Caleb offered her a smile as he finally stepped away. He tucked his wings into his back. “I think we should stay here.”
She was aghast at his words. “I didn’t bring enough supplies.”
“I can gather what we need. The farm’s too big a risk for us now.”
She wanted to argue, but the expression on his face stilled her tongue. He wasn’t about to listen. Not right now. He was too upset.
Better to humor him. She could make her case for returning home after he calmed down.
How she wished her father was still alive. He’d know how to talk sense into her husband. For some reason, Caleb had often deferred to her father.
Then again, she was glad her father wasn’t here to witness this nightmare. The loss of his friends.
It would break his heart.
Caleb swallowed hard. “I will keep you safe, Lil. I promise.”
* * *
Azura glaredat the demon in front of her. “Repeat what you just told me.”
“Malphas was fighting with the Kalosum.”
Those words brought a level of fury to her she wouldn’t have thought possible. Which given the state of fury she normally lived in said a lot.
That anger vibrated through her body, making her limbs shake. Unable to stand it, she blasted the demon in front of her.
“Killing messengers again, are we?” her brother asked as he came into the room where she was pacing.
“Shut up, Noir. I’ve no time for you. And even less patience.”
He toed at the dust on the floor that used to be an almost competent demon. “I see. May I ask what has set you on fire?”
“We’ve lost Malphas.”
“How careless of someone. Any idea where they last put him?”
She glared at the arrogant ass. Always so pompous … and galling. “You’re not funny.”
“I’m hilarious. You’ve just never fully appreciated me.”
She scoffed. “Either find something useful to say or go find a demon to flay.”
He considered that. “I do like flaying demons. They’re quite entertaining when they beg for their lives.”
She let out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine then, since you’re looking for something to torture, bring me the heart and/or head of Malphas!”
He arched a brow at that. “You know he’s a son of Verlyn, right?”
“Since when does Verlyn care about his children?”
“Probably as much as we care about our daughter. However, if one of our siblings attacked her, I do believe we’d be demanding a proper gutting from them.”
“Why are you being reasonable? Isn’t that against your nature?”
Noir quirked an irritating grin. “Self-preservation is always my priority. But while you’re contemplating his death and dismemberment, have you considered something?”
“What?”
