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“I’d ask for some way we could coexist, but you can’t survive on anything but human blood and you would never go back to feeding on the vorla.”
“You are correct. I have consumed everything in your world, from chicken blood to deer. Nothing sustains us and the vorla taste like you are consuming dirt.”
“So they pretty much taste like they look,” she said.
Deruthel chuckled. “That is accurate. It’s hard to believe they once ruled the demon species.”
“How was that possible?”
“The vorla you see are all under five years of age. Children by our standards. When they grow to a certain maturity, they have the ability to invade a host body and control it. They controlled a king many eons ago and were never allowed to mature to their full potential again.”
“They can transfer their consciousness? Similar to Ashkara.”
“No. They do not transfer their consciousness. They enter the body and tap into the brainstem, effectively controlling the host from within. The tentacles used to usurp a body do not form until a vorla reaches ten years of age.”
“But they breed like rats?”
“That is their greatest gift. Their reproductive organs mature at two years of age, but their cognitive abilities are far slower and their lifespan is half what yours is.”
“How did the demons overthrow them when they took over?” Part of her was aghast at her interest in the demon’s history, but in a way, it was her history. Her demon soul hungered for the knowledge of its past. She would tell herself that knowledge is power, and she was looking for a means to save humanity, but curiosity was in her nature and she couldn’t leave it all on her demon.
“They didn’t. The elderly vorla died, and the king resumed control of his body. He annihilated the vorla for their insurrection and no vorla has lived past the age of seven since. They are aware of their expiry date and attempt to avoid us once they reach the age of annihilation, but every demon, whether jackal or soldier, knows their history. And no demon can deny their appetite regardless of species.”
Deruthel moved toward her. It was all she could do not to back away as he ran a claw carefully over her cheek. He was almost reverent in his caress. While the tip scratched her skin, he didn’t draw blood. “I could come to enjoy this world with the right queen.”
Her conscience warred with her next words. “That depends on who’s in control doesn’t it?”
His claws clicked together as he made a fist. “I will be in control. Your shadow mate and his friends do not stand a chance against me.”
“I wasn’t talking about the shadow clans. You have admitted that Ashkara is more powerful than you. I admit it’s an attractive trait. Obviously, my chosen mate was weak. It appears I will need an upgrade.”
Deruthel growled, but it wasn’t in anger. Lust maybe? “Spoken like a true female. Of course, you seek power. As you should. I am the best choice, and we could rule this world together. You can be my first... wife.”
Riley swallowed the bile at the back of her throat. “There’s no point in you promising me the world when you can’t guarantee you will be here at the end of the day. Ashkara can wipe your mind like a baby’s backside. No offense, but that doesn’t scream ‘leader’ to me.”
Deruthel hissed. “My father has taken advantage of my military strategy for hundreds of years. He needs my body because it is the only one powerful enough to hold his consciousness. Even if he diminishes himself. The cat-and-mouse game we have played has come to an end. One way or another, our familiar partnership must stop.”
“I agree, but tell me how you plan to block him from your mind,” she asked.
“No demon can block my father while the portal remains open.”
She shrugged. “Then I guess I’ll be Ashkara’s bride before this is over.”
