Page 17 of Demon Food

The guard didn’t return Sindell’s smile, which was likely a testimony to how well-fed and professional he was.

He nodded at his fellow soldiers. “This brothel is hereby under command of the palace. You are not to allow other patrons for the duration we’re here.”

“Of course,” Jaxlyn said. “Whatever our guest of honor wishes.”

The commander tipped his chin toward the door, hand on his sword, and the other three soldiers dashed out behind him.

I bounced as I stared at Lennox’s chair again.

“Who do you think it is?” Gladso asked, parting my seashell curtains to poke her head inside.

“Hmm?” I asked, dragging my gaze from his chair. “Oh, I don’t know. Probably a nobleman.”

“What if it’s the king?”

“It’s not the king. He has royal concubines who live with him. He doesn’t visit tiny brothels in the middle of nowhere.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I know. Hey, have you seen Lennox?”

She squinted. “Who?”

“Lennox. He’s been here for weeks now. The new guy. That’s his name.”

“Oh, the new, new guy? Yes, that is tragic what happened.”

My heart stopped. My lips wouldn’t form around the words I needed. Not without my breath sounding behind them. “What’s tragic?”

“You haven’t heard?”

The bell jingled as the front door opened and in marched the four soldiers, except this time, they weren’t alone. They were huddled around a vultus as if to protect him from harm, like he was a precious baby.

Gladso whirled toward her lounge, but I snagged her by her elbow and hauled her inside my nook. She gasped as she fell onto my lounge.

“Goodness, Feloré,” she said, nearly out of breath. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“What’s happened to him?” I asked, scanning her eyes for answers. “What’s happened to Lennox?”

“Terrek sold him to a virgin. This morning, I believe.”

I couldn’t tell what I was doing with my face, but my voice was a crumbled mess as I asked, “W-why would he do that?”

“He got caught stealing from the brothel.”

“Stealing what?”

She glanced over her shoulder at the soldiers and the vultus in the middle. They dispersed as if it’d been choreographed, standing at attention by the door with their chests puffed up and faces void of expression.

“Gladso,” I whispered, shaking her arm. “Stealing fucking what?”

“Rice.”

My heart felt like it’d just split. Like a piece of it got torn from me in a loud and ceremonial rip.

I stared blankly at her face as she continued to explain words I couldn’t even hear. Then she was gone, scurrying from my nook as the shells clinked in her absence.

“Greetings,” Jaxlyn said warmly, “We’re so honored to have you, sir. Might I offer you a drink?”