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Seventeen
Baine
If Rosalie told the truth, then Lord Demious was keeping me out of his plans, something he rarely did. While I cared little for the other prospects, the lord’s dishonest behavior did not sit well with me, and if what Rosalie said was true, I had to get her out of this place, even if she didn’t agree.
At this time of day, the magistrate would be busy issuing decrees and solving minor political cases that haunted Farrow’s Gate. When I arrived in the drawing room, he was sitting at his desk, writing.
“How am I supposed to keep the estate safe when you neglect to tell me of an agent of the Borderlands visiting?”
Lord Demious dipped his quill into the ink bottle. “You worry too much.”
I hadn’t seen the lord since the previous night when I gave him my report. “Are they here about the darkthings?”
At that he sighed and placed the writing utensil on the desk. “No, but we should talk. Let’s walk.”
Leaving the drawing room, we headed down the stairs and into the basement where he had a secret lab. Mostly he kept his potions and magical items stored here, but it also held a crystal scrying ball which he used to not only communicate with other lords, but to spy.
“The Never Rift continues to grow every decade.” Lord Demious waved his hand over the ball. “See for yourself.”
A dark scene began formulating in the mist. A blue wall rippling with magic surrounding the Borderlands and, in its center, a black misty hole that seeped creatures made of the very same mist. Spirits, dead ancients, horrors from another dimension that all races fought against.
“It’s bigger,” I said, noticing the last time Lord Demious showed me the Rift.
“The Magi Council is gathering magical energies to seal the Rift for good. They spent the last ten years crafting a spell that will work. It will require an enormous amount of power.”
“What does that have to do with you? Are you going there?”
“No. I protect Farrow’s Gate.”
While I knew the truth about his plans, I feigned ignorance. “Then?”
“The prospects are meant for the Borderlands. I’m testing their abilities.”
“Were you ever looking for a bride?”
He scoffed at my words. “Of course. I need a strong lineage to protect Farrow’s Gate. If the magi fail, the darkness will continue to consume all life. The Rift into the Never has been opened for too long.”
“Those girls are not warriors,” I said while staring at the vision displayed before us. “They’ll be slaughtered.”
Lord Demious waved his hand and the image in the scrying sphere blinked out. “When did you start to care about humans?”
“I care about needless death.”
“Ahh, yes. That has always been your soft spot. Ever since I found you trapped by those vile hunters.”
Not wanting to relive the memory of that day, I brought the conversation back to the present. He hadn’t mentioned who out of the prospects had piqued his interest. “Very well. Which one have you chosen?”
A dark grin crossed his face. “So far I like the idea of having three brides. A man gets bored easily.”
“You should see if that’s a possibility, first. It’s best to test the waters before diving in.”
Lord Demious laughed. “Good thinking. I’m going to bathe. Have the sisters prepared and brought to my chambers.”
“Very well, my lord.” I bowed and left him to his laughter.
If he planned on bathing, I would need to steal the key to the collar now. Since he did not mention Rosalie, he may not choose her at all, and I would not allow her to be sent to the Borderlands and to her death. Knowing what he planned to do with the females, I understood he would never agree to set Rosalie free, even if I did pay her debt, which meant I had to save her.
And I had to do it tonight.
