Page 32 of Demon Touched

His heavy brow furrows, displeased. “It was never meant to be. But our stories say Luminis was the location of the birth of the Everlight, and this makes it significant in people’s eyes. As a result, it’s become our biggest city, and its influence has grown. Now Aphelion and Celadis must bend the knee to Luminis in most matters.”

“But each region still has two seraphim, right?” I ask.

“Yes, but Aphelion’s seraphim—Ikcros and Saladine—accept the existing hierarchy,” Garion says, drawing himself up. “They’re blind to the truth that things need to change. Their deference to Luminis is hurting Aphelion. The region is in trouble, and so far, Seraphs Orelle and Wyvier have refused to take it seriously. I’m here to change that.”

“In trouble?” I repeat. “What kind?”

“There’s a blight. A sickness we don’t understand. It started years ago and hit the land first,” Garion explains. “Our crops started dying, plants crumbling into blackened ash as if they’d been scorched by the sun. Now it’s spreading to people. They’re developing sores like they’ve been burned, unable to explain what caused them.”

“That’s terrible,” I say. This must be what Rowan was talking about with the cadets a few weeks ago. “Does anyone have any ideas how to stop it?”

“Not yet. Orelle and Wyvier have been slow to act.” He stares out across the empty gardens, checking, I think, that we won’t be overheard. “They say they are looking into it, but it’s clear they’re unmotivated to address a problem that’s only occurring in Aphelion. It should be up to our seraphim to demand action, but they will bury their heads in the sand until Luminis tells them to come up for air.” He fixes his gaze on me again. “I am doing what I can to build support for our plight. And you are going to help.”

I blink. “Me? How?”

He straightens, his green eyes sweeping over me, calculating. “Having a descendant secure a distinguished place in the fledgling trials will strengthen my position in Luminis. It will bring glory to our bloodline and help attract sympathizers to our cause.”

I want to laugh, but I have the sense to realize that would be a very bad idea. Still, it seems ridiculous to think that a grandchild doing well in a standard test should have any bearing on serious matters of state. And yet…how many times do I have to be beaten over the head with the fact that glory and family name is everything to these people? If I do well in the trials, then I’m a person of honor and strength, which must mean the Illidore line is honorable and strong, which makes Garion worth listening to.

It’s a messed-up system, but it’s also one with real consequences.

“Is this why you suggested the seraphim enter me in the trials?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Yes.” He doesn’t sound the tiniest bit apologetic. “I knew I had no hope of glory in Filippa—the most I can pray for is she won’t embarrass me enough to sabotage all my efforts. But I had an instinct about you, despite your human heritage, and it was proven correct in the first trial. You showed your bravery and boldness with the dermison. I believe you can do a lot for the Illidores in these trials.” His eyes sweep over my wingless shoulders. “Even as a nephilim.”

It suddenly hits me that Garion just trusted me with a secret—and I’ve already betrayed Aradis.

Sure, the blight might be a topic of open discussion among the ephilium, but there’s not even been a whisper of it in Strata that I’ve heard, even though he said it’s been a problem for years. The ephilium have to guard their weaknesses carefully, because Infernum is still at war with Aradis.

And I have Syrus, a lord of Infernum, listening in to this whole conversation. Maybe I should’ve tried to block him out earlier, but it’s gotten so hard to since I let him back in. My mental walls are shaky, and it requires too much focus. All of which means I’ve knowingly handed intelligence over to him. I am exactly what the ephilium feared—a demon spy. The idea makes me queasy. Not the bond itself, but the guilt that comes with it.

“I will work hard to do well in the trials, sir,” I say. I’m trying to say the right things to avoid tipping Garion off, but my mind is still stuck on that day at the Seraph Seat when they accused me of having demon loyalties.

“Although it’s tricky when I know so little about what to expect.” I lick my lips, knowing my next question is a risk. “You said that the trials will purge me in some way?”

His eyes narrow, and my pulse jumps. So much for not arousing his suspicions.

“The seraphim were worried about your loyalties, so I pointed out that the trials would purge you of links to Infernum, if you had them.” His gaze sharpens more, and I try not to squirm like a fish caught on a hook. “Which you don’t.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head vigorously. “Definitely not. I just thought maybe if I knew a bit more about what to prepare for, I could make sure I bring glory to our bloodline.”

Not that I give a damn about that—but he does, and that means he might be willing to help me with this. The “purge” he spoke of could fix this whole mess. It could fix me, help me get rid of this inexorable grip the possession bond has on me—the one that makes my body come alive whenever Syrus is close, the one that has me yearning to have him with me—inside me—no matter how toxic and dangerous I know that is.

“I cannot tell you what this season’s trials will involve,” Garion says firmly. “It would undermine their very essence. I would be committing a blatant act of dishonor.”

“No, of course not. I’m sorry,” I say, dropping my gaze. Goddess, these ephilium and their prissy rules about honor. Throw a girl a fucking bone.

In my head, I think I hear Syrus chuckle quietly.

Despite his rebuke, however, Garion seems to be considering something, stroking a hand across his beard in a rare, restless gesture.

“I have enemies in Luminis,” he says. “People who don’t like my attempts to strengthen Aphelion. There’s a reason it was a shorewolf they used in the Eyrie. They’re known to have a taste for human blood when they encounter it.”

My eyes widen as I understand what he’s saying. “The wolf was meant to go after me?”

“Yes. So it would seem the trials have already been corrupted. It wouldn’t be underhanded of me to…redress the balance a little.”

I raise my eyebrows, surprised and pleased that it seems I’m going to get some help after all.