The Trouble With Demons

Chapter 13

When I came to, I was on the floor, on my stomach, gasping to drag air into my lungs. I slowly raised my head. Mychael was stretched out on one side of me, breathing deeply, his pulse beating rapidly in his throat. Tam was on my left, lying on his side, lips slightly parted, the tips of his fangs visible, panting softly. He was looking at me, his black eyes enormous and gleaming. If he were a cat, he’d have been purring. Me? I felt tingly in places that hadn’t tingled in far too long. I blew out my breath and rolled over on my back.

This was wrong in every way possible. An involuntary shiver ran through me. Wrong that felt really good, which made it even worse.

The three of us were fully dressed, but what we’d just done sure didn’t feel like it. What we’d done gave whole new meaning to the word threesome.

Tam swore and pulled himself up to a sitting position and winced. “Or foursome, if you count the Saghred.”

As if I could forget the rock.

“Raine,” Mychael demanded, his voice worried. “Are you all right?”

I sat up. I was a little shaky, but I got there. “What did you do?”

Then I froze. I didn’t just hear his worry, I felt it; a strong and tangible thing, concern real enough to reach out and touch. It was Mychael and Tam and me, all of us speaking in my head-and in theirs. Each of us could use mindspeak; most magic users could to one degree or another. This was different. Way different. Mindspeak was someone talking to you inside your head. Mychael and Tam were inside my head as if their thoughts belonged to me-and mine belonged to them.

I quickly turned to Mychael and my head swam. Too fast, Raine. Slow down. I reached a hand up to my forehead to steady myself. When I opened my eyes again, Mychael was watching me closely, seeing me as I could see him, inside and out.

“I was successful,” he said, his blue eyes still huge and startlingly vivid.

I felt a wave of disorientation, and forced myself to stop looking at him. “At what?” I snapped out loud. I had to clear my head of the emotions and sensations still surging through me. Snapping helped. Saying to hell with mindspeak worked even better.

Tam leaned back against a chair, his breathing returning to normal. “He left a sentry.”

Tam’s face had no expression, but I could feel his emotions, all of them strong, so strong it made me dizzy. I fought it, taking one deep breath after another until it went away.

“I’m just a magically ignorant seeker.” The woozies were gone, and my anger was arriving under full sail. I hadn’t asked anyone to leave a damned thing. I had enough things that weren’t me living inside of my head. “Just what the hell is a sentry?”

Mychael sat up slowly. “It means that I’ve left you with a part of my magic, my essence, if you will, to stand guard.”

I didn’t need to ask what his magical self inside my mind was standing guard over or against. He was guarding me against Tam, against the Saghred-and against myself.

“Basically, Mychael has joined our umi’atsu bond,” Tam finished. “A three-way umi’atsu bond. I believe that’s a first.” He hesitated, his expression grim. “And forbidden for a paladin.”

I froze. “Forbidden how?”

Mychael was silent for a little too long. “In posting a sentry, I have placed myself in direct contact with both you and Tam. While that contact remains, I am exposed to both Tam’s black magic and your bond with the Saghred. For obvious security reasons, there’s a law against that.”

I didn’t need to be told; I could see it. Mychael’s essence, shining and steadfast, standing between Tam and me and that which sought to destroy us both. Mychael wasn’t just standing guard over me.

He was protecting Tam.

Tam went utterly still, a statue encased in silvery skin. “Why?”

That single word, that one question echoed in my mind, in all of our minds. Anger, suspicion, confusion, and disbelief all contained within that one word. Another emotion stood out above all the others. Gratitude.

“Because you are worthy of saving, Tamnais.” Mychael’s voice was formal. “I will not stand by and watch you fall when there is anything that I can do to prevent it. You have come too far from who you used to be.”

Tam hesitated and then inclined his head slightly. The thank-you remained unspoken but not unheard.

I wasn’t about to ask my question out loud. “And if someone like Carnades found out?” I knew I didn’t want to know the answer, but I had to ask.

“I would be stripped of my command, arrested, tried, and possibly executed.”

Tam’s voice in our heads was as hard as stone. “No, you would definitely be executed.”

Mychael had just laid his career and his life on the line to protect me, to protect Tam-and he was a dead man if anyone on the Seat of Twelve found out.

“In nearly nine hundred years, your father never succumbed to the Saghred’s temptations,” Mychael reminded me. “I do not plan for any of us to be connected to the stone for much longer. This is a temporary arrangement until we can find a permanent solution.”

It didn’t matter if it was temporary or permanent, it was the most noble and selfless act I’d ever witnessed, and there was absolutely no way in hell that I would allow Mychael to go to his death because of me.

“Carnades believes that the two of you are working together,” Mychael said, “but he doesn’t know about your umi’atsu bond.” There was fear in his eyes, not of Carnades, but for me. “If he knew, he would immediately petition the Twelve to sign your execution order-and he would get it.”

One fanatical mage was enough, but I didn’t need the Seat of Twelve lining up to take out Tam and me, or to imprison, convict, and execute Mychael.

“Mychael, you took one look at us and knew,” I said. “Could Carnades or the Twelve do that?”

“If the three of us were in the same room with them… yes, they could.”

I swore. “This is just getting better all the time,” I said, and I said it out loud. “Can we stop with the mindspeak right now?” I rested my head in my hand. “It’s too crowded in here, and disorienting.”

“We can do that,” Mychael said, using his speaking voice.

“Thank you.” I slowly raised my head. “So if the three of us don’t have a date night in front of Carnades and the Seat of Twelve, our problem should stay our problem.” I realized something and froze, but not before I sucked in half the air in the room.

“What’s wrong?” Mychael demanded.

“Uh, an umi’atsu bond is kind of like a marriage.” I looked from Mychael to Tam and back again. “Does this mean I’m kind of married to both of you?”

Neither one of them made a sound, but I could literally feel the laughter-from both of them.

“To goblins, an umi’atsu bonded pair is considered the same as a married couple,” Tam told Mychael solemnly. “What do elves think?”

“Officially, we defer to goblin law in such matters.”

“Law?” I choked.

“Though I don’t know how that would apply to an umi’atsu bonded trio,” Tam mused, his eyes alight.

Mychael’s mouth tweaked up at the corners. “I imagine it would set a new legal precedent, to say the least.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. “Mychael!”

He actually snickered. “Raine, the thought of the three of us legally married is the funniest thing to happen to me all week.”

“Your funny could get us killed.”

“Yes, it could,” he agreed. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t see the humor in it. And believe it or not, I have been in far worse circumstances.”

“There’s worse than this?”

Mychael smiled like a man with a secret. “There was. And I’m still here.”

“Well, I can guarantee you this isn’t going to tickle Carnades’s funny bone.” And it wasn’t doing much for mine, either. “It also doesn’t get rid of the price he has on my head by now.”

“There is no price on your head,” Mychael assured me.

“But he said ‘lock-’ ”

“What Carnades said and what he is willing to do are two different things. At least for now.”

“Meaning?”

“Watcher headquarters was full of the wrong kind of witnesses-upstanding officers of the law. Dozens of watchers and civilians are alive right now because of what you did.”

“And what I did made some of them throw up.”

“You’re a hero down at headquarters right now.” Mychael looked amused. “Besides, Sedge doesn’t think he has a cell that could hold you.”

“I’m sure Carnades does.”

“That’s no longer an issue-at least not for the time being.

Carnades wouldn’t dare touch you-at least not directly. There have been more demon sightings in the past hour. As much as he may want to, Carnades can hardly arrest the one person on this island who is now able to kill them. Carnades Silvanus is a political animal to his core. Arresting you now would be political suicide. He’s desperate to portray himself as the leader Mid needs; such a leader could hardly stand by and let demons take over his island.”

I scowled. “You’re talking about him in the present tense. I guess that means the demon didn’t get him.”

“What demon?”

“The one you and Sora set loose on him. By the way, thank you.”

Mychael pursed his lips against the smile that was trying to get out. “Carnades is being attended to by his healer.”

Hope springs eternal. “The demon got him good?”

“Minor injuries, though it essentially ripped his robes to shreds. Professor Niabi caught it in one of her traps.”

I nodded in approval. “So you and Sora let the thing go, but then catch it before it can take out Carnades. He gets some of what’s coming to him; you keep your nose clean and get credit for saving him. Nice work.”

“How did-”

“Phaelan saw what happened, right before he ran like hell.” I had a thought and started to chuckle. Mychael was right; when you’re in something deep enough, you could find humor in just about anything.

“What is it?” Tam asked.

“If Rudra Muralin wants the Saghred at his beck and call, in another couple of days, or hours, he’ll have to kill all three of us.”

Tam almost grinned. “I believe that is a possibility.”

I chuckled some more. “And one hell of an inconvenience for him.”

“Rudra Muralin?” Mychael asked.

“Is the one opening the Hellgate,” I told him.

“With help from some of your local dark mages.” Tam handed him the letter.

Mychael read it.

I felt his opinion of Rudra Muralin loud and clear. The goblin calling me a “whore” had only pissed me off; Mychael was enraged. I felt warmed all the way down to my toes. I wanted my hands around Muralin’s throat, but maybe I’d let Mychael have a go at him first.

“May I keep this?” Mychael asked Tam.

“Of course.” Tam hesitated. “You have a warrant out on Rudra Muralin, right?”

Mychael nodded. “I took the description you and Raine gave me and passed it on to Sedge Rinker.”

“He can easily blend in with the students,” Tam cautioned.

“I’ve made Sedge aware of that.”

I hadn’t thought of that. That’d be guaranteed to make an already tense situation worse. Most goblins and elves didn’t get along in the best of circumstances. For years the goblin royal family had snubbed the Conclave college, until about ten years ago when goblin aristocrats started filtering into the college classrooms-and their gold started flooding into the college coffers, funding scholarships and teaching fellowships-all for goblins.

“Does Carnades or any of the Seat of Twelve know that Muralin could pass for a student?”

“Not yet,” Mychael said.

“Are you planning to tell them?”

“I’d rather resolve the situation before it becomes necessary.”

I knew what Mychael meant. If Carnades or any of his like-minded colleagues found out that a goblin grand shaman was responsible for opening a Hellgate, and that he also looked like a student, Carnades would order every male goblin student brought before the Seat of Twelve. He’d call it questioning, but it’d be an inquisition. And he’d lock up any likely candidate, which meant any goblin student with above-average magical skill would find himself in a warded cell. That would be a lot of students. Carnades would claim it was to ensure island security and safety-he’d do it because he wanted every last goblin out of the college and off of the island. Once the aristocratic parents of those students got word, ugly wouldn’t begin to describe what would happen. Carnades would be better off with a demon infestation.

I had a sudden sinking feeling in my stomach. “Right now Tam and I aren’t the most trustworthy witnesses to a lot of people. Ronan gave you his statement, too. Right?”

Mychael was quiet for just a little too long. “I asked Ronan for a description of Rudra Muralin, but he was unable to provide one. Apparently Ronan never saw him.”

The sinking feeling in my stomach turned into a knot. “What?”

“Ronan was unconscious, and the spellsingers in the cell never saw Muralin, only the Khrynsani shamans he left to stand guard.”

Tam swore. “Some of my men know him on sight, but they can’t testify.”

I knew why. A dark mage hit squad didn’t exactly make for star witnesses. “So it’s the two of us, and Piaras and Talon. That’s it. If I didn’t hate Rudra Muralin so much, I’d be impressed. We can’t legally touch him, can we?”

“Let’s get him in a warded cell first,” Mychael said.

Tam frowned. “Mychael, he’s got the Mal’Salin family behind him.”

We all knew what that meant. The Mal’Salins wanted me any way they could get me, and the testimony of Piaras and Talon, because of their connections to Tam and me, wouldn’t stand up to a light breeze in a courtroom.

Low, warm laughter bubbled up around me. Sarad Nukpana.

“An accused murderer, a Benares, a corrupted nightingale, and a wastrel half-breed,” the goblin murmured in my head. “Even if you found Rudra Muralin, you have no credibility, so you have no proof.” The laughter continued. “I guess you don’t live a millennium and not pick up a trick or two.”

Mychael and Tam froze. They could hear Sarad Nukpana.

Through me.

Through the Saghred.

Oh no.

“Greetings, gentlemen.” I could hear the slow smile in Nukpana’s voice. “I cannot tell you how good it is to be heard by someone other than Raine. Not that she isn’t a sparkling conversationalist, but the three of you-all together like this-it’s simply charming.” His next words came out as a resonant purr. “And a death sentence for Paladin Eiliesor should anyone on the Seat of Twelve discover that he’s in an umi’atsu bond with a dark mage and the Saghred’s bond servant. I didn’t think you were such a risk taker, Paladin Eiliesor. Or since we’re all on such intimate terms now, may I call you Mychael?”

“What do you want, goblin?” Mychael’s voice was cold and hard.

“Such vehemence and disrespect to my race, elf.” Sarad Nukpana made tsking sounds. “No doubt Tamnais is mortally offended.”

“Not at all,” Tam shot back smoothly. “I’m not your kind of goblin.”

“I ask twice,” Mychael demanded. “What do you want?”

“Why, to be of service, noble paladin. Although your boorish behavior makes me reconsider my generosity.”

I put a finger to my lips. “Let’s see… The containment spells are down, the Saghred is vulnerable, and Rudra Muralin’s made a deal with Hell so he could get his hands on your little prison. I’d think you’d be asking for our generosity-and protection.”

“But I am not the one needing protection.” Nukpana savored the words, and I could almost see the smug glee on his face. “There are many on this island who are in mortal danger of their lives-and their souls. And unless you act quickly, it’ll be too late to save either one. Rudra Muralin has made a deal with the demons-they get the Saghred for him, and in return, all of the students and mages on Mid are theirs to do with as they will.”

“Muralin wants me to get the Saghred for him,” I said.

The goblin laughed softly. “He is merely lining up an alternative plan should his other fail. A most enterprising young man, Rudra Muralin. Either way the demons will get all of those precious, magically gifted children.”

“We are listening, Primaru Nukpana,” Tam said, his tone the very model of calm propriety, but his eyes were blazing.

The goblin’s satisfied sigh floated through our minds. “There, that’s much better,” he murmured. “Was that so difficult? You should take note, little seeker. Polite respect for your betters can soothe almost any insult. Tamnais has not forgotten his courtly manners.” He paused meaningfully. “Nor has the goblin court and royal family forgotten him.”

“I’m certain they haven’t-nor I them,” Tam shot back smoothly. “What do you require?”

“I require many things, but it would be rude to put my desires first. A better question might be what do the demons require-besides your students?”

“Spit it out, goblin,” I said. “What do the demons want?”

“To be more precise, little seeker, I know what their queen desires above all else. With little else to do inside the Saghred, I’ve had the leisure to acquire knowledge from my fellow inmates. The queen wants her husband and king restored to her. Why else would the queen of demons lower herself to the indignity of dealing with one as vulgar as Rudra Muralin?”

“And how would consorting with Muralin get His Demonic Majesty back to home and brimstone hearth?”

“Rudra Muralin wants the Saghred. The demon queen wants what is inside the Saghred. Her lord and king was the Saghred’s first victim. His queen desires his soul’s release.” Nukpana paused. “I desire my release.”

“There is no escape from the Saghred,” Mychael said. “The stone cannot be opened, cracked, or destroyed. Many have tried; none have succeeded.”

“None of them had what the demon queen has her vassals scurrying all over your island searching for. So far they have been unsuccessful.” He paused suggestively. “I believe Mistress Benares can find what the demons cannot. That is the way you make a living, is it not? And with the enhancement the Saghred has given your previously mediocre abilities, I must admit that you have become quite proficient.”

“You need to work on your flattery,” I told him. “And why would I want to find something to let you and a demon king out of the Saghred?”

I heard the smile in his voice. “Don’t forget about your father.”

“I haven’t,” I said once I’d unclenched my jaw. “Again, why would I want to do this?”

“Such a harsh daughter you are. I shall have to tell Eamaliel that his only child cares not what happens to him.”

“Are you going to tell me, or do we play guessing games all night?”

“Forthrightness isn’t a quality goblins embrace willingly. You should have learned this long ago from Tamnais. Where would be the anticipation, the sweet torment?”

“What if I tell you to go to hell? I’m sure Muralin’s demons could help you make travel arrangements.”

“You can tell me to go anywhere you like, little seeker, but we both know that I am not going anywhere-unless you find the object with which to free me before the demons find it. They will free their king, and I will be left behind. I would not like that at all.”

“And you expect me to take on demons and free you from the Saghred out of the kindness of my heart? My family isn’t known for kindness or having hearts.”

“Oh, but you do have a heart, Raine. You will risk everything to protect those whom you love. Is my nightingale enjoying his foray into higher learning?”

“For the last time, Piaras is not your nightingale.”

“Are you so sure about that, little seeker? You don’t want to admit it to yourself, but you’ve contaminated young Piaras with the Saghred. You’re too close to him, and now it’s too late.” He paused. “Closeness breeds familiarity, as you, Tamnais, and Mychael are discovering. Familiarity can take many forms.”

Suddenly there wasn’t nearly enough air in the room.

“Yes, you’re beginning to see now. You have asked yourself how Piaras was able to see that Volghul this morning when no one else could. And how he knew precisely what to do to hold the beast. He is certainly talented enough to do what he did-and as he said, Ronan Cayle is teaching him well.” I could hear the slow smirk in Sarad Nukpana’s voice. “But young Piaras lacks experience-experience that coincidently I have. You may want to ask him if he has had any dreams lately. Or an inexplicable urge to do something that he really shouldn’t.”

“What are your terms?” Mychael snapped.

“The seeker finds what the demons desire and frees me, or I will infect Piaras’s mind to the point of madness, or compel him to do something so naughty that Inquisitor Taltek Balmorlan will have his legal excuse to take him back into custody. Either she helps me, or the inquisitor gets his excuse-and he takes her nightingale.”

Tam hissed.

“And Tamnais, I seriously doubt your half-breed spawn learned to do what he did this morning in a cabaret. The young are so easily influenced.”

“If you touch my son, I-”

“You are welcome to come and get me. Raine can tell you precisely where I am. Free me, and I shall release the song-birds.” Nukpana sounded confident enough to start packing his bags now. “But of course, the final choice is yours.”

What choice did I have? What choice did any of us have? Son of a bitch.

“I have been called much worse, little seeker.”

Mychael’s jaw tightened. “What is the object?”

“The Scythe of Nen.”

“Which is?”

“A key to unlock the Saghred.”

So much for what that purple demon who killed Professor Berel was trying to find.

“What does it look like?” I asked.

“I know not. But I strongly advise that you find out, and quickly.”

Sarad Nukpana’s voice trailed off and evaporated. There was none of the usual taunting laughter. He knew he had us. Laughter would have been redundant.