Chapter 27
Xev cursed as a pain ripped through his chest. In an instant, he knew exactly what it was.
Caleb had just unsealed his sword and was getting ready to use it. Xev felt it move through the aether like an electric charge. Which meant every demon under his mother’s command had felt it, too, and knew that Caleb was back in play.
Crap! They’d all be after his brother now.
What could have possibly happened to make Caleb leave his farm and wife, and rejoin their war? The last time Xev had seen his brother, Caleb had been adamant that he would never touch that sword again.
Even worse?
Both Myone and Jared were headed for battle. There was no way to let them know about this, and Xev had no idea which side Caleb would fight for.
Please, let it be ours.
He wanted to go after Myone and Jared and let them know. But if he did that, he’d have to fight, and while he’d done some shaky things in the past to protect his wife and son, he didn’t dare do them right now. Kri wasn’t a child anymore. He was sharp, battle-honed, and suspicious by nature. If Xev did anything out of the ordinary, Kri would know.
And he was being watched by too many to risk it. Because he was second-in-command, and close to Kri, there were many who wanted to watch him burn. Those who’d do anything to see his demise or defeat.
He still didn’t know who was after him or who the traitor on Myone’s side was. If either one saw him protecting her or Jared, it was over.
It was too big a risk.
All he could do was pray that his brother, wife, and son kept away from each other, and wait for news.
Screw me…
* * *
Azura glaredat the demon in front of her. “Repeat what you just told me.”
“I saw Malphas fighting with the Kalosum.”
Those words brought a level of fury to her she wouldn’t have thought possible. Which, given the state of fury she normally lived in, said a lot.
That anger vibrated through her body, making her limbs shake. Unable to stand it, she blasted the demon in front of her and watched as it died screaming in agony.
Noir picked just that moment to enter the room. Whether he did it on purpose or just to piss her off, she had no idea.
Until he spoke. “Killing messengers again, are we?”
“Shut up, Noir. I’ve no time for you. And even less patience.”
He toed at the dust on the floor that used to be an almost-competent demon. “I see. May I ask what has set you on fire this time?”
“We’ve lost Malphas.”
“How careless of someone. Any idea where they last put him?”
She glared at her brother. “You’re not funny.”
“I’m hilarious. You’ve just never fully appreciated me.”
She scoffed. “Either find something useful to say or go find a demon to flay.”
He considered that. “I do like flaying demons. They’re quite entertaining when they beg for their lives.”
She let out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine, then, since you’re looking for something to torture, bring me the heart or head of Malphas!”
He arched a brow. “You do remember that he’s a son of Jaden, right?”
How dare he pick at that festering wound. Ugh. What she wouldn’t give for the ability to slap him without his hitting her back. “Since when does Jaden care about his children?”
“Probably as much as we care about our daughter. However, if one of our siblings attacked her, I do believe we’d be demanding a proper gutting from them.”
He was right about that. Anat was mostly an annoyance that she avoided. But if anyone attacked her, there would be hell to pay.
But that wasn’t what irritated Azura. “Why are you being so reasonable? Isn’t that against your nature?”
He shrugged. “Self-preservation is always my priority. But while you’re contemplating Malphas’s death and dismemberment, have you considered something?”
“What?”
“Why the defection to the other side?”
Azura paused at the obvious question that had yet to occur to her. Why would a demon of Malphas’s caliber switch sides? He hated his father.
He hated humans.
His brothers were on their side. So why would he suddenly reappear after all this time on the wrong side of the war?
Unless…
“You may have a point,” she said speculatively.
“Of course I do. And unlike you, I’m not overreacting.”
Those words irritated her. As if he wasn’t known for throwing his own tantrums—most of them far bloodier than anything she’d ever conceived.
Noir approached her purposefully. “Think about it. One of our most vicious soldiers suddenly stops fighting. For no reason whatsoever. Poof, he’s just gone one day. No rhyme. No reason. No trace. Then, just as mysteriously as he vanished, he shows up years later on the side of our enemies. What does that sound like to you?”
“Stupidity?”
He rolled his eyes. “Love, dearest sister. Love. Someone tamed our favorite animal. We just need to find out who.”
“Then we destroy them.”
“Exactly.”
* * *
Xev drifted backinto the shadows, grateful that he’d chosen not to interrupt his mother at that particular moment with the message Kri wanted him to give her.
That message could wait.
Right now, he had to find Caleb. Luckily, the solstice was coming. At least he knew where his brother should be this time of year.
Why didn’t you stay hidden, Caleb?
Taking that sword out had been the worst mistake he could have made. What had happened to change his mind about fighting?
Didn’t matter. Xev had to make sure Caleb knew what was coming. Most of all, he had to help him keep Lilliana safe.