AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know that getting this tome will please the King, and yet you continue to stand between him and the tome!”
I have to take several deep breaths to control my anger. I do not, quite frankly, give a shit about the King.
But I know that the old demon could kill me with magic in seconds. And I cannot help Tessa if I’m dead.
I bow my head, waiting for the soz’garoth’s breathing to slow down. Just then, I hear footsteps coming up the staircase behind me.
When I straighten and turn, I see that it’s Kryon and Denzig. The two demons are not their usual jovial selves.
Instead, they look at me with dark, angry eyes. They must have overheard the entire conversation between the soz’garoth and me.
“Varzig, do you truly intend to disobey the King?” Kryon asked me.
Is that fear that I hear in his voice?
They must think that my disobedience will lead to group punishment. The King is not fond of dissenters.
And all my fellow demons will be tarred with the same brush.
Once the King finds out about my disobedience, he will make examples of us all.
“All I want,” I finally say. I speak through gritted teeth. “Is for the human girl to go unharmed. I do not want to disobey the King. But surely there are methods less cruel than killing an innocent?”
Everyone in the turret remains silent, and they all turn to the soz’garoth.
He looks at me with narrowed eyes, and his thin lips are pressed tightly together.
I bow my head to him again. Behind me, Denzig and Kryon shuffle from one foot to the other. Their anxiety is palpable, and the air is tinged with the bitterness of it.
“Please,” my voice is low, not yet a whisper. “I have always served you all and the King with loyalty. I’m your best warrior. I have never asked for anything in return.”
Am I truly begging the soz’garoth now? Of course, you are. You are in love. You are begging for her life.
The voice in my head falls silent when the soz’garoth speaks.
“There is a different way,” he said, his voice almost reflective. Then he looks at me almost tiredly. “It will require some research. That I will need help with.”
I exhale with relief so loudly that Denzig jumps with alarm.
“I only do this,” the old sorcerer continues speaking. “Because you are a useful warrior. Even if the King will never think so. I do not think I want to lose your services, even for the most valuable tome we will ever come across.”
I can do nothing except nod my thanks.
* * *
I’m finallyable to fall asleep after the soz’garoth promises that he will not harm Tessa.
But sleep is short-lived because dawn comes quickly, and Denzig and Kryon are waiting for me when I wake.
“We are returning to the village,” Denzig says and throws my armor at me. I catch it easily. “Get ready.”
At least I have not lost my reflexes.I think as I pull my armor on. The armor, which used to fit me perfectly, hangs off me slightly.
The thought of seeing Tessa again sends thrills of happiness through me, and I almost growl with relief.
The growl remains, a low happy rumbling in my chest as the rest of the demons prepare.
Kryon and Denzig have mentioned the orc army, which will be the distraction, while the soz’garoth works on separating Tessa from the tome.
