Demon’s Quest (High Demon #4)(42)
Author: Connie Suttle

"We were so worried," Farla lifted her tear-stained face to her oldest son.

"I think I will be fine now," Fes sighed. "Do you think they will allow me some water?"

"Gavril and Wylend will escort you here," I blinked at the vid-map that Lendill had splashed on a wall of his office. Lendill pointed to a spot on the map showing where the family would be and then where I was expected to sit—nearby but not with the family at Addah’s funeral. "Lok, Tory, Erland, Rylend and I will provide security, in addition to Gavril’s four warlocks. I believe Farzi and Nenzi may also be there with you, Reah."

"I want them with me," I nodded. Ilvan and Edan were also in this meeting, but they were welcome to sit with the family. I’d separated from them, so I was no longer entitled. It didn’t matter—none of those there, except for Edan and Ilvan, would likely recognize me.

"I will sit with Reah," Edan said. "If she’ll allow it."

Turning to Edan, I nodded at him. Slowly I was getting used to him. Becoming accustomed to the face that was so different now. Before, Edan would get angry over nothing. This one I had yet to see angry. What was your name before? I sent mindspeech. The effort was likely useless, but this was an easier way to ask.

What? How did you? His voice came through clearly.

You have mindspeech. Likely Kifirin gave it to you, I answered.

Come rest your head on my shoulder and I’ll tell you, he returned. Blinking at him, I worked to make the decision. Rising from my seat, I went to sit beside Edan on Lendill’s sofa. He pulled my head onto his shoulder and kissed my temple. My name was Eldan, he told me. Not far from Edan, don’t you think?

No. Not far off, I agreed.

I was nearly two hundred when I was brought here, he added.

I’m glad it’s you, instead, I told him. He ran a hand over my hair.

"You are allowed to attend under the bereavement clause," the Warden examined Marzi Desh with distaste. She’d kept the last name against her ex-husband’s wishes. Marzi was a troublemaker inside the prison—had most of her neighbors in conflict at all times. Even now, she was blinking her beautiful blue eyes at the Warden. He huffed at her pitiful attempts at flirting—his taste ran to males. Of course, she wouldn’t know that—Marzi wasn’t bright enough to read the signals. She did know how to keep things unsettled around her, however. Warden Brig Andlen pursed his lips at the thought.

"You will have guards around you constantly, you will be cuffed and should you do anything other than what is directed by your attendants, those cuffs will be activated. Do you understand?"

"Of course I do." Marzi’s voice was low and sultry as she drew a pattern on her knee suggestively. Brig was thankful she was chained for the interview.

"Spare me—I find it insulting," Brig snapped. "You will have suitable clothing provided, but you will not be allowed to keep it. You will attend the funeral only, and return to the prison upon its conclusion. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Now she was angry and nearly spat the word at Brig.

"Get her out of here," Brig nodded at Marzi’s guards.

Marzi called Brig an extremely unkind name as she was escorted to her cell. "There’s one on the top floor that sends his greetings," the guard on her left whispered carefully. "He says that the white-haired bitch needs to suffer. He wants you to get close enough." Marzi, who’d done favors for both her guards, smiled.

"I’ll owe you," she said sweetly. "Both of you."

"You’ll have a heavy coat issued—winter is well-established," the other guard said softly. "You’ll find what you need inside a pocket. And we’ll expect the usual. Tonight and for the next six moon-turns."

"You’ll get that and more," Marzi promised with a smile.

Former Master Cook Vyn Bralnon paced across his cell. The men’s prison was located two floors above that of the women’s. He wasn’t without resources, and he’d watched every bit of news available, as soon as Aldah Desh accused Reah of killing his father. Aldah was the murderer as it turned out, but Vyn still blamed Reah for his imprisonment. He hated her. Would always hate her. Plus, he had ways of acquiring what he wanted. His mother still lived, and anything she could do for him, she would.

Vyn’s mother, Stria, had bribed guards too many times to count, just to get a treat or some bit of contraband inside. This time, however, Vyn had two particular guards bribed—or at least his mother did. Reah Desh would attend Addah’s funeral—that had somehow been leaked to the press. Marzi Desh, two floors down in the women’s prison, would also attend.

Vyn didn’t care what happened to Marzi—he only wanted Reah dead. It would be simple—supply Marzi with a weapon and Reah would die. Rumors abounded inside prison walls, but it was no secret that Marzi hated Reah just as much as Vyn did. Vyn smiled. His plan was perfect. Reah would die, Marzi would likely be killed onsite and since the guards would keep their part in this secret, Vyn would achieve his objective with no repercussion. His mood was nearly gleeful as he flopped onto his narrow bed. Now, if he could just find a way to speed through the next few turns of his sentence, life would be so much better.

"We’ll wait until after the funeral to have our meeting," Lissa sighed. Kiarra had come to give Lissa information regarding the mentally ill Ra’Ak. "Reah took that one down on Tulgalan, thankfully. She needs to hear this, too."

"Yes, she does," Kiarra agreed. "And we must all be more watchful. Invite everyone connected to this, regardless. The more who know, the better we’ll be at recognizing the signs."

"Lendill, Norian and Lok have been investigating more of the sites where children disappeared. So far they haven’t learned anything new," Lissa said.

"We need a liaison between the ASD, what Gavril has in place and the Saa Thalarr," Kiarra said.

"Plus Wylend’s warlocks," Lissa agreed. "You know, Denevik may be interested—Garde says that he’s bored, most of the time."

"I’ll consult with Pheligar. If he agrees, then we’ll approach him," Kiarra nodded.

"Reah, I realize you may never wear that dress again, but you are beautiful in it." Corolan had a hand at my back as we were escorted into the temple for Addah’s funeral. It looked to be a lavish affair. Erland walked ahead of us, Wylend behind with Ry. Cory looked more the part of King of Karathia than Wylend did, and that was by design. Cory was offering himself as a target, allowing Wylend to stand at his side and appear to be a guard.

Teeg was behind Wylend, with all four of the Starr warlocks guarding him and Wylend. Farzi and Nenzi, dressed finely for the occasion and looking quite handsome, walked on either side of Teeg. I pitied anyone who tried to harm the founding member of the Campiaan Alliance. Lok and Lendill had already gone inside; just to make sure all was well inside the temple before we arrived by hover-limo. Edan and Ilvan were walking on either side of Corolan and me—Ilvan would break away and join the family at a prearranged seat, Edan would remain with me.