Page 98 of Fated to the Demon Lord

This demon was alive.

Vaelor went ramrod straight, his wings spread full length, and he snarled.

And then he lunged toward the abaddon. The other demon didn’t have time to react as Vaelor smashed his head against the dais. “You!”

The abaddon demon in Vaelor’s grasp twisted. “Who are you? How dare you take over the body of a noble son of Aeria?” He tried to strike out at Vaelor, but Vaelor grabbed the demon’s arm and bent it behind his back.

“You mean you don’t recognize me, Creedan?” Vaelor’s voice was low, his eyes filled with deadly rage.

I inhaled sharply. Creedan.

The demon who had taken everything from Vaelor. His wife, his child, his mother, his people.

Fuck.

“Lord Vaelor, release Creedan. He is a guest.” Throk hadn’t risen from his spot on the dais, but he looked on with interest.

Vaelor held Creedan, his lip curling. He didn’t want to obey. He wanted to tear Creedan to shreds. I trembled at the look in his eyes—ready to defy Throk.

But if he did, Vaelor would be destroyed.

I produced a harsh cough.

Vaelor froze, but then he glanced up at me. I pleaded with him with my eyes and with my thoughts. Please, you must follow commands. Release him.

Vaelor gave Creedan another shove but let him go.

Creedan scrambled to his feet, his hand on the sword at his waist. “It’s been a while, Lord Vaelor.” He drew his sword and pointed it. “I see you have no respect for your brother’s body, just as you disrespect marriage contracts.”

Throk released an exasperated sigh. “Now, now, Creedan, relax. Lord Vaelor won’t lay a hand on you while you are under my protection.” Throk gave Vaelor a firm glance. “That is an order.”

Vaelor released a low growl but stepped off the dais so that he was near me again. Creedan stowed his sword. I took a calming breath, willing the fear in my heart to dissipate.

“Creedan, we’ll continue our discussion soon.” Throk stood and addressed Vaelor. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d make it in time. Come.”

Vaelor cast one more threatening glance at Creedan before doing as he was told. I’m going to tear that bastard to shreds.

I shadowed his movements, keeping my gaze on the ground. If everything goes according to plan then that shouldn’t be a problem in the end, I thought.

“Water… water… I beg you.” I looked up at the pleading, cracked voice. The human man stared at me—we’d walked in his direction. My heart ached at the silent agony reflected in his stare, and a helplessness washed over me. There was nothing I could do to help him. He must know that.

Throk turned to a soldier standing nearby. “Shut him up.”

“Yes, sir.”

The soldier gripped the smoldering end of a stick from a simmering fire. “Here, human, here is your water.” He reached into the man’s mouth and laid the smoking log against the man’s tongue. A wild scream escaped the man, and his body twisted, shaking without abandon.

Gods. Gods. Gods. I met Vaelor’s gaze, his eyes hard—a warning not to react. There is nothing we can do, Denara.

Yes, I was only a slave here. If I tried to assist or intervene, I’d be the next one on the post.

And that would end up disastrous for both me and my demon protector.

Throk snorted as if it were funny. “Human slaves… can’t depend on them for anything. This one tried to stab me.” Throk shifted his armor to show a slice along his massive side, oozing with a black substance. “Nothing but a scratch—I guess he didn’t know that Spiritu Malignos demons aren’t so easily killed.” He lowered his armor and grinned. “I’m enjoying witnessing his life ebb into oblivion. It is excellent entertainment for the troops.”

Several demons watched the man writhe and scream. A few laughed and made fun of the man’s agony. Others observed with a bloodthirsty hunger.

“I’ve of course ordered everyone not to eat him. Once blood is spilled, demons can become so ravenous. But I don’t want the fun spoiled too soon.” He glanced at the blood covering Vaelor. “I see you disposed of that feisty female.” He chuckled. “I bet she put up a fight at the end, eh?” He ran his tongue over his lips and stared at Vaelor, no doubt hoping for a good story.