Chapter 18: Coercion

It would have been so easy to sink into his despair and allow myself to retreat. Or, perhaps, call for Henemordonin and

lean on him, ask him to forgive me for thinking I could ever have filled this position when I really had no idea what I

was doing or how to combat this threat to my people.

"Surely, it's not so bad," I said.

"If only that were true," Jabut said. "Ram and I traveled to many of the outlying planes, only to find them empty, their

farms deserted, towns home only to the ghosts of their old inhabitants." His shoulders straightened somewhat as Sassafras

hissed at his brother. "Forgive me, Ruler," he said. "We will, of course, do everything we can to stop the spread of

this... disease." Both hands slapped down on his thighs. "I have faith, now you are aware of the problem, you will act with

swift and decisive measures to put an end to the advance of the Planeless."

If only I could turn his words into confidence. "Have they penetrated the cities yet?"

"They have," he said. "Though in small numbers. It is my guess-and that of Rameranselot-their intent was to begin in a

grassroots manner, gathering the weak-minded and less powerful to them as a basis of followers before attempting to bring

their beliefs to larger, more influential populations."

"We need to know if they have come to Ostrogotho yet," I said, thinking of Theridialis and his suppositions about the

weak form of nectar making the circuit. "Tell me, could this Xeoniteridone possess some kind of additional power he uses

to convert his followers?"

Jabut nodded slowly. "I believe so," he said. "Despite my concerns about his people, his words were oddly compelling, as

though he spoke to my very soul."

"Coercion," Sassafras said, tail snapping back and forth. "Despicable."

"But subtle," Jabut said. "I felt nothing of his influence even though both Rameranselot and I were hyper vigilant about

power output."

"So some combination of the nectar to soften them up and suppress their power," I felt my hands tighten into fists in my

lap without my permission, "followed by a coercive magic to capture and hold their weakened minds."

Sassafras growled.

"What does that get us?" He crouched, fur standing on end.

"A war we can't fight through normal means," I said. "Though perhaps a show of strength, at this point, might be the best

choice."

I disagree, Ahbi sent. Consider, if you will, a peaceful movement led by a charismatic leader being met by violence.

This is Demonicon, I sent. We're known for our violence.

True, Sassafras sent. And yet.

You are already having trouble with your court, Ahbi sent, thanks to Harry's meddling. It's possible demons such as

Tanasharia and even Henemordonin might attempt to use such a salvo against a group intent on everyone just getting along

as the means to show you as an unfit leader. While a show of power is acceptable, attacking those who are weaker than

you, who offer no return violence, may be seen as you simply trying to retake the power over Demonicon you lost through

Haralthazar's new demonocracy laws.

I grumbled an agreement while Sassafras sighed.

I take it Harry's attempt to improve things has had the opposite effect?

How little he knew the truth of his words. It doesn't matter now, I sent. Like it or not, I'm Ruler and the safety of

Demonicon comes first. I'll just have to act and clean up the mess once this crisis is over.

While attacking a bunch of helpless and powerless demons. We'll see how far you make it before your grandfather

challenges you for real and has the court deem you unfit as Ruler. He won't have to fight you, Meira. Ahbi sighed. He

will simply take your power from you and have you imprisoned while the Planeless continue to depopulate the magic of the

planes. She shivered inside me. As much as I despise the thought, demons are thinking differently, more in tune with your

father's convictions. While I believe they have no place thinking they can rule themselves, the damage is done.

Sassafras's mind hugged mine though I could still feel his concern through the curtain of comfort he offered. There must

be a way we can officially observe these cultists without starting a war. Your first task, Ruler, is to find out as much

as you can about their leader without sacrificing more of your people.

First hand, I sent, sharp and vicious. Let him try to convert me.

I don't know that's wise, Ahbi sent, but I was already standing, nodding to Jabuticabron as Pagomaris hurried back into

the room, laden with a tray of food and drink.

"I've long planned a tour of the cities of Demonicon," I said. "My Second Seat has made it clear in the past such a tour

is against his better judgment, but I'm thinking getting out and about would be an excellent idea."

Jabut rose to his feet and bowed to me. "As you wish, my Ruler," he said, though he sounded as if he wanted to argue with

me.

I pressed my hand against his arm as Pagomaris set the small table, guiding the large demon to a seat while Sassafras

leaped up onto the surface and helped himself to a bowl of milk.

"We need information," I said. "For all I know, at this point, the movement is genuine."

You really don't believe that, Ahbi sent.

Maybe not, I sent as Sassafras looked up from his drink, pink tongue sliding over his nose, but it seems you've left me

little choice but to observe the Planeless for myself.

I agree, Sassafras sent. And, if he proves to be a threat, we can make a plan to attempt an extraction.

I nodded while Ahbi sighed.

Very well, she sent. Though I suggest putting people in place now in preparation for that extraction?

If Jabut is correct, I sent, doing so will get us nowhere. I thought of Ram and though I was still angry with him, my

worry won the day.

We'll find him, Ahbi sent. And we'll get to the bottom of this.

***

I fully expected my grandfather to object and offer his usual arguments about such a tour of Demonicon, but as I braced

myself for his typical opposition, my back rigid on my throne as the gathered court listened with barely contained

excitement, I was shocked when he simply nodded.

"An excellent idea," he said, as though he'd never once told me I was foolish, childish, or irresponsible for wanting to

visit each of the major cities of Demonicon.

I highly doubted the difference in his attitude was lost on the family, either, even though no one said anything against

him, naturally. And, to be quite forthcoming, I was so surprised by his abrupt change of heart I didn't prod him as to

why he'd decided all of a sudden my plan was a good one.

Will wonders never cease, Ahbi sent with a soft whistle.

"In fact," Henemordonin went on in his ponderous voice, turning to face the court as my moment of relief faded, "it's

perfect timing for court to go on tour and observe first-hand the changes we've enacted thanks to the alterations in our

laws. To see, with our own eyes and hear with our own ears how the demons of our plane are adjusting to the beginnings of

our demonocracy."

Ahbi growled. Just lovely, she sent.

Henemordonin turned back to me, eyes full of quiet watchfulness. "What say you, Ruler?"

He has us cornered and he knows it, Ahbi sent. Damn him to the depths of the Seat volcano and may his privates rot in a

rash of nectar fever.

It's a compromise, I sent.

It's a trap, she snarled.

I slowly nodded to my grandfather. "Very well."

If you don't figure out a way to put an end to him, Ahbi grumbled as court burst into excited babblings, I'm going to do

it myself.

What's the big deal? I didn't like the small smile Henemordonin wore, nor the sly look Tanasharia shot me. We're

accomplishing our goal-getting out there to see the Planeless, aren't we?

You have never been part of a court tour, Ahbi sighed, her anger sagging finally. Meira, this is a disaster.

***

Two days and a circus of organization later and I had to agree with her. My intention to head out that very afternoon was

immediately kyboshed when a slew of requests to accompany my retinue blew up from a handful of high-ranking demons to

literally the entire membership of the court. And their children, servants, private guards, pets and the majority of

their wardrobes.

I told you, Ahbi sent as I gaped at the growing pile of requests. And you can't say no.

I can't? I sat back, hand already aching though I had as yet to pick up my quill to begin signing them. Why not?

Because, silly child, Ahbi snapped, you told Henemordonin you approved of his suggestion. Now you've saddled us with most

of the major households down to the lowliest servant. And there's not one thing you can do about it.

Doesn't that put the entire court at risk if something goes wrong? Surely, I could come up with a good reason to keep at

least some of them home.

Ahbi's mental laughter made me scowl. Not one of them, she sent, would willingly miss a second. There has never been-and

will never be, I expect-any kind of restrictions on tours like this one. You're stuck with them, my girl.

I couldn't resist coining a Syd. Oh. My. Swearword.

Though the "swearword" I replaced with something much more dramatic and shocking. My sister might have been a prude in

certain ways, old fashioned in others, but I didn't have her reserve when it came to swearing. Living on Demonicon had

taught me that much.

"We could just leave," I said as I paced my room that first night, Sequoia calmly weaving a tapestry with magic, the

amber lines of her enchanted loom hovering in the air. "Call it an advanced party or something."

"Impossible," Pagomaris said, face paling as she waited with great impatience for Sequoia to finish what she was doing.

"I have six more gowns to make before we go!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "This is a ruse, remember?" Her face fell, hands clenching together in front of her. I should

have known better than to push my aide when it came to this kind of thing. "Pagomaris," I said as gently as I could,

crossing to touch her shoulder while she bowed her head, "the gowns can wait."

She bobbed a nod and snuffled softly. "Forgive me," she whispered. "I forgot."

"That's it," I said, spinning to leave the room, "I'm going, with or without all of you."

Jabuticabron stood before the door, shaking his head. "Ruler," he said, "you know I would be the first to follow you. But

you've committed to this action. We must see it through."

"If you leave now," Sassafras said in her infuriatingly calm voice, "Henemordonin can challenge you for First Seat.

Without you here to defend it, he could conceivably take over the throne without contest." He batted playfully at the

threads his sister wove, tail twitching as his cat instincts took over.

"Well, that sucks," I said, sinking to a padded armchair, angrily crossing one leg over the other, my platform boot

bobbing in time with my tapping fingertips. The soft fabric of the armrests crushed under my aggressive touch. "How long

is this going to take?"

Until every single demon you so kindly welcomed to join us is ready to lumber their way across Demonicon, Ahbi sent.

I spent the next day signing more paperwork, arguing with rising heat against my advisors and worrying about

Rameranselot. They had no idea I continued to search for him, though every time I encountered the dark magic, I shied

from it, worried I might trigger some event I wasn't prepared as yet to tackle.

By the end of the second day, I was fully prepared to tear out my hair before murdering the next person who came into my

office with a ridiculous request for me to sign.

"This might be an excellent time to contact your sister." Sassafras crouched on the corner of my desk, amber eyes

following me as I paced the room. I felt much like a caged animal in a zoo, knowing I had to escape the Seat but trapped

by my own idiocy.

"Syd, right." I'd been putting off getting in touch, not because I didn't want to see her, but out of worry involving her

would mean this really was a Brotherhood initiative. Mind you, Sassafras had already talked to her about the situation,

but bringing Syd in made it very real to me, and I had other things to worry about.

No, Ahbi sent as I reached for the veil, you don't. You have many things to consider. You are Ruler and don't have the

luxury to choose which situations get your attention.

Thanks for the reminder, I shot at her as I felt Syd connect with me, the tear opening in the veil. Syd's answering scowl

told me my expression wasn't exactly welcoming. She crossed from the dark basement and into my office, human form so

small compared to me I immediately sank to the edge of my desk so we were at equal eye height.

The veil slipped closed behind her as my sister's magic rippled in iridescent waves around her.

"What's wrong?" I could feel her need to act, how wound up she was, and sighed, shaking my head.

"Nothing," I said, tapping my temple with one finger. "Just having a conversation I'd rather not participate in."

Syd grinned, relaxing instantly. "Feel you," she said, crossing to me for a hug before scratching Sassafras behind the

ears. When her blue eyes rose again to meet mine, she wasn't as grim as she'd been when she arrived, but she didn't look

happy, either. "I hear you might have a Brotherhood infestation."

I laughed at that. "Worse than roaches."

She grinned again, arms crossing over her chest. "I've held off because Sass asked me to," she said. "But if it is the

Brotherhood, I need to act, Meems."

"And doing so," Sass said, "could very well undermine your sister's place on the throne and give Henemordonin more

ammunition in his attempt to gain further power and control."

Syd nodded, frowning over her suddenly flashing eyes. "I know that," she said. "I said I'd wait, didn't I?"

"And you have," he said. "We're only now preparing to depart."

"Tomorrow, hopefully." The sigh that left me sounded petulant to my ears. "I screwed up, Syd. The whole court is coming

with me, all because I didn't know the rules." My head hung without my permission, eyes burning with the need to cry.

Only a very tight hold on my power kept my cheeks dry.

"Meems," Syd's hand settled on my arm, "you don't have to apologize to me." I looked up as she gave me a rueful smile.

"How many times did I make a ginormous mess?" She let her hand fall. "We'll-no, you'll-figure it out. And kick some

Brotherhood butt."

"If it's the Brotherhood," Sass said. "I'm still not convinced." His silver fur shimmered as he licked one paw with

vigor. "It's possible this Planeless cult has nothing to do with sorcery."

I opened to Syd and Sass both, allowed them to feel what I felt when I sought Ram. Syd hissed, Sass answering her with a

snarl of his own.

"Holy," Syd said. "Feels like sorcery to me."

Sassafras nodded, a slow and reluctant motion, silver mane shuddering as he did. "Agreed."

"But still no proof of the Brotherhood," I said. "I'll keep you posted, but I think Sass is right about this. Let me

investigate further. Once we know what we're dealing with, I'll publicly invite you to come and help. But until we have

proof, it might be best to keep you out of it."

Syd's face flickered with concern. "Things that rocky here, sis?"

Emotion rose, choking me as I held her gaze. "You could say that," I said. "The last four years have been interesting.

And if you want me on the First Seat for much longer, this is the best way to go." I stood, towering over her though, as

always, she felt so much bigger than me, her maji power glowing around her. "I need to play Ruler," I said.

Play, Ahbi growled. Is that what this is to you?

You're the one who said this is a game, Syd's voice came through loud and clear. If I recall correctly, Grandmother.

Ahbi grumbled and retreated.

"It might be time for you to go it alone in more ways than one," Syd said, voice layered with meaning. "I know how hard

it can be to balance more than one personality. But mine are all tied to my power. Yours has her own path to choose."

Why did the idea of losing Ahbi suddenly make me feel ill? It could have been my grandmother's influence, but I doubted

it. I hugged myself, feeling the demon spirit living inside me perk and pay sullen attention as I answered.

"That time will come," I said. "But not today."

Syd nodded before stepping back. "If this isn't the Brotherhood," she said, reaching for the veil, "the implications of

demons finding sorcery after all these centuries is massive, Meira."

"You don't have to tell me that," I said.

"I know," Syd said. "Love you."

"Love you, too," I said, waving as she crossed back to her plane, the veil snapping shut behind her.

***