22. Dezoth
22
DEZOTH
I stride through the familiar halls of my aunt's manor, my footsteps echoing against the polished stone. The sweet scent of night-blooming flowers wafts through the open windows, but even that can't ease the tension in my shoulders.
Vashti sits in the garden room, a book open in her lap. Her black hair cascades over one shoulder, those distinctive silver streaks catching the late afternoon light. She takes one look at me and sets the book aside.
"You're brooding again." She gestures to the chair across from her. "What's troubling you, brother?"
I remain standing, pacing the length of the room. "A guard I didn't recognize showed up at my house a few days ago. He seemed too fascinated with Rose."
Vashti's golden eyes narrow. I told her about the half-demon children disappearing so she could watch out for the twins. "That's... concerning."
"It gets worse." My fingers drum against my thigh. "We've had reports coming in - nobles' human servants being questioned about their children. Like they are trying to look for more, gathering a list of targets."
"And?"
"We caught one of them. A demon trying to snatch a child from the merchant district. But he won't talk." My fist clenches. "No matter what methods we use."
Vashti rises, her jewel-toned dress rustling as she approaches. "You're worried about Rose."
"Of course I am." The words come out sharper than intended. "Someone's organizing this, Vashti. These aren't random kidnappings."
"Have you told Ada?"
I nod. "She's on edge after that guard's visit. But she deserved to know."
"How's she handling it?"
It's a question I've been asking myself lately.
"I don't know. She's quiet and jumpy." I rake a hand through my hair, loosening the silver cord. "No matter how much progress we make, sometimes she still looks at me like she used to - like she's waiting for me to turn on them. One wrong move and she'll run."
"And you can't bear the thought of losing them." Vashti's expression softens. "Oh, brother. When did you let them matter so much?"
I don't answer. I don't need to. The restless energy coursing through me speaks volumes, and Vashti has always read me better than anyone.
I sigh. "I just wanted you to know. Make sure that the twins stay safe. I need to get back home."
"Come on." Vashti grabs her shawl from the back of her chair. "I'm going with you."
"That's not necessary-"
"When has that ever stopped me?" She loops the fabric around her shoulders. "Besides, Rose has been begging me to show her how to make those light orbs again."
I cross my arms. "The ones that exploded glitter all over my study?"
"Those exactly." A mischievous smile plays at her lips. "Though this time we'll practice outside."
"Vashti-"
"You're not talking me out of this." She steps closer, her playful expression shifting to something more serious. "Someone's targeting children like Rose. If you think I'm staying here while my niece is in danger, you don't know me at all."
The word 'niece' hits me square in the chest. Vashti's never called Rose that before, at least not out loud. She must catch my expression because her features soften.
"What? You thought you were the only one who'd grown attached?" She straightens my collar with practiced ease. "That little girl has wrapped this entire family around her finger, whether you planned for it or not."
"Ada might not-"
"Ada trusts me." Vashti's tone brooks no argument. "And right now, you both need someone you can trust to help. Maybe we can come up with a plan to help ease Ada's worries and protect Rose."
I grimace. She's right - she usually is about these things. "Fine. But no glitter."
"No promises." She loops her arm through mine as we head for the door. "Now, tell me everything you know about these kidnappings. Don't leave anything out."
The protective edge in her voice mirrors the feeling that's been clawing at my insides since that guard showed up. Whatever's coming, whatever threat is lurking in the shadows of my city, they'll have to go through both of us to get to Rose.
And demons protect what's theirs.
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the cobblestone streets as Vashti and I make our way through the district. My fingers brush the hilt of my sword for the third time in as many minutes. Every flicker of movement draws my attention - a curtain shifting in the breeze, a stray cat darting between houses.
"You're going to wear a groove in that sword hilt." Vashti keeps pace beside me, her usual graceful stride matching my tense gait.
"Better paranoid than caught off guard." My eyes scan the rooftops, tracking the movement of shadows. The streets are quieter than usual - too quiet for this time of day.
A door slams somewhere behind us. I whirl, hand gripping my weapon, only to find an elderly demon woman shuffling down her front steps.
"See?" Vashti's hand settles on my arm. "This is exactly what I mean. You're wound tighter than a spring trap."
"And you're not wound tight enough." I force my fingers to relax their death grip on the sword. "These are children, Vashti. Families torn apart in our own city."
"I know." Her voice drops lower, serious now. "But you need to think clearly. You are worried about Rose but don't let that make you sloppy."
We turn down another street, the familiar architecture of the Elite Guard Captain's residence - my residence - coming into view. The protective wards I'd placed shimmer faintly in the dying light, undisturbed.
"They're safe for now." Vashti gestures to the wards. "Your magic hasn't been breached."
"For now isn't good enough." My jaw clenches. "Not when someone's hunting children in my city."
"Deep breaths, brother." Vashti's tone carries that familiar mix of affection and exasperation. "You're going to crack your teeth if you keep grinding them like that."
But something's wrong, I realize as we approach the house. The protective wards still shimmer, but I feel something wrong. The wards aren’t disturbed but there’s some other magic here - which means that Ada must have opened the door for whoever it is.
My blood runs cold at the sound of shattering glass from inside.
"Stay behind-" I start, but Vashti's already moving, magic crackling at her fingertips.
"I will not." Her usual warmth vanishes, replaced by steel. "That's my family in there."
I draw my sword, taking the steps two at a time. A scream pierces the air - Ada. The sound tears through me like a physical blow. More crashes follow, and I rush to get inside.
"Vashti, back door-"
"Already on it." She peels off, her skirts swishing as she rounds the corner of the house.
I hit the door with my shoulder, sending it crashing inward. The entrance hall's a mess of overturned furniture and scattered papers. A trail of destruction leads toward the kitchen, marked by broken pottery and torn curtains.
Another crash echoes from deeper in the house. My vision edges with red. Someone dared to enter my home, to threaten what's mine. The sword in my hand hums with barely contained fury as I stalk forward, every muscle coiled for violence.
"You're nothing but a coward." Ada's voice carries from the sitting room, stronger now, angrier.
I round the corner, magic burning in my veins, ready to tear apart whoever dared come after them. I'll make them pay.