Demon's Quest (High Demon Series #4)

by Connie Suttle

  "That makes no difference." Wylend's shirt shot across the room, following the path his jacket had taken. "I am King of Karathia, and I have been usurped by my upstart great-grandchild in everything. He dictates where Reah goes. He dictates Karathia's movements. From the moment we joined the Campiaan Alliance, it has been thus."

  "My King, we will have Reah again with us, do not fear. Karathia is being treated no differently than any other world in the Campiaan Alliance." Corolan was beginning to worry about Wylend's reaction. Was this about Reah, or something far deeper? Wylend was prone to fits of anger now and then, and this one came on the heels of an attempt on their lives.

  "Corolan, I wish to be alone for a while."

  Corolan jerked his head up at Wylend's statement. "Of course, my King." Corolan bowed and folded to an empty bedroom down the hall.

  * * *

  "Reah, sweetheart, would you like a drink of water?" Teeg always had the ability to wake me or put me to sleep, just as Karzac did. I sometimes wondered how he'd come by it.

  "I am thirsty," I said, realizing it was an understatement. Dry as a desert was closer to the mark, and as I'd been in a few deserts, firsthand knowledge of how dry that could be was an apt comparison. Farzi and Nenzi, still in snake form, had scooted over to give Teeg plenty of room. He held a glass of water to my lips while I drank. I wanted to sit up for a little while, but Teeg settled me down on the bed again.

  "Karzac says we'll get the IV out tomorrow, and we'll feed you." I'd gotten broth earlier—I was coming to hate the stuff. I said it aloud, too. "You said stuff," Teeg teased gently.

  "I said stuff," I agreed amiably, lying back and closing my eyes. "Teeg?"

  "What, love?" He busied himself with pulling the covers up to my chin, the soft fabric rustling as he resettled it over my body.

  "Why am I still alive?"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "This time—and the time before that. Teeg, nobody survives a Ranos rocket. Even if they are in full Thifilatha. And it doesn't take genius material to know that bitch Marzi hit my carotid when I jumped in front of Corolan. A laser bullet will explode on impact—so that means my throat was likely torn apart. I would have bled out in a very short time. Why am I still alive, Teeg?"

  "A Larentii showed up this time. Several showed up last time." Teeg was holding something back, I figured, but if he didn't want to tell me, there wasn't any way to pry it out of him. He could do vampire with the very best of them. "Reah?" he said instead.

  "What, Teeg?"

  "I wish you'd call me Gavril. Or Chash. At least when we're alone. That would make the past fifty-odd years of life without you bearable, I think."

  "Teeg," I slapped a hand helplessly across my forehead. I was still weak and the hand shook, even while it rested on my forehead.

  "Baby, I hope someday you trust me enough to believe I was that boy you loved. And all that time I never stopped loving you. I'll admit that I was hardened over the years, becoming secretive and self-reliant because I was forced to. I know it's difficult for you that I don't discuss everything with you like we did before. Dee taught me that trust is a commodity we can ill-afford most of the time. I know it's the same for you, sweetheart. How many people do you trust? Completely?"

  I blinked at him for a few moments while I sorted through the people I knew. Who among them did I trust? "Three," I said with a heavy sigh. "Three."

  "Are you going to tell me who they are? I'm not naive enough to believe I'm one of those three."

  "You're right, and it isn't my intention to hurt you with that information," I said. "I trust Farzi, Nenzi and Aurelius."

  "Good choices," Teeg nodded his head. Perhaps he didn't mean to betray himself, but there was disappointment in his voice. Farzi and Nenzi, listening in on yet another private conversation between Teeg and me, shifted slightly on my other side. I reached out a hand, allowing my fingers to slide down smooth scales.

  "Be honest, Teeg," I added, "you don't trust me either. Not completely. I think Dee hears all your secrets. Does your mother even get that nowadays? Or your father?"

  "Reah, you're right—up to a point. The thing I can trust about you is that you'll do the right thing every time, even if we bully you into it when we shouldn't," he admitted with a slight frown. "You didn't have to show up on Campiaa when the Strands attacked, but you did. Tossed me out of the way and took that Ranos rocket blast instead of allowing it to hit me. And today, you were the intended target, but the guard knocked Marzi's hand aside. That laser bullet would have hit Corolan, and there you were, flinging yourself in front of him, taking the hit. I'm terrified that the next time you do that, we won't be able to save you. That you'll sacrifice yourself for someone else who isn't nearly as important."

  "Are you saying that you're not important?" I huffed angrily. "Or that Corolan's life is worthless?"

  "No, baby, that's not what I meant." Teeg raked fingers through his wealth of dark hair, ruffling it and aggravating the slight curl. I liked that part of him—the not so polished part. "It's just," he was searching for words, unsuccessfully.

  "You know how High Demons choose to end their lives, if they tire of living?" I asked. I know he knew the answer; he just shrugged at me instead. I answered for Farzi and Nenzi's benefit. "They have to throw themselves into Baetrah, the volcano on Kifirin, in their humanoid form. That will kill them. If they jump in while Thifilathi or Thifilatha, the heat and fire have no effect—they climb right back out again. The point I'm trying to make, Teeg, is their lives are their decision. When I tossed you aside, or jumped in front of Corolan, those were decisions I was willing to make, without a moment's thought. Other people tend to decide after the fact whether it was a good or bad idea. As if they can decide for you, in that tiny bit of time you have to make such a decision. People react differently to situations, Teeg. I jumped in front of Corolan yesterday, while somebody else might have dropped to the floor. I'd attended one funeral, I wasn't so keen on attending another, and this one would have been for someone I truly cared for."

  "Did you have any feelings at all for Addah?"

  "Teeg, I can't really answer that. I think what I have mostly is regret. Regret that I couldn't sit down and talk with him. Try to find out why things were the way they were with him. He didn't trust any of his children. Or his wives, more than likely. And he treated me as someone unworthy of his time. Aurelius and I had a long conversation about that—about missed opportunity on both sides. That if Addah had just relented for a short time, we might have made a connection, as fragile as that might have been. Instead, we have nothing, my grandfather and I."

  "Do you know who Griffin is?" Teeg said changing the subject.

  "Griffin?" I hadn't heard that name.

  "He's my grandfather," Teeg replied. "We have the same sort of relationship. He made a mistake with Mom, before I was born. Now, they don't speak, and I've only seen him two or three times during my life."

  "Have you tried approaching him? Talking to him?"

  "No. He's Wyatt's father, by the way."

  "Teeg, Wyatt doesn't want to be Wylend's heir."

  "I know that. But Wylend and Griffin pretty much have their hearts set on it, so that's that."

  "You know as well as I do that Wyatt doesn't want the throne. He wants to be a healer. If you want my opinion, here it is; Ry would be the King Karathia deserves. How long does Karzac intend to keep me out of action?" I said, changing the subject.

  "He said two weeks at least."

  "Damn," I sighed.

  "What?"

  "We need to be out there hunting the fool who's killing those children," I muttered. "And the Ra'Ak and the Strands."

  "I know," he growled miserably.

  Chapter 11

  "There's a note with the flowers." Lok was sitting beside my bed after hauling in a huge basket of blooms. As security, he'd already checked them over, searching for listening devices or anything dangerous. Experiencing a bit of sadness over the fact that things ha
d come to that, I accepted the card from Lok's fingers. No expression lay on his face, but his black eyes were narrower than normal as I plucked the note from his fingers. His touch brushed against mine briefly as I took the card.

  Lok has beautiful hands, even if they are scarred from holding blades, in and out of battles. His fingers are strong and calloused. At times, still, I wanted to know what those fingers might feel like if they held mine, or if they touched me with something other than indifference. Sighing, I lifted the square flap of the envelope—it was the palest pink. While everything else was paperless, cards were still around and expensive, because of their plant-based origins.

  Reah, many of us in the family held our breath when you were attacked, and breathed a relieved sigh when we learned you would survive. I know this may be difficult for you to believe, but some of us truly do see things differently now. We greatly appreciate the gifts we received, and they will be utilized to support the family. It is an inevitability, I believe, that all six Desh's will be forced to close. Many of our best recipes were kept in Addah's memory, and number two and number three were already failing when he died. I suppose it is fitting, and perhaps justice for you that things are happening in this way. I watched the vid copy of Addah's visit to Dee's, especially the part where you told Fes and Aldah that they had a good mother and they didn't appreciate her enough. Now I know why Fes called me shortly after that meeting and told me that he loved me. I continue to hope for a swift recovery for you, and wish to express my apologies for years of abuse and indifference on the part of the family. Sincerely—Farla Desh.

  I was stunned. The note and the flowers were something I never expected to receive from my former family. I was still weak, but strong enough to write. Farla had included a comp-vid code at the bottom of the note. "Lok, can you get me a comp-vid?" I asked.

  Lok didn't reply, he pulled his own from a jacket pocket and handed it to me. He'd come in from outside, just to deliver the flowers and note to me. Now he watched me carefully, betraying no emotion as I took the comp-vid and punched in the code to send text messages only. I was wearied and only wanted to sleep afterward, but I'd written out eight of Addah's most prized recipes on the comp-vid with a short note to Farla.

  I worked these out several years ago, I informed her. Since they were Addah's, I was never able to use them in any commercial manner—they were for my private use and for my own enjoyment. If you have trouble reproducing them, please let me know and I will be happy to come once I am released from the physician's care, to demonstrate how to make them. I regret not knowing my family better in the past, but those opportunities have slipped away and left us all in a sadder place—Reah.

  * * *

  "Fes!" Farla shouted. "Fes!"

  "Mother?" Fes had just risen—he'd been released from the hospital before Addah's funeral—the hospital staff had been amazed at his near-miraculous recovery. He still tired easily, however, and wouldn't return to work for at least two Eight-Days.

  "Fes, I sent flowers and a note to Reah," Marzi exclaimed excitedly. "I told her about the family's situation and that Desh's was likely to close because Addah left us the way he did without giving up his secrets. Look at this, Fes—Reah wrote me back!" Fes still didn't understand until he accepted his mother's comp-vid and stared at the first recipe for yellowfish in wine sauce—Reah had written that one and seven others.

  "Mother, I want her to come. I want to watch her cook," Fes declared, sorting through the recipes. "Look—here's the sliced beef in bittersweet sauce!"

  "That always takes forever to cook and Addah wouldn't let anyone in the kitchen," Farla reached for the comp-vid. "I want her to come, too. I want to see this."

  "Then answer her—there's a code listed here," Fes scrolled down to the end of the message.

  * * *

  "Reah my love, what is the meaning of this?" Lendill was wiggling my comp-vid in his hand and frowning at me.

  "Is that where it was? I had to borrow Lok's earlier," I grumbled, reaching out in an attempt to snatch it away. A message waited for me; I could see it on the screen.

  "Now see, if you were in better shape, you'd have had this in your hand and I'd be staring at an empty palm," Lendill was teasing me with it still.

  "Lendill, please shut up and hand me that," I muttered in irritation. I was sitting precariously on a stool in the huge kitchen, where Radolf had served up a better-quality broth this time, with onion, a hint of spice and bits of beef. I kissed him for his efforts after my first bite. He was going back to Le-Ath Veronis just as soon as he fed me—Ilvan was busy doing prep work in Lissa's kitchen and Edan was already in Karzac's medical classes.

  "Here," Lendill gave me a kiss when he handed my comp-vid over. I leaned against him—Lendill has a scent that no other man has. Perhaps it was his Elvish roots or something. I hadn't gotten close enough to his father to see if he smelled the same.

  "Reah," Lendill whispered softly, "I'll crawl into bed with you if you keep that up."

  "Karzac said no sex for six more days," Radolf reminded us, forcing Lendill to pull away. Farzi and Nenzi were staring, too. They weren't about to allow anyone else into the bed if it might damage me as a result. I checked my comp-vid message while my cheeks heated up.

  Reah, it read, I can't say how much we appreciate what you sent to us. And if there is some way for you to come and show us how to prepare these recipes, we would be more than grateful. Fes is quite excited over the prospect. We will ensure your safety, but please bring your own guards if it will make you feel safer—Farla.

  I'll try to come in ten days, I sent back. If anything changes, I'll let you know.

  "Honey Snake," I said to Farzi, "will you and my sweet man take me back to bed?" I was exhausted. Farzi stole a kiss while he carried me to my suite, Nenzi right behind him.

  * * *

  "She calls him honey snake?" Radolf had an eyebrow lifted quite high.

  "You should know by now that those two consider themselves Reah's mates. They just can't have sex; they were neutered when they were young." Lendill snorted.

  "I'm packing up the rest of this, and there's chicken broth, too, if she wants something different for dinner. I have to go before Ilvan tears my kitchen apart." Radolf laid his apron on the island and disappeared.

  * * *

  "Farzi, Nenzi?" I heard Lendill's voice. It had to be the middle of the night—I was sound asleep with both lion snakes. Wise of Lendill to let them know he meant no harm. I had a tough time opening my eyes—I'd been sleeping comfortably surrounded by the reptanoids.

  "What is it, Lendill?" I asked, struggling to sit up. Farzi changed first and helped me.

  "Reah, we need you to come—don't worry, someone will carry you. There's a new site on Boodreatis. They've attacked an entire college, there. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this when we go through the place." Lendill told me not to worry, but there was more than worry in his words—he was frightened.

  "Farzi, Nenzi, will you come with me?" I asked.

  "We come with Reah," Nenzi, now humanoid, was padding across the room to snatch up his clothing. Farzi was already getting dressed. I hadn't realized it, but Lok had come in with Lendill. He found shoes and socks for me while Lendill helped me into jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Out of habit, I looked around for my knife.

  "You won't need a weapon, this is investigation only," Lendill said as Lok lifted me up. "And this is the first time I've attempted taking others with me when I fold, so be prepared."

  "You fold?" The words were torn from my lips and left behind on Tulgalan, taking my stomach and my equilibrium with them. We landed safely, thank the stars, in the middle of a gymnasium that direct hits from lightning bolts might have treated kinder.

  "I've discovered latent talents," Lendill murmured at my question. I'd forgotten it at the vision that met us. The gymnasium was filled with local constabulary as well as ASD agents. The horrible thing? The place was also filled with bodies, some piled several deep.

/>   "It was a college handball match—the regional championship," Lok whispered softly against my ear. Farzi and Nenzi stood guard on either side of us—it was late afternoon where we were—light filtered through a very large hole in the tall ceiling over our heads. "All the students were expected to attend—classes were let out for this event," Lok went on. "They're all dead."

  "How many?" I wanted to weep, my hands and body shaking at the sight of students, professors and attendees littering the floor and surrounding elevated seating.

  "More than a thousand," Lok murmured, kissing my temple gently.

  "Lok, let me stand," I was thankful my voice only quavered slightly. Lok lowered me to the floor, what little there was of it not covered with bodies, so I could turn around and survey the scene.

  "Were there any in the bathrooms or outside, getting a drink of water or anything?" I asked. This was a small, private college, much like one I might have attended had Addah allowed me to go.

  "I don't know," Lok answered, placing a hand under my elbow, in case my knees gave way.

  "Where you think those things are—bathrooms?" Farzi gazed down at me. He and Nenzi were almost of a height—roughly two hands taller than I.

  "Farzi, I think they might be toward the back of the gym. Maybe down some steps or something," I was improvising.

  "Then we'll go check." Lok was humoring me, I think. I wasn't sure he or Lendill expected this sort of devastation. We stepped around and over bodies as we made our way toward a doorway at the back of the large gym.

  "This it—I smell water," Nenzi affirmed, once we passed through the door. I nodded and gave Nenzi an encouraging smile—the best I could muster under the circumstances, anyway.

  We found a set of bathrooms with showers for the athletes. Nenzi was correct; I heard the occasional drip of water from a small shower cubicle off to the side. Looking up, I saw that the ceiling was lower than that outside—it consisted of rectangular, fiber tiles set in a grid. A few holes had been punched through, here and there. No holes, however, were around the concrete walls of the room. I crooked my finger at Farzi and Nenzi. Without saying a word, both came.