Chapter 19 #2
Nellie dips her head respectfully to the large animali, and I run my hands through the soft fur behind Bonfang’s ears. He stiffens and gives me a look that tells me I’m the only one who could get away with stroking him like that. “What?” I murmur. “I missed you.”
Kazer purrs, nudging Bonfang out of the way and claiming my hand instead.
Arizak nuzzles the back of my shirt, and I laugh under my breath. “I meant that to all of you, of course.”
Rinoc is a little more standoffish, but even he comes for a head rub.
I’m distracted until Satine’s shrill voice captures my attention again, and I turn my gaze back to the conflict.
“Have you guys been watching this?” I whisper to the animali. Of course, no one answers, and I end up wishing I could speak to the animali just like I can talk to the zenali.
Bonfang yawns, looking completely disinterested, but I can’t walk away while this is happening.
“That’s funny, because from where we sit, we can’t see any warriors,” one of the other demon generals calls out, chasing it up with laughter.
I gather Satine has still been talking about how the students wish to train.
“Don’t worry, princess, the muscle has arrived.
There’s no need for you to train now anyway.
” The other demons laugh along with him.
Satine’s face reddens, her shadows coiling in agitation around her. “There’s a reason humans were called to be shadow warriors,” she says, not backing down. “Because Lady Fate knows we’re more equipped to fight this war than you are. You’re just the…the backup soldiers.”
“Oh this girl is fun to watch,” Elgen comments.
“Stay hidden,” I hiss at the shadows.
Sebastian narrows his eyes at Satine, and he takes a step forward until they’re close enough that Satine has to crane her neck to look up at him.
His tail flicks, and it’s the only sign that shows how much she’s gotten under his skin.
I can count on one hand the number of times Sebastian has lost his cool, and I have to admire Satine’s confidence.
“How dare you speak to the demon generals this way,” Sebastian growls. “You humans have no idea who you’re dealing with. You should be grateful we’re willing to fight in your war and clean up your mess.”
“Yeah, you’d better listen to him,” the other demon general from earlier pipes up.
I don’t remember his name, but he’s the one who was being mouthy during the demon’s first combat training session with the shadow warriors the other day.
“Be grateful we’ve shown restraint while we’re here.
One taste of my power, and I could make you strip yourself naked and crawl on your knees for me, love. ”
Satine’s cheeks go crimson with anger, and honestly, I’m pissed off now, too. There are many demons that I respect, but there’s a reason Blake is as fierce as she is. I guess Blake can’t stop all the demons from being assholes, no matter how much she might try.
Before Satine can open her mouth again and get herself into even more trouble, I remove the shadow cloak from Kenzie and me and move from the cover of the trees, striding toward the students and demons.
Kenzie hisses something at me before rushing to catch up, and the animali stay close.
Bonfang takes up a position on my right side, while Kazer moves to my left, and the students gawk as they spot me.
The demon generals look less awed, but they rise to their feet as I approach.
Sebastian turns, slamming his hand to his chest and dipping his head as a sign of respect, and the other generals do the same.
I might not be the demon queen, but I am Blake’s best friend, and I helped Blake during the demon war.
The demons might be prickly around the edges, but once you have their respect, it’s a loyalty that doesn’t fade.
“Miss Shade,” Sebastian rumbles, lifting his head. “I didn’t see you there.”
I wonder then whether he would have noticed us in the trees even without the cloak, because he did seem pretty focused on Satine.
“What’s going on here?” I ask.
“Definitely the beginnings of an orgy,” Elgen says in my mind.
“Or a massacre,” Tarlaz comments.
“That’s not helpful,” I reply.
Before Sebastian can answer my question, Satine takes the opportunity to pipe up first. “These neanderthals are driving us crazy. It doesn’t matter where we go to train, a group of them is always there, hanging around like a bad smell.
I swear they’re doing this on purpose!” She looks on the verge of stamping her foot like a toddler, and I have to smother my smile.
I turn my questioning gaze to Sebastian. The academy grounds are huge, and there aren’t that many demon generals. If the situation is as bad as Satine and Kenzie say, then I agree that the demons must be doing this on purpose.
I remember one of the most important rules in the demon realm is that visiting the human realm is prohibited.
Part of that is because the human realm is neutral land to the other allied realms, but I suspect another part is that the demons would enjoy tormenting the humans just a little too much.
But what the demon generals don’t realize is that these aren’t ordinary humans.
“We’re demon generals, and we’re here to train. If we need the space, then it seems fair that our needs are prioritized,” Sebastian answers. He’s speaking to me, but his eyes don’t stray from Satine.
I contemplate what to do next. Seeing as my mates aren’t here, I’m guessing the war council is still going, so getting Blake isn’t really an option. But I know the demons will listen to me. They know if they don’t, Blake will kick their asses when she finds out. Because she will find out.
I’m still wondering what to do when I remember that first training session when Raith and Nate fought the Xalgrith illusions. An idea spawns in my head, and a grin splits across my face.
“You’re absolutely right,” I tell Sebastian.
Satine opens her mouth to protest, but I forge on.
“You are here to train, and so are the students, so this is perfect, really. If you move into groups and team up, the demons can use their battle knowledge to teach practical combat maneuvers, and in turn, also learn more about our shadow powers. It’s a win-win!
” I clap my hands together excitedly, feeling pretty darn proud of myself for coming up with this on my own.
“What are you doing?” Kenzie hisses, but I wave her off. This might just be the best idea I’ve ever had. Or you know…it could be the worst.
In any case, if the students don’t get stronger, Queen Krosia is likely to try and execute them during the next graduation games, and who better to teach them how to fight than the top demon generals who have spent countless years fighting against the witches.
Satine glares at me, as do most of the other students, but I know they’ll come to thank me later. Maybe…
Aside from a few grumbles, the demon generals don’t reject my idea. As I suspected, they’re more curious about the human shadow warriors than anything, and I’ve just given them the excuse they needed to get even closer.
When none of the students move, Bonfang lets out a growl that makes the trees shake, and Rinoc, Kazer, and Arizak circle the students, staring everyone down until they start forming groups.
Bonfang breaks off, moving between the groups like he’s herding sheep, and I grin broadly. One group for each demon general.
Despite their curiosity, the demons hesitate to join a group, and I decide to sweeten the situation.
“This is hard on everyone,” I say to the generals, because I haven’t forgotten that the reason the demons are here in the first place is because of me.
“For the general who shows the most progress with their group, I’ll put in a good word for them with Queen Blake. ” That does the trick.
The demons move forward, striding over to the different groups. The commanders eye the humans like they’re assessing their strengths and already imagining shaping them into formidable warriors. …Or they’re thinking about devouring them. With demons, it’s hard to tell.
For a moment, I wonder if I’ve made a terrible decision, but the hint of a smile touches Sebastian’s lips, and he sends an appreciative look my way. I realize that he probably wanted this to happen, but he couldn’t find a way to convince the demon generals without their egos coming into play.
Sebastian approaches the group Satine is in, and she huffs, crossing her arms and pretending to ignore him.
“You’re either really smart,” Kenzie says to me, “or really dumb.”
I point to one of the smaller groups that has a female demon general with tall, twisted horns, and a seductive smile. “That’s Vethrak. She’s good friends with Sebastian, and while she can be a little pushy, she’s always been good to me.”
Kenzie gives me a deadpan look. “You’re not serious?”
When I simply stare back at her she groans. “And let me guess, you’re not intending to join?”
“None of the demons would fight me,” I say, pretending to be sad that I can’t train.
Kenzie frowns. “You think they’re worried about your mates?”
I laugh. “I think they know Blake will kick their asses if they so much as lay a hand on me.” I don’t point out that my mates would, too, because I figure that goes without saying. “Besides, Thane and the others keep my training schedule busy.”
Kenzie rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I bet they keep you busy training all the time,” she quips and starts moving toward the group.
Grinning, I call out, “And be careful! Vethrak has incubus powers. Unless you want to end up as her plaything, you might want to avoid physical contact!”
Kenzie gives me a horrified expression and flips me off, and I burst out laughing.
“Well played, girl,” Elgen praises, and I beam, feeling pretty darn proud of myself.
Yep, this was a great decision. I think…