Orus eyed him with his own sneer. “If you’re a demigod, who’s your father?”
“Verlyn.” It was the name humans used for his father, Jaden.
That caused the ones closest to him to gasp.
“Truly?” the old man asked.
“Aye, and I wouldn’t claim it if it wasn’t true. We’re not exactly friendly with each other. And he’s not merciful to anyone who lies about having a connection to him.” Jaden had been known to set imposters on fire. Pull out eyes. Testicles.
On his good days.
In a bad mood…
Well, no one wanted to be around his father in a bad mood. Not even his father. And Malphas never wanted to be around his father in any given situation.
“If you’re a demigod, prove it.”
Malphas stared at Orus as if the sorcerer was the biggest idiot ever born. Which he’d have to be to pose such a question. None of Malphas’s ilk like to be challenged, especially not by petty humans.
“And how would you like me to prove it? Rain? Fire? Or…” He pulled his sword from his back and lifted the invisibility cloak.
All of the group stepped back in awe. Orus moved forward to inspect it.
Until Malphas ran fire along the blade. That caused the sorcerer to step back in fear.
“Why are you here?” Orus glanced to Lilliana.
“One good favor deserves another.” He glanced over his shoulder to give her a smile.
“And where’s the demon’s body?”
Malphas arched a brow. Manifesting a ball of fire, he sent it flying into the nearby woods. “I destroyed it.” Again, it was mostly true. So long as he remained in this form, his demon body was gone. Ergo, destroyed.
He smirked at the group. “Any more stupid questions?”
Shaking their heads, they began dispersing.
All except Orus. “Thank you for assisting us.” Then, he turned away to follow after the others.
Lilliana’s father came forward slowly. His gaze went to his daughter, then to Malphas. “Demigod?”
“Not exactly something I disclose when I first meet someone.”
Still, he looked a little pale. “Why are you here?”
“I don’t know,” Malphas answered honestly. “I should go home to my realm, but I rather like it here. I’ve never spent much time in the human realm.”
Her father snorted. “Not much to recommend it.”
Malphas glanced at Lilliana as she stepped to his side. “I disagree.”
“And they’ll be none of that! I know all about you gods coming down here to impregnate our daughters.”
She blushed at her father’s command.
Malphas took her hand into his. “As I already told you, old man, I wouldneverharm your daughter or her reputation.”
Not like I could stop you anyway.
