“Dammit.”
“Dammit, what?” asked the yellow. “You can’t think of anything?”
I shook my head. I could ask for power, like I’d said. Power in terms of property and sway, and I could even ask for a powerful position in the army. But Carmine would never grant me the amount of power that would make it easy to kill him.
So I was better off operating in the dark.
Though a powerful position in the army would allow me contact with supernaturals, potentially, and also more ability to dictate the result of a battle.
Could I ask for my own army?
I doubted that. Too obvious, and Carmine wouldn’t divide his force. Anyway, I couldn’t depend on a random group of people. Not like I might have been able to depend on this yellow or this red.
I frowned at them, and as the crowd’s disapproval of the Most Boring Tiers Match in History started to mount, I thought back over the recent weeks of my life.
My first thoughts were of Gratia surprising me with the odd sliver of help.
There had been Yiti and Tewewh to lend some brighter moments to the fortress. Even that red, who I wouldn’t be averse to spending more time with.
Gratia’s new mate may prove interesting enough. And grounded, at least.
Then there was even Athira, who had surprised me so enormously by allying with me against her son.
There was Owu—who was a great reassurance when I considered that my visits to Adeuto might come to a temporary end. He may not have me, but he would have a friend.
And then, last, there were these two demons.
A red and a yellow.
“The crowd is throwing stuff,” the red remarked.
The yellow was more cunning and not concerned with the crowd. “The king is standing.”
And listening to you.
“What are your names?” I asked them.
“I thought we weren’t exchanging names so it was easier to kill us,” replied the yellow.
I grinned. “We weren’t. But I would like to know them now.”
The red bowed his head, which was partially because he wasn’t doing too flash. Killing the other demons had cost him. “I am Enp.
The yellow looked at me. “You’re stalling.”
“I’m thinking,” I growled.
He smirked. “I’m Tsan.”
I smiled. That suited him. “All right. Hang tight, boys.”
“What does that mean?” Enp asked Tsan when I’d turned my back.
I craned my neck to see all the way to the top. Carmine was standing at the balustrade, looking down.Stalling.I couldpractically hear the echo of Tsan’s accusation from up there too. “King Carmine, I would speak if you’ll allow it.”
You fucking better.
The crowd shut up, at last. Perhaps they’d get a show after all, just a different one to what they’d supposed. This request would lose me favor with them. Mercy wasn’t very revered in this realm.
