Jaydevik Rath, I snapped at him, they don't want to come back. If you have any sanity left, you'd know that. Now stop this foolishness while you still have a life to call your own. I hope you recall who saved your ass when your rogue High Demons allied with the Ra'Ak, I said. And how easily they died when I attacked them, I added.
You will refrain from throwing that in my face, Jayd growled. My High Demons turned the tide that day, not some frail Vampire Queen.
You really have lost your mind, I said. In two eight-days, I'll see you on Harifa Edus, you stupid twit. Good luck getting your sense and your wife back.
"Are you mindspeaking someone?" I blinked as Renée, my third assistant, asked. While I'd been tossing insults at a crazy High Demon, she'd arrived with a comp-vid in her hand.
"I wouldn't call it that," I took the comp-vid from her to read the message it contained.
"What was it, then?"
"I just started a war with Kifirin. The planet, not my mate."
"For real?" Renée's eyes widened in shock.
"For real," I admitted. "Call my Inner Circle together. We have two eight-days to plan for this."
* * *
Glindarok
I was included in the meeting with Lissa's Inner Circle. What I heard was terrifying. Jayd and Garde wanted to destroy Harifa Edus, because they couldn't get to Le-Ath Veronis.
They knew Harifa Edus was important to Lissa. She'd brought werewolves back to the planet in the past, and they'd built a home, there.
It was also where the remnants of Planet Siriaa's population were placed after their world was destroyed.
Jayd could attack that humanoid population much easier than he could that of the werewolves.
"I'll go back to him," I hung my head. "I don't think he'll mistreat me."
"That's not an option." Li'Neruh Rath appeared. Smoke drifted from his nostrils and arms crossed over his chest as he considered me. "You are the Queen of what's sane on Kifirin," he said. "There are a few of them who are confused and leaderless, as they have abandoned Jayd and his irrational demands."
"Then tell me how to avoid their attacks on Harifa Edus," I stood to address Li'Neruh. "I can't expect Lissa to continue to bail out the High Demon population. This problem is one that should be solved by High Demons."
"Part of the problem wasn't created by High Demons, but it will take Corinnelar or the Mighty Heart to deal with that. I merely worry that there may be no healing sufficient to return your husband and his brother to their former selves." Nefrigar had arrived.
Nefrigar, mate to Reah, Lexsi's mother, and Chief Archivist of the Larentii Archives, had come to give advice. In the eyes of most Larentii, he was just as important as the Larentii Wise Ones, and second only to Kalenegar, Head of their Council.
"Then what can the few of us do who still have any sense left?" I tossed up a hand in frustration.
"You are not alone," Li'Neruh said. "The Weth family will defend Kifirin, should I ask it of them. Perhaps some of Foth and Greth as well."
"And if I ask?"
Li'Neruh's mouth tightened. "Kifirin isn't only High Demons," he said. "From now on, the humanoids and High Demons alike will desire fairness in Kifirin's leadership."
"Instead of what they've been getting." I dropped my eyes. I'd been complacent far too long. Ignored the growing problems far too long. Those worth the effort had lost their faith in the ruling house.
"Jaydevik holds the Kingship through you, Glindarok," Nefrigar said. I jerked my head up at his words. He was right. Without me, Jayd was only a member of the Rath Clan. I was the Royal Daughter of Lendevik Lith. My mate was destined to wear the crown, no matter whom he might be.
"What was your price, Lord Rath?" I turned to him.
He lifted an eyebrow. "It is not time to divulge that secret," he began.
"What if I abdicate my throne? Jayd will no longer be King."
"That will leave Kifirin without leadership," Lissa said, striding toward me. "Glinda, think about this, okay?"
"I am thinking about this. What I'm seeing isn't pretty. Jayd and Garde aren't fit to be in charge right now. Even if they regained their sanity, nobody will ever trust them again. Isn't that right?"
"But if you abdicate, that could mean civil war, until a victor climbs atop the bodies of who knows how many High Demons to claim the throne," Lissa pointed out.
"The House of Lith should remain the Royal House," I insisted. "If I abdicate, it will be in favor of another."
"But," Lissa began.
"No," I held up a hand. "I know Jhase and Jheri have no talent for leadership. Yes, Wendevik Weth could be King, but he needs the strongest of Queens at his side. Therefore, I will choose another daughter of the Lith line, who is also married to the House of Rath. I name Reah as my heir."
"Your abdication is my price," Li'Neruh sighed. "You have arrived at that conclusion before I could present it to you. I will say this, however; take the two eight-days given, and make sure this is your choice before any announcement is made. You may change your mind and deny me in this; it is your choice."
"You promised me children," I sighed. "Must they be with Jaydevik?"
"I will remove his claiming marks, if that is your wish when this is over," Li'Neruh promised. "It is only fitting that I fulfill my part of the bargain."
"That is all I could ask," I replied, although my heart had gone cold. Was Jayd truly beyond saving?
I wanted to weep. I skipped from the meeting before the tears fell.
Chapter 10
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
"Honey, what do you think?" I asked Connegar. He'd come to help relieve the tension in my neck after my Inner Circle meeting.
"Reah is a good choice," he murmured while touching my neck and shoulders with warm fingers. "Nedevik Weth would be the best of advisors, if she chose him. She and Torevik should make him Prime Minister."
"But what if Glinda changes her mind?"
"Your worries are valid, my love. You should ignore them for tonight, so these kinks in your muscles will dissipate."
"What if Jayd doesn't give us two eight-days? He's crazy enough to jump the gun," I complained.
"You can bend time just as easily as I can," he reminded me.
"Yeah."
"Send some of yours to New Fyris, and others to Harifa Edus. They can sound the alarm if needed," Connegar advised.
"I'll get Drake and Drew on that—New Fyris is used to them," I blew out a breath. "Winkler can choose some to go with him to warn the werewolves. We really, really don't need a war with crazy High Demons. What the hell do you think Li'Neruh Rath is waiting for? We need some sense restored to this mess, and Zaria will probably be the one to Change What Was."
"There are many possibilities. I would hesitate to speculate on any of them," Connegar replied. "Relax. Stop worrying for the moment, so I can make you feel better."
* * *
Adelaide, Australia
Zaria
Opal, Kell, Klancy and I waded through a foot of water inside a musty, dank, former water main blasted into rock a century and a half earlier. I'd Pulled in high rubber boots for all of us, or this trek would be much worse than it was.
"We could branch a large room off from here," Kell suggested. "It could be elevated so water would be held back at the entrance."
"That's a solid maybe on this location, then," Opal agreed with him.
"I think this is our best bet, but I worry that this will only be a temporary deterrent," I said. "The timeline is still warping—I can feel it. Something can go horribly wrong, I think. I just can't put a finger on what that could be."
Opal shivered at my words. I wanted to shiver, too. Things were happening to make Kory and Lexsi bigger targets than they were already.
Morgett wanted them dead; he'd brought more Ra'Ak to Earth to make that happen.
Soon enough, Jayd and Garde could want them dead, too, as members of Reah's family.
For
now, those two High Demons couldn't reach them, as they couldn't bend time. If Lexsi or Kory traveled back to their own time, things could become difficult very fast.
Somewhere in all this, treachery was budding.
Other than the original treachery performed by Acrimus and Liron, I hadn't discovered the source of this new deceit, yet; it was still forming. Meanwhile, the damage done by High Demons bent on destruction could be enormous.
Be right, Li'Neruh, I sighed mentally.
Call me Hank, he replied with a chuckle.
* * *
V'ili
Morgett replaced six dead Ra'Ak with thirty more. If there were seven High Demons, he needed at least two Ra'Ak to combat each High Demon. He also wanted more rogue High Demons, and was set to approach Croth and Drith Houses on Kifirin, although they were still angry that some of theirs had been lost in the recent skirmishes.
He'd found it all too easy last time to approach those dissatisfied with the weak leadership of Rorevik Rath.
Promise Drith or Croth compensation or a piece of the rule of Kifirin and they'd lick your feet. Too bad they weren't susceptible to my obsessions. I'd have the entire planet under my thumb otherwise.
Too bad, too, that Morgett was lying to them to get what he wanted—High Demons to fight High Demons. And, since one of those we stood against was female, I didn't hold much hope for her to remain intact if rogues got their claws on her.
The thought made me shiver with pleasure.
* * *
Veshtul, Kifirin
Jaydevik Rath
Most of my recent days were spent as my Smaller Thifilathi, blowing smoke. Every attempt to skip to Le-Ath Veronis knocked me back, forcing me to relocate to Veshtul.
Garde's attempts to reach Lissa and pinch her neck so she couldn't breathe met with the same results.
"I say we attack Harifa Edus now," Garde's Thifilathi spoke in a guttural voice.
"Think, Brother," I rumbled. "Harifa Edus is important to Lissa, but I wish her well and truly hurt for refusing to return what is ours."
"Hmmph," Garde blew a cloud of gray smoke. "How do you suggest we do that?"
"You're forgetting our heritage, Brother," I said.
"Which heritage?"
"The one where High Demons nullify the power of warlocks and wizards."
He and I sat at a stone table in the palace courtyard, resting after another unsuccessful attempt to break the shields about my palace. Lissa was behind that, too; I'd wager all I had on it.
"What are you talking about?" Garde still hadn't made the connection.
"Has anyone ever successfully assailed Karathia? Lissa's son sits the throne. I say we take him and trade him and his meddling father for what is ours."
My brother's Thifilathi blinked at me as realization dawned. With High Demons at our backs, we could skip straight through the power shields around the Karathian King's palace and kill or take whomever we wanted.
I'd see what Lissa had to say about that, when we held her eldest son ransom. Plus, since we'd already be there, how difficult would it be to raid the treasury? Rumors abounded regarding the wealth hoarded by Karathian royalty.
"When?" A dark gleam appeared in Gardevik's eyes.
"We'll send some to Harifa Edus at the time appointed, to continue the ruse," I grinned, allowing the sharp prick of my fangs to rest against my lower lip. "You and I will lead the bulk of the army against Karathia at the same time."
"You are worthy of the crown," Garde rose and bowed to me.
He and I roared our laughter, which echoed across the empty courtyard.
* * *
Adelaide, Australia
Morwin
As usual, Chloe and I had discreet guards tailing us as we walked through the Rundle Mall in Adelaide. Near the center, in the wide courtyard separating shops, lay what everyone jokingly referred to as the mall's balls.
Two silver spheres, one atop the other, reflected all who strode past them. Farther along were the bronze pigs, which had actual names. Chloe wanted to see them. I wanted to visit a bookstore. We were resolved to do both.
"Stand there," Chloe shooed me toward the bronze pig that had feet on a trash bin. She wanted my photograph next to the sculpture. I'd decided days ago not to mention how outdated her small mobile phone was by Alliance standards. I smiled as she recorded my image on her phone.
At first I had no idea that the four Ra'Ak landing between shops in the mall weren't looking for me; suddenly Anita and Watson were beside us. Chloe and I were grabbed and folded away from Rundle Mall swiftly, while people left behind us screamed and died in the Ra'Ak feeding frenzy.
* * *
Lexsi
I screamed Kory's name, although he already had ahold of my hand and was skipping toward Rundle Mall.
Yes, we'd been out sightseeing; thank goodness we were wandering around Fort Largs by ourselves when we received visions from the Library.
Visions of Ra'Ak eating locals and tourists alike. Morgett was setting us up, I think, but we had to do something.
Several of Kory's brothers arrived when we did, all of us Thifilathi or Thifilatha. More Ra'Ak appeared, then, amidst the chaos of running, screaming people.
Then things got worse.
High Demons came.
Rogue High Demons, beating their chests and roaring as Kory, six of his brothers and I stared them down. Between us lay two silver spheres—a sculpture with one sphere stacked atop the other.
A Ra'Ak slithered toward us, the large, abrasive scales on his belly scratching across the brick-lined courtyard between mall shops. Screams faded behind us, although sirens could be heard, rushing in our direction.
I couldn't believe Morgett wanted a standoff where his vile army would be seen by anyone—and recorded for all to see on their inevitable cell phones.
We had seven; they had twelve. Six and six.
Kory must have sent mindspeech—five more brothers arrived in Full Thifilathi. My brain filled with an image from an old western film I'd watched not long after my arrival on Earth.
At the end, there was a standoff between warring factions. Almost like this one.
Lexsi, whatever you do, don't let them see you go to mist, Zaria instructed. I'll be right there.
Asking her why would take too much time.
Choose a Ra'Ak, baby, Kory instructed. You were made to kill them, never forget that.
I'll send fire if you need it, another voice said. I suppose it would be futile to ask the Library how it could make fire, and I certainly didn't want to argue.
With a roar, Kory leapt past the leading Ra'Ak and knocked down the first rogue High Demon.
Sal and Caylon would be more than disappointed if I didn't put my training to good use; I'd just never had to use it in Thifilatha form against a stupid, giant snake. Following Kory's example, I took off at a run, hefted myself off the brick pavement and kicked down the lead Ra'Ak.
I'm sure he never expected to be sent backward like that, scraping, wriggling and sliding toward the others, some of whom he bowled over before coming to a roaring stop against the spheres.
Another Ra'Ak leapt at me. I delivered a punch between his eyes, just as Caylon taught me to do.
With humanoids.
I learned then that a Ra'Ak's eyes are his weakest point; he writhed and rolled, attempting to see clearly again.
One of Kory's brothers roared as he fought with a rogue High Demon nearby. A Ra'Ak dusted—Kory killed the one I'd kicked against the mall's balls, after destroying the High Demon he'd dealt with first.
While I stomped toward the Ra'Ak I'd punched, another appeared, hooking my left arm with one of the deadly spikes atop his head.
I roared, then, before flinging him away and leaping on him to grasp his throat. Ignoring the pain in my arm, I dug my claws into his scales and squeezed.
"Die, you fucker," I shouted around my Thifilatha's fangs.
His tail swept back and forth as I held on, knocking Kory off his fe
et. The ground shook when Kory landed, and a rogue High Demon was on him immediately.
I recognized the whoot-whoot sound of a ranos pistol, then, and the High Demon who'd attacked Kory went limp.
I squeezed harder, my claws digging farther past copper scales as the Ra'Ak squealed and thrashed in pain.
Sounds of the ranos pistol came again; something large hit the ground with another loud thump.
That's when my Ra'Ak's eyes glazed and he dusted.
Curling into a ball, I protected my head as large, black chunks blasted in all directions.
Whoot-whoot. Whoot-whoot. Whoot-whoot.
I lifted my head to see Zaria walking beside Morwin, who was shooting the enemy with deadly aim. If a Ra'Ak dusted, Zaria shielded Morwin. Otherwise, she wasn't interfering with his target practice.
I learned then what a deadly shot Morwin was.
Whoot-whoot. The last Ra'Ak dusted, while two of Kory's brothers destroyed the last rogue High Demon.
Morwin watched in satisfaction as that one died, then holstered his pistol.
"Baby?" Kory looked banged up but whole when he came to pull me to my feet.
"I'm okay, just a spike wound," I studied my left forearm, which was bleeding sluggishly. Anyone else would have died from Ra'Ak poison by now. High Demons were immune. I still needed help washing out the wound, though.
"We need to leave; the police are coming," Zaria said. "I'll get rid of the bodies and Ra'Ak dust. Kory, I'll send you a location in mindspeech," she added. "Take the others there and I'll see you in a bit."
Around us, bodies of High Demons disappeared, in addition to every chunk of Ra'Ak dust. I hoped she'd taken care of any images recorded by cameras, too, or all of Australia would know what threatened it.
Not that they shouldn't know, but we didn't need mass panic across the country.
"Let's go, onion," Kory said before skipping us away. We landed in a hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, where Opal and Kell had already reserved rooms for everyone in our group.
* * *
Zaria
Morgett was a fool, albeit a dangerous one. What better way to announce the presence of more Ra'Ak allies than to allow them to feed off humans in broad daylight, at one of the most popular destinations in Adelaide?
A Demon's Due: Latter Day Demons, Book 3 Page 13
