vehicle coming to an abrupt almost halt, settling the last few feet as gently as a feather.
The shielding collapsed and Mensa leaped out, offering me his hand, grinning again. Demons emerged from the dimness, slowly, suspiciously, while Mensa said in his bright and happy voice, “Watch your step, Your Highness.”
I glared at Ram who rolled his eyes and shrugged.
So much for anonymity, I sent.
Ram didn't answer, instead sliding his hands under me and hoisting me bodily out of the transport before exiting himself.
A tall female demon with double-curved horns and a grim expression marched to greet us. Her wide-set eyes flared a moment as she caught sight of Ram before they settled on me.
“Welcome home, Rameranselot,” she said.
“Thank you, Leader Phineasoralo,” he said.
“You've brought an unhappy guest.” She tapped one foot on the floor, hands on her slim hips.
“We're looking for Leader,” Ram said. “And don't wish to bring trouble to your branch.”
She gestured for him to be quiet, shook her head. “Leader isn't in Ilogabon any longer,” she said. “He's moved on to Nunaresh.”
&n
bsp; I knew that name. During our tour, my grandmother's aide Pagomaris cut our trip short, telling Ahbi Nunaresh required her attention.
“Another city,” I said without thinking.
Phineasoralo fixed me with a sharp glare. “There is more to Demonicon than what your family controls, Your Highness,” she said.
“Considering I don't live here,” I snapped back, “I wouldn't know about that.”
Her scowl deepened a moment before she nodded, relenting. “So I've heard.” She glanced at Ram. “Since you're here, do you need anything?”
“Just a transport,” he said. “I guess we're moving on.”
A jerk from the pull made me wince. “I think Ameline's little trick has either worn off or we've cleared the influence of it.” I pointed in the direction, off and up into the dark, though I had no idea which way it was.
“Nunaresh,” Phineasoralo said. Hesitated. Nodded quickly. “Transport it is.”
As she turned to take care of it, I felt a rush of disturbance in the air around me, my stomach clenching, a very bad feeling growing inside.
“Ram,” I said, “something's coming.”
I barely finished speaking when a siren sounded and all hell broke loose.
***
Chapter Nineteen
Ram turned me around and shoved me toward Mensa's little vehicle before the fleet of Guard transports appeared from the darkness above. I vaguely heard Phineasoralo shouting orders at her people, thrown to the ground when a ball of blazing demon fire exploded on the other side of the slim ship's hull, cracking it in two and sending the pieces spinning like tops.
There went that idea. By the time I leaped to my feet, a shield firmly around me and, by physical association as he gripped my hand, Ram, two of the massive transports had already landed, Guards pouring out, magic flying.
This way! Ram's jerk on our mutual grip almost tore my arm from its socket as he dragged me like a sack of dead weight for the first few steps until I broke through my shock and followed under my own power. Mensa huffed behind us, too far for me to cover him with my shielding, though I did my best. Explosion after explosion rocked the docking area, small transports and large carriers owned by the rebels destroyed in magnificent showers of fire and sparks while the fourth Guard vehicle settled, dumping more soldiers into the fight.
I flinched at the glare as I watched the battle around me in flashes of amber magic, shadows of fighting rebels and Guards appearing back lit by glowing flames that burst into life before dying as fast as the next exploded.
It was impossible to tell from that point who was winning, how many Guard ships there were, how many Guards, even. Smoke choked me even as both Ram and I crouched low, Mensa on Ram's other side, running from wreckage to wreckage for cover. I jerked Ram back just in time, his hands grasping his friend, my shield vibrating with pressure, as a massive gob of fire burst in front of us.
We have to get out of here. I hated to state the obvious. My eyes roved the cavern, despairing at the loss of so many ships and my heart going out to the rebels despite everything. The Guards were crushing them, it was clear to me as I took a moment to watch a small detachment fall to the might of a group of hulking soldiers who pushed them back and finally sent them flying, limp dolls discarded in a blast of fire.
No formulaic challenges here. No taking of a sample of power as a reward. The Guards were stripping their opponents and using the magic against the rebels, not absorbing it as I expected, but balling up the liberated power and using it as weapons against its own people.
Ram's grim mind answered. This is my fault, he sent. I should have listened to you.
It's not, I sent back. But regardless, we have to worry about it later.
I know. He squeezed my hand as the floor under my feet rumbled and another massive explosion rocked the hanger. I have a plan but you have to do exactly as I say.
I nodded immediately and followed Ram and Mensa, the young demon wide-eyed and in shock, into the fight.
But not far. Just to the edge of the battle and around the back side of a landed Guard transport
My heart clenched as I understood. Tell me you're not that crazy.
It's our only chance, he sent. Either come with me or stay here.
Yeah, like staying is an option. Ram made a hopping gesture with his hand.
This won't work without a distraction. Mensa spun, face grim, tears tracking down his face. More sensitive than I expected. I reached out and took his hand as he punched Ram's shoulder before, bold and blushing, he kissed my cheek. Be ready.
Mensa! Ram reached for his friend, but he was already running off into the smoke.
I squeezed Ram's hand, empathy pouring through our connection.
He'll be okay. Liar, Syd. Pants on fire.
Ram nodded brusquely, jaw tight. I'll fire it up, he sent. But you'll have to deal with the Guards Mensa doesn't handle.
Done. Action I could manage. A fight? Just what I needed. We both heard the shout, Mensa's voice taunting the Guards. Ram and I peeked over the edge of the Guard ship hull, saw a small group of Guards rush from the transport, chasing Ram's friend back toward the fight, disappearing into the heavy smoke. One remained, hovering, focused on his departing friends.
My cue. I leaped over the edge of the transport, a little air magic boosting me up the five feet required to hop the tall side of the hull, landing softly in the middle of the Guard ship. The single soldier stood with his back to me, watching the fight. The small of his back bent awkwardly as my heavy boot landed with all the earth magic I could muster before he even realized we'd boarded. I'd intended to kick his ass off what was now my ship with that blow. Not send him flying twenty feet to crash into the backs of his fellow Guardsmen.
They spun as a group, Mensa's distraction broken, spotting me standing on their transport. Took them a minute to realize what happened, but the second they did, they ran for us, power lashing out. My shields whipped around their attacking magic, crushing it, but their second round almost made it through as I crouched behind the lip of the hull and shouted at Ram.
“Any time now, flyboy. They look a little pissed.”
He laughed out loud, the shields of the transport humming to life to join mine as the third volley from the guards met both, striking sparks and throwing back chunks of flaming magic. The lead Guard tried to leap for us, hands catching on the edge of the shield as his fire magic burned a hold. But my vampire's spirit severed his connection while Ram pushed us into liftoff, driving me to my knees as the clinging parasite plummeted to the ground, crashing into his fellows, the fight below suddenly tiny, fiery.
Gone.
Up here, please.
I joined Ram immediately, taking a seat next to him at the front of the transport just as he banked us to the right.
“Remind me to kiss Mensa when I see him again.” If I saw him again.
Ram ignored what I said in favor of focus.
“You know your way around the pits, I hope.” Damn, I would have loved a seat belt.
“Enough,” he said. “Just hang on. And be ready when I tell you.”
“For what?”
“You'll see.” He accelerated, taking the next turn so fast I thought I left my skin behind.
I thought I was prepared for the climb, remembering the drop, but when it came, I had to clutch at the rounded dash of the transport as we literally flew like a stone from a slingshot up toward the sky.
The very busy sky. I opened my mouth to scream a warning as two Guard vessels crossed paths over the entrance, flinching violently as Ram steered us sideways, sliding between them with just enough room to spare. I looked back as he continued to rise, straight up toward the glowing moons.
“They're following.” I gulped down my terror of heights, that one glance back a long and horrible look at how far we'd come.
“Not for long,” he said. “Remember you agreed to do whatever I said?”
Oh. Hell. Gulp.
“I need you to hide us,�
�� he said. “But the timing has to be perfect.”
“I can't make us invisible,” I snapped, wound tight with tension as the air cleared, the thin rim of the atmosphere approaching. What was he doing?
“Just trust me. Please, Syd.” I met Ram's eyes and nodded.
“Okay, ready? Ready... now!”
I expanded the shield around the transport, straining my power to cover the entire mass. This was no small personal vehicle, but a large hull designed to carry a hundred Guards. Ahbi's power blended perfectly with mine, clearly understanding if I died or was left incapacitated in any way, the geas would go unfulfilled. Just as I sealed the tail end of the wards, the ship rocked, an explosion buffeting our ship and sending us sideways before Ram got control again.
I spun on him, terror clutching my throat, making it almost impossible to scream.
Almost.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?”
“That,” he said, smirking again, relaxing suddenly as the transport swerved, leveling out, heading for the ground again through a still-burning flare of fire, “was us dying a blazing death.”
I stared at him, eyes flickering to the two Guard vessels that slowed as we passed them, ignoring us completely while Ram guided us away from the explosion.
“You're telling me I made us invisible.” I looked down at my hands. Yup. Still there.
“It's the combo of magicks,” he said. “I didn't believe it until I left you at the transport in Bilhaeder. When I turned to look back, it was as if you weren't there.”
“You could have warned me. Told me. Something!” My insides quivered with retreating fear. “What was that explosion?”
“I had to let them get close enough to fire on us.” We were close to the ground by now, cruising low despite our invisibility. “Nice job.”
Nice... I was going to kill him the minute we were on the ground.
“So now what?” I reached out with Ahbi's power, feeling it there, but drained by the shield I still sustained. “It's pretty obvious your rebel friends are in trouble, Ram. And we're bringing it to them.”