Page 28 of The Rowan's Stone
Several pairs of eyes follow me when I pass by. Conscious of the body-hugging suit, I step closer to Callyx. When their eyes drift to him, they quickly decide to look at anything but the two of us. I smile behind the hood.
We reach the tent, and Callyx waves me to a seat. “I’m going next door to change. Don’t leave.” He steps to the flap. “Please.”
Once he’s out, I head to the table in the center of the room where I see the map. Callyx and Vargas usually have a copy in their tent to familiarize themselves with the terrain and surrounding areas. My eyes widen in surprise when I see the battlefield.
The enemy is slightly below us, in a valley between two mountain ranges. The valley is huge, but given the markers on the map, so are their numbers. They fill the valley from front to back and side to side.
Lucifer’s camp, where I’m standing, is on a large hill above them, giving us a slight advantage. But there’s also a forested mountain behind us, so our topographical advantage is slim. And, of course, our numbers are fewer. I wonder how many troops are coming in with Daire and the others? Sensing a presence behind me, I turn.
Alain stands in the opening—Lucifer’s best friend, and I guess Solange’s father, although I only knew him as the former growing up. He’s a handsome man, or demon, although he’s in human form at the moment. But the façade is a pretty cover for the predator lurking beneath the surface. Solandis never liked him and made Vargas swear to never invite him to our home.
“Solandis?” he asks hesitantly, eyeing my suit. His eyes dart around, looking for Callyx or Vargas before coming back to me.
The hood protects my identity, and right now, being Solandis might be a good thing. Holding my hand out, princess style, I decide to mimic her usual greeting, making sure to keep my voice low and perfectly modulated. “Good evening, Alain. It’s so nice to see you, even if it is under these dreadful circumstances. Callyx and Vargas stepped out for a second. Can I assist you?”
Alain pauses and peers at me intently before taking my hand and placing a kiss on it. I squeeze his hand in return. A bead of nervous sweat rolls down my neck, making me thankful I’m hidden behind the hood. “No, no. Please tell Vargas I need to see him when he returns.” He takes a step back, still looking carefully around the room, until he finally decides everything’s okay and walks out. Alain is more cautious than I expected, and his gut is probably telling him something’s amiss, but not once does he glance at me, which is interesting. It tells me he doesn’t see Solandis as a threat.
Callyx steps into the tent about a minute later, wearing his demon form. Exponentially larger and taller than his usual huge self, he screams lethal predator. Shadows curl around his ebony skin and horns until only his face and eyes show. He’s truly the poster child for nightmares in this state. The shadow under the bed. I shiver. His monstrous nostrils flare, and he raises an eyebrow.
“Hello, my darling son,” I greet him, giving him a clue. “Alain stopped by to speak to Vargas. Do you know where he might be?” I raise my mask so I can communicate silently with him. Tilting my head to the side, I wait until his shadows line the wall before continuing, “He’s ready for battle, armed to the teeth, and I don’t think he planned on having a friendly chat with Vargas.”
“Fuck,” he spits out. “Okay, we need to leave and get to Lucifer’s side. I don’t know what Alain’s planning, but if he’s trying to take out Vargas before the battle, he’s going to try a coup here first.” He glances to the map with longing, then turns toward the chest in the corner. He pulls out several weapons, including a sword, a huge double-barreled gun, several smaller knives, and a multitude of pouches, which he straps onto his belt. He places the sword in the holster on his back and the knives in various places within easy reach. Carrying the gun, he steps toward the entrance and motions for me to follow.
He is one scary motherfucker,I think. I rarely get to see him in this form, but I always feel a sense of pride when I do. Not everyone has a big brother like mine.
He takes several turns toward the back of the camp until we stand in front of a luxurious tent. Demons guarding the entrance bow their heads to Callyx but glance suspiciously at me. “Solandis and Callyx to see Lucifer. Is he inside?” The guard cocks his head to the side, listening to a voice only he can hear, then waves us in.
Lucifer’s bent over a map when we enter. Although he has several forms, he’s currently wearing his human form, beautiful and blond, tall and physically perfect. As an angel, he must have been incandescent. Daire’s the spitting image of him. Although Lucifer’s hair is slightly longer and shaggier, and his clothing more casual. But it’s not his appearance that always startles me, it’s the pure power he exudes. Power that screams top of the food chain. Lucifer glances up when we enter and does a double take when he sees me.
I poke Callyx in the back. He gives Lucifer a bow. “Sorry to barge in on you, Lucifer. My mother wanted to say hello. I hope it’s okay?” He glances to Alain on Lucifer’s right, and dips his head in deference to him too.
Lucifer steps forward and pulls me in close to give me a kiss on each cheek. “Hello, my sweet Arden,” he whispers in a voice only I can hear. Raising his voice, he answers Callyx. “Of course, Callyx. I’d have been upset if she hadn’t come by. It’s so good to see you, Solandis. Why don’t you two stay awhile? It’s just Alain and I here. And where’s Vargas?”
Using Solandis’ low voice, I reply softly, “Thank you, darling Lucifer. He stepped out a while ago, but I haven’t seen him. I must confess we didn’t stop by just to say hi, but we’re hoping to catch up with Vargas when he arrives.” Giving a low tinkling laugh, I gesture to my outfit. “I hope you don’t mind the outfit. I don’t want anyone to know I’m here.”
His eyes dart to Callyx and me a few times, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Not at all. Please excuse me, I’m really busy, but there are refreshments on the table over there,” he tells me, stepping back to the map. Callyx walks over to stand at his side. Soon, all three are discussing battle strategy.
Surreptitiously, I sit and cross one leg over the other to block anyone’s view of my hands. Pulling out my phone, I send a text to Vargas and Daire.
Arden:With Lucifer. Alain came asking for Vargas. Unfriendly visit. Good thing you aren’t here. Callyx and I thought it best to stay by Lucifer’s side. Alain’s planning to lead his troops into the fight from here.
Vargas: Bastard. Be very careful. Alain’s not stupid. What did Lucifer say when you showed up?
Arden: I’m wearing my armor. I’m Solandis.
Daire: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? I thought we agreed you would stay behind where it’s safe!
Arden: Helping my family. Lucifer’s surrounded by guards. I’m pretty safe right now.
Hearing footsteps,I quickly slip my phone between my legs and eye my manicure. I dip my head and lightly file the side of my nail. A shadow comes up beside me, and I glance up. Alain’s standing there, looking down at my lap. I ignore him and hold my hand up to peer at my nails in the light. He gets a glass of water from the table beside me and walks away. I pull my phone out and allow my hastily conjured nail file to disappear.
Arden:Alain wants Lucifer to take a special force to the right of the enemy and push them into the middle of the valley. He’s insisting. Lucifer disagrees. Wait. Callyx volunteered to do it. Alain frustrated. Should I stay with Lucifer or go with Callyx?
Vargas: Lucifer.
Daire: You should go to The Abbey.
Arden: I’m staying with Lucifer. Text later.
