Page 19 of Kiss of Magic

As if sensing his scrutiny, Salaq stared straight at him, a cool smile playing on his pale lips. Kam looked away, his jaw tightening. Much as he hated to admit it, ruthlessness was a quality that might serve them well right now.

His gaze swept the other clan leaders, a motley group who’d seldom, if ever, been together in the same room. The si’lat rubbed shoulders with the qareen, the dwarven sat next to theperi. Kam felt a tinge of pride that so many different races lived together peacefully – for the most part, at least.

In the corner, keeping to the shadows, was Count Darian Lemar the Third of the Vetali. He nodded cordially at the Emperor.

Darian was here representing Palissandra, of which he was heir. The Vetali were little understood among the fae and jinn, and their closely-guarded territory had only recently developed diplomatic ties with Nush’aldaam. Kam knew Darian was honourable but he was under no illusion.

What was coming would put their alliance to the test. More than that, it would challenge the resolve of everyone in this room.

Ren saw the strain on her husband’s face. Reaching out beneath the table, she quietly took his hand. He shot her a grateful look and cleared his throat.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet on such short notice,” he began. “I will remind you that from this moment on, whatever you hear in this room is confidential until we have agreed a plan of action.”

“You make it sound like a crisis meeting, your Majesty,” drawled Salaq. His sharp eyes were pinned on Kam. “Can we dispense with the theatrics and get to it? Some of us have actual work to do.”

“Be silent, Marid,” growled Shade. “The Emperor is speaking. Have respect.”

“Gentlemen,” Kam interjected. “Please. Lord Salaq is right. What I’m about to tell youisa crisis. And I warn you now, if we don’t respond with absolute unity, we will be lost.”

There was a low murmur around the room. Salaq and Shade exchanged glances, their animosity overshadowed for a moment by their mutual curiosity.

“Your Majesty, tell us what’s wrong.” This was Raya, her tone troubled.

She could see the tension in Kam’s eyes, the way his knuckles whitened as he clenched his hands. A coil of dread began to tighten in her stomach.

Silence descended once more as everyone waited. Kam took a deep breath. What his people needed now was certainty, not a frightened leader.

“I don’t know how to say this in any way that will blunt the horror. So I will just say it. The Angelus Seal is failing.”

In the ensuing silence, Ren could have heard a pin drop. No-one moved. Then Shade asked the question on everyone’s mind.

“What do you mean, the seal is failing?”

“Exactly that. It seems after five thousand years the lock needs to be re-established. The angels put a contingency in place for this very eventuality and we are in the process of enacting it.”

“So what is the problem?” growled Salaq.

“There has been an unforeseen delay while we try to locate the… thetoolrequired to replenish the seal. In the meantime it’s being held together by magic. We have witches working spells around the clock, and more are being trained up. We can hold it closed for now, but we have to prepare for the worst case scenario.”

“Which is?” asked Raya.

Kam licked his dry lips.

“The demonicus demons escape their prison.”

The silence this time was longer than the last, as every leader in the room contemplated the terrifying possibility.

A world full of demonicus demons. Remorseless, pitiless, cruel and destructive.

They had all heard the stories handed down from their ancestors. How demonicus spirits inflicted pain because every shriek, every scream of agony was a pleasure for them. Howat times they had taken victims and kept them alive for days, weeks, driving them slowly insane with repeated torture. How they especially enjoyed the tears of young children.

“We are powerless against those creatures.” Raya’s mother spoke up, her eyes bleak. “If they escape, we’ll be slaughtered. We can’t fight them.”

“They’re not invincible, Aelah,” said Kam. “They were defeated before.”

“By angels!” she burst out. “By the angelic horde with swords of light who chose to help us, the gods only know why. And they’re not here anymore!”

“The Elhinn fought too, and we’re still here.”

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