Oh,b’yehnz, it was happening. Helspira fidgeted, desperate to stay calm through her rising adrenaline. “It’s an honor and a privilege to serve Nyllmas. Trust me, Your Majesty, I know the risk you take with allowing a demon on your soil, but I will prove—”
“You’ve nothing to prove to me, child. Siaphara, as a world, can be a cruel place for demons, yes. I cannot speak for all of Nyllmas, but I can hope, as a kingdom, we do not share those archaic beliefs. Goddess Tiagon says we all have greatness within us, and we deserve a chance to show it.”
Unshed tears in her functioning eye blurred Helspira’s vision as she clasped her hands together. “It’s that very integrity and compassion I’d gladly give my life for. Thank you. I won’t let you down.” She started toward the door, pulse thrumming, head dizzy with excitement, until a single word from the queen stilled her departure.
“Sentinel.”
She stopped and glanced over her shoulder.
Queen Saelihn made a sacred gesture with her hands. “Goddess Tiagon’s blessings upon you.”
A religious blessing? Awkward. Helspira winced and rubbed the back of her neck. “I mean no disrespect, Your Majesty, but my family and I are not of the Tiagon faith.”
A gentle smile lit the queen’s face. “Take the blessing anyway. It’s been years since last they roamed my halls, but if memory serves, when dealing with Sikras Nikabod and Benjamin Reese, you’ll need all the help you can get.”
Chapter Four
Sikras
ONLY A SLIVER OF THEsetting sun’s glow streaked the floor, but Benjamin shoved Sikras into the dark room without hesitation. “Have a seat,” Ben said, waiting all of three milliseconds before he forced Sikras into compliance by pushing him onto the plush padding of a nearby chair. “Let the weight of your worries sink into the abyss of this velvety cushion.”
“Worries? What worries? I’m as worry free as I’ve ever been.” Sikras lay the scythe across his lap and rubbed his temples to stave off the pounding headache he had earned as a result of his last spell’s recoil. Fortunately, the heavy curtains barring the sunset’s light aided his recovery by keeping the room dim.
“You did the thing. The creepy thing with the shadows and the blades.” Apparently oblivious to their purpose, Benjamin threw open the shades, bathing the room in a golden-yellow haze. “Gives me the heebie-jeebies when you do that. Plus, it takes a lot out of you. You know I don’t like seeing you suffer.”
“Then, the last four years must’ve been magical for you.”
“Said the man who’s as worry free as he’s ever been,” Benjamin mocked in his best Sikras voice. To his credit, it was pretty spot on.
Smothering his face with his hands, Sikras groaned into his palms, head collapsing into the chair’s tall back. “I’m sorry, Benjamin. I’m not my best self in these walls. Too many memories.”
“I don’t doubt it. Better these walls than a cell in a Nyllmas dungeon though, yes?”
Sikras’s hands plopped into his lap. “Are you saying you want to yield to Saelihn’s threat?”
“Are you saying you don’t?” In utter disregard of the horrendously loud sound it made, Benjamin dragged a second chair across the floor and positioned it beside Sikras. “Saelihn doesn’t pull punches. She meant what she said. You have eight lives left. Do you really want to spend them all rotting in a dungeon? And for tax evasion, no less? If you’re going to die in a cell, at least let it be for something a tad more sensational than that.”
