Page 83 of Fated to the Demon Lord

I placed my hand on hers. “There has to be a way to break the curse. Please tell me where he is.”

She pulled back her hand and fidgeted. “He is going to Girdra Inn. He is to meet Lanzin there.”

I stared at her in surprise. “His brother?” I recalled how Vaelor had mentioned Lanzin when he’d spoken of taking over Misophae in exchange for his people. Had Vaelor discovered a means to go ahead with the plan without involving the mercenary army?

But my family was here—he wouldn’t put them in danger—would he?

Erlinen nodded. “Yes. You’ll come across the Girdra Inn if you head east of here and follow the Rushing stream for about five miles.”

“Thank you,” I folded my hands together in gratitude. “Thank you, Erlinen.” I needed to find Vaelor and free him. But I also needed to discover what Vaelor planned on doing with Misophae.

“Please help him. I never thought before that anybody could…” Her head tilted as she considered me. “But maybe you can.”

“I will help him,” I said and got on my horse and rode off in search of the Girdra Inn.

Twenty-One

Erlinen’s directions were spot on. I travelled along the stream until the inn came into view. It appeared as a normal two story building—decently kept. After tying off my horse, I walked inside.

This one wasn’t hidden like the other inn. I wondered if that made it more or less dangerous for a human. And although the layout was similar, this one definitely wasn’t as nice. The bar was a little scratched up, the table and chairs a bit rundown.

I had taken one of my mother’s potions, so the scent coming off me was that of an imp. All I had to do was picture the scent I wanted while drinking it. Once I chose, though, there was no changing it—my scent would stay the same for the rest of the day.

I checked to ensure the hood on my cloak remained in place and walked up to the bar.

“I am looking for someone,” I said in a raspy voice. At least most of the imps I’d met possessed raspy voices.

The bartender had a long snake-like body and a human top half, though his eyes shuttered from the side. He looked me over. “And who are you looking for?”

“Lord Vaelor, a spirit.”

His eyes narrowed as he looked me over again, and I ducked my head toward the bar to avoid him seeing too much.

The demon leaned over the bar. “What are you?”

“Does it matter? We’re in Misophae.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t give away such information without a little incentive.” He gave me a savvy smile.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the coins my mother had given me and slapped them down on the counter.

The bartender swiped the money away. “Upstairs, room five.”

I hurried up the steps, deciding that inns were one of the least safe places in the demon lands. I stopped outside room five and I sucked in a large breath, wiping my sweaty palms on my dress.

And knocked.

“Who is it?” I heard Vaelor’s rough bark.

“Vaelor,” I whispered. “It's me.”

I heard him swear. But I expected such a response. I reached down and found the door unlocked. I pressed the latch and entered, shutting the door behind me.

The room was small with a single bed. A small table with chairs sat at the corner and Vaelor stood next to the fireplace. He wore a suit that was sharp and uniform-like, cut with the precision of a general’s dress coat, tailored close to the torso before flaring lightly at the hips. Matte black fabric absorbed the light, while the high stand collar framed his jaw, embroidered with fine gold thread. A row of polished obsidian buttons ran from throat to waist.

His wings spread slightly as he glared at me. “What do you think you’re doing here?” He took a step toward me, the mist swirling about the room. He sniffed. “And why do you smell like an imp?”

“My mother gave me a potion to hide my scent,” I explained quickly. I took a step toward him. “I’m not going to let you leave me. I’m not afraid, Vaelor.”