Page 118 of Demon Touched

Leah

I never worried much about politics back when I lived in Strata. My father liked to talk about it sometimes, bragging about endless debates he’d have with his friends at his gentleman’s club. To me all politicians were good for was lining their and their friends’ pockets while many of the people I valued, people like Hodges and Martha, had to fight to get by. Some people said Strickland was different. He didn’t come from a wealthy or titled family—he worked his way up in society before being elected chief assemblyman a few years ago. My father and his cronies didn’t think he was right for the job, but I’m more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He did, after all, give Syrus what he asked for.

There were other people I recognized in the chamber—at least by name. Jaxon is a big opponent of Strickland’s faction, his supporters always distributing dull pamphlets about his poor economic policies. Lady Roseingrave, an independent, is a legend among Pax’s socialites—wealthy by inheritance and never once married, which provided much scandalized gossip for my stepmother to sink her teeth into. The fact that Ada disapproves of her would be enough on its own to make me like Lady Roseingrave, even if she hadn’t spoken up for Syrus.

So I can’t help but feel a little frisson of excitement when she stops us in the hall, descending on us with a waft of subtle perfume and a pat of her coiffed, raven-black hair.

“Lord Syrus.” She reaches out and places a delicate hand on his arm. Her nails are glossy like the inside of a shell, and her dark eyes are fixed on Syrus, never once glancing at me. Abruptly, my excitement dwindles, and something angrier smolders in my belly.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you’re joining us for a sojourn in Pax—however brief.” Her thumb moves a little across his bicep as she makes the word sojourn sound smooth and suggestive. I decide that in fact I want to break her fingers.

“You must allow me to host you sometime. I throw the best parties.” She smiles wide, her lovely white teeth glittering, and I move my hands behind my back so that no one sees them balled into fists.

“That’s very kind of you, Lady Roseingrave,” Syrus says neutrally, and I feel a little spike of triumph in my chest when he doesn’t return the smile. “My schedule will, of course, depend on my progress with Infernum. That must be my priority.”

“Of course,” she agrees, giving his arm a squeeze before releasing him.

“Thadeus,” she says to Strickland, and I notice he does offer her a smile, warm and pleased.

“Orealia,” he responds. “Always a pleasure.”

Then she glides away, perfect and elegant. When I notice Syrus looks to me instead of watching her go, certain murderous urges start to fade from my mind.

Strickland gestures to our escort of wardens, and their numbers thin a little, while the assemblyman turns toward a hallway that runs parallel to the chamber. “Please follow me, Lord Syrus and Miss…?” he looks at me expectantly.

“Renova,” I say quickly, deciding Leah is too human, borrowing the name of a demon friend Asterim’s mentioned.

“Renova is a lieutenant of mine,” Syrus says, picking up my new name without blinking. “She will require sanctuary too. I ask that she be treated with the same respect as myself during her stay in Pax.”

Strickland’s gaze flicks between Syrus and me, and I can see the curiosity on his face. It’s more calculating than I’d like, but this man couldn’t have gotten to his position without a decent set of brains in his head.

“Consider it done,” he assures us as he leads us down the corridor. “Are you a citizen of Infernum yourself, Miss Renova? I only ask because, if you’ll forgive their caution, my security detail like to understand who’s staying in my residence.”

“We decided my true form might be too unsettling for the average Stratan,” I say, making my voice sound amused. Then, to sell the lie, I lift my hand and let a column of shadow rise from it. Strickland’s step falters, the wardens around us reach for their weapons, and I quickly extinguish the magic. “Does that answer your question?” I ask lightly.

Strickland clears his throat. “Yes, thank you,” he says flatly. I’m surprised I frightened the man. It’s a glimpse of something quite human under his confident veneer, and I feel a little bad.

We pass down a few more corridors before the shape of the building changes, becoming smaller—more like a grand house than a state building.

“The chief assemblyman’s residence is connected to the Assembly building,” Strickland explains as we pass through a door flanked by wardens. “It is probably the safest place in Pax.”

That’s no exaggeration, I think, remembering the sharp spikes on the walls and roof outside. Strata’s politicians might be lax on a lot of things, but they take the security of the Assembly building seriously, making sure it can defend against a winger attack. Strickland doesn’t spell it out, but he’s saying Syrus is safe here even if the lords decide to ignore Strickland’s order of sanctuary.

“I’m grateful for your help, Mr. Strickland,” Syrus says. “And now seems a good time to remind you of my offer—whatever favor you’d like to request, I’ll do what I can to make it happen.”

Strickland’s step slows. I notice a couple of household staff hovering down the hall, wide-eyed at the sight of Syrus, no doubt awaiting some instruction about the new guests.

“I’m sure you’ll understand if I take some time to weigh up my options, Lord Syrus?” Strickland says, a little bashful. “It’s a big decision, and I don’t currently have anything specific in mind. I gave you sanctuary because I think it’s the right thing to do.”

He beckons to the staff, who hurry forward obediently.

“Now, my housekeeper will be able to find a room for yourself and your companion.” He pauses, eyes widening a little as he perhaps realizes he’s been presumptuous. “…Unless?”

He lets the question hang in the air, and I fight to keep my disaffected expression. Clearly, Strickland suspects that we’re lovers. I wonder how he guessed. Was it Syrus’s demand that I be looked after that did it? Or can anyone looking at us see the way I’m drawn to him? It’s an unsettling prospect—I thought I was hiding it better than that.

“One room will be fine,” Syrus says smoothly, and Strickland is polite enough to simply nod.