“Want me to go in first?” Rowan whispered. “I can use the shadows to see what we’re walking into.”
Briar shook his head. “I fear he’ll detect you. You aren’t the master of shadows in this realm. He is.”
“Are you sayin’ I’m the master of them outside this realm?” Rowan flashed my favorite fang-like tooth. “Why, Specs. I’m flattered.”
“The only thing you’re the master of is being a pain in my backside, thief,” Maddox grumbled. He had one hand balled in a fist and the other resting on my lower back, keeping me close.
“And slithering around like the snake he is,” Callum added from behind me.
“No one asked you, rabbit,” Rowan spouted off. “Shut your trap oryou’llend up being on the menu for tonight’s feast.”
Callum sighed. “Still threatening to eat me. I suspect you truly are a cannibal.”
“Fane served us lamb chops the other night,” Lake said from Callum’s left. His poofy tail wagged at the memory. “I have no doubts he’d make a delicious rabbit stew as well.”
Rowan threw his head back with a laugh.
Fane walked several paces in front of us, his muscles coiled tight and ready to spring with the faintest hint of danger. That danger being one of my men moving in for an attack. Not that they would.
I peered at Maddox from the corner of my eye, just daring him to try. I’d revoke his muffin privileges so fast he wouldn’t even have time to pout about it first.
Fortunately, only my men and I were meeting with Lord Onyx. Maddox had told Duke, Baden, and Quincy to stay behind in the room. I trusted the trio with my life… I just wasn’t sure I trusted them with Fane’s. Or any other demon for that matter. Being told how bloodthirsty and violent demons were for their entire lives, on top of witnessing some of that aggression firsthand, had made it even harder for the knights to see Fane as anything more than an enemy.
And Fane saw them the same way.
The closer we drew to the parlor, the more my knees wobbled. Did I think Lord Onyx was going to hurt my men? No. But that might change if they provoked him.
When Fane reached the open doorway, he stopped and turned to us. His grass-green eyes flickered between my men before settling on me. “Lord Onyx is waiting for you inside.”
Maddox’s hold on me tightened. I wasn’t sure if his spike of tension came from his need to protect me… or from the need to reassure himself. He was about to meet the demon lord, a being he and the others had only heard nightmarish tales about. Also, one who’d sent hordes of demons to attack him and the other knights.
“Thanks for the escort,” I told Fane. “I wouldn’t have been able to lead us here. This castle is like a maze. Did I tell you I got lost last night trying to find the kitchen?”
Fane’s lips twitched with an almost-smile. “You didn’t.”
“But it’s not surprising?”
“Not even a little,” he answered, and the tight set of his shoulders began to relax. “I’ll return later with your evening meal. No lamb this time.” The last was directed at Lake. “But it pleases me to hear how much you enjoyed it. I’ll be sure to make it for you again soon. Might try my hand at rabbit stew as well.”
That meant Fane had heard every word. It explained the touch of amusement in his eyes as he looked between Rowan and Callum. He excused himself and strolled down the corridor in the direction we’d come from.
“I like him,” Rowan said, smirk forming.
“You would.” Callum stepped up beside Maddox, his expression set in a hard furrow. But as his gaze trailed to mine, candlelight kissing his face, there was a slight crinkle at the edges of his brown eyes and a notable indention in his cheek. “Shall I escort you inside, milord?”
My heart leapt forward as I reached for his hand. “You shall, dear knight.”
Maddox entered the room first, followed by me and Callum, then Lake and Briar, and finally Rowan. The thrums in my chest quickened as I took in our surroundings. Unlike other areas of the castle that felt neglected and lacked the comforts of home, the parlor was warm. Lived-in.
A large stone hearth jutted from the far wall, the logs inside crackling as they burned, and furniture sat in front of it, situated on a red rug. Books filled various wooden shelves, some that wouldn’t fit finding their way to stacks against the wall. Dark velvet curtains framed a window behind a pristine cherrywood desk.
“Good evening,” a cool voice greeted us.
The grip on my hand tightened, and Callum’s breaths shook softly. As a knight, he’d faced his fair share of high-intensity situations and knew how to mask his nerves. Complete themission above all else. But he visibly trembled before the demon lord.
I did too… but for an entirely different reason.
Lord Onyx rose from the armchair beside the fire and smoothed down the front of his red yukata-style robe. Firelight danced across his deeply set features, highlighting his sharp jawline and high cheekbones. Sections of his long black hair had been braided and pinned back with silver charms. The front of his robe hung open, revealing toned muscle and deep crimson markings on his porcelain skin, almost like a tattoo.
