Demons Amongst Us (The Book of Demons Saga #2) (16 page)

“Take your wife for a stroll in the gardens,” Kaveh said, elaborating on the plan that Lady Carolina had laid out.  “Take her to the back wall of the prison building.  She will gain you access to see Balthazar.”

“And then what?” Tavi asked. 

“I will be an escort for the Sultana and her human pet,” Kaveh said.  “You will meet us in the far quadrant of the gardens.
  We will need you to ensure there is no security detail on that day.”

“You mean to tell me that you have a voice in who rules your country?” Nila asked, shocked by the possibility.  It was such a foreign idea.  “And they only rule for four years?”

“Yeah,” Alex laughed at the slack jawed reaction of the demoness.  She found she rather enjoyed Nila’s company. 

“I simply can not fathom how that could possibly work,” Nila said, still trying to comprehend the idea.

“It does,” Alex said with an assuring nod
.  “Most of the time anyway.”

A eunuch shuffled quietly into the room, interrupting the conversation.  He bowed to both Alex and Nila, and then held out a rolled piece of parchment to Nila.  She took it from him, u
nrolling it and reading over it as the eunuch left the room.

“Lord Tavi,” she said finally, looking up at Alex.  “He has summoned me.”

“Then it’s time,” Alex said, releasing a deep breath.  They had been waiting all day for the summons, but now that it was here she found her stomach tied in knots.  They were about to make their escape from the Devasi palace, and the clutches of the corrupt Ashdad.  She was praying everything went according to plan. 

“I will see you soon,” Nila said, rising from the cushions and straightening her silk robes.  “I hope.”

#

“Nila,” Tavi acknowledged
her as she emerged from the gate of the harem apartments.  He held his arm out for her and she anxiously took it.  She now knew that he was aware of her affair with Kaveh, and if demons could blush her face would be red hot.  As it was, she was working extra hard trying to hide the nervousness from her aura. 

“There is no need to be fearful,” Tavi said, seeing easily through her efforts.  He led them out into the gardens, along one of the many well-groomed paths that led through the grounds.  It was a beautiful sunny day, with a slight chill in the air that made Nila want to pull closer to Tavi for warmth.

“I am sorry,” Nila said so softly that Tavi scarcely heard it.  “About Kaveh…I did not want to…”

“I am not angry with you Nila,” Tavi
said, cutting her off. He knew what she was apologizing for, but he wasn’t sure if she completely understood the situation.  He did not really want to get into this conversation now.  “But you must stop.  I will not have such an act of disrespect committed against me.”

Nila almost felt her heart stop beating in her chest.  Part of her understood, but a larger part of her was so confused.  Tavi did not have even the slightest interest in her.  Their marriage was ordered by a Lord Sultan that was technically not in power anymore. 

“It is not your fault,” Tavi said, seeing Nila’s internal debate.  “You, as well as your sister, would be ideal brides.  However, my heart belongs elsewhere.  I can not betray that.”

“I understand,” Nila said,
turning her head to look up at Tavi.  She was pleased that he was opening up to her.  This was an issue that sorely needed to be discussed.  “And I’m sure you can understand my actions, by the same token.”

“You are in love with Kaveh?” Tavi asked, turning his head to look
down at Nila as they continued to stroll through the gardens, trying to look casual.  The thought that Nila, and Kaveh particularly, were acting on the deep feeling of love for each other had never really crossed his mind.  He had assumed she was driven to Kaveh’s arms due to his own inattention. 

“Very much,” Nila admitted, her eyes falling to
the ground before them.  Even though it was a loveless marriage, she couldn’t look her husband in the eyes while she told him she was in love with another. 

“I did not realize,”
Tavi said quietly.  The two continued on their designated path, both lost in thought of the peculiar conversation that had just taken place, until they came to the building that housed the prison complex. 

Tavi was the head of palace security, and it was
his job to appoint guards at various points in the palace.  It was easy enough to station a couple of particularly loyal guards at the gate of the prisons.  They would not sound the alarm for any peculiar sights or sounds, but they also would also not defy a direct order of the Lord Sultan and allow Tavi to enter the prisons.  He did not want to implicate anyone else in this plan to see Balthazar.  He nodded to the guards and continued to lead Nila around the building.  The back wall was tall, and bare of any windows or doors.  It was backed up to the outer wall of the palace, leaving only a narrow grassless area between the two.  The couple looked anxiously around them, ensuring that no eyes were on them and disappeared into the gap.  Nila pulled the small golden ball from her robe pocket, and with a little concentration opened a door for them into the prison building.

Once they were inside the prison complex, the stench of tortured souls hit their noses.  It was well known that prisoners were not terribly well taken care of, and often tortured to gain confessions.  Nila covered her nose with the sleeve of her robe as they made their way through the bottom floor of the complex, past
metal barred cells with lethargic captives inside that barely gave them a passing glance.  Balthazar would not be kept in these squalled conditions.  He was a royal prince, the crown prince, and even in captivity he would be treated with respect.  They made their way silently up to the second floor, Nila clinging tightly to Tavi slightly fearful of the sights she was seeing.  Tavi, having been raised in the military was accustomed to less than savory sights. 

They were finally able to pinpoint Balthazar’s scent once
they were on the second floor.  But when they opened the door to his room they were shocked to find him in a state of blind rage.  He was tied down to the bed, his eyes clouded over with crimson.  His beast was in complete control and his body was broken and bloody.

“We must get him out of here,” Tavi said, the anger and fear for his older brother and best friend thick in his voice. 

“If we unchain him,
he will attack us,” Nila said, still clinging to Tavi.  “and we cannot contain him.”

“He is in pain,” Tavi said, stepping closer to the bed.  “He is dying.  We have to do something.”

The sight of the usually so composed demon prince, chained to a bed, blood pouring from his body enraged Tavi.  Ashdad was leaving him here to die.  She knew Tavi was right.  Something had to be done.  They could not leave Balthazar in this state, and they could not bring him with them without being torn to shreds the moment they removed his chains.  Balthazar growled wildly into the empty space of the darkened room he was being kept in. 

“There is something
,” Nila said, her mind slowly processing the plan she was forming.  “But it will be terribly risky.”

“Do it,” Tavi said, without thinking twice or stopping to hear what the plan was.
  If they did nothing, he didn’t know how much longer Balthazar would last.

“But,” Nila’s eyes darted from Tavi to Balthazar, “there is a possibility his memories will be removed.”

“What possibility?” Tavi asked, urgency in his voice.

“My abilities are not strong,” Nila admitted, “and I would be stepping into dangerous waters.  I have heard my father speak of the possibilities magic allows for c
ontrolling a beast, but with severe consequences.”

“I understand,” Tavi said. 
Magic was a powerful tool when in the right hands.  Balthazar had attempted to use Alexandra’s ability to control his beast.  Tavi had seen, and felt, the consequences of that attempt failing.  He thought out the possibilities for a moment.  Balthazar could very easily die, and Nila was far from a powerful enchanter.  He knew what they needed.

“Your father,” Tavi said, looking to Nila.  “You must get your father.”

“My father,” Nila gasped, scared at the simple thought of having to tell her father everything that was going on.  “I can not…”

“You must,” Tavi argued.  “There is no other way. 
He has the most powerful magic in the kingdom.  Lord Balthazar deserves no less.”

Nila knew he was right.  There was no way she could pull off a feat like controlling a beast, especially one as powerful as Balthaza
r’s, and in as deep a rage as he was in.

“I will go,” Nila said with a small nod. “But what if he refuses to come?”

“Go to Lord Darius first,” Tavi said, “He will form all the arguments you need. I will wait here.”

#

“You cannot be serious,” Arastoo said, his eyes shifting from Darius to his youngest daughter.  He was utterly shocked by the accusations they were making.

“Father,” Nila pleaded, “we need you.  Lord Balthazar needs you.”

“Be careful, Nila,” Arastoo warned.  “Balthazar is still a prince, not a lord.”

“Damn that,” Nila blurted out, surprising not only her father but Darius as well by the outburst.  “We all know there is something not right about Ashdad.  Am I the only one not afraid to say so?”

“You are not,” Darius cut in, trying to calm Nila.  “However, we must be cautious.  Lord Ashdad is extremely powerful.  He has achieved something thought to be only a myth.  He can transform to human form.  That is not something to scoff at, and even together we cannot oppose him.”

“But Lord Balthazar can,” Nila said, her voice still pleading as her lavender eyes stared up at her father.  “I know he can.  We must save him.”

Arastoo looked from his daughter to Darius, who gave a small nod confirming that he felt the same.  He too had suspicions about the Lord Sultan, but had elected to remain aloof after the assassination of Salaman.  His impression of Balthazar was little more than a spoiled demon prince, but Arastoo knew that at his heart he was good.  They had had their differences, but it was time to put those aside for the good of the kingdom.

“I will need you to retrieve something for me Nila,” Arast
oo said with a sigh.

“Anyth
ing you need father,” Nila said, a relieved smile spreading across her lips.

#

Tavi was beginning to get very worried.  It had been quite some time since Nila had left.  He feared his original assumption that Arastoo would assist them was off.  Balthazar was getting worse by the second.  If they didn’t act soon, his beast would take control forever.  As it was, he had no idea how long Balthazar had been like this.  Tavi could feel his anger rising at the treatment of his brother.  He should never have been handled like this, and he vowed in that moment that Ashdad would pay for this.  Tavi let out a short, low growl to release his frustration.

“Your anger will not assist us,” Arastoo said from behind his fellow council member.

“Where is Nila?” Tavi asked, turning around and seeing only Arastoo standing there.  He was a little shocked that he hadn’t smelled or sensed Arastoo’s approach, his anger clouding his senses.

“My daughter does not belong in a place like this,” Arastoo said, disapproval heavy in his voice.  Tavi knew that Arastoo was less than happy about her marriage to him.  It was nothing
personal, Tavi knew that, it was the simple fact that Arastoo had assumed his daughter would one day be the Sultana.  He was still a little sore that she wasn’t.

“Can you help him?” Tavi asked, motioning to the
ever-worsening Balthazar.

“I will certainly do my best,” Arastoo said, “but
it is likely he will lose his memories.  This is an intense process, and there is a distinct possibility it will kill him sooner than fix him.”

“I understand,” Tavi said.  “Do what you must.  He will certainly die if we do nothing.”

Carolina and Alex were waiting patiently
with Kaveh in the back corner of the palace garden, trying their best to look like nothing was amiss.  They had been waiting the entire day, and the darkness was quickly approaching.  Soon the ladies would need to return to the harem apartments, or risk garnering suspicions.  Alex was not comfortable with the idea of Kaveh escorting them, remembering the way he had assaulted her the last time she met him in the royal gardens.  Balthazar had intervened and saved her before the assault became violent.  Now they were sitting so casually with him.

“They will come,” Carolina said to Alex,
sensing the discomfort in her aura.

“It’s getting late,”
Alex said, the worry showing on her face.  Carolina sat up suddenly.  Her nose caught a horrible smell, before her eyes landed on the source of it.