Chapter Two
Helspira
WHEN THE GRAND YETdilapidated door squealed open, Helspira’s focus landed on the haggard man standing in the opening.
Punch him in the face and usurp his house.
The intrusive thought made her frown, but for as commanding as her internal, demonic impulses were, smothering them had become second nature. Favoring a polite smile over a skull-crushing assault, she leaned into a civil bow. “A very good evening to you, sir.”
“You’re not my client.” The man expressed mild surprise before he tapped an engraved scrap of wood dangling by a lone, rusty nail. “May I direct your attention to this sign?”
Helspira arched a brow as she processed each carved letter. Learning to speak the local Siapharian tongue had been much easier than learning to read it, but the message was simple enough: NO SOLICITORS.
“This sign is a lifeline,” the man said, scythe on his shoulder, as he leaned against the doorframe. “It helps dissuade people from asking for things, which is particularly useful, since I’m incapable of saying no.”
Her smile only spread. This must have been him. That sign may have stopped the other Red Sentinels from upholding the queen’s order, but it wouldn’t stop her. “I need you to accompany me to Queen Saelihn’s castle.”
“No.”
Her head snapped back in surprise. “But”—she pointed to the sign—“you just said—”
“I’m so sorry. Where are my manners?” He flashed a mouthful of surprisingly well-maintained teeth for a human who looked like they barely combed their hair. “No,thankyou.”
Did she have the right man? Suddenly she wasn’t sure. Undeterred, Helspira stood taller and proffered a hand. “My name is Helspira, Red Sentinel acting under Banneret Rowan. I’m looking for Sikras Nikabod, the Glowing Cat’s Eye in Death’s Darkness, former necromancer to Queen Saelihn of the Kingdom of Nyllmas. Is he present?”
The man spread his arms and struck an unenthusiastic pose. “Congratulations. You found him. Did Saelihn just not get the message when I refused her other summonses, or is the elven queen finally starting to show signs of old age in her second century of living?”
Helspira wrinkled her nose. “So, youareSikras Nikabod, the Glowing Cat’s Eye in Death’s—?”
“If you’re intent on addressing me by the parasitic spirit that chose my body as its host and not my actual name, Catseye is fine,” he said with more nonchalance than she expected. “Perhaps you’d care to enlighten me as to why everyone is always shocked to discover I’m the fabled necromancer?”
Embarrassment surged like a storm. The man before her looked nothing like the folkloric hero who had singlehandedly slaughtered armies to protect his kingdom. Helspira’s mind had painted a much different image when she had heard tales of his exploits. Even the weakest demons in Chthonia looked more menacing; with his gray hair and gaunt face, this man more resembled the ghost of a hero than an actual one. “Apologies, it’s just ... You don’t really look anything like—um, you know what? That’s not important. Queen Saelihn hereby summons you to appear before her to discuss the circumstances surrounding your many,manyyears of tax evasion.”
“Blood and bone. The Red Sentinels double as tax collectors now?”
Despite her form-fitting armor inhibiting her pose, Helspira puffed out her chest, hands on hips. “Yes. Well, no. Although, a unit of sentinels await us just outside your gate if you refuse to comply with the summons regarding your crime.”
“I see. Drew the short straw, did you? You’re the lucky one who must drag ole Catseye kicking and screaming from his precious sanctuary?”
“If it’s necessary, but I’m hopeful there won’t be much kicking and screaming.” Helspira attempted a sweet smile. “It’s embarrassing to make a grown man wail, but if I must for crown and kingdom—”
“Can’t I schedule something with Saelihn?” Catseye gestured to his uninspiring garb. “As I recall, she’s a stickler for appearances. I’d hate for her to see me in anything other than my finest regalia.”
“My superior said you scheduled and neglected to appear for eight summonses. I’m afraid I must insist you come with me now.”
