Page 38 of The Demon's Delight
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Hailon. Would you both excuse me for just a moment?”
“Of course.”
He looked at me for approval, and I nodded tightly. Coltor stepped away from the shelter, his footsteps crunching over the debris on the ground as he went in the direction of the creek.
“He’s…” Hailon’s face scrunched up as she searched for a descriptor. She gave up after a long pause and just shook her head before adding the herbal mixture we’d been using as tea to the hot water.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, gently directing her by the shoulders to one of the log seats.
“Fine. Still a little tired, but I’ll manage. I can help.”
“You will not. I have it well in hand.” I dropped a kiss on her hair and attempted to reassure her with a smile, but just as quickly as the surprise faded and some softness crept into her gaze, it sharpened again as Coltor came back into the shelter.
“Perhaps this would be of use?” he asked, holding out a large fish he’d already cleaned as well as some wild herbs.
“Perfect! Thank you.” I accepted the generous offering as he scooted the largest stump to the far edge of the fire, allowing Hailon as much space from him as he could without leaving the shelter again.
“So, Coltor, why exactly are you posted here? What is so worth protecting in a ruined castle?” I asked him as the fish began to cook on a flat rock over the flames. The tea was steeped, so I poured them cups and drank my own directly out of the pot.
“How do I know I can trust you, demon?”
I shrugged. “You don’t. But that is mutual, is it not?”
“I suppose.” The large man sighed and sipped at the hot brew. “You said you had dealt with the fae, before.”
“Yes. Quite a lot, actually.”
“Then you understand how precious some doorways can be.”
“Certainly. My brother Tap is stationed at the crossroads, and he can barely manage a day off now and then, let alone—” What he was saying without actual words sank in. “Oh. Yes. I can see why you would want to deter people from wandering through here, if that’s the case.” There were portals here then, permanent ones embedded into the very materials of the old castle. Entry points to the fae realm or perhaps other places entirely that needed to be protected. Shame we couldn’t make use of them to get Hailon home.
Satisfied, Coltor nodded. Hailon watched us with open fascination as I shared some news I’d gathered the last time I was in Revalia, then other small talk until the fish and the tinned vegetables I’d added to the fire were finished cooking.
We ate in companionable silence, Coltor expressing his thanks and honestly looking like he’d finally relaxed a little by the time we were done.
Hailon rose, dishes collected in her hands.
“Leave those,” I told her, taking the stack from her hands. “I’ll wash them.”
She let me take them without argument, her eyes never leaving Coltor’s face. The behavior was unusual for her and had my awareness tingling even as I stepped aside to scrape remnants of our meal off the plates and into the flames.
“Consort with many demons?” Coltor asked, forearms resting across his knees. His tone was light, but she stiffened.
“No. Just the one.”
“Hmm. How do you know so much about them and magic, but you’ve never heard of stone kin before? How is it that you felt the effects of the wards of this place, but were still compelled to enter? Why exactly are you traveling with a demon in the first place?” Coltor’s tone had turned antagonistic again, and something inside me roared.
There was a meaty, squelching sound as one of my blades embedded itself in his thigh. He growled and yanked it free, examining it with shock. Surprise and anger pulled his eyes wide as blood stained the leg of his trousers.
“Seir!” Hailon scolded, rushing to Coltor’s side. “That’s uncalled for.”
“Mind. Your. Tone.” My voice came out as a rough snarl, and my hands shook from the rush of rage. I gestured to where Hailon already hand her fingertips on the edges of his wound. I didn’t care for the fact she was touching him at all, let alone on his leg like that, but I pushed the jealousy down when she glanced at me with fire in her eyes. “See? She’s helping you and scolding me. She’snotyour enemy. And I’d prefer we remain friends, but that won’t be possible if I have to remind you again.”
Coltor raised his hands and relaxed his body, shedding some of the tension that had accumulated in his shoulders. He handed my blade back to me, bowing his head. “Apologies. I meant no disrespect. I’m truly just curious. I don’t mean to beinterrogatory. It’s very odd that you would feel the effects of the wards yet continue on. What else are you capable of, my lady?”
“I have a healing gift,” she said, the glare she threw at him as cutting as my blade. “I was taken from Ravenglen, sold to a man in Olinbourg because of it. I was held captive, routinely abused for my gift. In an act of desperation, I summoned him to help me escape, so I can get back to my home. My sick aunt.” She spat the words, and I watched his face transform.
“Apologies.” He shifted, head bowed. “Truly, I should not have assumed anything negative. I’m sorry that happened. Are your captors?—”
