Chapter 516: Leader
"My lord," my guide broke my gaping silence for me, "Her Highness must be ravenous."
Leader-my grandfather-nodded quickly and took my arm, linking it through his as he led me, unresisting, under a wide archway similar to the front door and into a long, narrow room, seating me himself in a massive chair before sitting beside me at the head of the table. My quiet guide gestured and the others in the room joined us, though I noticed he remained, silent and watchful, at my grandfather's shoulder.
"You seem surprised to see me, Sydlynhamitra." Leader-Grandfather-I'd heard his name before, hadn't I?
"I thought you were dead or something." Way to mumble yourself into embarrassment, Hayle.
Grandfather laughed, a deep belling sound, and his followers joined him. All but his protector who held as still as ever. And Ram, beside me.
"Whoever told you I was dead? Your grandmother?" He shook his head, helping himself to a mug of nectar, which I rejected when he tried to fill my glass. "That would be like Ahbi."
Come to think of it, no one ever said what happened to Dad's father. And I'd not pushed the matter, either.
"Not her fault," I said, struggling with my composure as I met the eyes of the man who'd once ruled Demonicon with Ahbi. "I'm new around here."
He nodded slowly, the concerned elder, one large hand patting mine as he pulled his best loving granddad routine. He was so much like Ahbi I almost laughed, feeling the soft pressure of his magic, observing the polished way he performed for me. Wasn't buying it. But he didn't need to know that.
"I was delighted to hear you and your sister were finally able to return to your home plane," he said as a slim, young demon set a plate of food in front of me. I dug in, starving again, figuring if they planned to drug me they would have done it by now. "Though I am saddened by the circumstances of your homecoming."
"I bet," I said around a steaming mouthful of mushroom-shaped vegetables tasting of steak and maple syrup. "Having me kidnapped must have broken your heart."
The barest flicker of anger passed through his amber eyes. "I took the risk to your life much more seriously than your father," he said. "You have me to thank for your safety."
I sat back from my half-empty plate and glared at him. "No," I said. "Actually, if you took even a moment to find out anything at all about me, your little liberation act put your whole rebellion at risk." I leaned forward, letting my grandfather feel the edges of the power I had at my disposal as his eyes widened a fraction. "You have no idea who I am, Gramps. And I'm tired of your little foot soldiers getting in my way."
He sat back himself, a tight smile pulling against his lips. He really was a handsome old demon, my father reflected in his rugged face. "There are larger things at stake here, girl."
"You bet your red behind," I snapped. Guard boy wavered just a bit, eyes locked on me, but I ignored him. Just let him try anything and I'd have Shaylee's earth magic rearrange his body parts. "Like the safety of Demonicon."
"Your grandmother put our way of life at risk by perpetuating an unjust regime," Grandfather said.
"And was killed by an evil witch who wants to steal the power of your Node for herself," I shot back.
Well now. That got his attention. Grandfather paled slightly, breath catching as he leaned closer again. "What are you talking about?"
Before I could answer, a young female demon, the tiniest demon I'd ever seen, rushed into the room, eyes locking on me, a tall and stunningly beautiful female entering behind her.
"Henemordonin," the tiny demon said, hurrying toward us, as the wheels in my mind clicked over and my grandfather's name finally came back to me. "You promised you'd tell me when she arrived." The doll-like female stopped in a rush at my chair, barely taller than I was sitting as she stood there, beaming down at me, so much hope in her face, with her petite hands clasped to her chest, I lost my animosity and smiled hesitantly back.
"I am Avenesequoia," she said in her high-pitched but lovely girl voice. "Please," she went on, near to tears, lower lip trembling though she smiled, "can you tell me how my brother is? How is dear Sassafras?"
Sass had a sister? "He's fine," I said. Weak, Syd. Give her more than that. "He's here on Demonicon." In Ostrogotho. If she was a rebel, that wouldn't do much to help her.
But Avenesequoia beamed at me, leaning forward to kiss my cheek with her delicate lips before hugging me around the neck.
"Thank you," she said. "We'll talk of him later?"
I nodded as she let me go, turning to take a seat quickly vacated on the other side of my grandfather. Her companion slid into her own place, smiling at me with hooded eyes. Grandfather first patted the girl's hand, gazing at her with what seemed like real affection as she helped herself to a mug of nectar before nodding to the stunning demon next to her.
"Sekaniphestat," he said. "You've returned from Ostrogotho."
"Only briefly, my lord," the female said. "There is still much to do before our victory can be seized." She continued to smile at me. "Your forgiveness, Sydlynhamitra," Sekaniphestat said. "I was only acting on orders, you understand."
Sorry? "What orders?" I turned to my grandfather with a sick feeling in my stomach as I realized how much Avenesequoia, Sassy's sister, looked like the woman beside her.
"Mine," Grandfather said. "We had to get you out of Ostrogotho. And making you look guilty of Ahbi's murder facilitated that."
My eyes locked on Sekaniphestat as absolute rage flooded my body. Only sheer will power and my vampire's steady whispering kept me from flying over the table at the still-smiling demon.
"You're Theridialis's former mate," I said, proud through my haze of fury how level my voice was. "Sassy's mother." My demon squirmed for freedom, roaring for her blood. "You lied to the tribunal."
Grandfather squeezed my hand, drawing my attention. "As I said," he refused to let me go even when I applied pressure. "An unfortunate necessity. There was no way we'd be able to protect you in the higher levels of the Seat. We had to manipulate the facts to save you."
Such. A. Liar. "And destabilize Dad so he'd be in the perfect position to fall."
Grandfather had the good grace to flinch. Just a little bit. Only enough I saw it around his eyes, the tightness of his mouth. "Indeed," he said. "Now," he leaned forward, as though this revelation was nothing of any consequence. "Tell me about this threat you mentioned. The Node is in danger?"
Way to change the subject. I'd deal with the whole betrayal of all that was good and Sydly later. He seemed to be listening at last, a real frown on his face, so I shrugged and let it go.
"It's the reason I'm here in the first place," I said, diving into the story. He stopped me when I told him about finding Ahbi, skimming over her death as best I could. Grandfather-Henemordonin-needed more details.
After telling him what I remembered of Ahbi's death, I let him feel the geas she'd laid on me, watching his face crumple slightly, real grief clouding his eyes as his hand once again settled on mine.
"She was an incredible woman," he said. "Stubborn. Self-righteous. Old fashioned and set in her ways. But I've never met anyone who I loved more than Ahbi Sanghamitra."
I caught the small scowl on Sekaniphestat's face, gone as quickly as it came at his words and wondered where her real loyalties lay.
I finished my story while my empathy grew for my grandfather in spite of myself, understanding he was who he was not by choice, but as a result of the pressure of his culture. By the time I finished off with what we'd learned of Ameline's goals and the warning of how we'd been tracked by Guards to every destination, Henemordonin seemed much more real to me than the mask he'd worn when we first met.
"Troubling indeed, my dear," he said while everyone watched him, including his protector. And me. I had to admit, he oozed charisma naturally, much like Ahbi , like my father did, only with the practiced ease of long centuries of use. "Though I have to agree with Theridialis of Fourth. The Node is inaccessible to those without monitor status."
Avenesequoia frowned into her cup as though wanting to disagree and I made a note to corner her the moment I had the chance. The furtive looks she cast my way told me I wouldn't have to force her to talk to me, at least.
"This rebellion has been brewing for centuries," Henemordonin said while his people sighed as one, nodding as though he spoke gospel. I scowled internally before forcing myself to listen and pay attention. If I was going to talk him down, I needed to understand as much as I could about his motivations. "I fought with your grandmother for what seemed like an age, but I always respected her." A slow wink, a bit of a smile, the benevolent Leader shone through before he went on. "But because of her refusal to accept other viewpoints, I have been forced to work behind the scenes, gathering to me those who are willing and able to free our people from her oppression."
Sounded like a well-practiced speech to me. "By starting a civil war."
Henemordonin nodded slowly, sadness returning, but the fake kind this time. He was demon enough, I was sure, to relish a real battle. "I have been prompting unrest since we broke our mating, shortly after your father was born. I gave up my position as Second Seat to work for my people's greater good." The watching demons were going to clap any second now. Seriously.
"Is it really worth it to start a war that will destroy all the good that's been done?" I was preaching to a deaf audience, I could tell almost immediately. Except for Ram, who hadn't touched a bite and watched me out of the corner of his eye, no one else paid the slightest attention to what I said.
"We will create even greater good, Sydlynhamitra," Henemordonin said with grand poise and a hearty smile for his followers, raising his glass. "It will come through fire and through hell, yes. But when we are through, all demons will be equal." Mugs thudded against the tabletop as they saluted him.
"What exactly are you aiming for?" Felt like communism to me. Not that I had anything against the idea. But it never worked out the way anyone intended. There were always those stronger and those weaker. Equality was a sad pipe dream.
Hey. I'd been paying attention in history after all. Wicked.
"Only what your own human people enjoy," my grandfather said. "I believe you call it democracy."
I had to laugh. Choked on it, flushing it back with a gulp of water while my memory teased me with Ram's mention of voting for city commanders. Was he really serious? "Demons won't survive democracy," I said. The very idea was ludicrous. What was he thinking? "You're going to rule by vote? Do you have any idea how many people would die every time there was an election?" I could see it now.
"We have no intention of lifting our laws against killing each other," Henemordonin said somewhat coldly. "But the status system serves no one any longer. No one but the aristocracy."
Such bullpucky. "You do realize cream rises to the top?" I looked around the table at the adoring faces of his followers. "There will always be leaders, rulers, in a way. Even in democracy, someone has to take the reins."
"Ah, but duly selected by their peers," Henemordonin said.
"Who've been brow beaten and brainwashed into believing what each of the candidates wants them to believe." This was a disaster waiting to happen. It barely worked for us on my plane. Put demons in a position where they could be led by popular vote?
Shudder.
"So you think a small family of so-called noble blood should continue to control all of our destinies?" My grandfather patted my hand with a disdainful expression. "You've been influenced by your position, my dear."
Anger stewed, churning in my stomach around the food I'd just eaten. "You fail to recall I wasn't raised on Demonicon." Temper, Syd. Diplomacy. "My position, as you call it, has brought me nothing but trouble." Story of my life. Deep breaths. "Have you even for a moment considered talking to Dad about this? He's not Ahbi, you know."
"I have great respect for Haralthazar," my grandfather said. "He resisted his mother far longer than any other demon has been able-myself included. But he is a son of the ruling class, sits in Ruler's seat. As much as I love my son, he is now my enemy."
Talk about black and white.
"And even if he did listen," Henemordonin continued, "he is a young Ruler, not yet in control of his own family and position. While he might side with the rebellion, there is no promise the rest of Demonicon's ruling class will follow suit. No," he sighed as though in regret, the liar, "we've been complacent long enough. Though regrettable, your grandmother's passing is a sign we have to move, and quickly, to ensure we succeed in our goals for the future of all demons."
A murmur of agreement traveled the table, though Sassy's sister and Ram seemed to hold their peace, as did Henemordonin's protector.
Whatever. Let them implode, self-destruct. Dad had his hands full. But I had another job to do, one that would hopefully ensure he had the chance to kick his own father's ass.
I pushed my chair back and stood up. "Well, good luck with that." Protector demon tensed as my grandfather rose. A chorus of chairs scraping backward filled the silence as everyone else joined us on our feet. "Thanks for dinner and everything. Nice meeting you. But I have something to take care of and you, clearly, have plotting and mayhem to sort out." My eyes flickered from Henemordonin to his hovering demon attack cat and back. "Let me know how it turns out. Next family reunion."
"I'm afraid I'll have to insist on your company for a little longer, my dear." Henemordonin gestured, his lanky bodyguard coming forward instantly, power flowing under his taut skin and over long, lean muscle. "While you are my beloved granddaughter," yeah, right, "you are also the daughter of Ruler. Which means you are valuable in this beyond measure."
Oh he did not just call me a pawn in so many words.
"Belkni," he said, finally giving a name to the very dangerous demon I'd not once underestimated, "please escort my granddaughter to her new quarters."
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