Page 134 of Demon Touched

“No,” she says, pausing to think before she speaks again. “I know it was a runic spell, but it couldn’t have been someone from Infernum who created it, right?”

I swallow, remembering the way soldiers from both sides were vaporized by the magic. “It doesn’t make sense for either ephilium or demon forces to have planted it. No one would be willing to kill off thousands of their own kind just to deliver an equivalent blow to the enemy.”

“So…you think the sorcerers?” she asks. “Some of the runes were the same as the ones they used.”

I nod. “They would’ve had access to the plains and the means.”

“But why would they do it?” Leah asks. “What was the motivation? From the way they summon demons, I’d have said they’re much more comfortable with winger magic than the average Stratan. So what’s the end game?”

“People have all sorts of twisted motivations,” I point out. “What I’m more concerned with is the scale of the power. Even with the oldest runes, no human should’ve been able to conjure something so strong. Sorcerers or not, someone supernatural must’ve been involved.”

I intend to lead Leah back over the city walls. But as we get closer to Pax, I see that the city gates are open, a crowd of wardens waiting just inside them.

I look to Leah to see if maybe this is normal. After all, she’d know better than me how things play out after a battle. But she’s frowning down at the wardens as they call and signal to us.

“They look like they’re waiting for us,” she says. “Maybe Strickland sent an escort to bring us back to the Assembly? You don’t think us getting involved in the battle changed his mind about giving you sanctuary, do you?”

I scan the faces of the humans below, looking for any sign of hostility, and my eyes alight on a familiar face among the crowd.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

Chapter 36

Leah

“I’m pleased you both made it back to the city in one piece,” Strickland says as we come in to land.

I eye the chief assemblyman warily before glancing at Syrus beside me. If Strickland knows we were on the battlefield, then he likely knows what happened out there. Which means⁠—

“That was very impressive, Miss Renova. I can’t pretend to understand exactly what you did, but the combining of lightning and shadow…” He pauses, awed. “I wasn’t aware it was possible.”

“You saw that, did you?” Syrus asks, his voice low and dangerous—a clear warning.

Strickland holds up his hands. “The wardens gave me a report. At least, as much as they could see from the safety of the walls. I have to ask, how would a demon conjure lightning like that?”

I sense Syrus opening his mouth next to me, so I jump in first. “I lied,” I say. “But it’s not Lord Syrus’s fault, and you mustn’t revoke his sanctuary just because⁠—”

“I won’t do anything of the kind,” Strickland says. His brow is furrowed, but he seems intrigued rather than angry. “I’m sure you had good reasons to present yourself how you did. Could we maybe discuss them back at my residence?” He looks to the wardens meaningfully. “In private?”

I look to Syrus, and he nods. He thinks it’s safe for us to go, which is good enough for me.

The wardens end up acting as an escort, and soon we’re settled back in Strickland’s home. I’m exhausted, but I know talking to Strickland has to be the priority.

“I’m not a demon,” I say when Strickland has sent all the staff out and is looking at me expectantly. “I’m actually nephilim. Mostly human, but with ephilium ancestry on my mother’s side.”

Strickland absorbs this thoughtfully, taking a sip from his cup. “You were born in Strata?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say, then realize that after lying to Strickland before, he may want some actual proof this time. He just promised not to withdraw his protection from Syrus, but if he thinks we’re still trying to deceive him even now, he might change his tune. I need him to trust us. Which means I have to offer him some truth.

“My real name…” I hesitate, glancing once again at Syrus, but he seems content for me to share whatever I choose. “My real name is Leah Polaris. I only discovered my ephilium blood recently, when my powers began to show. I have spent some time in Aradis since then, but…”

Strickland’s eyes flick toward Syrus, understanding dawning on his features. “I imagine your friendship with Lord Syrus makes things complicated with the ephilium.”

“Not just that. The seraphim think that I was involved in a conspiracy with the demons. But I promise you I’m innocent.” I figure it’s probably worth mentioning this. If the seraphim find out I’m here, they might demand Strickland hand me over.

The assemblyman digests this, and I wonder if he resents me for tricking him into shielding me from the ephilium.

“I’m afraid I still don’t understand something,” he says at last. “How is it that you can command shadow if you don’t have any demon heritage?”