Page 41 of Demon Bound

Raiya was stricken with panic. “No! No. Please don’t. Jai, I’m begging you, don’t do that.”

Jai looked surprised. “Why not?”

Madira sneered. “Because she knew what he was all along, and she’s working with a demon voluntarily. I told you.”

“No she’s not.” Jai looked at Raiya tentatively. “Are you?”

“It’s not what you think. He’s not dangerous.” She’d never told a bolder lie.

Jai looked sympathetic. “I saw him hurt you.”

Raiya shook her head vigorously. “He has never hurt me.”

“He was threatening you,” Madira said. “Jai told me what she saw.”

She couldn’t deny that. In a way, she was touched. Jai had been worried for her.

Raiya slowly sat up, laying a hand protectively over Azreth’s chest. “He was afraid.”

“He didn’t look afraid,” Jai said.

“He has been hurt before.” He’d never said it outright, but she knew. “Have you ever seen a street dog who growls at anyone who comes near it, even when it’s offered a friendly hand?”

Jai was frowning. She glanced up at her brother, and he looked conflicted.

Raiya considered reaching for her baton. Instead, she slowly reached out and put her hand over Jai’s. The girl didn’t resist as Raiya inched the knife away from Azreth’s neck.

“I’m sorry for hiding this,” Raiya said, “but most of what I told you was true. We’re running from a man who almost killed me and tried to bind Azreth.”

Jai’s eyebrows went up. “A lord did that?”

“Of course he did,” Madira muttered. “Human lords care nothing for their people.” He shifted from foot to foot, indecisive. “But he’s still a demon. It’s irresponsible to let him go free. He’s dangerous.”

“I’ve heard people say the same about night elves,” Raiya said. Madira scowled at her.

Jai slowly pocketed her iron knife. “He seemed perfectly nice when I met him. Maybe he really is. Maybe demons aren’t as bad as people say.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Madira muttered, but he lowered his sword anyway.

For a few moments, none of them seemed to know what to do. The elves had clearly been expecting a fight and were at a loss now that they hadn’t found one.

“We need to remove the binding Lord Han-gal put on Azreth,” Raiya said. “We’re going to Ontag-ul to try to find someone who knows about these things.”

Jai brightened. “You’re going to speak with the people at the Temple of Moratha, then?”

Raiya had considered the temple, but that was where Nirlan had found Eunaios. She’d found Eunaios to be less than trustworthy. “You think followers of the dark goddess would help us?” she asked skeptically.

“There are some clever mages there. Some of them are a bit odd, but they’re not like other humans. They don’t discount people just because of their race. If anyone would be willing to help you, it’s them.”

Raiya looked down at Azreth’s slumbering form as she considered it. The followers of Moratha didn’t cling to the samemoral standards that most of society did, and it was well known that they dabbled in dark magics like bindings and demonology. They might be Azreth’s only chance.

She nodded. “I will go to them. Thank you.”

Madira crossed his arms. “This isn’t going to go well,” he said, looking at Azreth.

“I’ll be fine.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s everyone else. How many people has he killed so far?”