Page 64 of Demon Bound

Strangely, he wasn’t wearing his uniform. He wore no armor at all, and he seemed to be having a debate with a few of the others.

“I know that one,” she said. “He’s one of the Paladins. We saw him with them a few days ago.”

“What’s he doing?” asked Jai.

“I’m not sure.”

Madira turned to Raiya. She could just barely make out the features of his face. “We’ll wait for them to leave, and when the coast is clear, we can move in,” he said.

Jai and Raiya nodded. Raiya reached into her pocket and closed her hand around the stone she’d enchanted. The enchantment was the key to her escape from the temple. All they needed was to get in and find Azreth. That alone would be a challenge. There were no doors other than the ones in the front, and the windows were tall and narrow, too small for a person to fit through. There were more guards than they’d anticipated, too, and Raiya’s confidence was shaken by the ones lurking in the windows above the door, who were probably armed with arrows or spells.

The Paladins drew her attention again as the volume of their argument increased. Finally, the one arguing with Adamus waved his hand dismissively and walked away. Adamus looked dejected. The others left to follow Nirlan down the road the other way.

Raiya pressed herself closer to the wall as Adamus came toward their alley. He was going to pass right by them. Madira and Jai were silent and motionless as they watched him approach, like trained assassins. At times like this, it was hard to remember that they were actually still children.

As Adamus passed within arm’s reach, Raiya held her breath. But to Madira, it appeared it was like dangling a mouse in front of a cat—he pounced. He revealed himself suddenly, grabbingAdamus by the collar and pinning him to the wall. Madira drew his sword, resting it just below his chin.

“Keep your mouth shut or I’ll put my sword in it, Paladin,” Madira said, a little too gleefully. Raiya put a hand on his arm, fearing he’d run the man through. Jai released the spell shrouding them, and Adamus looked around at them all. His eyes focused on Raiya.

“You!” he said, and seemed more surprised than angry. “Strange company you keep. First demons, now night elves?”

“I said keep quiet.” Madira jerked the blade against his neck, making him wince. “What business do the Paladins have at the temple? Tell us what they’re planning.”

“Do you want me to keep quiet, or do you want me to answer questions?”

“Don’t get smart.”

“I’m not a Paladin any longer,” Adamus said. “I’ve hung up my sword.”

Madira glanced pointedly down at Adamus’s hip, where his sword still rested.

“I mean that I don’t fight for the Paladins,” Adamus amended. “What they’re doing has nothing to do with what Paladius wants. I want no part of it.” Raiya raised her eyebrows, and Adamus shrugged at her. “My father always wanted me to join the family trade and become a lawyer. I’m starting to think I should have listened to him.” He studied her, and Raiya could sense him piecing together what he knew of herself, Nirlan, and Azreth. “Where is your demon?”

Madira and Jai were looking cautiously between Raiya and Adamus. Suddenly, Adamus punched Madira in the stomach. Madira gasped and doubled over as Adamus shoved him away. Madira clutched his side, struggling to breathe. Raiya jumped back, pointing her baton at Adamus, but he hadn’t drawn his sword.

“You’re trying to get into the temple, too, aren’t you?” he asked her, eyes wide. “I want to help you.”

Raiya was dumbfounded. “What?”

“The demon is with the cultists, isn’t he? If there’s a choice between having him with you and having him working for the cultists, I’d prefer the former.”

“F-fuck you, Pa-aladin,”Madira wheezed. Jai was at his side, trying to comfort him. Adamus gave him an almost-but-not-quite-sympathetic look.

“You seemed to have the demon under control, at least,” Adamus said. “I would rather he returned to the hells where he belongs, but I cannot abide having him in the hands of the cult. Gods know what they’ll have him do.”

“You’re not a member of the Paladins anymore?” Raiya asked skeptically.

“Not those ones,” he said, jerking his chin toward the others. “We are supposed to be holy seekers of justice, not mercenaries.”

Raiya was surprised she was considering his offer. She was even more surprised to find herself saying, “Okay. Come with us.”

“What?”Madira hissed.

“We could use the help,” she said. And she believed Adamus would protect the siblings if they needed it, even if they might not return the favor.

Adamus smiled and nodded. “You won’t regret it. What is your plan?”

“We barge in quickly and get out before they can stop us.”

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