Page 105 of The Demon's Discovery
“Absolutely. I haven’t seen you in some time, but you look wonderful.” The young man seemed genuine and kind. I noted his features and hoped to be able to keep an eye on him as he took his place among far lesser men in this city. Kindness was unfortunately not a trait many in power liked to foster.
Her smile solidified at that, some steel returning to her backbone as she raised back up to her full height. It was with an unreasonable amount of pride that I noticed she was taller even than him.
“Thank you. You look lovely, Bea. Ellis, it’s very nice to see you again. I’m so happy we were able to come.”
“Bea has been over the moon that you were able to take the… internship?” Ellis glanced between us. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what to call it.”
“That’s as good a title as any, though she’ll remain a permanent resident at d’Arcan,” I said.
The young man’s eyes widened, and he nodded enthusiastically. “How wonderful.”
“You should come visit,” Greta told her sister.
“I’d love that.” Bea pulled her in for another hug. “I’ve missed you so much. I can’t believe you didn’t stop to say goodbye the day you left.”
Greta made a face. “I’m sorry. You were with your mother, I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Bea nodded. “I understand. In any case, I’m glad you’re here now and that you’re where you belong.” She looked at me again,a soft smile on your face. “Being away from here has treated you well.” I heard the undercurrent, thatIwas treating her well, and once again inclined my head her direction.
I started toward Henrik’s table, people moving out of my way in a hurry, though I wasn’t doing anything aside from walking a normal pace. I leaned in close to Greta’s ear as we went and whispered, “Do you trust me?” She smiled, her eyes showing me everything I needed to know as far as her faith in me. “That’s my girl.” The endearment made her shiver, and her reaction made me smile.
“What’s this?” Henrik frowned. “Mr. Feland? Greta? Let’s not be rude.”
A slight man had taken a seat at Henrik’s table and watched Greta with far too much interest for my liking. I narrowed my focus to him, heart giving an excited thump. I was fairly certain I’d finally been put in the same room as the mysterious Lord Feiser.
“Rude?” I asked, forcing my tone to remain neutral. “How ironic you use that word after your wife just insulted mine.”
“Your—” Henrik’s eyes widened as he finally took all of her in, his gaze settling on her hand. “Surely you don’t mean… You can’t! Otto, this is not what I agreed to?—”
“Calm yourself, Henrik,” Lord Feiser said, getting to his feet. He had beady eyes and stringy long hair. I worried that he’d blow away in a stiff wind. It made no sense how he’d managed to get himself into such a powerful position by the look of him.
“And you are?” I asked, tone intentionally accusatory.
“Otto Feiser. And I’m fairly certain that’s my intended bride you have on your arm.”
Greta stiffened. I laughed, the sound painfully loud as the crowd around us hushed in response. “I beg to differ. My wife is exactly where she belongs.”
Feiser’s smile made my demon stand at attention. Suddenly, Greta scrabbled at her finger, the damnable ring he’d put there hurting her enough to elicit a scream.
“Burns,” she gasped, desperate to pull it off. “It’s burrowing into my skin.”
“Is that so?” he said smugly. “Seems I have first rights being that it’smyring that was placed first.”
Heart pounding at the sight of her in discomfort, I pulled my sword in the blink of an eye, blade tip aimed directly at Feiser’s throat. “She’s not an object to be sold. I don’t know what they promised you, but the agreement is null. She is my wife, my mate. By herchoice. And you will remove your ring, or I will remove your appendages one at a time until it is done.”
He laughed, and my blood ran cold. “Oh, I’ve missed you, haughty demon.” His hand wrapped around the blade as I pushed the tip into the hollow of his throat, drawing a tiny rivulet of blood, but not piercing it. The force I’d put behind the blow should have nearly taken his head off.
His laughter became an eerie sound, people gasping as they hurried to shuffle away from us. “I tasked Henrik with three things. Just three. Little. Things. Keep the book safe, the girl within sight, and find the necklace. Somehow, despite all the motivation I’ve supplied, he could only seem to do one of those.” He turned his gaze to Henrik, who was huddled with Lara at the table, pale and trembling.
“I’m sorry,” Henrik apologized but to whom was anyone’s guess.
“Father.” Bea’s sadness was profound, her beau’s body blocking much of her behind it.
“No matter. I know exactly where to find the book, you have delivered the girl to me, and this”—he charged forward, plucking at the chain hanging around Bea’s neck, breaking it with a firm tug—“is right where I can take it.”
Feiser’s gaze turned from beady black to bright green, his willowy form shredding into nothingness as a fit one took its place. It was the appearance of long auburn hair that forced every nerve in my body into awareness, the surprise allowing him the moment of advantage that he needed. He pushed my blade with force back toward me, shame and fear rushing through my body as my grip faltered.
He snatched at Greta’s hand and charged through the crush of bodies in the ballroom, delaying me, but only for a moment. She dug in her heels and shifted her weight, refusing to run with him, protesting loudly the whole way. Nobody moved to help her, however, to our mutual dismay. Surprise and frustration contorted his face, and he hauled her over his shoulder as I blinked over to them with my mist.
