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I behead two of them in seconds, causing the others to think twice about taking me on.
“Come on!” I shout. “Accept your fate!”
“Hold it right there!” a voice from the hills calls out.
The demons and I turn our heads, looking up at a group of brightly armored soldiers on the hills. The leader steps forward, his chest puffed outwards in the stance of a valiant trooper.
“Eras!” I call out. “What are you doing here?”
“Carus, I should have known you’d be behind this slaughter. I could ask you the same thing!”
“Are you here to help solve this, or are you here to fight me?” I yell while turning back to the demons.
“Do not act so foolishly and with haste, Carus! My men and I came here to attempt a negotiation deal in exchange for the handmaidens of Karona! But we won’t be doing that, thanks to you! Now, what have you to do with all this?”
I ignore Eras as a demon charges me. His body splits into two as it falls to the dirt. Eras calls out to me, again demanding an explanation for my presence as I fight.
Four of the demons are left. All seem to hesitate to fight me, a wise choice, but it doesn’t save them. I wield a knife and hurl it into one’s throat, causing him to choke on his blood as he falls.
I’m about to throw another when suddenly, Eras pulls my hands back while two other soldiers scare the remaining adversaries away.
“Let go of me!” I yell.
Eras presses a dagger against my throat as he pushes me up against a wall.
“Tell me why you’re here. Otherwise, you’ll have just taken your final breath,” he growls.
Reluctantly, I drop my sword and take a deep breath, calming my nerves.
“Fine.” I sigh. “I possess a mating bond with one of the victims. Are you happy now?”
His eyes widen, obviously expecting to hear something else from the likes of me. He lets go and turns around, walking a few steps before spinning back.
“A mating bond? To a handmaiden?”
“Yes,” I mutter.
“Sir,” one of his men calls. “We looked everywhere, but the missing party isn’t here.”
Eras nods, raising an eyebrow when he sees me sink to the ground.
“I never thought I would see the day when you would believe in such a thing,” he tells me, his tone one of sympathy. “Not even I believe in the mating bond.”
“I don’t need your help,” I snap.
“No, but the handmaidens do. It will be a challenge to get them back, especially by peaceful means, but regardless, we must return them to safety. Our goals are the same.”
“But our methods are not,” I reply. “You’re all well-equipped, far better than I am. Why not fight?”
“Because we cannot risk a war with the demons!” he yells. He sighs before continuing. “Admittedly, I see why you’re so keen to fight. Who is it specifically you want to save?”
I peer up at him.
Maybe he really means to help, and I’m going to need all I can get if Shana is to survive.
“Shana, the Priestess of Painting. Our mating bond is fate, and I’ve denied it for long enough. I’ve got to get her back, Eras.”
“This comes as a shock to me, but oddly enough, I believe you. However, you must understand that even if we get her back, a mating bond with a priestess is still going to be a challenging matter to handle. Your fight ahead is a long one.”
