Page 177 of As Above, So Below

Because I’m nothing short of a damned foolish demon.

Leading me to the table, he pulls out a chair for me. Seating myself, he seats himself beside me, on my right, Fenryn sits on my left. A demi-god positioned between two powerful fae figures sends a message in itself.

“Be ready for a fiasco, Ves,” Fenryn whispers leaning close, “These meetings are usually a carnival of events.”

Chuckling, I nod. “I gathered as much.”

Across the table, a male rises, peeling himself from his seat, his bright yellow eyes meeting mine. They remind me of some of the flowers found in the temple garden.

What had Cora called them?

Tansies.

“Would you mind starting by introducing yourself?” he asks, his voice soft.

“Should I stand?” I whisper hastily to Ryc and he smiles.

“Only if you want to,” he replies.

Turning my attention to the table, I swallow hard, trying to ignore the eight pairs of eyes focused on me. It’s too reminiscent of the hells, standing in the throne room with Netharis and the Layer Lords.

They continue to stare, waiting for me to speak.

Shoving the sinking feeling aside, I say, “My name is Vestaris Moonshadow.”

The male nods silently. “Truth.”

My eyes widen.

He is the truthteller.

“Where are you from, Vestaris?” he asks.

I stammer for a moment, glancing nervously around the table. Meeting the various eyes that watch me.

“The hells,” I answer tersely.

He nods again and a few brows raise.

“Who is your mother?”

My face pinches. “I don’t understand the purpose of questions like these.” I retort, my tone cold.

“I have my reasons,” Eloric responds with a tight lipped smile.

The response rubs against my skin like coarse sand and indignation flares to life in my chest. I stand from my seat.

“And you’re wasting time by asking them,” I counter icily. “You should all be concerned about Netharis and the demons he will send through the veil tonight.”

Glancing over the table, I shake my head. “What makes you think the demons will stop once they’ve destroyed and pillaged Ollora? They won’t. Netharis will give them free reign to do as they please for as long as they exist in this realm.”

“Not if we give Netharis what he’s—”

Ryc sits up suddenly, and I swing my hand out, placing it on his shoulder.

“Ryc, please,” I plead. “My death is something that has to be considered.”

“No.” His entire body tenses with his refusal.