“I wanted to see it, one last time.”
“Boston? Why do you harbor such feeling for this place? They burned you at the stake right down there on the waterfront, you know.”
“I don’t know,” Valeria shrugged, sipping on her herbal tea. “It’s the only place I felt like home when I walked as a mortal. It’s just a habit I guess.”
“Habit.” Malek narrowed his eyes as he leaned back in the chair. “Still, I did not realize your wounds were so severe. Your last day?”
“I assumed...” Valeria stammered absently, “You’re not displeased?”
“Why in the nine hells would it displease me,” Malek chuckled, and she tensed, feeling insecure.
“The plan...” she answered nervously, “I failed you.”
“Your plan failed,” Malek corrected firmly. “Everything has happened precisely as I have designed.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, everything.” Malek looked out over the city with smug satisfaction. “Finding the Baku was a stroke of luck, to be sure. She worked like a charm though.”
“She didn’t... I mean, she was a disaster. I have so little control over her, despite all my charms. She surrounds herself with friends and allies. I have failed. She’ll never succumb to the mark at this rate.”
“She never needed to.” Malek replied with an air of authority. “Let her draw her friends close. She fights better when she is protecting those she cares about. You will support her choices, reward her with a taste of freedom.”
“I don’t understand,” Valeria sank back, utterly confused.
“Because you are a succubus, little more than a whore devolved to base desires. You do not see the big picture. Xlina never needed to accept the mark. The trouble of it alone was more than enough to start the dominos falling into place. When Ertigan’s schemes were foiled, it was only a matter of time before the druids got off their high horse to intervene.”
“You wanted the druids in Portland?”
“Ertigan’s power base was growing too rapidly,” Malek shrugged, turning an eye on Valeria, “I couldn’t move against him directly. The druids would deploy their weapon. I just need to be sure they arrived at the right time and place to put it to use.”
“Tamera and Tamir,” Valeria concluded.
“Well placed assets at the right time in the right place. One doesn’t serve with both hands without incurring some debt.”
“You orchestrated the druids arriving when they did.” Valeria placed her cup of tea on the end table and wrapped her arms about herself.
“A perfect symphony all woven meticulously together,” Malek sneered at the succubus, full of pride. “The druids killed Ertigan, banishing the bastard from all existence and removing my most formidable competitor. My Baku pup grows stronger by the day. The seraphim? Just a sweet cherry on the top. All the while my hands are clean.”
“What next in your grand plan?” Valeria shifted uncomfortably.
“I’m very interested in the resurrected Amber Sedgewick. False prophets and all. I plan on putting her to good use.”
“And Xlina? What next for the Baku,” Valeria mused, astounded by the Arch Demon’s machinations.
“It’s almost time for our Baku to return home,” Malek’s lips turned up into an evil grin. “Just a few more gentle pushes and she’ll tear the Druid’s grove down brick by brick.”
“You mean for her to kill the Druids?”
“I don’t honestly know what she’ll do,” Malek answered, “When she finds dear sweet mother imprisoned under the grove, but I am dying to find out.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Reed Logan Westgate was born in Sanford, Maine and attended college in Dover, New Hampshire, where he studied accounting and finance. He currently works for a non-profit social service agency in the finance department. He married his dream girl whom he met in grade school. They have a loving family with two beautiful daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys tabletop gaming, roleplaying games, and fishing.
Find out more about my upcoming work at www.rlwestgate.com
https://www.facebook.com/reedloganwestgate
A word to the READER
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