Page 12 of Devastation

“Yeti is on his way,” Mary murmured, feeling Willow’s forehead.

“Lilith will meet me in a spare room. Manfred, please tell Vladamir we have an injured guest,” Baba said as Yeti lumbered in.

To his credit, he didn’t ask questions but scooped up the wounded woman and then followed Baba out of the tower.

“How is Shaylaran coping?” Manfred asked Mary.

“With what? Using his human side more? Facing up to the fact his heart-sister is mated to Vladimir or how she can now shift herself. Or how Emmaline lost a child or…”

“Okay,” Manfred said, laughing. “I’ll try to carve out more time to spend with him.”

“Shaylaran needs us as much as we need him. He’s as important as the rest of us. Shaylaran just hasn’t realised that yet.”

“Shay will,” Manfred replied as he left the tower.

Mary nodded. One day, they all might realise their true value to this world.

Archere/Hunchback, Quasimodo.

Jase’s pacing could be heard clearly, or at least to him. Archere sighed as he gazed at the corridor where Jase was hiding. After going several rounds with Minotaur, where they’d both beaten each other bloody, Jase had retreated to his quarters.

A thread of discontent ran through the castle. Everyone sensed it, but none wished to confront someone who could drown you even while on land.

Archere, with his infinite patience, had no fear of Jase. He’d merely shift and leap out of the way. Plus, Jase would never lose his temper with Archere because Archere knew that Jase owed him.

When the Sins had escaped, Archere had seen Cruelty heading for Jase and stopped it. Tragically, Archere had absorbed Cruelty in his place. His body had twisted and morphed in front of Jase’s horrified eyes.

Jase may have a monster side, but his alter-ego of Poseidon had remained in place. Jase had been one of the few God’s Warriors with a dual shape. Shifting had never bothered him.

“I can smell you,” Jase growled, and Archere laughed.

“No, you can’t,” he snorted.

“You are wearing that fancy French perfume again,” Jase retorted, coming into view and glowering.

“It’s aftershave. Mary reports everyone is back safe. And the tale of you bringing a surprise home is doing the rounds,” Archere said and followed Jase, entering Jase’s quarters.

“I’d have left her to die. Blame Mummy,” Jase snapped as he walked across his drawing room and poured two hefty shots of whiskey. He turned and handed one to Archere, who sat in a wingback leather chair. Jase sat opposite him and frowned at his glass as he swirled the amber liquid around. A grimace crossed his face, and he gulped a huge mouthful.

“You’ve broken out the good stuff,” Archere stated, sipping his own. The whiskey was smooth and rich in flavour, expensive tasting. Then again, considering the cost Jase had paid, the quality was expected.

“That bitch has driven me to drink,” Jase announced and then chuckled darkly.

“I have always felt comfortable in here. We have a similar decorating taste,” Archere said. “Comfort and elegance.”

Jase looked around as he tried to puzzle out what Archere meant. Archere watched intently. A wood-panelled room, lined with bookshelves on one wall and several knick-knacks that were deeply personal to Jase. A thick grey rug covered dark wooden floorboards. The room was dim, with wall lights providing light; the brighter ceiling chandelier was rarely used. There was a table that Jas often worked at with his laptop on top and another plush leather wingback chair behind the desk. A Chesterfield sofa sat opposite the stone fireplace with their two armchairs on either side.

“That is obtuse even for you. I can’t fathom your meaning this time,” Jase said finally with a dark chuckle.

“It was merely a comment,” Archer replied. His keen eyes watched Jase seek his message.

“Brother, you weigh your words like Midas weighs his gold.”

“That is true. So, a human?” Archere changed subjects and was rewarded with a scowl that would and had made thousands shudder in fear.

“Should have left her to die. She is just another rat,” Jase growled.

“Then why didn’t you?” Archere challenged.

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