For a moment, Castello’s expression changed. The red embers glowed behind his dark eyes. Instead of appearing as a charming, rather handsome, mature gentleman, he looked like what he was—a demon. His face was a mask of fury. He had been certain Silke and Fenja were the demon slayers. Finding the slayer wasn’t going to be so easy, and he had booked himself and the others only a week’s stay in the village. He didn’t have a tremendous amount of time to fulfill his duty. He had been so certain he would be able to find the slayer immediately. The village was small, and there weren’t that many candidates.
Herman Drakos crouched down on the other side of Silke. “I’m so sorry this happened.”
Silke managed a painful smile as she waved his apology away. “Freak accident. I just hope Ms. Floros is okay.” She looked at her friend. “Are you certain nothing is broken? She didn’t hurt her back when she fell?”
“I’m fine,” Melia Floros assured. “Do you think her ankle is broken? Should we call the doctor?”
She sounded sweet. Solicitous. Her face didn’t have the soft lines she hoped would accompany her tone. She wore a sharp, cunning look and continued to smell of fanaticism.
“It isn’t broken,” Silke said.
“Silke, it’s swelling quite a bit,” Gesina confirmed. “Maybe I should call Doc.”
Silke shook her head. If the doctor said it was a bad sprain, she’d be pretending for much longer than necessary. As it was, Tora wouldheal it, and she would have to remember to fake the sprain for the time Castello and his people were in the village hunting the slayer.
Castello had come to find her and learn what he could about her. Instead, she was learning about him. He could use his mind to persuade others to do his bidding. It was fortunate Tora had provided a barrier in the minds of those in the village so he wouldn’t be able to access any knowledge that had to do with the slayer or the Carpathian woman. He wouldn’t find any information about the forest or the weapons the villagers had been trained to use should there be a battle.
She knew she had to draw out and defeat the demon in Raik that evening. She couldn’t take any chances that Castello might be drawn to the fisherman’s home by the serpent lurking inside Raik. Castello seemed to be able to communicate his wishes to others. He had a way of subtly persuading those around him to do his bidding. She would have to ensure that Tora surrounded the Bootsma home with protections that Castello wouldn’t be able to penetrate while they drew the demon from Raik.
“You need to see to your guests, Gesina. If Mr. Drakos would help me to my front door, I’ll be fine.” She sent a quick smile around to all of them. “Fortunately, I have plenty of plants to make poultices. I do know how to do that.”
“Ah, yes,” Castello said. “The woman who adopted you must be well-versed in making medicine from natural plants.”
“She’s very knowledgeable and she taught me.” Silke infused pride into her tone. She held out her arm to Herman Drakos to prod him into helping her. “I also had the advantage of learning from Ethel and Bart Terpstra. They have a vast knowledge of all the flora and fauna in our area.” She tilted her face up toward Gesina. “Didn’t you tell me they were going to give a lecture to this group at some point?”
Drakos reached for her, sliding his arm around her waist and another under her knees. That was unexpected. Silke thought he’d get her to her feet and help her hobble up the stone pathway and stairs to her house. It was impossible not to inhale his scent. There was no taintof the demon or even the hint of fanaticism. She was uncertain where he fit into Castello’s army. He didn’t seem to be a follower the way Georgios and Callen Bakis so clearly were. Nor was he like Thea, practically vacant of any thought of her own.
“Yes, they said they would be available. We knew we would be late today, so they’ll speak at the hall tomorrow night.”
Drakos carried her up the pathway away from the group.
Castello followed, trying to look concerned. “You said this couple taught you about plants.” He put a hand on Drakos’ shoulder to stop him as the man went up the three long stone stairs leading to the wraparound verandah. “Are they young?”
“Keep going.” Silke pushed pain into her voice. “It’s really throbbing. I hate to be a baby, but I really need to tend to it.”
“You could have injured a tendon,” Drakos said. “I think you should call your doctor.”
Castello glared at Drakos, the red embers flickering in his eyes. He didn’t try to hide his displeasure that one of his followers wasn’t following orders.
Why wasn’t Herman Drakos the same fanatical follower as the others? He traveled with them. He was exposed to Castello’s influence. Silke’s mind raced with possible answers, none of which made sense. She decided to answer Castello to keep him from getting angry with Drakos. Demons were predictable when things didn’t go their way, especially ones with huge egos.
“Ethel and Bart Terpstra are in their seventies but believe me, they will be able to answer any of your questions on native plants and trees.”
Drakos carefully put her down right at the front door. She stood on one foot and held on to his arm for support. The man had carried her quite a distance without breaking a sweat. He’d gone up stairs and even held her while Castello had questioned her. He was strong. He might appear lean, but he was strong.
“Do they have children?” Castello asked.
“I’m so sorry, I wish I could stay and chat, but I really need to seeto this injury. I’m sure Gesina will be able to answer your questions while she drives you back to your lodgings.”
“Let me take you inside,” Drakos insisted. “There’s no need to hop around on one foot and risk falling again. The others won’t mind waiting for me.”
Alarm bells shrieked at her. Was she missing the fact that Drakos was an expert actor? That he was doing Castello’s bidding after all?
She gave Drakos a small smile and shake of her head, her hand on the doorknob. “Thank you, I appreciate the offer, but my mother’s health is very fragile. I can’t take chances on exposing her to outsiders. She rarely leaves the house anymore because her immune system is compromised.”
With a little wave, she opened the door and hopped in on her one decent leg, hastily closing the door on her guests. She heard Castello mutter something ugly before she heard the footsteps stomping across the porch to the stairs.
“Come sit down,” Fenja greeted. “I’ve already prepared a poultice.”
