The infernal shrugged. “I prefer not to take life if I can avoid it. But I’ve watched them kill too many of our people. My conscience is clear.”
Gantalla nodded, then felt a sob rise up in her throat. She swallowed it down again. “Thank you all,” she said again, looking around at the others. “We owe you our lives.”
Gosta slid her hood over her face again – likely to guard against the risk of onlookers – and then she muttered a spell and her form returned to that of an ageing human woman. “You didn’t think we’d let you deal with this all by yourself, did you?” she said, her voice both stern and compassionate. “Our kind have to look after each other.”
“Gosta?” Nalyx was gaping at her, his face pale. He slowly sheathed his sword. “Fuck me, you’re a…”
“I’m a salas,” Gosta said, ignoring his shock. “And you’re welcome.”
“But how did you… You’ve lived here foryears! How did you all…?”
“Stay hidden?” Gosta finished his sentence, a sly smile on her face. “With the utmost care and caution. I trust that you’re willing to keep this a secret?”
“Absolutely,” Nalyx said, eyeing the captain’s body again. No doubt he was imagining his own painful death if he did anything but agree. Not that Gantalla had any doubts about his integrity, but it was still reassuring to see that he understood the severity of the situation.
The infernal pulled his cloak over his head, then he, too, resumed his human form, and Gantalla was shocked to see that he was one of the young men who worked as messengers in town, delivering packages between shops and tradespeople. He’d visited the hospital several times in the last few weeks, delivering supplies, but Gantalla had never suspected he was anything other than a human. “I’m Nerik,” he said. Then he stepped closer to Gantalla. “Please, take this. It’ll help you get to Palashran.” He held out a small purse, and Gantalla took it, opening the top to look inside. It was filled with coins, mostly coppers, but with a few silver ones on top. “A few of the folk in town decided to make a donation.”
Gantalla’s mouth dropped open in awe. “Thank you! Oh, my goodness, you’re all so wonderful. But… I stole some money from you,” she blurted out, looking over at Gosta. “I’m sorry, but I needed some boots for Alithmain. I can pay you back.” She held out the purse awkwardly.
Gosta snorted. “Think nothing of it. Why do you think I left it there?” she said, sounding almost annoyed. “But you were supposed to take the whole purse, you silly girl.”
Gantalla let out a laugh. “Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You need to go,” Gosta said, all traces of humour disappearing. “Don’t worry about this.” She gestured to the captain’s still-smouldering body. “We’ll make up a story. One way or another, the townsfolk will blame the demons. It’s unfortunate to have our reputation blackened even further, but sometimes these things can’t be helped.”
Alithmain had so far said nothing, but she stepped forward now. “Thank you all,” she said. “I’m truly grateful, and if you ever need anything in return, you have only to ask.”
“I’ll be sending a letter to Kit once we’re settled,” Gantalla told the group. “I’ll let her know where we live, and if any travellers come in our direction, we’d be happy to let them stay with us until they find their own way.”
She picked up her bag and tucked the purse of coins inside, then checked Alithmain over. “Are you injured?”
“Nothing serious,” her sister said. “Where are we going?”
“To Palashran. It’s a city about five days’ walk to the east. We should be safer there, further away from the gate.”
Alithmain nodded. “Let’s get started, then. Thank you all, once again. And goodbye for now.”
Gantalla began to lead the way towards the road, which was wide and empty as it curved up past the hospital. But a quick glance behind her made her realise that Nalyx wasn’t with them. He was still staring at the captain’s body, looking like he wanted to throw up.
“Nalyx? Are you okay?” She felt her heart ache for him. It would have been enough of a shock to be confronted by a group of demons, but to see his captain burned to death before his very eyes…
His head snapped up and he abruptly turned away from the sight. “Fine,” he said, though his voice was rough, and when he moved to follow them, his limbs seemed stiff. “We should go.”
“I’m sorry,” Gantalla began, but he cut her off sharply.
“Don’t. Let’s just get out of here.” Without another word, he strode off across the square, leaving Gantalla to follow along behind.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
It took about twenty minutes to get to the edge of the city, and then another five before they came to the crossroads that would take them to Palashran. They’d paused along the way, getting Alithmain to change her clothes, and Gantalla gave her the obsidian gem, teaching her the spell to activate it. Alithmain experienced a moment of alarm as her claws and tail vanished, but she recovered well, eager to be on their way. Gantalla also gave her one of the bread rolls to eat as they walked, knowing her sister likely hadn’t eaten in days.
All the while, Nalyx said nothing, and Gantalla took covert glances at his face, trying to judge his mood. Did he hate them now? Did he regret confronting the captain? He’d spent a good portion of his life dedicated to the man, and despite the dire circumstances, it must have come as a wretched shock to see him killed. But the grim scowl on his face and the tension in his shoulders had stopped her from asking, and then all too soon, they were coming to a stop beneath the tall signpost beside the crossroads. Minia, the sign said, was behind them. Reedy Hollow was to the south. And Palashran was to the east.
Gantalla turned to face Nalyx, trying to force a smile onto her face. “I guess this is it, then. Time to say goodbye.” Nalyx didn’t reply. He was staring back up the road to Minia, an unreadable expression on his face. “I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done,” Gantalla said, not wanting to leave things on a bad note. “I’m sorry for the way it turned out, but…” Words failed her. To wish that things had gone differently would be to wish her own sister’s death, and no matter the final consequences of their actions, she couldn’t do that.
“You know what?” Nalyx said, turning to face her. “I’m not sorry for the way things ended. Leefe would never have seen the gate as anything but a portal to hell. But with someone new taking over, perhaps there’s a chance things might change. Not overnight, but eventually.” He turned and looked down the road towards Palashran. “And I’ve also realised I don’t want to go back. So I think I’ll come with you.” He offered her a wry smile. “If you’ll have me, that is.”
Gantalla’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? You’d just leave everything behind?”
