Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
~ Shade ~
We’re back in the guys’ private rooms, and I have a blanket around my shoulders and a hot chocolate in my hands when Blake bursts into the room. Her mates storm in after her, their power filling the space.
Blake checks on me before spinning to glare at my guys. “What the fuck? You said we could be there for the interrogation.”
“It was already too crowded,” Thane reasons. “Be grateful I sent for you now.”
If looks could kill, Blake would have murdered my mate, but she turns from him, sitting beside me on the couch. “I’m going to guess by that look on your face, it didn’t go well?” she says, her voice softer.
I’ve witnessed enough interrogations in my time.
When I was in the form of a crow and staying in the demon realm with Blake, there had been times when Blake had to question demon clan leaders and the like.
It had never been pleasant, but those being questioned usually ended up confessing and showing exactly why they deserved to be in that position.
Today was different. Borshoz was only there because the shadow queen thought he knew something important.
Something she’s possibly been hoping to find out for some time.
Borshoz’s only crime was trying to help his father, and that resulted in his death.
I’ve already told my mates about the conversation and the very small amount that I’ve learned, and the idea of keeping it from Blake doesn’t even cross my mind. Checking that the door is closed, I say, “Queen Krosia wants the same thing the Xalgrith are after.”
Silence follows my statement, and Blake frowns as she studies me. “What do they want?”
I grip my mug tighter, trying to focus on the warmth of the ceramic rather than picture Borshoz’s lifeless body. “I don’t know. That’s what Borshoz told me.” I clear my throat. “The, uh, shekel that I spoke to.”
Blake leans back, her expression thoughtful.
“Well, that’s fuckin’ cryptic,” Nate comments.
Raith runs a hand through his hair. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Did the creature say anything else?” Blake asks, still watching me carefully.
“I think…” I trail off, not sure if I’m going to regret saying this next part, “I think that whatever it is, neither the Xalgrith nor Queen Krosia have been able to find it, but for some reason, they think I can. I don’t think Queen Krosia wants me questioning the zenali creatures to find out what the Xalgrith want.
I think she’s hoping that I’ll be able to find whatever it is that she’s been searching for. ”
“But that doesn’t make sense,” Galen comments. “Just the other day Germain and Ambrose had said that you must interrogate Xalgrith warriors. It was Thane who suggested we start with the zenali.”
Gold blazes in Blake’s eyes. “Queen Krosia told us how bad the Xalgrith attacks are getting. Is it possible she thinks the Xalgrith have already found it?”
I consider that. “I don’t know what it is, but I don’t think the Xalgrith have it. At least, that’s just the feeling I got after talking to the shekel.”
Alaric folds his arms across his broad chest. “Then we find out what it is, and we make sure neither of them gets their hands on it. If both the Xalgrith and Queen Krosia want it, then it must be something powerful. We can use it to win the war against the Xalgrith, then make sure the shadow queen can’t use that power for herself. ”
Callan tucks his wings in tighter. “I agree. And as long as Shade continues questioning the creatures and providing some information, the shadow queen will believe she’s useful and will have less reason to kill her. Secretly we can be hunting for this item ourselves.”
I stare at my mates. Questioning any more creatures is the last thing I want to do. “No,” I say softly as the image of Borshoz’s lifeless body appears in my mind.
To my surprise, no one tries to argue with me.
Blake just nods. “Okay,” she says. “Well, there’s still the agreement with the demons. Surely Queen Krosia won’t go back on our deal.”
I give my friend a grateful look and blink back tears. Damn her for being so supportive. In a way, that’s almost worse. It would be easier if I felt like someone was forcing me. Of course, the shadow queen is, but she’s not here right now.
I sigh heavily. “What I mean is, no I won’t question any more creatures.
Not unless I know they’ll be released after.
I won’t be able to talk to them knowing they’re just going to be murdered as soon as we’re done.
Us humans were brought here to become warriors and fight against the Xalgrith, but from what I’ve seen, it’s the shadow creatures who need protection from our kind. ”
A smile plays on my mates’ faces, and I might be wrong, but I could swear they’re proud of me.
“Also, we’ll tell Germain and Ambrose they won’t be attending any more of the conversations,” Galen adds casually, speaking to Knox and Thane like they’re the ones who are going to be acting as messenger boys.
“It’s not like they can understand what’s being said in any case, and we can always brief them after.
” I don’t miss the way Galen uses the word ‘conversations,’ and I smile at my mate. He winks back at me.
“Are you sure?” Blake asks, still willing to stand by me if I refuse altogether.
“We both know I don’t really have a choice,” I tell her.
“At least this way I can…listen to what the creatures have to say.” At that, I think of what Borshoz had said.
About there finally being someone who’ll listen to the creatures.
My stomach churns at the idea that the zenali think I might be able to help them.
I can barely help myself. But this is a start.
We just need to find out what both the Xalgrith and the shadow queen want, make sure they don’t get it, end the war, and protect the shadow creatures.
That doesn’t sound hard at all.