Chapter 20: Jabs And Parries

Tanasharia's not-so-subtle jabs at me started up pretty much from the moment we took off. Nothing overtly vicious, mind

you, but sharp enough I felt my shoulder blades wind tighter and tighter as her brazenness grew.

"I'm sure I'd never be able to carry off that hair style," she said from behind me. I refused to offer her the

satisfaction of turning around to glare. "So... last century."

It didn't help her friends, seated with great enthusiasm right behind me, laughed at every nasty line.

Ignore her, Sassafras sent while my grandmother stewed with the need to slice the girl's head from her shoulders. And I

thought Syd had a bad temper. She held nothing to Ahbi.

You ignore her, she sent. I'm going to kill her.

Now, Grandmother, I sent, welcoming the amusement of the pair of them arguing. Decorum. Above all else, Ruler must be an

example to her people.

Don't quote your grandfather's tripe to me, she snapped.

I smiled despite Tanasharia's continuing efforts to anger me. In fact, I smiled because of her. Bless Sass and Ahbi for

putting everything into perspective. Tanasharia didn't matter, my cousin's attack a mere distraction. I was Ruler and she

was nothing.

With a casual turn of my head, I leaned across the aisle and back to where Sequoia sat behind Henemordonin.

"The air is rank in here," I said, loudly enough everyone on the transport could hear. "And hot. Could you speak to the

pilot, dear, and have them vent the source?"

Sequoia's eyes widened, her throat working a moment before she answered. "Yes, my Ruler," she said while moisture rose

around the corners of her gaze. Do not make me laugh, she sent with a mental snort.

I leaned back, my own lips tight with a grin, my cousin's sudden silence and the brooding pressure against the back of my

chair enough evidence my message made it through clearly. Now, if only I could actually vent her for real, this trip

might not end up so badly after all.

Now who has a temper? Ahbi's smugness fed my own good humor.

If you two are done playing, Sass sent. Really, Ahbi. You spent how many years trying to teach me to behave only to

become a hoodlum yourself.

Takes one, she sniffed.

Henemordonin's displeasure rolled from him in waves. But I had backup like never before and engulfed myself in Sassafras

and my grandmother.

Nicely played, my Ruler. Elph's mental voice came through to me softly, hesitant, as though he was unsure of his welcome.

I blushed instantly, heat rising from the pit of my stomach to light my cheeks. I was just grateful no one could see me.

No one but Sassafras, that was, and, from her vantage point inside me, my grandmother.

Interesting, Sass sent, having no compunctions about peeking around the edge of my chair, I could only guess with the

goal of spotting my young demon suitor. He appears genuine. How much do we know about him?

Little to none, Ahbi sent. Though the child here seems to like him despite my warnings to the contrary.

If steam could have emerged from my ears, I'm certain the pilots would have been forced to release it immediately.

Sass looked up at me, eyes half-lidded as his whiskers twitched. I see, he sent.

Do you? I snapped my fingers at his nose to which he swatted me. There's nothing wrong with making friends, I sent.

Besides, he seems kind and rather humble for a demon.

Warning signs if ever there were any, Ahbi sent.

Sassafras sighed deeply, curling up in my lap and resting his head on the back of my hand. I fear your grandmother is

right, he sent. Though there have been exceptions.

I'm holding one right now. I stroked his fur with my free hand.

Touché, Ahbi sent. Though humble will never fit our young friend here.

Sassafras snorted and shifted into a more comfortable position, closing his eyes as we passed over the border of

Ostrogotho and into the wasteland beyond, even as I wondered where my grandmother learned French.

Humble is for losers, he sent.

Anyway, I sent, as both of you have made me very aware, the fate of Demonicon is much more important right now. And this

mate ruse is for Henemordonin's benefit. I don't plan to choose for many years yet.

You have time, Sass sent.

You don't, Ahbi shot back. The more I see of this mess, the more I realize the only way you can save your rule is to kick

his old ass from Second Seat. And the only way to do that-aside from killing him, which you seem to refuse to consider-is

to marry.

I'll deal with my grandfather, I sent with far more confidence than I dared. And Rameranselot. When I find him. If I

don't kill him, instead.

My gaze drifted out the window, to the frothing pink falls I remembered from another trip, our first, when Ahbi was alive

and Ruler and Syd and I strangers to Demonicon. Though I had other memories of being here, they were distorted by rage

and nectar fire, paired with the need to kill my sister. I preferred the innocent memories.

Dark shapes flashed through the foam, a flight of drach rising from the depths of the gorge up the flow of pink water, a

formation of perfection as their wings spread wide, arrow heads pointed at the suns above. I leaned closer to the

shielding with a real smile, wondering where they were off to and who was in this particular group. It had been some time

since I'd seen Max, Syd's drach friend and the leader of the dragon-like creatures who were the first race.

Gasps from behind me and a grunt of irritation from Henemordonin were preceded by the heavy and powerful touch of a mind

on mine as the wing of drach leveled off and came to match speed with my transport.

Ruler. Max's mind was unmistakable. I pressed my free hand to the shield as he settled close enough I could see his

diamond eye clearly, a rainbow of light passing over it.

Hi, Max. Something about the drach made me giddy every time I saw them, a throwback, I could only guess, to being a

little girl who dreamed of becoming a princess someday.

Might we have a word? He dipped his head toward the ground.

Of course. I spun immediately, smile dropping away as I realized the tactical advantage I had over the rest of the demons

in the transport. Even Tanasharia looked fearful of the mass of drach hovering so close, now spread out and back down the

line of our entourage. "Pilots," I used my very best Ruler voice, drawing on my memories of Ahbi on her throne while she

chuckled, "land."

I returned to forward facing without waiting for a reply, catching my grandfather's eyes as I did. He looked as though he

wished to argue, but I glared, pointing at Max who remained level with us. "You would deny his request to speak?"

He finally shook his head and looked away. Even Henemordonin knew better than to argue with the drach.

There had been a time demons considered the drach simple animals or, at best, intelligent creatures, but beneath them.

Syd's connection to the maji and Fate revealed the truth about the giant dragons. I, for one, was grateful they were on

our side.

The pilots acted immediately thereafter, the transport descending rather rapidly at first. I interceded, the power of

Demonicon steadying and finally taking control from them. I allowed the transport to settle to the pale yellow sand,

dropping the shielding the moment the hull touched down, ignoring the other carriers as they, too, came to ground and

waited.

Max landed next to me, his transformation from huge dragon to massive man happening so quickly and fluidly I barely had

time to stand before he was beside me, offering his hand in aid to exit. I went with him, now grateful I'd changed

clothes, stepping over the hull and onto the soft, powdered surface. Sassafras hopped over after me and the three of us

left the transports behind while the sounds of anxious whispering reached me from the demons watching.

Let them watch, Ahbi sent with great satisfaction in her mental voice. And let them be in awe. Fear is the best

motivator, Meira. Never forget it.

Oh, hush, Ahbi, Sass sent, power crackling between us.

Max's lips lifted in a barely there smile, eyes crinkling around his chrome gaze, so I knew he heard them bicker.

"Lord of the drach," I said loud enough to carry back to the others. "We are honored."

"Ruler." His deep voice boomed as his wing landed around us, remaining in dragon form, towering over us in a half-circle.

I heard footsteps, knew from the pressure of power approaching my grandfather thought he should have a say in this

conversation and clenched my teeth against my annoyance. Max's head tilted slightly before he went on. "It is we who are

honored. Long have we meant to journey to the Seat for an official meeting. But our tasks are many and we are few."

I bowed my head to him as Henemordonin came to a halt next to me. "Drach," he said at his most insulting. I wasn't sure

what his plan might be or why he chose such an insult, but I fully expected Max to open up with a blast of fire and char

my grandfather where he stood.

Instead, even better-though I really, really would have loved to have seen Henemordonin turn to a charcoal stick while

Max roared the rest of the demons into wetting themselves-the drach leader ignored him. Not a twitch or a moment of

recognition, nor a flicker of gaze did he offer Henemordonin. Instead, Max looked down and nodded to Sassafras.

"Lord cat," he said, the suns shining from the pale gray of his bald head, one huge hand gesturing in greeting.

"Max," Sass said. "Syd says hello."

"I miss her presence," the drach said before returning his attention to me.

"What, pray tell," Henemordonin wasn't about to give up the opportunity to dominate the conversation, "is your reasoning

for interrupting our journey?" He sounded more contemptuous and arrogant than angry.

Again, Max ignored him, long, dark gray robe swinging, raising soft puffs of dust from the fine sandy ground. "We felt

you enter this territory and thought to take the opportunity to share a leg of your passage. With your permission,

Ruler."

I opened my mouth to answer and was rudely interrupted.

"This is an official tour," Henemordonin said in a chill tone.

He did not just say that to Max, Sass hissed in my head.

Oh, but he did, Ahbi sent, full of horrible glee. He really, really, did.

This time, Max finally reacted, though again, no barbeque.

Pity, Ahbi sent.

The giant drach's head swiveled slowly to the left, his diamond gaze fixing on Henemordonin. I was tall in my platform

boots, but not as tall as my grandfather. But even he was dwarfed by the massive drach leader who didn't move, or speak.

He simply stared.

His assembled people began to hum, their dragon throats vibrating with sound. Nothing threatening or overpowering, but

with a thread of harmony so pure and beautiful I caught my breath and held it.

I have no idea what passed between my grandfather and the massive drach leader, though I wish I could have uncovered

Max's secret. For, within moments, Henemordonin's eyes dropped and he bowed his head.

He is most troublesome, Max sent while the drach continued their song, softer but still present. Would you like me to

take care of him for you?

I laughed out loud, not even trying to hide it. Henemordonin's head turned toward me in a flash of movement, his eyes

searching my face, brows pulled together. I shrugged before shaking my head.

He's my problem, I guess, I sent. But thank you. I could feel the fear coming from the watching demons wash toward me in

waves and grinned at Max. This whole show has succeeded where I've failed so far. You've made them fear you with minimal

effort. I need to take lessons.

Max didn't smile, but his mind felt approving. Perhaps an escort to your destination would be appropriate, he sent.

I think that might be an excellent idea. I beamed up at him before bowing my head. "Lord Drach," I said. "Your offer of

escort is a great honor to the Seat and all demons. We accept with deepest thanks."

I didn't wait for my grandfather, not wanting to shatter the hold Max and his people had so carefully created over the

watching demons. Instead, I spun and strode back to my transport, settling calmly into my chair a moment before Sassafras

leaped back into my lap. Henemordonin was several steps behind me, huffing a little as he did. I liked the idea of him

being the unsettled one for a change.

Rather than wait for the pilots, I took control again, powering the shielding and lifting off. It felt good to be flexing

my magical muscles and, with the drach in formation around us, the remainder of our flight to Milanseme was much more

relaxed. I did take the opportunity to talk to Max, however, as I wondered if he could be of help.

When I explained the real reason for the tour, Max's mind rippled with power before settling again.

Part of the reason we have sought you out, he sent, his sparkling eye glistening as he banked to the right, following my

lead. We have been troubled, of late. There have been subtle shifts in the power holding Demonicon together and I hoped

you might have information.

That's news to me, I sent, tensing in my seat, the transport shuddering enough to make the young demons behind me meep in

worry. I didn't bother to reassure them, focused on flying and on Max.

We have been gone from Demonicon for some time now, Max sent, patrolling the veil. But upon our return only a day ago, I

felt the shift in the power of the Node. I was, in fact, on my way to Ostrogotho to consult with you and your sister over

the matter. But, it appears you have troubles of your own.

Could they be connected in some way? Sassafras's quick mind was just a heartbeat ahead of mine.

I fear it is possible, Max sent. We know how sensitive the Node is to shifts in power. If someone is stealing-or

suppressing-the magic of demons, it will have an effect.

That doesn't make sense, I sent.

It does when you consider the Node is tied to every soul on Demonicon, Max sent.

It's what? I reached for Ahbi but she was already sighing.

I thought I told you that. I'd never heard her sound contrite. Until now.

No, Grandmother, I held my temper by a hair's breadth, you most definitely did not.

Irrelevant now, she sent, hurrying past the point. Max, can something like this destabilize the Node? She sounded

worried, now.

I do not know, he sent, troubled himself. The Node was created to support all life and all lives on the combined plane.

Mass exodus of power could have a detrimental shift if it happens too quickly.

Are you telling me if too much power is lost from too many demons, the whole thing could fall apart? My hands tightened

around Sassafras who thrashed his tail several times.

Why do you think war was abolished, child? Ahbi sighed. The idea was to keep all power here, in the combined planes,

present and accessible by the Node at all times. While war and mass shifting of power could possibly unbalance the Node,

this loss of power... she mentally shook her head. I just don't know.

Nor do I, Max sent. Though what would the purpose be, I wonder, to shutting demons off from their magic rather than

stealing it outright?

Because someone wants control of the Node, Sass sent quietly but with great intensity. And know a direct assault will

fail.

All of a sudden the Planeless weren't just some cult spreading joy and peace while controlling my subjects. There was a

real possibility they were bent on destroying Demonicon.

***