The door opened.
Candles chased back the darkness. Who had lit them? No light had peeked out from under the door. Peter saw no evidence of anyone else.
“This is Martin’s chamber. Stay here.” Father Dmitri beckoned toward a room hewn out of rock, containing a bed nearly as small as Peter’s own, a washstand, a desk, and a chair.
Peter’s heart rose to his throat. “Where are you going?”
“I must go help the others.”
The door shut behind him.
And locked.
Dmitri let out a sigh of relief. Maintaining a glamour of clothing and the acceptable appearance for this realm for the sake of those they met sapped his strength—strength he’d need for the battle ahead.
The tavernkeeper saw through the glamour.
Dmitri retreated to his chamber to don new clothes. To get Martin back, he’d need to hurry. Xariel taking him meant Martin had become integral to some sinister plan.
Much as Dmitri had been seasons ago.
Xariel.
No time to dwell on the past. Just because Martin agreed to go with the monster to spare Dmitri’s and Peter’s lives didn’t mean he’d agree to everything.
Time mattered.
Dmitri shuddered, flashing back to earlier. Flames, engulfed in flames. Peter lying still on the floor, fire already licking at his body. Martin’s lover had been used as bait. He wouldn’t have died in the fire, but Martin didn’t know that.
Like the demons said, though, Peter’s purpose had ended. With his considerable magic, he’d have made a fine meal for a demon.
While the demons’ purpose for him ended, Peter still had a role to play. He carried more power than Dmitri ever imagined, hidden by a skillfully made amulet. Only someone from Dmitri’s own realm would have such knowledge.
Two mage-born, each with parents from the two different realms, coming together. Peter’s mother came from Dmitri’s world, as did Martin’s. Could their combined magic build a bridge, or seal the rift once and for all?
Though Dmitri had no desire to see his homeland destroyed beyond redemption, he’d not destroy another’s to save his own.
He’d had an unpleasant ending lurking in his path for centuries. He’d spare Peter and Martin if he could. Enough people had already paid with their lives for his mistake.
Flames one minute, the next outside, with a living, breathing Peter. But for how long? To reach his destination, Dmitri would have to undo the seals that had held the horrors at bay.
No, tonight, the seals failed if the king of demons himself entered the dominion of men. The flawless skin, lithe body. Even through a moment’s glance, Dmitri saw his biggest regret hadn’t changed. Still alluring. Still tempting, though wearing glamour.
Could Martin defy him? Had the bond with Peter grown so strong?
So much rode on a little thing like love. The ache in Dmitri’s chest reminded him of when the mere promise of the thing tripped him up and sent him into a fate worse than death.
He stared at his hands as he donned a pair of hide gloves. A lot of good love had done him.
But to love the right person provided an anchor, protection.
He must guard Peter at all costs. “Father, please help me,” he prayed.
To a deity long silent.
Chapter Thirty-eight
Martinstoodonaseashore, watching the waves crashing over boulders. Unrecognizable birds wheeled overhead, crying out to each other.
