“My strategy for the last round is different. I’m working with some of the remaining demons.”
“You will need to kill them in the end, Syera.”
“No shit, Carmine.” I walked out of the dining room—surprised when he let me leave.
Storming down the hallways helped my rage to dissipate, and soon I was able to snort again.
Family luncheon.We wouldn’t be doing that again anytime soon. But I was impressed by Raes. There was a grounded quality to the purple demon that nearly every royal in the fortress lacked. Perhaps except the red I’d spoken to while Gratia and the others raked dirt. I had a feeling that I’d like Raes—and also that he and Gratia would rely greatly on my support.
I should use that to control her.
I portaled to the Pinnacle from the halls.
“Ready?” I asked the red.
He yelped and whirled, half dressed, which meant that he wasn’t wearing a loincloth yet, so he was completely naked. “M-Mate-Intended. You’re back!”
I scanned the Pinnacle for the others. They were spread out. My yellow was approaching. “I said I would help.”
“Yes, but you left so suddenly.”
“There was trouble. Snap that loincloth on. Let’s go see what can be done for your son.”
He covered his genitals, then faced me. “You really are going to help.”
“I grow tired of the repetition, demon. I have much to do today, and I must do this now to give myself enough time to recover if the healing depletes me.”
The red’s face dropped, and he looked near tears as he opened a portal. “Of course. I’m ready.”
“Can I come?” the yellow puffed from the doorway.
The red narrowed his gaze.
“Yes,” I answered on a whim, then nearly asked for their names.Wait. I didn’t want to remember their names. They’d be the red and the yellow until I killed them.
The three of us stepped through the portal, and I took in the mud shack on the other side.Filthy. Unclean. Whoever was trying to hold this place together was spread far too thin.
“The house is a mess right now,” the red muttered, picking up a cushion from the floor. “My mate is working and caring for our son?—”
I touched his forearm. “Show me to your son.”
The red released a shaking breath, then led the way up a flight of stairs that I wasn’t so sure could hold our combined weight.
At the top, he pushed through one of the two doors.
“Father!” The excited shout was followed by hacking coughs.
That wasn’t the voice of a teenager…
The red hurried to a small cot in the corner and remained there until the coughing stopped. “You know shouting hurts you, my son. Now listen, I have brought someone powerful who wants to help you. You must do all that she says.”
A small boy peeked beneath his father’s arm. Yellowandred scales dotted his face.
Red had mentioned his son’s need to constantly release smoke, and I’d assumed his son was sixteen or older. This young child could only be a couple of years older than Adeuto. How was he emitting smoke so young?
I’d never seen another demon like him.
“Oh, yes,” I breathed, drawing closer. “You are very unique. The most unique demon I’ve ever seen.”
