Page 48 of Lich's Mate

All I know is that I’m glad to have found an ally in Kavian. Two separate battles with a common enemy.

The door to the study opens. Turning around in the chair, I’m greeted by Kavian who enters with a mug of kaffo for me.

He sets it down on the table, our fingers brushing as he pushes the mug toward me. The sensation ignites a wave of goosebumps up my arm. I wrap my hands around the warm mug, using it to hinder myself from the bigger distraction which is Kavian.

“I’m in your seat,” I say without thinking, moving to get out of his way.

He throws up a palm and shakes his head, gesturing for me to remain seated. From behind him, he pulls out a rolled-up parchment of paper, flattening it out on the desk.

“Given your insistence on an active role in this mission, I have revised my plan,” he states in a clear and firm tone. His commanding presence is cemented by his perfect posture, with his chin reared high and chest puffed out.

I listen intently as he talks, paying attention to every word, every syllable that comes out of his mouth.

“An all-out battle is no longer a feasible ploy for sabotaging Gorran’s next slave auction. What you and I will be doing, Meera, is a covert operation, taking out the enemy and snatching what they think is theirs from right underneath their noses.”

Momentarily distracted by the smoothness of how my name slid off his tongue, I shake my head and lean closer in an effort to focus.

“Taking the stealth approach then, are we?” I ask, meeting his concentrated gaze.

“That’s right,” he says with an affirming nod. “This has the potential to work better than a direct assault.”

I drop my head to my shoulder, raising a curious eyebrow at the demon.

“I’d have thought a proper fight would’ve been right up your alley. I don’t take you for the silent type.”

“You’re right, I’d love to charge right in there and bash some xaphan skulls,” he says, taking a step closer to me. The heat rises between my legs. “But no offense, you’d be better suited to a role with less violent confrontation involved.”

His words come as a sting, a harsh reminder of my physical disadvantage against any given xaphan. But I can’t let my heart get the better of me. In my mind, I know he’s right.

In fact, I’m elated that he’s come up with a plan that considers my disadvantages. This is for the best, and I’d rather be in one piece to reunite with my family.

“None taken, Kavian. I’m keen on taking the xaphans down no matter the method.”

“And we will, Meera, together.”

The strength in his voice fuels the prospects of victory. I find myself motivated to proceed, almost wishing we were starting the mission already.

“So, what will you have me do?” I ask.

He points to the paper, tapping it with an aura of command.

“Take a look at the area of operations here, or simply put, a map for our mission.”

I pull the map closer, studying the circles and points of interest he’s marked on the sketch of a building.

“This is the auction house where they’ll be hosting the next public sale tomorrow. Of course, that sale isn’t going to take place, as you and I will sneak in there while they are making their preparations.”

I smile at the plan, looking forward to busting the party the xaphans think they’ll be having.

“There’ll be armed guards, more than two I reckon, but while they have the numbers game, we’ll have the advantage of the shadows.”

He raises his hand as a black silhouetted orb begins to float over them.

“When I handle the guards, you can free the slaves.”

I nod along, visualizing the scene playing out in my mind. The faces of relief on the slaves I imagine are more than enough to propel my faith in this plan.

Kavian lays a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and with his free hand, he raises my chin, our eyes meeting. I look into the gaze of a leader, a demon I can trust to help me get this done. I can see in his stare that he sees a useful ally in me. To have his confidence feels exhilarating.

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