Chapter 509: Misunderstanding
I could have let my grandmother's power out and attacked them to get to Ameline. Easily. Effortlessly. But doing so would have hurt and possibly killed a number of innocent demons and I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
Damn my conscience anyway.
Instead, Ahbi's power punishing me with jabbing pains to my gut, I turned and willingly went with the group now leading me out of the populated library and to the back of the room where I was funneled through a small door and into a private study chamber.
Empty, naturally. Perfect. Since I didn't for a second consider any of these demons innocent, I could act with impunity.
"We've been looking for you." Fenukamadi glared at me, gesturing to his people to guard the room.
"How lovely you found me then," I said. "But if you don't mind, I have a sociopathic murderer to hunt down, and now that you've let her go, I'll have to chase her again." I closed the distance between us in two quick strides before anyone could stop me, my anger snapping on like a light switch as I jabbed him in the chest with my index finger. "Nice going."
Hands tried to grab me, pull me away, but Ahbi was pissed. Did I say pissed? She was so flipping mad, the moment the Grabby McGrabbers latched on, they were flung back, a giant shock of discharged energy sending them flying.
Fenukamadi vibrated with a mix of anger and terror, holding his ground.
"Ameline is one of us," he said.
"Oh, because she knew your stupid secret handshake?" I made a rude gesture with my middle finger. "How's that? Work for you?"
His mouth opened and closed once before he stepped back. "You're wanted by the Guards for the murder of Ruler," he snapped, the distance giving him backbone. "And by Leader for the same reason."
"You can tell this Leader of yours my grandmother was murdered, all right, but the one who did the murdering just walked out dragging a little girl behind her. And you let her go." I wanted to slam him with magic, my demon and Ahbi offering up the power to do it, but shoved them both back. "How much of a moron are you? Didn't you think it rather convenient? Question? Second-guess?" He blanched as I went on, magic cutting through my words to slice the air. "Did you even for a second stop to ask yourself why a strange demon you'd never seen before offered me on a silver platter with no desire to take the credit for herself?"
"Colleague Ameline is on an important mission for Leader." Weak, so weak, his words, his tone. And even he winced when he was done.
"What mission is that?" I prodded him with two sharp points of energy, making him flinch. "Mind telling me?"
He stared, mute a moment. "She said it was secret," he whispered.
Idiot. Holy.
His shoulders squared as he drew a breath, clearly making up his mind to stand his ground. Double idiot. "We'll let Leader sort it out," Fenukamadi said with a measure of authority. "Bring her."
No one moved to touch me, the previously affected demons just regaining their feet.
I smirked, thinking of Ram. "You need an army," I said. "Got one?"
I had no idea what he was about to say, but it was the last real prod I managed to dig in. The door behind me whispered open, closing again quickly as the demon before me paled and bowed his head.
"Leader Culectorion," he said. "We've captured the fugitive."
I spun and glared at the new arrival, only to find Ram glaring back.
"I thought I told you to stay with the transport." His words spit out through gritted teeth.
"The last I checked, I'm the boss of me," I snarled back. Met the eyes of the demon beside him. No way this was big-shot Leader, at least not from his look. He seemed troubled, short and portly, reminding me a bit of Sassy's dad, Theridialis, though not aggressive at all.
"Your Highness," he bowed his head. "I'm afraid there's been a terrible misunderstanding. I've spoken to Rameranselot and believe we have a great deal to discuss."
I couldn't help shooting Ram a tight smile of disdain as I followed the small rebel leader, leaving the rest of them to trail in my wake like a procession.
I'd show them "Princess".
We wound our way through the building, down a steep flight of stairs and underground into a narrow tunnel. I didn't bother to talk to Ram who marched beside me, still seething, his magic pulsing in anger. Too bad for him. I had a job to do and if he didn't like it, he could suck it the hell up.
When we finally passed through a thick metal door and into what felt like an underground warehouse, I relented a little and reached for him.
Ameline was looking for something. His head turned just a little, a flicker of interest punctuating his anger. I have to find out what it is.
Ram shrugged, more to loosen the knots in his shoulders I was sure, because they settled more naturally as he nodded.
And then, there was nothing, nothing at all, but the heavenly smell of food. Hot and inviting, leading me by the nose to a low table with a cushioned bench where I collapsed and began to stuff my face while the demons around me watched in amazement.
I paused with my mouth full and met Culectorion's eyes. "Sorry," I mumbled. "Starving."
One of the demons lifted a steaming pitcher, hovering it over my cup, the scent of nectar so strong I felt the old addiction rise. But Ram covered my glass before the demon could pour and shook his head.
Outer plane nectar is stronger than what you're used to, he sent. Trust me. Pause. A sigh. Why do I bother?
Instead of shooting back a response, I reached for a second pitcher, this one gleaming with condensation, relieved to find it was water. Four big gulps emptied my first glass before I dove into the delicious food again.
Demoniconian cuisine had flavorings unrivaled on my plane, spices and sweetness I dreamed about. And while the spread before me had nothing on the banquets I'd enjoyed at the Seat, I thoroughly enjoyed every bite, even pausing to savor a few as my stomach expanded to uncomfortable.
Sighing in relief, sitting back with another glass of fresh water, I covered a little belch with one fist, blushing. I wasn't normally such a pig, but the combination of my demon's dominance and my absolute ravaging hunger had shoved me over the edge.
"Delicious," I said. "Thank you."
It made me feel a little better to notice Ram was helping himself pretty aggressively, too.
"It's our honor to have you here, Princess Sydlynhamitra." Culectorion sipped a cup of nectar while his people fell silent, eyes locked on him. While he didn't look like much, the impression was they respected and admired him. And since he was the first demon in this group of rebels to trust me-outside of Ram, I had to grudgingly admit-I leaned toward a bit of admiration myself.
"The honor is mine." I set my mug down, rubbing my fingers together to dry the moisture clinging to them. "I take it Ram has told you what he knows?"
"He has." Culectorion nodded slowly. "Might you fill in the rest?"
Encouraged by his attitude, I held nothing back, including Ameline's involvement and how she tricked my grandmother into opening the veil. The rebel leader didn't comment, though his people muttered occasionally as I went on. I finished with my encounter with Ameline and her subsequent trickery of his people.
"What could she have been looking for?" As much as the demon who'd collared me was still on my crap list, I felt bad for him, knowing how manipulative Ameline could be.
Culectorion shook his head, gaze far away. "I don't know, Your Highness," he said. "But if what you say is true, if this human disguised as a demon is a threat, we will find out."
"We're to meet with Leader," Ram spoke up. "We missed him in Milanseme because of our accident." Nice of him not to blame me, though I knew he implied it. Just knew it. "Is he in Bilhaeder?"
Culectorion shook his head, setting down his own glass, waving off the demon who tried to refill his cup. When his eyes met mine, they glowed amber, the nectar working its way through his system. "No," he said. "He's moved on to the next rally point in Ilogabon."
Ram swore softly, hands fisting on the tabletop. "I seem to be chasing his tail," he said.
Culectorion laughed, turning to Ram. "Leader is nothing if not elusive. And always on the move." He caught my eyes again, speculation in his gaze. "But he'll be most happy to meet you, Princess."
Culectorion swept to his feet, everyone else rising with him. I grabbed a handful of nutty clusters tasting vaguely like chicken curry for the road as the rebel leader came forward to grip Ram's hand then bow to me.
"I will send a message ahead to Leader," he said, "to alert him you're on your way. In the meantime, I expect a bath and some fresh clothing will make you feel more comfortable?"
Oh boy, would it.
"Thank you," I said. "But I have one thing to do first."
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