Page 34 of Fated to the Demon Lord

His head straightened before he walked to the door. His image blurred, then disappeared as he faded through it, stepping out into the daylight.

My heart sank as I watched him leave. After the past few days of relative safety I’d found here, his absence felt unsettling. Without him, I no longer had any protection within the manor.

“Come,” Erlinen said to me with a twinge of resentment in her movements. I didn’t know what she was upset about. I got slapped.

I followed her through the halls, heading for the rear of the manor, with Feron coming up behind me. We moved through the kitchen. My hands tightened on the strap of the bag over my shoulder. There existed a possibility that the food within had been poisoned, yet Vaelor’s extensive efforts to preserve my life made that less likely.

At least for the time being.

We walked out the back door into the crisp early morning air. It had been two days since I entered the manor, sure I’d never leave it alive. And now, here I was, leaving to assist Vaelor in obtaining a body. I had no other choice, and I felt certain he’d abandon me upon discovering a more desirable form. The realization left me cold. I needed to be on the lookout for a chance—any chance—to run before that happened.

We headed out a door and cut across the small park to the large rear wall.

“All right, Feron, take Denara first,” Erlinen instructed, taking the bag he held from him. “And then come and get me.”

Feron lumbered forward, and I stumbled back. “Wait, hold on.”

Erlinen sighed. “Feron has to lift you over the wall. Or perhaps you prefer we go out the front gate where all the demons will be gathered and can see in which direction you are leaving?”

I certainly didn’t. Taking the bag off my shoulder, I took a deep breath. “Go ahead.”

My spine locked as Feron’s arms came around my back and legs, lifting me. His large wings extended, and I settled my bag of supplies in my lap. He grunted as he took off. My stomach dropped out, and I gasped, throwing my hands around his neck. He had to work as he gained altitude, flapping hard, and then we passed over the wall. We soared over the glassy moat before he descended to the open field that led to the forest. Gliding to an easy landing, he set me down and grunted again, motioning for me to remain there. With a spread of his wings, he ascended and sailed once more over the wall for Erlinen.

They returned a short while after, and Feron landed, carrying Erlinen. He set her on her feet, and she hurried forward. “This way.”

Erlinen led us in the direction of the tree line. I studied the demon harpy in front of me, her leathery skin and her one good wing pulled to her back while the other remained lifeless. Her head bobbed slightly as she walked. “You and Feron stayed behind even after Lord Vaelor had sent away his other servants?”

She cast me a suspicious glance as if unsure why I asked this. “We did.”

“Why not save yourselves and be free?”

Erlinen snorted. “You know nothing of his lordship.” Feron rumbled his agreement.

“Did he do something for you?”

She paused and rounded on me. “Your ears are not worthy of that story,” she said, snapping her beak. Feron laid a hand on her shoulder, and she softened a bit, then faced the trees. “Enough talk. We must focus on reaching our destination in time.”

I didn’t argue, but as we walked, I pondered what Vaelor could have done to inspire such loyalty in someone like Erlinen. From her limp and torn wing, it was clear she’d had a rough life. I glanced at Feron, who lumbered silently along, noting the long scar that cut clear across his face.

Both she and Feron must have had a difficult past.

Soon we came upon a stream. A large boulder rose on the side, covered in moss and ivy. Erlinen walked over to an overhang and brushed the ivy aside, revealing a small, wedged opening. “Get in.”

I looked down. There was only room for one. “What about you and Feron?”

“Do as you are told,” Erlinen snapped.

I crouched and crawled into the gap.

“You’ll wait here until his lordship comes for you,” Erlinen said.

“And you?”

“Feron and I are just extra weight. We are leaving to reduce the burden of care on him.”

“You’re leaving me here alone?”

“There is no place large enough for us to hide, and our presence would give you away. Do not move from this spot and you’ll be safe.”