Page 105 of Red Demon

Mira’s eyes darted between us, like a caged animal searching for an escape. But she steeled herself.

The server came; she ordered a light roast coffee; me the same, Ash a blended tea.

“How’s your father? Did he survive?” I asked.

“My father? He’s…” Mira faltered, her voice cracking. “He’s alive. Humbled a bit, since the eviction from office; working in an administrative post across town now. They said he refused help from the barracks before the attack.”

“All that is news to me,” I said with a mischievous grimace. “But I trust his fate is just. A wise man once told me humility is nobility, and that we should always trust the immortals to do right. I admire a man who knows his place.” I exaggerated her father’s cadence along with his words.

She closed her eyes, bit away her smile.

“Nunbiren lost so many good people.” She slumped in her seat. “It’s been difficult for me to process. I heard that Jesse Eirini contracted SBO, that he is either now roaming the wilds in a mad murderous rage or—” She shuddered. “Dead. Honestly, I hoped for dead.”

“I’ve heard different rumors about your friends,” I said. “But I’m sure the temple here in the Noé capital knows best.”

A patron bumped our table, trying to meander the crowded room.

“What have you heard about the other survivors, like your friend Asher?” Ash searched Mira’s face. “I can tell you if that’s the same as the rumors I’ve heard.”

She sipped her coffee. “The temple says Asher Eirini joined the Asri rebels, that he’s a traitor,” she said, her words clipped. “Is that—is that what you heard?”

“Yes.” Asher held his gaze steady as Mira’s face split into a rainbow of shifting emotions. An entire conversation of glances flitted between them before I nudged Ash under the table.

“Yeah, those rebels are spreading terrible rumors all over,” Asher said, successfully disinterested this time. “The Asri rebels say it wasn’t Chaeten gangs after all, surprising as it is they missed a chance to pass blame. They are saying it was all ghosts, ruren-sa. The empire is able to predict the movements, get Z’har out, but they aren’t protecting the civilians. Mahakal might even be controlling these ghosts, and he’s blaming innocent people for all of this, killing them—his soldiers are killing innocent people.” Asher’s voice broke a little on that, and I watched the reflection on Mira’s face, her nostrils flaring.

“Terrible rumors, disgraceful,” I added, when a middle-aged lady sitting at the nearest table looked our way.

“I’m sure you feel like you know Ash almost as well as I do from my letters. I miss my old friend very much,” Mira said to Asher. “It pains me to think what rumors he succumbed to before turning on his commanders.”

“Dangerous rumors indeed, souring minds all over the rural empire,” I added with a fresh dose of arrogance. “And I know you admired Major Mahakal so much, from your letters.”

“Right.” She twitched a smile.

“Right,” I said. “The rumors place Mahakal at the center of the cover up, and paint his character in a very different manner than you’ve described. They’re claiming Mahakal was gloating over raping an Attiq-ka, and that he also tried to sexually assault a prisoner.”

Mira’s face drained of color. “Who?”

“Jesse Eirini.” I shrugged.

Both their eyes widened. “I didn’t hear that one yet,” Asher said.

I grimaced. “Don’t believe a word, of course. But these rebels are saying Mahakal tried to kill Jesse Eirini after he saw the truth in Nunbiren,” I whispered. “I couldn’t bear to listen to the lies beyond that.”

The server dropped off our drinks, and I stared at my cup.

“What do you think of all this, Mira?” Asher reached across the table, his hand hovering over hers.

Mira pulled her hand away. “What do you mean?”

I watched as Asher’s heart broke all over again. “Tell me,” he said.

“Those rumors…” she said, her voice quavering. “The men in these rumors are not the men I knew. I miss both my old friends very much.” She took rapid breaths, blinking, earning a curious glance from that woman the next table over.

“So, are you enjoying your time at your post?” I asked, in as light of a tone as I could feign.

“Yes,” she said, stiff, too quickly. “I’ve come to appreciate the opportunity. I’ve learned a lot, and am able to help more people.”

A flicker of hope ignited in Asher’s eyes, only to be extinguished as quickly as it appeared when she didn’t feed that flame with her gaze.