Page 111 of Fated to the Demon Lord

Raxus released the sword, stumbling back.

Vaelor’s spirit rose out of his brother’s body. His familiar face came into view as he coalesced, his spirit body unharmed.

I held my breath.

Raxus let out a throaty laugh. “Looks like I have won. Now all I have to do is dispatch you.” He stepped forward and gripped the blade, ready to pull it out of Vaelor’s bonded body.

Vaelor blurred and then re-coalesced in spirit form. He grabbed the sword his brother’s body held and flapped his wings, rising. He wheeled around in the air and plunged the blade into his enemy’s neck.

Raxus’s mouth opened, searching for breath. He crashed onto his knees as the black substance ran out of him, coating the bones of his armor.

Vaelor’s lip curled as he watched Raxus fight for life. “You know who this victory belongs to, don’t you?” He leaned forward and whispered in Raxus’s ear.

This victory is yours, Denara, Vaelor’s thoughts murmured in my mind.

Fear and dread crossed Raxus’s face. Lanzin’s body drew the sword out of his own gut, black blood pouring out of him. The body moved slowly, awkwardly forward at Vaelor’s command.

My pulse leapt. Yes, as the book said, Vaelor could control both forms at once—both spirit and body. Lanzin’s body raised the enormous blade and swung, striking through the other side of Raxus’s neck.

The massive head fell to the dirt.

The spirit of a troll ascended from the body. Vaelor’s physical body wielded Raxus’s now-glowing sword, and Raxus gave one last pain-filled roar before he dissipated.

Vaelor’s spirit returned into his body, re-bonding with it. He grasped his stomach, trying to staunch the bleeding that surely would make him pass out.

You did it. I breathed. It had been torture not to talk to him during his fight, but I hadn’t wanted to throw off his concentration.

We did it, he thought back.

Are you all right?

He ran me through, Denara, his voice was amused in my head. But such a blow won’t kill me.

You need something to stop the bleeding, I thought desperately.

“Someone get him a bandage before he bleeds out,” Throk ordered.

A cloth bandage was thrown at Vaelor’s feet. He grasped it and pressed it to his wound.

Do not fear, he thought. Spiritu Malignos does not bleed as much or as long as other creatures. Chances are I will remain conscious, for better or worse.

Vaelor staggered up to Throk and bowed.

Creedan, who watched, only snorted, fury in his eyes. Clearly, he’d wanted a different outcome.

Throk clapped, his glowing gaze amused. The black cracks in his flesh were like a thousand tiny snakes twisting across his skin, giving him an ominous appearance. “Well done, Lord Vaelor. It appears we have our winner. Now, the real test begins. But first, let us start the feast!” He motioned to the humans. They came forward and distributed food among the army. In response, I gripped my branch, lowering myself from my hiding spot. I would need to move once the demons started showing symptoms.

They wouldn’t be dead. Just weakened and distracted.

Something isn’t right, Vaelor’s warning sounded in my mind.

I glanced toward the camp to see Vaelor straightening, a wariness in his gaze.

“Real test?” he asked.

A cruel smile came to Throk’s lips. “You two.” He motioned to a pair of winged demon guards to his right. “Go get that human hiding in the trees yonder.”

He turned and pointed at me as I dropped to the ground. Shit.