Demon’s Dream (High Demon #6)(68)
Author: Connie Suttle

"You don’t need to know," Naldill snapped.

"But they’re on Xordthan soil. I demand to know what they are. Where is Reldill?"

"He’s gone off to find sustenance for them," Naldill jerked his head at the Copper Ra’Ak. "It’s nothing to worry about. We’ll clear away from here as soon as the core is drained sufficiently again."

"What did you just say?" Cynthin had stalked away from Naldill, but now she was back. They’d carried her to this piece of worthless wilderness and somehow they’d managed to shield their growing army from Xordthe’s authorities. "All I agreed to," Cynthin hissed, poking Naldill in the chest, "was helping you take down that bitch. You’ve tapped the core to do it? You piece of excrement, I’ll kill you."

"You won’t," Naldill slapped her hand away. "Not after you see what my brother is bringing." Cynthin stared as Reldill appeared, at least fifty poorly dressed humanoids with him. Cynthin began to scream as the Ra’Ak fed.

* * *

"They have violated the last of the Elvish Code," Kaldill sighed. "Every elf is obligated to hunt them, now."

"They’ve broken trust with every living thing?" Lendill rubbed his temple, attempting to prevent the headache.

"All living things," Kaldill agreed. "They kill innocents. Plant, animal and world. We are obligated to destroy them."

"And I intend to see that it happens," Lendill said. "Father," he nodded respectfully to Kaldill Schaff and folded away.

* * *

"The time is tomorrow. They plan their attack for the day after." Thurlow tapped a spot on the Xordthan map. "They’re hoping that Reah will come, once they lower the shield and let everyone know the core has been tapped again."

"We will place a barrier around them that they cannot cross," Pheligar said.

"Good enough," Kiarra nodded. She represented the Saa Thalarr; Pheligar represented the Larentii who would come—Renegar, Lenigar, Teligar and Jerigar. Nefrigar was only coming to observe, saying his presence as a warrior was not required.

"I and my father will come, as will Faldill, my brother, and one hundred elf warriors," Lendill appeared. "We will take custody of my brothers."

"Maldak and I will be there with our forces," Youon agreed. "I wish to take as many of the rogues as possible. Please allow us this concession. We will only ask for help if it is necessary," he bowed to Kiarra.

"Fine with me," Kiarra shrugged. Youon smiled at her.

"Lady, you shine," he smiled. "It reminds me of my youth."

* * *

"We ask that you keep her here," Aurelius said. "Edward, she’s in no shape to go. We’ve gathered everybody else, I think. Rylend is coming and bringing warlocks. The Saa Thalarr are coming, with several Larentii. The Black and Copper Ra’Ak are coming, and they want first crack at their rogues. Lendill will come with elves his father chose. I don’t know who else those foul elves are bringing, but we’re preparing for the worst."

"Don’t ever forget that Ra’Ak can travel the timeline, just as the Saa Thalarr and Larentii can," Edward pointed out. "And I will keep our pregnant High Demon with me. I’ll keep her happy, one way or another."

* * *

Lissa’s Journal

"Cara Mia, you cannot go. You are pregnant," Gavin pointed out.

"Tell me something I don’t know," I muttered. I’d wakened that morning feeling queasy and Connegar and Reemagar had both shown up before I could make it to the bathroom. They cleaned up the resulting mess, too.

"But you and Winkler and Drake and Drew are going," I grumped, rubbing my belly. Drake and Drew were with me more often than not, and while they normally were the most easy-going of my mates, fatherhood had turned them into almost-tyrants.

"As are several others," Gavin agreed. "All the vampires who can stand in daylight are going. Our son holds most of the talents you had before you became a Nameless One. He will act in your stead."

"It just isn’t fair," I huffed. "Reah and I can’t go, for the same damn reason."

"Lissa, are you belittling your unborn children?"

"No. Hell no," I turned away, rubbing my forehead. "But the timing sucks. Even you have to admit that."

"I will not deny it," he sighed. "Although a part of me is glad that you won’t be placed in danger."

"Gavin, everybody on that field will be in danger. Admit it. We both know the god wars are coming—what if this is the beginning?"

"Lissa, we do not know that. Let us hope that this is what it appears on the surface—an act of revenge only."

"Then I hope that’s all it is."

* * *

"They had errands to run," Edward woke me with a kiss and answered my question of where the rest of my crowd was when I asked. "But we’re going to check the expansion on the ice-cream plant, I’m taking you to Adrixx to eat and shop and then we’ll come back here and nap or swim."

"That sounds amazing," I sighed. "Is there a place to buy kitchen supplies and pans?"

"Do you feel the need to buy some of that?" Edward rubbed his nose against mine.

"Maybe."

"I’ll send a message to my office in Adrixx. They’ll have an answer for us when we get there."

"That’s wonderful."

* * *

"Ship it to this address," Edward gave the address of his office in Adrixx later, after I’d purchased a load of pans, knives and gadgets from a specialty store. The clerk, smiling at both of us, agreed quickly. Edward’s employees would send it to the groves.

"Now," he had an arm around me as we climbed into the back of a hover-limo after leaving the shop, "we’ll go to the jewelry store."

"But," I said.

"No, we need a ring, love. You’re not going to turn me down on this."

"Oh."

"Yes, oh," he smiled down at me. The hover-limo drove us to an exclusive shop, making me glad I’d dressed nicely for the day.

"Master Pendley," a doorman opened the heavy door for us. Edward had a hand at my back as I walked inside. Everything was decorated richly, from the Serendaan hand-woven carpets on the floor to the dark, polished wood paneling behind the displays. I knew the gray-haired man behind the counter recognized me, but as any good, discreet salesman should, he never made a comment.

"Now that we’ve cut the stones, you have to choose which you like and then select the setting," the man said, smiling. A black velvet tray was brought out, with cut Tiralian crystal lying on it. The stones glittered brightly against the dark fabric. A cut round stone was presented, along with a square stone and an oval.