Page 57 of Bargain with the Demon King
"Even when they provoke—"
"Even then."
The argument circles. Vex's shadow fragments further—five pieces now, each considering different angles. Morinth's pets have gone rigid, that particular stillness before she does something creative. Raziel's marks pulse faster.
Adraya's jaw clenches again. Fourth time. Fifth. The parchment tears under her pen.
"Perhaps we should eliminate the settlements entirely," Vex says. All five shadows nod agreement. "Remove the temptation."
"And lose the agricultural output?" Morinth laughs. The sound becomes physical—ice crystals that shatter against stone. "Your estate needs human grain."
"Better than constant conflict—"
"You're all idiots."
The words don't just land, they cancel the air. The echoes of their arguments die, leaving a vacuum. Every demon turns. Vex's shadows snap back to him as if yanked by a leash. Raziel's marks flare a defensive silver-white.
"The mortal speaks." Raziel's undertone cuts out, leaving just the primary voice. "Without permission. In the King's own—"
"The humans provoked them." Adraya cuts through his words. "Not with violence—that's the excuse. With mockery. Testing boundaries because they think the King's protection makes them untouchable."
"How dare—"
"And the demons retaliated because their pride got scratched. Both sides are wrong. Punish the humans for provocation, punish the demons for excess. Make it public. Make them watch each other bleed. Otherwise someone dies and can't be brought back."
Silence. The kind before violence. Every demon's breathing syncs—inhale, hold, exhale. The marks on exposed skin pulse together.
Adraya meets my gaze. Not defiant. Not afraid. Just present. She counts their shocked faces—six gasps, four shadow-retreats, two demons drawing blood from their own palms. She finds patterns in their distress.
I should silence her. Should protect the hierarchy.
"The mortal's suggestion has merit."
Raziel's mouth opens, closes, opens again. "Your Majesty—"
"Both sides face punishment." My shadow expands, swallowing theirs. "Humans for provocation. Demons for lack of restraint. Equal consequences."
"You're taking her counsel?" Vex's shadow pulls tight against his body. "A mortal's opinion?"
"I'm taking logic regardless of source." The obsidian cracks under my hand. "Unless you have better?"
No one does. The shift is visible—demons lean toward or away from Adraya, recalculating her position.
"Three lashes each. Public. Both sides watch."
"Three lashes could kill a human," Morinth observes.
"Then they'll be careful." I stand. "Dismissed."
They flee. Vex's shadow splits and reforms repeatedly. Raziel leaves drops of black blood. Morinth's frozen laugh shatters against the floor. Whispers start before the door closes.
Adraya gathers her notes. I catch her counting Raziel's blood drops. Fourteen. Her fingers tap the pattern against her thigh.
"Foolish," I tell her once we're alone.
"Everything I do is foolish." She looks up. "Your Lord Vex's shadow split into five parts. Panic or planning?"
"Both."
