Page 85 of The Demon's Discovery
“A demon horde has popped up inside the walls of Revalia. We have to take care of it expeditiously.”
“Okay.”
He threw the door open to reveal Lovette and Imogen standing outside, talking in low, strained voices. Imogen was fully armored and in her stone form, her long dark hair braided back. She shoved several weapons and a wooden box into Lovette’s arms, effectively ending whatever discussion they’d been having.
“Thank you,” he said, but I wasn’t sure whether it was to them or me. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.” He kissed me again then let his wings out and burst into flight right from where he stood, Imogen hugged her sister before throwing out her wings and taking to the air right behind him.
I flinched from the suddenness of it but marveled at how smooth they’d both made the transition seem.
“Come on. It’s late still,” Lovette said, clutching the items to her chest. “Some of the clan was still up celebrating, in fact. They’ll be head sore and cranky when they get back no doubt.”
I yawned, finding the sliver of new moon still high in the sky. Despite the hour, I wasn’t sure I would be able to go back to sleep after an awakening like that.
Lovette dumped the items Imogen had given her on the kitchen table before vanishing into her room. When she returned, she handed me a pillow and blankets. I sat down onone end of her comfortable sofa, still feeling out of sorts from the abrupt awakening. Calla knocked a moment later and was offered more bedding and the other couch. We all looked at one another, exhausted and lost.
“Where’s Grace?” I asked.
“My father was going to fly her back to d’Arcan on his way to deal with the horde. She wanted to check on the girls. He said he would try to talk her into coming back with him later. I hope she comes, there’s much I’d love to discuss with her. Imo too.” A gentle smile crossed her face, and I hoped Grace knew that his daughters seemed to think of her warmly.
“Here,” Lovette said, bringing me one of the weapons. “I assume you have yours?” she asked Calla, who nodded. “Good. Imogen insisted that you have something on your person. So. Now you do.”
I looked down at the leather sheath. Curious, I gripped the handle and pulled out the short dagger she’d given me. It was utilitarian, but clearly well made. “Thank you.” I slid it back inside the sheath and set it down on the floor at my feet where I could easily grab it if I needed it.
“Get some sleep if you can, the both of you. Try not to worry though. The danger is in the city, we’re safe here,” she said, and went into her room.
“Does this kind of thing happen a lot?” I asked Calla as we tried to get comfortable.
She snorted softly. “No, I wouldn’t say a lot, but enough that I’m learning not to be as afraid about it. But I remember all too well the first few times Rylan vanished like this. It was terrifying. He jumped right out one of the observatory windows once before I had a good grasp of what it meant for him to have wings. I was paralyzed. It took several long moments for me to get my wits about me.” She paused to yawn. “I understand why they wanted us here together but do think they should have taken me withthem. I can hold my own just fine,” she groused. I stared back, unsure what to say and curious beyond measure what this lovely woman could do if she thought she could hold her own in battle with them. “Don’t worry, Greta. They’re fierce,” she assured me on a sleepy sigh. “Especially together.”
That made me feel the tiniest bit better, and I knew Vassago was a force, even if he didn’t always want to be. “Have you seen them fight?”
She was quiet for a moment but eventually answered, “Yes. I was taken once, and they came for me. All three of them. I’ve seen Magnus hurt, if you can imagine such a thing, and had my mate come home to me covered in blood. But they always come out the victors. Once Vassago arrived, their odds only improved. Besides, they had all of the conclave and outpost to recruit for help with this. The fact that the horde appeared within the bounds of the city is a concern, though. They haven’t done that before. It’s hard to keep such unusual things quiet when there are little demons running around causing chaos and blood being spilled in the street.”
We stared at one another for a moment before she apologized, a chagrined look on her face. I wasn’t upset though, if anything it helped me understand even more why Vassago had done what he had in the road that day. Those creatures were inside the city gates.
“If you tell me not to worry, I won’t,” I said, smiling despite the situation.
“Don’t worry.” She chuckled softly. “Get some sleep. They’ll be back as soon as they take care of things. And if there are injuries, Lovette will need our help, so it’s best we get as much rest as we can.”
Before long, her breathing leveled out and my gritty eyes were closing again. The couch was oversized and verycomfortable, and I was in the company of women I trusted. I knew we could keep one another safe.
Chapter 34
Vassago
Ilanded near the market square a few moments before Imogen and several stone kin. My brother stood in full demon form with his sword drawn as he evaluated the situation.
Lower-level demons were boiling out of a volcanic-like fissure in the street and causing destruction on anything they could get their hands on. Pots of flowers, shop windows, signposts. The glowing portal allowing them to come through temporarily had to be under the direction of a very powerful force.
We’d flown ahead of Magnus, who was to deliver Grace back to d’Arcan and make a quick patrol with several of his soldiers on his way to join us. Sentries were posted at a distance all around the conclave for security, not to mention all around Revalia proper. The network of stone kin monitoring the city had been the ones to alert him of the problem.
He managed the goings-on of troops in both places, and it made my head spin thinking how he managed it all. I’d hated doing it for well-organized legions that could go no further than a single shadow realm in Hell and had no other function.
We’d left our mates safely tucked away in Lovette’s apartment, together and under a watchful eye, but I still felt ill at ease about it. The timing felt too coincidental.
Magnus landed with a heavy gust of wind, more stone kin troops just behind him. “Saints. We’ve got to be quick about this one, yeah?” Magnus grumbled.
“Those business owners won’t thank us for dallying,” Rylan answered.
