Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
My family will be so frantic. Zdan and the others will already be out looking. You must let them know we’ll get Charif back. If they know Aabis Kalaz and his friends are holding him captive, there will be no stopping Zdan from killing him. Tell them he encountered a demon and we are dealing with it. I cannot have any of them close, or it will be much more difficult for me.
This must have been done to draw your family outside the circle of protection, Petru said.
Perhaps, she speculated. I believe Lilith is up to her tricks of turning friend against friend. If she divides us all, she will have the advantage of using humans against each other.
Petru called in his brethren, uneasy with the number of men in the restaurant. More was going on than met the eye.
Have them come in very carefully. Demons sense energy, Safia cautioned.
You know they will want to exchange you for Charif.
I do not bargain with demons, Petru. I destroy them.
She was firm, both in her tone and in her mind. There was no hesitation and no room for anything else. She believed she could defeat any spy or demon Lilith sent. She would not allow them to remain. If it cost her her life, she would go down taking them with her. That resolve had been bred into her and reinforced by her training.
At least they were on the same page about trading her life for her nephew’s. He wouldn’t have to take command of her if she tried such a foolish thing.
I’ve sent word to your family. Amastan has assured me he will keep everyone home. It won’t be easy. Zdan and Lunja are beside themselves with worry.
I knew they would be. Jeddi will keep them there and give us our chance to destroy the demon and keep peace. Did you tell the others to guard their energy?
They are Carpathian.
For the first time, she turned her gaze fully on him. Her eyes were completely jade, with a dark ring around them. That is the first truly arrogant thing I’ve heard you say. I could feel your energy at times. If I can, they might be able to, depending on what type of demon Lilith sent.
Benedek and Nicu were the first to arrive. They circled the restaurant before they settled to the ground beside Petru and Safia just outside under the patio cover, where they could still observe those inside through the glass.
I do not see the boy, Benedek said.
He is there. I feel him, Safia said.
And the demon? Benedek prompted, studying the men inside.
Mataias, Lojos and Tomas materialized in front of them. They too had circled the restaurant before finding their way to Petru and Safia. Clearly, they had heard the entire conversation.
Have no fear, Safia, they cannot be seen by anyone inside, Petru assured.
Aura came next, settling beside Safia. She didn’t look nearly as calm as she usually did, but she was all business.
The men sitting around the fire are friends of Aabis. Aura, you’ve met them before. The one across from Aabis is Kadin Merabet. He owns the fishing boats that bring in the majority of fish for the other restaurants in Dellys. Although they appear to be rivals, they’ve always been friends. If you look closely into the four corners of the room, you will see four men in robes. Each has his face in the shadows. They are staying away from the firelight.
There was a small silence.
One of the men in the corner suddenly raised his head and looked out the window.
He is feeling one or more of you. Don’t concentrate on them, Safia warned.
The man glided to the window and peered out. He seemed to be a shadowy figure, almost as if he could mask his presence. His robe was a dull gray. The air around him seemed to be gray as well, just a shade darker. He brought up his hands and began to weave a complicated pattern. As he did so, Safia matched him, her hands reversing the weave in exact time with his as if she knew what he was doing before he did it.
None of the Carpathians moved until the hooded figure turned and went back to his corner.
He’s mage. There are four mages in that room, Lojos declared.
The four are demons sent from Lilith to wreak havoc, and that’s what they’re doing, Safia corrected. If you give them mage status, you play right into her hands.
A mage is a mage, Benedek said. They are not easy to kill. Four of them present a real problem, Safia.
If you see them as mages, you give them more power. Lilith is counting on you elevating them to that status. They are demons. They come from the underworld. I can scent a demon miles away. If you refuse to acknowledge them as mages, eventually their disguises will crumble. They will lose faith in their abilities. I can counter every move they make. You will be able to as well if you look at them as demons and not mages.