Chapter 7: Banishment

Haralthazar didn't protest this time, instead turning to me. A snap of his magic freed me from my wrist shackles, sending the crowd of demons back away from me as though they feared I might attack them. The idea flittered through my mind. How marvelous would it be to end my life in such a glorious manner, this power I'd stolen burning me up in a blaze of final glory? But Haralthazar already had a firm hold on my magic and whispered in my mind.

I'm sorry, Sass, he sent. Be well, my friend.

Before I could respond, the ache of an infected tooth grew inside my body, the feeling of being pulled in a million directions at once crippling me further, drawing a cry of agony from my lips. Haralthazar swelled larger, magic flooding him, his amber eyes sparking fire as the power I'd won left me, entering him, until only my core energy remained.

And that too he took, stripping me as I'd stripped Raneen. I waited for the real emptiness to come, for the final loss that would leave me a shell, uncomprehending and unable to defend myself.

It never happened. Haralthazar stopped, a slim but tangible core of magic left behind as he pulled free, grim and angry.

The best I can do, he sent as my hard-won magic left me forever.

I felt around at what remained while Haralthazar backed off and bowed to his mother. Not much, enough to sustain me, likely my immortality, as it was built into the very essence of my magic, but little else. As weak as a newborn centurion demon with parents of no pedigree.

And yet. Magic. I sent a silent thanks to Haralthazar even as I despaired.

It would have to be enough.

The veil tore before my eyes, Ahbi's shining amber gaze fixed on me. "He will be transformed into the first living creature I see," she said even as understanding of what her son had done shone on her face. She didn't protest. Was she yet on my side?

A dark and dismal scene on the other side of the veil drew my attention, even as a striped creature with a long tail and pointed ears scampered away from the tear between the planes.

"So be it," Ahbi said, gesturing to me. Pain like I'd never felt wracked my body as I shrank, given no time to consider what I was to become. Everything contorted, my skin twitching as fur burst forth, clothing shed, vision sharpening as everyone around me grew taller, larger, more imposing.

When it was done, I looked down at myself, at shining silver fur, twitching whiskers beside my nose and mouth, a thick tail puffed wide swinging around to cover my front paws. Someone moved behind me and I turned, awkwardly managing my new tail, the four feet, looking up into my own eyes. The shape I used to wear, Sassafras the demon gazed into space as vacant as a statue.

"How am I unsurprised," Ahbi said. "You have never been ordinary, Sassafras, neither in this plane nor the one you will soon adopt as your home."

My empty shell wavered, enough a Guard had to support it. Him. Me. How horrible to crouch there in a body not mine and know without a doubt there was nothing I could do to change back, even with the power Harry left me. There was nothing for me to change to. Ahbi made sure of that.

I spun back toward her, met her eyes. Took a risk, leaping to her throne, my new body limber at least, and nimble enough to avoid the Guard hands trying to capture me before I could land in her lap.

She waved them off as I looked up at her. "I will see you again, Ahbi Sanghamitra," I said with more confidence than I felt.

"I have no doubt," she whispered.

I turned, faced the court from where I perched on her knee. "If you'll excuse me," I said, "I have better places to be."

Power engulfed me, a strong hand stroking my fur as Ahbi's mind met mine. I wish you well, Sassafras, she sent. Do come to visit someday.

No time to respond, not while her magic lifted me, sent me forward, toward the gap in the veil, through it-

My new body fell, landed hard on cold, wet gravel, the light from the veil shining one more moment. It snapped shut behind me, leaving me alone in the cold dark.

***