Total pages in book: 220
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 205637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1028(@200wpm)___ 823(@250wpm)___ 685(@300wpm)
The wolf caught on quickly, dashing through the trunks and brush and falling in just behind me. Another wolf cut in from the other side, joining us, and my dragon slackened his pace so we could stay together.
The demon scent was stronger by the old portals, the magic torn down but the ground still heavily trodden and marred from so much use after the portals had stopped moving. A lone demon was running about, obviously not powerful enough to teleport. Where there was one, there were usually more.
My dragon roared as he launched forward, stomping across any vegetation in our way. Careful not to swing his tail and take out a wolf coming up behind, he chomped into the demon and slowed.
Don’t kill it, I thought quickly. You can damage it, but don’t kill it. I want to take it back to the castle and see what it knows.
A growl rumbled through my dragon’s chest, but he did as I said, controlling his bite so that he could rip the demon off the ground. The creature was now screaming and twisting, trapped within his teeth. He looked down at the wolves, whose numbers had grown. Through a series of huffs and postures, he relayed that they should keep patrolling. Then we took off running again, taking the demon back to the castle. Hopefully Weston wouldn’t think I was stepping on his toes, commanding his wolves. He’d given that trust and privilege to Finley, after all, not to me. But without him here, someone had to take point. Besides, they were showing their prowess in guarding our borders while the dragons squabbled.
Finley and I both would have to take the dragons in hand. The wolves were making a mockery of us.
It hadn’t taken long to deposit the demon in the dungeon and get Finley’s demon, Govam, down there with him. I wanted to see how the one would react to the other
Govam walked into the dungeon with a cool demeanor, flanked by Tamara and one of Weston’s wolves. The demon watched me as he cautiously approached. Ready to react. He clearly knew I was particularly dangerous just now.
“We found this demon lurking on the edge of the kingdom,” I told Govam, my hands at my sides. Still, his gaze lingered for a moment before he turned his attention to the demon in the cell.
“The king uses his kind as spies or scouts,” Govam said, returning his focus to me. “There should be others. They usually travel in packs of a half-dozen. They get their tongues cut out young and are taught to speak with their hands in a language only certain factions of demons know. This is to prevent them from being tortured for information, obviously.”
“Let me guess: you don’t know the language.”
“I do, actually. I made sure to learn it. But you don’t need to torture him to get information. These demons are usually a precursor to an attack. If you can find them all and kill them, that’s your best bet. They’ll have to send in more, which will grant you time. Dolion wants to know what he’s facing. If any of these creatures get back to him, you’ll have anywhere from a few days to a month before Dolion attacks in force. I’d suggest getting a plan together to defend your kingdom, and to defend yourself, personally. He’ll be looking to kill you. He does not like fear, and he fears you.”
The demon in the cell hissed, spittle flying at Govam. He gestured in front of his chest, which was accented by little movements of his body.
“I have only chosen the wrong side if Dolion wins,” Govam told him, looking away. “And given what I have seen so far, I don’t believe he will.”
“Who else in your crew knows the language?” I asked.
“All except Sonassa, the succubus.”
I looked at the wolf. “Make sure Weston knows of this conversation. Have him look for the other demons. I agree that there are likely more.” I shifted my gaze to Tamara. “Get the dragons in the air so you can help the search. Round the demons up and bring them here.” I swung my attention back to Govam, speaking to the others. “Keep him separate from the rest of his party. Call me when we’re ready to pry information out of those we capture. I want to see if our resident demon is telling the truth.”
“Yes, sire,” Tamara said, grabbing Govam’s arm.
“Find me when you have something.”
“Yes, sire,” they both said, escorting Govam out of the dungeon.
The captured demon hissed again, but I ignored it as I made my way out.
I would be the one to torture whatever demons were captured. It was a job I’d detest doing, but I didn’t want to force it on someone else, not so soon into my tenure. I wanted the people I governed to know that I wouldn’t ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself.