Page 108 of Red Demon

He took a sip, shaking his head. “A small truth is fine, one that Azara or Mahakal can’t outmaneuver. But we do need to make good ka afraid, to focus on one demon’s one sin. We make the solution simple: kill the demon. Problem solved.”

Tranquil or not, I liked being in my brain better.

“I think we agree on our first small truth. ‘Mahakal is bad.’ Other powerful people in the empire can get behind that, taking down one corrupt Chaeten-sa. After we act on that message, we can move on to ‘General Jeron Alexander is bad,’ then…”

“‘Kill off anyone with Chaeten-sa code’ is not my message, if I haven’t made that clear.”

We exchanged glares.

“Very well. We agree to one mission together: Mahakal. What can we prove about him that the world should know?”

I ran my hand through my hair. “I know he tried to kill me and he’s a rapist, but I don’t have hard evidence.”

Soren’s eyes went distant. “I grew up near the palace in Ea Shadohe, friend. Even if it’s difficult to hear, I assure you that all Chaeten-sa are murderers and rapists by design.”

“Nope.” I stared back, unshaken.

He chuckled. “Have you considered the possibility that you’re just not the Red Demon’s type?”

“Again, fuck off.” I decided Soren was no longer the Underground rebel I hated the least. They all sucked.

Chapter 44

Nine

After midnight, Asher creaked open the door to our room at the inn. I sat up in bed.

“She’s fine,” Asher said, sitting on the bed beside mine and removing his shoes.

“Are you?” I rubbed my eyes.

“Yeah, fine.” He stared at the stucco wall. “The night market has some good food, just like Mira said. I brought Faruhar a sticky rice and shiitake thing.” He bit his lip. “Then I went back and wandered the night market until it closed, hoping Mira was leaving us a clue. She didn’t show up.”

“What else did you buy?” I said, trying to bring him back from wherever his thoughts were going.

“Coffee, don’t worry.” He leaned back. “Did one of the Disciples of Reic check in?”

“Yeah. Soren.” I tried to catch him up, but his eyes glazed over as soon as I started talking. “You know what? Sleep on it.”

He nodded, making his way to the shower first.

In the morning we settled our bill with the innkeeper, a laugh-lined, fast-moving Asri woman who reminded me of my mom in spirit even though they looked nothing alike.

“Safe travels to you friends, and here—this was delivered this morning.” The innkeeper handed us a tight folded square of paper, sealed. Unfolding the note, I read the single, typed sentence: “I want my last gift back, please. -Mira”

Asher leaned in, his brow furrowed as he scrutinized the note.

“I don’t get it,” I said. “Do you?”

“It might not be her. Anyone could type a message…” he trailed off, then his eyes sparked to flame. “The code sequencer.”

“What?”

He paced, frowning. “When I traveled here with her before we took our posts, she gave me the code sequencer. But it wasn’t like either of us could take it where we were going next. We buried it together in the woods.” He gave me a wistful smile. “It’s near a moss-covered rock in the woods that looks like a sleeping fawn.”

“That reminds me, I buried your century robe and sword in the training clearing outside Nunbiren. You’re welcome.”

“Focus, Jesse,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m still not sure what to make of this. Why would she ask for the code sequencer back? She knows where it is.”