3. Hailon
Chapter 3
Hailon
T he skin on the back of my neck and shoulders prickled and ached, like it was pulled too tight. Everything felt dense, like I was breathing through a cloud. I was stuck somewhere between asleep and awake, the warmth around me soft and comforting. Unfortunately, now that I was even partially conscious, my body was letting me know it had complaints.
Many, many complaints.
My hand slid along the covers and paused, finding fabric far more luxurious than anything I’d been allowed to use since being taken from the forest near my home.
Forcing my heavy eyes to open, I grunted as my muscles protested me attempting to sit up. I was in some kind of cabin, a fire burning away in the hearth and a pile of assorted supplies set off to one corner of the single room.
“Oh good, you’re up! Are you hungry?” the demon asked from the small table near the fire. The words were somewhat muffled, as his mouth was full. “It’s nothing special, but it’s tasty enough. I found salt and spices in the kitchen.” He offered the half-decimated leg of fowl he’d taken a bite from in demonstration.
There was no point in pretending I wasn’t starving. My stomach made a loud rumble as I stared at him, trying to make some kind of order out of my jumbled thoughts. I felt shaky and wrung out but also like I’d gotten the best sleep I’d had in weeks.
“Yes, thanks.”
Seir got up from his chair, squatting to collect another plate and food from near the flames as I maneuvered myself out of the bed. I regretting having to part with the soft mattress. I stared as the demon’s tail twitched on the floor behind him, an odd appendage that somehow seemed both natural and foreign at the same time.
Even the soles of my feet were sore as I made my way stiffly across the wooden planks of the floor toward the small bathroom. Between the way I’d been pinned to the stool and the unusually strenuous activity of taking down my captor’s friends, I was a mess of bruises and aches. I could only imagine the picture I made: bloody, dirty, rangy at best thanks to the living conditions of that house.
After washing the grime from my face and fingers, I joined the demon at the table. He smiled encouragingly at me.
The plate was mounded with pieces of some kind of fowl that had been roasted, root vegetables, and what looked like wilted dandelion greens. It was a decadent feast compared to what I’d been fed for the last few months.
“Thank you,” I muttered as I chewed the first buttery bite of meat.
Looking up, I found him watching me with amusement. His skin was a rich bronze spattered with even darker freckles, like he spent all his days out in the sun. His watchful eyes were a bright gold with a greenish ring in the center, and his head of messy russet waves added a gentle complement to the mix. The curled dark-brown horns I’d seen atop his head were gone now.
This demon looked young and seemed kind despite how sharp his smile was. The three-pointed fangs on each side of his mouth were one of the only menacing things about his appearance. However, I’d seen enough at the house in Olinbourg to know he shouldn’t be underestimated.
“You’re welcome, Derne. Feeling alright now? You were asleep for several hours.”
I nodded as I chewed, the warm food settling pleasantly heavy in my empty stomach. “Better.” I was very annoyed that I’d passed out; I should have been stronger than that. But finding myself in this place was far preferable to where I’d been kept for the last several months.
He continued to eat while watching me. “We should probably talk about what happened back there. And what happens from here,” he suggested, silently offering me more food from his own plate after I finished what was on mine, and then more still from the pot over the fire as I devoured everything I could get my hands on.
I emptied the water from the heavy glass near my plate twice as I made my way through, my thirst intense. Wide eyed, he regarded me with wonder as I finally sat back in the rough chair. “More?” he asked, poised to stand.
From what I could tell, there was no more. And I was feeling the first pangs of embarrassment for having devoured everything in sight, including the remains of his plate.
“There’s plenty more fowl nearby. Wouldn’t take but a moment to catch another.”
Awed, I stared. “No. No need for all that. I’m finished, thanks.” I put my mouth into the bend of my elbow, trying to disguise the noise that crept out.
He smiled wide, teeth sharp, but the gesture friendly. “You flatter me. I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Without another word, he cleared the table, tossing the bones and other scraps into the flames. He crossed to the small kitchen area and set to washing the plates.
A demon had just fed me dinner and was now cleaning the dishes, after helping me escape Ignus. It was all so normal and yet incredibly strange. And I still had no idea why or how he’d come back in the first place.
“Why did you come back? How did you know where to find me?”
“Once summoned, it is the demon’s duty to remain by his summoner’s side until their need for the demon’s assistance is fulfilled.” He recited the words like they came out of some kind of handbook. “The circle was broken is all, so I went back where I started, but you told me where we were. That was enough to find my way back.”
“What if you hadn’t?”
“Come back?” He frowned.
“Yes, would something have happened to you?”
He hesitated but gave a shallow nod. “Demotion and punishment are among the consequences.”
“I see.” I swallowed. Of course he didn’t want to face such things simply because I happened to spill some water.
I could see the earnestness in his eyes, the way his hand twitched like it wanted to reach for mine. “You said you needed help. I could see that you did. I couldn’t not come back.”
“Thank you,” I said, hoping he could hear how grateful I was over my exhaustion. “So, if what happened before wasn’t a banishment, what is?”
“You need a complete circle and to speak the right words, much the same way you summoned me in the first place.”
“I see.” I glanced around, and he seemed to understand my intent.
“I’d rather not go back just yet, if it’s all the same to you. Your initial request included something about getting back to your aunt? But if you insist, I’m sure some charcoal or ashes would work fine.” He seemed… sad.
He’d been helpful. Kind. There was probably no harm in letting him stay a bit longer.
“Where are we?”
“A way-house in the woods outside of Olinbourg. Nobody’s been here in months if I had to guess. We’ll be safe enough until I figure out why my wings don’t work.” The powerful muscles in his forearms rolled as he dried his hands on a towel.
“Who keeps a cabin like this but doesn’t live in it?” I frowned, genuinely perplexed.
The demon shrugged. “There are many organizations that could have this kind of safe house set up. As long as we’re not greedy, they won’t mind us using it.”
I nodded, rolling my shoulders to relieve the tension that had crept in.
“Why were you chained to the bed? Aside from you being dangerous, I mean. I saw that part for myself.” He was smiling again, a gleam in his eye.
“Someone kidnapped me while I was in the forest gathering plants one day. I was sold to Ignus. I was his prisoner.” The thought of home made my heart ache.
The demon’s jaw tightened, the mirth fading instantly from his eyes. “Which man was he? The big one?” he guessed.
“Yes.” I chose my words carefully, inclined to trust this man but wary because he was still both a demon and a stranger, no matter what had happened at the house. To his credit, he’d come back to help me and had done so without asking for any kind of payment or trade.
“For what purpose was he keeping you?” His rage was barely concealed, and I understood all too well what logical leap he had made. Thankfully, it was not correct.
“I have a healing ability.”
“Mmm. Yes, you used it on me. Thank you for that.” He crossed his arms, head tilted to the side. “And that was all? The way of men leaves me concerned their motives were not so simple.” This was the colder version of him that had ordered them to release me. His eyes flashed red over the gold, and I suppressed a shiver.
“They were not kind, but they did not take advantage of me in that way.”
The hardness in his expression was replaced by relief once he decided I was being truthful. “Where are your people?”
“The north mountains. Ravenglen.”
“That’s a long journey without sifting, portals, or wings.” He glanced at the pile of supplies, rubbing thoughtfully at his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “You’ll need to recover some before we attempt to make such a trip.”
“I’m fine,” I argued, face flushing hot in frustration. Feeling weak was my least favorite thing in the world, and I’d been stuck that way for months. “And while I genuinely appreciate what you’ve done for me thus far, there doesn’t need to be a ‘we,’” I said, still unsure if I could trust him. Besides that, my pride was wounded. I’d been humbled beyond recognition by my recent captivity. “I’m capable of making my own way home. Surely there’s a horse or some other means of transportation to be found nearby.”
“You need plenty more food and rest,” he argued gently. “And I really wouldn’t mind accompanying you. I might not be able to fly right now, but I could carry you.” He grinned. “And I’d be happy to, for the record. It will take us a little bit longer that way, but at least you wouldn’t have to spend your money on a horse.”
I frowned, noting he was being serious. “That’s completely unnecessary. I can walk just fine.” I studied his face, finding a mix of emotions that confused me. “You really want to come with me? Why?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “I’m a traveling demon, it’s what I do. And I’ve never been summoned before, so I’d really like to do a good job of it.”
“I see.” I wasn’t sure I actually did, but there was nothing normal about this situation and I was truly exhausted.
He saw me hesitating and held up his hands. “You could always banish me when you no longer want my company, or if you decide I’ve served my purpose.” His eyes rounded, hopeful.
I wasn’t weak by any means, but I wasn’t daft either. A woman traveling alone was a target for plenty of terrible things. He was clearly a good fighter and seemed kind enough.
“Is there a contract I need to sign in blood or something? Promise my firstborn, all that?”
“Not unless you want there to be.” He looked confused by my suggestions. “The summoner contract doesn’t require that. You called, I responded. The few drops of blood you left as an offering were more than adequate. Unless, of course, you’d rather have a paper contract?”
I shook my head. “No, that’s not necessary.”
“Good!” He clapped his hands together, positively beaming. “Do you have any conditions?”
“I want to leave as soon as possible.”
“Of course. But we should probably get your strength up. Spending another day here before moving on will help. It’s possible there will be more places like this between here and there, and other options besides, if you start to feel run-down.” He considered something as I agonized in silence, trying to find an argument against his suggestions that made sense.
I knew my body needed rest and nourishment, and I didn’t altogether hate the idea of being able to get that in this cozy place.
“Do you have gold or silver?” he asked. I was prepared to be defensive, but his question held no accusation. It was entirely logistical curiosity. “I saw you relieving the dead men of their valuables, but not exactly what you managed to take.”
“Yes, I have some coin and some jewelry.” I had a vague notion of what I’d grabbed, but I hadn’t been taking inventory.
“Good. That’s useful. Weapons?”
“Yes.”
“Mmm.”
After tossing the rag down, he came to stand in front of me, one hand outstretched. He’d walked the distance between us with it out so I wouldn’t be surprised. Off guard, I took it. I couldn’t help but notice that he even moved like a cat, all sinuous muscles and quiet power. The tail was just an added feature that lent to the overall feline impression. It was… disconcerting.
“The bath is probably cooling by now. Not the biggest tub, but I was able to heat plenty of water before you woke. This last pot should do it.” I blinked at him as he pulled me to my feet, confused both by the abrupt subject change and the idea that this handsome demon had not only prepared my meal and cleaned up after, but had also manually heated water while I slept so I could take a bath. I simply couldn’t get my brain to keep up with this information.
He reached for the massive pot held up by a rod inside the fireplace with bare hands. Without straining in the slightest, he lifted the rod out and carried it into the bathroom. I would have struggled to take even a single step without sagging under the weight. Numbly, I followed behind, a wave of emotion washing over me as the hot water poured into the tub, steam rising from the surface.
A warm bath was another luxury I’d been missing since the night I was taken.
I was disgusted to realize I was still dressed in my worn shift, complete with the bloodstains I’d accumulated before we left Ignus’s house. “I don’t have anything else to wear.”
One side of his mouth lifted, and he stepped back, gesturing toward a small stool. “The clothing selection was limited, but I think what I laid out will fit you.”
I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest, hiding as much of myself as I could. He smiled wider, holding his hands up as if in surrender.
“There were only three choices. I picked the one I thought would work best, but you’re welcome to try the others if you’d like.” He gestured to the small countertop. “I found a bit of ointment in the cabinet. It should help any lingering aches and the scorch on your neck and shoulders. I can help apply it…?”
“I can manage by myself.” The earnest expression he wore made me feel bad for my short response, but I didn’t really want anyone’s hands on me. I’d had enough of that over the last number of weeks. “Thanks anyway.”
He shrugged, the smirk on his face indicating while he might be a little bit disappointed, he didn’t regret having made the offer one bit. It was mildly infuriating how it was endearing instead of obnoxious.
Seir left the room while I stood there staring, closing the door behind himself.
I looked around, trying to make sense of my current situation.
As I stripped off my destroyed shift and slid into the blissfully hot water, I mentally listed the positives of this new set of circumstances. I nearly cried as I started washing the layers of dirt, grime, and blood from my skin with the cake of fragranced soap.
Ignus was dead. I was with a demon who had helped me escape and wanted to make the journey to Ravenglen with me. There was a soft bed, hot water and soap, clean clothes, and ample food.
I was going home .
My body melted into the tub, allowing tears of relief to come as I scrubbed myself clean.