"What are we going to do if Deris, Daris and V'ili accidentally end up dying here?"
"Hmmph. It's too bad they can't be in two places at once," he mumbled before closing the distance and kissing me. "If one set lived, the other could die whenever and wherever." He kissed me again, before pulling me against him.
Deris and Daris could wait, I suppose.
Chapter 7
Royal Palace, Kifirin
Lord Nedevik Weth
"I want no part of this," I gestured with a hand to cut off the conversation. The rape trial was scheduled for the following day, and I'd been approached by King Jayd and his brother Garde, the Prime Minister. "The humanoid population is already angry and uneasy. Making an arrangement such as this, and ignoring the victim as you suggest will infuriate them."
"Deals are made in other courts on other worlds all the time," Garde pointed out.
"If they are made in matters like this, then they are just as wrong as this one is," I snapped. I was being rude to the King. I didn't care. "The humanoids on Kifirin already feel like second-class citizens. They will be watching this trial carefully and considering the outcome. Have you heard the term disenfranchised, my King?"
"Hmmph. They're humanoids," Jayd dismissed my argument. "Besides, the woman has had other lovers." Jayd frowned as he spoke, as if he were practicing extensive patience with me.
"I care not how many she's had. I only care that a crime was committed against her in this case. According to Alliance laws, she is entitled to the same rights as any other on Kifirin, including the High Demons."
"Look, you can save us a great deal of time, if we can make an agreement now. The Council looks to us to decide this." A curl of smoke escaped Gardevik's nostrils. We were back to the beginning of this discussion, and I didn't like it.
"So the details of a heinous rape will offend their delicate ears?" I was just as capable of blowing smoke as the lofty Prime Minister. "Those council members serve at your pleasure, King Jaydevik. They are compelled by law to listen."
"You're saying no, then?" Jayd asked. His casual tone forced my head to jerk in his direction.
"I'm saying no deal on this—the trial needs to go forward." I was adamantly holding my ground. Jayd had no idea how the humanoid population viewed his rule over Kifirin, and the way that High Demons often received better treatment than they—where the laws were concerned.
"Remember what you said about the Council serving at my pleasure?"
I went still. He'd planned this. I'd been a thorn in the King's side for a very long time—not just this King, but King Rorevik before him and King Lendevik before that.
"You've served a good long while," Garde spoke. "It's time you retired."
"If you feel that way, I will do so. Right after the conclusion of this trial."
"You will retire now." Jayd's face clouded with the smoke he breathed.
"I refuse. I have a right to see my assigned business through until the end."
"Unless you offend the King."
"If I offend the King, or if anyone offends the King, a jail sentence must be levied."
"If that's what you want," Jayd shrugged. "Guards," he shouted.
Two guards arrived quickly while I glared at the King of Kifirin. "Escort Lord Nedevik to the dungeons. His length of sentence will be determined later."
* * *
Glinda
"Why is Nedevik sitting in the dungeon?" I demanded. Jayd sipped bourbon from a glass while he sat behind the desk in his study.
As calmly as if he hadn't just sentenced the best High Demon in his Council to serve time—for no good reason.
"He offended the King."
"How did he offend the King?" I refused to make quote marks in the air, although Lissa would have. "You're the King, Jaydevik Rath, but you're no better than the High Demon sitting in your dungeon."
"Which one?"
"Nedevik, you horned and scaled moron. Are you forgetting what he did to put Kifirin back together after it was almost destroyed?"
"Did you just call me a moron?"
"I called you a moron. Are you going to put me in the dungeon, now?" I hadn't argued with Jayd like this in decades. Where had my fury gone in all those years?
"He refused to listen to reason and make a deal to prevent a drawn out rape trial, and then blew smoke in my face."
"What deal?"
"One year in jail, minus time served," Jayd said flatly.
"That only means four months," I said, staring at my husband. "Four more months in jail. No wonder Nedevik blew smoke in your face." I was ready to blow smoke, too. As far as I knew, I was the only female High Demon who could do that.
"Look, be reasonable. She had multiple lovers, some even before she became a full adult. What did you expect Vordevik to do? The girl's a whore."
"What did you just say?" I'd gone numb at his words.
"I said she's a whore. Vordevik was only getting what others had before him."
"I assume the others had her permission. Vordevik did not. That's why there's a trial pending," I hissed.
"Not anymore. Garde assigned Chalevik Croth to the case. The deal's been made already and the accused and the victim notified."
At that moment, I couldn't begin to describe how angry I was. My Thifilatha—fifteen feet of white-hot anger—destroyed much of Jayd's study before I skipped away.
* * *
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
Glinda stalked through the dining room shortly after I'd sat down for lunch with several others. One of those was Roff, who blinked at Glinda in consternation as she pulled out a chair and sat.
Something was certainly wrong, here. Anger radiated off her in waves.
Jayd just fucked up, a voice sounded in my head.
My sister Bree's voice. Quickly, she outlined what had just passed between Glinda and Jayd. It was easy to see that Bree agreed with Glinda in this.
As did I.
"You may stay as long as you want, and I can seal the palace against visits from Jayd and Garde if you wish," I spoke to Glinda, who stared at her empty plate. "I'll see what I can do to get Nedevik released from the dungeon, too."
"Please," she said. "Nedevik doesn't deserve this. As for Jayd and Garde, I may never want to see either of them again."
* * *
New Zealand Waters
Lexsi
I had strange dreams the night before. Somehow, Kory's father, one of the most respected High Demons on Kifirin, was in the palace dungeon. Upon waking, I was sure the dream was pure fiction, although it felt real.
I'd also dreamed of the Metal Library.
I'd run through it, desperately pulling this bound metal book after that one off deep shelves, only to find metal pages smooth and blank.
As if nothing had ever been written upon them.
My awakened, rational self also proclaimed that a lie. If it were so, why was Morgett hunting it, still? Therefore, it was only a dream that made no sense.
In my dream, I shouted at the Metal Library, demanding answers.
Ask, it said, its voice ringing hollow. Metallic.
Frightening.
Fine, I shouted back at it. Let me help the people Morgett is targeting.
It will be so, it replied.
I woke with a gasp, to find Kory already sitting up in bed beside me, a terrified look on his face. "I dreamed my father was in the palace dungeon on Kifirin," he turned toward me.
"Holy hell," I muttered one of Gran's favorite phrases.
* * *
Palace Dungeon, Kifirin
Lord Nedevik Weth
"I almost wasn't allowed in," Wendevik muttered. My son and I stared at one another through the bars of my cage.
These dungeons had been made with Kifirin's power long ago, to prevent its occupants from skipping away. I hadn't attempted to skip—I would serve my sentence, as long as it was a proper sentence handed down by a proper King.
Jayd had been
on a downward slide for two decades, at least. A good King remained vigilant instead of becoming complacent.
Jayd was complacent, now.
"The, ah, humanoids are protesting Jayd's decision in the rape case," Wendevik informed me.
He was married to one of Jayd's daughters. It took a great deal of will and courage for him to come; Jayd could have him locked up with me, if he weren't careful.
"Protesting?" I asked. Wendevik was holding something back.
"They're burning parts of Veshtul. This was after Jayd ordered the army to disband the protests on the palace steps. Some of them were hurt in the process, as you may imagine."
"These aren't as malleable as the comesuli were," I pointed out. "And, as a member of the Reth Alliance, they have the right to protest. Is Jayd ignoring that, too?"
"He's calling it a riot, and working to quell it by any means possible," Wendevik sighed. "It doesn't look good for the humanoids in the city."
"Of course it doesn't," I said. "He refuses to listen to reason any longer. Or to advice from trusted colleagues."
"I'm afraid things will get worse before they get better, and word has it that Glinda is so angry with Jayd she went to Le-Ath Veronis. She isn't speaking to Jayd or Garde."
"Is she speaking to her daughters? To Reah's daughters?"
"I believe those lines of communication are still open," Wendevik said. "Although you didn't hear that from me, if the King asks."
"Of course."
* * *
New Zealand Waters
Zaria
"The Justice Department just took Jamie into custody," Opal sighed and flopped onto a chair at the breakfast table. "Only they're naming him Berke Gillson, Person of Interest," she grimaced.
"Because Jamie Rome is already in the pokey," I nodded. "Or so they think."
"Once again, Laurel Rome is set to screw him over," Opal said. "I hate this."
"Then we should place a shield around his cell, so nobody can get in or out without our knowing," I said. "He's not susceptible to V'ili's obsession, thank goodness, or I'd worry about that, too."
"They're showing him in handcuffs as he's being led to jail; it's all over the news in the States," Opal said. "The foreign outlets are probably picking it up, too. Reporters are doing their best to link him to the terrorist attack in New York."
"Well, that information is coming from somewhere, and you can bet Laurel and her lawyer are in the middle of it," I said. "Tell me, can things get more fucked up than they are already?"
"Have you checked in with anybody in the future?" Opal asked.
"You're about to tell me how things can get more fucked up, aren't you?"
"Jaydevik Rath, in his ultimate wisdom, failed to prosecute a High Demon rapist. The woman is humanoid. Veshtul is on fire after Jayd prevented peaceful demonstrations outside the palace. Oh, and Kory's father, Nedevik, is in the dungeon because he disagreed with Jayd on this."
"Somebody's gotten too big for his Thifilathi britches, hasn't he?"
"Well, this is going to bite him in the ass, unless I'm much mistaken," Opal huffed.
"And it should bite him in the ass. Hell, it should take a generous chunk off when it does," I said.
"Word has it that Glinda had a fight with Jayd over it, and went to Le-Ath Veronis afterward."
"What does Lissa say about this?" I asked.
"She's trying to get Nedevik out of the dungeon, but Jayd isn't listening to anybody except Garde right now."
"Because two narrow minds are better than one?" I suggested.
"Or so he believes. Honestly, that's like following the echo of your own flawed advice."
"Or wrecked logic to the second power."
"Exactly my point," Opal huffed. "Where do you think this is headed, and do you believe we should tell Kory and Lexsi? Nedevik Weth shouldn't be in jail, just like Jamie shouldn't be in jail. I'd prefer to tell them, although Kory will be furious."
"First off, this isn't headed anywhere good. Second, I may have an idea," I said.
"What's that? You have an odd gleam in your eye," Opal said.
"Well, High Demons can't bend time," I said.
"True."
"I can bend time. I can't involve myself in a coup, though."
"Also true."
"Bending time is, in itself, not a crime for a Larentii."
"I'm not sure where this is going, but you have my attention," Opal almost smiled.
* * *
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
"The riots are all over the news, now," Glinda muted her vid-screen when I walked into her suite. I'd come to tell her exactly what she already knew of the events on Kifirin. Except for one minor detail.
Kooper had sent word to Jayd and Garde, telling them that two squadrons of RAA troops were on the way to restore peace in Veshtul.
Jayd politely declined, after Kooper Griff informed him that as a member of the Alliance, Kifirin no longer had a choice in the matter. Jayd hadn't gotten things under control; far from it. In fact, there was growing evidence that many of his troops were causing harm and killing humanoids in their efforts to follow Jayd's orders.
"Jayd is withdrawing Kifirin from the Alliance," I blurted the truth I knew. Ildevar Wyyld had contacted me moments earlier, to deliver the news.
"What?" Glinda was off the bed and on her feet immediately. "He can't do that. He can't."
"It's done. I've informed Garde in mindspeech that he's a jackass, and Jayd's a bigger jackass. They've cut themselves off from the Alliance, and that includes trade and every other perk they get from that membership."
"May the gods be merciful," Glinda dropped her face in her hands.
* * *
House of Weth, Kifirin
Lady Verarok Weth
At least half my sons had crowded into our home; others waited to hear from their brothers. Wendevik had gone to see my Ned, and brought back news.
But that was before the riots became larger and more deadly. The palace itself was being threatened, although Jayd had stationed High Demon troops around the perimeter. All those troops were armed and in their smaller Thifilathis.
How had things come to this?
"Your father may be in danger, because Jayd has done nothing to calm the people of Veshtul," I announced to my sons. "I worry that none can skip in or out of his cell, too. If a single political enemy decides to take advantage of this situation, Jayd will lay the blame to the riots and your father will be just as dead."
"Mother, we no longer have the Alliance to back us if Jayd convicts any of us of treason," one of my sons spoke.
My youngest, Wardevik. The scholar who was so much like his father.
"Lady Verarok."
I knew that voice. A path parted for him to approach.
Li'Neruh Rath had come.
"I am looking for an army of High Demons," he said. "I will have transport for them and any others from the House of Weth who wish to come. I believe Lord Nedevik may be included in that number," he smiled at me.
"How? When?" I asked. I was desperate, and the god's appearance was like an answered prayer.
"Do not fear, you are safe with me until the time comes," he said.
* * *
New Zealand Waters
Kordevik
"Good, you're together." Zaria and Opal had found Lexsi and me in a corner of a deserted bar.
We'd been holding onto one another ever since learning that we'd had the same dream the night before.
The one where my father was in the palace dungeon on Kifirin.
"Is there something you need?" I asked. I wanted them to go away so I could deal with my fears while my arms were wrapped around Lexsi.
"We need to get your dad out of the pokey," Zaria said, her fists going to her hips. "But if you want to sit here and feel sorry for yourself, I'll do it without you."
I hauled Lexsi to her feet, while a wild hope made my heart beat in a rapid, irregular rhythm. "We're read
y," I stuttered. She'd just confirmed our fears—and given me a possible solution.
I couldn't bend time.
Even the youngest Larentii could do it. Bending time was required, if I were to help my father. "Let's go, then." I blinked as a dimple appeared for barely a second on Zaria's cheek before her smile disappeared. "We have work to do," she added.
* * *
Opal
My cell phone rang shortly after Zaria disappeared with Lexsi and Kory.
I knew before I reached to answer the thing. Zaria was sending a message from wherever she was.
Someone was about to attack Jamie.
After they'd broken Dervil, Berke and Laurel out of their cells. Without a thought, I grasped Kell's hand and hauled him with me when I folded space.
* * *
Jamie Rome
Yes, I'd heard the alarms, but I had no idea it meant that Laurel, Dervil and Berke were out of their cells.
Until Berke, wearing my old face, appeared outside my cell. A pistol in his hand was aimed squarely in my direction while he grinned.
Beside him stood Daris Blackmantle, Deris' malevolent witch of a sister.
"Kill him," Daris clapped her hands, as if she were a spoiled child used to getting her way.
"With pleasure," Berke said.
I waited for the pistol to fire, my arms up in a defensive gesture.
That's why I barely saw what came next; Kell and Opal suddenly stood behind Berke, whose fingers dropped the gun as his body toppled, sending his head rolling across the concrete floor at his feet.
Daris had disappeared—probably the moment she realized she could be in danger.
"Now what?" Kell turned to Opal, who wore a thoughtful expression.
As if Berke didn't lie at her feet, his blood spreading across the floor in deep red pools.
"I have a suggestion."
Someone new appeared. Someone I didn't know.
He shone brightly in the dim light outside my cell.
"Can you?" Opal turned to him.
"Of course." He smiled. I thought he was bright already. You'd have thought the sun had paid a visit when he grinned.
The door to my cell swung open. Beside me, a body appeared. It looked exactly like me—except for the bullet holes and the blood.
Berke's body appeared in the cell, too. Somehow, his head was reattached to the body, and his torso was now riddled with bullet holes.
A Demon's Due: Latter Day Demons, Book 3 Page 9
