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Nadir reached out and picked up a dagger, feeling the cool metal between her fingers. “So, it’s a daemon-destroying weapon?”
“Exactly. And it has the added benefit of not binding the daemon’s essence to you, which can be unpleasant,” Belial admitted.
Orias finally uncrossed his arms and stepped forward, picking up the last dagger. He examined it with a critical eye. “They are deceptively lightweight.”
Belial chuckled. “That’s the beauty of them. They may be light, but they are remarkably durable. The metal is an alloy I developed specifically for this purpose. The dagger’s power lies in the enchantment woven into its core. When it pierces a daemon, the enchantment activates, and the daemon’s essence is absorbed and neutralized.”
The team members exchanged glances, each holding one of the sancre daggers. “We’ll need to test them,” Azimuth stated, his eyes locked on Belial’s.
“Of course,” Belial agreed, a sly grin spreading across his face. “But not on me. Find a suitable test subject, and you’ll see the sancre’s power firsthand.”
Kobol nodded. “Alright, we’ll try them. Let’s suit up and head out.”
CHAPTER9
NADIR
Armed with their new sancre daggers, they felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination, eager to test the effectiveness of Belial’s invention. The prospect of a weapon capable of destroying daemons without binding their essence to the wielder could change the course of their ongoing battle, offering a powerful new tool in their fight against the darkness.
Kobol headed toward the training room where they kept all the other weapons, Orias hot on his heels. Azimuth grabbed Nadir’s free hand and drew her close to his side. Their silence spoke volumes, the tension palpable.
In the training room, the boys quickly equipped their weapons of choice: Kobol with his hammer, Azimuth his two short swords, and Orias his curved, ornately engraved scimitar. They had no need for discretion on this mission.
Nadir approached her black lacquered weapon’s dresser against the wall. Her favorite weapons rested on the top shelf, nestled amid scarlet silk. She selected an assortment of daggers, metal arrows, and thin wires, strapping them to various parts of her body. The arrows and wires went into the specially crafted containers attached to her boots.
“How close can we port to the site?” Orias asked.
“I don’t know the area very well, but it’s not a far drive from where I left my car,” Nadir explained.
Kobol laughed. “I’ve been meaning to ask. When are you going to upgrade your house to match your Hummer?”
“I like my house. Besides, it’s established with my alibi.”
“You need a bigger house. Who says the powerful ‘Meri’ can’t upgrade? Or at least get a bigger garage.” Azimuth ran a hand between her shoulder blades, and she fought to keep her breathing even.
“Let’s deal with it later,” she replied.
“Everyone ready?” Azimuth asked.
“Hold on to me,” Nadir directed. “We’re porting into an alley near my car.”
They did as directed, huddled together. Nadir chose a shady location overhung by buildings and blocked by dumpsters. Scanning the area visually and by scent, she detected a human nearby.
“Kobol,” she subvocalized, “there’s a guy. He’s just a few feet away. He’s...”
He leaned in, mouth to her ear. “On the other side of the dumpster, I know. I don’t have your bionic nose, but I can smell a sweaty lout eight feet away. Give me a moment.”
He winked into invisibility, and a few moments later, a sickening thump against the brick wall made her stomach turn. Nadir pushed away from Azimuth and stalked out of their hiding spot, not at all happy to see a busboy from the restaurant crumpled into a pile on the ground next to the back door of the restaurant. An again-visible Kobol crouched over the man, checking his pulse.
“I assume that was necessary?”
Kobol spared a glance up at her, nonplussed by her attitude. “He’d just brought out the trash and was coming around the dumpster. You wanted us to remain unseen, so yes, I made a snap decision. It’s what we do every day. In case you’re curious, he’s fine. Go get in the car and drive around the corner. I’ll knock on the door and make sure someone tends to him, and then I’ll join you.”
“Fine.” Nadir grabbed her car keys and stalked off toward her car, aware by scent alone Azimuth and Orias followed. When they got within ten feet of the car, the push of a button unlocked the doors and started the engine, and she jumped into the driver’s seat.
“You’re upset. One of us could drive, if you prefer,” Orias said, holding open a back door.
“It’s my car. I’m driving. Besides, it’s not like you know Colorado.”
