Author's Preface
Merkra: Earlier you made a distinction between devils and demons. Can you tell us the difference?
Grimjaw: It’s kind of a square and rectangle situation. All devils are demons, but not all demons are devils. Anything that calls any of the seven Hells its home is considered a demon. Some are sent there and corrupted by it. Some are born there. Devils happen when a demon amasses power beyond a certain threshold. There are a lot of ways to do that, but the usual culprit is an errant Aether line that breaks through the planes.
Solana: What kind of influence would devils or demons have on the other planes?
Grimjaw: Depends on how much power they’ve achieved. It may seem counterintuitive, but the less powerful the demon, the easier it is for them to cross the rift and get into other realms. Nine times out of ten, a legitimate possession is just some peon demon who slipped its master’s clutches.
Merkra: What about the more powerful ones?
Grimjaw: They are generally more contained. There is historical precedence for devils finding ways to interact with the denizens of other realms. Even cross over on rare occasions.
Solana: So theoretically, there could have been a portal beneath the castle at the Emerald Isles?
Grimjaw: If there was, I’ve never heard of it. That being said, most of the breaches in that time were handled by druids and not the religious orders.
Kidnap an already kidnapped infant. She’d given it a halfhearted attempt. Whether it was the pain of recovery or the questionable morality of what was asked of her, no one could say Atania hadn’t tried. The last month had been a tightening spiral of agony and exhaustion. Being blasted by fire was obviously the worst of it, but having her back and legs hacked away at every other day had not been any better.
“You’re all good.” Gerard rumbled as he looked over his handy work. “Cleared for duty.”
“Thanks.” Atania shrugged her shirt back on then stepped into her pants. “I’m still in a little pain, you have any more of that tonic you gave me for sleep?”
Gerard gave her a skeptical look, but nodded. “If it lasts any longer than a few more days, come see me. I don’t think I missed anything, but could be a deeper issue.”
“You’re the boss.” She picked at the downy fuzz emerging from her scalp where a soft cloud of curls once sat. It was a lie. Ache from the wounds had been gone for weeks, but her mind was a pit trap she fell into every time she tried to sleep. Closing her eyes meant seeing Benicio consumed by fire. It meant reliving the kindest soul she’d ever known turning into a being so twisted she couldn’t recognize him. Even if he’d forced her…it meant walking away to let him die.
Atania took the vial from Gerard and gave him a nod before leaving the medical wing. She’d have to go find Penelope and tell her she was ready for assignment, but she wasn’t in any rush. She stopped at her quarters, grabbed a jug of liquor from a false bottom in Benicio’s things she’d refused to let anyone clear out, then left the castle.
The children all played out in the yard as she approached the cluster of buildings opposite the castle. Rekk sat on the porch watching over them, immense crossbow leaning against the wall beside him as he rocked in his chair. She gave a half wave as she hopped up the steps.
“Thought you forgot old Rekk.” He said as a grin stretched the tight wrinkles of his face.
“If only.” Atania rolled her eyes and offered him the bottle. “You got glasses?”
He huffed and snatched the alcohol from her. “Glasses.” He grumbled through a wry grin as he popped the cork and gave the clear liquor a sniff. “Gods alive…” He blinked a few times as the fumes watered his eyes, then took a long draw from it and passed the bottle back.
Atania chuckled and planted herself in the seat beside him, taking a swig from it herself. She’d never known how Benicio stomached this swill. It took to her head like a hammer and tasted like absolute piss.
“You heard about Benicio.” She asked, not looking up from the bottle in her lap.
“Aye.” His chair creaked as he rocked back again and sighed. “What happened?”
“Penelope sent us blind into a dragon.” Atania took another swig and passed it back to him.
“No shit?” Something between a laugh and a grunt escaped his throat. “Guess that explains the group she sent out a couple weeks ago. Must have been thirty of us.”
“They bring back the crystal?” Atania glanced over at him.
“If they did I didn’t see it.” Rekk shrugged and passed the bottle back. “I’m sorry about Benicio, Kiddo.”
Atania gave a sad smile and pressed her cheek against the hand that he’d rested on her shoulder. Rekk had been the closest thing to a father figure they would find on this island. He was a crotchety old bastard when they were kids, and he’d only grown older since, but he’d always had a soft spot for the two of them. She wiped at her eyes, preempting the water works and cleared her throat.
“I think I’ve cried enough over that. What have you been up to? Any promising kids coming up I should keep my eye on?”
“Couple…” He nodded, but looked over at her suspiciously. “Those aren’t the ones you’re actually interested in though, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come off it. You heard about Penelope bringing the kid with the horns, and you want the dirt.” He waved a hand at her and snatched the bottle back. “And you think you can bribe me with booze?!” He took a large glug of the liquor.
She raised an eyebrow but finally nodded. “Yeah, I kinda did.”
“Well, you’re right.” He said with a hearty laugh that she joined.
It felt good…to laugh again. She hadn’t in weeks. Not since Fletcher had found her on the road. Then, before that, since before Benicio started going to visit Father regularly.
“So, tell me about her. Girl with horns has to be memorable, right?” She asked, taking the bottle back from him.
“She’s just a baby. Not much to remember except a little bone popping out of her head on either side.” Rekk shrugged. “Penelope took her couple weeks ago though. Terran said she’s going to raise her herself. Haven’t seen her since.”
Atania’s eyebrows raised, and she glanced at the castle. “She’s keeping a kid in the castle?” Did she deliver her to Father herself? Some weird power play? That didn’t make a lot of sense. What did she have to gain from angering Father?
Rekk shrugged. “Not sure. All I know is Terran was not happy about it. No arguing with that little…”
“Rekk!” Atania cut him off, eyes snapping from him to the courtyard before them. “You gotta watch it. The stars have turned a few times for you. Penelope won’t give you mercy just cause you’re a cranky old shit.”
“Little fire headed shit isn’t going to do anything to me.” Rekk rolled his eyes but didn’t push it.
Atania looked out over the courtyard again, examining the castle. She tried to picture Penelope pacing back and forth, rocking an infant to sleep, bottle feeding, skipping through the halls knowing a vastly more powerful being was a breath away from tearing a hole in space.
“Doesn’t make any sense.” Atania shook her head. “Why would she want a kid?”
“Beats me.” Rekk sipped at the bottle and gestured over to the kids running around and playing between the buildings. “She’s always liked spending time with them. Maybe she fancies herself a mother.”
She’d cut herself off from the bottle long before Rekk had, much to the chagrin of his wife. After a couple hours of catching up with him, she’d started to feel a little better, only for the feeling to fade as two of the King’s personal guard approached through the courtyard.
“Honored Deviltouched.” The Null guards both bowed to a nearly ninety-degree angle.
Another drop of booze and she may have laughed…or spat. They bowed as if she were some sacred thing and not just another tool. “At ease. What’s going on?” She asked, getting up from her seat to stand at the top of the stairs.
They rose from their bow, and the younger of the two men addressed her. “The king requests your presence in the meeting room at your earliest convenience.”
At her earliest convenience? Atania raised an eyebrow slightly, but nodded. “I’ll be there shortly.” The Null soldiers bowed to her again, causing her stomach to lurch slightly, then spun and headed back to the castle.
“Impor-hic-tant meeting with the king, eh?” Rekk slurred, waving the bottle in her direction. “Got himself a new favorite?”
“You’re drunk.” Atania rolled her eyes. “Probably got word of my recovery and has a job for me.” Which probably meant that Penelope was there waiting as well. She sighed and turned back toward the old man. “Thanks for talking to me, Rekk.” Stepping to his side, she kissed his fine-lined cheek gently.
“Anytime, kid,” He said, patting her shoulder. “Don’t forget about old Rekk, huh?”
“Never.” She smiled down at him and let out a breathy chuckle before turning and crossing the courtyard.
She gave herself a few minutes in her chambers after changing into the new set of leather armor she’d been given. The king’s insignia blazed onto the shoulder pauldron. Marking her like a wound that hadn’t scabbed over. Atania eyed it scrupulously, contemplated tearing the armor off, then sheathed Ember and headed for the meeting room.
She arrived at the door to the meeting chamber and fussed with the armor. Fresh leather never fit right at first. Always riding up and pinching. She glanced at the guard outside the door and gave him a nod. He bowed his head then pushed the door open without a word.
“Atania.” King Vilrut glanced up from the paper he was reading. For a Null, his eyes were more green than some of the Deviltouched she’d seen, and they had a very fishhook-like quality. Once his gaze dug into you, it wasn’t coming out without significant pain. “Please join me.”
She stepped around the otherwise vacant table until she got to the chair to his left, where she got down on one knee and bowed her head. “Your Highness.”
“No need for all that.” He offered his hand to help her to her feet and then gestured at the chair. “Please sit.”
“Thank you.” She swallowed slightly, but did as instructed. He pushed a glass of deep purple wine her way.
“I heard what transpired with Benicio, and that the two of you were close. I wanted to offer my condolences.” He said, gesturing for her to drink.
The sweetness assaulted her senses, and she struggled not to recoil from it. Finally swallowing, she nodded. “Thank you. He was a good man.”
“Indeed.” The king’s smile stretched across his face, beautiful teeth gleaming at her with the calculation of a predator imitating hospitality. “If there is anything that I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“That is too kind, Your Highness. I assure you, I’ll be fine.”
King Vilrut took the decanter of purple liquid and poured himself another glass. “This is the finest wine we grow here in Etos. I provide shards of dragon heart to the vineyard to add to their water supply to give it that little something extra.”
“It is delightful.” She lifted her glass and pressed it to her lips, but left the liquid in the glass. “I assume you didn’t ask me here just to drink your wine, though?”
He wagged his finger at her with mock reproach and leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. “Very astute. I received a letter of recommendation today from one of my nobles suggesting we hire a bard to play all our engagements.” He produced a folded piece of paper from a pocket in his silken coat and held it out for her. “Ordinarily this would be a job for Penelope, but she’s been incredibly hard to wrangle the last few days. I need you to vet him for me. Make sure there is no funny business.”
“I can do that.” She said as she skimmed the letter. She froze as her eyes found the name. Fletcher Sterling Lightfoot . “Was this a request from the bard? Or just a recommendation from the noble?”
“As far as I am aware just a recommendation.” The king’s shoulder raised slightly. “He is quite good. I believe he’s the same one that played the New Year’s Gala.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The door to the chamber burst open suddenly, wild red locks approached on the opposite side of the table. “You called for me, my king?” Penelope gave a slight bow, giving her very obvious side eye.
“Several times, actually.” King Vilrut was the only Null she’d ever seen not kowtow to Penelope. If there was any fear that she could tear him in two, he didn’t show it. “Atania was kind enough to handle one of the tasks I had for you, but there are several more things I need tended to. Was there any other questions you had for me, Atania?”
“No, and thank you again, Your Majesty.” She stood up and bowed deeply again. “I’ll return as soon as I am finished with my verdict.”